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Two elves, a centaur, and an enviable collection of toys...


Unpredictable Fate was an interesting journey. When I started Disregarding Fate, I had an idea of what Evlithar’s life was like and why he made the decisions that he did. Evlithar wasn’t perfect and he wasn’t always right, but when I neared the end, I found myself altering aspects I thought long ago decided. The birth of Kalthekor’s child sent him reeling and he changed drastically. By the time I completed Evlithar and Cadlyr’s journey I was feeling rather sorry for Kalthekor. But I set it aside. He had a mate and unfortunately, she did not make him happy.

When we got to the editing stage of Disregarding Fate, Hope (one of my editors) mentioned how bad she felt for him too and was there something that could be done to help him. Although I could understand and appreciate her point of view, Fate’s choice had been made. I moved on but it festered in my brain. Out of nowhere a centaur charged in and nothing would ever be the same. I grew excited about the idea of giving Kalthekor someone he could love and be loved in return. But it took me a full year of going through scenarios and tossing them aside to figure out how to make it possible without destroying the foundation of the entire D’Vaire universe. In the end, there was only one way to go and that’s the way it played out in the book. 

The other challenge to Unpredictable Fate is that it's the first D’Vaire title with a child who figured prominently in the story. As important as Pyxlevir is to Kalthekor, he could not be an afterthought. I didn’t want him to have a cameo or two and everything focus on the main characters. They are parents and it is the center of their lives. It turned out to be a great deal of fun and Pyxlevir has a very special place in my heart. For me the beauty of D’Vaire is the different things I get to try so while I will certainly tackle children in future books it would be tiresome if every story now featured one.

Speaking of the future, next up is Marked by Lightning. As I’ve mentioned before, it features Prism Wizard Vadimas Porfyra. As many people in my Facebook group have surmised from the title, the other half of the equation is Arch Wizard Severin Dewitt. In July, you’ll find out how these two leaders meet and what happens from there!

Aleksander is demanding that I tell you that he’s next up on the writing table. I am getting ready to outline a short story that will feature him prominently. Since I finished Heart of the High King, I have been dying to revisit him and his mate so I’m excited. There’s a D’Vaire or two peeking around my brain and I’m trying to decide if they want to get a chapter in this or if they’re finally ready to have their book written. If not, there are certainly plenty of people past the mansion who can run in and allow me to see their full journey so I can try my best to translate it into words. I’m curious and have a pen at the ready to jot down details so hopefully I will find that couple shortly!

Thanks to everyone who continues to support D’Vaire and is on this crazy ride with me. I love that I get to bring these guys to the world and that so many wonderful people have chosen to read them. I could not do this without you!

To get the most updated info and to have fun with conspiracy theories about what’s coming in D’Vaire, join the lively group of folks that make me smile everyday in my Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/jessamynsruffians/

It would be remiss of me not to include the playlist for Unpredictable Fate so here it is:

“Heart of Novocaine” by Halestorm
“Breathe” by Faith Hill
“Machine” by Josh Groban & Herbie Hancock
“Won’t Look Back” by Josh Groban
“Mercy Mirror” by Within Temptation
“Raise Your Banner (feat. Anders Fridén) by Within Temptation
“With Arms Wide Open” by Creed
“Feel Something” by Adam Lambert
“Feels Like Forever” by Joe Cocker
“I Cross My Heart” by George Strait
“Footprints In the Sand” by Leona Lewis
“Worth Every Mile” by Travis Tritt
“I Want To Know What Love Is” by Foreigner
“Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett
“Never” by Heart
“Nothin’ At All” by Heart
“Because of You” by Kelly Clarkson
“Frozen” by Madonna
“Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls




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