Dear Friends of Aviario,
I have been resisting this decision tooth and nail for longer than I'd probably like to admit.  I know it's been a long time since my last blog post, and a while since I've been on my social media platforms, as well.  Life outside of Aviario has been difficult, and as much as I had hoped to be able to balance being an author with my current struggles, it has fallen by the wayside.  I owe it to myself and to all of you to step back, to address the things which are currently causing me stress and strain, and to focus completely on them.  I have managed to write about half of the first draft of Adjustments, but my previous first drafts were all completed by this point in the year.   Trust me when I say: this one is too good and too important to turn into a rush job.   "A book a year" was a promise I made to myself, first and foremost, and while there's a little rush that comes with being that prolific, it's not worth sacrificing the quality of something I hold so dear ... or the possibility of burning myself out.  

I haven't decided how long this hiatus will last ... perhaps, at least, through the summer.  Quite a few things that are causing me strain and exhaustion are beyond my control, and I need to dig deep and find the sort of patience and resilience required to weather them.  I appreciate the messages of concern and support I've received from some of you over the last month or so, and want to apologize for my "radio silence".  There have been days when just thinking about how long I've been away has made me anxious: that spiral of avoidance stops now.  I miss all my Twitter and Instagram friends, and I promise you, I'll check in when I can.   

To those I've received book review requests or proof copies from: I do still completely intend to review your books!  Part of my time away will be spent preparing for my return, and this includes reading and writing those reviews.  I will be emailing you all separately for personal, private conversations.   The same goes for anyone I may have scheduled guest blog posts with. 

I know that in the culture of the internet, we expect things to come quickly, at a constant, breakneck pace.  We click, we scan, we move on.  But books are different animals: meant to be savored.  I need to treat their creative process in much the same vein, especially this time around.   I have complete faith and trust that this break will, in the long run, bring us all closer together, not create a rift of absence.  In the meantime, be well, read good indie books, support one another, and - hmm - maybe reread the first three Aviario novels?  This one ties them all together.  You might want to refresh your memory ... wink, wink.

​Until next time, I remain your fond concierge,

Just a brief update, this week, with my apologies: life still refuses to calm down around my little Burrow ... I'm heading south to Connecticut tomorrow.  Normally, I'd be ecstatic to see the area which inspired Aviario again, but this trip is for the memorial service of a dear, loving, and wonderful cousin who lost a long, hard, fight with cancer.  Being able to be with family, even for a day or two, should help ... and of course, a few pictures of the area for the Aviario Travel Guide might come back with me, too.  I'm discovering more and more that I have to make my own happy moments.

I have my first Indie Book Review of the year lined up: the first book of The Letter Mage, by Alexandra Penn!  It looks like an amazing read, and I have a review copy in hand which I'm looking forward to digging into.  Fantasy, magic, space, and some wonderful LGBTQ representation?  It sounds like everything I enjoy reading, and more.  I can't wait to let you all know how it is!

My final note for this week is a bit of a somber one, as well ... normally, I only promote my books here on my website, and am more apt to nudge you toward my Patreon for crowdfunding, but two days ago, one of our lovely cats got suddenly ill.   I've set up a YouCaring fundraiser for her ER vet bills and any procedures she may require ... Even if you can't afford to chip in, I would appreciate it very much if you could help spread the word.   The kindness of strangers over the last 24 hours since I opened the fundraiser is astounding: a person I don't know from Adam donated $200.  Knowing that there are other kind hearts out there in the world gives me so much hope: not just for Bella, but for our world and our future.  

You can see the fundraiser, share, or donate @ YouCaring: Help Us Fix Bella's Belly.

Next week, I will have better news: good news, and progress, and wonderful things to share with you all... even though I'm admittedly saying so under sheer force of will.  I can't give up on any of this: it's not even close to a choice.  I love you all, and I'll see you next week.