Want a little taste of Blackthorn before Blood Shadows is released? (Which is on the 27th November JUST in case anyone had forgotten!)
I’m going to be sharing a few ‘Blackthorn Bites’ in the run up to publication – giving you just a little more insight into the world of Blackthorn and into Kane and Caitlin. Here’s the very first…
And remember, you can follow the Blackthorn Bites on my Pinterest page too.
Welcome to ‘The Next Big Thing’ blog tour. Huge thanks to my HPT blog-buddy, Victoria James for tagging me to continue the chain. Thank you too for everyone else who thought of me. I’ve tagged two more writers at the bottom of this post.
The idea is that we all answer the same ten questions about our current or next release, which means I get to talk about Blood Shadows. *smirks* Any excuse…
What is the title of your latest book?
It’s called Blood Shadows and it’s the first book in the Blackthorn series.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
The concept for Blackthorn starting evolving about sixteen years ago. For my first teaching job, I’d moved to a big city over 300 miles away from everything I knew. My sense of direction is appalling anyway, so it was no surprise that, walking home one night, I got lost. I ended up in a very isolated and run-down area. Iron bars were on windows. Metal shutters were on doors. The place was dead. I was terrified, but the idea for Blackthorn was born – dark paranormal stories set in an urban, gritty backdrop of social unrest, where vampires brush shoulders with humans. It instantly became a dystopian world where humans were calling the shots, where there was segregation and prejudice. It was the perfect environment to breed conflict between characters, particularly my heroes and heroines. Blackthorn inevitably developed into a backdrop for dark and intense romances that will eventually each play an integral role in the future of Blackthorn.
I’ll talk about what inspired Blood Shadows in a question I’ve been asked a little further along…
What genre does your book fall under?
It comes under the broad umbrella term of Paranormal Romance, under the subheading of vampire fiction. Within that, it could be summed up as a dark and romantic urban thriller. It’s fairly graphic in places so not for anyone of a sensitive disposition!
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
This is such a hard question because I never have anyone in mind when I start writing characters. When I was asked to provide some Pinterest images for the cover designer for Blood Shadows, it was more a blend of features and visible attitude. Considering how vivid Kane and Caitlin are to me, the models he selected are scarily close to what I have in my mind.
Based on characteristics I’ve seen in various roles, I’d say Elisha Cuthbert (House of Wax), Eliza Dushku or Kirsten Dunst for Caitlin. Kane is particularly tricky. Because of the eyes, I think Wentworth Miller might be able to carry him off. I also think Jensen Ackles could play him when he’s in really bad-guy mode. I think the best match would be Henry Cavill though. I’ve never seen him in action and only discovered him on Pinterest, so I’ll have to see if I think the same when I see him move!
You can check out what I mean by going to my Pinterest boards. You don’t need to be a member to look.
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Caitlin has four days to persuade Blackthorn’s most lethal vampire to help destroy what killed her parents before it kills her, but not only does Kane despise everything she stands for, she’s already a part of his own dark intentions.
Is your book self-published or represented by an agency?
I’m published by Bookouture – an absolutely awesome bespoke publisher founded by ex-Harlequin marketing controller, Oliver Rhodes. What can I say? I like the personal touch. 😉 Best of all, Bookouture didn’t want to change me or my stories. I think Oliver is very tuned-in to readers and he’s got a genuine respect for authors, two traits that were obligatory to me in handing over my stories. Working with Bookouture just felt right from the outset.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
From what I remember, the first draft was written in about three to four months. There was ‘layering’ for about a further two months. Bookouture got in touch soon after I started subbing so I then went straight on to revisions, which was primarily weaving in plotlines to join the subsequent books together.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I’ve been told the stories would appeal to readers of Sherrilyn Kenyon and J.R. Ward, which is incredibly flattering.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired to write paranormal romance over twenty years ago because I couldn’t find any in my local bookshop. It wasn’t quite so prevalent back then, certainly not in the UK.
