Lots of exciting news! :)

First off, I just want to let everyone know that I'm still very much alive. LOL This past year has been rough for me and I realized that I've REALLY let my blogging go. Aside from personal and professional stresses of all kinds, I've been fighting the worst depression of my life. It's still strange for me to share that, but it's true and I see no reason to lie. There's still this stigma with depression, as if suffering through it makes you a head case. Well, the good news is, I'm improving. And the even better news is, this isn't a post about depression. Ha. Ha. I just want to catch everyone up with me and my life.

A few days ago, I got some wonderful news. Taming the Monster hit the USA Today Best Sellers list at #91. I can't wipe the smile off my face. Thanks so much to everyone who purchased this set and to all the authors in this set with me. I appreciate you all.

Click to Grab Your Copy Today! Only $0.99 USD

I'm still in shock over this one. We had such fun planning these stories. Taming the Monster actually started out on a whim. It was just a fun conversation between a few authors. "Wouldn't it be fun to do some monster romance?" That was the basic idea. Boy did we ever run with it. And to list on USA Today? Woohoo! 

This is the second time I've hit the USA Today list. Both times I was in a set with some of the same incredibly talented writers. I'm very grateful to have reached this goal in my career.

Here's something else awesome that I finally got accomplished. By very popular demand, The Lilith Mercury series is now available in a "complete edition." All seven books in one boxed set.

Click here to get your copy


I've had a lot of people asking about this as well, and the wait is nearly over for the final book in the Bound by Blood series. Are you ready to see how things turn out for vampire hunter Nicole Austin and her two hot men?

Pre-order your copy now to lock in the low price of 99 cents!

Releases November 1, 2015




As you all can see, I've been very, VERY busy. I've also been growing pumpkins! LOL But, I'll talk about that in another post. For now, I'm a little bit closer to being caught up and spending some time with friends and family.

Why I've started writing serials

I've had a lot of people ask about this recently. The simplest answer is, it was a business decision that I felt I needed to make. I didn't realize until I made this choice how many people didn't like (or downright hate) serials. As a reader, I've never had a problem with them. Sure, you get a cliffhanger for a little while, but it's not permanent. I only have an issue with cliffhangers when a book leaves off like that for good, or if it does continue, you have to wait for a year. That's ridiculous!

But, for those wondering, here is a more detailed answer about why I've started writing serials. And for those who don't know the difference (because at first I didn't either) here's what a serial and a series is.

A serial is a story with multiple chapters. You need to read them in a certain order to get the full picture.

A series is a group of stories with something (or lots of somethings) in common. For example, reoccurring characters that share a different chapter in their lives each time.

My Lilith Mercury, Werewolf Hunter series fits the second definition.

In the past I've done strictly novel-length works and a few short stories. With the exception of the Lilith books, all were stand alone books. Am I ever going to stop writing novel-length books? Of course not. But I don't have any planned in the near future.

The market is changing, and it's changing fast. This is my career. I don't have a day job, or any other job that pays my bills. This is it. I write for a living. Therefore, I have to stay up to date on current trends.

Does that mean I jump on every bandwagon? No. I'm not a big fan of bandwagons in general. LOL However, when a trend becomes so widespread, I can't help but take notice.

Lots of people are not only writing serials, but lots of readers are buying them.

I've heard the argument that writers break stories up just so they can make more money. While I can't speak for everyone, I CAN say that is NOT my reasoning.

Writers are putting out stories left, right, and sideways, and if you want to keep your name out there, you have to publish works at a comparable pace. That's just the way it is.

Can I write enough 50-80,000 word novels to put out a book EVERY MONTH in order to compete with that kind of release schedule? Not just no, but HELL no.

(I get that average figure from a lot of sources. It all depends on where you publish and who you learned from, blah, blah, blah. This is just an example.)

I love my job, but there are other things that I need to do. Not to mention other things that I would like to do, like actually see my friends and family.

If I write a 50,000 word novel, and divide it into say 4 installments released one month apart, that gives me 4 months worth of new releases. This helps to keep my name and my brand in front of readers. Plus those who follow along as the story is released will get the whole book at a slight discount if they buy it in 99 cent segments.

By the end of this year, I will have had 7 releases ranging from 30,000-85,000 words each. I am exhausted.

If I write 3 novel-length (50-80,000 words) books for next year and release them in 4 segments each, that means that I have a solid 12 months of releases.

