Hi, everyone. I have some not-so-great news about Into The Fire, the fourth and final novel in the Night Prince series. As many of you know, Into The Fire was supposed to be released at the end of October, but the release date has been pushed back to February 28th. Some of you might have received an Amazon email about your pre-order detailing the new release date, so I am verifying that yes, February 28th is indeed the new, correct date. Below, I’m going answer what I assume the top questions will be. If I didn’t cover yours, please ask it in the comments.
Why was the release date pushed from October to February?
Short answer: I had a lot of personal issues going on, so I was unable to meet the required deadline. That’s my fault, and I want to apologize to all my readers for that.
What kind of “personal issues” kept you from doing your job?
Really, really long answer, with lots of TMI: My mother died on December 30th. I had no chance to get there in time to say goodbye; I just received a hysterical phone call my from sister saying that Mom had dropped over dead while she was putting on her makeup that morning. I went to Florida to help my sisters and my father plan the funeral (not easy under any circumstances, but especially hard over a holiday when all the area florists were closed for New Years.) My father was understandably devastated since he and my mom had been together for fifty years, so my sisters and I spent the week after the funeral going through all the necessary paperwork, returning her medical equipment, and doing other such tasks so he didn’t have to. During this time, I was grieving, of course, but I wasn’t devastated like my father or my sisters. I thought it was because I had been somewhat braced for my mother’s death. After all, she had had major health scares in 2013 and 2014, so I had known, on an objective level, that she probably didn’t have a lot of years left. However, as I later found out, I wasn’t reacting with more objectivity because I had been “braced.” I was just in an extended form of shock and denial.
I returned home to North Carolina in mid-January, and mere days after I got back, my dog Gypsy blew out the tendons in her back leg and needed extensive surgery. Worse, the only qualified veterinary surgeon was over two hours away (we lived in a tiny mountain town.) Thus, we began the long back-and-forth drives for her surgery and follow-up appointments. Soon after her leg surgery, Gypsy developed an ulcer in her eye that needed surgery from – you guessed it – a vet that was also over two hours away. On top of that, winter finally hit the mountains and made driving much more difficult. It was around this time that I told my husband I didn’t want to wait for our house to sell before we moved back to Florida. We had already intended to rent a place in Florida in April, and with everything going on, I thought that waiting would end up being more hassle than our moving immediately.
So, we drove back and forth to the vet for rechecks on Gypsy’s leg and eye, and did extensive prep work to get our own house ready to rent while it remained on the market to sell. About two weeks later, I received word from my agent that release of The Sweetest Burn had been pushed back to June 2017. I understood and agreed with all the “whys,” but I admit that it was still hard because I knew how disappointed readers would be. We moved to a rental house in Florida around mid-February, and as soon as we arrived, we discovered that the washer and dryer didn’t work. The air conditioning broke about a week later, and while the rental agency had everything fixed within a week or so, it was a very stressful week getting the new place set up. However, we were up and running in time for me to leave for my previously-scheduled appearance at ApollyCon the end of the February.
When I got back, I found out that Gypsy’s eye still wasn’t healed, so we very quickly had to find a new vet. Gypsy ended up having her second eye surgery, which also required at-home care consisting of 4 different medicated eye drops four times a day, spacing each drop at least five minutes apart (that’s a total of 16 times a day my hubby and I would have to hold her down, squirt drops in her eyes, then give her the Cone of Shame. She hated it as much as we did, but the vet told us if the ulcer got infected, the infection could spread into her brain and kill her. I love Gypsy as if she were the child I never had, so I was going to do everything I could to get her well.)
The beginning of March, in between helping my husband wrestle Gypsy down for her 16 eye drops a day, I started writing Into The Fire again. Or, more accurately, I tried to. For some reason, whenever I would sit in front of my computer and attempt to write, I would end up bursting into tears. The first few times, I told myself it was an odd fluke and decided to ignore it. When it was still happening after a week, I grew worried, but I didn’t tell anyone because I was determined to muscle through, or – failing that – at least “fake it until I make it.” By the third week, I finally admitted to my husband what was going on. He called our family doctor, who told me that it was likely a case of depression because I hadn’t fully dealt with my mother’s recent death.
