George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Michael Lorenzo Dean, Eric Reason, Christopher McCorvey, Christopher Whitfield, Atatiana Jefferson, Dominique Clayton, Pamela Turner, Botham Jean, Antwon Rose II, Stephon Clark, Ronell Foster, Aaron Bailey, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Freddie Gray, Philando Castile, Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis, Ahmaud Arbery, and more. The list keeps growing. Every single day more names are added to this list of lives lost at the hands of racism and a systematically racist system. 

Today marks the ninth day of protests against Police Violence (something if you've been following my twitter you know is important and vital to the betterment of society). The reality is this was a long time coming and the anger people feel is erupting like a volcano that has been on the verge for years. The damage caused is massive but the necessity of this movement is more important than money. After all, it took Martin Luther King's assassination, six days of rioting in 110 American cities to get the government to pass the civil rights act. I'm not going to condemn the movement, even the riots and looting because as MLK Jr said riots are "the voice of the unheard." And people are tired of being ignored. 

So today, today I am asking you to remember that a rising tide lifts all boats and we must all take part in being the wave that washes reform over Washington. Remember to register to vote for this November's vital election, and if you are participating in the protests, please be prepared for what you might face. Those who are not, there are many legal funds you can donate to, as well as speaking out on a more intimate level with friends and family. Please follow me on Twitter for current updates on the situation.

Also please get tested for COVID if you are protesting because you are at increased risk. We need to remember this pandemic is NOT over, even as we fight for our right to live without fear of violent police.

Lots of Love and Hope,
​Leia

PS. We raise our children to know what's right so they can speak up for others, so they can fight for those who are too tired to fight any longer, so they can pick up where we leave off in the fight for justice and a better world. We raise our children to know what's right so they will be a guiding light when we are gone.

I know I suck at maintaining a blog, but with four kids, three dogs, two horses, a rabbit and a cat, not to mention my husband, I get terribly busy. Having a new farm is a lot of building and manual labor to prepare the land for fencing. I have been busy writing the third book (I'm 30% into writing the first draft!!!) and working on The Spare's Heir when I have inspiration strike. 

We've been fairly lucky. My husband's job let him work from home 2 days a week and his bunker is rather empty most of the time, so he's not exposing us to the virus by working. Also this area seems largely safe. We've had a couple cases in the county but that's it. It is a bummer because 4H is over for us since there were no longer meetings to learn what we didn't know already. They're talking about a virtual auction for those who are too far-in to quit until the following year. We're hoping it comes back this fall but if not, we've decided to hire a horse trainer to work with the 13yo and our older mare, as well as an archery instructor for our (almost) 12yo. (He's getting a really nice bow for his birthday in June!). 

I'm happy to see that Descend is being received as well as Ascend was! Everyone who has read it seems to really love it and that means the world to me! I'm hard at work on the third book so I can create an even better book with more twists and unpredictable turns! Hopefully, it will be available by early December, but no promises!

Thanks for checkin in!

Share the books and leave reviews!

Lots of Love!
​Leia

Hello everyone! I hope this finds you well. I know right now is a very trying time for the entire world, so I hope you are safe, fed and healthy. My family and I are doing just fine on our mountain. 

Now onto the writing news: I am removing "Ascend" from Tablo Publishing to exclusively publish it on KDP in order to enroll it in Kindle Unlimited. This will allow those with KU subscriptions to read it for free, while still allowing people to purchase paperback copies. This decision was made after I realized only four books were sold via other platforms. Unfortunately this means the updates to the book will not take on any of the 67 ebooks purchased from Tablo. I am very sorry for that but the story will not change and you can continue the adventure in Descend, which is available now for preorder here. The paperback will be available for pre-order as soon as my cover-artist finishes the full cover for it. 

I will let you know when Ascend switches from Tablo to KDP officially and post a link. Hopefully we won't have much trouble linking all the books to the same author page (but I'm not tech savvy so it could be a bit). 

Thank you so much for your support and love.

Stay safe and stay healthy. 

Much love.
 

Boy, oh boy... Life is so crazy sometimes!

Things have really changed since we moved to the mountains in September! We have been working to get our farm built up and nearly every spare moment is spent doing a task that needs to be done. Between homeschool, fence building and all that comes with moving to a new place, we are all kept super busy. I did manage to finish writing my sequel in the #ChildrenOfLilithSeries and it's currently in the editing stage. 

As most of you know, I have four kids so that keeps me pretty busy all on its own. My older two joined 4H and they're getting settled up here. We got my daughter a rabbit. Her name is Shadow and she's a Flemish Giant. She's going to be the oldest's show rabbit. She's also going to do woodworking. The oldest son is doing wildlife and woodworking too. On top of their Spanish immersion program, they're doing really well. Kid the Third is going through her really annoying four year old stage where everything is either a challenge, a question or a problem. I love her but damn if she doesn't go through a rollercoaster of emotions in a day. The littlest is not so little but he's running around and creating mischief everywhere he goes. He's earned his nickname 'Loki.'

