Reviewed: February 26th, 2024 Released: October 21st, 2018 Genre: YA Fantasy
Can the power of love save the world?
Ailie, a gutsy girl who possesses a sharp wit and a playful, irreverent voice that pairs well with that of her best friend’s, a werewolf; embarks on a quest for revenge with the help of her psychotic, warmongering, and good-hearted legal guardian. She alone can open the gates of hell just like Pandora did when she opened the jar that contained all evils.
And evil wants those doors open. Fallen Angels conspire to help her with Cupid’s Golden Arrow.
She finds herself in a whimsical world of myths, legends, glittering gowns, priceless jewels, life threatening enemies, and eccentric immortals that call themselves Strzyga.
However, there are side effects to the arrow. What’s not to like about a gorgeous, two-hundred-year old Strzyga prince who is totally and completely head over heels for her?
But things never go as planned, do they?
Will Ailie manage to save the world, or will she accidentally open the gates of hell? Read My Thoughts…
Today, I am thrilled to be chatting to multi genre author, M.D.LaBelle.
Helen: Welcome. Tell us a little about your latest book in the Paranormal Romance Defiant collection, May I Please?
M.D LaBelle: The current book that I am working on is May I Please? It is the second in the Defiant Collection. The first being May I Alpha?
It is a paranormal romance that has its own unique twists and turns. In the first book I introduced a new concept, past lives and that each werewolf remembers all of them as if in a dream. They can use this to enhance the lives they are living and hopefully stop bad things from happening again.
However, Anastasia is a human in this lifetime, which causes all kinds of troubles for the two of them. In the second book, their troubles compound and Alexander must realize that she may never be fully tamed no matter how hard he tries. After all, wild things are not meant to be restrained.
Helen: What were your thoughts behind your cover? The couple are the same so the same characters must flow through the collection.
M.D LaBelle: Paranormal romance is always magical, and this is a romance, so I placed the man and the woman in the clouds holding each other, with a moon behind them. The sayings always come directly from the books. I picked purple this time for the second book so you can distinguish between the first and the second. The first book has a blue cover.
Helen: How did you come up with your title?
M.D LaBelle: May I Alpha? And May I Please? I named it that, because there is a BDSM element to it with the Domineering man trying his hardest to dominate over the beautiful woman and how she is willing to do this because she loves him.
Helen: What made you write this particular book?
M.D LaBelle: With every book, I write them because I have vivid dreams. I am writing this one now because the first book went over so well, and the story is not fully completed. The first book did have an ending, but the story was so loved that the readers begged for me to continue Anastasia and Alexander’s story on.
Helen: It is so wonderful when your readers engage with the characters and want more! When did you realise you had a passion for writing?
M.D Labelle: I have always loved to read horror novels, but when I was 12, I wrote a horror story and won the Young Author’s Award. It is published in a collaboration called The Who’s Who of America and it was from the 1980’s. For years I forgot about writing until I graduated from Central Michigan University with an art degree. Then I became pregnant and wrote a children’s book. It was never published because while I was still pregnant with my oldest daughter, a drunk driver hit me, and I lost all those memories and so much more.
For years after learning how to walk again, I was in so much pain that I didn’t do much of anything, except for watch over my children. However, one night when they were old enough to go to school, I had a vivid dream that turned into something else. I decided it was time to write again but I had never thought to publish it because I didn’t think it was good enough for anyone else, let alone to sell.
After a time, my family pushed me to publish and then I found an inexpensive way through KDP. It took a year or two before I ever did, but in April 2021, I published on my own. The first time someone bought my book, and it wasn’t a family member, I was ecstatic. So, then I began to think that just maybe I had a calling. From then on, I wrote a book and then published it.
Now, I have over 44 novels, and novellas published on all the major online bookstores, and even on my own eBook store within 2 years. I also have them in several physical stores, plus I do a lot of book signings, and other events where I sell my signed author copies, and my merchandise. I am proud to say that at least one of my books has sold well over a million copies between paid web novel platforms, bookstores, online bookstores, in person book signings and my own website at https://www.mdlabelle.com
Helen: That is fantastic, congratulations on your success. You are such a prolific writer, I can’t belive you’ve published 40+ books in two years! Quite amazing. Which genre do you typically write and why.
