Lowtown Cover Reveal! Welcome to Haven…
I’m absolutely thrilled to bits to be able to share both the title and the cover for the first book in my brand new LOWTOWN series with Piatkus Books, due out later this year.
Meet Nate and Ember… and welcome to HAVEN:
I do hope you like it! I think Piatkus have done an exceptional job. They’ve captured the essence of the story and characters beautifully in this cover.
I’ll have more information to share about it in the forthcoming weeks, including the blurb to give you a sense of what the story is about. I’ll also have details about pre-orders.
Until then…
Ever since I announced earlier in the year that I was writing a spin-off series, I’ve received a lot of questions about it. So, I thought it would be useful if I posted a list of FAQs based on the questions I’ve been asked the most. As always, feel free to get in touch if there’s something you’re desperate to know that I haven’t covered.
THE LOWDOWN ON LOWTOWN
IS LOWTOWN A SPIN-OFF TO THE BLACKTHORN SERIES?
It is!
Lowtown is the neighbouring district to Blackthorn so will already be familiar to Blackthorn readers. However, up until now, the goings-on there have been peripheral to the main focus of the Blackthorn story. Each Lowtown book will focus on the plight of those living there and the challenges they face. Basically, Lowtown will provide an even fuller view of the world Blackthorn readers have come to know.
If you want to know a little more about the set-up in Lowtown, don’t forget you can read about it here.
CAN YOU READ ONE SERIES WITHOUT THE OTHER?
Yes. There’s no co-dependency between Lowtown and Blackthorn. A reader will be getting a richer experience of the worldbuilding though by reading both.
WILL THE LOWTOWN SERIES HAVE AN OVERARCHING PLOT AS THE BLACKTHORN SERIES DOES?
No. All the books will be standalones. There’s no continuing storyline and no cliffhangers. Readers will be able to dip in and out of Lowtown books in any order. The only aspect that binds the books together is that they centre in the same district.
IS IT A SERIES FOR ADULTS?
Most definitely. As with Blackthorn, it contains themes and scenes suitable for a mature audience only.
WHEN IS THE LOWTOWN SERIES SET IN RELATION TO BLACKTHORN? SAME AS NOW? OR IS IT A PREQUEL, SUCH AS WHEN THE SEGREGATION WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED? OR MAYBE A SEQUEL?
All Lowtown books will be set either prior to or during the events that occur in the Blackthorn series. I can’t stress enough that Lowtown won’t be expanding on the Blackthorn story or its characters – it’s an independent series in its own right.
Despite knowing how many of my readers would love a sequel (who doesn’t want to see Tuly all grown up and fighting challenges of her own?), now is not the right time for me to dive straight into one. I would never rule it out but if I ever did one, it would be much further down the line. For now, the Blackthorn story needs to end where it ends.
HOW MANY LOWTOWN BOOKS WILL THERE BE?
I have signed two initially. Because they’re standalones, Lowtown books have huge flexibility in terms of the number (and premise) of its stories. I certainly have ideas for several more and am also open to hearing about aspects of the world that my readers are desperate to know more about (the angel mythology of Blackthorn seems particularly popular in queries). To be completely honest though, further books will come down to how my readers respond.
WILL THERE BE THIRD AND FOURTH SPECIES IN THE SERIES OR WILL IT HAVE HUMAN CHARACTERS PRIMARILY?
Although Lowtown is a district predominantly occupied by humans (as opposed to Blackthorn being a third species locale), third species do co-exist with humans there so they’re guaranteed to play a significant role. I definitely want to retain the paranormal element in Lowtown.
As for the fourth species, they’re more relevant to the Blackthorn story, but I won’t rule out that there’s always scope for them to appear! You know what they’re like. 😉
IF IT’S A SPIN-OFF FROM BLACKTHORN, WHY IS IT BEING CALLED URBAN FANTASY AND NOT PARANORMAL ROMANCE? IS THERE NO ROMANCE IN LOWTOWN BOOKS?
