Today, I am pleased to welcome Maltese author Rowena Grech to talk to us about her collection of dark fairytale retellings Ktieb Tas-Shahar.
Helen: Welcome Rowena. I am so excited to meeet you and that we get to chat about your book today!! Tell us about your collection of adult fairytale retellings. I understand they are quite dark and thought provoking.
Rowena: This book features 19 stories. It is a re-telling of different fairy tales for an adult audience in contemporary settings. Not all stories consist of immersive fantasy. Some tales are solely used for their titles and the repertoire that they carry in order to create another story. I also used photography in order to accompany further story telling with symbolism found in the photos.
Helen: That is quite an accomplishment, pulling together 19 stories into one book. And I love the twist your photos suggest you have incorporated into your version of the fairytales. How did you decide on the cover for you retellings?
Rowena: The cover is showing a broken castle and red-riding hood staring in front it. I chose it since it represents the dark attributes that adulthood brings with it upon us humans.
Helen: It is a beautiful cover, drawing you in, much like Little red riding hood and very atmospheric. How about the title? You published this collection in Maltese with a Maltese tilte, I believe?
Rowena: The title in English means A book of Fairy / Witch Tales.
Helen: What made you decide to write fairytale retellings? What made you write this particular book?
Rowena: It was a therapeutic way for me to pour my disappointments and bitterness that life had in store for me. I finished during the pandemic, where the first 3 months in Winter were an introvert’s paradise. I could just write and read without any social obligations imposed on me.
Helen: I think Covid stirred many inner creatives, and gave many people the chance to express their ideas. When did you realise you had a passion for writing?
Rowena: Since I was a child I used to invent stories and then I started writing them in narrative essays at schools. My stories were often read in the classroom due to being original and I guess that encouraged me to keep on writing. Then I totally stopped during my teenage years and got back to writing when I was around 30 years and older.
Helen: Well, I’m glad you returned to writing. Which genre do you prefer to write?
Rowena: Dark fantasy. The pleasure of building allegories in between the lines of what seems a simple story for pleasure.
Helen: Turning to the writing process for a moment, which element of the writing process do you find most challenging?
Rowena: When I need to write dialogue I tend to get a bit stuck. The reason is because the way we speak is very different from the way dialogue is written in a book. And also because I am not the most talkative person on earth thus it gets a bit hard to imagine what other people would say.
Helen: Every writer experiences self-doubt. How do you overcome the fear and the little voice in your head to keep writing?
Rowena: Even though I have been published, the little voices still torment me when it comes to writing out my new stuff. I guess you have to keep on pushing and ignoring these little voices till they are nothing more than whispers.
Helen: Great advice. What is one of the most useful resources you have found to help you write?
Rowena: Music. It is a must. And other good books that inspire my imagination.
Helen: Authors are typically great readers. What are some of you favourite reads. What would you recommend?
Rowena: The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly. It is my favourite book for re-telling of fairy-tale characters. Also, Haruki Murakami Kafka on the Shore, John Boyne All The Broken Places, Lord of The Rings, Stephen Fry Mythos, Verity by Colleen Hoover.
Helen: If you didn’t write Dark Fantasy, what genre would you love to try?
Rowena: Science fiction since I’m a laboratory analyst and I find science very amusing.
Helen: Thnk you so much for joining me today, it was lovey chatting with you. Final question, what is the best piece of advice you’ve recieved?
Rowena: Jan Carson. The use of past and present verbs make a huge difference. She also emphasized on the importance and how to create credible characters.
If you enjoy fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love SoulBreather, or my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Today, I am pleased to welcome the prolific Indie author Lauren A. R Masterson, a.k.a Alice Lidell to talk to us about her latest novel Succumb to Darkness which released on May 11th, 2023.
Helen: Welcome Lauren. I am so excited to meeet you and that we get to chat about your new book today!! Congratulations on the release of your sixth novel. Let’s start with your newest book. Tell us about Succumb to Darkness.
Lauren: Succumb to Darkness is my 6th novel, set for release Q2 of this year. This dark fantasy novel is a vampire tale with parallels to the French Revolution. The main character, Evanangela, is a fallen angel, cast from the eternal kingdom for her cardinal sin of vanity. Doomed to walk the earth as a vampire and never be able to gaze on her own reflection again as punishment. She joins a French vampire court and must find a way to not only survive, but to thrive as the newfound favorite of Seigneur Verseau and his official consort, Àmichemin.
Helen: Sounds intriguing. And I’m loving the artwork on the cover. Tell us how you came up with your design.
Lauren: I commissioned the cover art from my friend R. Taylor. She is also an author who writes high fantasy novels and is an accomplished artist. She did a wonderful job bringing my vision to life. My goal with the cover art was to represent the three main characters, Evanangela, Verseau, and Àmichemin, exactly as they appear to me. It was especially important to me to have this cover custom designed because there is no representation of black vampires in typical cover art templates that you can buy; and Verseau is black. I’m also an artist and have designed book covers for myself and other authors in the past, but I felt my colorful illustration style was not a good fit for the moody opulence of this novel.
Helen: I’m glad you managed to get your vision into the cover art, sometimes it can be quite difficult to get the cover right. Kudos to you for. being artistically creative as well as writing novels. Did your title have any ulterior meaning?
Lauren: “Succumb to Darkness” is the title of the book because it’s about Evanangela’s slow descent into the “darkness” of living as a vampire. Throughout the story she must question and even go against her previous nature and morals in order to survive. She also begins to question her blind devotion to humanity she once believed in as an angel. That seeing humans up close, she sees their duplicity. Her succumbing to the darkness of her new nature as a vampire and seeing the world how it truly is, is what the story is all about.
Helen: I think you must have had fun delving into the human psyche for your characters to disect. What made you write this particular novel?
Lauren: I wrote this book originally back in 2005. It started as a short poem. That sparked a longer saga poem. And at last, that sparked the first few chapters of “Succumb to Darkness”. I put this story away for several years until I worked on it again in 2008. Then put it away once more until 2019. I put this story on hold for several reasons, but at last, I finished it this year.
Helen: It sounds like you’ve been writing for some time. When did you realise you had a passion for writing?
Lauren: This is a question I’m frequently asked. The honest truth is I’ve always known that writing is ma raison d’etre (reason for being). I created little stories when I was 3 years old. That grew into stapling together notebook pages into makeshift books with stories and pictures I created. I started writing novels at age 12 and went on to art college for writing when I was 20. I was writing professionally by the time I was 24, and published my first novel when I was 30. Writing is why I’m alive. It’s why I was put here. I have other passions, talents, and interests, but writing has always been the pillar of my life.
Helen: I love how your poetry evolved and grew into a novel. Where else do you find inspiration, and is there anyone specific who inspires you to write?
Lauren: Many things inspire me- songs, paintings, stories I’ve heard or read, dreams or nightmares I’ve had. In my adult years, I’ve had to limit the flow of that firehose of inspiration because I already have too many stories to write. After two decades of creating and creating endlessly, I’ve had to prioritize the books I’ve already started writing so I can start finishing them. I’ve already sent off #6 to be published this month, and I’m already two-thirds of the way done with writing novel #7. Novel #8 is only a third done, and I need to also do all the illustrations for it. I need to get down the list all the way to #97, and that’s only if I don’t create more. Being inspired and creating stories is my gift. Completing them and sharing them with the world is my discipline.
I haven’t been specifically inspired by any person to write, but I have had important people that have helped, and continue to help, my writing journey. My Mum is also a writer. She gave me all the resources I needed and encouraged me growing up. My parents sent me to art school so I could learn the industry from professionals. Once there, I made great connections, especially my college professor Tina Jens, who has become my mentor. After graduation, I became a part of the Chicago writing community, and made many friends who are also authors. Together, we help each other and cheer each other on. Having a community and support is so important.
