Personal

  • Behind The Scenes, Empire Ballroom, Hammerheads Hockey

    The cauldron’s still brewing. But I have a new obsession…

    I’m excited to tell you about something that’s been happening behind the scenes in my life for the past few months. If you’ve been reading my books for a while, you know that I like to keep things honest—and that’s not going to change.

    So here’s the truth: I’ve been struggling a bit. With burnout, with creative energy, with trying to be everything for everyone. I’ve been feeling like I’ve lost a little bit of the magic in my writing. And instead of ignoring that feeling and burning out completely, I’ve decided to listen to it. But what does that mean?

    It means we’re entering a new chapter. One with ballroom floors and broken hockey sticks. With enemies-to-lovers tension that sizzles. With spice, sparkle, and heroes who’d burn down the floor or abandon the league just to kiss the right girl at the wrong time.

    💖 I’m pivoting into spicy contemporary romance 💖

    Not instead of the witchy world you love—but alongside it.

    Death Warmed Up and Ghost Interrupted are absolutely still happening. Bunny and Death will get the swoony ending they deserve, and I have so much in store for Ivy. But for now, I’m making space to follow a new creative fire that’s completely reignited my love of storytelling!

    I’m a competitive ballroom dancer in real life (yes, really! 👠), and I’ve recently fallen head over heels (or should I say skates?) for hockey. So this new direction isn’t random. It’s me—just a different side of me. One I’m ridiculously excited to finally share with you.

    I truly hope you’ll come along for the ride. Because what’s coming next is the boldest, sexiest, most joyful work I’ve ever done.

    In the next few weeks, you’ll see a full rebrand (so don’t panic if things start looking a little different soon) and lots of spicy, funny, emotional content from my new ballroom and hockey romance universe.

    And today? I get to share the very first book with you. I hope you’re as feral for it as I am!

    Ballroom meets brute force in the ultimate fake dating spiral.

    The spotlight’s hot. Their chemistry’s hotter.

    ✅ Stay in the spotlight
    ✅ Sell the fake relationship
    ❌ Whatever you do… don’t mean it
    … Oops.

    Nate Eriksson. Over six feet of tatted-up, Danish-imported NHL chaos. On the ice, his penalty record is longer than his stick. Suspended mid-season, he has to play nice on a celebrity dance show or he’s off the team for good. Winning? Not on his radar. Hooking up with a hot dancer? Frosting on his cake. But she’s uptight. Demanding. He wants to dance dirty just to piss her off… especially if she keeps looking at him like that during their rumba.

    Holly Martinez. A ballroom darling. She doesn’t do drama, or himbos with a jawline of a Norse god and the self-control of a horny Labrador. A veteran cast member of Take The Floor, she’s never won a season. Now she’s risking it all—her pride, her rep, and her mom’s unpaid medical bills–to keep her producers happy. All she has to do is pretend to fall for a guy with abs sculpted by bad decisions and protein powder. But he’s cocky. He’s careless. And he’s going to ruin everything.

    He flirts like it’s a contact sport. She shuts him down like it’s foreplay. They’re gonna fake it so hard it hurts.

    Messy, hilarious, and unapologetically unwell—the perfect collision of ballroom sparkle and hockey spice. Strictly Fauxmance is a sports-romance crossover between the Empire Ballroom and Hammerheads Hockey series. Preorder now and get wrecked by the bro who thinks a fight kink counts as redemption and the girlie who’s too tired for his shit.

    PREORDER NOW!

  • Behind The Scenes, Update

    September update

    Hello my lovelies! September has twirled in like a whirlwind—one hand on its hip, the other tossing confetti—and I, for one, am here for the fabulous chaos. Let’s dive in, shall we?

