I will be with Found Books to sign books and chat all about my YA Fantasy book Contest of Queens and the entire Frean Chronicles!
Crowns and Queendom atire are highly encouraged, please feel free to arrive in your royal best!
PLEASE NOTE! There will be limited copies of Contest of Queens available for purchase on the day, so make sure to come early (but don’t worry, we can order more while you are here)!
When an unsettling event occurs in the Queendom of Frea, Jacs, an inventor’s apprentice from the Lower Realm, participates in the Contest of Queens to prove that a Queendom is strongest when united.
Four Points Books Signing
If you’re in the Invermere area and would like a signed copy of Contest of Queens, Queen’s Catacombs, or Queendom Come, you’re in luck! I just popped in and signed all their copies 🙂
Podcast: Summer Loving
Welcome to my Author Nook, a monthly podcast I created where I chat with authors about their literary brain children, and bibliophiles about their niche areas of obsession. Find it on Spotify here, and Youtube here.
As you know, I release episodes once a month with no set date so the best way to stay in the loop is to follow and subscribe on either Youtube or Spotify.
I don’t know where you are in the world, but up here in Canada, we’ve had bouts of torrential rain impeding our Summer plans. If you’re in the same boat, here are some episodes I’d recommend to curl up in front of while you wait for the storms to clear. Whether it’s forbidden love, supernatural love, or killer love, I have a feeling we’re entering the summer of L.O.V.E.
I’ll be taking a break from filming podcast episodes over the summer, but I would love to hear from you! What have you liked so far? What would you like to see? Any authors you’d like to hear from? Leave a comment below.
What a treat the June brought with it a weekend stay at not one, but two different Lodges! The Prince of Wales hotel in Waterton was so full of charm I didn’t know what to do with it all, and we were lucky enough to have a still, calm evening. This, if you’ve ever been to Waterton, is about as likely as a fish jumping out of the lake and onto your plate.
The second, The Lodge at Bow Lake was more modernized but still knew how to put on a damn-fine afternoon tea, and had Moose and Elk antler thrones that sent my imagination into a tizzy.
Setting Sail
It’s finally that time of year again – the time of year when I can launch the H.M.S Flounder and explore the labyrinth of waterways in Banff’s lakes and rivers. Avast!
Stepping back in time
Visiting the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller is one heck-of-a way to humble yourself. After much deliberation I decided that, had I shared oxygen with the dinosaurs, I would not have lasted long at all. A misplaced step would have squished me flat…
Review Corner
Reviews are so helpful in getting word of Contest of Queens, Queen’s Catacombs , and Queendom Comeout there. If you have time, and if you’ve read the book, I would be eternally grateful if you could leave a star rating and/or a written review on Goodreads or Amazon.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who have left a star rating or review!
Not really, but I’m just so blown away with all the bookstores she’s sitting pretty in! Here are a few I’ve found or people have sent me in the last couple of months. If you see her out and about, or even perched on your own bookshelf, I love to see it! So keep those pictures coming!
Indigo, CalgaryFourpoints Books, Invermere
Indigo, EdmontonCafe Books, Canmore
Whyte Museum Bookshop, Banff
Author Nook
Welcome to my Author Nook, a monthly podcast I created where I chat with authors about their upcoming releases and we nerd out over their literary brain children. Find it on Spotify here, and Youtube here.
As you know, I release episodes once a month with no set date so the best way to stay in the loop is to follow and subscribe on either Youtube or Spotify. Also, if you want to read ahead, here is our next read.
October is the best month (and not just because it’s my birth month). Something about being cozy and the promise of spooky fun is so magical. The range of the season is incredible, and I’ve been fortunate enough to chat with authors about a range of their cozy/spooky/autumnal novels. So regardless of whether you’re interested in Disney-level spook, or Stephen King ah!‘s, I’m sure I’ve got an episode that will tickle your fancy. Here are a few highlights for those who love…
Gotta say, it’s pretty magical getting older in paradise. Up here in Canada, the weather is getting colder and colder so having one last romp in the sun was a dream. We went swimming, cave exploring, rum tasting, garden wandering, fish fry dancing, and so much more! I definitely came away with a new appreciation for the colour blue. Check out her range:
Review Corner
Reviews are so helpful in getting word of Contest of Queens, Queen’s Catacombs , and Queendom Comeout there. If you have time, and if you’ve read the book, I would be eternally grateful if you could leave a star rating and/or a written review on Goodreads or Amazon.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who have left a star rating or review!
