I'm alive! LOL

The point is, I'm still here! I didn't realize until I logged in today, but it's been a whole YEAR since I sent out a newsletter or updated this blog. Actually, a year and one month on the newsletter. Wow. For those who haven't seen my posts here and there on my Facebook Author Page, we're still working on the house. I'm not trying to get into a sob story, actually, I'm pretty happy right now. I just want to give you all a brief understanding of what is taking so long and WHY the next book in several series isn't out yet.

Without getting into the technicalities of it, besides rebuilding our house, almost entirely from a hurricane, we went through THREE contractors. Two of them literally stole from us and I had to track them down, mostly on my own, and find ways to fight them legally in order to keep from getting robbed of every cent we needed to complete the repairs. And all of that didn't even begin until AFTER a year and a half battle to get anything at all from our insurance company. During this time I was living on the floor in my office.

Like I said, not to be all woe is me, but THIS is why there have been so many delays. LOL

Am I back to writing now? Yes! Am I able to work my ass off like I used to? Unfortunately, no. I average one or two days a week that I'm able to work on upcoming books. Currently, I'm writing the next book in the Unseelie of Atlanta series, Wounded Heart. After that I plan to go back to working on a trilogy that will be part of the Unseelie world, but not a direct sequel.

I've got my website updated this weekend, I hope to update my blog links soon, and will be attempting to schedule future newsletters with more Kindle countdown sales while I'm online. Oh yeah, I still don't have the internet at home. lol That's a huge delay for things like this. And a very long story that is entirely out of my hands. Hopefully, the internet situation will be resolved soon.

With all of that said, my novella (previously released, newly edited) Once Upon a Full Moon, is part of an upcoming pre-order, listed below. This anthology is a mixture of new and previously published stories.

I hope you all are having a wonderful summer and I will be checking and responding to all of my emails very soon. LOL Thank you so much for your kindness and your patience as I've dealt with all of this. I can say without doubt that my readers are some of the best people I've ever met, online or in person. I appreciate you all very much.

Where do you get your ideas?

 As an author, I have to say that is the question I have received most often since first being published back in 2007. I can't speak for everyone, but for myself, inspiration can come from literally anywhere. As an example I just got the first good idea I've had in a while. At this very moment I'm listening to Usher and Keith Sweat, and relaxing with a cup of herbal tea after about an hour of yoga. I've had a lot of ideas but none of them that were worth writing. Lol I have been doing my best to cope with the stress of recovering from a hurricane as well as many stressful incidences in my personal life in the last few years. I finally hit that brick wall that so many call burnout. That's a pretty accurate name is I feel as though I have literally been burned to a crisp on the inside. But that's not what I'm here to write about. This evening I had my first good idea in a long time. I may write it I may not. The point is it's an excellent idea and I'm moving forward and receiving inspiration from random sources once again. It feels good, it feels like me again. For my regular readers, I will definitely get there. It will happen. And once I write something that will help me progress back to the point where I'm ready, I will continue your favorite series. In particular I will be continuing the Unseelie Of Atlanta series, as well as the long-awaited Triss Grima series. Those are all down the line and I'm just excited right now because I got a new idea and I think it's a really good. I know I shouldn't be so vague but I also don't want someone else to write about it before I can. LOL I mean, they may have already and I'm just ignorant of the fact. But in my opinion this is something I've not seen done before and maybe it will be the next thing for me. So, I suppose that explains in a very roundabout way where inspiration and ideas come from when you are a writer. Everywhere, literally everywhere. I don't give folks that answer to try to be vague or be unhelpful in anyway. I'm not dodging their question I'm being completely honest yet usually the response is an eye roll and people think I'm hiding something from them. When the stories inside you are ready to be shared, trust me, you too will have inspiration from random sources. Not because a beautiful cloudy sky is what sets you off  or because falling leaves are so utterly spectacular, but because the story inside of you is so ready to come out any little thing will help it along.

Authors are human beings

Today has been a hell of a day. After so long not blogging, that's what I'm going to lead with? Yes, I think so.

If any of this is off, like spelling errors or strange spaces between words, I'm typing this on my phone. I still don't have internet at my house. We're still rebuilding from the hurricane more than 2 years ago. 

My stress is through the roof. The majority of the house is finished, but the yards are still a wreck and a lot of work is still ahead of us.

My work and my mental health has suffered. I was already under a tremendous amount of stress BEFORE the hurricane. 

Today we got the news that my husband will need a second back surgery. He's upset. I'm upset. It has not been a good day. 

You know what could make that worse? Bad reviews that are petty and hateful for no reason other than to hurt a total stranger. Think about that. A total STRANGER. 

I understand not liking something, I really do. But before you leave a hateful remark on Amazon or somewhere else, realize that an actual human being will eventually see it. 

