Reviewed: March 16th, 2024 Released: March 3rd, 2020 Genre: Fantasy
BOUND BY BLOOD. TEMPTED BY DESIRE. UNLEASHED BY DESTINY.
Bryce Quinlan loves her life. Every night is a party, and Bryce is going to savour all the pleasures Lunathion – also known as Crescent City – has to offer. But when a brutal murder shakes the very foundations of the city, Bryce’s world comes crashing down.
Two years later, Bryce still haunts the city’s most notorious nightclubs – but seeking only oblivion now. Then the murderer attacks again. And when an infamous Fallen angel, Hunt Athalar, is assigned to watch her every footstep, Bryce knows she can’t forget any longer.
As Bryce and Hunt fight to unravel the mystery and their own dark pasts, the threads they tug ripple through the underbelly of the city, across warring continents and down to the deepest levels of Hel, where things that have been sleeping for millennia are beginning to stir …Read My Thoughts…
Reviewed: March 10th, 2024 Released: February 16th, 2014 Genre: Magical Cosy Mystery
Regency widow shouldn’t be hunting spectres all night.
Lady Judith Avely’s magical gift for divining the truth makes her prodigiously good at lying. To absolve a guilty secret, she travels to the exiled Duke of Sargen’s estate, but the last thing she expects is to run into the duke himself, who is lamentably now even more attractive than in his volatile youth.
The duke has his own concerns: he has returned home to a haunted house, with skulls floating about and a footman apparently bashed by a book. Such vulgar circumstances are best avoided, but the duke needs Judith’s unique talents to help uncover the culprit – even if it might put her in the sights of a killer.
With the help of a tiny vampiric acquaintance and a continuous supply of drinking chocolate, Judith should be able to solve the uncanny mystery…if only the duke will stop making improper remarks about her mobcaps.
A lady who can discern lies, the duke who lied to her, and a gothic cosy mystery full of bats, skulls, and cocoa.
Lady Avely’s Guide to Truth and Magic features a mid-life heroine, a slow-burn second-chance romance, and a magical version of Regency England. Read My Thoughts…
Today, I am excited to be chatting with fantasy author A.S Norris to talk to us about his latest book, The Wayward Apprentice.
Helen: Welcome, Andrew. I see you already have three books published in the Jack Wartnose series (Love the name!) and now we go back to the beginnings in The Wayward Apprentice. Tell us a little about it.
Andrew: It’s a novella titled “The Wayward Apprentice: A Jack Wartnose Prequel.” It serves as an origin story for my series’ main character, Jack Wartnose, covering his rise from starving wretch and pariah to entering the mage academy. Along the way, he faces heartache, triumph, and the weight of his actions as he begins his path to redemption in the series’ main books.
Helen: There are some specifc items on the cover. Can you tell us how you what your thoughts were behind the design?
Andrew: Without giving too much away to spoil the novella, the room and table are from a certain room in the story where Jack Wartnose is confronted with a life-altering decision. The items on the table each represent certain key moments within the story. Kudos to my lovely wife for crafting this cover for me.
Helen: Typically I ask how you came up with your title, but as this is the prequel to the Wayward Mage series, I see the logic.
Andrew: The first book in my series, “The Adventures of Jack Wartnose,” is entitled “The Wayward Mage.” The story of Jack Wartnose begins when he is already a mage apprentice and on his fateful quest for the elusive Tome of Time. So, it seemed natural to title my novella “The Wayward Apprentice” as he begins his journey into mage apprenticeship and while also being called to become an apprentice of sorts by his benefactor in the story. There’s more about this benefactor I can’t wait to reveal, but that will all be told within the books of the series.
Helen: What made you write The Wayward Apprentice?
Andrew: From a pragmatic viewpoint, I needed a short story I could offer for free as a reader magnet to get sign ups for my newsletter. Yet, as with my other books in the series, I took great care to not half-ass it. Rather than tell a one-off story, I carefully put in plot points that would tie into other plot points in books 1 through 4 of my series. As a result, the story took on a life of its own until, before I realized it, I cracked 30,000 words. I am rather proud of what I wrote, given the limitations to keep this tale short and readable.
To get this free prequel novella, Sign up to Andrew’s newsletter here.
Helen: Tell us more about your protagnist, Jack Wartnose. He sounds quite the character!
Andrew: Jack Wartnose, he’s a mage apprentice in his mid-30s on a quest for an item that may have caused the last world ending cataclysm. Along the way, he comes across his childhood love and finds out he fathered a son with her when they were teenagers. Reunited, he fulfils his promise to her to marry her and ends up taking his new family along on what he believes will be a simple journey. Only, it becomes at times a life-and-death struggle as Wartnose has to overcome his wayward past in protecting his growing family and get them safely to the tome before his growing list of enemies kill him or find it first.
I wrote him because I wanted an adult protagonist. I was tired of YA and coming-of-age stories, and I wanted a character with some life experience that required a redemption arc. Then, as the ideas flowed in, I was struck with the idea of instead of the “wise, old mentor” character with the young hero, why not have that mentor be the “young hero’s” actual father. From there, the story just wrote itself as Jack Wartnose is confronted not only with his one young adult son from his now-wife, but with other children he discovers from previous lovers during his wayward past.
