Ask the Author: Monette Michaels
Answered Questions (21)
Monette Michaels
Yes. I am working on Book 7 now, title Before the Storm. I hope to have it out by Fall. It could be sooner, but we are in the process of house hunting and getting our house ready to put on the market, so I have been a bit distracted. Please follow my FB Page where I do put updates -- or check my website-- https://monettemichaels.com for updates also. Thanks for loving my books!!
Monette Michaels
Hi, Vicky -- Thank you so much for liking my SSI series and for re-reading them. That is such a compliment! And thanks for your interest in more SSI.
Yes, I am currently working on a novella, Ride Out the Storm, which will tie up some loose ends from An Ill Wind (Anton and Lucia escaped with Fee and Trey and the other SSI members -- so I wanted to show my fans what happened to them) and Callie and Risto are having their son (the birth was mentioned in Firestorm in a conversation between Tara and DJ).
Obviously, the timeline will be overlapping with Firestorm's and the setting will be at SSI-East in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (The UP) and in the town of Osprey's Point. I am using this novella to set up the next four full-length novels featuring the remaining Walsh brothers. :)
So consider Ride Out the Storm a transition from Idaho to Michigan. That doesn't mean you won't see any of the Idaho SSI gang, it just means I am focusing on the Walsh boys getting their HEAs.
I hope to have Ride Out the Storm out early in 2021. I will then start on Book 7, Before the Storm. The Walsh boys haven't really told me which one is up next -- though I am definitely leaning toward one of the twins. So, I am letting Paul and Loren duke it out with my Muse at the moment. I know the plot (that's half the battle, usually), I just don't know which of the twins is going to get lucky. ;)
And since I do write one paranormal novella a year for Robyn Peterman's Magic and Mayhem Universe, which comes out in October, I probably won't get Book 7 completely edited and ready to go live until late in 2021--and that is only as long as I (and my hubby) stay healthy.
Thanks again for asking. You can keep updated on my Author FB page and my web site (I have a what I am working on page).
Happy reading and have a wonderful holiday season -- and please stay safe. -- Monette
Yes, I am currently working on a novella, Ride Out the Storm, which will tie up some loose ends from An Ill Wind (Anton and Lucia escaped with Fee and Trey and the other SSI members -- so I wanted to show my fans what happened to them) and Callie and Risto are having their son (the birth was mentioned in Firestorm in a conversation between Tara and DJ).
Obviously, the timeline will be overlapping with Firestorm's and the setting will be at SSI-East in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (The UP) and in the town of Osprey's Point. I am using this novella to set up the next four full-length novels featuring the remaining Walsh brothers. :)
So consider Ride Out the Storm a transition from Idaho to Michigan. That doesn't mean you won't see any of the Idaho SSI gang, it just means I am focusing on the Walsh boys getting their HEAs.
I hope to have Ride Out the Storm out early in 2021. I will then start on Book 7, Before the Storm. The Walsh boys haven't really told me which one is up next -- though I am definitely leaning toward one of the twins. So, I am letting Paul and Loren duke it out with my Muse at the moment. I know the plot (that's half the battle, usually), I just don't know which of the twins is going to get lucky. ;)
And since I do write one paranormal novella a year for Robyn Peterman's Magic and Mayhem Universe, which comes out in October, I probably won't get Book 7 completely edited and ready to go live until late in 2021--and that is only as long as I (and my hubby) stay healthy.
Thanks again for asking. You can keep updated on my Author FB page and my web site (I have a what I am working on page).
Happy reading and have a wonderful holiday season -- and please stay safe. -- Monette
Monette Michaels
Hi, Vicky -- Thank you so much for liking my SSI series and for re-reading them. That is such a compliment! And thanks for your interest in more SSI.
Yes, I am currently working on a novella, Ride Out the Storm, which will tie up some loose ends from An Ill Wind (Anton and Lucia escaped with Fee and Trey and the other SSI members -- so I wanted to show my fans what happened to them) and Callie and Risto are having their son (the birth was mentioned in Firestorm in a conversation between Tara and DJ).
Obviously, the timeline will be overlapping with Firestorm's and the setting will be at SSI-East in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (The UP) and in the town of Osprey's Point. I am using this novella to set up the next four full-length novels featuring the remaining Walsh brothers. :)
So consider Ride Out the Storm a transition from Idaho to Michigan. That doesn't mean you won't see any of the Idaho SSI gang, it just means I am focusing on the Walsh boys getting their HEAs.
