Return to Wylderland with Bound Beauty! A war is about to begin between the forgotten people of Wylderland and the cruel might of Bitterhelm. Beings of prophecy and legend unite in the epic third chapter of the Wylder Tales Series, a slowburn gothic re-telling of Beauty and the Beast.
“I thought perchance you would like to go for a walk today.” Vynasha held her breath. “This coming from the prince who wouldn’t let me walk across my room alone?” She followed the stitched pattern of silver leaves on her new dress and purposely brushed against his hand. He stilled beneath her touch, and his piercing stare heated with the echo of desire once again. “It has been three days.” She leaned into his touch and savored the rush of his power coursing through their bond. Not too much, just enough to feed her starving body of the magick it craved. “Meaning you believe I’m strong enough?” Grendel looked away and began to lay out the layers over her bed. “Meaning I will be here to catch you if you should fall.” Balos stiffened slightly at the sight, then relaxed when she placed a hand against his back. I’m with you, she silently vowed.
Every book I write is a labor of love. The hardest part for me has always been marketing. I have taken countless courses and workshops, read so many books, and listened to hours of podcasts. The pervading truth I've come to believe is success is different for everyone. Even #1 NYT Bestsellers can't always explain the alchemy that led to their success. I believe it's part luck, part insanely hard work and commitment, with a sprinkling of talent. Ironically enough, talent isn't always the deciding factor, but that's another story. As my friend Mel and I always say before a release: "Here we go again. Let's see if this one sticks!"
I finally finished Bound Beauty! After a rigorous round of rewrites and edits, I'm excited to share the final result with y'all this coming month. We're actually a little over two weeks away, now. And because this is Book 3, and I really want to give it an extra fun send-off, I'm going all in for this release. Interested in helping out and helping me spread the word?
Hidden within the shadows, Vynasha carefully reached for her magick. The day’s trials had weakened her, but Grandmother had taught her to pace herself, and with every moon her endurance grew. The flowers lining the door frame began to shed more violet petals as they gradually wilted. Balos stiffened slightly at the sight, then relaxed when she placed a hand against his back. I’m with you, she silently vowed.
Welcome back to another writerly wittering update, friend! Let's be honest, this is more of a monthly than a weekly series, and has been for some time. Alas, I'm far too lazy to change the title, and it serves as a long-standing goal of mine. Maybe future me will finally get this whole scheduling thing right? Someday when I'm not chasing a toddler around the house... On that note, let's talk about the Borderland Saga and Silver Hollow!
“I am sorry for what happened to you,” she began, keeping her eyes on the leader, the beast with tusks who had offered a single, almost lucid thought. Vynasha ignored the prince’s muted groan as she released him and took her first step toward the cursed monsters, palms open before her. “Please, let me help?”
Still, she couldn’t deny how the persistent itch beneath her skin abated with him beside her, holding her hand. It shouldn’t have mattered. Truly, she hated how easily she gave in to these feelings. She could never tell him. Grendel had bound her life to his. Even if she were to leave, to beg the wylderfolk to take her back into their home, she would never be rid of him. And the longer she remained in the prince’s castle, the less she wanted to be free.
Going somewhat "off grid" for the last two months has made me really slow down and wrestle with my imposter demon. I realized that it's okay if I still haven't figured out the "business" of writing after a decade of paddling through this crazy market. What I'm best at is this. I'll never post a viral TikTok or Instagram and I don't think I really want to. I would rather write books, and write about books, and sometimes share something true and genuine with you.
We can't control every variable in our lives, no matter how much we plot and plan. And if you're like me, and prone to both fits of melancholy as well as fits of joy for the beauty in this world, the ups and downs are just a part of the life package.
