Word Counts Update

I haven't written any blog posts since last January, a bad habit I've fallen into over the past year but one I intend to fix right quick. The lack of blog posts does not translate into an absence of work, however.

I recently finished writing new scenes for the upcoming reissue of The Twain Shall Meet, which will occur later this summer (probably August). Word count for the material topped just over 30,000.

Nearly 100% of the new scenes focus on main characters Scott Page and Shannon Larkin at the beginning of their relationship. The writing binge went on for well over two months earlier this year, wearing me down in the process (as usually happens). I'm currently inserting the scenes into the existing book, and then I'll be onto editing the material in its entirety a dozen or so times before considering it complete. A new book cover for the novel will also be forthcoming, but I can't say much more for the time being.

*POSTSCRIPT (05/31/16): Just sent off the revised manuscript of The Twain Shall Meet to my publisher. Keep your fingers crossed she likes the changes. Upon its original publication in 2012, the ms had 234 pages with a word count of 131,628. The new edition has 296 pages and a word count of 161,931. Not bad!  :)

*POSTSCRIPT (06/06/16): I'm so excited I can barely sit still! My publisher got back to me about the new material for TheTwain Shall Meet, with the message: "I've always loved your work, especially this series (Collective Obsessions Saga). As an editor, there are some stories that just stay with you long after they've been published, and you keep hoping to return to those particular worlds - this series was like that for me, so I look forward to revisiting." Print-on-Demand and new Goth covers for all eight books in the series are also being discussed. I never take being published for granted, and I never assume everyone will like the work. I remember all too well how long and hard the road to being published was, so every time it happens I'm still astonished. Somehow it makes the self-imposed social isolation and writing binges late into the night all worthwhile. ;)

Bloodline Samples

Samples from "Bloodlust" and "Blood & Soul" are now available online.

Click here for more.

 

Please Note: Storylines, estimated completion dates, content and book cover art for both Bloodlust and Blood & Soul may be subject to change prior to official publication.

Progress Report

I'm currently five chapters into Bloodlust. I hope to have the novel complete and released by this time next year, but I'm not making any definite promises. Personal loss and health struggles have set me back quite a bit over the last twenty-four months, although I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the best. Staying positive and driven has become my priority rather than focusing on the onslaught of negative. I think it's half the battle sometimes.

 

Bloodlust is book #2 in the Bloodline Trilogy. The novel will follow the exploits of Kate Grady, daughter of Noel Gatsby and Pim Grady from Bloodfrost (book #1 in the Bloodline Trilogy).

 

Current story description of Bloodlust: 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.

I have two "openings" written for Bloodlust, but haven't decided which one to use yet. Both are important to the storyline and both will be in the book regardless. However, I can't choose which one to launch the story with a bang. Knowing me, I'll decide at the last minute after the book is finished and ready to go.

Stay tuned!

Excerpt Downloads

Excerpts from my books are now available as free downloads (PDF only).

From the Collective Obsessions Saga:

• The Advent
• Quixotic Crossings
• The Twain Shall Meet
• The Twain Shall Meet (special holiday excerpts)
• Enthrallment
• The Keeper's Journal
• Hearts Desires
• The Twilight
• Megan's Legacy

 

From the Bloodline Trilogy:

• Bloodfrost

 

More downloadable excerpts will be added in the future, so please check back for updates.

Autumn Update

I will not look back on the summer of 2014 with undiluted pleasure. As mentioned in my blog post Bad & Good (06/09/14), both of my elderly parents suffered multiple medical issues throughout the year. My father passed away on September 17th, which was a shock despite his ongoing health problems. I never expected him to die, thinking most of his issues could be fixed by consistent medical attention. It was not to be.

As their only child, I was left to deal with all formal details and financial matters. It is not a task I'd ever wish on anyone.

As stated before, circumstances have forced me to reevaluate the release schedules for both Bloodlust and Blood & Soul. As it stands at the moment, I've had to push back the estimated book releases to 2015 and 2016, respectively.

I'm currently fighting a relentless chest cold, spending most of my time drinking hot tea and reading rather than writing. I just can't muster the energy or creativity to write at the moment.

My latest reads? Elizabeth of York by Alison Weir and Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett, which is the final part of his Century Trilogy.

 

Reading keeps my mind occupied. It helps me cope with the recent heavy stress.

Quixotic Two

Quixotic Crossings has been rereleased to commemorate its third anniversary, along with a new cover. The novel is the second book in the Collective Obsessions Saga.

Fate continues to entangle the Larkin and Sullivan families amidst madness, murder and obsessive love. Colm and Molly's grandson Jean-Claude Sullivan finds his life driven by greed and perversely tainted pleasures. Beloved family chef Claude Mondoux watches helplessly as Colm slowly loses his mind in ghostly visions of Molly, while Colleen Larkin seeks love in the arms of another man with deadly consequences...

Quixotic Crossings is book two in the Collective Obsessions Saga, which chronicles the extraordinary loves and obsessions between two families sweeping a span of more than one hundred years, all set against the backdrop of a Gothic seaside mansion in Maine.

Quixotic Crossings was originally published by Club Lighthouse in 2011.

Bad & Good

The last few months have been extremely difficult on a personal level, hence the lack of blog posts. Without going into too much detail, both my parents are experiencing serious health issues which range from Alzheimer's disease to renal failure, among other sundry.

The relentless daily medical dramas have forced me to reevaluate the release schedules for both Bloodlust and Blood & Soul. As it stands at the moment, I've had to push back the estimated book releases to 2015 and 2016, respectively. If anything changes, I'll post information as it happens.

On a happier note, Quixotic Crossings will be re-released early next month with a new book cover. Extra excerpts will also accompany the release.

Keep your eyes peeled…