Category Archives: The process

Dream Rider Saga by Douglas Smith

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Douglas Smith is a five-time award-winning author described by Library Journal as “one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction.”

His latest work is the multi-award-winning YA urban fantasy trilogy, The Dream Rider Saga. Other books include the urban fantasy novel, The Wolf at the End of the World; the collections, Chimerascope and Impossibilia; and the writer’s guide Playing the Short Game.
His short fiction has appeared in the top markets in the field, including The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Amazing Stories, InterZone, Weird Tales, and many others.

He is a 4-time winner of Canada’s Aurora Award as well as the juried IAP Award. He’s been a finalist for the Astounding Award, CBC’s Bookies Award, Canada’s juried Sunburst Award, the juried Alberta Magazine Award for Fiction, and France’s juried Prix Masterton and Prix Bob Morane.

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When Did You Start Writing? / When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
I did a lot of writing in high school, but got away from it for many years. I’d always planned to get serious about fiction “someday.” Then, in 1995, I finally decided to try. I started writing what would become my first professionally published story, “Spirit Dance,” but I really wasn’t making much progress. I’d spent, I think, all of July rewriting the same opening scene.
Then, while on vacation, I came across a book called The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. It’s essentially a twelve-step program for recovering your creativity as an adult, the creativity we’re all born with and which is then beaten out of us by society as we’re told to grow up and get a real job. It’s a wonderful book and one I recommend to anyone who wants to be creative (or more creative), whether that be writing, art, music, acting, or whatever.
But the real impetus for me to get serious about writing came when I returned from that vacation. and read that one of my all-time favourite writers, Roger Zelazny, had passed away from cancer at the far too young age of 56. That was it. Right then, I decided not to wait for “someday” or retirement or anything to start writing. There’s no guarantee any of us will live long enough to have a “someday.” I started producing stories regularly and sending them out to professional markets. I submitted my first story in January 1996—and got my first rejection that same month. But I kept submitting and received my first acceptance letter for “Spirit Dance” on Dec 31 that year, which was a great way to end a year and start a new one.

How did you discover the joys of speculative fiction?
I had two “discovery” periods. When I was eight, a friend introduced me to Robert A. Heinlein’s young-adult SF novels — essentially rocket and ray-gun books. I devoured all of those, but then stopped reading the genre. Then in Grade 11, I had to do a paper in English comparing the works of multiple authors. Amazingly, the teacher included a group consisting of Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Ray Bradbury, which, of course, was the group I picked. That assignment got me back into reading SF and fantasy.

What writing has inspired you? / Major Influences? / Favourite Authors?
I’d have to say my favourite author and influence on my own writing has been the late Roger Zelazny. His Lord of Light is one of the greatest speculative fiction novels ever written. His stories are often based on mythology, and I’ve always loved myths—Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Native American—so that was one attraction to his work. His prose style is lean but poetic, his stories poignant and mythic and filled with unique characters you want to spend time with. Plus, his work shows the most fantastic range of imagination of any writer I’ve ever encountered. I don’t think I write like him, but I’m sure he’s had an influence.
Ray Bradbury’s short fiction was another early influence. He wrote about the fantastical hiding in our everyday lives, whether the hidden mystery is wondrous or frightening. I love his lyrical prose style, the simple humanity of his characters, and his insight into what it means to be human, no matter what our age. I reread “Something Wicked This Way Comes” recently. When I’d read it as a teenager, I remember loving the book and the kid characters, but not really “getting” the father. Reading it now, as an adult and father, I realize that Bradbury really understood both generations and the changes, choices, and regrets that come with age, and that is where the power of the book resides.
I came to Hemingway late and after he was out of fashion, but his lean prose style amazed me, the way he could say so much by saying so little, and often communicating as much by what he left out, by what his characters didn’t discuss, as what he put on the page.
Other favourite authors include Charles de Lint, Shirley Jackson, Emily St. John Mandel, Amor Towles, Thomas Perry, Thomas King, Ian Hamilton, Neil Gaiman, and Tim Powers. That’s a short list (but a good one).
Some favourite books, including a lot on non-speculative fiction, include Station Eleven, The Queen’s Gambit, A Gentleman in Moscow, Memory & Dream, Ready Player One, Weaveworld, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Ian Hamilton’s Ava Lee series, and of course, the spec fic classics like Dune, Stranger in a Strange Land, and LOTR.
I’ve also written several short stories inspired in some way by the songs of Bruce Springsteen. He’s an astounding storyteller. In a few lines, he tells stories of everyday people struggling with whatever life has thrown at them, but with an attitude of defiance and hope despite the odds against them.
And Buffy. Major Buffy fan. It remains one of the most creative shows ever to hit TV and is a writing workshop on character development and arcs and dialog.

Why start with short fiction?
I started with short fiction because in spec fic, it’s been traditional to break in writing short stories. But I also think it makes sense to start with the short form before trying to tackle a novel, and I always urge young writers to do the same. Short stories let you learn the craft of fiction much faster than writing a novel. Twenty 5,000-word short stories let you experiment far more with different styles, points of view, genres, story structures, etc. than you could in a single 100,000-word novel. Plus, you’ll be able to find out earlier if your writing is at a publishable level by submitting those stories to short fiction markets.
And short fiction will teach you skills you need whether you write short stories or novels—handling point of view, story structure, use of scenes, characterization, plot, pacing, dialog, setting, world building, information flow, voice—not to mention basic sentence structure, paragraphing, punctuation, grammar.
I moved to novels once all my “short” stories started becoming very long stories.

What I read as a child
I was reading by the time I was four, thanks to my parents reading to me every night at bedtime. It hooked me on books for a lifetime. Reading was a way to have wonderful adventures as a kid and make my world so much bigger than my house and neighborhood and school.
My early favourites were animal stories, which probably led me to my love for writing shapeshifter tales. I loved A.E. Milne’s “Winnie the Pooh” books (apparently my favourite bedtime stories as a young child) and Walter Brook’s “Freddie the Pig” series (the first books I remember knowing how to find in a library). Later it was everything by Jack London. About grade 5 or 6, Robert A. Heinlein juveniles got me hooked on SF, which led to fantasy. John Creasey and Dorothy Sayers introduced me to mystery and crime fiction somewhere in there as well.
I believe that parents can teach kids to love reading by reading them a bedtime story EVERY night, from the day you bring them home. Make it a fun time, something they look forward to and associate with a wonderful experience. And make books a natural thing to have around. Our kids knew we’d say “no” to games, toys, or candy when out shopping—but they could always buy a new book.
And for any wannabe writers, you can’t be a writer if you’re not a voracious reader. Period.

