… And the Beginning of Something New

This autumn has been fairly eventful, to say the least. In September, I finished my second book, Wyldling Trials. Last month, I formatted and published it. As of yesterday, I resigned from my day job of nearly ten years. Was this a fiscally responsible decision? Probably not. However, I could see the way the winds were blowing with regards to my role there in the future, and I deemed the terms unacceptable for my health and sanity. It’s time to embark on a new adventure and seek out fresher pastures. And maybe have more time to write! My new part-time job begins on Monday. It should be … interesting.

NaNoWriMo

Ye gads and little fishes! November is HERE, and you know what that means … Well, yes; the holiday season is fast approaching. Better get that meal plan ready for Thanksgiving and those Christmas letters written. Make those lists and check them twice. Either it’s the most wonderful time of the year… or it’s the saddest, depending on the point of view.

However, I was referring to National Novel Writing Month—or NaNoWriMo, for brevity’s sake. This November, my goal is to hammer out a first draft of Wyldling Armor, the third book in the Wyldling Dream series. It’ll be rough, it’ll be bad—heck, it’ll probably be bloody awful—but in the end, God-willing, the resulting manuscript will be something I can finesse into a novel that people can read and enjoy.

This November will truly put my abilities to the test, but I believe I’m up for the challenge. I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength (paraphrasing Philippians 4:13). Above all, I am writing this series for God’s glory. He’s already seen me through publishing two books. If it is His will that I finish the third book and publish it, then I will finish the book and publish it. End of story. I appreciate any prayers, though. And I appreciate you reading my ramblings, too. Thank you, friend, for being here. You are a blessing. 🙂

And what better way to thank you than to recommend some …

Free Books!

Science Fiction & Fantasy / November

As always, I have not read all of these books and cannot vouch for the quality of the content. If something doesn’t meet with your approval, please don’t send the Brute Squad after me.

What I’m Reading

Having devoured Children of Blood and Bone, I’m now enjoying Children of Virtue and Vengeance. This is a great series! Tomi Adeyemi really knows how to spin a compelling tale and the suspense keeps you turning pages long after you should have put the book down and gone to bed. I’m struck by the similarities between Adeyemi’s maji clan magic system and the multi-element magic system I created with the seven aspects of Aethyr, the seven Sages, and the wyldlings. There’s also a dreamscape in the Orisha universe, much like the dreamscape I introduce in Wyldling Snare. I suppose there really isn’t anything new under the sun, just different twists on the same old material. 

The Orisha Legacy series seems a wee bit darker, perhaps bloodier, than the Wyldling Dreams series thus far. However, there’s nothing wrong with that at all. Most fantasy series have some violence in them. It doesn’t bother me unless it becomes gratuitous, which isn’t the case here. By the end of Children of Blood and Bone, the world of Orisha is at war, and—spoiler alert—war lurks on the horizon in the Teharan universe. Also—and this is NOT a criticism, only an observation—while there could be some romantic tension between characters sprinkled throughout the Wyldling story going forward, it won’t culminate in anything overly … physical. Not even in the dreamscape. Well … maybe a first kiss. Eventually. Because my editor insisted and I want to keep them happy so they keep reading my books. 

With all this in mind, I would definitely recommend the Orisha Legacy for older teens, at least high school aged. And adults should read it, too.

My husband brought home the first two volumes of a found family manga series called Spy X Family. On Amazon, it’s described as “an action-packed comedy about a fake family that includes a spy, an assassin and a telepath.” It’s rated T+ because of “realistic bloodshed” and violence, and there’s a few cusses, but otherwise it’s fairly clean. Needless to say, I started and finished them both this afternoon, and I’m looking forward to reading the other ten volumes that are available in English.

Clean Fantasy Romance:

Favian lives torn between two worlds. As a shadow elf, he serves Eldarlan as a warrior in the spymaster’s ranks. All the while, evidence of his gargoyle blood remains hidden beneath a spell. Despite this, he is content in the life he has chosen until one day, he spots his fated mate, but she is out of his reach in more ways than one. Years pass before he is offered the opportunity to actually meet her, but she isn’t who he thought she was.

Cersei has spent her life hiding in plain sight as the companion of an oligarch’s daughter. By blending in and not calling attention to herself, she has avoided the fate that took her father’s life. Then, political factions change, tensions rise, and her employer and his family are in danger. To make matters worse, the elven bodyguard they hired for protection won’t stop challenging her perceptions of those around her.

The Shadow Elf’s Mission is a light, fantasy romance novella about a romance between an elven/gargoyle and an elven/human woman. It features a fated mates romance where cultures clash when they encounter peril.

If you are like me, and start series from the beginning, then this is the first book:

In a world full of elves, woodwose, gargoyles, and brownies among others, humans can’t help crossing paths with all of the magical species. Well, everyone except Avril. She manages to avoid all elves. Then one day, her master orders her to steal a dagger from the very elf she wishes to evade most, the elven spymaster of Eldarlan. Bound by her indenture, she has no choice but to obey. She plans a swift sneak-and-grab mission, but things go awry.

Illeron knows more than any elf should. The gathering, analyzing, and disseminating of information consumes his life to the point his brother suggests he needs a distraction. So, when a human woman breaks into his study to steal his dagger, he seizes the opportunity and offers her a bargain she can’t refuse. And a fate he never imagined.

The Elven Spymaster’s Thief is a light, fantasy romance novella full of banter, flirting, and fun romantic moments. It features an opposites-attract romance between a human girl and an attractive elf lord with a bit of a culture clash thrown in for fun.

Have you read Wyldling Snare?

A knight’s first duty is to his realm. When another world calls, will he answer? The wrong choice might destroy all he loves.

Apprentice knight Enoch Northward isn’t ready to lead. But when he returns home to find his mentor dead and the heir-apparent missing, he knows he must rise to the challenge.

But the horrifying truth of his guardian’s death and disappearance of his friends leaves the grieving knight with no time to mourn. In search of answers, he ventures into the forbidden forest. There he discovers a portal leading to another world – and a girl who shares his faith and dreams.

The realm hangs in the balance as a mysterious enemy schemes to destroy it, but not all peril comes from the outside. Enoch himself harbors a secret that could destroy all he loves…

Obligatory Cat Photo

No, Leo. You may not!