In edit for 2012 paperback release: Aly's Luck:
The electronic edition of Aly's Luck was released by Proxima Books and is available here.
We negotiated with the good people at Proxima and kept all print rights to our novel. (Movie rights, too. Hollywood, are you listening?) For those readers who enjoy holding an actual, physical book, we'll be providing a new edit, a different beginning, a new cover -- not the image on the left, no -- and even a dashing, new description on Amazon.
The new description reads like this:
Aly Krebbs is in trouble.
Seeking a little relaxation, she booked a ticket to T’ing, the Bugworld. A transporter for the rich and powerful, she’s used to being in dangerous situations – but this was supposed to be different! This was her first holiday in years. When did things go so terribly wrong? How did she end up penniless, naked, and on the auction block?
If she wants to survive, Aly is going to have to join forces with a thief and his shape-changing companion. But she knows better than to trust a thief…and she’s just discovered that the changer wants her as his mate.
This is one vacation that’s getting more interesting every day….
“YOU’RE IN FOR A WONDERFULLY ENTERTAINING RIDE. In the pulp tradition of a plot too zany to question, this is undeniably a fun story.” Luke Forney, Luke Reviews
Ashes & Ink: Wanna read the first chapter?
We wanted to write a short story, that's all. We began a silly game, plotting the story line by line on a yellow legal pad, taking our time and having fun -- and, the next thing we knew, we'd started another damn novel.
We don't have time for another project, not a full-length effort. We really don't. Although, it seems we may have started one, anyway.
In any case, you're welcome to read the first chapter. While you're at it, you'll also discover the mysteries of the Plotting Game™ and see how and why things went askew -- right here.
Our very first sequel EVER: The Preacher's Son
We've always known that we wanted to see a follow-up to The Atheist's Daughter. We knew some of the touch points we wanted to hit -- Kristin and Liz, on the road; Hawkins, struggling with his place in the world and his growing romantic feelings for Kristin; Mrs. Norton feeling threatened and vulnerable for the first time in...quite a long time; Mr. Locke, in a very bad place -- and we knew how the book started, we knew how the book ended. But we'd never written a sequel to one of our own books, ever, and, honestly, it's a struggle. Because, if a sequel is going to be written right, there are certain rules you need to follow.
First of all, we've always believed that any sequel must be complete in and of itself. Which means, the story must make complete sense, even if you've not read the book leading into this new tale. It's a little tricky, trying to bring newcomers up to speed while not boring those folks who've already read Book #1, but it must be done and done well. P.G. Wodehouse was a master at this kind of thing. We've read P.G. Wodehouse, we love P.G. Wodehouse, and, frankly, we're no P.G. Wodehouse.
There's also this: This new story has to reflect the style and sensibility of the first (it is a sequel), but if a devoted reader can guess where things are going, it needs more work. Life brings surprises and so should a well-written novel. But nothing cheap -- the cat springs out of the closet! -- nothing untrue or unfair -- "And being an amateur astronomer," Detective Blackon said, "I realized that Saturn's magnetic field was a fraction the strength of Jupiter's. When Professor Rucka claimed otherwise, I knew he was the murderer!" -- and such moves aren't always easy. Good thing that Renée is the plotter, eh?
Finally, as the story advances, the characters have to grow. Just as in T.A.D., Kristin at the beginning of the book can't be the same Kristin we meet at the tale. In our book, even the monsters have to undergo change. Except, y'know, they remain MONSTERS, which provides a certain limitation on personal growth. Plus, some sweet day, we just might want to write a sequel to this sequel -- which brings a whole new set of problems to the word processor.
We'll let you know how things work out.
First of all, we've always believed that any sequel must be complete in and of itself. Which means, the story must make complete sense, even if you've not read the book leading into this new tale. It's a little tricky, trying to bring newcomers up to speed while not boring those folks who've already read Book #1, but it must be done and done well. P.G. Wodehouse was a master at this kind of thing. We've read P.G. Wodehouse, we love P.G. Wodehouse, and, frankly, we're no P.G. Wodehouse.
There's also this: This new story has to reflect the style and sensibility of the first (it is a sequel), but if a devoted reader can guess where things are going, it needs more work. Life brings surprises and so should a well-written novel. But nothing cheap -- the cat springs out of the closet! -- nothing untrue or unfair -- "And being an amateur astronomer," Detective Blackon said, "I realized that Saturn's magnetic field was a fraction the strength of Jupiter's. When Professor Rucka claimed otherwise, I knew he was the murderer!" -- and such moves aren't always easy. Good thing that Renée is the plotter, eh?
Finally, as the story advances, the characters have to grow. Just as in T.A.D., Kristin at the beginning of the book can't be the same Kristin we meet at the tale. In our book, even the monsters have to undergo change. Except, y'know, they remain MONSTERS, which provides a certain limitation on personal growth. Plus, some sweet day, we just might want to write a sequel to this sequel -- which brings a whole new set of problems to the word processor.
We'll let you know how things work out.
