Ooooh!

I'm cleaning up my very messy desktop and had to share this coloring book illustration (by the awesome Aura Dalian) with you. It's one of my favorite scenes from the HoN. Do you remember which book? I do! Coloring book can be purchased worldwide at: https://www.createspace.com/4540544 OR you can get signed copies from Kristin Cast's store at: www.myhouseofnight.com (she does ship worldwide!). XXXOOO PC

Redeemed's cover is HERE!

Novella order clarification!

As we approach the release of KALONA'S FALL (July 29th) I wanted to be sure you guys know in what order the novellas should be read with the rest of the books because each of them hold an important piece of the HOUSE OF NIGHT story puzzle - especially KALONA'S FALL. So, here is the order in which they should be read: 1) DRAGON'S OATH 2) DESTINED 3) LENOBIA'S VOW 4) HIDDEN 5) NEFERET'S CURSE 6) REVEALED 7) KALONA'S FALL (release date July 29) 8) REDEEMED (release date October 14) I hope you enjoy reading the novellas as much as I've enjoyed writing them. It's been wonderful to delve into the backgrounds of the adult characters. Wishing all the brightest of blessings! PC

A little R&R!

Had an awesome day today with Kristin and my two beautiful mares, Anjo and The Black. Check out our selfie with Black! Ha! (Just finished the copy edits on REDEEMED. I absolutely love the conclusion of the series! Can't wait for you guys to read it!!!) XXXOOO PC

Brainstorming!

So, I'm working hard on the world building and the outline for my next series, and I know that I think better if I give my ideas time to percolate while I'm keeping myself busy - especially busy outside. I decided to create a fairy garden (while I'm creating a new world in my mind)! I started with two outside, but I'm also going to make one inside in my office. I have an Asian inspired mini garden that is linked to a mushroom/earth goddess garden by a cutie little red bridge. They're still under construction, but check them out! Have any of you ever created a fairy garden? (It's fun!) XXXOOO PC

Come see us in New Orleans!

Hi Guys! Kristin Cast and I will be attending the Romantic Times BookLovers Convention this week in lovely New Orleans! We'll be signing books at the Giant Book Fair on Saturday from 11:00am-2:00pm. We're also on several panels Friday and Saturday. You can learn more at: https://www.rtconvention.com/ Hope to see you there! XXXOOO p.s. Kristin Cast and I will have HoN merchandise for sale all during the convention. Just look for the HoN booth! And there will be coloring books available!

HOUSE OF NIGHT COLORING BOOK!

THE COLORING BOOK IS FINALLY AVAILABLE! YEA! I am so happy with how it turned out. It's a gorgeous book! Aura Dalian's art is lovely, and the fan Q&A was a lot of fun. Here's how you get it: It's available to be shipped EVERYWHERE through CreateSpace. Just follow this link: https://www.createspace.com/4540544 Here's the Amazon US link (yes, it should be available in the new few days through Amazon UK, as well as Amazon Europe. http://www.amazon.com/House-Night-Coloring-Book-1/dp/0615928307/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397584767&sr=8-1&keywords=house+of+night+coloring+book Enjoy!

YOUR CHANCE TO BE HEARD!

So, our lovely publisher, St. Martin's Press, has started working on our tour for REDEEMED. Here's your chance to be heard! Where do you want Kristin and me to come?! XXXOOO

Coloring Book News!

As of today I have all of the images and text turned in for the House of Night coloring book! Yea! Design and proofing stages are next, then it will be available for you guys! I'm still on track for it to be released in May! I'll post links as soon as it's available. Until then, here's a teaser of Aura Dalian's lovely drawing that is being colorized and turned into an awesome wraparound cover for the book! (I especially love seeing Nala in the foreground!) Back to working on KALONA'S FALL for me! XXXOOO PC

My writing space!

I'm finishing the fan Q&A part of the coloring book manuscript, and because there were several questions about how/where I write, I thought I would post a picture of my Tulsa office. I've been writing on a TreadDesk (www.treaddesk.com) since 2009. I love my TreadDesk, and I wouldn't write any other way. Not only is it way better on my body than sitting in front of a computer, but the movement helps me focus and be more productive. I do prefer the TreadDesk over other treadmill desk models. I've tried LifeSpan desks, and not only are they more expensive, but they're too bulky and cumbersome. So, do I have a writing ritual? I suppose I do! TreadDesk, Superman, candles, and a Scottie dog or two… Back to writing for me! XXXOOO PC

Submit questions to be answered in the coloring book!

