Archivist 2: cover reveal, etc

Releases January 4, 2022

PREORDER NOW

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

I was a dragon. Dragons didn’t run from any situation. Not even a dragon disguised as a witch. Well … at least not from any situation that involved the archive or my duty, because apparently I fled before anything even remotely personal. Including surprise double dates.

Synopsis: A masked gala. A solstice celebration with the werewolves. Broken relics and doorways leading not only to other realms, other mythical and magical creatures, but to other possible futures. For me. And maybe even for Kellan.

And, well … that’s all just another day at the office for me.

Though my witch disguise really wasn’t going to hold up for much longer. Because even though I’d accepted my role as head curator at the magical archive of the National Museum of Ireland, and all the duties that came with being the Archivist of the Modern World, apparently I didn’t like the restrictions that came along with that. Because I couldn’t build the life I truly wanted — the dream unfurling in the dark chambers of my heart — on lies and half-truths.

Which meant that a moment was looming when I’d be faced with a choice that I couldn’t bear to walk away from. A choice that I might be willing to lose everything else to obtain.

Compelling Infinity is the second book in the Archivist series, which is set in the same universe as the Dowser, Oracle, Reconstructionist, Amplifier, and Misfits of the Adept Universe series.While it is not necessary to read all the series, in order to avoid spoilers the ideal reading order of the Adept Universe begins with Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser 1).

Archivist Series reading order:

Awakening Infinity (Archivist 0)
Invoking Infinity (Archivist 1)
A Momentary Retrieval (Archivist 1.5/Moments of the Adept Universe 0.7)
Compelling Infinity (Archivist 2)

Gearing up for next week (and a new release!)

I’m commencing my final read through of Archivist 1.5 (which will be in my newsletter on Nov 25)(with, fingers crossed, a preorder link!) and Archivist 2 (which will then go to the proof reader) – yay! It feels like it took me forever to write the second book in the Archivist series – my notebook informs me that I started brainstorming in earnest all the way back in March! Four months to do a first draft is INSANE. Thanks headache.

The front page of MCD’s notebook for Compelling Infinity (Archivist 2)

Also a bunch of fun stuff coming next week, as I’m promoting I See Me (Oracle 1) with a $0.99 sale, a read along, and audiobook giveaways. I’ll add this info to the newsletter as well but here are the festivities in brief (if you want to prep ahead of time):

Read along with/via FaRoFeb Nov 24 – 30 – templates now available (see link) but reading list TBA
Mass audiobook giveaways: Nov 25, 26, and 27 at 9am PST (here on my blog). Remember the USA codes in particular go quickly.
Price reduction (TELL YOUR READER FRIENDS, pretty please): Nov 20 – December 1, 2021

Other items to come:

For the store: Archivist glicee illustrations (as soon as the damn envelopes show up!!)
For the recipe book: a new cookie recipe from Archivist 2 that’s perfect for the holidays (early Dec).
For publication: the Moments of the Adept Universe, Collected Stories 1, including a brand new Burgundy novella featuring cameos from a bunch of fav characters as promised! The eBook will also feature illustrations from Memo for each story. (TBA: as soon as possible)

I hope you all have a great weekend! And that you have fun with everything I have planned for you next week and beyond!

Office dog, attempt #2

I’ve been working out of the cabin for the last two weeks, bringing Molly for office visits (in case you didn’t know, my pretty little office and workout space is in a converted garden shed) but not attempting to do any significant amounts of work. Yesterday, we attempted a regular work day. Molly napped for the morning but then tried to climb on the treadmill three times (with her bully stick) in the afternoon so we had to retreat to the cabin in order to get more new words written.

Molly Millions wedged between the treadmill desk and the Pilates reformer. [She doesn’t really like to be behind me, so this space has to do].

Today is attempt number two. She was restless at the beginning of Pilates but then settled. And now, after a hot chocolate break (for me, not Molly), we are going to attempt to get some new words written.

Wish us luck!

Or at least, a smooth flow for me and a heavy nap for Molly.

Amplifier 5: coven witches , sharks, and surfing

It’s happening!!! #AmWriting #AmplifierSeries #AdeptUniverse

Another exclamation erupted from the backseat of the convertible, drawing our attention to the left again. For the briefest of moments a view of a gray sand beach broke through the trees. If not for the roar of the wind already buffeting my ears, the sound of the pounding surf would no doubt be impressive.

“Surfers!” Opal exclaimed, picking out black dots among waves that had to be at least four meters high. Even in June the water was cold enough that surfers wore wet suits if they wanted to be in the ocean for an extended period of time.

