Some of you may know that I had major surgery a while ago. Although the recovery isn’t fun, it’s going very well. Nevertheless, I’ve been forced to slow down a bit from my normal energetic pace. I’ve had more time to read, which has been lovely. Here are a few of the books I’ve been reading: Spindle by W.R. Gingell – I have discovered another favorite indie author. This was the first book I read by Gingell, and it’s a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. That was never my favorite fairytale, and I haven’t really jumped into the fairytale retelling trend anyway. But I decided […]
Yearly Archives: 2016
30 posts
These are a few of the books I’ve been enjoying lately. The Worth of a Shell by M. C. A. Hogarth – This is not light reading, although it’s not “difficult” in the sense of reading level or language. It’s a story of consent and culture and the value of a person as an individual, not for the role in society they occupy but simply for existing. I discovered the book when it was included in the StoryBundle last year with The King’s Sword and only recently got around to reading it. Color me impressed. Hogarth managed to present an alien society as […]
Occoquan Arts and Crafts Show I sent an email, but I realized I forgot to actually post about the Occoquan Arts and Crafts Show on my blog! Sorry about that. Remember last year, when I didn’t get the organizational email and my dad hauled 8 million tons of books halfway down Mill Street? That didn’t happen this year, so the show got off to a good start! Saturday was hot and humid; there is nothing quite like a long day in humid heat to make me appreciate air conditioning and a shower before bed. Thunderstorms were predicted for Sunday, but the rain and wind […]
It’s done! It’s finally done! The Beginning of Wisdom – A Long-Forgotten Song, Book III When Edwin reveals his true colors, Colonel Grenidor realizes he has run out of options. The Fae prince Niall offers Grenidor a way out, but defection forces Grenidor to face the repercussions of his actions. Feichin’s redemption has rocked the Fae, who struggle to understand El and their own place in creation. Lord Owen, still not recovered, turns to Dr. Bartok for answers. When new information sheds light on Edwin’s terrifying plan, both the Fae and humans must decide what obedience and love really […]
The last giveaway was so much fun I’m hosting another one! This giveaway is also for a Kindle Fire and 30 clean fantasy ebooks (mostly different books than the last giveaway). Click here to enter! If you didn’t see the last one, you might be wondering “what’s the point?” Well, we’re all looking for new readers! By entering, you’re sharing your email address with us so we can tell you about our new releases and other writing news. Don’t worry… you can unsubscribe at any time. Many of us also have special freebies for subscribers, so even if you don’t win, I […]
I’m hosting a fantastic giveaway with 29 other authors. Click here to enter! We’re giving away a Kindle Fire and 30 fantasy ebooks. So what’s the point? Well, we’re all looking for new readers! By entering, you’re sharing your email address with us so we can tell you about our new releases and other writing news. Don’t worry… you can unsubscribe at any time. Many of us also have special freebies for subscribers, so even if you don’t win, I hope you’ll be glad you entered. You can check out the giveaway here, and also check out the books in the […]
I just realized I never actually announced that A Fairy Promise (the sequel to A Fairy King) was published. I published it last year and I think I even announced it to my mailing list but I forgot to blog about it. What’s that you say? You’re not on my mailing list? Whyever not? Enter your email address and clickety click the subscribe button up in the top bar! Then you’ll (probably) find out when I publish a new story/book/novella/whatever. For better or worse, decisions have consequences. Even for a fairy king. (Let me just say that I love […]
This is a very belated post, but pretend I posted this a month ago for the calendar year 2015. Books Published: 8 (4 in 2015 – The Dragon’s Tongue (novel), A Fairy King and A Fairy Promise (novellas), and Heroes and Other Stories (a print edition of Heroes, Street Fox, and Color, which were all previously published))Books in Progress: 2 (Book 3 in A Long-Forgotten Song (tentatively titled The Beginning of Wisdom), and Book 4, as yet untitled) Books Backburnered: 2 (Erdemen Honor 4, as yet untitled, plus a new standalone) Short Stories Published: 4 (none in 2015) Short Stories in Progress: 2 Blog […]
I decided to interview Hannah, the narrator of A Fairy King and A Fairy Promise. Several readers submitted questions, so I asked Hannah directly. If you have any more questions, or questions for other characters, please let me know! Here she is! C. J.: Hi Hannah. Thank you for making time to speak with me. Hannah: You’re welcome. She is soft-spoken. She brushes her hair back from her face with a slender hand; a ring flashes on her finger. C. J.: That’s a beautiful ring. Is it from Cadeyrn? Hannah: Her smile lights the room. Yes! Isn’t it beautiful? She hesitates, then says, Although I […]
I was recently asked to describe my writing process for novels and series. Hm. That’s a hard one. Every book has been different. Every series is different. This isn’t a post about how you should write your books and your series. This is about what I’ve done so far and how it has worked, as well as what I’m going to try to do next. The Short Version: Erdemen Honor evolved as a standalone, then a sequel, then a third book in the series. Each is a complete, self-contained story that builds on the previous books. A Long-Forgotten Song was a series from […]