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The Sacred Band of Thebes lives on, a world away, in this mythic epic of love in war in ancient times.
In 338 BCE, during the Battle of Chaeronea that results in the massacre of the Sacred Band of Thebes, Tempus and his Stepson cavalry rescue twenty three pairs of Theban Sacred Banders, paired brothers and lovers, to fight on other days. These forty-six Thebans, whose bones will never lie in the mass grave that holds their two hundred and fifty-four brothers, join with the immortalized Tempus and his Sacred Band of Stepsons, consummate ancient cavalry fighters, to make new lives in a faraway land and fight the battle of their dreams where gods walk the earth, ghosts take the field, and the angry Fates demand their due.
Best selling author Janet Morris began writing in 1976 and published more than 30 novels, many co-authored with her husband Chris Morris or others. Most of her fiction work was in the fantasy and science fiction genres, although she also wrote historical and other novels. Morris either wrote, contributed to, or edited several book-length works of non-fiction, as well as papers and articles on nonlethal weapons, developmental military technology and other defense and national security topics.
Christopher Crosby Morris (born 1946) is an American author of fiction and non-fiction, as well as a lyricist, musical composer, and singer-songwriter. He is married to author Janet Morris. He is a defense policy and strategy analyst and a principal in M2 Technologies, Inc. He writes primarily as Chris Morris, but occasionally uses pseudonyms.
You could win your choice of print or eBook copy of The Sacred Band, $20 Amazon or PayPal gift card? – 1 winner each!Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
What is something unique/quirky about you?
We breed Morgan horses. We consult with Morgan breeders to help them choose breeding combinations to achieve a desired result.
We are also song writers; Janet plays bass guitar and Chris sings and plays guitar. We have an album on MCA records. Look for Christopher Crosby Morris on Soundcloud or N1M.com
Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
Janet wrote her first book in 1975 and Chris was the first one to read and comment on it. Their marriage survived. A routine emerged where Chris would read aloud all the new drafts and we would make edits on the spot. After a few books Chris’ ideas became frequent enough that we agreed he should have credit for writing, whereas before we had kept separate Janet’s storytelling and Chris’ songwriting. The rest, as they say is history.
Who is your hero and why?
Heraclitus of Ephesus, a pre-socratic philosopher, whose Cosmic Fragments foreshadow our knowledge of reality and how to perceive it. Among his precepts is the statement that change alone is unchanging. We’ve worked Heraclitus’ fragments in here and there throughout our books.
Which of your novels can you imagine being made into a movie?
All of them. We write cinematically, our books are vivid adventures undertaken without knowing the destination. I, the Sun, The Sacred Band, Outpassage and M.E.D.U.S.A.are particularly suited to film. The Threshold Series is a feast of opportunities for today’s special effects creators.
What inspired you, to write The Sacred Band?
We love horses, history and philosophy, so why not an ancient cavalry unit made up of paired fighters led by a centuries-old warrior sage with a god in his head? Tempus and his Sacred Band of Stepsons are made from their moment which stretches across all of recorded history.
Who designed your book covers?
Most of our covers, including The Sacred Band are realized by Roy Mauritsen, a gifted graphic artist.
Advice to writers?
As for advice to writers, here is all we know: write the story you want to read. Start at the beginning, go to the end, and stop. Seriously. From start to finish you must inhabit the construct in a manner that makes the reader choose to continue; if you, as the writer, can’t feel what it’s like being there, your readers can’t either. So close your eyes, look at your feet where they are standing on the story’s ground; tell me what you see. Tell me what you hear. Ask at the end of each paragraph ‘what happens next?’. If you lose touch with it, wait until you’re back inside it. Tell the story that comes to you, and from you, to me.
Don’t miss the rest of the Sacred Band Series!
The Sacred Band of Stepsons series is Homeric and heroic fiction following the exploits of an ancient cavalry unit modeled on the Sacred Band of Thebes. Deftly mixing history, myth, and fantasy, Morris’ Sacred Band of Stepsons live and die in a world where gods are real and magic works — sometimes.
Morris’ accursed cavalry commander, Tempus, first appeared Sacred Band first appeared in the million-selling Thieves’ world shared-universe in 1981. Subsequently, Janet Morris, first alone and subsequently with her husband Chris Morris, take the Sacred Band into their own series of novels, set in the fourth century BCE. Passionate, gritty, lyrical prose and unforgettable characters make this series. Perseid Press Sacred Band novels includes the “Author’s Cut” of the Beyond Sanctuary Trilogy and Tempus, as well as the epic novel The Sacred Band, and The Fish the Fighters and the Song-girl.
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The Hawthorne University Witch Prequel Series Book 3
by A.L. Hawke
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Romantasy
Burn the Witch.
Allie and I were meant to have a future together—one built on love, not fear. But here in Hawthorne, shadows lengthen, and whispers drift through the woods like curses. So when Alondra falls mysteriously ill, I know exactly who’s behind it.
Desperation drags me into the darkest corners of my magic—places where I no longer fear the spells I once vowed never to cast. Even joining a coven of the wicked no longer feels like betrayal. The deeper I descend, the more I uncover about the witch who haunts me… and the shadow that may not belong to her alone.
Walpurgis Night approaches—the night witches burn. But what happens when it’s the warlock who strikes the match… willing to burn everything—my heart, my soul—to save the one I love?