M.D LaBelle: I am a multi genre author. I have novels in horror, fantasy, erotica, thriller, romance in various genres and tropes such as dark romance, CEO romance, paranormal romance, also young adult fiction, and children’s fiction.
Helen: Who inspired you to write? Who are your favourite authors?
M.D LaBelle: Of course, authors like Anne Rice, Danielle Steele, Koontz, and King filled my head as a young child, so it is only fitting that I would love to write about horror.
Helen: I know this can be a tricky question, but who is your favourite character from your book?
M.D LaBelle: I would have to say Anastasia because she is both sassy and independent. She knows what she wants and has a mind of her own, but she also has so much to learn.
Helen: If your Main Character could answer, why would they say we should read your book?
M.D LaBelle: Anastasia would say that “You should read this sizzling hot paranormal romance because it is sinfully delicious, has a one-of-a-kind story line and always delivers in a world where most stories are no longer original.
Helen: Which element of the writing process do you find most challenging and why?
M.D LaBelle: I must mention the fact that there are not nearly enough hours in a day for all my ideas. I constantly have ideas popping into my head. As a matter of fact, I have well over a hundred planned in the next several years and I will have at least 50 done by the end of this year.
Helen: It is quite amazing how many books you’ve written. How do you come up with all the ideas for your books?
M.D LaBelle: Like I said in an earlier question, I often have vivid dreams that I take them from. They often are like movies, but I also will see a picture and a story instantly forms in my head or if I hear a song that stirs up an emotion. That is when my thoughts go rogue and develop stories. One, I have written up the blurb, made a cover and the storyline summed up because my niece used to be a kickboxer. It spurred a story in my mind that I have yet to publish.
Helen: Let’s talk a little about your writing process. What resources do you find most useful when writing?
M.D LaBelle: I would have to say that the most useful keys are Microsoft Word and the second Canva. I use both every day, but without Word, I would not be able to write quite so effortlessly.
Helen: What is the most useful piece of writing advice you’ve received, and by whom?
M.D LaBelle: To not pay attention to reviews and not take them at heart, because they are for the readers not for the authors. They are not to make us better as writers, but to direct the reader to buy or not what is good in a book or could use some work.
Helen: That is great advice, thank you for sharing. Do you listen to music when you write, if so, what do you listen to and why?
M.D LaBelle: I used to listen to music when I first started to write but quickly realized that my mind worked quite a bit faster when I could hear the words of the story in my head, not the music. It only served to slow me down.
Helen: Research can be a bit of a time consumer. Do you find you have to do much for your books?
M.D LaBelle: If it is something I don’t know about, I read about it first. For instance, I didn’t know anything about werewolf romance novels, so I read a few when I first started writing so I understood the myths and how they treated each group, but I still added my own elements and made a completely different storyline.
Helen: Are you a pantser or a planner? Do you write free form, or do you have a framework you stick to?
M.D LaBelle: I never plan anything. My fingers lead and I follow. As I write, I often will go in a completely different direction than I had intended to, and it is always more interesting and fantastical that way.
Helen: What is the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing?
M.D LaBelle: I have won two international competitions, awards, and have been #1 on the Amazon Bestsellers list so many times that I have lost count with numerous novels in varying genres. I also have been in the top 5 of Kobo and other bookstores for at least 2 books. However, when I sold over a million copies of The Luna’s Mate: The Alpha King, I realized that dreams really could come true if you try hard enough. Even if it seems that the odds are against you and insurmountable.
Helen: I am so excited to hear of your success. It gives other writers’ hope that they can succeed as well. What advice would you give new writers?
M.D LaBelle: Never give up. If you feel like quitting, just remember that you wanted to do this and that everything worth doing is hard.
Helen: How do you fit your writing into your everyday life?
M.D LaBelle: I have teens, so when they go to school, I write. For a year and a half, I was writing 24/7 but it took a toll on my body and mind, so I have slowed down and fit it in around the rest of my life. Plus, I write really fast and then edit each chapter after I write it.
Helen: What is your favorite book and why do you like it so much?
M.D LaBelle: I love them all. Each one is so different that I could never pick, but if I had to pick, I would say The Lake because it is everything in a book that I love to read. It has suspense, mystery, horror, thriller, and it develops the characters and the storyline completely. It leaves you guessing until the very end how it will turn out. Plus, I love creature features.
Helen: It has been a pleasure chatting with you. Was there anything anecdotal you wanted to share before we finish?
