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Kindle Scout Week One Recap: “Hot and Trending” but miles to go before I sleep

4/15/2016

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Picture
Well that went by fast.

The Shadow Of All Things has been in the Kindle Scout competition for a little over a week now and has managed to stay in the “Hot and Trending” section for that entire period.

That said if you haven’t nominated my new book for a possible publishing contract with Amazon go do it, I’ll wait here until you get back.




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Cover Reveal for "The Shadow of All Things" - Final Day

4/2/2016

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I started the journey of writing The Shadow Of All Things shortly after finishing my Nightfall Gardens series. I knew two things when I began mapping the book out. I wanted to write something set in New York City, a city that I love, but where the divide between rich and poor, and the haves and have nots, couldn’t be more starkly illuminated. And I also had the first scene emblazoned on my mind.

It came while I was stuck in a subway train under the East River and the lights clicked out for a few seconds. The smartphones and iPads cast the darkened car in an eerie glow and my mind immediately started playing with
the scenario imagining a young Asian punk rock girl standing against one of the doors, head phones on, tapping to her own rhythm as something appeared out of the dark in the glass behind her. That image lingered after the subway started back up. Who was that girl? What were those creatures? The first chapter took shape in my mind.

Almost two years have passed since that happened: two years of tumultuous upheavals, big and small, in our little corners of the globe and around the world. There’s never been a period in my life that so much change seems to be happening to so many in such a short period. The Shadow Of All Things was written in that whirlwind and I’ve tried to do my best to write an entertaining story that also touches on the fear permeating our times.

I’d like to thank the artist Colleen Stiles for her patience as we navigated this long strange trip. I missed several deadlines and we went back to the drawing board on the cover and illustrations (that I’ll reveal in the not far future) several times before we settled on the one you are looking at now. I couldn’t be happier with the finished product. The cover pays respect to NYC and also captures a foreboding, anxious quality in the text.

Thanks so much to my family, friends and of course, the readers of my books for bearing with me. The Shadow Of All Things will be coming out in late May. Stay tuned for more details including an autographed copy of the book, illustration reveal and more.
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Cover Reveal for "The Shadow of All Things" - Day 1

3/31/2016

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I’m happy to finally reveal the cover of “The Shadow of All Things”, the first book in my new urban fantasy series. I’ll be rolling it out over the next three days starting with a Day 1 teaser right now. Those who want an early look at the completed cover can sign up for my monthly email blast today. Thanks!
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Elyuum Book One is coming soon!

9/9/2015

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It’s been months since I’ve posted regularly to this page.

What’s happened in that time? The usual stuff: a new job, spending additional time
with family, reading more, and attempting to recharge my batteries.

Sometimes it’s necessary to unplug from the Internet and reconnect with living in
the moment.

After that much needed decompression time I’m happy to say that I’m hard at work
on my new series.

Book 1 of the Elyuum series just went through a final round of edits and is close to
being completed. The only question is whether I release it in December or wait until
I have more of the series completed so I can shotgun them back to back.

As readers would you rather an author release a string of books in a series within a
short time frame (so you don’t have to wait) or as each one is completed?

The illustrator Colleen Beauchamp-Stiles has outdone herself on “The Shadow of All
Things” and the print copies will contain her beautiful drawings. I’ll be posting some
of these as we inch closer to the publication date. It’s really stellar stuff.

“Nightfall Gardens” continues to gather reviews and build momentum. I
have a soon-to-be released novella (excerpted in “The Labyrinth”) that contains the
full story of Villon and how he came to be trapped in the White Garden. The tragic
love story/monster epic had to be severely edited for “The Labyrinth” and I plan on
giving it to people who sign up or are signed up for my email list.

I’m going to make every effort to post to my blog and social media more regularly.

Until next week, thanks for your patience and I hope you have a great start of fall.
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This way to a giveaway

2/21/2015

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Giveaway

The good folk at The Bookworm Coalition are generously hosting a giveaway of a digital version of "Nightfall Gardens". They reviewed the trilogy and enjoyed it so much that they decided to help spread the word to their readers. If you haven't picked up the eBook yet, head over to their site and enter to win. The contest lasts between now and Tuesday, February 24, 2015.

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The BookShelf Gargoyle review of the "Nightfall Gardens" trilogy

1/31/2015

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A review of the "Nightfall Gardens" trilogy from The BookShelf Gargoyle.

"By the time I left Nightfall Gardens I had garnered a deep respect for Houston’s abilities as a storyteller, but more so for his incredible commitment to the world he has built. The construction and population of Nightfall Gardens is vastly imaginative, undisputedly arresting and something that will no doubt be greatly appreciated and devoured with relish by those hoping to discover a fantasy tale that touches on the classic themes of the genre in a downright refreshing environment."

For the complete review, please visit The BookShelf Gargoyle.

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Nightfall Gardens, Elyuum and looking forward in 2015

1/16/2015

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It’s that time of year in New York City when black ice (and other substances) freeze to the sidewalks and the wind cuts down your back no matter which direction you go.

As we look forward to the spring (lingering way off over the dark horizon … but I can dream) I thought I’d take a second to thank the readers of “Nightfall Gardens” and talk a little about some upcoming projects.

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A Creative Mind reviews Nightfall Gardens

1/14/2015

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A Creative Mind blog reviewed the Nightfall Gardens series.

"It has some twists and turns that will keep the reader turning the page. Anyone who loves to read horror/paranormal/fantasy genre books will want to add this one to their TBR list."

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Day 7 - Cover reveal for "The Labyrinth" (Nightfall Gardens 3)

9/22/2014

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The cover is starting to come to life.
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Day 6 - Cover reveal for "The Labyrinth" (Nightfall Gardens 3)

9/21/2014

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More than halfway through the cover reveal!
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