I hope to have Ride Out the Storm out early in 2021. I will then start on Book 7, Before the Storm. The Walsh boys haven't really told me which one is up next -- though I am definitely leaning toward one of the twins. So, I am letting Paul and Loren duke it out with my Muse at the moment. I know the plot (that's half the battle, usually), I just don't know which of the twins is going to get lucky. ;)
And since I do write one paranormal novella a year for Robyn Peterman's Magic and Mayhem Universe, which comes out in October, I probably won't get Book 7 completely edited and ready to go live until late in 2021--and that is only as long as I (and my hubby) stay healthy.
Thanks again for asking. You can keep updated on my Author FB page and my web site (I have a what I am working on page).
Happy reading and have a wonderful holiday season -- and please stay safe. -- Monette
Yes, I am currently working on a novella, Ride Out the Storm, which will tie up some loose ends from An Ill Wind (Anton and Lucia escaped with Fee and Trey and the other SSI members -- so I wanted to show my fans what happened to them) and Callie and Risto are having their son (the birth was mentioned in Firestorm in a conversation between Tara and DJ).
Obviously, the timeline will be overlapping with Firestorm's and the setting will be at SSI-East in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (The UP) and in the town of Osprey's Point. I am using this novella to set up the next four full-length novels featuring the remaining Walsh brothers. :)
So consider Ride Out the Storm a transition from Idaho to Michigan. That doesn't mean you won't see any of the Idaho SSI gang, it just means I am focusing on the Walsh boys getting their HEAs.
I hope to have Ride Out the Storm out early in 2021. I will then start on Book 7, Before the Storm. The Walsh boys haven't really told me which one is up next -- though I am definitely leaning toward one of the twins. So, I am letting Paul and Loren duke it out with my Muse at the moment. I know the plot (that's half the battle, usually), I just don't know which of the twins is going to get lucky. ;)
And since I do write one paranormal novella a year for Robyn Peterman's Magic and Mayhem Universe, which comes out in October, I probably won't get Book 7 completely edited and ready to go live until late in 2021--and that is only as long as I (and my hubby) stay healthy.
Thanks again for asking. You can keep updated on my Author FB page and my web site (I have a what I am working on page).
Happy reading and have a wonderful holiday season -- and please stay safe. -- Monette
Monette Michaels
Hi, Rose--
Thank you so much! Being mentioned as a re-read in the same breath with J.D. Robb is an honor. As a matter of fact, I am starting my annual re-read of the In Death series leading up to her next release in 2021 this evening. I never tire of Eve and Roarke.
As for my SSI series, yes, there will be more books. I alternate writing in the Magic and Mayhem Universe and my What A Witch novellas with SSI books now.
After the release of What A Witch 4 in October, I am now working on Ride Out the Storm, Book 6.5 in the SSI series. This book will be a novella and how fortuitous that the annual NaNoWriMo is currently underway. I decided to try and write Ride Out the Storm during the month of November as part of that writing channel with my Sisters in Crime buddies.
I am happy to say that I am about halfway done with the first draft (which when done will be about 40K words) and should have the draft ready for my crit partner by 11/30.
No promises, but as long as she doesn't make me rewrite the whole thing (and that could happen!) and my usual editor makes time for me (she probably will) -- this novella could be out just after the New Year.
Why a novella and not a full novel? This is what I call a transition book -- we will be moving the central action from Idaho to SSI-East in the U.P.
I have four Walsh brothers who have yet to find their perfect heroine. Each brother will get a full novel beginning with Book 7.
Book 6.5 will focus on that slight mention in Firestorm (#6) where DJ and Tara were talking about SSI women delivering babies in dangerous circumstances. DJ vowed her baby would be born in a hospital with all the mod cons and not like Keely in a cave and Callie in -- well, you'll see. Not a cave, but not a modern hospital delivery room, either.
The couple featured in Book 6.5 will be Dr. Anton Vasilov and his fiancee, now bride, Lucia. They moved to Osprey's Point after escaping from Mexico (in An Ill Wind, #5), because SSI-East needed a qualified emergency physician for the operatives and Big Earl would like a year-round medical clinic for the area locals and the summer influx of visitors and temp residents. Perfect fit. Of course danger is on the heels of Anton and Lucia, so expect action and romance, as always.
And it makes me so happy you consider my writing a gift. Fans such as you are also gifts and the reason I keep turning out books. Hugs and have a safe and happy holiday season.
Thank you so much! Being mentioned as a re-read in the same breath with J.D. Robb is an honor. As a matter of fact, I am starting my annual re-read of the In Death series leading up to her next release in 2021 this evening. I never tire of Eve and Roarke.
