That’s right, I’ll no longer be posting articles to this page. During my quest to improve my site, I discovered that my website host offers WordPress without ads and with added features for no additional cost. I’m still in the process of setting it up, but you’ll find all the latest under my Havens-Realm.com umbrella.
Check it out!
https://havens-realm.com/blogsite/
See you there soon!
Tamara Monteau, Author
I know it’s been a long time coming, but Treacherous Destiny, Haven’s Realm 1, is finally on its way to online bookshelves. As of this moment, it has reached six outlets, including Barnes & Noble. I’m still waiting on Kindle. So, here it is!
Mistakes in his distant past force Joshua MacAaron to lead a solitary existence, but after centuries spent in the company of Mother Nature and her children, his soul becomes inexplicably entwined with that of a profoundly innocent mortal. Unable to resist her pull, he resigns himself to an unwanted love hunt, but is unable to conquer his fear of her rejection. When his reluctance to tell her the truth leads to tragedy, he’s faced with the necessity of letting her go.
Katie’s impoverished lifestyle and constant struggle to survive keeps her mind and heart occupied until a handsome Scotsman disrupts her simple plans. Drawn in by his gentle ways, she prays for the day he asks for her hand, but a horrific twist of fate reveals his vampire state in the worst possible way. Instinctive fear drives a wedge between them that only determination and love is able to break.
Their happiness is too-quickly shattered when a hunter attacks Community vampires near Haven’s Realm, calling Joshua to the defense of his clan. When he disappears and is declared dead, she is left alone to defend her destiny against the dictates of his Council.
This novel is a complete rewrite of Twilight Destiny, Haven’s Realm 1.
You can buy it now from Barnes & Noble here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/treacherous-destiny-tamara-monteau/1140067336?ean=2940165472039.
I will add more buy links as I get them. They’ll also be available at your local library. Thank you for your patience! #HavensRealm #VampireRomance
Tamara Monteau, Author
I sat down and reviewed my blog site to remind myself what I’ve posted and decide what to write this morning. I could apologize for my absence once again, but that’s beginning to sound lame, so I decided an explanation was in order. Presented with a blank page, I pondered over the title that would best describe why I’ve been absent for more than a year. It all summed up in four succinct characters everyone understands and bemoans — 2020.
It all began on the third of January. Determined to make a change for myself and claw my way out of the depression the holidays left with me, I took daughter number three clothes shopping. I’ll have to admit asking for fashion advice from my flamboyant redhead was a questionable decision, but I did come away with some updated togs and a bottle of platinum hair color.
After spending the remainder of that afternoon in Christina’s care, I returned home to find that Mike had begun interior renovations I really believed he would hold off on until after his upcoming surgery. “Buzzzzz! Wrong answer. Thank you for playing. Have a nice day.” I had no choice but to dig in, and I was thankful that he managed to finish stripping and painting the popcorn ceilings before the big day came. The end of January, I had my first day of rest, if you can call it resting, sitting in the hospital waiting room and watching the surgery monitor.
I completed most of the wood flooring while Mike recuperated, leaning on help from the kids once in a while when I needed something heavy moved. Another daughter even agreed to spend a day helping, and we covered more than half of the living room. I finished up to the last room, my library and office, when hubs, feeling better about himself, announced his readiness to work on our new pool site. The office is still on stand-by.
Because we have a septic system, having an in-ground pool is impossible. We went through the motions last year anyway, just so we could accept the reality. We’ve always had above-ground pools, and they’ve increased in size and quality over the years. Last year, we were forced to take our Intex pool apart due to corroded vinyl, and decided to upgrade again. The relocation pulled the new pool farther into the corner of the back yard, making better use of the space, but the stress of sifting tufts of grass root and weed out of the new site left me in a hand splint for weeks. We threw a big assembly party after the groundwork was laid and the some three-hundred pound steel wall was ready for installation, and another after the deck was built and the pool was in operation, to reward everyone for their hard work. Now it’s after the Fourth of July, and I have baby things to make.
