The Return of Simon Feximal – with art and giveaway
Let’s have a quick recap. (Previously on KJC…) I wrote a couple of stories about a Victorian ghost hunter named Simon Feximal and his lover Robert Caldwell, set in 1894 England, followed by a crossover story, Remnant, with Jordan L Hawk’s occult detectives Whyborne and Griffin, set in 1899. A lot had changed for my characters by the time of Remnant. Robert, previously a carefree young journalist, is now Simon’s full time colleague, with a sinister metal cartouche in his hand and a nasty scar under his eye.
The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal (out now!) is the full story of Robert and Simon, including what happened to Robert’s career, how he got the scar, and what’s going on with the magical implant. I don’t know if I’d have written it if it hadn’t been for Remnant. But once I’d done that, the glimpse into my characters’ future nagged at me until I’d written the book—because, as Simon says, stories must be told.
The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal comes out on 16 June. Plus, ‘Butterflies’ (the second Feximal story) and Remnant (Smashwords or ARe) are available free, and the terrific Whyborne and Griffin series has reached book 6 (Remnant comes between Stormhaven and Threshold). Don’t say Jordan and I fail to supply your late nineteenth-century gay occult detective needs.
The blog tour begins today and I’m giving away three copies of the book on a Rafflecopter. Click here to enter!
Here’s the blog tour so you can follow/avoid me to taste. Links as they go up:
11 June – Prism Book Alliance – extract
12 June – Sinfully… – blog post on folklore
13 June – Joyfully Jay – blog post on romance and horror
14 June – Boys in our Books – blog post on writing things you didn’t mean to
15 June – Novel Approach – extract
16 June – Love Bytes – extract
And finally, what you’ve been waiting for: superstar artist Lydmila Tsapaeva has created a truly fabulous piece of Remnant crossover art, featuring Robert, Simon, Whyborne and Griffin. Just adore this:
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The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal, a Victorian occult m/m romance, is out now.
The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal
A story too secret, too terrifying—and too shockingly intimate—for Victorian eyes.
A note to the Editor
Dear Henry,
I have been Simon Feximal’s companion, assistant and chronicler for twenty years now, and during that time my Casebooks of Feximal the Ghost-Hunter have spread the reputation of this most accomplished of ghost-hunters far and wide. You have asked me often for the tale of our first meeting, and how my association with Feximal came about. I have always declined, because it is a story too private to be truthfully recounted, and a memory too precious to be falsified. But none knows better than I that stories must be told.
So here is it, Henry, a full and accurate account of how I met Simon Feximal, which I shall leave with my solicitor to pass to you after my death. I dare say it may not be quite what you expect.
Robert Caldwell
September 1914
Eeeee! Pick me! :D. I love Robert & Simon. One of the best opening paragraphs ever that I’ve read began the first short story and Butterflies was chilling. I’m so excited to know there are new stories as well.
🙂 Thank you! That bit kind of wrote itself.
So excited! I cannot wait for this book.
I think the giveaway thing says something about a comment with my email sholmes1fan[@]msn.com
Obviously remove the spam-protecting brackets 😉
Seriously though, I loved Remnant and am dying to read the next story.
Excellent. 🙂
I’ve been looking at it climbing higher and higher on my chronological preorders spreadsheet, now it’s in the 1st place, together with the new Jordan L. Hawk, and I can already imagine how painful it’s going to be choosing which one to read first on the pub day 😉
And great thank you to Lydmila for wonderful art! Is there a chance to see it in better resolution somewhere?
There is a super high res version but I’m not sure how to put it on here because I’m technically incompetent. Let me try to find out?
No hurry 🙂 I just think it deserves our full appreciation 😀
I so look forward to this book! And you do supply our late nineteenth-century gay occult detective needs, although I think I could never get too much of that.
Me either. Have you read Jordan’s Restless Spirits?
I can’t wait! And Lydmila’s art is always so fabulous!
I KNOW. Isn’t it?
It’s the best. 🙂
I’m really looking forward to reading this. I loved Remnant and Butterflies and the art is gorgeous! Thanks for the chance to win!
Excellent!
