Official release date is Jan. 18
Already available in select stores:
Will be available in: B&N Nook & Paperback, Kobo, Google Play, Books-a-Million (aka BAM!), Sony eReader Store, and Apple iBooks.
Here’s the scoop…
I’m currently wrapping up Shadows Rising (Book 4, Midnight Guardian series) with a tentative Halloween release. The fourth installment begins with the kidnapping of Keira’s charge, toddler Drew Hayes.
Keira Ryan is pretty much like any midwestern teen girl. Pretty much, except for the fact that she’s a guardian, an ancient species dedicated to nurturing those in the human race whom are destined change the world for the better.
Problem is, just a heartbeat away, behind a magical barrier, thrives a race of gremlin-like creatures that want nothing more than to destroy the human race. Led by the Gammen royal family, the mogdocs, are doing their best to tear their way into our world.
The thing about this series is, about the time you have it all figured out, you look up and see that you’re back to square one. One moment, you’re falling for the nice guy; the next you’re rooting for the bad boy. Even the class clown can bring you to tears. Dip your toes in book 1, Of Sun & Moon. Let the overall feeling of wrongness envelope you in book 2, Whispering Evil. Take a wild ride in book 3, Midnight Child. When the villians’ special talent is manipulation–nothing is EVER as it seems.
Here’s a sneak peek at Book 4. Continue reading “Sneak Peek: Shadows Rising”
When asked if there would be a sequel for E.T., Steven Spielberg said that he would never make it. He felt that a sequel would just degrade the original work. Spielberg has, of course, gone on to make many sequels of many of his movies, but still left E.T. as a standalone.
So what goes into the decision to create a sequel? I suppose the answer is both emotional and logical. I believe the decision comes from Continue reading “Does a Sequel Affect the Original?”
Here’s the latest in a nutshell, from the chief nut herself…
Enter the NEW Midnight Child giveaway on Goodreads
Book Signing, 10 p.m. to midnight, Silver Screen VII Gallipolis, before The Hunger Games midnight premiere this Thursday night. Get your pic with Peeta (the cardboard version, but hey, who’s gonna know).
Getting up early the next day to be a judge at the annual Speech Meet hosted by Ohio Valley Christian School.
Mogdoc Drawing Contest for middle and highschoolers, deadline was extended to April 8th. Rules are posted to this blog or you can contact Bossard Library in Gallipolis, Ohio for the details. Winner will be announced during Library Week festivities.
Poetry Slam, University of Rio Grande, on the courts outside the Student Center weather permitting, inside Davis Center if rain, 5:30 – 7:30 pm, April 11th. I’m one of the judges, so bring your best. Event hosted by Rio Friends of the Davis Library and the URG English Honor’s Society as part of Library Week.
Check out Transfer Student, which goes on sale today, written by fellow indie writer and all around nice person Laura A. H. Elliott.
WIP (Work in Progress): Number 1 question I’ve been asked this week…Is Book 4 the end of the Midnight Guardian series? No, I have six books planned. Book 4, Shadows Rising, is slated for tentative release in Fall 2012. The “shadows” from Ann’s campfire story in Book 1 will be prominently featured. Book 5, currently under the working title of For All Time, has an anticipated Spring 2013 release. The final installment, which I’ve given a working title of House of Gammen, will hopefully release in November/December 2013. That’s the plan. However, my aunt tells me that I’ll never be able to stop at six, so we’ll see. I’ve got some other projects in the works that may help me cope with the loss, but more about that later.
After a week of whining to friends and family, I finally convinced someone to go with me to see Breaking Dawn. In honor of the victory, I’m posting My Top 10 Favorite Love Triangles (YA Book Edition). It was really hard to narrow them down, so if you have any additions, post a Comment.
10. Erin, Jason, Zach in the Songs of Magic series by J.L. Bryan
Jason is so completely lovable. There are hints that Erin may not be as perfect as he thinks she is. Her boyfriend, regional male model Zach, cracks me up with his “important” gigs like for Uncle Otto’s Authentic German Pizza.
