How's everybody holding up out there? Getting used to this low-key, stay safe, stay at home stuff? It's heartening to see the numbers slowing down, the curve flattening, perhaps even falling off a little. When I have ventured out, I've noticed that probably 95% of the people I see are wearing some sort of mouth and nose covering, so that's good. We're adjusting. We'll get through this. My heart still aches for the families that have lost loved ones, but for those of us left behind, we will meet this challenge and learn from it. Grow from it. I'm sure of that.
So in the meantime, Sam and Lacey have been busy, as always. Luckily their universe doesn't have a pandemic in it, so they can concentrate on their specialty--ghosts. Here's the story behind Night Walk, Book 27 of the series:
When medium Sam Firecloud first hears about an Amber Alert on the Navajo reservation, he is stunned to realize the missing girl is his own young cousin. He and his partner, Lacey Fitzpatrick, rush to the scene in an attempt to help find the girl, aided by Sam’s grandfather Ben. When the Fireclouds are dismissed by the FBI agents that are working the case by standard means, Sam takes measures into his own hands, and finds the pathway before him leads into the depths of the supernatural… and death.
If you need a good story to pass the time while you're stuck at home, this just might be it. Night Walk is only 99 cents thru May 10, 2020.
Again you'll notice the new cover layout. My cover designer, Alex of The Cover Genies, is working hard at transforming all the old covers at the same time that he's creating the new covers. It's a process, but we're getting there. There are now four updated covers, the first two books, Ghost Walk and Skin Walk, and the latest two, Heart Walk and Night Walk. They look pretty cool all lined up together, don't they? I'm really happy with them. Definitely easier to read and you can tell right off which number book they are.
Also... the audio book of Castle Walk is now available. If you'd like a free promo code in order to download the audio book for free, just let me know if you need a US code or a UK code. In addition, there are still codes available for the first 8 books, as well. You want 'em, you got 'em. Just tell me which one(s) and what country code. 
And, as always, if you haven't "met" Sam and Lacey yet, Book 1, Ghost Walk, is always just 99 cents.
In the meantime, stay home, stay safe, stay sane.
How is everyone doing? Adjusting to the new normal? Figuring out how best to use all that extra time on our hands? I do hope so. This experience is one I think none of us ever thought we'd see--and probably hope we never see again.
It's a sorrowful time. Every time I see the updates on the news, the new numbers, I can't help but think that every number of those thousands of dead represent one human being, one family member: one parent, one child, one sibling. And I am so sad for those families. Not only losing a family member, but losing them in such an alien fashion, perhaps not being able to be present, not being able to find closure in familiar, respectful customs. To each and every one of those families, my heart reaches out in sympathy.
It's also a promising time. We are seeing some leveling. We are seeing some downward trends. Just the other day, I braved going to Costco during one of their "senior hours," and I was heartened by the fact that the crowds were smaller, people were calmer, and the whole process worked without panic or dispute. I do believe that people are relaxing somewhat, realizing this is not the end of the world, that there will, in fact, be toilet paper in their futures and they needn't rush or grab or hoard. That alone is heartening.
There's an excellent Facebook group called COVID-19 Acts of Grace and Generosity, where you can see uplifting and heartwarming stories of the best ways people are responding to the crisis. Check it out.
And it's a time for gratitude. I'm so grateful for what I have, what we have. When many others are going through such tragedy, I am grateful for a small, calm, out-of-the-way life. It's quite amazing that just going to the store and finding my favorite butter on the shelf feels like Christmas. Maybe that's part of this: having much that we have taken for granted taken away, leaving us with a better appreciation for the things we have, even the small things. Maybe especially the small things.
So, to you, friends, family, fans and readers, I wish you all the best in this unfamiliar time. I wish you health, peace of mind, Christmas in the grocery stores. We will get through this. My wish is that we all come out better human beings on the other side.
Annie, however, is not at all happy about wearing a mask!
