Awaiting Dates

Nasty Leftovers is in proofreading. I’m on pins and needles.

Then, yesterday, a review of Sudden Mission from Peter Younghusband, Australia, came out. The excitement is building. Here is the link to that review:

Booktrope (parent of my publisher Vox Dei) approved the cover concept. And, Scott Deyett, who did such a bang-up job on Sudden Mission, is hard at work getting the art for the Nasty Leftovers cover ready. This’ll be great!

Due to holidays and schedules, we’ll likely push the publication date from the original March 22 (proposed way back last fall), to early April. I’m waiting to get confirmation on that date. I have a few events to schedule around that.

I’m also working on a concept for the book trailer.

I also need to get writing on the third installment.

And, I have some granddaughters I must totally spoil for Valentine’s Day.

Looks like a busy next couple of months.

Here’s a little taste of Nasty Leftovers, just to whet your reading appetite.

“Hello, William,” Paul said. “I’m …”

“Paul,” William said. “And she is Amy. I know.”

Something felt unsettling to Paul. William was far more clear-headed than any of the other survivors they had brought in, but he was off-putting in voice and manner, and his face was hard.

“I see,” Paul said. “May we ask you a few questions?”

The man smiled, a cold, confident smile that chilled Paul’s blood. “You can ask me whatever you like.”

“How do you know who we are? Did someone here tell you?”

“No, I know who you are because he told me,” William said.

“He?” Paul said. “He, who?”

“The magnificent ruler of this place, his highness.”

“Do you know his name?”

“Yes.”

Paul waited. William just looked at him, then gave another contemptuous smile. “Do you actually expect me to give it to you? Really, Paul, you are such a child.”

Paul felt like a child. He felt small and weak and hopelessly outclassed.

“Do you—do you remember when we found you and brought you here a few days ago?” Amy asked. Her voice sounded uncertain and Paul suspected she’d spoken just to change the subject.

“Of course,” William said. “I was deliberately taken to a location where you would find me and bring me in.”

Paul suspected as much, but hearing the words made him uneasy. The demon wanted William to be here. It was all part of his plan.

“Yes, Paul. It is his plan. You should have stayed in your little community with your gardens, your solar power, and your church and friends. This mission was just a supreme waste of lives, fuel, and time. You have no hope of clearing this city. It belongs to my master and will stay that way.”

Keep writing.