Although I celebrated Christmas a bit beforehand and a bit afterward, I spent Friday and Saturday on my own. This was not a bad thing for a couple of reasons: 1) I was nursing a cold, and I probably got over it more quickly because I didn’t have to do anything too strenuous, and 2) I had time to wrap up the first draft of ONE BLOOD and really think about what I was doing. The second-to-last scene, in particular, required some additional research and choices about where to set it, etc.
I’m happy to say that I think the ending hits the mark. This book has been a balancing act between paranormal thriller and romance, leaning toward the first most of the time. It does wind up on a more romantic note at the end, but I want to keep a sense of black humor.
On Jan. 6, I go back to my critique group with the second-to-last chapter. Before the end of the month, they’ll have let me know if I’m on the right track. Then, then rewriting…!
About Eileen Watkins
Eileen F. Watkins specializes in mystery and suspense fiction. In 2017 she launched the Cat Groomer Mysteries, from Kensington Publishing, with THE PERSIAN ALWAYS MEOWS TWICE. This was followed by THE BENGAL IDENTITY and FERAL ATTRACTION in 2018, and GONE, KITTY, GONE in 2019; CLAW & DISORDER comes out in early 2021. Eileen previously published eight novels with Amber Quill Press, chiefly paranormal suspense (as E. F. Watkins), including the Quinn Matthews Haunting Mysteries. The first of those, DARK MUSIC, received the David G. Sasher Award at the 2014 Deadly Ink Mystery Conference. The second, HEX, DEATH & ROCK ‘N’ ROLL, was a Mystery finalist for the 2014 Next Generation EBook Awards.Eileen is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the Cat Writers Association. She serves as publicist for Sisters in Crime Central Jersey and also for New Jersey’s annual Deadly Ink Mystery Conference. Eileen comes from a journalistic background, having written on art, architecture, interior design and home improvement for daily newspapers and major magazines. Besides these topics, her interests include the paranormal and spirituality, as well as animal training and rescue. She is seldom without at least one cat in the house and regularly frequents the nearest riding stable. Visit her web site at www.efwatkins.com.
