Reviewed: May 9th, 2021 Released: January 7th, 2021 Genre YA Fantasy
At Zalindov, the only person you can trust is yourself.
Seventeen-year-old Kiva Meridan is a survivor. For ten years, she has worked as the healer in the notorious death prison, Zalindov, making herself indispensable. Kept afloat by messages of hope from her family, Kiva has one goal and one goal only: stay alive.
Then one day the infamous Rebel Queen arrives at the prison on death’s door and Kiva receives a new message: Don’t let her die. We are coming.
The queen is sentenced to the Trial by Ordeal: a series of elemental challenges against the torments of air, fire, water, and earth, assigned to only the most dangerous of criminals. Aware the sickly queen has little chance of making it through the Trials alive, Kiva volunteers to take her place. If she succeeds, both she and the queen will be granted their freedom.
Reviewed: May 7th, 2021 Released: May 7th, 2021 Genre YA FAntasy
Celebrating Mental Health Awareness month, check out this debut novel by indie author Kristen Braddock. A novel bursting with diverse characters challenged by and overcoming their own personal demons.
This novel was straight in with the action. Cara is dragged from the human world into the fae realm and pitched into an impossible situation from the beginning. She has no idea that she has magic let alone what her magic actually is, nor does she really find out much more except that death hounds her every step, which is daunting for anyone. Read More…
I am joined today by author Kristen Braddock who releases her novel Whisper of Darkness today! I have been fortunate enough to read an eARC, an advanced copy, and I can tell you, you are in for a treat! Welcome Kristen. Congratulations on the release of your book, the first in the Banshee’s Curse series. I am really excited to talk about your books, because you introduce a lot of diverse characters, all of which have emotional baggage that you just want to unravel, and you address some difficult topics through your character’s experiences. Please tell us a little about your novel.
Kristen:Whisper of Darkness is the first book in my new Banshee’s Curse series where a young woman believes she is cursed due to how death seems to follow her through her life, only to discover she’s actually a banshee- a predictor of death. After being saved by another fae, she’s forced to join a competition to fulfill her life debt to him. The first book focuses on the discovery of this other realm, and surviving the deadly trials she is now a part of. Personally, what I think is unique about my books are the representation I include. I feel the fantasy genre can be greatly expanded with its diversity, and I’m not simply talking about race. The main character, Cara, struggles with her mental health. Her sister is a lesbian. The love interest, Killian, has burn scars that marr the left side of his body. A friend Cara makes in the fae realm is autistic. These are a few examples of the diversity I include. I want my books to not focus on coming out stories or focus on these traits, but for them to be a natural part of who they are, just like in our world. A person is more than their depression, their physical ailments, their sexuality or neurodiversity. I want a cast of characters that are as diverse and complex as the world we do live in.
Not only this, but I want to put my money where my mouth is. So, for each book/series I will donate 10% of my profits to nonprofit organizations. For example, for Whisper of Darkness (potentially the whole series), I will donate to the Foundations of Divergent Minds which is run by autistic people, instead of parents of autistic people, and has a high employee rate of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ persons.
Helen: That is amazing. I hope everyone is rushing off to buy your novel right this minute. (Links at bottom of post.) With so much diversity in your novel, how did you come up with the title?
Kristen: Again, Cara battles depression, and her powers are generally dark. Whisper of Darkness is the whispering of her dark thoughts from her mental health, but also represents the dark powers she’s learning about.
Helen: Sounds just right, fits the book and the cover is gorgeous! How did you come up with the idea for the cover?
Kristen: My covers have key elements from the book. Every single feature is chosen for a reason, even down to why the main character has her back turned away. However, I don’t want to explain it too much because I could reveal elements that I’m interested to see if readers pick up on instead of what I explain. Also, some things will be represented across all the covers, almost as if the covers tell their own story. For example, I plan to have the main character slowly turning around with each consecutive cover because with each book she learns and accepts more about herself. So, the unveiling of her on the covers, represents the acceptance she has for who she is too.
Helen: Very clever. Your book sound very intriguing, and definitely delivers. What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
Kristen: It started with a “what’s a supernatural creature that isn’t common in stories?” I came across a banshee in my research, and thought that would be cool. Upon further investigation, I learned banshees come from Irish/Celtic Folklore, which the rest of the series is highly inspired by. From there, I wanted to write a fantasy novel that contained characters you did not often come across in the genre. A diverse cast with the kinds of representations I would love to see in books.
Helen: I must admit I write what I like to read as well. What made you choose fantasy?
Kristen: I write fantasy, a variety of subgenres, because the sky’s the limit. I love to see where my imagination takes me, how the characters become alive. It’s my favorite genre to read, and I love when I become so immersed in my writing it feels like I’m reading a book as I type instead of writing it myself.
Helen: I think that is what is magical about reading fantasy, a lot is left to your imagination to build that world how you want to see it and how the characters live in it. What inspired you first start writing?
Kristen I’ve always loved to create stories. My first was a two page short story at 6 years old about a cat who ate too much. I even studied Creative Writing in college before swapping my major to Biology. I have slowly accomplished my childhood goals, and one of them was being a published author. Thankfully, with what indie publishing has become, the only thing stopping me from realizing that dream was myself.
