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Alcasia has been a hunter since a very young age. She hunts the most dangerous animal in the Great Forest of Rhent. The huge beasts skin hardens into a substance called brontum which is necessary in this world where iron is very rare. When taxes are raised, she ventures further than any other hunter to try and keep her family secure. This is when she accidently runs across an invading foreign army clad in steel. After escaping from this force she returns home to find these strange invaders have destroyed her village and kidnapped her brother and sister. As the village discusses rebuilding, Alcasia teams up with several friends to attempt a rescue.
Alcasia, Robyr and Trepuk lead a small band of villagers on this long mission to save their loved ones. The villagers head east toward the cities of the Plain. Alcasia will face the bigotry that people have to shadow trackers like herself as well the might of this great army of steel.
Alcasia and her band travel from the village on the edge of civilization and into the midst of a war. Alcasia moves among the armies to try and protect her loved ones. While she is known for hunting monsters, she finds herself facing a far greater monster.
Jonathan E. Barnett grew up in Stevens Point, WI. After spending a year in a seminary in St. Paul, MN, he transferred to UW-La Crosse. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in History and a minor in Economics. Upon graduating, Jonathan was commissioned as an Officer in the Wisconsin Army National Guard and deployed twice to Southwest Asia. After his second deployment, he graduated from University of Wisconsin Law School. Jonathan is now a practicing attorney and author in Central Wisconsin.
Jonathan E. Barnett grew up in Stevens Point, WI. After spending a year in a seminary in St. Paul, MN, he transferred to UW-La Crosse. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in History and a minor in Economics. Upon graduating, Jonathan was commissioned as an Officer in the Wisconsin Army National Guard and deployed twice to Southwest Asia. After his second deployment, he graduated from University of Wisconsin Law School. Jonathan is now a practicing attorney and author in Central Wisconsin.
Alcasia has been a hunter since a very young age. She hunts the most dangerous animal in the Great Forest of Rhent. The huge beasts skin hardens into a substance called brontum which is necessary in this world where iron is very rare. When taxes are raised, she ventures further than any other hunter to try and keep her family secure. This is when she accidently runs across an invading foreign army clad in steel. After escaping from this force she returns home to find these strange invaders have destroyed her village and kidnapped her brother and sister. As the village discusses rebuilding, Alcasia teams up with several friends to attempt a rescue.
Alcasia, Robyr and Trepuk lead a small band of villagers on this long mission to save their loved ones. The villagers head east toward the cities of the Plain. Alcasia will face the bigotry that people have to shadow trackers like herself as well the might of this great army of steel.
Alcasia and her band travel from the village on the edge of civilization and into the midst of a war. Alcasia moves among the armies to try and protect her loved ones. While she is known for hunting monsters, she finds herself facing a far greater monster.
An Interview with Jonathan Barnett, author of Shadow Tracker!
Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
I wrote a lot of poetry while I was in high school and undergrad. I never really thought of myself as an author really. As a history major, I was most interested in spending time doing some research and writing a history book, probably something centered around American immigration. I started writing fiction with this book. I was really trying to encourage my teenage daughter to work on creating a work herself. She is a very gifted writer and I told her I would write something if she did. I got hooked once I started. I would often spend days of my commutes to work just brainstorming ideas for new conflicts for my characters. I kept getting home and writing because I felt I was leaving my characters stuck where I left them.
What is something unique/quirky about you?
I had the unusual circumstance of having gone from a seminary to the Army in a matter of months. I was studying in a seminary and I knew it was not right for me. I joined the Army to pay for school, but it was odd to go from daily morning prayer to bayonet training.
Tell us something really interesting that’s happened to you!
Well, most of my very interesting stories are military related, but I do also have the honor of having tried a case that made national news. It got called the Beer Battered Fish Defense Case. It was not a big case, but the story was this guy claimed he got drunk eating beer battered fish. That was a better story than the reality. He had told the officer that the smell of beer might have been from the fish he ate. If fact, the story got too famous and the defense attorney and I agreed that neither of us would mention it in the trial. Headline the next day was “Jury doesn’t buy beer battered fish defense.” They didn’t, since they never heard that story.
Among my military stories, I was once an officer in a Security Force in Kuwait. I was required to run drills on my guard force to see how they would react. We also had to tell the Kuwaiti military when I was going out to do this. The problem was there were two Kuwaiti Colonels who were in charge of different sections of the Kuwaiti guard force and these two guys hated each other. I went out one time to take photos of the base (big no no). I phoned ahead to the Kuwaiti staff officer to warn them. While out there in my U.S. Army uniform, Kevlar helmet, ballistic vest and carrying a weapon I was approached by a Kuwaiti soldier saying something and pointing his M16 at me. Just stood there pointing at the rank on my chest knowing it was ridiculous to have this guy approach someone who was clearly an American officer like this. I showed him I was erasing the photos and later found out that the one part of the Kuwaiti guard force had been prevented from providing the warning to the other half. Lucky me.
