Right away in the opening chapter, the complex universe in which this story takes place caught me. The route of the protagonist is anything but straightforward in a society where political intrigue, power struggles, and difficult moral conundrums control. Most in this book was the author’s skill to mix the protagonist’s inner struggle with the exterior tension of the surrounds. The story seemed rich and profoundly absorbing because of the balance between intimate ties and the more broad conflict.
The author doesn’t shy away from exploring difficult themes. The notion of loyalty versus duty is a recurring thread, and it’s handled with such nuance that I found myself constantly questioning what I would do in the protagonist’s shoes. The stakes are great for the protagonist as well as for the planet they live on. The author does a great job of showing the personal cost the larger political and military decisions cause for people engaged. Sometimes I found myself really engaged in the result of their actions since the weight of every decision had actual emotional impact.
The dreary alleyways and dark corners of Old Vespers are brought to life to the point where they feel like they belong in the plot. The city is shrouded in mystery and danger, and the suspense just grew as I read. The descriptions of the surroundings and the mood around it are so realistic that they have left an indelible effect on me.
I was also impressed by how the author intertwined the personal growth of the protagonist with the growing external threats. With each chapter exposing a fresh layer of depth to the individuals and the planet they live in, it seemed like a delicate ballet between the internal and external fights. The timing was perfect; enough action had me on the tip of my seat and allowed time to develop relationships and character.
Overall, this book kept me interested from beginning to end. It’s a highly moving and thought-provoking narrative set in a dangerous and mysterious environment. If you appreciate books with complex character development and a high-stakes plot, this is the one for you.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
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Author ofthe Park and Walker Action Thriller series.
I am very pleased to welcome Patrick Weill to my blog to talk about his book Double Threat.
Helen: Welcome Patrick. I’m excited to talk to you about Double Threat
Patrick: My latest book is entitled Double Threat. It is the third book in what will either be a completed trilogy or an expanded action thriller series. Set in sunny San Diego, California, and also on the Pacific Ocean, this novel features police detectives Tony Park and Jeff Walker, who split up for the first time as they star in alternating chapters until their stories intertwine in a twist that readers won’t see coming.
Park drives up to Los Angeles, where he joins forces with the FBI, working undercover on a cruise ship in pursuit of an unidentified serial killer. Walker becomes a member of MARTAC, the Harbor Police’s SWAT team, and in this capacity tackles a case of his own involving political assassination, white supremacy, and narcotics trafficking, facing powerful enemies both old and new.
Helen: Sounds like quite the adventure. How did you choose the cover design?
Patrick: The cover is from a scene that takes place late in the book, when a bomb surgically placed inside a bad guy’s abdominal cavity explodes aboard a crooked politician’s superyacht. But the image is also intended to evoke a general sense of danger aboard a massive ship on the ocean because much of the action is set on a cruise ship, giving new meaning to the term ‘rough seas’!
Helen: It is a powerful image. Why did you call your book Double Threat? Is there a special meaning or back story about the title?
Patrick: Yes, there IS a special meaning to Double Threat. Who will be the real double threat? Detectives Park and Walker, who are up against long odds as usual? Or the twin forces of evil they are facing, which turn out to be connected. ‘Double’ also refers to the book being two stories in one.
Helen: I love the insights behind your title. Who inspired you to start writing?
Patrick: Lee Child and my grandmother. Child because he found himself out of work/in need of money and, having been a reader all his life, picked up a pencil and a legal pad and set to work. Just like me. My grandmother because when I was twelve years old, she encouraged me to write a book review in a local newspaper and helped me publish it.
Helen: With the third book of your series complete, what are you working on next?
Patrick: I am currently writing a different kind of novel, a legal thriller featuring both male and female protagonists. It’s a major challenge, but I am doing heaps of research, and, with three action thrillers under my belt, I feel ready for it.
Helen: It’s always exciting to venture into a different area for your next book. Wishing you plenty of writing inspiration. Let’s talk a little about your writing process. When writing, do you listen to music or do you prefer silence?
Patrick: I used to, but now I find that I focus better with earplugs instead. I am able to devote all of my attention to writing instead of splitting it between cognitive tasks.
Helen: Are you a pantser or a planner? Do you write free form, or do you have a framework you stick to?
Patrick: Both. Writing is an art as well as a science; a hospital can’t be built without a blueprint, yet inspiration only comes through the imagination, which must be allowed to freely flow.