Helen: With such a diverse cast of characters, who was your favourite character to write?
Kristen: I would definitely have to say Cadan, her autistic fae friend. Actually, I was initially going to have him die, an emotional burden Cara would carry, but by the time I reached that point in my story I couldn’t do it. First off, I totally loved him by that point, and the friendship that formed between him and Cara. Also, I felt it was almost stereotypical for diverse characters to be killed off. Time and time again, writers for movies, books, tv shows, etc are criticized about the LGBTQ+ or BIPOC characters coming to a demise or not finding a happily ever after. I didn’t want the same fate for Cadan. I want Cadan to find his happily ever after by the end of the series.
Helen: I hope he manages to find one, and he truly is a wonderful friend for Cara! So who do you prefer to write? Villains or heroes?
Kristen: I love both as long as they are complicated. I love to understand what makes a character tick. I want a hero who isn’t naturally perfect, and I want a villain who isn’t “evil because they’re evil” but because they have a reason. No one sees themselves as a villain, everyone would view themself as the hero in their own story. So, diving into the grey area of all my characters is amazing.
Helen:Your novel is full of complex characters. All of which have interesting back stories which you slowly reveal, and tempt us with. You must have had such fun writing them, as they all tug at the heart strings. As you wrote this book, which part of the writing process did you prefer? Writing or editing?
Kristen: Writing all the way! It can be difficult when creative blocks hit, but editing is where I spend hours upon hours criticizing my work and questioning everything. If there was a way I would never have to edit my own work, I’d take it. Helping others with editing I don’t mind at all, but I loathe the process for myself. However, when the initial spark of a book occurs, and you begin writing and watch it develop is **chef’s kiss**.
Helen: Love it. Btw my daughter had to explain ‘chef’s kiss’ to me, but I get it now! Tell us a little about how you write. Do you plan everything in advance and follow it religiously or allow it to develop as your write?
Kristen: I’m a planster. I usually outline each chapter with a few words. For example, “Chapter 17: fae ball.” It helps ensure I don’t get stuck, the book is progressing, and there’s a reason for each chapter. I usually know the general idea of where I want the chapter to end up or key things I want to occur, but otherwise I let the scene develop on its own as I write.
Helen: Tell us about your writing environment. Do you write in silence, or do you like to listen to music?
Kristen: Sometimes, and if I do it’s classical, often film scores. I created my own playlist with pieces from Pride and Prejudice, How To Train Your Dragon, Maleficent, Chronicles of Narnia, and a few others. I, also, have a Dark Academia Classical playlist I found on Spotify.
Helen: This is the first book in the Banshee’s Curse series, how do you get the ideas to write a whole series?
Kristen: Everywhere. I get them while sitting in a Marine Science class, letting my mind wander while traveling, sitting at the end of a boat dock looking over the ocean, what I dream about at night, or word vomiting what I love to read. Inspiration is everywhere and I have endless notes and Google docs filled with ideas.
Helen: Thank goodness we are surrounded in inspiration! Tell us a little about your work in progress. Book two of the series I hope?
Kristen: Currently, I am working on Book 2 and 3 of my Banshee’s Curse series. Also, I’m in the editing stage for a YA mermaid series. With my marine science background, I thought “what realistic ocean phenomena could be used for a mer-society?” and it went from there. I actually wrote this novel before Whisper of Darkness, and plan to release it soon.
Helen: It sounds like you are juggling multiple books as well as daily life. But selfishly I want the next books in the banshee series! How do you fit it all in?
Kristen: Not well **awkward laughter**. I have yet to reach a point where being an author is lucrative enough to be my main job, so I am a full time High School science teacher. Anyone who knows a teacher understands it is a very demanding job, and I have yet to learn to balance the two well. I often go to work an hour and a half early to try to write before school starts, and finish it up that night when I get home. This means I have very long days between my two jobs. For a while, I used weekends to catch up on my writing too. This meant I never took a day off. I’m still bad at taking days off completely due to marketing, but I try to have one weekend day where I don’t do anything with writing or teaching, and step away from all professions. Thankfully, I have a very supportive and amazing husband. I think I’m pushing myself harder now because we don’t have kids yet, but I know we hope to soon and once kids come into the mix, I will not be able to invest as much time in my professions. So, I’m trying to accomplish as much as I can now.
Helen: Great plan! Hopefully you will get your series completed before further distractions divert you. Tell us, if you didn’t write fantasy what genre would tempt you?
Kristen: If I didn’t write fantasy, I would consider writing a memoir. I considered writing one in regards to generational trauma starting with my grandmother, but I think it’d be too raw and I can’t bring myself to write about my family in that way. The other one I would consider is when I lived abroad after college. I didn’t know what I wanted for my future, so I sold everything I owned and left the U.S. I even have a working title of “Behind The Lens” because during the time of living in England, Bali, and Belize, what I posted on social media was so picturesque, as it usually is, but what I went through was not as ideal as it seemed to everyone. Through this journey, I found myself and what I wanted to do with my life, and my future no longer seemed like a black hole. There are still plenty of raw moments, but I’m okay with painting myself/my life in a less than ideal way rather than my family members.
