Six years ago, January 1, 2012, I self-published my first book Wrecked. Now I have over 40 novels under my belt, some published independently and some by Montlake Romance. My books have been translated into French, Spanish, Italian, Croatian, Serbian, Turkish, Hebrew, and Portuguese. I have readers on every continent and in many, many countries. I feel like a magic fairy came out of the woods six years ago and waved her magic wand over my head while I slept, because my life for the last six years has been like a dream come true. That's all because of my readers, and so here I am to thank you for making this life possible for me–for buying and reading my books, for reviewing them, for sharing them with friends, for being interested in my life, for communicating with me, and for being patient with me.
I've noticed something interesting about Life: it always seeks balance. A pendulum works on a balance, swinging first one way and then the next. I've learned that when life gives you good things, it will soon also give you bad things, challenges. When life gives you bad things, it will soon also give you good. And I've learned that it's best not to get too excited about the great things and not overly sad about the negative things because soon enough, the pendulum will swing in the other direction. I try to always be grateful for the good times and patient during the bad, because life goes on. Every cloud has a silver lining. Balance will be restored.
In the first several years of my writer-life, I wrote a book a month. Every single month, without fail, I published a new full length novel. Then I signed on with a publisher and my schedule was no longer just my own. I still published a lot of books, but it was not possible to do 12 in a year. Then I had some personal tragedies roll through my world that further slowed me down–injuries, death, suicide. And then I got sick. And I got sicker and sicker still. Let's just say that 2017 was a struggle. I managed to fulfill my obligations to my publisher for the books I had contracted to write, but I struggled with my independent titles. I let a lot of readers down and many of them let me know it.
This is why I thank you especially for your patience this year. Now that my doctor and I are getting a handle on this chronic disease I have, making dietary and life changes to lessen my symptoms and increase my energy levels, I have faith and fully believe that 2018 is going to be a great year for me, both in my work and with my family and friends. I'm fully committed to finishing the War of the Fae series–books 9 and 10 at the beginning of the year, to adding 3 more books to the Drifters' Alliance series, and to starting a new adult fantasy/paranormal series. I have 3 new romances (Red Hot Love series) launching in 2018 that were written in 2017, so my romance readers will also be happy, I hope. Early reviews are great! Pre-orders now available for the entire series. I probably won't write a book a month this year or next, but I will provide you with stories you can get lost in and characters you can either love to love or love to hate. That's my goal, anyway.
Once again, thank you. I appreciate you. I am honored to have you as a reader and maybe also as a friend. And if you've been disappointed by my lack of follow through on War of the Fae, please accept my humblest apologies. I have and will continue to do my best to get these last two books out to you as soon as possible.
You are awesome!! I pray for health and happiness for you in your new year!
Thank you, April!! I appreciate your kind words of support. xoxo Elle
Looking forward to all the new books i hope your health continues to improve . Sending health f thoughts and best wishes your way
Thanks, Deanna! I appreciate the positive vibes and kind words. xoxo Elle
Happy New Year to you too, Elle.
I was very ill a few years back and it took a long time to recover not only my health and strength, but my confidence too. Hang in there, you’ll make it. Remember to be kind to yourself.
I have pre ordered Amber and will look forward to it as a reward for getting my next assignment in on time – a short film script of an even shorter story that has had to grow substantially to make the cut. Fun, fun!
Look after yourself, best wishes, Chdel
Let me know how it goes with your script! And thank you for your support. It means a lot. xoxo Elle
Hi Elle, You are awesome and gifted at what you do and I think sometimes people forget that you are human too. You are still a wife and mother and you get sick and suffer tragedies it’s called life. Unfortunately it’s not a job you can organise a temp to pick up and prise inspiration from your head. If you are sick you have no passion for anything, let alone have head space to write. You’ve not had to let people know what’s happening with you, yet you have because you care.
I’m afraid true fans would understand and wish you well, whilst looking forward to you being healthy enough to write. I know that I want to read more from you (looking forward to your new paranormal musings)
Having not managed to complete WOTF has meant I’ve had to go and discover other wonderful reads.