Welcome to my Author Nook, a monthly podcast I created where I chat with authors about their upcoming releases and we nerd out over their literary brain children. Find it on Spotify here, and Youtube here.
As you know, I release episodes once a month with no set date so the best way to stay in the loop is to follow and subscribe on either Youtube or Spotify. Also, if you want to read ahead, here is the lineup for the next few months.
This month we are joined by the glorious Sam Parrish to chat about the first novel in her Anagovia Trilogy: When the World Starts to Fray. So pour the tea and send a prayer to the Seamstress as we strap in to chat about building characters, weaving them into a party, the beauty of not forcing romance, and the perfection of imperfection.
Forty years ago in the midst of war, an Anagovian soldier discovered the incredible ability to manipulate the very fabric of reality. Without thought of the consequences, man-kind used it to every advantage, winning the war and sending Anagovia into an age of peace and prosperity. Weavers grabbed hold of the Threads of reality and shaped them to their will. They are considered by most to be a blessing from the gods themselves. But a darkness is seeping in through the Fabric that none of them anticipated. Scores of men and women are going missing and beasts that normally keep to the dark corners of the world are moving in growing numbers.
Li’or is a mercenary. She takes any job that pays well and keeps her moving- no matter how dangerous. One night while she’s setting up camp, a young Weaver named Hashkan stumbles in and throws her careful plans off course. Before they realize it, they find themselves tangling with armies of monsters and madmen as they try to unravel the schemes of a tyrant. But will their small band of hired swords be enough to save Anagovia?
If you’ve been following along with my newsletters, you are likely aware that I am finalizing my mysteriously titled pirate novel. It is a truth universally acknowledged that if one is finalizing a mysteriously titled pirate novel, one must visit the Caribbean. So we did 🙂
Aruba was such a gorgeous country, and I will never get over the thrill of driving along the coast and seeing a sunken ship just off the beach. The sand was white, the waters blue, and the flamingos as pink as a blush. What a dream, and what a lovely way to kick start Summer!
Review Corner
Reviews are so helpful in getting word of Contest of Queens, Queen’s Catacombs , and Queendom Comeout there. If you have time, and if you’ve read the book, I would be eternally grateful if you could leave a star rating and/or a written review on Goodreads or Amazon.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who have left a star rating or review!
Welcome to May’s newsletter. If you showed up by accident but want to receive monthly content, please subscribe below:
In this month’s newsletter, scroll down to find:
Writing update
Podcast: Author Nook with Derek Borne
Captain’s Log: Van-cool-ver
Review Corner
Writing update
With the Frean Chronicles trilogy completed, all is right with the world. Our story has its ending, and I can rest.
hehe… cute…
I’m excited to say that I just finished second overhaul of the first draft of my Mysteriously Titled Pirate Novel! After learning (very painfully) the age-old author’s lesson of “kill your darlings” I committed lexical murder, wiped the manuscript clean of any damning evidence, and reworked the story into something wonderful. I can’t reveal any more details… but stay tuned!
Next step? Editing…
Author Nook
Welcome to my Author Nook, a monthly podcast I created where I chat with authors about their upcoming releases and we nerd out over their literary brain children. Find it on Spotify here, and Youtube here.
May’s episode kicks off season 4 of this podcast and the first episode of this year! I still can’t believe we’ve been running for four years – and I’m so grateful for all the book chats I’ve had with so many wonderful authors. This year we have an exciting line-up! As you know, I release episodes once a month with no set date so the best way to stay in the loop is to follow and subscribe on either Youtube or Spotify. Also, if you want to read ahead, here is the lineup for the next few months.