As you guys know, I'm publishing a House of Night coloring book, with illustrations by my fabulous friend and tattoo artist/illustrator, Aura Dalian (releasing in May). As part of the book I thought it would be nice to include a Q & A with me answering questions submitted by you guys! So, ask away! I have to turn in the coloring book manuscript this week, and I will include as many of your questions as is allowed by the page count I have left. Here is a lovely preview of one of the coloring book pages. I absolutely love Aura's version of our Stevie Rae! Can't wait to read your questions! XXXOOO PC Photo: As I have mentioned before, I'm publishing a House of Night coloring book, with illustrations by my fabulous friend and tattoo artist/illustrator, Aura Dalian (releasing in May). As part of the book I thought it would be nice to include a Q & A with me answering questions submitted by you guys! So, ask away! I have to turn in the coloring book manuscript this week, and I will include as many of your questions as is allowed by the page count I have left. Here is a lovely preview of one of the coloring book pages. I absolutely love Aura's version of our Stevie Rae! Can't wait to read your questions! XXXOOO PC

Earth Mother coloring book image!

You guys chose the second Earth Goddess illustration to open KALONA'S FALL, and I can't show IT to you yet. But I can show you the finished second image, which will be published in the HoN coloring book (release date in mid May). I think she's exquisite! Well done to my wonderful artist, Aura Dalian! Can't wait for you guys to see the finished version of the other image, too! XXXOOO PC

Hanging out with Kristin!

Sporting our HoN apparel! I love the hoodie - so nice and soft! And Odin hearts him some Kristin! Back to writing… XXXOOO PC

Writing…writing…writing...

Hi Guys! Logging lots of miles on my treddesk while I write KALONA'S FALL! Yep, I do still use old school sticky notes to remind myself about what I need to add/change/rewrite. By the end of a manuscript I have them sticking all over my desk and computer screen! Back to work for me! XXXOOO PC

CHOOSE THE OPENING ILLUSTRATION FOR KALONA'S FALL!

Hi Guys! You’ve made such awesome comments about my novella posts that Aura Dalian (my incredibly talented artist) and I decided that we would let YOU decide which illustration would be published in the opening chapter of KALONA’S FALL! So, the chapter tells the creation story of the House of Night world, as well as how Nyx, Kalona, and Erebus came into being. As you guys already know, Kalona is the son of the earth and the moon, and his brother, Erebus, is the son of the earth and the sun. To illustrate the story, Aura has personified the earth as a pregnant woman/goddess, with the sun and moon nearby. Remember, these are still unfinished drafts of what will become the final illustration for the novella (release date in July) – and the other will be published in the first House of Night coloring book (release date in May). Which version of Mother Earth do you like best for KALONA’S FALL? Can’t wait to tally your choices! XXXOOO PC

NOVELLA TALK #4 - KALONA'S FALL

Well, can’t say too much about this one because I’m in the middle of writing it! What I can say is that I am LOVING writing it. I adore fantasy (As longtime readers of my Partholon books already know!), and this novella is set almost completely in the very fantastic Otherworld, which is a lot of fun for me. Kalona, Erebus, and Nyx are complex characters, and it’s a pleasure to give them center stage in this story. I thought you guys would like an inside glimpse at how the illustrations for the novellas come into being. My wonderful artist for this novella, Aura Dalian, is also my tattoo artist and the artist who created the designs for Kristin’s HoN clothing line, the element symbols for our candles, as well as all of the illustrations for the HoN coloring book (release date is mid May). Yes! Aura is as crazy talented as she is busy! The process goes like this: first, Aura and I chat about each chapter. I tell her what my main visual image is from the chapter. Then Aura provides feedback regarding any additional images she sees. Next she does some very rough sketches and sends them to me. I choose the sketch (or sketches) I like best, and she does a more finished drawing, which she scans and sends to me. At that time I let her know if something needs to be tweaked, which she does, and then she produces the finished illustration! It’s an awesome process and I love working with Aura (working with Kim Doner, who illustrated the other novellas was a wonderful process as well!). What I’ve posted here are three very rough sketches for the opening chapter of KALONA’S FALL. I’ve begun the novella with a once upon a time creation myth, explaining how the HoN world, as well as Erebus, Kalona, and Nyx came into being. Aura and I decided the illustration would personify the earth as a beautiful pregnant woman, with the moon and sun as her companions. These are my favorite three rough sketches. I can’t wait to see the finished illustration! Coming soon, KALONA’S FALL, July 29th! Now, back to work for me… XXXOOO PC