As for my SSI series, yes, there will be more books. I alternate writing in the Magic and Mayhem Universe and my What A Witch novellas with SSI books now.
After the release of What A Witch 4 in October, I am now working on Ride Out the Storm, Book 6.5 in the SSI series. This book will be a novella and how fortuitous that the annual NaNoWriMo is currently underway. I decided to try and write Ride Out the Storm during the month of November as part of that writing channel with my Sisters in Crime buddies.
I am happy to say that I am about halfway done with the first draft (which when done will be about 40K words) and should have the draft ready for my crit partner by 11/30.
No promises, but as long as she doesn't make me rewrite the whole thing (and that could happen!) and my usual editor makes time for me (she probably will) -- this novella could be out just after the New Year.
Why a novella and not a full novel? This is what I call a transition book -- we will be moving the central action from Idaho to SSI-East in the U.P.
I have four Walsh brothers who have yet to find their perfect heroine. Each brother will get a full novel beginning with Book 7.
Book 6.5 will focus on that slight mention in Firestorm (#6) where DJ and Tara were talking about SSI women delivering babies in dangerous circumstances. DJ vowed her baby would be born in a hospital with all the mod cons and not like Keely in a cave and Callie in -- well, you'll see. Not a cave, but not a modern hospital delivery room, either.
The couple featured in Book 6.5 will be Dr. Anton Vasilov and his fiancee, now bride, Lucia. They moved to Osprey's Point after escaping from Mexico (in An Ill Wind, #5), because SSI-East needed a qualified emergency physician for the operatives and Big Earl would like a year-round medical clinic for the area locals and the summer influx of visitors and temp residents. Perfect fit. Of course danger is on the heels of Anton and Lucia, so expect action and romance, as always.
And it makes me so happy you consider my writing a gift. Fans such as you are also gifts and the reason I keep turning out books. Hugs and have a safe and happy holiday season.
Monette Michaels
Hi, Jennifer. I love it when fans get invested in my series. So thank you for your question.
At the present time, I am not planning on any more full-length novels in this series. Mostly because my Muse has not presented any story lines that are nagging at me to write them. I do plan on an occasional novella or short story now and then featuring possibly some of the secondary crew members and other characters you've already seen.
At the moment, I am concentrating on my SSI series since I have four Walsh brothers and at least three secondary characters who are bugging me for their books. And I am trying to write one paranormal novella a year in the Magic and Mayhem series to keep my hand in the subgenre that gave me my start in writing. :)
Since I am a slow writer, one novel and one novella a year is my goal.
However, I never say never -- and who knows when a Prime character will take over my brain and force me to write his/her story.
Again, thanks for being so invested in my Prime books. I created this series as a token of love for my friend Linnea Sinclair. If you like scifi romance with lots of action, and you haven't read any of her books, you should give them a try. I also like SE Smith's books. -- Hugs -- Monette
At the present time, I am not planning on any more full-length novels in this series. Mostly because my Muse has not presented any story lines that are nagging at me to write them. I do plan on an occasional novella or short story now and then featuring possibly some of the secondary crew members and other characters you've already seen.
At the moment, I am concentrating on my SSI series since I have four Walsh brothers and at least three secondary characters who are bugging me for their books. And I am trying to write one paranormal novella a year in the Magic and Mayhem series to keep my hand in the subgenre that gave me my start in writing. :)
Since I am a slow writer, one novel and one novella a year is my goal.
However, I never say never -- and who knows when a Prime character will take over my brain and force me to write his/her story.
Again, thanks for being so invested in my Prime books. I created this series as a token of love for my friend Linnea Sinclair. If you like scifi romance with lots of action, and you haven't read any of her books, you should give them a try. I also like SE Smith's books. -- Hugs -- Monette
Monette Michaels
Conn is a definite maybe. Berto, probably not. I still have Price (the next SSI book) and all the rest of the Walsh brothers to write full length books for. Conn will probably get a novella about the length of Hot as Hell. Thanks for asking and sorry I was so late in responding.
Monette Michaels
For an author, horror is working for eight hours on a book. Blue screen of death wipes out everything you've just written.
Monette Michaels
Hi, Cristiane, Thanks for loving my books. Hardest book to write in SSI is always the one I am writing. If I had to choose one -- Tweeter and DJ's book. I needed to show that Tweeter was a true Walsh, just as strong and heroic as his older brothers and father. And, yes, all the Walsh brothers will get their own stories.