M.D. LaBelle: Ironically, when someone says you need to find your reader base, you need to listen because it is entirely true. At first, when I had written the dark romance Just Love Me, I could not get anyone to read it. But once I found my target audience, it spread like wildfire and everywhere I look in those specific groups, readers are recommending it.
Helen: Thank you so much for spending time with me today and congratulations on your writing success. It is is wonderful to meet someone rocking the Indie Publishing world! Just to close us out, one final question. Do you have any advice to overcome self-doubt?
M.D LaBelle: I had never really had too much of a problem with it because I was always writing. That is until this summer. I wrote in a new sub-genre, dark romance. I have what I know to be a wonderfully written dark romance series of novellas. They were meant to be a fragment of a split personality female serial killer’s life. However, some could not wrap their head around it because they did not understand that she suffered from split personality disorder. It was a big twist, so I didn’t want to just come out and say it in advertisements. I guess I had thought that the reader could figure it out by what I said in the book, but I was wrong in a few cases. It hurt because my ratings suffered.
Also, it was fast paced because I wanted to make it different from everything else out there right now. Now mind you I do have many absolutely wonderful 5- and 4-star reviews from those of my readers who did understand, but then I also received a few 1 and 2’s from those who didn’t. When I started to get 1- and 2-star ratings, it really made me start to question myself and my ability to write. I had thought in the beginning that it would be possible to make it another #1 Bestselling series, but the damage had already been done because now readers see those 1 and 2’s and how it brought down my average.
I am lucky to have a wonderful husband who is always backing me and pushing me towards the next book, otherwise I would have quit and never wrote the rest of my stories.
About the Author
M.D LaBelle
M.D. LaBelle is an international, award-winning, bestselling author from Mount Pleasant, Michigan, with numerous novels that hit #1 on the best-selling charts on Amazon. She has won two awards in the last year. Also, she is an author of several different sub genres of romance, dark romance, erotica, horror, thriller, fantasy, youth horror and children’s books. She currently has over 48 of her novels on all the online bookstores and her own. Her presence is all over the internet in social media under her pen name. The Lake: The Complete Special Edition can be purchased in store at Barnes & Noble physical locations, but the rest of her works can be found anywhere books are sold.
Contact M.D. LaBelle via her Website or on social:
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
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 thrilled to be chatting to Italian YA Fantasy author, Marco Marek.
Helen: Welcome Marco. Tell us a little about your YA Fantasy books.
Marco: My current book is Magic Streets Arizona bound book three, end of the saga of Magic Streets, first one was based in Prague, second in London and Highlands in Scotland.
This is the blurb for the first book.
Photography has never been so dangerous for Jack. Excited to visit Prague, Jack packs his camera and sets out to complete an assignment for a well-known magazine. However, shooting award-winning photographs isn’t the only challenge that Jack will face.
Blissfully unaware of the magic contained within the city of Prague, Jack rents an apartment at a mysterious former hotel. Determined to complete his assignment, he stumbles upon a magic street, he didn’t know he will be involved with a monster hunt with a tarot reader, a young witch and a bridnet boy.
The adventure that awaits is filled with magic, turmoil, danger, and a newfound love. Will Jack be able to face his fears or will the city be lost forever?
Helen: What a great idea for a portal to another world. What were your thoughts behind your cover?
Marco: The last cover of book three is a witch with a grand canyon background with bright blue sky with Pleiades on the top left. I found a photo of this vampire woman in shutterstock and love it, right away communicate with my cover artist and she create it.
Helen: That is such a great feeling when you find the perfect image for your cover. How did you come up with your title and the idea behind magical streets?
Marco: Well one time I was driving in my city when I had a vision, seemed I was in the opposite area I wanted to go, so I thought that could be magic street that transfer you in the area you want.
Helen: What made you write this particular book?
Marco: Magic Streets saga is because I like Teleports and fantasy, but this one isn’t visible, it is just one small area where whoever has special powers could detect and use this teleport, just using their mind.
Helen: When did you realise you had a passion for writing?
Marco: I always liked fantasy movies and books. After I read The Lord of the Rings I thought: why I can write my own story? So I wrote Hyperearth, my first book.
Helen: Which genre do you typically write and why. Who inspired you?
