To Be Continued... (as it turns out)

After reading The Shadow Guard, a beta reader told me one of her biggest regrets for the story was that she didn't get to see how a certain (unnamed to avoid spoilers) couple got together.

Of course, if you've read TSG, you know who I mean. They're shown together in the last scene, but their full romance story rightfully didn't fit in this book. 

Still, my beta's comment has pestered me on my regular runs since the book's release in March. I waved it off for a while. Then it began to bring friends, reinforcements really, as I'm fairly certain this has been a coordinated attack... Who are the other Zeiihbuan tribal leaders? What happened to Caide between the pivotal scene in the book and the end? Where does Cal play in this redemption journey? How is Faillen settling into his new leadership role (especially with the disorder hinted at in the beginning of TSG)? 

Honestly, when I finished TSG, I didn't think there was much of a story in the in-between months mentioned but never shown.

My characters disagreed. And as any author knows, sometimes there's no point in arguing with characters.

Especially when they use sleep deprivation as a manipulation tool. 

So let this serve as my official announcement. As of now, I am writing a short story set in Zeiihbu. If all goes well, you should see it sometime in the next six months.

One catch though: It will go out to my mailing list subscribers first (and maybe only). So if you want it, get on the list. It's on the left-hand side of my website (and if you're reading this, you're on my website).

Now, off to writing! And coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.

In Honor of Today's Book Launch: Zeiihbu Celebration Cookies

It's taken more than a year to complete Book #3 in the Ærenden series, The Zeiihbu Master. To say it's time to celebrate is an understatement! I intend to dance in the streets, make an Ærenden customary toasting drink, and to eat Zeiihbu Celebratory Cookies!!! (at the very least)

And, of course, I want to do it with the people who've made this book possible: my family, friends, and most importantly, my lovely, wonderful readers. Without you, there's no point in writing :).

The Toasting Drink will come later,  but I've made a batch of Zeiihbu Celebration cookies to share with you now. First, a little background:

Zeiihbuans tend to eat desserts on a limited basis, reserving treats for celebratory events or to avoid waste (such as apple pies to use up apples that are spoiling). Because of this preference, their baked goods tend to be less sweet than those made in Ærenden. Often recipes highlight fruit as a natural sweetener. In fruit-less treats, the Zeiihbuans use a fine powder made from the sycga plant, a dark green reed that typically grows four to five feet tall. The most popular dessert in Zeiihbu is the Zeiihbu Celebratory Cookie. Cut into shapes representing tribal history, these cookies are served in sets of three (for luck) alongside knuckle nut dusted vanilla ice cream topped with raspberry syrup. 

Of course, we don't have the sycga plant on Earth, but sugar can serve as a suitable substitute. Likewise, nutmeg can replace knuckle nuts (named because they're about the same size as an adult knuckle). Since our celebration is not Zeiihbu heritage, but the launch of The Zeiihbu Master, I've changed the shapes of our cookies to represent what we're celebrating. Feel free to make the dessert at home. I've included the recipe for you below, translated for Earth cooking :).

Celebration Cookies!
Envelope Pie, Scorpion Dragonfly, Razor Beast, Horse, Creeper Vine, 
Crown, Moereth, and Dranx Monkey.

Zeiihbu Celebratory Cookies

1 9-inch pie crust

1 Tablespoon White Sugar

1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Mix sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.

3. Prepare a standard 9-inch pie crust or use a refrigerated store crust. Roll onto a greased and lightly flowered cookie sheet (or use baking spray).

4. Cut shapes using standard cookie cutters and line up on the cookie sheet.

5. Sprinkle sugar mixture over cookies (to taste). I used about 1/3 of the mix for less sweet cookies.

6. Bake for 5-8 minutes, depending on thickness of crust. Monitor carefully! Both the sugar and dough burn quickly.

7. Serve with ice cream and fruit (or syrup) of your choice. 

Please join me in celebrating The Zeiihbu Master's release today on Facebook by following this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1377612335846496/?context=create. 

And please, if you enjoy the Ærenden series, spread the word!