One more done... and a cover reveal

I finished Book 23.

I agonized over the stinger scene for that, in coordination with the one at the end of Book 22, all weekend, considering how it would work with the final two books of the series in a way that isn't detracting and could be resolved within the remaining books. The Paxons in Starfire Angels: Forgotten Worlds never play fair and always play to win power through every wily conniving way they can. I wanted to bring that to the forefront, because I can't ignore that issue that was being set up. I just wasn't sure exactly how it would play out.

Supreme Commander Soren Draksten has an ego that won't let him look like a fool, and he certainly isn't. As I did with L'Ni in Book 21, I had to come up with something that added an extra layer of complexity to the story while revealing his intelligence in this, because he won't lose face. Losing his own offspring to a culture of "breeders" is a stain he can't get out, but he's going to try... by making the other side look dirty. Yes, he's a bit vindictive, but he loves power.

Anyway, I could have started a whole new storyline and continued this series in that direction, and it could still continue in that, but that's not my end game. My goal is to wrap it all up in Book 25. While this plot thread could potentially be continued in a new direction, I don't want to start something big now. I wanted to add that layer without it being too big; just enough to make sense for the series and add conflict and difficulties for the heroes and heroines. It's hard to really say much without giving things away.

Let's just say it was a long weekend of pondering this issue and finally settling on the simpler route. Although it is a big deal, it's nothing that can't be resolved in the final two books.

NOW, I can start writing Book 24, including weaving in that new thread from the stingers of Books 22 and 23.

And this weekend, I finally found an image that fit Book 23, so the cover is done and uploaded to my website:

Thanks for reading!

Disproving the Multiverse | Dr. John Bergsma (video title)... and why I won't go there in my writing

There are two reasons I had Vel, the dimensional portals researcher of the series, state in Book 15 of Starfire Angels: Forgotten Worlds that other universes don't exist:

1. I hate the theory. There are so many problems with it and I'm sick of all of sci-fi seeming to incorporate it as the latest storytelling fad.
2. I didn't want any possibility of resetting my story. This increases the stakes. No time travel. No multiverses. They only get one chance to save the universe.

God bless!

Satanists think they’ll be VIP in hell! Catholic exorcist explains. (video title)

Every Time You Meet Someone, This Is Happening (Padre Pio) (video title)

Because I love angels...

This is a very good explanation, and it gives me hope that those who have cut off communication with me are still receiving the messages through their angels from the grace of God from my prayers.

Exorcist Fr. Chad Ripperger: Possessed Politicians, Occult Activity, and Speaking to Satan Himself (video title)

The final two books of Starfire Angels: Forgotten Worlds

Yesterday, I received the grace of plotting out the courses of Books 24 and 25 of Starfire Angels: Forgotten Worlds. Before that, I knew what had to be in them, but I didn't have the full stories. Yesterday's creativity was bursting, and I outlined the plots with those points in them and more. The Lord was good in that and also the incredible consolations he provided for the Lord's Supper (Holy Thursday) mass.

I have just one scene to write for Book 23 - the stinger scene - and that book will be done (at around 48K words). I'll search for a cover image for Book 23 and jump right into writing Book 24, which is going to be a format different than the others. Book 23 gave me much more than I had expected to create a pre-climax mini-climax to the series in Book 24 (before the big climax in Book 25) like I haven't done before. Book 24 will actually be two stories running in parallel.

I know that sounds confusing, but Armor was worse and only one story interweaving two timelines.

Book 24 is also going to focus on a variety of other characters, which really emphasizes one of the big themes concluding in Book 25 and tying a nice big bow on everything when all the plot threads wrap up.

I prayed for creativity for the final two books and received in abundance everything I needed for a perfect conclusion to the series. The Lord is good!

God bless!

Writing update and a note to new readers

I have a quick update on the writing and a note for any new readers picking up the ebook boxed sets of Starfire Angels: Forgotten Worlds.

I've been plugging away on Book 23 again and it is finally coming to a conclusion. It should be less than 50,000 words, unlike 21 and 22. The length creep is read in a series. I see it in many, but I try to keep these between 40K-50K words, or half the doorstopper length of most modern novels. By SFWA standards, they are novels, but short novels. Some have gotten a bit longer, however.

I should have this finished soon, and then I'll start writing Book 24.

For those new to the series, it is planned as 25 books, so there will be one more boxed set (Collection 5) by the time it's done. Also, I write two books ahead of what I publish, except that Book 23 was taking so long that I had to interrupt the first draft to edit Book 21.

I expect to release Book 22 in the fall/winter of this year and the final three books in 2027, along with the final boxed set. Those new to the series will only have another year and a half or so to wait for the final books. The first book in the series was published originally in 2019, so you're coming in near the end and don't have the wait that those who have been with it since the beginning.

I appreciate the support of all readers, especially those who have had the patience to stick with me all these years waiting on each book.

Thank you for reading!

Catholic Mass 101: Learn Every Part of the Mass and What It Means (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz) (video title)

A bit of a real-life urban fantasy story: The Rosary vs. Ouija board (video)

Reality can be more frightening than fiction. 

Hell Explained by Catholic Tradition | Judgment, Eternal Punishment, and the Soul ~ Fr. Ripperger (video title)