Category Archives: Books

Summer 2024 Update: New Series!

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It’s August 1 and I am sitting down with renewed vigor to finish this fantasy series that has consumed my time off and on for three years! I’ve written other Jane Austen novels and a short story in the meantime, but whenever my writer-mind goes a-wandering, it goes to this historical fantasy.

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

What is it about? Well, cast your mind back to high school geography, and the city with three names–Byzantium, Constantinople, and Istanbul. You might be able to picture the huge dome of the Hagia Sophia, or maybe you remember learning about Constantine who established Christianity as the religion of the Roman empire (and renamed the city after himself). The city is called Istanbul now, and it’s a huge tourist destination. It is situated on the Bosporus Strait and part of the city is on the Asian side, while the larger part is on the European side. The Bosporus was and still is important for trade because it controls the waterway from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea which touches Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, Georgia, and more.

Okay, enough geography, on to history! My story is set in 1204 A.D., when the city was one of the largest in the medieval world. Businessmen imported food from as far away as Spain and China, like cheese from Crete, caviar from Russia, and raisins from Syria. The city still had working Roman aqueducts and cisterns, and it wasn’t what people picture as the “filthy dark ages.” Bathing was common and expected. The citizens were well-educated and most (even girls!) could read. Slavery had been abolished.

CGI Approximation of Medieval Constantinople (You can see the Forum of Theodosius off to the left, the huge Hippodrome in the center, and Bukoleon Palace right on the water with the rectangular harbor.)

Now, it’s historical fantasy, so that means the author (me!) gets to take a real historical period and inject some element of fantasy–like dragons, elves, or magic. I’ve gone the magic route (though it is not presented as magic), because I was interested in creating a system that was based on virtue–not spells or witchcraft, etc. A huge part of the Eastern Orthodox Church of the time was the creation and veneration of icons. For many centuries (and still somewhat today) there were superstitions about them. This one could help with childbirth, that one is lucky, or this one can cure headaches, etc. I was musing–what if all those things were true? What if the icons did have power, based on the saint and the virtue they represented?

Map of Constantinople (1422)

Thus was born my magic system, in which ten virtues of the faith are also associated with a certain power. An icon imbued with faith, for instance, might heal, while an icon imbued with purity can light a consuming fire. Wisdom can make obscured things plain, and gentleness can make hard things soft. Not everyone can make these icons, and not everyone can wield their power, but those who can have made nearly a science out of the possibilities.

The Annunciation from Ohrid, Byzantine art, Paleologan Dynasty

Against this backdrop, a young woman of the Byzantine empire is blackmailed into pretending to be the daughter of the emperor. His real daughter was married off to the king of Serbia and died after childbirth. Before news of the princess’s death spreads, Kia is forced to take her place. She knows her charade will end in whipping, blinding, or death if she is discovered, and unfortunately, the princess was a renowned maker of icons. Kia isn’t, and she can only pretend for so long.

The first person to suspect her deception is Lord Doukas, a rival to the emperor, who was reportedly the true princess’s lover. He wants to overthrow the emperor, and Kia is his path to the crown.

Between preserving her life, her secret, and the stability of the empire, Kia is about to get a crash course in politics, power, and love.

Thanks for reading! I’m looking forward to putting out Book 1 and 2 of the Icons of Power series in late 2024, early 2025.

Corrie

2023 Wrap-Up

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Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com

It’s December, so I’m taking stock of the year.

In January, in a fit of optimism, I set up three preorders for myself on Amazon. These deadlines, if you’re unfamiliar with them, must be kept, or Amazon becomes very cross with you. Since I hate conflict of any sort (even with the impersonal Amazon business algorithms!) this makes the deadlines pretty binding for me. The rest of 2023 was an exercise in remembering how to work to deadlines! My writing has been half-business/half-hobby for a long time, and this year definitely stretched my business muscles.

So, without further ado, in 2023 I published:

(For those who don’t know, I have three Jane Austen series. Austen Ensemble is purely based on Pride and Prejudice characters. The Highbury Variation combines Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Mansfield Park, and the Sweet Regency Saga is Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion.)

In addition to the books I wrote, a small publisher contacted me about translation rights, and so four of my books are currently being translated into Spanish, French, German, and Italian. It’s a royalty-share for five years, then rights return to me. I’ve no idea if it’ll be lucrative, but it is exciting to try!

I also had two Bookbub featured deals, which was very exciting! Bookbub is a selective book newsletter which is usually worth every (expensive) penny to advertise in, if you manage the right level of desperation, luck, and prayer to get chosen. 😉

For furthering my education, I signed up for Mark Dawson’s Ads for Authors course, and delved into the 20Booksto50k community. Both are great resources for indie writers making the jump from hobby to business.

