​Happy New Year!

Yessss! We're already in April of 2026 and I'm just NOW emailing y'all. Shame on me. I apologize. To make it up to you, I thought I'd show you what AI came up with when I randomly asked for a photo that encapsulated the Shady Gully series. Hmmmmmmm. Not sure I'd ever use that as it doesn't seem like Shady Gully at all, but the colors are pretty!!!

Speaking of colors, anybody want to guess the color for book 5's cover? Here's the twist: I don't know the color yet either, but as soon as I do, I'll let you know. HOW ABOUT THIS? Let's run a contest! If YOU guess it correctly, I'll send you a digital ARC (Advanced Review Copy) of book 5 when it's ready......!! I'll pick three winners and as soon as I know, you'll know.

To enter the contest, all you have to do is:
Follow me on Amazon so you'll get updates about my books: 
The Shady Gully Series (4 book series) Kindle Edition

Follow me on Bookbub, a fun place to support authors you like:
Hallie Lee Books - BookBub

Follow me on Goodreads because it's an awesome site for book lovers:
Author Dashboard | Goodreads

Once you've done that, email me at Books@HallieLee.com and guess what primary color you think Book 5 will be!

Now for the bad news. Obviously, book 5 didn't make it for the first quarter of 2026. Unfortunately, because of a number of complicated issues that resulted in a backlog on my publisher's end (all too confusing for yours truly to decipher) the release schedule has been pushed back. I'd love to give you an estimate on when it will be ready, but I won't, because I don't want to disappoint you, but it is COMING SOON.

A heartfelt apology goes out to the folks who have been waiting patiently. I know some of you have even gone to the trouble of rereading EACH BOOK so you'd be ready for the finale. I'm so, so sorry.

Now, here's one reason I've been unable to get to my website and write to you. 

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Benji!! My grandson is nearly six months old!! Can you believe it? He is so adorable, and the most "smiley" baby I've ever seen. I've been keeping him quite often as my daughter transitions back to work mode. She gave me special permission to include the pics, as she knew I was trying to butter y'all up.

That's it for now. You'll hear from me soon. Oh, and come hang out at Shady Gully's Cozy Corner Chat | Facebook (a group dedicated to my series) and you can dish about all things books! 

Stay fearless....and faithful

​Hallie 

Greetings and good tidings to all!!

Just a short note to wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! I know the season is hectic and you're probably rushing around trying to get your shopping done, decorate your home, or cook your family's favorite dish, but...I want you to know two things.

First, I'm grateful for you. Seriously.  Although I haven't had the privilege of meeting all of you, my FRIENDS of HALLIE newsletter subscribers hold a dear place in my heart. This is where I share my biggest news FIRST. Whether it's giving you the first look at a new book cover or sharing something noteworthy in my life, y'all hear and see it first...

So, with that, I'm thrilled to tell you that my daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on November 3rd, 2025!  His name in Benjamin Lee West, and my husband and I are smitten. 

Benji is delightful and precious and proof that God is powerful, loving, and ever present.  

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​I'll close now so you can get back to your cooking, gift buying, and decorating, but please know that your encouragement has inspired me over the last five years! From Paint Me Fearless to the final Shady Gully book coming in 2026, your support has sustained me. 

And finally, just as the series began, Desi and Robin will bring it to a close in 2026. They're older now, fortified by a lifetime of joy, sorrow, uncertainty, triumph, and faith....and they can't wait to be with you again. 

Until then, stay fearless, and faithful!
​
Hallie

Rate/Reviews are always appreciated! Here are a few places to consider following me and leaving feedback publicly. (It helps a lot!)

The Shady Gully Series (4 book series) Kindle Edition
Hallie Lee Books - BookBub
Author Dashboard | Goodreads

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 
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Greetings Book Lovers!!

Hope it's cool and brisk and lovely wherever you are....
Fall is my favorite season. I love the autumn colors, the big bulky sweaters, and most of all, I love the electric blankets! They're like catnip to Piper, and I love cuddling with her in front of a fire. 