Think of all the painful things you've experienced in the past. We've been through many of these also, because we are PEOPLE TOO. We're not privileged. We're not on some kind of luxury trip all the time. The majority of us don't live glamorous lives. Writing is my job. It's how I pay bills. Plus, I've got all the same shit to deal with that you do. Please consider that before being hateful to an author because you didn't like their book. 

Need books? I'm here for you.

NO, this post isn't ALL about the damn virus.

These last few weeks have been unprecedented and for many, scary.

COVID-19 (as much as we're all tired of hearing about it) is having a real impact on all of us, our families, our travel, and our day-to-day routines. 

The long term effects of the virus on people and businesses is still not known. That fact alone can quickly overwhelm anyone. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has started turning off the news and just reading a few headlines online, for the sake of my sanity.

If I don't distance myself to some degree, I can't continue to write. I think a lot of people are facing similar situations. It is for these reasons that I'm running this promotion. (Now through the end of April 2020)

No, this isn't just a cash grab. It's a legitimate attempt to offer people an affordable escape from all this stress. Actually, I only make 35 cents from each sale of a 99 cents book. And obviously, I make nothing at all on the free ones. (Unless they're downloaded through KU)

Here are a few fan favorites that are now 99 cents. Many of these titles have never been on sale before. Ever. That includes every single book in my Lilith Mercury, Werewolf Hunter series.

The entire series can be found below the description of Red, Book One. ( On Amazon)

Red is FREE on Amazon US (It would be free everywhere, but that is Amazon's call, not mine.)

Looking for a bingable paranormal series to sink your teeth into? Fans of the Anita Blake and Sookie Stackhouse series are loving Lilith Mercury. 

This is Book One in the Lilith Mercury Series. 

Dr. Alfred Moody saved her life, but the werewolf, Marco may hold the key to her heart. She's torn between the man who saved her humanity and the one who makes her want to embrace the beast. 

NOTE: This series gets hotter as it goes. However, Book One is NOT erotic. Someday Lilith will have a happy ending, but this is only the beginning.

WARNING: This book contains graphic language and graphic violence.

Start the adventure here

Eden is discounted for the very first time

99 cents or FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Not all paradise is lost.

Catrina's world is turned upside down the moment she agrees to Viktor's plan. Who even knew that Abraham Van Helsing had a younger brother? Not only that, but a brother who was turned by the King of Vampires and who held such obvious power. Now she must deal with the consequences of her actions and an attraction she can no longer deny. Viktor wants her to spy on the alpha werewolf, Alexander. He suspects Alex is responsible for the murder of a fellow vampire. However, there is one major problem with this plan. The werewolf is just as hard to resist as Viktor and Catrina is caught right in the middle.

Warning: This book contains, graphic language, graphic sex, violence, and two smoking hot heroes.

Grab this hot menage here

Till the Break of Dawn

99 cents or FREE with Kindle Unlimited

So what if he's immortal. It could work, right?

Thanks to a bet with her best friend, Dawn is about to get involved with the undead love of her life for the second time. 

Warning: This book contains graphic sex, graphic language, and one smoking hot vampire.

Grab this tattooed vamp here 

As I've said, ALL of my books are either 99 cents or free right now. the only exceptions are boxed sets that already offer a significant discount. ;) 

I hope this helps, I really do.

You can find a complete list of my books on my Amazon Author Page.

New trilogy in the works and toilet paper!

Just kidding, I don't have any toilet paper. Well, except what I plan to use. LOL

It seems like the whole world is panicking right now. Maybe it hasn't affected me as strongly because I already self-isolate to a degree. It kind of comes with the territory of being a writer, doesn't it? Lol I won't talk anymore about the virus, because I'm sure you've all heard more than enough. And if you're like me, you're sick of hearing about it, no pun intended.

In other news:
I'm currently working on a new trilogy as I prepare to FINALLY finish moving out of my hurricane damaged house and begin repairs. Woohoo! It's so strange to see things this close to being fixed. After all this time, it almost doesn't feel real.

It's also great to be writing again. This is the first book I've worked on in 8 months. I've simply had too much else going on to have the time or the energy to write. But as things progress with the house, I'm finally able to carve out a few hours to get back to my actual job. 

For the moment, I'm still using my bed as a chair, combined with a really hard cushion (because it's the only one high enough to reach the desk) and it's KILLING my tailbone. Therefore, I'm not writing as much as I'd like, but I AM writing.

I've had a few people ask if I'm having writer's block. No. LOL I have a ridiculous amount of stuff going on in my life. I've spent the past almost 2 years dealing with insurance to try to get enough money to totally gut and remodel our home. The damage from hurricane Michael was extensive. Then, once the insurance claim was settled, we were robbed by a shady contractor. So, I've had to file a police report and do my best to follow up on that bullshit. We also have a completely incompetent mortgage company who sold our loan (which we have no control over) in the middle of all of this, further delaying us actually getting any more money to begin work once we found a new contractor.

