This is Ink & Intrigue—the blog where romance ignites, secrets simmer, and every love story hides a twist. I’m your blog host, Sheila Kell, romance author and lover of plot twists, slow burns, and morally questionable book boyfriends.

🇳🇿 1. The story began with an invitation from New Zealand.

My wonderful alpha reader, Helen, calls New Zealand home. During one of our conversations, she encouraged me to write a story set in her beautiful country. That invitation sparked the idea for Crossing Boundaries, and before long, I found myself researching everything from breathtaking landscapes to local culture. I hope the setting feels as authentic and welcoming as the people who inspired it.

👧👦 2. Luka and Olivia owe their names to my family.

Choosing character names is one of my favorite parts of writing, but this time I had some enthusiastic helpers. My great-nieces chose the names Luka and Olivia, making this story even more special to me. Even better, the children who appear in the novel share their names, giving them a permanent place in one of my books.

🛡️ 3. It’s my contribution to the Men and Women of Valor series.

When The Wild Rose Press invited their authors to write for this collaborative series, I jumped at the chance. Every author brings their own voice and characters to the shared world of Bolton Valor Security, and it was an honor to contribute Luka and Olivia’s adventure.

❤️ 4. The title means more than traveling across the globe.

Yes, the story crosses oceans, but the real boundaries are the ones inside us. Trust. Fear. Independence. Love. Watching Luka and Olivia navigate those invisible lines became one of my favorite parts of writing the novel.

✈️ 5. Writing this book made New Zealand even higher on my travel bucket list.

Researching Crossing Boundaries gave me an even greater appreciation for New Zealand’s incredible beauty and unique culture. One day, I’d love to see those breathtaking landscapes with my own eyes. Until then, writing this story was the next best thing.

The Men and Women of Valor Series comprises nine books, each written by a different author and published by The Wild Rose Press. They are stand-alone novels connected by Bolton Valor Security, so they can be read in any order.

I hope you loved hearing about my new release, Crossing Boundaries, and the Men and Women of Valor Series. If you haven’t added this to your TBR yet, now’s the time—trust me, you won’t want to miss it. 💖

You can connect with me here:

🌐 Website: https://www.sheilakell.com

📧 Newsletter: https://www.sheilakell.com/subscribe

📱 Socials: @sheilakellbooks

🛒 Grab the book and series: Crossing Boundaries  |   The Men and Women of Valor Series

Thanks for joining me on Ink & Intrigue, where romance and suspense go hand in hand.

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Want more behind-the-scenes content, writing tips, or a peek into my books? Visit sheilakell.com or follow me on social media at @sheilakellbooks.

Until next time—keep writing, keep swooning, and remember: every heart has a secret. 💕