Edits from my beta-readers are finally complete. It took longer than I had anticipated, slowed by my daughters' (beta-readers') classroom commitments - but I'm glad that it's finally done.
Between the sixth and seventh drafts, the book grew from 134,000 to 136,000 words. I can finally begin to format the novel and send out ARC editions. Can't wait to see it in print.
I'm so excited to finally release the cover design for Book 3 of the Stormfall Chronicles. Storm's Gate goes live on Amazon on November 19th.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CNNJBBD
Many thanks again to my daughter, Liron for all of her hard work in putting it together.
A world descending into war; a fabled healer who might be their last, best hope; and a princess imprisoned in a dragon-guarded keep.
Lynette sets out with Baxter and Eirlon in search of a healer: the fabled Medicine Man of Horru. It is a desperate gamble to revive the fae king and avert a larger war.
But the route they take will prove perilous. They risk losing everything, even each other, in a world gone mad with the stirrings of war. Armies have gathered on the borders of the Feyfell – lured by legends of fae wealth. With King Elyan poisoned and unconscious, the kingdom is visible, and vulnerable to outside invaders for the first time in centuries. And while the fae nobles debate rules of succession, Princess Elise remains missing.
For in a tower a world away, the fae princess is held captive, surrounded by armies and a dragon chained to the will of vengeful sorceress. Drained of her magic, Elise must plot her own escape – while a new breed of assassins hunts the mage-turned-swordsman named Garth. Werewolves prowl the land again, as all alike seek to strike their bargains before the oncoming war.
Will it be too much for Lynette to bear? Can she survive the loss of so much she holds dear? And if she does, will she ever be the same? For who among them would dare ascend, to retrieve hope from a dragon-guarded keep.
I'm now one month away from the launch date for the third book in the Stormfall Chronicles. Things are starting to come together and deadlines are coming on fast.
It was great to see the sixth US review posted for Storm's Clouds this past week on Amazon. A glimpse from the review, posted by Joshua Grant, can be seen below.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1FIWZM9GFEFJC
Particularly for an author who is just starting out, reviews like this can be invaluable. Thanks again to Josh and all the other readers who have graciously left a review. Josh's website can be found under the link below, for anyone interested in checking it out.
It has taken longer than I had anticipated to assemble and incorporate the edits from my beta-readers. Part of the struggle was working around my daughters' schedules for school work and other activities. In the past, I was able to have my beta readers working in series: one would read through the entire draft, I'd incorporate their edits, then the next one would read. This year there's been a lot of overlap between each edit.
So I've finally reached the milestone where I can say that one of my beta-readers finished and all of their edits have been incorporated. For lack of anything better, I'll refer to this as the 6th draft. The word count has grown from 133,000 for the 5th draft, to 134,000 today. Some words and paragraphs needed to be added, some removed - but overall a small change. My other two daughters (who are also beta-reading the book) are coming along right behind.
Another humbling reminder that every review is appreciated, particularly for an author who is just starting out.