Guess what? The geniuses managed to transfer our insurance money (that was in a separate holding account) into someone else's account entirely! They didn't even know they'd done this until I figured it out!!!

It became my full-time job to track down this money like a hound with the scent of bullshit. Painful cushion aside, even with a non-hurt ass, I didn't have time to write. If I had not worked at this so diligently, we would not be on the verge of finally beginning work now. The amount of idiocy I've had to deal with to simply get the right money in the right place is unreal. Not to mention, I WAS FREAKING ROBBED!!

So, yeah, I've had my hands full. For the record, if I ever get my hands on that "contractor" I plan to beat him to a pulp and I'm well-qualified for the job. 

But enough of my rant. Here are the details on my current work in progress. :) 

Lord of Frost, originally planned as the third book in the Unseelie of Atlanta series has become the Rhiannon Frost Trilogy. I simply had too much story for one book. This is still part of the Unseelie world and will take place after the second book, Wounded Heart, that I also need to finish writing. So, I'm labeling it as an "Unseelie of Atlanta world novel." That way people will know it's part of the same world with some of the same characters, but it tells the story of Rhiannon Frost.

This is also my first Paranormal Women's Fiction novel. What does that mean exactly?  For one thing, the heroine, Rhiannon Frost is 40. It deals with many age related issues as well as the usual amount of ass kicking you've come to expect from my books. 

The blurb is a work in progress, but here's what I have so far.

Even someone half-fae can have a midlife crisis. That’s what Rhiannon Frost is discovering. She’s fresh out of a bad relationship with a younger man, her new daughter-in-law might ACTUALLY be evil, and her house was recently hit by a hurricane. To top it off, she’s having human menopause symptoms that are messing with her magic.

However, none of that is going to stop this demon hunter from kicking ass and chewing bubble gum, and she’s fresh out of bubble gum.

Warning: Contains a sense of humor, graphic violence, graphic language, and several sexy fae.

I'm really enjoying writing this story and as you can probably guess from my rant above, much of it is a true story disguised as fiction. For the moment this book is my escape. It is my sincere hope that it can be yours as well. 

I'm currently aiming for a December release with book one. 

Where are the new books?

I know a lot of people are wondering why I haven't written a new book since last June, or why I'm so far behind on scheduled books. I'm going to be totally honest, all this mess with my house is literally killing me. We are STILL trying to repair our home from damage sustained in hurricane Michael in October of 2018!

What issues are we STILL having? People stealing from us. It now appears that our previous mortgage company (the contract was sold, further delaying the process of EVERYTHING) has stolen a large sum that I am currently trying to track down. That takes a lot of time and energy that I don't have.

Also, the last contractor we were going to work with took a check and literally ran with it. I have to try to recover those funds as well.

If these funds are not recovered, we are screwed. We need every bit to fix our house.

I was just about to begin working on a new book today. Now, after dealing with this fresh hell, I just can't. That isn't an excuse, it's reality. I'm falling apart. It's just one thing after another.

Maybe I shouldn't be this honest or share this at all. But why lie or hide it? It is what it is. I just want people to know why my books are so late. I have no time or strength left after this kind of bullshit on a daily basis to do my ACTUAL job and write new books.

I am so sorry. I would much rather be writing.😭😭😭

I'm thankful that 2019 is almost over

Seriously, I can't wait to see the end of 2019. This post is just a brief update on me, my upcoming books, and anything else that I can think of as I type this. lol Sorry, I'm full of cold meds. By the way, these are listed in no particular order.

There seems to be a resounding theme out there among my fellow writers, this year has sucked, big time.

First, my home was hit by a hurricane at the end of last year. October 10th marked a year that we'd been waiting for insurance to finally settle our claim. As of now, we still haven't begun repairs. I'm still living in my office (because there's a hole in my bedroom roof, a big one) and sleeping on the floor. To say that dealing with all of this has been stressful is the understatement of the year. Due to the ongoing stress my immune system is weakened and I'm currently sick, again. I've been sick off and on, mostly on, since September. More than likely this sinus infection is due to mold poisoning. Ugh. I mean, if I got paid for blowing my nose, this would be a record breaking income year for me.

During this time, my maternal grandmother had a sudden massive heart attack and passed away. I've always been closer to my mother's side of the family, and we are all still hurting from her sudden loss. She was a good, sweet woman and I am blessed to have had her in my life for so long.

A week ago, barely three months since her passing, my dad's mother had a massive stroke. She is currently still in the hospital, but she is not expected to recover. Honestly, I'm still not over losing my other grandmother and can't even begin to process this. I feel pain in flashes, but mostly I'm numb.

Other close family has had some major events happen in their lives that have added to the stress and heartbreak, simply because I love them and I want so much to take away their pain.

