I’m a little behind on my blog schedule at the moment, mainly because my edits came back a couple of weeks ago and, well, getting Blood Dark to you as soon as possible seems to be the priority as far as my lovely readers are concerned!
I had to jump on here quickly though to say that I had a notification through tonight telling me that it’s my three-year blog anniversary today. Yay! That means three years ago today, I wrote my first ever post – back at a time when I wasn’t published and didn’t even have a prospect of a publisher in sight. Things have certainly progressed since then!
Above: This blog’s original banner (yep, that is me) before Bookouture’s re-vamp (pardon the pun)
With four Blackthorn books now released and number five imminent, well over 3,000 4/5 star reviews, six-figure sales, audiobooks and, most importantly, daily additions to my incredible Team Blackthorn (that’s you), this is way beyond what I’d imagined three years ago today.
My amazing long-suffering husband aside, three important people were by my side when I launched this blog. They’ve consistently supported me and encouraged me in the background, not least picking me up when my confidence has dropped as well as being there to share the laughs, the adventure and the excitement.
The incredible thing is that I didn’t know these ladies personally. They were fellow entrants in New Voices, the competition through which, in a twist worthy of Blackthorn, Bookouture discovered me. Like me, all three were unpublished authors at the time – and each of them had a passion for Blackthorn that blew me away.
Three and a half years on, they remain my inspiration. Amity Grays has signed her first publishing contract, Tracey Rogers has had five books released, and CC Mackenzie (who forced me set up a blog, oh and has her own vampire series out *wink*) has now become a USA Today Bestseller and an icon for self-published authors. Last year, for my 40th birthday, I had the pleasure of meeting the latter two (it might have been a bit far for Amity to pop over from Idaho!). There were certainly tears a plenty because, without these ladies, I’m not convinced Blackthorn would have been with you.
Thank you, Amity, Christine and Tracey for being Blackthorn’s true heroines.
And perfectly-timed to mark the occasion, I received an email today telling me that BestChickLit.com, who previously described Blood Shadows as “fantastic”, have now read and reviewed Blood Roses, and referred to it as:
“An absolute triumph that has kept me hooked on the series.”
Thanks so much, Charlotte! <3 You can read the full review here.
Oh, and look whose latest release was reviewed on the same blog just before me! A glowing review for Ms Rogers, of course!
Once my edits are in, I promise that normal service will resume! Take care. xxx
I’m thrilled to announce that this morning, whilst organising information for this year’s London Book Fair, my publisher emailed to let me know that Blackthorn sales have ventured well into six figures!
For those who have no idea why I’m so pleased, various online sources state that an average book sells around 10,000 copies with a major publisher. Being optimistic, the average first novel sells around 1,000. So with it being as tough it is out there for fairly new authors, let alone with a small independent publisher, six figures are quite an achievement – especially for a niche genre like dark paranormal romance.
With this in mind, I have to give a massive shout-out for my awesome publisher, Bookouture, whose ongoing work behind the scenes ensures that Blackthorn stays where readers can find it. Thankfully, they’re already being recognised for their achievements by being nominated as Digital Business of the Year alongside big names such as Kobo, Bloomsbury and Pan Macmillan in this year’s Bookseller Industry Awards – and it is so well deserved.
I know, I’m biased. I was the first author signed by Bookouture after Oliver Rhodes, its Founder and Managing Director, discovered me through an online romance writing competition. I was only a month into subbing elsewhere when he approached me to see if I would consider submitting Blood Shadows and Blood Roses (both finalist entries in the competition) to Bookouture. Knowing who Oliver Rhodes was, and his fantastic track record in publishing, it was a heart-stopping moment. I was also quite taken aback. I’d not long started researching online for prospective publishers for Blackthorn when the message echoing everywhere was that I was trying to catch the market right at the tail end of the PNR craze, where the big names were ruling, and publishers and agents were rolling their eyes and slamming the door on any further mention of the word ‘vampire’.
It also seemed that unique concepts, like Blackthorn, were a heightened risk for publishers, especially from a debut authors, so only added a challenge. On top of that, its dark and gritty, occasionally close to the mark, content was going to rule out some romance readerships, whilst the very prospect of romance and vampires would alienate a readership that may otherwise enjoy the complex and twisty thriller-style undertones of the series. In addition, Blackthorn’s British-isms could also cause problems if trying to appeal the biggest PNR market – the U.S.