In personal news, we had to rehome our cattle dog. That was sad, but thankfully our kids understood and he ended up with more experienced owners than us–and less of a herd of kids to confuse his instincts. After a few months, we got a cat instead, and she is the new queen of the house.

And that’s it! Thanks to Gabriella West of Edit for Indies for all the editing work, and thanks to all of my friends and readers for the love, support and encouragement this year!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays,

Corrie

Last Hour for Love – A Persuasion Time Loop Story

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I combined my love of Groundhog Day with my love of Persuasion! This is a story I wrote for the Austen Authors blog, but it’s been taken down, so I’ll be giving it away for new sign-ups to my Romance Readers! If you are already one of my subscribers, just shoot me an email with “Last Hour for Love” in the subject line and I will send you the link also as a new year’s present! Much love to everyone and happy new year!

Click here to sign up! You will receive a free digital copy of Last Hour for Love.

Exclusive Excerpt

Anne set down the teapot without pouring and pressed her hands to her eyelids. She could not keep on doing this.

What about the last day with her mother? Why could she not repeat that day?

Or the day she had thrown over Frederick Wentworth and condemned herself to a life of growing loneliness? What couldn’t she change that day?

Instead it had to be this absolute—absolute canker of a day. If she was not watching Captain Wentworth woo Louisa, she was watching the poor girl fall lifeless on the pavement of the Cobb! Or she herself was being knocked off the Cobb. Or Captain Wentworth.

Once, memorably, it had been poor, kindly Mrs. Harville!

And if it was not injury, she was beset with Mary’s crotchets, Charles’s lackadaisical deafness to his wife’s errors, and Henrietta’s tiresome speculations on her beau’s prospects.

“Anne? What is the matter?” Henrietta asked.

She shook her head mutely. If she claimed to be sick, she knew exactly what would happen. If she pressed on, she knew what would happen.

A half sob choked its way out. She buried it in her hands.

Never in her life had she grown rigid and drummed her heels on the ground the way some young ladies did. Never had she screamed and fainted. She had never boiled over with frustration or disappointment in her father.

She had mourned her mother deeply and privately. She had mourned her mistake with Frederick deeply, but with moderation. She had never shirked her duties at Kellynch Hall.

She had never run away from her problems.

“Anne?” Mary demanded. “I’m thirsty. What is wrong?”

“Is she choking?” Louisa gasped. “Can you speak, Anne?”

“What is it? Is she ill?” Charles asked. “Anne?”

And Frederick’s beloved voice nearly drowned out by the others, “I say, Anne…”

Anne fled the parlor. She stumbled down the stairs of the hotel and out into the salty wind and clouds of Lyme. She swiped tears from her face onto her dress.

She had no coat or pelisse, not even her lace shawl, but she didn’t feel the cold. She turned away from the hotel, and away from the dreaded paved walk along the sea.

She was nearly at a run.

She didn’t even realize Captain Harville and his wife were approaching until they were nearly upon her.

“My dear Miss Elliot,” Mrs. Harville exclaimed. “What is the matter? Has there been some accident?”

Anne laughed and wiped her stinging eyes. “No, no accident today. Please excuse me.”

***

Poor Anne deserves the chance to make things right, but first she must discover that every day holds life-changing choices, if she can be brave enough to see them.

Click here to sign up for my author newsletter! You will receive a free digital copy of Last Hour for Love.

Release Day! + 6 Terrifying Stages of Writing a Sequel

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Originally posted at: Austen Authors

Duels, Dancing, and Destiny!

Today, September 30, is the release day for my newest book! E-book and paperback available on Amazon now!

The Highbury Variation continues! Elizabeth’s quickly ended engagement to Mr. Knightley, as well as her sister’s engagement to Mr. Bingley, has people throwing around words like fortune-hunter and hussy. Will Mr. Darcy be deterred by the resistance of society and his family?
Meanwhile Jane Fairfax’s position as a governess is threatened by the unwanted attention of several gentlemen. When a bet is made about her in a gentleman’s club, her reputation teeters on the edge of a cliff. But is Mr. Tom Bertram of Mansfield actually offering insult or… something more? How could she possibly trust this rakish friend of Mr. Churchill’s?
Join Elizabeth and Jane as they navigate love and loyalty in the refined drawing rooms of Regency London.

