What is the title of your latest release?
TWELVE WEEKS OF LOVE & LOSS is Book Two in The Secrets Trilogy. It follows the characters from my debut novel, SIX WEEKS OF LOVE & LARCENY, into the next chapter of their lives three years later. It’s a stand-alone novel that doesn’t have to be read in sequence, but I guarantee if you read it first, you’ll want to go back to where it all begins with Six Weeks.
What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
TWELVE WEEKS OF LOVE & LOSS is a thriller of obsession, deception, and survival – set against the backdrop of a love story that never quite let go. The story begins with a random encounter that opens the door to a second chance at an unforgettable romance but quickly takes an unexpected turn down a dark and twisted road paved by deep emotions that turn into something sinister.
How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
All three novels in The Secrets Trilogy are set in Philadelphia – it’s where the story began and continues to live on. I originally chose Philly as a backdrop simply because I’m familiar with it, but the city’s distinct personality quickly became an easy character of its own.
Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?
Absolutely. Nikki is everything you’d want in a friend. She’s strong and independent but also witty, fun and loyal as the day is long. She’ll close up shop early to meet you for happy hour or show up with a pint of ice cream and a shoulder to cry on – whatever the circumstance calls for. She reminds me of many of the women in my life who I hold dear.
What are three words that describe your hero?
Sassy – Passionate – Brave.
What’s your creative process?
I didn’t know I had a creative process when I first started writing – I just began. Later I learned that this method of writing is described as being a ‘pantser’ or ‘flying by the seat of your pants.’ This is not the way I live my life or approach my professional career at all. I’m actually very organized, thought out and purposeful but for some reason when it comes to storytelling the wing-it approach seems to work for me – who knew…
What’s something you learned while writing this book?
That sometimes a story can take on a life of its own if you don’t restrict your imagination to one lane.
Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
Both, but mainly as I go. Then I go back and give it the final once-over.
What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
This is such a simple answer, but I love pizza. It’s an indulgence for me because I’m always watching carbs and cholesterol (I’d put a good NY bagel with all the fixings in the same category).
Describe your writing space/office!
It’s nothing fancy – most of my writing is done at the kitchen counter, but I take my computer with me most places and feel comfortable writing anywhere that’s quiet.
Who is an author you admire and what’s your favorite genre to read?
I admire many authors and enjoy different genres for separate reasons. Kristin Hannah and Khaled Hosseini are two of my favorite historical fiction writers. They deliver such compelling stories that open your eyes to real worlds most of us can only imagine. Believe it or not, I’m not a huge romance reader. I’m all in for a good love story but want it coupled with something else – mystery, intrigue, suspense… Colleen Hoover fills that gap for me. For psychological thrillers, I enjoy Freida McFadden and Gillian Flynn – those ladies know how to keep you on your toes. And how about Stephen King? Wow, I could never let my mind explore the darkest corner of the basement in the creepy house no one has lived in since… I’d never sleep again!
Is there a book that changed your life?
I read mainly for entertainment so to be totally honest I think the book that actually changed my life would have to be the first one I could read on my own. I may not be remembering this completely correctly, but I’d say it was GREEN EGGS AND HAM by Dr. Suess. I could read it by myself and then wanted to read others like HOP ON POP and THE SNEETCHES. That of course led to the Eric Carle classics, and I’ve been a reader ever since (with a few recesses along the way to accommodate life).
Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published). Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
Being a published author never felt real to me until I held the physical book in my hand. Before that it seemed like a project I was working on, even when I got “the call” there was still work that needed to be done so I plugged away at that. Having a hard copy of the story I created with my name printed on the cover was something different entirely. It was no longer simply an idea that lived on my computer – it became something real once it was available to the rest of the world.
What is your favorite season?
Fall. The weather on the east coast is stellar in the fall. The days are still long enough to eek out everything you want to enjoy during daylight, and you can still have a fire in the evening – perfect.
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I loved my birthday when I was a kid and made sure to carry-on that specially anointed feeling of “King or Queen for the Day” to my children, but as an adult I prefer to celebrate more meaningful occasions than just getting another year older. Maybe I’m saying that because I just had a milestone birthday and really don’t want to be keeping track anymore… wha, wha.
