Greetings readers. This author is writing to you with a new kidney! Praise the Lord, I got my transplant at last. In fact, I got the call to come to the hospital while writing my last blog post to you all. It’s been quite the ride here on my end, but hopefully in 2023 I can get you the sequels I have been promising.
New Books
So while the Destiny in the Shadows trio is off in edits with my editor (three books, good grief), I’m working on my next standalone release. This one is more sci-fi, though it centers on the Phantom of the Opera tale. It’s a standalone, so it should prove to be a bit less long (*cough cough* it never turns out to be small for this author. What starts as a small project usual morphs as the characters scream at me). It definitely has a strong cyberpunk twist with a huge focus on AI, a hotly contested issue of 2023 as is.
As for Destiny in the Shadows, the next three books should be released in short succession to each other. Originally, it was one large megabook, but I felt it was getting too large. So, as authors often do, I added even more to each book. I can attest that they are action packed and the cliffhanger you have all been after me about from Slave to War will finally be answered.
The series of chapters I released from Del Muerta in 2020 are also coming to you in book form. The story I began will progress through Aiyla Gobcheva’s eyes, coming to Amazon this year. As my editor said, “Welcome to the blood bath in Dejado Atras‘. It will be one Hell (Infierno to be precise) of a bumpy ride! The first two books in the Sanctum of Hell series will be Helice and Del Muerta.
Kidney Transplants And A Plea
Also, as I am sure you’ve noticed, I used a dreaded word in the previous paragraphs. For those of you who follow me on social media, you’ve probably already heard I was on dialysis. Back in May 2021, my kidneys failed and I was going for treatments at least three days a week; many weeks being five treatments every seven days.
Most dialysis patients will attest that this isn’t a lasting solution. Dialysis is hell on the body. To keep going in life for the long term, they need a kidney transplant. And that means a donor.
When my kidneys failed, I was astounded to learn that over 100,000 people need a kidney at this time. And only about 6,000 people donate every year. Too many perish without ever getting the kidney they need, waiting years on the list to no avail. The average wait is from six to nine years. Many people desperately need a donor, but few come forward for a person they do not know. Those who do are known as Good Samaritan donors.
My donor was a gift of life from someone after they passed on and I am forever grateful for that heroic gift. Much like any other after death donor, they may have saved as many as nine people via different organs such as kidneys, heart, lungs, liver, etc.
So this is me asking any of you would consider being a donor, either in life or to be listed in the registry for after you have passed on for those who need a new organ. Any age is accepted if you are determined to be in good enough health to donate. If you cannot or will not, I would ask that you spread the word that many people are in need of one. Word of mouth has been proven to be the best way to spread the word.
If you would like more information or would like to consider donating, please call Yale New Haven Kidney Transplant Center at 866-925-3897 if you are in the New England or visit https://www.kidney.org/transplantation for more information.
Thanks for listening to me. I hope to make 2023 a good year and pray it will be equally good for you, my dear readers. God bless you all!
To celebrate the release of Forgotten Hart next week, Book 1 & 2 of the Vaktare of All Realms series Cursed Hart and Black Hart are on sale for .99 cents each, today only!
*Or, for Kindle Unlimited subscribers, they’re free with your membership. Snag the deal while it’s on before they go back to full price at $3.99 each!Get them while they’re 75% off!
TOP TEN FINALIST FOR BEST URBAN FANTASY 2019 – CAFFIENATED FANTASY AWARDS Lost by the Fidem. Hunted by Xydon. Her family murdered… Only one power can save them all; the power of a herald Väktare and her Protectore. When a mysterious stranger arrives at Shira Black’s motorcycle restoration shop, trying to kidnap her and knowing her true identity, all hell breaks loose… quite literally due to her curse. Her only hope to stay free and in turn alive, is to trust two brothers to find the last of her family. To survive, they must unite their powers to evade the demonic forces of evil looking to capture her soul…
New Year, new task. 2020 looks like it’s going to be a renewed period of time where we all can get in touch with our inner selves… Or to be quite frank, let’s hope it’s a lot better than 2019! Yes, you can hear my sarcasm. Nobody I have talked to said it was a good year.
