This week’s news:

* If you have been checking in on my Substack page this week, you will see that I’ve been posting a poem a day. The creative dam broke last Friday and I just let the words tumble out. This week’s poetic efforts include… Tangled, Dragons and Men, The Reader, Morning Brew, The Kiss Goodbye, and The Waiting. Click here to read these.

* Readers’ Favorite came back with a glowing 5-Star review of The Souls of Witches, book 4 in the Legends of the Pale. Here’s a glimpse… “As the story begins, you will immediately recognize that this writer is talented, knows how to put a story together, and pull emotions from the reader. The attention to detail is impressive, the inner dialogue balanced with narrative and exterior dialogue, and the imagery is cinematic.” The reviewer ends with… “This is a world you can easily get caught up in, and Smith should be applauded for world-building skill, which is the foundation of a series like this. If you can't believe the world, nothing else matters. But Smith masters it. The Souls of Witches by Tarrant Smith is the perfect example of a must-read paranormal romance.” The full review can be read on my Author's Website. Click Here.

* I am now in the Dominican Republic, spending the holiday with some of my family on a warm beach. I’ve traded snow for the sand and sun of the Caribbean… but I took my laptop just in case I find myself inspired to write.

Now let’s move on to updates on the Pale Characters.

Let me first say that I am not crazy, but the characters I create live on in my imagination, as I hope they will do in a reader’s mind long after they’ve finished reading the book. The following is a glimpse of what is still happening inside the universe I created. (I will try to keep this as spoiler-free as I can for anyone who hasn’t read the books. I should also mention that not all the information I share here will find its way into a book.)

* Much like Santa Clause, Rhiannon is making her rounds to all her favorite charities. As readers are aware, the gods are a wealthy lot and give a great deal of money (anonymously of course) to causes around the world. In that same spirit of giving, I urge everyone to find a way to better the lives of someone this holiday season.

The little bit extra in this week’s letter:

I’m going to leave you with a poem this week… a Yule poem. This isn’t my best poetic effort, but tis the season for indulgences so I’m sharing it anyway.

Winter’s Dawn

Can you feel the darkness resting heavy on your skin?

The stars have ceased their chattering, and we hold our frosted breath. When evergreen merrymaking has ebbed and we long for the flicker of morning—

seek that spark of hope on the horizon, an end to this maddening suspension.

It’s the Yuletide vigil—a pagan rite from ages past,

when the gods guaranteed nothingbut a sun’s return.

His presence arrives slowest in winter,to that murky edge of dawn

and so, we huddle longer tonightthan any other for our assurances.

Like a foundling, he’s too weak to offer us warmth

yet we welcome him nonethelessonce he crests the dividing line.

With open arms and relieved sighwe softly celebrate.

Hope walks in golden glowand the interminable gloom gives way.

Such is the cycle of nature, of light and dark,and the December witch who bears witness.

And as always, thank you for listening and spending time with Tales of the Pale. Please leave comments and share Tarrant.substack.com with your friends.

This week’s news:

* The Monthly Book Giveaway on Readers’ Favorite is going to become a part of my standard marketing plan. This month a Kindle copy of The Dreams of Demons is available. Just follow this link to have a chance at winning your free copy of this book

* The same goes for The Fate of Wolves. Just follow this link for a chance to win a free Kindle copy of this book.

* As soon as my newest book is reviewed by Readers’ Favorite, I will offer a copy of The Souls of Witches in their giveaway.

* I’ve been in touch with Vickie at the Southern Pen Bookshop in Monroe, Georgia so signed paperback copies of The Souls of Witches will be on shelves before Christmas.

Now let’s move on to updates on the Pale Characters.

Let me first say that I am not crazy, but the characters I create live on in my imagination, as I hope they will do in a reader’s mind long after they’ve finished reading the book. The following is a glimpse of what is still happening inside the universe I created. (I will try to keep this as spoiler-free as I can for anyone who hasn’t read the books. I should also mention that not all the information I share here will find its way into a book.)

