Earlier this month I overhauled my bookshelf again and I'm so much happier with how it looks. My #indieauthor shelf is overflowing, but I've a spare shelf further down, so I'll shuffle things over when my Black Friday haul of books arrives!? ⠀ The lights and decorations are definitely making me feel more cosy when I sit down to write! ⠀ Do you decorate your writing space??

#fantasywipdec20 ????: ???? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ??????❄️ ⠀ The Hybrid Wolf Series is urban fantasy set in Dublin, so there is some snow, but Ireland doesn't get much real snow. If we're lucky, we get an inch or so of snow, most years we get none. Every decade or so we get a PROPER dose of snow. ⠀ Those of you who live in countries that get proper snow would laugh at what we consider snow. We had about 4ft of snow in some places back in 2018. My town was actually one of the worst hit places in Ireland! The country stalled completely, most places shut, you couldn't get your hands on a loaf of bread! You'd swear the world was ending ? ⠀ We don't really have snow ploughs and our cars are not made for snow, so we couldn't drive anywhere. The country actually ran out of salt... so the roads were lethal and it took ages to clear all the snow ? ⠀ Does it snow much where you live?☃️

#fantasywipdec20 ???? ?? ? ???? ??????? ????? ?? ?? #WIP ?? ???????? ??????? ?????? ⠀ I don't have specific songs in my WIP, but certain ones did play a big part in the process, especially at the start.? Around the time I was starting Wolf Bait, Avril Lavigne's new album ???? ????? ????? came out. That album inspired a lot of the first book, especially the songs ? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??? ????? and ??????. ⠀ As for specific writing music, I have a playlist on Spotify that I add to regularly. It's a bit of a weird mix with no real theme to it. It's any song that I find gets my creative juices flowing. ⠀ At the moment, I'm listening to a lot of Shawn Mendes, Taylor Swift (always), Halsey, Why Don't We, and a lot of 2000/10's rock that I always keep coming back to. Emo 4 lyf ? ⠀ What songs inspire you to write? Do you listen to music when you read? I can't read or write without it!

Here's some #mondaymotivation for those of us who need it. ⠀ This doesn't just apply to writing, it's something that I've been trying to apply in all areas of life. I tend to second guess myself, anxiety can stop me from taking risks that I should take. I'm not the best at trying new things, but we are always learning. ⠀ Self-publishing is both terrifying and overwhelming, but it's also exciting! I get to be involved in the whole process, from the final draft to the cover, the edits, it's all on me. Putting my book out into the big bad world is going to be scary. ⠀ A lot of things will go wrong, they already have. That's fine, pick yourself up and go again. ⠀ When I was a kid and I said I wanted to be an author, I wasn't scared. Kids are fearless, as adults we overthink things. We fear failure. But if you really want something, take the leap and do it ayway ❤️

#fantasywipdec20 ???? ??? ?? ????????? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ☕ ⠀ My favourite drink is definitely hot chocolate. If you find me scribbling in a notebook or glued to my laptop in a cafe, I am guaranteed to be having a hot chocolate. I'm a bit weird in that I only like marshmallows if they're the tiny ones ? ⠀ When it comes to snacks, give me all the chocolate. I probably have dairymilk plain and oreo the most, though I love Lindt too – especially the mint ones. I've a soft spot for Terry's Chocolate Orange too! ⠀ I find that when I'm reading, I snack less than when I write ? You'd think using a keyboard would stop me from stuffing my face! ⠀ What are your favourite treats?

#fantasywipdec20 ????: ??? ???? ?? ?? ?????? ????'? ????? ??????????? ⠀ Well, Hybrid Wolf Series is a shifter urban fantasy series, so my MC's magical ability is to shapeshift into a wolf. In Killer Instinct, my MC Tom is a full werewolf, so his magic is tied to the moon. However, in Wolf Bait, we follow a girl called Eve who is a hybrid wolf. This means she can shift at will. ⠀ It's easier for hybrids to shift during a full moon, as their drawing on the more natural source of their magic, but they can shift whenever they want – within reason. Shifting in the middle of a bunch of humans is not advisable ?