Today we are joined by Jurassic Derek Borne, the Canadian author of Dino Rift to chat all things prehistoric. We discuss teen romance, the power of kindness, and how we always have the choice to do the right thing no matter how many teenagers we toss through a portal into the time of dinosaurs.
For years, SauraCorps has kept its existence confidential while touting themselves as a run-of-the-mill dinosaur museum.
For two Utah teens, Kamren and Vivienne, a care-free night to themselves quickly turns into a daunting trek through an exotic, unfamiliar time.
Not only do they stumble upon SauraCorps’ nefarious agenda, they also encounter major discrepancies concerning the past that would rewrite history books as we know them.
Kam and Viv’s reliance on each other through the primeval environment also tests their friendship in unexpected ways.
Pulp Fiction Books in Vancouver is one of my favourite independent bookstores and I was in absolute heaven browsing the shelves on my recent visit there. The shelves are stacked high and full but there is a solid system in place so you’re not just sifting through chaos. And the Heyer! THE HEYER! A whole swack of novels by Georgette Heyer just waiting to be scooped up by yours truly. Needless to say, the trip was a success and I came away with a teetering stack of beauties.
Review Corner
Reviews are so helpful in getting word of Contest of Queens, Queen’s Catacombs , and Queendom Comeout there. If you have time, and if you’ve read the book, I would be eternally grateful if you could leave a star rating and/or a written review on Goodreads or Amazon.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who have left a star rating or review!
Welcome to April’s newsletter. If you showed up by accident but want to receive monthly content, please subscribe below:
In this month’s newsletter, scroll down to find:
School Library Journal Starred Review
Author Spotlight: E.L. Li
Upcoming Podcast announcement
Review Corner
School Library Journal Starred Review
For those who don’t know, School Library Journal is an online resource and monthly magazine that provides review, recommendations, and book lists for school librarians (among other things). If you’ve heard that name before in my newsletters it’s because I’ve appeared as a panelist a few time at their events. Here is one such time:
To be reviewed by their team is huge but to be given a starred review is incredible as it basically tells librarians far and wide that your books has been given a big ol’ thumbs up. And Queendom Come received a starred review!
Check it out!
★Bartlett, Jordan H. Queendom Come. 480p. (The Frean Chronicles: Bk. 3). CamCat. Mar. 2025. Tr. $19.99. ISBN 9780744310764.
Gr 9 Up–After competing for the crown and rooting out corruption in the royal council in book one and two respectively, Queen Jacqueline, or Jacs, has to decide what kind of monarch she wants to be. Jacs and her Royal Advisor Connor must face the threat of the cult-like Sons of Celos while separated in the Upper and Lower Realms. They are also trying to navigate their romantic relationship while Jacs is facing a possible political marriage to someone else. The narrative pulls in a variety of perspectives as those within the Queendom work toward lasting change by forging alliances with the Court of Griffins, bringing men into the all-female military, and moving toward true unity between the Realms. While the flipped power dynamics in this world skew toward the gender binary, much of the supporting cast includes queer women, and characters are depicted with a variety of skin tones. VERDICT A satisfying conclusion to a trilogy that centers progress through equity alongside authentically drawn characters who will resonate with teen readers.
A HUGE thank you to SLJ ❤ this is unreal and so humbling.
This month I am lucky to have author E. L. Li at my virtual table to answer some of my questions about her novel Realm of Hope. So pour yourself a cup of tea and settle in.
Tell us a little about yourself and your novel Realm of Hope
Hi, I’m E. L. Li! I write fantasy books inspired by video games and things that I grew up loving such as anime, action and fantasy shows, and fantasy books! I also am a software engineer in the video game industry, and love playing video games, baking, travelling, trying out new restaurants, and any sort of arts and crafts! Realm of Hope is a video-game inspired fantasy epic about a found family trying to save their world from falling into darkness while also battling inner demons and “levelling up.”
Where did you get the inspiration for this novel?
The biggest inspirations for Realm of Hope are from video games, anime, and DND. I grew up loving games such as Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Fire Emblem and a lot of elements from those games are in my books. I also loved Percy Jackson and Avatar: The Last Airbender so plenty of inspiration comes from there as well!
