Book Two Title Reveal!

The holidays have arrived!

I do this every year. Summer is so brutally unbearable here in our corner of the southwest United States that cooler temps and all the magic of the holiday season seem eons away.

And then, without warning, Christmas is tomorrow, the faux pumpkins and Thanksgiving centerpieces are still out, the presents are unwrapped (if they’ve even arrived by this point!), and the procrastination panic has set in.

Jk. Christmas is today—we celebrate on the eve!

You’d think I’d learn.

It’s fine. Everything is fine.

This year, the holidays have crept up even stealthier than in years past because I am so thoroughly distracted by both temporary woes and ill-contained excitement. The woes don’t deserve mentioning, but the EXCITEMENT.

Let’s talk about that!

Book Two is officially in the hands of my editor, and I have been so very eagerly (and not so patiently) waiting for her initial reply. Contracts have been signed. Schedules have been set. Calendars have been marked. It’s happening. Cloaking Fate’s edits were a breeze in comparison to the horrors I’d imagined for myself, so I’m hopeful that Book Two’s process is equally, if not increasingly, smooth. Based on her first response…well, let’s just say I’m ecstatic! 🤩

I’m attending my first event as a featured author next month! The Scottsdale Book Festival has a fantastic function every year, and I’ve been accepted as a vendor! I’ll have a 10×10 booth with signed copies of Cloaking Fate (and maybe another unofficial title!), bookmarks, and some freebies! I haven’t finessed all the details yet, but I’ve been hard at work organizing my setup and can’t wait to share! If you’re in the area on January 24th, come see me and say hello!

It’s been a little while since I offered a book recommendation. You may recall it’s difficult for me to read when I’m drafting/editing, and so I’ve only just recently been able to re-immerse myself in a world outside of Ilistaar. The world I chose? Paladia. The book? Alchemised by SenLinYu. I’d heard it was good, and I am exceedingly cautious of picking up viral titles, as they so often fall short of (my) expectation. Tastes vary wildly, after all. However, I did not expect to have my rug of mediocre suppositions so thoroughly ripped from beneath me. This story has me floored. 

A note of warning: it’s harrowing, gritty, tragic, and often disturbing. Because, well, war. And necromancy! But I cannot tell you the last time I cheered so enthusiastically for an FMC or hoped so hard for requited love. If you like a morally gray MMC, pine for true enemies-to-lovers, and enjoy being emotionally destroyed (😩💣), I HIGHLY recommend. I listened to the audiobook version on Spotify (very well done, and I am picky as hell).

Okay. On to the real reason we’re here. Book Two has a title! 😱

For me, naming a book is kind of like naming a child. I had a list of potentials way in advance of the story’s completion, but it’s hard to know what feels right until that last page is written and the story is born.

This one feels right.

So, without further ado, Book Two’s title is…

🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

🥁🥁🥁🥁

🥁🥁🥁

🥁🥁

🥁

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Are we understanding the pun?

That’s it. That’s all you get.

For now. 😉

I’ll let you marinate in the potential plot implications.

Rude. I know.

In all honesty, though, to tide you over while we wait for additional reveals (cover art, release date, blurb, sneak peeks, etc.) I have a little side project I hope to begin divulging in the next month or two. Hang tight!

Until then, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Winter Solstice, Happy Kwanzaa, and all the best wishes to you in whatever you celebrate during this holiday season. May you be safe, healthy, and loved. 🎄

🩶

N.