Author: MCD

I'm a writer. I also bake. And knit. A lot. My novels are available anywhere ebooks/paperbacks/audiobooks are sold online. Find more info on my blog: http://www.madebymeghan.ca

Categories
marketing writing

Misfits 1: one-month anniversary

Misplaced Souls (Misfits of the Adept Universe 1) has been out in the world – in ebook form, paperback still pending a book cover – for one month today, so I thought the timing perfect for a little spoiler of what is to come for the series. Though, those of you who read the last scene of Misfits 1 closely have probably worked out who will be narrating book 2 already!

Without further ado – a glimpse at my Misfits ‘ideas, etc’ notebook! The narrators shall be: in order, top to bottom (and subject to the whim of my muse):

One of my notebooks, devoted to all my ideas about the upcoming Misfits titles, broken down by narrator.

And because someone might ask, I’m hoping to have Book 2 ready for winter 2020/2021 (so, fingers crossed for December or January) but again – with the constant headache – I’m writing what I can when I can. The goal is at least ONE Misfit title a year while I also write the Amplifier Series (and possibly a space opera series I’m brewing). If I can write more, I most definitely will.

Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed Misplaced Souls (Misfits 1). Your time and energy are greatly appreciated, especially now when none of us have much to spare!

Did you enjoy Mory’s book? And what upcoming narrator are you looking forward to the most?

Hmmm, let me guess … 😀

Categories
Adept Universe Bible writing

Adept Universe Bible: Kett’s sketches

Kettil “Kett”: vampire. Elder and Executioner of the Conclave. Grand Conclave investigator. Aka he hunts down rogue vampires and ‘disposes’ of them, no questions asked. Ability to absorb the powers of other Adepts by drinking their blood. Ice blue eyes (occasionally referred to as silver). White blond hair, usually worn short. Broad forehead. Lanky frame. 5’11. Had (witch) powers before he was turned. His magic tastes like cool peppermint and appears red. Drives a white BMW SUV. 1200+ years old. Second son of witch family, bred to be a sacrifice to his grandsire, Ve, who was playing at being a God at the time. Sire is Estelle, who killed him out of jealously and then was forced to remake him as punishment. Ve’s shiver is based out of London, England but Kett is currently leasing a 5000 sq ft penthouse that overlooks False Creek in Vancouver, BC, formerly owned by Rochelle Saintpaul (Oracle), now owned by Pearl Godfrey (Head of the Godfrey Coven). Maker and master of Jasmine Fairchild, mentor (and now master) of Benjamin Garrick. Objects of power: Invisible satchel. As well as a collection of centuries of untold treasures, including the fountain pen he gave to Benjamin Garrick.

Kett first appeared in Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic as well as every other book in the Dowser series. He’s a main character in the Reconstructionist trilogy, starting with Catching Echoes, and makes an appearance in Misfits 1.

Kett. Vampire. In smooth, cool predator mode. Favours dark washed jeans, cashmere sweaters, and ridiculously expensive Italian leather dress shoes. A collector of rarities, usually in the form of living, breathing, uber-powerful people, like Jade Godfrey and Kandy Tate. Sketch by Memo.
Kett. Vampire. Lord of the micro-expression. A raised eyebrow is reserved for the acknowledgment and disapproval of extreme idiocy. Or he’s anticipating draining someone dry. Possibly both at the same time. Actual smiles are reserved for charming those few people he can’t just outright beguile, or possibly to indicate delight over some certain-to-end-in-blood endeavor. Sketch by Memo.

