I recently received a large number of emails and messages asking about the fate of the second novel in my Gothic Myths series. I know it has been a long time coming, and I'm thrilled so many of you are anxious to read the next installment in the series. So I decided to post this blog to provide everyone with a broader update on the series. 

First off, YES, there will be more novels in the Gothic Myths series, and Book 2 is currently in the works. I can reassure you on that point. I do not have a definite title or publication date yet for it, but I can tell you that I will be doing everything humanly possible to get it into your hands in 2019. 

The Gothic Myths series is truly a labor of love on my part. I adore Gothic novels! Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt are some of my favorite authors. However, the market for Gothics is not as strong as it once was. I attempted to sell SECRETS IN THE MIST to a traditional publishing house, but while I received a lot of praise for the story, those initially interested elected to pass because they informed me the market wasn't strong enough for it. But I wasn't content to merely let it molder in a drawer, and decided to publish it myself. I'd wanted to dip my toes into the self-publishing market anyway, and this seemed a good time to try it. 

To provide some context, in 2016 the publisher for my Lady Darby series, Berkley (part of Penguin Random House) went through a phase of major restructuring, and they essentially froze all new acquisitions. It just so happened that my latest contract was up, and for about nine months, I had no idea whether Berkley was going to offer for more Lady Darby books or not. It was a scary, unsettling time, and I've never done well at sitting idle on my hands when there's anything to be done. So I decided to self-publish SECRETS IN THE MIST, and my literary agent also encouraged me to brainstorm some new series concepts. This is when I conceived of the idea for the Verity Kent series, and I teamed up with some fellow authors to pitch the prospect of an anthology.

In early June 2016, I had laid out the money to have SECRETS IN THE MIST professionally edited with an eye to publication, and I was waiting to hear from Berkley about the future of the Lady Darby series, as well as the publishers to which my agent had sent my proposal for the Verity Kent series. I had no idea whether any of it would ever pan out. And I had also just discovered I was pregnant with my second child. It was a very anxious time, to say the least.

And then, the blessings started rolling in.

I sold the first three books of the Verity Kent series to Kensington. Then our anthology pitch was picked up by Sourcebooks. A month later, Berkley called finally asking for more Lady Darby novels. That autumn when I published SECRETS IN THE MIST, it far exceeded my expectations. And I gave birth to another healthy baby girl in January 2017. 

It was an embarrassment of riches, and the answers to a lot of prayers. I'm so incredibly grateful it all worked out and I get to write three different series that I love! But I also had to figure out how on earth I was going to manage it all. I had been writing 1 book a year, and suddenly I needed to write 3 books plus a novella in the same amount of time. All while caring for a new baby and a toddler. 

But far be it for me to complain! I know how incredibly blessed I am. I happily buckled under and found a way to make it work.

However, I'm also human. And when it became all too much, I realized something had to give. And that was the Gothic Myths series.

My part in the anthology is largely finished, so that's crossed of my list. But the Lady Darby and Verity Kent series are under contract with publishers. I cannot neglect those deadlines. While I'm responsible only to myself for the Gothic Myths series. They have to come last on the totem pole. 

I had planned to release Book 2 in 2018, but it simply wasn't possible. However, it is partially completed, and Lord willing, I will make the time to finish it this year and send it through the usual edits in order to publish it by the end of the year. I fully intend to keep you all updated as to its progress. So if you can be patient just a little while longer, it will be rewarded. 

And I don't intend for the series to stop there. I have ideas for at least 2 more novels in the series, and possibly many more. Optimally, I'd like to see one Gothic Myths book published every year, the same as my other series. So stay tuned. There is definitely more to come.