Helen: That is so true! Earlier you mentioned you’ve been doing research for your new book. How much research do you do for each book?
Patrick: Plenty. For example, in the case of the legal thriller, I will have read at least seven books, two of which were non-fiction and quite dry (but informative). And I’ll have spent hours and hours reading on the internet. Possibly contacting legal and/or law enforcement professionals, etc.
Helen: Thank you for joining me today. Just to finish, what is the most useful piece of writing advice you’ve received, and by whom?
Patrick: ‘Truckers don’t get trucker’s block, nor nurses nurse’s block.’
-Lee Child
About the Author
Patrick Weill
Patrick Weill is an award-winning translator and author who resides in central Mexico with his family along with four dogs and an aquarium full of fish. You can visit his website to download a FREE Park and Walker short story!
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. 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: January 10th, 2025 Released: May 25th, 2013 Genre: Epic Fantasy
Murder Breeds Magic
All power comes with a price. In a world where magic is transferred by the act of killing another, Myddrin stands above the rest. Having accidentally killed the most powerful mage in all of existence, Myddrin now lives a peaceful life in isolation. But there is no such thing as peace in the land of Otor. War calls. The voices of the dead haunt him, and there is nowhere to hide.
Cursed with the deathly taint of magic, young Will must seek acceptance among the Knights of Aen. There, he must learn to touch the otherside, control his abilities, and decide for himself what is right, and what is wrong.
Tvora’s soul is broken. The price of vengeance was her sanity. Her companions help her keep a tenuous grasp on herself, but with the urgent need to absorb enough magic to sustain them, she is pushed to choose a side in the upcoming war. The question remains, will she choose the right one? Read My Thoughts…
Another year has passed, and it’s that time of year when you look back at what you achieved last year and plan for the next. It is still quite amazing that I have been published for four years and have 12 books published and three short stories released to Patreon/Newsletter subscribers.
I hope you downloaded the bonus free novella set in the world of the SoulMist series which I wrote as thankyou to all my newsletter subscribers. Your support makes writing so fulfilling, and your enthusiam for my characters makes me want to write more! My newsletter subscribers voted for a short story on how Felather and Adriz met.
Anyhow, back to what I achieved in 2024, and what’s in store for 2025?
I published two books, one novella and two audiobooks.
It has been a busy year, a highlight of which was seeing my BookFest Gold Medalists, Sentinals Justice and SoulBreather up in lights on the Nasdaq board in Times Square in New York. A real bucket list moment!
So what’s in store for 2025? Well I have plans for more books!
Book One: Celestial Throne series. Release date TBC 2H25
Kickstarter: My contribution: Secret AllianceReign of Dragons Anthology. Kickstarter go live: March 2025
Other goals:
Revitalise my Patreon and gain some supporters
More formal Marketing plan
Audio for OblivionGate
Create a Sentinals Wiki site (stretch goal!!)
So plenty to keep me busy outside of the day job!
2024 was a busy year, lots of writing, though I was distracted by work as it was quite a tumultous year as the company I work for was acquired and so we’ve had lots of changes, but a year full of opportunity all the same. I am very excited for 2025 and the new opportunities it will bring. I look forward to sharing the results with you throughout the year. Once again – Thank you for all your support, I hope you stay with me as we continue this amazing journey.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV 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
Author ofthe fantasy novel, Alidor The Expedition of Multiple Distractions.
I am very pleased to welcome Matthew Hilsdon to my blog this week, and we’re chatting about his latest novel, Alidor The Expedition of Multiple Distractions, which released on December 17th, 2024.
Helen: Welcome Matt. I’m excited to talk to you about your newest release. Tell us all about your latest book.
Matthew: My current book will be released on the 17th Dec and is called Alidor The Expedition of Multiple Distractions. The involves a character from the last series in the events after the end of the Unlikely Allies trilogy. It follows Professor Leonardo Wileby as he sets out to complete a compendium of Alidor and is written in a first person account in the guise of his personal journal. As the title suggests the expedition he aims to set out on is thwarted with near constant distractions or diversions from runaway mages, irate Kings and beavers with a nasty case of the sniffles.
Helen: Sounds like quite the adventure. How did you choose the cover design?
Matthew: As for all of the covers of my main novels in the Alidor Series I like to choose a scene from the book. This scene depicts all of the main characters within the book as they are on their expedition. I like to put a lot of thought into the cover as I like the reader to have a good visual and put an image of the world into the reader’s mind along with the added thrill of trying to find the scene as you read through.
