Tag Archives: fiction

Things You Do Even Though You Should Be Writing…

Sorry for the radio silence. I keep hoping life will take a giant chill pill, but very clearly that’s not gonna happen any time soon. You’d think with all the time I now have to sit at home I could use at least some of that for writing. I mean, it’s not like I don’t still have at least 3 projects in various states of completion (Darkharte, in particular, is so close to being a finished manuscript it’s not even funny). But my brain just can’t.

My mental health was a little funky even before the current situation, and now my anxiety is through the roof and my brain is in the constant state of hyper-alertness, and anytime I try to focus on actually writing something it just… flails. I can’t focus on much of anything other than stuff that requires zero brainpower. Leverage re-watch for the win!!

But there is one thing that I did do. I’ve been thinking about it for a while and since I am unable to do anything else constructive, I figured I could at least get this done. As much as I loved the original cover for In Plain Sight, the more I’ve lived with it, the more I felt that it was just a little misleading. Ry and Eli’s story is, of course, a central part of the book, but so is Ry and Matt’s. And even more importantly, and what I really wanted to convey in a cover is that it’s all Ry’s story — a young woman who risks everything to save the people that she loves most in the world.

So, the new cover is essentially the same as the old one, but with one very distinct change. I hope you like it! In any case, definitely let me know what you think!

The current paperback version available on Amazon still has the old cover (the new one is updating, but if you give it a few days it should be good to go)

Celebrating One Year of In Plain Sight!!

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a whole year since I released Ry and Eli’s story into the wild! That it immediately became an Amazon Hot New Release was a dream come true, and since then it’s continued to capture the hearts of new fans from around the world.

To celebrate the one year anniversary of In Plain Sight, I’m offering the Kindle version for 99 cents (US and UK markets) and for those of you who still like physical books to hold in your hands, I have signed copies available for $15 each (this includes tax and shipping).

There truly aren’t enough words to express how grateful I am for the love and support I’ve received from everyone throughout this journey!! Thank you!!

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PS… anyone who adds a picture of themselves in comments reading In Plain Sight will be entered to win a free audiobook version from Audible! Entries must be posted by August 31st and winners will be announced on September 2nd.

Last Minute Holiday Sale: In Plain Sight

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It’s that most wonderful time of the year and to celebrate In Plain Sight is just 99 cents* now through December 27th!!!

 

In Plain Sight

 

So if you’ve been waiting to buy your very own copy or maybe you’ve still got a few last minute gifts to buy (it’s ok, we’ve all been there XD) – either way… now is the perfect time!!

Don’t forget, the audio version of In Plain Sight is now available as well!! You can find it on Audible,  Amazon and iTunes. Also, if you sign up for a trial of Audible you can get it for free!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!!!

🙂

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* Applies to the Kindle version in the US and UK markets.

A Little Holiday Freebie

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Simple Musings is available now through December 19th on Kindle – FOR FREE!!  

Simple Musings

 

Simple Musings is an eclectic collection of poetic thoughts on love and loss, life and death, nature, spirituality and so much more. If you need motivation, a little pick-me-up, or just need to relate – this is the poetry book for you!

 

It’s a little angsty in places, but given that almost everything in it was written a very long time ago, that’s to be expected. I think we were all a little angsty at that age. XD

Anyway, just spreading a little holiday cheer! Enjoy!!

PS… Don’t forget that In Plain Sight is now available on audio via AudibleAmazon, and iTunes. If you sign up for a trial of Audible you can get it for free!! Also, just a heads up, the Kindle version of In Plain Sight will be on sale for just 99 cents from December 21st through December 27th. So if you’ve been waiting for the right time to pick up a copy – this is your chance!!

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Just in Time for the Holidays: Audio

In Plain Sight audio

 

I got word today that the audio version of In Plain Sight has been released!!! It will be available on Audible, Amazon and iTunes. If you sign up for a trial of Audible you can get it for free!!

I’m really excited that I was able to get an audio version of my book produced. Not only because there are those of us who like to listen to books while we do other things – work, drive, or do other creative endeavors. But also because I like the idea of having books (and all the wonderful stories within them) be accessible to as many people as possible, even those who are visually impaired or have some other disability that makes reading difficult.