Helen: You are extraordinarily creative. You are fortunate to have such a supportive network. Finding your writing ‘tribe’ is so important, otherwise, writing can be a very isolated profession. How do you fit writing into your daily life?
Lauren: It can be a big struggle to fit writing into my daily schedule due to my busy life. In addition to writing, I work a corporate office job, have several freelance jobs, and work as an artist, a model, and a YouTuber. In order to balance everything, I have a planner, a calendar, and white boards to keep all my projects and tasks organized. In recent years, I’ve found that working on only 2-3 projects at a time is the best way to get everything done in a reasonable timeframe.
Helen: Being so organised, I imagine you are a planner when writing as well, or do you find yourself winging it?
Lauren: I do both. I begin the process as a pantser. I write and write and write until I get the full inspiration onto the page. After that step, I start to detangle the story idea and organize it into story sections. After that, I start to organize out chapters and the general storyline. Then I pants again as the chapters inspire me. Rinse and repeat.
Helen: If your main character could answer, why would they tell us to read your book, Succumb to Darkness?
Lauren: Evanangela is the main character in “Succumb to Darkness”. She would say that readers should pick up this book because it’s a new take on the lore of vampires, as well as it’s unique with the parallel to the French Revolution and the idea of the nobility literally sucking the people of France dry. It’s a read that has a lot of wild moments and the ending conflict hits hard.
Helen: Who is your favourite character and why?
Lauren: Àmichemin is my favorite character in Succumb to Darkness. I had so much fun writing her and discovering her as a character. She is so sassy, cool, and aloof. The best part was that a big reveal about her character in the story was a surprise even for me. It was one of those instances where the character hijacks the story. Àmichemin basically jumped off the page and revealed this incredible twist to me, and I ran with it. She’s a fantastic character. I think she and my main character from “Love of the Sea”, Asrai, would have a fantastic time taking over the world together.
Helen: Succumb to Darkness is set in similar setting to the French Revolution. Do you have to do much research for your books?
Lauren: Research depends on the individual story. For my fantasy mermaid novel “Love of the Sea” I did some research on marine biology because I wanted to take a more biology focused approach to the mermaids I created in the story. I spent three years researching and writing, and then another two years doing the illustrations for my historical fiction novel “Geisha Hands”. I wanted to be as thorough with my research as possible to present a historically and culturally accurate story. Another story that will require a ton of research will be one of my future novels – one about Marie Antoinette and Versailles.
Helen: Research can take you down a rabbit hole and consume so much time. But you also learn so much about different things! The quote you use from Alice in Wonderland fits this perfectly! “Start at the beginning, and when you come to the end, stop.” –Mad Hatter from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. It just seems there never is an end when it comes to research. What are you working on now?
Lauren: My current WIP is novel #7 – “Be Mine”. This is an LGBTQ+ BDSM erotica novel. It’s a story I’m having a lot of fun with. It’s meant to be a “fluffy candy” sort of story, one just for enjoyment. It’s a group of main characters – Blake, Tyler, Justin, Carter and Ashley and the story of a wild triangle romance. My other WIP is novel #8 – Book One of my YA Fantasy Series. I can’t share too much about this series yet, but I can say that it’s the crowning jewel of my work. All thirteen books are written, but the manuscripts need major rewrites, as I started writing Book One when I was 12 years old, and finished writing Book Thirteen when I was 23 years old. I have to bring them up to parr with my current skills and writing style. All thirteen books will also have full color illustrations, and I’ll be drawing them all myself.
Helen: That is going to keep you very busy! I wrote my Sentinals series in one hit, all six of them. And then spent the next three years editing so I could publish them! The last one will release in the fall which is quite exciting. One of my greatest influences was the Belgarion series by David Eddings. Which books would you say have influenced your writing?
Lauren: The book series that inspired me the most with my writing style is The Sevenwaters Trilogy by Juliet Marillier. The beautiful imagery and magical world building in the story has deeply influenced my writing. But in terms of the book that I reach for over and over again is A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I have a battered copy of the book from childhood. It’s gotten me through some dark times. The story gives me hope and brings me joy when I need it most.
Helen: Oh, I agree, I loved the Sevenwaters series. I’m not sure you have much time to read nowadays, but do you have any books you would recommend?
Lauren: I would recommend “Bittersweet Memories of Last Spring” by Ardain Isma. It’s a wonderful story that showcases the struggles of immigrants finding their way in America. It shines a light on the history of Haitian immigrants in America in the 1980s. I learned so much reading this book and highly recommend it. The sequel is also set for release this summer! I’m also biased and must recommend “Marked Territory” and “Painted Cats” by my partner Neal F. Litherland. These books are so much fun. They take the hardboiled noir detective trope, but with a stray alley cat living in New York City. Leo, the big tom cat, solves conflicts for resident strays. It’s truly a fun series and there are plans for a third instalment.
Helen: Excellent recommendations. I’ve enjoyed learning about your many projccts, and I wish you much success with all them. One final question. What is the best writing advice you’ve received?
Lauren: A piece of advice that I think is important for most writers to heed is “Write now, worry later”. Too many writers get ahead of themselves during the writing part of the process. Whether it’s worrying about how the book will be received, what audience to target, or even lofty goals like getting on the NY Times best seller list. Too many writers fall prey to these worries before their manuscript is even a completed rough draft. Just write the story. Get it all on the page. All those other worries are later steps in the process. No use worrying over them when you’re not there yet.
And a piece of advice I’d share for new writers: Don’t concern yourself too much with trends. You can end up chasing your tail without accomplishing much if you’re trying to keep up with all the different writing trends. Write what you want to write. Write what makes you happy, or what you need to say. Trends come and go. Worry more about being proud of what you’ve created. If you love your story, others will too.
Helen: Fantastic advice. That you so much for joining me today, Lauren. Its’s been fun chatting.
About the Author:
Lauren A. R Masterson
Lauren A.R. Masterson aka Alice Liddell graduated from Columbia College of Chicago with a degree in Fiction Writing. During her college days, she began working as a freelance model eventually making it her full-time profession after graduating. She toured nationally, met scores of creative people, and had many adventures. After retiring from modeling, and experiencing a divorce, Alice felt the drain of her creativity. But after finding a loving and supportive community she began exploring her writing talent and art again. Alice is now a regular in the local Chicago writing communities and is dedicated to enhancing her craft.
As an Amazon Associate I may earn commission from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasy romance books then you will love SoulBreather, and my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Today, I am pleased to welcome Women’s Fiction author J.A Crawshaw to talk to us about his latest novel The View Beyond which releases on May 25th, 2023. You can find it in on preorder here and on Kindle Unlimited from release day.
Helen: Welcome John. I am so excited to meeet you and that we get to chat about your new book today!! Congratulations on the forthcoming release. Tell us about The View Beyond.
John: THE VIEW BEYOND is the 2nd book in my Life Changing Women’s Fiction series. It is the sequel to THE SWING. Charlotte’s return to a normal life, full of happiness and love is turned upside down when an unscrupulous man leaves her destitute.
Will she crumble under the harsh reality of heartbreak, loneliness and despair? or earn the acceptance of the new people around her, confront her adversaries and look beyond her old life to seek a second chance of fulfilment and true love?
Her quest for the truth reveals shock results and in challenging her own beliefs and capabilities, establishes a true resilience and discovers that happiness might just be where you least expect it.
The view beyond might seem out of reach, but could be utterly life changing
Helen: Congratulations on publishing your second book in the series. What inspired your cover?
John: The cover idea came to me when I thought about a sign which could be left after someone had gone and could reappear. Once the concept of the love heart within the condensation of the window was set, I then incorporated it into the story. It didn’t exist before!
