Happy Halloween!!!!
The Ghost of NaNo is haunting me as we come into November – especially when it comes to finishing my second draft of Sidekicks 2 (MORE ON THAT LATER!!!!). Fall Break meant I got to be a full-time author for two glorious weeks, and it was amazing for my productivity. So… let’s get into exactly how productive I was.
What Have I Been Up To In October?
October was BUSY! I had multiple events and got to meet so many new readers! I also wrote over 40k words this month, because Fall break meant I got a chance to speed run my way through Sidekicks 2’s draft. I started October barely having anything written, and now I am working through draft two with an early 2027 release in mind (more on THAT later too!!!).
When Will The Wizards of Wildfell Hall omnibus be back in stock?
Y’ALL, I WISH I KNEW.
I have been STRUGGLING to get these signed copies in stock. Like I ordered forever ago and they are STILL NOT IN. I am hoping that I will have a decent amount of stock by the end of November (I have 7 on the way… eventually, and two have already been sold!), but Ingram has decided it hates THESE BOOKS SPECIFICALLY. I am doing my best. I am so sorry. I really wish I had more news. They’ll be in when they get in.
But it also took six weeks for them to print these, and they’ve been sitting under the “packing” label for almost a week. I really am about to give up on them ever arriving.
SO IF THE UNIVERSE WOULD SMILE AT ME, I’D APPRECIATE IT.
Sidekicks has a new cover!!!!
I truly loved the original cover of Sidekicks. It had Teen Titans vibes; it showed off the innocence the team lost; it let me showcase all the characters in the series. The cape wrapped around the spine in a way I ADORED.
It also didn’t resonate with people.
My former cover designer also retired, so as I am working towards Sidekicks 2, I knew it was time for the revamp – because I know you all want your covers to match.
Starsden did the most AMAZING job with the new cover. Nikki and Toby being front and center is the perfect way to show off the story, and the progression across the covers is going to show their story fantastically!
Supervillains is coming MARCH 15!
And to celebrate me finishing the first draft, I am happy to announce the title for book 2 in The Heroes of Calder Bay series is Supervillains.
But in an exclusive first look… HERE IS THE BACK COVER BLURB!!!
Spoilers for Sidekicks below
One year ago, Nikki watched her brother defeat Nighshade by becoming the Center of the Circle of Shadows. Forced to reckon with new powers he didn’t want, Zain insisted he’d use his position to weaken the Circle — believing the cult would tear itself apart.
It was a plan everyone trusted would work, until they watched the head of the Department of Superhero Affairs murdered in cold blood. Despite all evidence pointing to Zain, enough irregularities are swept under the rug that Nikki can’t help but believe her brother was framed. The more they attempt to investigate, the more questions they have about what the Department is hiding… and if the oath they swore to protect the innocent is actually protecting something much darker.
Nikki thought this was what she’d wanted.
But sometimes doing the right thing makes you the villain.
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL
Supervillains is now available for ebook preorder and can be added to your Goodreads “want to read” shelf!!!!
Juliet Pictures of the Month
Juliet absolutely loved Fall Break. She still has some pretty severe separation anxiety (thank you, anxiety meds), but she’s slowly starting to do better. She’s also starting to be more independent! There are times she finally feels safe enough to stay in her bed all night, or hang out in her crate. I’m so proud of her for working towards overcoming her anxiety. Even if it is against her will.
Book I Loved This Month:
Astarion by T. Kingfisher
The discourse around this book is ridiculous because it’s fantastic. I’ve played Baldur’s Gate III multiple times – and I’ve romanced him about half of my playthroughs.
And honestly? This book felt like him. I listened to the audiobook, and Neil’s voice never faltered; everything felt like it was made with love that I hate so many people refuse to see how much went into it.
But most important to me: the way that Cazador abused Astarion, and how Astarion reacted, was something that really hit home. My abuser was like this, chipping away until I was a shell of a person. The way that Astarion buried the thoughts that hurt him, laughed in the face of his trauma, and then had it all spill out at the worst possible times was something I personally had gone through. It was part of the reason I related to him so hard in the game, because I felt like he was a kindred spirit. It was a survivor’s story, and I’m honestly glad to have read it, despite how much it brought back up for me.
Was it the character from the game? Not exactly, and honestly? It wasn’t supposed to be. There’s over a century between the book and the game, and plenty of time for him to compartmentalize, forget, and break even harder.
If you go into this book hoping to get the exact version of him from the games, you will be disappointed. If you go into this as a character study of how abuse destroys someone, and seeing how the man he was got to be the version we meet in the games, you’re in for a treat.
Book Spotlight: The Witching Hour
Looking for something short and spooky to read for Halloween? Then The Witching Hour is for you!!
Once upon a time, there were stories…
Cinderella’s elusive glass slipper, Rapunzel’s cascading locks, and the Miller’s Daughter’s remarkable ability to transform straw into gold – all of these elements are interwoven in the tapestry of magical kingdoms. Yet, every fairy tale is incomplete without a malevolent antagonist, someone so wicked that they will stop at nothing to disrupt the path to happily ever after. Or so the people of these magical realms have been led to believe.
However, the Villains have their own tales, the ones the world has never learned. And when a mysterious invitation shows up on their doorsteps, they’re given the chance to do something they haven’t done before: tell their side of the story.
The Villains are meeting at midnight…will you join them?
The Witching Hour is available on Amazon
Upcoming Events:
Once Upon a Carnival
- Hosted by Not Your Average Bookclub
- November 5th at the Arizona Athletic Grounds, Mesa, AZ
- Tickets on Sale!
Snowed In
- Hosted by Tea & Tropes
- December 4th and 5th at the Mesa Convention Center, Mesa, AZ
- It’s on my Birthday!!!!!
- Preorder my Books Here!!
- Tickets on Sale!
Books In Bloom
- Hosted by Desert Bloom Books
- December 12th, 10 AM – 2 PM
- Red Mountain Country Club, Mesa, AZ
- Free to the Public
Sloth Fact of the Month:
Sloths are not a stinky animal! They don’t sweat (AT ALL!) because it helps them stay undetected by predators.
That being said, if they smell, it’s from the algae, bugs, and plants in their fur!
I am REALLY going to try to get Supervillains second draft over November, so let’s see how that goes – or if it’s a total disaster. Who knows?
XOXO ~ Ash
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