Helen: I am glad that travelling helped you find your calling in life. It is really adventurous, and can be life changing. My daughter is currently experiencing the travel bug. She studied in the US, and is now living in Canada. It is an amazing experience if you get the chance. I imagine that gave you the chance to read a lot. What are you currently reading?
Kristen: Anything by Audrey Grey or Annette Marie. They are both indie fantasy authors that I found through the Kindle Unlimited program. Annette Marie is the reason I dived into the world of indie authors. Her world building is absolutely unbelievable, and a reason I fell in love with Urban Fantasy. Audrey Grey has one of my all time favorite character arcs. All I’ll say is you watch a beloved character become the ‘villain’ instead of starting as the ‘villain’ and it’s so brilliantly done. Her characters in general jump off the page, even minor characters, and they are so morally grey and beautifully written.
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today, I’ve loved chatting with you, and I thoroughly enjoyed your book. (look out for the review!) Congratulations again on the release of Whispers of Darkness, and I wish you all the best with the next in the series. Just to close us out, can you tell us what advice you would give other authors?
Kristen: You can’t edit a blank page” has gotten me through countless days where the words didn’t come as easily and I had writer’s block. I stopped viewing the first draft as needing to be perfect, and a way to simply get the initial story out, to help it exist outside of my own mind. This quote has helped three novels come to fruition.
About the Author:
Characters and their worlds have inundated Kristen’s mind since she was a kid. Traveling to far off places and having words on a piece of paper transform into entire scenes pulling at her emotions is an obsession.
Reviewed: May 4th, 2021 Release Date: August 30th, 2020 Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Tattoo magic. Rival brothers. Lost fae. A war full of betrayals.
Nothing is as it seems.
Fifteen-year-old Mina didn’t ask to become the center of a feud between two monster wielding, near immortal warriors and their faerie followers. Nor did she ask to be a faerie. Everything changes the night a dragon sends her nana’s home up in flames.
Mina is forced into a life of lies, monsters, and magic. But as she searches for answers that might end the fighting, an enemy threatens Mina and the lives of those she loves. Read more…
Reviewed: May 3rd, 2021 Release Date: November 12th, 2020 Genre: M/M Paranormal Fantasy
As the battle rages around him, Laurence stops to witness a witch casting a powerful magical arc. Werewolves race past, running for cover, but Laurence can’t tear his gaze from the vulnerable spellcaster.
When Remy is injured, he doesn’t expect a vampire to come to his rescue. What is he to Laurence if not dinner? But Laurence carries him to safety, ensures he gets treatment, and protects him from a pack of angry werewolves.
An enjoyable paranormal adventure, with well drawn characters and a touch of M/M romance. What’s not to enjoy? Read More…
Today, I am talking to YA fantasy author, Cami Murdock Jensen, author of the Arch Mage series, which currently sits at three books with Cami currently working not the fourth. Welcome Cami. Please tell us a little about your series
Cami: I wrote the books to encourage my chronically ill daughter to fight against her depression. Agnes (my heroine) struggles with nerve pain in her legs, weakness, and scars on her face. As the only wizard born on our planet which banned magic thousands of years ago, Agnes has to use her creativity and determination to outsmart a variety of severely overpowered villains. Well, creativity, determination and magic.
Agnes isn’t in this fight alone, as she travels from planet to planet, she gathers a circle of friends who help her meet her destiny. A matter-shaping prince, a water elemental siren, a beautiful necromancer, a computer hacking genius, and incredible magical creatures including dragons, genies, and sciftans (magical talking cats from Fifth Earth that can take any feline form).The Arch Mage series is chock-full of adventure, action, mystery, and amazing magic. It’s a fast, clean read, and will engage even reluctant readers. And, I have to admit, each book teaches a lesson that helps teenagers navigate a difficult time of life.
Helen: I am so sorry to hear your daughter has been ill. I hope the books have helped her overcome her challenges as I am sure they help many other teenagers. What made you name the books, First Earth, Second Earth etc?
Cami: I named the book First Earth for simplicity. Kind of boring, but there it is.
Helen: Sometimes simplicity is best. The covers have such vibrant colours, they are really eye catching. The covers give off a science fiction vibe, but you write young adult fantasy, don’t you?
Cami: I love Young Adult Fantasy. I’m all about magic, creativity, and quality stories. As a child, I voraciously read every book I managed to lay hands on. While I read adult fiction, (mysteries hold a special place in my heart) I still love YA stories. It’s a stage where young people are figuring themselves out. My books are a way to convey lessons I wished I’d understood myself—lessons to make life easier. Who doesn’t want an easier life?
Helen: Very true. It’s great when books can provide multiple purposes, not only entertaining but also imparting wisdom and knowledge. What gave you the inspiration to become an author and write?