NOVELLA TALK #3 - NEFERET'S CURSE

I love the setting – Chicago (White City!) during the World’s Fair was a magical time and it was a pleasure to bring it alive again. But the rest of the novella was difficult for me to write. I went into this project knowing that I was taking on a lot. I wanted to show my readers the tragedy that had happened to Neferet when she was a teenager known as Emily Wheiler, and by doing so I wanted my readers to empathize with young Emily, to understand why Neferet turned to Darkness for solace, and to feel pity for Neferet/Emily, but ultimately to realize that even though Neferet was the victim of a terrible act, she made the choice not to heal. She decided to embrace vengeance and quest for power instead of loving herself and looking to others (her mentor, her High Priestesses, etc) to help lead her from self hatred and violence. There was another aspect of Emily/Neferet’s story that was difficult for me. When I was a very young teenager I was date raped. Back then there was no support system for women against whom that kind of violence was committed – the violence perpetrated against women by a “friend”. For a very long time I blamed myself. I disliked myself almost as much as I disliked men. Like Emily, I was broken. Unlike Emily, I found a path to healing and chose love and light instead of revenge and darkness. But I knew as I was writing Emily’s story that I would need to tap into a piece of my past that would be painful to relive. It was painful, but it was also cathartic. It made me sad for the young girl who was Emily, as well as the young girl who was, many years ago, me. It also made me understand Emily and Neferet. I disagree with Neferet’s choices, but I see how she could have made them. I hope my readers can also understand and see. It is for those of you who have also been touched by violence that I mention this dark part of my past. Please know that: 1. IT WAS NOT YOUR FAULT, 2. There is help available today if you choose to seek and accept it, and 3. Choose love. Always love. For yourself and for others. Wishing you the brightest of blessings, PC

SUPER BOOK SATURDAY!

Super Book Saturday! Let’s talk romance! I love romance novels. I love to read them and I love to write them. The old line about romance novels being poorly written fluff for desperate housewives is bullshit. Today the genre is filled with incredibly talented authors, tightly plotted stories, and three dimensional heroes and heroines. One of my favorite romance authors is Jennifer Cruise. She’s witty (laugh out loud funny, actually!), insightful (she will make you cry), and she can write a delightful range of characters authentically. I’ve read a lot of her work and it’s hard to choose a favorite, but I do heart MAYBE THIS TIME very, very much. It’s a ghost story, a love story, and a second chance story. Give it a try; I don’t think you’ll be sorry! Who are some of your favorite romance authors? XXXOOO PC

More novella talk! LENOBIA'S VOW!

This novella was a complete delight to write! I began by taking a wonderful trip to New Orleans (met my Goddess Summoning editor, Christine Zika, there!) to research the history of that beautiful city. During my research I was intrigued by the historical record of daughters of French nobility being sent to marry highborn French men who had relocated to New Orleans. What an exciting, frightening time that must have been! Then I began to imagine what an excellent opportunity a faraway arranged marriage could be for a bastard daughter of nobility – and that’s how LENOBIA’S VOW was born! Of course I wove in the romantic, bittersweet story of the great love of Lenobia’s life, brining her full circle to today’s House of Night where her love does, finally, find her again! Some of you know that I am a horsewoman, and I love adding equine details to my novels. Travis’s Big Bonnie is based on my awesome Percheron mare, Bonnie. It was an added delight to be able to mention the foundations of my favorite horse breed, the Quarter Horse. I loved all the illustrations in this novella (by my good friend Kim Doner), but this one of Martin and Lenobia is special to me. Hope y’all enjoyed reading LENOBIA’S VOW as much as I enjoyed creating it! XXXOOO PC

Let's talk novellas! DRAGON'S OATH

Let’s talk novellas! I’ve begun working on the last HoN novella, KALONA’S FALL, and I thought it would be fun to talk a little about each of the preceding three, how they came into being, and my favorite parts of them. The whole thing began one evening when I was having dinner with my publishing family at St. Martin’s Press. SMP isn’t just my publisher – they are big HoN fans as well. We were talking about the series, and the subject of Dragon and Anastasia Lankford came up. I said something like, “Yeah, they’ve been together since before Dragon went through the Change. Anastasia was a professor at his HoN, and older. It took a lot of convincing for him to woo her!” My amazing publisher, Matthew Shear (who we lost to cancer last year – we miss him very much), said, “Wait, you know all the backstories for your adult characters?” I said, “Yep!” He said, “Could you write them for us?” I said, “Yep, if we can work them in between the HoN books.” And Matthew said, “Done!” From there we discussed the format of the novellas. We all felt very strongly about publishing them in a format that was different than the big HoN books. I didn’t want my fans to think they were buying a full-length book, and then get home and realize it’s just a novella and be disappointed (books are about 80,000-100,000 words – novellas are about 25,000-50,000 words). Matthew and I liked the small hardback format, and I insisted on the chapter illustrations to more fully set them apart from the big books. So that’s how the novellas came into being. Now you’ll understand why DRAGON’S OATH was the first of them to be published! I set DRAGON’S OATH in St. Louis, beside the Mississippi River. I used to camp with my family along the river as a young girl, and I’ll always remember the lovely train trip my grandma and I took up to Minneapolis, MN, that ran along the river and those beautiful bluffs. My favorite scene from DRAGON’S OATH was when Anastasia cast the spell that called forth the grownup version of Dragon. Loved writing that! And my favorite illustration was the one that showed Bryan and Anastasia’s hands side-by-side – his holding a sword and hers holding a sunflower. What’s your favorite illustration from DRAGON’S OATH? Favorite scene? XXXOOO PC