As to what inspired Blood Shadows, it must be ten years or so since I first came up with the idea so I can’t place it exactly. I remember seeing a film where there was a chase down a back alley along a chain-link fence and I immediately thought of an agent responsible for keeping vampires in order in Blackthorn. I love strong heroines so I wanted to make the agent a woman. The bad boy vampire was inevitable. I’d only ever written a few opening scenes for the novella and then came back to it for NV 11. From there I structured the story properly, let it develop naturally as I wrote and let Kane and Caitlin take over. Kane actually ‘rewrote’ the last few chapters himself from what I had originally planned. I love it when that happens!
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Can I cheat and let some of the New Voices comments I had say it for me?
So, interview over, I am now going to tag the fabulous Tima Maria Lacoba and Aimee Duffy with the same ten questions. Good luck, ladies!
But before I go, if you haven’t seen me mention it on Facebook, I have another interview to come. I’m soon going to be interrogated by my publisher over on the Bookouture website (eek!). If you’d like to join in – if there is anything you are itching to ask me about Blackthorn, Blood Shadows, Kane, Caitlin, even me as an author – feel free to send your questions to me, before Thursday, via the comments box below or you can email, tweet or Facebook me. Be as imaginative (or probing) as you like – it’s more fun that way!
xxx
Tonight is the premiere of Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 2. It’s the end of an era. I’m no expert on Twilight. To be honest, they’re a bit young for me. I sing all due praises for Stephenie Meyer though. She’s done an amazing job bringing the genre to a whole new audience. But for me, Edward’s just too safe.
I love that about this genre – that there’s so much variety across authors, books, film and TV. Just because you’re a vampire fan doesn’t mean you’re going to fall in love with every set of male fangs that cross the page or smiles seductively on screen. But what’s the fun in getting too analytical about it? I say let’s have some simple Friday night indulgence instead.
So, in the build up to the release of Blood Shadows, and to get us into the ‘Kane’ zone (11 days to go!), I thought I’d share my favourite mad, bad and dangerous-to-know vampire characters with you (when I say characters, I mean ‘characters’ – but yes, it does help that they look like that too). As far as tainted, tortured and intense go, here are my top four fanged boys from film and TV…
Oh, and you might want to pull up a chair, maybe make yourself a coffee and lock yourself in a nice quiet dark room – and you’ll need the sound turned up if you want to enjoy the full effect of the footage!
(WARNING – some people might be offended by the content that follows)
Coming in at a very admirable fourth place:
Michael (The Lost Boys)
My first vampire crush, so I had to include him! In fact I have a crush on this entire film, so went with the slightly longer video footage than planned (4 mins). If you don’t know which one Michael is (shame on you!), I’ll leave you to work it out.
Just losing out on second place but still taking the enviable third place:
Damon (TVD)
Another 4 minute clip, but what true Damon fan is going to complain? Okay, it’s a little over indulgent, but you don’t have to watch it all… (yeah, right…)
In second place:
Deacon (Blade)
Oh, yes. That’s all I’ll say – yes. Less than two minutes of footage, but an utterly perfect two minutes all the same.
In the very well-deserved first place:
Mitchell (Being Human UK)
My absolute favourite vampire of all times. It helps that he’s played by the utterly hypnotic Aidan Turner (have you ever heard that guy speak? Sheesh…) As far as mad, bad and dangerous-to-know goes, well, you’ve got to love him. Just under three minutes in total… I might need to replay.
Thanks for indulging with me. If you’ve got a favourite vampire of your own, I’d love to hear who! It’s always fun to compare notes on my favourite topic. If not, I’ll just keep watching these clips over and over and over again. I won’t feel lonely. Not at all.
xxx
Thank you SO much to everyone who shared my Monday excitement with the cover reveal of Blood Shadows. I’m so pleased you thought it was worth the wait. The cover designer really is one of the best in the business and he’s done an outstanding job capturing Blood Shadows let alone the whole theme of Blackthorn. I think it represents urban vampire paranormal romance at its best – but then I am very biased!
Thanks too for all your messages and emails about this new site – I’m thrilled you’re as pleased with it as me. Some of your feedback was very touching, some set me off into giggles – so thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.
As you can see, Bookouture have worked extremely hard in the background assisting with getting this site set up and I think they’ve done a fantastic job both in the selection of the overall design and images, let alone the behind-the-scenes functionality. The latter I’m getting my head around slowly – but remember this is coming from someone who nearly had a breakdown trying to operate Twitter only a year ago, so I’m making progress!
