It's Live!

A few housekeeping items.

 Facets of Revolution is now available in all the retailers. The print version should be coming later today or tomorrow. I approved it this morning now we just have to wait for it work its way through Amazon's queue. The audio version is coming but I do not have an ETA yet.

Happy Reading!

The line between loyalty and betrayal has never been so fine.

Chasing the trail of the woman who was once considered her best friend, Kira Forrest returns to the planet of her birth. When a near deadly incident jeopardizes her arrival, Kira will find the secrets she’s worked so hard to hide bubbling to the surface one by one.

Her only hope to control her destiny and protect the ones she loves is to embark on a dangerous rite of passage that may require far more of her than she’s willing to pay. For a hidden menace stalks her from the shadows—it's target those closest to her.

With the help of her lover and the allies she's made, Kira will have to fight for her future—and her past.

A reckoning is coming. The Phoenix will have to rise from her ashes to decide once and for all where she belongs.

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3QRwRon

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3QKUn6H

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3QvWmvJ

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3zYFvux

Universal: https://books2read.com/u/mvXrqz

The Process Goes On

The betas have given me their feedback and the editor has weighed in. So far, I've distilled my notes into identifying three or four relatively big issues with a few minor ones scattered around. They're nothing truly ground shattering but I am going to need some brainstorming and creative solutions to address them.

Editing is an interesting process. No one really wants people to find issues with their work. At least not this writer. I want to have written a perfect book with which no fault can be found. Sadly, I've yet to do that nor do I think it's a possibility for the future. Feedback, whether from betas or even friends, makes a book stronger. It requires you to put a little thought into those things you might have overlooked otherwise. 

Because I put so much effort into the first couple of drafts and don't release the book until I feel I've made it the best I can, it can be daunting when people point out the flaws. Sometimes that means delving a little further into my characters' motivations or rethinking why something happened the way it did. The answer is usually there as long as I look hard enough. The upside is that sometimes it can lead you to something truly wondrous. 

Now to decide if that fancy cup of cold brew coffee from my favorite coffee shop will help me with this or if it would be better to buckle down and get editing. Choices.

Draft End

Facebook and Twitter people already know that I finished the second draft of Firebird 4 on Friday. I probably should have announced that via the blog as well but I was so exhausted I pretty much shut down for an entire weekend. Literally--I did nothing. 

The book tops out at 146,071 words. 5600 of them were written on Friday. By the time I typed the last word my wrists, elbows, and shoulders were telling me they were also done. 

Before you get too excited and think Firebird 4 is coming out next week, you should know it still needs one more pass before I can release to betas and editors. Too much has changed from the original and I need to make sure the edits I made actually work. Not to mention, my ending needs another run. As epic as it is, I was flying through the narrative for the last 10,000 or so. There are a few things that need to be fleshed out. 

After the third pass, it'll be out of my hands and off to betas and the editor. 

For now, I'm resisting the urge to dive back in immediately and start working. Sometimes rest is needed no matter how much your mind is screaming that this needs to be done NOW!

That means today (and possibly tomorrow) will be spent on admin tasks. Maybe I'll figure out the title so I can contact the cover designer. Definitely need to contact the editor and get that set up. 

It seems even when a draft is done there is so much to do.

Sneak Peak

 I probably shouldn't do this. Especially since I'm not entirely sure this is staying, but I couldn't resist. Here is a small snippet from the current WIP. It made me smile so I'm sharing it with you. Hope it brightens your Monday.

Snippet

Reluctance showed on Raider’s face before his expression firmed. “You know you’re not the only one, right? We’re all killers. Every person in your orbit. Don’t forget that. Don’t let it crush you.”

Tears burned Kira’s eyes as she blinked back emotion.

Raider’s grin was easy. “Well, maybe not the squirt.”

Elena’s head popped out of her nook in the ceiling. “Not true, sperm donor.”

Any trace of humor disappeared from Raider’s face as his expression turned severe. A wolf looked out of his eyes. The killer he’d said he was.

Kira shook her head at him, knowing violence was imminent. “Not me. I would never allow her to do something like that at her age.”

And Selene wouldn’t either. She knew how important it was to let the children in her care be children. 

They both were intimately familiar with the consequences of taking a life at a young age and agreed that wasn’t a fate they wished on those they’d saved.

Or at least that was what Kira thought they’d agreed on.

Raider’s fury was still hot as Kira looked up at Elena.

“When?” Kira snapped.

Caution finally entered her niece’s expression. 

Good. Elena could use a little more of that. 

Elena became preoccupied with fiddling with of the screw bolts holding up the panel beside her. “On Almaluc.”

“What happened?” 

And where was Wren and Auralyn while it was happening?

Kira and Selene had been very careful with Elena, giving her the tools to defend herself should the worse ever happen. All the while ensuring her safety so that such actions never became necessary.

The fact she’d done so on Kira’s watch made this all the more appalling. 

Elena’s feet kicked. “A tsavitee war drone tried to stop the Wanderer from coming to save you. I crushed him with the ship.” 

Kira blinked at her niece.

Raider choked. He crouched as Kira stood there speechless, his body shaking harder has he buried his face in his knees.