The Road to Dark Hope. Uphill Both Ways.

Anyone who has tried to work while going back to college can tell you it's hard to find time for anything else. Making time to write and edit and promote books isn't easy, but it isn't something I do for money or fame. Though I certainly wouldn't turn down a bit of extra cash right now. That going to school stuff is expensive. Do you know they expect you to pay for the privilege of doing homework and not having a life?

Kidding aside, my books are a labor of love and one I refuse to give up. So, with that in mind, I have somehow managed to release a new book into the world. 

I have to admit, one of the best things about publishing a book is getting to work with so many great people, including an array of beta readers, my format designer, and my wonderful editor at Chimera Editing. My favorite part, however, outside of writing the book itself, is seeing the cover come to life. I was fortunate to work with an incredibly talented artist, Robert Crescenzio, on this book (as well as some other projects that I can't wait to share with you).

I give you, Dark Hope of the Dragons. A dark fantasy novel. The book will be on sale for $.99 August 31st through September 2nd. Click here for purchase links or to read the first chapter.

After over a century imprisoned in stone statues, the dragons have devised a plan to regain their freedom. Unbeknownst to humankind, they placed the power to begin that process in Dephithus, the beloved heir to the throne of Imperious.

Followers of the daenox—a dark power that was also imprisoned—have learned of the dragons’ plans.On his sixteenth birthday, they give Dephithus a cruel gift of their own. A gift meant to thwart the dragons. A gift that will change his life, and his world, forever.

Happy reading!

*This story contains a plot line involving sexual assault that may be difficult for some readers.*

A little something new. Announcing Golden Eyes!

Now that the Clockwork Enterprises trilogy (now also available in audiobook) and the Forbidden Things trilogy are both complete, I thought it might be fun to do something that crosses over into both a little bit. Golden Eyes is a light reading young adult fantasy about a young woman who thinks her life is all planned out until she develops a bond with a gargoyle and unlocks an ancient magic that may be the key to saving her kingdom.

I was fortunate to get to work with the extremely talented Heather Hudson on cover art again and I'm very excited to share the final product with you!

Click here for purchase links or to read the first chapter.

Gargoyles don’t interact with people. So, when one visits Mira on the manor tower, she isn’t sure how to respond. There’s something comforting about its presence though, especially when it follows her on her way to meet her future husband.

At seventeen, she doesn’t feel ready to marry. A political marriage tearing her away from Captain Marikashi, whom she secretly loves, was once her greatest fear. Now the captain has been called to war, leaving her with the gargoyle and her husband-to-be.

Fearing for the captain and dreading her future, Mira turns to her unusual companion for support. As her bond with the gargoyle grows she begins discovering strange new powers granted to her by her beastly companion. But those powers come with a price that will make her marital woes look trivial. A price that she and the gargoyle will soon have to pay.

Happy reading!

Releasing The Keeper!

Looking for a new fantasy to read after the Forbidden Things series? I'm very excited to say that I can now help with that. Announcing the release of The Keeper, the first book in The Endless Chronicles, a new other-world fantasy series.

For those of you waiting for the final installment in the Clockwork Enterprises series, it is on the way. Some unplanned chaos in my personal life put me behind on that series, but I am getting back on track. In the interim, here's something to pass the time with.

Feast your eyes on this fantastic cover art by Heather Hudson and read the first chapter here.

She is The Keeper.

That which is lost, she will find.

She resides in the body of an Endless woman, but is not one of them.

That which is forsaken, she will cherish.

She exists to collect the spirits of gods and the rarest demons upon their death. That is her purpose. It has always been so.

That which is forgotten, she will remember.

She does not remember where she came from or why she must do the things she does.

That which is, she will keep.

But when she meets an exiled Endless warrior in the Undercity, something starts to awaken within her stolen body. Something that compels her to go with him. Something that should be dormant.

Exile Release and Other Happy News!

As I was sitting down to write this blog post, I got a bit of happy news. My young adult novel, The Girl and the Clockwork Cat (the first book in the Clockwork Enterprises series), made the finalist list for the Dante Rossetti Awards. They're still judging for First in Category and Grand Prize. Congratulations to all the other finalists.

Ganbatte Clockwork Cat!

Now to the announcement of the official release of Exile, the second book in the Forbidden Things series. For links to order and a look at the first chapter, visit the Exile book page. Stay tuned for the blog tour January 4th through 8th, hosted by Masquerade Book Tours.

Yiloch, the newly crowned Emperor of Lyra, stands accused of arranging the assassination of the Caithin royal family. Torn between love for Yiloch and her close ties with the royal family, Indigo wants nothing more than to prove the accusation false, but the evidence puts the blood of the family on his hands.

Trying to protect the Lyran prince from the swift descent of Caithin justice, Indigo exposes the workings of an enemy who is willing to kill to protect his secrets. In desperation, she unleashes magic that sends Yiloch deep into the desert of Kudan before fleeing for her life. She must find him again to save his life as well as her own.

Betrayed by ally and by love, stranded by uncontrollable magic, Yiloch struggles to make his way back to the Lyran capital before Caithin can declare war, but standing between him and his empire is a lethal new enemy, wielding magic unlike anything his people have faced before.

Happy Holidays!!!

Exile (Forbidden Things #2) Cover Reveal and Another Con

Tis the season for being thankful, so I'd like to express a great deal of thanks to my cover artist, Raquel Neira, for producing yet another fantastic cover for me. Exile is the second book in the Forbidden Things series, scheduled to come out in December (the season of giving - *wink*). The fantastic folks at Masquerade Book Tours are hosting this tour. Stops are listed lower down, just above the amazing cover reveal!