Marco: I write mostly Fantasy, because for me it’s more easy, creating new worlds, creatures, is so simple for me since I have a huge imagination. I wrote one suspense thriller: Amstel Girl, seems went well. My insprirations were Stephen King, JK Rowling, Paulo Coelho.
Helen: Who is your protagonist and why did you write her/him? Do you have a favourite character?
Marco: Of Magic Streets is Jack Harson, one American man living in England, his profession is photographer, well my first two books the protagonists were two female teenagers and the second book Wesley Wooter, a man who met a quirky woman.
I like Wesley of Amstel Girl who is into a intrigue but he is strong to face this issues, and also met a quirky and terrible girl that make him mad. Jack of Magic Streets, is quiet man but his life will be changed forever by the two witches and thanks to them he will be more stronger.
Helen: If your Main Character could answer, why would they say we should read your book?
Marco: If you like adventure, action Wesley and Jack are the perfect guys, they like to joke and be serious when needs, they aren’t perfect but you will like them.
Helen: Tell us about your current WIP.
Marco: My current Wip is Magic Streets Arizona bound the end of trilogy. But I have lot of books on stand by: one of them is I get inspiration by movie Mulholland drive by David Lynch.
Helen: Let’s talk a little about your writing process. When do you do you most of your writing?
Marco: I always write most at night, it is more quiet and relaxing, during the day there is much noise, my cat is around and not good for writing.
Helen: I have a cat as well, and he can be very distracting! Do you listen to music while you write?
Marco: No, I don’t listen music when I write, I need to concentrate on writing and the music not the best thing.
Helen: How much research do you do for each book?
Marco: Well lot of research for my last book, since I never been in Arizona, I had to do extra search, about legends of Native American, Pleiades, Aztec Maya etc. I recently found that Native American ancestors came from Pleiades!
Helen: Research can be so much fun, but also can drag you down a rabbit hole. We authors, are full of useless information! Are you a pantser or a planner? Do you write free form, or do you have a framework you stick to?
Marco: I write free form without chapters and without read, but with framework I think it is better.
Helen: Which element of the writing process do you find most challenging and why?
Marco: Writing could be easy, though sometimes you are stuck and you can’t move because you haven’t inspiration, but the most challenging for me is editing and writing a blurb. Scanning every phrase finding mistakes of misspelling words and punctuation it’s annoying. As well as the blurb, concentrate all the book in a few words, it’s a really hard task.
Helen: What is your favourite book and why do you like it so much?
Marco: The Lord of the Rings actually, it was an awesome read, I can’t put it down, maybe because I like fantasy but I like the travel journey they do and reading I’m imagining it in mind like I’m watching a movie.
Helen: That is an amazing series by Tolkien. I am sure it has inspired many writers. What is the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing?
Marco: Well, I was very happy when I won bronze medal in a contest of Readers Favorite in Miami 2018.
Helen: Congratulations on your Bronze Readers’ Favorite Award for Hyperearth. Such a great acheivement. Thank you so much for spending time with me today. Just one one more question! What advice would you give new writers? Do you have a trick to overcome self-doubt?
Marco: Read a lot first then write, of various writers of the genre you like it, so you can learn their writing styles, then research when you want to write. Don’t listen to others they smile when you say you are start writing. Keep going. Also indie authors are writers and you must be proud and remember it every time. Celebrate yourself.
For self-doubt? Well finding a contract most of the times it’s a mirage but who knows… one day could happen, better write than leave your manuscript in your drawer. One writer said once, write for yourself first, when you see your books listed,(on amazon for now) you will proud and this is the feeling to keep writing.
About the Author
Marco Marek
Marco Marek is an award winning author from Italy. He always had a fervid imagination and a passion for fantasy stories, medieval magicians, ancient history, and unexplained mysteries. While he was visiting a castle in Eastern Europe, he had the idea of writing Hyperearth. Apart from writing, Marco is also a painter and photographer, he likes digital artwork on Photoshop. He loves travelling when he has some free time
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
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.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
Reviewed: October 22nd, 2023 Released: May 24th, 2022 Genre: YA Fantasy Format: ebook (KU)
She doesn’t want to stand out. Too bad the fate of the planet rests on her shoulders…
Dacia Wolf longs to be normal. After accidentally killing her brother years ago when her awakening powers set fire to their house, the now-college freshman just wants to fit in. But when another unintended blaze results in a trip to the dean’s office, the distraught young woman learns she is the subject of an ancient prophecy.