Helen: That is such a great insight into your thinking. I love that you then went on to incorporate it in the story. How about the title? How did decide on that?
John: I wanted there to be a place in which my protagonist could visit in her mind, when she most needed to. A low point in her life. Somewhere which previously seemed out of reach, but as she finds more inner strength, is able to look beyond her current situation and discover qualities, capabilities and dreams she didn’t expect. A physical view, but also a subconscious and emotional view. A gateway to true happiness and inner wellbeing.
Helen: I know you didn’t start writing until later in life, much like me. What made you write this particular book?
John: THE SWING was only ever meant to be a stand-alone book. Then readers started asking me about a sequel. There were no plans, but again and again, feedback was that people wanted to find out what happens to Peter, and Charlotte. So, I wrote it and I’m so glad I did. I had fun developing the story and felt I had so much more freedom to take them on a new adventure.
Helen: Having readers so engaged with your story and your characters is the greatest feeling, isn’t it? When did you realise you had a passion for writing?
John: My writing journey is quite unique. I had never written anything or even read a novel, before one night, waking up and started to write one. I was 50 years old and had spent a lifetime scared of words and reading due to debilitating dyslexia. Now I love it so much, I just can’t stop.
Helen: I am so glad you persevered. Writing is such a joy and being able to share our creations and entertain others is a wonderful feeling. You are an inspiration to those who also struggle with dyslexia and show that it is possible to enjoy your passion. What made you choose to write Women’s Fiction?
John: I didn’t choose to write women’s fiction and romance. It chose me. I’m a romantic for sure, and I’m fascinated by life, the possibilities and the people within it. I’m not a scifi man or a crime/fantasy fan, so write what comes naturally to me. What is more exciting than love and romance, especially with plot twists, deep passion, and intrigue?
Helen: What is your writing style? Do you plan the whole plot in advance or make it up as you go?
John: I’m a Pantser. 100%. I never start at the beginning, and I usually start with a sentence or a conversation between two people and let the characters take me where they want to go. I write from my sub-conscious and just let it unfold and thrill me as I write.
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today, John. Good luck with your forthcoming launch. Just to close us out, tell us the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing.
John: The two best things to happen to me are, meeting so many incredible fans and fellow authors. Their feedback and love is quite overwhelming and I value these connections greatly.
It has also enabled me to break away from my dyslexic shackles and become free. Free to express myself and free to be me. Not perfect by any means, but able to be confident in who I am. Something not easy for anyone with self-esteem issues associated with dyslexia.
About the Author:
J A Crawshaw
J A Crawshaw was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1969.
Writing romance is a passion for him. ‘Life is all about the connections we have with others and ourselves. Relationships are never straightforward, but always fascinating to me, and I love sharing my stories with my readers.’
A suspense romance. The Swing is a nostalgic and intriguing foray into the differences of the English class system. Charlotte and Peter battle with many external pressures but hope that an earthy, deep connection, shared experiences and passion in the bedroom will win through for them.
J A is currently working on the sequel to The Swing and also a romantic trilogy, based in an English coastal town and specifically the secrets of a boathouse hideaway.
As an Amazon Associate I may earn commission from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasy romance books then you will love SoulBreather, and my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Today, I am pleased to welcome Indie author John Regan to talk to us about his latest fantasy novel Nearhope The Rise of the demons which released on November 7th, 2022.
Helen: Welcome John. I am so excited to meeet you and that we get to chat about your book today! Tell us about Nearhope.
John: My current book is NEARHOPE – Rise of the Demons. A fantasy horror. Synopsis: Felix has lost everything. On an ordinary evening, he meets a lonely figure at a service station who needs his help. How can Felix be of any assistance to this man, and where is he taking him? Plunged into blackness and faced with demons from his past, he must fight to help save the future of humankind. Nearhope, a place populated by the damned, acts as a buffer between the demon’s realm and our world. But the first incursion has occurred. Can the chosen twelve and their leader return evil to where it came from? If they fail, He who reigns over all the darkness will claim the prize he has long sought, and the consequences for the human race will be devastating. A fantasy horror, where the fight between good and evil rises to a new level and takes the reader on a journey to a place like Hell… only far, far worse.
Helen: The premise sounds suitably horrifying. What inspired your cover?
John: My covers are designed by an illustrator. I gave her a short synopsis of my story, and she produced several designs. I wanted to give potential readers an idea of what the book is about and decided on the design I used.
Helen: It is such fun choosing the right design to match the story in your head and not always as straight forward as you’d think. How about the title? How did decide on that?
John: The title is a play on words. Nearhope is a village between our world and hell, acting as a buffer between the two. The people that inhabit Nearhope were saved from purgatory by a mysterious individual called James. The idea is that no one is beyond forgiveness, and there is always hope that they could be saved. Hope is always near (Nearhope). The Rise of the Demons subtitle is to separate it from the rest of the series.
Helen: Nice to hear that this the first book in a series. What made you write this particular book?
John: My wife and I assist authors to self-publish their work through our company (JV Author Services) – part-time. We have proper jobs – and one of our authors writes horror stories. It was a genre I hadn’t previously tried, so I thought I would give it a go. The beginning came to me, and I just wrote that. I’ve got a loose outline for the end, two or three books down the line.
Helen: I don’t know how you find the time to write, along with working and assisting other authors. Though writing can take over when you get that burning idea. When did you realise you had a passion for writing?
John: Writing is something I have enjoyed sporadically throughout my life, so I joined a creative writing course in my late forties. My first story – The Hanging Tree – was born from that.
Helen: Which part of the writing process do you find most challenging?
John: Having to edit my own work. By the time I’ve been through my manuscript several times, I am sick of the story and characters.
Helen: Nearhope is fantasy horror. Is that your prefered genre to write or do you write more?
John: Several. I like to stretch my writing wings. I have written: Adult Thrillers/Police procedurals, Comedy Thrillers, Sci-fi/Fantasy and even a contemporary love story with a twist. I also write quite a bit of poetry.
Helen: Most indie authors are juggling many things, a day job, family, writing. How do you fit writing into your daily life?
John: With difficulty. I work full-time, and as I explained above, my wife and I assist other authors, so I am always busy. I have one rule: Never beat yourself up about not writing. If you’re not actually writing, you should be thinking about your book. This way, you will know what to write when sitting behind your laptop
Helen: In thoise brief moments when you are not working! Where do you get your ideas and who inspires you write?
John: No one in particular. Inspiration is everywhere. Many people want to write, especially those who read a lot. Maybe the ideas already live out there waiting to be discovered. If we’re lucky enough, we find them.
Helen: I’m glad to hear you still have many ideas for new books. Tell us about your current WIP.
John: The Dappled Shade. It is the third in a series – The Hanging Tree and The Fallen Leaves are the other two. They’re about a police detective haunted by someone from his past while trying to decipher murder cases. He has an uncanny ability of getting to the bottom of seemingly unfathomable cases using his Thin-slicing skills (something honed over years of practice) while trying to stop his life from falling apart.
Helen: Who is you protagonist and why did you write her/him?
John: Detective Inspector Peter Graveney. A troubled soul who has a weakness for drink and women. His character has changed throughout the books, and if I’ve managed to portray him as I see him in my head, the readers should be torn between like and dislike for him.
Helen: If DI Graveney could answer, why would they say we should read your book?
John: Even the darkest of secrets deserves an audience.
Helen: Tell us the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing.
John: I met my wife, who greatly helps with my writing and editing.
Helen: That is wonderful. Every writer experiences self-doubt. How do you overcome the fear and the little voice in your head to keep writing?
John: Ignore it. Never get blown away by praise or depressed because of criticism. Treat those two imposters just the same to paraphrase Rudyard Kipling. Your story will not be for everyone.
