Given that title, I now need to specify that this is a book release announcement, not a call to arms. What a world we live in…
*cue me sitting in silence for a full 5 minutes, trying to get my brain back on track and figure out what I actually want to say*
It’s a lot. Turns out, I have much to say today so, TL;DR: The final installment of the Blood & Shadows series, War of the Shadows, has an official release date on December 8, 2025. Mark your calendars, and click that pre-order button when you find it.
The Long Of It
Blood Moons was the book that first got me published in 2010. Back then, it was part of what I called the Blood Series. I’d just finished college, and started a part-time job as a receptionist. I’m not gonna lie, when I got that acceptance letter, I thought I’d made it. I was convinced lightning had struck and I’d hit all the Best Seller lists and quit my stupid job, and become a full-time writer.
And then reality came knocking and I toned my expectations down a bit. I gave myself until 2016 to “make it”, with the understanding that if I didn’t, I’d have to set writing aside and focus on my day job because, as much as I wish it did, love and non-financial support don’t pay the bills.
Well, I couldn’t do it. I still had way too many stories to tell, and I couldn’t just set them aside for something as cold as a paycheck. But then stuff happened. And then the pandemic hit. The structure of my life, my peace of mind, and the bulk of my “free” time got stolen from me, and I couldn’t get them back. But I already told the story of my burn-out many times before. This is the story of how I recovered.
With Shadow Hawk. The same series that gave me a start also gave me a restart. Only it was now the Blood & Shadows series, and a lot had changed in this universe I created. My mind was in a different place. What I needed to pour out of my soul was different. The series had already turned a corner into a darker place with Blood Hunt, but now it was downright apocalyptic.
I can’t tell you how it feels to be sitting here, writing this, knowing that the final chapter I’m about to release is so much heavier than even that. And how much I wish it didn’t have to be. This series has become something of a mental safety net for me, and writing an end to it is a tiny bit terrifying. But these characters deserve to be happy, too. They deserve a better world than they’d been born into—as do we all.
As they say, the night is always darkest before the dawn, so this is where I tell you a little about War of the Shadows. It’s heavy. It’s dark. It’s war, and no one comes out of it unscathed. But I am not in the habit of killing off main characters, so I can promise you that all of your favorites will still be alive by the end. Just be prepared for a lot of heartache.
If you’re new to the series, they’re all stand-alones, and each one has a satisfying closure at the end, so you don’t need to start from the beginning to enjoy this one. I also put together a brief history to catch you up on everything so far, which is included in this final book, and also on my website here. Beware, there will be spoilers in it for the previous books if you haven’t read them yet.
If you do want to read the series, you’ll definitely notice the shift along the way. The first three books are paranormal romance. If you loved the shifter trends of the early 2000s, you’ll love these for sure. Book 4 is the pivot point. It gets darker, and you’ll be introduced to the Shadows part of Blood & Shadows (they’re not nice people, even to each other). The last three focus on those Shadow soldiers, and the war that’s ripped society apart. You’ll see a lot of extremes, from the sick, injured, starving survivors fighting to live another day, to the ultra-rich elites who only see the war on the news, to the front lines battling it out to the bitter end. They’re more in line with the dark romance genre because of those themes.
If you like your romance on the lighter side, read books 1-4 and stop there. If you like a bit of emotional damage, read books 4-7. You can find more info about the series here.
Acknowledgments
This is where I take a step back and acknowledge everyone who’s helped me, supported me, guided me, encouraged me, and stuck by me on this adventure. 15 years is a hell of a long journey, and I promise you I’m not finished yet. It’s just taking me a little longer these days.
Everyone at Liquid Silver Books (which has since shut down), I can never thank you enough for giving me a chance in the first place. From editors to cover artists, to everyone else on staff, and other LSB authors, too, you all taught me so much about publishing, and what it takes to put out an amazing book. I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of you. Special thanks to Allie Hart, whose expert editor’s eye has made my books shine even after I went Indie. Also thanks to Victoria Miller and Kimberly Grenfell, who also edited some of my books outside of LSB.
