The One with the Break Down
Breaking down happens. We simply have to pick up and keep going. For me, breaking down is always about my books, writing, or art. This time in involved all three.
This month's banner feature's Kalista in a bubble of violet energy and Oxykinesis.
(read about it at the end of this blog)
Author's Life:
For the umpteenth time, I set my expectations too high and hurt my own feelings, which led to a spiral due to all the other emotions I’ve been dealing with lately. This spiral centered on one thought: “Why am I even doing this because I care about it way more than anyone else?”
It’s a lie my mind returns to when my writing or art/cover doesn’t get the reaction I was hoping for. 9 times in 10 it’s because people don’t tell me/don't se it. Praise is my love language and how I know I'm doing a good job, but I’ve been lacking it lately. So, my brain turns around on me and says, “No one’s talking about it, so it must be awful. Why put yourself through this again?” Which isn’t the case, but I sometimes trying to tune the bad thoughts out just makes them louder.
Besides that, life has been normal. Writing, gaming when I need a break, and making art. This week I made the cover for Kalista book 9 though I can’t show it off for a few years. OH! I had to change the title of the book, because the original didn’t work for it anymore. (More on that in writing)
Family Updates:
1) My Dad is back at work and pushing it. He’s talking about doing a roof (for a family member) and we’re all worried about it. Dale has flat out refused to help him with it because that would be supporting his bad behavior. I understand, but I’m also worried that’ll just make him work harder when he shouldn’t even be up there in the first place
2) Dale's Grandpa Williams is doing even worse. Hospice says he’ll probably pass this week, and Dale isn’t able to get down there due to work and other factors that are already draining/taxing him. He will be calling this weekend and talking to him and Grandma.
The work Life:
Writing:
Book 9 of the Kalista Chronicles, is no longer A Tragedy Occurs. It is now called, A Cruel Deceit. It went fast! Last week, I ended at 53,175 words, this week, the book is nearly finished. I was hoping to have it done before this went out, but sadly, I still need to write the Epilogu. It currently has 101,635 words... Making this weeks word count HUGE as that was five thousand words short of doubling the amount of words in the book!
After I finish the book, I’m going back to Life After You, which currently has 50,195 words. We’ll see where I get to next week 😉
Total word count for the week: 48,460 words
Editing:
Dad finished C🍪🍪KIES & R🤬GE! There were only 6 little corrections and he LOVED it! He talked to Dale about it on the way to work and said “Her editor did really good on it this time” unbeknownst to him, it was mostly me with Matt doing a single pass of it before red pen edits. 🎉
Next step is to get Maxine to edit it... though she's still not done with Deadly Sirens. She's been having a time of it lately. One thing after another is snowballing and escalating. Send thoughts and prayers her way if you can.
Publishing:
Beta Readers Needed!
C🍪🍪KIES & R🤬GE the first of a brand new series in the Born Angel Novels is the Kaliling Novels. They will be a standalone series featuring the Kalilings (Kalista’s Kids). We start off with Astrid as she faces possibly losing her mentor and possibly her job after a nearly 6 week probation after blowing up a city block back in the short story Snacks & Revenge, which was in the back of Cry Havoc.
Beta Reading will be From February 13th to March 20th. The book is 519 pages with the extras, it is 112,664 words over 23 chapters with a prologue from her mother, Kalista’s perspective.
AN ANGEL FALLS is now out in the world! You can pick up this book at ANY retailer of ebooks, and in physical form on Amazon or here in my shop!
AN ANGEL FALLS is book 6 of the Kalista Chronicles. It is an Urban Fantasy with Crime Thriller and Paranormal Romance Undertones.
~
Kalista faces her greatest challenge yet, protect both her sister and her pregnant best friend from her soul enemy...
Up Next!
Max is living in Paris with his soulmate, Chaos, but he can’t get Discord off his mind. As they prepare to hunt down Goldilocks, the last member of the Triumvirate, he gets the surprise of his life and his pack back, plus more than he could’ve ever imagined with all the joys and drama you’d imagine.
Coming April 7th, 2026
Art Feature:
Another picture from AN ANGEL FALLS, I made this picture of Kalista and Beryx because I wanted to show off Kalista’s sunglasses, which I made in Blender specifically for “The Confrontation” picture from October 18th’s Newsletter. These sunglasses were on her shirt in “The Smug Grin” artwork from the newsletter 2 weeks ago. The posing was just perfect for my favorite OTP (one true pairing). 💜
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Thanks for reading!
~Jenn (aka Born Angel Author)
Mark Your 2026 Calendars 4 books!
~ January 1st: C🍪🍪KIES & R🤬GE Cover Reveal!
~ February 7th: DEADLY SIRENS Preorder drops here and across all platforms!
~ February 13th to March 20th: Beta Reading for C🍪🍪KIES & R🤬GE
~ March 1: ARCs for DEADLY SIRENS go out... Though, I don't think anyone signed up. (if you want to, go here)
~ April 9th: DEADLY SIRENS Release day!
~ May 1st: ARC Signups for C🍪🍪KIES & R🤬GE begins!
~ May 8th: Beta Signups for AN ANGEL ENRAGED (Kali book 7) drop
~ June 1st: ARC's for C🍪🍪KIES & R🤬GE go out!
~ June 12th to July 17th: Beta reading AN ANGEL ENRAGED.
~ July 20th: C🍪🍪KIES & R🤬GE RELEASE DAY!
~ August 1st: AN ANGEL ENRAGED Arc Signups open and THE FATED ANGEL beta reading sign ups.
~ August 15th: Preorder for AN ANGEL ENRAGED begins!
~ September 4th: AN ANGEL ENRAGED ARCS go out!
~ September 11th - October 16th: Beta Reading THE FATED ANGEL!
~ October 31st: AN ANGEL ENRAGED Release Day!
~ November 13th: Cover Reveal THE FATED ANGEL!
For more information and little updates along the way
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