Dorothy Deene
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November 7, 2026
Author Updates — November 2026
![HI EVERYONE! I hope you all are doing well. It's been an intense few months finishing up my debut adult novel, Carla Benton Has Everything Under Control, and I'm finally able to catch my breath. I'm so excited to announce this contemporary midlife love story will be ready for the world 12/6/26! I wanted to write a story for women in midlife with relatable characters and situations. It was a fun adventure navigating Carla's midlife journey. You can preorder the ebook now on Amazon at https://a.co/d/05ZU9IvK. Paperback will be available everywhere starting 12/6/26! Here's a little about the story that's been gaining buzz: “[Dorothy Deene] writes a humorous, feel-good story about second chances, and Carla Benton Has Everything Under Control is perfect for anyone who loves a later-in-life romance with real emotional depth.” —Reader's Favorite (5/5 Stars) Short blurb: “Carla Benton Has Everything Under Control” is a heartfelt romp through Manhattan, filled with recipes, existential crises, embracing the unexpected, evolving, rediscovering oneself, and the transformative power of a good muffin — preferably with a side of a charming younger man. Upcoming YA Release: I wrote What She Left Behind because I wanted to write about loss and grief and how we sometimes lose ourselves while trying to find our way through the darkness. I hope this story helps to shed light in navigating forgiveness, healing and hope. How Far Would You Go To Forget? Sailor Byrd has been dreaming of eighteen—the birthday that promises freedom, the chance to live her dream, and a future that finally belongs to her. But after a tragic accident tears her world apart, the future she imagined disappears with it. Haunted by ghostly visions and crushed beneath the weight of her guilt, Sailor leaves her family and small harbor town behind and heads for the bright lights of Las Vegas. That's where she meets Elena. Beautifully reckless and haunted by secrets of her own, Elena introduces Sailor to a world where fear feels like adrenaline, danger feels like freedom, and smiley-faced pills can make even the worst memories disappear. At least for a while. But what begins as an escape quickly becomes something neither girl can control. As they hurtle toward a dark, irreversible fate, Sailor will have to face what she's been running from—or risk losing herself forever. Anticipated release: January 3, 2027.](/__l5e/assets-v1/cdf7bb06-086d-4899-8b23-e17efa27cf02/author-updates-nov-2026-v2.jpg)