Books by Kirsten Pursell
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Kirsten Pursell

Kirsten Pursell

Kirsten Pursell is a best selling and award winning indie author known for engaging narratives that often blend romance with deeper emotional themes. Her newest book, The Unabridged Life of Missy Kinkaid, released on October 14, is available everywhere, including Amazon, Kobo, Apple, and Barnes & Noble.  Finding Scarlet was her fifth novel and continues the exploration into the post-divorce landscape of self-discovery, new beginnings, and friendships (Finding Scarlet was originally published as The Scarlet D in November 2024. The Scarlet D earned several literary awards, including two TheBookFest awards, however, Pursell felt a new name and cover would better represent the book to readers.) Her fourth book, Long Enough to Love You, earned numerous awards in women’s fiction, divorce fiction and contemporary romance and has been an Amazon best seller. Previous works include her memoir, On Becoming Me: Memoir of an 80’s Teenager, and two additional novels: Harvard and Company Clown. A member of Romance Writers of America, her books have been purchased or downloaded over 20,000 times and have been #1 in select Amazon categories. She is currently writing Amber's story to complete the Scarlet's Harlots trilogy. 

Outside of writing, she is an avid swimmer who enjoys training and competing in open water and pool events near and far. She is fluent in German, loves to channel her inner mermaid through SCUBA adventures, and will travel just about anywhere given the opportunity. Time with her now adult children is her favorite (a nonfat latte a strong second).  She lives in Southern California.

If you'd like a signed copy of any of my books, visit my online store at https://kirsten-pursell-books.square.site/.

Books

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The Unabridged Life of Missy Kinkaid

“Life is supposed to challenge us. So many things we wish were different, but the parts to get there were sometimes the greatest moments in our lives.”

Missy Kinkaid has always been the light of Sullivan’s Island—bold, unapologetic, and the beating heart of her family, friends, and Scarlet’s Harlots, the renegade divorced women changing the...

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Finding Scarlet

(Previously published as The Scarlet D)

Goodreads rating of 4.69 Stars

From award-winning author Kirsten Pursell, follow Scarlet as she navigates self-discovery, love and friendship later in life in this coming-of-middle-age romance. [Previously published as The Scarlet D*]

Fueled by the unrealistic expectations of Nicholas Sparks' novels, Scarlet sets her sights on South Carolina as...

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Long Enough to Love You

*Amazon Best Seller*
Firebird Book Awards First Place: Fiction, Divorce Fiction, and Romance (2024)
Book Excellence Winner - Divorce Fiction (2024)

The BookFest Second Place Award Contemporary Romance (Spring 2023)
A Literary Titan Gold Book Award Winner (2023)
Reader’s Favorite 5 Stars (2023)

Jenn, fifty-something and empty-nesting, feels like a...

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Series

Finding Scarlet
The Unabridged Life of Missy Kinkaid

The Scarlet's Harlots Trilogy

Finding Scarlet, The Unabridged Life of Missy Kinkaid, and Amber: Unscripted (coming 2026) explore what it takes to own your story in all its messy parts and pieces. Scarlet, Missy, Amber, and Margo form the Scarlet's Harlots renegade branch of the Sullivan's Islands...

Latest Updates

Podcast Interview with LabelFree I had the privilege of chatting with

I had the privilege of chatting with Deanna Radulescu about my writing. We talked about how Finding Scarlet and The Unabridged Life of Missy Kinkaid encourage women's...

Missy Kinkaid earns Editor's Pick from booklife Editor's Pick: The

Editor's Pick: The Unabridged Life of Missy Kinkaid by Kirsten Pursell

As its title suggests, Pursell’s novel follows Missy Kinkaid, a daughter, wife, divorcée, mother, and...

Beyond excited to share that The Unabridged Life of Missy Kinkaid was recognized for a Literary Titan gold book award in fiction. This book challenged me in all the best ways. I...

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Blog

The Taylor Swift of Middle-Aged Women The first time someone called me “the

The first time someone called me “the Taylor Swift of middle-aged women,” I wasn’t sure how to take it. I don’t write songs about the men I date — but I do take pieces of what they give me and weave them into my books. How could I not? The material is often richer than anything my imagination could invent.

I wasn’t a lifelong dater. I had boyfriends. Then a marriage. So when my marriage ended and I met a wonderful man, I thought I’d dodged the dating-app bullet entirely. The relief was...

Cradle to Grave: Living with My Aging Parents at 58 An Expose on PoopLife

An Expose on Poop

Life has been weird this year. I lack a better word. A breakup. “Temporarily” moving back home with my parents. For some, it is a normal part of life. I left out the part where I was 57 when it happened. Now 58, I’m still here. That wasn’t the plan. It was only going to be temporary. Then my mom asked me to stay until my dad passed away.

My dad, my hero. The man I adore for his resolve, his determination, his giant presence. My dad has end-stage kidney failure. It’s been...

When the First Reviews Come In I write because I love to write. I have

I write because I love to write. I have stories I want to tell. I certainly don't do it for the money. I spend way more than I make. Indie authors especially rely on reviews from readers and literary sources. They are such an important part of garnering support. But there's also that tiny little need for validation, that what you've written is received as you'd hoped. Even feeling good about the end product doesn't mean there isn't a sense of worry when the notification an editorial review is...

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