Next, I want to thank my family, who have been in my corner and at my back every step of the way. Writing can be a lonely job. Sure, you have your made-up characters to keep you company but, if you can’t talk about them with anyone, it can be isolating. So, thank you to my parents, for encouraging me to keep going. Thanks to my grandfather, for gifting me his love of books and always asking about what I’m working on next. Thanks to my brother and sister-in-law, for understanding when I can’t go see them because I am up to my eyeballs in rewrites; and to my little nephew, for looking duly impressed whenever he looks at my collection of books, and whose growing love of reading (other books) gives me so much hope for the future. I don’t say it enough, but I love all of you more than words can say.
Lastly, I want to acknowledge the people who changed my life in big or small ways over the span of my writing journey—which extends much farther than the last 15 years. Some of them crossed paths with me briefly, some walked beside me for a bit, and some have stuck to my face like octopus arms, and shown me what true friendship really looks like.
First and foremost, my high school besties, Cassie and Liz. Without you two welcoming me into your writing game, I never would have latched onto it as I have, and I would have regretted it for the rest of my life. My senior year English teacher, Ms. Lynn Isbell, for recognizing my passion and potential and encouraging me toward pursuing publication. Without that nudge, I never would have considered it a possibility. High school was only bearable because I had you all with me.
My night crew, Mia, Heather, and Jill. You three introduced me to a lot more people whom I now count among my friends to this day, even though most of us rarely touch base anymore. You were my first cheering squad and I can’t tell you how much that meant to me as a brand new baby author. I still owe you all an anthology. I promise, I haven’t forgotten. And yes, Mia, my beloved chosen sister, I know I owe you a Wolfen Deux. That’s also still in the works. I’ll get to it, I swear!
Honour—our friendship might not have ended on the best of terms but, even though I still feel like we’re better people apart, I’d be a liar if I didn’t acknowledge that you’re the reason why my Facebook network grew to what it did. You gave me a much-needed lesson in marketing and promotion, and you showed me that it’s okay to be a bit pushy with it sometimes. I just hope that my alpha reader feedback helped more than hurt you as a growing author, and that you got something out of our friendship, too. You’ve always had the gift, and you have the kind of drive and fearlessness that I never had, and probably never will have. I wish you nothing but the best.
Last but not least, thank you to my chosen brother, Chuck, for being there for me always and still. You inspire me daily. Your unwavering enthusiasm and encouragement are contagious and some days, it’s the only thing that gets me out of the funk and to the keyboard again. We’re living through some really dark times, and I know that in many ways they’re much darker for you than for me. But we’ll get through this together. We’ll be each other’s light in the tunnel. And maybe our stories will help light the way for others, too.
I’m not an overly social person. I keep my circles small, I’m very selective about the people I allow and keep in my life, and I disappear into solitude more than I care to admit, but I feel incredibly grateful and fortunate for every single person in my life right now. That includes all of you, who read my words, whether they’re on my blog, or in my stories. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sticking by me, for giving my books a chance, and for every kind word you leave in a review, email or DM. I see you all, and I love you.
The Mandatory Push
And now, I have to do the self-promotion bit (it’s required). In honor of the December 8th release of War of the Shadows, the rest of the series for those who still have reservations about trying them out. The first 4 eBooks are now priced at $2.99 each, and the last 3 will be priced at $4.99 for a limited time. I also planned the release to give readers plenty of time to order the print version for Christmas gifts, because I still hold that there is nothing better you can find underneath the tree than a stack of books. Unless it’s a half-naked book boyfriend. (That will make more sense after you read War of the Shadows…)
*sigh*
Anyway, you likely won’t see my paperbacks in physical stores, but all of the major ones, and many smaller ones, worldwide, will have them available for purchase online. Just search my name, or the book title to find them.
If you feel so inclined, I would be most grateful for your reviews, and for sharing the book(s) with your friends (or enemies). Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support.
This has been a hell of a year, and I have no idea what I can expect in 2026, but if you keep reading, I’ll keep writing. Well, I’ll keep writing, anyway, but you know. Books are better with tea and company. 😉
In case I don’t see you, I hope you’re safe, loved, and happy. I wish you the brightest of Holidays, and all the best in the New Year. May it greet us with brighter days, warmer hearts, and kinder times.
Until next time!