**New Release! On Sale for Only $2.99 until 10/31!**
The Hawthorne University Witch Prequel Series Book 2
Cursed the moment I fell in love with her.
While home in Raleigh for semester break, I didn’t expect my girlfriend, Alondra, to ask me for a favor: present my Book of Shadows to the leader of a satanic cult. She was looking for a new male witch for her coven. Of course, she knew it wouldn’t be me.
But when a curse took hold of our college campus—and the spirits I thought I’d left behind came back—I realized I couldn’t keep the book closed much longer.
Now something dark surrounds me. Is it the work of the wizard with the devilish goatee? Or is it a little girl possessed by something far worse?
I lit a dark shadow, and now I feel only confusion. Whatever this darkness is, it’s coming for Alondra, our family, and every witch in Hawthorne.
The Hawthorne University Witch Prequel Series Book 1
I fell in love with a goth, but she’s a witch.
Starting school at Hawthorne University was not going well, until I met my classmate Alondra. Allie was different. She was goth. But she was also mysterious, confident and fun. I was into that. My name’s Liam. My friends call me Lee.
Things got weird after I accompanied her to her haunts. Poltergeists and demons attacked little girls. I watched Alondra help exorcise these ghosts, but some of their evil stuck to me.
Well, being attracted to a witch was one thing; dating one was quite another. It seemed the closer I got to Allie, the more her witchcraft endangered my friends. And my soul. You decide. I chronicled everything here in her book.
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 & mayhem.
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What inspired you to write this book?
The characters. When the Hawthorne University series was written, I focused on Cadence Hawthorne. But I’ll never forget a reader telling me that they wanted to learn more about Cadence’s antagonist—her teacher and witch mentor—Alondra. Then I thought of the fun of writing about characters in the 1990s.
So I embarked on creating the book Alondra, the first book in my prequel series. But Alondra always felt unfinished. I mean, there’s no cliffhangers, but I felt like there was so much more between her love relationship with Liam that it necessitated more stories. That made me write Book of Shadow.
In Book of Shadow, I “reversed” the last books of the Hawthorne series. In the last book of that series, Cadence learns to be evil to fight evil. Well, I wanted to see what would happen if Liam became evil in the prequel series. And, more particularly, what would happen if he became an evil witch like his girlfriend Alondra. That’s what Book of Shadow and Walpurgis are about. His and Alondra’s struggle with evil.
Convince us why you feel your book is a must-read.
Aside from it being Halloween 😉 I mean, it’s a witchy dark fantasy romance. And not only is the book about witches, it’s real researched occult magic. For instance, the enemies in Book of Shadow and Walpurgis are a satanic cult based more on Thelema and Crowley magic than Wicca. So it’s interesting to see what happens when practitioners of moon witchcraft fight wizards and cult members practicing “real” magic’k’.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in the books?
Alondra is a wicked witch quite sure of herself. Cadence is the opposite in the main series, unsure of herself and humble. Alondra has this same interaction in her romantic relationship to Liam in the prequel books (‘cause Liam is most similar to Cadence). So I think the fun of the series is this interaction between Alondra with Liam and, later, Alondra with Cadence Hawthorne.
What can we expect from you in the future?
Oh, boy… I’m in between projects. It took a lot out of me to spin out these two yarns, Book of Shadow and Walpurgis, in such a short time, so now I’m in a bit of a hiatus. I’m in the beginning stages of four possible projects: a conclusion to my Furies series, a vampire romance, a short story about Enora (another witch from the series), or a mythological story about Medusa in ancient Greece. I’ve always wanted to write a vampire book as a paranormal novelist so I’m probably going in that direction.
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reins?
My characters lead every story. I watch from behind the scenes. Mostly, the whole story is created through their eyes. But there are some scenes that were created from settings. My book Haunting Joy, for instance, about a ghost romance was more created by the Vermont woods as a setting in my head. But even there, there wouldn’t be a story without the whimsical ghost character.
Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
All my contemporary romance books are cinematic. Particularly, the Hawthorne Witch series, including this prequel series, is written in present tense, first-person. I did that to create a more action-packed feel than some of my other novels. I find that perfect for cinema. Truly, I write with images in my mind, so it’s not hard to see those images put up on a silver screen. Trouble, of course, is cost. For now, I’ve settled with a love for creating audiobooks of all the novels and short stories. That’s been a blast, particularly with the amazing talents of my narrators, Alexa Elmy and Preston Geer.
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
For Walpurgis, it’s fire. I don’t want to give away too much, but you can just look at the cover. Fire represents cleansing or burning away. Of course, in ancient times, witches were literally burned at the stake. Well, in Walpurgis, a little girl hunts witches. And she wants to burn them all—and the ones most threatened are the main characters Liam and Alondra.
Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
The entire series is a prequel to my bestselling Hawthorne University Witch Series. But it takes place twenty years ago, so that we can learn about Cadence’s teacher back when Cadence was a student. The series, now spanning thirteen books, has a ton of side stories and bingeworthy material to enjoy 😉 And you can start with this series or with Broomstick.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I’ve always been fascinated by religious studies. All the studying I did about the occult made these witch projects really interesting. I also loved romance, the push and pull of love between a man fallen head over heels for a witch—but not only a witch, a bad witch. That femme fatale thing was loads of fun to write.