What's your favorite season? I know I've got some diehard summer lovers in this bunch, as well as some extreme winter haters. Oh, and some spring flingers for sure! I get it, I do. But what about fall, y'all??

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In other news, I was honored to be part of the Elkhorn Fall Festival in my community. My cozy- mystery writer buddy, Michelle Bennington, and I shared a table and had quite the day. It was forty degrees when we started at 7:30am, and by the time we hit noon we were melting in the eighties. Also, we were the only vendor in the festival without a canopy. 

Turns out canopies aren't just for rain. Seriously, we spent most of the day shielding our eyes from the bright sun and burning up in our thick sweaters. Oh well, lesson learned, and we had a super time meeting readers and chatting with them about our respective series. I met several book lovers who signed up for my newsletter, so......if you're getting this, say hi via the comments below or email. I'd love to hear from you.

Here are some fun pics from the event, Note the oversized hats we bought in desperation. Sassy, huh?

If you haven't read Michelle's Dumpster Dying yet--a cozy mystery involving Henny Wiley, a hoarder who lives with her husband's ghost and solves crimes in small town Kentucky--now is a good time to start as the audiobook is marked down on Amazon -->HERE!  

The newest book in the series, Killer Cache, will be released on December 2nd!

If you're into crime thrillers, y'all don't miss the next book in the Alyssa Wyatt series! I'm a huge Charly Cox fan, and these are serious page-turners! The great reviews and accolades are already rolling in from the UK. The Hunting Grounds will be available to order in the U.S. on November 18th!! But....guess who got a surprise copy from the author? That's right! In my mailbox along with some goodies from my "old" home state of New Mexico. Woohoo! Look for a review soon!

​Well, I've saved the biggest news for last. My family and I are preparing for one of those Big Life Moments. Our only child, Bree, is having a baby! My hubby and I are beside ourselves! As the Big Day is imminent, we welcome your prayers. Last year Bree suffered an ectopic pregnancy, and Lord knows this pregnancy hasn't been easy, but... we are filled with hope... and trust in God.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." --Romans 15:13.

Until next time, blessings to you and yours! And remember....

Stay Fearless and Faithful,

Hallie



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Hey, Friends!

I have exciting book news to share! I received my Author Copies of GUIDEPOST'S 2026 edition of All God's Creatures. For those of you who may have missed my news, last year I was invited to be part of a daily devotional published by Guideposts. This remarkable daily devotional highlights the way God uses animals to nurture our faith. (As you can see, Piper has given me her full endorsement.)

I'm honored to be included among such an esteemed group of authors and inspirational speakers. Because I've read this devotional for several years, it was quite heady to see my name and personal devotions alongside some truly brilliant writers. 

Now for the exciting news. I've been given permission to give you my discount code!! If you go to----> https://guideposts.org/christian-bookstore/and use AUTHOR15 at checkout, you'll get 15% off!! And the book will be shipped to you NOW.

After September 9th, you'll be able to preorder through other outlets like Amazon, etc.

Here's a teaser for THE HUNTING GROUNDS...

 ​Red hair.
An ‘X’ carved across the lips.
This killer has a signature—and a deadly obsession.
 
When Jennie Killingbeck vanishes on her drive home to Albuquerque, Detective Alyssa Wyatt is pulled into a case that quickly spirals into something far more sinister. Enter FBI Agent Ryker Newlin and the chilling revelation that a serial killer known as The Sunset Slayer may have just arrived in New Mexico -- and things are about to take a dark turn.

To learn more about Charly and her fabulous Alyssa Wyatt series, go to:
https://www.charlycoxauthor.com/​

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Meanwhile, Shady Gully book #5 is finished! I have word from my publisher that it will make its debut in 2026. Y'all, that's not too far from now. I mean, it's already AUGUST! This final book will bring the series full circle, as Desi and Robin will return as narrators. If you've enjoyed the series, please share the books with readers you think might enjoy them. That way THEY will have time to read them all before the final book.

