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Recommended Reads: THE GASLIGHT DOGS

THE GASLIGHT DOGS is my favorite read of 2016. It was published six years ago and I don’t know why I waited so long to read it.

Karin Lowachee’s writing is filled to the brim with powerful storytelling enriched by poetic, expert prose, and this book is proof of that. The care that goes into each and every word leaves me speechless. And the characters… their struggles, their reluctant unions, how human and authentic they feel… at times in this book it was almost overwhelming. I often had to set it down just to catch my breath.
thegaslightdogs
I love Sjenn, her peaceful strength, her morals, her refusal to accept the violence that was coming into her land. I found her to be the perfect anchor to Jarrett’s (understandable) bitterness and hostility. Their journey from the comfort of their known worlds into each other’s was both beautiful and devastating. The layers of emotion and human struggle are piled thick, and I know it will take me a long time to fully process it all.

And that ending? My heart! I know there’s been mention of a second book and a third. If it’s really happening I know it’s probably years from being published but I need the second book now. My advice to readers is to buy this book now but hold onto it until #2 is published. Maybe #3 as well.

Wait, what am I saying? Read this book!! You can read it again when #2 is out. Because if you wait, you’re going to be screaming just like I am. Why did I wait so long to read this book?!

I have such hope for these characters, and they are going to be on my mind until I can finish their story.

THE GASLIGHT DOGS is alternate history/fantasy/literary fiction. Some readers classify it as steampunk but I don’t think that’s accurate at all. Don’t let the alternate history part throw you though. This book is a story about people. The setting is historical but the story is timeless. And the fantasy element is just perfect. There’s no romance but it’s really not needed. The relationships built in this book are just as touching as any love story.

THE GASLIGHT DOGS by Karin Lowachee
Amazon | Goodreads | Karin Lowachee’s website

Oh, and if you do read and enjoy this book please post a review on Amazon and Goodreads. Right now it only has a 3-star average which is outrageous.

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THE CATALYST Update, Plus a Giveaway

Lots of progress on THE CATALYST since the last post! Proofreading is complete on draft one of the paperback interior. The formatter is applying final changes now. Ebook formats are next but should be quick. I think we can measure the time in weeks now, and I’m feeling really good about this book. I think it will be worth the wait. :)

I feel like I should apologize, though, or warn readers… because it’s nonstop page-turning craziness. Trigger warning for one catastrophe after another and some serious bad behavior from one difficult hero. I can’t control him. I tried. It’s a lost cause. But makes for some good reading, I hope. :)

Progress of THE CATALYST
First Draft: Complete (102,494 words)
My revisions: Complete (103,808 words)
Professional editing: Complete
Proofreading: Complete
Formatting: First paperback draft complete
Final proofread: Paperback complete, ebook formats starting very soon
Cover art: Front complete, back and spine starting very soon

Paperback Giveaway!

There’s a paperback giveaway for THE ALIGNMENT going on December 6-27 on Goodreads. Tell your friends! Three winners can start this series for free.

The Alignment
by Kay Camden

I’m giving away 3 copies on Goodreads! Giveaway ends December 27. See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

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THE CATALYST Update – November 20

Editing and proofreading are behind us. I’d have a celebratory drink right now if I wasn’t headed to bed. I guess I shouldn’t really say proofreading is behind us, since the final, agonizing proofread of formatted paperback and two ebook formats is coming very soon.

The end of 2016 is near but I’m not worried. This book will be published this year. Yes. Yes it will. Do I sound convincing?

Progress of THE CATALYST
First Draft: Complete (102,494 words)
My revisions: Complete (103,808 words)
Professional editing: Complete
Proofreading: Complete
Formatting: Starting very soon
Final proofread: Not started
Cover art: Complete. And beautiful!! :)

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THE CATALYST Update – October 19

Version #6 of the cover is here and I think it’s the one. It’s very similar to book two’s cover, and I think it’s that symmetry that makes it work. I’m having them tweak colors now because the colors they chose are so vibrant and powerful I want to save them for the final book. :)

Cover reveal soon!

Progress of THE CATALYST
First Draft: Complete (102,494 words)
My revisions: Complete (103,808 words)
Professional editing: Complete
Proofreading: Starts very soon
Formatting: Not started
Final proofread: Not started
Cover art: Finalizing last changes

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Recommended Reads: THE LEOPARD KING

the-leopard-king1This isn’t a recommendation. It’s an order. Read this book.

A tormented hero, nurtured back to life by the heroine’s quiet strength. It’s done so well it’s like a burn inside you as you read, as the plot unfolds to become so much more. Not that you need any more, but that’s what THE LEOPARD KING gives you. A powerful love story and so much more.

Ann Aguirre writes emotion with such striking simplicity, such depth and power. Her prose is magic. Every line sings. Nobody does romantic torment better than her. Nobody. And riding above it is an intricate plot of kingdoms in struggle, secrets, manipulation, war. A modern world so much like our own but so different, drawn with such detail it feels like our own.

Normally I don’t write a recommendation until I’ve finished the book. In this case I make an exception because Ann Aguirre can not let me down. She could kill off every character and I’d still be fangirling like crazy. I also make an exception because this book is only $2.99 on Kindle for a limited time–only a few more days I think. If you’ve never read Ann Aguirre that’s a great price to try a new author.

Fans of my books, you’re not allowed to read any more of my books until you read this one.

Okay I’m kidding. ACTUALLY NO I’M NOT.

THE LEOPARD KING by Ann Aguirre
Amazon | Goodreads | Ann Aguirre’s website

Note: There’s a lot of detailed sex in this book. A lot more than what’s in mine. So if that’s not your thing, be warned. Don’t let it scare you away from such a great book though. Just know than when they start going at it, you might want to skim. :)

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THE CATALYST Update – September 22

Happy Autumnal Equinox! A day of equal night and day, when the sun rises due east and sets due west…and when THE CATALYST has been sent off to my editor for round one.

I’ve also sent the book’s info to my cover artist to get the cover started. I can’t wait to see what they come up with. It’s a jaw-dropping surprise every single time.

There are only three months left in 2016. I’m not sure that’s enough time to get this book finished but I’m going to be as hard-headed as TB and as calmly optimistic as Liv and power ahead believing I can still get it published this year.

Progress of THE CATALYST
First Draft: Complete (102,494 words)
My revisions: Complete (103,808 words)
Professional editing: Starts Monday
Proofreading: Not started
Formatting: Not started
Final proofread: Not started
Cover art: Started, first drafts due in 14 days

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THE CATALYST Update – August 28

I’m almost finished with my revisions. Starting today I’m taking a break to get some distance from the book before I go back in for the final changes. I also started working on the back cover blurb. It’s coming together, one version morphing into another until I finally have a version I can work with. I have less than a month before the manuscript is due to my editor.

Progress of THE CATALYST
First Draft: Complete! (102,494 words)
My revisions: About 90% complete
Professional editing: Not started
Proofreading: Not started
Formatting: Not started
Final proofread: Not started
Cover art: Not started