For many readers, there’s a fine line between the two genres anyway. Due to the various cross-genre elements to the books, Blackthorn has been referred to as urban fantasy, dystopian fantasy, Gothic romance, paranormal romance, paranormal suspense as well as a paranormal thriller. Ultimately though, the developing romantic relationships always take centre stage in the Blackthorn series which is why it sits firmly within PNR.
Lowtown books will all have romance in them but the parallel plot carries equal (or greater) weight in the books – hence why it’s being referred to as urban fantasy. Expect all the familiar Blackthorn trademarks though such as the dark and atmospheric backdrop, gritty issues, twists and turns, and intricate plots.
WILL SECONDARY CHARACTERS (such as Alexander) BE FEATURED AS MAIN CHARACTERS IN LOWTOWN?
The aim of Lowtown is to be a spin-off from the worldbuilding and not a spin-off from already familiar characters, but you will come across familiar names if you’ve read Blackthorn. A lot of people seem to want an Alexander story though! I love that kind of feedback so I won’t say never.
WILL WE SEE SOME GLIMPSES OF THE BLACKTHORN GUYS?
I know this is what a lot of my readers are hoping for. All I’ll say is the locale is a small world so, when you have key players like the main characters in Blackthorn, it’s hard not to give them a mention – and there’s always the potential for paths to cross.
AND WHAT ABOUT BLACKTHORN? WHAT’S HAPPENING THERE?
Rest assured, everything is equally underway with our Blackthorn finale in the background too. I promise it’s not being neglected. I hope to have some updates for you over the summer.
More news soon! Have a great weekend! <3
Comments
Brilliant! Love the cover. Here’s to the next lot of reading for me to catch up on. I hope you have a lovely weekend, it looks like the weather is with us. X
Thank you so much, Pam! I’m chuffed you like it. That’s great to know you’ll be reading it too – thank you! Hope you’re having a wonderful bank holiday weekend. Xx
Ah, so pretty. I love these Q&A’s. Cannot wait for the book, I am SO excited!!
I’m so pleased you like it, Louise (Aslan 😀 ). And I’m glad you liked the Q&A too. Hopefully it has answered a fair few questions. I’m chuffed to bits you’re so excited!
I love the cover and I am so excited to read this! xx
Thank you hugely, Helen. And it’s terrific to know you’ll be reading it! xx
Thanks for the Q&A, Lindsay! I’m so excited for everything that’s to come!
Hopefully it has answered a few questions, Sarah. I’ll reveal more in due course. It’s wonderful to know you’re excited for everything to come! Thank you!
Ooh I LOVE the new cover! I’m so pleased/relieved/excited at the prospect of a new series. I would be distraught if there was nothing after Blackthorn. Your writing is my favourite kind of escapism xx
Yay! I’m chuffed to bits, Fiona. Isn’t it a beaut? It captures the essence of the characters perfectly. I’m so pleased. And I couldn’t be leaving my readers distraught once Blackthorn ends, could I? (I took the hint. 😉 ) Escapism is what it’s all about. It means a lot that you find it in my books. Thank you. xxx
Absolutely love the cover and cannot wait for the blurb. The Q&A has me hooked already. I love your writing so I know I’m going to be gripped from book one even though they’re standalones. Xxx
Thank you so very much, Niamh. It seems to be going to down an absolute treat with my readers so I’m thrilled to bits. The blurb will be coming very soon! If you were gripped by Blackthorn, you should definitely enjoy Haven. I certainly hope so anyway! Xxx
This is awesome news,and i absolutley love the cover of this Lowtown book,looking forward to meeting Nate and Ember in this first book…….this is soo exciting for you what with two books coming out later this year….cant wait for Haven to be up for pre order.
I just know i am going to love this new book along with any others that you write,as you are by far my fav British Author……xx
Aww. *blush* Thank you hugely, Dawn. <3 It is an exciting year ahead indeed. Busy, busy, just as I like it. 😀 I do hope you enjoy Haven. I'm chuffed you're planning on reading it. If you enjoyed Blackthorn, you should definitely enjoy Haven. It'll feel like home from home. I'll have those preorder links up soon, I promise. xx
…and your responses sparked off a whole raft of additional questions. I’ll just have to bide my time until release day. Great cover by the way.
