April 2026 Newsletter
COMING MAY 26th
March was such a whirlwind that sending a newsletter completely escaped me!
So what was I so busy doing? Well, nailing down the cover for Second Courses, formatting Second Courses, uploading Second Courses to the various platforms for printing and distributing Second Courses, marketing Second Courses…you get the picture. It was all hands on deck (which means just my two) to get this book out into the world.
And May 26th is the scheduled release date! Woohoo! I can’t believe it.
It’s been three years in the making. At several points in the last couple of years, I considered shelving it and just starting something new, but I persevered. I can tell you that there’s a lot of self-doubt involved in writing, and when you decide to make your work public, that self-doubt multiplies exponentially. And the thought of people not liking my book? Terrifying! But I’ll get over it…I promise. If you decide to read it and don’t like it, it’s okay. Not every book is for every reader. Heck, maybe you’ll like my next book. (Yes, there’s another one on the way…I’m drafting now!)
But if the following sounds like your jam, then I encourage you to grab a copy:
Lyndsay Leach spent seventeen years supporting her celebrity-chef husband, but when he leaves for a much younger woman, she makes a bold—and slightly petty—move: She takes the one thing he never thought she would, his prized Lake George restaurant.
There’s just one problem. She’s never run a kitchen, her secret writing career has stalled, and her first love just walked through the door and wants the head chef job. Okay, more than one problem.
Now, with her ex opening a rival restaurant right down the road, a scathing food critic on the way, Lyndsay has one shot to prove she’s no longer a supporting character in someone else’s story—and maybe find love at the same time.
Of course, nothing’s easy, as Lyndsay soon finds out. But sometimes the second course is the one worth waiting for.
For all of my Upstate NY peeps, you will see lots of local references, and if you’ve never had the chance to visit this incredible part of NY, then you need to come visit! It truly is a gorgeous area with mountains and lakes and so much to see and do.
Several people have inquired about how to purchase Second Courses—thank you for asking—and there will be several ways to do so:
Signed paperback copies will be available on my website (robinblackburnwriter.com). These are not available YET as I’m waiting on my copies to ship. But I will share on my Instagram when they are available. (On Instagram, you can find me @robinblackburnwriter). If you purchase through my website, I will also mail you a few extras, along with my eternal gratitude. (Although the gratitude will be difficult to package up, know that it’s there!) I will also have cute leather bookmarks of Lake George available for purchase as well.
If you’re a Kindle user, Second Courses is available NOW for pre-order. If you’re a Kindle Unlimited member, this will be available to read as part of your membership beginning May 26th. It will also be available for purchase as a paperback on May 26th on Amazon.
Now, if you want to pre-order a paperback, you have several options:
Bookshop.org - This is my favorite if you want to pre-order a paperback. If you’ve never purchased from Bookshop.org, you can designate an indie bookstore, and then that bookstore receives the full profit from your purchase. Learn more here! Additionally, as I type this, I can see that they are currently offering a small discount.
Okay…that's it for now! I really need to go pack as Blaine and I leave tomorrow to head to NY! Soon I will be back at my happy place and enjoying all of the things I love—like family, friends, and a view of my little lake (which is not Lake George—but is just as gorgeous).
Talk soon!
Robin
P.S. Thank you for supporting me and this book! I appreciate it more than you know!
What I’m reading right now…
I am currently reading: The Shippers by Katherine Center.
Katherine is a local Houston author, and she’s an autobuy for me! This book releases in May and I’m loving it so far!
February and March 2026 Reads
In February, we took a trip to Florida, so that’s why I was able to get through so many books that month. Lots of good ones, including some indie authors that you should check out! Special shoutout to Baley Noal, Lia Duchaine, K.L. Parsons, and N.C. Barton (beta read) in February!
March was a little more hectic, and my reading paid the price, but it was also full of good books! Monica Comas’ debut, A Recipe for Joy, was a fabulous read, and you all are going to love Annie Cathryn’s Eat the Cake when it comes out this summer.
Plus, I got to beta read another novel for a friend that will be releasing this year—and I can’t wait to share it with you in the near future!
At the Moment
What I’ve been up to:
One of my besties came to visit at the end of March, and we dragged her to the Houston Open, then to a local beer festival, and then we went out in the Jeep to look for bluebonnets and explore the Texas countryside (with a stop at Buc-ee’s, of course!)
Then I traded the Queen B (my 2018 Jeep Wrangler) for a Jeep Gladiator—which I love! I think I will be a Jeep driver until I can no longer climb into it!
Blaine and I saw a couple of shows at the Hobby. We really enjoyed The Great Gatsby, Some Like It Hot, and Six. Definitely go see them if they are anywhere near you!
What I’m watching:
Okay…just a quick rundown of what we’ve been watching on television:
We finished up:
Dark Winds
Shrinking
Best Medicine
Memory of a Killer
The Pitt
Currently watching:
Outlander (the final season!)
Your Friends & Neighbors
Hacks
Cross
Tracker
Got anything you’d recommend? Let me know!
What I’m cooking:
We’ve been pretty basic lately…grilling a lot and doing some charcuterie nights. I’m ready for full-on summer mode, where I throw just about everything on the grill.
What I’m loving:
Sorry…no great purchases over the last couple of months. Ooohh, wait! I did buy the RoC Hydration+ Replumping Serum Stick and LOVE it! I do notice a difference in how my skin looks and feels when I use it!