MCD’s fav reads of early 2024 and more to come!

[Links and more info for my April 25 newsletter]

Note: affiliate links lead to Amazon stores but some of these series are available on all platforms (at least in audiobook and paperback, if not in eBook). Kindle Unlimited (KU) noted.

Three of my best reads of 2024 (so far):

Her Feral Beasts by E.P Bali. This is the first book in Her Vicious Beasts series. Start with the novella, Her Vicious Beasts (linked below), then gobble up the next two books and join me in desperately needing the third! Why Choose, Paranormal Romance. These love interests are a nasty, entitled, utterly vicious bunch. But don’t worry Aurelia is more than their match! Addictive. In KU. Start here:

USA: https://amzn.to/3wjMh05

CANADA: https://amzn.to/44iVoKY

UK: https://amzn.to/4de7zgk

Red Fang Royal by Lola Rock. This is a companion omegaverse novel set in the world of Pack Darling (so start with book 1), With so many current ‘romantasy’ novels/series dominated by enemies to lovers and ‘bully’ romances, it is delightful that these ‘alphas’ are all in – all in – just as soon as Marisol can learn to trust them again. In KU. Series page:

CANADA: https://amzn.to/4dbs6lN

USA: https://amzn.to/3vXQl6k

UK: https://amzn.to/44iKJQB

Bride by Ali Hazelwood. A standalone (you’re welcome) paranormal romance with hints of omegaverse (but not really). Arranged marriage between mortal enemies. Misery (the FMC) has been an outcast among her own people (vampires!) for her father’s political gain. Lowe (MMC) is just trying to make his people (werewolves!) safe. Love isn’t supposed to be a factor. Enjoy!

CANADA: https://amzn.to/3UBolil

USA: https://amzn.to/4aNmGM4

UK (paperback): https://amzn.to/4aQQhUO

Three recent releases on my TBR (I just need to set time aside to read these fav authors!):

Fair Market Value by Hailey Edwards. A brand new series from my author BFF – squee!! This is the first book in The Body Shop series. In KU.

CANADA: https://amzn.to/3Ug2kEb

USA: https://amzn.to/3JAS30l

UK: https://amzn.to/3UiIJU0

Archangel’s Lineage (Guild Hunter 16) by Nalini Singh. Here’s where I admit I bounced off (and I tried twice) the previous release in the Guild Hunter universe (Archangel’s Resurrection) and never finished it, but I’m seriously looking forward to getting back to Elena and Raphael. Start with Angel’s Blood (Guild Hunter 1). Series page:

CANADA: https://amzn.to/3QgsJk4

USA: https://amzn.to/3JBUKPo

UK: https://amzn.to/3QiJprc

Trials of Conviction (Firebird 5) by T.A. White. This is the fifth book in one of my fav space opera series. Start with Rules of Redemption. Tons of action, slow burn. Found family. Intrigue. Powerful ‘older’ main character prone to self-sacrifice. Series page:

CANADA: https://amzn.to/4bavY4K

USA: https://amzn.to/4b71lgm

UK: https://amzn.to/49Vd4O0

Three 2024 preorders (I’m desperately waiting for)(and yes, I have more than three books currently preordered):

The Throne of Honor and Blood by J Bree. This is the second book in the Mortal Fates Series (Crown of Oaths and Curses). The Mortal Fates is J Bree’s first foray into Fantasy Romance. Enemies to lovers. The first third of book 1 is slightly slow (you know, for my level of attention deficit) but the rest of book 1 is a page-turner. Witches vs. Fae. The ending is exceptional. Series page:

USA: https://amzn.to/3QlGo9E

CANADA: https://amzn.to/3y0Rg6i

UK: https://amzn.to/4bezgDN

The House at Watch Hill (Watch Hill Trilogy) by Karen Marie Moning. This preorder is exceptionally expensive and I hope that price reduces between now and the release in October. Honestly, I bounced – hard – off the Fever Series in the opening pages of book 7 and never tried again. But! I’m looking forward to experiencing a new world from Moning’s pen. A pocket universe? An inheritance? Hidden powers? It’s seriously right up my alley.

