Hello, Darklings!
How is it already the middle of November? The spooky season has come and gone (without me getting my Halloween panel quilt finished — again) and we are heading into the holiday season (winter here in the Northern Hemisphere, summer for those below the equator) full speed ahead.
Would whomever is driving this crazy train please tap the brakes once or twice? I am not prepared for Sithmas just yet.
No, I mean it. I mentioned back in September that I needed to redo the cover of my upcoming sci-fi novel, The Silverthorn Protocol, due to some uncertain better-safe-than-sorry conditions, and while not a direct result of that, it did contribute to my having to push the publication date back a wee bit. Planned release is now December 14 rather than this week.
Another reason for the delay is kittens.
You heard me.
While my kitten fostering days are behind me, I took on three underweight three-week-old gray tabby boys. Long story short, their foster mom had some family circumstances arise and I volunteered to take them until she found her footing again. They’ve been with me a few weeks now and are doing great, and while I wouldn’t trade a second of it (Let’s see — saving kittens lives or getting a book out on time on a schedule I made up in the first place? That’s not even a choice!), bottle-feeding kittens is a full time, round-the-clock job, and it takes a toll on even the most able-bodied, of which long-time readers will know I am not.
Mr. James (also not in the best of shape, but he manages) has been the best of help with the little lads. He is the Kitten Whisperer, and in addition to getting fussy kittens to sleep in two minutes flat, he makes sure I am fed and watered with my favorite treats (seriously, he is the best husband and I realize how fortunate I am to have him as my life mate) between feedings. As they were October kittens, we named them The Monster Squad (shout-out to those who get the reference!) — Frankie (nstien), Wolfie (Wolfman), and Boo (aka Boo Berry, as he was the smallest of the three). Pics will be up on my Patreon soon for those who support me there! They’re weaning now so things are a little less stressful, but now comes a whole new set of challenges involving litter boxes and learning to eat from a dish without imitating a snow plow. (We’re going through a LOT of baby wipes.)
So, Silverthorn is pushed back a bit. I want to put the best book I can out, especially my first foray into a new genre, and I am in no shape to give it the final attention it needs while I’m on Kitten Time. (Remember what I said about around-the-clock care? I’m a bit short of sleep and severely tea deficient.) I promise when it comes out it will be the best version I can make of it. (I already have some deleted scenes ready for Patreon posts next year.)
Now you know what’s going on with that, let me direct your attention to a NEW SHINY THING!
If you click this link right here, it will take you to a fantastic promo I’m involved in that features a bunch of free reads for paranormal fans! It’s going on right now, from today (November 15) through December 15, and features nineteen other independent authors, each of whom are offering a free book! Some of them (like me) will ask if you would like to subscribe to their newsletter before you claim your free book, others might make it a requirement, but there’s something there for everyone, so check it out.
As this is my first time participating in this kind of promotion, I apologize now if I’m mistaken on how things work. As far as I know, you click the link, you get taken to the promo page, you click on the book(s) that interest you, bada-boom bada-bing! I’ve had a friend try it out and it worked just fine for them, so now I’m giving it to you. I’m signed up to try another promotion through this new platform (called Bookfunnel for those interested) next month, so hopefully I’ll have a handle on how things work by then.
I’m offering All Wounds, the first Stranger Things novel, in ebook format for free, so if you or someone you know would like a free copy, head on over to the promo and grab it!
Speaking of newsletter sign-ups, hello and welcome to the Darklings just joining us here at the Lair of Doom. Bar to the right. Tip the bartender. We have a Patreon VIP section, where you can have tea with me, get your name in lights, or be my pen pal where you receive a private newsletter just for you every now and then. Head on over to Patreon and see if anything there catches your eye (except the bartender — he’s antisocial).
If you’re in the United States and observe the November holiday next week, may you have a pleasant one, however you celebrate. Everyone else, enjoy your Thursday.
Until next time.
-Dina