February 2025

Quickly, An Opportunity for a Bad Romance on Feb 13

Howdy, folks!

Freshly back from my time in Kansas eating all the BBQ and homemade chocolate chip cookies I could stand (which, trust me, was a lot).

While I had a lovely time visiting my old campus and there is a video of the talk I gave, a full recap will have to wait. I have come primarily to apprise you of one thing:

Tomorrow, I’ll be doing a livestream with the Story Engine folks on building complicated, conflicted relationships (romances and more!). If you know my work, you know this is my bread and butter, and I’m thrilled to run through it with this crew.

We’ll talk a bit about the Magic of the Lost series and how I built relationships there, and then we’ll move on to building some relationships with the Story Engine decks, which I’ve done multiple times. There will be chances to ask questions at all stages, so if there’s something burning you want to know about my character process and how I weave these problematique girlies into narrative, this is your chance!

Stream starts Feb 13, 2025 @ 3 PM ET. Click here to watch.

If you can’t make it, the video will still be there, but you will lose the chance to ask questions live. (Got anything you really want to know but can’t make it? Leave a comment here, and I’ll try to get to it when we’re live!)

Fate’s Bane Cover Reveal!

Oh, and this happened:

My sad swamp lesbians have a cover! And they are officially available for preorder wherever you get your books.

The clans of the fens enjoy a tenuous peace, and it is all thanks to Agnir, ward and hostage. For as long as she can remember she has lived among the enemy, learning their ways, growing strong alongside their children. When a burgeoning love for the chieftain’s daughter lures them both to a hidden spring, a magic awakens in them that could bind the clans under one banner at last—or destroy any hope of peace. By working their intentions into leather, they can weave misfortune for their enemies… just like the Fate’s Bane that haunts the legends of the clans.

Ambitions grow in their fathers’ hearts, grudges threaten a return to violence, and greedy enemies wait outside the borders, seeking a foothold to claim the fens for themselves. And though their Makings may save their families, the legend that gave them this power always exacts its price.

For those of you who ask, I’d love you to support your local bookstore first! It keeps the ecosystem healthy, and also it helps when flesh-and-blood people know to keep my book in stock and maybe even get excited about my books. If you don’t have a local, many great bookshops ship! There’s also bookshop.org, which now has an ebook option. They’ll give a kickback to the bookstore of your choice, or you can use my affiliate links which give me a kickback.

Out September 30, 2025. Preorder US. Preorder UK.

(Coincidentally, THE SOVEREIGN will also come out September 30. Stay tuned for more on that.)

AMBESSA!!!

Is almost here. She’ll arrive to wreck your hearts and minds and [redacted]. You have until Feb 18 to preorder!!! (US/UK)

And then you just have to buy it like normal people. ;)

That’s all for now in this very quick dutiful blast. Will share more about what I’ve been reading at a later date, but I’ve got copyedits for The Sovereign to finish by tomorrow.

Stay sharp, friends.

C. L.