Why am I sharing all of this? Well, for one thing, talking about it is therapeutic. Also, I'd like you all to know why I haven't finished the books I'd hoped to put out by the end of this year. I had several on my list, but writing with all of this going on is truly impossible for me. I could put words on paper, sure, but I don't think it would be anything you'd want to read. Ha. Ha.

Hopefully, after the first of the year things will begin to get back on track. I WILL have new books out next year. I'm not sure how many. For the moment I'm not even trying to put that kind of pressure on myself because I already have all I can handle. Once my office is put back together and my world isn't literally upside down, writing will happen naturally, and probably quickly. That's the way my brain works. But first I need some peace.

Most likely I'll end up finishing some of the books I have in progress fairly close together and putting out at least 3 next year. :) 

All of my stories are connected

The book that I've just started writing, Taken by Storm, takes place in the Lilith Mercury world. Telling people that has raised a few questions. Is this a new book in the Lilith series? Nope. Sorry. It is however, a book about Mason Storm.

Fans of the series will probably remember Mason and his Dungeon. lol I've just started work on this book and will try to continue as we progress with mediation on our house (hurricane Michael is still disrupting my life) and hopefully moving out for repairs. Therefore, I have no clue when this story might be finished, but I'll do my best.

This book wasn't even on my schedule until a few days ago. On Friday the 13th I started making notes and by Monday I had 14 pages of notes on nothing but Mason. lol Yes, I always loved him.

For those who are curious about the "world" thing, all of my books take place within the same world. The same rules apply. Everything I have ever written, aside from the books I write as T.K. Hardin, all take place in and around the Lilith Mercury, Werewolf Hunter series. Timeline wise, my books take place before, during, or after the series of events in these novels.

You do NOT have to read the Lilith series to follow my books, not at all. However, if you have read them, a few things in my other books will instantly click. Like, when I mention werewolf rights, or whether or not the public even knows about creatures of the night, that sort of thing. That will let you know immediately where these fit within the timeline of the world I've created.

Someone mentioned to me recently that my books connect in a way that made them think of Stephen King, because he does the same thing with his overarching world. I honestly didn't realize that about King until they told me. lol But if that helps anyone to understand what I'm talking about, I thought I'd give the example.

I've connected all of my books into the same world for one reason, it makes sense to me and helps me keep track of things. Because you know where most of my story notes are, on every single book? In my head. 

This is why you'll see some of the characters from the Lilith series make cameo appearances in other books. They're all part of the same world. For example, Notte Oscura, the theme park from the series of the same name, is right down the street from The Dread Moon, Marco's club in the Lilith series. These people know each other. lol

Marco makes an appearance in book one in my Unseelie of Atlanta series, Shaman's Touch. His club, Red, is very close to where the story takes place.

So, why then have I chosen to specifically label this new book as, "A Lilith Mercury world novel?" Because this takes place literally right next door to Lilith, and involves one of the well-known characters from that series. He doesn't just make a cameo, he's one of the main characters. Therefore, it's a Lilith Mercury world novel. :) 

Chronologically, Taken by Storm will take place after the events of the 7 Lilith Mercury novels. However, I'm not going to put spoilers in this, because I hate spoilers. And you certainly do not have to read the series to follow this new book. But, if you want a better understanding of Mason and maybe the world itself, you might enjoy the Lilith Mercury series.

To tease everyone mercilessly, here's the new cover art I made a few nights ago. lol I'll finish this one as soon as I can, given everything I've got going on with my house.

For those who haven't read the Lilith series and are now curious, the first book, Red, is free on Amazon US. 

Grab Red here.

I hope that explanation makes sense, I'm running low on coffee. lol Now, I need to get back to work. ;) 

Topics I've researched for books that probably put me on a government list somewhere

Yes, you read that correctly. I thought we'd have some fun around here. I don't know about anyone else, but it's been a hell of a year for me, and not in a good way. BUT, I'm not getting into that now.

My writer friends and I have often joked about the kinds of things we end up researching for our books. The conversation is always hilarious, and normally ends with several of us agreeing that if we ever die suddenly, someone should probably erase our browsing history. 

And for the curious, NO, I have never researched anything about sex for any of my books. I don't look up porn for ideas or anything like that. As soon as someone hears that you write romance, these are the types of questions you will get. Ugh. To be blunt, I use my imagination, and my own life experiences for those parts. For me, writing a sex scene is a natural progression from writing about any kind of emotional response. You just take all that stuff you feel and put it into words. For those who think that's all a romance novel contains, I feel sorry for you, you're missing out on a great genre that's not porn on paper. Ha. Ha. Ha. 

Actually, given that the subgenre of romance I prefer is paranormal, I end up looking at some strange shit. Really strange shit. As many of you already know, paranormal romance is a very broad category. It can contain ghosts, witches, vampires, werewolves, any variety of werecreature really, and all kinds of magical practices. Oh, and murder, there's usually some murder in there.

Feel free to leave some topics you've wondered about when it comes to writing research in the comments below. Or, if you're also a writer, share some of your crazy research topics. :) 

Right off the top of my head, here's some of the things I've looked up recently, in no particular order.

- Various methods of poisoning (Still looking into this one.)
- Chemicals that dissolve bones
- Photos of gunshot wounds. Okay, I know this one is really grisly, but I needed to be able to accurately describe someone's injuries and how extensive they were. I'm not a ghoul, I swear. lol
- Best ways to hide bodies (Really, not a ghoul.)
- Creative murder methods
- Cult rituals
- Human sacrifice/various methods thereof (Not crazy either, I promise.)
- Sex magic (No, this doesn't count as looking up sex. That is so not the part of the ritual I had questions about. lol)
- What length blade is needed to hit the heart when stabbing upward through the ribs
- The best/easiest ways to poison someone (Still looking into this one.)
- What chemicals break down flesh 
- Illuminati conspiracies (Typing this alone probably put me on some crazy lists. Yes, it really was for a book, though I admit I found it so fascinating I plan to do further research just for fun.)
- Curses to break up a couple (So I could write one that sounded believable and yet WAS made up. If you know me personally and your relationship ends any time soon, SO not my fault.)
- Werewolf mythology (I've read this stuff off and on since I was a kid. Love it.)
- Vampire mythology (Also love this.)
- All varieties of fairy tales
- Various works of classic literature
- Medieval torture devices (Also love this. Yes, really. I've been fascinated with this topic since my early teens, at least.)
- Blood splatter analysis techniques (Because Dexter can't answer all my questions.)
- Layout of different large cities
- Gothic architecture (Ah, a normal topic.)
- Various gun calibers, styles, ammo, basically everything you can think of about guns. I've also fired different guns and a variety of ammo to see how it feels. Hey, I need accurate descriptions. I've used weapons more than once simply for the experience.
- Names, always looking for new names. Speaking of which, if you ever see your name in a book of mine, it was a total accident. I say this because I've been asked before. With the exception of a few first names, all of mine are either selected at random, or are chosen because of their meaning and how it relates to the character.


And those are just the tip. Ha. Ha. Ha.

Hurricane Michael update

All upcoming books are temporarily on hold due to damages to my home sustained during Hurricane Michael. It will take several months for repairs to be made (once they finally begin). During that time, I won't have an office and all of my notes have to be packed up in order to protect them. Also, packing up the house must be done in advance. My ENTIRE house is being rebuilt due to damages, just to give an idea of the scale of this. WILL I ever finish these books? Absolutely! It's just going to take me a while to get back in the swing of things. But, I'll be back. If you heard that in the voice of The Terminator, you are awesome. lol 

I'll likely be spending Halloween through Christmas, and possibly New Years in a camper. But, at least things are moving forward. I'll still have Roscoe (my dog), Mr. J, and I'll be staying close to watch the progress of the repairs. In the meantime, I've got a hell of a lot to do before construction even starts. Wish me luck, and know that I've got so many new story ideas that I'm constantly making notes and then having to pack them up. lol More books will be written after this, don't worry about that.

Vampire reverse harems anyone?

It's been a while since I first released this collection, so I thought I might share again for those not familiar.

Looking for some Dark Fantasy with magic and sex all in one hot package?

Three vampire ménage novels by Tracey H. Kitts, combined for the very first time into one smoking hot collection. That is what you're getting with the Eternally Yours Vampire Ménage Collection.

The Eternally Yours Vampire Ménage Collection includes:
1. Bitten
2. Necromancer
3. Diary of An Incubus

If you are easily offended, this collection might not be for you.

BITTEN
Sandra Ashton is a witch who suddenly finds herself dating three vampires. So, what do you do when you've got three immortal beings professing their undying or is that undead love for you? You agree to what they like to call, "joint custody."

WARNING: This book contains graphic language, violence, and lots of sex.


NECROMANCER
Jane Masters has no idea she's a necromancer. Luis and Henri are the vampires responsible for the power mingled in her blood. Though her love life improves dramatically after meeting them, Jane faces a more urgent situation than dating a vampire or two. As Luis and Henri reveal the details of her past life and the source of her power, they learn there's a killer on the loose and Jane is next on the list. As for her newly discovered past with the vampires, her heart remembers them. But will she survive to love them this time?

WARNING: This book contains graphic violence, graphic language, and graphic sex, as well as two smoking hot vampires.


DIARY OF AN INCUBUS
Jewel Mathers needed a good story for her next novel. She turned to the ancient journals in desperation. But fame and fortune comes with a price ... and a couple of hot vampires.

WARNING: This story contains violence, lots of sex, and some frightening creatures. No werewolves were harmed in the making of this book.

Get your copy here.