Now that I’ve got all the contaminated manuscripts squared away so I can start to actually touch them again (you can read part one of this story here), I can start the fun process of bringing them into your hands: transcribing them. So to start the process, I’ve been tallying up all the notebooks to see what I’ve got. Turns out I’d written a lot more than I remembered. Out of the sixty or so notebooks, I’ve tallied up what notebooks belong to what series.
Note to self: Tell my brain to calm down. We’re good on content… that is, until it invariably comes up with yet another idea... usually are one AM when I’m trying to get to sleep. Tell me I’m not the only author who has become more bat-like than human when it comes to hours…
Hence forth, here are all the series and books coming your way in the not so distant future. Ie., this is my list of WIPs (works in progress) plus a quick summary of what they are. (Anyone who requested a twisted fairy tale, you can now check out to see if your request made the cut!):
Destiny in the Shadows: 17 Notebooks (mind you, all 70 pages each and written on front to back). They include the story lines for BLOOD WAR, the as of yet untitled untitled book to sum up the series, and three of the spinoff series books from Cain McRattin’s POV. (Yes, dear readers. I’ve been listening to your pleas!) This makes up about 30% of my notebooks. Clearly I enjoy writing from Sierrenna’s & Cain’s POVs.
The Delunian Kingdom Saga: 6 Notebooks (not including the current manuscript of the first book in the series which is close to completion). As for those who aren’t acquainted with the concept yet, it’s a dystopian medi-punk sci-fi retelling of the Robin Hood story from Maid Marien’s POV. Yes, considering there’s all sorts of otherworldly creatures including reptilians and awesome sword fights, it’s definitely for my sci-fi readers. Maid Marriene is definitely not your typical lady in waiting.
Note: These books have been one of the hardest to write out of all of them. I started the story when I was ten and have continued to rip the story to shreds periodically to build it back up from the bare bones. And let me tell you, my ten year old self had no interest in evil reptilians, so it’s been quite the rewrite! This series has been over a decade in the making.
Del Muerta Trilogy: 5 Notebooks. Based loosely on the state of Venezuela, it’s a dystopian series with a slightly Latin American spin. It involves vigilantes, a revolution, a pack of former police dogs, and is one of my more high octane action series with a slightly Hunger Games feel. If you enjoyed the newer Zorro movies, I venture to say you’ll likely enjoy this series.
Riding Hood: 2 Notebooks. Red is a man and granny is an alpha wolf shifters. Need I say more? Fantasy fodder with a romantic twist.
Jack Frost Chronology: 7 Notebooks. Yes, I’ve got an upcoming science fantasy series where Jack Frost is actually Jaqueline Frost (Jackie Frost), an ice elf able to control ice and fire. Includes genetic cloning, the Louisiana French Quarter, a pet fox / Yeti, a skunk, and all sort of fun subjects. Three books planned and two largely in complete in the notebooks.
It was one of my first series that I wrote next to Vaktare and Destiny in the Shadows. The male protagonist, David, is one of my favorites because it’s been such a challenge writing from his POV since he’s blind!
Sleeping Beau-T: 2 Notebooks. A sci-fi retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty story.
Guardians of the GrailSeries: 1 Notebook so far since the Vampire’s Handmaiden was released in October. But it’s in the works! The ‘catnip sniffing idiot’ as one of my readers coined Rafe will return with Yasmina, as will Dune!
Vaktare of All Realms Series: 5 Notebooks, not including books 2 & 3 of the series. Those, plus one more notebook that is the beginning of the Rex spin-off that was requested by one of my Beta-Readers. Most of you haven’t met Rex yet because he doesn’t come into the picture until book two (Black Hart which is out on Valentine’s Day!) Those who read the ARC of it are still fascinated by him! Needless to say, he plays a huge role in Shira Hart’s story.
Legends of Arestina Series: Six notebooks, which span two books from Kenzie and Dare’s son’s POVs. You see? I do listen to my readers. Wings of Caligo was originally a stand-alone, but enough people demanded that I do a sequel that I listened. I even have a fourth book rattling around in my brain that hasn’t been put on paper yet.
The books extensively cover the subject of hybrids and chimeras that result from genetic engineering. Much like the first book, the subject of bullying will also be a large theme. Needless to say, old enemies resurface from the dead and create all sorts of mayhem on Arestina!