While in the seminary I was once awoken by a drunken student coming back after bar time. This is not an unusual thing for a freshman year of college, but it was the only time it happened in the seminary. There had been an ongoing discussion about how too many seminarians were not making it down for Morning Prayer every day. Two of the seniors on my floor had been drinking and came back yelling “Wake up everyone! Time for Morning Prayer!” I looked at the clock on my desk, realized he was wrong and just rolled over to go back to sleep. The next day the guy who was yelling came around to every single room and apologized to each person on the floor. It was strange and amazing.
What are some of your pet peeves?
Most of my pet peeves are grammar and syntax related. I hate when people say “between” when they mean “among.” Also, people who say they are “anxious” for something when they mean “eager.” There are plenty more, but I try to keep that to myself. I will sometimes have a visible twitch though.
Where were you born/grew up at?
I was actually born in Sheboygan, WI and I lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan from about the age of four until eight. Just before my ninth birthday my family moved to Stevens Point. I really love Stevens Point. It was where we really put ourselves down and stayed. The community was always very welcoming to me. I left after high school and came back when I finally had the chance. It is a beautiful small city with a university, fantastic parks and a few great corporate citizens who provide some wonderful attractions. It is right along the Wisconsin River and there is a 20+ mile bike trail that connects most of the major parks in the city. It is big enough to have anything you need and small enough that I can be in a kayak and alone in just a few minutes.
If you knew you’d die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?
Cliché, I know, but I would want to be with my family. I have five wonderful children and an amazing wife who keeps me in line. I would also want to spend the day with my parents, my brothers and my in-laws. My one brother lives down in Peoria, Illinois now and it is always sad to me that he is so far away. He is doing well there and happy. Of course, that makes me happy, but I wish he and his wife were closer because I miss them dearly.
Who is your hero and why?
Probably Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. He was a general in the Civil War, but also an academic and scholar. He taught himself Greek when Bowdoin College needed a Greek professor. The guy was brilliant and went on to serve his country and his state in many ways. I admire the drive and the dedication to service that he had.
What kind of world ruler would you be?
Yikes. Well, I was an Army officer so I have some idea. I would be a coalition builder. I like to be surrounded by people who challenge me and force me to have a reason for what I believe and think. I would likely seek out great minds and try to find better systems. I like to have solid plans in place and get real leaders into positions where they can do real good for others. In all honesty, I would hate being a ruler. I would much rather be an advisor than a ruler.
What are you passionate about these days?
There is always the passion for the Green Bay Packers. Unlike most fans, the link is very much a family one. My great-grandfather was a lawyer for the Packers and a member of a group called The Hungry Five that helped keep the team afloat during the Great Depression. He is rumored to be the man who fired Curly Lambeau. He is in the Packers Hall of Fame. I see that team as a legacy and a family emblem. I love football and I love that team.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
I play a few video games that I enjoy, but mostly I read or listen to music. I love to sing and if I have time alone I am definitely blasting the show tunes around the house and belting out the hits.
How to find time to write as a parent?
I do almost all my writing after I have the kids in bed. That means I cannot start until after 9:00. I try to set one night a week where I will stay up a bit later than I should. Sometimes work can be a bit all consuming and then I try to focus on getting the sleep I need, but I like to take just one night and push the envelope a little.
I have years of military service and it definitely trained me to stay awake and still be effective. Once I spent three days awake running continuous hauling operations. My platoon sergeant and I kept telling each other that the other one should sleep. It took us several days before we both admitted we needed the sleep. We rigged up a cot in the back of a HUM-V and slept as much as we could. Having to write at night and then still get up and get the kids where they need to go and get to work is something for which life has prepared me.
I do like writing while having distraction and noise so sometimes I like to write while enjoying a movie with the family. I can sit with the laptop and enjoy the time talking with my wife and kids while I write.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
Husband, Father, Son, Soldier, Lawyer.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Probably in high school when I mostly wrote poetry. I would not have considered myself an author, but I wrote quite a lot.
Do you have a favorite movie?
I have lots of favorite movies. It really depends on my mood. My father is a librarian and he would always bring home movies from the library. We watched a lot together and still do. I enjoy movies. I probably like historical dramas the most but I do like documentaries as well. A good period piece makes me very happy since I can pick apart the things that are accurate or not. I like to follow along with the Historians At The Movies (#HATM) group on Twitter as well.
Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
I only have the one out now, but I am working on book two of the series as well as on an unrelated alternate history work. I could see either being a movie, but I think the alternate history piece I am working on would likely have the better chance.
What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I did go to Stratford Upon Avon to visit the grave of William Shakespeare. That was pretty amazing. I was on a choir tour and I was one of only two people on the tour who walked directly across town to find the church where he is buried. Most other people just took the chance to shop. I also had the chance to see the grave of Venerable Bede while in Northern England. Interesting to see the spot where he lived and worked and then was buried.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
My spirit animal is definitely the Red Tailed Hawk. They live all over Wisconsin. I have found that in times of difficulty or times when I have most needed to know the mind of God I have shortly thereafter seen a red tailed hawk fly. They are powerful hunters and beautiful creatures. I feel more connection to them than any other animal (besides dogs, of course).
What are your top 10 favorite books/authors?
