Hello... It's Me

It has been Forever.


Tonight was the beginning.


Tonight was the first time I opened my author email in over 12 months. I wrote a few emails.


This is the first post I've written in nearly twice as long.


Instead of dipping my toe in the water, I am going to try diving in and hope I remember how to swim soon.


My writing has been sluggish - I'm still in recovery mode after last year. This week I am approaching the one year anniversary of my aunt's death, the 11 month anniversary of my mom's death. There is a huge span of time in there that is just a jumble of chaotic nonsense and not much else.


BUT, the urge to write has been strong this month - probably my Mom and Aunt's way of kicking me in the ass and telling me to get on with things.


In the last few weeks, I've been getting myself back into the Ancients groove. By re-reading my own series - so I can reconnect with my inner-Kat-sparkle. I love that crazy witch and her Broomriding crew.


While the words for #6 - Hidden - haven't been making it to paper with any regularity this past year, the stories have continued to evolve and develop. I have lots more Ancients to share with all of you, and Kat & Crew will return in full, glitter-filled splendor.


Hidden is about half completed, so I have a ways to go. I apologize that my time away has been long and that you've had to wait, and will have to wait still a while longer. I just simply haven't had the focus I needed to give the attention needed to Marcus and Elysse's story.


I do not have a date yet. I will post updates on the progress to the Facebook page.


For those of you who do not follow the Facebook page, a copy of my 2017 FB post explaining the events of the last year is posted below.


Thank you for your patience. I am seriously going to attempt to re-engage with all of you who love the Ancients. It is time.


XOXO ~Heather

Thanking God for The Sparkle

I’ve needed to post this update for a while, but finding the time and the energy to do so has been beyond me. Gathering my thoughts and putting them into words was something I was avoiding. This definitely isn't polished or beautiful but it is time...

After spending a lot of time on Spring Break working on Hidden, I was optimistic that I was back on track to completing Book #6 in a reasonable time. On the Sunday we returned from that trip, our family was called to the hospital and informed of my aunt’s cancer diagnosis. The prognosis wasn’t good. I wasn’t ready to lose her. Her world became much of my focus for the four months that followed. Two weeks before Nanners’ death, my mom became too ill to continue her care. We were blessed to be able to bring Nanners to our home and spend the last two weeks with her here, loving her until the end. On July 13th, Nanners lost her battle with cancer.

This woman was my Nanners – my mother’s sister, the woman who I’d always had a special bond with. She was my second Mom, the one who always understood me, particularly in those moments when my mom didn’t. Nanners was the first to chew my ass if she felt I needed it, and my biggest defender if anyone else mistakenly believed they had the right to do the same. Through my childhood, all the tough years, and all the incredibly blessed years that followed, Nan was there.

The only thing that made losing Nanners survivable was knowing the Lord had a place for Nan. Nanners didn't grow up knowing the reality of God's love, but about a year before her diagnosis, she’d become a passionate believer. Her burgeoning relationship with God was the strongest testimony I had ever witnessed regarding the transformative impact of God's love on our lives when we passionately pursue him. In a short time, Nan's love for God and faith in Him had become that which could move mountains.

Following Nan’s death, my Mom’s health progressively deteriorated. She was diagnosed with a compression fracture in her spine, and we initially attributed much of the failure to recover due to her depression over her sister’s death. On August 4th, Mom became so weak that we had to admit her to the hospital. That night, we found out that she also had cancer.

Mom’s preliminary diagnosis was hopeful. Unlike my Nanners, it appeared this cancer was highly treatable. But the week that followed was a roller coaster ride of awful. By mid-week, we found out that the cancer had spread to Mom’s spine and skull. On Friday, August 11th, she made the decision to cease all medical treatment. Mommers died peacefully on August 13th. Exactly one month after her sister.

Mommers touched so many lives with her generous spirit and big heart. She’d always been a woman of faith and was completely at peace. My Dad died when I was only a few years old – he was the love of her life. The day before she died, Mom gripped my hands tight and smiled, telling me she was excited because it had been 40 years since she’d seen last seen Dad.

Knowing she has been reunited with my Dad brings a whole lot of sunshine to these bad days. I cannot imagine how I am going to do life without Mommers, but knowing her newfound happiness in Heaven will help guide me to my own here.

I’ve always loved having a personal connection with the people here who read the Ancients books. I’ve connected with so many of you through the years and so many of you who have joined me on this adventure with the Ancients have become more than mere fans of the series. I love that you love Kat & crew, and the connection we share because of it. So I am oversharing these details of our family tragedy.