I didn’t want it to make sense, but it did. You see, I had managed to do everything else while on an emotional version of automatic pilot, but I couldn’t pull off that same feat while attempting to write. When I write, I immerse myself into my characters’ thoughts and feelings, which forces me to get immersed in my own thoughts and feelings. So, when I attempted to write, everything I really felt came rushing to the surface. I had been telling myself that I’d been doing okay after my mother’s death because I had been “braced” for her to die, but that wasn’t true. I wasn’t okay. In fact, I wasn’t doing well at all. Instead, I was hurting and guilt-ridden because I hadn’t seen her for five months before she died, and – most ridiculous of all – I was too proud to admit that I was crushed inside, so on top of everything else, I was ashamed for not being a “tougher” person.
Once I finally admitted what I was dealing with, I called my agent and told her the book wouldn’t be finished by May 1st (my rescheduled deadline.) I also started going to a therapist and took medication to help with the crying jags when they came. It ended up being a great relief to admit what I was really feeling and going through, to the point where I wasn’t overwhelmed when more bad news came from the vet: Gypsy’s eye ulcer still wasn’t healed and she needed a third surgery, which meant the same regiment of eye drops afterward. To sum up the next couple weeks, Gypsy ended up getting a total of four surgeries to fix her eye, and I found out that a few ebook retailers had erroneously released The Sweetest Burn on its originally scheduled release date of March 29th. Worse, some readers who had gotten an early copy then uploaded it onto pirate sites, so the book was being actively stolen over fifteen months before it could be legally purchased. In an effort to stop retailers from continuing to sell it on the wrong date, my publisher took the ebook down from all retailers, but that resulted in a glitch where Amazon (who hadn’t been selling it early) cancelled ALL preorders. As many of you know, Amazon is the largest ebook retailer by far, so this meant that over 80% of my preorders literally vanished overnight.
Doing damage control and dealing with the fallout from that kept me busy for the first week of April. The following week, I felt emotionally well enough to start writing again. For the rest of April and the first week of May, I ended up rewriting the entire beginning of Into The Fire after a friend’s helpful feedback, then wrote another 100 pages. I was so relieved to finally be back into the groove; I called my agent to tell her I expected to have Into The Fire completed by the middle of June. My agent relayed this information to my editor, who agreed to rush it through production in order to ensure that it would still release at the end of October. This is why you didn’t hear me say back in March or April that the book would be bumped. I really thought I could still get it done in time.
May 9th, I received a call from my dad saying that a doctor had found three blocked arteries leading into his heart. This horrified me because a piece of a blocked artery breaking loose is what caused my mother’s fatal heart attack. My dad opted to go with a bypass surgery versus stents, and I left town to be with him. If you read my posts about what happened next, you’ll know that my dad had serious complications after surgery and ended up staying in intensive care for over two weeks. I went back home when he was finally out of critical condition, and I attempted to get back to writing Into The Fire again. However, less than a week after he was released from the hospital, my dad had massive internal bleeding and went into arrest, so I left town to be with him again.
I knew when I left that second time that Into The Fire would have to be pushed back. So, I called my agent and told her that even if my father pulled through, I wouldn’t be able to deliver the book in time. There just weren’t enough writing days left. I didn’t know at that point what date my publisher would reschedule the release to, which is why I didn’t say anything because I wanted to tell you once I had the new release information. I ended up staying with my dad for another week as he recovered from his second life-threatening incident, and I’m happy to say that he is now in a rehab facility working on getting his strength and his mobility back.
I am now back home and working on Into The Fire again (I swear, this book title is starting to feel like a description of the past several months.) But, as I said, there’s no way I can finish it in time for it to go through revisions, copyedits, galleys, and everything else that is required for it to be published in October. I am happy that my publisher managed to squeeze it into their schedule in early 2017 instead of late 2017, and I want to thank them so much for that. I also want to apologize again to my readers for the book being bumped to February, which – two thousand words later – you can see is entirely my fault. However, while I am truly sorry that you have to wait longer for the culmination of Vlad and Leila’s story, I hope this very looooong explanation allows you to understand why. In one of my books, Cat says something like, “Life. You can only make plans for it, not dictate orders to it.”
