It’s amazing what AI can do. These are #AI generated models of the leonine gryphons in my upcoming medi-punk scifi Robin Hood Delunian Kingdom series. These creatures are sentient and have been so much fun to write. 📚😵💫😜 #authorlife
#MerryChristmas I hope I find you well, blessed and happy with your friends and family this holiday season. 2021 has been a hard year for just about everyone. It seems simultaneously like the longest and the shortest year yet. It seems many of the folks I’ve spoken to feel the same. But we persevered and can direct our hope toward 2022, sending our positivity into the future.
As we move forward, I wanted to send you two gifts to brighten your season, free of charge. A Touch of Snow and A Caligo Christmas usually sell for full price on Amazon, but I felt my readers needed a pick me up this Christmas. Both stories are full of joy, I promise. As many of you know, my books series are full of angst and danger (you know you love it!), but these are the perfect quick reads to get you into the holiday spirit. They bring back fan favorite characters from my Destiny in the Shadows series and also from Wings of Caligo.
You can claim your copies via the links below.
A Touch of Snow: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/5qdoqr4gvw
Christmas in Caligo: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/bsrvgahwu0
May your heart be filled with light and love. Brighter days are ahead. Always know you are loved, no matter where you are.
Sending my love,
Unto us a child is born,
Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel
Your Tuesday entertainment is here!
Join Richard H. Stephens, Fantasy Author and Christie Stratos, Psychological Suspense author, at 8 p.m. ET January 26 for a chat with me, Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel – Author and Filmmaker, bestselling sci-fi and fantasy author and president of Whatsit Productions TV.
👉 Watch live and ask questions in the chat here: bit.ly/LFLEpi3
You can learn more about the hosts here:
Richard H. Stephens (I love his Legends of the Lurker fantasy series!): http://www.richardhstephens.com/
Christie Stratos: https://linktr.ee/christiestratos
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 Grail Series: 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!
– Maggie Lynn
A very special Christmas gift to all my readers. I wrote this as a present especially for you and is free to read for Christmas. It’s a continuation of the Wings of Caligo story.
My only request is that if you enjoy it, leave a review of it at the link at the back of the novella 🥰
Merry Christmas everyone and may God bless you! Thank you for all your lovely support through the years!
You can read it here: CHRISTMAS IN CALIGO
The hotly anticipated day is here! Cursed Hart is available to read on Amazon in ebook and paperback editions! The reviews are rolling in and so gar they’ve all been excellent. One reader went so far as call it my best work yet when he reviewed it on BookBub.
Make sure to pick up your copy of Cursed Hart on Amazon today! If you send me a proof of purchase screenshot and a review acreenshot, I will send you another ebook of your choice from my catalog as a free thank you bonus!
Oh the weather outside is frightful,
And the advertising agencies mindful,
We’ve only two months to go,
Christmas overload, overload, overload!
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!
“If my plan works,” Dune continued, “he’ll lift his hypnosis to find out what we’ve done. Once he does, when you remember all this – remember me – I want you to make a decision. You need to decide what you want. If you call out for me, I will come for you and break you free. I promise you I will. I won’t let him take you again. Never.”
“And if I don’t remember?” I asked, sensing he had moved closer.
“Then I’ll find another way to free you,” he swore.
I looked at the obscured man, still unsure. All of this mattered very little considering I doubted Remy would ever let me go. “And what are we supposed to have done?”
“This,” he murmured huskily, invisible hands cupping my cheeks.
I shivered as my lower lip was traced. “What‘re you-?”
My question broke off with a low gasp as lips kissed the corner of my mouth, then along my jaw. I trembled, eyes closing and breath hitching in my throat as he feathered kisses under my ear, traveling lower with every brush of his lips against my skin.
Despite the bizarreness of the situation, not being able to see the man whose hands were encircling my waist and all but dragging me to him, I found myself swayed by the intoxicating feeling of his touch. A thrill went up my spine, wondering just where this moment would lead. On some level, it felt very wrong not knowing who was touching my body. But on another one, it felt so right; too good to tell him to stop.
One arm bowed my body to him, letting me feel the planes of his chest. My hands tightened on the chair arm rest, resisting the urge to reach out to touch him. To pull him even closer, to feel his body against mine.
As I gave in to the feeling, I tilted my head back to give him better access as he kissed my collar bone. Lower and lower he went, down between my breasts and across my stomach. With every kiss, I grew steadily hotter, feeling his lips through the thin, cool silk of my shirt. I trembled as his fingers dipped below the waist of my skirt and I fought to breathe as his lips came back to my ear, his hands lingering on my body and shaking over my skin.
“Choose us,” he rasped in my ear, his voice rough with desire. ”I will come for you.”
Pre-order it at amazon.com/author/maggielynnheronheidel
The Vampire’s Handmaiden will be available on October 31st 2019
©️ 2019 Maggielynnheronheidel
Forty seven notebooks all filled with stories, series, and above all, my writing. And I couldn’t touch them…
For the last two years a large portion of my writing sat untouched because the notebooks they were contained in were spray treated with a mold killing agent that I was highly allergic to. As it turned out, the mold killing agent had a component of mold in it itself (and in my case, a double negative didn’t equal a positive result), so every time I’d get near them my mast cell condition would kick up with gusto, causing my blood pressure to skyrocket to over two hundred. And for those of you who aren’t familiar with blood pressure levels, that’s scarily high at the level where strokes can occur, as well as kidney damage.
But yesterday I risked it all to bring them to you, my dear readers. After the notebooks were ozoned to try and kill the remaining mycotoxins in them (thanks to my dear editor Peg Heron Heidel for handling them while in that condition), I carefully cut off the covers and backings of them all to remove the most contaminated areas. Donned in surgical gloves and a mask, and outside to keep clean air circulating, I sorted them all out.
Most luckily, my blood pressure didn’t elevate too much once the covers were gone, so it seems handling them has finally become safe enough to do. Now comes the fun task of typing up all of what they contain. To give you an idea, once sorted, all the different piles in the photo below are different series. The largest pile you see there on the right belongs to my Destiny in the Shadows series. The rest are from other series you’ve yet to read. And each notebook has a minimum of seventy pages in it, written on front and back of each sheet.
These don’t even count the uncontaminated pile of notebooks I have upstairs by my usual writing spot on the love seat. There’s another twenty or so of those, too.
So you see, folks, some people say they bleed for their craft, but I do that and also risk my life to bring you new works. While slightly melodramatic, it’s true all the same. I often joke I bleed for my writing as it is. My hands have a tendency to get hives from the ongoing mold issue with our house and they crack while I’m writing, so my notebooks are spotted with my own blood in some places.
Here’s to the creation of new books and hopefully no more mold related catastrophes! I’ll be very busy for the near future, that’s for sure!
Love you all,
Author Maggie Lynn
Best Selling Author Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel 