This is just a little heads up for those who have been anxiously waiting for MS8.

The betas have all responded and it’s all been positive. In fact…it’s been better than positive feedback.

You see, I was really concerned with a lot of things since this installment essentially wraps up the second saga. With MS4, too many readers responded with comments along the lines of ‘it was a let down’. ‘Lots of build up just to peter out’. Things of that nature…and it bothered me.

I know there was a LOT going on in this second saga. A lot of different storylines that seemed impossible to tie up. But, for the most part, I think readers will walk away satisfied that the main story was seen through to completion and enough strings were left dangling to allow me to carry on one last saga (nobody wants to be reading MS46 down the road, do they?).

Some of the feedback (without any spoilers) were like this:
“First thing. Thanks for giving me the chance to be one of your beta readers. It’s a real privilege. Now, to the review. I remember when you were in the middle of writing this one you said you were having trouble focusing on where you wanted to take it. Well, that didn’t seem to be an issue, since this book feels like you focused a laser on it, keeping it on target the whole way. The pacing was tight all the way through. It never had the feel of lag at any point. The action sequences were well plotted and action packed, which is all anyone can ask. All in all, I like how you have advanced the story, and have really rounded out the core group of characters. That is all anyone can ever ask of an author. You did a great job of tieing off plot lines. All in all, this has to be considered one of the strongest books in the series.”

Another reported:
“You sucked me in from the first chapter! I finished it that first night and it is my favorite of all of them! It was non stop action and I couldn’t put it down. I am going back through to read it again! There is no way your fans will be disappointed… It was riveting…I did not see sloppy anywhere. You tied up all the storylines perfectly. I mean it Heath, it was my favorite of the series. I stayed up to finish it last night it was that good!!! I was planning to write you and tell u tomorrow…but, Best one of the series!!!! I mean it!!!
Ha…I am actually enjoying it as much the second time as I reread it. It was so good I had to stop everything and just read…Heath you nailed this book, I mean it!!!! The humor in this one, it made the characters so real and shows so much growth in your talent…I am in awe of it…loved the humor throughout but with XXXX and his XXXX (sorry, no spoilers)…omg I laughed so hard…
Let me know what some of the others think but I cannot imagine anyone being able to set it down. You spoiled me…other books I am reading are now boring me….I keep comparing them….it was EPIC! I mean it…I can hardly wait to see how much others love it!!!!I cannot imagine this book not being loved by your readers. I mean it! It has been an honor to see how much you have grown as a writer during this series. Humor injected perfectly! I think your fans will be very happy!!!!”

There were others but there was no way to transpose their input without giving major league spoilers. Needless to say, they were pleased with the finished project.

It’s tough enough with just a small handful of characters to keep things straight, but with a cast of nearly 50? And continuity?? OMG…I can’t tell you how hard it was for me. I wish I could call this good and simply walk away while the betas are all happy, but I can’t. There are still threats out there that the squads have to deal with before we can retire them to simply hunting monsters and keeping us all safe while we sleep.

And before anybody asks, the manuscript is currently sitting with the editor and I’m hoping for a November release. Fingers crossed on that. Maybe we’ll have something to read over the Turkey Day holiday!

Ya’ll take care and enjoy the last few days of summer vacation. Sleep well and know that there are those out there keeping watch while you do.