torch rock

AT LAST, THE SERIES IS COMPLETE

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Torch Rock Teaser - Copy

I sit before my computer in a confusing state of satisfaction and sadness. The earliest files in my hard drive for Reflection Pond date back to early 2012, though I think the actual writing started in 2011. There are dozens and dozens of files, if not hundreds. In the grand scheme of writing, four or five years for three books is not a long time, I realize that, but those years defined who I am as a writer. I began the series scared, uncertain of my own capabilities, and I’ve emerged from the other side more confident, more sure of myself and the risks I’m willing to take in my stories.

Today is the release day for Torch Rock, Book 3 in the Reflection Pond Series, the final installment of Callie and Rowan’s story. Much like me, the characters have gone on a journey to find their strength, to heal, and I’m deeply satisfied with this ending. I hope you, my readers, find it just as enjoyable as I do. I’ve already been asked if I’ll ever return to Callie and Rowan’s world, to expand on the secondary characters in the story, to follow the seeds of possibility I left strewn throughout the final novel. The truth is, I don’t know. I do have some bonus content, deleted scenes and such that may become available at some point. But right now, the end is justified, and I like the idea of readers creating their own possible futures for Rowan and Callie. The characters we love live on inside of us, and I hope some parts of Callie and Rowan live on in each of you.

To celebrate the release, I’ve made Reflection Pond free for today! On May 7th, the series will tour with Brook Cottage Books. You can still sign up for the promo day HERE.

I want to thank everyone who has stood beside me as I completed these books, especially those who encouraged me and listened to my issues (over and over again for weeks, months, and years). You know who you are. Thank you to the bloggers, reviewers, and every fan who has contacted me. Your support and enthusiasm always puts a smile on my face. Huge thank yous to my early readers, ARC reviewers, and everyone who has been cheering on Callie from the beginning. A big thanks to my designer Julia at Bioblossom Creative, who always, always exceeds my expectations with her beautiful covers. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The entire series is available on Amazon. If you want some music to read to, check out the playlists I’ve created for Reflection Pond and Torch Rock. And when you’re done reading, please leave a review, even if it’s just an I liked it!

Reflection Pond

Amazon Goodreads Playlist

Poison Tree

Amazon Goodreads

Torch Rock

Amazon Goodreads Playlist

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STRENGTH IN UNLIKELY PLACES

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I think as children we look at the world with an innocent wonder. The people surrounding us are meant to be trusted, not suspected. As we grow into adulthood, that wonder and trust is challenged by experience. We get hurt. We have our emotions taunted, our decisions questioned, and we learn that the world is not a safe place. It’s not even a welcoming place.

When I wrote Reflection Pond, Callie’s childhood shaped her character into someone I consider unwaveringly strong. She’s not flawless, but a road map of scars from every experience that nearly broke her. Nearly being the imperative word. She’s a survivor, she’s cautious, and though she’s suffered terrible abuse, she still holds that childlike wonder that the world, in general, isn’t a despicable place.

Throughout the series, Callie’s fragile trust is challenged. She learns that family is not synonymous with love and sometimes friendship come from the most unlikely of places. Most importantly, she realizes that trusting others is nowhere near as important as trusting yourself. I won’t give away the ending of Torch Rock (which releases April 26th! Preorder here.), but I will say that Callie in the final installment is miles away from the scared girl who fell through the Reflection Pond.

Callie’s character is based in part on my own experiences. I’ve seen betrayal firsthand. I’ve breathed it and lived it. It took time and no small amount of tears, but I found a way to drag myself off my bathroom floor and overcome devastation. There isn’t a recipe for climbing out of an emotional hole like that, you only have to have the determination to know that this isn’t the end. After all, if you’re reading this you’ve already survived every bad day you’ve had. Look at you! 100% success rate.

A lot of people have said they can’t relate to Callie or connect with her. Perhaps this has something to do with her horrific past. Violence and abuse leave marks on you. Though hidden, these marks admit you to a private survivors club.  Maybe relating to her comes with a price. Maybe I’d rather you couldn’t relate.

I’m proud of Callie. I know that readers love a strong female character, someone who takes no shit and kicks ass. But Callie isn’t that character. Sure, she can fight. Sure, she has cool faerie powers. But Callie’s real strength comes from her unwavering belief that she will find her place in this world, no matter how many times she has to pull herself to her feet.

I think, at the end of the day, regardless of our differing pasts, that’s all any of us hope for.

THIS IS NOT GOODBYE

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Alas, friends, it’s time I must impart some (sort of) sad news. If you haven’t noticed, I’ve scaled way back on my social media time, my blog has gone quiet, even Twitter is out there flapping in a lonely wind without me. So let’s just get it over with.

It’s unlikely, aside from Stepping Stones, that I will publish any more novels this year.

