Reminders, a quick update, and other things MCD always forgets to mention multiple times.

Okay! Things you all might want to know/participate in and might miss because I’m terrible at repeating myself and the various social algos and email providers love to control what actually shows up in our feeds and inboxes.

The reminders:

The preorder for the limited-edition PAPERBACKS for [title to be revealed] (Conduit 1) will close on December 2. The final files/final number needs to be to the printers on Dec 4, so that I can get my hands on the paperbacks in time to get them shipped to you!!

Click here for more info about all the limited-editions.

Another Stuff Your Earbuds Day is coming! Yes, on November 30 more than 100+ romance (etc) audiobooks will be available to download for free! But! You need to be signed up for my mailing list/newsletter to get the reminder/link dropped in your inbox on the day (and even then that isn’t a guarantee the email will actually be delivered). I’ll mention it on social media, etc, as well. But not here on my blog.

Following my blog is not the same as subscribing to my newsletter. Different formats, different content.

Here is the direct link to either subscribe or check to see if you are subscribed to my newsletter.

Audiobooks! Dowser 7, 8, and 9 have been uploaded to all the retailers (if you are waiting to buy them via Audible, etc).

Here is a direct link to all the audiobooks that you can buy directly through me (only a couple are missing now … 😉)

The mini update:

Dowser 1 Kickstarter paperbacks/hardcovers: only 17 parcels remain undelivered, and most of those are international (Europe, Australia, etc). The remaining Canadian and USA packages are marked ‘out for delivery’ and have been that way for over two weeks, or they are ‘being held at the post office’, etc. I’m hoping those have actually been delivered. If you are missing your hardcover or paperback, feel free to drop me an email to check on its status (just in case those are actually missing).

With the caveat that thirteen (now eleven) backers never got me their mailing addresses, so obviously I didn’t ship those boxes (yet).

Dowser 1 Kickstarter damaged and/or extra copies: I have a (very) few damaged/extra copies remaining. I will bundle them together into doubles (first), figure out shipping, and post buy links in a Kickstarter update (since the books are technically supposed to be exclusive to the Kickstarter). I hope to send that update tomorrow (but I might try for this afternoon). If they aren’t all purchased fairly quickly, I will make them available to the rest of my readership. I’m offering doubles first because, in all honesty, fewer packages are less work for me. The shipping will also be more expensive because I’m shipping from Canada Post here on my tiny island, not traveling to Vancouver to ship. If the doubles don’t sell (or I have more) I will offer singles. I will TRY to get the packages in the mail in time for them to get to you before the holidays, but I’m still insanely swamped and still can only do my best.

Conduit 1 (in brief):

• The proofread has been completed (it’s currently sitting in my inbox from Pauline).
• The book cover design has been finalized (yay!) and the cover designer is working on all the final files, etc. The cover reveal is currently scheduled for Nov 29.
• Lillie is putting together the bible (for the back of the limited edition).
• Nicole, Jade, and Kateryna are working on various illustrations. I will get as many of them into the limited-edition versions as possible.
• Amanda (Eternal Geekery) has designed the chapter heading and one of the maps. She is working on the second map and the page break designs. Then she will design some of the sticker (t-shirt?) designs, etc. Again, as much of this as possible will be in the limited-editions.
• The narrators (and schedule) have been confirmed for the audiobook – yay! And yes, dual POV means two narrators!! Actually, the book/series has four POVs but the male narrator will voice Rath, Rought, and Reck.
• Preorders for the regular editions should start going up on all retailers next week.

I’m slightly scared to list all the things I MUST accomplish this week (and next week) so I’m just going to put my head down and try to get it all done. But, before that, because I forced a lot of you to read a bunch of updates and reminders that you already knew about here is a short excerpt for your patience!

[It is exceedingly difficult to find nonspoiler excerpts for this book. But I thought a ‘sweet’ moment, which are few and far between in the Conduit Series (for the Conduit?), might be a good way to start the week – MCD].

His eyes are both green and blue at once.

Tattoos twine around his forearms, decorating the backs of his hands and up his fingers. More black ink teases the edge of his collar, as if trying to creep up his neck.

He doesn’t pause at the base of the front patio steps.

He climbs. One step. Two steps. And now we’re the same height. Then he takes that third step and he’s slightly taller than me. Then one more, still a step lower but towering over me now.

Still holding my gaze, his hand lifts, reaching for me, for my face …

I’m not wearing my sunglasses. I’m the Conduit, standing on a claimed intersection point. I must be radiating power, my eyes glowing purple. Yet he doesn’t hesitate for a moment.

I tip my chin up. 

Am I going to let him kiss me? A total stranger?

His hair is long enough that it curls at the ends. It’s tousled as if he’s been running his fingers through it, not crisp and perfect as if he’s styled it that way.

“Rought!” Presh cries from somewhere near his elbow. “You said you’d behave!”

Rought’s grin widens, but he keeps leaning over me despite his sister’s admonishment. His hand is poised to cup my face, though he doesn’t touch me. He leans close enough that he brushes his cheek along mine, inhaling deeply as he does so.

Scenting me.

Scent-marking me?

Presh shoves at his shoulder. He doesn’t move an inch, but he chuckles — deep and husky — as he shifts back enough to meet my gaze again.

I realize I was wrong about his eyes. Both are an even mixture of green and blue, yes. But both are now also thickly rimmed in burnished gold.

“Zaya Gage,” he says, pure joy laced through his words. As if it delights him to say my name.

I don’t scare him in the least. My violet eyes don’t bother him at all.

“Rought Guerra,” I say, my tone smooth … too smooth? Am I … flirting? “Your reputation precedes you.”

He laughs.

My chest warms, as if he’s the fucking sun and I’m a beleaguered flower.

– Conduit 1, Chapter Ten

HAPPY MONDAY!