Cover Reveal & Pre-Order- Alchemists of Archangel

Title: Alchemists of Archangel

Series:  Archangel Revolution

Author: Tina Holland

Genre: Steampunk, Gaslamp Fantasy, Alternate History, Romance

Release Date:  December 30, 2020

Publisher: Book Boutiques

Cover Artist: Valerie Tibbs

Blurb:

When scientist Abigail Phelan is accused of murder, she must prove her innocence despite not remembering the crime.

Inspector Raven Clark knows Abbie didn’t kill the miner, but she is tied to the killer.

Abbie and Raven begin a search for both the killer and her memories bringing them closer to the truth and one another.

But when Archangel residents fall ill from a bizarre pandemic Raven must hunt for the killer while Abbie battles a ravaging disease. 

Will they discover the identity of the murderer before losing everything they’ve found?

Excerpt: 

Abigail Phelan shot him a brief glare before concentrating on her plate. “As I suspected, the Gunns have left you alone with me.” 

“Did they?  Whatever for?”  Laurel and Ben could not have guessed Raven’s attraction to this vulnerable beauty. Could they?

“So you could begin your interrogation of me regarding Cornelius Turner’s death.”  She tilted her head.

He scanned her evaluating her words.   “I doubt you had anything to do with Mr. Turner’s murder.” 

She leaned forward, “So foul play is suspected.” 

“I’m afraid so.  What can you tell me about that night?” Raven couldn’t help but wonder how this tiny breath of a woman was wrapped up in Alchemia’s most gruesome murder.

“I can’t recollect much from the night of Mr. Turner’s murder. I’ve tried but every time I search my memory, my throat locks up, and I feel my limbs numb and my brain becomes foggy.  It sounds strange, I know.  Doctor Gunn says my symptoms are similar to shell shock.”

“I’m aware of the disorder.” His mind burned with the memory of his own experience. 

“I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.  Cornelius was a wonderful man and very kind to me and my birds.” 

“Tell me about him.” Her voice soothed him, despite the fact he found birds as exciting as watching a clock tick.

“Cornelius was my first canary courier.  The couriers run the birds to and from the mines.  They also have to sit with the fledglings so the birds become used to them.  Cornelius even went so far as to watch the hatchlings.  He was a surrogate to many of the colored canaries.” 

“Was he collecting birds from you that night?” 

“No.  I went to town.” 

“To meet him?” Raven wondered if more passed between Abigail and Cornelius.

“No to meet with…” Abigail began to rub her temples.  “I’m sorry I don’t remember.”

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First Friday Lunch – The Courtesan of Constantinople

This month I’m talking about the process of querying, rejections and why I chose a small press for this project.

The Wait is the hardest part

So I’ve finally started submitting The Courtesan of Constantinople to Publishers.  I’d spent six months looking for an Agent and didn’t get feedback – positive or negative steering me in a direction that required changes to the manuscript.

I got a lot of letters saying, “I like this and that, but don’t feel I’m right for this project.”  So started to wonder if I missed the boat on Steampunk.   Hard to say.    I did a couple Twitter parties and nothing there either.

While I submitted to Agents 5-10 at a time.  I was doing large batch by January. 🙂   For Publishers, I only do about 3 at a time.   I don’t expect to hear back from any of them until May. Because they are larger houses I may not hear back at all. I think I’ve been spoiled by the almost instant responses of small presses  🙂

In the meantime, I’ll work on Alchemists of Archangel and maybe Ryder Hard if I get blocked, just to keep moving.  Also, I have this book about writing I want to do, so plenty to keep me busy while I hurry up and wait.

Writer Wednesday – Put a Fork in my novel, I’m done.

There comes a time when you have to quit editing and declare a project done.  Move on to the next one.  I’ve reached that point with Courtesan.

I’ve done all I can with the novel.

I’ve layered and cut producing a novel of 54,333 words.

Does it mean there aren’t corrections to make?  Of Course not but I need another set of eyes at this point.  I’ve asked for some BETA help, to get that big picture feel, but I can’t continue edits without wrecking voice.

The good news.  This is ready to get looked at by an agent or editor.  In my opinion, any changes that need to be made will be to satisfy the readership, not me.  And that’s okay, I’m used to working with editors to make appropriate changes.    That’s part of meeting reader expectation.

Now its time to move on to Book 2: The Alchemists of Archangel.

Hopefully, The Courtesan of Constantinople doesn’t sit too long on my virtual shelf, trying to find a home.~Tina