Wordy Wednesday "Bananapants" WIP edition!
Good morning and happy hump day! I really hope that it's more happy than hump, unless the hump makes you happy, in which case hump on with it!
I have a PLETHORA of things going on currently and so I wanted to take a couple of moments and say thank you for sticking with me, and I hope you will continue because the next couple of months are going to be, as my editor says, "bananapants!" That word cracks me up so I just had to steal it today.
1. The Banes of Lake's Crossing book two has a title! Ascension will be out very soon and you beautiful people will be the first to have the details. We have a gorgeous cover I hope to share with in the next week or so as well. Let's just say that this second installment, for me, was incredibly compelling to work on. I had the pleasure of writing in two of my favorite locales and I hope that came through in the story. Here's a quick excerpt from The Fourth Man Finds Hope:
Jonah watched as Byron left the shop. From his room at the top of the water tower next to the inn, he could see most of his end of town. He watched as Byron went out to his Jeep, started the car, and then turned it off. He got out and walked down the street, pausing to look back in the direction of the inn before heading down Main Street.
He’d met with Darcy. Jonah questioned the wisdom of putting those two together, but what was done was done. He hated the position Byron was in. Jonah also hated the hand he’d had in the drama in which the Manwaring family was now embroiled.
No, he hadn’t gone to San Francisco on business, but Jonah needed some space from the young man who looked so much like his grandfather. He hoped the younger Byron had less of an impulsive nature than the man he was named after, but knew that was unlikely to be true.
Jonah sat in his favorite chair in his small room and stared out at the ocean. Memories assaulted him from all angles. All he’d lost. All he’d fought against. The evil inside him had been at rest for the past decade and it took less and less to sustain him these days, but something had stirred in him when Byron crossed the threshold of his home looking for answers. And he’d wanted to give them. For some damn reason, Jonah wanted to unload the whole sordid tale, but as Byron got more and more intoxicated from the tainted wine, Jonah began to question his judgement.
He’d been alive for over one hundred and seventy years, with no sign he was going anywhere. Was he really stupid enough to reveal himself and his curse to this young man who already had enough on his plate, just to ease his own conscience?
But Byron was just as affected by the curse Jonah had carried these long years. He just didn’t know it yet.
His cell phone rang and he stared at it. The ring was Darth Vader’s march. Darcy. She’d set it up on his phone and he didn’t know how to turn it off.
“Yes, darling,” he answered sarcastically.
“Why did you send him to me?”
Jonah stretched out his long legs and took a lengthy pull on his scotch. “Because he needs the bouquet. You’re the most brilliant silversmith I know.”
“Bullshit,” she said with a laugh. “You’re the most brilliant silversmith you know.”
Jonah chuckled. Darcy always could make him smile. He was incredibly proud of her. “Regardless, he needs the bouquet, you can make it for him. What else did he say?”
“He’s a very confused young man. Did you give him the wine last night?”
She knew all his secrets. “I did. But then I said too much, so I gave him more. When will you see him again?”
It was quiet for too long on the other end of the line. “He’s coming after work. He wanted to see what I can do.”
A feeling of powerlessness descended upon Jonah. He’d set this in motion the moment he’d agreed to see Byron. He’d kept such a tight leash on everything for so long. Why now would he bring someone in who could end it all?
Perhaps he wanted it to end. The years had been long and unforgiving. He’d done all the good he could to counteract the evil the cursed silver brought into the world, but it never seemed to be enough.
“Just be careful,” Jonah warned.
“Careful? For myself or for his sake?”
Too damned smart.
“Both.”
I can't wait to share this story with you! In the meantime, go on over to the Teatime Tattler and read all about the latest happenings in the city of Reno, Nevada with the Banes of Lake's Crossing!
2. Worst Holiday Ever Anthology... Whoa. Did I cook up one of the most adorable couples on the planet? Here's the blurb I'm working with for my story. It's still rough, so please forgive any boo boos:
Thanksgiving Parade from Hell
Dalton Bishop is a Silicon Valley darling. His latest start-up company has been growing like gangbusters the past two years and he’s now throwing million dollar gigs for his employees, jet-setting around the Bay Area in his Tesla, and falling ridiculously in love with the hottest new solo artist on the indie rock scene.
Seemingly overnight, Orrie Jones went from endlessly playing bars and small clubs to superstardom. A year ago he played a corporate gig for the first time and was wooed by millionaire hotshot Dalton Bishop. Orrie’s head over heels for the guy, but he can’t help feeling like the rug is going to be yanked out from under him any day now.
It’s been just over a year since our heroes fell in love and this will be their first Thanksgiving making the rounds of their various family members’ homes. Orrie’s insecurities creep in and the men experience their first real relationship issues. Dalton will do anything to prove to Orrie that he’s in this for the long haul, and he’s got a ring to prove it. If they can just make it through their Thanksgiving Parade from Hell, surviving opinionated grandmothers, a turkey fryer, and enthusiastic nephews, maybe he can finally convince Orrie he’s his one and only.
You can preorder your copy here today!
3. Typhoon Toby! The second book in the Forces of Nature Series will be here before you know it, January 22nd, and there will be a cover reveal on October 29th at the Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Blog!
4. A Halloween BOOkish Event is happening on Facebook! Be sure to get in on the Scavenger Hunt and join the event!
5. IT'S ALMOST HALLOWEEN! I hope to have a very spooky treat for you as the holiday of holidays rolls around. If you're a member of Ro's Roadies of Romance, my reader group, you can help me on this endeavor! Join us today!
I'm sure I'm forgetting something but that's enough from me today! I wish you all happy days leading up to the most grooviest holiday on the planet! Hugs and smoochies and STAY TUNED FOR MORE ROCK 'N' ROMANCE!