But within a week, Bookouture were back in touch showing interest in both books, as well as a third (then to become Blood Torn). They put a detailed proposal in front of me including a marketing plan (very rare for debut novelists these days). Far from being intimidated by the alleged decline in interest in PNR, they had big plans for Blackthorn. More importantly to me, they had complete faith in it. All that remained was whether I had enough faith in them to sign over my beloved Blackthorn. It wasn’t a difficult decision. The rest, as the cliché says, is history. Since then, Bookouture have gone on to sign many incredible names, including both debut and established novelists, achieving superb reviews and competitive chart positions. I’m so privileged to have been there from the beginning.
So as well as a massive thanks to Bookouture for selecting Blackthorn and helping prove that readers still want PNR, here’s a massive thanks to you too for being so relentless in your support for my series, for being so vocal, and for ensuring that every Blackthorn book since has been signed. Those figures are just as much down to you spreading the word. Bookouture made my dreams come true, my loyal readers sustain it. Hugs to you all. xxx
*WARNING!! This post contains HUGE spoilers for Blood Deep!*
This is the last of my takes on my Blackthorn couples, everyone. If you missed my previous posts on creating Kane and Caitlin, Caleb and Leila, or Jask and Phia, just follow the links.
In Blood Deep, I introduced Eden and Jessie, the fourth and final couple who play a significant role in the future of Blackthorn. Their story also explored more of the human plight in both Blackthorn and Lowtown, revealing that the third species weren’t the only victims of the corrupt system maintained by the Global Council.
Having first visited it briefly in Blood Torn (when Jask and Phia went to visit the rather unpleasant Travis, who you’ll know went on to get his comeuppance at Eden’s hands), it was time to venture deeper into con territory with Blood Deep.
Welcome to the south side
On the south side of Blackthorn, depravity rules in a culture of bullying, of impulses overruling humanity, and a deep vein of selfishness running through every action. It’s a place where human beings stop seeing each other as that, but more as objects or a means to an end. The south side is a reflection of the worst side of human nature – and sadly not one based purely in fantasy.
Blood Deep was particularly challenging to write having not long finished Blood Torn. The negative gang mentality of the cons was a sharp contrast to the pack mentality I’d explored with the lycans. Whereas Jask ruled his tight-knit community with a focus on protection, nurturing and defense for the greater good, Pummel’s rule was all about safety in numbers to gain power over the weak, and to dominate and control for self-serving means.
Deep in the heart of con territory seemed the most unlikely place to find an angel, a decent human being, and couldn’t have been a more unsuitable place for a pack of stolen lycan young.
The human and the envoi
I’ve not exactly shied away from risks whilst writing Blackthorn. As I’ve said previously, I did have the advantage of not thinking it would ever be read, let alone published. It’s easier to develop a story the way you want and to go with your gut instinct when you have no basis for comparison and no prospect of upset reviewers to contend with. So when I first mapped out Blackthorn, I didn’t hesitate over switching the trodden path and having a human as a hero. Nor did I have any concerns about having a third species heroine. After all, both were simply integral to the story.
However, after I was able to reveal the hero of book four was human, some openly admitted they were a little apprehensive – not least how anyone was going to stand up alongside the third species powerhouses that were Kane, Caleb and Jask.
How Eden and Jessie developed
I often get asked for tips from new writers about how I set about creating the world of Blackthorn as well as all its characters – and it’s always tricky to explain. Blackthorn was an accumulative creation of setting, characters and plotting all forming at different stages and building on each other over many years of dipping in and out.
For those who don’t already know, my heroes and heroines grew out of short stories I wrote back when I was first devising the world of Blackthorn.
Creating Eden
Eden first appeared when I was trying to work out the law-enforcement system that was in place to manage the four districts in the series. He was a character I devised around the same time as Kane.
I already knew Caitlin was a part of the TSCD as a VCU agent, but I also came to realise law enforcement couldn’t exist through that alone. Needing frontline soldiers to keep order on the borders, I created Curfew Enforcement Officers (Kane himself refers to them and their roles in Blood Shadows).
Eden was one of three officers I had in a short story – CEO’d up in full protective leathers and visor helmet, chasing a rogue vampire down the back alleys of Blackthorn. Eden stood out from the others instantly. A law unto himself, but effective at his job, Eden wasn’t anxious of breaking and bending the rules – and I wanted to know why. Like all my other heroes who made it to the final cut, he fascinated me enough to ask sufficient questions to subsequently turn him into a fully developed character.
