Shapeshifter Chronicle Playlist

I recently had fun putting together some songs that I felt represented scenes or moments in my book series The Shapeshifter Chronicles. Although I can’t listen to music while I write, these totally captured the essence of the feel. I’ve labeled them with the book or scene I felt they matched. Enjoy and happy holidays XOXO

Ana Alone On the Mountain in Fledgling- Evanescence, “My Last Breath”

Closing Credits for Fledgling- We The Kings, “Sad Song” ft Elena Coats

Closing Credits for Prodigy- Mr Probz, “Waves”

Emergent- Sam Smith, “Make It to Me”

Emergent Closing Credits- Coldplay, “Fix You”

Opening Scene for Ascension- Hozier, “Like Real People Do”

Lake Powell Scenes from Ascension- Lorde, “Everyone Wants to Rule the World”

Closing Credits for Ascension- Coldplay, “Sky Full of Stars”

My apologies

Dear readers,
I have felt the need to address book 3 to you because I feel badly.

Over a year and a half ago my husband injured his head and was forced to work part-time from home. Unfortunately more recently (over the summer) he started feeling worse and hasn’t been working at all. I have been working full-time from home earning money to support the family, taking care of our children and the home. This has been quite stressful and time consuming. I’ve been very frustrated not being able to deliver book 3 sooner, because I had planned on being much further along than I am. BUT I want to assure you that I have made it a priority to work on it over weekends and free moments because Chance and Ana really want their story told. I am VERY excited to tell this story. It is very fun to write and I really can’t wait to release it. Do I have a release date yet? Unfortunately no. I don’t want to put the pressure on myself to complete it by a specific date, but I will let you all know when we are getting very close.

Want to help me out? If you love the series, share it with your friends! Tell them about it and if you have the time, leave a review so others can find to love Chance and Ana too.

Knowing there are people out there that care about my characters as much as I do warms my heart and I want to thank you for reading and leaving me notes. It means a lot to me. Now without further ado, I’m going to go back to writing, because we all know that’s what you really want me to do!

XOXO
Natasha Brown

My Special Valentine

This is a blog post that was hosted recently on Best Selling Reads.

It was early morning. The sun hadn’t crested the horizon yet, and as we drove by the darkened homes I could imagine the people inside snuggled up in their beds, still catching those last minutes of sleep before getting up and starting their day. We were nearly alone on the highways while we drove east. The cold fingers of winter tried to pry their way into our van. Although I sat untouched from its reach, a bitter pain grew in my chest.

A flock of Canadian geese flew overhead. I’ve never understood why they choose Colorado over a warmer climate, but there they were, soaring through the bleak skies together as a large extended family on a winter holiday. The lopsided formation broke the silence with their honking as we glided over the black river of pavement, leading us to the hospital.

I turned around to look at her, my little angel, wide eyed in the back seat, too nervous to be tired or to watch the passing wildlife. When we arrived in the bright atrium of the hospital it had only begun to waken. Friendly faces, simple noises and smells distorted and numbed me. Time slowed.

Like a koala, she clung to me, her mommy. I was here to protect her, yet I was delivering her into the arms of pain. How could it make sense to her? Did she understand that we were only trying to help her?

Her voice was locked away, safe inside – the only thing that was in her control. When the time came and her eyes drooped into a soft and pleasant sleep, the nurses took her from me.

“We’ll take care of her. You’ll see her soon.”

The wait would have been unbearable if I had been awake, but I slept. I could not imagine a world without her in it. I refused to. So instead, I slept.

At her bedside, I knew I was where I needed to be. A motherly magnet, I snapped to her side, climbed under the covers and remained there, even as her poor body drooped and those terrible beeps rose, like a swarm of insects coming to frighten me away. Instead, a flurry of nurses clamored around us. Each held fluids and blood, ready to pump my sleeping princess with life so her delicate veins wouldn’t collapse.

This is one of the most painful memories I have. I’m sure you have your own – we all have them. This may not seem like a fitting story on Valentine’s Day, but it does have a happy ending.

My daughter was born with congenital heart defects like so many others, and has had two open-heart surgeries. When others focus on chocolates, red roses and sonnets, I am reminded of how lucky I am. My daughter is a healthy little girl and you would never guess the struggles she’s been through.

Heroes are born every day. I’m not talking about superheroes clad in spandex and masks. I’m speaking of the everyday heroes that walk the Earth like Clark Kent – in disguise. In fact, you probably know one, they’re not as uncommon as you may think.

I happen to have a very special hero of my own – my daughter. The scars that mark her chest will always be a reminder of what she’s been through. Even though her heart is unique and a little battered, it does not affect her ability to love or be loved.

So, this February and Valentine’s Day, rest well knowing you are surrounded by heroes, heroes who have battled and won. Who carry scars on their hearts, and keep going because they can.

 

***

Following her daughter’s second surgery, Natasha Brown wrote Fledgling, The Shapeshifter Chronicles (Book 1). She was inspired to write a story centered on a girl struggling with a heart condition. The novel was a finalist in the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer’s Contest.

Upcoming Release

I recently completed the rough draft of Prodigy, Book 2 in the Shapeshifter Chronicles and am currently going though the editing process. I am very excited to share with my readers Chance and Ana’s new adventures. It should provide plenty of excitement and answer some of  those pesky questions…but of course, leave you with a few as well.

At this point I have plans for four books in the series, with the possibility of more. After the release of Prodigy I will put my attention to finishing another book that was shelved so I could deliver the second book in the Shapeshifter Chronicles.  It is a middle grade adventure series titled, The Novel Adventures of Nimrod Vale. More to come on that as I get closer to completing it.

Thank you for all the reading support!