What is your writing process? Do you have any playlists, special snacks, writing locations that you need for a good writing session?
My writing process is an interesting one. I first wrote Realm of Hope as a screenplay for a video game when I was a teenager. I wrote five more video game screenplays and they all took place in the same universe but different time periods. As an adult, I decided to rewrite the stories all into trilogies, so Realm of Hope is the first one third of the first video game screenplay that I wrote! So I will look at the screenplays for certain plot points and character aspects and other ideas and will create a plotline somewhat based on the original screenplay with adjustments to of course fit the formatting of a book. I do standard drafts and edits and I often have video game playlists blasting in the background or ambient fantasy music. I always sit at my desk in my office with a candle lit, some baked goods, and tea!
Magical and fighting abilities in fantasy novels can often be used to further explore a character’s personality. For example, in the C.S. Lewis’ The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, three of the four children are given weapons by Santa that reflect their characters. How does magical ability/fighting style reflect aspects of your characters in your novel? What can we learn about them through their magic/weapons?
Each character has a unique set of skills and abilities that helps reflect their personalities and which bloodline they are a part of. One of my characters, Zephyr, is the leader of his team and his abilities are less about raw power and more about versatility and using strategies to win a fight. Readers will also see character abilities evolve throughout the series as they “Level Up” which is super fun and adds onto the idea that these books are inspired by video games.
What role would you say legacy and ancestral expectation/pressure have in your novel?
Bloodlines, bloodline abilities, and legacy play a huge role in this universe. Those who have such powers are expected to use them for greatness and to their full potential. Some bloodlines follow a strict moral code. The ensemble cast of Realm of Hope is descended from these bloodlines and there is a lot of societal pressure and there are loads of expectations placed on their shoulders to save the world and that definitely plays into the character arcs.
Who was your favourite character to write and why?
I would say the main female character, Skye. She was the first character I ever created for these stories and went through loads of changes throughout the years. She also is the hardest character to write because of her unique backstory, role, and issues with PTSD and trauma after being a character who was raised as a weapon who is trying to learn how to be human.
You’ve created a detailed and elaborate universe for your novels with gods, realms, planes, magical systems and more. What is your favourite element that you’ve created and why?
Realm of Hope follows an elemental magic system – Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Lightning, Ice, Metal, Light, and Darkness. Out of them all, I’d say Darkness since it’s one of the most powerful elements and super versatile, but comes with a lot of consequences.
What advice would you share with aspiring authors wanting to write rich and detailed worlds?
Definitely keep track of everything you have related to your world – i have a google drive full of worldbuilding information and i follow basic templates for worldbuilding to get started. there are a lot of writing templates for worldbuilding out there, so it’s great to follow at first! Also do as much research as you can!
What is something that you’ve added into your novel that you really geek out about?
I’m ultimately a teenage fangirl at heart, so there are a lot of references to things I loved as a teenager in my books – Marvel, Avatar: The Last Airbender, DND, Video Games as mentioned before, etc. I would love to hear about more readers telling me they got some of the references and easter eggs!
What was a key message or theme you are hoping readers take away from your novel?
Some of the biggest themes in my books are the importance of having hope, determination, and how friendship can help overcome the odds. The characters go through a rollercoaster of highs and lows, experiencing adversity left and right and no matter what, they refuse to give up in their mission to save the world from falling into darkness.
Can you share a favourite quote or passage to tease our readers?
“There is no such thing as being completely good or evil. We all have blood on our hands in the pursuit of doing what we think is right.”
Upcoming Podcast Announcement
The wait is over! May marks the first month back to Author Nook, a monthly podcast I created where I chat with authors about their upcoming releases and we nerd out over their literary brain children. Find it on Spotify here, and Youtube here.
We’re about to have a prehistoric time with Derek Borne, Canadian Author and lovely human, as we discuss his novel Dino Rift.
Although this time I thought we’d do something a little different and give you a heads up so you can read the book before our episode airs May 16th. I’ll be posting on Instagram ahead of time to see if you have any burning questions you’d like to add to our line-up closer to the date, but if you have one already, please send it to me here and I’ll be sure to ask it.
