The Road to Dark Hope. Uphill Both Ways.

Anyone who has tried to work while going back to college can tell you it's hard to find time for anything else. Making time to write and edit and promote books isn't easy, but it isn't something I do for money or fame. Though I certainly wouldn't turn down a bit of extra cash right now. That going to school stuff is expensive. Do you know they expect you to pay for the privilege of doing homework and not having a life?

Kidding aside, my books are a labor of love and one I refuse to give up. So, with that in mind, I have somehow managed to release a new book into the world. 

I have to admit, one of the best things about publishing a book is getting to work with so many great people, including an array of beta readers, my format designer, and my wonderful editor at Chimera Editing. My favorite part, however, outside of writing the book itself, is seeing the cover come to life. I was fortunate to work with an incredibly talented artist, Robert Crescenzio, on this book (as well as some other projects that I can't wait to share with you).

I give you, Dark Hope of the Dragons. A dark fantasy novel. The book will be on sale for $.99 August 31st through September 2nd. Click here for purchase links or to read the first chapter.

After over a century imprisoned in stone statues, the dragons have devised a plan to regain their freedom. Unbeknownst to humankind, they placed the power to begin that process in Dephithus, the beloved heir to the throne of Imperious.

Followers of the daenox—a dark power that was also imprisoned—have learned of the dragons’ plans.On his sixteenth birthday, they give Dephithus a cruel gift of their own. A gift meant to thwart the dragons. A gift that will change his life, and his world, forever.

Happy reading!

*This story contains a plot line involving sexual assault that may be difficult for some readers.*

Official Release! Apostate (Forbidden Things book 3)!

I'm very excited to announce the official release of Apostate, the final book in my Forbidden Things series. Visit the Apostate page to read the first chapter and find links to order. Also, keep an eye out this week for free promotions on my short stories, In Silence Waiting and Making Monsters, and a Kindle Countdown Deal running the 20th through the 27th on Dissident, Forbidden Things book one.

Being rejected by the man she loves hasn’t stopped Indigo from trying to save his country. Since her own country now sees her as a traitor, she must look elsewhere for help. While Yiloch rushes back to the capital to prepare his empire for battle against an enemy that appears untouchable, Indigo turns to the least likely place to build an army of her own.

The Kudaness, split apart by intertribal rivalries, are bound together in several things, not the least of which are their hatred of her people and their belief that using ascard is an affront to their gods. If she can convince them to excuse her those sins, she still faces the challenge of persuading them to go to war on behalf of their Lyran neighbors. Even if she succeeds, they must defeat a powerful army and then she will have to find a way to clear Yiloch’s name and prove to her country that she is no traitor.

And somewhere out there, Myac is still hunting them both.

Happy reading!

Apostate (Forbidden Things #3) cover reveal!

It's that time again.

In spite of an extraordinary amount of crazy in my 2016 so far, I'm excited to share with you the cover art for the upcoming third book in my Forbidden Things epic fantasy series! Before I show you this newest fantastic cover by Raquel Neira, however, here is the list of great blogs that are also hosting the cover reveal arranged by Masquerade Book Tours.

Now, here is the cover for Forbidden Things book three, Apostate!

Happy reading!

Exile Release and Other Happy News!

As I was sitting down to write this blog post, I got a bit of happy news. My young adult novel, The Girl and the Clockwork Cat (the first book in the Clockwork Enterprises series), made the finalist list for the Dante Rossetti Awards. They're still judging for First in Category and Grand Prize. Congratulations to all the other finalists.

Ganbatte Clockwork Cat!

Now to the announcement of the official release of Exile, the second book in the Forbidden Things series. For links to order and a look at the first chapter, visit the Exile book page. Stay tuned for the blog tour January 4th through 8th, hosted by Masquerade Book Tours.

Yiloch, the newly crowned Emperor of Lyra, stands accused of arranging the assassination of the Caithin royal family. Torn between love for Yiloch and her close ties with the royal family, Indigo wants nothing more than to prove the accusation false, but the evidence puts the blood of the family on his hands.

Trying to protect the Lyran prince from the swift descent of Caithin justice, Indigo exposes the workings of an enemy who is willing to kill to protect his secrets. In desperation, she unleashes magic that sends Yiloch deep into the desert of Kudan before fleeing for her life. She must find him again to save his life as well as her own.

Betrayed by ally and by love, stranded by uncontrollable magic, Yiloch struggles to make his way back to the Lyran capital before Caithin can declare war, but standing between him and his empire is a lethal new enemy, wielding magic unlike anything his people have faced before.

Happy Holidays!!!

