This is going to be one of those posts that features a little bit of everything, since that’s been my week so far. I have a to-do list that stretches from here to the moon–every day I cross off a few things and add several more. Most of its not horribly exciting or worth talking about, it just takes up time, which I don’t seem to ever have enough of.

One of the more thrilling things I’ve done this week is wrap up my final read through of Lover’s Talisman. Lisa and I have been lucky enough to get the opportunity to “pretty up” the first two books in the Talisman Bay series, which are re-releasing from Samhain Publishing in early 2008. In the five years since we first started writing Lover’s Talisman, and the four years since it was originally published, we’ve learned a heck of a lot about writing and it’s really been a blessing to have the chance to go in and revise this book–or more accurately go in with cleanser and scrub brush until the thing shines. It’s still the exact same story and plot from the first time, but the writing is smoother, with better descriptions and hotter sex. Lisa and I like to call it “the authors’ preferred edition”. Okay, it sounds a little snooty and pretentious, but we’re just that excited about it.

As soon as we get Lover’s Talisman turned in to our editor, we’ll be starting on the revisions for Forsaken Talisman. We expect this one to be a little more substantial, since we’re actually adding at least one scene to the book–if not more. When we wrote Forsaken Talisman we trimmed back on one of the subplots, which we’ve since regretted taking out. So we’re adding it back in.

Then once Forsaken Talisman is done, Lisa and I will be getting back to work on Eternal Talisman, the third, never-before-been-released Talisman Bay novel. The day Angie, our editor with Samhain, offered us the contract for Eternal Talisman was probably one of the happiest of our writing career. We love our Shadow Walkers, and we love this world and we cannot wait for readers to get the chance to hang out with us in Talisman Bay again.

Other stuff in the works. Lisa and I wrote a short story for the upcoming The Samhellion newsletter. This newsletter is an all-author newsletter, written, edited, produced and directed by Samhain authors. Our story will be in the first issue, which launches on September 15. Sign up for the newsletter here. This newsletter is going to be the coolest thing since buttered popcorn. I swear! And even better, we’re giving away free books to random subscribers. So sign up now and you may win a book. Just that easy. And even if you don’t win a free book now, there’s going to be contests galore in this newsletter, as well as fun articles and short stories by the Samhain crew.

When Lisa and I wrote the short story, we realized it was only the start of a fun little series of short stories, so we decided to continue the fun on our website.  Once you read our short story in the newsletter, you’ll be able to head on over here for another installment in the adventure. We’ve got at least half a dozen installments planned so far, with the possibility for a lot more. We haven’t worked out all the details yet, but we’ll update you as we finalize our plans.

And yay! Driven to Distraction has moved up to number 3 on the My Bookstore and More bestseller list. Thanks to Ing Cruz for posting her 5-star review of DtD on the MBaM website. You rock! Every time another one of these awesome reviews shows up, I get such a huge thrill. And thank you to all the readers who’ve emailed us over the last two weeks. Every single one of you are the best fans we could ask for.

Many of you have emailed and asked who the next Hollywood Heat book will be about. The original plan was for Levi, our sexy cowboy animal handler, to get his story next, but we’re also considering writing Smitty and Cash’s story (and no, the two of them don’t end up together. *G*) So at this point it’s up in the air–we’re going to ponder both ideas over the new few months while writing Eternal Talisman to see which story screams the loudest.

Oh, and I know I owe you guys the second half of the Comic Con post. Remember that to-do list I mentioned? Yup, that’s on there. That post will be full of photos galore, and I’ll hopefully get it posted by the end of the week. Just a month after Comic Con ended. *rolls eyes at self*

Please keep emailing us and/or post questions to the blog if there’s anything you want to know about us, our books, etc. It’ll give me things to ramble about in future posts.

4 Responses to “A Little Bit of Everything Book Related”

1. Bev Stephans Says:
   August 21st, 2007 at 9:21 pm

   I’m so looking forward to your revised “Talisman” books and the new “Eternal Talisman”. Of course, I’m looking forward to the next “Hollywood Heat” installment.

   The newsletter sounds like fun. Can’t wait to read it.

2. Jorrie Spencer Says:
   August 22nd, 2007 at 7:20 pm

   Cool on the newsletter. And, psst, you’re at #2 now Congrats!

3. Ing Says:
   August 23rd, 2007 at 2:20 am

   No thanks needed ladies. The book was great I should be thanking you both!

   I’m happy to see that we will get Cash and Smitty’s stories plus Levi as well. Are you planning on more Hollywood Heat books after you write the boys above or will they be it. I can’t wait for more. I purchased Acting on Impulse but haven’t had the chance to read yet. Looking forward to reading it this weekend!

   Thanks again for this wonderful read.

   Hugs,
   Ing

4. AshleighRaine Jen Says:
   August 23rd, 2007 at 12:04 pm

   Thanks, Bev. It’s really exciting to dip our toes back in Talisman Bay’s water–and to revisit the first two books and make them pretty. Eternal Talisman is such a different Talisman Bay story–we love shaking things up for the Shadow Walkers and the rest of the characters.

   Jorrie, when I saw Driven to Distraction had hit number two, I couldn’t contain my grin. I doubt it’ll go higher than that, but we’re higher up the list than I expected to go with our debut Samhain title, so I’m thrilled.

   Ing, we do have plans beyond Cash and Smitty’s and Levi’s stories. There’s at least one more after those–the basic idea of that story has started percolating. But I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s many more down the line. Lisa and I had an idea a couple years ago, a crossover set of books that blends Hollywood Heat with our Shadow Walker world. Basically a paranormal couplet of stories that take place in Hollywood. Those still might happen as well. I wish we could write faster!

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