Helen: Many writers struggle to get there ideas down on paper. Do you encounter writer’s block? And if so, how do you deal with it?
John: I genuinely don’t believe it exists. If I was running a marathon, I wouldn’t expect to complete it without training. Writing is the same. As I explained earlier, if you are constantly mulling the story over in your head, you will be able to write when you sit down. Think about what you’re going to write much more than actually writing. Be easy on yourself.
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today, John. I’ve enjoyed chatting to you. Just to close us out, tell us the best piece of writing advice you’ve recieved, and what you would say to aspiring writers.
John: Write for enjoyment. Can’t remember where I gained this advice. You don’t have to write in a linear way (chap 1, chap 2 … etc.) If you have a good idea for a chapter later in the book, write it and drop it into the story later. Writing linearly can sometimes stultify your writing if you’re unsure what should happen next. Writers often struggle to finish their stories because of this.
About the Author:
John Regan
I am John Regan, a self-published author and poet from the North-East of England.
I began writing in my late forties and completed eight novels. I am writing my ninth (the 3rd in a detective series.) I live in Redcar – North Yorkshire, with my wife Vicky. Together we assist authors to self-publish their work affordably through our company JV Author Services. Although most of our writers are located close to where we live, we have assisted writers from across the country and recently helped an author in the States.
As an Amazon Associate I may earn commission from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasy romance books then you will love SoulBreather, and my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring, a bonus short story and get notified when my next books are published.
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Today, I am pleased to welcome author LC Ainsworth to talk to us about her novel Too Many Shadows, Not Enough Light which was released on January 12th, 2023.
Helen: Welcome LC. I am so excited to meeet you and that we get to chat about your book today!! Tell us about your series and Too Many Shadows, Not Enough Light.
LC: My book series is called A Dark Passengers Story and book 1 title is Too Many Shadows, Not Enough Light.
It is a Fantasy/Sci-fi/Mystery/YA/Romance.
It is the story of a young princess from an empire called Yanar. Yanar is also the only country on Earth where humans have developed supernatural powers. She dreams of being a chef, but her position as the future queen does not allow it and instead is forced to choose between one branch of the Armed Forces. She chooses the Air Force because she loves flying.
She faces her enemies from another planet in Book 1 and has, at the tender age of 17, to learn how to become a leader. By the end of the book, she also faces another challenge. She develops feelings for a boy.
Helen: That sounds like an action packed premise. What inspired your cover?
LC: The cover I chose reminded me of the first scene in Terminator 1, one of my favourite movies. You have the bones of humans covered in some dark grey ashes and a robot just steps on a skull, crushing it while moving toward a group of rebels shooting at it and other machines.
In the early part of the book, the heroine is fighting aliens, and the fighting happens in space. But the war will inevitably reach Earth and the image that kept popping into my head every time I would picture the coming war was the robot crushing the skull. So I picked it and I think it is a good representation not just of book 1 but of the series.
Helen: The cover certainly embodies the threat. It is dark and brooding. I love your title, how did decide on that?
LC: The first title was meant to be The Fire Underneath but the more I wrote the more words like darkness came to me. Eventually, I settled with Shadow and Light but something was missing and my sister “Why not Too Many Shadows?”, I smiled, it was perfect.
Helen: I am so glad your sister piped up. It is a perfect title. What made you write this particular book?
LC: When I was 11, someone discovered the body of a woman near the school gates. My friends and I had a spot hidden where we loved to pretend we were spies. We called it the KGB. That day we found hair in our hiding space, a lot of hair. I remembered hearing my parents talk about the murdered woman. The murderer had cut her hair. We waited until we spotted a police officer nearby and told him about the hair we found; he laughed and ignored us.
We got angry and investigated the matter ourselves. By the end of the school term, we had concluded that our headteacher was guilty; the woman murdered was not his first murder, and he was having an affair with a teacher. Both were married. We proudly walked into a police station and handed over our evidence. They laughed at us and kicked us out of the station but not before complimenting us on our wild imagination and advising that we write books or scripts for tv series.
And this is how the idea of the plot for the first book entered my mind. By the time I gave writing a go, I had gained a passion for fantasy and sci-fi, not to mention romance. So I kept the vibe and the essence of the story alive while adding aliens, creating a new country, and adding some violence.
Helen: I can see why that idea stuck. Quite a traumatic event at such a young age. I’m glad you were able to purge it through your writing. What genre do you typically write?
LC: I write a mix-genre. I love Mystery; I am a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie’s books. I am also a huge fan of Jane Austen. Adding that to my love of Fantasy and Sci-Fi, I simply couldn’t stick to one genre. I tried to write a Fantasy book and ended up writing a Fantasy/YA/Romance/Mystery/Sci-Fi book. In a sense, I think the book took a life in itself. And when I got to book two, I had developed a taste in Smut books, so I added some explicit content.
Helen: I think the more we write the more confident we become, and so our writing reflects that. Which element of the writing process do you find most challenging and why?
LC: Editing. As someone who is writing in her third language, it is already difficult to put the words on paper. But it is nothing compared to the editing process which in my opinion takes even longer than the actual writing. For each book, I have had to reread, rewrite and delete entire chapters which is so painful because I cherished every word. Yes, for me editing is the most challenging part.
Helen: I am so impressed that you are writing in your third language. May I say that I think it is amazing. I struggle with grammar and English is my first and only language!
Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Final question for you. What is the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing?
LC: I would say I accepted who I was. I suffer from depression and anxiety and always lived in my head. I would create worlds and imagine what life could be if I didn’t have to hide from the world then I would put on a mask and walk among people, pretending to be ok. Writing allowed me to open about my depression and anxiety. I no longer fear to be seen as someone dealing with mental illness. I can accept it and work on getting better without fear of judgment.
Helen: I truly believe writing is carthartic and allows us to express freely what is inside us. I am so glad you found that on your writing journey. Thank you again, LC, for joining me today.
About the Author:
L.C Ainsworth is an author living in Wales surrounded by her loved ones while taking care of her mother’s garden.
As an Amazon Associate I may earn commission from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasy romance books then you will love SoulBreather, and my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Today I have the pleasure of talking to Indie Fantasy author and podcaster, Maxx Victor, who is the author of the paranormal romance The Anchor and the Moon series which also has a fairytale twist.
Helen: Welcome Maxx, I am so happy we get to chat about your books today. I was fortunate enough to be interviewed by Maxx on his Indie Author podcast, but today I get to turn the tables and find more about his books. Let’s start with your latest release. Tell us about Hearts and Diamonds.
Maxx: Hearts and diamonds, is part two of my Anchor and the Moon paranormal romance series. It is the continuing story of my two main protagonists Cinder and her love interest Angus (also known as Black because of his black hair and dark features). The series is mainly set in a small beach town called Heathcote which is reminiscent of the beach towns I spent my summers in as a kid with my family. Angus is a dairy farmer who lives on one side of Heathcote and Cinder lives in an old mansion the overlooks the town. While the Anchor and Moon series centres around Cinder and Angus’s relationship, there is also the mystery of the strange creatures that roam the forests around the small beach town. Book one, Cinder and black was inspired by the Cinderella fairy-tale. This book, Hearts and Diamonds, is based on Snow White.
Helen: It’s nice when you can blend locations you know into your story, and have fun with known fairytales which you can give a fantastical twist. Tell us about your cover, the heart shaped tree must have an importance in your story?
Maxx: My good friend Paul Mah designed the cover. The large moon at the centre will appear on all three books of the trilogy. Red is a theme of the book and I’ll explain that more in the next question. I picked the Gold-shadowed text because that seems to be a feature of other books in my genre at the moment. I wanted the forest around the border to look dark and mysterious but the heart silhouette is also a follow on from the cover of book one. (Book one has a surfboard in front of the moon to make an eye shape).