Cami: My daughter. As a teen she began displaying unique and troubling health problems. She would suddenly lose strength in her legs, go pale, and slump into a heap onto the floor. It took years to find a doctor who could give us an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. In the meantime, I wrote First Earth to keep her engaged and help her deal with depression. My main character is Agnes Ann Cavanaugh, the only wizard born on our planet since it was banned thousands of years ago. She survived an explosion as a baby and suffers from severe neuropathy in her legs and scars on her face. She accomplishes great things despite her handicaps, and never stops trying. My daughter was inspired by this character, who was based entirely on her, and pushed herself to get out of bed every day. She is now married, going to a local university, and writing her own stories.
Helen: How wonderful. I am so glad your daughter was able draw strength from your writing. I hope others are able to as well. Out of all your books, who is your favourite character?
Cami: I like the quirky side characters. I have a sciftan in my Arch Mage series named Grimmal. A sciftan is an intelligent, talking, magical creature that can take the form of any feline. I love writing Grimmal. He is such a picky thug, who is totally loyal, but would never admit it. I also love Dame Maudine, the eccentric former warrior queen whose crazy ideas are relentlessly right. As a script writer, actress, and director, my characters are always speaking in their own voices and running about my pages as though I lived in their world.
Helen: Writing is very immersive, I agree. I do similar things, playing the scene in my mind to get a feeling for how the characters should react. Let’s chat about your writing style. Do you plan out your novels, or do you let hem take you where they will?
Cami: Combination of both. I know where a book is going and what steps it needs to get there. I often nail down character traits on paper, so I don’t write something unbelievable. Other than that, I am a pantser all the way. It feels almost like reading, only much more slowly. I can’t tell you how many times stories have taken me somewhere I didn’t anticipate. I once wrote a mystery for my children’s theater group with no idea who the ultimate thief was until the detective revealed her for me. It was such an exciting moment–even for me.
Helen: How wonderful! Characters can be sneaky like that. Always providing us with unexpected surprises! How do you come up with the ideas for your books?
Cami: Walks. I love walking my dogs through our neighborhood at night when it is quiet. My brain never shuts off. So far, I’ve never had crippling writer’s block. I always have ideas and use my very patient family as a sounding board to weed the good ideas from the bad ones. Thanks family! [Insider’s secret, I’ve also been known to talk to myself while doing dishes or laundry. Acting out a potential scene really brings it to life.]
Helen: Which element of the writing process you do you prefer? Writing or editing?
Cami: J. Scott Savage once said, “I’m a terrible writer, but a good re-writer.” I feel that. I have a piece of notebook paper propped up next to my computer that says, “Just slap words on the page.” Not very poetic or inspirational, but I can’t polish what isn’t there. And isn’t that the purpose of a rough draft? To be rough?
Helen: It is indeed. Thank you so much for joining me today; I’ve loved chatting with you. Just to close us out, can you tell us what you are currently reading?
Cami: I’ve got one book left in John Gaspard’s Eli Marks Mystery series. I love putting an element of mystery in my books. I try to have a big reveal accompany the big triumph at the end of my stories. Double the satisfaction!
About the Author:
Cami Murdock Jensen grew up in Spanish Fork, Utah, fostering two passions: science and the fine arts. As a senior in high school, she won the Sterling Scholar in science and cloned DNA to compete on the state level. One year later, she wrote the score for her first children’s musical, “Robin Hood: Tales of Ye Merry Wood”, which she later published. She has since dedicated years to teaching, writing, composing, and directing, as well as studying the genetic defect that runs in her family. Cami has six amazing children who have battled leagues of demons and a husband who is a much better hero than any prince..
Reviewed: April 30th, 2021 Release Date: January 7th, 2021 Genre: YA Fantasy
A lifetime ago, Lore Perseous left behind the brutal, opulent world of the Agon families – ancient Greek bloodlines that participate in a merciless game every seven years. A game that is about to begin again …
What an enjoyable read! A wonderful blend of modern-day New York and the gods of Olympia. Plenty of action, fighting, and plot twists to keep you entertained. Combine that with a strong heroine who is battling her own demons as she tries to live a normal life, and you have an exciting adventure. Read more…
Joining me to talk about her novels is the multi-genre author A.R. Grosjean, author of the newly released The Great Dark Witch which is the sixth book in the Peterson Estate series. Welcome Amber. Congratulations on the launch of tyour latest novel, and thank you for joining me. Tell us a little about your novels.
Amber: The book I just finished writing/editing is called Peterson Estate 6: The Great Dark Witch. It was released on April 23, 2021. This book is different from the others in the series because the MC is evil. John will become the Great Dark Witch and his goal is to open up Hell and set the demons and bad spirits free. Basically, bring Hell on Earth, literally. The only person who is strong enough to stop him is trapped in Hell and she’s Emily Peterson. He was born and lived in England hundreds of years before Emily was even born. This is his story and how he became the Great Dark Witch, and how his battle with Emily was foreseen by angels who created him.
My current WIP is called Murder Through Time. It is a science fiction thriller with time travel and murder. Have you ever heard of a serial killer who only killed one person? The idea came to me about 20 years ago and it was on my to-be-written-list for a long time. I finally caught up to it and began writing it this year. The MC is Marcus from the year 2244. He was sent back in time to detain a suspect. He was given the case because of his history with the suspect—they grew up together and were old partners. The suspect was framed and now the real killer is loose and aims to kill the woman Marcus needs to protect. The murders have caused what’s called time quakes which threatens to rip time apart—past, present, and future. If Marcus fails to protect Billie, he may not have a home to come home to. I’m planning on releasing this book between July and August, 2021.