Helen: What a great idea. Who is your protagonist and why did you write them?
Matthew: Professor Leonardo Wileby. He came into the Alidor series in the Unlikely Allies and became more prominent as the books went on. I felt he would be the perfect character to use to round off the series. His life up until now has hardly been a quiet or relaxing one. Whether that was down to rangers setting traps that left his home in ruins, severely injured wolves needing a new mechanical leg, or being kidnapped by the greatest villain of the age as he was forced to construct war machines with incredible destructive capabilities for the very enemy they were fighting against. He has scarcely had a moment free before war’s end.
Helen: If your Main Character could answer, why would they say we should read your book?
Matthew: If he could answer he’d tell you to read it as it’s the most important scientific journal ever to be created and you should listen to him as he is the smartest elf ever to have lived.
Helen: What made you write this book?
Matthew: I hadn’t planned on writing this one but I really enjoyed the Professor Leonardo Wileby character I’d created. He’s quite eccentric and I felt that he deserved his own title and I’m sure he’d say the same. He was kind of a side character in the Unlikely Allies but accidentally became more prominent as the story went on.
Helen: Who is your favourite character in your Alidor series?
Matthew: That’s a hard choice as I have so many characters I am fond of but I’d probably choose Billy the Fang Lord because he’s everyone’s best friend, providing you’re not a parrot as you’ll find out in Alidor The Unlikely Allies.
Helen: Now you’ve written the professor’s book, what are you working on next?
Matthew: Following on The Expedition of Multiple Distractions which will act as an epilogue to the Unlikely Allies series I’ll be working on a couple of stand alone titles that will still relate to the world of Alidor, only from a few different perspectives. Such as a currently unnamed novel about Audrey Fennel who is a pensioner from Bloomly on Thames who somehow ends up waist deep in a teeming Alidorian forest. I’m also working with the incredible artist Norm Chung to create our first graphic novel The Forbidden Friend. It takes us back to the first days of the human race and explores their bond with the wolves. Part 1 is nearly complete and the artwork really brings this quite moving story to life.
Helen: With all the books you have written and released, when did you realise you had a passion for writing.
Matthew: I’ve always a passion for creating stories but it wasn’t until my wife, Emma came along and I began to start writing stuff down that I created Alidor. Without her I don’t think I’d be where I am now.
Helen: How do you find the time to fit writing into your daily schedule?
Matthew: I wouldn’t say I try to fit it in more like it takes over.
Helen: I know the feeling. Writing does tend to consume you. Do you plan your books, or are you more of a pantser?
Matthew: My books are loosely planned out given there’s a few mysteries and secrets that run throughout the novels but other than that I largely write free form. I just like to throw down whatever comes to me and then go from there.
Helen: How about your writing environment? Silence or do you have a favourite playlist to inspire you?
Matthew: Yes it’s normally heavy metal rock because it helps zone everything else out.
Helen: Do you suffer from writer’s block, and if so, what do you do to overcome it?
Matthew: I tend to take a break and will end up sitting on a video game for far too long. Having animals to bounce ideas off also helps.
Helen: If you didn’t write in Fantasy then which genre would you like to try and write in next?
Matthew: I’d write in crime/ mystery I like the idea of doing a crime novel with another author where one writes from the perspective of a detective and one a killer he’s trying to catch.
Helen: Oh, that sounds like fun! Author collaborations produce some amazing stories. Most authors are great readers, what is your favourite book?
Matthew: I know it’s cliche but I am a massive fan of Lord of the Rings. I’ve recently gotten into more Sci Fi thanks to Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Three Body Problem. A lot of the books I read come from indie book fairs where I’ve found some fantastic authors too.
Helen: I second supporting Indie authors. There are so many great stories out there. Thank you so much for joining me today, and good luck with your launch. Just to finish, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Matthew: As well as a range of novels and short stories I’m also in the process of releasing all of our audiobooks and currently have Forgotten Hero and Stolen Tales for Cunning Thieves Part 1. I am also starting to organise Marlow Indie Book Fair 2025 which will be back bigger and better than ever!
About the Author
Matthew Hillsdon
Matthew Hillsdon is know for his fantasy series set in the world of Alidor. A fantastical world filled with unique tales and characters. His first novel Alidor: The Unlikely Allies, introduces readers to this expansive realm. His storytelling often weaves themes of adventures, mystical creatures and epic quests.
