Blurbs from Lauren DeStefano, Saundra Mitchell, and Katherine Longshore!

I'm thrilled and honored to announce that New York Times bestselling author Lauren DeStefano and fellow historical novelist Katherine Longshore have now joined Saundra Mitchell in blurbing In the Shadow of Blackbirds. I'm revealing their entire quotes for the first time right here!

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“Words like ‘unputdownable’ and ‘irresistible’ are simply not enough for Cat Winters’s In the Shadow of Blackbirds. Days after finishing this story, it remains the first thought I have in the morning, and the thing that haunts me until I sleep.”

—Lauren DeStefano

New York Times bestselling author
of The Chemical Garden trilogy

“Part history, part mystery, part post-apocalyptic paranormal romance, In the Shadow of Blackbirds bundles everything in a spookily atmospheric and almost otherworldly early-twentieth-century San Diego. From the first page, I was captivated by Mary Shelley Black—by her spirit and by her capacity to love and hope amid the horrors of war and the hysteria of pandemic.”
—Katherine Longshore
Author of Gilt

“Cat Winters deftly captures the darkness and the light of human nature. I swear, I can smell the smoke from the flashlamps and taste the electricity in the air—This dark and startling story lingers long after the final page.”

    —Saundra Mitchell

      Edgar Award-nominated author of Shadowed Summer
and The Vespertine series
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Thank you, Saundra, Lauren, and Katherine! I'm so incredibly grateful for your kind words.

Lauren DeStefano also sent me the link to a video containing the perfect theme song for my novel's protagonist, Mary Shelley Black: "Trouble Is a Friend" by Lenka. In fact, the video could work well as an In the Shadow of Blackbirds book trailer (the official trailer is coming Feb. 14). Imagine a lower ponytail on the girl and a slightly longer dress, and the video becomes a musical interpretation of Mary Shelley Black and all the troubles she encounters in her dark and dangerous 1918 world.

June Updates

Here are some of the latest behind-the-scenes tidbits about my books.

• An In the Shadow of Blackbirds book trailer is in the works, and it will feature the music of Jill Tracy! I won't reveal the specific song at this point, but Jill's dark, Victorian-inspired work is absolutely perfect for my WWI-era ghost tale. The trailer will more than likely make an appearance a couple months before the novel's release date. More details to follow.


• I may be seeing In The Shadow of Blackbirds cover art by the end of the summer. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to that particular stage! For more 2013 covers, visit my 2013 Book Cover Love Pinterest board. Several new covers debuted this week.


• I'm gathering some swag for a few upcoming contests this summer. We're making plans for a major July giveaway at The Lucky 13s, so please check over there for details at the beginning of the month.


• As I wait for my second stage of revisions for In the Shadow of Blackbirds, I'm busily working away on my new book. I can't give any specific details about the novel, but I've left a few clues on my newest Pinterest board, Inspiration for Secret Writing Projects. A major plot point isn't portrayed on the board, but you can get an early taste of the book's setting and Gothic influence.


• In September, I'll be launching a brand-new website with other authors. Giveaways and celebrations will ensue, so definitely check back for news on that project.


• I'm heading to Ohio to visit family the first week in July. No, that has nothing to do with my books, but it will explain why I'm not responding to emails or blog comments until after July 9.   

Happy summer, northern hemisphere visitors! And to the southern hemisphere crowd, happy winter!

So...Does IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS Involve a Love Story?

Seeing that it's Valentine's Day, I thought I'd address the issue of romance in my upcoming novel, In the Shadow of Blackbirds. If you've read the mini-synopsis released through Publishers Marketplace, you'll know the book is "the story of a teen girl mourning the loss of her first love in 1918 California, where a flu has turned deadlier than a world war, and spirit communication has become a dark and dangerous obsession."

So, does that mean there's a love story in the book? Is it a depressing love story if there's mourning involved? Is it a Hot Boy A versus Hot Boy B type of young adult love story? Is there even any kissing?

Here are the answers...

Is there a love story in the book?

Yes, definitely.

Is it a depressing love story if there's mourning involved?

It's an emotional story, but I wouldn't call it depressing. The book entails a mystery, the paranormal, a Gothic-style romance, war, and a desperate world. My heroine is too preoccupied to weep nonstop. 

Is it a Hot Boy A versus Hot Boy B type of young adult love story?

There's a rivalry of sorts, and the males involved are highly attractive. Yet my protagonist herself wouldn't say there's a love triangle.

Is there even any kissing? 

Yes. Oh yes.

In honor of my characters' challenging romance in the midst of a troubled world, and to celebrate Valentine's Day, here's one of the songs I've been using for In the Shadow of Blackbirds inspiration: Jill Tracy's "Doomsday Serenade."

My Musical Ode to Rejection Letter Survival

The theme this week at The Lucky 13s is What Keeps You Going When the Going Gets Tough. I responded with a song:

"THE TWELVE DAYS OF REJECTION"

At least it's the right season to be revising a ghostly mystery

My ghostly Maine photo.

I haven't had an abundance of time to work on revisions due to my kids being home from school for conferences, a birthday party with thirteen children in my house, and a sick daughter, but when I have sat down to work, I've been fiddling with the mystery aspect of Blackbirds.  I love books with satisfying twists and don't want to deliver anything less with my own work, but it's been a challenge trying to figure out how to make my ending as surprising and fulfilling and possible.  Some new ideas have popped into my head this week, and hopefully they're leading me down the right path.

At least October is the perfect time to be writing about ghosts and dark mysteries.  I've been scaring myself by watching shows like Ghost Adventures late at night and listening to Kristen Lawrence's Halloween Carols in the car with my kids.  Here's a video for a song of Kristen's I've been using to get myself into the Blackbirds zone.  It's called Dark Glass, and the chorus is absolutely beautiful and dreamlike.