Destined to battle a demon bent on annihilation, Dacia struggles to develop her magic into a controllable weapon. And now plagued by damaging dreams, a nosy roommate, and a haunted bully, the would-be heroine fears she’ll be responsible for the deaths of everyone she loves.
Can an unprepared sorceress conquer evil without going up in flames? Read My Thoughts…
Reviewed: September 12th, 2023 Released: May 2nd, 2023 Genre: YA Fantasy Format: Hardcover
Welcome to the brutal and elite world of Basgiath War College, where everyone has an agenda, and every night could be your last . . .
Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general – also known as her tough-as-talons mother – has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.
But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away . . . because dragons don’t bond to ‘fragile’ humans. They incinerate them.
With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter – like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.
She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.
Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.
Alliances will be forged. Lives will be lost. Traitors will become allies . . . or even lovers. But sleep with one eye open because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die. Read my thoughts…
I’m very happy to be chatting to fantasy author, E.E. Hornburg, about her fairytale retelling Cursed Queen series, the latest book of which is The Forest’s Keeper.
Helen: Welcome Emily, and thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. Tell us a little about your latest book, The Forest’s Keeper.
Emily: The Forest’s Keeper is the third book in my Cursed Queens series. We follow Rose who has been stuck playing ruler while her older sister – who should be on the throne – is off in the mountains warding off a curse and gaining allies to take back her throne. But being queen is the last thing Rose wants, and is eager to jump at the chance to have a sword in her hand and avenge the wrongdoing of her stepmother, the former Queen Amelia. Her moment arrives when she’s summoned to the enchanted and ailing Eral Forest. But, there is more happening in Eral than she realises, and her fate is larger than she could ever imagine. It’s a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood and features a friends to lovers romance.
Helen: The premise sounds great, and I am loving the cover. Tell us your thoughts about the design.
Emily: I am so obsessed with this cover! We knew it would have a forest background and feature Rose in her red cloak so it coordinated with the other two books, The Night’s Chosen and The Shadow’s Heir. What I really wanted for Rose though was to feature a cane or a crutch of some sort while still showing off what a bad-ass she is. Rose’s character has had a deformed ankle her whole life, and uses a crutch to walk around. I knew it would be a challenge, as stock images don’t have much when it comes to disability representation, but I think it turned out amazing! I love seeing the cane in one hand and sword in the other to show off these two sides of her character.
Helen: I think its great that you have incorporated disability representation and yet your character is still strong and determined. What made you write this particular book?
Emily: Rose’s story has been stuck in my head for years! My debut novel, The Night’s Chosen, originally was a dual point of view between the characters of Eira and Rose who are sisters, and take on the roles of Snow White and Rose Red, while also being Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Red Riding Hood. However, I had to cut Rose’s chapters because the book was too unfocused. Thankfully, I saved those chapters, and I was able to turn them into something new and even better for Rose where she could truly shine! When readers fell in love with her in the first book, even only being there for a few chapters, I was so happy because I love her too!
Helen: I always have an ‘ideas don’t fit’ folder. You never know when something you cut from one story will work in a different story. It is always best to save it. Now that you have released The Forest’s Keeper, what are you working on next?
Emily: I feel like I’m working on a million things right now! Most importantly is the fourth and (most likely) final book in The Cursed Queens series which will feature everyone’s favorite pirate, Finley, who you meet in both The Shadow’s Heir and The Forest’s Keeper. Her book will be a retelling of Sleeping Beauty and will wrap up the tale of Amelia trying to take over the kingdoms.
Helen: That is a bittersweet moment when you reach the final book in a series. The characters are like family and you don’t want to stop writing about them! When did you realise you had a passion for writing?
Emily: I’ve been writing my whole life, even before I knew how to write! I have memories of being a kid and making little doodles that told whole stories when I didn’t know how to write the words, and I’d enact long dramas with my toys for my family to watch. Storytelling has always been a part of me.
Helen: I’m so glad your early storytelling evolved into writing books. Let’s talk about your writing process. How do you fit writing into your daily life?
Emily: Wherever I can! I bring my laptop with me to work almost every day so I can squeeze some words in on my lunch break, and I keep the Scrivener app on my phone so I can write down lines and ideas on the go. When I can, I get up early before I leave for my 9-5 and get something done before my day starts, and weekends are when I can get my longer sessions in.