Dune by Frank Herbert, Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose, To America by Stephen Ambrose, Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, Gone For Soldiers by Jeff Shaara, Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin, Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo, John Adams by David McCullough.
What book do you think everyone should read?
Lies My Teacher Told Me.
How long have you been writing?
Since high school.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
They present themselves as the situations arise for them to be needed. Couldn’t add some of them from the time where Alcasia is alone on the hunt. Many had to wait for the main thrust of the storyline to kick off before they came forward.
Do you see writing as a career?
That would be fantastic. I love practicing law, so I would not likely give that up. Still, I would love for my writing to be a way I can provide something more to my family and make it more valuable.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
I love fantasy works, but I still mostly read history books.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
I can barely think when it is quiet. I need some noise going on or my mind just starts to wander. Not sure if it’s an ADD type thing, but if there is only one thing to focus on I start to day dream. If I have music and writing then I can focus.
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
While writing Shadow Tracker I was only working on this book. I am currently working on two though. I am focusing on getting the second book of the series out, but I am taking some time away from Rhentsia to work on another project too.
Pen or type writer or computer?
I do outlines with pen, but I write the actual work on a computer.
Advice they would give new authors?
Just start it. Write something. You can decide you hate it later or you can add to it. You can read it after you think you are done and find ten things to add. Nothing starts until you start putting down words. Just start writing and then refine as you go. Also, have patience. Nothing worth doing is ever easy.
Describe your writing style.
I mostly do my brain storming in the car on my commute to work. I come home and start editing that in. I usually edit during the writing. I actually went through and changed large sections in the story prior to finishing my first draft. I also keep a running encyclopedia of all the animals I have created and all the people I have named at any point in the story.
What makes a good story?
Characters who change and grow and villains with an understandable purposes and goals.
What are they currently reading?
The Premonition by Michael Lewis.
What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?
I tend to outline first and then start writing. I know I will tend to rewrite everything once or twice.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Writing conversations is probably the hardest part for me. Writing poetry as a starting point allowed me to work on being descriptive and flow into design. Writing conversations has to maintain personality traits and I have to bounce between multiple people and their arguments or desires one after another.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
At this point I am trying to be more original. My first audience is my daughters. I want them to have a character they can follow and enjoy.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Try multiple genres and sample more things earlier. Write more short stories.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from other genders?
Having characters of other genders and other ethnicities is difficult because as a white man I know I have no idea. I have to admit that and deal with that. I cannot avoid it because that would be far more disingenuous. I need to have those voices in my stories to challenge me. Thankfully, I have been surrounded by strong women in my life. My mother, my grandmothers, my wife and my daughters. In many ways, I write the women in this novel to have many of the same desires as anyone else. They want to protect their families and have jobs that give them a feeling of joy or accomplishment.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
It took a little over a year to get the first one through the process. Some of that was bouncing revisions past others to get a sense of how it was going.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Oh yes. Sometimes you have to walk away and maybe write something else for a bit to get in a different state of mind. I also like to talk through it with someone else or talk out loud to myself in the car to get through it.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Shutterbug Allison Lee is trying to survive high school while suffering the popular girl’s abuse. Her life is often abysmal, but at least her green hair is savage. Her talent for photography is recognized by the school paper and the judges of a photo contest.
While visiting her friend Joe, a homeless vet, Allison’s life irrevocably changes after an attack leaves her blind. All her dreams as a photojournalist are dashed as she realizes she’ll never see again. Despair sets in until she is offered an experimental procedure to restore her vision. But there are side effects, or are they hallucinations? She now sees dragons accompanying some of the people she meets. Can she trust her eyes, or has the procedure affected her more than she can see?
“Debut author Rice offers an allegorical YA fantasy novel about the transformative power of self-love.
Savvy, coffee-loving teenager Allison Lee is strong beyond her years. The biracial girl faces open discrimination and also copes with her apparent abandonment by her mother, who disappeared several years ago. She’s developed a keen sense of social justice along with a skill for photography. When a mysterious stalker hits her over the head, leaving her blind, she turns to an experimental eye-surgery procedure that forever changes her view of the world. Once, Allison saw her camera as her window to the truth; now, with her naked eye, she’s able to see mythological creatures that aren’t visible to other humans and that fight to protect their way of life. Allison’s ability results in her embarking on a dangerous adventure as she discovers her own highly unusual dragon-hunting legacy. She faces mortal peril as she protects humans and other creatures from a violent, otherworldly onslaught. Along the way, she also gets in touch with her own physical and emotional resilience. Although dragons play a central role in Rice’s work, the heart of the narrative is found in simple humanity and in a celebration of differences. Throughout, characters demonstrate emotional growth as they confront their limiting beliefs about others and embrace a sense of family. The story addresses serious, socially relevant subject matter, such as discrimination, poverty, and bullying, but it’s never preachy; indeed, it has a lighthearted tone that will resonate with adolescent readers. It concludes on an affirming, heartfelt note that will leave readers thoroughly satisfied yet also curious about the future of Rice’s magical fictional world.
Dan has wanted to write novels since first reading Frank Herbert’s Dune at the age of eleven. A native of the Pacific Northwest, he often goes hiking with his family through mist-shrouded forests and along alpine trails with expansive views. Dragons Walk Among Us is his debut novel. He plans to keep writing fantasy and science-fiction for many years.