Helen: Your series sounds intriguing, and now I want to find out why Emily is trapped in hell! How did you come up with the titles of your books?
Amber: With Peterson Estate 6, the title just made sense. The series title was already there, and that was had changed a lot over the years as I continued writing. Long story lol. Since the MC was going to become the Great Dark Witch, it made sense to give it that title.
Murder Through Time is the WIP’s title. I wanted something that said time travel without saying time travel but also wanted a ring to it. I went through a lot of different titles before I came up with this one, over the years. Sometimes the title is the hardest part and sometimes it’s the easiest. This one happened to be one of the hardest because each title was sounding corny to me. Then this one hit me and I liked it.
Helen: It’s nice when the titles just make sense. What was the inspiration behind these books?
Amber: Murder Through Time was one of those books that stuck with me over the years. I was taking a break while sitting under a bridge and I saw a skeleton hand sticking out of some rocks. Of course, that was my imagination, it was a twig, but it inspired a story that wouldn’t escape my mind, even with my bad memory. When a story stays with me like that, I HAVE to write it.
With Peterson Estate 6, I wanted to show how strong Emily Peterson is by showing how strong her counter part was. It really was the only way. And he did deserve his side of the story being told, I guess lol. I’m sorry but I’m on Emily’s side here lol.
Helen: When did you start writing? Was their a specific trigger that made you put pen to paper?
Amber: I was bullied growing up and still live with some mental abuse as an adult. It was hard going to school and living at home. When I was 11 years old (a year after trying suicide), writing came into my life and touched me in a way nothing ever did (before my husband), and it literally saved my life. It gave me a place where I finally belonged and explained why my imagination was the way it was. It explains other things too lol. But once I picked up that pen, I haven’t put it down. Not for long anyhow. I did take breaks along the ways to raise my kids but now they are grown and I’m not letting anything stop me from writing what comes to me.
Helen: Writing can be an amazing release and support, when life proves to be difficult. I am glad you found it in a time of need. You write fantasy and sci fi, would you put your hand to any other genres?
Amber: I write in most genres lol. The first time I attempted Horror, I was trying to write like Stephen King because he was my mother’s favorite author. I wanted to be her favorite author. I thought if I wrote something she would like, she’d have to like my writing. Didn’t work that way and I am glad. I had to learn that there’s nothing I can do to make someone that should like me, like me. I’m not going to keep wasting my time on that kind of stuff anymore. I’m going to be me—if no one likes it, their loss not mine. But as it did turn out, there was too much romance in the story to be under the horror genre. It ended up being rewritten although the horror elements in the story did remain. Just made for an interesting read. That was Cursed Blood which was renamed Cursed Blood: Bloodline Curse (and its sequel)
Helen: How did you come up with your cover designs? I must admit I like the cover for Murder Through Time; it is very atmospheric and seems apt for the story.
Amber: I’m learning all about cover design right now so I can make my own. I’ve been talking to other designers who really helped me. I was told this……Know your genre and the audience first. Go to Amazon’s top 100 for other Indie Authors in that genre and audience and look at those. Choose the image, colors, and font style based on what you see. Never use more than 2 different fonts because too much isn’t good. And remember, out of all the images that are out there, it is possible that other writers are using them too so play around with them. Subtle changes can make all the difference between your cover and someone elses using the same graphic. Or hire someone else to do it (either by trade or financial payment).
Helen: Covers are so important. You have such a short timeframe to grab a readers attention. It is the only way to make your book stand out. I am jealous of the fact you are going to design your own covers. I just don’t have the artistic ability or the time to do it myself! Staying with Murder Through Time, who is your favourite character?
Amber: Originally, Billie was going to be my MC in Murder Through Time, then it changed to Marcus. Of course, there are 4 POV characters in the story—Marcus, Billie, Ryan, and Charles. My favorite has to be Marcus right now. He had a bad childhood and became a detective to save lives and help people. Then he has to bring in Ryan because he’s a suspect in Billie’s deaths. He says he was framed. And then they are thrown into another time because of a time quake, so now Marcus has to save Billie before she becomes a victim again. It is a complex story but I’m truly enjoying this story! The twists keep running at me and I’m taking it in with so much awe. And Marcus is such a hunk.
Helen: It does sound like like a story which will keep the reader engrossed. Where do you get the ideas for your books?
Amber: The Peterson Estate series just hit; I was 12 years old so I don’t remember the exact inspiration other than the fact I love castles. Same with Mother of the Dragons although I was much older lol. Cursed Blood and its sequel, Spawn of the Curse were inspired by a nightmare which was triggered by my real life (I thought I was cursed). Murder Through Time was inspired by the moment under the bridge when my imagination got the best of me (it happens). Fairytale’s Truth was inspired by my granddaughter and youngest daughter. Stolen was inspired by a book on writing that had ideas in it. I just took the ideas a little further. It was also rewritten from Stolen Identity (some of it was changed and it was made clean). And I’m still being inspired.