Helen: It’s a shame full time jobs get in the way, but they are necessary. lol! As you have to squeeze in time to write, do you find you plan what you are going to write or are you more of a pantser?
Emily: I’m a plantser. When I’m starting a new book, I do a lot of scribbling and brainstorming in a notebook, then make a rough outline in Scrivener. I tend to start with your basic three act structure you can find in Save the Cat or Romancing the Beat, etc. and have a general idea of how it’ll end in mind, because otherwise, I’ll lose focus and go all over the place and get stuck! But, I also allow my characters to lead the way. I don’t stay married to my outline and let it ebb and flow and adjust as needed according to where the writing and characters are going. I love discovering new things about the plot and characters as I draft!
Helen: Most writers are great readers. What have you been reading lately?
Emily: I’m currently reading the Elements of Cadance duology by Rebecca Ross which is a Scottish inspired fantasy. These books are so beautiful! I love all of the points of view and the way they use music to summon the spirits. The relationships between all of the characters are simultaneously compelling and heart wrenching.
Helen: And what is your favourite book?
Emily: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I adore how atmospheric it is and the way the Circus is like one of the characters. Every time I read that book (usually about once a year) I uncover new layers to it, and she somehow is able to find everything beautiful and magical in the world and weave it into this beautiful story.
Helen: The Night Circus has been on my book shelf for a while, maybe it’s time I read it! Thank you so much for spending time with me today. Just to finish, could you share how you overcome the dreaded self-doubt.
Emily: Imposter syndrome is so real! Almost every day I wonder “can I actually do this?” But I’ve been keeping reminders all around me that say “You are a great writer.” Because even if I don’t believe it right in this moment, if I keep telling myself that I am, it’s going to motivate me to become the writer I want to be. Or I go back to the comments and messages I’ve gotten from readers. My “Royal Readers” are the most encouraging people, and their love and support means everything and gives me the confidence to keep going when I feel like I can’t continue on.
All newsletter subscribers receive a free short story and prequel to The Cursed Queens called The Solstice’s Bride. It is a retelling of The Princess and the Pea and features Rose & Eira’s parents when they first met. And signing up for my newsletter, you’ll be the first to know about any new releases, hear stories about what inspire me, what I’m thinking about, book recommendations, and giveaways.
About the Author
EE Hornburg
EE Hornburg is a fantasy author in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. She’s a dog mom, theatre addict, Hufflepuff, and lover of all things cozy.
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
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.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
Reviewed: August 1st, 2023 Released: April 21st, 2021 Genre: Paranormal Romance
Nothing happens in Wakefield…
But Josephine “Jo” Ligaya wakes up to find Alexa Ocampo, standing next to her window, black hair illuminated by the moonlight, gazing out of the frosted glass. No reason exists in Jo’s solitary world for the cheerleader to be in her room—except for two. She died and found her way to the young medium. The missing girl. Dead at eighteen.
Forced to join forces with Julian Taylor, the town’s celebrated athlete and a former friend, she must traverse the land mines of the spiritual realm and the equally intense halls of Wakefield High. This unlikely pair—a high school loner and a popular jock—must learn to work together to find the remains of a murdered teen with only communications from the dead as their guide.
Night Orchid is a coming-of-age tale of severed friendships, broken promises and the enduring powers of love. It’s Ghost Whisperer, but with hot-tempered teenagers and a strong female lead. Get ready for a wild ride.
*Strong language, sexual innuendos and violence. Night Orchid touches on mental health issues and unhealthy coping mechanisms (ie: alcohol abuse, drugs, a habit that resembles cutting). Please take caution if any of these themes trigger you. Read My Thoughts…
I’m very happy to be chatting to middle grade/YA author, Danielle Hughes, about her YA fantasy Mystica trilogy.
Helen: Welcome Danielle, and thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. Tell us a little about Mystica.
Danielle: I’m really proud to have my completed Mystica Trilogy out in the world now. I began writing the first book many, many years ago, always knowing it would be a trilogy. And it’s been quite a journey to have all three books complete and published.
Mystica is a fast-paced, fantasy adventure series full of magic and mystery. When Adelle and her foster brother, Jack, are stranded on a mysterious island they have no idea of the secrets they will uncover. When Jack is kidnapped by the tyrant ruler, Adelle must unlock the hidden magic and secrets to reawaken the lost power of the island and rescue him, discovering much about her unknown past.
