The Angels trilogy just received a facelift!  I found a great new graphic artist, Deanna Dionne, who made a few tweaks to the covers in the way of an accent color and new fonts.  I also made some edits to the books.  With Nikki now finished, I took the opportunity to go back through Fallon and Blane to ensure consistency with the plot, and the process allowed me to make edits and add foreshadowing that didn't exist before.  I'm excited about the changes because I know that they will enhance the trilogy as a whole.   

So, if you already have digital copies of Books 1 & 2, make sure you retrieve the updates for your e-reader.  (Fallon has already been uploaded and Blane will be uploaded by Tuesday.)  And, let me know what you think of the new covers!  I would love to hear your thoughts.

~Valerie~

Look for Nikki to be released this Valentine's Day!  If you are a Goodreads member, click on the button below for a chance to win signed copies of all three books in the trilogy.  Other exciting giveaways will be posted soon.  Good luck! 

Hello folks!  Just wanted to pop in and give you an update.  If all goes well, Nikki should be finished within the next two weeks.  Then starts the editing phase which usually lasts around four to six weeks.  Expect a published book by early to mid February.  I will be announcing some giveaways around the first of the year to gear up for the release. 

After that?  My spring will be consumed with finishing Island Shifters Four.  Very excited about that.

Thank you so very much for reading my words.  It's appreciated more than you know.

I leave you with the quote of the day.  This one by Kade.  In this scene, Blane races up to Fallon and Kade preparing to fight a Black Knight from Mordeaux.

[Insert hard brake sound effect here].  I had a change of mind that I hope won't upset too many people.  But...I'm shelving Island Shifters - An Oath of the King to finish Angels of the Knights - Nikki.  Why?  Two reasons. 

First, when last we left off in Book 3 of Island Shifters, everything was buttoned up very tidy.  No cliffhangers, no teasers, no cursing or clamoring.  Perfect.  Just the way I like it.  Since Book 4 is going to be the start of a brand new adventure, there is no sense of urgency (at least no one has indicated as such to me). 

Second, and simply put, more people want Nikki.  Issues are unresolved.  The fate of a certain character is unknown.  It's the last book in a trilogy.  Urgency is higher. 

So, onward with Nikki.  I'm really excited to explore her story.  I will post an estimated release date within a few weeks when I have a better idea.

As always, I welcome any and all comments.

Thanks for reading.

~Valerie~

A huge thank you to Blkosiner's Book Blog for hosting an amazing giveaway for Angels of the Knights - Fallon on her YA book blog.  Click on the image above for a chance to win a signed copy of Fallon and a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.  Good luck!

Thank you, Brandi!

Island Shifters - An Oath of the Children released in paperback.  Ebook coming within a few days.  Hope you enjoy.  For me, it is now on to Angels of the Knights - Blane...

Whew!  What should I do next?  Work on the tan?  Clean the windows?  Go on a weekend getaway?  Not!

Now that Angels of the Knights is complete, I told myself that I would take a break before starting Island Shifters - An Oath of the Children (Book Three).  After all, I have written three books in the past nine months.  If you include all of the time necessary for story development, research, writing, editing, designing, and promoting, my publishing endeavors have left little time for much else this year.  

But…there’s always a but…I literally get goose bumps whenever I think about the Draca Cats in Book Three and the story I want to tell.  I have always loved the use of intelligent animals/creatures in fantasy.  Eragon’s Saphira and Narnia’s Aslan just to name two.  Their loyalty just seems so much more poignant to me, their wrath so much more fierce. 

In this third book in the Island Shifters series, there is going to be great conflict with the Draca Cats of Callyn-Rhe when another challenges Moombai for the sovereignty and the ploy results in bitter divided loyalties.  The tensions increase even more when the besieged Kenleys call on the Dracas to stand by their oath of protection and not all feel honor bound to heed the request.  When these mystic battle creatures come out of hiding and take their war inland, will anybody in Massa be safe?  How will the shifters react to the oath breakers?

To be honest, I’m not even sure yet!  But, I can’t wait to get back there to see what happens. 

So, even though I will take more time to spend with my family this summer, I will also be sneaking in some writing every week, too.  After all, someone has to feed the cats.   

Wish me luck!

~Valerie~