I am not bemoaning my fate, or complaining that life has just sucked. Through the horrid mess of 2017, my faith has grown stronger and my love for God has deepened. These things will continue to weave their way into my writing. In each book, there has generally been some thread of real life circumstance, some lesson I’ve learned, or truth I’ve encountered. Hidden will be no different. The tragedies surrounding these characters have forged strength of character, bonds, love, and faith.

Hidden was always a story about a female who found strength through tragedy, and became more than she ever thought possible, more than anyone could have envisioned, in spite of the circumstance that could have destroyed her in the beginning.

This book will be my tribute to Mommers and Nanners – two of the strongest women I’ve ever known.

I do not have much energy to write, but there is a lot of pent-up Kat-sparkle demanding to be released. I need the Realm and I know returning to it will go a long way towards pushing off the cloudy, blah days. It may be a couple of months before I dive deep into Hidden. In the weeks that come, I’ll endeavor to keep in contact and keep you up to speed.

Life is tragic, and ugly, and horrid…

And it is beautiful and amazing, full of wonder and miracles.

I’m suffering…

But I am blessed beyond measure.

And I’m thanking God for sparkle. Every. Single. Day.

Thank you for hanging in there.




x

Fallen... The Dark Queen Returns... Finally

Pre-Order Fallen Here

Well, Ladies & Gents, Amazon has the final version of Fallen in its hands, so that means if you pre-ordered you'll have it in yours on May 6th.

If you use Nook or iBooks, please note the following changes I've made with regards to my distribution channels:

Fallen (and all Ancients books moving forward) will be available through Amazon, B&N and iBooks for the first sixty (60) days post-publication to allow my current Nook and iBook readers to obtain the latest release. After that initial 60-day timeframe, each new release will be moved to Amazon for exclusive distribution.

Amazon's current marketing policies make this the best business strategy for the Ancients books. Presently, I sell about 250 to 1 on Amazon versus all the other market outlets combined (Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, iBooks, Kobo, ARe, etc.). I am sure that many of you have seen debate amongst authors regarding the changes made to Amazon with the advent of their subscription book model. For me, before Amazon modified their marketing to provide the most support to their Kindle Unlimited Authors, I was selling about 1000 to 1 on Amazon versus all other markets combined. Based on my current sales vs. my past sales, it is obvious that I, like many Indie authors, have taken a major hit.

I am not going to turn this into a gripe session about Amazon. They run a business and they do it well. I am personally a Prime-junkie. As I mentioned, my sales on Amazon have always buried all the other book etailers. For that early and continued success, I am grateful to Amazon for opening up the world of Indie Publishing to the masses.

This change in my distribution channels is an experiment to see if I can recapture the exposure that the Ancients books have lost in the past 6-12 months. I expect I will soon know if the new Amazon marketing works to my advantage. I’ll make future adjustments as necessary and keep you apprised of them.

The Kindle app is widely available on most tablet platforms, so I am hoping most readers can take advantage of that or the initial 60-day period of non-exclusivity and continue to read the Ancients series. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Fallen, Ancients of Light # 5 - Release Date

The official release date for Fallen, Ancients of Light #5 is May 6, 2016.

Pre-order links will be available on Amazon February 8th and I will add them here and to the Ancients Facebook page and website.

My editor was able to find availability on her calendar to begin the editing process in March. I will work diligently with Kathy to finalize the edits as quickly as possible and if there is any chance to get it into your hands before May 6th, we'll definitely move the date forward.

Thank you for patience and awesomeness through the struggles of this past year.  Life is returning to normal and right now it appears as if I'll be back on an 8 month release schedule beginning with Ancients of Light #6.  I already have the editing time booked for later this year.

Fallen, Book 5, Ancients of Light - Release Date

I knew knew knew this was coming, but I’ve been playing the avoidance game as well as any of my Realm ladies. The only thing that I didn’t know was the ‘when’ and now I do, so I can advise you all as well.

Any of you that follow the Ancients on Facebook likely know that my life on a personal front has been more than chaotic – for reasons I have cited (career, kids, selling home, moving) and for reasons I have not. There has been much lost sleep, an inordinate amount of stress and very little time spent in the Realm. That created more stress, because the Realm and its crazy females are therapy for me -  a soothing escape where I can check out and pretty much ram a sword through anything or anyone that I find particularly problematic. 

Were I endowed with Kat’s magic during the last few months, the old Scurvy Palace would likely have gone “poof” into another dimension.  On a good day.  On a few of the worse days, I would likely have chanted Bibbity, Bobbity, BOOM and imploded that place… and my work laptop… probably a few contrary people… the dog that ate my sofa... 