I’m so pleased you like it, Incy. Thank you! As for those additional questions, feel free to email anytime. 😉
Stunning cover, so looking forward to Lowtown! Great Q&A by the way!
Yay! It’s great to know you’re looking forward to it, Linda. Thank you! And I’m pleased you enjoyed the Q&A too. Hopefully it answered a few questions for you. 🙂
Congratulations on such an amazing cover! And thank you for your informative Q&A. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for an abundance of Lowtown novels. I love your world building skills ❤
Though I have a question – if I call dibs on Nate now, is he officially claimed???
I’m so excited for Haven!!! x
Didn’t Piatkus do an amazing job, Tracey? I squealed with delight when it first came through. I was very lucky that they listened to my vision for it only to then have my expectations exceeded. I’m so glad you like it. I’m pleased you enjoyed the Q&A too – thank you! Ah, we’ll see how the first two Lowtown books are received and then take it from there. And lol!! I’m afraid there have been a few dibs on Nate already. But of course you can officially claim him. Shhh – just don’t tell anyone I said that. 😉 😀 xx
Loving this cover!!! I cannot wait for it to come out :):):)
Thanks so much, Sarah! I’m really pleased you like it and I’m thrilled you’re going to read it too. Thank you! 🙂
My heart just stopped. Someone send the defibrillator!! Wow wow wow on all fronts! Amazing cover. Blurb and preorder to come and some fab questions asked and answered.
Happy blooming Friday!!!
Ah, now THAT’S what I like to hear! Lol! Defib on it’s way, Tracey! 😀 I’m chuffed to bits you like the cover so much – and that you’re looking forward to the blurb too. We have so much more to come! Thanks for reading the Q&A – I hope it answered a few things. Hope you’re having a fabulous weekend!
I adore the cover and the flaming V. Mayhep v for vampire? The suspense is killing me. So looking forward to reading this. When can we expect it to be on pre-order?
You guessed it, Karin. 😉 The blurb will follow soon and then you’ll know even more. I’m thrilled you’re looking forward to reading it. It’ll be on pre-order within days. Don’t worry, I’ll post here as soon as it’s available. Thank you!
Loved the cover, really wetting my appetite although my heart if well and truly with Blackthorn and really really looking forward to last book.
Thank you so, so much, Jenny. I love that your heart will always be with Blackthorn, but hopefully the launch of Lowtown will help ease the closure. I’ll have more news about Blackthorn for you over the summer. <3
Really can’t wait for this. It’s taking the edge off the end of blackthorn for me. So glad there’s so much more to discover x
That’s terrific to hear. Thank you, Jen! Hopefully the launch of Lowtown will take the edge off the end of Blackthorn for many. I know it’s going to be a tough time. There is SO much more to discover, I promise! xx
Oooh!!! I am so excited for this series. I’m happy to get more books from you and this being a Blackthorn spin off is fantastic. Bring it on. xx
Thank you so very much, Susan. <3 That's fantastic to hear! I'm so glad you're planning on reading more from me once Blackthorn ends. I have SO much more to come! And I'm chuffed you're happy there's a spin-off. I had too many stories still tucked away to leave the world behind just yet. 😉 xxx
Hey Lindsay!! So happy that you’ve kept busy writting!! Can’t wait to read about Lowtown 😊
But about Blackthorn, what does it mean “late 2017” Late summer? Late autumn? Winter 😩😩
Anyways i’ll keep working on my patience. 😳 still your number #1 fan in Quebec
Julie 😙
Hey Julie, my #1 fan in Quebec. 😉 <3 Oh, yes, I've been busy writing indeed! I'm thrilled you're planning on reading Lowtown - thank you so much! In terms of Blackthorn, there will be no date set until my publisher gets the first draft (which I'm working on as we speak). We're hoping for late Autumn, but I can't promise that yet. I will have more news over the summer. Thank you so much for your patience. 😘
Woo hoo!! Love all the info, I am soooooo beyond intrigued by this new series. It sounds amazing and the cover is stunning. Really visually beautiful. Considering how good the Blackthorn series is I’m really hoping there’ll be more than 2 x books!! I love this world you’ve created and I want more!! Cannot wait!!