* Sorry to disappoint but everyone seems to be on holiday this week. Well, except for Griffin who is deep into a Call of Duty: Cold War binge and may not surface until the New Year.

The little bit extra in this week’s letter:

How’s your Christmas shopping going? Just in case you are still looking for those last few gifts, let me suggest a few small-publisher and indie authors that a worth discovering this holiday season.

If you like cozy, small-town romances then author Crystal Jackson’s Heart of Madison Series would make a great last-minute gift. There are now three books in this series with a fourth to be released after the first of the year. I’ve had a chance to read book 1 and 2 myself, the second book being my favorite thus far. I have enjoyed both. This series isn’t paranormal but contemporary romances that have a Hallmark vibe to them. Here’s a link to her Amazon Author page and her website.

Let me also suggest, Stephen Huggins’s book The Murmur. This is a newly released science-fiction mystery bordering on thriller that I promise will keep you entertained until the last page. There are some paranormal aspects to this novel that’s explained by the author with a bit of cobbled together science theory I found fascinating. If you want to check it out, click here for his Amazon Author page.

Now let’s get to an unusual otherwordly romance with Over The Hills Of Green (The Green Hills Book 2) by E. V. Sevtova. I read and reviewed this book through Pubby.com and found it to be absolutely lovely in its magical description. I was in full tissue mode by the time I reached the last chapter. This book is well worth your time. To check out E.V. Sevtova’s Amazon page and her book just follow the link.

Lastly, I’m like to mention a book I read back in February of 2020 that has stuck with me because of the quality of the writing and the tightly woven plot. The Secrets Of Mead: An English Village Mystery is by Michaela James. This is a cozy English mystery in the best sort of way and I highly recommend it. Check out this novel and Michela James’s Amazon Author’s page to learn more.

And as always, thank you for listening and spending time with Tales of the Pale. Please leave comments and share Tarrant.substack.com with your friends.

This week’s news:

* The holidays are here! For anyone beginning their Christmas shopping, I’d like to ask you to include books on your gift lists. This is a wonderful time to support an author of your choosing by purchasing their book.

* The fourth book in the Legends of the Pale Series is live. The Souls of Witches is sold locally at The Madison Artist Guild and will be coming to The Art Box and The Southern Pen BookShop soon. Online you can find the series at all the online bookstores. Just follow this link.

* I am looking for readers who will review The Souls of Witches. If you’ve checked out my author website’s resource page, you know that there are sites that provide Amazon-compliant review services for a fee. These services exist because organic reviews can be hard to come by. I think the statistic that’s thrown around is… for every 100 readers, an author will receive a single review. OUCH! But it never hurts to ask. So please… if you’ve read and enjoyed one of my Legends of the Pale books, consider taking a few moments of your time this holiday season to find a platform like Amazon or Goodreads.com and leave a short comment for other readers to find. It is appreciated and the best gift this indie author can receive.

* I also shared a few new poems on my Substack page this week. Love Lessons and The Zen of Less. Check them out.

Now let’s move on to updates on the Pale Characters.

Let me first say that I am not crazy, but the characters I create live on in my imagination, as I hope they will do in a reader’s mind long after they’ve finished reading the book. The following is a glimpse of what is still happening inside the universe I created. (I will try to keep this as spoiler-free as I can for anyone who hasn’t read the books. I should also mention that not all the information I share here will find its way into a book.)

* One of Zee’s cats had kittens and Lugh has informed the demigods that she must find homes for all the kittens. Thirteen cats inside her loft are far too many. Eight is the limit he will accept. And of course, Murmur thinks even one cat is too many.

* Rowan’s best friend and hedgewitch, Tara, is running recipes by me for making a new line of magickal soaps and bath bombs. As readers are probably aware, Tara really doesn’t need my help. I think she just likes chatting with other witches. She is also the one to bring up the coven idea. Like Rowan, I’m not interested in being apart of an official coven.

* A new character that readers will likely meet in 2021 has been the most vocal lately. Kayda is dragonkin and has been in a bit of trouble lately. She’s on Rhiannon’s s**t list which is never a good place to find yourself, even for someone as uniquely magickal as Kayda.

The little bit extra in this week’s letter addresses my writing process.

Do you meditate? If you do, then you know it is all about the breath. The cycle of inhale and exhale. The taking in and the letting go. The first lesson meditation practitioners are taught is how to follow each breath as it enters, circulates through the body, and then exits. Fairly quickly one begins to listen to the pauses between the two sensations, that connective moment of stillness where your mind is quiet and your body waits suspended.

The longer I write, the more I realize I’m not one of those authors who can force myself to open my laptop and bang out a chapter or two a day. My work ethic more closely resembles cycles of intense creative output followed by periods of non-productivity. After a long exhale of active creativity, I’ve discovered that I naturally withdrawal to take a long slow inhale of the world around me. This can take a day, two days, a week, or even a month.

I used to beat myself up about my erratic work ethic. After all, the most common advice given to writers is that you must write every single day. Writers write! Or worse yet, is the idea that you must write a mountain of crap before you get to the good stuff. Perhaps for a newbie writer that advice applies. Maybe the act of daily digging into our internal landscapes is how we learn about ourselves. But at some point, I think we as writers need to allow ourselves to grow beyond that sort of one-size-fits-all sort of thinking. I no longer force myself to write a single creative word during my time of inhale and absorption.

After ten books, I’ve begun to give myself permission to wait for the pause. I wait for the stillness between the inhale and exhale. That moment when the story is clearest. When the words come without force. When the plot turns effortlessly down an unexpected path and I find myself as excited as any reader who’s discovered a new twist. I believe the withdrawal and inactivity I mentioned earlier allows my mind to work quietly on an idea. To shape it. Deepen it in ways that I could not have anticipated.

This is how I work.

—Tarrant

And as always, thank you for listening and spending time with Tales of the Pale. Please leave comments and share Tarrant.substack.com with your friends.

This week’s news:

* Amazingly my author copies of The Souls of Witches arrived this week! So this Saturday, I will roll this book out to the reading public both online and in-person at my book signing. (Just the way it used to happen before Covid.)

* Beyond getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving with family, I am marshaling my materials, props, and books for this Saturday’s signing. With Covid rates surging all over the country, this event will probably be the last one I attempt to do this year. Let’s hope a vaccine arrives soon so life can return to relative-normal.

Now let’s move on to updates on the Pale Characters.

Let me first say that I am not crazy, but the characters I create live on in my imagination, as I hope they will do in a reader’s mind long after they’ve finished reading the book. The following is a glimpse of what is still happening inside the universe I created. (I will try to keep this as spoiler-free as I can for anyone who hasn’t read the books. I should also mention that not all the information I share here will find its way into a book.)

* Lugh, Keely, Murmur, and Gabriela have left Atlanta, Georgia behind and are on their way to a secluded Caribbean Island. I don’t expect to hear from any of them until after Christmas.

* Because the characters of the Pale live in a Covid-free universe, the entire Azoulf werewolf pack is assembling for Thanksgiving. Brian and Christopher are doing the majority of the cooking. And this time around, Jerrod made sure to remember to have heavy whipping cream on hand for Brian’s famous sauce.

The little bit extra in this week’s letter: A Review

Broken Promises

Broken Promises by Quell T. Fox is a paranormal romance and the first in a trilogy. It is written in first-person, which is something that I don’t usually enjoy but after reading the book I realized that this story couldn’t have been told any other way. There are flashback/memory vignettes that are more impactful with the first-person point of view. The writing flows easily and once I’d started the book, I didn’t want to put it down until I’d finished it. It took me a day to read. With that said, I did stumble across several mistakes that could have been caught with another pass by a proofreader or by having Microsoft Word read the book aloud, but the mistakes weren’t jarring or frequent enough to set the book aside.