What’s a fun fact or behind-the-scenes tidbit about the book or writing process?
I’ll tell you one. The hallucination or ritual scenes were extremely challenging. It’s all about showing imagery popping up in my imagination—sometimes connected with the plot or something with the occult—other times with no connection at all to anything. Just like in the book Ravens, I shut off all lights and turned off my computer screen, feeling for keys, so that I could try to directly jot down the happenings in my head. You can’t think these scenes. You’ve gotta approach it with disorder to get it right, I think. And I was happy with the result.
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Two high school sweet hearts, one charming small town, and flames of chemistry that are hard to deny…
Best-selling author Libby Kay romances hearts with her sweet stories about family, friends, and love. Fans of Sherryl Woods’ Sweet Magnolias series are finding all the feels with Old Flames, the latest amazing story set in small town America. Don’t miss this enduring sweet romance!
Two high school sweet hearts, one charming small town, and flames of chemistry that are hard to deny…
Jessie “JJ” Mays has seen it all. Her job in the Peace Corps has put the world at her feet, with adventure calling with every new assignment. Yet after a decade of traveling, she’s become a little lonely—and unable to get over her first love. Soon an emergency phone call from home has her on the next plane, but will her heart survive this visit?
Malcolm “Smithy” Smith loves his smalltown life. His career as a fireman and EMT is fulfilling, his soap opera starlet mother keeps him on his toes, and he’s got a great group of friends. The only thing he doesn’t have—the love of his life by his side. No matter the distractions, he still misses JJ with a fierceness that consumes him.
When a call to a warehouse fire goes from routine to catastrophic, Malcolm is injured and unable to perform the job he loves. The only upside of having a building fall on him? His girl is back in Pinegrove ready to nurse him back to health. And hopefully, this visit is for good…
With some help from the residents of Pinegrove, JJ and Smithy will discover that sometimes, first love burns brightest.
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 where they recommend romance books and interview authors, influencers, and publishers. Check it out for your weekly dose of romance!
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.
A relentless thriller that explores the unbreakable bonds that transcend time.
‘I could barely put this book down! The twists and turns. The references to current political climate and the unanswered “who dun it” questions kept me engaged until the last page. Great read. Fast paced and an unexpected ending. Kudos for Wendroff’s debut novel!’ – Amazon review
‘I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat. He is a colorful writer and the characters just come to life. They become very real, and the interplay between them is really intriguing. I highly recommend this book.’ – Amazon review
**Paperback edition just released Oct 7, 2025 – Get it now!**
Michael Wendroff is the author of What Goes Around, a debut thriller published by Bloomsbury, which bestselling author Eric Rickstad calls a “brilliant debut,” and bestselling author Lisa Black says, “starts off at a breakneck pace and doesn’t let up until it reaches its unexpected conclusion.” Plus, #1 bestselling author J.D. Black says, “Relentless and gritty, Wendroff expertly weaves a narrative that begs, ‘just one more page…’”
The book was inspired by what his mother said to him the second he was born: “Oh! How nice to see you–Again!”
Michael has an MBA in marketing from NYU, and was inducted into their Hall of Fame. He is a global marketing consultant. He shares his time between New York City, Sarasota, Florida, and Lake Garda, Italy. He is married and has three wonderful children.
His mother was an editor (watching his mother scribbling in red ink on manuscript pages at home on weekends prepared him for his own editor’s comments!). She remarried a literary agent, so Michael was friendly with many authors, and even spent a vacation with Robert Ludlum. Watching Ludlum hand-write his 450 page novels on yellow legal pads didn’t dissuade Michael from trying to write a novel (though he’s thankful for his PC).
What Goes Around was launched in the USA, UK, and Australia, and foreign language rights have been sold in Italian, Japanese, and Hungarian. The hardcover went through 3 printings, and now the trade paperback is available (along with audio book and e-book).
Fun fact: Michael’s great-grandfather was brought over by Thomas Edison from the University of Copenhagen to work with him. He holds a number of patents, including for plastic buttons. Michael proudly wears button- down shirts whenever he can.
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When did the title “What Goes Around” come to you?
I have to admit that it came from my publisher, not me. My name had been “Perennial.” My publisher came to me and said that for a thriller, they thought they could do better. Now, in my marketing career I would often have ad agencies come in and show me a number of ads and I would normally end up having them make revisions or come back with new ads. I thought the same thing would happen here, but it didn’t. As soon as they suggested What Goes Around, I knew that was it! Not only does it sound like a thriller, but it totally ties into the entire book’s theme. Plus I also think the potential reader that sees the title completes the phrase in their own mind, so I’ve already made a connection with them.
Described as relentless and gritty and about to go into second print…what do you want us to know about the book?
It’s actually now into its third printing, I’m proud to say. It was published in the USA,UK and Australia in hardcover. You can get it at The Island Book shop in Venice. It is also available on Amazon in eBook and audiobooks. I’m amazed how popular audiobooks have become. And to my surprise, my agent sold foreign translation rights in Japanese, Hungarian, and Italian.
You mentioned, “relentless and gritty,” and I was thrilled to see that the author who said that has now made it to #1 on the bestseller list. In fact, JD Barker’s full quote was, “Relentless and gritty, Wendroff weaves a narrative that begs, ‘just one more page…'” And that’s exactly what I wanted to achieve–a page turner that the reader can’t put down.
