One week into the New Year and it’s already feeling hot. And I mean temperature hot. It’s eighty degrees in our neck of the woods.
We even tried to go skiing, but there was no snow to be found. I’m choosing to believe this simply means more time reading books in the shade on the patio. As a women’s fiction author, that feels like a reasonable trade-off.
As 2026 gets underway, I wanted to share what I’m working on this year—new books, blog plans, and a little peek behind the scenes of my writing life.
📚 2026 Book Release
Run Around, Book Two in the Running with Friends Series
Run Around, book two in the Running with Friends women’s friendship fiction series, is already available for preorder at all major e-retailers and will officially launch on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
👉 Here is the link to the Run Around preorder page
👉 Here is the link to the Running with Friends series page
If you enjoy feel-good women’s fiction about friendship, community, and second chances, this next installment continues the journey with familiar faces—and a few surprises.
💕 Book Two Bonus Story (Coming in 2026)
In addition to Run Around, I’m working on a bonus spin-off story connected to book two. This one leans more into romance while staying firmly rooted in the world of the Running with Friends series.
It will feature:
- Dual-person POV
- A love-at-first-sight trope
- A lighter, romantic vibe
I’ll be sharing more details later this year.
✏️ Book Three in the Running with Friends Series
The outline for book three in the Running with Friends series is officially underway. I’ve mentioned before that this one makes me laugh and that hasn’t changed.
This upcoming book will include:
- More romance
- Familiar friendships
- Possibly a dual POV (still deciding)
As always, the heart of the story remains friendship first.
🗓️ 2026 Blog Schedule
📖 What to Read (Second Thursday of the Month)
Last year I challenged myself not to buy books. (Yes, really.) I did… okay-ish. Supporting fellow indie authors is important to me, so there were a few exceptions. Thankfully, the library came through in a big way—especially with audiobooks.
In 2026, I’ll continue:
- Sharing book recommendations
- Reading from my own shelves
- Following along with both my library and neighborhood book clubs
You’ll also see occasional movie and TV recommendations.
👉 Here is the What to Read blog category
If there’s a book you think I should read—or something you loved—feel free to let me know.
🖋️ My Monthly Writing Update (Fourth Thursday of the Month)
This year, instead of posting an elevenie, I’ll be sharing a monthly writing update focused on word count and writing time. This kind of accountability helps me push more words onto the page and gives readers a realistic look at the day-to-day life of an indie author.
I’m also adding weekly Instagram stories:
- Intentions at the start of the week
- Results at the end
If you enjoy behind-the-scenes peeks at the writing process, this is where you’ll find them.
🐷 Potluck Pig (Fifth Thursday of the Month)
Here’s a quirky fact about me: I collect pigs. On fifth Thursdays, I’ll share some of my favorite pig finds here on the blog. It’s light, fun, and a little window into my world beyond writing.
There may be a few extra posts here and there, but that’s the general plan for 2026. If you’re new here and want to keep up with upcoming women’s fiction releases, bonus stories, and behind-the-scenes updates, you can join my newsletter below.
And if there’s a specific book you think I should read—or a topic you’d love to see covered—you can always reach me at carole@carolewolfe.com. I truly enjoy hearing from readers.
Here’s to a warm start and a year full of stories.