So you can always tell when I disappear into what my friend, Janu, likes to call my writing cave. I appear only to eat or work out or raise the pesky little people I’m responsible for, and for whom the word “deadline” means nothing. (There’s growing up to be done, and by God, they’re going to do it!)

But for me first drafts especially are like another reality — I truly have to live there for a goodly amount of time if I’m going to bring that world alive for anyone else. Right now I’m finishing up the first draft of THE GIVEN, the final book in my Celestial Blues trilogy. I want to give Kit and Grif – and you, the reader – a deserved and satisfying ending, but that requires pulling focus away from other areas of my life. These days, my half of any conversation consists merely of grunts and glassy-eyed gazes, so I’d advise just standing back a ways, and waiting for it to pass. It always does.

In the meantime, I like to offer up to my readers some other great storytelling options. This first one is a bit of a tease, but I just can’t help talking about it. I finished it, and immediately wrote the author, “I wish I’d written this!”

This being Jaye Wells’s DIRTY MAGIC.

Great cover, right? And here’s the description:

The last thing patrol cop Kate Prospero expected to find on her nightly rounds was a werewolf covered in the blood of his latest victim. But then, she also didn’t expect that shooting him would land her in the crosshairs of a Magic Enforcement Agency task force, who wants to know why she killed their lead snitch.

The more Prospero learns about the dangerous new potion the MEA is investigating, the more she’s convinced that earning a spot on their task force is the career break she’s been wanting. But getting the assignment proves much easier than solving the case. Especially once the investigation reveals their lead suspect is the man she walked away from ten years earlier-on the same day she swore she’d never use dirty magic again.

Kate Prospero’s about to learn the hard way that crossing a wizard will always get you burned, and that when it comes to magic, you should be never say never.

And, FWIW, here’s what I had to say upon completing it:

Jaye Wells raises the urban fantasy bar with DIRTY MAGIC, a hard-boiled series debut as unique and surprising as the creatures and characters peopling it. Kate Prospero is charged with policing the Cauldron, a magical world so fully realized, and so gritty, it gets under your nails. Wells is known for deftly weaving non-stop action with no-holds barred humor, but the unique and deeply drawn relationships are the real alchemy here. DIRTY MAGIC showcases seasoned pro, Wells, at the top of her game, and establishes newcomer Kate Prospero as the urban fantasy heroine to beat.

Which doesn’t even do it justice. Seriously, guys, just go preorder it here.

Also, a little insider info — Ms. Wells has been a very sneaky writer. It turns out she’s also writing funny paranormal romances as Kate Eden — who knew? So if you like your vamps to do more than just bite, I suggest giving these a shot. They’re priced great, too.

Speaking of vamps, this will be out next week:

This is the only vampire story I’ve ever written. I was never interested in bloodsuckers if only because there was already so much text already out there. I’m not going to contribute to a mythos if I’m only rehashing the same ol’, same ol’, yanno? But when I was invited to contribute to the Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance some years back, I decided to take on the challenge of creating my own mythology for vampires, and I was really drawn by the question: what would someone who thrives on blood actually find romantic? This, Remember the Blood, was my answer and it was as dark as anything I’ve ever written. But romantic too, I think. Or maybe not. Maybe my husband needs to buy me more chocolate and roses.

But later. Right now I’m on deadline.

Next, don’t forget Jocelynn Drake just released the latest in her newest Urban Fantasy series, DEAD MAN’S DEAL:

In a world where elves, faeries, trolls, werewolves, and vampires swim free in a sea of humanity, sometimes you need an edge. Looking for a little love? Need some luck? Desperate for revenge? Gage can give you what you need. The most talented tattoo artist in town, he knows the right symbol and the right mix of ingredients and ink to achieve your heart’s desire. One tattoo is all it takes. But remember, everything has its price. . . .

Finally, this one needs no introduction:

But what you need to know is that DEAD WITCH WALKING will be Amazon’s daily deal this Sunday, which means it will be 1.99 for a very short time. You can’t afford not to add it to your e-collection, or gift it to someone you know and like. It’s Sunday only, so save this link til then, k?

Hope that helps feed your reading addiction while I’m in my cave.

Sew, last month my publisher had a great deal on all my books – basically you could get everything I’d ever written for the price of one book – and I’ve been hearing from new readers ever since. Sorry you missed out? Me, too!

But Harper is offering a similar deal this month with fabulous Urban Fantasy author Jocelynn Drake and I thought my readers would like to know. Here are the deets:

For the month of April, all the Dark Days series e-books are on sale for $0.99 each on Kindle, Nook, and Kobo. So for Dark Days, that’s:

Prequel e-novellas
Bound to Me
The Dead, the Damned, and the Forgotten

e-books
Nightwallker
Dayhunter
Dawnbreaker
Pray for Dawn
Wait for Dusk
Burn the Night

All of the novellas for her new Asylum Tales series are $0.99 as well. That’s:

Prequel e-novellas
The Asylum Interviews: Bronx
The Asylum Interviews: Trixie 

e-anthology
Blood by Moonlight (which includes the short story “Of Men and Monsters” from the Asylum Tales)

So if you’ve tried the Dark Days series, but haven’t picked up the Asylum Tales yet, this is great way to start.  For $3, you can get the three novellas that introduce you to Gage, Trixie, and Bronx in the city of Low Town.