Promoting the book is a challenge but with an MBA in marketing and your background in the publishing field in a literary agency you may’ve seen what it takes. And now that you’ve achieved a lifelong goal of writing your own book, what’s next?
I always wanted to write a book and it was really the pandmic that got me going-there was that periodof time when you couldn’t do anything, couldn’t even play tennis or go to the beach. So I was out of excuses and went at it. Rightnow, I’m spending a lot of time promoting it. Authors have to realize that today, writing is only 50% of their time, the other 50% is marketing. I’ve done a lot of podcasts, been reviewed by a lot of bloggers (I’m really happy the reviews have been great), and attend a lot of events, including book clubs. The bookclubs sem to really enjoy having a real writer at their meetings, providing insights about the novel as well as the writing and publishing process. In fact, I’d be happy to join any of your readers book clubs (contact me at wendroffm@gmail.com).
My next goal is to write my second book. I’ve plotted it and researched it, so now time to start writing! It will be another thriller and feature the two main characters from What Goes Around, as publishers tend to like series. It’s like building a brand.
What inspires you to write and tell us about your process. Do you write at a certain time, place…You mentioned your office and pool area.I notice you recently enrolled in the Citizens Police Academy in Venice to learn to shoot a taser….what are other things you enjoy researching for your stories. Do you feel it worked for you starting with an outline?
I love writing, and my process is plot, research, write, and edit.
I usually write in the mornings, when I’m freshest, either in my office or at the pool. The water inspires me, that’s another reason Venice is great-beaches, ponds-I don’t even mind the alligators staring at me. I usually sit at my pc to get the story going, and not worry about things like grammer or the specific words, I just want to get the writing flowing. The next morning I will reread what I’d written, and try to make it real writing. Make sure every word fits with the others, make sure each sentence fits with the others. Add the analogies and metaphors. After that’s done, I’ll start scribbling out the next party of the story on my pc, which will be re-written the next day. That process of write then rewrite continues everyday, until I can write my favorite two words: The End
But before I actually start the writing itself, comes the plotting. There are actually two types of writers-plotters and pantsers.Pantsers simply sit in front of their computers and write by the seat of their pants. They have no idea where the story is going. That’s not be. I have to know everything upfront, so after ideating I write a detailed plot outline. I need to know not only what the ending will be, but where I’ll plant the red herrings, and where I’ll put the twists and turns. Nut it’s not like things won’t change. Once I became really attached to one of my characters, and the plot called for the character to die, but I couldn’t do it. I had to change the plot. Another time I did kill off a character I loved, but my wife yelled at me because I was walking around for a week in depression. She said “They’re not real!!.” But to an author, they are real!
The other thing I do before writing is the researching. Sure there’s Google and Chat GPT, but what I found is best is talking to people who do the types of things that are in your book. Living in Venice, I had a lot of resources. I’d come to know FBI agents and police officers and chiefs. And the Venice Police department is great. It was important for my book to talk to a female detective and they put me in touch with one of their own, Courtney Zak. She was great, and a lot of her insights are in the book. The Venice Police Department actually runs a “Citizens Police Academy” where you can learn about all the different facets of the things they do, and I just finished it, which I highly recommend for anyone.
So talking to people for research is critical. Now, I don’t think I spoke to any serial killers…
Anything you want to share about family, kids, upbringing? I like that quote your mother said when you were born, “Nice to see you again.”
My mother was an editor at major New York City publishing firms. I distinctly remember her on a weekend sitting cross-legged on her bed, manuscript pages, strewn about, and red pen in hand writing editorial comments all over the pages. So at least I was prepared for my editor’s comments on my book. They weren’t in red pen, but the comments in the margins of the word document were as instructive. But I wasn’t surprised.
She remarried a literary agent, who had many thriller and mystery writer clients, so I probably got my love of the genre from reading all those books, free! Unfortunately he’s no longer with us, but I think still had an impact. My agent had been shopping around my manuscript to publishers, which takes a lot of time. But the very next day after my stepfather died, my book was sold! So I think I had a little help from above.
Is there an anecdote you could share about authors you ran into when growing up?
Actually, I’ve got one for both!
My stepfather was a literary agent and one of his clients was the bestselling author, Robert Ludlum (many know him for the Jason Bourne movies with Matt Damon). Once I got to stay at his winter home in St. Thomas. I remember waking up one morning, going into his living room and seeing him on the couch writing on a yellow legal pad with a pencil. That’s how he wrote his 450 page novels, by hand! While I admired Ludlum’s plotting and prose, I couldn’t do that! Thankfully, when it came time for me to write What Goes Around, I had a PC!
Regarding Capote, I grew up in a bit of a literary milieu, then went to NYU for business. It was when writing my MBA thesis that I was able to marry my love of books with my new love of marketing, as my thesis was on “Marketing in the Publishing Industry.” In fact, the industry’s trade journal, Publishers Weekly, excerpted my thesis in 3 editions, and paid me. That was the first time I got paid for my writing–I liked that!
During the research for it I interviewed a lot of publishing executives. One time I was waiting outside the office of the Editor-in-Chief for Simon& Schuster, and finally the door opens, and I’m ushered in and who do I meet–Truman Capote! As a thriller writer, meeting the author of In Cold Blood was amazing! And he looked exactly as you’d imagine.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Believe in yourself and never give up.