I made plans for 2016 that got completely derailed and upended. That’s just the way it goes sometimes. As I said in my previous post, I hope that the rest of 2016 is filled with peaceful dullness, but if it isn’t, I’ll continue to muddle through the best that I can. In the meantime, I want to thank everyone for their patience as they wait a little longer to find out how the story ends for Vlad and Leila. I hope to have a snippet of Into The Fire up for you soon, too.
So, in closing, thanks again, sorry again, and I hope that the rest of 2016 treats all of you with happiness, blessings, and some peaceful dullness, too ;).
ETA: Just wanted to say thanks SO much to everyone for your support. You guys made me tear up (in a good way!) with your many, kind comments. I wish I could give all of you a big, big hug!
Totally understand! The family must come first. We can always reread the other Vlad books while we wait.
My deepest condolences on your mother’s death. It is completely understandable. I wish you and your family the best of luck and, as good, supporting and loving readers, we’ll certainly wait patiently. :))
All my love,
Constance
Not your fault hun. I live in caldwell in nc and its honestly a big f#!k fest to find anyone decent for taking care of animals. And what has happened with your family is a tragedy. There is no blame for taking time to make yourself mentally and emotionally better. We all wait with baited breath for your next book and will be grateful and excited when they do come out knowing they will be awesome because you took the time and effort to make sure they would be. 🙂 i have been a fan for years and i will continue to be so no matter your delays or changes. Thank you for being the wonderful writer you are!!!
Family is everything. We as your fans understand that real life is more important than the other lives of our book characters. not that we’re not biting at the bit for Vald and Leila but the next book will make a great late Valentin’s day present. My thoughts are with you.
Sorry you’ve had so much come at you this year! I for one am happy to wait, your mental and emotional health is way more important than a deadline. We want you to take good care of your self so dont worry about us being upset, we’re just happy your doing whats needed to help your self get better :-). Your fans are all here for you and we know the finished product will be worth the wait!
It’s life. Blessings to you and your family. I’m glad that you and your dad are doing better.
As a fan sure I’m disappointed that I have to wait longer for my one true love Vlad 😉 but as a human screw the book release! That is way to much for anyone to deal with basically all at once and if something has to give the book is a no brainer. We all love your writing and will wait for however long it takes. You and your family’s health and well-being is the #1 priority. Hoping the best for you all. Take care.
You have all my heartfelt condolences and support. The transition from 2013 to 2014 was similar for me and I am still coping with the ramifications of the loss of both my grandfather and my best friend and professional changes that took place during those months. It turned my life upside down and inside out, feeling out of control and braced for the next hit I was always sure would come. Eventually, things regained their balance, that’s the way of life.
Give yourself permission to set yourself free from the expectations of others for now as your family obligations and your health are so much more critically important than our entertainment. We’ll be here waiting when you’re ready for us.
Take care, go slow, and though you don’t know me, I’m sending love your way.
So sorry for your losses. Yes, right now I feel like I’m waiting for the next shoe to drop while also hoping that it doesn’t. Thanks for the support!
Miss Jeaniene,
I would wait for a decade or more for another one of your literary treats. Your work is inspiring and such art cannot be rushed.
Love from West Virginia. 💜
Disappointing but completely understandable after the year you’ve had.
And on the bright side we’ll be getting 3 books in 2017 to look forward too! 🤓
I follow you on facebook, so even knowing most of the story- I still just cried for you. I’m so sorry.
None of your experiences is your *fault*; in fact, kudos for seeking help and reaching out to your husband, your family, your doctors/.vets, and your fans. We love you and want you to be happy and healthy. Remember to be as kind to yourself as you are to other people. Take care and all the time you need.
In the meantime, I encourage everyone to listen to your audiobooks. I’ve discovered the awesome Tavia Gilbert and have been listening to all your books every spare (and not spare) moment I have in the last few weeks. She’s *amazing* and is second only to James Marsters (who does the Jim Butcher Dresden Files books).
Seconding your comment about how great Tavia is as a narrator. Thanks!