Before long, Eden had the backstory of being a child who had survived the treacherous streets of Lowtown, with little prospect or opportunity despite all of his potential. It gave his character empathy toward the plight of humans in Lowtown, complemented by his protective role towards his family forced to reside there. He even went on to make it as a CEO – a job usually reserved for residents of Midtown. Eden became a survivor because he could effectively play the role of the chameleon, altering himself to match his environment. Past experiences had left him self-sufficient, quick-thinking and, when needed, brutal. Like my other heroes, he had developed a hardness in order to survive in a hard world.
But Eden never lost sight of his softer side – especially not around those he cared about, creating something of a dichotomous character, even more than any of my other heroes.
By the time Eden was fully developed, Kane was already hero to the east, Caleb to the west and Jask to the north. With the south already overrun by cons, Eden became my masked hero of Lowtown, out there protecting it every night, toeing the line to keep his family safe. And because of my lifelong fascination with superheroes, I’d already started sparking ideas for the potential of angel tears.
Creating Jessie (Jesca)
Born out of my plans for Eden, as well as Sirius’s plans for supremacy, Jessie introduced another new slant on established mythology for Blackthorn. The same as with my vampire and lycan mythology (you can read about those by scrolling down here), I wanted to get back to the roots of angel origins and not just accept popular cultural portrayals. Whilst researching, I came across the concept of envois – ‘messengers’ – and Jessie’s role in the overarching plot soon began to grow.
As well as having a lot of fun with a heroine whose physical abilities finally matched the hero’s (Leila and Phia’s ability to poison vampires aside), the potential for Jessie was immense. Strong, smart, self-controlled, brave, she was having way too much going for her to be trapped in the situation she was in with the cons. So I soon realised that for both Blood Deep and the overarching story to work, Jessie needed one huge weakness – something that trapped her somehow. I also needed something to prevent Sirius walking in and snatching her out of Pummel’s grasp.
Binding Jessie
I therefore gave Jessie a (as yet unrevealed) shady past, and subsequently bound her by a necklace – an equivalent ball and chain that imprisons her. If in her possession, she is free to move within a given distance of it. If wearing it, she can go wherever she wants. If the necklace is in someone else’s possession, they own her and her abilities, and she is helpless to retaliate against them. If the necklace is destroyed, she dies with it.
From her back story, we know Jessie had the good fortune of initially being found by a human who had no intention of “owning” her or her powers, instead giving her back her necklace. In turn, she stayed with them out of choice. We then know that the necklace was stolen by cons during a raid on her home. Pummel’s possession of the necklace meant her ownership was transferred to him. By the end of Blood Deep, Eden managed to retrieve it, giving it back to her and once again temporarily “freeing” her.
Humanity in an inhumane world
Although dark in premise, each of my stories have a glimmer of light. When I knew the lycan young were going to end up on the south side of Blackthorn, that it was going to take a human to blend with the cons to get them out, and that, to fit in with Sirius’s plans, they’d have to have something to do with the TSCD, I knew Eden finally had his place. Besides, if anyone deserved to see the decent side of humanity, it was Jessie – and Eden seemed fit for both jobs.
Out of all my heroines, Jessie was by far the loneliest. She was alone in terms of species in Pummel’s row, had nothing in common with anyone around her, was purposefully isolated by Pummel and, above all else, knows she has committed some kind of crime that led her to be exiled by her parliament. Despite all of this, Jessie, although non-human, became a symbol of humanity in an inhumane world.
Gladly her compassion, dignity and refusal to be broken by Pummel became traits Eden both recognised and admired. In turn, Jessie saw hints of sensitivity and tenderness in Eden in a world void of it – not least when he discovered her scars. As well as this, his ability to practice self-control in the face of Jessie’s opposition and temptation equally reflected a decent side to human nature that glowed amidst a depraved backdrop.
Like Eden, Jessie too had learned about self-sufficiency, survival and, fortunately, how to read people effectively. But once the friction of self-preservation subsided, both were looking out for each other at every opportunity, resulting in as much a friendship forming as a physical relationship. Both were able to show that despite being drenched in the rancidness around them, they could still make choices to benefit others – not least when they found themselves fighting a common cause to save the lycan young. And now that these two have learned to trust each other, it seems little could get in their way.
Their future
Despite their commitment to each other, the challenge isn’t yet over for Eden and Jessie. In particular, loose ends are very much untied as far as Sirius is concerned – and he’s not going to give up easily, not with Jessie still able to identify the vampire leader he needs to destroy.
Despite plenty of glimpses in the latter part of Blood Deep, Jessie has yet to tap into all her innate abilities – many of which I’m looking forward to sharing later in the series. The necklace still exists though and there’s still a risk that someone else could get possession of it again – and her with it.