Need a new werewolf?

I've got good news and bad news. Good news, I'v got a brand new paranormal romance for you. 

Bad news, this will probably be my last book until my home is FINALLY repaired from damages sustained during hurricane Michael. Worse news, I'm not sure when that will be. I'm under a tremendous amount of stress. I need things in order around me and a calm environment to write. My house is wrecked. The majority of my files are already packed up, along with my reference books, name books, things that I use regularly when working. 

I'm also having to use a mattress as my chair because I'm sleeping in my office and that's killing my back. Even though I've hired a public adjuster, learning what I need to do next, what's my job, what's their job, and all the other crap that goes with dealing with an insurance claim is a full-time job. It shouldn't be that way, but it is and it's driving me crazy.

Will I be able to meet the deadlines I have on my website? Probably not, but I'm going to try. Just understand that I don't have a laptop, and I don't have WiFi out here in the boonies. So once my computer is packed up, that's absolutely it for being able to write until I'm able to put it back in my house, set my office up again, and get back to work. We're looking right now at a few more months before HOPEFULLY a settlement can be reached. Or, we'll have to sue the insurance company. After that, we may be living in an RV or camper, if we're lucky enough to find one, for the next 6 months until our home can be totally gutted and rebuilt. 

Taking all that into consideration, it may be the end of 2020 before I'm able to work on another book. I'm trying to stay positive, but it's a daily struggle for me right now. Oh, and we have to pack up the entire house in order for work to start (once we get to that stage) and we have nowhere to store anything. 

Why am I telling you all this? So you understand why the next two Unseelie of Atlanta books MIGHT not be out when I said they would be. But they are coming, and I'm definitely not stopping. I've just really got my hands full right now.

Say a prayer, or send positive vibes, or whatever good stuff you've got my way. Please. I would really appreciate it.

Now .... here's that new book I promised. :) 

Supernatural creatures aren't new, but those who are strictly human are still getting used to them living out in the open. Some go so far as to deny that any “creatures of the night” are living in Wolf Cove, but that is certainly not the case.

Between her sociopathic ex-husband and a vampire stalker, Olivia has her hands full. So, when a sexy private investigator says he can help, she decides to take him up on the offer. Only, he might be more than she bargained for. That's not always a bad thing, right?

Warning: Contains one sexy tattooed werewolf. May encourage howling at the moon.

Ebook

Print

Happy reading!

Everything on sale June 14-16

Mark your calendars, the weekend of June 14-16, every single book I have will be on sale. That's right, EVERYTHING. Books that are already really cheap will be free and everything else will be deeply discounted.This is an Amazon US exclusive. Depending on how this goes, I may later do an Amazon UK exclusive. 😉

If you follow me on Amazon, you can find everything more easily when the sale starts. 😉

Here's my Amazon author page.

Is Joaquin Phoenix the "real" Joker?

Probably didn't expect this topic on the blog of a paranormal romance writer, huh? What a lot of people don't realize is that Mr. J has inspired a few characters of mine. No, they weren't psychotic clowns, and yes, readers loved them.

I can't help that he comes out in my work sometimes. You see, I've loved The Joker since I was a kid. My first recollection of watching him in old Batman re-runs and starting to read comics, I was probably five years old, maybe six.

As I grew up I also became very strongly attracted to the character. That's right, I've got a Joker fetish. LOL How bad? I'd stand in line to touch it. All right? Happy?

Anyway, back to the subject. I have enjoyed Joker in his many incarnations, from Cesar Romero to Jared Leto. Yes, I was even able to approach the often hated Leto performance with an open mind. I kind of dug it. My reasoning for that being, I didn't compare it to anyone else. He did his own thing. 

I've been following talks about the new Joker movie for a while. Obviously not closely though because I just saw the trailer last night while browsing YouTube for meditation videos.

And .... I hated it.

Why can't I approach this film with the same open mindedness I gave to Leto? I'm not sure. Maybe my hopes were too high? Or maybe I've just got an issue with the concept. For whatever reason, this particular idea felt wrong to me.

He looked like a sad, and very thin, John Wayne Gacy. Ugh. Where was my low-key sexy Mr. J? For that matter, where was Joaquin Phoenix? This didn't even resemble the actor I remembered. When I first heard he'd been cast, I had serious doubts. Not because he isn't capable, because he certainly is. He just isn't Joker to me. But the more I thought about I reasoned, "He's a good actor and he's pretty attractive. How bad can this be?"

Then I saw the trailer and thought, "Oh, pretty bad."

Everything about it was just wrong. Including giving Joker a definite origin story. Part of what makes him an interesting agent of chaos is you don't know who he used to be, and he doesn't seem to give a damn. Whoever Joker once was is both pivotal (to him), and irrelevant in who he has become. That's what makes him interesting. (HAHAHAHAHA! THE CHAOS!)

