New Livi Talbot Novella!

For like a year and a half, I’ve been playing with the idea of a collection of stories set in my various worlds called First Dates (that end badly). There’s a Zara story partially written, I have a River one playing in my head, and I might even resurrect Ani from Soulless for it.

But other than a Livi novella, none of them are done yet. Rather than the collection, I’ll be releasing them individually as I write them and collect them later on.

The first is King’s Bounty, which is coming April 23!

It’s not always whirlwind international danger and adventures for single mom and treasure hunter Livi Talbot—this time, fun’s a little closer to home when she accepts a blind date set up by her brother. A perfect storm leaves her without a babysitter—at least until Dale West arrives at her door and is willing to watch her daughter for a few hours.

But even the nicest evening out can take a sharp downturn fast: Livi and her date are abducted, bound, and dragged to an abandoned farmhouse outside of the city.

No one is coming to save her. 

Her date isn’t much help.

And the kidnappers? Well, they’re merely henchmen. The real boss is on their way—and Livi’s not sure she’ll survive long after they arrive.

For Livi Talbot, of course even an ordinary first date is going to end badly.

The very rough draft has posted off and on at Patreon since last year and concluded last month. I’m doing another thorough revision pass, rewriting/expanding a little, and it’ll be off for edits in another week or so.

I think it’s super fun. There are a couple of interludes from West’s POV while he’s babysitting, and there’s a lot I think is really adorable.

It ties up some loose ends from Emperor’s Tomb but isn’t 100% series necessary at this point (although there’s a character I might bring back later)–I would tell you if it was (like Ashford’s Ghost). But I do think it makes for good entertainment while y’all are awaiting the fourth book. It’s set between Emperor’s Tomb and Shiva’s Bow.

Before the novella, though, the first Livi boxset will be out–that’s next Tuesday.

This one is not on Amazon and will not be until I’m prepared to drop the price. It’s on Kobo, iBooks, Nook, Payhip, and can be ordered at your local library through Overdrive and the like.