Happy June, dear readers!
Here in the United States, the summer months are finally here, blessing us with sunny days and aplethora of growing things. Having down-sized homes a few years back, I no longer have the space to tend a large garden. Still, it wouldn’t be summer if I didn’t surround myself with nature’s gifts of green. My screened porch, or the “summer office,” as I like to call it, is a true oasis of various container plants, all lorded over by a glorious tropical palm tree that was sold to me as house plant size and obviously isn’t. While I was settling my herbs and tomatoes into their new summer home, it came to me that growing a story isn’t much different than growing a garden.
Like a seed in the ground, I believe that all the books we enjoy reading began “life” as a tiny kernel of an idea: a random thought, emotion or reaction to the trappings of the author’s personal environment. Perhaps it is a song on the radio that evokes strong feelings, a real-life person, living or deceased who captures the author’s imagination, or even a snippet of conversation overheard in a crowded restaurant that instantly gets the writing process going. At least that’s been the case for me. Though my stories all have paranormal themes, the situations, challenges, triumphs and disappointments faced by my “extraordinary” characters are, in fact, the same everyday celebrations and obstacles, joys and sorrows, victories and defeats we all experience as human beings living in an ever-changing world.
Take for example my newest upcoming release, Devil’s Food: A Parable of Redemption, releasing this summer on July 5th. The book’s blurb describes the story of a young woman who, in a desperate bid to save a bakery business she’s sunk her entire life-savings into, signs a dubious contract with a handsome and charming social influencer who promises to make her enterprise “go viral.” Daisy, our main character, is naively unaware that the “nice man” that she just has signed over her Eternal Soul to is a henchman of hell. To the rescue comes Daisy’s Guardian Angel, who, knowing he’s dropped the ball on “guarding” his client, employs a few less than “heavenly” ploys to undo his charge’s bad decision.
Full of witty banter, lots of maneuvering by both heaven and hell, and characters who are hard not to fall in love with, Devil’s Food is a tale of both temptation and redemption that, despite its paranormal parameters, resonates with all of us who at one time or another, have made bad decisions that need “fixing” in one way or another. Even if your spiritual beliefs don’t match those of the characters, it's hard not to see a little bit of all of us in Daisy, Arlo and Devon. Look for a fabulous cover reveal for Devil’s Food coming soon to social media. I’m over-the-moon excited by its visual appeal and connection to the story’s theme. I think you’re going to love it, especially the gorgeous hardcover edition with silver foiling and detailed sprayed edges.
And speaking of special editions, all of the books in The Tooth Fairy Chronicles, as well as my emotional ghost romance, Once Upon Our Time, are available on this website, along with paperback and e-book formats as well. The special editions have limited availability, so be sure to order these readable works of art soon.
It’s also been six long months since the dramatic conclusion of Rosie and Declan’s Fae adventures. If, like me, you’ve been missing Rosie’s wise-cracking approach to life and Declan’s charming brogue, I have a fantastic surprise for you! I’ve written a delightful post Book 7- 2 part short story that is available only to subscribers. Part 1 will appear this month, with part 2 concluding in July. Don’t miss spending some quality “vacation time” with the Fitzpatricks written especially for my devoted readers. Follow the instructions and link below to read June’s narrative today!
Until next month, I’m wishing you sweet tea mornings and star-filled evenings,
Victoria Rocus