Helen: Which characters do you prefer to write about ? Heroes or villains?
Amber: Heroes for sure but I could end up changing my mind later down the road. It would take a special villain to like him/her lol. I’m a happy ending type of woman so yeah. Heroes take chances, they fight for what they believe in, they are extraordinary even when they don’t have powers. I love a good hero.
Helen: Let’s talk about your writing environment. How do you fit writing in your daily life?
Amber: Every day is different. Some days, I can’t write because the day is just too short. Other days, I’ll spend most of the day working on a book. I don’t have a day-to-day job so I’m lucky about that part because it does give me more freedom. But I also have “chores” to do at home so that takes the front burner. I am a mother and grandmother too. When the kids come over, I can’t write. Sometimes I babysit for one of them and sometimes one will stay over all night—can’t work on my writing on those days. So, each day does vary.
Helen: So, on those days you can write, do you prefer to work in silence or do you surround yourself in music?
Amber: I’m one of those types of people who will type what they hear so I cannot listen to music while I write. I can watch a little TV sometimes, so go figure. I don’t know why I can tune the TV out but not the music lol. Of course, I tend to dance in my chair while I listen to music too so maybe that’s it. When I am marketing, planning my posts for the week, I listen to music. I like some rock, pop, country, etc. I love variety, just like in my writing.
Helen: Do you find yourself spending a lot of time of research?
Amber: That’s hard to say because each book is so different. I have one book that I put the brakes on for a little while because there was so much research to do. Of course, that one is nonfiction so the research is vital. There’s another book that is fiction that has a lot of research to make it work and it’s on the list to be written as well. I know nothing about trains and wanted the story to be more believable so it’s on hold for the moment. Once I get ready to write that book, I’m giving myself extra time to work in all that research but it’ll be a couple years before I get to it.
Helen: Do you find yourself planning every stage of your book, or do you like to let the story take you where it will?
Amber: I like to allow my characters guide me while writing so I am a pantser 100%. I do stop to write things down in my notes though. And even though I am letting the characters guide me, I generally know the big picture. Of course, many times the characters will throw me a loop and everything that I thought I knew would be totally changed. They throw me a twist and my eyes bulge out of my head and I’m like, I did not see that coming, in a pleasant excited way lol. I love twists! And I think my characters know that.
Helen: Do you have a special place where you like to write?
Amber: At the moment, I have a room where I can write. I call it an office space; my roommate calls it the den lol. Either way, it’s my space to write. I have a desk and a little space on the wall for all my crazy note taking. I write on my laptop but I have notebooks everywhere, where I keep my notes and stuff. And I do prefer night time but my daily life is different so as I said before, I write when I can so that varies between mornings and early evening, and even sometimes in the afternoon lol. But I do prefer to write at my desk because everything is handy for me.
Helen: You are such a prolific writer, is that what you prefer over editing?
Amber: I prefer writing, for sure, but I’ve learned to respect editing over the years because through editing, my writing has become better. The first draft is the story you’re telling yourself so it’s going to be packed with errors, missing pieces, and a lot of over-used words. Through editing, I can make a good plain story into something wonderful. But I love the writing process, diving into the story with uncharted territories, and learning about the characters. I get so involved that I lose time lol. So, I really do prefer writing before editing.
Helen: I know it’s like asking you to choose between your children, but do you have a favourite book out of those you have written?
Amber: For the longest time, my favorite book I’ve written was Peterson Estate because it had been with me for so long. But now, Fairytale’s Truth is my favorite because I see my granddaughter in the MC, Maria. I wrote her based on my 4-year-old granddaughter. The story is so magical and it pulls you in like no other fairy tale that I’ve ever seen before. And it’s not a fairy tale, it has fairy tale characters in it.
Helen: Most writers are also great readers, can you share what you are currently reading?
Amber: I’ve been rereading a lot of favorites because of the pandemic, I think, with so much out of my control. I am reading Creating Characters from the editors of Writer’s Digest. I needed to make my characters better so I thought I would reread these books on writing to relearn what I already knew, improve my writing. And I can feel it’s working because Murder Through Time is so much better than I would have written it before reading that book. Creating Characters talks about names, the personalities good and bad, making your character larger than life with imperfections, etc. It talks about POV in different styles too which is why I have more than one POV character even though there is only one MC.
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today, it has been a pleasure chatting with you. I wish you all the best with the launch of your book. Final question, I promise! What advice would you give other writers?
Amber: Hang in there, don’t give up. No matter how bad it seems, it will always get better. Keep reading, keep writing. Don’t listen to those who tell you—you can’t make it as a writer. I’ve seen too many writers succeed so you CAN make it as a writer. It won’t happen overnight but it can happen. If you are writing your first book, begin getting to know the market before you’re finished writing that book. Start manufacturing word about that book now. Make business accounts on social sites and stir the pot so to speak now. You want to be friends with other writers. Don’t compete with each other, support each other.