Although Covid has not hit our family directly, knock on wood, the inconveniences have. Things that were once plentiful on the shelves are now hard to find. You take for granted that the stores will always have what you need, but I didn’t anticipate the supply chain breakdown that slowed the restocking of those convenient shelves. Some of the things, like toilet paper and sanitizers, were easy to understand, all things considered, but there have been times when I’ve needed something that simply couldn’t be found. Crazy stuff–black pepper, gravy mixes, and privacy fencing to name a few. I even had to give up one of my favorite beverages due to a plant closure that, I think, is still ongoing. This made helping daughter number two more than a physical challenge.
We spent the first weeks in August helping our very pregnant Amanda and her family paint, repair privacy fencing, clean, and move into their new home. My sixtieth birthday passed with little more than mention, but we were so busy, I understood. I was bummed, but I understood. And then on to a baby shower, and the careful preparations needed these days to make sure visiting family members stayed safe. Almost four weeks after the fact, once the dust settled, the kids made it up to me, you can believe that!
I’ve spent every day in Haven’s Realm, usually in the mornings when everything is quiet and I can devote at least an hour to my muse. Every title is ready, if needing one more good look through, and I’ve been making noises about self publication. “When things settle down and I get the time…” But every aspect of the publication process seems profoundly involved and complicated to my aging brain, and I haven’t had the resources to put the attention on learning. I have another novel in the gears, and so far it’s proving its worth to me, but with a new grandson on the way and the holidays breathing down my neck, I guess I decided to give it thought again next year. And then…
A former writing associate announced in our old group that she had an advertising special on Facebook. Because she commented that on one of my old posts, I saw it and thanked her, but told her I didn’t yet have anything to advertise. Another associate saw that and tagged me about being signed on, finally, with another publisher who agreed to her back list. Because The Demon Chief was ready to go, I took a look at their website and decided to take a chance. So hold on, cherished readers–Haven’s Realm is sticking its foot in another door.
Will they decide The Demon Chief is worthy? I sure hope so. It would certainly help me get back on the shelf faster and take some of the stress out of it. But as I warned the hubs last night, this will throw me into another long round of edits, covers and galleys. I may have to sacrifice some of those things I want to do for others for the sake of seeing this through. My ever optimistic and logical-minded champion assured me this is what I need to do, and is ready to support me.
Everyone I talk to about my imagined friends wants to know more. I’ve shown excerpts to visitors who expressed more than mild curiosity, and won them over after a few short pages. Return visits often include inquiries regarding my published status. My devoted readers frequently ask when I’ll be available again, and I have to offer them assuring smiles and tell them I’m trying. How can any writer fail with reader encouragement like that? Well, okay, maybe timid me, but I’m trying to be optimistic.
Gaining acceptance of Trey’s story will open the door for consideration, and the rest of my already-visited friends are patiently waiting to see what the big guy will accomplish. Not-so-patient newbies have been throwing me vibes, and–believe it or not–I have ideas for fifteen more plots, ten of which will probably develop into new stories. Will any of my previously published titles follow The Demon Chief into the hands of professionals? I have no clue. Each story is going to have to fly on its own merits, so I’ll give every one of my friends all my support while they endure the process. It could be I’ll still have to go indie on some titles, and I’m bracing myself for the possibility of severe cuts and editing. King had to abridge The Stand to get it launched. If he can endure it, so can I. I’ve promised I’ll get Haven’s Realm active again, and I never back out of a promise, even if fulfillment is a long time coming.
I have two months, hopefully, to wait on another response from the publishing house. I’ll work double-time to finish the sewing and crafts I have lined up for both baby and as gifts, spend my quiet morning hours reviewing my work and the supporting files, and prepare myself in the event I do become published again. Assuming the next email I receive is positive, I’ll have a hectic end to 2020, and the beginning of another long uphill climb.
Thank you for being patient with me. Let’s hope 2021 starts out on a better note.
Respectfully submitted,
Tamara Monteau
Author, Haven’s Realm
Haven's Realm 