Will Dreycott is a superhero. In his dreams…and in yours.

The Hollow Boys
The Dream Rider Saga Book 1
by Douglas Smith
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy

WINNER OF THE 2023 AURORA AWARD FOR BEST YA NOVEL
WINNER OF THE 2023 JURIED IAP AWARD FOR BEST YA NOVEL

“Thrilling YA fantasy” —BookLife (Editor’s Pick)
“A must-read story for YA fantasy fans.” —Blueink Review (Starred review)
“Inventive, engaging, and boundless fun.” —The Ottawa Review of Books

Vanishing street kids. An ancient evil. The end of the world.
Our only hope? A hero who can’t leave home.

At seventeen, Will Dreycott is a superhero…in his dreams. And in yours.

Eight years ago, Will’s parents, shady dealers in ancient artifacts, disappeared on a jungle expedition. Will, the sole survivor, returned home with no memory of what happened, bringing a gift…and a curse.

The gift? Will can walk in our dreams. At night in Dream, Will hunts for criminals—and his parents. During the day, his Dream Rider comic, about a superhero no one knows is real, has made Will rich.

The curse? Severe agoraphobia. Will can’t go outside. So he makes his home a skyscraper with everything he needs in life—everything but the freedom to walk the streets of his city.

Case, an orphan Will’s age, survives on those streets with her younger brother, Fader. Survives because she too has a gift. She hears voices warning her of danger. And Fader? Well, he fades.

When street kids start vanishing, the Dream Rider joins the hunt. Will’s search becomes personal when Case breaks into his tower to escape her own abduction. Fader isn’t so lucky.

As Will and Case search for Fader and the missing kids, an unlikely romance grows between the boy with everything and the girl with nothing except the freedom Will longs for.

But as they push deeper into the mystery, they confront an ancient power feeding on these forgotten kids to restore itself. And once restored, no one in the world will be safe.

To defeat this creature, Will must do the impossible.

Go outside.

Indiana Jones meets Teen Titans in The Dream Rider Saga, a fast-paced urban fantasy trilogy from “one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction” (Library Journal).

Praise for The Hollow Boys:
“This arresting series kickoff grips from the start as it introduces its inventive milieu, its flawed but fantastically powered hero, its playful worldbuilding, and a host of tantalizing mysteries. … [A] vigorously imaginative scenario. … Takeaway: Thrilling YA fantasy” —BookLife (Editor’s Pick)

“An assured, confident novel … A must-read story for YA fantasy fans.” —Blueink Review (Starred review)

“Inventive, engaging, and boundless fun.” —The Ottawa Review of Books “A fun supernatural tale with well-developed characters and a touch of romance.” —Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Douglas Smith:

“The man is Sturgeon good. Zelazny good. I don’t give those up easy.” —Spider Robinson, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner

“A great storyteller with a gifted and individual voice.” —Charles de Lint, World Fantasy Award winner

“His stories are a treasure trove of riches that will touch your heart while making you think.” —Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner

On Sale Until Jan 11!
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The Crystal Key
The Dream Rider Saga Book 2

Sequel to the AURORA AWARD WINNER and the Juried IAP AWARD WINNER, The Hollow Boys

“Give me the Crystal Key!”

Will Dreycott is the Dream Rider, the agoraphobic teenage superhero who can walk in our dreams but never in the streets of his city. Case is his girlfriend, a survivor of those streets who hears voices that warn her of danger. Fader is her brother, who is very good at disappearing. Together, they defeated a body swapper and a witch to save the world (The Hollow Boys).

Now, Case battles guilt over living sheltered in Will’s tower home while her street friends still struggle. Blaming his affliction for Case’s sadness, Will searches for a way to live a normal life with the girl he loves—a way to go outside.

But his efforts draw the attention of dark forces. Sinister figures hunt Will in Dream. Intruders scour the vast warehouse of antiquities “acquired” by Will’s missing parents. And a masked swordswoman attacks Will, demanding “the Crystal Key” before disappearing into thin air.

Are they all searching for the same thing? Something from Will’s parents’ shady past? For the swordswoman leaves behind a flowery scent, Will’s only memory from the lost expedition eight years ago that gave him powers in Dream but cost him his parents and his freedom.

A trail of dark secrets leads Will, Case, and Fader to a mysterious world. Trapped between warring cults willing to kill for the Crystal Key, the three friends must master strange new powers that grow stronger and wilder the closer they draw to the truth.

This time it’s not just the fate of the world at stake…but the multiverse.

~ ~ ~

Indiana Jones meets Teen Titans in The Dream Rider Saga, a fast-paced urban fantasy trilogy from “one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction” (Library Journal).

Praise for The Crystal Key:
“The richly inventive Dream Rider adventure continues in this second appealing entry…with an exciting plot… always enlivened by the Smith hallmarks of crack dialogue, fun sleuthing and puzzle-solving, a strong throughline of emotion, a swift pace…and a principled refusal to settle for the familiar. Takeaway: This thrilling superpowered urban fantasy series continues to grip.” (New readers should start with book one.) —BookLife (Editor’s Pick)
“The engrossing second installment of Douglas Smith’s Dream Rider Saga trilogy. … Smith continues to demonstrate an ability to expertly weave multiple complex fantasy elements into a cohesive whole. … This fast-paced story delivers in a big way—and Smith has all his ducks lined up for an explosive conclusion [to the series] that readers won’t want to miss.” —Blueink Review (★ Starred review)
Praise for Douglas Smith:

“The man is Sturgeon good. Zelazny good. I don’t give those up easy.” —Spider Robinson, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner

“A great storyteller with a gifted and individual voice.” —Charles de Lint, World Fantasy Award winner

“His stories are a treasure trove of riches that will touch your heart while making you think.” —Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner

“Stories you can’t forget, even years later.” —Julie Czerneda, multi-award-winning author and editor

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The Lost Expedition
The Dream Rider Saga Book 3

The Thrilling Conclusion to the Multi-Award-Winning Trilogy

Will is the Dream Rider, the superhero who walks in our dreams but never in the streets of his own city. Case is his girlfriend, a survivor of those streets who hears voices warning her of danger. Fader, her brother, is very good at disappearing.

