It’s July. We’re halfway through the summer already, so I thought it was time to catch you up on what stories I’m tackling this season. It’s a mixed bag of what you already know me for and the type of story I plan to write over the next few years.

The road I’m still travelling

The Haven Chronicles series remains centre stage in my writing schedule. With three books published (Haven Wakes, Magic Bound, and Haven’s Deceit), book four is in my publisher’s hands right now. As soon as I hear back from them, I’ll be straight into edits.

Book four continues Steve’s search for his parents and delves further into what he discovers about himself along the way. You can expect to see a few familiar faces and places from Haven Wakes and Magic Bound, plus lots of new characters and locations too.

Once book four is finalised, I’ll be starting on the final book in the series.

A brief detour into Darkacre

So this one is already done and dusted and announced. A Shadow Falls in Darkacre is set in the same world as the Haven Chronicles. You can get your hands on this short story for free or pay-what-you-want from my Ko-fi shop.

Here’s the blurb:

To keep her little brother and a gang of street kids safe, a darkling called Mimi is forced to spy on the magical community of Darkacre for crime lord Braeden Kendra. When Kendra’s plans grow deadlier than she could have imagined, staying silent is no longer something she can live with.

To save her brother, the street kids in Kendra’s grip, and the community she has come to love, Mimi must stop hiding in the shadows, even if it costs her everything.

A path I’ve never walked before

I’ve always enjoyed penning YA futuristic fantasy, but folklore fantasy for an adult audience has been calling to me for a couple of years now. So while I wait for feedback on book four, I’ve been working on a new novel set in 1999. It’s book one of a duology.

Here’s a first draft taster:

“Looking for The Ways?”

Jeannie span around so quickly that the weight of the holdall made her stagger a couple of steps. She hadn’t heard anyone approach down the muddy track. You were concentrating on that stupid taxi driver, her reasoning mind reassured her.

The teenager waited with one hand on the harness of a working horse that towered over the boy. It was as broad as a doorway, with a dark brown coat and a white nose. Its breath misted in the cold air as its ears flicked towards Jeannie. The horse was strapped up to an old, two-wheeled cart, its wood silvered by years of the moorland weather.

“How did you know?”

“We don’t get many people out here unless they’re heading to the hotel.” The horse nickered. It sounded to Jeannie like laughter. “Hush, Enodia. It could happen to anyone.”

“What could?” said Jeannie.

“Getting stranded by the local taxi drivers. They do it all the time. It’s different when they want a pint at The Ways.”

The teenager looked to be about seventeen years old. He was Jeannie’s height, gaunt, with skin so pale it almost shone against his black hair.

“I’m glad it’s not just me then.” She waited for the boy to respond. “I’m Jeannie. Jeannie Keg.”

“That’s right.” The boy climbed up onto the cart and reached out a hand. “Shall I take your luggage?”

“I can manage.” She hugged the bag to her. “What do I call you?”

“Moon,” he said, still holding out a hand. “You can trust me.”

It seemed an odd thing for a teenage boy to say to a woman in her thirties. Too adult and authoritative. The other odd thing was that she realised she did trust Moon, as if they were old friends.

*

So that’s me set for the summer: plenty of research and writing to be getting on with. If you want to find out about my book news and releases first, why not subscribe to my monthly newsletter?