Hi friends,

I feel like April arrived quietly and somehow, it’s also release month! (Insert happy dance here).

I don’t think that’s fully sunken in yet.

Should I get a cake? I feel like this deserves cake.

Things have been a little slower over here in the best way. There’s been a lot of writing, a lot of thinking, a lot of letting the story unfold the way it needs to. So I wanted to take a moment to sit down with you (metaphorically, of course), share where things are at, and let you in on what's going on in my little corner of the world.

BOOK TWO UPDATE

Book two is currently about 20k words into the first draft. I just completed the majority of the worldbuilding section of the book, and now I get to write the fun stuff! And by fun stuff, I mean the ongoing trauma I keep tormenting these characters with. There’s still a lot of love, but it’s a bit different in this book.

Lately, I’ve been working on:

• Killian’s inner monologue and emotional growth

• How Kenna and Killian’s love has matured

• Traveling scenes. LOTS of traveling scenes

It’s the kind of story that’s unfolding slowly, but intentionally, and I’m totally ok with letting the story write itself. (If you know me, you know I don’t like outlining, but this one does sort of have an outline…)

SNEAK PEEK

I wanted to share a small piece with you. This is from the current Chapter 10:

I led Kenna to her old bedroom, which now felt more like our bedroom after everything. I tossed the carrot she had found earlier on the bed out the window and into the yard before flopping onto the bed and grinning.

“I hope that whoever put that carrot in the bed wasn’t trying to imply something about me. I’ve got a lot more going on than that.”

She groaned and chucked a pillow from her side of the bed at my head. “I highly doubt the forest was trying to dismiss the impressive architecture of your anatomy.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm, but I could still hear the hint of amusement.

“You never know. Could be a jealous forest.” I winked before pulling her down into the covers with me. She let out a soft laugh as she landed in my arms. I made a quiet hmm sound and nuzzled into her neck. “Home.”

“The cottage?”

“You.”

She ran her fingers through my hair, and I felt my whole body begin to relax. “You’re my home too.” Her voice was soft, reverent.

I pulled back to look at her and studied her emerald eyes. A soft wisp of lilac shifted through her irises, like the mist drifting over the water on a cool morning. She smiled at me as I brushed a curl behind her ear.

“You’re beautiful. You know that, right?” Her eyes softened, and she pressed a soft kiss to my cheek.

“You’re sweet.”

“I mean it, Kenna. You’re bloody beautiful. Inside and out.” She stilled in my arms and slowly, her gaze met mine. She studied me for a moment before a soft smile spread across her lips.

DELUXE HARDCOVER UPDATE

This has been one of my favorite things to work on lately.

Here’s where things are at:

• The interior is formatted! Yay! (I still hate formatting)

• The cover design will remain the same, but the artist has sized it correctly for the new 6×9 hardcover.

• Printed edges are being designed! The same artist that did the cover is doing a beautiful printed edge for the deluxe book.

• This version will include color-printed chapter headers, a color map, two exclusive pieces of full-color art, two bonus scenes, and a sneak peek into book two!

• My goal is to have this book ready to go and out there by the end of June!

I’m putting a lot of care into making these feel special, and I hope that translates.

PREORDER + RELEASE UPDATE

This still feels surreal to say:

Half Breed releases on April 30, 2026!!!!

If you’ve already preordered, thank you. Truly. It means more than I can put into words.

If you’re planning to grab a copy, preorders are open now, and they help the book so much with visibility, reaching new readers, and giving this story the best possible start. Find it here.

Plus, every preorder is eligible for a bonus scene if you fill out this form and send proof of purchase to my email ms.imogen.kay@gmail.com

We’re so close now, and I’m equal parts excited, emotional, and slightly in disbelief that this story is about to be out in the world.

To my ARC and Street Team readers: You guys are literally the best, and I would not be at this stage without you!

BEFORE YOU GO

If you’ve read Half Breed, leaving a review is still one of the kindest ways to support the book. It truly makes a difference.

P.S. I share more little updates (and occasional chaos) over on Instagram if you ever want more in-between moments.