Dan has wanted to write novels since first reading Frank Herbert’s Dune at the age of eleven. A native of the Pacific Northwest, he often goes hiking with his family through mist-shrouded forests and along alpine trails with expansive views. Dragons Walk Among Us is his debut novel. He plans to keep writing fantasy and science-fiction for many years.
Finding time to write can be challenging, especially when you’re a parent. I have two high-energy schoolboys who participate in all the activities of childhood. How do I find time to write? I follow a set routine and am always flexible.
I’m a big believer in the habit of writing every day. To accomplish this, on weekdays, I’m literally up before the crack of dawn, no later than 4:30 a.m. By five a.m., I’m doing something writing-related, often either pounding out a rough draft or editing a scene. My aim is to have about ninety minutes of uninterrupted writing time before my sons drag themselves out of bed to get ready for school. It also corresponds to when it’s time for me to prepare to hit the day job.
On the weekends, I don’t force myself out of bed at 4:30 in the morning, although sometimes I’m wide awake at that hour. Typically, I’ll still get up early and try to write until eight a.m. Then, after fixing breakfast for the family, I’m back at it until ten or eleven, depending on plans for the day and how restless the boys are.
I’ve learned flexibility is vital if you want to keep your sanity. In On Writing,Stephen King points out that children and life in general often interrupt writing time. His solution is not to treat writing time as sacrosanct. Instead, work the time you write around everything else in your life. This is really great advice for all of us who have families and dreams of being future bestsellers.
What I do to be productive as a writer while having children might not work for everyone. That’s okay. Everyone’s situation is different. But having a set routine whenever possible and being flexible has served me well. I wrote my YA fantasy debut, Dragons Walk Among Us, by dragging myself up before everyone else in the household and not stressing out when the inevitable interruptions intruded on my writing time.
Do you think Writer’s Block exists?
I suppose it’s a subjective thing. If you think you suffer from it, you probably do.
My critique group, the Puget Sound Writers’ Guild, had a resident writer, may he rest in peace, who staunchly did not believe in writer’s block. If you can’t come up with ideas and bring them to fruition, then you aren’t creative enough to cut it as a writer. He could be hard, but he was a best-selling author under several pen names, so who were we, his pupils, to contradict him.
Now, I won’t go so far as to say writer’s block simply does not exist. But I do think there are practices a writer can implement to overcome it. Personally, I’ve never suffered from writer’s block. For example, the characters and plot for Dragons Walk Among Us came easily to me. It probably helped that I’ve been thinking about some of the central fantasy elements of the story for years. Here’s my remedy, or put another way, how I avoid writer’s block.
I start small with a one-page concept that lays out the story from start to finish in broad strokes. This isn’t easy; it’s hard. It takes me numerous drafts to get the concept down to one page, but I think it’s worth it. From that, I create a scene-by-scene outline that I ultimately treat as a roadmap. It shows me how to get from the start line to the finish line, but I can always take detours and side trips along the way. I find the rough draft flows quite naturally from this roadmap.
If you suffer from writer’s block, start small. That strategy has always served me well.
Dragons Walk Among Us is the first novel in The Allison Lee Chronicles. I can confirm that readers should expect more books featuring Allison Lee and her squad. Right now, I am planning four, maybe five, books to comprise the entire series.
Where do these books stand now? Well, I have the broad strokes outlined for the entire series. I’m currently writing the rough draft for the second installment. I’m about fifty percent through the draft. If everything goes to plan, I’ll have a complete manuscript ready to turn in to my publisher by December this year. The novel deals with similar themes of belonging and angst found in Dragons Walk Among Us, along with a few new topics readers will hopefully find engaging. Without giving too much away, portions of the second novel will take place in Southeast Asia. I’ve traveled the area extensively and hope my experiences will help me capture the essence of the region’s beauty and diverse cultures.
After book two, while I do have an outline, my plan is a bit more nebulous. That’s why I say the series might turn out to be five books as opposed to four. With any luck, these novels will come out steadily over the next several years. After completing The Allison Lee Chronicles, you can expect more action-packed sci-fi and fantasy tales with social commentary woven in that I think young adults will find very appealing.
Allison Lee is the protagonist of my debut YA urban fantasy, Dragons Walk Among Us, and possesses a deep-seated need for belonging. In part, her yearning is no different than anyone else’s. She wants to be part of something greater than herself and be surrounded by people who accept her. These desires burn exceptionally bright in her because she has never known her mother, who she believes abandoned her at birth. Allison’s need for acceptance hits overdrive when she starts seeing or, perhaps, in reality, hallucinating dragons. When her best friends make it clear they believe she is delusional, their bonds of friendship begin to crack.
Allison is a passionate photographer with dreams of becoming a photojournalist. Her pictures of high school sporting events around Seattle are published weekly in her school’s online newspaper. She combines her love of photography with civic-mindedness, often documenting climate marches and social justice issues. When an unprovoked attack leaves her blind, Allison feels like her life has been flushed down the toilet and fears she will never photograph again.