In The Hollow Boys, they defeated a body swapper and a witch to save the world. In The Crystal Key, they battled warring cults to protect an ancient artifact tied to Will’s affliction.

The Chakana. The Crystal Key. But the key to what? To finding answers, they hope, to the questions that rule their lives.

What caused their strange powers? And Will’s crippling agoraphobia? Can he be cured? Why did their parents travel to the jungles of Peru eight years ago? Are they still alive?

Behind every question is the Chakana. What is the mysterious relic? Why will people kill to possess it? What hold does it have on Will?

As creatures from Inca myths haunt the three friends, another attack on the Chakana threatens Will’s life. To save him and solve the mystery of the lost expedition, only one choice remains.

Return to Peru. With the Chakana.

There, they find friends and foes, both old and new. And behind it all, an unseen enemy moving them like pieces on a chessboard.

To win this deadly game, Will, Case, and Fader must master new powers to defeat the most dangerous adversary they’ve ever faced—a god.

At stake this time? Every life, every world, every universe. Everything.

Indiana Jones meets Teen Titans in The Dream Rider Saga, a fast-paced urban fantasy trilogy from “one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction” (Library Journal).

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The Poseidon Project by E. William Podojil

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Molly, accompanied by her son and his boyfriend, embarks on a high-stakes mission to rescue her kidnapped husband, unraveling secrets while racing against the clock to prevent a technology from falling into destructive hands.

The Poseidon Project
The Herb Society Mysteries Book 1
by E. William Podojil
Genre: Techno Thriller, Adventure, Romantic Suspense

Molly Halloran and her friends have a secret past.
Their bucolic retirement is suddenly upended when Molly’s husband is abducted and held for a steep ransom. Now she, her friends, her tech executive son, Lukas and his Air Force pilot boyfriend must race against the clock and travel halfway around the world to meet the kidnappers’ demands.
But when they learn why her husband has been abducted, they realize how high the stakes truly are. Molly and her friends now must face their past in order to save the future. But not only their futures; the world’s.

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E. William Podojil is an international business executive and novelist. He has traveled extensively and visited over sixty countries while living in Europe and the United States. Podojil works as an executive business advisor, and strategist while also pursuing his love of storytelling and writing. Podojil’s first novel, The Tenth Man, was published in 2004. His second novel, The Poseidon Project, was be released in August, 2024 by The Wild Rose Press, and is the first in The Herb Society Mysteries, a series of adventure thrillers. His novels and other writing are showcased on his website http://www.ewpodojil.com. Here he also writes a personal blog with humorous stories of his life and travels with his husband and three sons. He and his family currently reside in Northeast Ohio.

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What inspired you to write this book?
I am a huge fan of Thrillers, Suspense, Action-Adventure and like to write in that genre. My idea for Poseidon came from a couple of areas. First, the main characters are retired women scientists who are kind of bored in retirement and they have a secret past you’ll learn about in the book. Second, I like stories that have protagonists/heroes who are not stereotypically perfect, strong, fearless and things like that. So I took the four retired women, one woman’s son who is a tech genius but complicated and afraid of getting into a relationship, the man he finally meets and all the family dynamics that go on while the mystery is playing out.

What can we expect from you in the future?
Book 2 is titled Archipelago and involves the same characters and an expansion of the story and mysteries from Book 1. Archipelago is in production and will be released in 2025. Book 3 is the continuation of the storyline and is titled, Chameleon and that should be out in 2026. The storylines are complex, twisted, multi-dimensional with many surprises thrown in.

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in The Poseidon Project?
Molly Halloran – leader of a 4-friend group called The Herb Society, all retired women, ex-physicists, teachers and a secret mission they shared.
Lukas Halloran – Molly’s son is a technical genius who works in cybersecurity. His father goes missing while on business in Dubai and Molly asks her son to help find out what happened to him.
Taylor Pastore – Jet pilot, ex-Air Force Special Forces agent. He falls for Lukas while piloting Lukas in a private jet.
Tory Pastore – Taylor’s daughter who is grown up and also a pilot with her dad.

Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
I have worked in business for most of my career, always in commercial functions like sales and marketing. I lived in Europe for more than a decade and was able to travel around the world. I’d always dreamed of writing a book and finally wrote The Tenth Man and published it in 2004. For the next 20 years I dreamed about my next book (and raised three sons which kept me a bit busy), which is The Poseidon Project, published in 2024.

What is something unique/quirky about you?
I’m organized and like to be on time, which normally drives my family crazy.

What are some of your pet peeves?
Laziness and not doing what was promised.

Where were you born/grew up at?
Born in Ohio, grew up in Connecticut and Ohio, lived 14 years in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and now back in Ohio. It’s been quite a journey.

How to find time to write as a parent?
When my boys were little, I didn’t find the time to write or had no energy. I was working in an executive level job and flying all over the world and probably spent a decade in some state of jet-lag. I gave all my energy to work and family and very little to myself in terms of doing things I loved to do (not a recommended strategy by the way.) After doing everything I wanted to do career-wise and raising my boys to be adults, I finally had the time and space to start writing again.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
Creative, Empowering, Resilient, Storyteller, Determined

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Protected by Sharon C. Cooper

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He walked away to protect her, but now he wants her back.

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Protected
Atlanta’s Finest Series Book 8
by Sharon C. Cooper
Genre: Romantic Suspense 

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​He walked away to protect her, but now he wants her back.

Personal security specialist Parker Wilcox should be dead. Instead, he’s been hiding in plain sight for years. But when a mishap threatens his cover, he’s terrified his past will bring danger to the lives of those he loves—especially Chelsey Bailey. The only way to protect her is to put distance between them, but how can he live without the only woman who owns his heart?

As a parole officer, Chelsey believes in second chances…for her parolees. Not for Parker—a man who claimed to love her but then dropped her without warning. While she’s trying to bury her pain in work, Parker comes back on the scene, begging to try again. The excuse he gives for abandoning her in the first place is ridiculous. There’s no way he’s some kind of cartel prince on the run from his murderous father. Right?

