One Tough Cookie Turns 2


Hello Reader,

Two years ago on July 18, I became a traditionally published author for the first time. I'd been working toward this goal for 8 years, first with a novel I had to shelve after querying it unsuccessfully, and then by writing a new book, which ultimately became my debut, One Tough Cookie.

Publishing a book is a long process, and it was thrilling to finally get to experience all the things that authors do - sharing my cover, getting messages from readers, getting tagged on Instagram, giving interviews to talk about my writing process and inspiration. I will always treasure these firsts, and hope I get to repeat the experience soon with a new book. Thank you for being part of my journey!

Scroll below for writing/life updates and two book recommendations.

Stay tuned for my next newsletter in September. Until then, take care and have a great summer!

Delise Torres

Puerto Rican Author and Book Coach

https://delisetorres.com/

P.S. You may have noticed a new look to my newsletter. That's because I've switched email service providers, from Mailchimp to Kit.


Writing Update

Project Husband is finally with my agent! I hope I don't need to make any more major revisions and we can submit it to my publisher later this year. Stay tuned!


Life Update

I've always loved to sing, and one of my bucket list items was to be part of a choir or singing group. Well, I'm finally making this dream come true. I signed up for a mass choir project specializing in rock and gospel music, designed to give unexperienced singers the chance to work with professional singers and coaches. We already had our first rehearsal and I'm so excited to perform at the Cologne Philarmonic next year!


Book Recommendations

Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje - A beautifully written story about regrets and grieving the loss of the future you’d planned for. Ivona lives an unfulfilled life. She’s lost everything she always wanted and struggles to find a new path for herself, having no idea what this path could look like. Her lack of self-confidence keeps her stuck in the past, yearning for the ex-husband she let go of years ago, hesitant to make any decisions that will displease others. Her journey will help give her a new perspective about her past choices and the push she finally needs to move on and start over.

Out of the Crash by Susan Poole (coming out on July 28) - Out of the Crash is a story about the different ways people deal with tragedy and unexpected challenges in life. When Caroline's son is involved in a car accident that leads to Ethan's mom's death, her first instinct is to fight for her son, the same way she fought against her cancer. But as the story continues she learns that fighting can sometimes lead to isolating those closest to you and that it's not the best option for everyone. If you like reading stories about family dynamics and how people deal with grief, then you should read this book.


Follow me on these platforms!

Dahlienstraße 17, Bornheim, North Rhine-Westphalia 53332
Unsubscribe · Preferences

Delise Torres

I write emotional women's fiction featuring flawed female protagonists in messy romantic relationships. Subscribe to my monthly newsletter to stay up-to-date on new book releases, giveaways, and sales.

Read more from Delise Torres
Delise Torres posing in front of a Christmas tree on New Year's Eve

Hi Reader, Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and a great start to 2026. As I looked back at 2025 and my 10 years of being a writer, I realized that 2026 will mark 10 years since I started my author platform. While I wrote my first novel in 2015, it wasn't until 2016 that I went public with my new author persona. I launched my website and this newsletter, telling friends and family members to subscribe. I also joined my first social media platform as an author, Twitter,...

Photo of a quote: "Dream it. Believe It. Do it."

Hi Reader, Ten years ago, I wrote my first novel, Pulling Me Back In. After querying it unsucessfully and setting it aside, I wrote what would become my debut, One Tough Cookie. This year, I revisited that first novel, and I've finally figured out how to fix it! I'm amazed at how much I've grown as an author and how my writing journey has developed. Ten years ago, I decided to stop looking for a job in Germany and follow a career in writing. Today, even though I've published a book, I feel...

Delise Torres sitting on a beach chair while reading Happy Place by Emily Henry

Hi Reader, I hope you enjoyed your summer and were able to relax and rejuvenate! My summer can be summed up in three words: reading, writing, and relaxing. I spent a relaxing week on the German island of Sylt, taking in the sights. My reading inspired me to dust off an old manuscript and take another shot at fixing it. Scroll below to learn more about that manuscript, see photos of Sylt, and the books I read. Until next month! Take care, Delise Torres Puerto Rican Author and Book Coach...