Paranormal and Horror Lovers discussion

It has been a long time coming, but my first novel in the Haven's Realm saga is now available both in e-book and print format! Twilight Destiny has received a complete rewrite, and while the plot is the same, the story has much greater dimension. I gave it a fresh title to celebrate and better describe what lies beyond the cover. Read the blurb and find where to buy here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5....

I’ve already read this book and absolutely loved it! Will you be doing any giveaways in the future? I’d love to get a print copy.

I hope to plan an event on Facebook, in which I can offer free copies and maybe a gift or two. I should be receiving my first copies of the print edition this week, and can't wait to see how my cover art turned out.

That’s awesome!! Can’t wait. I’ve been wondering though, where did you get the idea for the book?

It came to me, as they all do. This one sprouted life in 1998, I think, when a lonely Scot asked for my help. I set him up in the rainforest of western Washington, brought an impoverished family into his awareness, and pretty much let nature take its course. I knew from the start that courtship would be sweet and difficult, but the more I developed the story, the more precious Joshua and Catherine became to me.

Did you dream it, or did it just come to you?

What about your title change? What was it before?

Sorry for so many questions, I just find this oh so fascinating.

LOL. I don't mind! First answer:

I guess you could say I twilight-dreamed it. It's been a lifelong habit to tell myself stories at bedtime. This always helps my mind drift into the realm of what-ifs and imaginary friends. I contemplated Joshua's character for a good six months before writing the first line, explored his persona and, most importantly, asked him how I could help. He was shy and reluctant on a lot of important points, which resulted in this complete rewrite, but if I were to write a synopsis based on both this version and the original I registered with the LOC, you would find very little difference.

Catherine is how I imagine my own early life might have been under more difficult circumstances. So in that sense, I placed myself in a more desperate roll, and explored how Joshua would react. She and I are alike in many aspects--quiet, thoughtful, and deeply caring of others.

Second answer:

The original title of this work, as registered with the LOC in 2003, was Dark Destiny. We suffered a significant life-change (a military move), so I played with the story for years before signing on with AuthorHouse, a self-publishing company. By then, 'Dark Destiny' had been used by another vampire novelist, so after searching through alternatives, I renamed the story Twilight Destiny, and hoped that Maggie Shayne (one of my favorite vampire novelists) and her fans would forgive me for borrowing her theme.

At a book signing in 2009, I was asked if I was Stephanie Meyer. I'd never heard of her, so I looked into it, and finally understood why I was being compared with her work. To this day, I have not read the books, but I'll admit I enjoyed the movies when they came on TV. When I addressed this concern during republication with Secret Cravings, the managing editor didn't see a problem, but suggested the series subtitle. Still, the comparison continued, probably because the title was so fresh and new in readers' minds.

Once I was off the shelf and on my own again, I began not just editing, but rewriting my stories, polishing them with all that I have learned. Joshua's story became so much more dynamic and emotionally charged that Twilight no longer fit the narrative. Treacherous Destiny seemed much more compelling and appropriate.

How long did it take you to write your book?

How many more can we expect? I’m dying over here for more. Your worlds are so real I felt lost when I was done for want of my new “friends” I had grown to love.

Oh, gosh, it took me years to properly finish my first story, and years more before I polished it to my satisfaction. But every story is different, and it all depends upon how noisy my characters were.

I currently have eight...no, nine completed novels, and am focusing right now on final edits for book two in the saga. Two of these titles are complete stand-alone stories that were once published in one book with a connecting story. So...those who've read Secrets & Promises, for example, can expect a new title, To Keep A Promise, which contains all related material from the previously published Secrets, but focused to better tell the other half of the underlying story. I have one more story not previously published in any part, so those of you who have been dying to know what comes next will love the ninth story.

As to the future, I have at least ten more novel ideas, some in notes, others in full scenes. One of those is about three-quarters completed, but until I have the rest of these published and out of the way, the hubs, who is my logic critic, will not explore helping me finish it.

Please be patient with me while I work to make the entire Haven's Realm saga the quality read you deserve. The rest of my life is a chaotic mess most of the time, so the opportunity for quiet time doesn't come as often as any of us would like.

And I am very happy to hear that you can become lost in my world. It's a little like motherhood--I created not just a handful of characters, but a whole community, if you'll excuse the pun. Releasing them to the world is just as nerve wracking as sending your teen to college.

To me they're more than ink and paper. They've entertained my dreams, encouraged me when I was stuck, and prompted me on. I like to say I live my life with one foot in the Realm, and I have been accused of slipping to the other side in the middle of some family gathering. Maybe some day I'll catch you there.