Keeper Coming

I just received word from my publisher that The Keeper's Journal will be released at the end of November or early December 2012.

Needles to say, I'm very excited.

The novel is the fifth book in the eight-part Collective Obsessions Saga.

Keep your eyes peeled...

Revisions, Round One

Over the weekend, I decided to revise the first chapter of my upcoming novel Bloodlust. While I'm well beyond the first chapter in terms of overall writing, I've found myself returning to the beginnings of the book many times in recent months. Something was tugging at me, making me think of other ways to introduce a mature Kate Grady into the Bloodline Trilogy. The scenario finally revealed itself fully to me, mindfully speaking, so I was able to write the revision in fairly short order.

Inevitable revisions are the main reason I prefer not to predict the release date of a specific novel. As most authors know, the writing process can go along smoothly for quite awhile and then all of a sudden a mental wrench is thrown into the works. It is not writer's block per say, but rather a new direction which can develop over the passage of time. In other words, the author can sometimes be inspired by new ideas that only become feasible as the storyline unfolds and ultimately progresses in their imagination.

Not to worry, though. I've been writing this way for most of my life, so I'm accustomed to the pattern.

More Enthrallment

Carly's in trouble…

IT WAS STILL DARK when Carly awoke fully dressed in the front seat of her Camry. At first she thought she was coming out of a horrific nightmare, but then she felt the pain and sticky wetness in her lower and upper body, and the pounding throb of an enormous headache.

She tried to adjust her eyes to the inky darkness. The street lamps on Larkin Highway helped bring her vision into focus, and then she knew where she was.

Her Camry was parked on the soft shoulder of the highway, underneath an awning of pine branches one-quarter mile from the entrance road to the mansion. She could smell the clean freshness of rain in the air even though her car windows were closed.

She found her voice, which was working now. "How on earth did I get here?" she wondered aloud. "What did I do? What in the hell happened to me?"

Bits and pieces began to flood her memory as she sat there. Despite the chill in her car, she felt the heat of shame rising in her body and flaming her cheekbones. She saw Jack in her mind, and two other men, taking turns on her body and then joining with her all at the same time – something she had never thought possible even in her wildest fantasies…

Click here to read more excerpts from "Enthrallment."

Collective Updates

The following downloads have been revised:

• About Larkin
• Private Journal of Colm Sullivan

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?

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…

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.

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.