What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I’m not really a podcast gal but living in my house means constant sporting events, commentary, documentaries and even game re-runs filling the background air, so I’m exposed by osmosis. As Eagles fans, the New Heights podcast always seemed to be on during dinner prep, so I inevitably became a 92%er. Even if you’re not a sports fan, I can recommend this podcast. It’s hard to watch those Kelce brothers without falling just a little bit in love. They’re like two big teddy bears whose genuine affection and admiration for one another shines through their sibling banter. And come on, who’s not rooting for Travis and Taylor?
What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Mediterranean. I enjoy all kinds of cuisine and love to sample new things, but when pressed for a favorite the light, fresh, healthy staples of the Mediterranean are my go-to.
What do you do when you have free time?
My family and friends are the most important thing in my life, so I make time for them. Whether that means phone calls, grabbing lunch, planning celebrations, vacationing together or just hanging out – we enjoy one another’s company in any context. Long walks usually mean long talks, so I get my steps and therapy in that way. I love to travel, read, am not opposed to binge watching a good show, and of course, I write.
What keeps you up at night?
The stories in my head, where they’ll go next, and of course, my husband taking up more than his fair share of our king size bed – the nerve…
What can readers expect from you next?
I just started a new novel that is completely different from The Secrets Trilogy. I’ve put Lauren and Nikki’s stories to bed and hope readers are satisfied with where they ended up. I’m only 60 pages into the new novel which in typical “pantser” fashion doesn’t have a title yet since I don’t know where it is going. But it’s a crime thriller with new and interesting characters who I can’t wait to introduce to the world!
TWELVE WEEKS OF LOVE & LOSS by Rebecca Gould Baeurle
The Secrets Trilogy #2
She had a choice.
Go back to Chris — the man she’d loved since college, the one who’d made her feel chosen and diminished in the same breath. The one who showed up at her boutique three years later like no time had passed, like she owed him a hearing. Persistent. Charming. A little too sure of himself.
Or start fresh.
Rich was different. Attentive in a way that felt like fate — the kind of man who remembered the small things, who made her feel seen in a way she hadn’t in years. Steady. Safe. Present.
Her friends weren’t so sure. Something felt off. The attention was a little too focused. The concern a little too constant. They said it quietly at first, then louder. She heard them.
She chose anyway.
She chose wrong.
By the time Nikki understood what Rich had built around her — the careful architecture of control disguised as devotion — it was already inside everything. Her routines. Her trust. Her sense of herself. The man who told her he only wanted to protect her had become the most dangerous thing in her world.
The most terrifying decisions aren’t made in moments of crisis. They’re made on an ordinary afternoon when someone finally makes you feel safe.
Twelve Weeks of Love & Loss is a pulse-pounding thriller of obsession, deception, and survival — set against the backdrop of a love story that never quite let go. Nikki’s fight isn’t just to escape. It’s to find her way back to herself.
How well do you know the person standing right in front of you?
Thriller [ Zolly House Press, On Sale: July 31, 2026, e-Book, / ]
Buy TWELVE WEEKS OF LOVE & LOSS: Kindle | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
About Rebecca Gould Baeurle
Rebecca Gould Baeurle has spent a lifetime helping others chase their missions—now she’s chasing one of her own. After a successful career in the nonprofit world spanning education, healthcare, disability inclusion, and community building, she’s traded grant proposals for plot twists.
Originally from a small town in North Jersey, Rebecca earned her degree in Communications and English from the University of Delaware and never stopped writing. Her voice was forged out of necessity to survive in a family of ferocious talkers, and her storytelling chops were honed over decades of hilarious banter.
Six Weeks of Love and Larceny is her debut novel – the first in The Secrets Trilogy. Rebecca lives just outside Philadelphia—close enough to cheer loudly for the Eagles—and is known to disappear to the Delaware beaches with a good book and an even better cocktail. She’s been married to her college sweetheart, Mike, for 36 years, has two grown children who still keep her on her toes, and yes—she really does have a sister she adores.
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