Fellow Eternal Press author Gianna Bruno has invited me to join her ‘Spotlight Day’ at Coffee Time Romance this Thursday, 10 February.
We’ll be talking about writing from the viewpoint of the opposite sex, and I’ll also give an update of where we are with getting ‘The Doe and the Dragon’ and ‘The Well’ published.
Please come and join us!
At this time of year the world seems to be full of reviews of 2010, so I though I’d do a brief one, too.
In terms of output, the year was a slightly disappointing one. A mixture of computer problems, Junior needing the main PC for exam work, and family illnesses meant several periods of inactivity. Not only did that mean less writing, but also problems of continuity – it’s not easy to remember the detail of what characters are doing when I haven’t been able to work on them for a week!
I did finish one novel, though, which is due to go through Critters in the next week or so. I do think the various breaks have had an impact, but I’ll know soon whether Critters agree.
I’ve not had any new publications, but acceptances for ‘The Doe and the Dragon’ and ‘The Well’. Both are due for release in 2011.
It’s also been a good year for writing friends. Gianna Bruno has had ‘Hot Chocolate Kiss’ and ‘The Journey’ released. Phil McCormac has continued with his line of westerns, and has also seen his first crime novel published. Congratulations to you both.
I’ve had some good news, that my horror/adventure novella, ‘The Well’, has been accepted for publication. As usual, I’ll refrain from naming the publisher until contracts have been signed.
The story concerns an heiress who wakes up at the bottom of a well, and a college nerd who is stuck up a tree.
The story is very much in the vein of my literary hero, the late, great Richard Laymon, and I like to think of ‘Well’ as a tribute to him, with some of the elements he sometimes included. I’ve got a feisty blond heroine, a slightly nerdish hero, and the type of plot that I hope Laymon might have used. I only hope readers think it’s a fraction as good as the great man’s work.
Released by Eternal Press, 7 December 2010
They don't hang witches in Salem anymore, but Milena's punishment is being shunned. When her lover Thomas' ship is lost at sea, she fears he perished with the rest of the crew leaving her alone in a town bracing for a war over slavery, but still rife with an older form of prejudice.
Milena travels into the Forest and Sea Otherworlds to search for him, paying the fairies for her passage with bodily pleasures. Circe, the evil mermaid holding Thomas hostage, demands even more. She faces off against Circe in her underwater lair, endures the wrath of a colony of escaped slaves, and learns the terrible truth of what led to the shipwreck that left Thomas as its only survivor.
On the long journey, Milena learns to use her powers in ways she never imagined and discovers surprising truths about her own past. Left questioning everything she has ever believed, she must make the choice whether to return home with Thomas or stay in the Otherworlds forever.
“The journey is not about the destination, but rather overcoming the obstacles along the way.”
So says the tag for Gianna Bruno’s new novella, ‘The Journey’, which will be released by Eternal Press on 7 December. The story is about more than destinations or obstacles, though. It is about a woman who will do anything, and go anywhere for the man she loves. As such, it is very much a story about an impressively drawn character.
Milena’s lover Thomas is lost as sea shortly before the War Between the States. ‘The Journey’ follows Milena’s quest to find her love and takes her over much of the US’s eastern seaboard and beyond – so far beyond, in fact, that her travels take her to the Otherworld itself.
The plot is well thought through, and enough to keep the reader gripped on its own. The story’s highlight, though – as with Gianna’s previous Eternal Press release, ‘Hot Chocolate Kiss’ – is the strength of the main character. Milena is totally committed to her man. Not in any wimpish way, but with the sort of love and passion that makes her a strong heroine.
It might have been easier to have written this as an adventure story. Gianna shows everything through Milena’s eyes, which gives the tale an additional strength. Throughout, the reader wants to know what will happen to Milena, and whether she will ever live happily ever after with Thomas.
The story begins just before the outbreak of the American Civil war, and in particular highlights the misery of the slave trade. The prejudices and beliefs of the time are well illustrated, in particular, the villagers’ attitude toward Milena – a witch. The heroine’s sense of desolation at being shunned at a time when her man is missing, and she most needs a friendly face, is soon magnified by the plight of escaped slaves she meets.
Even to one unfamiliar with the period Gianna writes with a confidence that assures the reader of its historical accuracy.
‘The Journey’ is an erotic romance – and rightly comes with a high heat rating. Gianna doesn’t pull any punches with this aspect, and writes the sex scenes with the same confidence as the story’s other elements. The erotic element is all in context, though, and fits seamlessly into the story.
In all, this was an entertaining and thought-provoking read.
And, finally, Gianna will be giving away a copy of ‘The Journey’ to one reader who leaves a comment below.
The front cover for ‘The Doe and the Dragon’ has been finalised – here it is! Thank you again, Genene, for your work on it.
The release is likely to be in Spring 2011.
I’ve been fortunate with the cover art for all my novels. I’ve been chuffed with the pictures I’ve had for every book so far.
‘The Doe and the Dragon’ looks like being another impressive cover. The picture is still being finalised, but artist Genene Valleau has come up with something particularly striking and eye catching. I can’t wait to see the final version.
Thank you Genene!
See more covers from Genene at: http://www.designsbymsg.com/MoreSamples3.html
There has been quite a hiatus recently, which has stopped me writing and posting updates.
I had a great family holiday in North Wales. Not only was it wonderful be be back amid Snowdonia’s breathtaking scenery, it was refreshing to revisit some of the sites I used in ‘Andraste’s Blade’ and ‘The Doe and the Dragon’. I also had a flickering of an idea for a new work, but maybe more on that in due course!
I’ve also spent a lot of time editing ‘The Doe and the Dragon’ for Rogue Phoenix Press. It seems to have taken me ages, and almost prompted me to promise myself never to write anything that long again. I hope it’ll be worth the effort, though, as I’ve got a soft spot for this story.
Then, just as I was about to get back into the groove with my current novel…my wife got rushed into hospital. All will be fine, but she is still very weak. It turned out to be e.coli, and I can see why it can be very dangerous in the young, old or inform.
So, that’s a couple more weeks without writing, and I’ve spent the lat few days in North Wales again, this time on business. I did manage to stay an extra night after my meeting, though, so I got a couple of walks in as well as a night in my favourite inn, the Tyn-y-Coed.
So, now I’m back, and I hope all will return to normal writing-wise. I know I owe a few reviews and critiques, and after the hiatus I need to work on my Critters standing, so it might still be a while before I can type anything new.