Broken Promises deals with love and time, favorite themes of mine. Asha’s character is introduced as a serial leaver. She leaves relationships and people as easily as she abandons places. She has always felt like she’s searching for something—but she doesn’t know what, where, or who that may be. This is a classic the heroine doesn’t know who or what she is book. Andrew is Asha’s drool-worthy boyfriend at the beginning of the book. She knows she’ll eventually leave despite moving to Rhode Island with him, the hot sex, and his sweet nature. She just isn’t normal and she knows it.

After arriving at Andrew’s family home, unusual things immediately start to occur. Eventually, the reader is clued in that much of the phenomenon is Jacob trying to find her. This book would have fallen into the love triangle trope except that both Asha and the reader are already aware that she’s going to leave Andrew regardless of the unusual future Jacob is offering.

Be prepared to dwell over Quell’s explanation of what immortalites are and how they come to be. It can get a bit confusing but if you absorb that bit of information then you’ll probably want to read the rest of the series once books 2 and 3 are released. Also, keep in mind that this a trilogy. Being a romance, the reader is going to get a happy-ish ending, choices will be made but Asha’s story-arc will not be wrapped up in a tight bow and that might leave some readers unsatisfied.

To learn more about Quell T. Fox and her other books, check out her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/632201927243401/

(This review was first published on my blog Nov 7th, 2019. I believe the author has published an updated edition of this book with a new cover and additional editing. )

And as always, thank you for listening and spending time with Tales of the Pale. Please leave comments and share Tarrant.substack.com with your friends.

This week’s news is all about Book 4!

* The proof arrived amazingly quickly and because I’ve been doing this awhile, I’m pleased to say it was perfect! No changes were needed. Therefore, I hit that scary Publish button so I could order my author copies. The paperback is live and can be purchased now, but the ebook release is still scheduled for November 21st.

* A link to the Facebook proof video.

* As it stands right now, I won’t have author copies of The Souls of Witches in my possession until November 26th.

* I also did a live Zoom interview for The Southern Pen Bookshop’s Between the Pages on Thursday night. I was exceedingly nervous. Here’s a link to that Facebook video.

Now let’s move on to updates on the Pale Characters.

Let me first say that I am not crazy, but the characters I create live on in my imagination, as I hope they will do in a reader’s mind long after they’ve finished reading the book. The following is a glimpse of what is still happening inside the universe I created. (I will try to keep this as spoiler-free as I can for anyone who hasn’t read the books. I should also mention that not all the information I share here will find its way into a book.)

* The goddess, Bride, is back on Rhiannon’s Kentucky doorstep. Rhiannon is torn between escaping the glue-gun wielding Goddess of Home and Hearth by relocating to her Pennsylvania farm… or staying put in order to keep Bride from “improving” any more items inside her Kentucky home. Last I’ve heard, Rhiannon has summoned Angus away from a photoshoot with the hope that he can persuade his sister to leave peacefully.

* Keely and Zee have set up a weekly poker game with two of the shifters who took over Lugh’s internet security (which was once the sole responsibility of Griffin, my favorite geek). So far, Zee is up a couple of grand. Keely consistently loses way more than she wins, and Lugh is pretending he doesn’t know that Keely bet his Audi when she was out of chips. Luckily, she won that particular hand because Zee folded.

* Lastly, a rumor exists among members of the Pale that there is a rogue werewolf in south Florida. The details are still coming in and are sketchy at best. This may turn out to be nothing more than a publicity stunt by the notorious Florida Man.

The little bit extra in this week’s letter.

This is not book related, but it is supernatural in nature. Two of my favorite supernatural TV shows on Netflix have been on my mind lately.

Supernatural will soon be airing its final episode on the CW, which means, they will then be available to view on Netflix. (I’ve only seen up to episode 13!) After 15 seasons, I’m sad to watch Dean and Sam battle to save humanity one final time, but I can’t wait to find out how it is all going to end. Will Chuck win (better known as God)? Or will Sam and Dean do something totally crazy but save us all in the process. And, will Sam take off his shirt one last time? I hope so.