Write every day, even if it’s only 10 minutes.
Learn your craft–there are so many opportunities! Online courses (I took courses on BBC Maestro from Lee Child and Harlan Coben). Conventions-Thrillerfest in NYC puts on great craft seminars. There are writing groups too. Read in your genre and never stop learning.
What advice would you give to your neighbors about life?
Wow,that’s a big question.
But I guess it boils down to be nice. Because, What Goes Around, Comes Around!
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What would you do if you woke up a different age and gender?
A global phenomenon is rewriting the laws of biology, causing men over fifty-five and women between eighteen and forty to suddenly and inexplicably switch their ages and genders. No one understands it, and no one can stop it.
Maxine thinks she can stay on the sidelines, supporting her brilliant boyfriend-turned-girlfriend Jo—an audacious biotech pioneer, who’s breaking new ground with brain-to-brain communication. But when the transformation strikes Maxine, her reality is flipped upside down.
Now facing an unexpected future, Max must grapple with their identity, struggling to align who they were with who they have become. Can they reclaim control over a life that’s no longer theirs, or will they be swept away by the changes they never asked for?
Angela Lam writes across all genres, from romance (The Women of the Crush series) to memoir (Red Eggs and Good Luck) to thrillers (No Amends) and science fiction (Switched). Sometimes, she writes under a pen name to keep things interesting (The Heroic Adventures of Madame X). The rest of the time, she is busy exploring mixed-media art and teaching others what she knows.
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What inspired you to write this book?
A few things coalesced around the same time: I read The Last White Man by Mohsim Hamid and admired his ability to transcend racism through magical realism. I finally read The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and was haunted by the dystopian world where women lost all rights. I was still recovering from the pandemic and could not write directly about it since no one wanted to publish anything to do with it. And, finally, my own experience within my immediate circle of influence regarding the challenges posed by transgenderism, bisexuality, and ageism surfaced. All of these factors, both read and experienced, inspired Switched.
I like how Publisher’s Weekly Booklife Prize describes the novel: “Ultimately, the work’s greatest strength lies in its examination of age, gender, and sexuality–and how these characteristics inform identity and relationships with others.” That’s what I was aiming for, and I’m thankful the reviewers at Publisher’s Weekly recognized that accomplishment.
What can we expect from you in the future?
I don’t know. As I said before, I’m still recovering from my concussion and haven’t been writing. But I am leaving all doors open, all things possible, so you’ll have to sign up for my newsletter or visit my social media sites periodically to see what transpires.
Where did you come up with the names in the story?
I needed names that could be both genders, so that’s how I came up with Joe/Jo and Maxine/Max.
How did you come up with name of this book?
Ugh. I hate titles. I wish the publishers would name all of my books, but they don’t. I tried out several titles with beta readers and selected the one with the most positive votes. That’s how I ended up with Switched.
What did you edit out of this book? I edited out an entire point of view. Originally, Switched toggled back and forth between Maxine’s story and Joe’s story. But when I was in developmental edits, my editor said she was confused. The story was too complicated. Did I want to focus on corporate espionage and gender discrimination in the workplace, or did I want a more intimate story about how gender impacts daily life? I chose the latter and scrapped Joe’s chapters. Some readers will sense the ghost of this absence. But the things I don’t show from Joe’s point of view are covered by Maxine’s point of view as the romantic partner who knows Joe better than anyone else. So, there is a shadow of that other story lingering in this novel.
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.
Dangerous games. Kill or be killed. Can she survive a king’s ruthless arena?
Clarissa craves an escape. An orphan forced into criminal acts with other kids by their caretaker, she longs to break free and become a healer. But when an archenemy provokes a deadly confrontation, the seventeen-year-old awakens hidden powers in an explosive and fiery defense.
Seized by soldiers and taken to the capital along with her only friend, Clarissa trains alongside other slaves to fight in the royal army. But surrounded by mysterious strangers and running low on trust, the desperate captive fears graduation day will be her last.
Is Clarissa destined to die in chains?
Rising Ember is the thrilling first book in the Forbidden Chronicles YA dystopian fantasy series. If you like strong-willed heroines, nail-biting drama, and clean slow-burn romance, then you’ll love Sara Wright’s action-packed adventure.
Buy Rising Ember to ignite destiny today!
**Get signed & special editions with maps, bookmarks & sprayed edges at Sara’s Store!**
Sara Wright is the author of The Progenitor Chronicles and Forbidden Chronicles, a YA dystopian fantasy series packed with rebellion, elemental powers, and clean slow-burn romance.
She currently lives on Earth, her favorite vacation planet, with her husband and their very opinionated fur baby. But most days, she’s off exploring shattered kingdoms, star-spanning civilizations, and the occasional multiverse with her lifelong companions: Imagination and Creativity.
Raised on bedtime stories and fueled by a steady diet of fantasy, sci-fi, and a sweet topping of romance, Sara now writes tales for readers who crave action, heart, and hope. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her cycling, hiking, or singing dramatically to songs she swears are soundtracks to her books.
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From a Headache to a Dystopian Universe: The Surprising Origins of Rising Ember
Discover how a single sentence from my husband during a migraine spiraled into a clean dystopian fantasy series full of elemental powers, rebellion, and love.