Categories
Adept Universe Bible writing

Adept Universe Bible: Kandy’s Sketches

Kandice “Kandy” Tate: werewolf. Aka the enforcer of the North West Coast American pack, aka the wielder’s wolf. Lithe, muscular. Short green hair, briefly dyed purple in Dowser 3 by Lara, and permanently dyed pink in Dowser 9. Natural hair colour is brown. Lives in the apartment next to Jade. Wolf is gray. Likes horror and teen sex comedy movies. Magic tastes like red berry dark chocolate with a bitter aftertaste, grassy green base in colour. The cupcakes, Flirt in a Cup, Tart in a Cup, Sass in a Cup, and Tease in a Cup were created by Jade to match her magic. Generally prefers to cavort with females, human or otherwise, but only male werewolves. Birthday is August 8 – turned 26 just before Dowser 4. Physiotherapist. Mother was named Kandice as well. Objects of power: Two rune-and-diamond crusted, three-inch gold wrist cuffs that lend her extra strength and repel malicious magic. The cuffs were gift from Chi Wen, the far seer, in Dowser 4 and have been continually fortified by Jade Godfrey, the dowser, since. Dubbed the Herakles cuffs by Haoxin in Dowser 7. But renamed as the Wolf’s Bracers in Benjamin Garrick’s chronicles.

Kandy first appeared in Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic as well as every other book in the Dowser series. She’s also appeared in Oracle 2 and Misfits 1.

Kandy. Werewolf. On her way for a run … or a power yoga class … or possibly just hanging around ready to defend those she deems under her protection. Possibly on the hunt for treats. Always ready to go dancing. Sketch by Memo.
Kandy. Werewolf enforcer. Can eat her weight in cupcakes and chocolate – daily – and not gain a pound. Perpetually ready to rumble. Sketch by Memo.
Categories
Adept Universe Bible

Adept Universe Bible: Benjamin’s sketches.

Benjamin Garrick: vampire. Aka the chronicler. Became a vampire at the human age of 18. Son of Teresa Garrick. Ward of Kettil. Maker: Nigel Farris (deceased). Alias: Benjamin Vern. Dark brown hair. Deep set brown eyes. Wide brow. Slight frame. 5’9″. Suffered from leukemia prior to being remade. Magic scent: sour grape jellybeans. In Dowser 7 through Misfits 1, he wears a thick cuff made of small animal bones on his left wrist – an ongoing necromancy working crafted by his mother to keep his vampiric nature in check. The cuff is removed in Misfits 1. Objects of power: A gold fountain pen (a gift from his mentor, Kett) turned into a magical lockpick by Jade Godfrey, dowser.

Benjamin first appeared in Reconstructionist 1. He also appeared in Dowser 7,  Dowser 8, Dowser 8.5, and Dowser 9. He is a main character in Misfits 1.

Benjamin Garrick. Vampire. Sketch by Memo. Author note: I’m not certain it is possible to love this rendering of Ben more than I do. It’s absolutely perfect. Right before Ben tries to beguile you with a simple smile, then drink you down, of course.
Benjamin Garrick. Vampire. Only half paying attention while obsessing about recording the chronicles of the Adept. Sketch by Memo.
Categories
Adept Universe Bible writing

Adept Universe Bible: Liam’s sketches

Liam Talbot: Sorcerer, specializing in ballistics, weapons. Wielder of the shield of persuasion – crafted by Jade Godfrey (Dowser 7) – and a magical gun with which he can possibly shoot around corners (TBC). Vancouver Police Department homicide detective. Dark hair. Naturally tanned skin. Age: 24 in Misplaced Souls (Misfits 1), born in late December. Clean cut. Excellent shape. Deep brown eyes shot through with green and blue. Previously lived in Boston. Lives alone in an apartment in downtown Vancouver. Drives a dark navy sedan. Magic smells/tastes like peanut butter. Son of Angelica and Stephan. Brother of Tony. Adopted brother of Bitsy, Gabby, and Peggy.

Liam first appears in Dowser 7. He also makes appearances in Dowser 8, Dowser 8.5, and Dowser 9. He is a main character in Misfits 1.

Liam Talbot. Work mode. With the shield of persuasion. Sketch by Memo.
Liam Talbot. Possibly just a little … overprotective and …. epically focused. Well, that’s the ‘nice’ way of saying it. Sketch by Memo.

