Adept Unvierse Bible: Emma

Emma “Socks” Johnson: Amplifier. De facto leader of the Five, genetically constructed magic-wielding super soldiers. She can amplify the power of another Adept, and/or drain magic she can keep for herself, wielding basic spells with it, and/or funnel that stolen power into another magic user. Also known as Amp5 and Fox in Socks. Emerald eyes. Deep red hair, straight to the middle of her back. 5’10. Pale skin, freckles lightly in the summer. Three faded scars on her stomach/torso from a run-in with a Greater demon. Blood tattoos etched into her upper spine bind her (for life) to the other four that make them the Five: T1-Nul5, T2-Tel5, T3-Cla5, and T4-Tek5. Wields twin blades: 18 inches of steel with black coating with three raw diamonds in the hilt of each that are primed to hold magical spells, such as sharpening or recall. DOB: October 29, 1989, 21 in Amplifier 0, 28 in Amplifier 1. Sign: Scorpio. Born in captivity, she inadvertently stole empathy powers from her birth mother, who died during childbirth. Parentage otherwise unknown, though the base mix of her DNA, and the DNA of all the Five, was harvested from the main members of the Collective. Through the course of her harsh childhood and mercenary training by the Collective, Emma was forced to absorb power from dozens of other Adepts, eventually heightening her own genetically-gifted abilities. She is faster and stronger than a ‘normal’ amplifier, has a heightened healing ability, and is partially immune to most magic. Has a demon dog named Paisley. Lives on a large property known as the White Owl Farm (formerly McGuire Farm) in Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada: 2 hectares/5 acres with a three-storey white house, red metal roof. Caretaker suite in the matching barn. Drives a 1967 Clearwater Aqua Mustang convertible, aqua seats. Drinks her tea with sugar. Can not become pregnant. Guardian of Opal. Engaged to Aiden Azar Myers in Amplifier 4, August wedding planned.

Emma first appeared in The Amplifier Protocol (Amplifier 0). She narrates the main novels of the Amplifier series.

Emma. Aka Fox in Socks. Aka Amp5. From the Amplifier Series. Bred to be a killer, trained to be a sociopath. Despite the striking red hair, emerald green eyes, and pristinely pale skin (due to her stolen healing abilities) there is nothing ‘pretty’ about Emma Johnson, except maybe the thrifted sundresses that she wears rather obsessively (after being forced to only wear gray sweats or tactical gear for the first twenty-one years of her life). Pictured here with her dual blade blades. Illustration by Memo
Emma. Aka Fox in Socks. Aka Amp5. From the Amplifier Series. And the blood tattoos bind her power to four others, possibly for life. Yes, the death of Emma might be the death of the other four. In contrast to being bred and born in captivity and her brutal and bloody martial and magical training, Emma does love to indulge in just a few, simple pretty things, such as lacy underwear, black rose fine china, and a daily afternoon tea ritual that usually includes ginger snaps. Illustration by Memo

MCD note: The Amplifier Series is set within the larger Adept Universe but can be read separately. The main series starts with Demons and DNA (Amplifier 1) but there are two prequels (bundled together) as well. Click here for the full/recommended reading order of the Adept Universe.

Also – a gentle reminder – the sketches are Memo’s interpretation of the characters (based on the books and my descriptions/guidance). If you see a character differently, or say, disagree with the interpretation, such as the above rendering of Emma’s blood tattoos (which are actually never fully described in the books)(because Emma herself doesn’t waste her time dwelling on such things and the books are from her POV), it is totally okay to do so. There is however no need to point out such things in any way that might come across as exceedingly negative (or snarky). Thank you.

Reminder! The illustrations are simply meant to be fun extras! Like a giveaway, but one that everyone can win. 😊

 

A much needed reminder …

Screenshot from Amazon USA. Five-star review by Rosemary. Could someone please pass the kleenex? July 18, 2022. I’m not sure what to say about this book and the two that preceded it. These books are complex, beautifully written, and pack an emotional punch that I feel all the way down to my pink-painted toenails. Read these books. You need to.

