Sunday, October 21, 2012

Collective Updates

The following downloads have been revised:
About Larkin is a companion guide to the Collective Obsessions Saga. The guide offers insights into the story backdrop, such as particulars and images of Larkin City and the Larkin estate in Maine. Because the story spans more than 100 years, facts and entertaining trivia were compiled during the writing process.

The Private Journal of Colm Sullivan recounts Colm's journey from Ireland to Maine, which begins the Collective Obsessions Saga. As the first lighthouse keeper at Banshee Point, Colm records his private musings, dreams and desires as he begins a new life on the Larkin estate. Note: New pictures and information have been added to the revised version. Transcripts for Colm Sullivan's Journal were extracted from Passion Forsaken and The Keeper's Journal.

Did I mention both documents are free?

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Reading Laze

Once in a blue moon, I get the urge to just stay in bed for the day and read. Yesterday was one of those days. My cranky feline Kiki was glad for the unusual occurrence. She spent most of the time cuddled behind the back of my legs, although she rubbed her head against the book in my hands when she wanted attention.

I'm currently reading Fall of Giants by Ken Follett, first book in the Century Trilogy. Since Follett is one of my favorite authors, I'm thoroughly enjoying his work.

However, it's back to work today…

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Sneak-Peek

Preview from The Keeper's Journal:

There was one ubiquitous element in Scott and Shannon's marriage that remained a sore point, a constant bone of contention although they rarely spoke about it. One small detail that always stood between them, however slight it seemed at times. It was one bridge they had been unable to cross - the only one in their long relationship of unconditional love.

"Mike Sullivan," Scott thought to himself as he stoked up the fire again. "Why is it, after all of these years, his ghost still haunts us? Shannon rarely talks about it, but it's always there. Like an image one cannot touch, or eliminate. It's a part of herself she will not share. She might talk about him off and on, but she never goes deep to tell me how she felt about him, how the events from that time affected her. That is the part of her she keeps to herself, and I hate it." He paused, the irony striking him all of a sudden. "If it's true, and there is life after death in heaven, then that son of a bitch has probably enjoyed a good laugh all these years. The attention Sullivan craved from Shannon while he was alive has wrecked havoc on those he left in his wake for more than twenty years."

Scott stepped away from the fireplace. Dismissing Sullivan from his mind, he decided today was for him and Shannon. They would breakfast with their family, and then take a walk down to the lighthouse. He was alive and Shannon was his wife, the mother of his children. Those were things the past, or the ghost of Mike Sullivan, could never take away.

Smiling, he replaced the poker in the stand by the fireplace and left the room. The mist continued to swirl outside, accentuated by the blasting foghorn and the sweeping sea beacon. The pine logs in the hearth crackled, while bits of wood and ash fell under the grate, making a hissing sound.

The Keeper's Journal is scheduled to be released by Club Lighthouse Publishing before the end of the year, so keep your eyes peeled!

In the meantime, I've created pages for the book at Facebook and Pinterest.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Evolving Character

Kate Grady was just a baby near the end of Bloodfrost, first book in the Bloodline Trilogy. There was something quite different about her from the get-go. I made no secret about her continuation in Bloodlust (book two in the trilogy); therefore her character development is now progressing in my current writing.

Bloodlust begins when Kate is a teenager, attending English High School in Boston. Despite her penchant for "Goth" apparel and accessories, she is an outstanding student who is also responsible and compassionate. She feels great love and admiration for both her parents (Noel and Pim from Bloodfrost), and is secure in her life and friendships.

I outlined the Bloodline Trilogy last year via private scribbled notes, so I know where I need to take Kate in the continuation of the story. From birth, she has possessed a unique ability to bend people to her will (a result of Noel and Pim's experiences in Bloodfrost, which is hinted at in the first book). For most of her life up to high school, Kate has used her gift to help people rather than harm them.

The current blurb for Bloodlust: Noel and Pim's daughter Kate Grady has unusual powers which allow her to bend people to her will. At first she uses her gifts wisely, but then goes astray after falling in love with the diabolical Kirk Lester, whom she follows down an ugly path of debauchery and evil...

Taking a decent-themed character and transforming them into somewhat of a monster is a challenge, but very enjoyable to write. As any serious author is likely to agree, creating the hideous rather than the mundane is much more satisfying. At the moment, I'm just beginning to push Kate off the cliff into the proverbial abyss. It's an exciting part of the story, and I'm relishing every minute of writing it. I can't wait to see where my imagination takes me as I go around the next corner...

Call me crazy, but that's the way of it.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Cover History

Passion Forsaken has a long and varied book cover history.

The first book in the Collective Obsessions Saga began with the following cover (my design) back in 2001:

First cover for "Passion Forsaken."

Followed by the professional rendering undertaken by my first publisher Tyborne Hill in 2003:

Second cover for "Passion Forsaken."


My working cover for "Passion Forsaken" after Tyborne Hill closed, and when I tentatively renamed the book "The Advent":

My working cover for "Passion Forsaken" after Tyborne Hill closed, and when I tentatively renamed the book "The Advent."

And finally, the current cover designed by Club Lighthouse Publishing:

Fourth and current cover for "Passion Forsaken."

Needless to say, the first two renderings were issued long before I decided to write the Collective Obsessions Saga using the pseudonym Deidre Dalton.

My preference? It's a toss-up between the third (Advent) design and the current cover. I like them both.


Tuesday, July 3, 2012