E.M. Jeanmougin's Blog, page 3
May 17, 2021
Updates
I just realized I haven't updated here since December. It's been a bit wild with the pandemic and some other real-life stuff I don't want to elaborate on too much.
The good news is that the manuscript will be going to the editor on May 30th. We're aiming for a mid-to-late June release, hopefully before the first day of summer.
Right now, Only the Good Die Young is coming in at a hefty 138k words. We should have the new cover within in next couple of weeks and I'll be sure to post here when we get it.
If you're interested in an advance review copy (granted, it won't be THAT advanced), please contact us either here on goodreads or at our shared email: hunterandspider@gmail.com
Thanks!
EMJ
The good news is that the manuscript will be going to the editor on May 30th. We're aiming for a mid-to-late June release, hopefully before the first day of summer.
Right now, Only the Good Die Young is coming in at a hefty 138k words. We should have the new cover within in next couple of weeks and I'll be sure to post here when we get it.
If you're interested in an advance review copy (granted, it won't be THAT advanced), please contact us either here on goodreads or at our shared email: hunterandspider@gmail.com
Thanks!
EMJ
December 17, 2020
Sneak Peek: Only the Good Die Young
Prologue
A piece of him was missing, a gaping hole within his soul, an emptiness that could never again be full.
It ached constantly, in dreams and in wakefulness. The pain of it was worse than the searing elemental fire that had scorched and melted the skin on his face into a permanent sneer when he was just a teenage boy. The pain was worse than the sickening sting of the harpy’s long talons as they gouged into his eye sockets, ripping away his sight. Worse even than the venom that flowed through his veins afterward, drenching him in fever sweat and seizing his muscles into a gridlock of agony.
Noel.
His brother. His twin. Half of his soul.
Noel was dead.
And he was alive.
It should have been the other way around, of course, thought Leon, as he lay in the hospital bed in the medical wing of St. James Academy. His Third Eye was stronger than ever and he caught a glimpse of two auras as they strolled past his room. They were very pensive auras, stooped and shining with a hazy mixture of yellow and orange. One of them was obviously wearing high heels because he could hear the click-click-click on the sheet tile flooring.
In truth, his sight was no great loss. He would have traded any other sense he could think of, even the Third Eye, to have Noel back. He would give his own life just to know Noel (who was so much better than him, so much more worthy) could walk the earth instead.
But that wasn’t an option. Noel was dead and gone and there was nothing he could do to bring him back.
There was, however, something he could do to avenge him.
Near the gaping hole inside of him was a hook, a string, gently pulling him west. He yearned for it even while he was bedridden. Sometimes, he thought he saw, from the corner of his nonexistent vision, a thin, red thread stretching into the distance.
He would get out of this bed soon, get off the numbing drugs the medical officers gave him. Aside from his eyes and some superficial wounds on his body-- nothing was broken, nothing so ruined he would not survive-- he was strong. The shock of losing Noel had not killed him. He would be able to get out of this bed and walk again and when he could Leon would follow that thin, red thread west.
Then he would find the vampire who had taken Noel from the world. From him.
He would find retribution.
A piece of him was missing, a gaping hole within his soul, an emptiness that could never again be full.
It ached constantly, in dreams and in wakefulness. The pain of it was worse than the searing elemental fire that had scorched and melted the skin on his face into a permanent sneer when he was just a teenage boy. The pain was worse than the sickening sting of the harpy’s long talons as they gouged into his eye sockets, ripping away his sight. Worse even than the venom that flowed through his veins afterward, drenching him in fever sweat and seizing his muscles into a gridlock of agony.
Noel.
His brother. His twin. Half of his soul.
Noel was dead.
And he was alive.
It should have been the other way around, of course, thought Leon, as he lay in the hospital bed in the medical wing of St. James Academy. His Third Eye was stronger than ever and he caught a glimpse of two auras as they strolled past his room. They were very pensive auras, stooped and shining with a hazy mixture of yellow and orange. One of them was obviously wearing high heels because he could hear the click-click-click on the sheet tile flooring.
In truth, his sight was no great loss. He would have traded any other sense he could think of, even the Third Eye, to have Noel back. He would give his own life just to know Noel (who was so much better than him, so much more worthy) could walk the earth instead.
But that wasn’t an option. Noel was dead and gone and there was nothing he could do to bring him back.
There was, however, something he could do to avenge him.