I’m a big believer in the adage to write what you know. It allows me to inject verisimilitude into the story. For example, Allison is an avid photographer, often out and about with her camera in hand. Details on composition and exposure for different situations are sprinkled throughout the narrative. These details are accurate because I’m a shutterbug. I think these details are just enough to characterize Allison Lee, be interesting to readers, and add a sense of realism to a story that is, after all, a fantasy.
Would you like a chance to win a$35 Amazon gift card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
I am happy to be one of many tour hosts sharing information about author Dan Rice. If you want to check out his debut novel Dragons Walk Among Us, click HERE!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Don’t get too close to the edges of the world. Gods and monsters are waiting.
Spooky arrives at a wilderness boot camp for troubled teens with two suitcases and an ultimatum: either she keeps her head down over the summer or she won’t be allowed home at the end of it. All she wants to do is survive the pyros, bullies, and power-tripping counselors, get through senior year, and start her life somewhere new.
But when an encounter with another camper goes awry and ends with Spooky hiding in the woods, something else finds her. Something ancient and powerful has sent out feelers, hoping to catch a human alone. For its purposes, even a delinquent teen will do.
If Spooky wants to survive to see any kind of future, she will have to figure out how to gain leverage over a god. And as if the one wasn’t bad enough, a pantheon of dark entities are lining up between her and the life she’s always wanted…
For fantasy fans, comes one girl’s journey through dark worlds of magic, gods, and monsters.
Alison Kimble began writing because she loves stories and believes in their power to shape our world and ourselves. Her writing blends the real and the fantastical and crosses genres of horror, fantasy, and sci-fi. Now that her debut novel, Strange Gods, is in your hands, she is working on her next novel and a short story anthology. She lives in the Greater Seattle Area with her husband and spends her time walking in the woods, going to the movies, and seeking adventures large and small.
Would you like a chance to win a dark fantasy gift box with bookish accessories and swag or a $15 Amazon gift card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Gaia is perishing. Methodically poisoned, she sounds the alarm. The StarSeed Quest is activated to save planet Earth from the Wizard of Bondage, determined to hijack humanity’s existence.
Roma, the Light Warrior, is captured on a remote island. She telepathically communicates with Jo to guide her perilous mission on a school trip. While Jo and her friends process the truth about the Galactic Wars, they are targeted by assassin shapeshifters, and lured to a compound where darkness reigns.
Emotions collide during timelines leaps, and reality is turned upside down. Jo is thrust into an epic cosmic reboot. Will the Blade of Truth devour her Soul? Will the balance between light and dark finally shift?
REVIEWS:
“Ms. Love presents visions of a utopian world of beauty and peace, where love and acceptance are unconditional. She reaches beyond our cultural and historical norms embracing diversity with no division or hatred.” —Dr. Mario Dell’Olio
“Lali A. Love expands the world and intensifies the battles, gripping the reader with intrigue and action from the very first page. Jo undergoes a transformation, and you will, too, throughout this book’s riveting, restorative transcendence. What a stunning, powerful message. Galaxies of Wisdom Await You.” —Halo Scot
“This makes for an excellent read specifically for teenagers battling mental health and self-acceptance issues. If I must describe this book in one word, I will say it is Entrancing! If you love reading sci-fi/fantasy that leaves you with a powerful message, then this book is a MUST read for you!” —Rashmi P. Menon
“Readers will delight in the rich, multidimensional world-building that masterfully intertwines teen angst, struggle, and a higher calling. The journey to enlightenment hastens as the eternal struggle between good and evil intensifies in the parallel timelines. This book is a page-turner…Make room on your shelves for this important series.” —S.P. O’Farrell
“As someone who devours books centered on mystical forces, I loved Lali A. Love’s newest work. I would recommend this novel for people who enjoy detailed fantasy and magical realism about the astral realm, lucid dreaming, time travel, and humanity’s role in the larger cosmic context.” —Anya Pavelle
“The Blade of Truth had me in awe. Lali A. Love captures every realm, both mental and spiritual. And she does it in a way that is just gorgeous flowing prose. This was a joy to read, and I can’t wait to get my hands on what Ms. Love brings forth next!” —Ash Knight
Emotions run high in Blade of Truth from the opening scene and Lali A. Love ensures the reader is glued to the story from the beginning. Readers will find the perfect mix of paranormal with teen angst in this epic fantasy. It is an exciting story, something that is vastly different from a typical YA novel. —Reader’s Favorite
Lali A. Love lives in the capital city of Canada with her husband and two beautiful children who are her greatest source of pride, joy, and inspiration. As a debut author, Lali loves to write stimulating, character-based novels that invoke an emotional response in her readers. She has done extensive research into epistemology and metaphysics to further her understanding of the Universal Laws of Energy.
In her spare time, Lali is committed to writing her visionary fiction trilogy about spiritual transformation. These mystical novels are based on the journeys of three incarnated Angels that have been brought together in the third dimensional existence, to realize their Divine Feminine soul purpose. Each of them must experience unique self-realizations to overcome the dark demonic entities that are determined to destroy their inner light to derail their Soul mission.