One day I had a massive headache. The world was on pause while I lay there with my eyes closed until the meds kicked in. My lovely husband held me in his arms and caressed my hair. The problem was I was wide awake and needed to get a million things done. So, I did what any storyteller or bookworm would do—I asked him to tell me a story. And he did.
This is what he came up with:
“There was a world with people, and they have fire eyes. They wield fire. Like they can turn it on and off like a switch.”
That was it, the entire story. It only took that to get me piecing everything together in my head. Soon I had a short story rough draft written in the world (read Altered Rain). To get inside the characters’ heads, I would listen to a particular song (“Lacrymosa” by Evanescence, if you’re curious). This ultimately inspired me to pen a novella, offering a peek into a world overtaken by the primary antagonist (read Ruined Ashes). That one line led to a short story, a novella, and a full six-book series.
At first, I didn’t know if the stories were pure fantasy or pure dystopian. Some scenes that played in my mind leaned very fantasy with horses and medieval style weaponry. But then one day, a scene of the protagonist heading to the upper levels on a lift formed, and I saw the realm more clearly.
This world was set within the ruins of the past. While they have futuristic technology, it doesn’t work everywhere. Sometimes using a horse or an old-world weapon is necessary. Your access to technology is determined by your societal status.
It kind of reminded me of The Shannara Chronicles, a post-apocalyptic world with elves, dwarfs, and other fantasy creatures. Except, instead of elves and dwarves, humans developed elemental powers. Rising Ember is a blend of the old with the new, which is something I really love to explore in all my books. An urban setting with hovercars and force fields, but also rural communities that feel more old-world fantasy.
While I love to write what I want to read, I knew that wasn’t enough to publish this book. I needed to meet the reader’s expectations, too. At this point, I wasn’t sure what genre I was going to steer the story toward. So, I dived into the top young adult dystopian and fantasy books, both traditional and indie published to find out what readers wanted within these two similar yet distinct genres. It was a bummer reading all those books (just kidding).
You can’t really read through the YA dystopian genre without considering one of the most popular books in our modern era—The Hunger Games. One thing I love most about this franchise is how many layersSuzanne Collins weaves into the narrative. From the simple act of Katniss feeling uncomfortable in her clothes, to the cinnamon roll love interest, Peeta, there are so many interesting arcs and tropes throughout the story.
But I believe the most iconic part of the books is the arena. While I included this aspect in the story, there were other influences that altered how I presented it. A little American Ninja Warrior anyone? Maybe combined with your worst nightmares?
But what about the fantasy aspects I wanted to include? How could I incorporate fire wielders in the middle of a dystopian world?
Well, I found several books that incorporated some type of superpowers—one being Red Queen. The thing I loved about this series is that Mare isn’t entirely ignorant of the world the way Katniss was. Mare became a pawn, but she knew it and immediately fought back. But maybe the aspect I admired most was Cal’s fire and the betrayal twists throughout the narrative. The bond between the two main characters was also electrifying (pun intended).
Then I came across two interesting indie series by the same author—Recruitment and The Crue Chronicles. Storylines occur in the same world, and superpowers come into play. While they’re a little more tech manipulation than in my story, the power struggles between the elite and those emerging into the world ignite the right kind of rebellion that I am trying to balance in my story.
I read Shadow and Bone—a fantasy set in a broken czar styled world with characters who could manipulate powers. And the blend of old-world and new-world technology was fascinating to me. The interplay of darkness and light, along with the chosen one trope, really had me hooked.
The only thing I really wasn’t fond of was the heat levels of the romances in Red Queen. Because my romance writing style is a lot more like The Selection or The Princess Trials (without the 30 something girls competing to win over the guy). I’d rather see the intensity of the main characters holding hands for the first time. Or finally confessing their feelings in the middle of a battle rather than having a fade-to-black scene.
When I came up for air, I realized I wasn’t writing pure fantasy or pure dystopian—I was writing dystopian fantasy. Which is perfect for me because I love to blend sci-fi and fantasy elements.
From these inspirations, I created a futuristic kingdom discriminating against and imprisoning fire wielding humans—descendants of an ancient accident—because they are viewed as “other”. Since it’s a long-standing real-world problem, its inclusion in the story felt organic. The protagonist’s orphan status, a result of past genocide, is consistent with the dystopian setting.
Pure sci-fi element stories aren’t really my thing. You see, I’ve always been drawn to blending sci-fi and fantasy where futuristic tech and elemental powers coexist. One of my readers said that she was a fantasy reader that fancied herself a sci-fi queen. And that’s something I hear from a lot of fantasy readers. They’ll watch sci-fi, but they won’t read it.
Maybe it’s because I grew up on Disney princess movies and Star Trek. Maybe it’s because I was obsessed with Lord of the Rings but also devoured TheHandmaid’s Tale. My obsession with combing sci-fi and fantasy with romance subplots has firmly taken root in my stories. Elements from all my favorite stories usually weave their way into my worlds—especially the beautiful dresses for those swoony dance scenes.
I say all of this because the inspiration of a story can be complicatedly woven with a multitude of decisions. I suppose everything from an author’s life makes its way into a book they create. Even though it started with a single sentence from my husband mentioned while having a headache, it was a lifetime of reading, writing, and dreaming that brought Rising Ember, the first book in the Forbidden Chronicles universe, to life.