CANADA: https://amzn.to/44eJwJY

USA: https://amzn.to/44dAmO5

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CW3BB957

Winter Lost (Mercy Thompson 14) by Patricia Briggs. An absolutely fav series by an absolutely fav author! Werewolves, plus all sorts of magical creatures. Fourteen books are intimidating (start with Moon Called) but I might have to make time for a full re-read before Winter Lost releases in June! Series page:

CANADA: https://amzn.to/44x9uZH

USA: https://amzn.to/49Th81h

UK: https://amzn.to/3WgMXhj

What are your fav reads of 2024 so far? And what books are you most anticipating?

Conduit Series: Maps

The map of Cascadia (by Amanda at Eternal Geekery) appears at the beginning of Awry (Conduit 1) but (for now) the map of North America only appears in the back of the limited edition. I’m posting both here so I can add the link to the Extra and Freebies page. 😁

Conduit World. Map of Cascadia. By Eternal Geekery.

Conduit World. Map of North America. By Eternal Geekery.

Conduit Series: mythical creature shifters, part 1

*SPOILER ALERT FOR AWRY (CONDUIT 1)*

Because these absolutely gorgeous mythical creature illustrations by Jade Merien are spoilers for Awry (Conduit 1) I’m posting them here without any extra info. If you are interested, and haven’t already, please read Awry (Conduit 1) for more info (and, presumably, please avoid reading the comments on this post). 😁

*Celestial Dragon. Illustration by Jade Merien (*@jademerien)

*Gryphon. Illustration by Jade Merien (*@jademerien)

*Cu-sith. Illustration by Jade Merien (*@jademerien)

Conduit Series: Reck

RECK GUERRA

Aka Carlos Guerra. Cu-sith shifter (pronunciation: coo-shee from the old Gaelic). Agent of the Authority, Major Crimes Unit, sergeant. Dark eyes and hair. Olive skin. 6’2” tall. Runner’s/swimmer’s build. Right hand crushed thirteen years before the events of Conduit 1. Bright green rims his eyes when his beast is present. DOB: April 1 (33 in book 1). Even in human form, Reck has a latent lie-detecting ability that doesn’t work on the awry. Oldest brother of Rath, Rought, and Precious. Father is the Cataclysm. Mother (currently) unknown.

Other abilities: wields ‘terror’ when in cu-sith form (also known as a grim reaper). According to legend, if the cu-sith barks three times, anyone who hears him dies from sheer terror.

Birthname and nicknames: Carlos and TBR

First appearance: Awry (Conduit 1).

Launching MCD’s Adepts discord with a Dowser Series Buddy Read!

As some of you may or may not have seen, my lovely new PA Brittany is swooping in to help take over some of the more online social aspects of my job. And now I will have no excuse but to adhere to my self-imposed social media blackouts in the morning because Brittany WILL KNOW IF I CHEAT. 😂

As a part of building (and maintaining) a core online community, Brittany has decided to launch a dedicated Discord (MCD’s Adepts)* alongside a Dowser Series Buddy read. I’m sharing the invitation here (below) on my blog so you don’t miss out (if you are so inclined to join us) but it will not be hosted here or by me specifically.

If you haven’t met Brittany yet, here is her intro post on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Britt Brat (@brattyandbooked)

Why a Discord? As I’m sure you’ve noticed, social media reach has only worsened over the last few years. Even just recently my Instagram engagement levels have seriously tanked. This is not only frustrating to me but also to readers who are actually interested in seeing posts from me! Hence the Discord. With Discord, you’re the one to log in whenever you like and poke around to read or participate in the topics that interest you. Nothing gets hidden by the social media platform and nothing gets dropped into spam/promo/junk folders.

The MCD’s Adepts discord will be run by Brittany (in conversation with me, of course). I will pop in to chat daily (in the afternoons 😉). If you’d like to be a moderator, please message Brittany (she is @Britt|MCD’sPA) via the discord. I’m not sure she is looking for anyone but she’d be happy to know you are available if she needs you.

Right now Brittany and I are the only ones over there chatting. So please join us! Brittany has set up some specific channels already, and I’m sure she would be happy to set up more if you have requests.

What is Discord? Via Wikipedia: Discord is an instant messaging and social platform, which allows communication through voice calls, video calls, text messaging, and media and files. Communication can be private or take place in virtual communities called “servers”.

