Sarah M. Cradit

It’s been more than a minute…

When I take a hiatus, I take a big one!!! After several years of upheavals and changes (some good, some not-so-good) I am finally back to writing and releasing, back to my dear readers, and back to the characters we love to love (or in some cases, love to hate 😉)

Covid has sent us all down a path we never expected and probably wish we didn’t have to take. This year, in particular, it’s been a major player in every facet of my life as I know it has for so many of you as well. I do not work in a critical care facility where I look after acute Covid patients but my small rehab by the river has had our share. Nursing through a pandemic isn’t something I envisioned 15 years ago when I recited the Nightingale Pledge. Words like “epidemic” and “pandemic” and “plague” belonged in more archaic times or at least in places less civilized than America. Yet… here we are. Humbled and hopefully on the path to stopping this horrible virus.

I think all of us – whether we are essential workers or people who are able to work from home, we’ve all struggled to find balance in our lives and maybe in that hassle, we’ve lost sight of the things that mean the most to us. For me, that was writing.

After some serious encouragement from a fellow writer and precious friend, ( Sarah M. Cradit) I’ve decided to get back on the horse and see where it takes us. She put me up here kicking and screaming, because starting over is scary and change isn’t fun, but when we have a story to tell, not telling it isn’t an option. 💪

With Counterplay, my last release was Book 7 almost two years ago, and even though I haven’t released new content, thankfully, I have been writing. A little less consistently than I would like, but I’ll take a win where I can get it. Presently, I’m on Book 11 of 14 and 2021 will bring two of those releases plus two boxed sets.

If you are still reading, still wondering what happens to our motley crew in the Counterplay world, watch this space for pre-order links.

In the meantime, I’d love to have you join my Facebook group, the Counterplayers, (invite your friends!!!) and I’d love to hear how all of you have survived in this brave, new, masked 😷, and toilet paper obsessed world.

❤️ Elizabeth

House of Crimson and Clover Prequels

Y’all, my dear friend and fellow author Sarah M. Cradit, is having a Memorial Day sale. I’m privileged to get to alpha read her books – chapter by chapter – and I can say without a doubt, she’s one of my favorites.

The storm of the century closes in on Summer Island, leaving Ana and the mysterious St. Andrews brothers cut off from the world. But as the snow intensifies, they quickly realize there are far more sinister dangers lurking.

For a limited time, get three House of Crimson & Clover Prequels for $.99! Now through June 2nd.

http://www.sarahmcradit.com/prequelssale/

The Island

From the USA Today bestselling fantasy author of the House of Crimson & Clover novels comes a chilling new historical fantasy series, Vampires of the Merovingi. Ancient lore, a vidid historical backdrop, and elusive, tantalizing mythical creatures await readers as they dive into the secretive, ancient, powerful world of The Saga of Crimson & Clover.

1789. Saint-Domingue. Hispaniola. West Indies.

Etienne de Blanchefort has seen incredible success as a colonial planter in the Northern Province of Saint-Domingue. Though uprooting his family from France a decade past was a gamble, life in the tropical West Indies has been good to him, his wife, and four children. With France embroiled in their great revolution across the Atlantic, he harbors little doubt he made the right decision for his family’s future.

Until, that is, the arrival of his fiend.

Etienne’s practical nature cannot reconcile what he knows to be true of his world with what he cannot ignore about the abominable creature haunting his family and the island.

Nor can he ignore his wife’s terrifying dreams that slowly steal her vitality.

Or Victorine’s burgeoning free spirit and wariness of their way of life.

Or Nanette’s curious, furtive behavior as she hides in trees.

Or Marius’ secret new friendship with one he cannot name.

Or Flosine’s unsettling drawings of a man from a time long before theirs.

Etienne’s fiend will not stay elusive for long. He has a request. A very particular, very important request, one that will change the lives of Etienne, his family, and his descendants forever.

Buy Links:

iBooks: http://apple.co/2EmxYbk

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2C3DDl9

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2A6YnXk

BN: http://bit.ly/2CooWMP

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2CjkQ9G

My review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was the first in a fascinating new series by Sarah M. Cradit. I have to be honest: vampires aren’t my most favorite thing to read about but this book blew my mind! Cradit’s masterful storytelling combines equal parts mythology, history, and imagination to create a hauntingly beautiful tale of intrigue and opportunity. I would recommend to all lovers of historical fiction as well as paranormal fantasy.

A Tempest of Discovery


A Tempest of Discovery (Midnight Dynasty Book 1): Available Now!

Life changes the most when it changes in an instant.

Nicolas Deschanel, playboy heir to New Orleans, has turned over a new leaf—and turned an eye to Lauren Weatherly, who is very unlike any of the women he enjoyed in the past. Their work to deploy field research teams to build the Deschanel family’s list of allies brings them closer, but each step in that direction also reveals truths about them both.
Charlotte and Julian carefully tail the Henry siblings in Paris, but Charlotte cannot deny she’s drawn to mysterious Lawrence, while Julian’s visions of the dangers ahead grow deeper and darker.
A Tempest of Discovery, book one in the thrilling new paranormal romance series, Midnight Dynasty, is available now:
iBooks: http://apple.co/2zGjGPG

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2xqasWW

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2zGhYxK

BN: http://bit.ly/2hh6sC6

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2yTu0a6

My review: As expected, the first installment in Cradit’s Midnight Dynasty series did not disappoint. In this book, we revisit some our favorite Deschanels (Nicolas, Colleen) and delve deeper into their family tree with the Fontenots, headlined by fierce Charlotte. Also we are introduced to the mysterious LaViolettes, a female-centered family with mysterious ties to our favorite magical family. Though it is a continuation of The House of Crimson and Clover series, it’s not necessary to have prior knowledge of those books to understand this one. If you enjoy a story with twists and turns and shocking endings, this is the book for you. Cradit’s delivery of mystery and intrigue is flawless. Five stars. 

Within the Garden of Twilight 


Temporary peace descends on the Deschanels in New Orleans. Loved ones have returned. A calm appears in the chaos. Life is, seemingly, back to normal. 
Those who had been away look to establish their new routine. They trade intrigue for dinner parties. Survival skills for day jobs. Settling into a quiet life comes with a sense of long-awaited relief, and they want, desperately, to embrace it with open arms. To sit in silence in their gardens at twilight and dream a dream they dare not: One of health, happiness, and above, all family. 

Yet under the surface lurks the shadows of their past, and the promises of tomorrow. A whisper in their ear, reminding them, “Soon.” 

The Prophecy awaits. The Myths of Midwinter await. The Deschanel Curse is hungry. And far away, in Farjhem, an ancient showdown is underway. The end is near. Who will survive?
The Calm envelops the Deschanels, but The Storm grins in the twilight:

—> Amazon: http://amzn.to/2jLNT7t

—> iBooks: http://apple.co/2kamL5u

—> Kobo: http://bit.ly/2l5GVeF

—> BN: http://bit.ly/2l5rD9J

—> Google Play: http://bit.ly/2k4izSw


My review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This book may be a mosterous 142k, but as a reader, you’ll breeze through it as if it were a 5000 word story. Within the Garden of Twilight is the 9th book in the House of Crimson and Clover series and like its predecessors, you should grab you a bag of chocolate and wine (LOTS of wine) and settle in for a few days of intrigue, mystery, drama, and magic. Cradit takes us on a journey across the globe, but very clearly makes it known that the heart of this story resides in New Orleans. 

The reality that Within the Garden of Twilight is the second to last book in the series is bittersweet. This series has been one of my favorites for years and I’m sad to see its conclusion. On the other hand, I’m excited for #10 and beyond as the House of Crimson and Clover is a part of the overarching Saga of Crimson and Clover. So #10 isn’t a ‘goodbye’ as much as it is a ‘see you later.’

*I was given an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Lagniappes Collection II


Banshee and A Band of Heather are my favorites! 

LAGNIAPPES COLLECTION II IS NOW LIVE 
The House of Crimson & Clover short stories are back with , a second collection of Crimson & Clover Lagniappes (bonus stories) in the bestselling witches family saga, The House of Crimson & Clover. Readers are saying these are the best yet!

They can be enjoyed as standalone tales, or complements to the series.

★★Lagniappe Collection II★★

5 Bestselling short stories. One compelling collection.

iBooks: http://apple.co/1q8aG0k

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2dsS8r9

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2dgGGMx

BN: http://bit.ly/2ddFqbW

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2daInfk

The Secrets Amongst the Cypress


Amelia and Jacob must journey to the past to return to themselves.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2abrMnf

iBooks: http://apple.co/1Zveche

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ambjyp

BN: http://bit.ly/2ayeLsg


Dive into the secret, ancient, powerful world of two New Orleans families, the Deschanels and the Sullivans…

From USA Today bestselling paranormal author Sarah M. Cradit comes The Secrets Amongst the Cypress, Volume 8 in the bestselling witches family saga, The House of Crimson & Clover. Not a standalone story, Secret’s plot makes the most sense only after having the prior volumes.

Amelia and Jacob have landed in a very familiar where. The when is a whole other matter.

Jacob’s first experience time traveling leaves him and Amelia stranded in 1861 Louisiana on the cusp of the Civil War. With no luggage and no invitation, they find themselves at the mercy of Charles and Brigitte Deschanel, who, for now, believe they are cousins visiting from abroad.

The tragic circumstances which led them to flee the present now leave them both struggling to make sense of their own individual grief. Amelia’s sorrow drives her further from Jacob, and into the strange world of an eccentric man, Victor, who knows all too much about her. Jacob’s heartache leaves him cynical and weary, losing sight of who he is and was destined to become.

As the strange and terrible dynamics of the nineteenth century Deschanel family come to light, Amelia and Jacob are each drawn into the family’s complex web in myriad ways, challenging everything they held to be true. These revelations drive a deeper wedge between the couple, placing them in grave danger, from those around them… but also from themselves.

The hands of time have taken hold, and the clock is ticking. The longer they stay, the greater the risk of losing everything.


My review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sarah M. Cradit provides us with a fast, exciting read in the eighth novel from the House of Crimson and Clover series. The Secrets Amongst the Cypress is different (and more poignant) than any work I’ve read by this author. The book primarily follows Amelia and Jacob as they are catapulted into the antebellum South. Fans of the series will be pleased to meet characters we’ve heard about for years (Ophelie, Bridget, Charles, Jean) and introduced to newer, mysterious characters (Victor, Marius, Charlotte). 

As always, it’s Cradit’s ability to reach within her characters and pull out their emotions that makes her one of the best writers out there. One special instance is Amelia and her response to a trauma she endured several books before and the care by which Cradit handles her recovery. Also noted is the realistic way her husband responds with anger, guilt, and finally acceptance and hope to move on. Secrets is at its heart, a story about finding truth. 

This novel is best understood from the beginning of the series at The Storm and the Darkness. Recommended for anyone who enjoys intricate characters and intertwined storylines with a magic flare. 

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.


About Sarah: 

Sarah is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the Paranormal Southern Fiction series, The House of Crimson & Clover. The series was born of her combined loves of New Orleans, family dramas, and the mysterious nature of love and desire. Her books combine elements of paranormal, mystery, suspense, intrigue, and romance. She is always working on the next book in the series, and absolutely loves connecting with her fans.
Sarah lives in the Pacific Northwest, but has traveled the world from Asia to Europe to Africa. When she isn’t working (either at her day career, or hard at work at writing), she is reading a book and discovering new authors. The great loves of her life (in order) are: her husband James, her writing, and traveling the world.

Housekeeping, Happy Birthday, and a Bloody Caduceus  

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. ❤️

Release Day for A Band of Heather

  

“This is the beginning of something even bigger than we could have ever imagined,” she rejoined, resting her face against the warmth of his chest.”

★★A Band of Heather★★

Two worlds collide in the romantic Scottish Highlands.

iBooks: http://apple.co/1ZuzKeC

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Rkinv2

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1UlYzua

BN: http://bit.ly/1WOynrl
My good friend, Sarah, released another one of her fantastic short stories. Here’s my review: 

Five Stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you’ve never read any of The House of Crimson and Clover Series, A Band of Heather is the perfect place to start. This new short features Colleen, my most favorite character in the entire series. For those of you familiar to the C&C world, you’ll remember that Colleen is the matriarch of the Deschanel family and current Magistrate of the Deschanel Magi Collective. This story follows her to Scotland where she falls in love with the most unlikely person, but as the threads of destiny unravel, Colleen and Noah realize they are bound by more than just their feelings. Beautiful prose. Rich, evocative scenery. A Band of Heather is everything you want in a short story.