Eden has undergone a transformation since consuming Jessie’s tears. He may have enhanced responses, strength and senses just like the super-human army Sirius is building to invade Blackthorn, but the consequences are still unknown.
Above all else, nothing is yet known about Jessie’s background, and exactly why she was punished in the first place. I will be revealing more as the story progresses – and it could be something to throw up a whole raft of challenges at a pivotal time.
Don’t worry if you’ve lost track of all the threads though, I’ll be doing a recap on the story so far nearer Blood Dark’s release for anyone who needs a refresher – I know it’s getting complex in there!
Some of you might be very pleased to know that, as of last night, the completed first draft of Blood Dark is on my editor’s desk. Yay!!!
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
I’ve recently had a few conversations with readers eagerly awaiting their next installment of Blackthorn as well as querying why it takes so long between books. First of all, it’s flattering that it feels like such a long wait! Second of all, in truth, the turnaround with Blackthorn books is actually quite quick – especially considering their average 120K word count, and the complexity of the overarching story that runs through the series. Here’s a little of what happens:
START TO FINISH
It usually takes me around eight weeks to write the first draft of a Blackthorn book (bearing in mind all of the series is already plotted out). During that time, amidst copious amounts of note making, it’s head down and writing chapter after chapter. A first draft is all about getting the story down in its raw form – no rewriting or worrying about all the finer details, because that comes later. The first draft is so my editor can judge if the story that I originally intended has made it onto the page in a way that is structurally sound. They’ll look at everything from story arc to character development and journey, to pacing, and, in the case of Blackthorn, how it fits into the overarching plot too.
Aside from when the finished book goes out to reviewers for the first time, waiting for this initial feedback is definitely the most daunting part of the entire process.
SO CAN YOU NOW ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE DATE?
Despite being nagged to within an inch of my life to be more specific (you’re all so lovely), I can still only indicate ‘Summer’ for release. We do have a provisional month, but it doesn’t get shared until my editor decides how much structural work the book needs and, in liaison with my publisher, I agree to the timescales I believe I can work to based on the initial feedback. I’ll give you more information as soon as I can, I promise!
AFTER THAT…
After the structural edits are completed, I receive the line edits – the nitty-gritty of all those finer details. Once the line edits are completed and approved by me, a brand new set of eyes then come in with the copy edits to focus on the spelling, the grammar, the consistencies etc. Again, I make any necessary changes and then have to approve these too. After that, it heads off to the typesetter. Once I have approved the final version, the book is then distributed as an ARC (Author Review Copy) via my publisher to reviewers. That’s not taking into account all the other work my publisher does leading up to that point. This all happens before it gets anywhere near my readers.
WHAT HAPPENS BETWEEN EDITS?
Between edits is a vital time to catch up on all the things I don’t have time to do while actually writing. It is the perfect time for me to get blog posts written; to respond a little quicker to all my readers who get in touch; and, of course, make a start on the next Blackthorn book (I get withdrawal after about three days). It’s also the chance to clear up the copious amounts of post-it notes, notepads, scrap bits of paper (sometimes thoughts come when you least expect them), pencils, pens, mugs, and anything else in the writer trail I’ve left around the house whilst in “the zone” – only for it all to start again a couple of weeks later…
SO THANKS FOR BEING THERE
Writing has to be the best job ever. I love every minute of mine, and completing a first draft is one of the best feelings. But it’s not an easy job. Like any job, some days are really tough. It’s not the kind of thing we’re supposed to confess to but I think it’s good, particularly for aspiring authors (I know a few follow this blog), to know that none of us are immune to that wall of self-doubt that can hit at any time. If mine could have knocked me out cold these past couple of months, I think it would have – and, some days, it nearly did.
This is when I count myself very lucky to have you because, during the past couple of months while I’ve been working on Blood Dark, not more than two days have gone by without a reader emailing me, or messaging me, or tweeting me to share what they’ve enjoyed, tell me they’ve just discovered Blackthorn, or have now finished all four, or have asked when the next one is out… There is nothing quite like those intermittent boosts to fend off all those negative jabs that can really affect the writing process. So thank you, Team Blackthorn, as always, for every snippet of encouragement and support you continue to send my way. Blood Dark is now that one giant leap closer.
I’ll be back on the weekend with that blog post about Blood Deep’s Jessie and Eden that I’ve been promising you for ages. Until then, have a great week! <3
All entrants were given a number and, using a random generator, the prizes were allocated to winners in the order shown below.
