Darkstroke books

Turning the page to 2023

As usual, 2022 ended with busy holiday revelry and fun family time. In the past, transitions to a new year hadn’t phased me beyond having to remember what date to write on my checks. But welcoming 2023 felt different.

This is the year I turn 50. The number doesn’t scare me, but it does offer an opportunity for reflection on the past decade — as it was the decade author JD Spero came to be!

I published my first book, Catcher’s Keeper, at 41. Self-pubbed through much trial and error at a time when self-publishing was still new and shrouded in skepticism. It’s one of my proudest achievements. Soon after, I signed Forte (2015) and then Concerto (2017). Then, I felt I finally “made it,” signing with Immortal Works Press to publish my long love, small town mystery Boy on Hold (2019) and then Boy Released (2021).

Last year, I signed with Darkstroke Books to release The Secret Cure the day after my 49th birthday, which became an Amazon bestseller and logged its 100th review on New Year’s Eve.

I’m thrilled to distract from my ominous half-century birthday with TWO new releases in 2023! In March, you will see The Muse Next Door hit the proverbial shelves. It’s a feel-good, small town, enemies-to-lovers romance with a bit of a twist. Perfect to take on your next vacation, tucked into your beach bag. Stay tuned, cover reveal is coming soooooooon! (I’ve seen a few iterations and it’s gorgeous!) This is brought to you by Winding Road Stories, a new publisher I’m excited to work with.

My “mood board” for MUSE I used to pitch the story idea…

And then in August comes Hack Ware, a fast paced cyber thriller that will zoom you into a dystopian New York City where half the human population are droids and a computer virus threatens to obliterate them. This is one of a two-part series and is another gem from Immortal Works Press. For this, we’re already deep in the editing process and it’s coming along great. Buckle your seatbelts for this one. It is a thrill!

Mood board for HACK WARE

People often ask if I’m writing another book. The answer is YES! My favorite part of the writing process is creating something from nothing and I always try to have a fresh story going at all times. My current WIP is an erotic romantic suspense based on a sweetheart scam with an unexpected twist. You’ll have to wait to hear details, but hopefully that will release sometime in 2024!

Thank you to all my readers. Having books published means nothing if no one reads them…

The Secret Cure LAUNCH!

Today is the day! After years of work, The Secret Cure is out in the world. Preorders have manifested in Kindle libraries, like magic! Ebooks can be downloaded and read! If you buy now, you can start reading in seconds. I’m SO EXCITED to share this story with you!

A gripping psychological thriller with a twist.

She’s getting better. He has no clue. That’s exactly the way she wants it. 

To pull off the perfect revenge, her cure has to remain a secret…

The official blurb (below) will tell you what the story is about. But not only is the concept fascinating, there are a handful of fun facts that make this read unique. Here are a few:

  • The ending changed 4 times before the final version. (Bah!) Endings can be tricky, especially for thrillers. For this one, I was reluctant to literally “kill my darlings.”
  • The MC’s temporary paralysis is a real condition–though an extreme case–called Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
  • Another character has a synesthesia-like PTSD from her time as a medic in the Iraq War. Synesthesia is a fascinating condition that mixes up the the senses. Think colors for feelings, etc. A brilliant treatment of this is in The Color of Bee Larkham’s Murder by Sarah J. Harris.
  • The book is international, for many reasons. One of which is the fact that the publisher, Darkstroke Books, is based in Paris.
  • A major character (the mistress) is Russian. I studied abroad in Russia in the 90s just after the Cold War, and ended up majoring in Russian language. Hence, Russian culture references and phonetically spelled Russian words are sprinkled throughout.
  • Because I got the idea for the story while at a resort in Sicily, part of the book is set there. And Mount Etna is featured. Hence, the antagonist (the cheating husband) is Sicilian. Italian phrases are sprinkled in, too!

Official Blurb

In her mid-30s, Rosalie Giordano is in the prime of her life. Long saved from the manipulative hands of her mother, she’s been married to her fairy tale hero for ten blissful years. Vincent is sweet and strong, and stunning as hell—and completely enamored of her.

Just as they begin to plan for a family, Rosalie is diagnosed with a mysterious virus that renders her temporarily paralyzed. As days stretch to weeks, then months, she learns not only is her condition chronic, but the love of her life is having an affair.

As her health improves, a slow burn of vengeance simmers in her heart. With the help of her homecare nurse, she regains full mobility. While hiding the truth from her husband, she uncovers the extent of his betrayal…and learns he is not at all who he seems. Their planned anniversary trip overseas gives her the perfect occasion for revenge.

But at the fancy Sicilian resort, Rosalie is not the only one with a score to settle with Vincent. And in the end, she’s not the only one with blood on her hands…

Preorder The Secret Cure

I’m thrilled to announce the cover reveal for THE SECRET CURE — now available for preorder!

She’s getting better. He has no clue. That’s exactly the way she wants it. 

To pull off the perfect revenge, her cure has to remain a secret…

Isn’t it just gorgeous! Every time I see it, I get chills. Squeeeeeeee!!

Here’s the official blurb:

In her mid-30s, Rosalie Giordano is in the prime of her life. Long saved from the manipulative hands of her mother, she’s been married to her fairy tale hero for ten blissful years. Vincent is sweet and strong, and stunning as hell—and completely enamored of her.

Just as they begin to plan for a family, Rosalie is diagnosed with a mysterious virus that renders her temporarily paralyzed. As days stretch to weeks, then months, she learns not only is her condition chronic, but the love of her life is having an affair.

As her health improves, a slow burn of vengeance simmers in her heart. With the help of her homecare nurse, she regains full mobility. While hiding the truth from her husband, she uncovers the extent of his betrayal…and learns he is not at all who he seems. Their planned anniversary trip overseas gives her the perfect occasion for revenge.

But at the fancy Sicilian resort, Rosalie is not the only one with a score to settle with Vincent. And in the end, she’s not the only one with blood on her hands…

Set to release May 17, 2022 through Darkstroke Books, it’s been a whirlwind journey to publication. Each publisher I’ve been blessed to work with has its own editing/publishing process, with varying approaches to promotion as well.

Located in France, Darkstroke publishes exclusively with Amazon — focusing equally on the 13 sites that cater to different countries around the world. I’m ashamed to say that I’ve previously been a bit too US-focused in my writing career.

It’s no secret that Amazon is King when it comes to ebook sales and distribution, and I’m no stranger to the KDP Select program that allows authors exclusive benefits in promotional opportunities. But my 5 other books are not in the program, so it will be interesting to see how this strategy compares.

When I say “whirlwind journey,” I’m not exaggerating. I signed with Darkstroke February 2, 2022 and by early April, the book was edited, cover designed, endorsement obtained…all loaded to Amazon for preorder. Crazy fast. Incredible.

Signing with Darkstroke Books February 2, 2022

Since the story idea came to me in 2017 while at a resort in Sicily with my husband, I’ve been so eager to share this story with the world. I hope you preorder today, and have a surprise in your Kindle come May…and enjoy the story so much you share it with your friends around the globe.