I am so sorry you have had such a rough year. As much as I love reading your books, I also value you as a person. The stories come from you. You are not a machine. You are a creative artist. If you could just churn out books, they would not be the kind of books I would want to read. It is wonderful that you let us know why the book will be delayed. You don’t have to apologize. You need to take care of yourself. I would rather have a good book than a quick one.
Girl, anything you gotta do to get through the day. Glad that Pops is doing better and YOU are doing better, too. Hoping Gypsy is on the mend as well. Take care of yourself and we’ll get the book when it comes. Everything in it’s own time.
We are filling our two PODS with all the household goods. WI house closing is 6/30. FL house closing is 7/15 or sooner according to the lender. Will be driving down and arriving 7/4 and staying in an extended stay hotel until we close on the house. 3 adults, an OCD Irish Terrier, and a ferret in one room. Pray that I do not kill anyone.
Wishing you lots of stamina, Debi!
Your books are worth the wait. Understandably things happen, you are human. Family always comes first. Can’t wait until February. Sending hugs from NY…
You take care of you and do what you need to do. So, we’ll wait. You have more than enough on your plate right now.
I’ll need to do a reread anyway. I have no problem waiting for anything you publish. Always take care of you and yours first.
Much love,
Leona
Your books have always been worth waiting for and I’m sure this one won’t be an exception. 🙂
I’m sorry life dealt you so many blows one after the other and I hope karma gives you a few good things in the near future to compensate. ;P
I’ll be on the lookout for any updates and previews you might post!
Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans?? Be peaceful, be well, take care of yourself. I’m sure that the delay will just make a stronger story, as you have become a stronger person.So sorry for the loss of your mother. My mom passed while in hospice in my own home 4 years ago, Glad your dad was able to come back from his surgery. May you, your hubby, and Gypsy have a wonderful summer!
So sorry about your mom. As hard as that had to be, I’m sure she had a lot of peace being in your home surrounded by love.
I like what Mandy said, as a fan I would want a book from you every month but as a SMART fan I know that excellence takes time. I would rather wait until the end of 2017 to get a book that is up to your usual standard of excellence than get a rushed on this year. Also, in the big scheme of things family ALWAYS trumps writing. Sorry for the liss of your mom and glad your dad is doing better.
I’ve been following somewhat on Facebook and Twitter. I completely understand. I can’t imagine everything you’re going through right now. You need to put yourself and your family first (which includes furry family members). I hope that things get better for you soon. {{hugs}}
You’re only human and shit happens. I can only speak for myself, but I’d prefer a stellar book that’s a little late than a cranked out one that’s not so great because of duress. I hope you’re dad continues to get better and I’m sorry about your mom. No worries on the release, we’ll happily be waiting 🙂
No worries. Honestly! You’ve had a very hard road to travel this year and you need to take care of your family and yourself. We will be happy about Into the Fire whenever it comes. Your work is always worth waiting for!
My condolences, lots of healing hugs. I understand what you went through when I lost my mother.
then lost my pet. SO lots and lots of healing hugs. Looking forward to the book, take your time IF you need it RL comes FIRST and Foremost.
So sorry about your mom and your furbaby. Sending you hugs.
My thoughts and prayers are with you! It sounds like you have had a really rough go of it the last 6 months or so! I know that the book will be amazing when it comes out and until then I will re-read the precious installments!!!
So sorry to hear about your mom and your troubles. I had a similar “Charlie Foxtrot “of events that created the perfect emotional storm and left its mark. Three family members lost within three years, a divorce and the loss of a job I’d held for nine years.) The good thing is that you recognized that you needed time for you, and you’re taking time to heal. It does get better. Soon, when you hear a certain song or smell their favorite food or flower, it will bring back good memories more than pain. I’m in the Asheville area if you need some to talk to or a shoulder to cry on. Good luck with the book.
It seems so trivial to say this, but I’m really sorry about your spate of losses. Your strength is inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
Rough doesn’t begin to describe your year so far. Whatever you write, however long it takes, it’s worth waiting for. If you didn’t know we all feel this way, hope you know it now. I wish I was close enough to give a real hug. Sending them anyway.