Helen: If Jack could answer this next question, what would he say? Why should we read your book?
Andrew: “Come for the award-winning epic fantasy adventure, stay for the humour, excitement, heart, and fun, relatable characters.”
Helen: And what are you working on next? Are there more Jack Wartnose stories?
Andrew: Book 4 of my series, “The Adventures of Jack Wartnose,” titled “The Condemned Mage.” Now that my novella is finished, I’m full steam ahead on finishing the edits for this book to release later this year. It continues the adventure of Jack Wartnose and his growing family, having just narrowly escaped mage assassins in Book 3, “The Hunted Mage.” While fleeing for safety, he encounters one of the assassins, and realizes they shared an “intimate” history together.
Helen: Sounds intriguing! When did you realise you had a passion for writing?
Andrew: I’ve dabbled with writing since senior year in high school. Actually, I finished a novel about a mercenary on his death bed telling his story to his protégé and started a few others, along with a great many poems. Unfortunately, after accumulating a number of drafts and such, my laptop’s hard drive suddenly died. And in that same week, I physically lost my other back up hard drive, so everything I wrote then is lost to time. However, it may have been a blessing in disguise because I took a hiatus for several years as a result, lived life, had many adventures of my own, got married, and suffered setbacks and experienced triumphs to where, when I started writing again in earnest in 2021, everything clicked for me in a way my earlier writing didn’t. I haven’t looked back since.
Helen: It is so great that you went back to writing. Sometimes I think there is just a ‘right’ time to start writing. Which part of the writing process do you find most challenging and why?
Andrew: If we’re talking just writing, the editing process. I’m currently editing Book 4 in my series. I’m on my fourth read through and I’m still finding little plot holes and grammatical errors. But my absolute bane is marketing. I struggle wrapping my head around it. Someday I hope to crack it.
Helen: I have to agree that marketing is the challenge. I enjoy the writing and editing process as a whole. It is such an amazing feeling when everything clicks. Who inspired you to write?
Andrew: Primarily, God. Seriously, the whole beginning of this started from a funny and heartwarming vivid dream I had back in mid-2021 and the ideas that keep coming to drive this story I believe are truly inspired. Certainly didn’t come from me alone. As far as authors go, my big three would be Tolkien, Brian Jacques with his “Redwall” series, and Terry Pratchett with his “Discworld” series.
Helen: Which genre do you typically write in?
Andrew: Fantasy, because I believe it offers me the most creative freedom, and because I think fantasy helps us the most in real life. By giving readers heroes who bravely fight and defeat the dragons, metaphorically speaking, I believe it helps others to bravely face their own dragons in life.
Helen: Let’s move on to your writing process. Most independent authors also have a day job. How do you fit your writing into your everyday life?
Andrew: With difficulty. I have to wake at 5AM to get a couple of hours in before my normal job. Then I have a short time during my lunch break to crank out as much as I can. Evenings are devoted to family and winding down so I can sleep at night.
Helen: I wish I could do that, I am not an early morning person, I am a definitely a night owl. Do you listen to music while you write?
Andrew: Yes, and depends on my mood and what I’m writing. If I really need to concentrate, then classical, synthwave, or instrumental metal are my go-tos.
Helen: Do you plan out your novels or are you a pantser?
Andrew: I plan out the major plot points for my story. But how I get from A to B is anyone’s guess. I let the characters guide me between those points.
Helen: All authors experience moments of self doubt or writer’s block. What do you do to cope with this?
Andrew: I recognize that not everyone will enjoy my stories. But for those that do, they keep me going. I manage writer’s block by walking away for a short time. I find that if I can’t find a solution, I go and work on something else and eventually the solution finds me.
Helen: How do you find new ideas for your books?
Andrew: They just come to me. That’s why I made the comment about God being my primary inspiration because it’s not as though I’m actively thinking about these all the time. I have a day job and family responsibilities that take up 90% of my day’s activities and thought processes. So, when I get ideas, it usually comes in my dreams or just out of the blue.
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today, it’s been great chatting with you. Just to finish, what advice would you give new writers?
Andrew: Writing is a marathon. It will require great discipline to constantly write and keep learning the business of writing (marketing, building relationships, etc). I’m still learning and improving every day. Don’t assume quick success
Helen: Anything else you’d like to add?
Andrew: I am writing my books for adults, but I didn’t want them to be chocked full of inappropriate material. I have challenging material in my books, but never done in an exploitive or pornographic manner that parents would be embarrassed to have their children read or to be caught reading in front of the children. So, I tell people my books are “written for adults, but teen safe.”
Also, my first two books have won a combined seven book awards, with many other accolades to their name. So, if anyone thinks that by not making my books overly “spicy” that they’re boring or unreadable, I ask you reconsider. Good literature should be like cooking: use spices in the appropriate amounts to give your work interesting flavours yet not so much that it overpowers the meal. That’s what I strive to do (and have done) with my books.
