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…

Smashwords Promo

To celebrate Read an E-Book Week, Smashwords is offering discounts on books in their catalog. The promotion runs from March 2-8, 2014.

Two of my books are part of the event:

• The Advent (FREE; use coupon code EF26S)
• Bloodfrost (25% off; use coupon code LK85U)

Coupon codes will remain valid until March 9, 2014, after which the books will return to their normal prices.

Excerpts from The Advent

New excerpts from The Advent are available online. From Chapter Nine:

MOLLY HAD NOT FARED well. Despite her desire to rejoin society after bearing the twins in 1881, she could not shake her extreme depression. She rarely left her rooms, and when she did, it was to go up to the vast attic. There she was alone in the dim albeit large stuffy room, reviewing her life, her failures, her shameful acts, and her conscience.

More >

By the way, The Advent became available at Kobo Books this morning.

Happy Reading!