A week or so ago I was invited by a fellow fantasy writer, AFE Smith, (you can read the post here) to participate in the WIP Blog Hop. Since then, I’ve been invited by another author as well, Shannon Knight, (her post is here). With two invitations from skilled writers, how can I refuse?
 
The challenge is this: answer seven questions about my current work in progress (hence WIP). I’m going to take a page from AFE Smith, as we’re in the same boat. I’m currently working on The Forgotten, which is the sequel to The Stolen (available on July 22^nd, by the way). As such, talking about The Forgotten could reveal some things about The Stolen. I’m not going to make a giant spoiler alert blog post, so instead I’ll talk about The Stolen itself. Since it isn’t published, it’s still technically a work in progress. Though please don’t tell my publisher or agent I said that!

1. What is the name of your main character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?

At a bare minimum, The Stolen has two main characters. Since I’ve shown I’m not above exploiting a technicality, I’ll speak to them both: Caitlin Brady and Brendan Kavanaugh. Both characters are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living, dead, undead, mortal, or fae, is purely coincidental.

2. When and where is the story set?

Like most urban fantasies, it’s set in our world as we know it, though with supernatural elements hidden to most people. Actually, the story starts in the late 1860’s, but quickly moves to the present. Geographically, it’s set in and around Manchester, New Hampshire and Boston, Massachusetts. I always prefer to set my stories in places I’m familiar with, and I like to put details in that locals will recognize. Both cities are just as they are, but with faeries and magic just beneath the surface. Or more correctly, in the corner of your eye, leaving you uncertain it’s there at all.

3. What should we know about your character?

Caitlin is a normal person, a single mother who works too much and has next to no social life. But she’s content because it’s all to provide a good life to her daughter, Fiona, who is the light and joy in her life. Caitlin has her friends, Eddy (though only she’s allowed to call him that) who is a psychiatrist at the hospital where she works as a nurse, is her closest friend. Much to his dismay, she only sees him as a friend. Yes, Caitlin might sound rather plain and boring, but like all truly interesting people (at least those I find interesting) it’s how she reacts to extraordinary circumstances that reveal the depth and strength of her character. Your child being kidnapped by faeries is a hair on the extraordinary side.

Brendan is a Fian warrior, a member of the modern face of the Fianna. He’s haunted by a long, dark past filled with pain, tragedy, and the heavy burden of the guilt that goes with those misfortunes. At his core though, he’s a man of honor and believes in helping those who need it, protecting those who can’t protect themselves. The fact that on this occasion it might give him a chance to make amends for past mistakes is just a happy coincidence.

4. What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?

Caitlin’s boring, mundane, but happy and stable life is turned upside when she learns that not only are faeries real, but they’ve taken her daughter. She can’t call the mortal authorities, without risking being locked away in a mental hospital, so all Caitlin can do is try to get Fiona back on her own. The catch is that she’ll need help, and from some rather unlikely sources. This happens on the same night Brendan is finally going to get revenge against those fae who’ve taken so much from him. Well, that was the plan, but there’s a saying about “best laid plans.”

5. What is the personal goal of the character?

This one is easy. They both want to get Fiona back to her mother, safe and sound.

6. Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?

It’s called The Stolen, and I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned that. You can read more about it here and you can, conveniently, preorder it at any of these fine purveyors of digital books:
HarperCollins
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Google Play
iTunes
Kobo
7. When can we expect the book to be published?

Release date is July 22^nd of this year.

 
And there it is. I hope it’s whetted your appetite and makes you want to pick up it. Did I mention you can preorder it? J Now all that’s left here is to tap more people whose work in progress I’d like to know more about. So I officially invite Nancy Wallace and Katherine Harbour. Tag, you’re it!