The Time Has Come...

I finally have definitive news to impart on you but I share it with a warning to read the entire post. We get to the good news at the end.

First, I feel I need to ‘splain something. As I was walking around my ‘hood some weeks ago (and getting lost, no joke, I got lost in my own ‘hood!), I was wracking my brain trying to figure out how to supply you with KA goodness at the rate you’ve become accustomed. As it happens with me, my brain belatedly reminded me that the last two-ish years I had a library of books on my hard drive numbering at over 20 that I could clean up and unleash. These books were done or mostly done so I had a ready supply.

All of those books are out. They may be out but many of them were published with grievous errors that nag me and I think, every day, I wish I had a magic wand to proof them and republish them so cleaner versions would be available.

But the bottom line is, everything that comes to you now is not only written from scratch but also proofed and edited so it isn’t just me slapping these puppies up on on-line retail sites. Further, prior to releasing a new book in a series, all the books prior to it will be proofed and republished as clean. Obviously, the process is therefore longer.

That said, because I’m me, I didn’t take December off like I said I would. In fact, I worked like my usual crazy demon with happy results I can’t wait to share with you.

This is where we get into the good news even if there is some delayed gratification good news.

We’ll start with the Rock Chicks. In an effort to immerse myself back at Fortnum’s, I’m rereading the entire series with a good deal of concentration so I don’t miss anything that needs to be included in the grand finale.

I’m also doing preliminary cleanup of each book. They will then be proofed. Once additional changes are accepted, they will be published in print. Yes! In print! We’re self-publishing them, all-new clean (hopefully) versions of the entire series. We hope to begin rolling these out shortly. And I will note here that, although “cleaned up”, the stories won’t change.

This is a long process and, as the Rock Chicks are near and dear to my heart, and for me (and YOU), it is crucial to provide a wrap up of that series with Ally and Ren’s story being something special. So I am not pushing this. I am taking my time with it. And in the end, I hope you thank me.

But that doesn’t mean you have to wait forever for more from me. As you know, Own the Wind, the first in the new CHAOS series coming through Grand Central Publishing, will be available in eBook on April 2, out in print June 25! The book has been finalized and I… LOVE… it. I’m absolutely freaking DELIGHTED with the end result and cannot wait until you get your dose of Tabby and Shy as well as a few other people you know and love. I will be releasing sample chapters on my website in March so watch for them!

Further good news is that the second in the CHAOS series has started the editing process. Lanie and Hop of Fire Inside will actually be coming to you very shortly after Own the Wind with a release date in the summer of 2013 to be announced. And I don’t know, I hate to toot my own horn, but gotta say, Lanie and Hop kick ass! Hop, oh Hop. Mm…

Right! Moving on! What’s next up…

Many of you know that I write obsessively, I work obsessively and, if an idea hits me, sometimes, I have to groove with it.

So, a few weeks ago, I was sitting outside in my courtyard. I live away from the city and therefore my night sky is totally freaking awesome. I love sitting out there in the dark, staring at the sky.

And that was what I was doing when, get this, no kidding, I saw a shooting star! My mouth dropped open, I stared at the sky and I felt a chill glide over my skin because that was just… plain… COOL!

Then, again, no joke, right after that star streaked across the sky, fading to nothing, Raiden Miller came to me with a shot. Much like Tatum Jackson, Raid slammed right into my consciousness fully formed, looks, back story, everything, and he took hold in a way that I knew he would not let go.

I freaked! I was instantly in love but I had a Rock Chick to write! I had no business delving into a book not even scheduled to be written.

I fought him, I really did.

But he didn’t let go.

So I had no choice but to throw myself into his story. This had a lot to do with the fact that he, like many other characters I’ve written (such as Sadie Townsend from Rock Chick Regret) really, really needed his happily ever after and I was obsessed with giving it to him. I couldn’t rest until I did. And I didn’t rest. Going back to my habit of writing from early morning to the edge of night, I pounded out his and Hanna’s story amidst laughter and tears and heartbreak.

And that’s what you’re going to get next. Working chapters are now up on my website and Raid will be released on February 28, 2013 . Yee ha!

To end, in an effort not to set expectations I might not be able to reach, I will not be announcing publication estimates until a book is fully written and in the editing process. That way we know we can get you what we promise and not disappoint you. That’s the last thing I ever want to do and pushing back a few books recently, it eats at me I’ve done it. I’ve learned my lesson. Now, I make a promise, I keep it.

That said, what you’re expecting to happen (Ally and Ren’s story, the next in the FANTASYLAND and ‘BURG series), will happen. It’s just that you won’t know when you’re getting them until I KNOW I can get them to you when I say I will.

And I’ll make a promise now. No matter what you see on my release schedule, please know, in my Rock Chick Lair, I’m working my sweats off to give you great stories. You may have to wait a bit longer but, while you wait, I’ll be doing my utter best to make them the best they can be.

Now, sistahs, that’s a Rock Chick Promise.

So count on it.