S.W. Lothian – Author

Some of you may have noticed that I’ve been quiet on the blog front recently – but if I’m realistic, most of you won’t have noticed as there are a billion other posts to keep you busy. I’ve been a bit time poor and this year’s reading has been a challenge. I’ve found it hard to find books that keep my focus, so there have been some ‘start-but-did-not-finish’. This is a new thing to me as I‘ve always previously finished all books I start (even if I’m not enjoying them) out of respect for the author and all of their work. (FYI – The books mentioned below are in my finished category).

As a brief update – It’s been a couple of months since I finished reading The Crimes of Grindelwald (after seeing the movie when it was released in November). I have been a bit slack in prepping that review, so I hope to organise it soon. I’ve also completed books 2 and 3 in the Royal Institute of Magic series (The Shadowseekers, The Protectors) by Victor Kloss. There are more books in the series, which I may read at a later time.

Last week I finished reading Matthew Reilly’s latest Jack West Jr. book, The Three Secret Cities. I’ll post a review soon – it’s another great action-packed-over-the-top-thriller. My current read is Twist and Turn by Tim Tigner – he has become a go-to author this past year when I need something to get the blood pumping.

In the blink of an eye, it’s been a year since the release of my last book, Subway | Palliatopia, a YA thriller set in New York City. I’m really proud of it and love its fast pace and unexpected twists. I’ve had great feedback from readers and I’m hoping it will be discovered by a million more during this year and beyond. Book 2 is outlined in my head and promises to be just as gripping.

Since that release, rather than creating something new, my writing has been focussed on improving and renovating the first book series I ever released. My JJ Sterling series consists of four books for a YA/Teen audience, three of which have been previously released (The Golden Scarab, The Cursed Nile, The Fallen Pharaoh). The fourth (The Missing Link) will be released once I’ve completed the renovation and re-release of the existing books.

After a year of work, I’m pleased to say that I’ve almost finished the new editions of The Golden Scarab (Book 1), The Cursed Nile (Book 2). The core plotlines have remained but I have greatly improved them based on what I’ve learned since the original release of book 1 in 2012. I definitely know I’ve refined the characters, and ramped up the excitement and action to even higher levels than the first editions.

For those of you unfamiliar with this series, it’s a time-travel adventure that jumps from a modern day museum back to ancient Egypt. It’s like a teenage Indiana Jones full of incredible locations, traps, and dangerous enemies mixed with all the twists and complexities of time-travel. The original version of The Golden Scarab was a finalist in the Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards when it was released.

Back then, it was known as The Quest Series. My plan is to rebrand it as JJ Sterling Adventures – that said, I’m also considering renaming my main character, which will be reflected in the series name.

Once the final edits etc. of 1 and 2 are completed, I’ll move onto the new cover design and start planning for their relaunch. Then, it’s onto books 3 and 4, which I hope to complete and re-release much faster than it took for the first two.

So, even though I’ve been quiet online, I’ve been busy in the background and have plenty of plans to keep me off the streets for the foreseeable future. What’s your year ahead looking like? Busy or cruisy?

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