I truly can't wait for y'all to join me in Shady Gully one last time...

I'm grateful to all of you who've read my books and taken the time to rate and review them. Each rating does something magical to the algorithm, somehow increasing visibility and rewarding books that are well received by readers, so....thank you.

Until next time, stay fearless and faithful! 

​Hi all!

It seems that spring is FINALLY upon us! Yay! I hope that wherever you are, it's nice and warm and sunny. Do you feel newly inspired during spring? To me, it always feels fresh, like a season for new beginnings.... 

Speaking of fresh starts, I had my final x-rays and visit with the surgeon recently, and I got the ALL CLEAR! While I'm not going to be running a marathon any time soon, the swelling in my foot has gone down and I'm getting out and about...in good, supportive shoes.

My buddy, author Michelle Bennington, and I, were part of an awesome book event in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, in April. Held at the Forest Edge Winery, we joined a great group of authors and talked books with some wonderful readers.

I'm happy--and so, so grateful--to report that I'm recovering nicely from my surgery. My husband, Bruce, was the best caregiver. He took two months off and waited on me hand and foot. He cooked and cleaned and carried my elevation pillow from the couch to the bed every time I switched positions. He drove me to all my doctor appointments, and that in itself required a whole level of patience as he had to take my knee scooter apart every time and then put it back together when we arrived at the hospital. And do it all over again for the drive home.

Speaking of the knee scooter, we never did get a horn or goggles for Piper, but she finally mounted the beast and whipped it into submission, much to my delight, as the scooter turned out to be one of the most arduous, laborious, and fatiguing challenges of my whole experience.

As you can imagine, I've taken advantage of my winter hibernation by reading. A lot. I've worked my way through a number of the 2024 Goodreads Best Book Winners. God of the Woods, All the Colors of the Dark, Frozen River, and First Lie Wins, to name a few.

I've also discovered some new favorite authors. Tana French's The Searcher and The Hunter were fabulous, and William Kent Krueger's The River We Remember was outstanding! If you aren't on Goodreads, you should know that they aren't trying to sell books. It's basically a place where you can browse, discuss, and even review your favorite books for other readers. Including mine --> Here!
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What did you read this winter? Please share! I'm ALWAYS searching for new authors and titles.

In closing, I'll share a pic of me shortly after my surgery. Kristin Hannah's THE WOMEN was the first book I read when I got home. Five GIANT stars!

I'll write soon with news of some book signings and events I've got lined up for this spring, summer, and fall. Yes, it's going to be a BUSY year!

Blessings to you and yours, and always, stay fearless,

​Hallie

Howdy FRIENDS of HALLIE,

I hope this newsletter finds you and yours safe from hurricanes, politics, and whatever else steals your peace these days. If you're like me, sometimes it's just nice to escape. May I suggest my newest book, THE SHEPHERDS?

See what I did there?

Seriously, I'm thrilled with the super kind reviews coming in! I know for a fact that Timothy, Sterling, and Fireman are thrilled. ​

​Thank you, readers, for these generous 5-STAR Reviews! They're so very important and I'm grateful.

How is Piper, you ask? She's terrific. Here she is looking at ____________________ with my husband. Care to take a guess what they're looking at? Or maybe you're feeling spicy today and want to "CAPTION" this photo!!! 

In other news, I would appreciate prayers and positive thoughts as I'll be having surgery on November 13th. It involves bone fusions in my foot, so the recovery will be challenging. And interesting. 

You see, my husband, Bruce, is excited about the idea of me in a scooter. He bought one with a basket for Piper. He says he's going to get her some goggles and a red scarf and take pictures of us riding around the house honking the horn.

If that actually happens (and it won't) I promise to post pics. Meanwhile, here are a few pics of Piper's introduction to "our" new ride.
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That's all for now. Y'all stay safe, have a good Thanksgiving, and always, FIND THE GOOD. Philippians 4:8.

