Updating the status of The Unseen Hand, Volume 2 of The Cursed Mage Case Files.

Hey everyone. I’m making a turn back to my ongoing project after my posts the last few weeks, especially about the print release of The White Arrow and my hardcover goals for books already released.

I don’t want to get too far into my current health, but apparently there are a lot of people suffering from post-Covid “long haul” symptoms that’s being called Post-Covid Syndrome by some clinicians. I happen to be one of those people. Don’t worry, I’m seeing doctors, going to cardiopulmonary rehab and visiting a post-Covid clinic (I’m in surprisingly good health except for the symptoms).

Aside from all the appointments and such, I’m doing my best to make progress on The Unseen Hand. My problem is fatigue and “brain fog” (aside from persistent bronchitis) so I’m getting work done sporadically. I keep thinking I’m slacking but I’m slowly understanding it’s the lingering ailment. As such, it is affecting the schedule with my editor so I’m uncertain how soon the book will make it to publication. May seems to be slipping toward June in spite of my best efforts.

However, I have made some interesting progress on the book and I’m very excited about it. I guess I have to stop expecting so much out of myself and be realistic with the energy I do have right now. That’s a bit fluid based on the day or hour. I got some further information about the situation today which motivated me to re-think my outlook so I hope I start working the angles better. A little more information helps me frame my expectations and daily planning so I can optimize my editing (and blogging, etc).

Maybe I’ll take this different approach, make some significant progress over the next week, and get this manuscript out the door. The same is true of the next book and another project in line for my attention. At this point, the best I can expect is late May if all goes well. If not, it will likely be June. That pushes my schedule back for the rest of the year but I think two additional books released is possible even with a fluid situation like this one.

Hopefully, I’ll be able to share a short excerpt soon and order the cover art for another sneak-peek. The latter should be a priority for getting to pre-release underway as soon as I have a more definite date. Beyond that, I’ll begin offering the book for advance release copies which I was not able to do last fall with The Order of the Dark Rose. I’ll announce the advance release, pre-order and early review information as soon as possible, probably through my private group on Goodreads so if you’re interested, let me know and I’ll get you into Martson’s Station on request (DM me on Goodreads, email me, or leave a comment here so I know to send an invitation).

That’s all for today. Please leave your thoughts in the comments, but let’s try to steer away from my condition and focus on the writing as much as possible.

Meanwhile, have a look at The Order of the Dark Rose, Volume 1 of The Cursed Mage Case Files:

Blurb:

An arch-mage can handle almost anything. Unless he’s cursed, lost his job and facing an unknown enemy.

The Gallantean Empire relies increasingly upon magical technology which cleans sewers, runs trams and much more. Within the capital city of Cal Rindon, magic is pervasive, but not necessarily used without criminal activity. The bustling metropolis boasts constant innovations mixed with growing pains. Amid the good lurks the bad with unrest and growing crime.

Arch-mage Manny Mandeheim fell under a curse, watched his fiancé die, and then lost his job as a spy. So what’s an arch-mage to do? Start his own magical investigation service while he works to clear his good name and maybe avenge his lost love. With his very un-magical partner, Wish Ackford, Manny discovers the menace of a much larger conspiracy than he expected looming behind his curse. The limitations from the hex leave him at a distinct disadvantage as he and Wish investigate.

Assassins lurk at every corner or in every tram car. The threat of an unknown mastermind with murky intentions lingers just out of sight. A questionable source offers the hint of a secret order hounding Manny’s footsteps. A murder leads to wrenching discoveries.

Nothing an arch-mage can’t handle…

Unless the curse limits how much magic he can use or kills him outright.

A mixture of gaslamp fantasy and Sherlock Holmes-like cases, The Order of the Dark Rose is a sleuth private detective mystery set in an alternate fantasy world where magic is both commonplace and dangerous. Mysteries abound in this original, new fantasy from P. H. Solomon, author of the award-winning, best-selling epic fantasy series, The Bow of Hart Saga.

Can Manny survive long enough to break his curse? Or will the arch-mage’s hidden foe escape him?

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About the Author:

Multi retailer Bestselling Author, Fantasia Reviews Book of the Year Author 2017 & 2018

U. S. author, P. H. Solomon grew up with a love of books including fantasy. Always interested in odd details, history and the world around him, P. H. has found an outlet in writing where he mixes a wide range of interests from the regular world, history and anthropology into his fantasy books.

His epic fantasy series, The Bow of Hart Saga, brought a fresh viewpoint to the genre where magic, myth and mysticism mingle. Described by readers as a “mixture of the classic fantasy past with new ideas.”

Trading Knives (0.1)
What is Needed (0.2)
The Bow of Destiny #1
An Arrow Against the Wind #2
The White Arrow #3

The latest series, The Cursed Mage Case Files is a mash-up of classic Sherlock Holmes, The Dresden Files and Harry Potter into a unique fantasy world where magic is both an arcane practice and a technological power to be harnessed. Join Mandlefred Mandeheim and Wishton Ackford as they team up to investigate magical mysteries.

The Order of the Dark Rose #1
The Unseen Hand #2 (upcoming)
The Nine Jewel Heist #3 (upcoming)

More books:

Curses Dark and Foul
The Black Bag

See the entire book catalog at P. H. Solomon’s Amazon Author Page.

Find more about P. H. Solomon as well as articles and research notes, plus a free stories, at https://www.PHSolomon.com