I’ve also been rewatching Penny Dreadful. I often revisit binge-worthy shows when I am enjoying a creative period in my writing life. I pay close attention to pacing, storytelling methods, worldbuilding, and dialogue. If you haven’t seen this particular 3-season gothic monster-fest of a show, check it out. It’s smart and plays with the mythology of all the classic movie monsters in a refreshing way.

And as always, thank you for listening and spending time with Tales of the Pale. Please leave comments and share Tarrant.substack.com with your friends.

This week’s news.

* I managed to finalize the layout and cover of my poetry book. I also ordered the proof. Not only did I receive the proof quickly from Amazon, but it looks absolutely amazing. So now, I can relax a little knowing that I’ll have something I can be proud to share with readers come January 2021.

* My editor worked hard to get the final chapters of The Souls of Witches to me last weekend. I’ve gone through the suggested changes and I’m in the final proofreading phase. By Saturday night, I should be able to order the proof. This, of course, means I’ll make my deadlines and the book will be released to readers on time. Please look for it on November 21st in all online bookstores.

* Not only did I pick up posters for my November 14th book signing at Madison’s Artist Guild MAGallery today, but I began laying the groundwork for a follow up signing the latter part of January 2021 to celebrate book four’s release. (I know, everything about this year is delayed. It used to be that you had a signing the same weekend of your book’s release. Well, better late than not at all.)

Now let’s move on to updates on the Pale Characters.

Let me first say that I am not crazy, but the characters I create live on in my imagination, as I hope they will do in a reader’s mind long after they’ve finished reading the book. The following is a glimpse of what is still happening inside the universe I created. (I will try to keep this as spoiler-free as I can for anyone who hasn’t read the books. I should also mention that not all the information I share here will find its way into a book.)

* It’s actually been rather quiet this week among the Pale. I guess it has to do with the stress of the elections and the slow results as they trickle in. Rhiannon has had a few choice words to say to me about it all, but I think her comments are best kept to myself. Lugh, of course, has an endless supply of optimism where the human race is concerned.

* Larkin (from The Love of Gods) has managed, thus far, to avoid his fate at the hands of Talon. Unfortunately, Larkin has resurfaced a few times this week to stoke discord among the already angry factions posting on various social media platforms. He has to be careful not to get caught though. Readers know that Lugh is also gunning for him. (I don’t think the puppet master is long for this world.)

* On a happier note, Gabriela is pregnant!

The little bit extra in this week’s letter.

Back in July of 2019, I wrote the following piece. With the election this week, I found myself once again turning away from the television and the constant noise of them versus us, of absolutes and angry speculation, and of the crazy conspiracies that can be found on social media. Sometimes I need to retreat into silence until I can hear the Earth again. I’m sure I am not alone in this feeling.

A Plea For Silence

The world has grown too noisy and I long for the silence of the wood and the tickle of grass under my bare feet. I can no longer hear my own thoughts over the constant yelling of angry men too old to change and too power-hungry to leave the table.

I yearn for the quiet spaces of the heart and for the company of books in whose pages I can escape. But the television is droning on with commentary instead of news, opinion instead of facts.

I thirst for the simplicity and clarity of logic but everything around me is colored with the hatred of thems. Of mobs shouting slogans meant to catch fire, sound bites easily gobbled down by the masses for they have no time to listen to full explanations.

I crave the companionship of the creative soul through whose eyes I can glimpse a different world, a better world where silence is cherished, thoughts elevated, and spirits shared. But it has grown dangerous outside. Digital condemnation and shaming await any who are courageous enough to show their imperfections.

I seek truth in this madness, though it may be complicated and the line between hero and villain can no longer be drawn. But I am lost in this forest of half-truths and lies bent on distracting me from my goal. I cannot breathe nor think properly with all your emotional noise.

