Good morning readers!! 

It is Monday, time for the usual Monday Update. However, today is a special Monday because it is officially my birthday! I’m excited to have made it another year.

Nothing as far as numbers has changed from last weeks update. We are still #5 in the Geek & Sundry Contest. We are still 72 pre-orders from making Quil. So, since it is my birthday.... If you feel like making a girl super happy on her birthday, why not pre-order the book (or a second copy)?

So, the characters that I’m going to highlight going forward appear somewhere around chapter 10 or so. I suppose some of their bios might be a bit spoilery? However, I feel that, since you’re investing in helping me crowdfund this book, spoilers are a little treat that you deserve. So, I give you....

Xalen Okara

Xalen Okara was a Droven Masodite, an elite general for the country of Droves just south of Mavahan. He was gravely wounded and taken prisoner by the Mavahan army in one of the bloodiest battles the people of the First head ever seen. It is said to have permanently stained the sand of the desert red. Droves was conquered by Mavahan and its people enslaved. Xalen became a prized slave to the Mavahan royal family and earned Honor, as much as allowed to a slave, by competing in their gladiatorial games as a Champion. Xalen was later given a female Champion as a wife, as the royal family of Mavahan hoped to breed future Champions for their sport, treating the proud Droven Masodite like cattle. Xalen and his wife Aleira attempted to escape captivity in the hopes of finding a better future for their unborn child, but they were ultimately captured. Aleira lost the baby. When the time comes to seek freedom with the help of Keleir Ahriman, both Xalen and Aleira will risk everything to see Mavahan burn. 

Haha! Today we appear with a shiny new book cover by Inkshare’s own Kaytalin Platt. It is marvelous work and I’m so pleased. She was able to work with when the first images needed a younger model. What’s so amazing is that she came up with the same model I’d chosen to represent Anabeth without me saying a word. Kismet! So a round of applause for Kaytalin. Thank you so much! Here is the cover in all it’s glory:

In other news, edits for plot and content will see a ton of changes to the beginning and perhaps middle of the book. I’m going to be taking down most of my chapters to begin a huge overhaul. Thank you all for your support and kind words, especially those of you who left recommendations and reviews. TTFN, Readership, and thanks!