No matter how much advertising you do (and that can be a money pit) you can't get better exposure than a steady stream of new releases.

I'm still writing the kinds of stories that I love and that my readers have come to expect. I'm simply changing the way that they are released. If I don't, I might disappear entirely and as I've said before, this is how I make my living.

My decision to start writing serials isn't to spite anyone, copy anyone, or disappoint readers. I would never want to do any of those. I'm just trying to survive in a changing market so that I can continue to do what I love for a living.

Right now, I'm working on a new serial that I plan to release sometime in 2016. I'm almost finished with the first installment. Oh, and I already have my cover art. Here is the cover for book one.

It's alive!

Ha. Ha. Ha. Sorry for the bad Frankenstein reference, but I have been working with Notte Oscura again. For those not familiar, that's the theme park from Frank and The Werewolf Tamer.

Anyway, I just realized that I've only blogged ONCE since the New Year started and thought, "Holy crap! People will think I'm dead!" LOL

So, I'm not dead. Try to control your disappointment. (Yes, that's a joke.) I got an early start today and I'm feeling really good. Already finished my workout, cleaned the house, and got at least one cup of coffee in me. Now, I just need to write something.

Oh, and that brings me back to my point. I'm pinging this morning like an old game of Pong. LOL

I have been working so hard that I've forgotten to blog! Here's an update on what I've been doing. Some of it is work/writing related, some isn't.

The Bound by Blood series is complete, and is now being released in serialized installments of 40-20,000 words each. Here is the release schedule and current books available for those interested. Each segment will be 99 cents.

Bound by Blood Release Schedule:

Book One - Oriana's Curse - Available now
Book Two - Demon's Embrace - May 2015
Book Three - Dragon Slayer Dreams - August 2015
Book Four - Enter the She-Dragon - November 2015
All parts will be available on Kindle Unlimited

Book One, Oriana's Curse is out now and Book Two, Demon's Embrace is up for pre-order. Just click the images for more information. 

                                               

Other than making sure that this series was fully edited, along with all the other things that happen before a book is released, I've been writing new stuff.

I just finished a novella called Sacrifice that will be out sometime in October. It will first be part of an anthology (more news on that as the date gets closer) and then released as a single title. I still have a lot of work to do on this one, but the majority of the work, and the basic story, is finished. Yay!

I'm about halfway finished with another novella, though this one will be longer, that returns to Notte Oscura. I've gotten a lot of requests to write more in the same world as Frank and the Werewolf Tamer. This story has been a reader favorite ever since its release in 2011. Now, finally, a new story is going to happen.

The title for this one is Night Touch. It is about a woman who has visions based on touch, skin against skin contact. She comes to Notte Oscura to escape her nightmares one night and meets Kurtis. Lots of familiar faces (because I see them all so clearly) are returning in this one.

Night Touch will be released this fall as part of a Carnival series. More details on that later as well. I can say that many other authors are involved in this one, not just myself. And of course, I think it will be amazeballs. Wow. I just said amazeballs. Maybe I've had too much caffeine. LOL

Anyway, once I finish Night Touch and get it off to my editor, I'd like to write another series. No promises on this at the moment as I've barely made any notes at all. But, my muse is going crazy with new ideas. I'd really like to write a series that delves more into fantasy creatures, dark faeries, mythology, and all that good stuff. If anything comes of it, I'll be sure to let you all know. 

In the meantime, just know that I am working my butt off. 

I've also been doing a lot of gardening. Good grief this post is running long. Ha. Ha. I'm doing a lot of projects around the house. Fixing things up, trying to improve the landscape, etc. Sure, I could hire someone, but I really need the exercise and I enjoy the work.

Speaking of exercise, I'm trying to incorporate more into my daily life also. I had gotten so focused on work that over the holidays I completely stopped working out. Ugh! I hate it when that happens. Now it's time to break the bad habits of eating junk food and sitting on my ass. 

Okay, I'm going to stop rambling and get back to writing Night Touch and drinking coffee. Have a good one!

Upcoming books and a new series

As those who follow my posts on FB know, I've been really busy. Since several people have asked what exactly my schedule holds for the rest of this year, and the new year, I thought I'd give a quick update.

Taming the Alpha - December 2014 - I'm very excited to be a part of this anthology. There are lots of amazing authors in this, including Mandy M. Roth, and Michelle M. Pillow. My novella in this set is called Once Upon A Full Moon.