Soooo….the WINNERS of my audiobooks giveaway are…
MASSIVE congratulations to everyone who won! As soon as you’re ready, contact me to pass on your address, and then your signed audiobook/s will be on their way to you in the next week or two.
Huge thanks again to everyone who participated both via here and email. It’s been an absolute treat reading your choices and reasons. Sorry to those who didn’t win this time. 🙁 But, don’t forget, I have a couple more giveaways to come in a while, one of which will be an early copy of Blood Dark for one lucky reader!
I’ll be back in a couple of weeks with a post about Eden and Jessie from Blood Deep. 🙂
A couple of months ago, we celebrated the release of Blackthorn on audio with a giveaway of the first audiobook in the series, Blood Shadows. To enter, I’d asked you to let me know where in the world you are – and the response was amazing, both here and on Facebook.
I was so thrilled that I knew we’d have to have another giveaway once the next audiobooks in the series came out. And, thanks to the generosity of Bookouture and Lorella Belli Literary agency, and your incredible input, we decided we could make the next one even bigger than the last.
THE PRIZES…
Blood Shadows proved so popular that, this time, we’re going to give away a further 3 signed copies.
We were only going to give away one copy of Blood Torn too, but to celebrate it winning Best Paranormal Romance 2014 on Moonrise Book Blog (thanks to YOUR votes), we’ve added in an extra three to make a total of 4 signed copies of Blood Torn up for grabs as well.
Above: Blood Torn Audio CDs (unabridged, 12 discs, 14.5 hrs)
And then we have the GRAND PRIZE…a chance to win all three!
That means there are NINE prizes up for grabs in total!
HOW TO ENTER…
The whole point of giveaways is that they’re supposed to be simple and fun, so all you have to do is answer one question to enter. Inspired by one of my fantastic Facebook supporters, Dianne, who regularly chats to me about the prospect of my Blackthorn heroes turning up on her doorstep, your question is:
If you had the opportunity to invite THREE of Blackthorn’s main characters to a dinner party, which three would you invite and why? (You have to say why for your entry to be valid!)
Leave your answer either in the comments below or, if you’re not comfortable posting publicly, feel free to send me a private message via contact above. As I stated in a post yesterday, readers can no longer enter via Facebook sadly, but I do hope this won’t discourage you from joining in.
CLOSING DATE…
The competition will be open for ten days to give you plenty of time to think it over. It is open now and will close on the Tuesday 17th February (midnight, UK time). The winners will be randomly selected and announced on Thursday 19th February.
So whether you love audiobooks or just fancy an exclusive signed copy as a Blackthorn keepsake, now’s your chance!
A couple of weeks ago, I told you Blackthorn had been nominated as Best Paranormal Romance 2014 in Moonrise Book Blog’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Today, I found out that WE’VE WON!
Blackthorn was not only up against some terrific titles, but both Blood Torn AND Blood Deep were up in the same category. However, the crown went to…
…BLOOD TORN!
It seems our Jask just won too many hearts to be defeated – even by our lovely Eden (don’t worry, he’s made of stern stuff). I know some readers found it really tough to choose between the two books but either was a vote for Blackthorn, so thank you to everyone who joined in.
I’m doubly celebrating because this is actually thefirst time Blackthorn has ever won anything. Blackthorn had two nominations in the GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards back in 2013 and, of course, was twice runner-up on in New Voices both in 2010 and 2011, but never quite got there. I’ll definitely be wearing the badge on my blog with pride.
Many thanks to Moonrise Book Blog for your awesome reviews which led to both Blood Torn and Blood Deep being eligible for nomination, repeated thanks to every reader who voted, and HUGE congrats to the winners in all the other categories too. 😀
It’s the start of a new year for Blackthorn, and that means a new year for this blog. If you want to know everything there is to know about my series, this is the place to be. This is where I record all the major happenings throughout the year, details about my books that you won’t find anywhere else, as well as it being an open forum for readers to comment or ask questions. In fact, quite a few posts over the past two years have been inspired from your input. So, as always, if there is anything you would like me to include over the forthcoming year, do feel free to let me know. I already have a few posts lined up to start us off though…
THE YEAR AHEAD
Blog posts about me…
I was blog-tagged a little while back to reveal some previously undisclosed facts about myself, so that’s up first. I’m already wracking my brain!
