So it’s February 1, and cold and rainy here, but I like that – I’ve got coffee and a TARDIS blanket, and the world’s not so bad right at this second, at least not this little sofa-spot of it. I’ve got some news about releases and such, plus a book rec for you!

First, the news: JMS Books officially wants my other story from my old Ellora’s Cave publishing days – the one that was my first-ever pro romance sale! We’ve got the contract all signed and everything! That should be coming out in late March or April. I’m really excited about this for a LOT of reasons – of course I’m thrilled to see these characters and this world out there for you guys to read again! Also, I don’t write a lot of m/f romance, but this one is, so I hope you like it! It’s still pretty heavily queer – bisexual hero (explicitly so), and the heroine’s ex is…basically pansexual and arguably genderfluid (he can look however he wants, and his criteria for partners is, can they keep up/challenge him? the sequel, which we’ve discussed, will be his story, and it’ll most likely be m/m). And I LOVED having the opportunity to revisit and revise this first story – it’s now 3,000 words longer, for one thing, and I did a lot of polishing and smoothing-out of style. (And put back all my Oxford commas, which the EC copy-editor seemed to have a vendetta against! I’m so glad JMS and I agree on this one…) We’re batting around new title ideas – it was first published as “Lily’s Enchantment,” which was the EC editor’s idea (I’m terrible with titles), and I always thought…it was…fine…but not exciting? But then I was a Brand New Child in this world and did not wish to argue. At the moment it’s being referred to as “Sorceress,” which may stick, though I’m rather fond of my far too long option of “The Sorceress, the Bastard, and the Dragon’s Heart”. So I really hope you all like this one – it’s sort of a glimpse of early-writer me, as revised by now-writer me, and it’s got medieval-ish fantasy and a dragon and, obviously, a sorceress, and tea, and queer m/f romance, and probably more to come in this world.

Next, the new releases! I have two things out this month – within this week, in fact!

~First up – tomorrow! – is my story for the JMS Books Snowed In themed collection! For this one, I got to go back to the world of A Demon for Midwinter – it’s a historical prequel, so look for some familiar powers and family names, with all-new characters! It’ll stand alone, though, so no worries if you’ve not read Demon. Expect Regency-era wintertime, an ice elemental, a cheerful freckled young viscount and a cranky magical detective, and ALL the fabulous tropes involving bad weather and being snowed in and hurt/comfort and cuddling for warmth and grumpy falling in love…

Ordering links: Amazon, JMS, BN

~Second, my story “Sundown, Holiday, Beacon” for the Happiness in Numbers anthology, edited by Nicole Field, is available February 6! (Or very late on the 5th, I think, if you’ve already ordered?) Here’s the pre-order link, available from Less Than Three Press now!

This one contains a m/m/m triad of superheroes (well, one superhero, one former sidekick, and one reformed supervillain) in love! Plus lasagna, uses of superpowers for home renovation (and in bed), domestic fluff, and coming home to each other. The whole anthology’s centered around the themes of found families, polyamory and queerness, happy endings, and domesticity – and honestly this is still one of my favorite stories of mine, enough so that I ended up, purely for fun, writing a sequel…

Third, book rec! I’m going to start trying to do this more, maybe one a month - probably up on the blog rather than here, so as not to clutter your emails. They won’t all necessarily be new releases, but this month it’s going to have to be KJ Charles’ wonderful Any Old Diamonds, which just came out, and which I devoured and immediately wanted to reread, to bask in. Victorian jewel thieves! Plots within plots! Truly despicable family members and melodrama! Lush and delicious m/m romance with gorgeously written submission kink – AND emotions! One of the best love-confession moments EVER. (Jerry! Oh, my heart.) Here’s the Amazon link, but of course it’s available at all the usual book-selling places, too.

See you soon!

Just woke up in icy Northern Ireland to find The Unforgiven Dead has been chosen by Inkshares as the staff syndicated pick for January! Thanks guys - that’s a nice wee boost! 

Hey everyone! 

Just wanted to update everyone on our progress because, as of last night, we officially hit a milestone: 100 pre-orders! Thank you to everyone who has helped "Showtime" get to this point! As promised, Chapter 2 is now posted! Find out what happens next at: www.inkshares.com/books/showtime. 

Also, don’t forget to check out an exclusive article about what inspired "Showtime" in today’s issue of The Dundalk Eagle here (https://www.dundalkeagle.com/dundalk-novelist-launches-campaign-for-publication/article_718d9fa8-6b6a-5847-be66-6507769db4bb.html)! 

 Here’s to another 100! 

 Ricky