Having said that, I have to admit that I do enjoy what the Gotham series has done with the character. And they did give him a background.

In my mind I was already going over many of the things that CinemaBlend's Adam Holmes points out in this article. Joker is too old to be Batman's nemesis. As Holmes states, the Joker in this particular version would be at least 30 years older than Batman, making it just plain odd to see them throw down. (But I'd still watch, because that would be hilarious.)

Also, the Waynes are still alive in this film, making me wonder if they're going to follow the route taken by the Jack Nicholson version of Joker and have Arthur Fleck (still cringing at the name) murder the Waynes. Or, will he be the one to inspire Joe Chill? Personally, I hope they go the Joe Chill route. This would begin to show how Joker has influenced the life of Bruce Wayne, and the eventual creation of Batman. In this case it would make Joker, even more so than before, responsible for "making" Batman. But what about that massive age gap? Oh, and giving him a definite story? Will that work?

I am now, with all my heart, hoping that Joaquin Phoenix isn't the "real" Joker. If he isn't, it would actually make perfect sense. What if this new character, Arthur Fleck, is merely the inspiration for the development of the Joker we've all come to know? What if this failed comedian becomes one of the many origin stories he sometimes tells, rather than sharing his own? (This is, for the most part, the origin story told in The Killing Joke.)

In that case, there will be others. Men who wear the smile and come and go from the face of Gotham. Since these men will no doubt be famous, of course he would know their story, just like everyone else in Gotham. But when he finally emerges, no one will know the REAL Joker. He could be anyone. He can spout off an origin story at random based on the criminal clowns who came before him, still maintain his mystery, still maintain continuity with the established Batman lore, and it could STILL work.

If that's what they're going for with this new film, it's freaking brilliant. Fingers crossed. 

Now, I've got a book to write. Lol Feel free to share your thoughts on the new Joker and this theory, or others, in the comments.

How about a few free werewolves?

Considering how many free reads you can find online, I thought I'd make it easier to find mine. LOL 

The first book in my Lilith Mercury, Werewolf Hunter series is free on Amazon US. I've tried to make it free on all of Amazon, UK, etc. Unfortunately, that is out of my hands as Amazon refuses to do that, for whatever reason.

BUT, for those of you who can download from the Amazon US site, here's a freebie. :) The first book in this series is full-length and then some. You're getting over 100k of werewolves and ass kicking action, not to mention 3 months of my life, for free. 

Enjoy!

You can find it here or click the cover image above. 

What the Lilith Mercury, Werewolf Hunter series means to me.

This post was originally written February 13, 2014, but since I still get a lot of questions regarding this series, I thought I'd share it again. And yes, it still means that much to me.

Everything I have ever written represents a part of who I am. But no story has ever been more personal to me than the Lilith Mercury series. The story is told from her perspective, but she is more an expression of myself than a work of fiction. 

The scars Lilith carries are my own, both the ones you can see, and the ones you can't. Her thoughts, her emotions, even her hobbies are my own. Every trauma she experiences represents a similar experience in my life. Not literally, of course, but emotionally.

The men in her life are not there because she is a raging slut, nor do they represent men in my life. They represent different aspects of myself, therefore, they are no less a part of Lilith than her own heart.

Marco is everything I wish I could be, and everything I ever wanted. He is a true hero. He is tough when he has to be. He is kind. He gives a lot of himself to others and knows exactly what he wants. This is why Lilith turns to him for direction. 

Dracula is my pain. He is my broken heart put onto paper. After everything is stripped away, when I am emotionally bare, he is the monster that remains. He is immortal, wounded, and lonely. He is the emotional equivalent  of everything that has caused me pain and how it changed me. That is why Lilith turns to him for comfort. If anyone understands pain and loss, it's Dracula. 

Bade is my fantasies come to life, and I don't mean sexually. He says and does exactly what he wants, even if he knows it is wrong sometimes. Bade is always true to himself and that is why Lilith is drawn to him.

Alek represents my dreams. He can make people's dreams come true, even if it is only in their mind. He has the wisdom that I often wished I could have and gives the guidance that I often long for. That is what Lilith sees in him and why he is her confidant. 

Elijah is my innocence. He is everything good in me and everything I feel that I have lost. He is the same for Lilith and that is why he means so much to her.

Lilith's powers say more about me than they do about her. She can take away the pain of others because that is something I have often longed to do. She heals with her emotions because I wish I could use mine to do the same. 

Lilith wants more than anything to be normal, to be loved, and accepted for who she is. She is drawn to all the parts of her soul that are missing. 

No, that doesn't mean that all these characters are or will be her lovers. (Some will be.) It means they are there for a reason.

Perhaps through growing as a person/character she can learn to accept these aspects of herself. Through writing her story, perhaps I can as well. 

Maybe I shouldn't be this honest about myself and my writing. I just want people to know why I care so much about this series and why it matters to me.

