The Shadows: Trust’s Anticipation coming Spring 2026
At long last I’m happy to say we’re back on track with Shadows5! I’m about half-way through the edit, and plowing forward. I’ve done a couple amazing events this year, and this is about to be the biggest Shadows Era yet! I have so much art planned, and I’ve already gotten so much done!
Trust’s Anticipation is the coming-0f-age book in the series where Mark and Irwin (both 18) inherit an old house in the Shenandoah Mountains, which used to be a sanctuary for Shadows until it was closed abruptly by the then wayward Ian Keller who went on to build the ASH. Mark and Irwin arrive in the little mountain town to find the damage left behind by Shadows, and the close-knit community that has banded together to rebuild and support each other regardless of whether they’re a human or a Shadow.
Meanwhile, Kip has traveled to Montana to meet his birth family for the first time, and finds his brother’s kid is a Shadow born outside of the generation, and attracts Shadows like a magnet, which is putting an immense amount of strain on the child’s heart.
Mark spends the entire book fueled on anxiety, protective of Irwin whose health is going downhill, worrying over Kip while he’s so far away, and his only solace comes in working out. This causes him to cross paths with Cliff, who was injured by a Shadow as a child, blinding him, and he’s spent years searching for a way to heal his eyes.
At the same time, Irwin is having a hard time adjusting, realizing he doesn’t really have any friends, and Ira in his head is pressuring him for something more romantic than just friends. Mark’s supportive of Irwin’s needs, but is clearly wrapped up in his worry for Kip, but Irwin can’t stand his hovering. Between Mark and Ira it’s overwhelming, until he meets Danie. Quiet at first, Danie is in a less than ideal living situation, reaching for a way out and Irwin quickly figures out they’re hiding a secret which sparks Irwin’s curiosity and draws him closer as he figures out how to express his feelings.
The story comes to a head in one of the biggest battles Mark has faced yet, where the powers that be all come together in the hunt for the Overseer. Mark’s reluctant to go after it, knowing immortality always comes with strings, but Irwin wants the power to save himself from the inevitable downward spiral of the D-Shadow as the illness steals everything from him. But, hesitating could mean the power falls into the hands of someone hellbent on becoming the new Overseer no matter the cost. Their only hope of evening the odds is finding the god-like mediator, the Orchestrator known as Shadow Trust.
Events and Shop!
Shoutout to my new author friends: Ishtar Watson, Megan L. Adams, Elaine DeBohun, and Sula Sullivan! You guys are the best and I can’t wait to do more events with you in the future. ❤
THE SHADOWS is available on Kindle and Paperback!
Fire’s Hope | Laevatein’s Choice | Halo’s Rag Doll | Nova’s Love
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