Website: https://discord.com (to download the app)

Beginners Guide to Discord: https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045138571-Beginner-s-Guide-to-Discord

Dowser Series Buddy Read!

Brittany hasn’t read the Dowser Series yet! So she thought it would be fun to invite other readers to read along with her. She is spearheading this and there will be ‘share graphics’ and other fun things going on on my socials. But if you would like to really dig in with her and discuss then you can also join MCD’s Adepts* (discord).

JOIN MCD’s ADEPTS DISCORD

I have an idea for an MCD’s Fav Things: Book Club that will also implemented through the discord server (but only once I feel like I have the time to devote to it).

Note: the Discord links expire in seven days, but just let me know if you need a new invitation.

FUN! FUN!

Last chance to grab the tenth-anniversary copies of Dowser 1.

Just a quick note for anyone who missed the Kickstarter (Jan 2023), I’ve made the last remaining* tenth-anniversary editions of Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser 1) available for purchase.

Only 12 paperbacks (some slight foil damage on all) and 13 hardcovers (8 have some minor damage to the cover) are available. Please see the listings for more info and pictures.

Click here for the Tenth Anniversary Dowser 1 Hardcover – $75+ $25 CDN/USA tracked shipping = $100.

Click here for the Tenth Anniversary Dowser 1 Paperback – $45 + $25 CDN/USA tracked shipping = $70.

Prices in Canadian funds (as always). I hope to ship the second week in March along with the annotated copies (my highlighters ran out, so I only have four of the ten of those done right now).

*I still haven’t heard from all backers so I’m holding back a few copies in case they finally contact me.

Ongoing kerfuffle in the audiobook world …

You might be seeing posts all over social media from your fav authors and audiobook narrators about the new Terms of Use that Findaway (aka Spotify) attempted to implement (with thirty days notice) yesterday. I, among many other authors, immediately sent emails indicating that we’d be pulling our audiobooks off Findaway/Spotify if they insisted on pushing through the new terms as written (the issues are numerous so I won’t bother getting into the details here). About eleven hours later, they issued a statement that they were looking into clarifying the wording.

I’m not immediately pulling my audiobooks off Findaway/Spotify but I will remove them if they force me to do so. That will mean that my audiobooks will be pulled from all the retailers that Findaway distributes to, including Nook, Google Play, Hoopla, Spotify, etc.

And, yes, this will impact my sales. Producing audiobooks is expensive. A long-term investment. So obviously making them available to the widest range of readers is ideal. My audiobooks have brought in a significant amount of money in 2023 (though not more than I spent in 2023 😂) – from multiple channels, yes, but losing the ability to reach smaller retailers and libraries via Findaway will be unfortunate.

I will keep you all updated.

With that all said, buying audiobooks directly from me (or other authors) is the least expensive option for you that also pays me the most. Yes! It’s nice that it works out like that! Also, you own the audiobooks (and ebooks for that matter) you buy from me. If you cancel your Audible (etc) account, you can lose your audiobooks (there are ways around this, but you are technically ‘renting’ audiobooks through subscription services).

I’ve pinned a post with links to all my available audiobooks to the top of my blog (because I’m way behind in keeping my links updated on my book pages, sigh) so they are easier to find. Click here to see the list of audiobooks.

Also, in case I don’t say it enough, you all freaking rock, every book you buy from me directly or from any retailer or get at a library directly equates to me being able to make a living doing what I love to do – storytelling!! 😘 Thank you!

A shot stolen from my social media, taken Monday when I dropped off the L.E.’s of Awry at the shipping depot. Posted here because I really, really wouldn’t mind having that hot fudge milkshake to suck on right now. 😜

Quick writing update, thank yous, and other things of minor interest.

I usually write a ‘day after a new release’ post and then a ‘week after a release’ post, but alas I have done neither after the release of Awry (Conduit 1). And not because the release wasn’t a success – it really was! Thank you all so, so much. At one point, likely for a very brief moment, Awry was nestled lovingly between Yarros (Fourth Wing) and Mass (Crescent City, A Court of Thorns and Roses, etc) on the sci-fi/fantasy bestseller list on Apple Books.

Let me find the screenshot I shared on my socials.

So thank you, thank you for following me into a new universe and a slightly new format (present tense) and a slightly different tenor (the present tense comes with a certain natural intensity) and slightly new structure (an ongoing story where the overall plot is continued through several books).