Helen: Congratulations on completing the trilogy. Your covers are so vibrant. What can you tell us about your thoughts when designing them?
Danielle: I love my covers. I had a really clear vision of how I wanted them to look. Each one depicts the main character, Adelle, and indicates where she is on her journey as the Empress of Mystica. The first shows her looking apprehensively at the castle in the distance. The second shows her inside the castle, looking out from a balcony. The third cover shows her ready to use her power and looking more like a warrior ready to defend her title.
I chose to have her back to the reader so its almost as though we are seeing what Adelle is seeing, and also so the reader can imagine her face the way they envisage her.
Helen: The covers are gorgeous. I love the colours! Tell us about your protagonist, Adelle, and how you came to write her.
Danielle: In Mystica, the protagonist is Adelle, a fourteen-year-old foster child who finds herself trapped on a mysterious magical island. She needs to rescue her foster brother who is kidnapped by the tyrant ruler of Mystica. Adelle is someone who struggles with relinquishing control and has very little belief in what she is capable of. I wrote her to highlight how important it is to believe in yourself, because we are always capable of more than what we think. I hope she inspires young people to dig deep when needed, and rise above whatever they thing is holding them down.
Helen: Now that you have finished the Mystica trilogy, what are you working on next?
Danielle: I’m currently working on a young adult fantasy which is a retelling of a Grimm’s Brothers fairy tale. It’s a lesser-known, very short Grimms tale called the Brother and Sister, but I’ve elaborated into a complete story. I’m still in the writing phase so I don’t want to give too many details away, but I’m really happy with how it’s progressing. It promises to be full of intrigue, complete with an evil step-mother, a fight for the Kingdom, dark magic and a dash of romance.
Helen: Let’s talk about your writing process. Do you listen to music while you write?
Danielle: Not while I’m writing, but as a way to get in the mood for what I’m working on. I have different playlists for each book and listen to them in the car or around the house before I sit down to write. Here is a sample of one of my Mystica playlists: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5cEJOYsc71ZxxZKX7AYsNq?si=XTai0TA0Rh-rau-lz_-00g
Helen: That is such a great idea. Music is very inspirational. I tend to listen to classical, as there typically aren’t any words! Are you a full time writer? How do you fit writing into your daily life?
Danielle: It’s a struggle! I have four kids in primary school who all do different activities, plus I work part-time. I write on the few afternoons I have at home before pick up and try to be disciplined to make sure I use that free time to write and not do other things like housework etc.
Helen: Goodness, you have your hands full. Well done for being disciplined enough to carve out your writing time. How do you manage those seeds of self doubt that always creep in.
Danielle: I go back and read things I’ve written in the past. It helps me to realise that I can write, that I love writing and I love the stories I write. It helps me remember its important to do the things we love, if for no one else, but for ourselves.
Helen: Great advice. Thank you so much for spending time with me today. Just to finish, could you share the best piece of writing advice you have received?
Danielle: I was lucky enough to attend a writing retreat where John Marsden was presenting. He was brilliant and full of excellent advice. But the best thing he told me is how important it is to just get the story down, in draft form, no matter how terrible it seems. Just write it out from start to finish before you even consider going back and editing or changing anything. Just get that first draft written!
About the Author
Danielle Hughes
Busy mum of four, Danielle loves writing fantasy, adventure and supernatural stories for middle-grade and young adult readers. Danielle is the author of The Mystica Trilogy and The Lost Unicorn, brought to life by Four Moons Publishing. She also has several short-stories published in various anthologies. The complete Mystica trilogy is now available in all formats. To keep up to date on new projects, see website and sign up to the newsletter: http://www.fourmoonspublishing.com
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
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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It’s launch day for Fantasy author Erika Leigh Agnew, and she has made time to talk to us about her new release, The Besieged Unicorn Army of Ryk. Join me as we celebrate her new release and chat about her books.
Helen: Congratulations on your new release, and thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today, your release day! Tell us a little about your new release.
Erika: My current book is The Besieged Unicorn Army of Ryk which is scheduled to release on Amazon July 14, 2023. It is the prequel to Dragonsown, a Young Adult Fantasy I published in 2020. The premise is primarily about a territory conflict between dragons and unicorns but when unforeseen danger threatens them both, they find they need to join forces to survive.