Now, you may be thinking to yourself, “but where do I get my hands on this dino-riffic novel?” to which I reply, here of course:
Reviews are so helpful in getting word of Contest of Queens, Queen’s Catacombs , and Queendom Comeout there. If you have time, and if you’ve read the book, I would be eternally grateful if you could leave a star rating and/or a written review on Goodreads or Amazon.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who have left a star rating and review! Check out these new gems ❤
Welcome to March’s newsletter. If you showed up by accident but want to receive monthly content, please subscribe below:
In this month’s newsletter, scroll down to find:
Queendom Come Release
Author Panels
Review Corner
Queendom Come Release
What a whirlwind! There have been so many wonderful events and moments leading up to Queendom Come’s release and I can’t thank all those involved enough for how magical it’s all been. If you missed any of the updates on Instagram, I’ll include the main moments of joy below, and to summarize:
March 8: Banff Public Library partnered with the Whyte Museum book shop for a pre-release party on International Women’s Day! We chatted all things Frean, I shared a sneak peek reading, we drew the winners of the Colouring Contest, and attendees were able to purchase their copies a few days before the rest of the world!
Pre-order events were held at Slow Burn books in Calgary, Four Points Books in Invermere, Whyte Museum Bookshop in Banff, and Cafe Books in Canmore.
March 11th. Release day was a dream. I went to the Banff Springs Hotel (read: local castle) with Mum to celebrate at the spa, then met with some near and dear friends to clink many a glass of bubbly throughout the day.
March 15th was a friends and family celebration at home. We wore crowns, ate and drank the most delicious spread, had speeches, and I think I may have pulled a muscle in my cheeks from smiling so wide for so long.
March 22nd I attended an author signing event at Cafe Books in Canmore and we sold out of our copies! It was such a blast having an afternoon chatting with people about the series and fantasy in general.
Here are some of my favourite pictures from the 15th ❤
For a limited time, I’m sending these exclusive art prints to anyone who has purchased a copy of Queendom Come along with a signed book plate. To claim these goodies, please jump over to my Contact page and fill out the form.
Author Panels
March was a month of Author Panels, and it was such a treat to rub elbows with such incredible authors! (as if my TBR pile needed to get any bigger!) Each panel was filmed, so feel free to watch at your leisure below.
Review Corner
Reviews are so helpful in getting word of Contest of Queens, Queen’s Catacombs , and Queendom Comeout there. If you have time, and if you’ve read the book, I would be eternally grateful if you could leave a star rating and/or a written review on Goodreads or Amazon.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who have left a star rating and review! Check out my favourites for Queendom Come so far ❤
Happy love month and welcome to February’s newsletter. If you showed up by accident but want to receive monthly content, please subscribe below:
In this month’s newsletter, scroll down to find:
Queendom Come: Early Release party and Pre-order fun
Love, love, love
Review Corner
Queendom Come: Early Release party and Pre-order fun!
The countdown is on and I cannot wait for you all to read Queendom Come! If you live in the area, we are having a pre-release party at the Banff Public Library and would love to have you. Plus, you’ll be able to buy your copy of Queendom Come a whole four days before the rest of the world so… that’s pretty awesome. Huge thanks to the Banff Public Library, and the Whyte Museum for putting this all together!
Leading up to the event, BPL (Banff Public Library) are hosting a colouring contest with lots of fab prizes! So grab your markers and crayons and get creating!
If you’ve pre-ordered your book, I would love to send you a signed book plaque for the inside cover as well as this exclusive art print. To claim these goodies, please jump over here and fill out the form.