Before I reveal the cover, if anyone is in the Portland area the 20th through the 22nd, I'll be down there with my books at OryCon at the Waterfront Portland Marriott Hotel. Feel free to come by and say hello. 

Cover Reveal Stops

The Shadow Portal
Paranormal Sisters  
Boom Baby Reviews  
Girl of 1000 Wonders 
Hope. Dreams. Life... Love 
Book About 
The Book Bag  
Moonbeams over Atlanta 
Celticlady's Reviews    
E-BookBuilders  
abookwithbea 
Indie Author How-to
Crystal's Chaotic Confessions  
Masquerade Crew 
DJ's Book Corner  

And now... Exile.

Happy reading!

Book Release! Dissident (Forbidden Things #1)

I'm very excited to announce the official release of Dissident, the first book in my Forbidden Things series. Visit the Dissident page for more information and links to order.

Also, drop in for the blog tour starting July 13th with stops at Edgar's Books and Independent Authors. The tour runs through August 7th with many opportunities to enter to win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card!

July 13: Edgar's Books
July 13: Independent Authors
July 14: Queen of the Night Reviews
July 15: CBY Book Club
July 15: SolaFide Self-Publishing and Book Blog
July 16: The Avid Reader
July 17: Susana's Morning Room
July 17: Mythical Books
July 20: Books and Other Spells
July 21: Rogues Angels
July 21: Room With Books
July 22: Liza O'Connor
July 22: Tina Donahue
July 23: GothicMoms
July 23: Yeah Books!
July 24: Welcome to My World of Dreams
July 27: Dena Garson - Real... Hot... Romance
July 27: Books N Pearls
July 28: BooksChatter
July 28: Natural Bri - Pursuits of Life
July 29: Danita Minnis
July 30: Hope. Dreams. Life... Love
July 31: Dawn's Reading Nook
July 31: Long and Short Reviews
August 3: Unabridged Andra's
August 4: Archaeolibrarian - I dig good books!
August 4: fundinmental
August 5: It's Raining Books
August 6: Straight from the Library
August 7: The Reading Addict

Ascard power can strengthen, heal and create. It also has great potential to destroy, enough to topple entire governments. Indigo’s country places strict limitations on the use of ascard so she must channel her talents into the healing arts or risk severe punishment. An orphan from a disgraced family, trapped by her father’s treason, Indigo struggles to reclaim her place in a society that has driven her into an abusive engagement.

Then a mysterious stranger from a neighboring country contacts her using ascard. He needs help escaping his prison so he can bring an end to his emperor's oppressive rule or die trying. His unshakable devotion to his cause and the passion hidden behind his cool arrogance move her to help him at the risk of being branded a traitor herself.

When the politics of society bring them together a second time, Indigo decides to use her growing powers to help him fight his war. If only she dared fight for her own future with such passion. Perhaps she can find the courage to do so by helping the man she has fallen for win his revolution. She might have exactly the power he needs to succeed.

Forbidden Things Book One: Dissident Cover Reveal

UPDATE: Congratulations Jo C. for winning the giveaway. Stay tuned for more giveaway fun in the book release blog tour July 13th through August 7th.

I am very excited to be doing a cover reveal for Dissident, the first book in my Forbidden Things series. After experiencing the ups and downs of traditional publishing with The Girl and the Clockwork Cat (the sequel to which is coming out in September) I decided to try out self-publishing with the Forbidden Things series. It’s been better in many ways, including not having to wait on publisher schedules, and harder in many ways (more on all this in a later post). All that work is now paying off with a book I am very proud to publish. Official release is July 9th. Visit the Dissident page for information on ebook pre-orders (print and additional distribution will be available on release).

Before I do my own reveal, I want to encourage you to visit some of the fantastic blogs involved in the cover reveal. The more visits the better!

1: RhiReading
2: Nephy's World
3: The Blog of C.R. Moss
4: BooksChatter
5: Romance Novel Giveaways
6: Unabridged Andra's
7: Mixed Book Bag
8: Cia's Stories
9: The Crafty Cauldron
10: Dina Rae's Write Stuff
11: A Book Addict's Delight
12: T's Stuff
13: CBY Book Club
14: Independent Authors
15: Room With Books
16: Tina Donahue
17: Vala Kaye's "Other World"
18: Harlie's Books
19: Blog of author Jacey Holbrand
20: GothicMoms
21: The Avid Reader
22: StarAngels Reviews
23: Author Amanda KimberleyLB My Writing, My Life
24: Books and Other Spells
25: Queen of All She Reads
26: Fantasy Author Nicolette Andrews
27: Natural Bri - Pursuits of Life
28: Musings of the Book-a-holic Fairies, inc.
29: Romorror Fan Girl
30: Welcome to My World of Dreams
31: It's Raining Books
32: Straight from the Library
33: Long and Short Reviews
34: Books Are Love
35: Tory Richards
36: Tamaria Soana
37: Jodie Pierce's Ink Slinger's blog
38: Harps Romance Book Review
39: Writer Wonderland
40: EM Lynley's Love Shack

I was fortunate to get to work with Raquel Neira, the cover artist for The Girl and the Clockwork Cat, on this cover. Without further ado, I present the results of those efforts.

Dissident-cover.jpg

Feel free to comment below and let me know what you think!

Happy reading!