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. 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: December 14th, 2024 Released: August 16th, 2013 Genre: Epic Fantasy
Two men who hate each other. One impossible mission. A legend in the making.
Hadrian Blackwater, a warrior with nothing to fight for is paired with Royce Melborn, a thieving assassin with nothing to lose. Together they must steal a treasure that no one can reach. The Crown Tower is the impregnable remains of the grandest fortress ever built and home to the realm’s most prized possessions. But it isn’t gold or jewels that the old wizard is after, and if he can keep them from killing each other they become a legendary team.
This is the first book in the new series, The Riyria Chronicles, from best-selling author Michael J. Sullivan. It takes place twelve years before the events of The Riyria Revelations and no prior knowledge of those books is required. You can read in either chronological order or order of publication, although the author suggests reading in publication order. Read more…
I am very pleased to welcome Jeff Kerr to my blog this week, and we’re chatting about his crime fiction novel, Murder Creek, the third book in his Adam Cash series.
Helen: Welcome Jeff. Welcome to my blog. It’s not often we get crime fiction authors on my blog, so I’m excited to chat about your books. Tell us about the latest book you’ve released.
Jeff: My latest book Murder Creek, is book 3 in the Adam Cash mystery series. The plot concerns a modern Texas sheriff’s deputy, Adam Cash, investigating the theft of a secret stash of cash from a local ranch. The investigation takes a dark turn when Cash finds the body of one of the thieves in the woods. As he uncovers clues, other bodies turn up, and Cash knows he is on the trail of a ruthless killer. An attempt on his life makes it clear that his survival depends on solving the crimes.
Helen: I am very happy to say that I’ve read Murder Creek, and you can find my review here. I thoroughly enjoyed your novel and the twists and turns you take the reader through. As with any book, the cover needs to reflect the genre. How did you choose this design?
Jeff: The cover is intended to convey both genre and place. My designer, Cheynne Edmonston, worked hard to create an image that instantly lets readers know the plot involves danger in the Texas Hill Country. I hired Cheynne beginning with book 2 in the series and asked him to look for inspiration to the covers of C.J. Box, Jeff Carson, and Craig Johnson. Down the road, I’ll ask him to design a new cover for book 1 as well.
Helen: It absolutely works. What made you choose to write crime fiction?
Jeff: I write crime fiction because it’s one of my favorite genres to read. Plots allow for character development, intrigue, and sharp twists. My goal is to keep the reader guessing while presenting enough clues for everything to make sense in the end. Twists must be satisfying and, of course, Cash must get the baddie.
I set the series in the Texas Hill Country because of my close ties to the region’s culture, geography, and people. Although I live in Austin, I spend much time at a weekend retreat near a small town, Blanco, that inspired Cash’s hometown of Pinyon.
Helen: Tell us about your protagonist, Adam Cash.
Jeff: Good crime fiction protagonists must be smart, brave, and persistent. They must also have a chink in their armor. Deputy Adam Cash confronts danger without flinching, yet shrivels in the face of emotional turmoil. That tendency drives Edie, the love of his life, crazy.
Helen: I think your portrayal of Adam works really well, and I sympathise with Edie, because he doesn’t have a clue, even though he knows he’s messing up. Where do you get your plot ideas from? It must be difficult coming up with new murder scenaries and enough twist and turns to throw the reader of the scent.
Jeff: Everyone wants to know where authors get their ideas! In my case, there is no easy answer. Usually, I find myself asking, what if? For Blunt Force Trauma, I asked myself what would happen if a man who wanted to be a deputy was framed for the sheriff’s murder. Second Death came from mulling over what would happen if an unusual item was found on an accident victim. For Murder Creek, I wondered what would happen if someone kept a large sum of cash in their home. And for the next book, Roadkill, yet to be written, I want to create a story about modern cattle rustling.
Helen: Do you find you need to plan your books to get the flow right? Or do you prefer to let the writing take you where it will.
Jeff: I’m a bit of both, which I believe is true for most authors. Before writing the first page, I create a rough outline of plot and characters. Once I start writing, I’m apt to deviate substantially from that. And once my editor has a say, look out!
Helen: Have you read any books recently that you would recommend to other readers?
Jeff: My wife and I recently listened to the audio versions of Adrian McKinty’s Sean Duffy series. In my view, these books are as close to perfection as a crime fiction author can get. I’d stack them up against anything else in the genre.
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today. Just to close us out, what’s the best piece writing advice you’ve recieved?