Helen: What an interesting premise, the thought of two magical creatures, unicorns and Dragons at odds is so intriguing. What can you tell us about your thoughts behind your cover?
Erika: The prequel’s cover evolved from the first book. My plan is to keep the dragon but change who it faces with each new story. I can’t draw but sketched out an awful stick figure draft and gave it to a designer who saw my vision under the flaws.
Helen: The cover is beautiful, I love the dragon bearing down on the unicorns, I hope they are nice dragons!! Tell us why you chose this title.
Erika: I am aware the title is a mouthful and I put a lot of thought into different variations but kept coming back to this. Nothing else fit so I just went with it. This is truly the most besieged unicorn army ever and I needed a title to capture that.
Helen: You have set the prequel one thousand years before your first book, what made you write this particular book?
Erika: I actually started writing the sequel first. I was 7,000 words in when the idea for a unicorn army popped into my head and wouldn’t go away. I was obsessed with unicorns as a kid and the thought of writing about them was very appealing. I went with my instinct and put the sequel on the back burner.
Helen: If your main charcter had to tell us why we should read your book, what would he say?
Erika: Because the story is about him, of course! Ember is a rare black unicorn and the First Captain of the Unicorn Army. He is adored by his herd who love him regardless of his actions, right or wrong. Ember even manages to charm my female dragons and he avoids getting eaten on many occasions. He will experience much personal growth in this story.
Helen: He does sound adorable. I look forward to meeting him some day soon! Changing topics to how you write, which element of the writing process do you find the most challenging?
Erika: Finding the time to write and then edit my work. I have a full-time career, a part-time job, and help manage a horse farm. It amazes me I was able to write and publish this prequel in only 2 years.
Helen: I have no idea how you find time to write! You must be a night owl or an early riser! Whilst writing, which writing tool do kep to hand at all times?
Erika: Thesaurus- I just keep it open because I refer to it constantly.
Helen: Congratulations once again on your new release. Just to finish, what advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Erika: Learn some techniques before writing your book. I wrote my first book, self-published it, then realized I needed to implement some writing techniques. I pulled it down, did a full edit and republished. So basically, I had to write a book to learn how to write a book. Kind of backwards so don’t do what I did. It wasted a lot of time. Read up on ‘Show, don’t tell’, how to show action through dialogue and using key elements of plot development- emphasis on conflict and suspense.
Helen: Great advice! For anyone publishing, you want to have your best work out there, so make sure you engage a good editor. Once your book is out, people will critique it, you want to ensure you have the best version possible. Thankyou, Erika, I wish you all the best with your latest release.
About the Author
Erika Leigh Agnew
Erika Leigh Agnew is the Indie Author of Dragonsown, a Young Adult Adventure Fantasy Series. She has completed the prequel, The Besieged Unicorn Army of Ryk, publishing in July 2023. Erika appreciates follows on Amazon & GoodReads!
She writes a blog and updates her website regularly:
Subscribers to her email list receive a Dragonsown: Surface “Added Scene”.
Erika grew up in Toronto, ON. She is passionate about the environment and wildlife conservation. She loves to scuba dive, spend time in nature and ride horses.
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
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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Reviewed: July 12th, 2023 Released: April 26th, 2021 Genre: YA Fantasy
Some secrets run deeper than blood…
Long ago, a battle was fought against the dark Etheria, creatures who wanted control of the world. Now, Etheria are kept hidden by Trucekeepers. They’re just myths… or are they?
Hannah is a frustrated sixteen-year-old—fed up with school, her diabetes and desperate to find somewhere she belongs. Daegan is a Trucekeeper—a fearless warrior with a dark past, sworn to keep the existence of mythical creatures a secret.
Their lives couldn’t be more different… But everything changes when a magical blood crystal brings them together.
After Daegan saves Hannah from a vicious zburător, Hannah discovers the existence of Etheria, mythical creatures from all around the world, hidden by the Trucekeepers for centuries.
As Daegan trains her to become a Trucekeeper, Hannah rubs shoulders with Etheria, learns how to cast magic and finds somewhere she can finally call home… until she discovers that her mysterious past is the key to a war that could destroy the Trucekeepers and her new home forever. Read My Thoughts…
Helen Garraway 