Parker will never have the life he desires with Chelsey if he doesn’t destroy his father, but will he survive this time around? And will he and Chelsey ever get to have the life they’ve been dreaming of?

*All books in this series can be read as a standalone.

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​God must hate me.

Why else would He open up doors for her to get her dream job, then drop Parker dead smack in the middle of her first real assignment? It wasn’t fair. Even more than that, she had to be near the man while he was looking like he had just stepped out of a GQ magazine photo shoot.

Sometime between last night, when he threatened her date, until now, he must have visited the barber shop. His low fade haircut looked fresh and showed off his natural waves, and his mustache and goatee were perfectly groomed.

Chelsey had always been drawn to dark chocolate men, and they didn’t come any finer than Parker Wilcox. The man was beautiful, and he had the body to go with it. He always wore his suits fitted, and they showed off his wide shoulders that tapered to his narrowed waist.
Tonight, though, everything about him was popping, including his muscular biceps pushing against the dark fabric. As her gaze took him in, a deep longing for him burrowed into her and landed dead smack into her chest.
Damn him!
“You can not wear that,” Parker ground out, his words and tone jolting her out of her perusal of him. “This is a security assignment, not some…some party! You shouldn’t be going anyway until you’ve had more training.”

Chelsey stepped further into the kitchen, barely hanging on to her anger. “Clearly you have forgotten that I was once a cop. But why am I even talking to you? You’re not my boss, and in case no one told you, I belong on this detail!”

His long legs carried him across the room in three steps, and he stopped in front of her. She had opted for dressy wedge-heels since she could run better in them, and they added a few inches to her 5’8” height. Still Parker had a few inches on her. Between his gorgeous eyes that were boring into her, and his enticing woodsy scent, she lost herself in his presence. But then he opened his mouth.

“No one is going to take you seriously if you’re wearing that and claiming to be a security specialist. Every asshole in that place tonight will be pawing at you like you’re their next meal, and what are you going to do? Like you, Laz and I have a job to do, and we won’t be able to keep an eye on you while protecting our client.”

Chelsey gritted her teeth, refusing to let his words turn her into a screaming lunatic. But she was seriously tempted to knock him upside his big head with her handbag. The handbag that held one of her weapons. She had another strapped to her inner thigh with a garter holster that was well hidden but easy to reach.

“Parker, you don’t have to worry about me. Ever. I can take care of myself while also doing my job. So keep your focus on our client and worry about your own damn self.”
She wanted to ask him who was going to keep the lonely women attending the event from grabbing his gorgeous ass. Because no doubt he’d be luring all the honeys his way tonight. The man was too fine for his own good.

“And another thing, why do you even care?” she snapped. She wanted to add that he’d given up any right to anything about her, but she kept that thought to herself.
“Because…” His eyes blazed with anger as his chest heaved. “Because I love you, dammit.” He moved closer. Close enough to kiss, and Chelsey stilled. “And I care because if anything ever happened to you, it would kill me!” he roared and shoved past her before storming out of the room. 
​

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**Don’t miss the rest of the Atlanta’s Finest Series!**

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*All books in this series can be read as a standalone.

Find out more at the
​Author’s Site Here! 

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USA Today bestselling author Sharon C. Cooper loves anything involving romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies, or real life. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and dabbles in romantic comedy. She enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Sharon’s stories have won numerous awards over the years, and when she isn’t writing, she’s hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work, or reading a good book (a romance of course). To read more about Sharon and her novels, visit www.sharoncooper.net

​
Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Pinterest * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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A Buckeye Falls Christmas by Libby Kay

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Will it be a Christmas to remember, or will their holiday get plowed away?

A Buckeye Falls Christmas
A Buckeye Falls Novel
by Libby Kay
Genre: Contemporary Holiday Romance

On the first day of Christmas, Buckeye Falls gave to me…

A snow storm…

Uninvited dinner guests…

A Christmas pageant…

And a friends’ reunion dinner to warm your heart.

It’s been ten years since five couples found love in this charming small Ohio town. Families and careers have grown, but the love remains the same.

Max is hosting Christmas at the diner, a final sendoff before the beloved hangout gets a facelift. But the risk of a snow storm and a few uninvited guests threaten everyone’s plans. Will it be a Christmas to remember, or will their holiday get plowed away?

Revisit your favorite couples in this holiday novella, which includes favorite recipes from the series. Warning: this story will make you hungry and may cause uncontrollable swoons.

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Libby Kay lives in the city in the heart of the Midwest with her husband. When she’s not writing, Libby loves reading romance novels of any kind. Stories of people falling in love nourish her soul. Contemporary or Regency, sweet or hot, as long as there is a happily ever after—she’s in love!

When not surrounded by books, Libby can be found baking in her kitchen, binging true crime shows, or on the road with her husband, traveling as far as their bank account will allow.
Libby cohosts the Romance Roundup podcast with Liz Donatelli on the Reader Seeks Romance Channel where they recommend romance books and interview authors, influencers, and publishers. Check it out for your weekly dose of romance!

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The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes by Liese Sherwood Fabre

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A must-read for Sherlockians, history enthusiasts, and anyone eager to uncover the hidden layers of Victorian England.

The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes
Essays on Victorian England Book V
by Liese Sherwood-Fabre
Genre: Nonfiction History, Literary Criticism

Rediscover Victorian England’s forgotten history and culture.

Volume V of The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes explores the cultural, scientific, and historical allusions found throughout Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective stories. This collection of essays unpacks twenty-four topics mentioned in the original mysteries, from everyday details like hats and plumbing to complex issues such as international spying, the binomial theorem, and relations with Russia. Through such insights, readers gain a deeper understanding of the Victorian world in which Holmes operated.

Other essays explore both the familiar and the obscure, touching on subjects like the KKK’s presence in England, the significance of whaling, and legal concepts like insanity and blackmail. Unique cultural topics—such as the role of curry in the British Empire, the rise of bohemianism, and the Victorian obsession with rejuvenation through animal hormones—reveal the rich complexity of the era. The collection also features a bonus essay on Sarah Cushing from The Adventure of the Cardboard Box, offering fresh insight into one of the most sinister characters in the Canon.