After Dark, Lilith Mercury Book 7 - This is the final book in the Lilith Mercury series. It's scheduled for release January 6, 2015 and is available for pre-order now.

Pre-order your copy here.

Bound by Blood - This is the brand new series that I just finished writing.

This series still needs to go through edits, but here is the tentative release schedule.

Book One - Oriana's Curse - Feb, 2015
Book Two - Demon's Embrace - May, 2015
Book Three - Dragon Slayer Dreams - August, 2015
Book Four - Enter the She-Dragon - Nov. 2015
Boxed Set - Feb. 2016

The Eternal Kiss - This is currently part of a boxed set (Heaven to Hell) and will be released as a single short novella in April, 2015

Plus, I'm part of another (still kind of secret) series coming up next fall 2015. I can say that I will finally continue the story of Kurtis, the Dracula impersonator from Frank and The Werewolf Tamer. At least, that's the plan. This is still in the planning stages, so don't hold me to it.

I've written 5 books in just under 3 months. Yes, I'm tired. LOL As much as I love writing, I'm going to take a slight step back and focus a little more on me for a change. What does that mean? It means that I'm going to get back into a regular workout schedule, play some video games, and watch some movies on my list.

You may not realize (or maybe you do) how important this is for a writer. It's exciting to know that people want to read one book right after the other. But maintaining that kind of pace will drive you nuts, and quite possible shorten your lifespan from stress. LOL

Please know that I appreciate each and every one of you and I write as fast as I reasonable can. My wrists and hands hurt if I go faster physically than I do right now. Plus, I like to have time to let new ideas "percolate" for a while. I think it makes the characters and worlds more real when they finally make it onto paper.

I'll still be proofing and editing the stories mentioned above, plus sending them to my editor. So, I'm not on vacation or anything. I've just got to do my very best to rest my brain so that I can continue what I hope to be a long, productive, and successful career. :)

Having said that, I've already got a few ideas for another possible series. LOL

Not sure about the newsletter

MadMimi has a feature that allows me to keep sending the newsletter (in the hopes of it being delivered to everyone) without re-sending it to people who have already received it. That's pretty neat. The problem is, only 6 people have actually received it, and I've sent it out 4 times. Plus, I've heard from other people who never received a confirmation email.

*sigh* I'm seriously considering terminating this newsletter. I know everyone says that I need to have one. BUT, people can subscribe to my blog, and I always share any important (and some not so important) stuff here. :)

I'm going to leave it for now. But, I'm considering just telling people to subscribe to my blog instead of worrying with that glitchy newsletter. Just wanted to let everyone know. 

On a different note, the new series is coming along well. I finished book 3 a few days ago. Next week I plan to start the 4th and likely final book in this new series. :)

Getting lots of new stories lined up for next year

It's been a little while since my last post. That's because I've been writing. A lot. LOL My hands started to hurt again a few days ago. So, in order to write, I'm wrapped in ACE bandages and Tiger Balm.  In the past 2 months, I've finished the last Lilith book (which is huge), wrote another short novel for an anthology, finished the first book in a new series, and am almost finished with the second. No wonder I'm hurting.

This is my favorite month of the whole year. And as usual with the beginning of fall, I seem to come alive. As soon as the temperature drops, I feel like a million bucks.Right now, I'm listening to the sound of rain and anticipating the temperature drop in a few hours. Ahhh. I freaking love October. I've got my Halloween decorations out. All that's left to do is hang a few ghosts in my front yard.

Before I go, I wanted to share a little bit of what I'm working on for next year. Remember me mentioning the Bound by Blood series that I wanted to write? I've been making notes on it since 2012, but the books are finally happening. I've finished the first and will probably finish the second by this weekend. I'm hoping to finish the series sometime in January and have it be (hopefully) 6 books when complete.

Here are the covers for the first 3. We did a photo shoot specifically for this story. I couldn't find anything that I felt suited the look of the main character, and the mood/tone of the tale. So, I decided to create something original. With the help of my photographer, Stacey Mixon, here's what we came up with.

As I told someone recently, this one's got all kinds of stuff. Half-demon werewolf hunters, hot werewolves, witches, dragons, sorcerers, trolls, family curses, true love, miracles. LOL

Thankfully, the person I said this to is also a fan of The Princess Bride and got that joke. I can't wait to finish this series and share it with my readers. I think you're really going to dig it. :)