Helen: How did you come up with the title?
Maxx: This book is inspired by Snow white. Both the mother and the daughter in the story are referred to as Red-Queens because of their red hair. The mother is more concerned with power and riches (the Queen of Diamonds) whereas the daughter is driven by love, friendship and compassion (the Queen of Hearts).
Helen: What made you write this particular story?
Maxx: This is the second book in what will be a trilogy. Most of the reading time I have is over the summer. Many years ago while I was reading Twilight at the beach, I begun to imagine what it would be like for there to be a something like that set in one of the small Australian beach towns that I had been vacationing in since I was a child. At the same time, I watched a documentary about Star Wars (My all-time favourite movies). The documentary explained how George Lucas reinvented old tales to create a “Space Opera”. I decided to use fairy tales as the inspiration for my trilogy. Book one was based on Cinderella, as I said this book has Snow White as its inspiration, and book three will have themes from Rumpelstiltskin. From my early teens, I had also been interested in Nephilim, strange superhuman characters mentioned in the bible and wanted to include them in my books. I didn’t realise until after I had published book one that Nephilim are the Shadow Hunters from Cassandra Clare’s books.
Helen: The ‘What if’ scenario is so useful for sparking new ideas. And seeing as most stories have already been written, it’s all about taking what is a known trope and putting your own orignal spin on it. When did you first realise you had a passion for writing?
Maxx: I loved writing stories even as a small child, I still have some of the funny things I wrote. As most writers, I have always enjoyed reading and read an eclectic variety of books. In my teens and early adult life, I wrote a lot of poetry and song lyrics but my passion for story telling returned when my two sons were little. To get them to sleep at night, I would make up funny stories with them as the main characters and they would go on all kinds of adventures. I wrote down some of these stories and others and begun entering local writing competitions. When I won some of these competitions, I decided to try my hand at writing a novel.
Helen: And we are so glad you did! Which element of the writing process do you find most challenging and why?
Maxx: The element I find most challenging is time. I have never been a fast writer and I just don’t have enough time to get all my ideas down.
Helen: There are never enough hours in the day. Which genre do you prefer to write?
Maxx: I guess you could call me a fantasy writer. My short stories are sci-fi/ time travel. I have always imagined what it would be like to go back and change the past or to be in the past with knowledge of the future.
My trilogy is paranormal romance. I didn’t know what paranormal romance was when I started writing them, that is just the genre that fits with my ideas. I also still have some of the children’s stories that I wrote for my kids that I would like to publish in the future.
Helen: I started by writing what I enjoyed reading, which was epic fantasy, but I didn’t write specific tropes, I was writing what I thought should be in the book. I retroactively fitted the tropes to my story, once I realised what I had written! Who first inspired you write?
Maxx: My mother and father. As a child I struggled with dyslexia and found reading and writing a challenge. To help, my father would read to my brother most nights. My mother encouraged me to write journals and ideas. My mother passed away just before I published my first book, but I dedicated it to her. My older sister should also get some of the credit, she gave me the first book in the Narnia chronicles when I was about 10 years old, sparking my love for reading.
Helen: What is the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing?
Maxx: The best thing is seeing that my books appeal to a wide range of people. One of my friends who is in his forties enjoys reading my books, but his 11 year old daughter loves them and is always asking when the next one is out.
Helen: That is so great, reaching across generations. It’s been great chatting with you today, just to close us out, is there a tool you have found useful when writing?
Maxx: I Love Pro-Writing-Aid. I have never been great at punctuation and because of my dyslexia, I am bound to misspell words or put the wrong word in place of another. As for a resource for anyone thinking of self-publishing I am a big fan of Joanna Penn and all the work she does for Indie Authors.
Helen: Oh yes, Joanna Penn and her Creative Pen podcast is a great resource for all Indie authors. Thank you Maxx for joining me today. Wishing you all the best with your books and don’t forget to check out Maxx’s Indie Author podcast for more writing advice and great indie author interviews.
About the Author:
Maxx Victor is an Australian author, musician, and secondary school science teacher, who has achieved award winning success with his short stories. A dedicated husband and proud father of two, he is also highly involved in his local arts community; performing in bands and producing and directing amateur films.
Maxx’s author journey began at a very young age. As a child with dyslexia, reading and writing were a constant struggle. To help, his father implemented the nightly routine of reading Titin and Asterix comics and Biggles books to Maxx and his brother; installing a lifelong passion for reading. Maxx’s mother also encouraged him to write stories (some which he has kept to this day).
During his secondary school years, Maxx unearthed a love for music. He regularly wrote poetry and song lyrics, as well as scripts for plays and short films. Something again sparked the curiosity for writing stories when Maxx’s children were toddlers. He frequently created impromptu, twisted fairy-tale bedtime stories, with his family members as the main characters. Maxx now writes teen fiction and hopes that his writing can inspire young people to be defined by their passions and talents, not by the things that the world will tell them are impairments.
Social Media: Find Maxx’s scocial media links here.
As an Amazon Associate I may earn commission from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasy romance books then you will love my new release SoulBreather, book one of the SoulMist series, and my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Today, I am talking with fantasy author Jennifer Becker about her debut novel Through Fire and Ruin.
Helen: Welcome Jennifer, I am so excited that we get to chat about your first ever book today!! Tell us about Through Fire & Ruin.
Jennifer:Through Fire & Ruin is the first book in a New Adult fantasy trilogy. It’s written in dual POV and follows Lora, who crosses over into the fae land from the human world after a deadly virus sweeps Earth, and Amira, a fae princess, who is trying to leave her past behind her.
It’s full of badass characters, fae, witches, villains you’ll definitely hate, intriguing love interests, magic, court politics, power games, fancy parties, and romance—I love adding in romance. This one has the enemies-to-lovers trope and all the tension that goes with it.
Through Fire & Ruin covers themes such as promises, lies, trust, holding onto hope and accepting oneself.
Helen: It sounds amazing, and I love your cover. It’s beautiful and very atmospheric.
Jennifer: The cover symbolizes the fae and human land and how both mirror each other in some ways. The colours are based on the royal colours of the fae kingdom Turosian, where most of the story takes place. In the fae world of Liraen, a shooting star symbolizes ruin, which fits the theme of the book (which is also why it’s also part of the title). I really love how the cover turned out and the moody, dramatic, epic vibe it has.
Helen: I am so thrilled to be talking to you about your debut novel. Congratulations on finishing and publishing it. Such a great achievement. What made you write this particular story?
Jennifer: The idea started during the first lockdown back in 2020. With the whole Covid situation, I had this image in my mind of a girl trying to find a cure for a virus in the fae land and then things evolved from there. The plot and characters changed a lot during our brainstorming sessions, but Lora and her goal has always remained the same.
Helen: Lockdown inspired many creative projects. I think it made people really think about what was happening around them. What made you first start writing?
Jennifer: I’ve pretty much always been an avid reader but I didn’t start writing regularly until a few years ago, actually. When I was in school, I would write a bit every now and then, but nothing was ever finished. I had this thought in my head that writing a book would be crazy and I could never pull it off. Then during my studies (I was a film student), I got into writing scripts which was the first time I saw myself as a writer. Then Corona happened and as it did for everyone else, life changed. The lockdown was a very weird and depressing time. One day, I was talking to one of my best friends, Alice, and we kind of jokingly decided to come up with an idea for a book and write something for fun. The idea of publishing wasn’t even on the table at first. It was all just for fun and maybe that’s why I wasn’t afraid to try. It quickly became much more than a fun story that would never see the light of day. I’ve grown attached to our characters and their stories. I’ve put parts of myself into it and seeing people relate to it and enjoy the story means the world. I really can’t imagine not writing now. Now I’m really in it.