Cicario (Still untitled): 1 Notebook. Still largely in development, but is inspired by the situation in Mexico with the drug cartels and assassins in the cities. Yes, I do take pokes at sensitive topics. I’m no coward.
Watergate: 1 notebook. No, it’s not a Clinton investigation book (I value my life too highly for that! I may not be a coward, but I’m no idiot!). An underwater high-tech civilization under attack by marine spirits and mermaids. It takes place in this current day in time, so it will be an urban fantasy.
Blood of Innocents: 1 Notebook. Epic Fantasy in a different time. Still too new to talk about, but there will be sword fights, different realms to explore, and an epic love story.
Star Catcher Series: 3 notebooks (so far) and two books in total. A hypochondriacal dragon*, a knight, and two princess go on an epic quest. What could go wrong? Sabrina is another favorite of mine as is Channidy.
*The series was originally supposed to be a serious, epic fantasy. That is until I made the stupid decision to mention it to my mother and she came up with the idea of turning Reggie into a hypochondriac. Needless to say, it disrupted all of my plans for the story but was too good to let go!
The Sword in the Stones: A modern retelling of the Sword in the Stone story. Two men from the medieval era get transported to the future. Again, what could go wrong?
Faith Vs. Magic / Deliverance: 4 Notebooks. A fictionalized version of deliverance Ministry within the Christian faith. Basically us Vs demons. My first officially Christian novel that will likely piss a number of people off because it tackles the subject of demons in the faith.
The Gunslinger: 1 Notebook. A dystopian novel that follows the adventures of Jairal (Yes! For those who have spoken to me, she’s quite the character!) a gunslinger in the ruins of an American city. My first foray into cyber-punk fiction.
And finally…
The Wolf Keeper’s Daughter: A stylized retelling of the Cinderella story that includes a fantasy world, giant wolves, an icy fantasy world, Snow Alclaws (basically giant snow leopards that are an advanced civilization), and a war for power between their kingdoms. Clearly I don’t stick within normal fairytale bounds!
PS., none of these include the books I have noted but not yet written down. This is just a short list of what’s physically in the notebooks!
So that basically sums it up. While these stories won’t be immediately released, they will be coming your way very soon. If there’s a particular one you want sooner rather than later, make sure to comment and let me know what you’re looking forward to. I aim to please my readers and sometimes your requests make my to-do list get re-prioritized!
If you really want to do me a favor, make sure to fill out his survey for me before you go! I’m trying to see just exactly who my readers are and it gives options about you preferences about future books. Ex: are you into fantasy, scifi, or straight up action? It’s anonymous, so there’s no strings attached. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QWHJMLJ
In this next month, I have two releases coming up, so you definitely won’t be without new content to keep your reading list full. BLACK HART and OUTFOXED will be coming to a bookshelf near you. Outfoxed will be a charity release for the Australian bushfires, so make sure to stay tuned for the details. You’ll get to support a great cause and get a book out of it, too!
In the meantime, if you want a free copy of my now BEST SELLING ebook Still Death, make sure to click here. Wishing you all the best this new year! May God bless you and may the winds of adventure always be at your back!
Screams of agony shattered the
stillness of the night air. There was nothing I could do for the victims, as I
sat on the front porch of the mansion. Nor anything I would do to block the
sound out. I listened, refusing to let them suffer alone; bearing the brunt of
the evil’s wrath. I would suffer with them as I suffered with so many others before,
bearing witness to their destruction. While I wasn’t the reason these people were
meeting their deaths, I was certainly the reason they wouldn’t live through the
night.
This family didn’t deserve this any
more than any of the other victims. My power could have saved them. Furthermore,
I was sorely tempted to shield them from this fate. But I couldn’t. Someone had
to die. Someone must distract the evil one from the three beings escaping out
the back door of the mansion. No, it was far too important that the others live;
that she, the herald Väktare, survive.
Then all was still.
The front door opened slowly as the
other male stepped out. Hatred flared through me, but I hid it well. I would
wait until the time was right for my revenge. For now I would play the loyal
servant, even as I longed to rip his entrails out for all the darkness he
spread across the planet.
“The girl is missing,” the figure in
the doorway hissed, blood from the victims inside still dripping off of his
fingers. “Her cradle was empty.”
