It’s been a little over a month since I finished the draft of UNTETHERED and set it on the back burner to simmer on low. I’m still not quite ready to start the next draft, but I do have some notes ready to go. When it’s time, I’ll be ready to go. Surprisingly, I’ve already started outlining the beginning of UNFORESEEN. I wasn’t sure I would want to yet, but when the ideas come I have to put them down. UNFORESEEN will be a beast of a book. Potentially even going into 150k territory. The final book in this arc of Underhill stories, is daunting and yet very exciting. I’m planning some cool things and hinting at future stories that take place in the world of Eltheria (I finally named the entire world. Cool, huh?).
This month I will be mostly focusing on a fantasy romance for my other pen name, and also a super secret project that I can’t wait to share with y’all! My lips are sealed until I get the go ahead but it’s going to be awesome.
What I’ve Been…
Reading
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells-The second book in the Murderbot series, and oh my goodness was it a good one. From the ever-evolving mystery to the addition of new friends, I loved it all.
Cabaret in Flames by Hache Pueyo-Darkly romantic and hopeful. A beautiful and fraught story that reminds readers there is a whole lot of life to live after trauma and tragedy.
Thrall by Rebecca Mahoney-A smothered young woman goes to college states away and is targeted by a vampire stalking the campus. I picked up a lot of what the author was putting down on having something happen to you that isn’t your fault and finding people to help you get to the other side of it. Also, hooray for lesbians and old gay married couples!
We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer-Recommended to me by a friend and I can’t thank them enough. There were puzzles?! Between reading and translating morse code and solving puzzles, I had a blast. There’s even a whole subreddit devoted to the book AND the “mythos” present. Heavy on Alan Wake and Control vibes and doesn’t overexplain itself. I need his next book yesterday.
Watching
Shows wise, we were late to The Pitt but finished catching up by the time the season finale rolled around, and man, what a ride. Many episodes had me in tears while dragging me along on the emotional rollercoaster, and I kept going back for more. Will Trent was going strong but with the recent death of my favorite character, I’m not sure how much longevity the show will have now. We're also almost caught up with the Matlock reboot that just wrapped up its second season. I love Kathy Bates, but Skye P. Marshall as Olympia is the shining star for me.
Movies were a mixed bag this month:
Grave Encounters-I know it’s goofy, but it has some moments that I genuinely love. I rewatch every couple years or so.
Lake Placid-One of my absolute favorites. A crocodile in Maine! Betty White calling cops cocksuckers! Jane Fonda screaming every time a head is thrown at her! Never takes itself too seriously and I appreciate that.
Predator 1 and Predator 2-I’ve seen every other Predator movie, but I hadn’t seen the original movies. I appreciate the first one for kicking off the series and creating a timeless meme, but the second one was my favorite. I love Danny Glover. Poor Bill Paxton, got got by a Xenomorph and then a Yautja.
Fackham Hall-Had some fun gags that had me laughing through most of the movie, but overall felt lackluster as a parody movie.
Officer Black Belt-I love Kim Woo Bin. That’s it. Those are my thoughts. That and I appreciate him beating the snot out of serial sex offenders.
Shelby Oaks-Call me Martin Luther because I could write my 95-Theses on how disappointed I was in this movie. I was constantly checking for when this hit streaming because I thought I was going to get a cool found footage movie. I got a shitty demon movie instead.
Playing
I’m in the building again. I started both Coral Island and Dragon Age Veilguard over again. While I’m playing a new farmer with a new romance interest that I haven’t chosen yet, I am playing the same character in DAV and I will be romancing Lucanis again. Every week I play a game with my partner. We just wrapped up Diablo 4 recently and started Diablo 3 last week.
The first book in the Underhill series: UNBOUND is $.99 on all platforms as part of the Fierce Fantasy sale!
See y’all next month!