I hope you will give my books a read. I believe you will find them full of charm and excitement you get from the best fantasies! You can find them on Amazon, search “The Adventures of Jack Wartnose,” or click here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C1KTK13M. And, for those who want to test drive my writing, sign up for my newsletter to get my free novella, “The Wayward Apprentice:” https://www.asnauthor.com/. It’s a free sign up, you can leave anytime, and you can unsubscribe any time. So what do you have to lose, except a few hours of a good, free read?
About the Author
A.S Norris
Telling fun, exciting and Godly adventures with timeless values, low spice romance, and a pinch of humor that any parent can read alongside their teenagers without embarrassment.
Subscribers to my newsletter get a FREE novella prequel, “The Wayward Apprentice,” as well as a FREE map of the world of Aemilia. Sign up at my website (Search “asnauthor”).
A.S. Norris is a bit of an adventurer himself. He has traveled to Asia and the western Pacific Ocean, Europe, and the Caribbean. Additionally, he has traveled over half of the United States and backpacked or camped in many of its national parks. Now his life consists of adventures as a family man with his lovely wife and spirited baby daughter. THE ADVENTURES OF JACK WARTNOSE is his first novel series with more coming in the near future!
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy epic fantasy then the award winningSentinal series is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fiction? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
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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…
Reviewed: February 25th, 2024 Released: February 16th, 2017 Genre: Paranormal Fantasy Format: Audio Narrated by Kevin T. Collins
A Kindle UK Storyteller Finalist
A Missing Ferryman. An Undead Dilemma. An Immortal Detective.
An emissary from the Dark Council has just materialized in the office of the Montague & Strong Detective Agency, and makes Simon Strong an offer he can’t refuse. Charon is missing. The legendary ferryman responsible for transporting sorcerer souls across the river Styx hasn’t been seen in days. And with each passing hour, those unable to cross the river are left to walk among the living, tilting the world further out of balance.
Meet Simon Strong, an immortal, who is also the best private detective in New York City. Together with his surly partner-Tristan Montague, a mage of indeterminate age, they must find the Ferryman and get him back to work before another Supernatural War ravages the earth, destroys humanity, and Simon’s local coffee shop.
Time is running out. His landlord wants the rent and Karma with a capital K is paying him a visit, and she can be a real…
Join the Montague & Strong Detective Agency and help them locate Charon, so he can restore balance to the universe, put the dead sorcerers to rest, and maybe solve the age old conundrum-coffee or tea? Read My Thoughts…
This is a podcast for all writers and artists who are involved in the book business. Each week, author and artist DJ Bowman-Smith will have a brief chat about her own working week and then introduce a guest to talk about writing and the art authors use to promote their words. It’s about inspiration and business. Aesthetics and exploring the creative mind.
Reviewed: September 22nd, 2023 Released: September 19th, 2023 Genre: Humourous Fantasy Format: Paperback
It was all going so well… But I might have guessed a dark side sequel was on the horizon.
No sooner had this Menopausal Madam nabbed her Mangy Wolf, and the jumbled pack of wolves, bears, snakes and an eagle howled their way to a Happy Ever After, than up pops the Messenger of the Alpha of Alphas, announcing the imminent arrival of the stinky Southern Pack.
A shed load of furry trouble descends, chief of whom being Curt’s Auntie Yelena, known as Yellfire to her enemies. I’m one of them, apparently. Before you can say ruffle my fur, we’re paw deep in backstabbing, arson, poison and attempted murder. Everyone’s heart is in danger, especially mine.
Reviewed: September 17th, 2023 Released: June 29th, 2023 Genre: Arthurian Fantasy Format: ebook
When the man who raised Roane Pendragon as a son sends a woman in need of protection, what is Roane to do? Well, one thing he shouldn’t do is sleep with her.
Caitlin McGregor is the latest in a long line of Sword Maidens. As the latest Keeper of Roane’s sword, it means both she and Roane are now targets on the radar of the evil sorceress, Morgause.
Morgause needs to stop Roane from using his sword to turn his key. The easiest way is to stop Cait from giving it to him in the first place. If Morgause can get her hands on it before Roane, not only will her lover, Mordred be released, but so will a creature powerful enough to subjugate multiple universes.
Will Cait give Roane the sword before Morgause stops her? Will Roane be able to use it to do his part to lock away the evil creature? Will Cait and Roane have any chance for a happy-ever-after? 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…
Reviewed: September 3rd, 2023 Released: September 20th, 2022 Genre: Humourous Fantasy Format: Paperback
A Land of Darkness drowns in despair. It’s called My Office.
When I’m not typing manifests, I churn out fantasy books no-one reads. Less Young Adult, more MAD: Middle Aged Disappointment. So, when I’m gifted a magic book for Secret Santa, I can’t believe my luck.
One miserable ‘Once Upon a Time’ later and I’m marooned on a frozen mountain, heaving with weirdos, biting each other’s throats.
The Snake’s oily, The Eagle’s bald, The Bear’s accident prone, My ‘Handsome Prince’ is more cheesed off Wolf, busy scratching, and I’ve no idea who the Villain is (unless it’s me).
Worst of all… I’ve no way home and the Mangy Wolf’s got the hots for me.
Helen Garraway 