Good afternoon and happy Friday to everyone out there today! I missed last week due to surgery, but seem to be recovering well enough, even if I am about to go crazy with sitting around.
I had hoped to do some editing while I recovered, but sitting up at the desk wasn’t working well, and neither was the lap top.
But I’m about to begin again on Old Flame. I figure if I can make it through a chapter a day it shouldn’t take long. Of course what it shouldn’t and what it will may be different. You know how that goes, I’m sure.
So if this isn’t too long, or I miss another week, don’t despair. I’ll be back when I’m fully functional again. In the meantime, catch up on the Gambler’s Folly series while you wait for Old Flame. This time we have bear shifters!
It’s that time of year again–rain most days and temperatures from summer to winter and back again. It will be just a bit too chilly not to have heat, but as soon as you light a fire, it’s too warm.
How are things going in your world today? It seems like a great idea to find a good book, a cup of coffee or tea, and have a seat for the rest of the afternoon.
What are you reading? If you haven’t looked at my books before, check out the video below for a brief preview. I have two series under this pen name–Esperance and Gambler’s Folly.Esperance is more laid back featuring people with unusual abilities. Gambler’s Folly is futuristic with shifters.
Either way, one of them would make a good read for your afternoon. I’ll have new covers out soon, so let me know what you think. In the meantime, happy reading!
Every summer and winter, Smashwords gives authors a chance to join the site-wide book sale! Thousands of books will be included, along with all of mine!
So if you’re in the mood for something fanciful, or something with shifters, or magic go over and check out the links for my books.
I know. I’m late for last week’s post, so this one will have to do double duty. But let me explain.
My husband had a total shoulder surgery last Wednesday. I don’t now if you know someone who’s had this particular procedure, but it makes life difficult during the recover. In his case, it is doubly so, since the surgery was done on his dominant side. So eating, washing, doing anything really, has been awkward. Everything is set up for him to use his left hand–he’s a lefty–and so everything is out of reach.
Having to do everything with one hand is awkward as well, like getting dressed or taking a shower. Unless you’ve had a shoulder issue of some sort, you don’t realize how much you use those muscles–even when you’re not using that arm.
In the meantime, I’ve finished my latest edit of Whiskey Jug Genie and of Gregor Thayne. One is a stand alone for my Sultonna Nadine books. The other is the next book for Esperance–after Ben of Blackstone’s Forge.
This was my first time through Gregor Thayne, and I’m happy to say it wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be. Yes, it needs work, and my editor will probably tear out her hair–or mine. But as a first read through, I was happy with the result.
Whiskey Jug Genie is just fun. And I’m so glad my husband came up with the idea. Since it isn’t part of a series, it is written under my pen name, Sultonna Nadine. Imagine, if you will, one of the djinn trapped in a whiskey jug for 200 years. He’d spent considerable time before this in the deep south of the United States and picked up quite a southern accent.
Now imagine him freed in modern day London, bound to the owner of his jug, who is an apothecary shop owner.
Next in Esperance will be Ben of Blackstone’s Forge.
Ben’s family has a way with iron, a particular talent which runs in the family. During his childhood, up until he went away to serve an apprenticeship with another forge, Ben had planned to marry Deborah. They’d always seen themselves together, as had their families.
But while he was away, something changed. The young woman will scarcely speak to him as they pass in the street. But no one can tell him why. His father keeps hinting he should find a wife. But the only woman he has ever wanted to marry was Deborah.
Deborah had always known she and Ben were meant for each other. But while she waited for him to return, something happened which she has kept secret even from her mother. She can’t marry Ben, or anyone else. Her father strongly suggests she at least go out with some young men suitable for her, but he doesn’t understand the situation. And she can’t explain.
So what are they to do when their parents arrange a marriage for them?
Yes, summer is beginning to think about winding down for the year. While the evenings have been a little cooler, the days are still hot and humid, thanks to the sporadic rain showers. Of course, the 2 1/2 inches of rain we got a couple nights ago really boosted that humidity. We’re getting ready for my husband’s shoulder surgery later this week, so we’ve had appointments with surgeons, the hospital, you name it, which is why I’ve been absent recently.
So, what have I been up to lately?
Editing. Not my most favorite thing, but it has to be done. At least if I take some time wit it, my editor won’t have a heart attack.
I’ve been through Gregor Thayne, another book from Esperance. This was the first read through and while it had some issues, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be. Now, I’ll ;ut it aside for a while before coming back to it. Kind of let my mind take a break.
Next up is my final edit of Lady Calloway, from Sultonna Nadine. I’m still trying to decide on the final title for the book. I’m several edits into this book, so now it’s just finding all the loose ends and spelling errors I missed the first few times. What usually happens is I rewrite something and delete the old version. But once in a while, at 2 am, I don’t get all of something deleted, which leaves it sounding rather strange.
In the meantime, Ben of Blackstone’s Forge is coming along. It will be the fifth book from Esperance, featuring the son of a blacksmith with a unique family Talent. He has iron under his control. His love life on the other hand needs some help.
Have a wonderful week. Stay cool. And pick up something to read this evening.
Can you believe it? This is the last Friday of August already. And summer is definitely having fun as the seasons move toward autumn. The temperatures here have been close to 100 F and the nights haven’t cooled off below the 70’s in days. I’ll be glad when it cools down a little.
But to celebrate the end of the month, for this weekend only, all of my books at Smashwords will be available for FREE! And that includes Master of the Fleet. If you like romance with a magical twist, give it a try.
Yes, you read that correctly. FREE BOOKSfor this weekend. Monday, they all go back to regular price. So if you’ve been wanting to try some of my books now is a good time to go for it.
In the meantime, try to stay cool. I know it’s difficult this time of year. With the sudden bursts of rain we’ve had the humidity is up and the mosquitoes are hungry. Stepping outside is like stepping into a sauna full of mosquitoes.
This has been a week. Still trying to sort out auto and home insurance. Still working on getting things arranged for my husband to retire and get ready for his surgery coming up in about a month.
So the well decided to run low on water.
Yes, we now have aerated water coming out of the tap, which is not a good thing. The question is, do we need to drill a new well or see if they can do something to fix this one?
But at least we have two new little kitties to keep us entertain. Names for now are Licorice and Spook, who are both black, as you may have guessed, and 4 months old. They moved in and took over. Miss Kitty, our long haired white kitty is annoyed. The Lugnut, our 1 year old puppy, is not sure about the whole affair. They’ve taken over his bed and the couch, so where is a dog to sleep? I’ll try to get some pictures later.
In the meantime, when I’m not stressed to the max, I’m editing on Old Flame. Yes, still. I know… I’ll cut it down as I go. And writing on Tiger’s Tempest.
And as for wizards…
Check out Master of the Fleet, by Sultonna Nadine. I could use someone around here who could control wind and water…
So what are you reading?
Drop me a line with suggestions.
Or go over to Amazon or Smashwordsand check out what I have to offer!
In the meantime, have fun. Enjoy the nice weather, if you’re here in the Southeast.