Whether examining automata, wax figures, or the legal definitions of murder and suicide, The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes provides a compelling lens through which readers gain a deeper understanding of the historical and social backdrop of the Holmes mysteries.

A must-read for Sherlockians, history enthusiasts, and anyone eager to uncover the hidden layers of Victorian England.

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Master of the Art of Detection
A Collection of Sherlock Holmes Short Stories
By Liese Sherwood-Fabre
Genre: Mystery

Decipher. Deduce. Deliver.

Sherlock Holmes, the most cerebral of detectives, finds his deductive powers put to the test in this intriguing collection of cases. Each adventure presents a web of secrets, clues, and deceptions. Only his highly honed observational skills lead him to the truth.

In a locked-room murder, did the victim succumb to “The Curse of Kisin?” And how had the daughter of Squire Northridge disappeared from her own locked bedroom? Can Holmes, an ocean away, determine if a missing treasure hunter ran off with Jean Lafitte’s fabled buried plunder? The disappearance of a beloved dog is an adventure filled with whimsy and humor, as are the return of Lady Frances Carfax and the howling dog of Baker Street.

Holmes’ unrivaled deductive powers rise to the test with each case. He shines as the consummate master of the art of detection and will captivate from beginning to end.

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Liese Sherwood-Fabre is an award-winning author known for her meticulously researched works of historical fiction and mystery. With a background in social sciences, she brings a unique depth to her characters and settings, particularly in her acclaimed series The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes, which explores Victorian England through the lens of the famous detective’s world. Her essays delve into the cultural and historical intricacies of the era, uncovering hidden details that enhance her stories’ authenticity. Her fiction weaves real historical events and social insights into suspenseful plots, creating immersive narratives that captivate fans of both history and mystery. An avid traveler and lifelong scholar, Dr. Sherwood-Fabre combines curiosity and expertise to craft stories that transport readers to fascinating past worlds filled with intrigue and insight.

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A Little Texas for Sherlock

Being a native-born Texan, I was happy to find Sherlock Holmes also has some ties to Texas. Lillie Langtry, a British actress romantically linked to King Edward VII, is thought to have influenced the character of Irene Adler. Judge Roy Bean, the colorful saloon owner and self-proclaimed “Law West of the Pecos,” was so taken with the actress (whom he never met), he named his saloon “Jersey Lily” and his town Langtry, Texas. The town remains as a quirky historical tribute to her lasting charm and Bean’s unrequited admiration. A second tie comes from a ship. Holmes tracks a suspect to the ship “The Lone Star” in “The Five Orange Pips.” Even Watson knows Texas is “The Lone Star State.”

I decided to add my own Texas tie to Holmes. In Master of the Art of Detection, one story involves another of the more famous characters in Texas history. The pirate Jean Lafitte made his mark on the Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana. For several years, he used Galveston Island (near Houston) as a base to raid Spanish ships and trade goods on the black market. Known for playing both sides, he also occasionally aided the U.S., most notably by providing intelligence and supplies to Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812. At the same time, his base on Galveston Island became a haven for smuggling and piracy. Though Lafitte was ultimately expelled from Texas, his legacy continues through the legends surrounding the treasure he left buried somewhere on the island. Holmes, however, soon uncovers Lafitte’s secrets.

These ties connect Victorian England with the rough, colorful world of 19th-century Texas and bridge two seemingly different worlds whose spirit of adventure and intrigue knows no boundaries. By adding a Texas mystery to Holmes’ cases, I honor my state’s tradition of unique characters and history and make Holmes’s adventures as boundless as the Texas sky.

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How to Outline a Story: A Guide for Aspiring Authors

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Outlining a story might seem daunting at first, especially if you’re new to writing. But it’s one of the most valuable tools in a writer’s toolkit. An outline serves as a roadmap, guiding you from the beginning of your story to its conclusion. Outlining can help you structure your ideas, stay on track, and avoid those dreaded moments of writer’s block, whether you’re writing a novel, short story, or screenplay. Let me walk you through how to outline a story effectively and make the process feel less intimidating.

1. The Purpose of an Outline

At its core, an outline is a blueprint for your story. It organizes your ideas, helps you identify gaps in the plot, and ensures your story has a clear structure. It’s important to remember that an outline isn’t set in stone. You can—AND SHOULD—adapt it as you write. Think of it as a flexible guide rather than a rigid set of instructions.

The benefits of outlining include:

  • Clarity: You’ll have a clear direction for your story, which helps prevent getting lost in the weeds.
  • Structure: An outline forces you to think about the story’s pacing, character development, and plot points.
  • Motivation: Knowing what comes next keeps you moving forward when you sit down to write.

2. Decide on the Type of Outline

There’s no “one size fits all” approach to outlining. Different writers prefer different methods, and that’s perfectly okay. Here are a few common types of outlines:

  • The Snowflake Method: This method starts with a simple concept and gradually expands it into a detailed outline. First, you write a one-sentence summary of your story, then expand that sentence into a full paragraph, and so on. It’s ideal for writers who prefer to develop their story gradually, refining the details as they go.
  • The Three-Act Structure: A widely-used framework that breaks a story into three acts—Set-Up, Confrontation, and Resolution. This method helps you focus on the major plot points and ensures your story has a strong, well-paced structure. It’s a great option for beginners because of its simplicity.
  • Chapter-by-Chapter Outline: For those who like specifics, this method involves outlining each chapter or scene of your story in detail. This type of outline gives you a clear sense of what needs to happen at each stage of the story.
  • The Hero’s Journey: This method, rooted in Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, is particularly helpful for stories involving a protagonist’s transformation. It involves specific stages like “The Call to Adventure,” “Refusal of the Call,” and “The Return.” It’s a fantastic framework for fantasy, adventure, and other high-stakes genres.
  • Loose Bullet Points: For the more free-spirited writers, some prefer to jot down key plot points and character moments as simple bullet points. This is a more flexible approach and allows room for creativity as the story unfolds.

3. The Building Blocks of a Story Outline

Regardless of the method you choose, there are key elements every story outline should address. Here are the main building blocks you’ll need to consider:

1. The Premise

The premise is the seed of your story. What is your story about? What is the central conflict or question that drives your plot? This is where you should define the “what if” that makes your story compelling. For example:

  • What if magic was real, but only for a select few?
  • What if a dystopian society controlled all information?

