The manuscript is in Amazon's hands now. I have a load of work to do each time I write a new book. The back matter of every book I've written needs to be updated to include the new novel. It's pretty cool to see the list growing, despite being a hassle. I need to finish updating the website, add a post to FB... the list goes on.
For the first time, I'll be promoting this new series by offering the first book, The Book of Arcane Secrets, for free on 11/29/24-12/3-24. If you haven't read it, now's a good time.
 

  At exactly 2:08pm on September 27, I wrote the last sentence to the conclusion of the Executed Queens Series. Wahoo!!!
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  Marie A. was a complicated woman and it took quite a bit of research to wrap my hands around her. By the time I finished the last biography I read about her, I felt pretty protective about the woman. SHE NEVER SAID 'LET THEM EAT CAKE'! 

  Learning details about the dead queens did something to Iris Dittmeyer too. Changed her in a fashion no one could've predicted. (including me) Getting kidnapped probably had an impact, too.  I'm jumping ahead. 

  I'm delighted to be finished, but now I have to start the revisions and editing.  Wish me luck!

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Well, another queen is dead.
I've finished "A Charming Box of Treachery" and it's now live on Amazon. Even after publishing several books, I still get a thrill when a book goes live. 
Mary, the queen of Scots, has been executed. She's left behind a silver box given to her by her first husband. She never dreamed that box would later contain her worst nightmare.
Mary Waters is not a queen. Yet. She's a blues singer with a heart of gold and the voice of an angel. And she's about to get tangled up in a chilling mystery! 
  I think I'll take a nap now...

  I've sent the manuscript out to the beta readers. It usually takes me a few days to recover after that. Rapidly cycling moods wear a person out. First comes the exultation of finishing a long project. Next a tsunami of self-doubt and a profound regret that I've exposed my early readers to a story I'm certain is filled with flaws. 
  I've learned to throw myself into research for the next book when my mind starts going down rabbit holes. As a result, I've already learned quite a bit about Marie Antoinette. I'm not going to say much about her because I still have to process everything. You should know, however, the words: "Let them eat cake" never crossed over her lips.
  Cake does sound pretty tasty right now. Especially after getting feedback from the first readers. They loved the story. 

Loved our recent trip to Memphis. Went to a few traditional spots like Beale Street and Itta Bena (A speakeasy found by walking up the fire escape above BB King's Blue's club...
Additionally, we toured a few less popular destinations. Two cemeteries and a dry good store that sells HooDoo supplies... important research for my next book!
It's a story about a Blues singer, the search for a priceless heirloom and the power of love.
Have a look at some photos from Memphis.

Being a queen isn't/wasn't quite like the image Disney represents in their contemporary movies with princesses. It more closely resembles the original Snow White... some wicked relation was always trying to feed you a poison apple. 
I'm still trying to unwrap why Mary, the Queen of Scots, didn't accept the abdication forced upon her and disappear into anonymity. I would've pawned my royal jewels and lived a simple life in a cottage alongside a sparkling lake. Watched the steam rise from my cup of tea as I read another novel by...
Wait. 
I'm supposed to be updating you on my progress. Well. I'm happy to report that I'm making headway. I've finished the first draft--which always makes my heart sing! Now I have to start the challenging work of adding details to my latest Iris Dittmeyer mystery. 

The newest book will be set in Memphis and I'll be adding photos to an upcoming blog of some of the locations from the book. (they won't be the typical tourist locations!) 
Meanwhile, I've quite fallen in love with Mary. 
Oh. Not that Mary...
I'm talking about a different queen-- and I can't wait to introduce her.

  This book tied me in knots. I questioned every decision. Did I include too much history? Did I give enough clues? Did the cover convey a mystery book that wasn't dark or bloody? 
Ultimately, its up to the readers now. (That's you!) Feel free to let me know!
I'm already knee-deep into the story about Mary, the Queen of Scots. Her life was complex,  tumultuous and tragic. It's going to take a lot of mental energy to package that woman up!
In the meantime, I'm taking a trip to Portugal soon. It's definitely a vacation. I won't be imaging Iris sitting across the table from me while I dine in restaurants. I'll avoid walking into anything that looks like a bookshop, and I'll turn my back on anything that appears remotely medieval. 
I'm such a liar. 

  I'd hoped to have the book published by now, but a new friend (a fellow writer) said she experienced a little confusion when reading certain passages. This series incorporates more history (condensing a lot of material ) so I wasn't terribly surprised. Still. It's torture wanting to release a book, and then finding out it's not quite ready...
  Then I remembered a quote from a letter King Henry the Eight wrote to Anne Boleyn: "One can't do more than the possible." Except for those love letters, I didn't care for the guy, but he did have a good point.
  Anyway, I'm back to my laptop, and I promise I'll do my best to make this novel sparkle by the time I'm done! 
PS. I'm reading Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Shelley, and it's nothing like I imagined from those movies.

I'm floating. 
This newest novel has taken more time, more research, and more stamina than my previous books and I hoped it would it would excite readers. It has. 
Early readers not only enjoyed the book, they found it fascinating!

As usual, when I'm doing research, I often come across ideas that need exploration. In this case, I read an article about some smudges on a book of prayers belonging to Anne Boleyn. Only, it turns out, they weren't water stains like everyone assumed. My imagination went wild.

At the same time, I'd noticed a trend when I was out shopping. There was more merchandise marketed toward the occult. Tarot cards. Crystal sun catchers. Bundles of sage. I sensed a current in the fabric of our society. A quiet revolution. Witches, once feared and exiled, were on the rise. What did it mean? Surprisingly, my research led me in a big circle....

I'm working on the cover and expect to be releasing the book in another few weeks. Meanwhile, I feel like Mary, the Queen of Scots is demanding an audience. This quote I found online could've been written for her: "You will never be crowned if you always back down." From my research so far, I know Mary took everything life threw at her and she... DID NOT BACK DOWN. 

I'm already looking forward to introducing you to another queen....

  I've finished the first draft of book one in a new series, and I think you're going to like it. Along with a modern day mystery, the Executed Queen series will share tantalizing bits about the lives of Anne Boleyn, Mary Stuart (Queen of Scots), and Marie Antoinette.
   I'm starting with Anne and the prayer book she took to her execution. Did you realize King Henry VIII destroyed everything related to his second wife? Many women risked their lives to preserve that book and you might be wondering why...
  I think I can help you with that question, but you're going to have to give me some more time! In the meantime, what do you think of the tagline for the series?  

Three dead queens are nothing to lose your head about...