If that doesn’t get your attention, nothing will. 

Happy two-year-old book birthday to my very first book formerly known as The Waiting. When I began publishing two years ago, I was young and naive regarding the ways of the book world and honestly believed within 6 months, I’d have made my editing investment back and readers would be clamoring for the second installment. Neither of those things happened.  It. Was. Depressing.

I wanted to quit. 

Like seriously, wanted to throw in the towel and walk away from writing forever because in my mind, not only had I wasted money, I’d wasted my time and my editor’s time. But thanks to encouraging friends and family, I didn’t give up, because there’s nothing in this world that brings me as much joy as creating stories. Over the next year, my family went through our lowest time ever. We struggled personally, financially, emotionally. Through it all, I kept writing… pulling the hurt and frustration from my own life and pouring it into the pages of these books. 

Bet you think this story ends with some motivational spiel about how I made it to a bestsellers list or sold thousands of copies of my books. It doesn’t. Not yet, at least. But give me time. Age brings wisdom for sure and experience puts you in touch with those wiser than you. I’ve been blessed with both of those things recently.

My first series (The Waiting Series) is undergoing a complete makeover. In an effort to match the outward packaging to the inward machinations, backstabbing, and revenge we all know these books to be, I’ve changed the name of the series to COUNTERPLAY. For those of you who don’t know much about chess, Counterplay is  is defined as defined as active maneuvering by the player in an inferior or defensive position.

Could that be any more perfect for this tumultuous cast of characters? 

In addition to the series name change, the titles and covers will be different as well. Kathy, my beloved editor, will be making a pass over each book again, and Sarah M. Cradit (who did Witch Dance’s cover) has created compelling and poignant cover art, that nearly took my breath away. The above Cadduses is for the prequel and this is the art for the first cover. 

In addition to allllll these awesome things, I finally have a newsletter. Promise to keep it relevant and spam free. Sign up HERE and receive a COUNTERPLAY short story. 

What I’m working on: 

• I’ve had the privilege of alpha reading Sarah M. Cradit‘s latest novel, Secrets Amongst the Cypress, and while Sarah is away on business, I’m making a run through. If you like paranormal and New Orleans, you’ll love her. Seriously. 
• Revising ALL six of the available COUNTERPLAY books, plus editing next one to be published. Not much will be different, but for creative reasons, a few names have been tweaked and situations changed within the series. 
• Writing COUNTERPLAY’s seventh installment. 

So…two years later, I’m not quitting. I’m not giving up. I’ll keep writing my stories and do whatever it takes to get them seen. But I can’t do it alone, so thank you to all the people who constantly encourage me or listen when I complain. This isn’t an easy profession, but there’s nothing else in the world I’d rather do. ❤️