Spend some time refining your premise before moving on. It will act as the foundation for everything else.

2. The Main Characters

Your characters are the heart of your story. In your outline, make sure to note the following about your protagonist, antagonist, and key supporting characters:

  • Who are they? Consider their backstory, motivations, desires, and flaws.
  • What do they want? This is the driving force behind their actions. Your protagonist might want justice, love, freedom, or survival.
  • What’s at stake? What happens if they fail? This is essential for creating tension and suspense.

3. The Major Plot Points

In order to outline your plot, break it down into key events. These are the moments that move the story forward and change the direction of the narrative. A few important plot points include:

  • The Inciting Incident: The event that starts the story. This is where your character is thrust into the conflict, whether it’s the discovery of a hidden power or the moment a dystopian society begins to crack.
  • The Rising Action: The buildup of conflict and challenges that lead toward the climax. This is where your character faces obstacles, grows, and learns more about themselves or the world around them.
  • The Climax: The turning point or high point of the story. The protagonist confronts the primary conflict in a dramatic and pivotal way.
  • The Resolution: How the story concludes. Whether the protagonist succeeds or fails, there must be closure and consequences to their actions.

4. The Setting and World-Building

For genres like urban fantasy and dystopian fiction, the setting is crucial. Your outline should include:

  • Where does the story take place? Is it a magical version of New York, or a desolate post-apocalyptic world? Define the environment, rules, and atmosphere.
  • What’s the world’s history? In dystopian stories, especially, understanding the past is vital to understanding the present. Was there a war? An economic collapse? A technological breakthrough gone wrong?
  • What are the stakes within the setting? How do the world’s rules affect the characters and their choices?

5. The Theme

What is the deeper meaning or message of your story? Is it about the fight for freedom, the power of love, or the dangers of unchecked technology? In your outline, think about how you can weave this theme throughout the plot, characters, and setting.

4. Flesh Out Your Outline

Now that you’ve got your main components outlined, it’s time to expand on them. Flesh out the scenes and events that will happen in your story. Here are a few tips to make the outlining process easier:

  • Start with the Big Picture: Begin by outlining the broad strokes—major plot points and character arcs. Where do you want your characters to start, and where do you want them to end? This will help keep your narrative cohesive.
  • Go Scene by Scene: If you prefer more detail, break your outline down into individual scenes or chapters. Write down the purpose of each scene and what needs to happen in it—whether it’s a character development moment, a revelation, or a dramatic plot twist.
  • Think About Pacing: As you lay out each scene, consider how fast the action should move. Are there moments of high tension? Are there quiet, reflective scenes? Mix things up to create variety and keep the reader engaged.
  • Use Visual Aids: Some writers find it helpful to create visual outlines—whether it’s through storyboarding, mind maps, or index cards. These tools can help you see the structure of your story from a new angle.

5. Stay Flexible

The outline isn’t the end-all-be-all. Once you begin writing, you might find that new ideas emerge, characters evolve, or your plot takes a surprising turn. And that’s perfectly okay! Writing is a dynamic process, and oftentimes, the best stories grow from unexpected twists. Don’t be afraid to change your outline as you go along.

6. Final Thoughts

Outlining is a tool, not a rule. It’s there to help you organize your thoughts and bring your story to life with intention. Whether you’re writing a fast-paced thriller, a deep philosophical dystopia, or an epic urban fantasy, outlining gives you the roadmap to reach your destination. The key is to find the approach that works best for you.

Remember, your outline is just a starting point—let your creativity flow, and don’t be afraid to adjust your plan as the story evolves. The more you practice, the easier the outlining process will become. Good luck, and happy writing!

Candy Crone by A.L. Hawke

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Candy Crone is a Christmas Short Story standalone in the bestselling Hawthorne University Witch Series.

Candy Crone
The Hawthorne University Witch Series Book 8
By A.L. Hawke
Genre: Paranormal Holiday Fantasy

Candy Crone is a Christmas Short Story standalone following Shadow Cast in the Hawthorne University Witch Series.

While I’m enjoying a spicy caramel apple surprise at our local ice cream parlor, an old lady in rags rambles nonsense about candy canes to children waiting for Santa. That distracts me from prepping my young friend Cat for her college interview at Hawthorne University.

Christmas turns into creepy Halloween when all the local children, including Cat, disappear in the woods. Bryce and I search our forest but become spellbound. All this voracious casting heralds the arrival of a new witch in town. The Candy Crone.

As the Hawthorne Witch, I hold great power, but with my unborn baby kicking, the witch exploits my sins and vices through gluttony. Am I nothing more than my appetites and power as the Hawthorne Witch? Or can I accomplish something greater? If I can’t sort my stuff out, Cat, my unborn baby, Chandra, and all these innocent kids living in Hawthorne are toast.

Cadence Hawthorne returns in this Christmas novella taking place after Shadow Cast, book 6, in The Hawthorne University Witch Series. Candy Crone is a complete self-contained novella not ending in cliffhangers. Some spoilers cannot be avoided, but the story is a STANDALONE book that can be enjoyed without reading the preceding novels.

Content Warning: Candy Crone contains profanity, adult situations and, of course, witchcraft.

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A.L. Hawke is the author of the bestselling Hawthorne University Witch series. The author lives in Southern California torching the midnight candle over lovers against a backdrop of machines, nymphs, magic, spice and mayhem. A.L. Hawke writes fantasy and romance spanning four thousand years, from pre-civilization to contemporary and beyond.

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
If I’m really into a particular project, it becomes all encompassing. I prefer one book at a time but it doesn’t always work out that way. And lately, I also work on converting books to audio at the same time.

What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision?
I always had ideas in my head about writing. I think I always wanted to be a storyteller my whole life.

Advice you would give new authors?
Take a look at other books in your interested genre. Learn from other writers by looking at what’s been written before. And do it for the fun of writing, not for the dollar. At an average cost of $3.99 per ebook, just doing the math, this isn’t a job making writers rich. You really have to love it for the craft.

Describe your writing style.
I think my books are very dialog-heavy. It’s funny because I’ve heard the opposite. Some say they were impressed with my descriptive writing, but I really feel like most of the time I’m using description as a scaffold for conversation. I’m letting the characters run the show. So, reality comes in the form of dialog. It’s what breathes life into my characters.

