Author Connie Suttle

Author Connie Suttle:
Urban Fantasy/ Young Adult

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Life (and Death) Happens

Yeah, I know. I don't blog much anymore. All my communication is done on Facebook nowadays, and I'm sorry about that. I suppose the good news might be that I'm considering putting up another short story before I release Wyvern and Company (Saa Thalarr, Book 2) in August.

The short story I'm considering was once the prologue to the book, but as I'm rewriting it, I may do it this way instead. I'm hoping it'll be a treat for you, because it involves Grey House back in the day.

That's really not what I started this blog about, though.

You all know what they say about best laid plans and all that?

I had a plan: Release thirty books before my 60th birthday (which is tomorrow). Everything seemed to be on track--Cloud Dust would be the 30th book and it was coming right along.

Then, Walter's (my husband's) mother passed away on the 13th. It wasn't a huge shock--her health had declined and she'd recently gone into hospice care. Her funeral was on the 17th. I spent the days between the 13th and 17th alternating between edits and revisions for Cloud Dust, helping my husband as much as I could and writing obituaries and funeral speeches.

The 17th was a date on the family calendar for another reason--it was Walter's oldest brother James' birthday.

James didn't make it to his mother's funeral--he'd had an emergency triple bypass two weeks before his mother passed.

On the 18th, one day after his mother's funeral, James also passed away from complications following his surgery. His funeral is scheduled for tomorrow, which is my birthday.

I think I'll remember turning 60 for as long as I live. The past few days I've spent getting final edits and revisions done on Cloud Dust, while helping my husband and writing obituaries and a funeral speech. I got Cloud Dust uploaded last night.

I want to give huge thanks to Joe Scholes, my editor/proofreader/assistant/best friend, who hauled ass to help me get line edits and every other thing done on Cloud Dust so we could release it.

I also want to thank all of you who've expressed your condolences through this difficult time. You are amazing and I appreciate you more than I can say.


"But death is not the enemy. It takes us when our bodies are no longer prepared to carry on in our current lives. Brings us peace and freedom from pain. It is life that is often the enemy. The siren that convinces us to hold onto it as long as we can, even though we are filled with pain or have lived long past our usefulness. My father always said that we should let our life leave us when it is time and do it gladly, instead of with sorrow and bitterness. Something else awaits us and when we arrive, we will wonder what it was that held us back from it so long."
--Blood Rebellion

63 comments:

  1. Connie, I would just like to thank you for the joy to have bought to myself and others through your books and how you continue to amaze me, with all the tragedy your family has been through recently you still have the time and energy to think of your readersand release another book . Many many happy returns onyour 60th birthday. May you have many more.

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  2. Connie,
    Happy birthday! Thank you for sharing your stories. I hope you and your family find peace during this difficult time.

    A FAN!

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  3. Connie I am sorry I did not check your blog earlier. I just wanted to say: you're amazing, for all you've been through you still make time for you fans. Happy birthday and I wish you many more happy years to come along. I am sorry for you and your husband's loss, I think we all understand the pain of losing a loved one. It is my selfish wish that you will continue to provide us with your wonderful stories for many more years. Thank you for all you wonderful books.

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  4. Connie I was wandering if there is a chance you'll release book2 of first ordinance-keeper on August 6- my birthday because I've been biting my nails waiting for it. It doesn't't hurt to ask right? It's okay if you can't ...

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    1. While I would love to say yes, that would involve bending itme to accomplish. Wyvern and Company will be released in August if all goes well, and Keeper, which is far from finished, is scheduled for release in October. What I can do is wish you the happiest of birthdays, and if you don't already have a signed paperback copy of Finder, send your address to me at connie@subtledemon.com and I'll put one in the mail for you as a birthday gift.
      CS

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  5. I got the book thank you for sending it and those book markers. I am very happy to have you signed book. :*

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  7. Hi Connie I must say that I enjoy all your books and have been checking amazon on a daily basis for Wyvern and Company. Could you share the date for when you hope to release it?

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    1. Good morning!
      Originally I thought I could hit the 19th, but realistically it will probably be the 26th. Sorry for the delay--I added another convention almost at the last minute, and that took up writing time. I promise to do my best not to let that happen again.
      Happy Wednesday--
      Connie

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    2. Ok great. Thanks for the prompt reply Connie. I will be looking out for it. Hope you will be able to make that date.

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  8. Hello Connie, I was wondering when the description for the book keeper will appear, I can hardly wait to know what happens in the next book in "the first ordinance" series so a description of the next book would be my lifesaver until October.

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    1. Hi, Andra!
      Here's the official (for now) blurb:

      A dead god.

      A dying World.