9. Jack, Peter, Alice in the My Blood Approves series by Amanda Hocking
Is love about the body or soul? Alice meets Jack. She starts falling for his sense of humor and kindness. Then she meets Jack’s brother, for whom she’s feels an overwhelming physical bond.
8. Jolie, Sinjin, Rand in the Jolie Wilkins series by H.P. Mallory
Vamp or Wizard? Rand and Sinjin are equally hot, equally powerful, and equally mysterious. Jolie’s no slouch either.
7. Stefan, Damon, Elena in the Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith
When attraction threatens to pull apart brothers, drama ensues.
6. Edward, Jacob, Bella in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer
I know what you’re thinking. You whined to see the movie then you placed them all the way down the list at six? Really? Yes, really. While I love the movies, I wasn’t exactly gaga over the books which I read before I saw the movies. And this list is based on the books…hence the six. In its favor, I think there is something very insightful about the idea that the perfect person for you may not be your soul mate.
5. Mercy, Adam, Samuel in the Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs
It’s a choice between the past and present…a second chance or moving on. She’s chosen, but I can’t help but think that nothing is permanent. Forget Mercy, I’m in love with Samuel.
4. Claire, Shane, Myrnin in the Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine
Okay, so you caught me. This isn’t exactly a love triangle…yet. The hints are all there and it seems inevitable. Do you love me for my mind or body? Does it make a difference if one suitor is wicked deadly and mad as a hatter? When it all hits the fan it will be amazing.
3. Katniss, Peeta, Gayle in the Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
He may need alot of saving, but I always routed for Peeta and you can’t convince me otherwise.
2. Sookie, Eric, Bill in the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris
It’ll be allright, Sookie. I’m torn between them too. Two powerful vamps who need a partial fairy to bring out the human in them.
1. Keira, Colby, William in the Midnight Guardian series by yours truly
It’s my list, so did you expect otherwise? I love writing for these characters. If love is a fire, is it better started by a spark or embers? Do opposites attract?
Avid readers Beth and Sadie wrote to ask me about hidden items and inspirations in Whispering Evil. Well girls, here they are:
Cousin Anthony – Anthony, designer of the first guardian training rooms, was named in honor of my friend Tony who designs websites.
Mikayla Collins – Mikey is my homage to author Rachel Caine. I adore her Morganville Vampire books. Mikey was named after the two male leads of that series: Michael Glass and Shane Collins.
Dog at the Rest Stop – Keira encounters a playful boxer at the rest stop during her driving instruction, inspired by my brother’s boxer named Archie.
“It’s uh maize” – I can’t resist a good pun…or a bad one. My friends know me as the self-proclaimed Queen of Corn!
Valley View High – Valley View is a street in my neighborhood. I always thought it would be a good name for a school.
Bon Jovi – Yes, Bon Jovi really did perform in concert on Feb. 4th, 1987 in Fort Worth. No, I wasn’t there.
Broo’s Coronation – Broo’s coronation was patterned after the traditional British royal coronation ceremony. In Britain, when the monarch dies, the next in line steps in immediately, but waits several months (a proper grieving period) before holding a coronation ceremony. Specific items described in the ceremony reflected real-world parts of the actual ceremony held for British monarchs.
Dairy Dog – I know this spot isn’t exclusive to Book 2, but its one that the ladies above mentioned and it’s also something I’ve been asked about many times. This is not a real location, however it was inspired by Briskers Dairy Bar in Oak Hill, Ohio (not sure if it still exists or operates under that name), the Dairy Boy in Crown City, Ohio, and about a dozen other ice cream stands sprinkled in every county along the Ohio River. I’m afraid that I have yet to see one that has twinkling lights or honeysuckle. That part was all me.
Read last April’s post about hidden items in Of Sun & Moon – Easter Eggs in Of Sun & Moon