Jeff: Jeff Carson, an author I admire, has been kind enough to offer advice and encouragement when I’ve bugged him with questions. He told me to remember I’m playing the long game. In other words, success comes only with time and hard work. I must be patient.
I also keep in mind a quote I’ve seen attributed to Jodi Picoult: “You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.”
About the Author
Jeff Kerr
Jeff Kerr wasn’t born in Texas but says “y’all” like a native. He wrote a poem in the third grade that earned him a school prize, a book about the American flag. You’d think that would have inspired him to become a writer but that came later.
Jeff wrote and published his first book twenty years ago. He hadn’t planned on doing so until one night at the supper table his son interrupted a discourse about local history by saying, “Enough, Dad! Write a book.” Choosing to interpret a teenager’s flip remark as sage advice, he did. Six books later, he calls himself an author. So there.
When Jeff isn’t writing you can find him floating a Texas river or battling cedar on his small slice of Hill Country land. When he is writing, he stays busy by creating pulse-pounding crime thrillers that, according to one reader, “move along like a runaway locomotive.” Thank you for spurring me to action, son.
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. 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: November 22nd, 2024 Released: Septmeber 1st, 2020 Genre: Epic Fantasy
Holt Cook was never meant to be a dragon rider. He has always served the Order Hall of the Crag dutifully, keeping their kitchen pots clean.
Until he discovers a dark secret: dragons do not tolerate weakness among their kin, killing the young they deem flawed. Moved by pity, Holt defies the Order, rescues a doomed egg and vows to protect the blind dragon within.
But the Scourge is rising. Undead hordes roam the land, spreading the blight and leaving destruction in their wake. The dragon riders are being slaughtered and betrayal lurks in the shadows.
Holt has one chance to survive. He must cultivate the mysterious power of his dragon’s magical core. A unique energy which may tip the balance in the battles to come and prove to the world that a servant is worthy after all. Read more…
Reviewed: November 17th, 2024 Released: July 20th, 2020 Genre: Epic Fantasy
A young man with no past must progress into a warrior out of legend.
Cinder Shade’s life begins on a fateful afternoon at the bottom of a well where he awakens, bruised, battered, and bereft of all memory. His only understanding is a driving imperative—to protect those who can’t defend themselves and become a warrior worthy of the name.
He discovers within himself a peculiar gift, one in which the codes of combat are made evident and the language of steel is made clear. When he earns a place at a prestigious elven warrior academy, Cinder fights to enhance his knowledge and perhaps even humble the proud elves who believe no human is their equal.
His hard-earned skills are put to the test when strange rumblings emanate from deep in the Dagger Mountains. Monsters out of myth emerge. And so does something far worse . . . An ancient god. The world believes this deity long dead, but he is very much alive. And he remembers his enemies all too well. Even if they don’t remember themselves. Read more…
I am very pleased to welcome Cary Anne to my blog this week, and we’re chatting about her steamy romance series Unveiling Desires, and the first book, Seductive Sands.
Helen: Welcome Cary Anne. Let’s dive straight in, tell us about your book, Seductive Sands.
Cary Anne:Seductive Sands is the first book in the series, Unveiling Desires. The main character is Devon Cartwright, a career oriented financial planner whose main goal was to obtain the role of partner in the firm she worked for. After accomplishing this, she had a terrible loss of both her parents within a few months of each other. Her friend and client, Margarette, has a villa in the Dominican Republic and offers it to Devon for six months, if she wants it. Devon has not had a vacation in years and takes her up on it.
Helen: Who wouldn’t want a six month vacation in the Dominican Republic? Sounds like bliss! Especially if there are characters like Amadeus available. Tell us why you chose this cover design.
Cary Anne: I have always loved the Dominican Republic, the ocean and the people. So, I decided that I wanted my book to take place there and what a great cover a picture of the ocean would be. Of course, I had to use the male model Amadeus on the front, to entice the ladies to want to read my book.
Helen: I love finding out the authors thoughts behind their cover. How did you come up with the title, and is there any special meaning behind it?
Cary Anne: I write steamy romance and I needed the title to suggest the genre and I think it gets right to the point, by the title and subtitle. Seductive Sands, Unveiling Desires Series.
Helen: The title sounds perfect. What made you choose to write spicy romance, and why this particular book?
Cary Anne: I was still working at the time I put this into draft. I was working at a financial institution, and this is where my character Devon evolved. It was from the perspective of a young single woman trying to make it in a male dominated financial industry. It was difficult for a woman to get to become partner in a firm, especially being under 30 when she started and also that she was single. Often the management style was older married men, who were not going to take time off to have babies and sick kids who needed to be looked after. It evolved into a romance novel.