      A girl never meant to be sentient

      Quin finds herself at the center of a maelstrom, as Siriaa is threatened by an undefinable poison and a coup envelops Kondar.

      Lives hang in the balance across the universe, as samples of the poison stolen from Siriaa are offered for sale to the highest bidders.

      Quin feels obligated to save those she can, but it will require powerful help.

      Does such a thing exist?

      If so, will it answer her call?

      Hope that helps.
      Happy Thursday!
      Connie

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  9. Thanks so much, Connie. Happy Thursday and weekend to you too. I almost forgot to ask, have you decided to continue the god wars series? Cause that would be awesome, I love Bree the most. I haven't decide yet, if I should make Quinn the 2nd or the 3rd favorite because I still like Lisa very much as a main character.

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  10. What are your favorite main characters? I don't know if you want to name favorites, because you're the one who created them all, but I really want to know. I mean I would place all three: Lisa, Bree, and Quinn in first place on my favorites list if I could, but if I had to choose the one above would be the order I chose.

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    1. Hi, Andra! You'll see (sort of) a continuation of the God Wars with Keeper, I think :) They will be interwoven in the remaining Saa Thalarr books, too. As far as favorite characters, I have too many. I'd take your list and add Kiarra, Corinne, Kyler, Hank, Ashe, Charles, Franklin, Karzac, Devin, Grace--the list is huge, lol!

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  11. Thank you so much for a new read Connie. Just purchased Saa Thalarr II from Amazon. This will be my weekend treat although I know I'll finish it by tomorrow morning. I will have to restart the series from Blood Wager through to God Wars until you release Keeper in October.
    Have a great weekend.

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  12. Really enjoyed Wyvern & Company Connie. I just finished reading it and can't wait for more.

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    1. Thank you! I'm working on Keeper now, cloud Invasion after that and possible A Demon's Work Is Never Done and Saa Thalarr III early next year

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  13. Thank you for the great book Connie, I read the Saa Thalarr II saw the connection to the god wars series, and I liked it very much. I read your response to my question as well and I was kind of hoping there would be more books with Bree as the main character (protagonist). So... will there be? I would like to know what happens next with Bree and her group. Also I can't wait, I am literally biting my nails, waiting for keeper.

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  14. Connie, have you decided on a day, in October, for Keeper' s release?

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  15. Connie, I read keeper and I loved it, of course. The only thing I didn't like is that almost nothing was resolved; it was kind of similar to Reah's story and I hope she is not as abused even by her mates, as Reah was. I also have a question, is the series of cloud invasion in any way related to the previous ones, like perhaps the god wars series?

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    1. Don't worry about abuse--none of her mates will stoop so low. Worry instead about the orb and what its ultimate plan may be for her, as well as the new antagonist and what his intentions are. As for Cloud Invasion--you'll see some familiar people, etc. in it, and you should be able to draw your own conclusions very soon :)

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  16. Thank you, Connie. I can't wait to find out more, on both R-D and First Ordinance series. I am so excited, I am literally sitting on the edge of my chair. Oh, and I really miss Bree, and I hope there are more stories on her for us. Maybe sometime in the future? :) Sorry I'm being... what's the word... pushy? It's just that I'm not willing to let her go...

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    1. no worries--Bree may pop in here and there, you never know :) I'm working on BlackWing at the moment while waiting on edits to come back on Cloud Invasion. I'm looking forward to devoting all my time to that one and the new High Demon series after that :)

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  17. I am very pleased at this latest news, all of it. I look forward to reading all of them; until cloud invasion' s release, Marry Christmas and happy holidays!

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  18. Connie, I have to say, I didn't like the ending to cloud invasion at all. I am still crying, please tell me something will be done, especially about the obsession. I want to slap some sense into Matt more than anything right now. I don't get it, why did Bree put him in charge of the situation on earth. Anyone would have been better at that. Is it my imagination or are all of the female characters' mates just testosterone guided dummies.

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    1. I can't send you the snippet from Cloud Rebel (RD-3) that deals in part with the problem--too many spoilers. Just bear with me--things may work out :)

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  19. Thanks, I feel much better already. When do you think you'll be able to release cloud rebel? Also, what does RD stand for? It's been bugging me for a while now. Oh, almost forgot, the connection to the other series; there were some connections in the first book if you looked hard enough. In this book however, it's a mountain of connections and information, but I still don't understand what Jason meant. That Bree does not want to be disturbed. I don't get what could be so important, she would just drop everything, even her mates and take off. Maybe you can answer some of my questions, thanks for the answer to my comment...even if it is obvious I wrote it to let go of some of my frustrations with the ending. Marry Christmas by the way.