Will I give up on you? NEVER. It’s called compassion love and understanding ❣️
Donna, you are one of those people who can see the silver lining around every cloud, and that’s wonderful! Never change who you are. I appreciate very much your kind words and support. You’ve been a reader fan for a long time and I appreciate you so much! xoxo Elle
I understand the ups and downs more than I care to admit. I am finally on the upswing with my life, with a downswing following the diagnosis of Meniere’s Disease. I’m losing my hearing, but gaining understanding. I watch people more and more. I also love to read and escape my own realities. Thank you for being there. Hang in there! Your true fans aren’t going anywhere! Mwah!!
Thank you, Denise! You are so sweet. I appreciate the cheering up. I hope your journey to good health and acceptance goes smoothly. xoxo Elle
Oh my goodness!! I’m so sorry you’ve been ill!! I was afraid it was something like that. Mrs. “I can –almost–write a book a month” girl, you were telling us WOTF books were “coming soon” and I’ve kept checking Amazon, and nothing new has emerged, so I was beginning to get concerned.
At the end of book 8 I was like….. That’s it?!?! How does she do this to me? I always feel like I’m watching my friends live their lives and suddenly the book/story is over abruptly, I forget I’m actually just reading a book. (I usually can read one in a weekend.)
I’m glad you’re getting better, and will continue to wait patiently, even though I’m SO Excited… for WOTF books 9 & 10.
Your writing is just so…. sparkly. If that makes any sense. The characters are always just so fun and engaging. The Bourbon Street Boys HAVE to be my absolute favorite. But WOTF has sucked me in completely.
Love your work! Keep it up! I’m not going anywhere!
Thank you so much, Megan!! You are so sweet. I LOVE that my writing is sparkly to you. That has to be one of the best compliments I’ve ever gotten about my writing. Super hugs! xoxo Elle
I know I was one of those writers who kept asking about WOTF last two books then I got irritated and said in a review how awesome they were but how disappointed you’d be waiting to read the last two. Now after hearing the circumstances, I feel absolutely horrible and I do appoligize. I have suffererd through the loss of my father to suicide in 05 and my best friend to it 2 years ago as well as I suffer from Chronic pain after several back surgeries as well as lung disease. I applaud you Mam for being such a strong woman through all you have suffered , keep such a good outlook on life to boot AND meet your book deadlines for your publisher! Wow. I had to leavemy job as a Police Officer and now p,ay the roll of stay at home mom to an 8 year old. My prayers are with you my friend and I know now I will enjoy your books even more (if that’s possible ☺), because of your perseverance and dedication. Being stuck at home with health issues there’s north better than finding an escape in a great book or movie, and your books are a big part of mine. So Thank You! Hope your health improves daily and as for your loss of your loved one I have found that the ONLY thing that helps is time, you never get better or over the shock of suicide but you learn your own little ways to help make it through the bad days and you treasure the good days and memories of the good times. Take care and I am praying for you my friend,.
Thank you for being so gracious, Angela. I know sometimes it’s hard to remember that writers are just people under all that creating and they have lives that can get seriously complicated and sad from time to time. I think I’m through the worst of it and am working on getting everything straightened out and myself healthy so I can continue to write books you’ll love for a long, long time! xoxo Elle
I have to admit, I was one of your fans that was upset about the last 2 War of the Fae books that wasn’t released when it was said to release… Now I feel like a horrible person (I’d use a better word but I don’t know how young some of your fans are..) Even though I never verbally attacked you, I still feel bad. I’m very sorry about all the tragedy you’ve had to face in 2017. I’ve had my share of awfulness since I was 14 (when my mother died) and my life hasn’t really gotten much better. Pretty sad seeing as to how I am 33. So yeah, pretty horrible life… With all the cheap you’ve had to swim through in a year, I’m impressed you were able to get work done at all. I don’t think I have that strength you seem to possess. So again, sorry I had negative thoughts and thank you for your awesome stories. They really help me to somewhat escape my own reality for at least a little bit. You rock Elle! 😉 (and please feel better soon)
I’m sorry to hear that things haven’t always gone well for you. I think the good news is that the universe must know what a strong person you are to have dealt you that hand of cards. Life isn’t easy for anyone, and I guess it’s an easy mistake to make to assume that it is, when on the outside it seems like things are perfect for some other people. Thank you for your kind words, and I wish you nothing but happiness! xoxo Elle
I am in awe of you MY Friend.
Donna Wuelzer
Thank you, my friend!! xoxo Elle