[side note] And yes, the Conduit Series is a slooooow burn why choose urban fantasy romance. This means that Zaya will eventually have multiple partners/fated mates. There are REASONS (plot and story) for this choice. Yes, actual overall universe reasons. Some of you might have already figured it out. 😊

Since the release, I’m getting the sense that it is slightly disconcerting to some of my lovely readers that I appear to not be actively writing Conduit 2 (or Archivist 3, for that matter).

Yes, I’m currently deep into writing a why choose duology set in the same universe as the Conduit (not a slow burn! 😜), which I’m referring to as Mirth or Mirth 1 in my updates on Facebook and Instagram.

If you’ve been reading me since Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic (Dowser 1) (or even before) then you’ve been on this journey with me before – aka the expansion of a universe.

Opening up a new universe takes time. I’m sorry, it just does. Plus, the books that make up that universe aren’t wholly independent of each other.

For example, (as some of you have already picked up) Reconstructionist 1 was supposed to fall after Dowser 4. Yes, I already knew the entire story arc (at least in brief) of the Reconstructionist trilogy BEFORE writing Dowser 4 (in which, spoiler alert, Kett is already stalking Wisteria). And AT THE SAME TIME, I already knew the entire arc of the second Dower trilogy (Dowser 4, 5, and 6).

That’s a minimum of six books in my head at once. At least six. With each of them informing the other in some way, then – in that particular case – calling back (and forward) to the Oracle.

So … the universe of the Conduit and Mirth (so far) is the same. A slow build of slightly (in this case) entwined stories.

I’m almost finished writing the first Mirth book. And I know exactly what occurs in the second book (it’s two parts of an overarching story).

I also know all the major plot points of the next three (or four?) Conduit books. And this morning, I sharpened the structure of each of those books in a major way. A breakthrough, if you will.

[side note: I also know the plot of Archivist 3, including two major reveals that bookend that story. I also know the plot of the next three ebooks in the Misfit series and the plot of Jasmine’s first book].

BUT IT TAKES TIME TO WRITE A BOOK. Before my drug-resistant chronic daily migraine (of almost four and half years now), I might have been able to write four (average length) books a year. Now I just do my best.

[FYI I deleted a large section of this post because it went places I didn’t want to go].

I just really want to thank you for embarking on this new journey with me and to assure my lovely readers I’m working, slowly and steadily on all the books. And I promise to release them as quickly as I am able (though I might hold back Mirth 1 until I can make sure Mirth 2 is available very quickly after).

I’m dedicated to writing all through 2024 and taking better care of myself, which means there won’t be as many extras and freebies, and I will be less personally present on social media, etc, but hopefully, there will be more books!

As always, ‘shares’ and reviews are welcomed and appreciated.

[Final side note 😂] if you’ve been waiting to use a credit or your subscription to grab Awry in audio, it’s slowly appearing on all the retailers (not just direct from me) including Audible and Spotify, etc. I’ll update the links on the main page when I get a chance.

😘

Conduit 1 L.E. preorder closing

Hello, my lovely readers! Just a quick note that I will be closing the preorders for the limited edition eBook and the ‘preorder priced’ audiobook for Awry (Conduit 1) at the end of day tomorrow (Saturday, Jan 20 PST) because I’ll be delivering (via BookFunnel) the eBook and audiobook to everyone who has ordered by end of day on Sunday, Jan 21. I will also email you with instructions, etc.

The limited edition ebook contains art and extras. The audiobook is $2 less to preorder (and even more $$ if purchased through another retailer).

The preorder for the regular ebook will, of course, still be available through all retailers. And audiobook will be available directly from me (at $12CDN) and through all retailers after release day as well.

Oh, and please, please double-check your email receipts before preordering if you have any inkling that you might have already preordered. I keep coming on doubles, etc, and each refund actually costs me $$.

Thank you for all your support with this new series/new universe!! I can’t wait for you to read it!!

PREORDER LINKS

eBOOK

– PREORDER LIMITED-EDITION DIRECT FROM MCD –

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

AUDIOBOOK

– PREORDER DIRECT FROM MCD –

PAPERBACK

Available on release day from Amazon (etc).