Exile (Forbidden Things #2) Cover Reveal and Another Con

Tis the season for being thankful, so I'd like to express a great deal of thanks to my cover artist, Raquel Neira, for producing yet another fantastic cover for me. Exile is the second book in the Forbidden Things series, scheduled to come out in December (the season of giving - *wink*). The fantastic folks at Masquerade Book Tours are hosting this tour. Stops are listed lower down, just above the amazing cover reveal!

Before I reveal the cover, if anyone is in the Portland area the 20th through the 22nd, I'll be down there with my books at OryCon at the Waterfront Portland Marriott Hotel. Feel free to come by and say hello. 

Cover Reveal Stops

The Shadow Portal
Paranormal Sisters  
Boom Baby Reviews  
Girl of 1000 Wonders 
Hope. Dreams. Life... Love 
Book About 
The Book Bag  
Moonbeams over Atlanta 
Celticlady's Reviews    
E-BookBuilders  
abookwithbea 
Indie Author How-to
Crystal's Chaotic Confessions  
Masquerade Crew 
DJ's Book Corner  

And now... Exile.

Happy reading!

Clockwork Enterprises Book Two: The Girl and the Clockwork Conspiracy Grossly Under-hyped Cover Reveal

With all the craziness around getting The Girl and the Clockwork Conspiracy (book two in the Clockwork Enterprises series) ready for publication before Steamposium, there hasn't been time to set up fancy cover reveals and such, so I'm doing a little under-advertised cover reveal of my own for you here today. If the rest goes according to plan, the book will be available in print and ebook on September 14th. I will be signing copies of the first two Clockwork Enterprises books and doing a reading from both at Steamposium, September 25th through the 27th at Seattle’s waterfront Bell Harbor International conference center. Come join me if you're in the Seattle area. Copies of Forbidden Things: Dissident will also be available for purchase.

Once again, I must give thanks to my excellent cover artist Raquel Neira, and also to Michael McCormack for his photography, Ann Forseth of Romany Rapture for the lovely jacket on the model, and my cat Neko for his fantastic modelling work.

Feel free to comment below and let me know what you think!

Happy reading!

Too Much Editing and Another Giveaway

The previous giveaway has ended and I'm still deep in edits on Exile and Apostate (Forbidden Things 2 & 3) and finalizing details for the release of The Girl and the Clockwork Conspiracy (Clockwork Enterprises 2) next month. Needless to say, original blog content has suffered. I'm hoping to get some new content up soon. In the meantime, I offer you another giveaway.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Dissident by Nikki McCormack

Dissident

by Nikki McCormack

Giveaway ends August 22, 2015.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Happy reading!

Book Release! Dissident (Forbidden Things #1)

I'm very excited to announce the official release of Dissident, the first book in my Forbidden Things series. Visit the Dissident page for more information and links to order.

Also, drop in for the blog tour starting July 13th with stops at Edgar's Books and Independent Authors. The tour runs through August 7th with many opportunities to enter to win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card!

July 13: Edgar's Books
July 13: Independent Authors
July 14: Queen of the Night Reviews
July 15: CBY Book Club
July 15: SolaFide Self-Publishing and Book Blog
July 16: The Avid Reader
July 17: Susana's Morning Room
July 17: Mythical Books
July 20: Books and Other Spells
July 21: Rogues Angels
July 21: Room With Books
July 22: Liza O'Connor
July 22: Tina Donahue
July 23: GothicMoms
July 23: Yeah Books!
July 24: Welcome to My World of Dreams
July 27: Dena Garson - Real... Hot... Romance
July 27: Books N Pearls
July 28: BooksChatter
July 28: Natural Bri - Pursuits of Life
July 29: Danita Minnis
July 30: Hope. Dreams. Life... Love
July 31: Dawn's Reading Nook
July 31: Long and Short Reviews
August 3: Unabridged Andra's
August 4: Archaeolibrarian - I dig good books!
August 4: fundinmental
August 5: It's Raining Books
August 6: Straight from the Library
August 7: The Reading Addict

Ascard power can strengthen, heal and create. It also has great potential to destroy, enough to topple entire governments. Indigo’s country places strict limitations on the use of ascard so she must channel her talents into the healing arts or risk severe punishment. An orphan from a disgraced family, trapped by her father’s treason, Indigo struggles to reclaim her place in a society that has driven her into an abusive engagement.

Then a mysterious stranger from a neighboring country contacts her using ascard. He needs help escaping his prison so he can bring an end to his emperor's oppressive rule or die trying. His unshakable devotion to his cause and the passion hidden behind his cool arrogance move her to help him at the risk of being branded a traitor herself.

When the politics of society bring them together a second time, Indigo decides to use her growing powers to help him fight his war. If only she dared fight for her own future with such passion. Perhaps she can find the courage to do so by helping the man she has fallen for win his revolution. She might have exactly the power he needs to succeed.