So I beg you for silence — that I may find the path, the beginning point, the sacred spot where my bare feet can listen to the Earth’s heartbeat and I can once again recognize the light inside my fellow travelers.

Until then all is darkness within this cacophony of shouting, and I cannot breathe.

Thank you for listening and spending time with Tales of the Pale. Please leave comments and share Tarrant.substack.com with your friends.

This week’s news.

* I published a few new poems on my website. Yours and Oh Captain. Funny thing… I woke up worried that the poems I’d chosen for my upcoming poetry collection, Love, Sex & Witchery, were just a little too much for the world. You know the feeling, that gut-wrenching moment you realize that you might be crossing a line by making part of your private life a little too public. Well… after thinking about it a while, I pulled two of those sex-themed poems and in their place, I have chosen newer explorations of the theme.

* While I’m on the subject of the poetry book, I’m glad to announce that the Kindle version is already live and accepting pre-orders. I have a little more work to do on the paperback version—mostly finalizing the last details on the cover and manipulating the interior photos so they sit within the book’s margins.

* I met with the owner of The Art Box in Monticello, Georgia about carrying my second series and I’m happy to announce that the Legends of the Pale books are being sold there now. This is a really wonderful little gallery that showcases a wide variety of local artists. This, of course, includes writers.

* Lastly, I’m waiting on a book delivery that will replenish my personal book signing inventory for the scheduled book events on November 14th at the Madison Artist Guild…and 21st where I will be at In High Cotton on W. Jefferson Street in Downtown Madison.

Now let’s move on to updates on the Pale Characters.

Let me first say that I am not crazy, but the characters I create live on in my imagination, as I hope they will do in a reader’s mind long after they’ve finished reading the book. The following is a glimpse of what is still happening inside the universe I created. (I will try to keep this as spoiler-free as I can for anyone who hasn’t read the books. I should also mention that not all the information I share here will find its way into a book.)

* Lugh, Keely, Gabriela, and Murmur are making plans to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas in the Caribbean…on an island Lugh owns. Such are the perks of being a god in this mortal realm.

* There’s been an alpha change in the Gorski werewolf pack. It was not a peaceful transfer of power. Typically bloody, only about half the pack survived the takeover. Rhiannon has been in contact with the new alpha and plans to check on what remains of the pack later this week.

* Young Griffin, who readers met in The Love of Gods, is now the head of Rhiannon’s tech-security division. Lugh has been lecturing the goddess and leader of the Pale for decades on how important it will become to develop a robust anti-intelligence team to deal with online rumors and the occasional cell phone video post that claims to have “proof” of the supernatural. Rhiannon has finally gotten on board and has put my favorite nerd in charge of developing a team to debunk, suppress, and erase any mention of the Pale or its members.

The little bit extra in this week’s letter.

With Halloween arriving within days, AKA Samhain for all you fellow Witches out there, I thought it more than appropriate to share one of my Witchery poems with you. Enjoy the last fall festival. I know I will.

Little Witchlet

a poem, first published Jun 14 on Medium

Step into our embrace,the ones who came beforeCome my little witchletand let me tell you more

It has been waiting all along,just set aside your fearCome claim your place of powerI’ll explain if you’ll draw near

You are all you need to packfor this journey of the soulBe brave my newfound sister,magick demands a heavy toll

Speak truth always to yourselfand others who enter your lifeThis will protect your power best —giving peace as often as strife

The knowledge you seek is waitingat the labyrinth’s center it is revealedCome walk the winding road with meand no secrets will be concealed

The Stars are our cosmic brethrenThe Earth our soft bed to layThe Water is for gentle cleansingAnd Fire lights our wandering way

Learn the language of the treesand read the signs in nature’s bookThere is magick all around usCome closer, dare to take a look

One warning my dear witchlet,Before you clasp my open handonce you cross magicks’ borderyou are bound to that shifting land

Your soul will forever be alteredwhen you accept what I’ve sharedStepping into one’s power isn’t easyfor that, you must be prepared

Some will reject you without a thoughtSome will slowly drift awaySome will want to use youFor the title of Witch, one must pay

So come little witchlet,follow me into the dappled woodClaim what is rightfully yours— I really think you should.