…about Blackthorn…
Having already given my personal take on each of my Blackthorn couples – Kane and Caitlin, Caleb and Leila and Jask and Phia – I’ve been asked a few times when it will be Eden and Jessie’s turn. I’m pleased to tell you that they will finally be in the spotlight next month. Hopefully you have now read Blood Deep, so there won’t be any spoilers. If there are any details you wish you knew about our latest hero and heroine, do let me know!
Although it feels like ages away, it won’t be long before we’re counting down the weeks to Blood Dark’s release. Nearer the time, I’ll be posting a glossary of all of Blackthorn’s characters (just in case you need to refresh your memory). And, now that we’re at the mid-way point in the series, I’ll also be summarising the Blackthorn story so far – something else that could prove useful with so many threads now coming together!
…and even more giveaways!
Your response to Blackthorn giveaways last year was fantastic. Creating the Blackthorn soundtrack was definitely a highlight of 2014 for me. I was truly blown away by your suggestions, mainly because the lyrics you chose demonstrated just how much you “get” these books. Of course, I also discovered some superb songs and albums thanks to you!
Your participation in my Audiobook giveaway was particularly brilliant, so much so that I have more Audiobooks to give away very soon. Thanks to Bookouture and Lorella Bella Literary Agency, it’s going to be an even bigger giveaway than last time. Stay close for that one!
As Blood Dark draws closer, there will be an early eBook copy up for grabs as well as a signed paperback copy after its release. I might even have a few more limited-edition postcards up for grabs later on in the year as well – I know they always prove popular.
And then we can do the same all over again with book six (no spoilers with the title yet 😉 ), which may also make it out this year.
2015 has arrived!! Happy New Year!! I hope you’re looking forward to the year ahead? Hopefully bringing TWO more Blackthorn books your way before the year is out will help. 🙂
To be honest, I hadn’t planned to post this early on in the year, but 2015 has got off to a terrific start for Blackthorn. I’m thrilled that both Blood Torn AND Blood Deep have been nominated for Best Paranormal Romance Novel of 2014 in the fantastic Moonrise Book Blog Readers’ Choice Awards.
If you have time, I would love you to take a couple of minutes to vote for either book. All you need is to be logged into Google (in order for the list of nominations to show up) and follow this link.
Huge thanks to my Facebook supporters who have already started casting their votes. There’s some tough competition, so fingers crossed!
And in other news…
I was also chuffed to find out today that I’ve been named as one of Gaga Over Books’ Favourite Authors of 2014.
As well as that, Blackthorn has been listed amongst their Series Favourites. With such an incredible list of books consumed by this blogger, it’s an honour to be mentioned. Thank you, Honey – and for your lovely comments about my series.
I’ll be back in a couple of weeks but, for now, I’m going to have my head down with Blood Dark. Things are getting pretty intense here – containing Kane, Caleb AND Jask all on the same page is no mean feat… and yet so much fun… 😉
As we draw to a close on 2014, I want a say a very special thank you to all my fantastic Blackthorn readers and supporters. It’s hard to think that there was no Blood Torn and no Blood Deep this time last year – not on the page anyway! In fact, many of you hadn’t even heard of Blackthorn back then.
Blackthorn has progressed considerably this past year. With all the couples now on the page, many plot threads having come together and loads of possibilities laid out, the series is now at its halfway point – and I can’t wait to share where it’s heading next.
Your support, ratings, reviews, comments and recommendations have contributed hugely to the continuing success of the series. Subsequently, this year, the rest of Blackthorn was signed. It also snagged the attention of Tantor Media who signed the first three books to audio. On a much more personal note, because of all of this, I’ll be a full-time author as of January 2015 – a dream that has taken over thirty years to materialise. But more on that another time!
So, needless to say, I couldn’t end the year without sharing my gratitude for the part each and every one of you has played. You’ve brought me loads of smiles, plenty of laughter and, yes, a few tears too. Thank you to everyone who has been in touch to let me know how much you’ve enjoyed my books.
It’s certainly going to be a busy year in Blackthorn in 2015, so I’ll be back in January to give you some clues as to what’s to come. If you don’t want to miss anything, don’t forget you can sign up to this blog (via the sidebar) which acts as my newsletter. Or if you simply don’t want to miss my next release, you can sign up here.
But until 2015 is with us, here’s a fab review that I picked up from Love And Live To Read today, who gave Blood Deep another 5 star review for Blackthorn – and totally made my day. Thank you, Maria!
As for now, I wish you all a wonderful and peaceful Christmas, and health and happiness in the year ahead. Thanks for being a part of Team Blackthorn.