Near the gaping hole inside of him was a hook, a string, gently pulling him west. He yearned for it even while he was bedridden. Sometimes, he thought he saw, from the corner of his nonexistent vision, a thin, red thread stretching into the distance.
He would get out of this bed soon, get off the numbing drugs the medical officers gave him. Aside from his eyes and some superficial wounds on his body-- nothing was broken, nothing so ruined he would not survive-- he was strong. The shock of losing Noel had not killed him. He would be able to get out of this bed and walk again and when he could Leon would follow that thin, red thread west.
Then he would find the vampire who had taken Noel from the world. From him.
He would find retribution.
September 24, 2020
Spooky Halloween Sale / Miscellaneous Updates
Unfortunately, my computer's motherboard recently went BOOM so I'm stuck typing on my phone for this update.
First of all, thank you so much to everyone who purchased or read Friends in Low Places. We had a solid launch month and I really appreciate all the support. We use the profits from each book to produce the next in the series so you guys are seriously awesome for helping us. Thank you!
Upcoming Sales:
Strangers in the Night will be free on Amazon from October 28th to November 1st.
Friends in Low Places will be $0.99 from October 28th to November 4th.
Progress Updates: Only the Good Die Young:
Shorted out motherboard notwithstanding, we're into rewrites for ODGDY and it should be out in Spring of 2020. While it will likely be longer than the previous two, it's turning out more structurally sound than either. ODGDY will complete the first arc (so to speak) of the series so there's a whole bunch going on in this one.
(My spoiler code isn't working so be aware this might contain slight spoilers.)
We're going to be talking a little more about how werespiders work, fleshing out some secondary characters, and resolving a few plotlines and character arcs. Along with Jazz and Crim, Al and Max will be back with key roles. As will Cecilia and Regan.
We'll try to have a Sneak Peek ready as soon as possible.
Thanks again!
EMJ
First of all, thank you so much to everyone who purchased or read Friends in Low Places. We had a solid launch month and I really appreciate all the support. We use the profits from each book to produce the next in the series so you guys are seriously awesome for helping us. Thank you!
Upcoming Sales:
Strangers in the Night will be free on Amazon from October 28th to November 1st.
Friends in Low Places will be $0.99 from October 28th to November 4th.
Progress Updates: Only the Good Die Young:
Shorted out motherboard notwithstanding, we're into rewrites for ODGDY and it should be out in Spring of 2020. While it will likely be longer than the previous two, it's turning out more structurally sound than either. ODGDY will complete the first arc (so to speak) of the series so there's a whole bunch going on in this one.
(My spoiler code isn't working so be aware this might contain slight spoilers.)
We're going to be talking a little more about how werespiders work, fleshing out some secondary characters, and resolving a few plotlines and character arcs. Along with Jazz and Crim, Al and Max will be back with key roles. As will Cecilia and Regan.
We'll try to have a Sneak Peek ready as soon as possible.
Thanks again!
EMJ
August 9, 2020
Pre-Order
Friends in Low Places is now available for Pre-Order on Amazon.
Starting August 19th, it will also be available through KindleUnlimited and Prime Books.
Paperback should come out around the same time. Thanks guys!
Starting August 19th, it will also be available through KindleUnlimited and Prime Books.
Paperback should come out around the same time. Thanks guys!
August 3, 2020
Friends in Low Places Releasing August 19th 2020
No one ever said being a Hunter would be easy, but Jasper Craig is finding it much more difficult these days.
Following the events of an eye-opening summer spent in the field, Jasper is back within the walls of St. James Academy - New York City’s world-renowned Hunting agency and training school.
And he’s hating every minute of it.
Unfortunately, the only way out is through, and so, with all eyes on him, Jasper once again rejoins the ranks of Hunters keeping the city “safe” from demonic threat.
But St. James’ dogma has lost its luster for Jasper. Not every demon deserves to die due to their inhumanity. Jasper’s (ex?) boyfriend, Crimson Apocalypse, taught him that.
Speaking of Crimson, when a series of mutilated corpses bearing Jasper’s name begin showing up around town, the Hunters suspect the three-thousand-year-old werespider may be to blame. Even worse, there’s plenty of evidence to support the claim. Only Jasper, who knows the man within the monster, believes otherwise. But can he slip through St. James’ iron-clad grip and catch the real culprit before it’s too late?
Friends in Low Places releases August 19th, 2020.
Preorder Details coming soon!
Following the events of an eye-opening summer spent in the field, Jasper is back within the walls of St. James Academy - New York City’s world-renowned Hunting agency and training school.
