::looks in mirror:: Oh, that’s the silly person who thought April would be less busy than March. So much for grand plans. I only have a small update to the website this month; the addition of Major Fallon Tran’s bio.
In better news, I read and loved The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton. It’s a wonderful, witty, and imaginative romp. I’ve picked up the sequel, The Geographer’s Map to Romance.
Hopefully next week I’ll have a longer post. Till then, happy reading!
I’ve added a trivia page to the site and I’ll update it sporadically. Some of the trivia will be relevant to future books. Other bits of trivia are just an overflow of world-building energy. Also up is the May 993 collection of snippets from Forum City News.
Once again I’ve wildly overestimated the amount of time/energy I have in a day. Consequently, many of the things I’d hoped to add to the website haven’t happened this month. Fingers crossed that April is kinder to my plans.
But I have managed to read some great books, including:
Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith. I have no idea how I’ve missed reading this till now. It reminds me of Patricia C Wrede’s books; young, female protagonist in a brilliantly developed fantasy world. If that’s the kind of book you enjoy, I also recommend Andrea K Host’s Hunting.
The Beast of Gloomenthrall by Jane Cousins – a romantasy with a lot of action and some violence.
Spark the Flames by Ivy Asher – an even hotter romantasy!
Grave Situation by Louisa Masters – gay romantasy with the crankiest, sweetest teacher/mage/reluctant hero protagonist.
Return of the Runebound Professor series by Actus – progression fantasy (and another teacher hero)
I also bought digital copies of a couple of my favourite books: House of Many Shadows by Barbara Michaels (also wrote as Elizabeth Peters – and if you haven’t discovered her Amelia Peabody books you’re missing out) and Year of the Griffin by Diana Wynne Jones.
What have you been reading?
Caldryn Parliament is the secret project I’ve been working on for so long. Have a look around. Explore! I’ve built this website while thinking about the Realm—how it works, the people in it, and the mysteries to be revealed.
Stars Die is book 1. The ebook edition releases February 27 and is available for pre-order.
In 2025 my goal is to release the first three books in this magic parliament mystery series as ebooks. They will be available in Kindle Unlimited.
Audio and paperback editions are planned, but not my priority.
If 2024 taught me anything, it’s that I can’t do everything I want all at once. Audiobooks and paperbacks will happen after I’m happy with the first three ebooks (or if I manage to clone myself or learn to function without sleep).
One of the tasks I’m adding to my ever-growing to-do list is keeping this website up-to-date.
The idea for caldryn.com is for it to be a place where I can share ideas relating to the series. Some of the ideas will make it into books and short stories. Others will just live here.
I’m also going to use the blog as a place where we can chat. I know this plain blog set up is old-fashioned, but it works and I think I can manage it without being overwhelmed. So, we’ll give it a go. I’ll be opening up discussions about the world of Caldryn Parliament, but also about other books, writing, and the publishing industry.
P.S. I’ve just noticed that this new template puts the comments section at the VERY bottom of the page, so please scroll down to join the conversation.