Crimson Ring is out now! Wow, does that feel good to say! This book was the perfect mix of fun and challenging. And did I mention this awesome cover?
Needless to say, I am extremely proud of this release. It’s honestly my best work yet. I know what you’re thinking: of course I would say that. But it really is. This story spoke to me in ways that no other has. Everything from the characters to the setting to the plot all came together exactly as I had hoped. And as a writer, that really is saying something!
So that is Crimson Ring anyway?
Crimson Ring is a the first in a new series of standalone novels called The Blood Raven. Each book in the series, including Crimson Ring, will be a standalone story–think the James Bond movies. Unlike James Bond, your favorite mage-killer Raven is tracking down another dangerous mage. This time, Raven returns to his home, the arid desert landscape of the Sovereign Cities.
But I know what you might be thinking. What about the Sai’ja series? Have I given up on it? Have I turned the page? Did I lose interest and move on to this new project? The answer to that is a resounding:
No way!
I wouldn’t even consider Crimson Ring a detour from the Sai’ja series at all. It’s more like a parallel story. To this point, the Paths of Sai’ja series have all taken place in and around the nation of Sai’ja. Crimson Ring takes primarily in Bhadestan, one of the seven Sovereign Cities. This story takes place chronologically at the same time as A Path of Serenity.
So you might be wondering, does that mean there’s some overlap? You bet there is! Without giving anything away, if you read Crimson Ring in between A Path of Serenity and book three (titled A Path of Discord), you would have even more context. Characters from these two series definitely overlap, and you begin to get a sense of the wider word.
Don’t get me wrong, you can read Crimson Ring as a complete standalone novel and do just fine. Likewise, you can read the Paths of Sai’ja series and skip Crimson Ring entirely and still receive the full story. Of course, I do hope you read and enjoy them all!
In case you’re wondering what’s up next for Sai’ja, when you might expect book three? Well, I’m happy to say (or announce???) the first draft is already written. That is definitely the next release, and it should release soon!
As for more Raven, well, there will definitely be more. I love that character. I love the Sovereign Cities. So rest assured, you will certainly get more of your favorite mage-killer in the not-so distant future.