About the Author:
My name is Amber aka A.R. Grosjean. I’ve been writing since I was 11 years old. I grew up on a small farm in Monroe, Indiana and moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana my junior year in high school where I continue to live with my husband. We’ve been married since 1996. We have 3 children who are now grown and 4 grandchildren. For my full bio, please visit my website where you can also sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter. Thank you!
Joining me today to talk about her historical fantasy novels is the author Meredith Stoddard, author of the Once and Future series. I am so excited that the fourth book of her series releases today!!! Make sure you go and check out Nothing Good Gets Away! (Links below).
Welcome Meredith and thank you for joining me. Congratulations on the release of the fourth book in your series. Tell us a little about your novels.
Meredith: My latest is called Nothing Good Gets Away. It’s the fourth in my Once & Future series which is contemporary fantasy. It follows Sarah MacAlpin a folklorist who is trying to trace the origin of a folksong that her grandmother taught her when she was a little girl. But when she starts pulling that thread it starts to reveal some family secrets and explain the trigger for her mother’s mental illness and eventual suicide. She’s helped along the way by a colleague from Scotland, who she falls in love with. But he is also embroiled in a cabal of neo-Jacobites who are trying to restore the Scottish crown to the Stuarts. They think Sarah is essential to their plans. When we catch up with Sarah in book 4, the revelations of the first three books have made her re-evaluate all her plans for the future. All she wants is to get away and live a quiet life somewhere, but there are some powerful forces working against her. This series has a folklore, magic, intrigue and romance. If readers like a Discovery of Witches or Outlander, they will enjoy this series.
Helen: This sounds really intriguing. And big news! If you haven’t read Meredith’s books yet, the ebook of Book One: The River Maiden is currently free to celebrate the launch of the fourth book in the series-so get it now! I love a historical fantasy. How did you come up with the title?
Meredith: The title for this book comes from a letter that John Steinbeck wrote to his son as fatherly advice on teenage romance. In the letter he talks about two kinds of love; healthy and uplifting versus unhealthy and possessing or draining. He tells him to be patient with the object of his affection because if it is meant to be, it will be. He tells him, “Nothing good gets away.” Those two kinds of love are very much a theme in this book, so it seems fitting. But out of context it can also sound like a threat which fits this book too. I love the equivocal nature of it.
Helen: That sounds very trusting, not sure fate is always that kind. But then, sometimes, no matter what you do, no matter how difficult you make it for yourself, you end up where you’re supposed to be anyway! That’s what my MC finds out! What made you write this book?
Meredith: This series is very much about the question of fate versus free will. While Sarah’s situation is extreme, I think we’ve all had occasions where people tell us we should be doing one thing, and we might want to go in a different direction. A lot of us have to balance the expectation of our family or community or society with our own desires and plans. That push and pull can be hard to balance and sometimes it requires compromise. Even if we don’t feel it to the level that Sarah does, finding that balance is something that many people struggle with. Helen: Very true! And most of the time we don’t realise we are being manipulated by society or social norms as they are so ingrained. What made you first put pen to paper? Was it a specific event or person who who inspired you to begin writing?
Meredith: My grandmother. She’s a terrific storyteller, and memory keeper. When I was a little girl, I would spend weeks at her house, and she would tell me stories about the generations of our family that came before us, and other families in the little town where she lives. And then I would go out into her garden, which is glorious and walk around with my imagination full of my own stories. It was a magical way to spend my summers. I got hooked on stories and making my own stories. She’s also an incredibly strong and determined person. She’s pretty amazing.
Helen: She sounds absolutely amazing, and it’s so wonderful that she is able to share so much about your family and instilled in you a live or storytelling. I always think a love of reading and the storytelling skills are passed down to us from our parents and grandparents, those who have the most influence on its when we are young, and it’s lovely to see it action. I’m not surprised a sense of history permeates your writing, but you blend in fantasy as well, where did that come from?
Meredith: I try to follow a theme more than a genre. All of my fiction is folklore inspired. I usually let the story pick the genre. That can lead me to write historical fiction, fantasy, women’s fiction. I even have an idea for a horror book. The common thread is always folkore. In the case of the Once & Future Series, I was reading a lot about Grail lore and Arthurian legends. I started to ask myself what would happen if the future part of the “once and future king” happened now. What would that look like? So, that led me to fantasy. I have some historical fiction pieces that are inspired by legends of the North Carolina coast.
Helen: So I am assuming there are a wealth of ideas in the world of folklore to inspire your books?
Meredith: I am fascinated by folklore and oral traditions. It’s easy to go down a rabbit hole of stories that have been passed down for generations. That’s where I find inspiration. What is the grain of truth in a story? How would that story look if it happened today? What actually happened as opposed to whatever embellished version has been passed down. There are so many rich and interesting traditions to explore.
Helen: So, book four is out, is there a fifth? What are you working on now?