I know many of my readers are anticipating the final installment in the Reflection Pond series, Torch Rock. I know I said it should be done by the end of 2015, but the truth is, I just don’t have it in me right now. I can give you all kinds of excuses: I’m working too much. I don’t have time to write. I’m not inspired. I don’t have motivation. I have a LOT of other things going on right now. All of those excuses are true. I’m still writing, it’s just at a much slower pace than I’m used to. And the truth is, I’m burned out. Writing has always been a safe, relaxing place for me, but once I got going, I started demanding more and more from myself, and it’s too much. I need to not worry about publishing right now. I need to worry about growing myself as a writer and spending time getting to know my characters. Stressing out over publishing has turned writing into a chore, something that causes me grief and guilt if I don’t reach my ridiculously high standards RIGHT THIS MOMENT. What can I say? I’m a dictator, even to myself.

This is by no means a goodbye. I’m not going anywhere. I’m still writing. I’m still publishing Stepping Stones (now available for PREORDER) on August 25th. I’m just giving myself a much needed breathing break.

This announcement, while difficult for me to accept, is lifting a huge weight from my life, and it’s giving me the time I need to finish Torch Rock at my own speed, without the worry that I’m letting myself, and others, down. The story will be better because of it.

I hope you can find it in your fantastic reader hearts to be patient with me. I love all of your support, messages, reviews, and requests. Keep them coming!

Lastly, I’ve joined Authorgraph, and can now autograph your digital books. Head over to their site and request my signature!

All the best,

Kacey

ALL THE TORCH ROCK TEASERS IN ONE PLACE

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I know I surprised all of you with the news of a NEW book series, but, as a show of good faith that Torch Rock is still happening this year, I’ve compiled all the teasers I can find and posted them below. Maybe I’m biased, but 75% of these are from Rowan’s POV. (No I will not point out which ones!)

Because you’re all loyal blog followers and I heart you, I’ve also included a sneaky-sneak exclusive teaser and a photo, which is an obscure reference to Torch Rock. Obscure? Hmm…

Enjoy! And don’t forget to leave a comment below. I love hearing from you!

—

“I can’t lie to you, Callie, and act like I haven’t thought about it. I think about it all the damn time.”

—

She loved this city, but rebuilding it to its former glory felt out of reach, like climbing the stars to capture the moon.

—

“Your guards won’t save you. I’ll do it just like you did—inch by agonizing inch until there’s nothing left to cut away, until you beg me to die.”

—

“What if they’re dead?” Ash asked.

—

His wings blocked out the sun, their usual inky depths stained brilliant blue, the tips alight with flames.

—

“You’re not afraid of me,” he said, voice full of wonder. “Arol’s children are so uniquely idiotic.”

—

“We don’t have to map the future with our scars.”

—

Rowan rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. “I kept the scars because they remind me of my foster mother. The guilt is—” he shook his head. “It’s an infection. I’ve carried it inside of me for years thinking the only way I can be a good person is if I remember all the wrong I’ve done. And then you came along.” He looked up, giving her a half-smile.
“It’s not your fault,” she said, heart aching for the boy he’d been, for the broken man he became.
“You forgive me so easily I’ve started to think I could forgive myself, too.”

—

He’d never touched her like this, so unthinking and natural, as if she actually enjoyed it. Something warm unfurled in his chest. When he reached the base of her spine, he wound his arms around her until her back pressed against his front, and lifted the sword into her hands. “Find me, then.”

—

 

STEPPING STONES (NEW BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT!)

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For those of you who pay attention (or creepily stalk me, because let’s be real), you might’ve noticed some super secretive things going on today. As in: I announced a new book on Goodreads!

Stepping Stones, the first book in The Stone Series, will release August 25, 2015.

Onnaleigh Moore is part of a plan—and it isn’t hers. When her brother dies in a car accident, Onna is desperate to preserve the tatters of her family. Any hope of finding normalcy vanishes when her mother runs off and her dad turns to booze to numb his pain. Onna’s grief is crippling, but the boy who showed up just when she needed him is helping her cope.

Everett’s presence is comforting, though he knows things—Onna’s name just before they met, where she lives, and sometimes he comments on thoughts she doesn’t say aloud. She pegs him for a stalker, or maybe psychic, but the truth is deadlier than she imagines. As their feelings for one another deepen, Everett confesses a horrifying secret: Onna’s brother is only the beginning of the plan, and some fates are worse than death.

I’m so excited to share this story with you. I’ve been in contact with my designer and we’re planning an amazing set of covers for the trilogy.

I love everything about this book and hope you will too. Everett and Onna are old friends to me, a story I know by heart, one that begs to be told. August can’t get here soon enough!

To stay updated, make sure you sign up for my newsletter HERE. And don’t forget to add Stepping Stones to your to-read pile on Goodreads!

All the best,

Kacey

(Now, I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t Torch Rock releasing this year? Yes. That is the plan. Torch Rock will (hopefully) be ready for publication in December, just in time for Christmas.)