We moved the horses to the mountains in October and taking care of them has kept me super active. They're doing great. Molly is starting to warm up to me again (I don't think she appreciated the move so much) but Durango is as playful and charming as ever. Although he did get hurt the other day, he's doing great. We run in the paddock and hopefully by the end of the summer we will have our complete fencing up.

My brother and sisters came to visit me for my birthday for the first time in my life which kept me busy in November. It was awesome. We went to the zoo and hung out. The kids especially loved having them here. Every moment was special to all of us. I miss them a lot. 

Our first Christmas in the new house was lovely. We didn't get to decorate outside very much but we did put up all of our indoor decorations and did our annual traditions. Hubs and I even went to our HOA Christmas party where we picked up a new thing to yell at each other. "LEAVE ME ALONE, DEBORAH! IT'S A CHRISTMAS PARTY!" 

One of my animals passed away in January. His name was Sheldon Cooper and he was a tabby cat I adopted in Hawaii. More precisely, he was a FOSTER FAIL. He got sick before Christmas but didn't die until a few days before my oldest turned thirteen. It was really rough on our family but we buried him at the edge of our property and sometimes, I feel like I can see him in the shadows. Everyone else, including Mr. Magoo my last cat, miss him, but thankfully the freshness of the loss has passed. 

Last month my Jeep was crushed by a plow, but luckily, it will be fixed by Monday or Tuesday AND I will get to upgrade somethings I've wanted to do for a while. Perks of owning it outright. I was so relieved to find out she wasn't totaled because a snowplow weighs 13 tonnes and it pushed TWO vehicles into my Jeep, forcing my Jeep up onto a guardrail. It was an awful night but I kept my hopes up and now I am happy with how things are turning out. The mechanic it went to is great. I really respect the heck out of him. (Ian at Divide Collision, YOU ROCK!)

As I said earlier, I finished writing DESCEND, Book Two of my Children Of Lilith Series. It is with my editor and friend. Thankfully, I got my computer back from Apple Repair. I am so relieved because I accidentally broke the screen and it had to be sent out for repairs and then an unnamed delivery service falsely said I wasn't home when I was. Nevertheless, it arrived today and now I can work on the first half edits that I've already received from my editor.  Check out my main page for the new cover, created by LeÁnne Pelletier. 

Beyond that, husband keeps doing his drill weekends in LA and goes away for work now and again. As a result, I've made a deal with him that I can go to IRELAND this year. I can't wait. I will be posting more about that when I plan it... 

Anywho, that's all for now. 

Lots of love!






Welp, that's about it. I think. I am sure I'm wrong... 

My horses, Molly and Durango, are the most amazing creatures. The love we have for each other is incredible. I was feeling pretty terrible earlier but now I'm feeling better. Being around them is healing and calming. I feel like we're connected on some deeper level than you can connect with other humans... it's spectacular. I cannot wait to have this outside my house on a daily basis.

My husband went to Europe on Sunday and of course our children all came down with a bad cold so they were unable to attend their charter this week. I did, however, email their teacher and get their Spanish words and phrases to practice so they would be prepared when they go back next week. Other than that, because they're sick, they've been sleeping in each morning. It's after 8 for the second day and all are still asleep, or are just waking up (I literally heard the first noise from downstairs a moment ago). 

I'm feeling overwhelmed in the lonely. I know that sounds funny but when my husband leaves, he takes away my adult world. I don't have talk to my siblings often enough, mostly due to the fact that I was not raised with them and, in fact, my baby sister didn't even know I existed until she was 15 years old. I am 11 years older than her and she had no idea I existed for years but I knew about her from the moment she was born. I don't have parents. The only parent I ever had died almost a decade ago (next month). He was the only person who loved me the way a parent is supposed to love their child. My mother was an abusive alcoholic junkie and I was told by the police I am never allowed to see or talk to her again, freeing me from the turmoil that was being her daughter. My biological father didn't even tell my sister I existed so that's how close we are. 

And I miss my friends... all of them. From all around the world. I miss the connection I had to people in other places, people who didn't consider me an outsider because they were outsiders too... I miss that connection... that love. My friends were and are so very important to me, but I haven't really made a new one in my time here so far. Too busy being a parent to my kids and then... no one wants to befriend someone moving an hour and a half away from them. I'm tired of trying to make friends. So many false faces out there, it's hard to know who to trust and I have a bad habit of giving everyone the benefit of the doubt... 

And before someone is like "whatever, girl has everything," don't get me wrong. I'm complaining, yes, but I also recognize that my life could be worse. It's just a bit lonely and difficult at the moment. 

Closing for the dream house has been pushed back until September 19th now, which puts it at about a week before hubs comes home. It works out alright but I have to admit, the stress isn't fun. I just want to get it over with so we can get this move over with so I can start our "real" life. 

I am also in a bit of a funk due to lack of book sales. It seems my book has had no interest in a week and as it's only six weeks old, it's not a promising sign. 

Other than that, I don't know... I hope to get some more writing done. The BETA readers have the first chapter and I have a self-imposed deadline on Friday to meet, plus the Farrier (the horse hoof trimmer) comes tomorrow). 

Anyways, that's all for now. Hope you all have a good Tuesday. Lots of love.

