This is not the post that I wanted to be making today…

One of my favorite authors has lost her battle with cancer. Rachel Caine passed away today.

I first came to know Rachel Caine’s writing through her Weather Warden series many years ago. I continued on reading her work through the Great Library series, Stillhouse Lake series, and her book Prince of Shadows. (Oddly, as a vampire genre reader, I didn’t read Morganville Vampires, arguably her most famous-ha!) Her writing never disappointed me. My favorite will always be the series that introduced me to her, though, the Weather Wardens.

What I didn’t expect, though, was how incredibly kind she would be when I met her. I was finally able to fulfill a dream of mine and attend RT in 2015. I met so many authors that I fangirled over and admired while I was there. Many were nice (some just tolerated us) but Rachel was different. I was so nervous when I went to speak with her. She was so famous by then, but no one was there when I went to her table. She must have talked to me for 15-20 minutes and was surprised that I brought Heat Stroke of all books for her to sign. We talked about Weather Wardens, books she had coming out, other series that we loved, what I do for a living. She was just so kind. I will never forget meeting her and I will cherish that copy of Heat Stroke for the rest of my life.

To her beloved family and friends: I am so sorry for the immense loss that you are feeling. I send my love to you and you will be in my thoughts for the days and weeks to come. Thank you for sharing her with us.