“Oh?” I asked, feigning surprise. “The Hart
child?”
“Yes, that child!” the dark figure
snapped furiously. “Find her. Bring her to me!”
“Of course. Anything else I need accomplish?”
“Just get her!” he thundered, setting
the mansion on fire with a spell. “The family is dealt with. The Fidem must
have taken her! They have her. I know it!“
“I understand your consternation, Master,
but I find it very unlikely that the Fidem would leave the family here and take
the child instead. It’s highly illogical for the family to hide the child but
not themselves-”
“Families are illogical. The attachment
to each other impairs their judgment to the point of stupidity,” the dark
figure in the cloak replied coldly. “Hence the ease of their murders! I didn’t
even exert myself to drain them of their life forces! Just bring the child to-“
“You. I heard you the first time,
Master,” I added hastily, rising from the stoop.
“She is mine,” the other said, eyes
gleaming like the demon he was. “Her power will be mine! Do not fail this time.
This is the Väktare I have waited for. Even now, she still will not escape.”
A thrill of foreboding ran through me upon
hearing his glee. “What have you done?”
“She will be cursed,” he crowed over my
quiet question, flames spiraling higher around him. “All of her power will bend
to my will and anyone who helps her remain free shall be routed where they
stand! Death and pain will follow her every step until she is mine!”
No more was said as the figure in the
dark cloak vanished. The only signs that he had even been here were the bloody
footprints leading back into the house. Those prints told me not to bother to
check inside for survivors. The cloying feel of death was still floating around
in the air.
But even with that in mind, I couldn’t
help but grimly smile. This made worthwhile the sacrifice of all the countless
beings before that had been murdered. The Väktare’s family would rest well in
their graves if they knew how much rested on her life. As for my beloved… well,
I couldn’t think about her now.
I had succeeded. The dark one failed, even with his cursing her life. The girl had survived.
Cursed Hart available Now at amazon.com/author/maggielynnheronheidel
Man, oh man, another week has gone by. Now we’re in the Thanksgiving season and almost to the Christmas sprint of the shopping frenzy. Crazy how time passes, isn’t it? Where did 2019 go?!
Still, at this time of year, some of the best things happen. Families gather, parties commence, and people in retail feel even more exhausted than usual. I’m only teasing with the last one! But after braving the mall the other day, I can certainly empathize with anyone who works in one of those stores!
Either way, one of my personal weaknesses usually surfaces around this season. All of the cutest stuffed animals are put out on display for the poor suckers like me. I’ve always loved fluffy little creatures (as is proven by the live one, Ser Mishka, pictured below), even through my childhood.
Ser Mishka, my in-house dormant wolf shifter
On the shelf while I was grocery shopping, I spotted this lovely little fox. Swayed by the fact I’d never seen a Christmas fox in stores before (and the fact I’m currently writing a Christmas novella for my readers with foxes in it), I decided the lil’ fella would be coming home with me. Bart, as is named the character in the story, is now sitting with me as I write this.
Isn’t he cute?
But that wasn’t where the story ended. Oh, no, of course not. My dear editor upon seeing Bart felt that he wasn’t enough like the character in the story. In the book, the shifter Bart winds up stuck as a fennec fox. For anyone not familiar with the species, fennec foxes looks entirely different than a common fox. Not swayed by her argument, Bart still stayed with me.
So true to her usual form (and sixth sense intuition that no one except the good Lord himself can explain), guess what was sitting in Whole Foods when we arrived there to shop?
Meet Bob. Editor-dearest named him after Bob Newhart because she felt he looked like him. Do you see the resemblance, dear readers? If you’re reading this Mr. Newhart, apparently Bob Foxy Jr. has an adorable face just like yours.
So now I have two foxes, sitting here with me as I type this. Either way, come December when I release ‘Beauty and the Beasts: A Christmas Tail’, you can tell me whether you think ‘Bart’ is more appropriate to the character than ‘Bob’.
Until then, I’m focusing on my current release ‘Cursed Hart’. For those of you who are motorcyclists, I’m holding a fan contest for the release of the book. Send me a photo of you and your motorcycle to be featured. The best photo will win a digital copy of the book when it’s released. Send me a DM here on Facebook to enter.