I’m sharing Rosemary’s review of Unleashing Echoes (Reconstructionist 3) because I know I focus too much on the vitriol I’m often deluged in about the Reconstructionist trilogy and I want to remind myself that not everyone tries to twist a book into what they want to see/read instead of trying to enjoy the story the author wanted (dare I say, needed?) to write.

It took a year and a half of my life to write this trilogy (after the first book sat partially written on my ‘shelf’ for two years*). I blubbered through each draft of each book (I do five). I knew how it ended when I put the first words on the page. I carefully, but intentionally, crafted the story around Wisteria and what she needed, what she so desperately needed, to heal, to move forward, to LIVE. And whether some readers believe me or not, I did exactly the same thing for Kett (and the other two major characters).

I put my heart and soul into this trilogy and way, way too much of my own childhood. And, I admit, it hurts when I get hate mail, even after all these years of getting nasty DMs, hateful reviews, and even snide remarks from my readers.

So thank you, Rosemary, for reminding me that I wrote Wisteria and Kett and Declan and Jasmine for a reason. Because I needed to heal even just a little section of my own battered soul.

💗💗💗

*note: for those interested: the Reconstructionist trilogy was originally intended to start/fall after Dowser 4 in the timeline. Eagle-eyed readers will note that Kett was in Seattle at the beginning of Dowser 4. But I lost my stepmother that spring and found I just couldn’t pick up the book and write through the grief. At least, not write Wisteria and the story I needed to tell.

Adept Universe: Christopher

Christopher “Knox” Johnson – Clairvoyant. One of the Five aka uber-powerful, genetically-constructed, magic-wielding super soldiers. Designation: Cla5. Can see the future (but not his own), most accurately within a forty-eight-hour period. Uses a set of twenty-two oracle cards based on herbology and a basic tarot deck designed/inked by a witch to focus his sight. Can also cast simple witch spells. Magically inked blood tattoos tie him to the other four of the Five. Light gray eyes (which glow bright white when his sight is triggered). 5’11. White blond hair. Golden skin. Slim, but well-muscled. Often described as a ‘Greek god.’ Prefers to be barefoot and can be most often found in his extensive garden, or cooking comfort foods in his kitchen. Wields a short sword with gems embedded into the hilt that can hold magic such as sharpening or recall spells. DOB: August 27 (Virgo). Age 28 in Amplifier 1. Bisexual.

Lives with Emma aka Fox in Socks aka Amp5 and Paisley aka the demon dog on a 5-acre property in Cowichan Lake, BC, Canada. The farm was dubbed White Owl Farm by the locals (presumably because of Christopher’s hair colour). 

Knox’s blood tattoos: T1 tied to Amp5/Socks, T2 tied to Tel5/Bee, T3 tied to Nul5/Fish, and T4 tied to Tek5/Zans.

Christopher first appeared in The Amplifier Protocol (Amplifier 0) and is a main character in every other Amplifier book.

Christopher. Aka Knox. Aka Cla 5. Clairvoyant. From the Amplifier Series. With his white-blond hair, golden skin, and easy smile, Christopher comes across as charming, even friendly (despite actually being an uber-powerful, magic-wielding, genetically constructed super soldier). Unfortunately, his sight is easily overwhelmed and very triggered by proximity to others (even nonmagicals), so he most often confines himself to his garden or kitchen. Illustrated here by Memo using his oracle cards to sharpen his sight. Side note: the cards pictured in this sketch depict the reading that heralded Aiden’s arrival in Amplifier 1.
Christopher. Aka Knox. Aka Cla 5. Clairvoyant. From the Amplifier Series. At his happiest with his sight clear and barefoot in his garden. Illustration by Memo.

MCD note: The Amplifier Series is set within the larger Adept Universe but can be read separately. The main series starts with Demons and DNA (Amplifier 1) but there are two prequels (bundled together) as well. Click here for the full/recommended reading order of the Adept Universe.

Amplifier 5: Cover reveal and preorder

RELEASING AUGUST 30,2022

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER

Cover design by: Gene Mollica Studios Models: Devon Ericksen and Jonathan Cannaux 

PREORDER NOW

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

Author’s Note

Instincts and Impostors is the fifth book in the Amplifier Series, which is set in the same universe as the Dowser, Oracle, Reconstructionist, Archivist, and Misfits of the Adept Universe series.

My soul-anchored, tear-riddled truth.

Wrote a long post.

Cried.

Felt utterly ineffectual. 

And scared. So, so scared, not only for the women of America (and anyone with a uterus, or anyone who loves a person with a uterus) but for the far-reaching ramifications that will ripple across the border into Canada. (I recognize this is a selfish thought today, but it is nonetheless true.)

Then I deleted the long post, realizing that I was just trying to justify my fear, justify my right to speak.

That’s how it works for women (and other minorities), that fear of speaking up, of wanting to play nice … because we’re retaliated against in some fashion when we dare speak our truths. Every. Single. Time.

So I smile.

Forty-eight years of fucking smiling as I try to stay calm, kind, and nonconfrontational, while I try to sneak my truths in behind those smiles and quick wit and fucking cupcakes.

So here is my soul-anchored, tear-riddled truth laid out as boldly and simply as I can write it:

Every person on this planet, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or country of origin should have the fundamental right to decide what is right for their body.

Mystery Boxes: final round: Archivist Series

I’ve made ten Archivist Series Mystery Boxes available in my store. $60 CDN with CDN and USA shipping included. Click the previous link for more info and/or to purchase.

Each box includes 2 autographed Archivist paperbacks, Awakening Infinity, plus either Invoking Infinity or Compelling Infinity, and 3 MCD bookplates.

Note: Sorry!! I’m all out of extra swag!

I’ve included Canadian and USA tracked shipping in the price, approx. $26. I’m NOT offering other international shipping because it costs too much, $65-$125. If you live closer to me the shipping might be less, so I’ll try to compensate by adding swag (if I have enough!)(I’ll email and let you know if that is the case).

If you get a paperback you already own, maybe pop over to the reader-run fan group on Facebook and see if you can negotiate a swap?

Warning: I have now pretty much cleared out my cupboard. These are the last of the autographed paperbacks I will offer for the near future (likely for the rest of 2022). I won’t be giving away paperback bundles for the next few book releases either. Just FYI. The shipping is too outrageous internationally these days, and I don’t like limiting giveaways to USA/CANADA only.

Note: same caveats as always: please remember I’m not a store. I’ve simplified the shipping, etc, as much as possible. For example: set shipping rates, no extra sets, no special orders. Please remember I’m trying to write as much as possible and these are just meant to be fun extras. The prices are set in Canadian currency (which means some of you are getting a great deal!) so a different charge might show up on your credit card statement. Also, I believe there is a 2.9-5.5%+ $0.30 charge for certain payment methods.

Fun! Fun!

Amplifier 5: with or without blades

I’m working through a smoothing pass on the fourth draft of Instincts and Imposters (Amplifier 5) over the next few days, then the book goes off for line and content editing. I came upon this little snippet in a brand new section that I wrote based on the story editor’s notes. It made me smile, so I thought I should share.

It’s just so … Emma.

“Dream walker,” she said in that clipped accent. “The Dunkirk coven is well known for its dream walkers. Yet you choose the Godfreys for your foundling.”

I considered decapitating her.

I didn’t even need my blades, I could —

Aiden squeezed my hand, amusement rolling off him.

Right. Witch games.

– Instincts and Impostors (Amplifier 5), fourth draft

No release date yet! But I’ll have the preorder up sooner than later … just as soon as I get all the scheduling lined up.