Categories
Adept Universe Bible writing

Adept Universe Bible: Jade’s sketches

Jade Godfrey. Aka the Dowser. Aka the Alchemist. Also known as the dragon slayer, the elf slayer, and the wielder of the instruments of assassination.

Jade narrates the Dowser Series, starting with Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic. She also makes appearances in Oracle 1, Oracle 3, Reconstructionist 1, and the newest Adept Universe book, Misplaced Souls (Misfits 1).

Jade, the dowser. Cupcake, wedding ring necklace, and all. Working at her bakery, Cake in a Cup. In-between saving the world, of course.
Jade. Detail on the artifact of power she wears twined around her neck, wedding rings, the instruments of assassination, and a ton of magic that makes it a little impossible for anyone – other than Jade herself – to see the true nature of the artifact.
Jade. Action-mode engaged! Wielding the dragon slayer aka the elf slayer – a katana capable of absorbing magic. At Jade’s behest, of course and always.
Categories
Cupcake RECIPES excerpts writing

Dowser 5: A fav excerpt

I was making a quick addition to the Adept Universe Cookbook today – apparently, I forgot to mention WHEN to add the chocolate chips in the peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie recipe (thank you to Bronwyn’s hubby for letting me know) – and I stumbled upon this excerpt from Dowser 5 that made me smile.

I do adore Drake.

“That’s a Vixen in a Cup. Chocolate gingerbread cake with a salted caramel icing.”

“Tell me the tale of this cupcake,” Drake demanded as he dramatically held a newer creation of mine aloft.

I glanced up from the last handwritten page of the journal. “That’s a Vixen in a Cup. Chocolate gingerbread cake with a salted caramel icing.”

“Vixen in a Cup,” Drake whispered as he carefully peeled the paper off the cupcake. Earlier this year, I’d tried to do away with cupcake holders by using silicone cups to bake. But they were fiddly — the moist, delicate cake broke more often than not — and my customers had rebelled at the breaking of tradition. At least the paper cups I used were compostable.

The final line of the journal read: Shailaja has broken with the guardians. She has broken with me.

“Who is Shay-la-ja?” I asked Drake, attempting to sound out the foreign name.

The fledgling, who’d stuffed the entire cupcake in his mouth, could only shrug in response.

“Way to savor.”

 – excerpt from Maps, Artifacts, and Other Arcane Magic (Dowser 5)

Categories
marketing wallpapers writing

Misfits 1: wallpapers: Mory & Ed

Memo, the illustrator who is working on the sketches for the Adept Universe bible, made some wallpapers of Mory and Ed from Misplaced Souls (Misfits 1). She formatted each of the following images for Android, iPhone X, older Phone, and tablet/desktop. Clicking on the corresponding link below each sketch should take you to the full-sized image, and there you can download it to your computer/phone/tablet.

Well, in theory … so let’s give it a try!

Mory with Ed!! Sketch by Memo.

Click on the link for: Android, iPhone X, older iPhone, Tablet/Desktop (landscape).

Mory knitting. Sketch by Memo.

Click on the link for: Android, iPhone X, older iPhone, Tablet/Desktop (landscape).

Ed!! Sketch by Memo

Click on the link for: Android, iPhone X, older iPhone, Tablet/Desktop (landscape).

I pulled some ‘How To’s’ off the web as well, but please do a little Googling if you need more help (I’m not a tech guru by any means):

How to download an image onto my Android device.

How to download an image onto my iPhone. < this is a really old article but I believe it still works.

How to download an image onto my desktop.

Feel free to share these images on your social media pages as well. You can use the tags: #AdeptUniverse or #MisfitsOfTheAdeptUniverse #MeghanCianaDoidge, etc, etc.

Misplaced Souls (Misfits of the Adept Universe 1) releases tomorrow (April 14, 2020)!!

