Exciting week ahead. Big things happening. Can't say any more but keep your fingers and toes crossed.

What I can talk about is CRY FEAR is up for pre-order on Amazon. To be released on March 1st 2017. It's a rip-roaring ride, taking place over a few days in the the capital of Abios.

For seven hundred years, the Black Dogs have kept Abios safe from the Nostros. Until now.
A Nostros roams the streets and everyone is its prey. Can Jack and Lin stop it before it's too late? As the dead pile high, the stakes have never been higher. Pre-order it on the link below.

2018 has started just as 2017 ended - in a blur of activity. I submitted my secret project to my agent on 1st January, finished my Jack Frey novella on the 3rd January, sent it off to be edited by the wonderful Laura Hughes, wrote a series proposal for my secret project and made big progress again on CRY FEAR.  A lot of work but I love doing this so none of it actually feels like work — and that's the best feeling in the world.

I'm super proud of my little novella too. It's 30,000 words long and hopefully it's a fun little trip into Jack's world once more. It's set while he's still a novice at Whitehaven, a year before he takes his vows to become a Knight of Saint Stephen. Obviously, it helps if you've read CRY HAVOC but it also works as a stand-alone. (If you haven't read CRY HAVOC, do so now! It's a great book, honest).

CRY WITCH is up for pre-order on Amazon now or you can get a free copy simply by signing up on my mailing list on the home page.

CRY FEAR is at 70,000 words at the moment, having gone under a lot of rewriting. Originally I thought it would be 90,000 words long when I finished but in reality, I think it'll be more than 100,000. I will have it finished by the end of the month by hook or by crook.

In other news, I'm listening to the audiobook of Paternus: Rise of Gods by Dyrk Ashton and really enjoying it. Not what I was expecting but all the better for it. I devoured the new Jack Reacher, The Midnight Line — a good book but not a classic Reacher. I'm really enjoying the BBC drama, McMafia and I'm listening to the new U2 record a lot, Songs of Experience.

That's all for now...

Sam Lucas posted the following up on an old blog post today: "Please get Cry Fear out! I can't wait to read it and get more into the universe. I listened to the audiobook on audible but will probably buy physical copy as well. I love your pacing and the fight scenes, the brutal nature of the environment as well, it's refreshing to see heroes that don't stand much of a chance." First of all, thanks Sam for your kind words and your enthusiasm. It really made my day to read your note. Secondly, Cry Fear is coming — soon. I promise.

The comment also made me look back at my old posts as I embarked on this self-publishing adventure. It was fun to see my enthusiasm and excitement as Cry Havoc found its audience. I did a dance of joy at selling 5 copies in a day. Amazing to think that six months later, over 15,000 copies of my books have been downloaded! And I still get a buzz with each and every one. It's a great honor to have people read my work (and enjoy it) and I'll never forget that.

I'm so excited by what 2018 holds and its all down to you wonderful people. Thank you.

A big week coming up. Lots happening. Exciting stuff. I can't believe it stuff. Keep your fingers crossed stuff.

I've finished the Jack Frey novella, CRY WITCH. That's going off to be edited any day now and then will be sent out to my mailing list after that. Not sure yet if I'll put it up for sale or not. It's a cracking little adventure set a year before Jack Frey takes his vows to become a Black Dog. He's asked to help out on a simple job that goes terribly wrong.

I'm back on CRY FEAR full blast too and I'm really happy with where that's going. No doubt I'll be plagued with self-doubt again in a few days but I'll enjoy it while I can.

In the mean time, here's the latest drawing added to the art section.