From London with Loyalty is the most action-packed Regency novel I’ve written, and it was a blast to write. It did take more planning and plotting and well, work(!), than some novels have, but I am very pleased with the result. In fact, as (almost) always happens by publication day, I feel like this might be the best book I’ve ever written! I know that feeling is mostly a writer’s high, but it is so satisfying to see one’s skills improve. I know if I had attempted a book this complicated and humorous and dramatic five years ago… it would not have turned out the way I imagined it!

Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know that I really appreciate the community and encouragement here! The awesome readers and writers who come here make it a joy to be a Jane Austen writer.

6 Stages of Writing a Sequel with a Deadline

I was pondering the differences between writing a first book and a second (or third, fourth, etc.) where you’ve given yourself a deadline, so I though I’d share my experience/blueprint!

  1. Stage 1 – Basking: Well, I’ve put up a sequel on Amazon for preorder. I had better write it. But… I mean, the preorder date isn’t for months! Look at the sales coming in on Book 1! The Goodreads reviews! My friend from high school actually read it! My mom even likes it! Wow!
  2. Stage 2 – First Reality Check: When did I set that preorder for? Wait. WUT. I was definitely on a writing high when I made that adventurous deadline. People have expectations for this! I had unfinished plot threads! It must be written! But everything will still be okay. I’ve been thinking about it for months and I know exactly what I want to have happen and the character arcs and the setting and the climax. Let’s open that Word doc and see where I was… Immediately and completely overwhelmed. Shut Word Document.
  3. Stage 3 – Lift off: I open Word Document again, because I’m a professional, darn it! I type 3 sentences and find myself eating cottage cheese out of a carton while staring moodily at the Nutella chocolate. Stop! Go back to the couch! In this stage the writing actually begins. It is punctuated by FREQUENT trips to the first book to remember some detail that I thought I would remember. I did not.
  4. Stage 4  – Second Reality Check: A solid beginning and middle has been written. But I realize what I thought ought to be the climax has come and… isn’t the climax. It’s interesting and exciting, but clearly it’s building to something else. Keep writing. This phase is often punctuated by the need to look up a Regency word or detail… but not as often as it was with my first historical book. The tension is still building. If I was reading this I would feel like a great ending was coming. I HOPE A GREAT ENDING IS COMING.
  5. Stage 5 – Ground Effect: The momentum of writing has finally taken hold and it is getting easier to pour out this story the same way a plane gets upward push at a certain altitude. (I got this analogy from Dean Wesley Smith. I love his writing advice.) I furiously write to the end! Look through my character list and double check that I’ve given each of them at least a moment of closure. Add another scene. I remember that readers like to dwell in the happiness for a bit. Add three more scenes. WHERE IS THE END OF THIS BOOK? Oh, wait. There it is! Heavenly chorus!
  6. Stage 6 – Editing: Now I’m eating the Nutella. Some chapters, it’s like – wow, I wrote this! Others it’s like – wow, I wrote this? Some dialogue is great, other parts are cringe-worthy. Did I change the name of that character mid-book? (I did.) Read through one last time for continuity and error-check. Then, I clench my muscles like I’m an astronaut trying not to pass out from 4 g’s and send the document to my copyeditor! (Then I stay up all night thinking of better ways to phrase the final proposal.)

And that’s it! Easy peasy! (Much like drawing the reindeer!)

Thanks so much for your encouragement along the way. From London with Loyalty is available in both eBook and paperback!

Happy Release Day!

Corrie

A Nautilus Escape Room! and Other Book News

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Recently I celebrated my 38th birthday and my 17th wedding anniversary (2 days apart) so my husband and I celebrated by doing an escape room! We live in Los Angeles, so there are a variety around. (I highly recommend the 60out locations if you live around here.)

So anyway, we were browsing the different options–we wanted medium difficulty, not horror, etc.–and we found one based on Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Having recently participated in an anthology commemorating the book, I had to do it.

And it was really cool! Very steampunk aesthetic. We started in a small dark room–really dark–and eventually felt around and found flashlights (lanterns?) in a cabinet. With the flashlights we were able to see to fix the piping and repressurize the rest of the “ship.” There were several other tasks–cranks to turn, valves to get to certain numbers, electrical cables to rewire.

Once we did those the door opened to Captain Nemo’s study. We had to find his journal, then pass a series of tests to open the engine room and activate the life boat. There were knicknacks to align in a certain order. We had to use a list of completed books in his journal to rearrange the books in his personal library.

Then there was a map of the world to figure out, a piano (pianoforte?) to play, and a few other puzzles I can’t even remember. The final engine room had a periscope which showed the giant squid! That part was a little hokey, but it was still really fun. One person had to figure out depth and distance while another person physically loaded torpedos and adjusted power and angle. After three “shots” the squid was defeated and the lifeboat was activated.