In any case, please enjoy!!

Writer Road Trip: Research

Unfortunately I’m not going to hit my NaNo goal this year, and even though that’s kind of a bummer, I’m still not overly upset about it. Not only did manage to more than double what I started with on my DarkHarte first draft, but I was also able to connect most of the dots, in terms of getting from the beginning to the end. There’s still a lot more to do, but I have a much better idea of what that entails, so overall I’m pretty pleased even if I’m not quite where I wanted to be.

Though I had to go out of town last minute (hence not hitting my writing goals), I did manage to make a cool writing related stop along the way. I realized, as I was driving that I’d be going through Richmond, VA and that it wouldn’t be out of my way to stop at the site of the Chimborazo Hospital. Though none of the original buildings exist, the site does have a museum with info about the original hospital, as well as some of the other Civil War hospitals in the area.

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By this point, you may be asking yourself what this has to do with anything. Fair enough question, to be sure. XD But the truth is that I’m considering a sequel to In Plain Sight. It’s only in the very early planning stages – as in I have a couple thoughts swimming around in my brain and that’s about it – but whenever I do get around to putting some words on paper, Chimborazo will feature prominently in at least part of it.

What was cool about stopping and, really, I’m so glad I did, is that I not only got to see the site, but I also got to talk to the gentleman on staff there and was able to run some of my thoughts by him. It’s one thing to think, well… I’m going to do this in my book and since it’s far enough removed from the actual time period, no one will ever know if it could really have happened that way or not. But in talking it out with him today, he confirmed that what I was thinking about was totally a possible scenario. YAY!!

He also pointed me to A Southern Woman’s Story by Phoebe Yates Pember, who was one of the chief matrons at the hospital. I’m looking forward to reading it, as it will also provide additional context for some of the things I have planned.

If by now you are also wondering exactly which character from IPS is sequel worthy… I’m not telling. At least not yet!! But you are welcome to guess.

Anyway… here’s some other pictures from my research trip. It was informative and a lot of fun.

 

PS… I’m still waiting word for when the audio version of In Plain Sight will be released. I’ll let you know as soon as I get the details, but it should be out just in time for last minute gift giving!!

 

Being a Busy Little Bee

Know it’s been a bit quiet on the homefront, but honestly if it’s November, most of us a NaNo-ing anyways, right?!

With that in mind, I’ve been making good progress on getting a full first draft of my next book – DarkHarte – completed. It’s a fantasy and you can read a brief excerpt here. Those dreaded middle sections are the bane of my existence, but I’m slogging my way through and have every confidence that I will get it done.

In other exciting news, I’ve just received word that the audio version of In Plain Sight is done!!! Once it’s been through the final review process it will be available through Audible and on iTunes. I’m hoping that it will be out before Black Friday, but either way it will be ready before the Holidays. As soon as it’s live, I will let you all know!!

Well, that’s it for now. Happy writing!! 🙂

 

 

Release Date for In Plain Sight

In Plain Sight preorder

My debut novel, In Plain Sight, will be released on August 7, 2018!! The Kindle version is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. Print copies will also be available by that date (not sure about pre-order yet).

For those of you who have been working with me on this project over the years, you may recall that particular day is a significant one in the book. Once I realized how close I was to getting everything together and ready for publishing , it quickly became clear that was the perfect day to launch Ry and Eli’s story into the universe.

I’m still working on pricing for the print copies – that’s my main hold up at the moment, now that I’ve finished all the last minute editing. My original set up is pricing a lot higher than I want it to (due to some of the distribution options I’ve picked), so I’m going to fiddle around with it some more to see if I can’t get the price down some. Either way, the Kindle version will be $3.99 when it’s released, and for those that don’t have a Kindle, there is a free Kindle reader app that is available for almost any device. But if you are like me, having a physical book in-hand is a lovely thing, so I will definitely continue to look for a solution that allow that happen in the best possible way.

I’m so happy the way this all worked out and I really can’t wait to share my book with you all.