Are you wearing your green? Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I love Ireland! 🍀
I've only visited twice, but both times were amazing, and I hope to go back again soon. The folklore, the green hills and steep cliffs, the AWESOME sweaters (my favourite writing sweater was made in Ireland) and of course a few of my favourite people (ah-hem, DUNNE) make it the perfect basis for my latest novel, SKIN.
Aran sweater and a selkie story...a great combination!
Hope you are having a fantastic St. Patrick's Day, and have a great weekend!
Seriously exciting things going on today! Only ONE DAY UNTIL LAUNCH! I can't believe it's here already. It's been four years of writing, editing, planning, submitting, stressing, ups and downs, and now I get to see my book baby launch into the world! I'm all over the place today in the blogosphere, and can't wait for you to check it out. Venue is perfect, books are there, and there's one beautiful smoked salmon platter ordered. Oh yeah. So here's what you need to do: 1. Go to Yelena Casale's Blog HEREand find out a little more background of how SKIN came into being, as well as my advice for aspiring authors. 2. Go to AnnMarie Meyers Blog HERE read about out how being a military spouse affects my writing, my other passions, and what a perfect day looks like for me. 3. Enter my giveaway for a free copy of SKIN HERE. (US residents only) 4. GET READY! Tomorrow is the big day! More information HERE (Lindsay Chung's article from the Comox Valley Record) and HERE. Brenda
So excited to have a visit from my friendly neighbourhood deliveryman this morning! My beautiful advance review copies of SKIN have arrived! Things are shaping up for a fantabulous launch day on June 2nd at Laughing Oyster Bookshop in Courtenay!
Be warned...numerous Prince Edward Island trivia, seal pictures and shameless self promotion to follow! It's going to be a month of fun build up to the launch. :)
Want to take part in the excitement? Review SKIN on your blog? Find out how you can participate in launch day? Let me know below!
I have the absolute best friends, family, followers and fans, so today I bring you love in a different form...the cover release for SKIN!
Scheduled to publish via Fortunate Frog Fiction (my wee froggie personal publishing company) in May of 2016, SKIN is a Young Adult Paranormal Romance set in one of my favourite places on earth, Prince Edward Island. Think red sand beaches and windswept dunes. Think lighthouses and wild roses. Starfish, seagulls and...Selkies!
Here's a bit about it:
With a name like Ocean, you’d think
moving to Prince Edward Island would be simple. But since she crossed that huge
bridge to the land of red sand, Ocean’s life has been far from normal—it’s been
downright dangerous. Trouble seems to follow her, and she’s got the bruises to
prove it.
And then there’s her
mysterious neighbour, Sam...who seems to know more about her history than
she does herself.
When Ocean finally steps into the salty waves with
Sam, she realizes that her life has been based on a lie, and that she is
missing something...something she never knew existed.
Her skin.
Ready to see it?
And now...
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The first peek of my new novel, SKIN...
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You're almost there...
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Ta Da!!!
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Isn't it pretty? Glendon at Streetlight Graphics has done an amazing job of taking my musings and turning them into a beautiful design. Thank you to my family, friends and even my agent, Fran, for putting up with the back and forth of fine tuning it. I can't wait to share more of SKIN with you in the next few months, and bring another book baby into the world in May. Please let me know what you think in the Comments!
Happy Day-after-Valentine's Day!
Want to find out more about SKIN? Interested in participating in my release party, reviewing an ARC or highlighting SKIN on your Blog? Comment below or message me on Facebook or Twitter! Don't forget to follow me!
The cover art for my YA Paranormal Romance, SKIN is finished! It's FABULOUS. So excited! Can't wait to share my beautiful Streetlight Graphics cover with you on a day we all need a little post-Valentine's pick me up...Monday, February 15th! I am planning a grand virtual celebration, and I need your help!
Want to party with me? I would love your help spreading the word. Comment below, or facebook/twitter pm me and I'll connect with you for the details. Will also be happy to return the favour for other authors.
For those of you who may have missed it, about two years ago I wrote a young adult fiction manuscript about a silkie, a mythical creature who supposedly sheds her skin and drags her victims below the waves to the unknown. My story has a few twists on the classic mythology with Sam the mysterious teenage boy down the beach, but it still revolves around seals and the ocean. The manuscript, entitled SKIN, is with my wonderful agents at Literary Counsel, and I am working (slowly...) on a sequel.
You also may or may not know that last year we moved from central Canada to the Pacific Coast to Vancouver Island, right on the body of water known as the Salish Sea. On the very first day we arrived, we saw a harbour seal outside of our hotel. The next day we saw two. And now pretty much every time we go by the water, at least one little dark-eyed head pops up to say hello. They are so thoughtful and inquisitive, but still shy enough to give you just a look or two before they move on. They look kind of like golden retrievers, but with big, sharp claws. I love them, and I'm constantly reminded of SKIN when I see them.
A porpoise on our starboard beam
Yesterday my family and I were sailing. Before we went out we saw a fat seal, who popped up on the wharf and hung out for a bit. We called him Dave. We took the boat, went out for a few hours, and were followed by porpoises and a few other seals. It was a wonderful day of fresh air and family time.
When we came back Dave appeared to have a very affectionate friend, whom we called Davette. We giggled a bit at how close they were. Dave (or Davette?) truly appeared to be climbing on top of the other's back. Yeah. My thoughts went there too.
The kids popped up to the car, and I ran back to the boat to do something just before we left. I heard a splash and looked around, and there was this little face checking me out, not two feet away.
I thought it was Davette, but on a second look, Davette was REALLY small. Then Davette flipped over and I saw something unexpected...an umbilical cord still attached! Davette was a Baby Davie! Just out! Brand new! Then momma popped up and Davie wanted to play and snuggle. This was all literally right at my feet.
Davie and mom
I even got some (very poor quality) video:
Of course there was no one around to share this amazing sight with...but my handy dandy iPhone had to suffice.
Perhaps it's time to get back to that sequel? Hmmm...Could Sam have a little brother?
Although the preps for TREASURE IN THE FLAME's self pub are in full swing, life has not stopped at the Dunne writing ranch. In the works is another YA manuscript-this time an urban fantasy set in contemporary PEI.
I loooooooove PEI. It's one of my favourite places in the world. Miles and miles of red sand beaches, lobster, rolling hills, lobster, friendly people...It's a wondeful place. (Did I mention lobster?)
I also love fantasy. When I read, I like to escape. I like to go somewhere that doesn't involve my day to day reality. But I also like real-lifeish fantasy. You know, stories that you know would never happen, but feel so real when your in them. White, mysterious unicorns instead of pink shiny unicorns farting rainbows. That sort of stuff.
So when I was thinking about what I should write for NaNoWriMo last year, I tossed the idea around of a contemporary fantasy on PEI soil.
Thirty days later, I had 50k words of what was then titled Red Sand Selkie. I've spent the last 8 months or so editing and perfecting it and voila! My newest completed manuscript SKIN is born.
Red sand, secrets...and selkies.
When Ocean O'Malley's family moves to the shores of PEI, she finds more than just beaches and a hot neighbour named Sam. Something is missing. Something she didn't even know existed. And only when she slips beneath the salty waves with Sam does she find out what that something is.
(*cue mysterious music*)
It's a fun story and it makes me want to go back to the Island and plunk myself down on a windswept red sand beach. Can't wait to see what happens next.