Ah, thanks so much, Kay! I’m chuffed to bits that you’re intrigued. If you love Blackthorn, I think you’ll enjoy Lowtown too – it’ll be like home from home. And isn’t the cover a beauty? Piatkus have done me SO proud. Aww, and it’s lovely to know you’ll want more than two books. *fingers crossed* my readers enjoy them enough. Thanks so much for commenting. <3
This sounds absolutely brilliant! This is going to be a very interesting series. And the cover is amazing!
Yay! That’s what I like to hear. Thanks so much, Jennifer! ☺️ And I’m thrilled you like the cover.
This new series sounds brilliant!! I can’t wait to dive in🎉🎉🎉
Thanks so much, MonicaLee! That’s terrific to hear! ☺️
You are amazing, Linds! First Blackthorn and now Lowtown. And that cover? Brilliant! Can’t wait to read it.
Aww, Tima – thank you. What can I say? I like to keep busy. 😉 I’m so pleased you like the cover. I’m thrilled with it. Piatkus have done me proud. And I’m so flattered you’re planning on reading it.
I love the cover and I can’t wait!
Yay! Thank you so much, KaraLee! That means a lot. <3
I’m loving LowTown already!
That’s what I love to hear! Thanks, Demei! <3
Wonderful cover…such a gorgeous design….mysterious and intriguing, much like the tidbits you just posted about it! You had me at Blackthorn, and I’m all in for Lowtown! Bring it on… <3 xoxo
Isn’t it beautiful, Suzanne? I’m so thrilled with it. I think it captures the essence of the story and characters beautifully. And it’s wonderful to know you’re all in for Lowtown as much as you are Blackthorn. That means a lot. Thank you. <3 xoxo
This already looks like it is going to be a winner! I cant wait to get my hands on it! Gorgeous cover Lindsay.
Oh, I do hope so, Delphine! My readers seem to be loving it so far so that’s the main thing. ☺️ I’m chuffed to bits you like it – thank you!
I love this post! So excited to know a little more about this book! And the cover is stunning! 💚💚
Thanks you so very much, Stephanie. I’ll be sharing more VERY soon! <3
Just reading this tiny amount of info is seriously making me anxious to get to know even more this world u created. And just WOW, this by far is my favorite cover I have seen. It will capture attention of readers eveywhere!
Ah, that’s what I like to hear, Mellissa – thank you! <3 And it's your favourite cover? Yay! That's terrific to know. I love it to bits so I'm thrilled my readers are loving it too.
Love the look of that cover, the flames against the black and white, stunning!
Thank you for the Q & A, its definitely whetting my appetite for more of your amazing writing. We get more of the world we know and love, but with one (or two) of your special twists I’m sure 😀 Can’t wait to read it <3 xx
Oh, there’s always a twist, Julia. It comes with the territory. 😉 I’m so chuffed you like the cover. I think it’s stunning too. I’m beyond thrilled with it. I think it portrays the content of the book beautifully. And thank you SO much for wanting to read more from me – that means a lot. <3 xxx
Yay!!! More is always better. Blackthorn, can’t wait to read the huge ending, but also sad to have it end!! But now we have a different story, but still written by such a talented author, to read and I’m so thrilled!!!
That’s what I love to hear, KaraLee! <3 I know it's sad to have Blackthorn end. 🙁 You're not alone in that. But I promise to make up for it and to keep bringing you stories for as long as you'll read them. Aww, and thank you so, so much. xx
From the first I knew you would go far. Thanks for taking readers along with you. Can’t wait for this next part of the Pryor experience.
Barb, I am SO sorry missed your comment. Thank you for being a part the journey. I’m thrilled you’re looking forward to more. That means a lot.