Are you more of an in-person kind of book buyer? Select book stores will be hosting a similar pre-order event. Anyone who pre-orders their copy at:
Reviews are so helpful in getting word of Contest of Queens, Queen’s Catacombs , and Queendom Comeout there. If you have time, and if you’ve read the book, I would be eternally grateful if you could leave a star rating and/or a written review on Goodreads or Amazon.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who have left a star rating and review! Check out these lovely recents ❤
Welcome to August’s newsletter. If you showed up by accident but want to receive monthly content, please subscribe below:
In this month’s newsletter, scroll down to find:
Banff Library Character Workshop
Release dates update
Podcast: Author Nook with Jeffrey Gardner
Captain’s Log: All Blacks are the best, and a whole lot of water
Review Corner
Banff Library Character Workshop
I had an absolute blast with the Banff Public Library presenting at their teen book binding workshop – I’m always blown away with the creativity of the contributions that come out of these workshops and hopefully we’ll see some of the attendee’s names on bookshelves in a decade or so. Just incredible! Thank you so much for the wonderful BPL staff, especially Emily who just went above and beyond making this a fun and engaging afternoon.
Welcome to my Author Nook, a monthly podcast I created where I chat with authors about their upcoming releases and we nerd out over their literary brain children. Find it on Spotify here, and Youtube here.
Welcome to this month’s Author Nook! I am joined by J. G. Gardner, author of The Magic of Deceit to talk about how with great magic, comes great consequence. So pour yourself a cup of tea and get ready to discuss magic systems, lone wolf syndrome, and how to balance a character’s power.
As part of the secret Paragon program, Thorne is a mage trained to summon his mana as a weapon. However, as he chose to have his mind unlocked to magic, rather than being someone born with arcane talent, Thorne is looked down upon by more powerful mages. While he completes menial courier tasks within the city, his comrades are dispatched across the continent as influential agents of the Archive.
When Esen, a frontier farmer, arrives desperately seeking help, Thorne finally sees an opportunity to prove himself. Esen claims that his wife was kidnapped by a mage, but Thorne is skeptical. After he prevents an assassination attempt on Esen, Thorne realizes that the abduction is part of a larger scheme. Deserting his Paragon duties, Thorne and Esen leave the city to search for the kidnappers.
During their pursuit, they discover that Esen’s wife is the lynchpin in a plot to upset the tenuous balance of power between the provincial princes and the influential merchant guilds. More worrisome to Thorne is that some of his fellow Paragons may be involved. Now questioning the true intentions of the Paragon program, Thorne’s impulsive attempt to distinguish himself leads him on a bloody quest for revenge.
As a born and raised Kiwi, it is within my DNA to support our boys in black whenever they toss the ol’ pigskin around. It also doesn’t hurt when it’s your birth right to cheer for the best in the world. All Blacks vs. Fiji, and while I wish I could say Fiji put up a fight, the final score was 47 – 5 so… XD no, but honestly it was one heck of a game and I adored having two hakas at the beginning, the Fijian haka I’d never seen before and it was fantastic!
Lake, Land, Sea and Sky
The summer months living in Canada always come with a kind of frenzy, a madness, a compulsion to soak up as much fresh air and sunshine as humanly possible before the white stuff comes again. I have definitely had a blast hopping between Banff and BC exploring rivers, lakes, oceans and getting lost (while firmly planted on the trail) in the beauty of the forests.
While in Tofino on Vancouver Island, I explored the cutest little bookshop: Mermaid Tales.
Reviews are so helpful in getting word of Contest of Queens and Queen’s Catacombsout there. If you have time, and if you’ve read the book, I would be eternally grateful if you could leave a star rating and/or a written review on Goodreads or Amazon.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who have left a star rating or review! Check out this gorgeous review feature by @bookishlaboratory.
Happy love month one and all! Welcome to February’s newsletter. If you showed up by accident but want to receive monthly content, please subscribe below:
In this month’s newsletter, scroll down to find:
Bookbub feature and free ebook deal
Queens on tour
Podcast: Author Nook
Captain’s Log: Snow Way!
Review Corner
Bookbub Feature
Bookbub has chosen Contest of Queens as their feature title this month and are offering the eBook for free from February 28th to March 5th! Click here for your copy.
Queens on tour
For all of you who are unaware, Queen’s Catacombs comes out on paperback March 12, 2024! This is very exciting if you’re a person like me because paperbacks fit much better in purses, and then they all match on your shelf just so. In celebration, I’m going on a bit of a tour across four towns/cities so if you’re in the area and would like a paperback copy, some free swag, or to show your support, please come on down and say hi!