What makes a good story?
Something engrossing.

What are you currently reading?
I’m reading It Ends with Us. Heard of it?  I’m giving that book a whirl.

What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?
No outlines. My characters shape what happens.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
That’s a good question. It’s a mix. If I feel like something is successful, like my witch series has been, then I want to spend my time working with my success. That’s why I’ve written so many books in the series. But I write some books outside of my typical genre. And I like to take chances. It’s part of being an “artist” not a marketer. Because indie writers tend to be on different sides of that spectrum.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?
I can write about four pages an hour. I’m very prolific and can bust out a novel in a couple of weeks. The editing process can take longer, but, in many ways editing is more gratifying. There’s no blank pages staring at you. Or you’re not looking at page count and thinking “man, I’ve only got another hundred pages to go.”

Do you believe in writer’s block?
Absolutely. I suffer from it all the time. But, for me, it’s not a blank page. I can write pages upon pages, but it’s a sense that I’m struggling to get work out. If the story comes easy, it’s so much more of a pleasure and I know it’s going to be good.

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The Northern Witch Series by K.S. Marsden

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The quirky, best-selling Urban Fantasy Series.
When a Witch-in-Training falls for a Demon-Possessed Soul…

The Northern Witch Series
The Complete Box Set
by K.S. Marsden
Genre: YA LGBTQ Urban Fantasy

The quirky, best-selling Urban Fantasy Series.

When Mark decides to follow in his Nanna’s footsteps, and train in witchcraft, he takes on more than he could ever have imagined. Up until now, he has been ignorant of the magical dangers, demons and monsters that his coven defend against.
Everything changes when Damian moves to Tealford. He is everything Mark has ever wanted, but he comes with his own cursed life.

Luckily, Mark has the support of his friends and family… as well as the handsome newcomer.

Containing the full 6-part series:
Winter Trials (Northern Witch #1)
Awaken (Northern Witch #2)
The Breaking (Northern Witch #3)
Summer Sin (Northern Witch #4)
A Dark Fate (Northern Witch #5)
All Things End (Northern Witch #6)

On Sale for Only .99cents for December – Get it Now!!
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Kelly S. Marsden grew up in Yorkshire, and there were two constants in her life – books and horses.

Graduating with an equine degree from Aberystwyth University, she has spent most of her life since trying to experience everything the horse world has to offer. She is currently settled into a Nutritionist role for a horse feed company in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Her first book, The Shadow Rises, was published in January 2013, and she now has several successful series under her belt.

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First Drive by David Fitz-Gerald

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Grab your hat, step into your boots, and strap on those spurs. Your cow pony is saddled up and ready to ride the trail from San Antonio to Abilene.

First Drive
A Seph Vermillion Western Adventure Book 1
by David Fitz-Gerald
Genre: Historical Western Adventure Fiction

Grab your hat, step into your boots, and strap on those spurs. Your cow pony is saddled up and ready to ride the trail from San Antonio to Abilene.
Seph Vermillion grew up dirt poor. As long as he can remember, he’s been pushing a plow and arguing with a mule. A couple of times a year, a trio of bandits ravage the family farm and make off with their savings.
Pa never returned home after the war. Seph’s siblings have been gone so long, he doesn’t remember what they look like. When Ma dies after a long illness, Seph trades the family farm for a horse named Sheriff. The kid next door tells Seph about the Deatherage Longhorn Cattle Ranch. The allure of adventure beckons. They partner up and hit the trail. Lacking skills, they are the last cowboys hired and agree to work for half pay.
The outfit’s top hand, Stoke Moreland, pranks, taunts, and threatens Seph. Why does the seasoned cowboy seem intent on driving him off? Seph doesn’t know much about self-defense, but he is tired of being a victim and feeling violated. How long can he turn the other cheek?
The trail is fraught with hazards from perilous river crossings to the mother of all stampedes. When they realize they’re being tracked, followed, and hunted, a growing sense of doom overwhelms the fledgling outfit of cowboys who are still wet behind the ears. The outlaws that plagued Seph’s past have followed them and they are determined to take the herd. Their plan is simple: pit the cowboys against each other, pick them off one by one, and stampede the beeves.
Since they left San Antonio, the drovers have looked forward to whooping it up at the end of the trail. That was before somebody began killing cowboys. Now, Abilene seems like an impossible dream. Will anybody make it to the end of the trail?
Grab your slicker, fetch your bedroll, and swing up into the saddle. Sign on with the Dagger D, Angry R brand—First Drive is calling your name.

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Get the freebie prequel Farewell to Poesta Creek here!

David Fitz-Gerald writes westerns and historical fiction. He is the author of twelve books, including the brand-new series, Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail set in 1850. Dave is a multiple Laramie Award, first place, best in category winner; a Blue Ribbon Chanticleerian; a member of Western Writers of America; and a member of the Historical Novel Society.
Alpine landscapes and flashy horses always catch Dave’s eye and turn his head. He is also an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has hiked to the summit of the range’s highest peaks. As a mountaineer, he’s happiest at an elevation of over four thousand feet above sea level.
Dave is a lifelong fan of western fiction, landscapes, movies, and music. It should be no surprise that Dave delights in placing memorable characters on treacherous trails, mountain tops, and on the backs of wild horses.

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Character Profile – Meet Torp: Seph’s Little Brother on the Trail

In First Drive, Thomas “Torp” Orpington is the beating heart of the story—a young cowboy whose tragic past fuels his determination and whose resilience, alongside his bond with Seph Vermillion, underscores the power of brotherhood. Orphaned at a young age, Torp brings vulnerability and grit to the rugged world of the Deatherage outfit. His relationship with Seph offers readers a poignant glimpse into the transformative strength of found family and mentorship.

Torp’s life was shaped by profound loss. First, he lost his mother:

“A drifter killed Ma. Hit her with a big stick while she was coming back from church. Took what little money she had. It wasn’t enough to be worth dying for.”

After her death, his father turned to drinking, only to meet his own tragic end:

“I wasn’t always alone,” Torp said quietly. “Pa slipped on a rock by the river. That’s what they said. I found him there two days later, half in and half out of the water.”