I had this book written before Fifty Shades was released. I put it on the back burner after reading Fifty Shades. I wondered if my book was actually good enough to be published. So, I waited.
Several of my friends read it and kept telling me it was better than Fifty Shades in my writing style and I should publish it.
Helen: It is so great to have supportive friends. Who inspired you to start writing?
Cary Anne: I began writing years ago, initially just for myself. It was therapeutic when I felt stressed or needed to vent. While working full-time, I wrote speeches and presentations for my team. I’ve always enjoyed putting pen to paper; it feels natural. I remember my mom saying I should write stories because I told so many. I think she meant I talked too much and made things up as I went along.
Helen: A natural story teller is a great place to start. Do you find you plan your books, or are you a pantser and write free form?
Cary Anne: This is a great question. I was a pantser with my first book. Then I didn’t know how to publish it, and that’s when I enrolled in the course. I have learned so much in the past year about how to plan out each book so that I make sure it flows and I wasn’t missing anything. I realize how important it is in order to get the right outcome for my book. So now I am definitely a planner. I start with a plot board and work my way through how I want each chapter to accomplish. Once I have the book laid out I start writing each chapter.
Helen: I think the more you write, the more your writing style evolves. It’s great you are writing a series, what comes next?
Cary Anne: I am currently in the editing process of the second book in the series, Urban Seductive, which takes place when Devon gets back home and tries to keep a long distance relationship with Amadeus going. It was fun writing this one because I put obstacles in the way of Amadeus coming to see Devon.
Helen: Authors are so mean to their characters. As if a long distance relationship wasn’t difficult enough! Every writer experiences self-doubt. How do you overcome the fear and the little voice in your head to keep writing?
Cary Anne: Imposter syndrome. That’s when I rely on others to read what I have written and ask for feedback. I ask other authors, too. As you said, every writer experiences self-doubt. You need to try new things and be open to what other people say.
Helen: What is the most useful piece of writing advice you’ve received, and by whom?
Cary Anne: The most valuable writing advice I received from my coach was to keep writing, do your research, make your characters relatable, and ensure fact-checking. Additionally, remember reviews are for readers, not writers. Not everyone will like your book.
Helen: Great advice. Is there any advice you would like to share with aspiriing writers?
Cary Anne: Everyone has a story within them. Write it and discover where it leads. Keep honing your craft. Take courses if needed. It’s never too late to begin.
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today. It has been lovely meeting you. Last question, what is the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing?
Cary Anne: I didn’t know anything about writing a book, so I enrolled in a self publishing course and I have learned so much this past year and I am really enjoying working with the coaches and my fellow authors/students. I have a whole new group of friends who started the writing process just a new as I did. We are all learning and sharing and helping each other. It is a fantastic community.
About the Author
Cary Anne
Greetings, lovely readers! I’m Cary Anne, your passionate guide into the world of steamy romance fiction. Proudly hailing from the charming landscapes of Canada, I currently call the suburban bliss near Toronto, Ontario, my home sweet home, where I share my days with my wonderful husband. Our nest is empty now, as our two grown children navigate their own paths through the intricate dance of life.
After bidding adieu to the corporate world, I’ve finally embraced my call to writing. The allure of crafting tales of passion and love proved irresistible, and I’ve found immense joy in weaving stories that transport readers into the realms of desire and romance.
When I’m not engrossed in the world of my characters, you’ll find me relishing moments with my family. Whether I’m holed up in my writing haven or hitting the road, shuttling between my cozy spot in Whitby and my daughter’s farm in Delta, Ontario, each journey is a wellspring of inspiration.
Beyond the written word, I find solace in the laughter of my grandkids and the amusing antics of their feathered companions in the form of quirky chickens. A true lover of all animals, especially dogs, I cherish the unconditional love and companionship they bring into our lives.
But that’s not all—I also harbor a deep passion for breathing new life into old furniture, turning forgotten pieces into vibrant works of art. And, of course, no writing session is complete without the company of black licorice, my sweet companion in this delightful journey of storytelling.
So, dear reader, join me in exploring the realms of desire, love, and the magic that unfolds between the pages of my steamy romance novels. Let the journey begin, and may it be filled with the warmth of love and the joy of delightful companions, furry or otherwise!
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If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
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