Release Day!

Well, here we are.  A year and a half after I first started work on this project, Possession is now officially my first published work of fiction.  Publishing was a much smoother process than I’d anticipated.  I did a fair amount of “manual” editing last summer before submitting the Possession manuscript to Dreamspinner Press, but even going through the real edits with Dreamspinner editor Lynn, I was amazed at how much of a breeze it all was.  And when I saw my cover art, by the incredible Paul Richmond, for the first time… love at first sight ♥!  For the last few months, ever since I signed the contract, it’s been completely surreal.  It’s so hard to believe I’m actually having one of my pieces published. 

I don’t want to go on and on until the orchestra starts playing that “get off the stage” music, so I’ll keep it simple and just give a general, but deeply genuine, thanks to all those who have encouraged and supported my writing, who have helped me out with editing and proofing and commenting, who have poked me along when I needed a little extra bugging to get that next chapter done. 

Possession is available now for download at Dreamspinner Press.  As it is in eBook format, you can download it to your reader device (such as Kindle), your iPhone, or as an html or pdf (for Adobe Acrobat).  I personally prefer pdf files to read on my laptop when I download electronic material. 

Don’t forget to drop by the Dreamspinner Press blog at http://dreamspinnerpress.com/blog/ to check out my release party with all the “DVD extras” including an excerpt from Possession, a meet-the-author entry, the making of Punch (with pictures!), and interviews with my two main characters, Tyler Ward and Kevin Strabane (who’s beautiful faces can be seen right there on the cover!)

Thanks again, to everybody.  Read and enjoy!

Release Announcement!

My dearest ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me immense pleasure to officially announce the imminent release of my first published novella, Possession, available March 30, 2011 for download as an eBook through Dreamspinner Press.  

Possession is a supernatural/paranormal romance that warns of the consequences of deliberately acting contrary to the advice of horoscopes and well-meaning friends. 

Tyler Ward is an immigrant from the United Kingdom who has truly found a place for himself in America in a happy, unshakable relationship with fellow artist Kevin Strabane.  Together with their tabby cat, Teddy, Tyler and Kevin are living the American dream with a home of their own, a successful art gallery, and a close, supportive circle of friends. 

Several of Tyler’s friends are inclined to believe in astrological forecasts, but Tyler is too pragmatic for that sort of thing.  Superstitions are meaningless and foolish to him, and his usual reaction to the doom-and-gloom of horoscopes is a roll of the eyes and a patronizing smile.  Tyler believes there is no such thing as luck – “bad luck” is the result of inattention and laziness, “good luck” simply comes from awareness and hard work.  Kevin generally shares Tyler’s practical outlook, but he’s a little more open-minded and willing to consider alternative explanations for otherwise inexplicable things. 

Tyler dismisses a horoscope’s warning that bringing something “impish” home could have “disastrous and far-reaching consequences,” then decides to prove his rational point by buying an antique figure of the puckish puppet Punch when he finds one that same afternoon.  He is certain that he will be able to show his friends that their beliefs are silly when nothing “disastrous” happens just because he brought home something “impish.”  The very next day, however, begins to take aim at Tyler.  Kevin’s initial vague skepticism is quickly turned to concern for his beloved’s well-being as things get worse. 

Can Kevin get to the bottom of things before true disaster strikes?  What will it take to break through Tyler’s disbelief?  Will they be able to rid their lives of the influence of the wickedly cackling Punch once and for all? 

Read more in Possession – available March 30, 2011.

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