Update on MIDNIGHT CAPTIVE - Book 2 of BBB Vampire Chronicles

I've had a few of my readers begging me for Book 2 of my Bonded By Blood Vampire Chronicles, so I thought I would post an update on where I am with it.

I'm so sorry! I should have listened to Amanda Hocking and NOT put a release date on future projects until the book was near completion. I stated at the end of Book 1 that Book 2 would be done in October 2011. My day job (editing) picked up and I just have not had the time to write.

I did put a lot of effort into the novel in December and was about three-quarters of the way done with the first draft...and then the holidays hit and then Star Wars: The Old Republic came out and I also got sick (see previous spew about that).

A couple of weeks ago, I did an all-nighter and actually made a lot of progress on my book. I have one-and-a-half chapters and an epilogue to go for the first draft. WOOT! I'll pass that on to my editor and have her give it a once-over to pick out any major stuff I need to work on. Then it's into the rewrites.

I was hoping to get this done for Valentine's Day, but that's only 4 days away...so that ain't happenin'. I am going to the Romantic Times Book Lover's Convention in Chicago, so my goal is to get it done prior to that event and have the book in hard copy, ready to sign. That event is in the middle of April, so I NEED to get this book finished and printed in March. Wish me luck!!

As for the writing process, I cannot tout the praises enough for Alan Watt's book The 90-Day Novel. OMG what a fabulous book! If it wasn't for his manual on finding the essence of a story, I don't think I would have made it as far as I did with MIDNIGHT CAPTIVE. He really helps you unveil the heart of your story with the exercises in his book. I recommend it to all my authors. MUST read!

There's a few other projects I've picked up. I've started doing book trailers, so if you're in need of one, check back here in a couple of weeks and I'll have some samples for your viewing pleasure. I'll probably post some pricing on my Mystical Press Services web site.

I've started recording an audio book version of MIDNIGHT CONQUEST. Not sure how long that's going to take, but I'll keep you posted on that one, too. Additionally, I started recording audio books for Bahn Sidhe AudioBooks, which motivated me to get off my tushi and do my own novels. I'll probably record my short story, too: HERE'S BLOOD IN YOUR EYE.

And though this is not new news, some of you may not know that I'm also doing cover art for The Wild Rose Press. If you're a TWRP author and you like my stuff, you can request me as your cover artist. Here's a link to my online portfolio. As such, if you're a self-published author, I can do your cover for you, too. I'll have pricing up shortly at my Mystical Press site.

So there's the update on what's happenin' and I thank my readers and fans for being so patient with Book 2. It's coming soon! I promise!

That's my two pence...

P.S. Here's the blurb for MIDNIGHT CAPTIVE:

Book 2- Scotland, 1531

Cailin MacDougal has lived a dangerous life being the adopted daughter of vampire Broderick "Rick" MacDougal, so she has no choice but to learn to fight in order to protect herself. However, such behavior is hardly desirable in a dutiful wife who's supposed to embroider and run a household. This aggressive side of her behavior should be easy enough to hide from her betrothed...shouldn't it?

After being away at fencing school for seven years, James Knightly has returned as a master swordsman, ready to captain his own ship and finally wed his betrothed, Cailin MacDougal. However, what he finds waiting for him is a dagger-toting hellion for a bride, an immortal father-in-law, and an enemy bent on extracting his revenge by threatening the family James holds most dear - the MacDougals.

Broderick MacDougal is lured away from his family with the promise of - at last - learning a way to protect those he loves from his clan enemy, Angus Campbell. Broderick knows he's headed for a trap, but the bait it too tempting to resist...and he unravels the beginning of a prophecy that will lead to redemption for all vampires. The cost of such redemption, however, may be the very soul of the woman he would die for...his wife, Davina.

Catching Up - Sick of Being Sick and Tired!

I really hate to be one to bitch or complain, because honestly, I'm the happiest I've ever been in my entire life. I have my romance-novel-hero husband (pictured right), a roof over my head, a career that I thoroughly enjoy (editing / writing / cover design / recording audio books / creating book trailers) and pets that are adorable and love us.

With that said, life is not perfect and feces occurs. I've been on a leave of absence from the blog. I blame sickness, but mostly I blame Star Wars: The Old Republic. Well, to be fair, I don't think I would have been able to make it through some of the sickness without the role-playing, choose-your-own-adventure game of the century. It's a great way to escape from your problems.

I had a cold (not so bad...could still work), but then I had a bladder infection followed by ANOTHER bladder infection. OMG I'd rather be bent over the toilet, throwing up, than have a UTI. They're just horrible and painful and debilitating. One cannot think straight when one is in that kind of pain. Editing (my day job) and writing (my night job) was just not possible. I couldn't sit at the computer long enough to get into the swing of things, let alone concentrate. Star Wars to the rescue! I didn't need to think...just kill things...which helped with a lot of the aggression building up inside me.

Finally getting back on track...and then my back goes out two days ago. ARRRRGGGG!!! I hate getting old. Seriously, I was bending over (he he...she said bending over) to pick up my pajamas! A simple enough gesture, right? The pain brought me to my knees. It's a good thing, too, because while I was down there, I picked up my eyeballs, which had popped out of my head from the intense pain.

Thank the Gods for chiropractors (angelic music, please)! The crick in my neck is gone and my back is on the mend. Just FYI - I went to Comfort Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Ontario, California. I highly recommend them! Such a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. Anyway, just checking in and letting everyone know why I've been MIA. Updates on my novel and other writing-related activities in the next post.

That's my two pence...

Is Nicolas Cage a Vampire????

I couldn't resist posting this! My husband forwarded this story on to me and I laughed AND gasped with awe when I saw the picture with the title "Is Nicolas Cage a Vampire?"

Photo Credit: Huffington Post

Uncanny, no? There was also a poll at the end of the article on the NY Daily News that covered the story. The problem is, the question leads pollsters to misleading answers. The question was, "Do you think the photograph looks like Nicolas Cage?" The choice answers were as follows:

• Yes -- I believe he's a vampire
• No way -- this is ridiculous
• I don't know

I actually didn't read the question myself and answered, "I don't know," thinking the question was actually, "Do you think Nicolas Cage is a vampire?" I ranked among 5% of the pollsters with that answer.

Here's the video I saw from OMG! NOW that covers the story:

Hope you enjoyed the post!! If you're interested in learning more about this amazing phenomenon, just visit your favorite web search engine and type in "is nicolas cage a vampire" and you'll get plenty of results!

That's my two pence...

It's the End of the World As We Know It...and I Feel GREAT!

Getting off the topic of writing, I'm going to vent about a particular subject that has been in my face as of late. My virtual-spewing session is about the end of the world (EOTW) stuff and how I'm going to prepare for it, so if this isn't your cup of tea, no hard feelings if you stop reading here. I will say, I end it on a light note. Let the venting begin! (And don't forget to click on the pictures. Interesting information.)

With 2012 right around the corner, there's a lot of chatter about the EOTW and I see a desperate attempt by people to discover when it's going to happen. The thought of not being able to wake up each day to see the loving face of my dear husband has caused me some distress and even brought tears to my eyes.

Then I had a revelation that made the fear and foreboding disappear and I hope sharing it will give you the same sense of relief: What would I do to protect myself and my family if I DID know when the world was going to end? The answer liberated me...