Helen: That’s so great. A writing buddy keeps you accountable and having someone to sound ideas against is amazing. Though I think there is an art to co-writing a book! What is your preferred genre to write?
Jennifer: I write fantasy romance. Fantasy and its unlimited possibilities is so much fun to write and romance just makes it even more exciting!
Helen: If you didn’t write fantasy which genre would you like to try?
Jennifer: There’s something about a cute contemporary romance novel. When I’m feeling down and I don’t have much time to read, I always tend to pick up a contemporary romance— preferably one that I can finish reading in one sitting. I love writing dialogue and I love writing anything romance related, so I can picture myself writing in this genre too one day.
Helen: I know this can be a tough question, but who is your favourite character from your book?
Jennifer: My MC Lora. She was the first character we came up with and I’ve grown really attached to her. I’ve put parts of myself in her and I want to see her happy. But if that was always the case, it would be a pretty boring book 😉 I love how fierce she is, even when she’s terrified.
Helen: A powerful female MC, excellent. If your Main Character, Lora, could answer, why would she say we should read your book?
Jennifer: You should read this book to follow me as I go on an insane adventure in the fae land. I have to find myself and see my own strength, while navigating through a lot of darkness. I think that’s something a lot of us can relate to.
If you love stories with fae, court politics, badass female characters, dual POV (who are not love interests), slow-burn romance with some spice, plot twists, a mix of urban and high fantasy, then this is the book for you.
Helen: Ooh she sounds convincing! So as you revel in the excitement of launching your first book, what’s next? Do you have another project oin the works?
Jennifer: My co-author Alice and I are currently working on book 2 of the Through Fire & Ruin series which I’m already so excited about sharing, even though it won’t be out until 2023. Book 2 will have more POVs which has been fun but challenging to write. It’s definitely shaking up character dynamics and the stakes are higher than ever! I can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks of it.
Helen: Sounds like you are very busy! How do you fit writing in your daily life?
Jennifer: I wish I had a good answer to this, but honestly I’m still trying to figure out how to juggle my job, my writing, my other creative projects, and my remaining social life haha It’s a struggle that I know many indie authors share. For now, I fit it in by sacrificing sleep and being a workaholic.
Helen: Could you share three random facts about yourself?
Jennifer: I’m a film grad (but really I should have a degree in binge-watching Netflix haha)
I eat way too much popcorn but don’t regret it.
I have a habit of listening to one song on repeat until I get sick of it.
Helen: Do you have time to read in your busy life? Who are your favourite authors?
Jennifer: Some of my favourite authors include Jennifer L. Armentrout, Cassandra Clare, Sarah J. Maas, Holly Black and Leigh Bardugo.
Helen: Excellent choices. Being a debut author, do you have any advice for aspiring writers hoping to be in your position one day?
Jennifer: You can tell yourself a million reasons not to try, not to write that book. Finding time is hard, really hard. But the thing is, once you’ve given it a real try—once you’ve made time to try—if you love it, you’ll somehow keep making time for it. Don’t let your fears hold you back, and write.
Helen: Thank you, Jennifer, for that great advice and for spending time with me today. Just to close, did you have anything else you wanted to share with your readers?
Jennifer: As an author, I can’t help but have expectations for my novel. But no matter if it does well or not, I hope readers will go through all the emotions. I hope they have fun with the banter between characters and laugh at the jokes. I hope they swoon over the romance and get frustrated in a good way about the slow-burn. I hope they feel for the characters and feel sad when bad things happen. I hope they feel amped up at the fight scenes. I hope they feel uncomfortable and angry at some scenes. And I hope they feel impatient to get book 2 once they get to the ending 😉
About the Author:
Jennifer Becker
Jennifer Becker is one of the debut authors of Through Fire & Ruin, the first book in a new adult fantasy series. She has been an avid reader for most of her life and has always craved telling her own stories. Jennifer earned her MA degree in film production in the UK and has since been working in the film industry in her home country, Austria, while independently working on her own writing projects. The two things she can talk about forever are good books and TV shows. When she’s not obsessing over a great story or a ship, she’s most likely working on her creative endeavours such as her novel.
As an Amazon Associate I may earn commission from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasy romance books then you will love my new release SoulBreather, part of the Realm of Darkness Anthology, or on preorder here, and my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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I am excited to chat with Sky Sommers today about her contribution to the Realm of Darkness boxset, Charm and Mayhem, which released yesterday! October 4th, 2022 and is currently available to order.
Helen: Welcome Sky, I am so excited that we get to chat about your book today!! I love how all your books have a little twist, and I am sure Charm and Mayhem is no exception. Tell us a little about your book.
Sky: My book in the anthology is a quirky and slightly humorous romantic fantasy between a guardian angel bodyguarding a noob Goddess of Fate. It’s called Charm& Mayhem: The Goddess of Fate. It’s the first book in a new Goddesses Saga, but it builds on my multiverse that encompasses the modern Earth and Magic Kingdom. And then some. I use magic mirrors as portal-hopping elements and there is some hilarity around Medieval dating intricacies of being married from first kiss (and even before). Marina introduces Gabriel to Moscow’s glitzy life, he saves her from the havoc of her own making. It’s light, it’s fun, I hope it’s worth a read.
Helen: I have no doubt it will be as you always bring a new aspect to the most mundane of things. I love the way you think!! How about your cover, I assuming it’s Marina and Gabriel?
Sky: It’s a quirky romantic fantasy between a Russian-born goddess and a guardian angel who has got something to atone for. Hence, a couple on the cover; the girl looks Russian and the angel’s wings are a little less than white. Since most of the book takes place in Moscow, there’s a St.Basil’s Cathedral in the corner.
Helen: What made you write a novel for an anthology?
Sky: Jealousy. Pure and simple. An author friend of mine who I look up to was in a USAT aiming set and touted her badges last year and I asked her – how did you do it. She told me. I approached the set managers and here we are.
Helen: As good as reason as any! If I asked your characters why we should read your book, what would they say?
Sky: If it’s Marina you’re asking, she’d say, don’t be daft, it’s fun and the kissing scenes, ahhh.
If it’s Gabriel, he’d think for ten minutes and then say something about hope and new beginnings. In French. Without cusswords.
Helen: Love it!! Now the set is launched, what are you working on now?
Sky: Current WIP: book #2 in the Goddesses Saga called Life&Death: The Goddess of Light. It takes place 10 years after book #1 finishes and is about the Goddess of Death needing a replacement coz she wants to check out.
Helen: Oh I am already rolling my eyes at the fun you are going to have with that! Who do you prefer to write heroes or villains?
Sky: Villains have more layers and better whys, so gimme those. In fact, one of my most loathesome character of all time – Godmother from Cinders – is begging for her own book coz she wants to be the Red Queen in Wonderland. And I’m sooooo tempted.
Helen: That would be awesome. You have the most wonderful ideas. Cinders was a brilliant book. How you twisted the relationship between the step mother and Cinders was clever and so funny! Do you find you have to do much research for your books?
Sky: Initially – minimal. But on the go – I check stuff obsessively. And then I twist them beyond recognition, but based on facts. Absolutely.
Helen: If you didn’t write Fairytale retellings, is there a genre you would be tempted to try?
Sky: Well, I might just try historical fiction – Russian Civil War and WWI time in a retelling of The Nutcracker – with one of my favourite authors, Astrid V.J. no less. #happydance
Helen: Oh! What a tease, that would be great! I hope you guys do collaborate. Thank you, Sky, for spending time with me today. Just to close us out, what advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Sky: Based on my own recent experience of getting a first draft of a book together in 40 days – set an aim to write a specific word count every day – e.g. 1k words or 2k words or 500 words. You’ll inevitably end up overshooting and if you think about it – 1k words for 50 days and you have a decent-size novel. The perfecting and polishing and developmental edits and proofreads will all come after. Just write something, anything during a designated time and hit that target. Even when you think you don’t want to write. Even when you think your head is empty. Write something and it’ll grow. Trust me.