I lost almost three months worth of editing time this spring. It was a disaster. Fallen should have been on your kindle in the next two weeks if I’d been able to follow the very detailed editing plan I’d set out for myself back in February.  

By the 5^th book, you would have think I might have figured out this truth - I am not super-human and if I try to be, I make myself insane. 

NOTE TO SELF:  I have no superpowers. Kat does. Leave all amazing feats to Kat and crew.

My editing time evaporated. My process is that I write the book, and then I rewrite/edit the book, and then I rewrite/edit the book again, and then I send it to Kathy and let her polish it sparkly.  I am finishing up Round 1 rewrite/edits. I could publish a poorly written story (by skipping Round 2) and be done with it, but I won’t.  Maeve deserves the story that you have all been waiting for all these months.  That is what she will get, and that is what I will publish.  I have conferred with my amazing editor to nail down a timeline. I can tell you today that Fallen will be released on September 30, 2015.

 I apologize for the delay.  Sincerely.  Barring any major catastrophes, my life is pretty settled now.  We are in the new Scurvy Palace (Scurvy Palace 2.0), we should finalize the sale of the old house within the next month, the family is happy, healthy, and settled, and life is once again manageable.

The good news is that Marcus and Elyssa are chattering up a storm (yes, you get Marcus and a female that is entirely new to you and the Realm in Book #6.  If I can get the editing done quickly enough on Fallen, you might get a preview of them at the end of it).  I also have a good foundation already written for Book #6 and it will probably not be the 600 or 700 page endeavor that Mistaken and Fallen both have been.  That means I’ll should be back to a normal publication schedule – I expect to publish #6 within 8 to 10 months after Fallen is released (if not earlier).

Thanks again for sticking with me and I apologize again for the disappointment.  I am hoping you will find Maeve worth the wait.  You can let me know in September.  If you have questions in the meantime, always feel free to drop me a note through the website or on the Ancients Facebook page. I am always happy to chat about the Realm.

XOXO <3

Heather

Get Sassified - Summer Author Train Trip

Welcome to the 7th stop in the Get Sassified -  Summer Author Train Trip.  

On this leg of the journey, we breach the veil of the Realm, entering territory uncharted by mortals. 

As you alight for this magical trek though the land of the Ancients of Light, you’ll encounter powerful Witches and warrior Vampire in the mystical scapes and glorious castles of old world Europe. 

Concealed from human eyes by magical protections, those same spells will keep you from wandering into the midst of the battles between these preternatural inhabitants waging war over the fate of mankind.

 At this stop on the tour, enter to win an Ancients of Light notebook replica of Chosen, Ancients of Light Book 1 or one of three eCopies of Mistaken, Ancients of Light Book 4 simply by clicking on this magical portal – here – and visiting the Ancients of Light page and the Sassy Queens page on Facebook.

Please make certain to like the Sassy Queens page, our awesome hosts for this hop, while you’re there.

Your next stop will be hosted by the amazing A. K. Michaels. Visit her page here and discover the incredible sights in store for you in Las Vegas.

The Sassy Summer Train will complete its journey on 6 p.m. EST on Saturday, June 20^th, so make certain to catch all the stops and then go here to enter for a chance to win a $75 giftcard.  

(Note – you must enter all giveaways at each Authors’ page in order to be eligible for the grand prize drawing $75 giftcard. The beginning of the ride, Station One, is on the Sassy Queens page - here.)

Fallen - Cover Reveal

In the Very Beginning

Hell raised the Darkest Warriors

One with Greater Purpose than all others

 The Dark Queen

Before the first Witch Queen was brought forth

A female of limitless power would rise

Maeve was interloper in the Realm, mired in divine secrets

Her Warrior

A fierce defender of the Light

A primeval act of betrayal forged Broderick’s fate

Setting him apart from the one he’d loved since the beginning

A Destiny that Predates Time

Two of the most powerful beings in creation

In search of Redemption

A fated destiny will take them down opposite paths

On a journey to forgiveness for the Fallen 

Available July 2015

© 2015 Heather Fleener / Scurvy Palace Publishing

Cover designer: Mirella Santana

Welcome to the Realm

In the Beginning, there were Vampire...

Man’s fall from grace sparked the birth of the Dark creatures from the underworld. To counter the explicit threat to mankind, divinely-created immortals were brought forth. The Witch encompassed seven Castes of power; their magic was most effective against the nefarious agenda pursued by the evil ones.

