Going to need to be speedy about this because I woke up with some killer pain in my right shoulder, which means computer work is rough right now. But we got our 80th reader this morning, which means I get to giveaway another copy of Shadow of the Owl!
Raffle news, times 2!! First, if you click the video link you can see who won the raffle of Beagle Freedom swag (cap and scarf), but wait, there's more!! Also on the video is an important announcement about a new raffle. Next 20 people to pre-order "Women Like Us" will get a chance to win a $75.00 Gift Certificate to McCall's Meat and Fish Company. If you live in Los Angeles and you like to cook, you probably know about McCall's -- it's easily the best butcher shop in the city, and both Nathan McCall, and his wife Karen (an excellent and immensely talented Pastry Chef who makes the most delicious pastries and breads that are also for sale at McCall's) are super, super nice! I remember when they opened their doors a few years back (I think I was one of the first people through those doors) and it's been a joy to watch this business grow and expand and become a really important part of the community. When we were based in Malibu I would even drive in to town with a cooler so that I could stock up for a week or more at a time. Anyway, if you want in on the raffle and you don't live in LA, not to worry -- McCall's also sells some very well curated groceries (beautiful pastas and hard to source dry beans and olive oils and spice blends, etc) and I could easily put together a really nice basket of goods for an out-of-town winner. So no worries!
Here, take a look at the raffle video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DG_C6Z4pAA
And here's the gift certificate for McCall's, just FYI:

Now go get that order in!! If you've ordered already, no harm ordering a second copy for a friend, right?!
And as always, thank you for the support of "Women Like Us".
I’ve got 99 problems but readers ain’t one! 99 more readers and we’ll be #1!

I was in the middle of recording a saweeet rap video update…. Regrettably the videocamera’s batteries died ;-) I know you’re all devastated.
So, we’ll just go with the typed jingle...
OK, super quick update for my devoted Machiners!
We have 1 week to go!! 1 week. It's homestretch time!
Over 270 followers and as of this writing, 215 readers! Spectacular! Can we get to #1? Who knows, really. My original goal was 150. Not too long ago 215 was totally farfetched. Maybe we can surprise and hit 300?
I may agree to a real rap video if that happens. If you think that would be epic, and you haven’t pre-ordered, then do so immediately!!
So, as promised, I followed through with a raffle for all my readers.
I recorded this video late last night, announcing the first four winners. Check it out to see if you won! I will be contacting the winners directly later today.
By the way, the "peer pressure" thing I mention in the video was a joke -- I really am excited about doing this for all of you who have supported me!
If you haven't pre-ordered my novel yet and want to be included in the raffle, all you have to do is hit that 'Pre-Order' button that's calling out to you.
Anyway, I won't waste anymore time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTaTMRjtAjw
p.s. - I promise the next raffle video won't take as long, because I'll spend less time explaining the prizes and just draw.
Have a great afternoon!
Hey guys and gals! How's everyone's first week of 2016?
I'm proud to share the official Blood Dawn map!
After more than 15 months working carefully on the draft for Blood Dawn, I enjoyed a much-deserved break during the holidays. One thing I got around to doing that I've been looking forward to the most is drawing the map for the world.
Some of you have seen the sketch of the world (it's in the third sample chapter on my project page). This map is much more detailed and put together with care. It came together like magic, in fact. I'm very pleased!

p.s. think this is cool? If you haven't bought Blood Dawn, then now is the time! This map will appear in the book, and is but a foretaste of the rich adventure waiting for you.