Want to explore this world of clean, romantic sci-fi fairytales? The spark of this alliance starts right 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.
What would you risk to prove you belong – Your life? Your freedom? Or the fate of a kingdom?
She’s young, gifted, and desperate to prove she belongs. But some lessons come with a cost.
Torvia has one goal: to earn her place as a royal guard and repay the prince who saved her life. But despite her powerful magic, the prince refuses to send her into danger, and the princess wants her in court.
Everyone has a plan for Torvia’s future. None of them match her own.
So when a charming older boy offers secret lessons and a chance to escape her overprotective guardian, Torvia is tempted. He’s clever. He listens. And the magic he shows her is unlike anything she’s seen before.
But every step she takes draws her further from the path she planned – and one wrong move could cost her the mission, her future, and the prince who’s counting on her.
The Cost of Magic is a dark coming-of-age prequel to The Intrigue of Magic, a young adult epic fantasy series, perfect for readers who crave fierce heroines, tangled loyalties, and the high price of choosing your own path.
Start The Cost of Magic today and discover how one girl’s ambition can change the fate of a kingdom.
A world ruled by magic. A palace full of secrets. A girl who refuses to back down.
Seventeen-year-old Alice Harper had her future mapped out—win an archery scholarship, protect her friends, and stay in control. But when a portal hurls her into a kingdom where magic rules and obedience means survival, she lands in a palace gripped by fear—and under the eye of the most powerful man in the realm.
The Royal Mage doesn’t just control the court—he controls people. With power, with fear, with enchantments no one dares resist. And for reasons Alice can’t explain, he’s taken a disturbing interest in her.
The only person who seems to want to help is the prince. He’s charming, clever—and very possibly lying. Caught between dangerous truths and beautiful deceits, Alice must decide who to trust before her friends are lost forever.
She’s not afraid of a fight. But in a world where magic is control, and trust is the most dangerous choice of all, surviving will take more than arrows—it will take everything she’s got.
The Discovery of Magic is the thrilling first book in The Intrigue of Magic, a YA epic fantasy series perfect for fans of court intrigue, character-driven fantasy, and bold heroines who don’t just survive—they fight for each other.
Buy The Discovery of Magic today to enter a world where freedom is fragile—and every alliance comes at a cost.
What readers are saying:
‘A creative first novel in the Intrigue of Magic series, the contemporary characters are endearing and believable figures with magical threats, delicate alliances, and savvy manipulators at every turn. The world-building is strong, with thematic undercurrents pointing back to contemporary life in a way that inspires a continuing sense of empathy for the characters. Evias’ care with character interaction and modern-day social parallels make it a distinctly compelling start to a new series.’ – Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★
‘The world-building is great with detailed political structure and magical elements…Evias dishes up the angst that accompanies young love, and…is authentic in depicting the frustrations of youth…Overall, this is a thoughtful and well-executed entry to a new series and I look forward to seeing where we go next’ – Asher Syed,Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★★
‘…offers a balance of lightheartedness and tension, making it accessible to both younger and older audiences. This first book in the series holds great promise and delivers a charming and enjoyable story.’ – Carol Thompson, Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★
‘L. J. Evias’ thrilling fantasy adventure will keep readers glued to the pages…The Discovery of Magic is a well-written, clean fantasy to be enjoyed by fantasy lovers young and old’ – Delene Vrey, Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★★
‘The Discovery of Magic is a compelling start to what promises to be an exceptional fantasy series for readers who appreciate carefully crafted magical worlds and meaningful character growth. I cannot wait to see what comes next.’ – K.C. Finn, Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★★
‘A suspense-filled, magical adventure with a strong, reckless protagonist to root for. Highly recommended!’ – The Wishing Shelf, ★★★★
L. J. Evias writes exclusively in the fantasy genre, infusing stories with a dash of adventure and mystery. In Evias’s worlds, moral absolutes do not exist, giving life to a diverse cast of intriguing characters.
The Intrigue of Magic is Evias’s debut series, featuring accessible world-building, intricate plots, and unforgettable heroes and villains. Released in 2024, The Discovery of Magic is the first book in this series.
When not immersed in the pages of a novel, Evias enjoys real-world adventures both in the UK and abroad. The enchanting settings of The Intrigue of Magic series draw inspiration from personal travels, notably the unique architecture and evocative landscapes of Morocco.
Bonus material and a sample short story are available from the author’s website.
One of the most magical things about writing is knowing that words travel farther than I ever could on my own. A story written in the quiet of my office in North Alabama can end up being read in a coffee shop in Oregon, a library in New York, or maybe even on a balcony somewhere in Paris. That thought makes me smile every single time.
And it also makes me curious.
Today, I want to turn the spotlight around and ask you a question: 👉 Where in the world are you reading from?
Whether you’re in the United States or across the globe, I’d love to see how far this little community of readers and writers stretches. Drop your city and state (or country if you’re outside the U.S.) in the comments below.It’s a simple way for us to connect, and I think it’ll be fun to see the map of our community unfold together.
Why I’m Asking
Part of being a writer — and honestly, part of being human — is being fascinated by stories. And to me, places carry stories just as much as people do. Your hometown, your current city, the little café or park where you like to read — these are all threads of the bigger story we’re building here as a community.