Stay fearless,

​Hallie 

And just like that, it's here! Book 4's release will be in your hands or on your Kindle shortly! I can hardly contain myself! This book is "especially special" to me. Is that even a word? A phrase? Beats me, but let's go with it. Just for today :)

I have the cover in my hands and it's time for you (my newsletter subscribers) to get the FIRST look!!

But before the Big Reveal, I wanted to share a few amazing photos my friend Barbara sent me. As y'all know--or maybe you don't--a while back I asked my readers to drop me an email with "especially special" photos of scenes that brought Shady Gully to mind. Anything from an old barn to a glass of sweet tea on a porch railing.

You can see the wonderful pictures I've already collected by going to the SHADY GULLY section. If you scroll down, you'll see the latest batch Barbara sent me from Rood Creek Park in Georgia.

BTW, ahem, if any of you run across an "especially special" picture of a "four-way stop" or a...I don't know....a crossroads... like in Shady Gully, I'll throw your name in the hat along with the new subscribers to win a FREE eBook.

Speaking of new subscribers, I'm happy to say that Deb Gorman is the winner of this rounds FREE eBook. She chose Paint Me Fearless. Remember, ALL new subscribers are automatically entered in the drawing to win a FREE eBook or Audiobook of their choice.​ Please spread the word. If someone you referred wins the drawing, YOU win a FREE eBook or Audiobook as well!

Okay. Enough stalling. Onto the cover of book 4....
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As soon as The Shepherds pops up on Amazon, you can put it on your WISH LIST, and that way you'll get a reminder when the publisher makes it available to PREORDER. I'll also plan to send y'all a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT letting you know IT'S TIME!!
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Happy Summer!! I hope you and your loved ones are enjoying either a good book or a good beach. Better yet, I hope you're enjoying them simultaneously :)

As I type this message to you, I'm enjoying the sound of four industrial fans blasting in my ears. Well, that's not true. I'm not enjoying them at all. Nor am I enjoying the heat. Eeeeeeks!! (Why does the AC have to go out when the heat index is over 100 degrees in Kentucky!?)

Timing is everything, isn't it? Oh well, we'll be back in business when the motor/part/thinga-ma-bob is shipped. And programmed. And then installed. Probably in a week or so.....

(Really.)

And how is Piper?  Well, I'm glad you asked.
She's now eating grown-up cat food, so I reckon that makes her a Big Girl! Time flies, doesn't it? Anyway, it's been a process, slowly adding new food to the old food, and then when she tolerates that, slowly adding more new food until it reaches 100%. Geesh, that's a lot of chemistry, isn't it? 

We thought we had her transitioned a month ago, but unfortunately, we had to start the whole process over again when she got the upchucks. 

Have you had experiences like this when switching your pet's food? My husband said when he was a kid, his folks just bought whatever was on sale and poured it into a bowl. Isn't that the best?

When (and why) did life get so complicated, I wonder??? 

What's everybody reading this summer? I've been reading a lot for my book club. Some good titles I've read include Block Party, The Marriage Portrait, and Just the Nicest Couple. Another excellent read is Exiles, by Australian author, Jane Harper. It's the third book in the Aaron Falk series. Quite good!!

A book I'm really looking forward to is Unbridled Spirits by my friend Michelle Bennington. It's the third and final book in the Small Batch series, and in this one the protagonist, Rook Campbell, risks everything when there's a murder at a historic bourbon baron's home. It releases later this week! Check out the series on Amazon----here.

​Finally, an update on book 4 in the Shady Gully series. If you missed my last newsletter, I offered up a teaser and revealed the highlighted characters. 

When people ask which of my books I like the best, I always answer: "The one I'm working on now."

