November Writing Update, Video Game Musings and Promos

Greetings readers!

Last month, I completed my own version of NaNoWriMo called Write On, and managed to write 36k words in a month! Not the 50k I was hoping for, but I got sick during the last week and had to stop early.

But, despite the small setback, I managed to make progress on both The Starlight Prince and a YA romantasy called The Last Magic Shop that I plan on submitting to a StorytellerPublisher 22 collection due for release next year.

I need to add about 21k to The Last Magic Shop to meet the word count limit and finish off the story before the January 31 deadline. I'm hoping to add another ~25k to The Starlight Prince before I need to send the whole thing to my editor for publication on February 25.

That gives me about nine weeks in which to write ~46k words, which comes to about 5000 words a week. That's totally manageable for me. During October I was writing between 3-5k words a day! I won't go that intense this time around, but I do intend to focus as much as possible.

Which is a good thing it only took a week to complete my first playthrough of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. I need some time away from the game before I do any additional play-throughs, so I don't see that interfering with my focus ... although the game has inspired me to want to write some fanfiction, and I might spend the weekend doing that. If I do, anything I write will be over on my Tumblr blog, if you're interested.

Not only was the game terrific, and I greatly enjoyed it, but some of the storylines really resonated with me on a personal level, and it made me think about how important video games and other forms of media are in that respect. I'm considering writing a blog on those feelings, and wondered if that's something people might be interested in reading? Or should I stick to Tumblr for that, too?

Now my brain is back in writing mode, I'm looking ahead. I can't believe I have TWO releases this month!

First, on November 12th is The Write Here, Write Now Christmas Anthology - STEP INTO CHRISTMAS. The anthology features 12 stories from authors in the community, all based on titles of classic Christmas songs. The genre range is massive -- including both contemporary and paranormal romances, and more slice-of-life type stories -- so there's certainly something for everyone.

My story is about a woman lamenting her loneliness during the holiday period, who makes a Christmas wish, and comes face-to-face with a sexy (and naked!) snow elf from the faerie realms.

My second release, BEYOND STARLIGHT: AN ALIEN FATED-MATES COLLECTION, is out on November 19, and features the first 25k of THE STARLIGHT PRINCE. In the Starlight Prince, Madelyne Grant, a witch from Earth casts a spell to find her true love. At the same time across the universe Kalas, the crown prince of a planet of shape-shifters called Kralis, completes a ritual to find his fated-mate. Maddie and Kalas are instantly drawn together, but is their attraction enough for Maddie to overcome a lifetime of not feeling 'good enough' as she questions, does Kalas really love her or is it because his God bond them together in starlight.

You can also read the prequel to The Starlight Prince - THE ADVENTURES OF JOSAINE JOVENNE -- for FREE by signing up for my mailing list. In The Adventures of Josain Jovenne, space adventurer Josain witnesses Kalas's fated-mate ritual, before sneaking off to explore the royal palace of Kralis, where she meets an alluring Kralian named Savrion. Josain and Savrion quickly become embroiled in a plot by Savrion's father to sabotage the forthcoming union between Kalas and Maddie.

Speaking of THE STARLIGHT PRINCE I'm gearing up to releasing the full story in February, and intend on revealing the cover and pre-order on November 20th, and I'd love your help spreading the word. If you're interested in the cover reveal/ pre-order blitz, or you wish to help me promote the release of the Starlight Prince in February, you can sign up to do so here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehExsLdoEY4NEkJ5ZGIiLlJHiMySYKD8_r6Kv_cWL2F6uJ6g/viewform

I'm not the only one planning multiple releases in November. As well as having a story in Step Into Christmas, my dear friend Kyra Lennon is releasing the follow-up to her angsty, opposites attract, contemporary romance All of You, titled ONLY WITH YOU, which continues the story of 'good girl' teacher Shannen and 'bad boy' Callum, as the word seems determined to tear them apart. The first book was an emotional rollercoaster, with plenty of angst and spicy scenes, and I expect the follow-up to be just as amazing. I'll be reading an advance copy and reviewing it soon, so stay tuned for more. ;)

Speaking of review, in the coming weeks, I will be posting my review for Kate L. Smith's paranormal-romance SHELTER ME FROM DARKNESS, which sees a witch on the run from a death curse reuinted with her former lover, an alpha wolf-shifter who previously broke her heart. I'm only about ten chapters in, but it's amazing so far. I love the magic system, and the tension between Piper and her ex-lover/ fated mate Dean is delicious.

Also stay tuned to my blog/ mailing list, because soon I'm going to have a special look at the debut novel of my dear friend and amazing artist N.S. Armstrong, who recently revealed the cover to his forthcoming novel SON OF THE FIRST, about a young man named Alyx, who discovers his mother is actually Lilith -- mother of demons!

Before I leave you for this issue/entry/edition? here are a couple of promos from Book Funnel I wanted to share with you.

Oh No, I Shot A Spaceship And Kissed An Alien Cyberchef - by Kate Sinner

Nothing says 'five-star hospitality' quite like accidentally blasting an alien ship out of the sky.

Welcome to my life at the Alien Hotel. My days are a delightful cocktail of wrestling with the demonic NutriSynth, dodging kitchen fires, and trying not to murder our cyborg chef, Nelan. Did I mention he's irritatingly handsome? Because that's totally irrelevant and not at all distracting.

Now we've got a VIP guest - you know, the one whose ship I nearly vaporized. No pressure or anything. Just gotta whip up an apology feast while Nelan critiques my every move. It's fine. I'm fine. Everything's fine.

Oh, and apparently I'm developing feelings for Mr. Perfectionist Chef. Because clearly, my life wasn't complicated enough already. Who needs peace and quiet when you can have sarcasm and sexual tension, right?

"Oh No, I Shot A Spaceship And Kissed An Alien Cyberchef" is a hilarious, steamy sci-fi romance set in the "At The Alien Hotel" series that you won't be able to put down. Expect intergalactic misunderstandings, kitchen disasters, and a love that proves even the most mismatched ingredients can create the perfect recipe. Aliens and burnt entrees sold separately.

BUY YOUR COPY HERE.