© Tarrant Smith 2020 Photo by Christina Hernández on Unsplash

Thank you for listening and spending time with Tales of the Pale. Please leave comments and share Tarrant.substack.com with your friends.

This book earned me the 2020 Georgia Independent Author Award, which is sponsored by The Southern Pen Bookshop in Monroe, Georgia. All of the Legends of the Pale books are carried by them. You can also find the Pale books at the Madison Artist Guild in Madison, Georgia. If you prefer to do your shopping online, Amazon carries the paperback editions and all the other major online booksellers carry my books in ebook format. Just type Tarrant Smith and I’m sure you’ll find them.

Enough of the promotional stuff, let’s get to this week’s news.

* I’ve got upcoming book signings on November 14th and 21st which I am very excited about. These will be the first signings of the entire year thanks to Covid-19. You can find the specific details on each event on my author website events page.

* This is of course my first ever podcast. Please feel free to leave your comments on how I did. I was a total wreck the very first time I read my work aloud to an audience. But with lots of forced practice, I believe the end result is tolerable—despite my Southern drawl or perhaps because of it.

* With the holidays drawing near, I am doing my best to release book four in this growing series, The Souls of Witches. The novel was delayed getting to my editor. However, it is with her at present and April assures me that all her comments and edits will be completed very soon. Luckily I am an indie author and retain complete control over the remaining publishing process. Because of that, I anticipate the book will be released by the third week of November. Click here to get a glimpse at the book’s cover.

Now let’s move on to updates on the Pale Characters.

Let me first say that I am not crazy, but the characters I create live on in my imagination, as I hope they will do in a reader’s mind long after they’ve finished reading the book. The following is a glimpse of what is still happening inside the universe I created. (I will try to keep this as spoiler-free as I can.)

* Lugos, better known as Lugh, is busy these days. He’s doing his level best to keep Keely from accidentally hurting herself or others. If you’ve read The Love of Gods, you will know why he is keeping such a close eye on her.

* Overall, the Azoulf pack is adjusting to their new environment and reality. Though I must say, Andre is having a particularly difficult time of it. As the author, I felt obliged to promise him that he could make another appearance in an upcoming book. The discussion between the two of us wasn’t too different than deciding on who the next Batchelor might be for an upcoming season. I only made this bargain with him because Andre turned out to be one of my favorite werewolves from The Fate of Wolves. I’m usually not so soft-hearted and he knows it.

* As for Murmur, who I can’t help but adore—all I can tell you is that he is still learning. Learning to cook. Learning about women. Learning about humans in general as he navigates his own new reality. You can meet Murmur in The Dreams of Demons and read for yourself why he’s so special.

* Lars and Rowan are characters that readers have yet to meet, but they are as excited as I am to have their story revealed. Their meeting may or may not have been fated, but they are making the best of the situations they find themselves in. Meet them later this year in The Souls of Witches.

The little bit extra in this week’s letter.

For fans of paranormal romance who wish to discover a new series, let me recommend Georgia and indie author, Georgiana Fields. I’ve reviewed two of her books, Crimson Dawn and Crimson Haze. I found both novels to be a fun and engaging read with a new twist on the standard vampire mythology we all know and love. The following comes straight from her website. To learn more about Georgiana and her series go to https://georgianafields.com/

Step into the world of the Dhampir, where strong men and women fight to protect the ones they love.

Georgiana Fields writes paranormal romantic suspense, featuring strong men and resilient women who never give up.

Her stories are filled with laughs, love, struggles, and new beginnings.  And always happy endings.

Thank you for listening and spending time with Tales of the Pale. Please leave comments and share Tarrant.substack.com with your friends.