I’m really looking forward to this book!
kimandpete at me dot com
Thanks. 🙂
Just a little bit more… and I will have it in my hands! I feel like I’ve been waiting for this forever… And I love Lyudmila’s art! <3
serena91291@gmail.com
Ditto. 🙂
Actually, you and Jordan could write more and faster, as I go through withdrawal in between your books being published. I love both your books so much I have them in paper as well as electronic since I have to read them right away!
If I write any faster I think my fingers will fall off. I am chasing SO MANY DEADLINES. (I am admittedly not a speed author…)
Not a speed author? Are you sure about that? You’ve had… how many books out in the past two years?
Some people seem to manage one every two months. I am in awe.
Wow!
*sigh* You guys are killing me. I’ll have you know that you and Jordan L Hawk are the ONLY historicals I read, no matter M/F, M/M, Paranormal or not.
Next week will be awesome reading with historical/paranormal releases from you and Jordan L Hawk (two of my must-read authors and one of my fav sub-genres). Thanks for the post and contest! Love the artwork – so much fantastic detail.
jen(dot)f(at)mac(dot)com
Mocker of Ravens is terrific, I adore the SPECTR series.
I can’t wait to read this! I absolutely love your ‘A Charm Of Magpies’ Series and I really enjoyed your collaboration with Jordan L Hawk in ‘Remnant’ – my first glimpse of Simon Feximal – and I can’t wait to read more! 😀
Cool, thank you!
These stories really needed to happen. I discovered Feximal via “Remnant” and wanted to know all about him and Caldwell, but could only find “Butterflies” for download. Apparently the earlier story had already been taken down, which was crazy frustrating, as interesting as I found these guys. Super excited to read more!
bekquai at gmail dot com
Yes, the first story was initially published with Torquere, but once I got the rights back I could do the whole thing. Glad you like!
I read these before but I can’t wait to for this version! Plus the artwork! I want that full screen so I can just stare. 😀 aahickmanathotmaildotcom
I am trying to find how to do it but today is FRAUGHT. Bear with me.
Whenever you are able. 🙂
I really enjoyed your collaboration with Jordan and I can’t wait to read this!
mythical.katie[@]gmail.com
I am really looking forward to reading this one. I was hoping you wold write more about them
debby236 at gmail dot com
The artwork is gorgeous. She really outdid herself. And I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!
I want! I turned 40 on June 3rd and that would be the best birthday present I could think of. If I don’t get it I plan to buy it on next payday so I won’t be too heartbroken if I don’t get it so no pressure. I’ve been dying to know more about the cartouche since reading Remnant. And I hope we learn more about Simon’s tattoos.
Belated happy birthday! And oh yes, you will learn more… /evil chuckle/
I’m really looking forward to this one. I loved Remnant and Butterflies, I can’t wait to know what happened to Simon and Robert… And Lydmila’s work is really amazing 😉
susanaperez7140(at)gmail(dot)com
I can’t wait to read the next installment of this series. Loved the crossover with W&G. The artwork is gorgeous. Hope for my TBR list I win!
So glad this is coming out. I keep thinking I missed a book or something
I think I entered the giveaway! It was a little confusing. Eh, whether I win a copy or purchase a copy, I’ll be reading it and loving it anyway. 😀
I’m so looking forward to this. Not long to wait now!
Lydmila’s art is amazing, as always 🙂
I can’t wait for this one. Yes, You and Jordan do keep us supplied in late nineteenth-century gay occult detective stories. 🙂
You and Jordan Hawk are my top two favourite authors. I don’t think I will ever get enough of your books.
I am really looking forward to the Simon Decimal books and to Remenent!!!
My email id: preethspreethATgmailDOTcom
Thank you!
That looks RIGHT up my alley! Can’t wait to give it a read.
Oooh, I just realized this release date is the same as my last day of work before summer break. What better way to destress could there be? 😀
(my email is kayqy at that yahoo place, btw)
Excellent, enjoy your break!
I am looking forward to this new book so very much 🙂 I moved house this week and need all the good things to keep me going
Hey KJ,
I tried to get in on the rafflecopter giveaway, but it wouldn’t take my comment… I think. So if someone wins and you can’t tell who they are, it’s me.
Elf Ahearn
Can’t wait for this!
I have immensely enjoyed all your characters and I can’t wait to see what you do next!