And he’s hating every minute of it.
Unfortunately, the only way out is through, and so, with all eyes on him, Jasper once again rejoins the ranks of Hunters keeping the city “safe” from demonic threat.
But St. James’ dogma has lost its luster for Jasper. Not every demon deserves to die due to their inhumanity. Jasper’s (ex?) boyfriend, Crimson Apocalypse, taught him that.
Speaking of Crimson, when a series of mutilated corpses bearing Jasper’s name begin showing up around town, the Hunters suspect the three-thousand-year-old werespider may be to blame. Even worse, there’s plenty of evidence to support the claim. Only Jasper, who knows the man within the monster, believes otherwise. But can he slip through St. James’ iron-clad grip and catch the real culprit before it’s too late?
Friends in Low Places releases August 19th, 2020.
Preorder Details coming soon!
May 27, 2020
Cover Image for Friends in Low Places
We just got back the finalized version of our cover from the very talented kittrose. You can find her on Twitter.
As a side note, Strangers in the Night is free today.
February 7, 2020
Free Days and Beta Readers
Just an early heads-up, we are going to be doing Free Days for Strangers in the Night from March 1st-5th.
We should hopefully be able to show a sneak peek of cover art for Friends in Low Places sometime in early April.
Depending how it all shakes out, we will likely be ready for beta readers by April or May. If you're interested in being a beta reader, you can message me here on Goodreads or contact us via our shared email: hunterandspider@gmail.com
Thanks!
EMJ
We should hopefully be able to show a sneak peek of cover art for Friends in Low Places sometime in early April.
Depending how it all shakes out, we will likely be ready for beta readers by April or May. If you're interested in being a beta reader, you can message me here on Goodreads or contact us via our shared email: hunterandspider@gmail.com
Thanks!
EMJ
December 25, 2019
Sneak Peek - Friends in Low Places
Good afternoon and Happy Holidays!
Jay & I decided to post a sneak peek of Friends In Low Places in celebration of the holiday season. This chapter features a new character named Regan, a vampiric shape-shifter with quite a bite.
Keep in mind, this isn't a final draft.
Without further ado,
____________________________________
Friends In Low Places
Prologue
The elevator door slid slowly open, the fluorescent lights flickering on a moment later, bathing the basement in a sickly yellow light. Josh Bishop stepped out and looked around. The desk by the wall was empty and dust covered; it had been a while since this part of the hospital was used for anything other than storage and Josh had never been down here but Dr. Rahadam had sent him down to locate some files.
The air smelled stale and mildly damp. A tinge of panic jumped up his spine. What if there was asbestos in the walls? St. Mary’s Mercy Hospital was the oldest medical facility in New York City, it wasn’t unreasonable to assume there was. He should have grabbed a mask, this air wasn’t safe. Josh turned back to the elevator and pressed the button three times rapidly. It lit up for a second and then dimmed. He pressed it again. This time it didn’t light up at all. Josh swore under his breath. He’d find the stairs and come back with a mask. Dr. Rahadam was a hard-ass. He’d be counting every minute Josh was gone and take it out on him sevenfold. Fine, he’d look for the files while he looked for the stairs. But if he saw a rat, he was out of there. He wasn’t getting rabies for this position.
Three hallways stretched out in different directions. Dr. Rahadam hadn’t told him where the files would be, and Josh had assumed that their location would be obvious. It wasn’t. He went down the hallway on his right side and wandered down it, peeking in the empty and abandoned patient rooms. He found the stairs but no files and went back the other way and up the middle corridor. Half way down this hallway the lights gave out, casting the corridor into complete darkness. Josh nearly turned around and left then, but he took out his cell phone and let the pitiful flash light the way. Just passed what looked like an impenetrable wall of darkness appeared a floor to ceiling shelf, reminding him of the stacks in his university library. As he got closer he saw that the shelf was stuffed full of cardboard legal boxes, each with a small handwritten label. He’d been expecting filing cabinets at least. This was going to take forever.
The ones closest to him read ‘Diagnostic Radiology.’ He was looking for something from urology. If there was any semblance of order to the ‘filing’ (which Josh was beginning to doubt) it would be further in the room. Walking around the edge of the room, he felt around for a light switch, not really hoping to find anything. He was pleasantly surprised when he located a switch between two tall shelves, and even more pleased when the lights actually turned on.
