Bijou Babbles (10.7.13)

Hello again! I've been quiet the last week and feel like a turd for not responding to many comments on Facebook from my awesome readers. I just tend to get into a bunker mentality after I publish a book. Especially when I have a new one on the brain.

I'd like to thank everyone who has bought Damaged and the Cobra. I know there were a few glitches on Amazon, but everything seems to have worked out. I hope everyone is enjoying the book. I'll admit it was tougher to write only because the tone was lighter. Aaron and Lark aren't as damaged as many in Ellsberg, so they had less drama. I don't believe in forcing obstacles into relationships unless they feel organic to the characters. Mostly, I know readers are savvy enough to realize when an author is adding drama when it's not true to the story.

With Damaged and the Outlaw, the drama is organic and constant. Vaughn is a guy who craves a woman and family, but thinks he can't have a real life because he's marked for death. Raven is a chick who dreams of love and commitment, but she has a long history of bad choices with men. They both think they're destined to be alone. Of course, they're wrong. ;)

I want to thank the readers who suggested a male POV in the series. Writing Vaughn's back story is so much easier with his viewpoint. Otherwise, he would have been forced to tell everything in conversations and that's not how people talk. No one sits down and says, "Here's my life story."

In Outlaw, we'll meet Harlow along with spending time with the Ellsberg regulars. It's been fun to watch characters grow. One of the most difficult parts of writing is letting characters go. With this series, I've been able to reconnect with the old characters while writing the new ones.

This last week, I've read a few questions and comments on Facebook and Goodreads that I'll try to answer:

When is Damaged and the Outlaw expected to be released?
My goal is around Halloween. I don't know if I can make that date, but it's my goal. If something goes terribly wrong, it'll be done by Thanksgiving by the latest. Let's hope nothing goes wrong though. So far, the book is writing itself with ease.

How long will Damaged and the Dragon be?
Bailey and Nick's book will be at least as long as Cobra. It could be novel length. I just let the book tell its story and see what the characters want to say. I had planned to have Dragon out by Christmas, but I'm thinking about aiming for the beginning of 2014. I have Angela and Dakota books to finish then I want to goof around in December.

Will Tucker and Maddy get a book about how they met?
The only problem with this idea would be that we already know their HEA, so I'm unsure if there's real interest in how they met. Maybe I'll write a few scenes for the blog one day.

Will Dylan get his HEA?
I hadn't planned to write a book for him. By the end of Cobra, I did see how he could get a novella at least. What matters to me is if there's interest from readers for him to be the H in his own book. I added a poll to the blog for you guys to vote your views on the matter. I hadn't planned to write a book for Aaron, but did so when readers showed interest. I planned to write a book for Bailey then decided against it when readers hated her. Now, readers are warming up to her, so she's getting her book. I really do listen to what you guys want. :)

When will Saint be introduced?
He will be mentioned in Outlaw, but won't make an appearance until Bailey's book. His HEA with Harlow will be the final Damaged book.

In a few days, I plan to post a funny (and slightly nuts) quote from Vaughn. I just wrote it today and it made me laugh. Until then, happy reading!!!