Amplifier Series: wallpapers: Emma & Paisley

Memo, the illustrator who has been drawing all the character sketches for the Adept Universe bible (find the others at the bottom on the Extras page), made some wallpapers of Emma and Paisley from the Amplifier Series! The Amplifier Series officially starts with Demons and DNA (Amplifier 1), but there is also a prequel novel and novelette, both are found in The Amplifier Protocol. Memo formatted both wallpapers 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.

Michael already has Paisley on his phone (he demanded that I airdrop it to him immediately upon seeing it). It looks seriously cool.

Emma, always primed to kick some ass! Illustration by Memo.

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

Paisley, in full demon dog mode! Illustration by Memo

Click on the link to download Paisley 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 #AmplifierSeries or #MeghanCianaDoidge, etc, etc. And tag me! I’m @MeghanCianaDoidge on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. @mcdoidge on Twitter.

Oh! Watch this space for the preorder notice for the next book in the Amplifier Series, Instincts and Impostors (Amplifier 5) coming VERY SOON!!

Are you new to the Adept Universe? Book one Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser 1) is currently FREE on all retailers. Click here for the full reading order.

Mystery Boxes: round three: random Adept Universe

I have successfully gotten all of the last round of Mystery Boxes packaged and labeled. They just need to be dropped at the post office. Yay!

I then PREPACKED (look at me being all efficient!) ten more Mystery Boxes! And made those ten random Adept Universe Mystery Boxes available in my store. $45 CDN+ CDN and USA shipping included. Click the previous link for more info and/or to purchase.

Each box includes 1 autographed Dowser or Oracle or Misfits paperback, 1 sheet of Cake in a Cup stickers, 1 MCD bookplate, and 6 butterfly Oracle series temporary tattoos.

Note: I’ve thrown extra stickers into the box with Dowser 8.5 because it is slightly skinnier than the other novels.

I’ve included Canadian and USA tracked shipping in the price, $24. I’m NOT offering other international shipping because it costs too much, $65-$125. If you live closer to me the shipping will be less, so I’ll try to compensate by adding more swag (I’ll email and let you know if that is the case).

If you get a paperback you already own, maybe pop over to the reader-run fan group on Facebook and see if you can negotiate a swap?

Next up: Archivist series paperbacks. Warning: And then I will have cleared out my cupboard!!

Note: same caveats as always: please remember I’m not a store. I’ve simplified the shipping, etc, as much as possible. For example: set shipping rates, no extra sets, no special orders. Please remember I’m trying to write as much as possible and these are just meant to be fun extras. The prices are set in Canadian currency (which means some of you are getting a great deal!) so a different charge might show up on your credit card statement. Also, I believe there is a 2.9-5.5%+ $0.30 charge for certain payment methods.

Fun! Fun!

Mystery Boxes: round two, Amplifier Series

The boxes showed up!! YAY!

I’ve made ten Amplifier Series Mystery Boxes available in my store. $45 CDN+ CDN and USA shipping included. Click the previous link for more info and/or to purchase.

Each box includes one autographed Amplifier Series paperback, three oracle card stickers (I’ve randomized it so you get a fun mini reading with your package), one MCD bookplate, and a random postcard.

I’ve included Canadian and USA tracked shipping in the price, $24 (and ironically removing one paperback only reduced the average shipping rate by $2)! I’m NOT offering other international shipping because it costs too much, $65-$125.

If you get a book you already own, maybe pop over to the reader-run fan group on Facebook and see if you can negotiate a swap?

Next up: random Dowser, Oracle, and Reconstructionist paperbacks. Warning: I don’t have very many!!

Note: same caveats as always: please remember I’m not a store. I’ve simplified the shipping, etc, as much as possible. For example: set shipping rates, no extra sets, no special orders. Please remember I’m trying to write as much as possible and these are just meant to be fun extras. The prices are set in Canadian currency (which means some of you are getting a great deal!) so a different charge might show up on your credit card statement. Also, I believe there is a 2.9-5.5%+ $0.30 charge for certain payment methods.

Fun! Fun!