2.18.18 UPDATE – What’s Next for Tyora Moody? Take a Sneak Peek!
UPDATED February 18, 2018
I have seen a few times on social media where the question is asked if an author’s book cover comes first or after a story is written. I’m one of those authors who starts working on a book cover not too long after I have a title in mind. You may be wonder how can I do this without a manuscript written.
I learned to do this from my years as an author under Urban Christian (Kensington). Once I announced I have ideas for the next book, the editor wanted to know the title, synopsis and even the marketing plan. Soon after this information was submitted the book cover process started and then I jumped on writing the manuscript. All of this happened about a year before the projected release date.
Usually titles come to me first. Once I have a title, I will start working on a synopsis. As you may know by now, I have several book series going so I know in my head for months (or years) where I like to see a character or the series go next.
Coming 2018 – New Stories for Existing Book Series
So, up next on the writing publishing schedule is the third book in the Eugeena Patterson Mysteries. I usually tackle Ms. Eugeena’s mysteries every two years. I hope to have this book ready before the end of the year. This book has been taking longer than I thought, but I’m very pleased with the story and should be sending to my editor soon. Eugeena has truly embraced her amateur sleuth role and yes, her and Amos Jones have grown a lot closer.
Lemon Filled Disaster
Eugeena Patterson, Mysteries – Book 3
Tentative Release Date: April 17, 2018
Retiree Eugeena Patterson has picked up some new activities which include volunteering at an afterschool program and helping her future daughter-in-law plan a wedding. Eugeena is more than thrilled to see her son, Dr. Cedric Patterson, a longtime bachelor soon wed his girlfriend, Carmen Alpine.
During wedding planning errands, Eugeena notices a man is tailing her and Carmen. When Eugeena finds out the man is Carmen’s ex-husband, this lessens her enthusiasm for the upcoming nuptials, especially since Carmen had failed to share this information about her past.
Later, when that man is found dead, Carmen becomes a suspect. As Eugeena begins to investigate Carmen’s past, she’s wondering if this wedding will ever happen.
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In 2018, I’m looking forward to revisiting Serena Manchester in her second book. It takes me on average 6-8 months per book so this one will be released Fall 2018. The first book, Hostile Eyewitness, was released March 2015 so it’s been quite a few years. More than likely I will jump in a year or so after the events of the first book. This second book will also be published under Tymm Publishing LLC, so the book cover design and branding will be very different from the first book. I really wanted to try a book cover without a person on the front. We will see how this works!
Bittersweet Motives
Serena Manchester, Book 2
Tentative Release Date: Fall 2018
Serena Manchester has transitioned into her new career as a private detective. The Clayton Matthews Law firm sends a few investigations her way that pay the bills, though the work is hardly exciting. However, a shift occurs one day while she is taking photos of a prominent politician, Edwin Peters, with his young mistress. The hot and heavy scene takes a turn for the worse when the man begins to strangle his lover. Debating whether to blow her cover to rescue the lover, a panic-stricken Serena is relieved to watch the young woman escape the scene with her life. When Savannah Langston shows up dead later, Serena has no doubt that Edwin Peters is the prime suspect.
A monkey wrench is thrown at her theory when Serena realizes her client, Mrs. Judith Peters, has just as much motive to kill the young woman. Savannah was the final straw that broke the tumultuous Peters marriage, and Judith’s alibi is highly suspicious.
As the investigation heats up, Serena decides to keep Minister Trey Evans at a comfortable friends-only distance. Frustrated with Serena rebuffing his advances, Trey becomes increasingly involved with her rival, Queen Bradley. Forever the competitor, the battle is on, as Serena finds herself turning back to conniving old habits that may push Trey away forever.
But she’s going to need those hard-nosed tactics to find a murderer because the suspects keep piling up. The more Serena digs into Savannah’s ugly past, the more people she finds with motives to kill the young woman. Which one of these people succeeded in killing the troubled woman?
Reed Family Series Continues in 2019
I decided to tackle the youngest brother of the Reed Family in 2019. Read the synopsis for Gentle Heart below.
Gentle Heart
The Reed Family Series, Novella 4
Tentative Release Date: Spring 2019
Crime Scene Investigator Cori Reed is a certified geek who’s finally found the one. He’s been dating his co-worker Sarah Jennings for almost a year and is seriously thinking about popping the marriage question. When Cori is called to investigate a homicide crime scene, he soon realizes that Sarah has become a suspect. He’s determined to find evidence to prove her innocence.
Cori knows that science doesn’t lie, but when the evidence continues to point towards Sarah, can Cori make the right decision despite what his heart says?
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I haven’t written a book with a male as the main character carrying the entire story so this will be a challenge for me. If the writing schedule moves forward as planned (good to be flexible), I also like to write the last book (sort of last book) of the series, Wounded Heart, where I can finally tell Jax’s story.
Notice I said “sort of” with this series. In the back of my mind, I want to go back in time to jump into the parent’s story. I will know later. When it’s time for me to write a story it usually begins to stay with me and the next thing I know it’s time to start writing.
Other Projects
I’m also working on a few other projects.
(1) Audio Books. In the next few months, I will be releasing audio books of recently published books. Be on the lookout for audio samples. I have enjoyed selecting and working with the narrators for each project.
(2) Anthologies. Are you an aspiring writer, I have a few anthologies that I’m working on for 2018 and 2019. Go to Tymm Publishing LLC to check out the submission guidelines.
(3) New Book Series. I’m also working on a new book series. Yes, a new book series! The character makes a brief appearance in Lemon Filled Disaster. I knew at once that this was a perfect character for a spin-off book series. There will definitely be a mystery (of course), but the book series will be written for a much younger audience. Book cover reveal coming this spring!