“But no sharks, right?” Ocean howled over the wind.

“You know there is!” Opal huffed, exacerbated. “We looked it up!”

“But not near shore.” Ocean muttered, reassuring herself. “Not man eaters.”

“Don’t worry,” Opal crowed gleefully. “The orcas will eat you before the sharks.”

I glanced at Ocean in the rearview mirror. The eighteen-year-old potions specialist looked utterly aghast. Aiden’s youngest sister had returned from the Academy with Opal last night. She was a member of the Myers coven but interested in apprenticing with one of the Godfrey witches for the summer. Hence, joining us for the retreat.

“But not near shore, right?” Ocean repeated, brushing the dark brown, blond tipped hair that had worked free from her loose bun away from her light blue eyes.

Lani laughed. “You don’t have to surf, Ocean.”

The Myers witch huffed, crossing her arms. “You don’t know witches. Show any weakness, and they’ll freeze me out.”

– Instincts and Imposters (Amplifier 5), chapter one, scene one, first draft

New to the Amplifier Series? Start reading with The Amplifier Protocol (Amplifier 0). Or click here for the reading order of the entire Adept Universe (so far).

Archivist 0: Flash Giveaway

Though the windstorm seems to have passed, it is rainy and grey here today, and I’m apparently in a bit of an odd mood – distracted by a puppy, but anticipating that the next couple of months are going to be insanely busy with multiple releases, aka Compelling Infinity (Archivist 2) and Moments of the Adept Universe 1, collected stories, plus all the regular treats that come with new releases.

I’m thinking of throwing over work for the afternoon and finding a new series/book to dig into for the rest of the day (I’ll keep you posted via social media, of course and always), but before that, I thought I’d post a random flash giveaway. Yep, for the next 24 hours anyone with an eReader (or computer) can download Awakening Infinity (Archivist 0) for free.

DOWNLOAD AWAKENING INFINITY

(via BookFunnel)

Enjoy!

Have you already read the prequel to the Archivist Series? Yes? Please recommend it to your friends/family/book clubs, etc. And reviews are always welcomed and appreciated!!

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

Introducing Molly Millions

Thanks to Kim and Dwayne at Wrinkles R Us we have happily expanded our family with the sweet, adorable addition of Molly Millions, a miniature chocolate Shar Pei. Molly has been home for just over a week now, and is pretty much chewing everything, but almost sleeping all the way through the night in her crate – so yay!

Molly Millions the Chocolate Shar Pei in Meghan’s lap, on the way to the ferry (which then got canceled, forcing us to spend our first night together in a Vancouver hotel).

Namesake: Molly Millions aka Razorgirl is a character from Willam Gibson’s Sprawl trilogy (first appearing in Johnny Mnemonic). This science fiction (cyberpunk) series is one of my all time favourites, specifically for the character of Molly, the epically complicated female recurring character. Strong, loyal, moral, yet cold, cynical, and even vicious when needed, Molly, a cyborg mercenary/bodyguard always somehow falls on the ‘side of angels’ when given the choice.

Molly Millions on the ferry home, cold in the ‘pet room’ because we weren’t allowed to stay in the car for the 3.5 hours trip.

Molly Millions, finally home and getting some comforting cuddles from Michael on the couch (while watching Meghan in the kitchen).

Molly Millions the Chocolate Shar Pei. Eight weeks plus one day.

So you can all pretty much assume that all my social media accounts will simply be Molly Millions spam hence forth, with the occasional mention of a new book. 😂

Amplifier Series: brainstorming oracle cards

With Compelling Infinity (Archivist 2) off for line/content edit, I’m turning my attention back to the Amplifier series. I’m actually brainstorming/outlining book five and six at the same time, because I’m seriously contemplating wrapping up the series at book six (technically seven, if you count the prequel). Which means, you should get two Amplifier books back to back, which is always fun.

I already had book five all outlined, and partly written, but if I intend to finish the series with book six then I need to make sure that book five sets everything up that must come full circle for a satisfying ending. And part of that is working out what oracle cards reflect the key plot points for the books.

I’m also digging through the book cover photo shoot to select the photos that I want to use for the last two book covers – fun! fun!

Brainstorming the oracle cards that will mentioned/featured in Amplifier 5 and 6.

The editor always has your back.

Just in case you ever wondered what the editor aka SFG aka Scott Fitzgerald Gray does for you specifically, my lovely readers, I stumbled across this seven year old Facebook post that exemplifies his power for good perfectly:

A screenshot of MCD’s Facebook post about adding a final scene to Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic (Dowser 2).

