Being that we’re almost to Christmas, I thought I’d talk about Christmas traditions. We all have our own, some handed down through families, and others are from our spouses, or our spouses’ families. Or even some of them are brand new, but will be observed by many for years to come. When I was a kid, my family had traditions. As I look back on my childhood, I’ve realized how much I miss them.
I swear it was 2005 yesterday. When I finally sat down and took a deep breath after the release of Shards, I realized that it was December. I mean, I knew it was December, but I hadn’t really thought about what that meant. How January is right around the corner, how we’re almost ready to close the books on yet another year. And how I hadn’t done many of the things I thought I was going to this year.
As we head into the holidays, a joyous time that can also be stressful due to the sheer amount of stuff that needs doing, I’m finding my own stress level ramping up. And it’s got me thinking. Are we addicted to stress? Here’s where I’m coming from. I’m a writer with a day job. That means that (like most of you, no doubt) I always have multiple projects and to-dos on the go, and a certain amount of stress is unavoidable. But I’m also a worrier with some compulsive tendencies. I’m always setting myself extra projects, or goals I can’t meet, and then stressing out when I inevitably fail.
Eva Martinez isn’t sure why she’s pursuing a master’s degree in religious studies, except that something about the material resonates in the depths of her soul. But when her dreams start to be invaded by lost gardens, forbidden fruit, and a strangely familiar mystery man, even she has to wonder if she’s taking her schoolwork too seriously. Then Eva starts to notice the strangeness seeping into everyday life. The man from her dreams is real and Eva feels a curious connection with him. Her classmate, someone she’s known for years, starts to act increasingly volatile. And it seems like everyone, including her bosses, is keeping secrets…secrets that have something to do with her. Eva’s determined to find out what’s going on, how it involves her, and why she’s transforming into someone buried deep in her memories. The deeper in that Eva gets, the more she feels like she should understand what’s happening around her. The secrets conceal real dangers, and if she can’t untangle them and find the truth in time, she–and all those she’s come to care for–will face defeat at the hands of an ancient enemy, one who recognized Eva long before she learned to recognize herself. For a sneak peek at Shards, go here. Shards is availble on Amazon for Kindle and in paperback. Also available in many formats from Smashwords, and you can even get a signed copy!