Banff – Author night at Banff Public Library March 8th at 7:30pm Also, from February 20th – March 8th we’ll be running a colouring competition thought Banff Public Library, so get your submissions in before the draw on March 8th!
Calgary – Author signing at Slowburn Books March 13th at noon
Invermere– Author signing at Four Points Books – date TBD Collaboration with Invermere public library and highschool. March 1st at noon
Podcast: Author Nook
Welcome to my Author Nook, a monthly podcast I created where I chat with authors about their upcoming releases and we nerd out over their literary brain children.
I have an exciting announcement to make! I finally sat down and figured out how to get my podcast on Spotify, so all past and all future episodes will feature on both platforms. Listen in! If you have a minute to rate and follow, please do as it really helps!
Confused about the name change? Well Spotify had a thousand Book Nook named Podcasts so I figured this would make it easier to find.
Today, in the month of love, I’m joined by not one, but two incredible authors to talk all about murder! So lock the door, turn on all the lights, and huddle under the covers with me as we discuss murder most foul with Terry S. Friedman, author of Bone Pendant Girls and Marcy McCreary, author of The Murder of Madison Garcia. Click below to watch:
Beware the Fisherman.
Andi Wyndham has communicated with spirits since she was a kid. When a bone pendant carved into the likeness of a girl’s face calls to her at a gem show in Pennsylvania, she can’t resist buying it and a sister piece. When she discovers the girls are missing runaways and the pendants are made of human bone, Andi is drawn into a mystery that will force her to confront her gifts, her guilt, and the ghosts haunting her.
Pendant Girls Mariah and Bennie urge Andi to find a man they call “Fisherman,” a master of disguise. Teaming up with a handsome private eye and a South Carolina sheriff, Andi must find the girls’ bodies and put their souls to rest, before the Fisherman casts his deadly net to trap Andi.
Sometimes the truth doesn’t set you free—it gets you killed.
Detective Susan Ford notices a missed call on her phone from a number she doesn’t recognize, and when Madison Garcia, a woman with past ties to the town of Monticello, New York, is found stabbed to death the next morning, Susan realizes that Madison was the one who had called her. But why?
Susan teams up with her father, retired Detective Will Ford, to find the killer, and their investigation soon threatens to uncover Madison’s family secrets—an inheritance, accidental death, money laundering, extramarital affairs, and family rivalries, just to name a few—and they don’t appreciate the Fords digging into their business.
As the investigation twists and turns, the Fords discover that Madison was planning to confess to a long-kept secret, but someone brutally silenced her. Everyone she knew is a suspect. Anyone could be her killer.
Captain’s Log
Snow Way!
This part of the year in Canada is a time I usually dread because it’s the coldest, grimmest, darkest part. HOWEVER, thanks to El Nino and climate change it has been unseasonably warm! We had snow, then lost it, now we have it again. While usually February sees me huddling indoors, I’ve been lucky enough to take advantage of the white stuff. I bought a new set of cross country skis and tested my mettle out in Kananaskis, and skated the WhiteWay in Invermere (all 12km of it).
I hope wherever you are that you’re cozy!
Review Corner
Reviews are so helpful in getting word of Contest of Queens and Queen’s Catacombsout there. If you have time, and if you’ve read the book, I would be eternally grateful if you could leave a star rating and/or a written review on Goodreads or Amazon.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who have left a star rating or review!
Happy New Year, one and all! I hope 2024 finds you safe, healthy, and happy. I’m currently writing this wrapped up in blankets in front of the fire, doing my best to ward of the -30 degrees C snap we’ve got outside. It’s just too cold… so have a cuppa tea with me and let’s stay warm together.
In this month’s newsletter, scroll down to find:
Rose Petal Princess
Queen’s progress report
Queens on tour
Book Nook- Shadow Weavers and Non-Believers: author talk with H.J.Reynolds
Captain’s Log: Four Legged Friends and … Foes?
Review Corner
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Rose Petal Princess
The response has been amazing to this little book and now I’m able to keep the price at the reduced rate!