I really understand. I have been in the same situation with my own parents. Just know that we the fans will wait patiently for the final book in the series. We the fans are grateful that you write books that we love.
Lotsahugs ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I am so glad you are taking care of yourself and putting your family first. I would wait as long as needed for Vlad and Leila’s book!
no worries, really please don’t stress about us and our reaction. your books are formidable but you need the time you need and yes this one is delayed it’s nothing as long as it exists at one point so take the time you need, you need it and most importnatly you deserve it so at least on that part relax
we will still be there in february for your book and even later so just do what you must do
i wish you all the best
Life happens and the best laid plans get put to rest. This is not news, it’s expected news, at least to me. I in fact expected this awhile ago. Anyone who is a true fan reads your blogs and Facebook posts. We’ve ‘heard’ your awful year that started with your mothers death, the doggiesodes, and your dad’s surgeries. We are smart fans who can put 2 and 2 together and get delay. As much as I want to read Vlad’s book, I want you and your healthy and sanity more. We all need a break, your breaks just means pushed back deadlines with disappointed but understanding fans. If they aren’t understanding, then they weren’t true fans. To them I personally say F’ Off and go harass and upset someone else and leave this one alone, you big meanie head bullies. And as Wont says ‘whatever you, write, however long it takes, it’s with waiting for.
I thought I was the only one who went through that delayed shock breakdown! I had to go through therapy and medication as well to help me get over it and restart to function. Of course your family comes first, it’s supposed to, and yes, our fur babies count as family.Your readers, your “true” fans, will understand and our deepest sympathy and prayers are with you. Take time to heal yourself.
Totally understandable life happens to everyone and you can’t help what’s going on around you glad your dad is doing better
My thoughts and prayers go out to you! It’s just a lot in such a short time, but family always comes first. We got your back!
Life happens, sorry for ALL of your difficulties. Much love and many prayers sent your way.
We appreciate your love of family, and for us, your fans. Do what you have to, we will still be here.
Man, anyone that wouldn’t understand circumstances (and you are so brave, IMO that doesn’t matter in the long run, to actually write an explanation that I don’t think is required, at least to how I operate) of your situations, of how life happens, isn’t a true fan. I’m so sorry (cliche, I know) for everything you’ve been through. You are amazing for still writing after such a loss. My dad will be gone for 5-years this year and I completely fell apart and fell off the MMA competition circuit with dealing with it (with additional life factors). Anyway, what I guess I’m trying to get at is, don’t apologize. You’re an amazing writer, and even more, an amazing woman! And eee, Feb ’17, 3-days after my birthday! Will even be better! <3
Don’t apologize for putting your family first! And that includes Gypsy!! I know Vlad’s next book is coming up and I can wait a little bit longer. You have to take care of yourself too 😊💖
We will wait! No problem! Your family must come first! Just please keep writing when you can again because we love your stories especially Vlad! Those are my favorite! That dark, powerful, character is always so thrilling!! Thank you for all you do!
Life happens. All you can do is your best which you do. Most readers will understand.
I don’t know if this helps any but I wanted to let you know that I only recently discovered your books and I have fallen in love with them. They are so good I usually end up finishing them in a day because I can’t put them down. I am willing to wait as long as it takes for your next book.
I lost my Dad last year after months of dealing with complications from open heart surgery. There are still times I quietly sob. Someone once asked me ” do you work for your family, or do you have family for work”, translation – do you work to support you family, or is work the priority? The right answer, of course, is that family (including fur babies – hope she’s okay now) is the priority. Never feel bad for that. I personally would not there no much of you if the book had been more important then your family and your health. Keep your chin up. You will never “get over” losing a parent, but you learn how to get through it.
Should have said “would not think much of you if the book had been more important”. Hard to type through sympathy tears.
Very sorry for your loss, and yes, agree that we work to make a life instead of living to work.
Thanks for the update, so happy to hear your Father is on the road to recovery and real life happens. Take care of yourself first, we will patiently wait for the next book
I’m sorry for your loss and personal and family problems. I pray the rest of the year goes well for you and yours.