Monette Michaels
A case I handled many years ago. I can't go into detail, but at the time I felt my life -- and the lives of my five clients -- were in danger. I may write that book some day -- with enough changes to avoid any backlash. It involved the concept of posse comitatus.
Monette Michaels
Hi, Louise. Thanks for loving my SSI books. Vested Interests was my first book -- well, I'll clarify, it was the first book I wrote and the the third published and was always meant to be a stand-alone. At the time I wrote Vested and Fatal Vision and Death Benefits, I'd planned on writing single novels only -- then along came SSI and Prime Chronicles and I found myself writing series. So, as of this moment, I have no plans to revisit the characters of Vested Interest. The book will always be special to me since it was my first and I really appreciate you loving it and its characters.
Monette Michaels
Eve Dallas and Roarke in JD Robb's Death futuristic police procedural series. I adore the romantic relationship between the two. They are not just lovers, but they are partners who complement each other.
Monette Michaels
Hi, Agus! Merry Christmas to you also. Yes, Price will get a book. In fact, once I write a novella for a special project due out in June and finish book four for my Prime series, Price's book is the next one I will write for SSI.
Book 5, An Ill Wind, is due out soon (Trey and Fee's book), so Price's book will be Book 6. He meets the gal he will be seeking an HEA with in Book 5. ;)
Thanks for asking and for loving my series. -- Monette
Book 5, An Ill Wind, is due out soon (Trey and Fee's book), so Price's book will be Book 6. He meets the gal he will be seeking an HEA with in Book 5. ;)
Thanks for asking and for loving my series. -- Monette
Monette Michaels
Hi, Kim! Not a crazy question at all. Unfortunately, I don't have a definitive answer or a definite deadline. Currently, I am in the early stages of research and writing on the next SSI book which will be Trey and Fee's and is titled An Ill Wind.
IF, and that is a big if, I can get through the first draft without another life crisis (and those seem to happen more and more frequently as I age), I should have a final, but not "final" first draft by the end of the year. A first draft just means I have the basic plot down and need to go back and polish and tweak and make things flow more smoothly. For example, Storm Warning went through 4 other intense drafts before I was ready to final line edit it (and it went through three line edits) and consider it done. It's the final revising and editing process that takes so long for me -- and while I have help from crit buddies and beta readers for that, it is still all on me.
General ballpark goal: I am aiming for Spring 2016.
Since I do not plan on attending the RT convention next spring, that will give me a nice clear field to get the book done and polished.
And all of the above depends on life not throwing me curveballs and the characters not going deaf and dumb in the middle of the book. :)
Thanks for being eager for the next book -- that's one of the things that keeps me writing -- well, that and all the characters in my head demanding their story be told. Hugs.
IF, and that is a big if, I can get through the first draft without another life crisis (and those seem to happen more and more frequently as I age), I should have a final, but not "final" first draft by the end of the year. A first draft just means I have the basic plot down and need to go back and polish and tweak and make things flow more smoothly. For example, Storm Warning went through 4 other intense drafts before I was ready to final line edit it (and it went through three line edits) and consider it done. It's the final revising and editing process that takes so long for me -- and while I have help from crit buddies and beta readers for that, it is still all on me.
General ballpark goal: I am aiming for Spring 2016.
Since I do not plan on attending the RT convention next spring, that will give me a nice clear field to get the book done and polished.
And all of the above depends on life not throwing me curveballs and the characters not going deaf and dumb in the middle of the book. :)
Thanks for being eager for the next book -- that's one of the things that keeps me writing -- well, that and all the characters in my head demanding their story be told. Hugs.
Monette Michaels
Hi, Kim -- So sorry I didn't see your last question on SSI. I usually get notifications - as I did this time. Hmmm, wonder what went wrong 4 months ago?
Anyway, I am currently working on SSI #4, Tweeter's story, after a two-month forced hiatus due to my husband having open heart surgery in early Feb.
So, I am two months behind and am hoping -- as long as nothing else happens with his health -- to get this out sometime in June. I can't promise that since my publisher's schedule has to be addressed also.
All I can promise is - I am working on it, it is going to be a long one like Cold Day in Hell, and I will be setting up some future books in this one also (more Fee and Trey mentions (Book 5) and maybe a novella for Conn Redmond and for Sam Crocker, who both make appearances in this book). Thanks for asking. Sorry I couldn't be more exact, but life often has a way of throwing giant curve balls -- and it tossed me a doozy this year. Good news is -- hubby seems to be progressing well and that makes me very happy.
Anyway, I am currently working on SSI #4, Tweeter's story, after a two-month forced hiatus due to my husband having open heart surgery in early Feb.