The war has raged since the beginning of human history. Ancients of Light is the series detailing the stories of the immortals that will fulfill an arcane prophecy and bring about the conclusion of the supernatural conflict.

Heather lives in Indiana with her husband, D.A. and their twins, Thomas and Alexandra. Professionally she has spent her career working in the area of Intellectual Property law.

Reading has been a passion of hers since she was young. The romantic styles of Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood are her inspiration. Her fascination with the paranormal began to form at the young age of six, watching late-night ghost and vampire movies with her Grandpa. Unfortunately, as a result, she also remains afraid of the dark to this day.

Combining her love of epic romances and the supernatural was a natural progression for her imagination. When the idea for the Ancient of Light series began, it was an abstract storyline rambling around in her head to help kill a few miles on the treadmill.  As the stories and plotlines continued to grow, it finally became necessary to put the words to paper and build the characters that had been living in the Realm in her head for months.

The series is a testament to many miles on the treadmill and lots of characters that insist on having their stories told.

 

Website:  AncientsofLight.com

Facebook:  Facebook/AncientsOfLight

Amazon - Heather Fleener

Barnes and Noble - Heather Fleener

iTunes - Heather Fleener

Goodreads:  Heather Fleener

Twitter:  HeatherFleener

Blog:  Fangs&Broomsticks

Pinterest:  Ancients Of Light Boards

Google+:  +HeatherFleener

Excerpt

Copyright © 2015

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic format in any manner whatsoever without written permission from Heather Fleener.

CHAPTER 1

Kneeling, the prayer that whispered past her lips was as natural as breathing. The words sent Heavenward were more for her comfort than the girl whose cold hand rested in her own.  Sydney’s soul was long departed and already embraced by lost loved ones or tortured in the fiery bowels of the Devil’s domain.  It had always bothered Maeve that she was never quite certain she had reached this one, and now she realized she’d been tragically wrong to assume there was plenty of time to do so.

The girl had once been human, and as such, had a soul that needed a path. Transitioning to an immortal state did not change that significant part of a human’s make-up… it was the reason Maeve had always watched over the transitioned more diligently than the true immortals. These Vampire, in her mind, remained under the same directive of protection as the humans. Their beautifully conceived souls were precious to God, and it devastated Maeve that the girl had met an untimely demise before she was able to be certain of the girl’s path in the afterlife.

In less than two hours the sun would breach the horizon and the city street running crossways at the end of the alley that was now barren would be teeming with human traffic. If one of Gideon’s patrols had not been drawn in, scenting immortal blood, Sydney’s strategically placed corpse would have been burnt to ash by the morning sun, leaving no trace of her gruesome demise. The Coven would have never known to mourn her loss.

That same scent bathed Maeve’s senses, along with the overwhelming stench of death. Congealed gore painted the alcove between the high rise buildings. Syd’s heart no longer resided in her chest… carved out, only a gaping cavern remained. The extraction had been performed while the young female was alive.

An inordinate amount of strength was required for that type of maneuvering, even on a younger member of the breed. Discarded to the side of the body, the organ had been crushed beneath the boot of her killer. Chalky pallor haunted the small brunette’s skin; Sydney had been drained in a tediously slow manner.  Puddles of blood pooled beneath wrists that were torn open, and the jagged edges of the gashes told that the flesh had been repeatedly torn each time her Vampiric healing began to knit the wounds closed. Ragged skin also marred her torso, similar dissections riddled that flesh, allowing her viscera to spill over her sides with the blood. 

Maeve hung her head-anger and damnation held equally tenacious tenterhooks in her soul. She had lost another charge, and reacted as though the tally physically burned into her flesh. Knowing her spirit was likely as blemished as the corpse on the ground, the guilt was an acidic shard jabbing into a heart that was so damaged it was a wonder to her that she could find the energy to care for anyone any longer.

Inhaling deeply, an exercise to bury the pain deep, Maeve could garner the presence of no Vampire except Gideon.  Having been so lost in herself, she had failed to notice his arrival.  He and Grace continued in a hushed exchange of words until interrupted by the voice of a male that Maeve did not recognize. The trio journeyed to her location, and Gideon’s footfalls paused at her side where she crouched over Sydney. The sounds of his movement told her that he had lowered to kneel next to her, and his quick assessment followed. “There is no sign of resistance… that requires a damned lot of skill.” 

Maeve did not acknowledge his statement-there was no need. Gideon’s expertise in this area was unmatched. Decades ago, she recalled telling him that his supernatural sleuthing made him something of a Sherlock Holmes. Having recently spent more time with him and those under his command, she’d now liken him more to something of a cross Holmes and an X-men… with fangs… supersized. 

She fully expected that he would inspect the body more thoroughly and was startled when his hand gripped her chin to swivel her head in his direction. Jerking back, her eyes flared before flashing black and zeroing in on his. The unexpected contact was not well received, and her reaction told him the answer before he ever tossed out the question. “You okay?”

Rather than stare into those probing eyes that always saw too much, Maeve turned her gaze back to the corpse. “I am not the one that was gutted.” There wasn’t an ounce of sarcasm in the retort, only Maeve’s stoic matter-of-factness. 

Shaking his head, Gideon’s sigh told Maeve he would love to psychoanalyze her. Instead of pressing Maeve to reveal her inner turmoil, he slipped a hand beneath Sydney’s head.  A quick probe along the length of her spine confirmed his suspicions. “Her neck is broken… she was incapable of movement, but not dead until just a short time ago.”

Rolling the body to assess for other unseen wounds, a twinkle of metal beneath her torso caught his eye the same time as Maeve’s.  She was quicker.  Gold flashed in the hazy pre-dawn light, the speed of Maeve’s retrieval causing the heavy chain attached to the disc to whip around her wrist. Narrowing her focus in study of the piece, she palmed the medallion when Gideon would have grabbed it for inspection. Her eyes washed in a veil of black as she rocketed to her feet with a growl. “That son of a bitch…”

There were very few who incited Maeve to any level of emotion, but only one could cause her to be consumed by it. Gideon had seen enough to know the medallion was of Ancient origin-her reaction told him the rest. “It is impossible that Broderick could have tracked you, much less identified one of your Coven.” 

His words were wasted-Maeve had already paced to the narrow opening between the two buildings on either side. Hurrying after her, Gideon needed to calm the Dark Queen, center her thoughts, before she did something foolish. He heard her murmured words, and knew they were not directed to anyone in her present company. “He has made his decision.”

Certain the grief he had witnessed in her earlier was amped up substantially more in that utterance, Gideon wasn’t about to hold his question. “What decision?”

“He has done this before…” Though Maeve’s eyes were clear when they met his, her words spoke mysteries and her voice had gone distant to another time… a faraway place. Gideon had known the Dark Queen long enough to understand that there were secrets wrapped up in her that were best left unexplored.

“What has he done?” When she stopped at the edge of the walk and glanced upwards Gideon believed he might have a chance to force Maeve to reconsider the bent towards murder that had been plainly etched in her visage. Something had caught her attention and she looked skyward for long moments, cocking her head as though listening.  The expression she returned to him hinted that she wasn’t pleased by whatever she’d thought she might have heard.

Instead of answer directly, Maeve flipped the medallion in her palm. “This wasn’t left here by accident, Gideon.  Broderick is too seasoned a warrior to make such a mistaken.”  Her gaze returned to it as her finger explored the patterns engraved in the piece. “This is an invitation…”

Gideon rounded the corner to pursue Maeve further down the walk, but he wasn’t certain she was aware that she was moving. The Dark Queen’s eyes had turned white and the power emanating from her would have been enough to halt his progression if his Ancient strength hadn’t made it possible for him to push through the force.  “An invitation to what?”

“War.” The word hung between them for only a second before Maeve disappeared.

New Year, New Website

We did a total redesign of the Ancients of Light website over the holidays, and it launched today!

AncientsofLight.com will now be a major source of info for all things Ancient and the Realm - Trailers, Teasers, Book Info, Purchase Links, Series Announcements, Character details.

Have a peek -

AncientsofLight.com

XOXO
~Heather

Enter the Ancients of Light Realmtastic Holidays Giveaway

Enter the Giveaway Here

December 16th - January 3rd

Extended version - Broken, Book 3, Ancients of Light - Offic

Broken, Book 3, Ancients of Light - Official Trailer

   

Ancients of Light - FansGiving Day Sale

As an Indie Author, I realize that there is little I can accomplish without my fans and my readers.  I also know that so many of you want nothing more than to curl up with a good book after stuffing yourself tomorrow, and so as a way to say thanks and a way to help you accomplish that task, today I am offering the first three books in the Ancients of Light series for only .99 cents each.

Hopefully this will give you a chance to catch up with the Ancients and the crazy ladies of the Realm over the Thanksgiving holiday, and perhaps spread a little early Christmas cheer with those you know who made the Nice List that would also enjoy the Realm.  Everyone should have a little Lorcan in their stocking this year.

Thanks so much for all your support.  I hope your holidays are magical.

