A little break...
Dear Readers,
This past summer I struggled with the decision to take a temporary retirement. It wasn’t something that I wanted to do, and I did everything that I could to put it off so that I could finish Checkmate. A few times, I didn’t think that I was going to be able to finish the book. I sat down and started an announcement similar to this one, apologizing for not being able to complete it. It was something that Christi and I had to discuss on a weekly basis. Every single day I live in pain. I have several non-life-threatening medical conditions that should have been taken care of years ago. Unfortunately, and for reasons that I am not going to go into here, I was unable to get those problems fixed back then. I know this is going to upset a lot of people that are waiting for the next book(s). I wanted to get two books out to you before I started having surgery. This is in no way goodbye. This is me taking care of what needs to be done so that I can have better quality of life for my kids and myself and get back to writing full time.
My game plan is to take as long as I need to get my medical and dental problems fixed. When I come back full time, I promise that I will make this up to you. Until then, Christi and I have discussed this, and we’ve decided that to keep myself distracted between procedures that I should write a few short stories and give some of them to you for free, as a thank you. We are going to let you choose what short stories that you want. The only rule will be no short stories for characters that I plan on writing a full length novel for, i.e. Jax, Kale, etc. Writing a short story is something that I will be able to handle to keep myself busy and will not require as much work and effort as a full length novel.
If you have any questions, please contact Christi. I will be back, and I just hope that you’ll greet me enthusiastically when I do. Thank you again for all of your support.
R.L. Mathewson
From Christi,
I understand that you all are disappointed to hear this. Believe me, it’s not even half of the disappointment that R.L. is feeling right now. She has put out 9 books in the last year, and we have all gotten rather spoiled :). I do ask for your support on this matter. R.L. is one of the most dedicated authors I know, and I’ve known a few over the years. She loves to interact with her readers, loves to hear to what you all have to say, whether it’s about her books or just life in general. Her health right now is top priority. She can’t give us more books if she’s too sick to write, and we ALL want more stories! I believe the short-story idea is wonderful and will be a lot of fun.
If any of you have any questions please email me at Christi@rlmathewson.com. I will read them and answer them as best as I can. I will still be a FB regular for her page :).
Thank you all so much for supporting this decision. It was a difficult one to make, a painful one to make, but sometimes life gets in the way and it needs to be dealt with.
-Christi
R.L. ~ I don’t think you need to be apologizing at all!! You MUST take care of yourself first at all times….that is the most important thing. Your kids need you, and to be the best mama you can be you need to be sure to always take care of yourself no matter what. I enjoyed your NFH series very much…your break will just allow me to catch up on your other books! 🙂 I will definitely be welcome you back enthusiastically as I’m sure all of your fans will.
I will look forward to reading your short stories, but please don’t force yourself and overdo it.
Take care and I wish you a smooth, full recovery! I’ll send you giant boxes of hot chocolate if that will help! 🙂
Brandi
While I love your books, your health should always be top priority. I will pray for you and wish you the best of luck with your future trials and will be glad to see you back in top form with or without your books.
I’m confident that you will have the full support of all your fans.
God bless <3
Although I’m sad … Your health is top priority .you are know good to your babies sick..having just gotten back from almost 1year of battling health issues I know how hard it is to Amit to yourself that you need to slow down and actually take care of oneself …we do so much for our family that we tend to forget ourselves ..good luck on your surgeries and dental and medical issues .when it’s all over treat yourself to a spa day .. I look forward to reading the short stories … Happy holiday’s to you and your family..
Best of luck to you. Keep in touch and rest up. Whatever it takes family and health are so important x big hugs x short story suggestions? I met my hubby and decided to get married 3 days later. 21 years ago and 3 kids – love at first sight exists! ;0))
R.L. take care of yourself first….us dedicated readers will wait for your inspiring tales, your health is more important then the books. Hope you get well, and I look forward to your future stories. Love and Prayers sent to you and your family.
I hope you feel better.
I totally understand we’re you ate coming from. Your health comes first always! I love your books and look forward to reading them. I’ve never laughed so hard while reading before until unpicked up your books. I hope you get well soon. Looking forward to your short story’s one about Nick and Jamie wouldn’t hurt 😉 Good luck with everything and be well!!! <3
As someone else who lives with pain daily, I fully understand and support your decision. You have to do what is best for you and your family. Taking time out to have surgery and have time for you is important, even for slight relief of symptoms. Best wishes and thoughts to you during this time
Your doing the right thing. Am sure all your readers will agree. Health always comes first!