As a light worker, Lali has been called to fulfill her soul purpose to embody the light and share positive posts through social media to help uplift humanity. She is assisting this awakening process by projecting her messages of love, compassion and unity consciousness, to connect beautiful like-minded souls around the world. Through the study of quantum energy field of transmutation, Lali has refined her energy clearing techniques based on powerful visual imagery to activate a healing response in others.
With humility, compassion and grace, Lali intends to elevate levels of consciousness for the highest good, empowering individuals to speak their authentic truth. She is an advocate for self-healing journeys, self-realization, and self-love. Lali is passionate about this universal call to action and continues to vibrate at high frequencies of loving awareness.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Hybrid Magic by Cristy L. Bowlin ~ Genre: YA Fantasy
Two nations joined peacefully as one, but a band of assassins lurks in the shadows.
Magic isn’t uncommon in the Deravine Commonwealth, where people can be gifted with the faculties of combat, healing, transformation, or sight. Yet as a hybrid mage, Aaron Ztrong’s abilities aren’t so easily categorized. He managed to save his parents during a dangerous confrontation when he was only a young boy, and now a decade later most people in his life expect him to do remarkable things with his powers. Then there are those who fear what Aaron and others like him can do. When Aaron’s life is threatened by a group calling themselves the Defenders, he takes refuge with two other hybrid mages and the teacher who is training them to enhance their abilities. As the Defenders continue to hunt down hybrid mages, Aaron and his new companions must find a way to survive.
Cristy L. Bowlin grew up in Ventura County, CA where she spent most of her free time ballet dancing and reading fantasy books. She got her BA in English with an emphasis in creative writing and a minor in dance from the California Polytechnic State University. She then received her MA in English with a minor in gender and women’s studies from the University of Kentucky. She currently lives with her husband, daughter, and cat in Southern California where she is a college English professor. Her debut YA fantasy novel The Temple Dancer’s Diary was published in July 2019, and her next book Hybrid Magic was just published in the summer of 2021.
Hello readers and writers! My name is Marc R Micciola and I am a self-published author from Brampton, Ontario, Canada. I always enjoyed stories, soaking them in through any format possible. My favourite way to tell my own stories is through writing, and it took me a while to fully embrace that. Writing isn’t exactly the most practical career, especially fiction writing, so I was discouraged from becoming an author most of my life. My mental health hasn’t always been the greatest either, so I had to deal with anxieties and depressive thoughts too. Thankfully, I finally got into a place where I said “Screw it” and decided to really work on writing a book. It was during a time in my life where I was really working on myself, and I truly believe this book got me to where I am today. My two dogs, Rielly and Ace, keep me grounded and happy while my best friend Mackenzie keeps me motivated and positive. Oh! Silly me. I just realized I haven’t even mentioned the name of my debut novel! My very first book is named Ascension, and is the first book in a series named The Age of Shadow Saga.
Ascension is my baby. I’ve had ideas for books before, even managed to write out a bit of them too, but Ascension is my first full fledged novel that I have written and published. The story that I plan to stretch out over three books is very character driven, and it’s one of the reasons why I love it so much. The world Ascension takes place in is wonderful, don’t get me wrong, but the characters are what makes the book shine. All these characters have grown and changed over the near four years of creating this story and the world surrounding it. Hell, I’m still working on the world! I’ve invested so much time and work into the worldbuilding of The Age of Shadow Saga that I could do countless books based on stories taking place hundreds and even thousands of years before Ascension. I tried to give the reader a glimpse of just how dense the history of this world is by describing relationships between nations and name dropping important moments in history. The entire story of Ascension is told in first person, via the point of view of five characters. Those character’s names are Iver, Einar, Otti, Elouera, and Sigurd. I’ve done my best to make each character unique in how they see the world and how they respond to certain events throughout the story. One thing I know I did well was having every character at the end of the novel be somewhere different than where they were when we are first introduced to them; emotionally, physically, and mentally.
I got my love for character chapters from George RR Martin’s series A Song of Ice and Fire. The love and appreciation for writing in a first person point of view came from Mark Lawrence’s series The Broken Empire. I had learned to tell stories in third person, but as the years went on I began to truly fall in love with first person and the intimacy it brought to stories. Being inside a character’s head allowed me to really connect with them, experiencing the story in a more intimate way. This is why I went with first person for Ascension. I did a lot of research when it came to worldbuilding, but I also did some research for my characters. I wanted my characters to react to certain events in a genuine way, and I wanted to know what effect those events would have on their psyche. The search I went on actually helped me learn some things about myself too, so it was very worthwhile work. I really think that great characters make a great story, so I worked really hard to develop even secondary and tertiary characters that seemed as real as possible. When I write, I aim for a grounded experience without losing out of the wonder of a fantasy world. I think I did a really good job at bringing that goal to life with Ascension, and I can’t wait for you to let me know what you think. Enjoy your next read, enjoy the next story you write and always be true to who you are!
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Bluebonnets in the Spring (Perfectly Stated Series) by Kristen Collins
Genre: Western Paranormal Fantasy Romance
Clyde is just a lonely widow cowboy living out his days in peace on his ranch in Texas. Faith is a hybrid reaper on the run from a band of fallen angels.