XOXO
Heather

Free Kindle Books & Tips Blog - Featured Book of the Day - Chosen

Chosen is the featured book of the day over with Michael at Free Kindle Books & Tips.  Check out Michael's blog - here:

Free Kindle Books & Tips

Cover Reveal - Mistletoe & Hollywood - By Natasha Boyd and Kate Roth

Mistletoe & Hollywood

 By Natasha Boyd and Kate Roth

Available for a limited seasonal release only starting Nov. 4, 2014

Amazon Pre-Order Link 

Featuring My Star, My Love (An Eversea Series Novella) by Natasha Boyd 

Movie star, Jack Eversea, has decided to brave his history with England and take the love of his life, Keri Ann Butler, home to meet his mother for Christmas. He’s been back in California and Keri Ann’s been busy with art school, and they are desperate to spend three weeks together over the Holidays.

 But Jolly Old England does weird things to Jack. And despite his super sweet “twelve days of Christmas” gift giving, Keri Ann can’t quite work out of he’s about to propose or regrets bringing her home. Is he still questioning whether she can handle a few paparazzi, or is he doubting Keri Ann’s commitment to their future?

The magnetic couple is back in a fun, sometimes poignant, and super sexy story about acceptance, love and how to make love quietly in a creaky old house with one’s mother down the hall.

Links to Eversea & Forever, Jack

Featuring: Many Times, Many Ways (A Desire Resort novella) by Kate Roth 

Vacation is over. Danielle was escaping her monotonous life at a sexy beach resort when she first fell under the spell of Hollywood hunk, Evan Weston, but now they’re trying to make their relationship work in the real world.

While they’re both hopeful for what lies ahead, the only question is whether or not their desires for the future are one and the same.

Things have always moved quickly between Evan and Danielle, but Danielle can’t stave off the lingering anxiety she has once she finds out about Evan’s big plans—and even bigger Christmas gift. Can she continue to let go of the worry that plagues her so the man of her dreams can give her the life she never imagined she’d have?

 Links to Last Resort & Best Laid Plans

Cover Reveal --Stronger With Him by JA Hensley

Title: Stronger With Him

Genre: Erotic Romance

Anticipated Publication Date: November 1, 2014

Author: JA Hensley

Synopsis

After breaking up with her abusive boyfriend, graduate student Rebecca Maio wants a man who is the complete opposite of her ex. When she meets her sexy new neighbor, Becca finds herself irresistibly drawn to the powerful and compassionate man.

Agent Colin Schaefer's in town for an investigation and needs to stay focused on his job, but he can't ignore the beautiful girl next door. For the first time in his life, the elusive man wants more with a woman, but he can't shake the feeling that Rebecca also needs his protection.

Is their love strong enough to survive the secrets they're both bound to uncover? Or will her past and his job tear them apart?

This novel is intended for readers 18+ due to explicit and hot sex scenes and adult situations. If you love these kinds of things, then please, read on!

Add to your TBR

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22844675-stronger-with-him

About the Author

J.A. Hensley wrote her first books under the pen name, Savannah Leigh. Her novel, Wedding Dreams, was named an Amazon Best Seller. She loves smut of all kinds and is a reader first. J.A. is constantly working on a new project, whether it's writing or working in her craft room. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and daughter, and spends her days teaching college students about social work and human sexuality.

Books Published:

With This Ring (Wedding Dreams #1)

I Thee Wed (Wedding Dreams #2)

Wedding Dreams (Special Series Collection)

Connect with the Author

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Savannah-LeighJA-Hensley-Author/511879988884673

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JAHensleyauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8422874.J_A_Hensley

Website: www.authorjahensley.com

Forsaken, Book 2, Ancients of Light - Official Trailer

Playlist for Mistaken, Book 4, Ancients of Light series

Chosen, Book 1, Ancients of Light - Official Book Trailer

Mistaken – When is it Coming?????

Most days I am afraid to open my email or look at the Ancients page because I know someone will ask me that question. 

Just kidding – I love you guys and your love of the series. I really do… and I really want to get Mistaken in your hands.

I have mentioned frequently on the Ancients Facebook page that Mistaken is epicly epic… meaning that it has turned into a ginormous writing endeavor. When I began Alia’s story, it was not my intent to write a book over 250,000 words.  Thus far Broken was the longest in the series, at @130k words (435 pages in print), but by the time all is said and done, Mistaken looks to eclipse that by well over 100k. 

(Qualifier – I am still in editing and rewrites on Mistaken, so it may end up being 300,000 words, or it may be 225,000, the final count is still pending)

GINORMOUS.