It also helps me shape the kind of content I share. If many of you are local, maybe I’ll start highlighting more North Alabama literary events or indie bookstore happenings. If a lot of you are scattered far and wide, I might focus more on universal themes — the writing process, character creation, and the joy (and chaos) of storytelling.
A Little About Me
If you’re new here, welcome! My name is Nina Soden, and I wear a couple of hats:
✍️ Author— I write urban fantasy and dystopian fiction, and I share behind-the-scenes peeks into my writing journey here on the blog.
🏡 Realtor— When I’m not building fictional worlds, I’m helping families buy and sell homes in North Alabama. (It’s another kind of storytelling, really — every home holds a history, and every move begins a new chapter.)
🎭 Theatre Enthusiast — The stage has always been a second home for me. Whether I’m performing in a local production or lending my voice to a reading, theatre keeps my creativity alive in a way that fuels everything else I do. If you haven’t seen my weekly Theatre newsletter… check out the September 9, 2025 issue HERE and make sure to let me know if you want to subscribe!
❤️ Family Gal — At the heart of it all, I’m a wife, a mom, and someone who believes that family is the foundation of every life worth living. My family keeps me grounded, inspires me, drives me to keep going, and cheers me on through every new adventure.
I love that my life blends all these worlds together. My readers get a peek into my real estate life, my clients discover my books, and sometimes my theatre friends end up in both! It’s all connected by one simple truth: I love people, and I love stories.
Your Turn!
So now it’s time for you to chime in.
Where are you reading from?
Do you prefer curling up with a book in your favorite chair, or are you a café reader?
And just for fun — what’s the last book you finished?
Drop your answers in the comments below. I’ll be reading every single one, and who knows — I might even feature a few responses in a future post.
Thanks for being here, for reading, and for sharing this journey with me. I can’t wait to see where in the world you’re reading from!
✨ If you’re enjoying the blog, don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss future posts. And if you ever find yourself curious about North Alabama real estate — whether you’re moving here, away from here, or just like to browse beautiful homes — let me know. I’d be happy to share that side of my world with you, too. ✨
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.
Love, laughter, and a little kitchen chaos are on the menu in Recipe for Love!
When a sous chef with secrets clashes with a showrunner chasing a viral hit, sparks fly hotter than the stove.
Karmen Artos, a sous chef at Feline Fine Retirement Home, is horrified when two of the residents hijack her kitchen. Worse yet, they’ve created an Internet cooking show that has gone viral. The recipes are revolting, but viewers are wild for ‘Grandma’s Witchin’ Kitchen!’
Devon Winger, a down-on-his-luck showrunner, arrives in Cat’s Paw Cove to convince the eccentric elderly Internet stars to take the show to the next level — a ShowFlix series. The magical stars are tickled at the idea, but Karmen is dead set against revealing the sanctuary for supernaturals to the world.
Can Karmen convince the sexy Devon that the show will be a dud? Or will Devon realize there’s more to the quirky retirement home than meets the camera’s eye?
Sharon Buchbinder has been writing fiction since middle school and has the rejection slips to prove it. A retired RN and professor, she is the author of the Hotel LaBelle Series, the Jinni Hunter Series, and the Obsession Series. She also has seven books in the Cats Paw Cove Series, a magical place where anything can happen–and does! When not writing, she can be found walking her dogs, herding cats, or breaking bread and laughing with family and friends.
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.
Sometimes, one voice is all it takes to awaken hundreds.
A New Life
Reflections of Michael Book 4
by L.J. Ambrosio
Genre: Contemporary LGBTQ Fiction, Coming of Age
From America to the streets of Paris, A New Life follows two friends as they navigate grief, love, and self-discovery in a city filled with history and hope. A New Life is a story that lingers long after the last page.
What Readers are saying:
“A heartfelt continuation of The Reservoir Man series, taking readers on an emotional journey through friendship, grief, and self-discovery. Set against the evocative backdrop of Paris, this novel follows the touching bond between Ron, a kind and grounded man, and Louie, a young gay man struggling with his sense of self. Ambrosio masterfully portrays the evolving relationship between the two, echoing the mentor-mentee dynamic seen in earlier books. Louie’s vulnerability and innocence shine through, while Ron’s compassion and strength help guide him through confusion and loneliness. Their moments together are filled with laughter, conflict, understanding, and ultimately growth. The emotional depth of this story is its true strength. From joy to sorrow, the book invites readers to feel alongside the characters. The final scene is especially poignant—both heartbreaking and healing.” – Amazon Reviewer
“A New Life continues the journey of familiar characters we’ve come to love, and yes, we still get that charming bookstore setting and Paris, which basically makes this the cozy, wanderlust-y read of the season. Ambrosio knows how to tell a story that pulls you right in and gives you all the feels. Ron and Louie’s friendship gets deeper, there’s a solid dose of personal growth, and just when you think things are on solid ground—bam, a twist. Classic.
If you’re already a fan of the trilogy, definitely keep going with this one. And if you’re new to it all, start from the beginning—you’ll thank me later.” – Amazon Reviewer
Louis J. Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in Los Angeles and New York. He started his career as a theatrical producer, running two major regional theaters for eight seasons. Ambrosio taught at 7 Universities. Ambrosio also distinguished himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course of his impressive career.
Nina Soden 