The Spill - 05.26.25
With Author Stephania Thompson
Wishing you a Blessed Memorial Day
Today, those of us in the U.S. take time to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their courage and sacrifice remind us that freedom is never really free, and that some of the most powerful stories are written by those who serve.
In that spirit, I’m keeping this newsletter short and reflective with a brief excerpt from my latest book, Tangled. Tangled is a romantic suspense that touches on the very real issues of loss, love, and survival. In this scene, Kate is not on a battlefield, but she’s fighting her own war…one of fear, betrayal, and the deep desire to belong. It's a reminder that sometimes the strongest battles are the ones no one sees.
Enjoy Tangled…
There’s that glint in his eyes again, and a barrage of warning bells clamor inside my head. So, I snap my leg back, wrench it free from his grasp, and I run. Flee down the stairs and past the crowd of sweaty strangers. I find a door and stagger through it, my ankle twisting painfully. I don’t care. I kick off my heels and run. Off the porch, through the yard, down a road, and into a forest.
I run until the trees swallow me whole, and I collapse, dizzy and gasping for breath, and so grateful to be away from him and out of that house, I could weep. I take a brief inventory, relieved to find my clothing and purse intact, and my cell phone still miraculously charged.
But my God, it’s almost morning! I’ve lost hours, freaking hours of my life. The gravity nearly levels me, and I fall back hard, my head thumping on the moss-covered ground.
I’ve been alone and incoherent with complete strangers and a guy who is unbalanced, at best; any number of horrid things could’ve happened. Would I remember? I’m sure I would remember.
Think Kate. Breathe.
There’s a sharp crack beside me and I nearly jump out of my skin. Okay. Forget thinking. There’ll be time for that later. I need out of here, like now. Hugging myself, I roll to a sitting position, squinting through the trees. Lights twinkle in the distance.
I don’t even know what city this is. If I had an address, I could call for an Uber, but I’m not going back to that house. I don’t think I could even find it. I could walk to a main road, I guess, but that seems daunting. And dangerous. Painful, too. I’m barefoot. My stomach churns a hopeless little song as the world begins to spin. I lie back and close my eyes.
I could call the boys.
Just the thought lifts my spirits. I mean, it’s mortifying. I don’t want them to see me like this or know what I’ve done. But deep down, I know they would never turn their backs on me. Their love will never change. Of this, I am certain.
They would come for me without question.
They would find me. They will always find me.
Heart thrumming and spurred on by these thoughts, I lift my phone and dial a number I memorized years ago. A number that, like the man it belongs to, hasn’t changed since childhood.
He answers on the second ring; his voice a mixture of fatigue and concern. “Kate? What’s wrong? Are you all right?”
“Josh!” I go limp at the sound of him, suddenly sobbing so hard I can barely get the words out. “Josh, I’m in trouble, and I want to come home.”
If this excerpt from Tangled pulled you in, grab your copy today and find out how Kate got herself into this mess. Want to know how it all began? Woven, Book One in the Charm City Threads series, is FREE now on Kindle Unlimited.
If you've already read Woven or Tangled, leaving a quick review (even just a sentence or two) is one of the kindest ways to support indie authors, and it helps other readers discover stories that might just be what they need.
See below for links to all my books and upcoming events…you won’t want to miss what’s coming next!
Now, the Good Stuff: Books, Events, and More
Fall in Love with Charm City Threads
Charm City Threads is a New Adult Romantic Suspense series. A tangled thread of love, secrets, and second chances, all in the heart of Baltimore. Meet the characters you won’t stop thinking about! Start with Woven, get swept away in Tangled.
Poetry That Peels Back the Layers
Raw. Reflective. Rooted in faith and feeling. The Unveiling poetry series explores love, chaos, and motherhood with honesty and heart. If you’ve ever felt too much or not enough, these poems are for you.
Big Emotion in Bite-Sized Stories
From quiet tension to unexpected twists, Tiny Tales is a collection of short stories that linger long after the last line. Perfect for fans of suspense, heart, and a touch of grit…all in 100 words a tale.
Upcoming Events
In-store signings and book clubs, I'm hitting the road this summer, and I’d love to see you there! Check out the events below, mark your calendars, and come say hi (I’ll bring the candy).
That’s a wrap for this week’s Spill! Thanks for hanging out with me—same time, same place next week. Until then, keep reading, keep writing, and keep embracing life and all its chaotic beauty.