I had lots of involvement in the decision making but there’s nothing like seeing it all come together. The first time I saw this site completed, I may as well have been led into an adventure park. I kept clicking on everything and discovering where things were and what had been added. I absolutely love the sliders. If you go to ‘Books’ and watch the motion slider there, you’ll see the tag lines appear from Blood Shadows. I’m such a big kid – I love all that kind of stuff. Then if you go onto the ‘About Blackthorn’ you’ll see a large version of the crest. Oh, how I love that crest! And has anyone spotted the blood splatter favicon in the address bar? (Though in my lack of technical know-how, I nicknamed it the favabean – you know, as in with a nice Chianti? *Bows to groans*) I love that little feature, but I did say I was a big kid – oh, and a huge fan of Dexter.
Those who were familiar with my old website will know there are other new features too. ‘About Blackthorn’ is where I’ll share background information on the concept behind the series and all the unfamiliar terms I introduce in the books, so hopefully you’ll find it interesting. There’s also a ‘Press’ section now so you’ll know what’s being shared globally about me as an author and the Blackthorn series.
I have new link buttons. There’s a Pinterest one where I’ll be uploading some new images in due course. If there are any boards you’d like to see, do let me know. And I’m finally on Facebook. Soon I’ll be posting regular updates on there, including letting you know when the Blood Shadows trailer will be aired… oh, it’s good!!
For someone who was petrified of social media only a matter of months ago, I’m really beginning to get into this. It’s such an important part of my new job (yes, I can officially say that now), and it’s made all the more fun by you joining in with me. Thanks for being there!
If you want to make sure you don’t miss anything that happens here, then please do subscribe by email and you’ll get notifications every time something new appears. Alternatively, just come and visit when you have a few spare minutes. And please always feel free to email.
I’ll be back with a post on Friday getting right back into the heart of paranormal romance. Do come and visit, especially if you’d like to talk dark and brooding vampires with me…
Thank you to everyone who has shared their support since my announcement on Tuesday. There have been over a thousand views of the press release so far and even features in the Bookseller, Book Brunch and Book2Book. Some fantastic interview spots are also being arranged that I’m really looking forwards to.
But as if I haven’t had enough excitement the last couple of days, my publisher has also sent me the final version of my Blood Shadows book cover! And well, wow. Just wow. That’s been the extent of my descriptive vocabulary since seeing it: Wow. I’ve printed it out on A4 card and it’s currently sat next to me on my desk. I’ve spent all day gazing (and swooning) at it at intervals, reassuring myself it’s real.
Unfortunately I can’t share it with you yet. The reveal is going to happen once my new website is up and running. But read on because I’ll direct you towards some hints shortly!
I mentioned in the last blog post how excited I was to be signed by Bookouture and my book cover is the perfect example of why. Every part of it is bespoke and has been designed specifically with my books and brand in mind.
I had one of those clichéd jaw-dropping moments when I was told who was taking on the Blackthorn project. This designer has worked on covers for bestselling international authors and is very selective. I was beyond fortunate that Blackthorn sparked their imagination enough for them to say yes.
I was even more overwhelmed to find out that ‘project’ meant just that – it wasn’t only about the book cover, there was to be a Blackthorn crest, typography, backdrops, adverts… all things you’ll see on my website in due course. And everything you are going to see will be completely unique. Even the ‘models’ were handpicked and photographed specifically for this book.
It wasn’t just that the designer was fantastic, I was also thrilled to be invited to be a part of it by sharing my vision. I signed up to Pinterest and had fun trying to find images to represent Blackthorn as well as my characters. Finding Blackthorn images was fairly straightforward, finding my characters – not so easy. The challenge with the latter was that I don’t get character inspiration from people I see. And it wasn’t just about finding physical likenesses, I felt it just as important to find the appropriate characteristics such as the look in someone’s eye, their stance or their mood.
So although I can’t show you my cover yet (sorry), if it helps, you can always check out where I’ve been hiding on Pinterest to get some indication of my vision of Blackthorn as well as Blood Shadows’ Kane and Caitlin (Caleb and Leila from Blood Roses are also there – TVD Damon fans be warned!). I’ve also got a personal likes page so feel free to take a look at that too. This is just the start – there will certainly be a lot more coming onto Pinterest soon!