The tree is up!? ⠀ As always, Christmas Decorating was eventful. First a box split open and sent loads of decorations plumetting down the stairs, I was not impressed. Then, just as I had maybe two decorations left for the tree, Merlin took off after a fallen bauble and smacked into the tree. Not only did he knock the tree over, but he got himself tangled in the lights ? ⠀ Note to self, lock the cats out next time... Do your pets interfere with decorations?? ?

???? ??????? ???? ??????????????! ⠀ @kara_s_weaver has done it again!? I was so lucky to receive an ARC copy of Whispers of War, and the third installment of the Illvanian Chronicles did not disappoint. High fantasy with strong characters, plenty of action and high stakes – what more could you want? ⠀ Whispers of War brings us more action and drama as Shal battles to not only save her country, but to survive. Meanwhile, Tal is going through hell to find her. We also get into Haer's head to find out what the hell he has been playing at. ⠀ Prepare for another emotional rollercoaster ? I'm not surprised because it happens every time. The tension is building, so many different threads are coming in to play, building towards what is going to be a killer finale. ⠀ I was already in love with Tal, but he's grown on me even more in this book ? There's a softness deep inside that hardened exterior that really comes to light. The lengths he would go to save Shal is clear and you can really feel how much he loves her, it's the kind of love people move mountains for, raw and real. ⠀ Shal has grown so much too, I enjoyed seeing a more vulnerable side to her alongside her feistiness. She's come a long way and grown into a young woman who is ready to take the thrown, while still being badass. ⠀ Honestly, these books always give me Trudi Canavan vibes ??‍ The world building is so intricate and smoothly woven into the story. As always, the story is packed full of action and I barely had the chance to gather my emotions before the drama mounted once more. ⠀ Whispers of War was a thoroughly enjoyable read and this series is firmly cemented as one of my all time favourites. I can't wait for the next book!? ⠀ ?? ????? ??? @????_?_?????? ??? ???? ? ????! ??? ???'? ?? ????????????!? ? ⠀ Synopsis is below ⬇️

I don't miss the freezing cold walks to work in the winter, but I do miss strolling through Merrion Square looking at the pretty Christmas lights. I'm putting up the tree tomorrow, we got our hands on a set of lights (which are like gold dust at the moment!) ? ⠀ Everyone has put up their lights early this year because we were sick of lockdown and needed some cheering up. I have to say, it is adding a nice atmosphere when I see Christmas lights everywhere I go.? I think people are really going all out this year! We only put up a tree and a few decorations, though I'm trying to do up my office to make it more festive and cosy. ⠀ Have you put up your decorations yet? ?

I can't believe it's December again! It feels like only yesterday the pandemic started, but then again, it also feels like years ? It's been one hell of a year with quite few setbacks. I've learned a lot, both about myself, writing, and publishing. I'm really excited for 2021 ☺️ Sending Wolf Bait out into the big bad world is going to be a dream come true. ⠀ When I was a kid and I said I wanted to be an author, I was told to get a real job. Well I got one, and now the money I earn from that helps fund my indie author journey. I can't imagine how amazing it will be to have my very own book in my hands and realise my dream of becoming an author ? If it wasn't for the support of so many fellow authors on here, my friends, and my boyfriend, I really wouldn't be so close to fulfilling that dream ? ⠀ All in all, I think December is about being grateful. I'll be brainstorming a side story that I hope to release in late January, while also working on book two. I have all my Christmas shopping done, so December is mine to enjoy! ⠀ I am concious that this month can be really tough for people, so if you're having a rough time or just need to chat, shoot me a DM. I'm always around and happy to listen ♥️ ⠀ What are your December plans?? ?