Meredith: I have a couple of books in the pipeline right now. Of course, there will be a fifth book in the Once & Future Series to follow the one that is releasing this month. I also am revising a women’s fiction novel that is a spinoff of the fantasy series. It’s about a woman who returns to her hometown after inheriting her family home. She is a marketing consultant who has been working almost non-stop for years. She is asked to lend her brand management skills to help revive her family’s dying church. But she is conflicted because she’s an atheist. She also has some past trauma that makes her resist trusting her instincts, which leads her to make some choices that don’t leave her happy or fulfilled. On top of that she has a tense relationship with her mother. I’m actually very excited about it. The main character’s interior voice is snarky and irreverent. It was a fun book to write.
Helen: Let’s change gears for a moment, tell us a little about how you write. Do you plan everything or do just let the story evolve?
Meredith: I am a big time planner. In my previous career I was developing training classes for a software company, so I got very used to outlines and planning. I have to be able to see where a project is going. That bird’s eye view keeps me on track and makes for less revision time. I love Save the Cat Writes a Novel and use their beat sheets to sketch out the plot. Then I expand that out into a scene-by-scene outline. I’m not a slave to it. There are plenty of detours and re-plotting breaks along the way. There is still room for discovery, but I like to start with a plan.
Helen: Sounds like a good plan! How does writing fit into your daily life? How often are you able to write? Do you write everyday?
Meredith: This is a challenge for most writers isn’t it? It’s always been a challenge, but the pandemic has certainly made it worse because everyone is suddenly at home with me all day. I’m a mom of two teenagers, who are currently in remote school, so a lot of my time is spent making sure they get to class on time and get their work done. I use sprints to write in short bursts whenever I can fit it in; evenings, weekends, while the kids are in class. Luckily, right before the pandemic started, we built a finished shed behind our house that serves as my office. It’s great to have my own space, and I have the best walk to work through my garden.
Helen: It sounds divine. I keep saying I going to move so I can have a writing nook and a library. One day maybe. So, you have your writing den, do you listen to music while you write?
Meredith: Absolutely! The main character in my fantasy series is trying to get a PhD in ethno-musicology. It would be hard to write her without music. It’s also is such a great way to get in the mood for writing, and to shut out distractions. I make playlists for certain characters, relationships, and settings. I even share some of those playlists with my readers. Sometimes they make suggestions to me of songs that should be added to the playlists.
Helen: Don’t you love it when your character’s voice becomes real? They have their own opinions and they are not shy about telling you. Out of all your books, who is your favourite character?
Meredith: That is a tough question. Obviously, I have a soft spot for my main characters. But occasionally, there is a magical thing that happens with certain secondary characters who show up and just shine and surprise me. One of those in my fantasy series is Ruaraidh (pronounced ROO-ree) Ballantyne. He’s the half-brother of my main character and doesn’t show up until the third book. I knew he would come along when I started writing the series, but when it finally happened, he just bloomed. He’s a hiking guide and mountain rescue volunteer in the Scottish Highlands. He’s a tall, sun-kissed smart-ass who drives an ancient Land Rover, and rescues my MC on occasion. I love all my characters, but when this guy shows up I just have to smile.
Helen: He sounds great! I’m smiling as I listen to you describe him. I am definitely going to have to go and check out your series! Thank you so much for joining me today; I have loved chatting with you. I wish you all the best with your next book and your book series. Just to close us out, can you tell us what you are currently reading?
Meredith: I’ve been rereading a lot of favorites because of the pandemic, I think. with so much out of my control, now that I am done writing book 4 of my fantasy series, I’m getting into researching book 5, so there is a lot of nonfiction about Gaelic folklore like The Gaelic Otherworld which is an anthology of Gaelic folklore around fairies and the supernatural. It is giant brick of a book, but it’s full of all kinds of legends that I’m sure will inspire more books and stories. I’ve also been using Natasha Sumner and Aidan Doyle’s North American Gaels as incentive to get my work done. I got it for Christmas and told myself I wouldn’t start reading it until I was ready to research book 5. I’m such a nerd about folklore that this is a real treat for me.
About the Author:
I have known since I was a little girl sitting at my Granny’s kitchen table listening to her recount the stories of our family, that I wanted to be a story teller. Naturally, as with many folks, life/bills/mortgages/children got in the way for a while. Now after more than a decade writing training and sales material in the corporate world I find myself with the freedom to return to the kind of story telling that I have always enjoyed. So, I’m turning my attention the stories that have been in my head for as long as I can remember. Some are historical fiction, some are non-fiction, some are just plain romance, but I hope they are all entertaining. Here are my bullet points:
– Wife and mother of 2 amazing children – Nuts about all things knitting, crocheting, felting, or otherwise fiber related – Former corporate trainer and instructional designer – Grew up in suburban Virginia, but the child of Tarheels – BA in English from UNC-Chapel Hill – Also minored in Folklore at UNC, and still passionate about all things folklore – Avid Instagrammer, reader, genealogist, history nerd and shower singer – Opinionated
Reviewed: April 19th, 2021 Release Date: March 1st, 2020 Genre: YA Fantasy
A talking cat! What more can I say? But seriously, Chow has created a complex world full of magical creatures and cultures, and an interesting magical system.
Within this world there are three heirs, one has control of fire, another controls shadows and the ability to disappear and the third has control over Time and healing. They are stronger as a triad, each complementing the other. But one is missing. Read more…
Helen Garraway 