Livi’s back today with Odin’s Spear, available wherever books are sold: Kindle US | Kindle UK | Kindle CA | Kobo | Nook | iBookstore | Smashwords | GooglePlay | Payhip | Print
ALL’S FAIR IN SIBLING RIVALRY AND WAR.
After nearly losing her family and her life, Olivia Talbot is trying to leave the world of artifact hunting behind. But an adrenaline junkie unsuited for a 9 to 5 job can’t hide herself forever, especially when deadly operative Dale West comes knocking with off-book work for his covert organization.
It’ll be “easy”, West says—just a trip to the museum. But a deranged former soldier is seeking to reunite the pieces of Gungnir—spear of the Norse god Odin—which is capable of starting war, and this job is much bigger than anyone has let on.
Followed by the dogged son of a tabloid mogul, competing with her archaeologist older brother, and still struggling to trust West against her better judgement, Livi will venture into an ancient underwater city in the Mediterranean to stop the dawn of a new war. But the spear of a god has plans for them all, and power not even she might be able to withstand.
The previous Soundtrack Sunday features my book playlist, and yesterday I was at Mel’s with a brief guest post and excerpt for Mythological Monday. (Also still relevant: my guest post “DNA of a Hero“.)
I do not consider these books standalone at all. While each has an adventure/arc that’s complete, they’re written to be read in order. You’ll find Solomon’s Seal available all the places Odin’s Spear is as well.
Finally…
5 Spoilers about Odin’s Spear
- This book picks up about a week after the previous book left off, at a funeral. The emotional cliffhanger from Solomon’s Seal will carry through Odin’s Spear, and has its own arc and conclusion. I’m not interested in writing stories where characters don’t change from book to book, and this one’s no exception. Livi’s had a lot more put on her shoulders, and it shows. The fallout from the previous book, and how it affected her relationships, is also carried through.
- This book expands the mythology a bit more in that it raises more questions for Livi now that she knows the Pulse from four years ago wasn’t the first one. The things readers are wondering, Livi is wondering as well, and she’ll start uncovering answers. (I said START! There are many layers to go.)
- So something particularly awful happens. It will have far-reaching consequences throughout the next few books–you’ll know what I’m talking about when you get to it, and please remember I don’t do these things lightly (reminder: while not everything of mine requires a trigger warning, it’s a good idea to assume nothing is off the table for me as a storyteller). There’s a domino effect at play.
- The mythology and influences in the book come from all over the place. One thing I’d like to point out: if you’re unfamiliar with the Lycian Tombs, which are referenced in the book, head here. It’s one of those visuals that was so difficult to get through in the text–they’re stunning.
- Like Solomon’s Seal, I picked the artifact Livi was hunting before picking the location. I settled on the Mediterranean because of the number of viking ships that went through, and Livi’s aversion to diving. The need for wreck-diving when she’s terrified of it was chosen deliberately. I also read a lot about diving accidents while writing the book and they gave me nightmares; I will never, ever go in the water ever.
- Bonus spoiler: WEST PURRS.
Thank you to everyone who reads the blog and picks up the books–it means a lot to me and I am lucky to have great readers. I hope you dig this new book. I will be over here in the corner drinking merlot for breakfast.
I have a new short story available–it’s set post-Oblivion and it’s about Zara Lain and her saber-tooth cat Rodney killing fascists and punching Nazis.
No one is coming to save you; now you save yourself. And your neighbours. And the people you don’t know but who need you.
More Livi! More Pru & Em! MORE WEST! Coming February 7!
Um, not a whole lot, I’m afraid. For the last several months, volunteer commitments have taken up so much of my time and energy, writing has dropped to a trickle. It’s not something I can keep up, so I’m trying to re-prioritize writing, because while I make about as much as I do volunteering, at least it somewhat saves my sanity instead of destroys it.
Incidentally, 
Writer of urban fantasy, thrillers/mysteries, and horror.