“Jesus Christ!” His pleasure was short lived. Now cast in the weak lumination, Josh realised that he was not as alone as he had thought. A man stood halfway down the nearest aisle, underneath a faded blue ‘O’ sign. He had a filing box half pulled out of place, the lid discarded on the floor by his feet. Josh had never seen him before. His short light red hair was parted severely to the side and he didn’t look like a doctor in a faded black suit jacket over dark purple cigarette pants and shiny black dress shoes.
“Sorry, did I startle you?” The man asked mildly, letting go of his place flipping through the files.
“I— I don’t think you’re supposed to be down here.” Josh said. The man definitely didn’t work for the hospital, and this area was off limits to the public. You needed a special key card to even access the floor.
“It’s quite alright,” assured the man. He slid the box back into place and began walking towards Josh. His pace was slow, casual, hands slipping into the pockets of his thin pants as he advanced. There was nothing aggressive about his posture at all and yet Josh backed away, trying to keep the distance between him. The man did not comment on this and instead continued. “Perhaps you could help me. I’m looking for my brother. He was a doctor here, not that long ago. Dr. Alcander Owen?”
“You shouldn’t be here,” Josh repeated. His back hit the shelf behind him. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave. If you don’t I’ll call security.”
The man ignored this. He was close enough now that even in the dim light Josh could see that his eyes were a dark, emerald green. They bore into him like ice picks. “Dr. Alcander Owen,” he repeated testily. “Do you know where I can find him?”
Josh shook his head. The man was no taller than him and yet he felt like he was towering over him, the weight of his presence heavy and dangerous. “I’ve never heard of him.”
“Pity. Searching is such dull work. You may still have a purpose, though.” The man brought his fingers to his lips and whistled, the sound so loud and sharp that Josh flinched. There was a flash of bright silver in the man’s hands, and the blade was so sharp that when it sliced a thin, shallow line across Josh’s chest that he did not feel the pain.
“You may want to start running,” the man suggested, not unkindly.
It seemed like sound advice.
Josh ran from the man, heading back towards the corridor. The lights above him went dark again suddenly and Josh banged hard into a shelf. Bouncing off, he blindly ran in another direction, only making it a few feet before he collided with something else, not a shelf. Hands closed around his shoulders and someone laughed; it was a female laugh, and she was close enough that he felt her breath on his face. It smelled of flowers and blood. A scream bubbled up inside of him and was silenced with a kiss. The taste of blood intensified as the woman’s sharp teeth tore through his lips.
Another laugh and the hands on his shoulders turned him and shoved him away.
Josh stumbled but caught himself and ran. His thoughts had shrunk down to pinpoints, small wild things that only wanted to run, run, run. He didn’t know where the stairs were. He didn’t know where the elevator was. There was only him and the darkness and the chorus of laughter that chased him.
___________________________________
Don't forget you can sign up to our mailing list at HunterandSpider.com
Jay & I decided to post a sneak peek of Friends In Low Places in celebration of the holiday season. This chapter features a new character named Regan, a vampiric shape-shifter with quite a bite.
Keep in mind, this isn't a final draft.
Without further ado,
____________________________________
Friends In Low Places
Prologue
The elevator door slid slowly open, the fluorescent lights flickering on a moment later, bathing the basement in a sickly yellow light. Josh Bishop stepped out and looked around. The desk by the wall was empty and dust covered; it had been a while since this part of the hospital was used for anything other than storage and Josh had never been down here but Dr. Rahadam had sent him down to locate some files.
The air smelled stale and mildly damp. A tinge of panic jumped up his spine. What if there was asbestos in the walls? St. Mary’s Mercy Hospital was the oldest medical facility in New York City, it wasn’t unreasonable to assume there was. He should have grabbed a mask, this air wasn’t safe. Josh turned back to the elevator and pressed the button three times rapidly. It lit up for a second and then dimmed. He pressed it again. This time it didn’t light up at all. Josh swore under his breath. He’d find the stairs and come back with a mask. Dr. Rahadam was a hard-ass. He’d be counting every minute Josh was gone and take it out on him sevenfold. Fine, he’d look for the files while he looked for the stairs. But if he saw a rat, he was out of there. He wasn’t getting rabies for this position.
