Month: May 2021

Part 3 used to be a hell of a lot different. In the original version I had a chapter of what the other Magicians got up to when they went to protect the other MOSE gates. It was cut in the final version but I always loved it. Aela in particular got her murder on!

In other news, I’m eyeballs deep in Ashes of the Firebird rewrites. I’m finding the process a lot kinder than doing the first book but I’m also not in lockdown like last year so I think that helps. There is of lot of AC Valhalla soundtracks and Heilung blaring in my office but that’s pretty standard when I write in this world!

Wish me luck on hitting my deadline!

Ames x

I love part 2, of ‘The Immoral City.’ It was my fave bit to write in the book because Penelope finally gets the answers she’s been seeking, and of course, we step fully into the Magicians world.

The magical door of 39 Calle Dei Cerchieri came to me out of my deep love of hidden gateways, doorways, magical wardrobes and ward stones. If you’ve read my books you’ll know it’s one of my weaknesses that I can’t help revisiting.

I loved the idea of a palazzo that has had so much magic imbued into its structure that it’s become sentient. The doorway is guarded by the house itself, and it won’t appear unless it likes you or if it’s bombarded with some heavy duty magic.

When Penelope finds her way back to where the doorway opens to the world, I really wanted her to have to fight her own disbelief before the palazzo let’s her in. After that it’s definitely her ally, and who wouldn’t want to be friends with a magical house!

Ames x

We have about seven weeks to go before ‘The King’s Seal’ is out in the world, so I thought I would do a series over view using the quotes for each of the sections of the books, and sharing some facts and inspirations for each one.

I originally thought of having this series up on Instagram, but I thought they would be fun to share on the blog too for those who avoid social media.

First ‘Immortal City’ fun fact: the kernel idea for this book started out as dream. It’s really bullshit when writers say this, but in my case it’s true. I had a dream about Alexis walking through the streets of Venice before going back to a magnificent library. I asked him where he came from and he said ‘Atlantis.’ I woke up, wrote the idea down because I’ve always wanted to write an Atlantis story. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and the idea spiraled out of control. I kept writing down notes until I was finally at a point that I had to start writing or go crazy!

Writing this series has been such an incredible journey, and I’m going to be grateful to Alexis forever for turning up in my head!

Ames x

Firstly, I want to say a super big thank you to everyone who has reading and reviewing ‘King of Swords’ and ‘The Lion and the Star’! This series really is a passion project in every meaning of the word, and I’m so grateful to all of you who are giving it a shot!

Having three book releases in the year is turning out to be really busy, but I’m loving that pace, and making sure you’re not waiting too long to your next read!

Up next is of course, ‘The King’s Seal,’ and I’m literally busting out of my skin to have this one out in the world. I love all of the series so much, but this one is special. I’ve put together some graphics that I’ll start sharing at the beginning of next month, that is going to give you sneak peeks too.

In writing news, I’ve started my rewrites of ‘Ashes of the Firebird’ and making it the best book I can. I really love this world, and I want to make sure that I’m getting the best possible story out. As with my ‘Cry of the Firebird’ rewrite, I want to assure long time readers that I’m not changing the core story lines in any way. I’m just executing it better. All your fave characters will be there, don’t worry.

I’m also starting to feel like I’m getting to the end of my researching process for ‘King of Wands,’ book 2 of The Tarot Kings, so I’ve been starting to really nail down the characters, and finalizing the plot. I love Zahir, so you know I’m going to make his book as wild and fun as he is.

Here in Australia, the Covid vaccine is rolling out at a snails pace but I’m still hoping to get a shot by the end of the year (sob) and hopefully get my butt over to Greece for a holiday and research. I really wanted to be over there for the release of ‘The King’s Seal’ but I’ve had to let that dream go for the time being.

I hope you are all well and safe wherever you are in the world!

Ames