Spell Hound, the second novel in my new A Witch in Wolf Wood series (or Wolf Woof as the faithful sidekick Lucky calls it), is out on Amazon this weekend. Here are the links if you want to pick it up:
And if you haven’t read Book 1 (Mind Over Magic) yet, there’s a preview chapter on my blog here.
I thought it would be fun to do a little “behind the scenes” post to go along with the launch. So, here goes!
What was the genesis of the story (yeah, I know, it’s super geeky to use words like genesis in every day conversation, but… you’ve read my books and know I love my words)?
I actually had the idea for a woman inheriting a big rambling old house in a small town more than a year ago. And the werewolf now known as Amar came along with the original idea. Because who just inherits a house without catches, right?
And because romances are always fun, I figured they’d hook up in the end (regular readers will know this is not new for me), but I couldn’t let that happen right away… I envisioned him leaping out at her car and trying to drive her off the property first. What’s now Chapter 1 in Mind Over Magic is pretty close to how I imagined it a year ago.
I went as far as to order a cover for the book, but I didn’t put aside my other projects. I was deep in Death Before Dragons at the time with an idea for an epic fantasy — Dragon Gate — prodding me and wanting attention. Also, it’s a big pain to actually get a stand-alone book to sell.
With series, you can spend more than you earn from sales on advertising for Book 1 on the assumption that some readers will carry on and buy the next books. With a stand-alone book… there’s none of that, unless you get lucky, and readers go check out your other stuff.
It also wasn’t going to be in a sub-genre of fantasy that I’d written in before, so I figured that might make it an even harder sell to my existing fans. A random paranormal romance (as I was thinking of it then) among all the high fantasy, steampunk, and a single urban fantasy series. Oh, and don’t forget the space opera!
So, I put it on the back burner.
But then in May, I was in beast-mode, writing the third Dragon Gate novel and starting to feel like I needed a break. I’d just finished the second, which had come in at something like 185,000 words, and Book 3 was looking meaty too. These were turning into some thick books by my standards (by most authors’ standards), and with numerous point-of-view characters, they were more complicated than the average story.
I had family coming to visit for the summer and a road trip planned, and I knew I’d have a hard time focusing on something long and involved. My mind came back to that inheriting-a-house-with-a-werewolf story. It seemed like it could be a fairly short and simple story with just one point-of-view character. Maybe it would be a perfect project for a summer full of distractions.
But there was still the problem of a stand-alone novel being tough to market…
Until I realized the obvious solution was to write three books.
That was perfect since I’m not that great at writing stand-alone romance stories anyway. As most of you know, I like to make that hero and heroine work for it for a while. (Yes, yes, Balanced on the Blade’s Edge was a rare exception where the randy Sardelle and Zirkander were getting busy in a cave by Chapter 13…) A little UST or unresolved sexual tension is always fun after all.
This is how a light and easy fun summer project turns into three books and more of a time commitment than you had planned…
But I don’t mind. I complain a lot, but I seem to be happiest when I have lots of work lined up and at least four book (or series) ideas waiting in line to be written.
So, there’ll be three books in the series?
Well, about that…
A few days ago, I sent Book 3 off to my beta readers, and as I was writing the second half, I realized that while I’d wrapped up the original story I wanted to tell, there were quite a few more things I could see exploring in the little (little but witch- and werewolf-filled) town of Bellrock. There were all of these other interesting characters that would be fun to develop more, and I’d just brought Morgen’s sister in for a visit, and their dialogue was a blast to write. Book 3 was starting to seem a little early for ending things.
I need to write my next epic fantasy before thinking of Wolf Wood 4, but I have tentative plans to do at least a couple more novels. 🙂
When did you decide Morgen would be a witch?
I loved wolves as a kid (my favorite animals even above horses!), so doing werewolves was pretty natural for me. The surprising part was that I hadn’t written a werewolf main character sooner. There were some furry bad guys in Death Before Dragons (and the quirky werewolf neighbor who may or may not be having sex with Val’s mom), but it was definitely time for one to be a star.
But… witches? I had no plans for witches.
I’ve watched in some bemusement as “witch cozies” (witch cozy mysteries) have become a thing on Kindle, but aside from reading the Dorrie the Little Witch series with my mom as a kid, they weren’t anything I sought out as a reader.
But I did have this kooky old house that Morgen inherited, and I knew her grandmother had been a little eccentric. Maybe she was eccentric… because she was a witch?
And maybe Bellrock was as brimming with witches as it was werewolves. That could create some nice tension in the stories…
And that’s how it happens. Writers have an idea or two, let them run, and pretty soon they’re writing a 10-book series. (FYI, I’m not committing to ten books yet. :D)
It’s also nice in fantasy novels if the heroine has a way to kick some ass. Let’s face it: we 21st-century readers aren’t down with a damsel in distress.
I don’t mind doing the Xena-warrior-woman heroine from time to time (see: Val in Death Before Dragons), but let’s face it. Most of us ladies can’t relate to that. But we wouldn’t mind having just a little bit of magical power to protect us from bad guys… or hex ex-boyfriends. You know how it goes.
Of course, Morgen only learns about her witch heritage in the first book, so she basically starts out at Level One, but she’s learning a few things and getting better. Once she connects with her familiar in Book 2, she’s clearly on the right path to becoming a legit witch.
Will we learn how a pack of Mexican werewolves ended up in Bellrock, Washington?
Amar gives us a few hints about his past across the books, but this is actually something I’ve put down in my notes for Book 4, a little more on why he and the others left their homeland and… oops, I better not start spoiling things that far out. Besides, it’s all subject to change until I actually write the novel.
We’ll leave it at, yes, I think so for the answer.
What was the inspiration for Lucky?
There actually is a Lucky!
I have vizslas of my own, but my parents have a vizsla named Lucky, and he’s such a friendly goof that I decided to name a canine character after him. And then… I just decided to make Morgen’s Lucky more or less him.
The real Lucky is a little older than the fictional one and has started to get a gray muzzle, but here’s a picture of him staying in a hotel this summer. (Also, the real Lucky has never glowed from the aftereffects of a spell. In case you were wondering.)
When does Book 3 come out?
On Halloween. I had to. 🙂
Thanks for reading!
Nice to know the background. I thought Lucky was based on yr own dogs. Can’t wait for #3 & of course the next Dragon Gate.
Speaking for myself, whether stand-alone or series, I would buy whatever you wrote since I discovered Emperor’s Edge & have bought all your books. Even including Ruby Lionsdrake – just because you wrote them. TBH, while I enjoyed the world building & stories, I do find the sex scenes pretty much like the obligatory sex scenes in all movies nowadays – a bit tedious & tiresome.
Obviously much as I enjoy your books, I have favorites & would like nothing better than you will add more to the series. Like Ridgewalker/Sardelle being parents of grown children with powers, Jaxi & Taddy going on a date: what happened with Trip’s siblings; The Main Event finally becoming accepted & recognised for being an exemplary citizen; Will Jak/Jadora get their wish that terrenes can be left alone to live their lives without compulsion by mages, etc etc. Not forgetting Leonidas becoming grandpa & will the Dark Prince find happiness at last.
Almost exactly what I was thinking. Do you have powers? After reading what you wrote it felt like your thoughts had been pulled out of my head lol. Probably many of us readers are thinking the same thing. I’ve read several scify series that have more than a dozen books in the series and it doesn’t seem strange at all to me
Carole, I could have written what you wrote. My thoughts, exactly. I have read every book and am currently, reading Wounded, that I just discovered. I agree, some of the sex sciences, just seem tedious, so, I mostly skim through them. I also, am not a fan of torturer sciences, thank you Lindsay, for keeping them to a minimum. MaryElna
I’m looking forward to reading the next book series! I have a serious backlog of “to be read” ….I got behind driving to my brother’s biker-style memorial. No time to read then at all! But I’ll get to them and I’m sure they will be as entrancing as all your others!
Love your Lucky! He resembles my pup, “Gunner”…..he just turned two. His previous owner, who bought him as a baby, decided after 15 months that she “ didn’t have the time” for the dogs anymore.
Nice! I like behind the scenes stuff!
You say you love your words. Well, aWiWW 2 sure shows that. Man, I had to look up many words reading that book! It is a sport for you to get in as many difficult words as possible, isnt it? Well, I forgive you. It is entertaining, educational and Kindle has a good dictionary on board. I wonder though, as a Dutch guy, do you native English speakers sometimes need to look up those special Lindsay words as well or am I the only one?
You’re not alone, Tonny. I, too, look up a number of words in Lindsay’s books. I love the balance of the dry/sarcastic/oh-so-relatable humor with the characters’ intelligence. Huh… smart *and* funny… what a concept! 😉
E-readers at least make it handy to look up words. I remember having to pull out my dictionary as a kid when I was reading David Eddings. He liked his big words too. He taught me defenestration. 😀
My Grandfather taught me defenestration. He came over from Ukraine in 1909, and the concept was pretty thick-on-the-ground in the later part of the Tsarist age.
I couldn’t help but notice the Yiddish building up in Book 1. I’m no expert, by a long shot, but it’s in the blood. Don’t stop!
I agree with “ill read everything you have written”….and also I find the sex scenes tedious, lol….but in this series, which I finished book 2 yesterday, its not that bad-the sex scenes and as I said in my review on amazon kindle I love the characters in this series… love how they aren’t like every other story, ps-my hubby is convinced our doggies is a Vizsla, maybe Vizsla mixed, some unknowing person put him down a w choc lab and there’s no way. He does look just like Lucky but choc brown, the skinniness, the whip like tail, those big floppy ears! So i was extra excited for Lucky to be a sidekick/hero
I also am in that mode. If Lindsay writes it, I’m going to read it!!
I am thoroughly enjoying the Witch series! As always I love the dry humor you use so adroitly. I enjoy reading your books on kindle, because I can immediately check the definition of an unfamiliar word (and learn it!), or a word I didn’t realize that can be used in a particular context. I don’t have any problems with your sex scenes, as they always seem tasteful.
I hope Patreon is working well for you, I like using it and helping to support your writing habit :)!
Thanks, Claudia! I’m glad you’re enjoying the humor and that Patreon is working well for you!
As always, you captivate the reader within the first few pages of Wolf Wood. And leave us wanting more by the final paragraph. The characters’ individual stories unfurl within the storyline leading us to experience a growing connection to their lives. And yes, there isn’t a single book series from Lindsay (and I believe I have read them all!) where I haven’t mourned the end, always wishing for more….please.
Thanks, Sherry, for following along with so many books. I’m glad you enjoy spending time with the characters!
I have nothing really different to add to the above comments.
Just keep writing please do we can all keep reading and enjoying your fabulous ideas and characters. Love all you write.l😍
Thanks, Sheba. I plan to keep writing for quite some time. 🙂
I agree with all of the above, and have read all of your books. I am getting on, but I do like a bit of romance, and happy endings. There is so much strife in the world that it is nice to see a happy ending.
Thank you for giving me hours of happy reading.
I really do like your sense of humour.
Auriel.- Australia.
I love Lindsay’s books, and can not wait until wait the next episode in the gGte series, however I would truly love another episode of Amaranthe and Sicarius. And also please give Sespian his own space – he’s an amazingly artistic athletic son of a trained assassin, looking for a secure relationship, equally matched by Mahliki….what’s not to like?
I too love Lindsay’s books, however, even with her wonderful writing style I skip paragraph after paragraph of sex scenes.
Romance, Great! The sex? Well I’m into privacy, I won’t tell you what I do, or have done, and I don’t want to know details of what others do, so not into my book please!
Everyone seems to think its obligatory any more, in almost every book I read from fantasy to mystery, to historical novels.
One of these days soon I expect someone will put one in a scientific journal article its become so prevalent.
Other peoples sex lives are a yawn, I’m only interested in mine.
Sorry, well not really.
The characters and story lines are fantastic in Lindsay’s books so if she writes it I buy it, I just skip the sex scenes and hope I don’t miss something else important between lines that bore me.
LOL! I was starting book 4 of Desert Cursed which was suppose to be the last in the series when she said there would be book 5-book 8 just came out. Sometimes more words just have to be written and I will be right there reading yours. Thank you!
Sorry I forgot to put in the part that Desert Cursed was written by Shannon Mayer
Haha, authors have plans, but then things happen. Characters get pushy and want more time!
How did this morph into an anti-sex-scene group chat? LOL, I’m on the other side of that argument, even after reading the Ruby books. Keep them coming – people can fast-forward through them if it’s not their thing. Looking forward to reading book 2 of the WIWW series and anything you write.
I’m with you Kara! Lindsay, loving all your writing including the sex scenes. They can’t be easy to write, but you usually strike a great balance between very racey.. and a bit tongue in cheek. Pun intended. It’s never felt out of character or just in there for the sake of it, but usually forms part of character and/or relationship development. I was rather disappointed the two main characters didn’t go further this time… but it totally makes sense for where they are as individuals, and the level of confidence in themselves and trust in other people that they have right now… will have to wait for book 3 😁
Thanks, Emma! Hey, they’ll get there. There’s just so much else happening in Wolf Wood that it’s hard to squeeze in alone time. 😀
Thanks, Kara!
I totally agree! One of my very favorite series is a “Ruby” series called the Mandrake Company… 8 books of vibrant, incredible characters and great adventures! If you don’t like the sex, you don’t need to read it – AND it does advance the relationships a lot if you take the time to read it and absorb the truly human interactions they represent.
<3 – Elizabeth Butler
So great to hear the process behind the stories! I totally get a standalone book somehow ending up as a series! There’s always just more to the story. I’m loving this one, even if it is a little different.
Thanks, Rinelle! I haven’t managed to actually write many stand-alone books. Encrypted was originally one. And then Decrypted happened. Balanced on the Blade’s Edge was supposed to be one book and turned into 8… 9… hm, maybe 14, if we count the spinoff series. 😀
I always enjoy reading your books, the new ones or the re-reads of the older ones (to find out what I missed the first read). Reading “A Witch in Wolf Wood” book 2 now and already looking forward to book 3. Keep them coming and thanks for writing.
You’re very welcome, Harold. Thanks for following along!
I love all you write, Lindsay. You have a special knack for inventing interesting characters, using unique settings, interesting plots, & writing interesting dialogue.
Thanks, Eleanor! I’m glad you’re having fun with the books!
Yep, I like your books. You have an unerring emotional compass. The humor is cute, but best when uttered by geeky characters. I like smart characters that actually demonstrate they know their field. And, thanks for making all the books Kindle Unlimited at least for a while. I snap them up and usually read them the first day they become available.
You’re welcome, Elizabeth. I’m glad you enjoy spending time with my geeky characters. 🙂
WOW 👏 I just finished reading all the comments on your amazing books that I have read or intend to read. When Covid hit so hard & staying home in a secure retirement building ( small 1 bedroom apartment) the stress of living alone with no real contact or control over how you feel. Your books have been a constant focus for me up to 13 hours of reading & that is how I found you & enjoy reading all of your series. I even started losing my hair from the stress so no TV for the past year & my hair started to grow back ( I was so happy that happened) LOL Your other readers have said it all in the best way possible you ARE a fantastic author & a wonderful addition to my library ( about the only 1) I look forward to your emails, brings a smile to my heart & I thank you for all the wonderful words that you put into your books 📚 💘😎
Thank you for the nice note, Mona. I’m glad my books helped keep you entertained this past year (and that your hair is doing well now!). Thank you for reading. 🙂
I just want to add to the gushy “Love Lindsay Fest” (which is so very well deserved.) 😀 I adore your books regardless if they include the full monty, or don’t, are a series or a stand alone (Stars Across Time is a favorite for sure). When I open one of your books it is so easy to slip into the world you’ve created that I never want to leave OR I spend a ridiculous amount of my real life time wondering about the characters. I do consider you the Queen of the Slow Burn and I like that. Sexy doesnt always mean explicit ( Sicarius’ haircut- hubba hubba) but it’s A-Okay when it is too (Mandrake company – more hubba hubba).
I also like that your characters, while not prone to violence, have that military bearing and practicality that shows you’ve spent time in service. There’s no way any of them will be a weak, weepy, too stupid to live type. Even when they do cry, they do it with aplomb. Ans when they need to kick a little arse, they can manage that bit too (even if it’s with alchemy, magic, or just plain ol’ smarts 😉 ).
Basically, your my favorite…right up there with Heinlein and Moorcock
I loved Mind over Magic so much I stayed up all night reading it and starting on Spell Hound as well. Literally all night! Looking forward to the next instalment (and maybe more?). I have all your books on my kindle and in Audible. I re-read each series MANY times! Sorry for gushing but it was great to find an author that had so many and varied series’s for me to jump into. (I’m down with the sex scenes 😉) Please keep writing them and I promise I’ll keep acquiring.
Thank you for the Lucky Picture! I have to admit we’re more small-dog people (Corgi mix), but my Daughter in Law (who lives next door) recently acquired a slightly-aged Fox Hound (the legs never end!!), and trying to picture Lucky occupying so much of the hotel bed is so much easier now!
I put aside the Wolf Wood books to read the Dragon Gate books, all of which was delayed by a string of back injuries, so I’m halfway into the first WW book now. As always, a riviting but entertaining read!
I hope your back is doing better now!
I’ve heard that small dogs can take up large portions of the bed too, haha.
“In was dark in the new room , so she couldn’t see much, …”
Buroker, Lindsay (2021-09-14). Mind Over Magic: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel (A Witch in Wolf Wood Book 1) (Kindle Locations 2804-2805). Lindsay Buroker. Kindle Edition.
Should be “It …”. Don’t know if this helps.
Louise
Darn, one that slipped through. Just corrected it and uploaded a new file to Amazon. Thank you.
Hi from Germany! I just finished ‘Any Witch Way’ and I really enjoyed it! At the end you mentioned ‘Hoot and Howler’ for those who sign up for your newsletter. I did and got the emails allright, but this story from Amar’s point of view wasn’t included. Could you possibly share it? I am very curious….
Hi Andrea,
Hoot and Howler is from Amar’s point of view and is the story I mentioned. Sorry if there was any confusion! Thanks for reading!
I to am looking for ‘Hoot and Howler’. Please let me know where to find it. I’m almost finished with ‘Moment of Tooth’.
Thank you so very much for the entertaining reading.
Phil