Thoughts on ending a series

Right now I'm almost done with edits for Aeralis, the fifth and final book in The Frost Chronicles series. And I'm kind of sad about it.

TFC is the first series I've ever successfully written. Well, okay, I've written a few sequels to a few unpublished things from my days as a young hopeful writer, but I've never stuck with one story world for five books before. I didn't think I'd like writing a series very much, so I only originally planned to write three books. But there's something really nice about it--you already know the world and all the characters, so by the time you get around to writing books 3+ it's just like visiting old friends.

So I'm trying to really make Aeralis a good finish to the series, and I tried to take my time with it and make sure it wrapped up every character's story in a way that I found satisfying. And honestly, I feel a little cranky about the idea of starting a new series. It's like transferring to a new school, away from all your friends. But! I have some GREAT ideas that I am really, really excited to write. Apprehensive, yes, but also excited.

But back to TFC...a lot of things about writing a long series like this one surprised me. For one thing, I didn't expect to end up having so much story. I feared I'd run out of things to tell and have to start fluffing the story around the end of book two, so I planned to have only three books, but as I wrote the story and the characters' journeys kept growing and so I kept telling it. I changed the number to four eventually, but when I was writing Bluewing (book four) I realized I needed AT LEAST one other book to fit everyone's endings in. My husband said I was "George RR Martining" by continuing to extend the series, and that I'd better finish writing these books before I died. That made me laugh. I plan to write dozens and dozens more books before I die, hopefully.

The characters surprised me, too. They had secrets that I discovered gradually. They had more to say than I'd ever expected. They fell in love in ways that surprised me, and some of them died when I wasn't expecting it, either. They truly took on lives of their own.

It's been a wonderful journey, and I'm honored and thankful for every reader who shared it with me.

Hopefully Aeralis will be available in late September! Check back at the blog or sign up for the newsletter to be sure you don't miss the release.

Bluewing and Friends

Right now Bluewing is hanging out on a few Amazon bestseller lists, including "Fantasy and Magic." Here it is keeping a bunch of Rick Riordan (The Lightning Thief) books company. Aw, they're neighbors. How cute.

Thank you all for reading my books. I appreciate my readers very much!!!

Also, PS ~ I've finished my writing vacation and I'm back at work on Aeralis. I think (hope!!) you guys are going to really like this one. Lots of exciting stuff is going down. :) I can't wait to share it with you all.

Encouragement Is Good

Hey everybody,

Bluewing's launch went really well, and the response has been awesome (as always). I've had a week to veg and recover a little and watch lots of Netflix (I'm currently obsessed with Alias), and now I'm about to dive back into the rough draft of Aeralis, the final book in the series. I think Lia has a pretty intriguing journey in the final book, with lots of juicy interactions with other characters and some changes both in regards to various relationship dynamics and personal understandings. Also, as usual, secrets are revealed and some new knowledge comes to light. I'm excited about it. (Sorry, I know that's all pretty vague. I can't really, you know, tell you anything. Not yet. :P)

I'm also working concurrently on a companion novella from Ann's perspective that will cover the events of several books, but I'm not sure when that will be released. Originally I thought it would come out before Aeralis, but now it might contain some spoilers for book 5, so it might release after that one comes out. We'll see. I'm not sure yet. I really enjoy writing about Ann--she's very different than Lia, and it's fun to get to be in her head for a bit.

I also wanted to say how much I love the comments and tweets and messages and emails I get from you guys regarding the books and the characters and how much you can't wait for the next book. I read everything you say, and your enthusiasm carries me through each grueling rough draft. Thank you for reading my books. I write them for you.

BLUEWING is available for Kindle and Nook!!

I'm sooooooooo happy to announce that Bluewing is now available for Kindle and Nook!

* confetti and sparklers *

Seriously, yay. Now I am taking a week of vacation. :)

After this, there's just ONE MORE book in the main series, Aeralis. I'm really excited about getting back to work on it. (As far as release dates go, hopefully it will be out this summer.) In the meantime, I really hope you guys enjoy Bluewing.

Click here for your Kindle copy!

and

Click here for your Nook copy!

You can also add it on Goodreads.

The print version will be available soon, so stay tuned if you're waiting for that. I'll let you know when it's out.

Bluewing Teasers #2

Guess what, you guys?

I just finished the final round of edits for Bluewing!

So...this means I have one more read-through to do, and then the book goes to formatting, and then it will be available for Kindle and Nook!! I am tentatively guessing/hoping it will be available next week. I'm pretty excited. And judging from what I've heard from a bunch of you nice folks, you guys are too. :)

The paperback will come out a few weeks later, because that still has to be proofed and that takes time. But the ebook versions should be in your eager hands very very soon. Again, sign up for the newsletter because I'll be sending out an email to let my subscribers know, and I'll also post the good news here and on Twitter and Goodreads. Also, be sure to check and make sure that the newsletter isn't getting caught in your spam filter. That would be sad.

Anyway, I'll let you lovely people know as soon as it's available to buy...but until then, here is a tiny little bit of a teaser. And because it's a teaser, AKA it's meant to TEASE, I'm not gonna tell you WHO this line is about. :) You'll just have to guess/wonder/hope.



Before he could say anything else, I put my hands on either side of his face and kissed him
 
:) :) :)

Bluewing is almost here...first, some teasers!!!

You guys, I can't wait for Bluewing's release. I really love this book. Also, I've already started working on book #5, which will be called...

AERALIS.

It's going to be a few more weeks before you have a copy in your hands, though. To help with the waiting, I thought I'd share a few hints about what you'll find in the fourth installment of the The Frost Chronicles:

(these are a tiny bit spoilery, in a vague way, so highlight to read)

1. Somebody's gonna die!

Several characters die, and one of them has been with us from book one.

2. You'll find out even more about the Watchers.

A lot was learned in book 3, but there is still more to discover about the monsters of the Frost.

3. Somebody's got a secret...

As usual, there is a main character who's been hiding something since the beginning of the series, and it will only come to light now.

Anyway, I can't wait until Bluewing is out in the world and being read. But I still have some final work to do before it is finished...patience! Be sure to sign up for the newsletter if you want to get an email letting you know, and check back at this blog or my Twitter feed for more info coming up.

Cover Reveal for BLUEWING!

Today I am thrilled to be able to reveal the cover for the newest book in The Frost Chronicles, BLUEWING! Scroll down to see the cover...

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Keep scrolling!!

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Annnnnnnnnnnnd here it is!

Here's the summary again:

Lia Weaver is a fugitive. Her family's farm has been confiscated by Farther soldiers, her sister has been reassigned to a new family in the village, and her official status is "missing." Now, she and a band of fugitive followers must make their home in the harsh wilderness of the Frost. Food is scarce, and hope is scarcer still as Lia tries to find information about the whereabouts of her missing friends. She is determined to rescue them, but when a surprising ally steps forth with an offer that will both return her friends and expel the Farthers from the Frost in exchange for something very precious, Lia must make a choice.

Hopefully BLUEWING will be releasing in just a few weeks! Stay tuned for more details. :)