    💃 Back to the ballroom! That’s right—I’m back in the ballroom, baby! There’s nothing quite like the sound of your heels on the floor, the music swelling, and your body remembering steps it hasn’t danced in months. In ballroom dancing here in Australia, we’re graded through a medal system (a bit like karate, only with more sparkle and fewer bruises—usually). My next grading will be at the end of November, and I’ll be dancing for my Gold New Vogue medal. New Vogue is a uniquely Australian style of sequence ballroom dancing, born in the 1930s and characterised by its elegant, flowing routines. Think vintage glamour meets structured grace—with a little sass, obviously. And while I won’t be hitting the competition floor myself until next year (watch this space!), I’m currently living my best dance mum life supporting my daughter, Cameron, as she prepares for both the State Championships and National Championships this December. 💖 Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it.

    🏆 In my award season era. I’m so thrilled to share that I’ve been named a finalist in the Australian Ladies in Business Initiative Awards for Creative Service of the Year! This award celebrates the incredible achievements of entrepreneurial women across Australia, and I’m beyond honoured to be recognised alongside so many fierce, fabulous changemakers. Winners will be announced on October 17, so keep your fingers, toes, and broomsticks crossed for me. 😉

    But wait—there’s more!

    Two of my books are also being recognised in the Chanticleer International Book Awards:

    • 👻 Baby Got Ghost (Sleepy Hollow Mysteries #1) has been longlisted for the Mystery & Mayhem Award.
    • 💀 Kiss of Death (My Celestial Midlife #1) has been shortlisted for the Shelley Award (yes, that Shelley—as in Mary, Queen of Goths herself).

    It’s an absolute thrill to have my stories acknowledged on the international stage. I’ll be keeping you all updated as results roll in!

    🎃 Sleepy Hollow update. Spooky babes, rejoice—Ghost Interrupted is on its way! Ivy’s next adventure is currently scheduled for release in late September or early October, and trust me, it’s going to be a wild ride through the supernatural streets of Sleepy Hollow. Ready for a sneak peek? Here’s the blurb reveal!

    Ghost Interrupted

    Some curses sink. Others rise to the surface…

    After surviving one murder, I thought I’d earned a break. Instead, I ended up with a secretive mermaid in my bathtub, a haunted shipwreck whispering from the deep, and a ghost in my kitchen who has a tight spectral grip on my heart.

    When a local diver washes up dead his flickering spirit begs me to help—but I can barely hear his warnings over the storm brewing inside me. Something ancient is stirring beneath Sleepy Hollow, and it’s not just calling to the cursed. It’s calling to me.

    Now I’m caught between two men—one who makes me feel alive, and one who reminds me I’m haunted. The deeper I dig into this magical mystery, the closer I come to unraveling a centuries-old curse, a dangerous truth, and maybe even myself.

    Murder, magic, and one very opinionated kitten—just another day for Ivy Hearst! From the award-winning author of Ghost Appeal and Baby Got Ghost, Ghost Interrupted is perfect for fans of cozy mysteries with a supernatural twist and a little heart beneath the haunt.

    ✨ My Celestial Midlife rises! Big things are brewing for Bunny, too! I’ve officially started writing Death Warmed Up, the final book in her trilogy. It’s shaping up to be magical, emotional, and just the right amount of unhinged (just like her… and maybe me 😉).

    This series is also getting a shiny new makeover—think new covers, a new series name, and a fresh vibe to match Bunny’s evolution. I’d love your input:

    • What do you want to see wrapped up in Bunny’s last hurrah?
    • Any ideas for what the new series title should be?

    Hit reply and tell me your thoughts! I read every single message, and you know I love a good brainstorm.

    That’s all for now, my darlings. September is already shaping up to be massive, and I can’t wait to dive headfirst into all the sparkle, story, and sassy chaos it brings.

    Until next time 💜

  • Self care

    Hexual healing: getting through bad days as a witch

    Let’s be honest—some days just need hexing.

    Maybe your coffee spilled, your brain refused to focus, or Mercury’s in retrograde again and your inbox is possessed. As a neuro-spicy, witchy author who juggles characters, chaos, and chronic tiredness like flaming swords… I get it. And when those bad days hit, I don’t just cope… I conjure.

    Here are a few of my favourite low-spoons, high-impact, hex-the-blues-away rituals. Easy. Magical. Yours to steal.