If you’ve tried the Asylum Tales and are interested in giving my vampires a try, this is the perfect time to meet the Fire Starter Mira and the vampire hunter Danaus.

If you haven’t tried any of Jocelynn Drake’s books yet … why?

Well, here’s your chance, and you won’t get a better — so here are her pages on Amazon, Nook and Kobo, and be sure to share the deal with your friends.

Happy reading!

So I ended my tour of THE LOST last Saturday at Houston’s amazing Murder by the Book indie store. I’m only posting about it now because I went on a writing binge on Sunday and Monday, then traveled yesterday. I’m home now, and finally have my photos uploaded, and they brought such a smile to my face. I can’t thank my readers enough for taking time out of their days, and lives, to show up and chat with me about people who were once only a part of my imagination. I haven’t laughed that hard in so long, every stop unique, each wonderful. I can go back to my writing cave with a smile on my face. But first…

I’ve always said that as exciting as it is to write books and send them out into the world, the reason I write is for connection. It’s a partnership between the reader and me … but sometimes I get to go out in the world, too, and there’s another connection. Bam! Bosom friends. Such is the case with John and Matt, whom I met a few years ago because John read and enjoyed my Zodiac series enough to champion it as a bookseller at MBTB. Writing aside, I’m just plain lucky to know these men, and whether I spend five minutes or five hours in their company, I walk away better for it.

If you’re in Houston, you need to go here. If you’re not in Houston you can call them for a signed copy of my book, and many of your other faves as well. I did some shopping after my signing and came home with a nice haul myself.

I love it because they do so many events that when I roll into town it’s like stepping into my own living room. Easy-peasy, except filled with readers. They let me chat, too, which I love (way more fun than reading from my own book!).

A “behind-the-scenes” shot:

My husband, James, took loads of photos … right up until he got distracted by hockey scores on his iPhone. (I know. What the hell?)

As I said, the next couple of days were spend marathon writing, but I did it — I got a book off to my agent and have now turned my attention back to the third and final Celestial Blues novel, THE GIVEN. There were lots of questions and talk from readers about the cover art  — the first two books really have hit such a nerve with you guys — and my editor and I have worked hard on ideas for THE GIVEN, so I can’t wait to see what Larry Rostant (the cover artist) does with that.

Off now to clean off the flotsam and jetsam that somehow gathers when I’m doing Other Things. Mostly paperwork and bills and taxes and doctor appointments and such. But spring is here, my windows are open, and I’m back at my desk. Can’t complain about that!

Thank you again, readers, for fueling me for another year (Thrillerfest and Bouchercon notwithstanding).

Some of you may know that I now call Dallas home, at least part of the time. I will always remain a Vegas girl at heart, but c’mon. Dallas has tacos.

Dallas is also home to the Fresh Fiction bookclub, which is more than a bookclub, it’s really a community of readers. They’re smart, voracious, knowledgeable, and fun, and I’ve gotten to know many of them through the events Fresh Fiction has throughout the year, like Boas & Tiaras, and Readers & Ritas — basically, they bring authors and readers together, and they really brought it at last night’s Dallas signing:

First, dinner, where we all talked about books, what we’re reading now and next. I answered a few questions about Kit and Grif, too:

Then on to the bookstore where, after a brief intro by bookseller Robbie, I read from THE LOST:

My good friend Dan Hale took time from his teaching schedule and his duties as the Exec. VP of Mystery Writers of America to stop by and say hi. He made me nervous:

Q & A — my very favorite part of signings. Seriously, if you go to an author signing, please go with questions in mind. We love it because it keeps us from just standing there and staring at you … staring at us. Yanno?

Fresh Fiction also had giveaways for those who could answer questions related to both my Signs of the Zodiac series and Celestial Blues. It was great fun. Then on to the signing. This is James, my Facebook friend. Here’s our convo in a nutshell:

“Were you saying what I think you were saying at the end of THE LOST?”

“Well, I don’t know. What did you think I was saying?”

It was all very deep.

And Jennifer! My other Facebook friend who skipped a hockey game to come see me. That’s dedication:

Eric, Cassie, and Nancy always come to my Dallas signings — I’m telling you, I’m really starting to know readers here — and this year they brought Leah, who probably knows more about the Zodiac books than I do.

Yes, I photobombed my own signing. What?

We can be normal … for a moment at least.

Finally, the dearest Sara Reyes of Fresh Fiction, ie., the ringleader:

A cheerleader, too, for authors and readers. If you’re in Dallas, get to know her. You won’t be sorry.

Thank you Cody, and all those at the Dallas B&N, and thank you Fresh Fiction. You’re what makes Dallas home.

Today, I write. Tomorrow, at 4:30, I’ll be in Houston at the wonderful Murder by the Book, one of my very favorite bookstores.

Ah – Dallas, Texas. My other Home Sweet Home.

I’ll be doing this:

Here:

Tomorrow (Thursday).

Signing is at 7 pm.

A pre-signing dinner with readers at the adjacent Blue Mesa Grill is at 5 pm.

You can ask or tell me anything. I dare you. Even if you’ve already read THE LOST and it goes something like this:

“GAAAAH!!! I shoulda known you’d do something like that at the end of The Lost… you did it all the time in the Zodiac series! Hurry up and write, dangit!”    — J.Loughry, reader.

(Now that’s a review.)

See you tomorrow!