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  20. Sorry if I was a bit off with the comment from before. Like I said, I just got a little sad and frustrated with the ending. I discovered I am not really a fan of cliffhanger endings, but I love your books, so I'll just have to deal with it. Then, until the next book! and Marry Christmas! and Happy New Year!

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  21. Merry Christmas to you, too! My intention is to release BlackWing at the end of February, and Cloud Rebel in April or thereabouts. We'll see how long it takes to get both those books finished. RD means Reincarnation Drug. Remember, Matt/Jayson is a man and doesn't like to admit he needs help, lol! Also, it will become apparent early in Cloud Rebel that Opal contacted Bree anyway, and you'll hear from her shortly after that. There's nearly 10,000 words written on the book already, but like I said, I can't post any of it because of massive spoilers. Sometime early next year, I'll do my best to get some snippets out :)

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  22. Thanks Connie, I can't wait. I am so excited to read both books.

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  23. Connie, I have been looking through Lisa's stories and I wanted to ask you something that I kept forgetting to ask. Why was Lisa permitting them( Gavin, Merrill, and wooden) to make her forget everything they're done to her. Even more unbelievable, letting them even thouch her, especially Gavin. I understand that she loved Gavin, but Gavin loving her, didn't seem to stop him from treating her like crap every time he got the chance.

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    1. we actually had a discussion about that (sort of) at the Seattle meet and greet in July. We talked about how perfect relationships only happen in books. Some people have it great, but there are always ups and downs. So much of the time, it seemed as if fate was against Lissa. She worked through it. You have to admit--Gavin and Merrill turned out all right at the end--that's what I intended to happen. Often times, too, people are together who have very different goals. I think that spells Gavin and Merrill perfectly--they both had their ideas of what they wanted; they just didn't take time to consider Lissa's goals and desires. After all, both of them were born into a time when women were considered property. They needed a few jolts to break them out of that mindset (Wlodek, especially). Hope that helps. From a writer's standpoint, too, if your characters aren't in trouble or having problems, your book is and does. Ask any writer :)

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  24. Yeah, but it's usually not the same problem over and over again, right? You fight, yell, cry, and talk about it. Which then allows you and your partner to grow, emotionally and mentally. Right? I guess my question is: why didn't Lisa fight their bad treatment of her more? Why she forgave them right away? She let them think that if they just apologize afterward everything would just be all roses and rainbows.

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  25. In my opinion their high handed attitude continued into the god wars series. I don't want to sound like I am scrutinizing anything, I just want to express my opinion. But for me, the continued mistreatment and Lisa not acting toward a better understanding between her and her mates, went beyond any respect and admiration I had for her ability to forgive. It made me think that her loved ones could mess with her as much as they wanted and she wouldn't do a thing to stop it.

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  26. I read that she promised herself she would not be a victim ever again after her stepfather almost killed her, but that is exactly what she allowed herself to be over and over again. Don't you think so?

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    1. This is where I say that this part of Lissa is patterned after someone I know. I watched as her husband mistreated her greatly. My husband and I offered to help her several times if she wanted to get away. Ultimately she chose to stay, for reasons only known to her and her husband. Ultimately, that choice was hers, we can only say what we think is wrong--what we wouldn't put up with. People make decisions every day that we disagree with. While Lissa is a fictional character, sme of the things she does--the weaknesses she has--are based on real observations. I understand that this users you, but the books are written. No changes can or will be made. My apologies for any ill feelings toward me or my characters.

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  27. Sorry if I sound a little... ok a bit more bad, and I mead judging, etc. However every time I read her stories I get more and more angry. I start thinking: why doesn't she just pack her bags and goes on a vacation away from them for a year or so? Why doesn't she do that, so they can cool they hot heads for a while?

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  28. Sorry--that should be upset. Autocorrect strikes again :(

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  29. It's okay, I mean it's not what I would do, but I do understand that different people deal with different 'demons'. I understand that all of us deal differently with the scars in our pasts, and that we never really heal. Besides, Lisa has her moments when she kicks her mates and loved ones down a notch or two. My favorite part is when she calls Wlodek a scheming old worlock.

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  30. Warlock, sorry didn't know how to spell it and auto corrections were giving me many possibilities except the one I wanted.

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  31. Connie, I was wandering, if Lisa and the others are now the four and together they are the one... than what is Bree? She is more powerful than all of them... so what is she?

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  32. Connie, I crave for the 3rd book of RD, cloud rebel. I want to know what happens next. I am so impatient... of course I want to know what happens in the next book of first ordinance too. Will it be the end of February for the release of the next book of first ordinance? Please... throw me a bone.... or better yet, throw me lifesaver.

