AWAKENED COVER!

Here is it! Love it love it love it!

Yes, it's Rephaim (as he saw himself in the fountain at the end of BURNED).

No, I can't tell you anything more about AWAKENED. Not sure when they're going to post chapter 1 yet, either.

Oh, and it doesn't look like Kristin and I will be touring the US in January for the release of AWAKENED because the weather is so crazy during that month, but I am going back to Scotland with Seoras just after the holidays so I've asked my lovely UK publisher to set up a few signing events there. Don't know exact locations yet, but I wouldn't be suprised if one of them is the wonderful bookstore I heart so much in Sterling!

XXXOOO
PC

Magickal Book!

As y'all know, I've finished AWAKENED. That means I'm in the middle of the production process and awaiting copy edits. That also means I GET TO READ AGAIN!! I'm a total bookaholic, but when I'm under heavy deadline I don't have time to read; I just write. So it's a real treat for me to put my face (or my ears) back into books. While you're waiting for January 4th and the release of AWAKENED, I thought it'd be fun to share fabulous book discoveries with you. Here's the first:
Nancy Pickard's THE SCENT OF RAIN AND LIGHTNING. Oh. My. Goddess. I started listening to this book in audio in my car. Today I literally sat outside my house for ten minutes before I could force myself to turn off the CD. If I hadn't been 30 minutes from the nearest bookstore, and hadn't been totally loving the reader of this book (so I want to hear her finish it!) I would have turned around and bought the dang thing so I could curl up with it tonight.

Guys, I don't know Ms. Pickard, but her prose is so evocative and lovely that I'm totally in love with her! She's literary, with spice (no, this isn't for young teens - I'd say 16 and above unless you're precocious). Her writing is smart. Her characterization is wonderous - especially the characterization of her male leads. And I'm totally drawn into her plot. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.

My recommendation: don't walk. RUN out to buy this book. Then post here and we'll talk about how wonderful it was!

Happy reading,
PC

It gets better!

Hi Guys,
The lovely people at www.itgetsbetterproject.com have designated today, Oct 20th, as Spirit Day in acknowledgment of the recent tragic suicides of young gay kids, and ask that you wear purple in support of LGBT youth (you can go to their website for lots more info).

We should not be defined by our sexual orientation. Period.

I'd like you to consider taking a moment today not simply to wear purple and put on the trappings of love and equality. Could each of you please pause to consider the importance of living a life of integrity? If your life has integrity and if you live respecting the world and those around you, then what follows will be more than just a one day of a show of support for LGBT youth. Straight kids: I'd like to ask you to take a stand and show personal integrity. Don't tolerate the bullying of others. Don't laugh at jokes that degrade people. Don't stand silently in the background while another's words and/or actions hurt people. Stand Up. Don't allow Darkness to win, in whatever guise it cloaks itself: religious intolerance, social fear, hazing, or simply bad damn taste and ignorance. As Erik says in AWAKENED, "...what if all the good folks leave and evil gets bored playing all by itself and goes home, too?" I think Erik may have a point. Stand up to Darkness - if that means walking away from certain "friends," then do it. Don't give bullies an audience, whether it's on the internet or in person. Oh, and when you walk away - take the kid being bullied with you. Believe me, he/she will be a lot more fun to hang out with than the jerks who are bullies.

Gay kids: it gets better. I promise. And I heart your bravery.

XXXOOO
PC

NYC view!

Ooooh! Check out the view from my NYC hotel room! And it is GORGEOUS in the city this weekend! Kristin's not here with me (she's working hard on her first novel!), but her birthday is the 4th of November, so guess who's going to get a little NYC present? (Diane von Furstenberg store...)

Hope to see y'all tomorrow and/or Sunday at ComicCon!

XXXOOO
PC

ComicCon in NYC! Come see me!

Oooh! Remember that I'll be at ComicCon in New York City this weekend! I'll be in booth #2467 Sat, Oct 9th and Sun Oct 10th announcing the release of my first graphic novel, GODDESS OF THE ROSE, A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast! Check out the poster my artist, the wonderful Alan Halpin, and I will be signing! Hope to see y'all there!

XXXOOO
PC