Okay, the title probably is a bit misleading, but I’ll be perfectly frank—I hate writing titles. At least, I hate coming up with them for me. I can usually find a good title for my editing clients if they’re stuck. (Isn’t it always easier to help someone else rather than ourselves?)
But, as usual, I digress.
I wrote that title to give you an update on the Medici Protectorate series—the modern day secret descendants of that dynasty who have been thrust into a world of danger and deceit.
Book three (Body Armor) is with the publisher, being edited as we speak. When I first started working on it, I didn’t think it would come close to Mind Control, but I have to confess, Vinnie is my ideal book boyfriend, so I thought all the books would pale in comparison. (Funny fact, though: When I started writing Vinnie’s story, I hated it. But that might have had more to do with Jo than Vinnie. Jo was very standoffish, and I had trouble getting to know her. Once I did, though, wow! That was my favorite book. By. Far.)
Anyway, I’m happy to say I’m really pleased with the end result of Body Armor. Even with an outline, it took a few pleasantly surprising detours. But that’s fine with me; I think the story is better for having rerouted a few times. (And it’s the journey as much as the destination, right?)
Above I posted a teaser that you can only see here. It’s a little insight into Nico’s mindset through most of his story. He’s under a ton of pressure, and even his brother/best friend is getting on his nerves. You’ll have to read the story to learn more.
In addition to that teaser, if you want another look at what’s going on with Nico and Donni, might I suggest you visit my Twitter stream? The pinned post is another teaser. (And if you’d like to share it, that would be great, too. Thanks.) You can find that tweet here.
I hope to have a cover to share with you soon. Body Armor is supposed to come out in August, so the clock’s ticking! In the meantime, if you need to catch up with the series, you can find more information here:
Published Titles:
- Valuable Treasures (a standalone short story prequel)
- Bleeding Heart (a full-length novel, book 1)
- Mind Control (a full-length novel, book 2)
Interviews, Deleted Scenes, and Guest Posts
- Vinnie Falco Interview (on Rochelle Weber’s site—23 Apr 2017)
- Five on Friday (Vinnie answers 5 questions on Mary E. Thompson’s site—7 Apr 2017)
- Medici Protectorate Brothers (deleted scene on Mae Clair’s site—7 Apr 2017)
- Talking with Michelangelo (character interview at Archer’s Aim—6 Apr 2017)
- Touring Pittsburgh (discussing settings on Joan Hall’s site—5 Apr 2017)
- Food and Fiction (guest post on Harmony Kent’s site—4 Apr 2017)
- Medici Protectorate Series (covers/teasers/blurbs on C. S. Boyack’s site—3 Apr 2017)
- Jo Notaro/Mind Control (interview with Lisa Burton—21 Jul 2016)
- Mind Control Alchemy Post (guest post on Courtney J. Hall—29 Jun 2016)
- Alchemy, Michelangelo, and the Protectorate (guest post on From the Pen of Mae Clair—30 Oct 2015)
- Interview: Bleeding Heart (interviewed by Kate Hill—13 Aug 2015)
- Interview: Bleeding Heart (interviewed by Michele Jones—10 Aug 2015)
PS: Bonus points if you know what else I released yesterday. I’ll give you a hint… You can find it/them on my website or in my fan group on Facebook.
You’re sneaky, releasing that prequel yesterday – and congrats on the upcoming release!
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Thanks, Teri. But it wasn’t actually the prequel that I released yesterday. (Although I have been remiss in marketing it effectively.) It wasn’t actually something to purchase, but rather something for marketing…
Okay, you twisted my arm. I’ll tell you. 😉 I released the five marble teasers that go with the series. The gallery is on the Body Armor page, and the teasers can all be seen in my FB group, Staci Troilo’s Novel Idea. (Anyone can join. We have fun chats over there.)
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Well – that’s my bad, jumping to conclusions. Looking for something you released and saw the prequel. But you’ve given me some marketing ideas with these teasers – thinking I can do this with my WIP starting in the fall.
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I’m a teaser addict. I try to have at least one for short stories and anthologies; five for novels. They’re great for social media, and I like the scrolling galleries on my book pages (adds movement to what would otherwise be static information).
If you ever need to brainstorm on them for you, I’m happy to talk with you.
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I can’t wait for Body Armor. I haven’t even read it yet but I have a feeling I’m going to be smitten with Nico.
And of course I had to scope out the new gems on your FB group and website. Nicely done!
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Thanks, Mae. I’m pretty excited about Body Armor. I thought Vinnie would be my favorite hero (and therefore my favorite book), but Nico’s signature blend of geekiness and stubbornness has a lot of me in him, so I’m pretty taken with his story, too.
As for the new “gems” you mention (did you do that because a gem is a stone and stone is marble, or am I reaching?), I’m delighted that this series has such a distinctive symbol for the four guys (plus Mike). It makes making the teasers so easy! (And you know I love my teasers.)
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Exciting series, Staci. Congrats on the upcoming release.
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Thanks, Joan. Now that I’m diving into the (most likely) final installment, I have mixed feelings. I’m glad to be wrapping up the story, but I’m going to miss these guys! (Somehow I don’t think a cookbook or Mike’s story will have the same feel, you know?)
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Good call with those “gems.” I didn’t think of them that way, but the match is perfect.
And there is something about a semi-geeky hero that appeals to me which is why I expect to be a goner with Nico 😉
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I think it’s the glasses. I swooned a little when he took out his contacts and put on his glasses. Gosh, I’m such a nerd.
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LOL! I’m right there with you!
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