Yep, that’s me! And I have waited sooo long to be able to say that. 🙂

But let’s cut straight to the chase because I know what you’re here for – you might want to grab a coffee first! Here’s the official press release that just went ‘live’ from my publisher (and there’s information that follows about them too if you scroll through):

So now that I have finished bouncing around the house, stopped clutching my contract to within an inch of its crumpled life (my presh-ussss), and am finally managing to quell the mania for a short while, here’s all the info…

Blood Shadows? What’s Blood Shadows?

Blood Shadows is the re-titled Beguiling the Enemy. So, yes, BTE is going to be the first book released in the series. Beguiling the Enemy was a working title I came up with a few days before subbing to New Voices 2011. The problem was it didn’t tie in with the series and certainly wasn’t as strong as Blood Roses as far as titles go, hence the change. ‘Shadows’ is, of course, because of Caitlin’s shadow-reading ability. Nothing else has changed – it’s exactly the same story.

And as you’ve seen, it’ll be yours as from November the 27^th – this year. I may have kept you waiting with the announcement, but at least I won’t be torturing you with the release date!

And Blood Roses?

As you would have seen in the press release, Blood Roses will be yours in Spring 2013, so not too long to wait for that either!

What about the third book?

Autumn 2013! I’ll save the teasers about that for another time but I am bursting with excitement over how it’s working out. Darker, sexier, even more stings in the tail… what you’d come to expect really.

So why Bookouture?

I already knew who Oliver Rhodes was when the request came in for me to sub Blood Shadows and Blood Roses to Bookouture. I knew of his professional reputation in the industry (reinforced by his recent recognition as one of publishing’s ‘Rising Stars’ by The Bookseller). I knew of his impressive background, not least his fantastic work on MIRA and MIRA Ink. I knew New Voices had been his brainchild. So when he contacted me, I was a little overwhelmed to say the least.

What attracted me to this publisher was the principle behind Bookouture. Bookouture are author-centric and totally bespoke. Everything is individual. No fitting in boxes, no restrictive word count, no fitting around everyone else’s timelines. Quality is paramount – from them and the author. Their focus is to build author careers – to work long term with authors who can deliver what readers want. As well as the opportunity to work with some of the very best professionals in the industry, what Bookouture was offering was for me to write the books I wanted to write and they’d be the forward-thinking, talented and creative team that would get them out there. And the clincher for me, the most important thing to me, is that they really love my stories and they believe in me enough to do all of the above. Basically, it was an easy decision.

I feel exceptionally privileged to have been spotted and signed by Bookouture and soon you’ll see why.

If you want to find out more about why Bookouture chose me, please have a look at their website by clicking on the link.

So what now?

It’s been unbelievably busy up to this point but it’s far from over yet! Trust me, the best is yet to come!

There’s going to be an awful lot happening over the next month leading up to the book launch. My website is going to have a MAJOR make-over (it’ll be down for a few days soon) and in due course you’ll be able to see the Blackthorn branding and cover design which have been created by one of THE best designers in the industry. There will also be a book trailer and the first three chapters of Blood Shadows available for you to read as well as so much more…

But before this site closes, I’ll be back in a couple of days to let you know exactly what I think of the Blackthorn branding and cover design once I’ve had a sneak peak! I’m beyond excited.

I’ve already got a few interviews lined up leading up to Christmas so I’m really excited about those too and would love you come and check them out. If you’re reading this and haven’t got a clue who I am but would like to know more, I have a recent interview over on my group blog The Hot Pink Typewriter.

But that’s it for now. Have I missed anything? I’m sure you’ll let me know if I have! Needless to say normal blog duty will be fully resumed once everything is updated and sorted. I’ll have so much to talk about and I’ll be giving away lots more detail, particularly more of my personal perspectives, about what’s been going on in the background as well as what’s to come.

But before I go, for fear of sounding like I’m doing a speech, I do want to thank a few people who have been glued to my side on my journey since New Voices closed and have tirelessly supported this blog:

The amazing Amity Grays, who has been my absolute rock. You may be on the other side of the water and we may never have met, but you’ve done more for me than you’ll ever know. CC Mackenzie, an amazing indie-published author (top 5 in ten countries now and rising!), who dragged me into social media and gave me a hard virtual slap every time my confidence wavered (I have a lot of bruises).

My fabulous cheering squad who are there whenever I need them: Tracey ‘hood-girl’ Rogers, Michelle ‘I’m published by M&B AND Entangled’ Smart, Aimee ‘debut author with too many shoes’ Duffy, Incy ‘says it exactly as it is to perfection’ Black, Sue ‘requested author and, wow, we live in neighbouring villages’ Childs, Tima ‘wonderfully Bloodgifted’ Lacoba, and Sri ‘brand new author for Harlequin Presents’ Pammi. And not forgetting my fabulous fellow Top 4 New Voices ladies who I fought, scrabbled and clawed through the competition with: Natalie Charles, Katie Graham and Charlotte Phillips, who have all been immensely lovely and amazingly supportive since the competition closed.

And thank you to everyone who has tweeted, retweeted, shared, emailed and given shout-outs in the background.

I’d also like to give very special thanks to Michele Hauf who, as we speak, is reading and reviewing Blood Shadows. Please send good vibes her way!

And not least my awesome new publisher Bookouture who deserve a blooming huge cheer for putting us all out of our misery! And wow, am I and Blackthorn in safe hands…

xxx