These early tragedies didn’t break Torp; instead, they forged his determination to prove himself in a world where work dominated every waking moment.

For Seph Vermillion, Torp becomes the little brother he never had. Seph sees Torp’s struggles and steps into the role of protector and mentor, offering guidance when others ridicule or dismiss him. In helping Torp navigate his struggles, Seph discovers his own strength as a leader and mentor, forging a bond that shapes both of their journeys. Torp, in turn, looks to Seph as a steady presence in a world that has often been cruel:

“Stoke asked me if you changed my diapers and burped me after meals. He’s calling me a baby, ain’t he?”

Seph wanted to lie to the kid, but couldn’t do it. “Some people like to be mean, Torp. I know it is hard to overlook, but sometimes I don’t think they can help it.”

Seph’s compassion helps Torp navigate his insecurities, but their relationship is not one-sided. Torp inspires Seph with his perseverance, reminding him of the strength found in vulnerability and the courage to keep going.

Though small in stature and often underestimated, Torp works tirelessly to pull his weight. Whether it is riding drag through the choking dust or calming a skittish longhorn, Torp approaches every task with tireless determination. His longing for recognition is encapsulated in his emotional request to Seph:

“Seph… if you ever have a kid, could you name him after me? Just so… just so folks remember I was here.”

Seph’s response—an unshakable promise to carry Torp’s memory forward—cements their bond and shows how deeply Torp’s presence impacts those around him.

Despite his hardships, Torp earns his place on the cattle drive. His underdog spirit and unyielding heart transform him from an orphan to an irreplaceable member of the Dagger D, Angry R crew. Whether managing the cranky beeves at the tail end of the herd or lifting the spirits of his fellow cowboys, the Deatherage Longhorn Cattle Ranch would not be the same without this diminutive drover.

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Dark Maiden by Ian Conner

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Ian Conner is retired and spent most of his adult life as a Marine and Army Infantry Sergeant. A hundred percent disabled veteran after multiple head and other injuries, he is part of a growing number of vets classified as “neuro-diverse”, an MST survivor and have several issues such regarding comprehension, concentration, and vision issues that he has OVERCOME to write several novels. After witnessing a lifetime of destruction, the thought of creating something tangible and lasting holds great appeal.

He finds writing a cathartic way to redefine himself both in his eyes and in the eyes of others. Writing for fun, Ian has completed seven novels with an eighth near done with two more ideas in the scribble/chapter phase. He has written across four genres Fantasy, Thriller, Science Fiction and Horror.

He uses ProWritingAid, Beta Readers and professional editors keep the product readable, he has recently began querying in search of a professional agent and publisher.
Now living near San Diego California with his wife Bonnie, a cellist, and their two dogs, Cookie and Isabella. Conner spends his days fostering kittens, gardening, crafting beautiful stained glass and creating worlds on the page.

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Dark Maiden has taken a Native American legend and created the most intense story of ghosts and horror and things that go bump in the night.

Dark Maiden
by Ian Conner
Genre: Historical Dark Fantasy

Haunting and horrifying, the tale keeps readers engaged all the way to the shocking end. Intertwined with Native American lore Dark Maiden weaves a seducing chilling tale. Dark Maiden grabs you at the first page the story sets us up in 16th century Maine, Onata Village. Conner gave readers a tale of a beautiful bewitching Maiden seen by the lake by four sisters under the moonlight. Dark Maiden takes you from past to present to past to tell this horrifying curse tale. Readers need to pay attention during the time transitions, but readers will be engrossed with fantastic writing you cannot put down.
Dark Maiden has taken a Native American legend and created the most intense story of ghosts and horror and things that go bump in the night.
Although a somber tone permeates the book, there is a recurring theme of loyalty and resilience. Each character exhibits self-determination, fortitude, and resourcefulness until the conclusion. You grow to love each person as if you belong to the fight against evil forces. Full of surprises and character growth readers will love the tale.

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The Inspiration Behind the Books

Ian’s inspiration for Dark Maiden comes from a Native American legend.
Among the Wabanaki, this blight occurs when an evil sorcerer refuses to stay dead.
Descendants of the Wabanaki still survive in Maine, which was one of the reasons
why I set the story in the locale of Nollesemic. I felt the characters were solid enough
to appeal to a large swath of readers without offending anyone. LGBTQ characters fill
in the modern twists that would not have been accepted even a few years ago.

Similarly, my vampire novel Cardinals is a new take on the Stoker legend with a large dose
of actual historical events. Fictional additions and twists on biblical and historical occurrences, keep the story interesting, the reader engaged. I have always been a fan of the 70’s vampire films and wrote Cardinals with that in mind. I can totally see Ingrid Pitt as Asherah. I have taken a bit of guff over casting a scandalous shadow over the catholic church, but they have given me plenty of ammunition. The faith fills in a good part of the story and fanaticism at both ends of the spectrum also gave me much to work with.

I love casting women in strong roles and minimizing the male influence. Sadly, reality has not caught up with that idea. Amy Radigan, Lilly Pham, Kellena Donnachaid, Cassie Wells, all epitomize women I have known and respect.

After being medically retired from the military in 2010, writing became a new identity for me. I take my time writing. The Long Game, for instance, took 3 years to write. Pulling from current events as I went along. Relations with China are now tenser than ever and the conflict in the south China sea is actually occurring almost following the theme of my story. I consider my readers intelligent enough to follow the multiple plot lines. I tend to keep the thrillers within the realm of possibility. Sometimes it might be a reach but nothing I write is impossible. Headlines are a big help. The saying is “You couldn’t write this stuff”. Well actually I can!

The political thriller is cathardic to write. Solaris is coming out in December, complicated story lines will keep the readers guessing. Horror is a fun genre for me and I have two ideas on paper that need filled out. I have dabbled with Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Cooper’s Ridge was another labor of love and quite fun to write. I love space travel, aliens and first contact. Throw in some dystopian end of the world themes with a huge dose of multiple conspiracies and walah you have a novel. I am a huge Star Trek fan. I love Roddenberry’s approach to everyday issues with technological spins. Solving the barriers to space travel with reverse engineering seemed obvious enough to me. The genius teenager as the underdog with a cadre of friends to help fight the faceless government what can go wrong.

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