Helen: Great advice. Thank you so much Sky. We can go and continue celebrating now, as it’s launch day +1!! I hope all you readers come and join us for the party in the Dark Book Boyfriend Facebook Group. Play the games and comment on the giveaway posts for a chance to win prizes. Spread the word – Realm of Darkness is now live!
Sky was born to Estonian-Russian parents and for most of her life has lived and worked as a lawyer in Tallinn, Estonia, with brief escapes to Finland and the United Kingdom for work/study and to all but the top and bottom continents in search of her muse. Her debut e-book in 2012 was about ancient goddesses running amock, trying to get their wilted powers back. She then proceeded to indie publishing her own ebooks and paperbacks and found her way from myths and legend via the Angelic Agency to fairytales retold for young adult and adult audiences.
So far, Thumbelina has been updated for suspicious adults, a more sinister version of Cinderella was released on 21.12.20 and an adult Red Riding Hood retelling is about to be released on 21.03.21. A Wizard of Oz retelling and several short stories are in the works. All her books are linked by some character or another and she loves making you choose at the end – by letting you pick an ending to read – one for the optimist and a slightly different one for pessimists (well, except in the Cinders-Embers-Ash trilogy because only Douglas Adams could pull off a trilogy in 5 parts). She lives in a house with a small garden with her husband and mostly one, but on occasion plus four kids. No dog.
As an Amazon Associate I may earn commission from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasy romance books then you will love my new release SoulBreather, part of the Realm of Darkness Anthology, and my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Joining me today is another of my co-conspirators from the Realm of Darkness boxset. I am chatting with Fantasy author, Becky James about her contribution to the boxset, The Shadow of Death, which releases today! October 4th, 2022 and is currently available to order.
Helen: Welcome Becky, I am so excited that we get to chat about your book on launch day!! Tell us a little about your book.
Becky: I have always loved Scotland, and spent four years living there next to the sea, so I knew I wanted something Scottish. I researched and played around with some Celtic myths and legends for a romantic fantasy collaboration project. In some parts of Scotland, it was believed that a Cu Sidhe, a dog fae, could sense imminent death, and in other parts, they thought a black cat fae called a Cat Sidhe would steal the souls of the recently departed. Talking to an author friend, she suggested they were at war with each other over souls, and I started to put together why they would be at odds. What do they use souls for, or what do they believe is happening to them?
I came up with the Cu Sidhe taking them to be sent to the Otherworld, but they don’t know what that is, and the Cat Sidhe using them to generate magic, which they need to live. It’s been fun putting together a world that allows for shifters, a magic system based around different gemstones and selkies!
Helen: Your cover is very mystical with your main characters shadowed by their other forms. How did you come up with the design?
Becky: I knew I wanted Allegra Pescatore to make a cover: I love her vibrant styles and clever details. When she showed me the concept for Neri I was blown away, she is perfect! She has carried that style over into Book 2, The Thief of Souls, and done a fantastic job!
Helen: Allegar did a fantastic job! What made you write a novel for an anthology?
Becky: Writing can be a lonely hobby. Yes, you’re spending time with your characters, but it’s lovely to have a support system, a place where everyone is going through the same thing. Release week is full of ups and downs, it’s one of my favourite and least favourite times! It’s great to have your characters go off and meet new friends, but it can also be very stressful as you watch for fan reactions.
Joining into an anthology was a no-brainer for me. Working alongside other committed, caring individuals has been so refreshing. I have learnt so much, and also helped out a ton! My network has grown considerably.
Helen: I agree. It has been such a valuable experience. If you put in the hard work, then we all reap the benefits. Launch day is here, which is so exciting! Writing is so much fun, but what made you take that first step and begin writing?
Becky: Well, characters will stride into my life first and foremost, and then loudly demand that their stories are told. It took a few years to build up my writing skill to the point where I felt able to do their stories justice, although I’m still learning things every day. I write very character driven stories, so I’ll often only get a glimpse of the plot and then they will react to it faster than I can type!
Helen: Tell us about some of the other books have you written.
Becky: If you like sword and sorcery portal fantasy mixed with a bit of multiverse (think the good doctors – Doctor Who and Doctor Strange!), then The King’s Swordsman series is for you. It follows the adventures of a cocky swordsman and his exasperated companions. I’m over the moon to have people say good things about the series and how they enjoyed hanging out with these guys as much as I have.
The Tempered Turns of Time, King’s Swordsman Book 4
Helen: I am already intrigued to meet your characters!. Readers can find links to book one at the end of the interview. Was their anyone special who inspired you to publish your books?
Becky: I grew up reading Tamora Pierce, Robin Hobb / Megan Lindholm, and Anne McCaffrey. McCaffrey is an interesting blend of sci-fi and fantasy but it’s all character driven to a large extent: Hobb very much so as well. Pierce has that wonderful blend of characters coming to terms with hard real life issues and not always making the right choices. The works I most admire are those by Leigh Eddings, as in David and Leigh Eddings, because she’s recognised as the “secret” co-author on some of the books too. The Redemption of Althalus was my first “grown up” fantasy, and I absolutely loved the characters with their balance of humour and heart.
Helen: Oh yes, I love the Eddings books; they inspired much of my writing as well. We’re almost at the end of our time. Just to close us out, how do you fit writing into your daily life?
Becky: I usually write early in the morning or on public transport. I’ll be working on a Google doc to start with so I can use both laptop or phone, and then transfer it to Word for prettifying and self-editing before it goes to betas and my editors.
I’ll listen to music when running, and have a story playlist where songs relate to how the characters are feeling, but I write in silence. I like to get up before anyone else and have time when no one is asking for a snack or where something is: just me and the page.
Helen: Thank you, Becky, for chatting with me today. We can go and start celebrating now, as it’s launch day!! I hope all you readers come and join us for the party in the Dark Book Boyfriend Facebook Group. Play the games and comment on the giveaway posts for a chance to win prizes. Spread the word – Realm of Darkness is now live!
Becky James is the author of The King’s Swordsman series. Based in the UK, she has a deep love of the British countryside, canals, and all things fantasy; she devours anything that has magic, swords, good friends and good times.
As an Amazon Associate I may earn commission from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasy romance books then you will love my new release SoulBreather, part of the Realm of Darkness Anthology, and my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Joining me today is another of my co-conspirators from the Realm of Darkness boxset. I am chatting with Fantasy author, SR Breaker about her contribution to the boxset, The Curse of the Dragon Heir, which releases tomorrow! October 4th, 2022 and is currently available on preorder.
Helen: Welcome Sara, I am so excited to chat with you about The Curse of the Dragon Heir. Tell us a little about your book.
Sara: My contribution to the Realm of Darkness anthology is a Fae+dragon shifter fantasy romance entitled “Curse of the Dragon Heir.” Set in a second-world mystical land of fantastical magic called Arcadia, it’s a thrilling, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, closed-door fantasy romance about a rare Fae mage with no magic who accidentally sets a mysterious evil demon free, except he just might be the key to unlocking her powers. Perfect for fans of “Throne of Glass” and “Shadow and Bone.”
Here’s the description:
Second-born of the High Fae mage family of the Priori clan of Arcadia, Soleia was only expected to do certain things. Mind her dull familial duties. Undergo training to master portal summoning, the rarest form of casting among her people. Free a dangerous demon from a fifty-year-old curse and release him into their village–oops, that was an accident!
If only the Priori elders’ solution wasn’t to bind the evil demon to her to ensure everyone’s safety. If only Soleia hadn’t been lying about actually having any powers all these years. If only the gorgeous demon’s intense gold-red gaze didn’t send delicious shivers up her spine.