It's been a busy few days, which is the new normal, I suppose. My children seem completely oblivious to the amount of stress I'm under and honestly, that's the worst part of all of this: trying to remain even keeled in my parenting and my approach to life for their sakes. I, of course, wish they realized their fighting is making things worse, but, alas, they're kids and brothers and sisters fight like kids do. 

Things are on track for the house and I was relieved to learn I do not need a building permit for my horse's shelter. I am really anxious about all of it though because money will be super tight until next spring. I am just hoping we make it through without too much turmoil, since it is the biggest life change I'll ever make... living somewhere forever. 

​I've never moved somewhere with the intention of never leaving before. I've always considered everywhere temporary. "Who cares if they don't like me? I'm leaving in a year..." is a thought I've had more than once and in more than one state/province/country. This is different. Every first impression is important and scary. I know they won't all like me, they won't all want to include me but I will be honest and say that I am really afraid of the judgement from the civilian American world because most have never left their state, let alone country and I am this outsider. I've always been an outsider. I want to belong. Is that so shameful to say? I just want to have what it seems everyone else has had: a community, a family, a home. I want my kids to have that too. 

In the latest writing news, I am excited to say that my first author interview dropped yesterday (which I regret not posting about but to be honest, I forgot in the hubbub of my current chaos). Check it out here.

Other than that, just watching Keanu Reeves in John Wick for the first time and honestly, I get the appeal. He's badass in this series. I had to skip over the dog killing scene but the rest of the premise I dig. 

Well, lots of love. 

However, I finished writing the first draft of the first chapter and I have to say, I'm really diggin' the premise. It'll be really fun to write Descend and I'm really looking forward to writing the rest of the first draft at the new house. The mountains will definitely inspire the impressive Kingdom of Hell and the Shadow Realm... It's already been fun to describe my version of this extraordinary place.

Other that that, back at the homeschool routine while I pack up our house. I've packed away most of my clothes and most of the younger two's. The Dynamic Duo are having a hard time with the concept of moving again but ... okay... so... 

Our neighbors across the street are pretty awful parents to their three boys and also refuse to let their kids play with mine, despite the fact they literally slept til the mid-afternoon last Saturday and the kids got along fine in front of the houses for 3-4 hours. I even gave them snacks and water because they were hungry and afraid to go in their house. Once the parents woke, I heard the mother screaming at the boys and their cries. I don't know what I should do, because I know they broke her rules but I also am highly suspicious of someone like that, as an abused kid myself. (If you have any advice, feel free to comment because right now I'm going to call CPS once we move so I can avoid any possible confrontations and also make sure those boys are fine. As of right now I see them every day and they seem okay, but they clearly want to play with my kids. So yea, advice would be great.) 

Update on my Dream house (which if you follow me on twitter, you've seen photos of), the closing has been pushed back to the 17th and we're expecting them to pull some last minute shady shit that will force us to push it back further, but that kind of works out well for me. I am super excited about getting the house but also super stressed about having to sign for it while my husband is in another country. 

Anyways, I am so tired and stressed out so it's causing me to be in a bit of a mental-funk but I will endure because I always do. Just wish the psychiatric professional I had entrusted to continue my established care had actually done so rather than assume she knew best after I have spent 26 years in therapy on-and-off (I'll eventually write a fictional story based on my life but I'm pretty sure it'll be a while before I get there). 

Alrighty... well, hope you all have a great Wednesday! Lots of Love!

I cannot remember if I mentioned that I recently spilled coffee all over my MacBook Air, my brain baby-maker, but sadly, the Apple Store technicians were not able to fix my computer child. Instead, I was forced (I say this, while happily typing away) to upgrade to a MacBook Pro, one of the basic models but still, very nice. 

It feels good to finally write wherever I feel like being... standing, sitting, laying down. I don't do well with a desktop and if I'm going to write Descend by Spring, I'm going to have to get cracking, so thankfully, my husband, being who he is, stepped up and paid for my new laptop. Thank you, Captain America... I'm going to miss you when you ditch me for Germany! 

Other than that, it's been a really productive few days. Picked up horse feed for Molly and Durango on Thursday so I was able to pop by on Friday and today to feed them grains and pay boarding. We also went on an impromptu ice cream date last night before picking up most of the groceries we needed at Walmart. Yes, my life is so exciting. 

Oh, we did go see the house yesterday and were happy that our new phone company does work there, so once we have wifi, we'll be set. 

Strange how slow and quickly this all seems to be happening... our lives will be different by the time my brother and sisters visit for my birthday in November... We will finally have our forever home.

Anyways, that's all for now. Lots of love and hope to make progress on Descend ​soon. Lots of love!!

Before I get to the BETA request, I'm thrilled to say that Ascend has sold in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia! It's getting out there!!! Very happy about that! 

Now, do you want to be part of my BETA group? If so, please email authorlmgose@gmail.com with your previous BETA reading experience OR why you'd make a great BETA reader. Also, it helps if you've read my debut as this is the sequel so please note that if you have! Bonus points for leaving a Goodreads review and including the link.

I'll be selecting my BETA readers by October, so please get your "application" in by September 30. Thank you for your time!!! 

​