Take care x
Oh R.L., you are my favourite author and I, like many others, anxiously await your next creation. That being said; Your health should always be your number one priority! I would much rather hear that you are doing well than read short stories that might be written while you should be recuperating. Wishing you a speedy recovery; however, please take the time that is needed for your full recovery (that’s the nurse in me talking and she means business). Take good care!!
Dear R.L.,
There is no need to apologize. I have various health problems myself and I have learned that you have to take care of yourself first. I hope everything goes well for you. I will look forward to your short stories until you will be able to be back full force. Just take care of yourself and I will be waiting patiently until your full return. Get well soon!
I’m glad you are taking care of yourself, I hope all go well and that you heal quickly, you are in my prayers.
Sorry to hear about your health issues…take care of yourself so that you can come back stronger and full of new writing ideas…
Love your works and looking forward to reading whatever you put out…
Good luck and your fans will always be there…
Val
Take care of yourself and do not feel pressured to rush back into the wonderful world that is your books. It will be there waiting for you when you are fully recovered. Whatever the problems are I wish you a quick and speedy recovery.
No need to say you sorry. I hope all goes well and we will hear from soon.
Of course your health and your family are first! You are obviously a very talented and caring person and sometimes you just have to take a minute and realize that you have to take good care of yourself. Life is too short and you and your family all deserve a happy, healthy, pain free Mom.
Good Luck!
R.L. you just take care of yourself. I will keep you in my prayers. I look forward to your short stories but most important is your health. I am a huge fan and will be one of the first to get your books when you are feeling better.
Wish you the best of luck and and speedy full recovery. Do what needs doing and we’ll be here when your ready to come back! Thank you for your books. They give an outlet to so many.
I hope all goes well with everything you have to take of. You will be in my thoughts.
Thoughts and prayers are with you. All the best and I hope that everything works out for you during this time. Your health is a priority as much as we all love to get your books – your return will be greatly anticipated!
R.L…..You are one of my favorite authors! Take care of yourself first. We will all be here waiting when your healthy and happy! I hope all goes well, take care of yourself!
You take care of YOU .. your fan’s and etc will understand . You need to make sure YOUR ok not worry about us reader’s right now .. get well and look forward to more of your stories … Thoughts and prayers with you always
While I too am sad, I fully understand the need to take care of yourself. Am a mother and have also been a nurse for 30 yrs. Your books take me away from the realities of the day to day grind. Perfect escapism. I will wait, not so patiently, because your stories are worth it. Love the characters and how they interact w each other. I have sadly read all your books, and now will have to read others while I wait for yours to be written. Take care of yourself and your fans will be waiting for you when you are ready to write again.
Laura
I love the books and the author behind them. You take the much needed time to concentrate on getting better for yourself and loved ones. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers! <3
1. I hope and pray for your speedy recovery.
2. Happy holidays and a great new year to you and your family.
3. Thank you for the laughter you have given me the last couple of months with your books. The beginning of my year was not great and I can honestly say a few hours of laughing is a Godsend.
4. I look forward to any and all future endeavors. You are gifted.
I hope that everything works out for you. I wish you a speedy recovery and that you come back healthy and strong. I love your books and I’m sure what ever you write I will love it just the same. Have a safe Holiday and a Happy New Years.
Dear R.L.,
I just recently stumbled upon your books via iBooks. I am hooked. I have read one of your books a day and cannot get enough. I find myself reading them any time I have a free minute. With this said, your health should always come first! Please do not apologize for taking a break. I was shocked at how many books you have released in such a short time. You are an amazing author and you have a gift-truly. I can relate to all of the female characters in some way or another. I don’t know how you do what you do, but please, get healthy and come back with a vengance. I, along with so many others would miss you and your stories too much. Take care and many prayers are headed your way.
Mala
Health and Family should always come first! Our prayers will be with you for a speedy recovery! Looking forward to reading your new books when you are well! Good Luck!!
Take care of you first. If you do short stories, how about some updates. Like first Christmas for some of your couples. Any Bradford will do. Take care.
All I can say is I am sorry to hear about your condition and as a fan, I hope for your recovery. Don’t push yourself too hard and I am pretty sure the rest of the fans will wait patiently for the next book(s). Take your time 🙂 And for the short stories, I had wished for a long time to read a story about Mitch and Mary from NFH. I know you’ve already written briefly about it in Playing for Keeps but I would love it if you gave us a short story on how they fallen in love with each other. I hope my suggestion will be considered and I wish you to get well soon.
