Welcome, I bid you welcome. Back to my lair. All you sexy people out there in the dark.

The heat it wearing me down. I don't do hear very well. I much prefer winter. To sleep, it has to be at least 52 degrees. So my air conditioner is on every night since we have this heat and humidity. I don't enjoy sweating, at least not while I'm just trying to sleep.

And I have been enjoying the rain. We haven't had enough of it. Nor have we had enough of the thunder and lightning. A good storm every once in a while is a good thing.

I've had some good things happen on my secret project. It's moving ahead bit by bit. Shhhh. No hints, so don't ask.

And I've gotten some very nice things said to me recently from people reading my books for the first time. Always nice to hear how they enjoy my stories. Makes me wish I had more books already published for the readers to enjoy.

Not much to report. I'm beginning to sell the raffle tickets to raise money for animals in need for my non-profit foundation, The Shadow Organization. Every little

Good evening, all you sexy people out there in the dark, I won't name you, but I think you know who you are. I thought I should take a few minutes and write something the minions would enjoy since I found out people actually read my little blog. So relax and enjoy reading.

I don't have a million things to tell you about. Just a couple. I've started writing the first book in a new trilogy again after being away from it for the last few months. It's about a third of the way completed and I really like it so far. I guess it would be technically classified as an urban fantasy since it will be set in our world but a world where most aspects of the paranormal have been discovered to exist. I say a trilogy because I don't want to expand it beyond three books, to be honest. I really think you'll enjoy it. And I will tell you a secret. Lean in close. No, not you. The sexy one. Yes, you. I'm starting to think it's my favorite book so far.

And yes, Shadows Amongst the Moonlight will actually be published for you to read at some point. The Fourth Book of the Scarabae Saga has been completed, as has Book Five, Illusions of Darkness: The Forbidden. But I don't have a date yet to tell you. There has been so much going on in my world and it has taken my attention away from publishing for the last 3 years or so, but slowly I am coming around again. Don't worry. I have the awesome cover art in my hot hands, I just have to get the editing completed and move the publishing plan into action--after, of course, I complete and unveil the secret project to you.

Also, I do have that short Christmas novella to publish at some point. I wanted to do it this year since I was not able to do so last year, but my secret project has taken precedence this year because it will hopefully enable me to raise money through my non-profit foundation for animals in need, and I consider that work more important than publishing. But don't be asking me to reveal my secret project. Why? Because it's secret. Shhhhh. And it's magic. Keep your legs crossed and keep thinking those good thoughts for me and we just might get this bastard together and unveil it for you. Seriously, I hope to be able to unveil it for you after October of this year. I'm busting to tell you, but if I do it won't be a secret anymore and I do want you to be surprised.

I haven't given up on the other haunted house book, either, but I only have so much time in a day to work on stuff, so unfortunately, it has been placed on the back-burner for now. I won't throw it away because I really like that book so far and I think you'll like it as well.

The same goes for the non-fiction book I was asked to write about my personal experiences with the paranormal. I got a fantastic start on it, and even made this awesome outline---which, for those of you who know me know, is a first for me. You'll really like that book, too, but it has to be back-burnered until I have more time to work on it. Hopefully, you will think it's worth the wait.

What else can I tell you? I don't really have much to report. Only to say I hate the heat and I would be happy winter lasted all year. If I can't have year-round winter, can we keep it to 52 or below at night so I can sleep? I sleep from 4 am to 11 am, so that's not technically night, but it's close enough.

My friend Thom, who is an awesome author, wrote the screenplay for The First Book of the Scarabae Saga, Into the Mirror Black. Don't get too excited, keep your legs crossed, and think good thoughts because it is in the hands of two small studios right now who seem to like it. They have 5 months to decide if they would like to purchase the rights to it and make it into a film. I would love to see this happen for a few reasons. One: I think it would be a very cool film like The Woman In Black. Two: It would raise money for my non-profit foundation. Three: I would love one of my books to become a movie because it would just be freaking cool. And there are other reasons, but I don't need to list them.

Oh, I know what I can tell you. I finally got a king mattress and box springs for my big awesome bed. I carried the box springs upstairs all by myself since they come in two pieces, but the mattress...I'm gonna need some muscles to help me with that. I can't wait to sleep in my big bed all put together.

And I have apparently developed an obsession with LED lights. I bought all kinds of flashlights for around the house in case of power loss like last July. And then I discovered these most excellent LED lanterns. So I had to have some of those because they really light up a room. I have two for in my bedroom and I'm thinking I need two more so I can have one atop each of the big columns of my bed. Am I sharing too much? Anyway, next I discovered LED lights you buy for under the cabinets. So I had to have those as well. They work awesome and the light is so white. That sounded racist, so before Food Network drops me, I better apologize. If the Apocalypse actually happens, the zombies will know where to find me because my house will be lit up like a lighthouse on a stormy night. Oh, and my obsession extends to those little LED flashlights that come in camouflage. I have 17 of them. I can't help myself. There must be a support group out there for people like me.

Have I shared enough?

I think there is a storm coming. The first flashes of lightning followed by the rumbling of thunder have begun. I do love a good storm.

That's all for now.

Nighty-nightmares...

Good evening, all you sexy people out there in the dark.

It's been less than a month since my last blog entry, so I am improving. One of these nights, I might get back to my habit of writing one each week.

What shall I tell you?

My hunt for a jar of elusive sweet peppers seems to have come to an end. My fantastic boss has found a supplier and I should have a nice big jar by the weekend. I love making soy pepperoni pizza on slices of Italian bread with sweet onions & sweet peppers. Nothing better. Unless it's a soy steak sub made with sweet onions & sweet peppers. Are you sensing my love of sweet peppers?

The secret project is continuing, progressing nicely. Shhhh. It's still a secret and I can't tell you more. Not yet. Cross your legs and hold your breath. All with be unveiled in due time.

And my friend Thom. a great author in his own right, is working on the screenplay for my first novel Into the Mirror Black. That's a very exciting prospect. Maybe one of these days we'll see a film made from my book. I would love that. After all, haunted house films and books are my favorites.

I find I really enjoy watching this SyFy show called Defiance. The Castithans are by far my favorites, both of the Votans and all the characters, with their white hair and skin. I just love them. I'm glad it's been renewed for a second season. So many shows these days are canceled so easily, so they never have the chance to get an audience. I know I don't normally watch shows until they have concluded their runs so I know there is an actual end and I won't get cut off without a resolution.

I'm working on another fundraiser for The Shadow Organization, my non-profit foundation that raises money for animals in need. I hope to have at least one gift basket that will be raffled off. Hopefully, I will have enough stuff to make 2 really excellent baskets. I will keep you updated.

Be car