And how was the book going to end (had SFG not intervened)?

[massive spoiler for Dowser 1 below, just in case you haven’t read it yet!!]

I gazed at the golden god of a man across from me. My mind was reeling and my thoughts unfocused. He looked maybe thirty-five if I attributed the crinkles around his eyes to age, rather than to sun and laughter.

He let me look at him. His sword had returned to wherever he pulled it from. His arms were at his sides, palms open to face me … in surrender or acceptance?

“I have my mother’s eyes,” I said, releasing the breath that had been blocking my ability to speak.

“Yes,” Yazi, the warrior of the dragons, answered. “But every other inch of you is me.”

He was right. I was his spitting image.

Half-witch, half-dragon. Well, that was one mystery solved.

I smiled, hitting him with one of my best efforts ever.

“Hi, Dad,” I said.

– Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic (Dowser 2)

Editing and Allsorts

After nine weeks, I dropped the latest round of off-label headache meds yesterday – Candesartan, actually used for blood pressure regulation – because the side effects were becoming too detrimental and the constant/daily headache was completely undaunted. Already feeling slightly better, I happily spent the day working through the story editor’s notes on Compelling Infinity (Archivist 2).

Slowly but surely, I will get the next book in the Archivist series in your hands! Along with the first collection of the Moments of the Adept Universe stories. More info and release dates TBA!

But, more importantly, Michael bought me a treat to aid the editing/story pass.

On MCD’s desk today – editing Archivist 2 with the help of some liquorice Allsorts.

Liquorice (aka licorice) Allsorts!

Allsorts are definitely on the edge of too sweet for me, but I still enjoy the chewy texture. And the childhood connection/memory – one set (of four) of my grandparents always had a bowl of Allsorts on their coffee table when I visited in the summers.

I hope to get Archivist 2 back in the editor’s inbox by the end of next week. Wish me luck!

Moments of the Adept Universe: Audrey 0.5

Anchored in the Moment (Moments of the Adept Unvierse 0.7) aka Audrey 0.5 – First draft. Done. 🙂

Set after Dowser 1, and featuring Desmond, this ‘moment’ turned into a fun and sexy short. I was just going to share it on my blog, but I might also put out a random newsletter next week. [subscribe or check your subscription here] October is usually my fav month – Thanksgiving, my birthday, harvest, and halloween – but things are really rough around here right now – we think we’re losing Leo all of a sudden, because he won’t eat – and I needed something short and sweet to focus on. A distraction that would also help me feel productive.

Snippet below:

“You have a position open, in your pack,” I said without further preamble.

“The beta position is Kandy’s,” Desmond said, pointedly looking out the side window. It was a beautiful day, sunny but not hot. “It has always been Kandy’s.”

“Yet Kandy is in Vancouver.”

He glanced at me then, narrowing his eyes. “Fulfilling a temporary need.”

I eyed him for a moment, trying to figure out how much Desmond Llewelyn liked to be pushed. “She won’t take it,” I said evenly. “Just like she’ll let her inheritance rot, just like she won’t step up and take the Assembly seat.”

“Those are her choices.” Desmond frowned — I was getting to him, finally.

“Exactly. And you have a hole in your pack. An imbalance.”

He half grimaced, half snarled. “And you will be alpha when your father steps aside.”

“He’ll never step aside. He’ll wait for someone to take the pack from the Rothchilds. And you know —” I laughed bitterly. “You know, he hopes that’s going to be Kandy. A Tate.”

Desmond looked at me then. Really looked.

Finally.

I’d thought about how to approach the cat, already knowing that seducing him wouldn’t get me what I wanted. Though many alphas preferred to fill the position of beta with a lover or a family member. I had no doubt that the sex would be vigorous and as rough as I wanted it to be, but Desmond would never fuck his beta.

“He’s broken,” I whispered, though my voice was still harsh, hard-edged. “Justin’s death broke him. Like it broke Kandy. And me.”

“Kandy isn’t broken,” Desmond snarled, automatically defending his wolf. Like a true alpha.

I smirked. “I’m not saying that she isn’t strong. Fierce. And loyal. But she’s not your beta. She’s not the beta you need.”

“It’s not a post for a princess,” he snapped, shards of green magic flickering in his eyes.

“Test me,” I purred. “I can take anything you throw at me.”

He shook his head. “The answer is no.”

– Anchored in the Moment. First draft.