There is nothing that infuriates us readers so much as a great author who quits and we don’t know why! Back in 2004 Roc published Lorna Freeeman’s first book in the Borderlands series, Covenants. It was great fantay, I loved it and waited eagerly for the next book, which arrived in 2006, The King’s Own. There was a long gap after that, a miserable four years, before we saw Shadows Past. But almost as soon as that was being read we were seeing that The Reckoning Flame was the next – except that while it may have been intended, mentioned, listed as that, it’s never appeared. The Lorna Freeman blogsite was last updated right at the start of 2011 and no more posts. Inquiries by a number of readers both to ROC and elsewhere have received no informative response.
We are left hanging, we don’t know if Lorna Freeman has died (under another name) has been struck for the past four years by terminal writer’s block, or if for some incomprehensible reason, ROC decided not to publish her next book, and don’t want to bring down the wrath of her devoted readers by admitting it. All we know is that book four has not been forthcoming and WE DON’T APPRECIATE IT! If anyone has any information on this, I’d love to know, because I bought her first book when it appeared, bought the next two, want to buy the fourth… fifth, sixth, seventh, ad infinitum. I love the books, the characters and the background. And I’m deprived. Anyone out there know anything?
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I have just finished re-reading book 2 of the series, and I was contemplating where the next story might go. It occurred to me that she may have written herself into a corner: Slevoic is dead, but simple, obvious continuations would require him to still be alive. At the moment I can’t think of a convincing way around this. Nevertheless, I fervently wish for a continuation of the series. I’m contemplating Rabbit marrying Captain Suiden’s daughter. The clashes of wills should be highly entertaining.
2020 and still wondering if we should hope for a fourth book..
I hope it isn’t a situation like Douglas Hulick and his Kin series. He did the smart thing and stopped writing them for his health, but it does mean the series is forever unfinished. See this thread on twitter Another similar case was that of the late Barry Hughart and his Skilled Gentlemen series. Only three of the planned eight came out, and the author stopped for reasons related to his publishers and his realization that the format had become too boilerplate . I highly recommend those three books. The first (The Bridge of Birds ) is simply paradigm shifting!
I sincerely hope Ms. Freeman continues the series, I too have been waiting over a decade, but if she never does, I’m still grateful for her sharing her imagination with us (although my copies of the books are getting a little worn :) ).
I personally just want to know the status of Ms. Freeman herself. Is she alive?
Just another lonely voice coming to say I still check back here after 9 years
I agree. Love the books. Hope she’s ok.
I agree. Love the books. Hope she’s ok.
Does anyone know?
Same, I keep checking, keep hoping, keep worrying.
The Lorna freeman.com website is now defunct. It appears more and more as Ms. Freeman is no longer with us, or at the very least has left the realm of writing.
Wow. So happy to see more fans of these great books. Hope all is well
It has been awhile now and I think its safe to say that it is unlikely that we will see another book in the series to show us what was next in store for Rabbit and that saddens me.
That aside I would offer my heartfelt thanks to the author for a wonderful series and I wish her well.
Forever waiting. Covenants is my yearly reading go to book and previously also my go to airplane read.It’s no longer now not because I’m sick of it nor due to i am longer travelling (2020 go figure) but due to my copy is in tattered. Finding my self a new copy while hoping for book 4. Whatever it is i do hope Ms. Freeman is doing ok. And will be here waiting on more adventures for Rabbit.
Fingers remain crossed (and toes!) that she surfaces with more of Rabbit & co.! Lovely books, I thank her and wish her well!
sadly I can only think after so long that it’s not going to be. No one has ever been able to give this site a link to her, nor would her publiher ever dicuss it. I think that trio may be all we will ever see but at least we do have them, and that’s a blesing for all us readers out here who loved them.
Would it be proper for fans to write short stories about Rabbit & Co.? I have seen websites with fan-fiction about different story universes (Dr. Who, Star Trek, etc.) Is that something that the Author has to approve?
I believe it’s okay to write and share fan-fiction stories about Lorna’s world and characters as long as there’s no attempt to make money from those efforts. However, it may be wise to confirm with her publishing company first about rights-holding, just to make sure there’s not any copyright infringement issues from the rights-holder.
I wish the Roc Publishing house would just let us know what is the status of Lorna Freemans status good, bad or ugly. I find it the height of arrogance that Roc has not got the BALLS to let the readers know.
I spoke to one of her teachers some years ago who said Lorna was alive but had stopped writing. If she started writing again it would make me ecstatic.
Wow! She’s alive and assume (hope) she’s well. That’s great! I think this is the first post (from Davi Strutton above Sept 26, 2021) that at least someone who knew her gave some word she’s still around.
At least there’s still some hope she may come back someday and at least give closure to the tale of Rabbit and friends. I really hope so.
After years waiting, this tale still sticks to my mind and I still want to hear more bec it was so refreshing, different and interesting.
New year soon, I guess this news keeps some hope alive.
I wonder if she knows that there are still people who loved her books and are waiting and hoping she continues writing. ..
I just wish the books were on kindle, as I can’t read physical copies anymore due to bad eyesight :(
It really is a pity that she seems to have stopped writing. Her books are special to me and I will always wait for a continuation (though their is hardly any hope T-T). Stay healthy everyone!
02/15/2022 I will always long for the fourth book! I was lucky enough to bought multiple copies when they first came out, but time and annual rereads are showing wear and tear. If Lorna Freeman had to stop writing for health or other personal reasons, it’s a great misfortune, and I wish her the best! Her books are my go to reading for difficult times.
Maybe her books could be put on Kindle? Or Amazon? Or on Audio? I’m also holding on to the hope that maybe a ghost writer or other fantastic author could use any notes made for the 4th book and publish under both names, or as part of the series.
I think it unlikely Lorna will return. However I’m leaving this site open. I would point out that the idea of starting a new book to follow hers is actually a breach of copyright and illegal.. You’d need the author’s written permission.
Looks like her blog finally got taken down : /
Lasted about 10 years
I’ve been coming to this message board since its creation in 2014, usually do a yearly check in to see if there is any news. I share Lorna’s books with whomever I can find, I’m actually reading them with my wife (its her first time!) and she loves them, but I’ve already had to tell her that 3 books is most likely all we’re going to get. I’ve resigned myself that I should be happy with what we’ve got but I always keep that last 5% of hope that maybe she’ll return to writing, if she is still alive. Her books are in my top 5 series, and I hope that someone that is connected to her sees this board and how many fans she still has. Keep on keeping on everyone, I’ll see you next year!
How can we get her books to be offered on kindle. I’ve tried tapping the option of asking for a Kindle version several times on Amazon but to no avail. My 2nd set of books are getting so worn out. If it were on kindle I wouldn’t have to worry about trying to find a third set. I’ve reread the books several times and it still is as good when I first read them.
Ich habe viele Bücher von dieser Autorin und schätze alle . Ich finde es nicht so gut das die Reihe der Grenzlande nicht weiter geht . Es sind ,für mich , Bücher an die viel träumen dabei ist und man richtig abschalten kann. Bald werde ich 69 Jahre und hoffe das Fr. Freemann sich nochmal aufrafft und weiter schreibt . Würde ihr dankbar sein .
Hope springs eternal.
Time for another re-read.
I truly enjoy reading the series since my brother introduced me to it. I hope that one day, book 4 will appear… Each book is fun to read and to find out what adventures Rabbit has.