Now that I have your attention…no, I’m not pregnant. But, I am giving birth to another novel.  The second book in the Fadό Trilogy is now under contract with The Wild Rose Press. Her name is Angel’s Share.

As with many middle children, this one has given me plenty of white knuckle moments. It is my first attempt at romantic suspense. During the weeks I struggled with the ending I swore I wouldn’t do it again. I wondered why I hadn’t stuck to romantic comedy. I think I sounded very much like a woman in the final stages of labor. “Don’t touch me. Don’t talk to me. How did I end up in this mess?”

I named this “baby” before her conception.  Angel’s Share…I like that name. The angel’s share is what the Irish call the evaporated portion of the whiskey while it ages in the barrels after distilling. It is the best part and, therefore, goes to the angels. When the story started to whirl about in my head, the title fit like it was made to order.

The contract on Angel’s Share isn’t a complete surprise. In fact it’s not a surprise at all. This baby was planned. So why am I reeling from a sense of joy mixed with anxiety?  It’s the same feeling I recall when the pregnancy test came back as positive. This is really happening. The process has been set on a path with only one direction. I’ll have to welcome the newborn, nurture her, keep her viable.

After a long labor this baby is popping into the world at record speed. My editor wants to get to the galley stage by the second week in May. Picture this if you can. I will be sitting in the solarium of a B&B in St. Finan’s Bay, southern Ireland, looking out over the most beautiful sea coast you can imagine, reading the galleys of Angel’s Share.

I feel grateful and privileged. I am an author.

Clare Austin

www.clareaustin.com

The Fadό Trilogy