I am absolutely ecstatic about the end result. Aside from the quality and creativity, it’s so perfectly ‘paranormal romance’ with that dark, sophisticated edge I wanted to represent my stories. I could not have envisaged anything better. I welled up when I saw it all displayed out in front of me because I guess part of me still can’t quite believe this is actually happening. The most amazing thing of all is that, as I look at my cover now, I don’t feel like strangers are staring back at me. That’s my Kane and Caitlin there, so close to what I had in my head that it’s spooky.
I can’t wait for you to meet them.
xxx
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 27th – 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
I’ve buckled under pressure! I never thought I’d see the day when I was nagged into writing a blog post.
Cajoled, stalked, harassed and threatened were a few strategies used, but I finally broke when I was given Puss-in-Boots eyes mid Twitter stream. Yep, this is today’s romance writing community – relentless. And yes, a small fluffy creature works every time. (Hope that doesn’t ruin my vampire-related image?)
There are two reasons I haven’t updated you. The main reason is I haven’t signed yet. I thought slipping in an update in-between would only create groans when you opened the post to find it void of the nitty-gritty.
The second is part is because of SYTYCW. I didn’t want to come across as someone waving from the back of the theatre when everyone else is trying to watch the performance, if you know what I mean. But feeling the pain of those who have entered (yep, having been through it twice with New Voices, I know), being told this might temporarily distract from the angst and tension, I couldn’t refuse.
So here are a few things I can let slip:
First and foremost – no, it’s not Entangled! I’ve been asked that in DMs and emails more than anything else. But they are an epublisher who also does print on demand.
I didn’t sub to this publisher – I was extremely fortunate that they approached me. So getting yourself out there (and making yourself contactable) does get you noticed. Thanks New Voices for giving me the shove!
Yes, they’re fantastic, and yes, I’m chuffed to bits. Once the shock subsided and I had time to read through and discuss the proposal, let alone realise this was actually happening, I had a lot of thinking to do. This was my first offer and, as my work was still sat with others publishers, a huge decision. But the fact they loved the stories, wanted to work with me as an author to build the series and presented me with a clear vision that shared mine, I knew without doubt this was the publisher for me.
The first book due to be published has been revised and has now gone in for line editing. There wasn’t a huge amount to do as it was mainly pulling in the strands of overarching plot lines. Apparently it was all made easier by me presenting a clean manuscript to start with. (I’ve learned that doesn’t mean a ms void of coffee stains.) I’m now working on revisions for book 2.
An amazing cover designer is well underway with the project and I should get to see some samples of work-in-progress next week, so I’m super-excited about that.
And the question I’ve been asked more than any other: Are you going to have to wait long to read the first book? With a big smile, I can say no. Hopefully.
So as I go and hide from any more questions before I drop myself in it, in all sincerity thank you so much for the continued stalking.
I also want to wish my nearest and dearest writing friends all the best with their SYTYCW entries. I think it’s a terrible shame we can’t leave comments like we did with New Voices. I’ve wanted to give feedback so many times. I believe that was one of the best things about NV. I personally benefitted hugely from it – both in terms of gaining reader responses but also getting to know all the writing friends I am now connected with. If it wasn’t for those friends I wouldn’t be on Twitter and certainly wouldn’t be blogging this now.
Enjoy the competition and get those votes in! I know only too well how much every single one means.
Good luck!
And trust me, you don’t have to win…
xxx
I can’t believe I’m writing this: I can now make it official that I’ve been offered a three book deal for my Blackthorn Tales series! I emphasise ‘offered’ because this is subject to contract – I haven’t signed yet.
To do a quick recap, I had a request for fulls of both Blood Roses and Beguiling The Enemy (my New Voices entries) back in July. Since then, a lot has been happening in the background. After reading the manuscripts, the publisher confirmed they wanted both books and came back to me with a fantastic proposal that included wanting a third book too! I was delighted with where they wanted to take me as an author and their vision for the Blackthorn Tales. After talking the proposal through with my prospective publisher on the phone, I was left even more impressed by their enthusiasm for the series.