Dreams of walking on your hands

See, I didn't forget that I promised to get back to talking about dreams on this blog. LOL For those who don't know, I've been into dream interpretation for almost 20 years. It has been both a hobby, as well as something I occasionally do for friends of mine.

I also include many of my dreams in my books. The Lilith Mercury series, for example, is filled with dreams taken straight from my journal. I also use dreams as a source of inspiration for which direction to take some of my stories. 

As I was sitting here today, working on a new book, I realized that there is a new reoccurring pattern to my dreams. Lately, I keep dreaming about walking on my hands.

One dream in particular about walking on my hands will be included in the third book of my Unseelie of Atlanta series, Lord of Frost.

But lets get on with the dreams. 

Here is the first dream I had about walking on my hands. I'll edit out the names so as not to spoil the book this dream will be featured in. Everything else is exactly as it was in the dream.

As the dream begins, I know that I am dreaming. I am fully aware, yet I make no effort to take control. I want to know what my mind is trying to show me.

XXXXX is in front of me, lying on the floor between a bed and a wall. We are in someone else’s house. I have no idea whose house it is, only that it belongs to someone we do not know. He is fully clothed in his usual attire, jeans and a flannel shirt.

The next thing I know I’m doing a handstand. It takes me just a moment to steady myself. At first my back is straight. Then I realize it would be easier to balance my weight if I curled my legs toward my head in a scorpion position. I widen the position of my hands, and begin walking toward him. As I do this, he smiles.

In reality I don’t go around walking on my hands. I’m not even sure if I have the upper body strength, but in the dream it felt very natural. He moves his legs together so that I can straddle him with my hands and walk up his body.

We’re face to face and he continues to smile at me. The emotion in his eyes breaks my heart, because even in the dream, I know it isn’t real. But I miss this, so I allow myself to see and feel what I need to. It is both a comfort and a burden.

I lean down as if to do a push-up and press my chest against his. Slowly, I lower my body down, inch by inch until I am lying flat against him. His smirk is adorable as he says, “Please, continue.”

My heart flutters the way it used to when he smiles at me that way. Then we hear whoever owns the house coming back in. We laugh and get up, I’m assuming to hide or leave.

I wake up with a pain in my chest.

Needless to say, the first time I dreamed about walking on my hands was bittersweet at best. But, I figured it was too real to not put in a story somewhere. I felt like others could certainly relate.

This is the latest walking on my hands dream I had. This one was pretty simple. I was walking down a dirt road. The scenery was peaceful, woods, green fields, and I remember hearing birds. In this dream I knew that the path led to my house, even though that is not what the road looks like in reality. But in the dream, I knew I'd traveled this road many times. It was all very familiar to me. I felt at peace. I can still remember the way the ground felt beneath my hands. I wasn't struggling in the slightest to hold my weight. I felt free. And then I woke up.

Now, let's interpret, shall we?

Dreams are overlooked by so many people, but I believe they are how our higher selves communicate with us. Sometimes they hold messages we need to remember, or have yet to receive. Other times, they just remind us of what we’ve lost and break our heart.

The first time I had this type of dream we were in someone else’s house. Houses can represent people, our relationships with them or our feelings about them. But this was a stranger. Maybe I feel that some unknown aspect took this person from my life? After all, he was in the house when I arrived. Or maybe some as yet unknown part of myself knew it was time for me to move on.

He was lying on the floor beside the bed. Beds usually signify something about sex, even though this dream was not sexual despite how it might sound. In this case, maybe people would not have approved if I was sleeping with him and that’s why he appeared on the floor. I mean, it certainly seems that no one liked him, but didn’t tell me until after he was out of my life.

As for walking on my hands, hands are often symbolic of work or current projects. To walk on them means to take all the pressure, all the weight, in a way the body isn’t used to carrying it. I had to balance so carefully, just to be near him. Too much work and effort for someone who turned out to be toxic? I think so.

As for all of the emotions I felt ... I think I was just missing someone I once felt very close to, even if that person didn't really exist. At least, not the version of them I thought I knew.

The latest occurrence of this dream type was a much better experience, being in nature is always a good sign. This can pretty much be interpreted however the dreamer sees fit. For me, bright and beautiful scenery is self explanatory. 

I am really excited about the birds in the second dream.

Birds often symbolize goals, hopes and dreams. To hear them chirping and singing, like I did, represents joy, harmony, and love. This entire dream signifies a positive outlook on life and spiritual freedom.

I was still walking on my hands, still taking on a great deal, but it was not weighing me down.

These dreams happened roughly 3 months apart. I take this as a positive sign that I'm moving in the right direction.

So, what are your experiences with walking on your hands in dreams? I hope this helps someone in looking to interpret their own dreams.

Now, it's back to work for me. :) After all, books don't write themselves.