Why The Sinner and the Priest eBook Is Releasing in Two Parts

If you've been waiting for The Sinner and the Priest, I owe you both an apology and an explanation. The short version is that the book grew past the size of a single release, and rather than push it back again, I'm releasing it in two parts.

The long version is below. I've tried to answer every question I can think of, including pricing, timing, print, audio, and what happens if you already preordered. If I've missed something, email us via the contact form, and we'll get back to you directly.

What happened

I've been working on Book 3 of The Sinner Sisterhood for the better part of two years. The story percolated. The plot twisted. I sent what I thought was a finished draft to my editor at the start of this year, and she came back with notes that sparked a major epiphany, making the story oh-so-juicy. That meant serious redrafts. The book grew and grew and grew.

Two days out from my Amazon pre-order upload deadline, I realized I still had a few chapters left to write, and there was no way I'd finish them in time. I had two choices: push the entire release back (and lose my Amazon pre-order privileges, again), or release the book in two parts and keep the date.

I decided to split the ebook into parts. This is why:

Part One is a complete read. It's 80,000 words, which is roughly the same length as books 1 and 2 individually. Part One also lands on a major emotional and plot turn. The setup for the next half hits, the dramas at the Sisterhood abbey are resolved, and Mercy and Cisco face the first real reckoning of their story.

Part Two is the second half of the same novel, but it unfolds in a different setting, with a different quest and adventure. Mercy and Cisco leave the Abbey and head to Rome to face the Vatican and Cisco's mafia family, and (for those who've been with me through every slow burn) the spicy payoff finally lands … extra long and extra spicy.

I'd rather give you Part One now while I finish writing the best possible version of Part Two than make everyone wait another month for a rushed full release.

What you need to know

Pricing

• Part One — preorder price: 99c. This is a thank-you to readers who preordered at the original price. It's live until release day.
• Part One — release price: $4.99 from May 28, the same price as every other book in the series at release.
• If you've already preordered, Amazon will automatically charge you 99c, not the price you paid at the time. You don't need to cancel and re-order. Amazon's policy applies the lowest preorder price.
• Part Two — $3.99 for the first few days of release, then it will go up to $4.99 same as the other books, but I won't put it on pre-order. I'll surprise drop it the instant it's ready to avoid the four day manuscript lock Amazon puts on pre-orders.

Formats

• Ebook: Part One on May 28. Part Two as soon as it's finished. They're sold as separate ebooks.
• Print paperback: One combined volume. Both parts in one book, with the original cover. Print readers get the full novel in a single binding.
• Audiobook:As soon as I have a confirmed approach, I'll announce it.

Timeline for Part Two

I'm in the process of editing it right now. I want it out before I have surgery in a few weeks, but I can't make that a hard promise — life and recovery can shift things. The gap will be weeks, not months, and absolutely not years, as with earlier books.

Cover branding

Part One and Part Two ebooks will be released with matching covers in different color variations, clearly labeled. The print edition uses the original combined cover by the legendary artist Carlos Quevedos.

Check out the FAQs at the end of this page if you have more questions.

A note from me

I know this isn't what anyone wanted, including me. I planned to give you one big monster book, and instead I'm giving it to you in two pieces with weeks between them. I'm not going to pretend I'm thrilled about that. But I'm also not going to release something half-finished or sit on Part One for another month when it's polished and ready to go.

Thank you for being patient with me. I am learning more about how my brain works every day, getting better at adjusting the sails, and everything you read is 100% pouring from this chaotic brain of mine. Sometimes it's a mess, but it's my mess. And I think that's why you honor me with your patronage. You like the mess, too.

The Sinners and their reluctant Saints deserve the best version of this story, and that's what I'm working on. Part Two is in edits right now, and I'm head down until it's done.

If you have any questions I haven't answered here, you can get in touch via the contact forms.

Lana xx