I just found your books and have read the NFH’s back to back to back. I’m so sorry to hear about your health issues and wish you a speedy recovery. Make the most of your break –relax, find some new perspectives and read a lot (research, you know). I’m one of many eagerly awaiting your return, but not until you’re healthy and ready. Be well.
My very best wishes for you! I, too, know what it’s like to struggle between working vs. health… take care of yourself. You are worth it. You will be missed, but none of that is worth your own health. Don’t live in pain… nothing is worth that. Your readers will still be here waiting.
if you don’t take the time you need to get better ow are you supposed to keep writing te wonderful books all your readers love? you should never apologize for haveing to take time to do what you need to ensure your health is……. well…. health.. lol get well soon i’m sure all your readers will be ready for any storys you write as you write them. thhe biggest thing is for you to get better.
Hi R.L.
Just want to say that I LOVE your books! Neighbor from Hell, Pyte/Sentinel and Hollywood Hearts – love it love it love it! Just finished the 3rd Pyte and the way it ended only make me want more! Can’t wait for more followups! 🙂 So I hope you get well soon, and continue your fabulous fun and seductive writing!
Lots of thoughts from Denmark i a difficult time <3
I agree with the others….no need to apologize, your health is most important, and we will all be here when you are ready to come back full time….and in the meantime, your short stories will keep us happy!
Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery & happy holidays!
Put your health before your books :)sure everyone will be looking forward to your short stories and anything else you write.best wishes to you and your family.ps your books are amazing,my favourite.
Well, this just means I have something to look forward to later instead of satisfying my need for “Right the heck now!” Feel better and I will enjoy the short stories!
Please take this time to recoup…We all understand. I am about to go for back surgery, my tenth, so I know what you are going through. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious for another book, though! I’m addicted! Thank you for the wonderful characters and I look forward to more after your recovery!
Hope you feel better soon. You deserve a break for all you have put out in such a short time frame anyway, so take all the time you need especially for your health. I second a short on Mitch, and maybe Brad too.
I really hope you get better soon. For yourself not just so you keep writing. Take your time and don’t stress about anything else except getting better.
I hope that you feel better very soon. I have become a HUGE fan of the Bradford family and also enjoyed the Hollywood series however you have infinite possibilities with the Bradford family. The humor in these books is probably what i love the most and there is just enough sex to make the novels real. Thete are so many authors that are just plain gross with their details. I have noticed a few errors in your books with grammar/punctuation. Do you have a team that edits your writing for you? I can’t imagn
Love your humorous writing style with the Bradford family. Hope you feel better very soon!
As other posters have noted, you do need to take care of yourself first. How else can you take care of the kids if you aren’t 100%? I know your fans will understand. And I certainly don’t mind rereading your books over and over until a new comes out. If you do feel like a few short stories, I’d love to see one with Nathan and Caitlyn (EMs series). I really liked her–she seemed to understand the craziness that was Joe and Eric and I felt bad when Nathan dumped her (silly man). Love the Bradfords and James too.
Hi R.L.
I hope that you have this time to reenergize and reflect while healing and getting healthy. You an amazing author and of course as readers we are sorry to not have a new piece from you but your health is number one and should never apologize for that. Thank you for keeping us in the loop and sharing this part of your life with us. Wishing blessings and renewed health…xoxox
P.S. Would you consider doing a Bradford/James Christmas or New Years celebration?
P.S.S. Maybe even an update on Nick and Jamie or Eric and Joe with their babies.
Your health is more important than any book. Thank you for being upfront with your fans! Take care of yourself – we’ll still be here when you feel well enough to come back!
R.L.
Please don’t appologize for something you cannot control. Taking care of you should be top priority as well as your family. I wish you speedy recovies for all of your alements and look forward to reading your short stories. I love the Neighbor from Hell series, love the Bradfords and James, I am about to start to read the Pyte/Sentinal series. I wish you the best for you and your family!
I really do wish you a speedy recovery. I began reading your novels at a tough time and they helped me get through my day.
I truly hope you feel better and can be there for your kids!
Best Wishes x
Hey R.L.,
no apology needed. Non at ALL!
