What I've been up to lately

Yeah, I know. It's been a shamefully long time since I updated this page. The past 10 months I've been busy because of a family emergency of sorts. Everyone is fine, you needn't worry. But my family needed my help and that took me away form writing for a while. The same can be said for the ongoing construction/remodeling at home. Last summer it reached a stage where I had to pack up a lot of things and get them out of the way. I did manage to squeeze in some writing time and I've made good progress on book 2 of The Oneiroi War. It was at the halfway mark when I had to put it aside in March to work on three contracted short stories that were due back to back. I've finished those up recently. In fact, not only are all three written, two have already gone through edits. So that's a huge relief -- and I need some relief. I've pushed myself too hard these past few months to make up for lost time and to make these deadlines. My arthritic hands are hurting and I'm really fatigued. So rather than jump right back into book 2 I'm going to take a short break. I know a lot of people are eagerly waiting for that next book and I definitely want to get back to it but I really need two weeks off so my hands can recover. I feel terrible delaying it a bit longer but I have to be smart and put my health first.

Never fear though. I do have something new to tide you over while I rest. One of the three stories I worked on over the spring is coming out August 1st! It's part of Uncollected Anthology. Uncollected Anthology is an urban fantasy anthology series. Every volume has a different theme -- this time the theme is fairy tales -- and all of the stories are by really talented authors! What makes Uncollected Anthology really unique is that you can buy all of the stories seperately! You can still buy the whole volume, but I love that the option to only but two or three is available. I'm the guest author for this particular volume and I'm thrilled!

Here is what my story, The Twelve Dancing Sisters, is about: Private Investigator, Chloe Martinez, has had some strange cases but this is the first one that has scared her to death. Twelve sorority sisters disappear every Friday night and no one knows where they go. All of the clues lead to the secretive world that Chloe narrowly managed to escape years ago. If she doesn’t take case these girls might not survive another night. But if she does take the case, Chloe might not be able to escape that world a second time.

You'll find the buy links for The Twelve Dancing Sisters and all of the other stories in the anthology here, at the bottom of the page.

When I have details on the release of the the other two stories I wrote over the spring I'll share them and I'll definitely keep you updated on how book two is coming along. Till then I'll commence my break!

My Debut Novel!

The last time I posted an update I teased that I have a new book coming and would soon release the cover. Well, soon thereafter I was so swamped in copy edits, and other pre-release business that I completely forgot to do that. I am sorry for that but I have some news that might make up for that. My debut novel, The Moonflower, is now out!

Here's the publisher's description: 

"Getting into a Parisian art school was a dream come true for Ariana, but night terrors are disrupting her sleep, making it nearly impossible to complete her coursework, and now she faces expulsion.

When a mysterious woman gives her a pendant, promising it will solve her problems, Ariana is desperate enough to try it.

Instead of sweet dreams, it transports her to the Demos Oneiroi - the dream world of the ancient Greek gods - and thrusts her amidst a war between the gods.

Now Ariana must choose to let the gods fight amongst themselves, or risk everything to keep their feud from spilling into the real world."

And here's the cover I mercilessly teased about:

 

The gorgeous cover art is by Lee Moyer and I couldn't be happier with it! It's so amazing to finally see these characters on a cover and hold the book in my hands. This book is the first of five books in the Oneiroi War series. And because I know that someone will ask, yes, it will only be five books. I am not going to pull a GRRM or a Jordan on you by suddenly expanding the series and spending the next twenty years working on it. Right now the plan is to write and release a book a year in this series. I've already written about a third of book two and I'm loving it! It's so good!

It's available in ebook on Amazon, iTunes, Nook, and Kobo.

There's also a paperback edition available on Amazon. The paperback will also be available at Reader's Guide and Powell's bookstores in Oregon but give it a few weeks before you rush in and buy it. Their warehouses haven't received their shipments yet but I've been assured that they will arrive.

I have a new story out!

I absolutely adore the cover art.

The newest issue of Fiction River is out and my story, Blood Moon Carnival, is in it! The wonderful Kerrie L. Hughes edited this spectacular issue and my story is near and dear to my heart so please go pick up a copy. It's available in print and ebook formats. You can find it on Amazon, Smashwords, and you can order it as part of a subscription to year 3's fantastic issues on Fiction River's website. If you live in Oregon you can also buy it at Reader's Guide bookstore in Salem and I'll sign it for you!

To celebrate the third year of Fiction River, WMG (the publisher) is giving away free ebook copies on Smashwords. If you want the secret code email me at kimmainord@gmail.com before July 31st, 2015.