End of year wrap-up, and what to expect next year!

Every year since I started publishing, not even sure how many years that has been now, I do a post where I talk about what I did the past year, and what I learned, with a bit of what everyone can expect from me next year. 

So, how did 2017 look for me? 

Busy. 

It looked busy as hell. 

On the business side of things (read: writing), I released the DeLuca Duet, and showed everybody that perhaps what we all thought happened to Dino DeLuca in The Chicago War was not actually what happened to our boy. 

And then Inflict came out -- my slightly crazy, very abused, incredibly broken Irishman, Connor. I believe that book was also my first full length standalone since I began publishing. It also flew far left in terms of the dark factor in my writing. I'm still quite proud of that book, and I love Connor to the ends of the earth and back. 

For everybody who waited so patiently for the French-Italian Canadian, Gian Guzzi, from the Guzzi Duet, he was published this year as well. And he was far more charming, dangerous, and sexy that I expected him to be, but I'm not complaining. 

Who would? 

I also released companions -- Behind the Bloodlines, for Donati Bloodlines Trilogy, and A Very Marcello Christmas for the Filthy Marcellos. I enjoy doing these short companion novellas for the fans because it lets me take a trip back to old favorites, even if it's only for a short time. 

Erin and I also finished the Gun Moll Trilogy with the release of Madame Moll​. 

And then comes Legacy. 

The first Legacy couple published this year with the Cross + Catherine series. So many people have been asking for these books, and really, I was just waiting to write them, too. For three or four years now, they have been pounding at the back of my mind. 

But with good, comes bad. 

Unfortunately, with the beginning of the Legacy couples, it means the ending of this world that I started in like, 2014, or something. Once the Legacy couples are finished, and then the second generation Guzzi brothers, this world is over. It is done. There will not be companions for it, or anything else. 

Why? 

Because everything comes to an end. 

And I have a new world. 

Filled with Gunrunners, Cartels, Italians, Irish, Russians, Madames, Brokers, Thiefs, and so much more. The new world will be far bigger, and far bloodier that the current world. So is my mind, I suppose. And so, I would really like to get to them, and begin those books, and build that new world. 

Don't worry, though, I will still be writing this world until the end of 2019, likely. 

It is a ways away yet. 

So, what did I learn this year? 

My readers are still great. You all are still insatiable. I can't produce books as fast as you would read them, and that's great. I love you all. 

Change is good--and I need to change things up more for me than for anyone else. I learned that I write best when I write what I want, how I want, and without concern or care for how it might be received. A lot more contemporary elements were introduced to my books this year -- and some were very erotic focused -- and I did that because I wanted to, and because that's how I felt like doing them. 

Those books are some of my favorites. 

I also learned that my circle of people still needs to remain small because every time I open it up, someone steps in to remind me why I kept it closed in the first place. I don't like the clique-ness of this writing world, or how I see readers being manipulated with drama-marketing, or kept loyal by authors with shady techniques, and other stuff that makes me look at both parties with a side-eye. 

I don't need to go back to high school, and I'm not concerned about being in the popular crowd. I don't play favorites, and I'm just so beyond needing that garbage in my life. 

Peace on that. 

That's all I have to say for that nonsense. 

On the personal side of things, away from writing ... 

I had my fourth--and last--child in July. Devon Dustin made his way a little earlier than we expected, but all is well. He's almost six months now, and so loved. I took a step back from being as active as I was in certain places because my writing and my family come first. I will always write books, but I may not always be as vocal on social media. 

My life doesn't revolve around Facebook, Twitter, or wherever else. 

^^^ Something else I learned this year. 

So .... 

What's coming for 2018? 

A rough schedule is below: 

January - Tom + Cam, Effortless
March - John + Siena, Loyalty
April - John + Siena, Disgrace
June - Joe + Liliana, Captivated
August - Dishonored (Secret Project)
October - Andino + Haven, Duty
November - Andino + Haven, Vow
December - Christmas In Chicago (A The Chicago War Novella)

Now, there will be some collections released this coming year, and a companion for Cross + Catherine that will tell everyone everything they want to know about the future of the kids, as well as Zeke and Katya. 

I suspect Erin and I will also have a project release sometime next year. 

Lots to look forward to, loves. I cannot wait to share it with you all. 

Hugs, loves.