Thank you, for this post, but in my not so humble opinion, you don’t owe anybody an explanation.
Sometimes we all miss work due to family/personal issues. Yes, writing is an art form, but it’s your job. I don’t know anybody who hasn’t missed a deadline.
My deepest condolences on the death of your Mother. Glad to hear your beloved Father and Dog have recovered.
Love your stories and will wait patiently for my next “Vlad – fix”‼️ Thank you. 😘
So sorry to read all of your sad updates, and the death of your mother. Family always comes first – I will happily wait for the last book of my favorite series of all time. I hope things turn around now for you and things only go up. Fan forever.
Gracious girl, no apologies are needed. Life happened and your family and health come first. Take your time writing and I hope you can joyfully immerse yourself in it and have time to enjoy the beach sunsets with a nice walk in the surf.
So incredibly sorry. Having lost a parent its unimaginably painful, as with losing any loved one. Take care of you and your family we can wait for a book! When I was spending time in intensive care with my mom I did a lot of reading since she was asleep a lot and appreciate your books allowing me an escape from my reality! Hoping for good things for you and your family!
I hear you! I came to really appreciate books and other distractions while sitting in ICU with my dad unconscious.
Sweet Jeebus, woman, just take care of yourself and your family. Big hugs to you, your father and Gypsy…and a tip of the hat to your husband, who’s going thru this with you.
Take your time, put out the book that you want to put out without any pressure. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming…We’ll be here with cash in hand just waiting for the chance to buy whatever you want to sell!
You have been through so much these last months. Please don’t beat yourself up! Its a book…made up entertainment.(Super awesome entertainment..but, not real life) When you look back on your life, will you remember that you hit a deadline or you were there for your dad when he needed you? Please remember that…he will.
I totally agree with u!! It’s exactly what I was thinking . We’ll wait however long for ur books. U do what ever u need to make u feel better first 🙂
Honestly your explanation letter reads like a horror experiment. I feel i can speak for many of your fans when i say give yourself a break. You are an extremely talented writer and we love tearing into one of your books but not at the cost of losing you. You need to remember you are human and have problems daily just like your readers. I sincerely hope you can rest a bit and not overwork yourself like recently. Take care your fans will still be here waiting patiently.
You’ve had quite the time! We’ll still be here when you’re ready. Take care of yourself and your fur baby.
Prayers for you, your dad, and Gypsy. While I would love to have Vlad and Leila earlier, family is the most important thing. You’ve had a tough year so far, here’s to a dull and uneventful latter half!
Jeaniene, you’re expecting too much of yourself. You need to pat yourself on the back and take it easy for a while I think.
None of what you’ve said is your fault at all, you’ve just had some really bad things happen that couldn’t be left alone.
Honestly, you need a medal.
You’re readers will be more than understanding about this, so please don’t worry so much about it so much.
We all would rather you be healthy, happy and in the best mind set for writing than having to juggle your sudden responsibilities and book deadlines simultaneously.
You’ll crack under the pressure otherwise.
Take as much time as you need and look after yourself. We can wait because your stories are worth reading *hugs* xxxxxxxxxx
God Bless! You and your family come first. We your fans will always be here and waiting for your next novel! The wait will make it that much sweeter when we can finally read it!
First Don’t apologize family comes first. I am amazed your are not curled up in a corner with chocolate or a large drink. My Dad died 3 months ago and I can tell you taking care of things and the mate left is overwhelming. Then to have the parent you have left go through what your Dad has I am telling you that you are one tough strong person. Strong mean you do the tough stuff even though its awful, but it doesn’t mean that is doesn’t take an emotional toll. So take care or yourself and your family the rest will be there when you get to it. Hope things are boring for awhile in your life.
So sorry about your loss Hope that you are taking time to heal as well.
Girl! Go easy on yourself! If all that happened to me I would be a huge mess! Take care of yourself first and foremost. Your loyal fans will wait, no hard feelings at all!
Much love! <3
Prayers! Take care of you first Jeanine. We can wait.
You need to take care of yourself FIRST!! Truly caring fans will more than understand — rereading past books as necessary!!! 😉 The creative process can’t be forced. So take of you and yours and we’ll wait (im)patiently until next year!!