Soleia can no longer escape her fate. She has to harness her magic, keep the cursed demon at bay, and somehow keep her secret.
But the demon has secrets too. And while Soleia discovers that he is much more than he seems, a decades-long conflict for the fate of Arcadia comes to light. It could also be the key to unlocking her powers.
Helen: I’m loving the colours of your cover. The beige tones help give a sense of brooding and uncertainty. How did you come up with the design?
Sara: Funny story, I recently realized that all of my fantasy book covers are BLUE. So I seriously made a conscious decision to set this book in the desert. And voila, the cover for “Curse of the Dragon Heir” was born! The aesthetics are partly inspired by the movie “Prince of Persia: Sands of Time”, and honestly, the random wallpapers that keep popping up on my laptop—the beautiful canyons in Utah. I’d love to see them in person one day!
Helen: What made you write a novel for an anthology?
Sara: My decision to participate in this anthology was total spur-of-the-moment. I saw the sign-up sheet on an author friend’s Facebook posts and just went for it. I had never been involved in an anthology before at the time but I always like to try anything once and I’m really glad I did. I can barely believe it’s been a year since! This experience has been most educational, hard work but actually fun! I’ve met so many amazing people in this journey and seeing everyone work together to achieve the same goal is quite inspiring. I can’t wait to see the final product and am very excited to share all our stories with the world!
Helen: I can’t believe the year has gone so fast! We’re in the home straight (or home stretch for those in the US!) and it is so exciting as we build up to the launch. For a moment, let’s go back to the very beginning. What made you first start writing?
Sara: I’ve always loved telling stories. Every day, stories unfold in my head so I decided to write them down. I get ideas from literally everywhere. I’ve often found that my writing is a reaction to something I’ve read or watched. Usually, it’s because whatever it was had a sad, bad, or unsatisfying ending. So I’ll want to create my own version. I love creating because you set your own rules. In my world, anything is possible, and regardless of what struggles I put my characters through, I am guaranteed that they will always have a happy ending because I am in control.
Many books out there are too dark/heavy for my preference. I wanted to create compelling worlds where there is just as much conflict and danger while maintaining an overarching atmosphere of levity and hope.
Helen: Tell us about some of the other books have you written.
Sara: My latest complete series is a YA epic/portal fantasy entitled “The Curse of the Arcadian Stone: Nameless Fay.” It’s about an ancient forest fairy tasked to guard a legendary treasure and a sneaky guy from Earth who had been STUCK in her world for almost a YEAR. The treasure is the ONLY thing that can get him home but if he steals it, she dies. What will he choose, I wonder? Lol.
Interestingly, the first complete series I had written is a YA sci-fi/portal fantasy entitled “Selfless.” It’s about a teenage girl who stumbles into a parallel world and gets mistaken for her genius scientist “alternate self” whose life is in danger. And the hottest guy in school who never noticed her before is now a genius ninja spy scientist who can’t stop risking his life for her. SWOON alert.
Most of my speculative books involve portals and multiverses. I am just fascinated by them.
Helen: I think the unknown intrigues everyone and being unknown gives us authors license to create whatever our brains can think of! What are you currently working on?
Sara: I am currently working on the second book in my current series “The Dragons of Arcadia.” My novel “Curse of the Dragon Heir” which is included in Realm of Darkness is the first book in this new fantasy romance series. Book 2 will be another thrilling, enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn fantasy romance set in the same world as Book 1. I’m so excited to dig in and see where the story goes next!
Helen: Oh can’t wait! Let’s chat a bit about your writing life. How do you fit writing into your daily life?
Sara: As a stay-at-home mom to young children, it can be a challenge to find time to write. I can only imagine how much more difficult it would be if I was working a full-time job too. But for now, I have allocated time in the evenings (as soon as my kids have gone to bed) to write and work on book-related business. Being an independent publisher, my work is almost completely online so I can do many things with just my phone, which is good in some ways, except it also means I’m almost always “on.” So I still do have the same challenges to figure out a work-life balance. It gets more interesting because I’m in a very odd time zone (New Zealand) and would be asleep when most people are awake. So FYI, if I reply late to your message, that’s why. Haha.
Helen: At least your working day is uninterrupted. That is a good thing! Do you find yourself planning out your books or are you a pantster?
Sara: I used to be a 100% pantser. I think this was even the exact reason why my first YA sci-fi/portal fantasy trilogy “Selfless” was largely plot-driven and action-packed. Though I don’t think I could ever be a 100% planner because much of the enjoyment I find in writing is with the discovery part. I like not knowing where my own story goes sometimes. There’s both good and bad in there as well. It can be stressful when you’re on a deadline. Nowadays, I have adapted a few plotting strategies that have helped me churn out words more effectively and ensure my story structure is solid. I often base my rough outlines on a combination of the 3-act structure, The Plot Dot, and a couple of beat sheets.
Helen: I think most authors move to some form of planning as they learn more about the craft. The trick is to keep the creativity free to flow and constrain yourself to a hard plan. Do you have a special place to write or a writing nook?
Sara: I would LOVE to write at a café. Set up my laptop in the corner with my cup of coffee and write all day long. Maybe someday I will be a lot less self-conscious and actually do that. Right now, I have a small corner desk in my bedroom. It’s not much and it’s always a mess but it’s already an improvement from last year when I used to just slouch on the sofa. I also dream of having my own home office someday. Many authors have such beautiful workspaces.
Helen: I dream of having a library with a solid oak desk, lol! Though I wonder if being surrounded by others books might make it more difficult to write? Tough question coming up! Who is your favourite character to write?
Sara: In all my books, I always relate more to the quirky comic relief sidekicks. I simply do not think I am brave enough to be a hero. Lol. In “Curse of the Dragon Heir”, one of the heroine’s best friends is named Tobias. He’s an easy-going Fae mage, hangs out at the pastry cart every morning, enjoys giving sensible advice to his less-sensible friends, and moons over cute guys. If I had to self-insert, he would be my vibe for sure.
Helen: Can’t believ we’re at the end of our time already. Thank you so much for chatting with us today. Just to finish, if you didn’t write fantasy books, what genre would you like to try?
Sara: I actually write across several genres. Growing up, I remember the first books I loved to read were YA romance pocketbooks and that’s why I started writing YA sweet romance first under my pen name “Sara Breaker.” I like sweet, simple stories that always have happy endings. This eventually branched out into my YA sci-fi & fantasy books under my pen name “S. Breaker” where I write nonstop action adventure stories. And now I’m venturing into New Adult fantasy romance under “S. R. Breaker.” All my books are feel-good reads. I’m deeply committed to happy endings because I think everyone needs an escape—specifically, one that leaves you feeling so good, you’ll be virtually bulletproof from the harshness of reality for the rest of the day.
Helen: Thank you, Sara, for joining me today. I wish you lots of luck with all your books. I am so excited to be part of this anthology, it has been a great experience, and I can’t believe the launch is in a few days. It has come around so quickly! You can preorder the anthology here for the insane price of 99c!
Realm of Darkness Anthology
Make sure you can check out some of my other posts as I spotlight the authors as they reveal their covers!
About the Author:
S. R. Breaker lives in New Zealand with her husband and two kids. She writes non-stop action adventure, offbeat science fiction and fantasy books.
Suburban mum by day and author by night, she loves to live vicariously through her characters. They don’t have to vacuum all day long and are almost always guaranteed to survive any fantastical or thrilling incidents, no matter how treacherous she writes them.
She likes binge-watching TV shows and reading books that take her to far enough unknown worlds—but then still have enough time to wash the dishes after.
As an Amazon Associate I may earn commission from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasy romance books then you will love my new release SoulBreather, part of the Realm of Darkness Anthology, and my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Helen Garraway 