Thanksgiving will be here in little more than a week, and so will the story! I’m so excited over this series because it is the first series I ever wrote. It’s taken a little longer than the others to get to press, but I’m eager to share Shira Hart’s story with you!
For anyone interested in reading more about Shira’s journey, make sure to check out Cursed Hart here.
Happy Holidays to you all! You’ll be seeing more of Bart and Bob’s adventures, that’s for sure!
– Love Maggie Lynn
P.S. Don’t forget to enter the contest! And if you want to see the cover for Beauty and the Beasts: A Christmas Tail, make sure to hit the like button and share this. I always try to answer reader requests, so show a little love for this blog! God bless you all
Ah, the month of November is here already! Turkeys will be stuffed (and humans, too!) by the end of the month. Me? I’m still trying to wrangle the Christmas ads that started playing before Halloween was even over!
Ah well. Maybe I’ll stick with thoughts of El Dia de los Muertos. That ends today, but at least it doesn’t involve thoughts of snow and thoughts of Mishka trying to eat the tinsel off of people’s trees! There’s never any on ours, but knowing him, he’ll try to find some anyway!
Thank you all for your wonderful support during the launch of the Vampire’s Handmaiden. It’s been wonderful hearing from you all about the story. It make me as the author so happy! If you haven’t picked up your copy yet, make sure to do so here.
Well, let all tidings be merry and don’t imbibe in the foodstuffs over the upcoming holidays! ‘Till we meet again, God bless!
The fated day has arrived! The Vampire’s Handmaiden is finally here!
I’m so happy the book is now in readers hands and out there in the world! Reviews are starting to come in and they are making me grin. People are loving Yasmina, Dracula, and Dune. Remillion, not so much… Then again, that’s just how I wanted it!
It’s available on Kindle and paperback, so make sure to pick up your copy before it gets too spooky out there tonight! To all the trick or treaters, stay safe! Who knows what creatures of the night are lurking around and thirsty for your blood…
To celebrate the launch of the Vampire’s Handmaiden, I’m taking questions on just about everything you can imagine or ask! I’ll take questions on the writing process, any of my books, and whatever else you throw at me.
Comment under the article and I’ll answer your questions live in the upcoming video Q&A!
The Vampire’s Handmaiden – Watchmen of the Grail Series
Only one thing matters: the reclamation of Dracula’s soul…
Her blood rights sold in return for her mother’s life, Yasmina Tolite longs to be free of living her life in the night. Bound forever in servitude to a vampire as his handmaiden, her virgin blood belongs to him alone until the day she dies. But when a new neighbor moves in next door and threatens to steal her heart, there’s nothing her vampiric master won’t do to keep her as his.
Between the arrival of Viscount Dracula and the discovery of Van Helsing’s long lost heir, one thing is for certain: the night has just begun.
Dracula’s salvation is at hand. The Holy Grail has been found.
Yasmina Van Helsing will rise. A Watchman has been born.
The Vampire’s Handmaiden is perfect for fans of vampires, were-wolves, were-cockatrices, the Holy Grail, and twisted tales of the undead. Proceed with caution, for the dark fantasy world of the supernatural is about to become yours…
Move out of the way Twilight, Dark Shadows, and the Vampire Diaries fans. The vampire hunters of the Grail are coming for you…
Editorial Review:
“Dang. I’m a writer more than a reader. I’m an editor more than an avid, willing reader. Heavy duty college courses as an English major all but ruined my zest for reading books. Plus, I am not intrigued with those trendy vampire stories. Well, that zest is back along with the intrigue with thanks to Author ML Heron-Heidel. I’ve fallen in love with some of her characters and I passionately want to snuff out some others. With my bare hands nonetheless. Then along comes the talent of their creator and I want to invite most of them into my home. Well, not entirely most. Some are not welcomed yet all live within my mind and heart. They will forever thanks to the talent of this writer. Her work is absolutely brilliant, captivating and never, ever repetitive. With the end of each piece I find myself longing to read more, to know the outcome, the happiness my favorite characters so deserve – and the justice the others’ misdeeds merit. Ah but my thirst is never quenched novel to novel. How absolutely brilliant this author is! I get hooked every single time and, you know what? I’m loving it.”
Oh the weather outside is frightful,
Best Selling Author Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel 