Good evening one and all. I’m happy to announce that Gryphon’s Fire, the third installment in the Magical Usage Council Misadventures series is now available on e-book and paperback (hopefully. I should get the proofs in soon to make certain all is well). As you can see from the cover, we have a couple of new additions to our misfit members. You’ll meet the two wee ones about a third of the way into the story.
Many of our previous characters show up here and there as well. Henry the house dweller is still dolling out advice whether requested or not, Grayson is still finding treasure, Hikaru is still making mischief while helping, and Helios is still trying to figure out why a certain ferret shifter has caught his eye. As for Keir and Lazarus . . . well, I suppose you’ll have to read and find out 😉
I’m about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way into the final book in this series—Djinn’s Wish. So far I’m enjoying writing from Helios’s perspective. I’ve often said that (In my world) djinn are akin to children regarding their understanding of others emotions and actions. Dangerous children, but naive all the same. It’s taken me a bit, but I think I have the general plot mapped out in my head. Fun fact, I often don’t know where the story is going until I’m about a fourth of the way into it. As weird as this may sound, I wait for the characters to guide me. I’ve given up trying to understand how that works and just accepted that it typically does.
I’m also still working on what I’m calling my “Augusta” book. Insert long sigh. I’ve been mulling this story over in my head for >10 years and every time I think I’m making headway, something else comes up and it gets put on the back burner. Fingers crossed that I can keep a light on Miss Augusta and give the lady her due.
As for vet med . . . it has kinda been kicking my ass recently. All the doctors in the clinic have had difficult cases and it feels like we’ve lost several of our long term patients that mean so much to all of us. While we will never mourn as much as their pet parents, this kind of unending loss takes a toll on everyone in the clinic.
While most of our clients are kind and pleasant to work with, there are a growing few that are making the job increasingly difficult. Of course, I’m not telling any of you out there anything you don’t already know. There seems to be a collective madness going around where individuals believe the world at large will be irrevocably harmed if they are not privy to this individual’s opinion. Often, these opinions are set on the highest volume possible with a solid punch of outrage fueling their indignation. I’ve heard over the years that Midwesterners are some of the most down to earth, practical and kind people in the country. If that is the case (and considering I live in the Midwest) I hate to think what the rest of the U.S. is being subjected to.
And don’t even get me started on trying to get a pet out of the country. I was recently reminded just how much I hate international health certificates when I needed to get a cat to the EU, specifically, the Czech Republic. And this isn’t even a rabies free country (trust me, those are even more challenging). Ugh . . . you’d think I was trying to smuggle state secrets out of the country via felis domesticus. The good news is that this kitty made the trip successfully with all necessary paperwork in order. Whew, that was a load off my mind when I saw the owner’s happy pictures on social media.
FenFen and Newton are holding their own. Fen celebrated his eighth birthday at the end of August. As with every year, the ladies at work indulged me by singing happy birthday to Fen while he wore his birthday hat. Thankfully, we did not have a cupcake regurgitation scare this year like we did last time. Fen had a bit less cupcake this year to try and avoid another mishap and this seemed to work out fine.
Unfortunately, Fen’s latest cardiac echo wasn’t as positive as his last. His heart size has increased again. Clinically he is still doing well and enjoying life. His heart medications are all lined up in one of my kitchen cabinets and he has his own little pill regimen that includes pieces of American cheese slices so Fen thinks medication time is fantastic. As the ladies at work say, Fen will eat anything that doesn’t eat him first.
Newton is still doing well on his diabetes meds and seems steady. I’ve noticed recently that he’s starting to show his age, but he still gets wild hairs now and again and goes tearing through the house after one of his toys. Newton also still enjoys harassing Fen which often includes swatting poor Fen for no reason I can discern.
Beyond my pets, I’m still on the hunt for where I’d eventually like to move to. Searching for warmer winter climes. I took a trip to Peachtree City Georgia in September. While this seems to be a lovely area, I don’t think it’s the right fit for me. I keep going back to the fact that what truly calls to my heart are the old, historic homes that will most likely come with a litany of expensive upkeep and possibly a few ghosts collected over the years. Maybe one day I’ll be on a paranormal show talking about my haunted house. I certainly hope that’s not the case. While I enjoy watching those programs, I have absolutely zero desire to earn a spot on one of them.
Speaking of paranormal events . . . this weekend I’m going to see Josh Gates live and from my understanding, he’s going to talk about some of his more unsettling excursions. For those of you who don’t know who Josh Gates is (and shame on you for that) he hosts several exploration shows. I love watching his shows and look forward to the new seasons. Now I get to go and see him in person. Well . . . from the first floor balcony of a large auditorium, but still, I’ll be in the same very large and cavernous room as him!
I’ll end there. Sorry for the long wait between posts. I know it’s been a hot minute since I posted anything new. That’s on me. I can say I’ll try to do better but that’s most likely too close to a lie for my comfort (sorry).
I hope you all enjoy Gryphon’s Fire. As an aside, I think cheriefox did a great job on this cover. I really like the colors and think Lazarus and the little wyvern turned out beautiful.
Until next time, know I am wishing you well and hope my stories give you a break from the tedium of the “real world”. As for me, I’ll be diving back into a world where pixies, djinn, shifters, vampires, trolls, ogres, fairies, house dwellers, scuttlebutts, necromancers, wizards, witches and so much more coexist and heed my direction.
MJ May
Gah! I almost forgot. I’ve had some inquires asking if the Magical Usage Council Misadventure series will be on audiobook and the answer is, yes! As for when the audiobooks will come out . . . I’m not sure. Podium has the rights. I can tell you they’ve had the first two books since July so hopefully not too much longer. I’ll post when I know more.
I’m going to try and post some funny pictures below.
My Josh Gates puzzle the ladies at work gifted me with. I put it together, glued it, my dad made a frame (thanks dad!) and it now hangs above my desk in the office. I’m so very proud!
A t-shirt that I purchased and hope is truly ironic and not predictive.
And finally, a sign I saw in a parking lot of a local hospital when I was visiting an ill coworker. I really thought I misread it when I walked into the hospital and had to do a double take when I walked out.
