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DragonBound is the second enthralling book in the Fantasy Romance SoulMist series full of vibrant characters, political intrigue and betrayal.
How could so much go awry in so short a time? Crossing the divide between gloomy Eidolon and sunny Puronia was the least of their problems.
Solanji Her brother is still soulless and lost in Eidolon. Having exchanged tantalising promises of love with the mesmerising fallen angel, Demavrian, she led him straight into a trap, and he is running out of time to prove his innocence. She has no idea how to use her SoulBreathing skills or to control the dragon that comes with it, and to top it all, the Heavenly Host kicked in her door. They had better repair it!
Demavrian Ageing isn’t fun. If he didn’t reconnect to the citadel fast, he may even die of it, if the queue of angels wanting him dead didn’t get to him first. Unexpected enemies and surprising allies surface as he navigates the dark web of corrupted politics in the angel’s assembly. Let’s hope his newly independent oathsworn can keep him alive long enough to unravel his memories of what really happened the day he was cast out – and his beautiful SoulBreather, Solanji, may be the key.
Solanji and Mav may be immortal, but they are running out of time to discover who is behind all the scheming and how to redeem the soulless. When the timepiece makes it last turn, they will not be the only ones to suffer if they fail.
The first book in the SoulMist series is now available in Audio book. You can find it via the vendor of your choice HERE.
I am so thirilled that Voice Artist Tim Paige agreed to narrate my book. Check out the audio sample and start the adventure now.
The SoulMist series
If you fall in love with the shadows, does that mean you are fallen too? A dying angel. A fractured realm. The mortal who might be able to save them both.
Solanji has a secret. One that is becoming increasingly difficult to keep. She can touch souls and see into a person’s inner thoughts. Soulbreathing is exhilarating and addictive, until the day Solanji caresses the wrong person’s soulmist.
Dragged into a long forgotten angelic mystery, she is forced to venture into Eidolon, the godforsaken last resort for those without souls. In order to save her brother, she must rescue a broken and tortured man. Can she save him from the shadows? Does he even want to be saved? And can she find a way to return to the light before the darkness engulfs them both?
SoulBreather is the first book in the paranormal fantasy SoulMist series.
I’m a father to two awesome little boys (and a 4 lb toy poodle). We’re a little too obsessed with Disney (#Disnerds) and Marvel Comics.
I spent a large part of my life as a touring musician, playing on some of the bigget stages in the world (including on MTV’s TRL, back when that was a thing).
I also practiced and taught marketing (mostly at software startups) so I’ve got tech expertise, as well as experience with entrepreneurship, startups, and motivation.
Rom Coms are my JAM, so if something has a HEA, count me in.
I’ve not only narrated best-selling books, but have also voiced national commercials, tv show promos, trailers, and more.
Listen on Spotify
If you’ve read this far, you deserve a gift! I have a few Spotify promo codes allowing you to download my audiobook for free. You can apply for a free code here. (Limited number of codes available so don’t delay. When they are gone, they are gone!) Let me know what you think by leaving a review.
Happy Listening!
If you enjoy fantasybooks then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series. (First three books also available on audio!) 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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Reviewed: June 7th, 2023 Released: January 27th, 2023 Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
A war is brewing on the horizon; choices will have to be made that will bring unexpected allies together or tear apart clans forever.
Isolated her whole life in a village of fellow sirens, Thess finds her world turned upside down after she sets her eyes upon the tall mysterious male who walks into her life while training for the clan’s tournament that would decide her fate. Kage, a crocodile shifter from a lowborn family, has been trying to redeem his family’s name and pull them out of the mud. Kage finds his next mission will not only change his life but impact the lives of those around him.
The Clan of Mist is the first book in the Calpa Series, a new adult fantasy romance featuring shifters, magical amulets, fated mates, and enemies to lovers tropes.
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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Reviewed: May 2nd, 2023 Released: October 31st, 2022 Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
Finding my husband in bed with another woman was not how I planned to start my day.