You’ve had a tough 6 months! Don’t worry about the book. As much as I and your other readers can’t wait for your next book, we will. Take your time and I hope you aren’t under any pressure from your editor.
Gee, it’s a shame you’re moving from the mountains of NC. I live in the northeast mountains of Georgia so understand how some things are not close by even though we have an excellent Vet Hospital here. 🙂
Take care.
I have been following you on FB and thought there was no way you could balance both. ( man I sound like stocker) Thank you for taking care of yourself and family first. You, knowing when to say when is awesome. No guilt required… We the faithful readers who have loved you will continue too. No explanation required. That being said let me thank you for the wonderful world you have created. It helps me get through me drama filled world and keep the tears at the gate. No perception required, just the wonderful world of a writers mind required. So please take your time… I have noticed wonderful writers have been rushed to deadlines and it ruins the ending.
May all you days be brighter and family be happy and you’re heart be healed.
Goodness almighty Jeaniene! Too much for one person to deal with. Don’t worry about the readers. We’ll be ready when you are. Take care of priorities first. We love you and hope everything calms down for the rest of 2016. And don’t forget to breathe….
From one Redhead to another…
Brook
Please don’t say this was your “fault.” It wasn’t. You had to deal with some very hard things that you in no way caused. Hard things happen, and no one blames you for them. I don’t care when the book comes out. I will buy it even if it comes out 4 years from now. We care more about you. Take care, and you will be in my prayers.
You have nothing to be sorry for. Absolutely nothing! You take care of yourself and your family and Vlad and Leila will be waiting. So will we.
Prayers for you and yours.
Oh my gosh- my heart breaks for what you’ve been going through. That’s so tough, all of the life managing/day to day stress, added with a sick baby (Gypsy). those pet illnesses are no joke – there’s something that cuts through you treating an animal when they fight the whole way through it- even if you’re sure in yourself that you’re doing best by them. I hope Gypsy is back on her feet and wholly healed – that she’s ulcer proof.
As for your parents, I can’t begin to express how deeply sorry I am for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you and your family move through this. I’m so happy to hear that you’ve gotten help, and so proud that you’ve shared your story with your readers- were all human and a silver lining on this experience, would be that your words are helping others move through the process themselves, and your mother. And she didn’t need to see you every week to feel loved – and while i know guilt is a close friend in times of grief – it’s one your mom would prefer you kick to the curb. I wish the very best to your dad for the quickest, smoothest recovery. And for the slowest, dullest, most uneventful 2016 (other than for happy things :)).
Thank you so much for sharing a piece of your life. The insight is so gracious. And I hope you can feel the megawatt blasts of love and good vibes your readers are sending your way. And release dates arent as important as the health of the person meeting the deadlines. I speak for all of your readers when I say this- take care of number one first – you. Take all the time you need. We’ll be here, and we understand.
Lord & lady woman! Life certainty through you some curve balls….Into the fire indeed. So glad it’s calmed down a bit, allowing you to catch your breath. Thanks for sharing, my sympathies regarding the loss of your mother. Wish you & yours the best.
You and your family’s health come first. The rest will follow in due time. You don’t owe any apologies for taking care of yourself and your family. My condolensces on a heavy year.
Hi hun. First off, I am truly sorry for everything that has happened in the last few months. Life is like an ocean. Calm one minute, stormy the next. I will send you happy thoughts and prayers. Just so you know, this is not your fault. Fate has a way of slapping us all in the face anytime she gets a spur up her butt. You can only ride the waves of life, you can’t control them. You keep you and yours close and sane. Your fans, we won’t be going anywhere. Honest. Much Love and Prayers for you.
Jeaniene,
You have absolutely NOTHING to apologize for. I can understand, to an extent, as one of my closest friends passed on Monday at age 61. At this point, we don’t know why and can only guess or speculate. I’m still dazed and trying to process it and this is not someone who was family. I can only imagine what that would be like.
Heal and rejuvenate yourself. We’re not going anywhere.
Hugs!
Roseann
So sorry about your friend. That’s awful, especially not knowing why. Hugs back to you.