Three hallways stretched out in different directions. Dr. Rahadam hadn’t told him where the files would be, and Josh had assumed that their location would be obvious. It wasn’t. He went down the hallway on his right side and wandered down it, peeking in the empty and abandoned patient rooms. He found the stairs but no files and went back the other way and up the middle corridor. Half way down this hallway the lights gave out, casting the corridor into complete darkness. Josh nearly turned around and left then, but he took out his cell phone and let the pitiful flash light the way. Just passed what looked like an impenetrable wall of darkness appeared a floor to ceiling shelf, reminding him of the stacks in his university library. As he got closer he saw that the shelf was stuffed full of cardboard legal boxes, each with a small handwritten label. He’d been expecting filing cabinets at least. This was going to take forever.
The ones closest to him read ‘Diagnostic Radiology.’ He was looking for something from urology. If there was any semblance of order to the ‘filing’ (which Josh was beginning to doubt) it would be further in the room. Walking around the edge of the room, he felt around for a light switch, not really hoping to find anything. He was pleasantly surprised when he located a switch between two tall shelves, and even more pleased when the lights actually turned on.
“Jesus Christ!” His pleasure was short lived. Now cast in the weak lumination, Josh realised that he was not as alone as he had thought. A man stood halfway down the nearest aisle, underneath a faded blue ‘O’ sign. He had a filing box half pulled out of place, the lid discarded on the floor by his feet. Josh had never seen him before. His short light red hair was parted severely to the side and he didn’t look like a doctor in a faded black suit jacket over dark purple cigarette pants and shiny black dress shoes.
“Sorry, did I startle you?” The man asked mildly, letting go of his place flipping through the files.
“I— I don’t think you’re supposed to be down here.” Josh said. The man definitely didn’t work for the hospital, and this area was off limits to the public. You needed a special key card to even access the floor.
“It’s quite alright,” assured the man. He slid the box back into place and began walking towards Josh. His pace was slow, casual, hands slipping into the pockets of his thin pants as he advanced. There was nothing aggressive about his posture at all and yet Josh backed away, trying to keep the distance between him. The man did not comment on this and instead continued. “Perhaps you could help me. I’m looking for my brother. He was a doctor here, not that long ago. Dr. Alcander Owen?”
“You shouldn’t be here,” Josh repeated. His back hit the shelf behind him. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave. If you don’t I’ll call security.”
The man ignored this. He was close enough now that even in the dim light Josh could see that his eyes were a dark, emerald green. They bore into him like ice picks. “Dr. Alcander Owen,” he repeated testily. “Do you know where I can find him?”
Josh shook his head. The man was no taller than him and yet he felt like he was towering over him, the weight of his presence heavy and dangerous. “I’ve never heard of him.”
“Pity. Searching is such dull work. You may still have a purpose, though.” The man brought his fingers to his lips and whistled, the sound so loud and sharp that Josh flinched. There was a flash of bright silver in the man’s hands, and the blade was so sharp that when it sliced a thin, shallow line across Josh’s chest that he did not feel the pain.
“You may want to start running,” the man suggested, not unkindly.
It seemed like sound advice.
Josh ran from the man, heading back towards the corridor. The lights above him went dark again suddenly and Josh banged hard into a shelf. Bouncing off, he blindly ran in another direction, only making it a few feet before he collided with something else, not a shelf. Hands closed around his shoulders and someone laughed; it was a female laugh, and she was close enough that he felt her breath on his face. It smelled of flowers and blood. A scream bubbled up inside of him and was silenced with a kiss. The taste of blood intensified as the woman’s sharp teeth tore through his lips.
Another laugh and the hands on his shoulders turned him and shoved him away.
Josh stumbled but caught himself and ran. His thoughts had shrunk down to pinpoints, small wild things that only wanted to run, run, run. He didn’t know where the stairs were. He didn’t know where the elevator was. There was only him and the darkness and the chorus of laughter that chased him.
___________________________________
Don't forget you can sign up to our mailing list at HunterandSpider.com
November 1, 2019
NaNoWriMo + H&S2
Friends in Low Places (The Hunter and the Spider, Book 2) is currently at 68k words. It's looking like it's going to come in a bit leaner and meaner than Strangers, but it's still a little too early to say for sure.
Regardless, we'll be using NaNoWriMo to finish Friends, meaning a full draft should hopefully be done by the end of November.
It's still a long process from there, from rewrites to beta readers, to more rewrites to professional editing and so forth, but we're well on our way.
Thanks for sticking with us!
Regardless, we'll be using NaNoWriMo to finish Friends, meaning a full draft should hopefully be done by the end of November.
It's still a long process from there, from rewrites to beta readers, to more rewrites to professional editing and so forth, but we're well on our way.
Thanks for sticking with us!
