A Storm of Paper Starlings is Live!

A Storm of Paper Starlings is Live!

A Storm of Paper Starlings

is Live

 

From a scrappy page of notes in my twelve-year-old handwriting, to accidentally signing up to Camp NaNoWriMo in July 2014, to its final formatting in 2022, Violet’s story has gone through so many changes. But it’s finally here, the story of my heart.

character art of Raven Albright. Young man with long black hair and makeup.

Available Now

A Storm of Paper Starlings is available to buy now at all major retailers and to order from your local library.

468 pages

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What if the ordinary family you crave isn’t ordinary at all?

When an accident lands Violet in hospital, her mundane life in a London children’s home is disrupted by relatives she’s never heard of—the Penhaligons—and a mysterious visitor who disappears into the night after claiming he’s the father of the twin sister she never knew she had.

With her long-lost sister, Amethyst, to find, Violet turns to her new family for help. But the Penhaligons are far from ordinary.

Power and magic lurk at the priory, Violet’s new home in the Oxfordshire countryside, and she learns fast that nothing is ordinary here, least of all the hostile new neighbours—a coven of vampires, vaewolves, and demons.

As Violet grapples with family secrets, four powerful new brothers, and latent abilities of her own, Amethyst and the man who raised her find themselves in mortal danger—a danger that draws Violet and her family into a battle to save them.

Finally embracing the meaning of family, two questions burn at the back of Violet’s mind.

If vampires and demons exist, what are the Penhaligons?

And what is she?

A Storm of Paper Starlings is the first of six already written books. The Not the Same River series follows Violet as she goes from lost, gobby orphan to treasured—okay, she’s still gobby—warrior, finding the clan she would die for along the way.

If sibling banter, precious friendships, bitey neighbours, and terrible goats are your jam, settle in to meet your new ride or die crew today.

Due to adult language and dark themes, this book is recommended for readers aged 15+ and is ideal for upper YA/crossover readers who enjoy diverse stories. The series should be read in order.

WIP Snippets #2

WIP Snippets #2

WIP Snippet #2

DeMobbed 2

 

This snippet is from the second book of DeMobbed (working title), a duology that is my only series set in the U.S. This snippet comes close to the end of the book, but it’s not too spoilery. Gabriel features in the Not the Same River series, and Puddles in the Pavement, a historical spin-off in which I accidentally made him the Home Secretary.

character art of Raven Albright. Young man with long black hair and makeup.

WIP Progress

DeMobbed 1: draft complete, 87,283 words

DeMobbed 2: draft in progress, 108, 727 words

Stage: combined developmental edits

Projected publishing date: late 2024

Gabriel raised an eyebrow but didn’t confirm one way or the other. “The point is, Montero believes he has the stone, and he called in Ash Nightstorm.”

Indy froze at the name, which he’d always thought of as a dippy hippy name, but it was taking on a different complexion now, and he didn’t like that.

Who the heck in a hat-stand is Ash Nightstorm?” asked Ursula. “Are we playing Dungeons and Dragons now?”

Indy kept silent.

“Do none of you know how to keep your peace?” Raphael boomed.

“Don’t you start with me, Thor. I’m supposed to be driving my ambulance right now, attending normal accidents like, oh I just fell on this cucumber, and my cheating husband just walked into this pitchfork, not whatever the hell this is.”

“I’m sorry to spoil your plans for tonight, Ms Fields,” said Gabriel. “And while they do sound fun, saving the world will look much more impressive on your resumé when you’re job hunting.”

“I like my job just fine, thank—” Ursula’s face fell. “They’re gonna fire me, aren’t they?”

“You absconded with an ambulance and a coma patient,” Gabriel reminded her.

Ursula pouted. “They made me do it.”

“I’m sure you can sing your way out of the consequences,” said Gabriel, “but Astaroth tells me you’re destined for greater things.”

Ursula sat a little straighter. “Really?”

Gabriel nodded. “Can we get on?”

Ursula waved her hand elegantly for Gabriel to continue.

He didn’t seem to mind, but as he drew breath to speak, Sunny blurted, “Okay, but who is Ash Stormcloud?”

“Nightstorm,” Indy corrected, swallowing hard. “And he’s my father.”

WIP Snippets #1

WIP Snippets #1

WIP Snippet #1

DeMobbed 1

 

I’m completely resetting my snippets with the relaunch of my website, but I may add old, deleted snippets again later. For now, here’s a peek at DeMobbed, a duology that will likely be my one and only series set in the U.S. This snippet is between two British characters, both of whom feature briefly in later books of the Not the Same River series.

character art of Raven Albright. Young man with long black hair and makeup.

WIP Progress

DeMobbed 1: draft complete, 87,283 words

DeMobbed 2: draft in progress, 108,519 words

Stage: combined developmental edits

Projected publishing date: late 2024

As soon as his father was gone, Raven picked up his phone and flicked through his contacts. When he found the one he wanted, he laughed at the photo and hit call.

“Hey man,” said a sleepy voice. “What time is it?”

“That depends where you are,” said Raven.

“We’re in Norfolk.”

“You’re in Virginia? Mate, it’s still light out. Why do you sound like you’re napping?”

“Fuck off, Norfolk, Virginia. I’m in England. What the fuck would I be doing in Virginia?”

“What the fuck are you doing in Norfolk?”

“Boating on the Broads. Getting into fights with swans. Ravishing my husband.”

“Tell me you didn’t take him to Norfolk for your honeymoon.”

“Don’t knock it, mate. We’re off to the mustard museum tomorrow.”

“Hot.”