When Faith stumbles onto his land one night injured, she unwittingly pulls Clyde into a manhunt that could change his life forever.
Two secrets and one fateful night could change everything for them. Was it destiny that brought them together or will the secrets they harbor be their demise?
I’m a Native Texan, born and raised close to the heart of the great Lone Star State. I was born in January of ‘89 and was able to grow up during a great time. I honestly don’t consider myself a Millennial, and really dislike that title. I’m a part-time secretary and a full-time mother and wife, as well as a Lupus Warrior.
Having Lupus means living my life indoors, and the sun is my arch-nemesis, my personal kryptonite. I want to leave a legacy behind, something my kids could one day look back on and say, “yeah my mom did that.”
Thanks to the encouragement of friends and family, I found a passion for writing paranormal romance books. Anything in the realm of fantasy usually suits my novels and tends to be able to reach a large audience in multiple genres. Most of my story ideas come to me in the most unexpected times and places, such as my dreams. They will plague me nonstop until I sit down and write it out.
I like to explore new types of characters such as Sandmen and Boogeymen, for example. I enjoy creating all the facets of their own worlds, such as in A Sandman’s Forbidden Love.
God has blessed me with success that I never imagined was possible, which allows me the freedom to explore and create with intense focus in paranormal fiction. Now, I know Shifters aren’t real but Angels are another story. So Angels are also a part of my focus and research. I will often sit on the computer doing extensive research on both Sandmen and Angels, trying to learn as much as possible about them.
In addition to fiction, I create Art Journals that are cross generational from thirteen to ninety years young. My goal, with these types of books, is to reach people who need that extra encouragement and quiet reflective stillness that journaling can bring into their lives.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Celaine Charles lives in the Pacific Northwest where she teaches elementary school, writes fiction and poetry, and blogs about her writing journey on Steps In Between.
Her YA Fantasy, Seam Keepers, debuted May 12, 2021 (The Wild Rose Press). Always busy, Celaine is currently drafting the sequel, Dream Keepers, along with a brand-new YA Contemporary Fantasy, Life Song.
Her poetry book, Colors Collected, debuted in August 2019. This book stemmed from her online poetry series, Colors, hosted on Channillo, and awarded Best Continuing Series, Best New Series, and Best Poetry Series for the 2018 Channillo Awards. In addition, she has poetry published with other various presses.
When Celaine isn’t writing, she is usually with family and friends, or hiking among the trees and the flowers in her beautiful evergreen state.
The inspiration for my story, Seam Keepers, evolved from a literal dream and a challenge. I woke up one morning thinking about dreams and if there could actually be different worlds inside dreams. If so, what might they be like? What would their purpose be? How would someone from Earth get to that dream-place? Why would they want to go?
I dove in, drafting my story without any direction or know how. I was soaring on the famous quote to write the story you’ve always wanted to read. I had a human character, a hidden dream world, and a pretty clever dream creature. Then I wrote linearly until I found myself stuck, stuck, stuck. I had no idea how to really plot or develop a book of that scale. I simply grasped ideas and themes I wanted to glean. It was time to do some more reading. What were other authors doing to make their books work?
A couple years later, after almost giving up, I said a little prayer and gave the idea to the stars. Two weeks after that, I met a woman who changed my life. I had discovered she was an author and shared with her my want-to-be-writer secret. She shook her head and said if that’s how I felt, then I already was a writer. She challenged me to start over with a new story idea and write a whole new book without stopping to revise or edit. Her rules were simple, don’t look back, just finish. Her initial thought was that I would complete something, even if it was trash, then be able to go back and finish my original story. There’s a lot of motivation that comes from finishing, I know this firsthand now. But what really happened for me…the new story I wrote became the story I published…Seam Keepers!
Okay, I fibbed a bit. My friend challenged me to write a whole new story, nothing I’d ever written before. But I couldn’t quite bring myself to leave that dreamy setting I had created. So, instead of continuing my original story inside the dream world, I wrote about new characters outside, or what is now the seam surrounding the Dream Realm. I am smiling because now I get to write the sequel, Dream Keepers, picking up with some of my original story ideas from all those years ago.
A literal dream and a writing challenge—that’s how Seam Keepers came to be.
What can we expect from you in the future?
My writing future is glittering in tiny firefly lights. After bringing Seam Keepers to life, I can’t possibly stop creating. I have book two, Dream Keepers, in process now. I have also began plotting a beautiful YA Fantasy, Life Song. Not to mention, I have a fairytale I’m working on with two incredible characters I can’t get out of my head! They will see the light one day. In addition, prompted by a fun challenge from my writing critique group, I wrote a Christmas Paranormal Romance for a holiday themed series with my publisher, The Wild Rose Press. It hasn’t been accepted yet, so I am crossing my fingers. If it’s a big fat rejection, then maybe I will query it somewhere else. Or maybe I will just share it with my followers. It was an absolute delight to write! As always, writing begets more writing…
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
I have learned immense amounts through the process of writing this book. For one, I am a recovering pantser. Unfortunately, Seam Keepers was created linearly, and most certainly, by the seat of my pants! I started at the beginning and wrote until the end. But then the journey really began. I spent hours re-writing the beginning, re-organizing the middle, changing the ending, re-writing the beginning again, deleting and tightening parts in the middle and end, only to do it all again. There was a total of three re-writes with this book.