We needed a few hints from our minder, but she did a good job of only helping us if it was clear that we’d completely not seen a key detail. Or once when we thought we actually broke something and were embarrassed and trying to fix it, lol

Anyway, it was a fun outing and such a clever use of theme! I wish more of these companies would make literary based escape rooms–such a great idea!!

In other book news, I am working furiously on From London with Loyalty and it is taking shape.

Onward!

“From Highbury with Love” Coming April 21, 2021!

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My latest novel is with the editor, and it’s time for the fun stuff: covers and giveaways and sneak peaks!

I’ll be doing a giveaway at Austenauthors in April, that’s my other primary blog spot, but if you’re in a hurry, I’ve got another giveaway active this month at Austenprose! There’s also a sneak peak at the novel there, an excerpt I haven’t shared elsewhere. Fun times!

When Lizzy Bennet spends the winter in Highbury, it will be anything but the dull visit she expects. Particularly with Mr. Darcy visiting his friend Mr. Knightley!

Between dueling with Emma over Harriet Smith’s future and discovering secret love letters to Jane Fairfax, Lizzy is soon invested in her new friends. Then she becomes an unwelcome witness to Lady Catherine warning Emma not to think of Mr. Darcy!

From there it is a carousel of mistaken affections, relentless gossip, repressed emotions, and fateful decisions.

How will the new knots ever be untangled?

Between winter balls, outdoor frescoes, and fireside chats, the Highbury community is in for all the drama their village can hold.

My First Bookbub Feature…and #3 on Amazon!

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I was very excited to get a feature with Bookbub for January! They are pretty selective and I have been applying off and on for about six years. I was shocked when I received their acceptance for A Lively Companion as applying had become a habit, not an expectation!

Generally I try not to obsess about Amazon or other rankings–readers make a career, not rank–but I am making an exception and doing a big happy dance today!

Thanks for all the reads, purchases, comments, and encouragement over the years!

Also #5 in Canada and #16 in the UK! (Canadian readers don’t intimidate me, but British ones do. <Corrie waves nervously, knowing she’s doing it wrong.>)

In other news, my Emma/Pride and Prejudice crossover is also up for pre-order and the wonderful lady who edits for me, Gabriella at editforindies.com, will be starting on it in March before it goes live in April.

G’night folks!

Corrie

Worst Martian Playlist: A short novel of space exploration and survival

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My latest science fiction offering is live on Amazon! It was a ton of fun to write this summer (harder to get further from lockdown than Mars), and its been a lot of fun to get it ready for publishing. As always, much thanks to Gabriella at Edit for Indies who did the copyediting. Hyphenated words and adjectives are the bane of my existence, and she helped me get all the spaceships and terms consistent. I tend to get excited and little details like NAMES get lost in the mix, which is no good for the poor reader.

So what is it about? In my head, I’ve been describing it as a mashup between The Martian (by Andy Weir) and Smart House, a fun campy Disney movie from my tween years. Lol, make of that what you will! It took a lot of twists and turns from the original premise, and I’m happy with how it turned out.

https://www.amazon.com/Worst-Martian-Playlist-Corrie-Garrett-ebook/dp/B08PFHDC6W

Here’s my description from Amazon:

If you love tense, survival sci-fi, join a pair of shell-shocked astronauts on a catastrophic day of dangers in Worst Martian Playlist, a short novel exploring trust, identity, and loyalty.

The first caverns of the new Martian base were dug by rovers, but when the first long-term crew is on its way, catastrophe strikes. Miranda Oceveda and Caleb Wexler are the sole survivors.

In the caverns and tunnels that comprise the new base, Caleb and Miranda have soldiered on for months, but it’s frustrating and exhausting with only two people. Their AI assistant helps with day to day tasks, but it can’t replace a living crew.

And Miranda isn’t at all sure that Caleb hasn’t cracked under the pressure–he’s angry and aggressive in a way he never was before. Of course, she isn’t sleeping well either, and they both probably have PTSD and adrenal fatigue… But they only have to hold out until the Respite crew arrives.

But with only two weeks to go, one fateful day of storms, solar interference, and human error, their survival will depend on trust and intuition… and neither has much to spare.

Thanks for reading, go check it out!

Interview over at Poseidon’s Scribe

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Thanks to Steven Southard for hosting me for a guest interview over at his blog! He had some good questions that made me think and some that made me laugh. Go check it out!

Meanwhile, I’m getting closer on publishing Best Martian Playlist, coming December 1, and working on an untitled Emma/Pride and Prejudice mashup. Good times!

Author Interview — Corrie Garrett