A special message for subscribers
Forged Series: Merged is coming...
To learn more about the FORGED series, visit the Table of Contents.
A special message for subscribers
Just for you, my loyal subscribers, I have a special message enclosed.
As I mentioned last week, Merged is now being formatted into the book layout. So that means, I have finalized artwork from cover designer, Juan Padron, who also did the cover for Shattered, book one in the Forged series, to share with you!
I’ll be releasing the image on social media tomorrow, but I wanted you to have a sneak peek at this amazing cover design. I hope you love it as much as I do!
A closer look
The Forged series takes place in the Bannock Zone, where modern-day Boise is located. Anyone familiar with the Treasure Valley will recognize many locations in the story, including the Boise Train Depot and Lucky Peak Reservoir, places that Tessa visited in Shattered.
In Merged, Tessa travels across the Morrison Dam—a fictional future dam that runs from the Boise bench, along Americana Boulevard, and northeast to the Boise Heights in the Foothills. She visits the Table Rock area and sees the illuminated double-dagger monument up close.
On the cover of Merged, several elements of the capital of the Bannock Zone are incorporated. In the bottom left are abandoned high-rise buildings of downtown Boise, complete with signs falling off the towers and their bases submerged in water. On the right side is the double-dagger that Tessa can see from her bedroom window.
The evening sun reflected off the water of Lake Boise, which filled the valley where old Boise’s downtown had been. The crumbling ruins were mostly submerged in the lower reservoir. Occasional flashes of sunlight bounced off the broken glass panes in the gaping windows of protruding buildings.
He pointed to the far hillside. “See the lighted monument up on the plateau? That’s Table Rock. That’s where we’re headed.”
I leaned closer, taking in the backdrop of barren foothills behind the broken spire of the former Idaho state capitol building. Standing sentry on the elevated mesa was an illuminated marker. The single pillar with two horizontal arms formed a double dagger like the symbol used to mark updated footnotes in formal writing.
He squeezed my hand. “The view from up there is amazing.”
Excerpt from Merged, book two of the Forged Series.
When I was growing up in Boise, our house was right up against the New York Canal. At night, I’d fall asleep to the sounds of crickets, bounding off the steep embankment. In the morning, the sun rose over the ridgeline, blinding my room and prompting the installation of room-darkening shades. And since my bedroom window was east-facing, just like Tessa’s, I also had a view of Table Rock and the 60-foot (18-meter) tall cross that stands on the plateau.
This post is public, so feel free to share it. (Someone in your community might be interested too!)
In the Forged series, society is science-driven. Thus, I purposely removed all religious references (or tried to… a few may have squeaked through the narrative). I changed the Christian symbol on Table Rock with a double-dagger. Though crosses are associated with Christianity and the crucifixion of Jesus, the symbol takes on new meaning during the Great Changes in the Forged series.
In 2051, the Perses Pandemic swept across the globe. Conservative estimates calculated the death rate at over three billion people in approximately eighteen months. Desperate, futile attempts to contain the virus were hampered by overburdened relief efforts, broken supply chains, and severe damage to infrastructure. Deaths escalated owing to contaminated water, poor sanitation, and nutritional deficiencies.
Excerpt from Shattered: The Rise of Julia, a bonus novella in the Forged Series.
When the Perses Pandemic wiped out billions of people, a cross was marked over doors that housed the infected. A blessing to those who’d taken ill. A footnote indicating death was imminent. A second horizontal line was added when all in the home had died, and the space was deemed safe to enter. The double dagger came to symbolize that the extinction of the human race had been averted, an updated footnote in the history of humankind.
Coming Up Soon!
Enter to Win a signed copy of Merged and special Forged series swag! The contest begins June 21 and end July 5. Visit my on Instagram for more details.
An opportunity to join the Merged Street Team.
Meet me in person at Mac Fresco (July 18-19) or online at the Phictly Global Digital Book Festival (July 25). More details here.
Be on the lookout for more details!
What I’m reading
Here are some other dystopian, SciFi, and YA fiction pieces available on Substack you might also enjoy.
The Hate U Give - I checked out the audiobook of this YA novel, then promptly went to my local independent bookstore to purchase a “trophy” copy for my bookshelf! The voice actor, Bahni Turpin does an amazing job with the story. Voice actors, in general, amaze me with their ability to “show” characters through accents, intonations, and cadence. Turpin’s performance is especially incredible. I highly recommend reading this book. (It should be required reading for all high schoolers, though it is one of the top 10 most challenged books due to its language and violence portrayed.)
Elyaris - I’m doing an ARC reading of this debut YA dystopian novel from Hannah M. Hargraves. We’ve found each other on Instagram, and I’m excited to support her release at the end of July. This story is a wonderful mix of some of my favorite elements. I’m almost through the book. Watch for my review on Goodreads and Amazon in the near future.
Five Addictive Reads - Thanks to Ann of Tell Me a Mystery for buying Shattered from my author website and including the story in your letter about what you are reading. Authors supporting authors is an amazing thing!
Before you go
Did you enjoy this post? Click subscribe so you don’t miss future posts. Tap the heart to let me know. Restack your favorite quote. Share with your community. Recommend me to your followers. Leave a comment.
The artwork is striking on its own, but after reading the explanation behind the flooded city, the monument, and the symbolism of the double-dagger, I appreciate it even more. Congratulations, my friend. Happy Thursday!
Congratulations on the coming of Merged...and that fantastic cover. - Jim