Welcome, new folks!

Hi, there. If you've joined the mailing list recently, I want to make sure you get your free Frosthelm book, Traitors Unseen. If you haven't gotten it, you can get it free here (the site will ask you to sign up for this newsletter, which you're already getting) or here from Smashwords. It's also on Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. Please, enjoy with my compliments.

NEW RELEASE: What Grows From the Dead

I'm so excited to share with you my new mystery story. It's now available in ebook and paperback formats on Amazon.

Here's the blurb: Morris Drummond is not at his best. Well, he hasn't been at his best for a while now. But having just suffered two crushing losses, he's almost at rock bottom, which for him means driving ride-share in his mom's beat up Chevy, drowning his sorrows in tacos and spray cheese, and avoiding anything related to ambition, self-care, or laundry.

Morris is about to learn that he didn't even know what rock bottom looked like. A secret left behind comes to light, and that brings down a lot of unwanted attention on Morris, the kind that looks likely to send him either to prison or to the hereafter. Blood and treachery from long ago rise to the surface, and Morris has only his lawyer Annie, who's an old high school friend, and a few unexpected allies to call on as he tries to figure out what his mom was up to and why so many people want him out of the picture.

A humorous mystery with elements of suspense and thrillers, What Grows From the Dead is set in present-day small-town North Carolina, not far from the mysterious Uwharrie Forest.

Content warnings: Coarse language throughout; some gun violence (not graphic).

Next project

With WGFTD released, I've taken up with my next epic fantasy novel again, which I started last November as part of NaNoWriMo. With a little work continuing into December, I got to about 68,000 words before stopping for holiday travel and then working to edit and release the mystery. But now I'm back on task for this one, a humorous story of a brash, strong knight, Lady Isovar, and her long-suffering not-at-all brash squire, Chevson. The book is told in alternating chapters from each of their point of view, so you get a sense of both of them.

I'm doing a quick readthrough now and making minor edits to what I have now before finishing up the story. I've commissioned cover art from Yves Münch, and I've turned that over to my cover designer to work her magic. I should have that to share with here next month, but here's a tiny teaser:

Yes, her axe really is that big, and she has a name for it. It's a fun story, and I'm excited to share it with you, hopefully by May.

Some stories to try

I'm part of several author collectives, and we share each other's work to try to help all of us reach more readers. In many cases, the books we share are are free or discounted. Sometimes, they ask that you sign up for a newsletter like this one. Here are some new books I have to share this month.

First, I have Reclamation: Mind Jack by E.L. Strife, billed as a cyberpunk military sci-fi story, and the first in Strife's Hybrid Genesis series. If you like jacked-up supersoldiers traveling across the galaxy (and who doesn't?) this could be for you. Also, it has not one but two colons in the title on Amazon, which is baller. This prequel first-in-series is only $0.99.

Next, I have the delightfully titled Murder and Grits by (similarly delightfully titled) Karen McSpade, whose bio says she grew up with a fishing pole in one hand and her trusty .410 shotgun in the other, which is tremendously colorful but which seems like it might make either hunting or fishing difficult. This book is set in a small Gulf Coast town and involves a bevy of sweet old lady amateur sleuths, a missing poodle, and a Chicago cop on the run. Sounds like great stuff! On sale for only $0.99 - have a look!

Next up, I have a collection of science fiction stories by Alexis Lantgen called Sapience. These stories are set both on Earth and beyond and cover a wide range of interesting questions.

Next, I have Knots by Chuck Boheim, a novel that includes a mysterious vanished Swiss town and fractalist priests. I have no idea what they do or believe, but they sound awesome. There's also a talking cat, I think. Only $0.99, so have a look at this one as well.

Finally, I have two group promos with plenty of free books. The first is a set of 37 stories of magic and mystery, all FREE to try:

The second is a set of 47 fantasy stories with strong female leads, again, all FREE to try. There's certain to be something of interest here.

Thank you for being here!

Thanks so much for being part of my newsletter community. I'm very excited to share What Grows From the Dead with you. I hope you'll have fun with Morris and his friends, as much fun as I had discovering their adventures for myself.

I hope you and your friends and family are having a safe and rewarding 2024!

May the Bloodmother watch over you - 

Dave