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    1. Happy Saturday! Yes, I'm doing my best to get BlackWing (First Ordinance #3) out at the end of February. Cloud Rebel (RD-3) will likely come in April, with Hot Demon in the City (Latter Day Demons #1) out sometime after that. I'll probably have an idea, too, on how many books will be in the First Ordinance and RD series. Hope that helps. BTW, Bree is sort of in a class by herself, now :)

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  33. I am very eager to read them all. I can hardly wait for them to be released. Is there a blurb you can give me, for first ordinance#3?

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  34. This is what I posted on FaceBook recently. If you didn't see it, here it is:

    "If you're going to be my assistant in the shop, we'll have to do something about your wings," Lafe mused while studying my feathers. I pulled them tighter against my body, suddenly terrified. Would he cut them away? I backed up and into Terrett.

    Waving a hand and shaking his head, Terrett let me know that cutting my wings wasn't an option. Lafe verified Terrett's denial. "I think we should dye them, perhaps. Along with your hair. What you have will stand out anywhere. We don't need to stand out. I imagine that black wings won't raise such a fuss—I know of some who've had mechanical black wings grafted upon their backs and they fly—after a fashion."

    "But," I began. How was he going to dye my wings black? Dyed hair was common; wings were not.
    "I'm a master at mixing inks and dyes," Lafe lifted a dark eyebrow as he studied me. "My tattoo colors are the best. That's why my business is so good. I figure we'll have to dye your feathers every three or four eight-days, just to ensure that they stay black," he mused as he walked around me.
    "What's your name?" he asked as he faced me once more. For a moon-turn, he'd allowed me to mourn while Terrett did his best to feed and clothe me properly. Now, it was time to repay Lafe's generosity.

    "Uh, Quin," I hung my head.

    "No. Quin it is not. After we dye your wings black, that will be your name. BlackWing."

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  35. Wow, I can't wait to read the book. What was she mourning for? If you can't tell me that's okay. I really want to read all of your upcoming books, they are amazing Connie. You are amazing for writing those awesome stories.

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    1. Okay--second try, here--my first reply didn't show up. First, thank you, I'm so glad you enjoy the books. Second, BlackWing is scheduled for release at the end of this month, so I'll let the story unfold for you then. Happy Wednesday!
      cs

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  36. Connie, I have a few question that I hope you can answer. Will you write the stories of Conner and the others as well? Because I would really like to read the story of Conner. The other question is about the book, Latter day demon, that is supposed to come out in spring. I read in the book, A Very Paranormal Holiday, the story, but is it the same as the book that is supposed to come out in spring. I mean, I hope it isn't the same story, cause that would mean I read it already.

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    1. Nope--that short story in A Very Paranormal Holiday is about the Seattle Elementals. The first book in the Latter Day Demons series is called Hot Demon in the City and it isn't finished yet. The first novel in the Seattle Elementals will be called Your Money's Worth. As for Conner's story--that will come, but there are 2-3 Saa Thalarr books ahead of it :)

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  37. Thank you Connie for clearing that up for me, I was worried for a while... the latter day demon series, can you tell me what they are about, are they about the high demons? And the Seattle elementals... aren't they about some kind of demon species as well? Sorry for bombarding you with questions... I can't wait to read all of the books... I simply love your books, you are an excellent writer Connie and with a great imagination. Please don't stop writing any time soon... I would really cry for a week.

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  38. Connie, I have read your latest book, cloud rebel and enjoyed it very much, thank you for another amazing book. I have some questions however as I did not understand the end that well. Did the drug interfere with Corrine's birth, I do not understand how that could have happened, I thought she prevented that from happenning? And did Breanne change what was to save her and then place her in stasis? The last question is this: is the series over or will there be more?

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  39. The drug interfered with Corinne's next life--or lives--as a Karathian witch and then as a Larentii. When Harriett Majors (her former self, before getting the drug) died, she would have been reincarnated on Karathia, as a certain person's daughter. That is revealed in the epilogue of Cloud Rebel. Yes, Breanne intervened. If you've read the First Ordinance series, you should have a very good idea of who Breanne got rid of in the coffin to place the one she'd Changed What Was for. I'm sidestepping some of this in case someone else reads my answer and hasn't yet read the book. The R-D series is over; it has now converged with the First Ordinance series. You will find some very familiar people inhabiting the first few chapters of SpellBreaker, First Ordinance Book 4.

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  40. Connie, sorry, but can you give me more clues as to who was in the coffin because, I can't think of anyone but the avii king being in a coffin, and I don't think that he was the one in the coffin. Also will Corrine be one of the main characters? Like her and Quinn being the two main characters, as Lisa was in her series?

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  42. okay, thank you so much Connie.

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  43. Happy birthday! Sorry it's a bit late, I don't check my Facebook often... anyway, happy birthday and I hope your wish comes true.

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