That's the honest truth. Perhaps it's because I'm in the thick of it, and blood, sweat, and tears (lots of tears) are flying in all directions. It's just me, my story, and my characters...bargaining with one another in the trenches. And it's not easy. This book was especially hard for a lot of reasons you'll soon discover. So, without a doubt, book 4 is my favorite. 

If all goes as planned, you'll have the title, cover, and release date SOON!! Stay tuned!

And as always, stay fearless!
​

​Happy Spring everyone!

While it's still chilly here in Kentucky, I'm guessing some of my readers, especially those in Louisiana, are already enjoying those milder temps. Consider me jealous!! I'm ready for sunglasses, straw hats, and summer reads!

Speaking of summer reading, what are y'all reading? I really, really want to know!

I recently finished a couple of wonderful books. 

1) Widow's Blush by Michelle Bennington is a perfect cloak-and-dagger, cat-and-mouse novel!
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It's 1803 and England's foreign secretaries are dropping like flies… 

The beautiful Lady Birchfield (Ravenna) ought to know as her husband’s death is the first in a series of mysterious expiries that rattle London’s elite society and set Europe on a dangerous course toward war. See my full review on Goodreads HERE!

2) West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge is captivating. I cried, cheered, and gasped all the way through!​

West with Giraffes is rich with important and profound themes like how we evolve as human beings, the importance of treating others and animals kindly, and yes, the melancholy and loneliness that comes with aging. Rutledge captures the frustration of growing old and feeling that you, your stories, and your history have become irrelevant. See my full review on Goodreads HERE.

Other noteworthy book/TV news: One of my all-time favorite novels is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. I'm beyond excited to see the series on Paramount/Showtime starring Evan McGregor. Once all the episodes air, I'm breaking out the popcorn!!​

In other news, I was recently invited to Florence, Kentucky's Book Fair. It was a truly wonderful event and I got to meet the mayor!! ​

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​And now, let's talk Shady Gully. In my last newsletter, I invited you to guess which three characters I'd be featuring in book 4. Surprisingly, no one guessed correctly, but fear not, I won't leave you in suspense any longer.

**WARNING **CAUTION** If you 're NOT up to date in the series, SPOILERS FOLLOW! 

Sterling - Although he got the girl at the end of book 3, the handsome musician at Northlake Christian Church is struggling for direction in his life. In Shades of Violet, he confesses to his sister that he's toying with the notion of going to law school. Or maybe, he wonders, he could become a novelist and write the kind of thrillers his dad had loved before he died. But alas, as book 4 opens both his love life and career are spiraling....

Fireman - The last we saw of the dynamo otherwise known as Fireman, he was surrounded by a gaggle of women while shimmying on the dance floor at Petey and Violet's wedding. What, pray tell, could he have gotten himself into now? Hint: he just got his own car. 

Timothy - Readers last saw the popular megachurch preacher from Kentucky as he shared an intimate moment with the beautiful Meadow at Violet's wedding. But now----

A teaser from Book 4's Blurb:

When the charismatic pastor of Kentucky’s biggest and most popular megachurch collapses on stage in front of thousands, a frenzy of speculation erupts. Is he sick? Washed up? Or is it that woman? Mysterious and strikingly beautiful, could “Meadow from small-town Louisiana” be responsible for the revered Timothy’s downfall? Desperate to escape scrutiny, Timothy inflames rumors even more when he takes a sabbatical with the lovely Meadow—to Shady Gully, Louisiana.

Naturally, all the gang will be back in book 4. Desi and Lenny, Robin and Sheriff Rick, Bella and Luke, Petey and Violet, Father Patrick, Wolfheart, Bubba, Daryl, and of course, Micah and---

Quietdove? Hoot Wheeler? 😉😀😄 
​Stay tuned!

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And finally, it took a while, but Paint Me Fearless recently reached a HUGE milestone. One hundred rate/reviews on Amazon! To everyone who has taken the time to rate/review any of my books, THANK YOU! Each and every one of them is another STEP toward realizing my dream. 

Until next time, stay fearless!

​Hallie