In the interim, I’ve also spoken twice with my superb editor to discuss both books and my plans for the third (as yet unwritten). I’ve already been through the first lot of revisions for one of the books, which is why I’ve been a little quiet lately, and am due to hear back about it in the next couple of weeks.
My contract is on the way so I’ll have to get that checked and then hopefully I’ll be able to sign by the end of the month. If all goes according to plan, I’ll be able to come back at the beginning of October to tell you who I’m going (fingers still crossed) to be published by, why I’m so thrilled to be chosen by them and maybe even give you an indication of when the Blackthorn Tales series will be launched!
I know I’ve said it before, but thank you so much again to everyone for your continued amazing support and kind encouragement this past year. It really does mean a lot to me. It might seem like this has all happened quick, but as I wrote my first paranormal romance when I was 17, this moment has been 21 years in the making. Needless to say I’m going to make the most of it. 😀
xxx
I had two terrific things happen yesterday.
First of all, I had a telephone conversation with my prospective publisher! I still can’t tell you much more, but I wanted to let you know there’s a lot going on in the background and it’s all good stuff. Keep tabs because you’ll hear it here first!
The other terrific thing is completely non-writing related. I’m wary of straying too far off the writing path in my blog posts, but now and again I get the overwhelming urge to include something much more ‘personal’. A particularly personal one (though I know it was still writing related) was the tribute to my dad. Thanks again to everyone who got in touch with me about that. I didn’t anticipate the depth of response I got. And thank you so much for sharing your own personal stories – that really did mean a lot.
As well as writing, I have certain other passions in my life, one of which is animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Last year we moved house and managed to find one with a small patch of woodland. It was a dream come true to have found somewhere where we could actively preserve our own piece of nature. We’ve set up and constructed various habitats from birdhouses, to log and rock piles, nettle patches and even a Tawny Owl box. It’s fairly wild in places, which I love, with some areas totally undisturbed. We’re very lucky to have oak trees – lifeblood for many a species – as well as Holly, Hawthorns and a stunning Ash tree. As you can imagine, I particularly love the latter two for all their magical and mythological connotations and yes, I will confess, I’ve built a fairy garden near one of the Hawthorns (where frogs have now taken up residence).
The best thing of all about moving here was being able to take a more active role in wildlife rehabilitation. Not long after moving in, I was very lucky to link up with an amazing lady who takes in sick, injured or orphaned small mammals, primarily hedgehogs. Anyone who has their finger on the pulse regarding British wildlife conservation will know these shy and harmless little chaps are currently under threat.
Hedgehogs used to be a common sight in the British countryside and gardens, but numbers are plummeting at a scary rate. If it continues, by 2025, they could no longer exist. No one really knows why they’re on the drastic decline, but losing their favoured habitats as well as the increase of farm and garden chemicals (including slug pellets) are all likely contributory factors. Fortunately they’ve long been protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act so cannot be subject to intentional harm. More recently they’ve been classed as an endangered species so hopefully more active measures will be put in place to protect them.
Hedgehogs particularly like ‘untidy’ gardens (cue us!), with bushes, hedges, leaves and twigs in abundance. Because we have the right environment, we were lucky to be selected as a soft release site as well as being able to help as an overflow rehabilitation place during busy times.
Last year I had three tiny orphaned hoglets transferred to my care. Despite their traumatic start being left alone in their nest after their mum met a tragic end, these two boys and one girl eventually got to healthy weight and were fit enough for release a few weeks later. One of them was released on our patch and still appears to be happily residing with us. That little chap, Mr Orange, is the one at the forefront below (his sister, Miss Pink, is asleep on my arm in the background):
Two weeks ago, two boys came to us. Again, they were orphaned. They were too small to cope on their own, so they’ve been under our supervision. At last night’s pre-dusk weighing, the gorgeous pair weighed in at over 500 grams each, a nice healthy weight for soft release.
I cannot say what an amazing feeling it is to see hedgehogs that probably wouldn’t have otherwise made it, scuttle off into freedom to make their own way. Hopefully they’ll stick around for a while to feast on a few slugs and snails and help salvage what’s left of my ravaged veggie patch (the rest of the wildlife having taken their pick too), or maybe they’ll leg it off into the back field to even greater freedom. The fact remains, they are two more that made it.
That, for me, constitutes terrific news. 🙂