August Updates

Happy August!

I'm thrilled to be back in the swing of things after an incredible summer filled with adventure and creativity. From exploring the magic of New Orleans to reconnecting with loved ones in Tennessee, this summer has been a whirlwind of inspiration.

Speaking of inspiration, I'm excited to share that I've just finished outlining a brand-new vampire story!

The creative juices are flowing, and I can't wait to dive deeper into this world.

I’m also happy to announce that A Toddling Mystery is now available for preorder and will be released this fall!

While I was disappointed to share that the horror anthology was canceled, I'm excited about this new opportunity.

On another exciting note, I'm currently collaborating with my new publisher on book cover ideas for the relaunch of The Softer Side of Texas. Get ready for a fresh look and feel! This relaunch is just the beginning – I'm thrilled to announce that I'm expanding this standalone into a trilogy with two upcoming books.

Plus, I'm planning to relaunch and expand on Simply Scarlet and Embracing His Empire by 2027.

To add to the excitement, I recently completed a TikTok video series all about real vampires in New Orleans!

Head over to the Clock app to check it out. I had a blast creating this content and sharing my passion for the paranormal with you.

Sai Marie VAMPIRES IN NEW ORLEANS

Don't forget, The Masquerade of Time: A Love Undying is still available!

I'd love to hear your thoughts and reviews after my trip to New Orleans in June. Your feedback fuels my writing passion.

In between all the writing and planning, I've also found time to share my love of storytelling with a younger audience. I'm excited to announce the release of my children's book, Elsie, the Outlandish Chupacabra, aimed at 3-7-year-olds.

Fall is quickly approaching, and I can't wait to see what adventures await. I'm already looking forward to cozy nights curled up with a good book and a warm cup of tea.

Thank you for your continued support. Your enthusiasm and encouragement mean the world to me!

With love,

Sai Marie

PREVIEW: A TODDLING MYSTERY -

© 2024

Sai Marie Johnson

Chapter Three:

Fishy, Fishy

I felt a pang of hunger hit my belly in the middle of the night. Usually, Pop-pop kept some kind of snack nearby and I could easily munch on it to calm my urges. I didn’t know what to do now, and wondering where Pop-pop had gone was still gnawing at the back of my mind. I didn’t want to awaken Aubrey and had a slight fear that I would be taken back to the place where the creepy lady was.

I still didn’t understand why the police had picked me up. I had run off when the music got too loud, and the lights were hurting my eyes. Pop-pop had told me not to worry and that my mommy would be back soon, but I got tired of waiting and slipped out of the camper to see if I could find her. That had been my first mistake.

There were cars everywhere and all of them looked black. A large burning bonfire was the only light source that I could make out, and I decided to move toward it. Somehow, in the middle of the night, I had emerged back out onto the highway and that was where the police found me.

And now, with my belly rumbling I was stricken with fear about what to do about it. I didn’t want to hurt Aubrey – or her doggy, or Grumpy. These were my new friends. I slipped from the mattress, and my feet met the cushy carpeting only to sink deep within it. I smiled pleasantly at how it felt between my toes and wriggled them as I relaxed against the rug. Luckily, this thick padding made no creaks as I walked, and I quietly made my way down the corridor – dark shadows casting strange scraggly images on the stark white walls as I slowly inched toward the den. The light in the fish tank caught my eyes and I widened them in surprise. Neon green, orange, pink, and yellow tetra filled it, and the bugs began to rustle.

“Oh,” I gurgled, feeling my spine arch as I tilted my head – once it began there was nothing I could do to stop it, and the wrenching feeling in my abdomen clued me.

I should’ve never walked by the tank – I should’ve been able to predict the fishes’ demise, but when you are four years old you rarely exhibit self-control, and I lurched forward in a quick leap as I felt my bones begin to crackle. Contorting midleap bristling began to poke through the pores of my flesh and a riddling of greyish white fur sprouted through my skin. Then began the worst of it, at least by my definitions – the pain of it all caused me to yelp and I came back to land on the floor in a haphazard way. Long claws began to slide free of my nailbeds – lengthening into blade-like talons that embedded into the floor – bits of carpeting being shredded like torn paper as I leapt forward...

Coming #spookyseason #spookyvibes