Updates, Virtual Fantasy Con Announcement

What I’m listening to: “Aja” by Steely Dan. RIP Walter Becker

 

Hi All,

Some exciting developments!

First off, let me alert you to the Virtual Fantasy Con, a (rather complex) rolling Facebook event that fantasy and Sci-Fi authors like myself will be partaking of from October 15 – 21. And yes, I will be giving away copies of the first novella in the BOOK OF ANYA trilogy ANYA: HEALER OF CAMELOT at that time. So mark you calendar. I’ll be updating folks as the time gets nearer.

I just got in a terrific endorsement of THE MIDSUMMER WIFE Book 1 of THE HEIRS TO CAMELOT series (coming February 2018 from Vagabondage Press) from critically acclaimed author Mary Fan, author of STARSWEPT (which I gave 5 stars), the “Flynn Nightsider” and “Jane Colt” series. She wrote:

Jacqueline Church Simonds’ THE MIDSUMMER WIFE, Book One of the Heirs to Camelot series, kicks off what promises to be an intriguing modern-day Arthurian saga that sees heroes reborn and old enemies surface. Set in the not-too-distant future, the story follows Ava, a young woman who’s assumed the role of High Priestess in a Sisterhood founded during Arthurian times, as she seeks the heirs to King Arthur and Merlin in the aftermath of a devastating attack on London. With England in crisis, she hopes that the new King and wizard will, with the assistance of herself and the Sisterhood, assume the roles of their legendary forefathers and save the nation. But heroes aren’t the only ones to rise again—followers of Arthur’s enemies have also lasted through the generations, and they’ll do anything to stop the Once and Future King from ascending. Ava soon finds herself grappling with the forces of destiny and romantically entangled with the Arthur heir as she struggles with both the past and the future of England—and herself.

Ava is a richly drawn character whose interior life is every bit as riveting as the external circumstances she finds herself faced with – how to both fulfill a destiny and be her own person, how to deal with anxiety and past traumas. The fantastical elements—rituals from old Celtic religions, dark magic, forces of fate—are well-drawn and skillfully integrated into a contemporary setting. And then there’s the romance… the palpable chemistry between Ava and Ron (the Arthur heir), complicated by their respective destinies, makes their relationship a riveting read. Imaginative, mesmerizing, and emotionally complex, Simonds’ unique story boldly expands the Arthurian legend into exciting new territory.

Whoo-hoo! Thanks Mary!

THE SOLSTICE BRIDE (Book 2 of THE HEIRS TO CAMELOT series) is getting a read-through by the first beta-reader.

I’ve just written the first 20,000 words and figured out the complex narrative arc of MISTRESS OF THE ROSE MOON (Book 3 of THE HEIRS TO CAMELOT series). It’s looking pretty strong!

Busy, busy!

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