Categories
Knitting writing

Misfits 1: the knitting

Mory knits. Rather obsessively. And I thought it might be fun to share some of the patterns she either knits or wears in Misplaced Souls (Misfits 1).

Mory’s go-to hat pattern: Snap by Tin Can Knits. Mory is knitting a slouch version of this hat with her own [K4/P4] check pattern thrown in for fun throughout Misfits 1. I’ve knit several Snap Hats myself and you can see them on my Ravelry page. I will also be giving away a couple of hats (cashmere!!) when I get my hands on the paperbacks for Misfits 1.

One of my first Snap hats …

Mory’s go-to pattern for self-striping socks: Smooth Operator by Susan B. Anderson. Mory is wearing rainbow socks, like these:

MCD’s Smooth Operator’s knit in Gauge Dye Works, White Light colour way. Ravelry Page.

Mory’s self-striping arm warmers: Palmistry by Stephanie Lotven. Mory is knitting a longer version than called for in the pattern in Misfits 1 with a skein of Black-Hearted Brimstone from MudPunch yarns. I’ll be giving away some self-striping yarn in May when I get Misfit 1 paperbacks.

My longer version of Palmistry, knit for author friend, Coralie Moss. Ravelry Project Page.

Mory’s large purple/pink/blue shawl: The Drifter by Tamy Gore. I haven’t knitted my version yet but this is the yarn I’m going to use:

I think I will start this shawl on release day! Yarn is from Black Cat.

Other knitwear/patterns mentioned:

Pearl Godfrey’s (light gray) Estonia lace shawl: Echo Flower Shawl by Jenny Johnson Johnen

Mory’s colorwork (mostly black with purple and light gray) sweater that she wears to lunch: Gardengate by Jennifer Steingass

Burgundy is wearing lace socks that Mory knit for her birthday: Spring Forward by Linda Welch

In the final scenes of Misfits 1, Mory is attemtping to learn the brioche stitch: Plumpy by Andrea Mowry.

Fun! Fun!

– AMAZON – APPLE BOOKS – KOBO – BARNES & NOBLE – SMASHWORDS –

New to the Adept Universe? The first book is Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser 1). Or click here for the entire reading order. 

Categories
baking Cupcake RECIPES

Misfits 1: Envy in a Cup

I’ve added Envy in a Cup to the Adept Universe Cookbook (click the link to download the full PDF) but here is the JPG version for your quick viewing pleasure.

A dense but moist chocolate cake with lots of warm spice!

Author’s Note: I had a bit of an incident with my first test bake of Envy in a Cup, and the cake came out WAY too dense and almost weirdly moist. Michael ate them, of course. 😀 I noticed that my baking powder was newly expired, so I replaced it (and I urge you to do the same). But I had also used a new-to-me whole wheat pastry flour from Bob’s Red Mill. I remembered that the new pastry flour had also made for oddly overly moist banana bread, so I decided the issue with the cupcakes stemmed from the same cause. Problem was, I no longer had access to my regular (locally milled) whole wheat pastry flour, so I had to search for another flour. I settled on a fine grain whole wheat from Anita’s Mill. The cupcakes are still dense, but delightfully so!

Just a long way of saying, that, as always, feel free to use your favourite flour. Just make sure the batter isn’t overly thick (add a touch more milk to thin it, if it is) otherwise you might not enjoy the exceedingly dense cake that may result!

Envy in a Cup gets a massive thumbs up from Michael and me, so much so I’m going to add them to my top five favourites!! Which are, in no particular order, Cozy in a Cup, Lust in a Cup, Serenity in a Cup, Clarity in a Cup, and now Envy in a Cup!

Do you have a favourite Cake in a Cup cupcake?

Cover design by: Gene Mollica Studios

RELEASING APRIL 14, 2020

PREORDER NOW

– AMAZON – APPLE BOOKS – KOBO – BARNES & NOBLE – SMASHWORDS –

New to the Adept Universe? The first book is Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser 1). Or click here for the entire reading order.