I really enjoy your books. I just finished Checkmate and loved it. Had to grin so often, laughed out loud a few times, cringed or made a Eeeewww face (boy – those two went through a lot of trouble making each other miserable XD ) I hope there are more Bradford related novels coming along. But if not? Doesn’t matter. Your health comes first. You shouldn’t feel the need to apologize for taking care of you. If you don’t – who will? So take all the time needed to recover. Without feeling any kind of guilt. Not because you can’t be there for your family like you want to or you feel you need to. And definitly not because of your readers. First if you don’t take the time now, it could get worse and then what? Second – use the energy for your recovery and don’t waste it on useless emotions like guilt. And if you’re not up to writing short stories – so what? Sure, reading those would be nice, but not if it’s hurting your health in any way.
Sooooooo….. to wrap it up: Take care! Get well! And no more apologizing 🙂
PS: Hope you got the gist. English isn’t my native tongue *shrugs shoulders*
I am deeply sorry to hear you are not feeling well. I have added you to my prayer list. I recently found your books and thought I would start with the Neighbor from Hell series which I thought were awesome!!! Then I read the Pyte/Sentenial series and OMG loved them. I finished Tall Dark and Heartless today and cried and laughed and loved the book.
I hope you are well soon. Having gone through a tough year myself I know that between family, love and prayer I can get through anything. If you don’t believe me…read one of your books!!
(and I need to know what happens to Joshua. Hee Hee!)
HI RL I hope you get better, take care of yourself and your kids. Remember you come first before your career. As for us, we understand and will be willingly waiting for you to get better. Good luck!!!! 🙂
Love Ya
RL, please don’t apologize! I wish you well and a speedy recovery. As for short stories, I am excited.. sounds fun! I really love the Neighbor From Hell series and Hollywood Hearts series! Anyway take care of your self and enjoy the holidays! Your health is always the most important!
Please get well soon as I really need a new pyte book, but seriously take it easy and resume writing when you are ready.
A short story about one of the pytes would be great, Ephraim or Caine (especially as he’s Scottish!).
Love from Scotland
love your books, best author ever .will be waiting for you to get better!Your writing is totally worth it you are by far one of the most talented authors I’ve came across. Get well !
PLEASE PLEASE NO APOLOGY NEEDED!
You must take care of yourself your kids need to be around for a long long time!
You and your family will be in my prays for a hopefully pain free recovery.
I do very much Love your books all of them! However you need to do what is best for you.
Get well soon
Lots of Love!
Hey M.L.
Look at it like your going other authors a favor, now your fans will have to read someone else’s books until you get better. They should give you an award or at least send you a thank you card lol 😉
Your fans will be here when your ready so get going on the things YOU need to take care of – the sooner you do the sooner you’ll be back so your Pyte crack fans (which I am one of) can get our next fix!
Have a wonderful holiday,
C
I hope you start feeling better soon. I suffer with a few medical conditions myself and understand the need to taking a break from work. Again, get well soon and we look forward to your return. 🙂
Hope you get better soon! I just found your books at B&N last week and I’m hooked. Although I believe my husband is feeling neglected as I wouldn’t put my e-reader down during the Pyte/Sentinel Series. =) He’ll get over it! LOL You’re a fabulous author and every book you’ve written has made me literally laugh out loud (which cause several people on the Subway to give a strange look). I really hope you recover fully and soon. Feel better!
Hi R.L., Wishing that you get well soon and take all the time you need. Without we wouldn’t have anything to read. Happy Holidays to you and your family. I’m a great fan of your work.
I just wanted to say get well soon! I love your books and they have gotten me through a surgery myself. I was laid up for 2 weeks and I read your neighbor from hell series! It really made a difference in my mood! (The laughing was alittle painful, but worth it!) I kept calling people greedy bastards and laughed at my inside joke. (but also then explained and told everyone to read the series.) SOOoooOO to make a long story short your in my prayers and good luck with everything. We will all be waiting (patiently) for your return! : ) Also, my pick for short stories are any of the nieghbors from hell!! I love them all!!
Really your health comes first, make sure you take all the time you need to get better- we will be waiting for you when you are done 🙂
Just wanted to add my two cents for the short stories. I would love to read a story about Jason Bradford’s parents. Like how they met or something like that. A NFH prequel. Get well soon!
just wanted to say thank you for the books u have wrtten couldn’t quit laughing in the neighbours from Hell books my husband kept looking at me crazy I hope you get well soon in my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family