$10.00 CAD and free shipping worldwide!
Woohoo!
So if you would like a signed copy, please contact me here and I will get one on its way to you lickety split.
I would recommend this collection for 9+ year olds as the themes and stories are a tad on the dark side… (mwahahaha)
Queen’s Progress Report
A lot has happened in the last few years and a lot is on the way so I thought I’d give you a bit of an insight into the timeline I’m working with so you know when to fasten your seatbelts!
Queendom Come
Edits: as of this week it has just finished one round of edits so I am looking forward to gets those back (each book typically gets 3 rounds of edits with each round focusing on a different aspect of the novel).
Cover: We’ve also gone through the first round of cover design selection and I’ve sent back my feedback so we should have a cover within the next few months if all goes to plan!
Release Date: early 2025 with an official date announcement coming soon.
Progress: Manuscript finished and currently editing and sharing with beta readers so that it’s good enough to send off to the publisher
Queens on tour
For all of you who are unaware, Queen’s Catacombs comes out on paperback March 12, 2024! This is very exciting if you’re a person like me because paperbacks fit much better in purses, and then they all match on your shelf just so. In celebration, I’m going on a bit of a tour across four towns/cities so if you’re in the area and would like a paperback copy, some free swag, or to show your support, please come on down and say hi!
Banff – Author night at Banff Public Library March 8th at 7:30pm Also, from February 20th – March 8th we’ll be running a colouring competition thought Banff Public Library, so get your submissions in before the draw on March 8th!
Calgary – Author signing at Slowburn Books March 13th at noon
Invermere– Author signing at Four Points Books and Collaboration with Invermere public library and highschool. dates TBD
Book Nook
Welcome to my Book Nook, a monthly podcast I created where I chat with authors about their upcoming releases and we nerd out over their literary brain children.
Grab a cup of tea and listen in as I chat with H.J.Reynolds about her debut novel Without a Shadow. Without a Shadow is a desert fantasy with shadow magic and those desperate to wield it. We chat about magic, science, and how to capture the moral greyness that is being human.
Without a Shadow officially hits the shelves April 9th 2024
Adlai Bringer remembers going to the desert market with her father: The colorful tents, the wink of gold, and her father’s shadow, black as night, as it moved of its own accord and stole whatever trinket she wanted. He called it the Shadow Game.
After her father disappears, Adlai keeps going back to the market determined to find some trace of him and stealing what she can with her shadow. Until one day she picks the wrong mark—someone who knows her little trick and tries to take her shadow for himself.
Everything Adlai thought she knew about her shadow is turned upside down, and her father’s disappearance takes on a new light as she’s forced to flee the city or risk being hunted. From the desert to the Shadow World to even more unlikely places, Adlai knows one thing for certain: her shadow is a gift worth killing for.
Dogs are the best. As the new year ticked over and I started getting stuck into 2024, I had the privilege of hanging out with my brother’s dog, Billie. I know everyone says their dog is the best, but Billie really is the best. She came out skating with us and was getting the hang of some ice hockey moves.
I spent a few days out in Invermere and the entire lake froze solid. We had a few gorgeous days where we could skate for miles and miles before the snow set it. There’s nothing quite like it.
Coyotes are great at a distance. This curious little guy followed me on my morning walk and made me realize I really need to brush up on my coyote knowledge. He seemed more playful than menacing, but I’ve seen the Road Runner cartoons and I know not to trust a coyote’s smile!
Nature: Breath’s Taker
I have a feeling 2024 is going to be a great year, and I hope it’s going well wherever you are. There is a lot to be thankful for already, and I hope you’ve found some moments of magic. If not, please borrow one of mine. My mum always said sharing was caring.
Review Corner
Reviews are so helpful in getting word of Contest of Queens and Queen’s Catacombsout there. If you have time, and if you’ve read the book, I would be eternally grateful if you could leave a star rating and/or a written review on Goodreads or Amazon.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who have left a star rating or review! I got some great reviews this month, and another person with beef around Connor’s name… Maybe there’s a Connor Society I forgot to speak with before christening the character? Who knows!
Jordan H. Bartlett 