So, I am two months behind and am hoping -- as long as nothing else happens with his health -- to get this out sometime in June. I can't promise that since my publisher's schedule has to be addressed also.
All I can promise is - I am working on it, it is going to be a long one like Cold Day in Hell, and I will be setting up some future books in this one also (more Fee and Trey mentions (Book 5) and maybe a novella for Conn Redmond and for Sam Crocker, who both make appearances in this book). Thanks for asking. Sorry I couldn't be more exact, but life often has a way of throwing giant curve balls -- and it tossed me a doozy this year. Good news is -- hubby seems to be progressing well and that makes me very happy.
Monette Michaels
Hi, Angie.
Next up in the SSI series is Keely's brother, Tweeter. His book is called Storm Warning and I am working on it now.
His love interest is former Army helicopter pilot DJ Poe who met his Marine brothers when she flew a rescue mission to pick up Andy Walsh and his unit in Afghanistan; she became an unofficial Walsh at that point and they helped her get a job with SSI when she left the Army.
Tweeter sees DJ -- and it's instant lust. :)
But DJ has issues about men, and Tweeter will have to use all his brains and the skill set he learned from watching over and protecting Keely to woo DJ and win her over.
And, of course, there will be danger and action and some ass-kicking by both Tweeter and DJ along the way. :)
I'm at the third way point in the novel and hope to have a rough first draft by the end of the year. That could mean a late winter or early spring 2015 publication date. That is, as long as life doesn't throw me any curveballs and Tweeter and DJ don't cause me issues. My characters tend to want to control the process. ;)
And I love and adore Mary Stewart's books - my faves are The Moonspinners, Touch Not the Cat, and The Gabriel Hounds. What are yours?
Thanks for asking about SSI, Angie!
Next up in the SSI series is Keely's brother, Tweeter. His book is called Storm Warning and I am working on it now.
His love interest is former Army helicopter pilot DJ Poe who met his Marine brothers when she flew a rescue mission to pick up Andy Walsh and his unit in Afghanistan; she became an unofficial Walsh at that point and they helped her get a job with SSI when she left the Army.
Tweeter sees DJ -- and it's instant lust. :)
But DJ has issues about men, and Tweeter will have to use all his brains and the skill set he learned from watching over and protecting Keely to woo DJ and win her over.
And, of course, there will be danger and action and some ass-kicking by both Tweeter and DJ along the way. :)
I'm at the third way point in the novel and hope to have a rough first draft by the end of the year. That could mean a late winter or early spring 2015 publication date. That is, as long as life doesn't throw me any curveballs and Tweeter and DJ don't cause me issues. My characters tend to want to control the process. ;)
And I love and adore Mary Stewart's books - my faves are The Moonspinners, Touch Not the Cat, and The Gabriel Hounds. What are yours?
Thanks for asking about SSI, Angie!
Monette Michaels
Hi, Cathy. I have at least a short story and a novella in mind for the Prime world after book three. I can't tell you what they are yet, but once you read Prime Imperative you will probably be able to guess which characters will be involved. In Prime Imperative, I've tied up the Caradoc brothers' story arcs and revealed the Caradoc family traitor pulling the strings of the rebels, but there are still smaller story threads I could expand with characters already in existence. So far no character has jumped out at me and said he or she needs a whole book on them yet. So until one does, I'll work on my SSI books -- I have tons of characters demanding their story in that series. :) Thanks for asking. I'm so blown away by the support for my Prime books.
Monette Michaels
October 6th, 2014. So not so far away. Thanks for asking!
Monette Michaels
My current WIP, Prime Imperative, is a third book in a trilogy, so the idea was formed way back in 2008 when I started the trilogy with Prime Obsession. As for how I got the idea for this trilogy, I'm not sure since it is science fiction romance and not based on current events or an interesting article like my SSI books often are. I do know that I love and adore Linnea Sinclair's SFR books and just thought I'd like to try my hand at one -- and I ended up with three. I actually made Linnea a minor character in the books.
Monette Michaels
When the characters in my head keep me up at night, I know it's time to sit down and get them onto the computer and out of my head. Since this happens a lot, I write a lot.
Monette Michaels
Sit down and start writing. When you think you are finished, go back and rewrite and rewrite again until you have every word, line, and scene as polished as you can get them. Then get some objective critical comment and go back and rewrite again.
With each written piece, you'll get better and better. Writing is only as good as the work and time you put into it.
With each written piece, you'll get better and better. Writing is only as good as the work and time you put into it.
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