Or homeless the next minute. And broke.
So, when a job comes my way from The Twilight Hotel—a paranormal hotel in midtown Manhattan that serves as a sanctuary and residence—I take it.
Cue in tattooed, sexy as sin, grumpy restaurant owner Valen, who can’t do drama or high-maintenance women. The problem? He’s cruel and dangerous.
And he’s hiding something.
Rumors arise of a dark spell that would mean the hotel’s closure, and I don’t know who I can trust. Do I have what it takes to fight this new evil? We’ll see.
Reviewed: April 28th, 2023 Released: June 21st, 2022 Genre: Humourous Fantasy Romance
A heartwarming and humorous blend of fantasy, romance, and mystery featuring a witch with domestic powers and the royal household he serves . . . dinner.
When Finlay Ashowan joins the staff of the King and Queen of Daxaria, he’s an enigma. No one knows where he comes from or how he came to be where he is, which suits Fin just fine. He’s satisfied simply serving as the royal cook, keeping nosy passersby out of his kitchen, and concocting some truly uncanny meals.
But Fin’s secret identity doesn’t stay hidden for long. After all, it’s not every day a house witch and his kitten familiar, Kraken, take to meddling in imperial affairs. As his powers are gradually discovered by the court, Fin finds himself involved in a slew of intrigues: going head-to-head with knights with less-than-chivalrous intentions, helping to protect the pregnant queen, fending off the ire of the royal mage, and uncovering a spy in the castle. And that’s only the beginning—because Fin’s past is catching up with him just as his love life is getting complicated.
Reviewed: April 21st 2023 Released: February 26th, 2021 Genre: Gaslamp MM Fantasy
His second chance at life will be the bloody death of him.
Silas Mercer is a dead man. Or at least…he was.
Upon waking in his grave, he finds himself without a single memory of the life he once lived. Silas is bewildered and lost, and apparently, now in the employ of the mysterious Order of the Golden Dawn. A secretive organisation who specialise in all things supernatural.
But Silas’s odd new life takes a startling turn when the Order partners him with the scandalous rake, Tobias Astaroth. A quick-tempered, dangerously beautiful man who harbours some hellish secrets.
Their unlikely, and infuriating, partnership soon faces its first terrifying challenge.
A monster straight out of a nightmare is haunting the woods of Leicester, and the Order want Silas and Tobias to end its rampage.
But nothing in this world is as it seems. Not the Order. Not Silas himself, and certainly not the incorrigible and utterly beguiling Mr Astaroth.
For Silas, the perils that lie ahead are many. But few are as dangerous as the bewitching man at his side.
Reviewed: April 15th 2023 Released: October 26th, 2022 Genre: Paranormal Fantasy Audiobook narrated by Kristen Saburn
Charlotte McConnor has all the luck of the Irish… until she doesn’t. When she agrees to marry Colin, her boyfriend of several months, things go downhill fast. The second the engagement ring slips on her finger, things get strange—and hot. As in, he burns her hometown to the ground every night in a sick game of cat and mouse. Unbeknownst to Charlotte, she’s just met her sin-eater—the man cursed by her family to carry her sins to Hell and keep her cup of luck overflowing. Now he’s out for revenge, unless, of course, they can figure out a way to break the centuries-old curse that has enslaved them both.
Reviewed: April 10th 2023 Released: January 24th, 2022 Genre: Crime Thriller
A vicious sniper on the loose in Los Angeles. A grief-stricken empath. A ticking clock…
For Nathaniel Colt, Los Angeles is not the City of Angels. For the empath, LA is hell. A quick visit turns into a nightmare when the former special agent becomes embroiled in the hunt for a ruthless sniper terrorizing the city.
When the lurking evil puts the profiler and those closest to him in his crosshairs, a race against time begins and the consultant must rely on his psychic abilities before their time runs out.
Can Nathaniel save those close to him or will LA, once again, prove that it is hell on Earth for the empath?
Helen Garraway 