A Year in Review

2022 has been a year full of trials and tribulations, there have been many highs, and many lows. Here's a few pieces of the long journey this year presented me. 

Of course, I finally finished the second round of edits for Code Red, we're getting pretty close to being ready to finish the last round. One last read through before the changes become official. I also started two new books this year, both I'm very excited about. This brings my total works in progress up to 17 (Plus a couple small ideas but we will leave those out for now): Here's a sneak peak of the project names (very few final series names here). 

1. The Torvona Series (The first book I ever started to write has morphed into a huge fantasy world with a main series of at least five books, and several spin offs. Some norse mythology, werewolves, and more). 
2. Reclaiming Wonderland (Code Red is the first book in the trilogy, dystopian, fantasy, Alice in Wonderland retelling). 
3. Hell's Mistress Series (The story of one of the Princess' of Hell, drawing from both Christian and Jewish mythos)
4. Sun Snake (A terrible working title, but mythology by yours truly, set in a world losing it's sun). 
5. Sorceress Stars (A new take on Sorcerers, I lost the physical copy I had written the first half of the book down on, someday I'll actually finish book one, it's a story that I have a lot of love for). 
6. Untitled Kitsune Story (adult content in this one, but has led me to learning a lot more about Japanese mythology, I just started this one a few months ago on my FreeWrite). 
7. Untitled Series (This series is one I'm most excited about,  each  book will follow the story of a different woman in a small Appachlian mountain town, with many Hijinx's and at least a couple bear and cat shifters). 
8. Little Red (No idea what the length of this one will be, but I do know it's based in East Tennessee, and there's werewolves). 
9. Untitled Story (Based on Russian folktales, very early drafting stages). 
10. Barefoot Boy (Elves and princes, who wouldn't love it). 
11. Untitled Pirate/Mermaid Story (I really am not good at titles, but the story of a ship's captain and her run ins). 
12. Camtree Academy (Celtic mythology, and unknown identity). 
13. Immortal Words (the book focuses on an immortal and his apprentice who is obsessed with vocabulary). 
14. The New Greek Tragedy (Let's be honest the title tells you all there is to know.)
15. Untitled Apocolypse Book (Nope, that's it, all you know is that it's going to be about the Christian End of Days). 
16. !0 ways to kill your best friend and fail (Probably have to change the title of this one, but my first mystery novel idea). 
17. Zodiac Age (Again, it's got to do with the zodiac, I'm not giving away anything else). 

I'm very excited to work more toward my dreams of publishing in 2023. I have so many stories I'd like to share. 

I can't talk about 2022 without talking about my employment journey.  I started the year at IGT Solutions doing roadside assistance. A mental breakdown and a reevaluation of my life lead me to leave my position there. There may be days I regret the choice, but ultimately I do think this was a good choice. Next comes Buff City Soap, I didn't stay here for long, my first and hopefully last retail position, I learned that I truly prefer desk jobs here. But boy did I take advantage of my 50% discount on their products. I still shop here and totally recommend it for everyone, especially if you have a lot of allergies or sensitive skin. Rural Metro/GMR, I wrote an entire post on the crazy experience I had here, led me to realizing I could handle first shift, the wonderful people I worked with really touched my heart. I won't say the name of the place I currently work (privacy is important especially on the internet), but I haven't ever been happier or more cared for in job before. 

The Books I Read: 

1-5.) The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan

6.) Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon

7-13.) The Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J Maas

14.) Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

15.) #14 in the Fairy Struck series by Amy Sumida

16.) Dream Chaser by Sherrilyn Kenyon

17.) Dream Hunter by Sherrilyn Kenyon

18.) One Silent Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

19.) Devil May Cry by Sherrilyn Kenyon

20.) Sold by the Wolves by K. N. Lee

21.) House of Poison by Lyn Forester

22-26.) A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J Maas

27.) Bound by the Wolves by K. N Lee

28.) Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon

29.) Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon

30.) Sins of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

31.) Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon

32.)Stygian by Sherrilyn Kenyon

33.) Time Untime by Sherrilyn Kenyon

34.) Dark Side of the Moon by Sherrilyn Kenyon

35.) Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

36.) The Guardian by Sherrilyn Kenyon

37.) Throwaway Prince by C.M Stunich

38.) Born of Fire by Sherrilyn Kenyon

39.) Invinicble by Sherrilyn Kenyon 

40.) Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon

41.) Infamous by Sherrilyn Kenyon

42.) Dragonbane by Sherrilyn Kenyon

43.) No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon

44.) Son of No One by Sherrilyn Kenyon

45.) Strom Front by Kim Butcher

46.)Cruel Prince by Jillian Frost

47.)Deadman Walking by Sherrilyn Kenyon

48.) Heaven to Pay by Amy Sumida

49.) Bow Before the Elf Queen by JM Kearl

50.) Fool Moon by Jim Butcher

51.) Blood Trinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Diana Love

52.) In Other Worlds by Sherrilyn Kenyon

53.) Alterant by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Diana Love

54.) Savage Knights by Jillian Frost        

55.) Vicious Queen by Jillian Frost

56.) The Curse by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Diana Love

57.) Death Doesn't Bargain by Sherrilyn Kenyon

58.) At Death's Door. by Sherrilyn Kenyon

59.) Grave Peril by Jim Butcher

60.) A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

As you can see I read a lot of Sherrilyn Kenyon this year, she is definitely one of my all time favorites. Hopefully next years list will be a bit more eclectic. Honorable mentions that I'm still working on: The Dawn of Yangchen by F.C. Yee and Shadow Moon by Chris Claremont and George Lucas. 

Some of other honorable mentions: 

• I got my first tattoo 
• I crocheted two blankets, a pillow, and three scarfs. 
• I got my bartending license
• I got two cats this year (Haze and Shuri).

I won't say 2022 was my most successful year by any stretch of the imagination, but I've grown a lot. There are new things on my horizon, hopefully next year this post is even longer with more books read, maybe even one or two of mine published. To those that have actually read this far: Have a raging 2023, do what you love, mind your own business, be kind to others when applicable and mean as sin when desired, take care of your body, and give your loved ones a hug or a kiss (they make this life worth living). 

Peace Out 2022. - Taila.