K.D. St Jean

It actually happened. Look what just arrived in the mail today... my very first advance author’s copy!
​Holding the physical book in my hands makes it all feel incredibly real. For those who know me well, you know this isn’t just a milestone—this has been a dream of mine since I was a kid scribbling stories in notebooks. To see it in print, with the cover finalized and my name on the spine, is a feeling I can’t even fully describe.
​Someone seriously pinch me.
​A massive thank you to everyone who has supported me, listened to me talk about plot lines for hours, and encouraged me along this journey. The official launch is just around the corner this summer, and I can’t wait to share the full story with you all soon!
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Oh my goodness... is this really happening?! 😲 I just received the finished cover art for "Beneath the Falls," and I have to tell you, it's making this whole thing feel SO real. Seeing my name, the title, and this moody waterfall brought to life... it's a mix of pure excitement and serious anticipation nerves! Wakefield Falls, here we come

CHARACTER SPOTLIGHT: Meet Val Reimer

​In my upcoming novel, Beneath the Falls, every investigation needs someone who can see what the police miss. That’s where Val Reimer comes in.
​Val isn't your typical journalist. She’s a master of "urban camouflage." She fades into the background until she uncovers the truth. While Detective Ethan Black has the badge, Val has the "trust of the streets."

Val knows what it’s like to be an outsider. After being rejected by her own family for who she loved, she’s built a new life in Wakefield Falls with her partner, Lisa.
​She’s relentless, empathetic, and often three steps ahead of the curve. I can’t wait for you to meet her this summer!

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Character Spotlight: Detective Ethan Black
Meet the man behind the badge in Wakefield Falls.

Ethan isn't your typical "hero." He’s a man of few words, heavy silences, and a past that he carries like a physical weight. If you're looking for the detective who plays by the rules 100% of the time, look elsewhere.

Ethan is a study in contradictions. He’s deeply committed to a town that sometimes feels like it’s closing in on him. He’s cynical, sure—but beneath the grit is a stubborn streak of justice that won't let him walk away from a cold trail, no matter the personal cost.

"In a town this small, everyone has a secret. My job is just deciding which ones are worth digging up."

What do you think? Every detective has a vice—is Ethan a "whiskey and old records" kind of guy, or does he find his peace somewhere else?

👇 Let me know your theories in the comments!

The Power of Having a Choice ☕️🥣

​I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we define "privilege." We often look for it in big, systemic ways—and it certainly exists there—but there’s a much simpler, quieter version we encounter every single day.

​Here is the truth: Anytime you have an option, you are in a position of privilege.

​Think about your morning. If you stood in your kitchen and had to decide between eggs, oatmeal, or just a piece of toast, you exercised privilege. You didn’t just eat because there was food; you ate because you had the luxury of a choice.

​Having options means:
​You aren’t just surviving; you’re deciding.
​Your immediate needs are met well enough that you can consider your preferences.
​You have a level of freedom that millions of people, for a variety of reasons, simply don’t have today.

​It’s easy to get frustrated by the "burden" of making decisions, but maybe the next time we feel overwhelmed by our to-do lists or what to wear or what’s for dinner, we can take a breath and realize: The ability to choose is a gift.

​Let’s try not to take our options for granted today.
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Feeling this deeply today!
Your energy is a precious resource. Don't let anyone pull you into their drama when you've got your own amazing story to live. Not every invitation to conflict needs an RSVP. Focus on your growth, your goals, and your happiness. Be the hero of your own adventure! ✨
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My mighty jungle cat, Biscuits, surveying her vast, untamed paradise. Clearly exhausted from a grueling day of napping and occasionally twitching her ear. Don't let her ferocious demeanor fool you, she's actually a giant cuddle puddle.
😜😆

Draft 4: DONE. ✅

​I’ve officially typed the final word on the fourth and final draft of my latest project. I’d love to say it’s perfect, but now comes the most humbling part of the journey: the comprehensive copy edit.
​Time to hand it over and discover exactly how many different ways I’ve managed to butcher the English language. Spelling and grammar, I’m coming for you (or is it 'your'?). ✍️📖

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They say the first draft is just you telling yourself the story. It’s the "cake phase"—messy, sweet, and pure indulgence. You feel like a genius because the words are finally out.

​Then comes Draft #4.

​Draft #4 is the "broccoli phase." It’s where you have to be a responsible adult. It’s where you kill your darlings, fix the plot holes you ignored in October, and realize your protagonist has changed eye colors three times in two chapters.

​I know deep down that editing is where the real magic happens. It’s what turns a "cool idea" into a readable book. But man, some days I just want the cake back.

​Anyone else currently in the "crying over a bowl of broccoli" stage of their manuscript? Just me? ✍️😩

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Writing a police procedural means I get to spend a lot of time falling down "research rabbit holes."

Whether it's looking into forensics, mapping out the fictional streets of Wakefield Falls, or digging into the psychological motivations of my characters, getting the details right is half the fun.

One of the things I love most about writing Ethan Black is how his complicated and traumatic past impacts his present day motivation and decisions. It’s these small traits that make a character feel real to me—and hopefully to you, too!

Question for you: When you're reading a mystery, do you prefer a "whodunnit" where you try to solve the crime along with the lead, or a "why-dunnit" where the focus is on the killer's psyche?
​Let me know in the comments! 👇

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Meet the real-life inspiration for the Sawatsky family farm from my debut novel "Beneath the Falls!" My father-in-law’s old dairy farm, complete with the charmingly half-finished siding and the manure pit discretely around the back of the barn. 😉 It’s these authentic details that truly bring a setting to life in a novel.

What elements of a story's setting do you love most?

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