Fans have been patiently awaiting an ‘official’ release date for the book.  Spring 2014 was deliberately vague, because as I saw the story evolving, I knew it would take longer than I had wanted to get the book into publication.  There are a couple of reasons for that – and I am going to explain.

From August 2012 to August 2013, I released the first 3 books in the Ancients series.  Forsaken and Broken were finished in that span of a year.  Written, edited, rewritten, edited…beta read, edited…  The process of writing and all of the editing and rewrites involved in a book that is over 100,000 words is no small undertaking.  Doing this while maintaining a demanding career, two young children and a reasonably sane household is nearly impossible. 

There was no reason to publish 3 books in the first 12 months of my writing career – other than I sometimes set unreasonable, arbitrary goals for myself.  I learned a big lesson and promised myself and my family that unreasonable, arbitrary goals were a thing of the past – after 6 months where almost every waking hour that was not devoted to work was spent sitting at my desk, ignoring my kids, my family, my life…basically my world consisted for my work-life and my Realm-life. 

After Broken was released, I did make a promise to my husband and my children, and a commitment to myself, that I would not go AWOL again. 

The Realm and the stories I am telling are incredibly important to me.  Writing is my relaxation, the part of me where I find happiness and a sense of worth that we often time do not find in our ‘real’ careers.  When I set unreasonable expectations and allow the goodness that comes to me from my writing to be warped into a huge life-stressor, I am not doing myself or my readers any favors. 

I intended to give myself 8 months to write/edit/publish Mistaken.  By that timeframe, it should be on your Kindles today. That was before I realized that Mistaken would evolve into a hugely involved tale, the length of TWO full-length novels.  So, I made a mistake yet again and committed myself to a timeline that made Mistaken into another bundle of stress.  This time, instead of writing/publishing/editing 2 separate novels over the period of twelve months, I am writing 1 book, that is fully the length of 2 novels, in 10 months.  Uh oh. I accidentally set an even higher bar to reach this time… it was soooo unintentional. 

That is one of the things that happens when you are new to the writing/publishing world and trying to learn it all.  ACK!!

So, what do I do now?

I believe in commitments, but I have conflicting ones here.  I have promised my readers Spring, and I have promised my family I will not neglect them again.  I am attempting to honor both.

Luckily, the rewrites on Mistaken are proceeding incredibly well.  Will I make the Spring date?  My current intention is to publish Mistaken on the last day of Spring – June 20, 2013. 

I ask for your continued patience, understanding that, like all Indie authors – I do not have the luxury to write full-time.  My job pays my bills and feeds my family.  My fun comes from writing these books and interacting with all you awesome people.  I need time to play with my kids and have family movie night.  I need to be able to continue to love these stories and these characters as much as I currently do.  In order to do that, I have to have balance… and I am still learning this balancing act. 

I continue to learn, so my writing is getting better.  I am learning to seek the help I need.  I have a fantastic editor now, and you have probably all met the various members of my Street Team who help promote the series.  I have the awesome Angel and fabulous Rebecca keeping things interesting on the Ancients Facebook page.  These things have all helped tremendously and allowed me to focus much more on working on Mistaken these past few weeks. 

At this time, I am very certain I will meet the June 20^th publication deadline.  If it looks like the book will not be in its best form by then – if there is some crazy issue – I will absolutely push the date, but I will let you know well in advance.  I promise you that I will not release crap for the sake of making a deadline.  My readers deserve better… and so does Kat and crew. 

Thank you so much for continuing along with me on this journey. 

XOXO

Heather

Author Spotlight - Grant Ansert

Today, I am thrilled thrilled thrilled (super-geeked... you got that, right?) to share a bit of time here at Fangs & Broomsticks with my good friend, Grant Ansert, to discuss his debut novel, The Mirror Man.

NYPD Detective Andy Thomas is called to investigate the death of a rapist in an alley. During the course of his investigation, he discovers that the death of the rapist has no medical explanation. Soon after, he is joined by FBI Special Agent Veronica Baldwin who has been investigating a series of similar deaths for the FBI for the past two years. As Andy and Veronica begin to close in on the suspect, nicknamed "The Mirror Man", they learn that another very evil man named Hesam is also pursuing the Mirror Man and plans to kill him if he catches him. As the investigation intensifies, Andy and Veronica learn that, although the Mirror Man was involved in the death of the rapist in the alley, he is in fact not guilty of any crime because he is an innocent pawn of Hesam. So Andy and Veronica have to make a choice. Do they do what is expected and watch the Mirror Man fall into the hands of Hesam? Or, do they do what's right and risk everything to help the Mirror Man gain his freedom?