    The lavender latte exorcism

    Grab your favourite mug. Brew something warm and comforting. My go-to? A lavender oat milk latte with a sprinkle of cinnamon (and a generous dose of rebellion).

    While it steeps, stir it three times and say:

    “Today may be chaos, but I am the storm.”

    It’s not just a drink — it’s a declaration. And I promise that it’ll have you feeling in control by the third incantation!

    The ‘Not today, Satan’ smoke cleanse

    Burn something. I’m serious. Incense, a dried herb bundle, or your to-do list if you’re feeling particularly rebellious. Open a window, let that stale energy flee, and visualise yourself cloaked in protective glitter and utter disregard for anyone else’s nonsense. Bonus points if you wear a robe. Extra bonus points if it’s velvet.

    The familiar therapy technique

    Spend fifteen minutes with your pet. Or your plant. Or even a favourite rock you’ve named ‘Steve’. Talk to them. Complain. Laugh. Cry. Let your little creature of comfort ground you. Familiars don’t judge. They vibe. And sometimes, that’s all you need.

    The mirror charm

    This one? Sexy and powerful. Stand in front of the mirror, look yourself dead in the eye, and say:

    “I am made of starlight and spite. Today will bow before me.”

    You don’t have to feel like a badass to be one. The spell works whether you believe it or not.

    The tiny ritual of letting go

    Write down what’s weighing on you — even just one sentence. Fold it up. Light a candle. Hold the paper over the flame (safely, of course, darling) and whisper:

    “I release you. I reclaim my energy.”

    Then chuck that paper in a fire-safe dish and watch it burn. It’s drama. It’s theatre. It’s instant relief!

    The bottom line is…

    Self-care isn’t about perfection. It’s about power—reclaiming just enough of your magic to make it through the day without turning someone into a toad (tempting though it may be). So next time life kicks you in the broomstick, try a little witchy rebellion. Because bad days happen… but you? You happen harder.

    P.S. Got a ritual of your own? Drop it in the comments. I live for a good low-effort spell suggestion 🔥

  • Cozy Mystery, Update

    March update

    No rest for the wicked 😉

    I hope this post finds you well and that you’re enjoying the start of spring (or at least the hope of it, depending on where you are)! March has arrived, and I have so much to share with you all, both personal and professional. It’s going to be a month full of exciting new releases, a little peek into the future, and a heartfelt note of gratitude.

    I’m thrilled to announce that Baby Got Ghost, the latest addition to my series, will be officially released this month! This story has been a labor of love, and I’m so excited for you all to finally dive into it. As always, there are ghosts, mysteries, and plenty of twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. I hope it’s everything you’ve been waiting for, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts once it’s out in the wild!

    But wait—there’s more! While you’ll be enjoying Baby Got Ghost, I’m already hard at work on the next book in the Sleepy Hollow Mysteries series! I can’t say too much just yet (I like to keep a little mystery), but I’ll just say this: things are going to get even crazier. Expect more twists, more unexpected encounters, and a whole lot of heart-pounding moments, plus a fin-tastic new friend for Ivy! It’s shaping up to be an adventure you won’t want to miss, and I’m so excited to be able share it with you all when the time comes! Keep an eye out for all the reveals!

    On a more personal note, I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your incredible support during my recovery from surgery. The outpouring of love and kind thoughts you sent my way truly helped me through some tough days, and I’m so grateful to each and every one of you. It means the world to me to have such a thoughtful and caring community. I’m (metaphorically back on my feet now and feeling better every day, and I couldn’t have done it without your positive energy.

    Lastly, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the difficult political climate many of us are facing. There’s a lot happening in the world right now, and I know it’s hard to stay hopeful in times like these. Please know that my heart goes out to all of you, and I’m sending my love to you at this time. It’s so important to stay connected, support one another, and find moments of peace in our busy lives. Together, we can make a difference.

    Thank you, as always, for being part of this journey with me. Your support and encouragement keep me going, and I’m so grateful to share these stories with you. March is going to be an exciting month, and I can’t wait for what’s to come! Take care of yourselves, and I’ll see you soon with more news!

    With love always 💜