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Hello everyone!
After years of hard work and anticipation, Shadows of the Vale: Book Two is almost here! I am delighted to finally share with you the official cover art and release date for When Darkness Blinds.
Because of the timing of this cover art/release date reveal, I have merged it with the regular newsletter for this month. Stick around to the end to see my updates for November and plans for December!
Now, without further ado, here it is! |
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When Darkness Blinds Shadows of the Vale: Book Two |
The dreamworld began to fade, but the image of the boy lingered in my mind. His words were the last thing I heard before sleep claimed me. “Don’t forget; you owe me a favour.” |
Ara has done the impossible. Not only did she survive the netherworld, but she also unmasked The Lord’s true form and rescued his prisoners. Now, with the night world gone, Ara believes leading the former captives to safety will be her final test. But the journey home is only the beginning of her trials. Kav, The Lord's right-hand woman, has seized power, and—fearful of her wrath and skeptical of Ara's story—the townspeople are unwilling to disobey her. Now Ara must choose: submit to Kav’s rule knowing it will bring suffering to her people or risk retribution by defying her in secret. To make matters worse, Nat’s spirit is still missing. Ara is determined to find it, but with options running out, her only hope may lie in her dreams—dreams of a strange boy with green eyes, a boy whom she still owes a favour… |
Mark your calendars! When Darkness Blinds is set to release on Amazon on January 19, 2026. 🥳 |
Whet your appetite for the sequel with a preview of the Prologue and Chapter One, available for download here! |
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When Shadows Fall is a YA fantasy novel about an anxious teenager who must go on a perilous quest to save her sister. It is available on Amazon in eBook and print and in the Kindle Unlimited library. It was shortlisted for two provincial book awards and was a finalist for three Indie Ink Awards: Best Setting, Best Friendship, and Writing the Future We Need: Mental Health Representation. |
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Afflicted with debilitating panic attacks and constant anxiety, Ara Holstenner is the last person who would ever oppose the tyrant lord who subjugates her people. But when her sister is taken by shadow creatures, Ara must defy The Lord's edicts and brave the forbidden night world to save her.
Can Ara overcome the fears that have defined her since childhood, or will she doom her sister—and herself—to a lifetime of torment?
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If you've already read When Shadows Fall, please don't forget to leave a review/rating on Amazon and Goodreads!! Seriously, these reviews and ratings make a huge difference, and with book 2 on the cusp of release, I appreciate the help more than ever!
If you haven't yet read When Shadows Fall, you can download the first chapter using the link below! |
And now, back to our regular newsletter!
I'll be adding some new bonuses to our subscriber-exclusive email archive in the upcoming months. In the meantime, check it out to catch up on past newsletters or view any of our previous extras, including a cover art photo gallery and the first partial draft of When Shadows Fall.
Stick around until the end for some bonus kitty pictures! |
I spent most of the month finishing the final edits for When Darkness Blinds and working through an out-loud readthrough of the book to try to catch any mistakes or anything in the prose that isn't flowing smoothly.
Aside from that, I also finished up the cover art process with Miblart. It took longer than I expected as I once again encountered communication difficulties, but after almost an entire year of work on it, the cover is finally done! I also prepared some marketing materials, participated in a book fair event, and performed various other miscellaneous tasks. |
Last month, I mentioned that When Shadows Fall would be at two book fairs: the Scholastic Book Fair at my school, and the Bookwyrm Book Fair in Regina.
Both events went very well! I sold 9 books through the Scholastic Book Fair and another 12 at the Bookwyrm Book Fair.
The Bookwyrm event in particular was a lot of fun, as I got to chat with many readers and aspiring writers. I was glad my friend, Amy Smart, could join me for the day!
You can learn all about her and her books here! |
On a last minute whim, I decided that the poem I wrote for the YPQ subscription box featuring my book would make for a fun extra to give out at the book fair. I accidently printed off four times as many copies as I meant to, which means I'll be able to hand them out at the next many events I attend! |
Now that cover art is finally done, I'll be focusing all my attention on wrapping up my current readthrough of the book and doing any last minute editing touches before getting it into the hands of my proofreaders.
While they proofread the book, I'll finish up the last edits on the front and back matter, get an ISBN number, prepare my Amazon product page, and order a proof copy to make sure the cover and interior are printing properly. |
Reading: Last year, I got the fourth book in Brandon Sanderson's Wax and Wayne series as a gift. I've been planning all year to read the entire series, and have only gotten to it now! I surprised myself by blazing through the first book in under a week, and I'm now over halfway through the second book. |
Phew. Are you still here after all that chatter? If so, you have earned yourself some kitty pictures!
In all seriousness, thank you for sticking around! I am so excited to share book two with you all, and so grateful for everyone who's waited with patient eagerness for its release. 😊 |
She looks so angelic in the sunlight! |
Kaylee likes my new fuzzy pajama pants as much as I do! |
My favourite kitty pillow. ♥️ She looks annoyed, but I promise she was purring! |
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PO Box 553, Herbert, Saskatchewan, S0H 2A0, Canada |
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