Sounds awesome, right?

I am also privileged to feature Grant's first official interview. Settle in with your Witch's Brew - this is good stuff...


What came first, the title or the novel?

The idea came first. Usually, I get a central interesting theme or concept that I think will be interesting to readers and enough to carry several hundred pages of text. In this case, I thought of an extraordinary yet ordinary man who had a supernatural power to reflect the evil from a person’s heart back into his/her own heart. That concept brought about the title.

What inspired you to write The Mirror Man?

I am an avid people watcher (in a hopefully non-creepy way). I love going to malls, sporting events, and other large gatherings and watching people to see how they act, maybe even guess about their background. One day in mall here in Indianapolis, I took a seat on a bench with the other “Mallcontents” (the husbands who sit and await the return of their wives from shopping in a store- this is my favorite Sniglet, by the way) and began watching people walk by. Out of the corner of my eye, a lone man caught my attention. He had a coat on and a backpack strapped securely to his back. He walking along the periphery of the mall, shoulder practically brushing against the wall. I thought, Here’s a man in a very public place looking to stay anonymous. I began to wonder what his story could have been. By the time I was on the trip home, I had already thought up the storyline that perhaps he was a man who had something to hide and held an ancient secret. Within a few weeks, the story had taken shape and I was off and running.

Do you identify more with any one particular character in the story?

Anyone who knows me can tell just how much of me is written into my NYPD detective. His sense of humor, his rapport with other characters, and his peccadillos are all very much my own. However, I most identify with Mihalis, my Mirror Man. In so many situations, there are times when we feel trapped by circumstances, yet we try to make the best of what we’re given. One of the greatest compliments I’ve received as an author is when someone who has read my story tells me that Mihalis is their favorite character because of that reason.

What is up next for you?

Immediately, I plan to release the sequel to The Mirror Man this fall. The title is The Healer. I hope to release the third book in the trilogy, called Hologram, near Christmastime. During that time, I have two children’s/young reader books, Jeremiah & The Junk Shop and The Amistad Plant, which I plan to release. And, over the next 2-3 years, I have two other stories, Jesse’s Promise and The Contest, which are in various degrees of completion that I hope to finish and publish.

What is the one thing that helps you the most in your writing process?

The motivation to write stems from a need to escape from the worries/anxieties/responsibilities of life. I have a beautiful life, a wonderful family, a job I love, and friends and family who love me very much. However, we all need ways to get away and relax. And since I’m not much of a “Calgon take me away!” kind of a person, writing is my release.

Favorite book?

I am in love with the book I Heard the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven. She is a Pacific Northwest author, and since I am from Washington State (GO BREWSTER BEARS!) I had a college professor assign the book as required reading for an English class I took. And, my life has been changed for the better ever since. The book is about a Catholic Bishop who learns that a young vicar of his has terminal cancer and does not yet know of his diagnosis. Rather than send the vicar to a hospice somewhere, the Bishop sends the young man to his toughest parish- a Native American village in a very remote region. Within moments of meeting the vicar, the Native Americans sense what is going on (though they’re not told in advance) and begin the process of preparing the vicar for his eventual death without him knowing about it. The book does such a wonderful job of showing death in a different light from how so many other people view it. I often purchase the book as a gift for friends and family experiencing grief after the death of a loved one. Now, every time I pick up a book, the best that book can hope for is to be the second best I’ve ever read.

Favorite author?

Stephen King. No question. He gets a bad rap for his stories. He is seen by some as being a “weirdo” who writes strange stories. But, if you think about it, so many of his stories are regular life with a supernatural twist (mine are much like his). Think of how many books he has sold over so many decades of writing. Only quality authors can pull that off. He stands up for those of us who enjoy fiction. And, consider his impact on entertainment and society; Carrie, The Shining, Misery, The Green Mile, Stand By Me, The Shawshank Redemption, and many others. I’m a big fan. Keep it up, Stephen!

All that authory-stuff aside, we must get to the very most important details that we care about here in the Realm. Favorite Dessert?

Sorry to get all mamby-pamby on you, but it’s a tie. No sane person could decide between my mom’s apple pie and freshly-baked brownies with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top. I mean, come on. Would you choose?

Flying Monkeys or Munchkins?

I have to say I’m a big ol’ member of the Lollipop Guild.

We love Flying Monkeys here in the Realm, but we will still be your friend. Congrats on your debut release!  

You can connect with Grant and find his books here:

Grant's Website

Goodreads

Friend Grant on Facebook

The Mirror Man on Kindle

The Mirror Man on Nook

The Mirror Man in Paperback