Catch your breath. No worries from your fans. You are worth the wait!
Hi,
as I have loved every single one of your books I am always eager to read a new one, but: FAMILY COMES FIRST! ALWAYS.
I am so sorry for your loss and the following health scares in your family. Hope everyone is going to be better, including you.
Best wishes
Kris from Germany
I disagree with one thing you said. You are tough. And brave. Good luck and I hope you have a boring rest of 2016. 🤗
Hi Jeaniene,
I have been debating leaving a comment here for quite sometime since it isn’t something I normally do but I really couldn’t help doing so this time. I’m not even sure you will see this but here it goes. I have been familiar with your work for a very long time but just recently started to read some of the newer stuff and then checked your blog on an impulse. I ended up reading everything that has happened in your life from the beginning of this year in one swoop and it just about knocked me down. I know I am a stranger and don’t presume to know you but I was struck repeatedly by what an incredibly strong, brave and good person you are. I am deeply sorry for all the ups, down and tragedies you have had in such a short time and I am amazed you aren’t a depressed basket case, which you would be totally justified in being. Instead, like a true warrior, (yes I said warrior) you are putting one foot in front of the other and going forward. I can’t imagine how incredibly hard it is, but your are doing it and not just surviving, but actively trying to get your life back in order, and not only that.. but worrying over the disappointment from your fans over a book…a book! How you have written anything at all for this book is surprising to me, but I admire you greatly for all of it.
Please take care of yourself and your family first and don’t worry so much about deadlines, or even us fans. Family comes first! Please take time to heal and grieve and especially, ask for help if you need it. I’m glad to see that you have already though and I hope it continues to help. Take whatever you need to cope whether tears, therapy, time or a pint of chocolate. Your fans will be here, impatiently waiting, but offering support, prayers, blessings and good will. Most of all, don’t be so hard on yourself
I can imagine that as an author so much in the public light, you may be used to people presuming to know you or make judgments about you. I can say that while we have never met or even spoken, what little I do know, I admire and am in awe of and wish I could give you a hug.
Sending Blessings and Good Vibes your way.
Ps. sorry for the very long letter
No apologies needed at all for the long reply! Thanks so much for your very kind and supportive words.
I find the question “What kind of “personal issues” kept you from doing your job?” rude and insensitive. You have had a “year from hell” that would have many of us falling apart trying to do routine work let alone attempting creative work.
I hope your year is on the upswing and your beloved pet and your father are doing well.
My late grandmother always said, “please yourself and you’ll please everybody.” Look after you first, and everyone will benefit. Your family, Gypsy, everyone. Take care and hopefully the run of hard times starts to lift x
So sorry about all you’ve went through and all your going through still. I’m glad you’re getting help and I hope you have and gain more true friends to support you. I am a huge fan of your writings and I was bummed about the bump, but I can understand that sometimes life gets in the way of plans and intentions. So I will just continue to wait and reread your stories in the meantime. Sending you and your family light and love.
Sweetie take care of yourself and your family (furry ones included) we will all be here waiting when you are back at a happy place.
So sorry to hear that! Take care and stay strong! We’ll wait ^^
Firstly, I am so sorry for all the troubles the last 6/7 months. Losing a loving parent is always difficult and emotional. You need time for your self to grieve. Plus have your fur baby needing so much attention and then your dad. I believe the saying is – it never rains but it pours.
Secondly, the book is just that a book. You need to take care of yourself and your family. That comes first always. We all love your books and I am sure we will all wait in anticipation until it is ready. Whether that is today, next month, next February or like with another of my favorite authors – 2019. But please don’t be that long. : )
Thanks for letting us know the whys and hows. So sorry to hear about your mom’s passing and your dad’s illness. Hopefully the 2nd half of 2016 will be better. Take care.
Family comes first. Taking time to be with your family weather two legged or four is important. You don’t have anything to apologize for. Taking care of your needs will always be the right thing to do. You have had so much happen in a short amount of time. Its always good to take the time that is needed for healing. I look forward to your latest book on Vlad. Thank you for sharing your talent and creativity. Sennding uplifting and postive thoghts and feelings ypur way.