Honestly, it’s because I had no idea what I was doing. I trusted I had a story to tell, and like an energizer bunny, I worked my heinie off to write it. Since then, I have learned that plotting (at least for the big scenes) isn’t such a bad idea. I’ve slowed down to take writing classes and trusted in the need for beta readers. Most importantly, I’ve learned to save up money to pay a developing editor so in the end, I can query a polished manuscript.
I find it humorous because I had been told some of these important parts about writing before. I guess I had to struggle to realize them for myself. I remember thinking that my original story didn’t need to follow a plot chart. My book could be that really unique story that breaks the mold. Snicker-snicker! Maybe somebody will do that one day. But for now, little ole me is happy to follow the scenes that work in a story because…I want to share my story. I want to write more books. It is a bit of a game to play, to get your story out there. So, if it means I must organize myself a little more than I used to, so be it!
Let’s just say plotting is my goal, although I have at least one foot in my pants at all times.
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
As much as I try plotting my book…being a recovering pantser and all…there are times when my characters need to take the reigns and show me the way. They are the ones living the story, so they know best. I find when I try to coerce them in a direction I think they should go, I am usually—mostly—always wrong. Once my characters start to develop into their own beings, I have to trust them. We do a pretty nice job of working together, especially after all our conversations over coffee and during nature walks. Thankfully, they are kind in their tugs to venture down new paths.
Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
How can I convince you to read my book, Seam Keepers? If you are looking for a fantastical escape…a contemporary coming of age tale with a new version of good versus evil…a natural (and unforced) friendship-to-love relationship…a story with incredible family dynamics, layered beyond what you could ever imagine…bound to otherworldly realms you’ve never read before…filled with dreams, destinies, demons, danger, and dedicated character growth…where the two main POV arcs actually cross over…and with the pacing needed to keep you reading through to the touch-your-heart, girl-has-found-her-power, boy-claims-his-truth ending…then this is the book for you!
If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
If Seam Keepers was a scent, it would be evergreen. The story starts with a dream leading my characters into the woods of the pacific northwest. There’s hemlock and fir, cedar and pine, and with their adventures between realms, these tall beauties were all constant.
Is there a writer which brain you would love to pick for advice? Who would that be and why?
Maggie Stiefvater is an author I would love to sit down and chat with. Her books tend to carve out a little spot in my chest. She is the master of characterization. Her characters are always original and unique, yet I feel like I might run into them on the street somewhere because they are so real. Her story lines are whimsical and creative, but with layers of reality to ground you. I adore getting lost in her worlds.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since high school (way back when), but I never told a soul. It wasn’t until 2017 that I came out publicly as a writer. My joys have been poetry and fantasy fiction (however during my younger years, when my own children were small, I wrote a few picture books…I’ve yet to do anything with). I hope to keep writing until the end of my days. It feels like such a privilege to do so.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
I read every day and love to read fantasy! It’s my favorite genre. I enjoy both contemporary and epic fantasy. And although I read other genres sometimes too, whatever I read, must have some level of magic so that I can escape reality. That’s why I read…to escape the world as we know it. Well, and as an author, I read to improve my own writing.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
I write in silence and with music, both. It depends on what stage of writing I’m in…and how distracted I am. If there is a lot of noise going on around me, then I play wordless background music—usually movie scores, like The Last Airbender, How to Train Your Dragon, The Mortal Instruments, Harry Potter, and many others. If there are no distractions coming from my outside life, then I usually write to the tune of my own voice whispering back the lines I’m drafting or to the computer voice in Word reading back my pages. If I’m at a critical point in my story line, then there’s nothing but silence until I squeal in delight or slump to cry. Again, it all depends on where I am in my writing process.
Pen or type writer or computer?
I pen story ideas in colorful, paper-filled journals, but always I draft on a computer. I love the sound of my fingers pressing keys, and I like to edit as I write, so typing is quicker. Whenever I handwrite, I usually slop my thoughts down in illegible cursive, or doodle flowers and trees, distractedly, so typing is usually the most efficient way for me to create.
Advice they would give new authors?
My advice to new authors: Read books. Write…even when you don’t want to. Take classes. Join writing groups. Go to conferences. Read more books. Immerse yourself in the world of writing. Call yourself a writer. Persevere through rejections and obstacles. Accept that you have room to grow…a lot of room to grow. Keep reading more books. Keep writing. Find a critique group. Create a writing space for yourself. Be kind to yourself. Read even more books! And never—ever—ever—stop writing!
What are they currently reading?
I’ve recently finished reading the Shadow and Bone series from Leigh Bardugo, and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, by V. E. Schwab, and loved them. I am currently in the middle of Laini Taylor’s book, Daughter of Smoke and Bone. My TBR pile is enormous but makes me smile!
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I am happy to be one of many tour hosts sharing information about author Celaine Charles.
Nina Soden 