Author Interview – J A Crawshaw

Author of The View Beyond.

Today, I am pleased to welcome Women’s Fiction author J.A Crawshaw to talk to us about his latest novel The View Beyond which releases on May 25th, 2023. You can find it in on preorder here and on Kindle Unlimited from release day.

Helen: Welcome John. I am so excited to meeet you and that we get to chat about your new book today!! Congratulations on the forthcoming release. Tell us about The View Beyond.

John: THE VIEW BEYOND is the 2^nd book in my Life Changing Women’s Fiction series. It is the sequel to THE SWING. Charlotte’s return to a normal life, full of happiness and love is turned upside down when an unscrupulous man leaves her destitute.

Will she crumble under the harsh reality of heartbreak, loneliness and despair? or earn the acceptance of the new people around her, confront her adversaries and look beyond her old life to seek a second chance of fulfilment and true love?

Her quest for the truth reveals shock results and in challenging her own beliefs and capabilities, establishes a true resilience and discovers that happiness might just be where you least expect it.

The view beyond might seem out of reach, but could be utterly life changing

Helen: Congratulations on publishing your second book in the series. What inspired your cover?

John: The cover idea came to me when I thought about a sign which could be left after someone had gone and could reappear. Once the concept of the love heart within the condensation of the window was set, I then incorporated it into the story. It didn’t exist before!

Helen: That is such a great insight into your thinking. I love that you then went on to incorporate it in the story. How about the title? How did decide on that?

John: I wanted there to be a place in which my protagonist could visit in her mind, when she most needed to. A low point in her life. Somewhere which previously seemed out of reach, but as she finds more inner strength, is able to look beyond her current situation and discover qualities, capabilities and dreams she didn’t expect. A physical view, but also a subconscious and emotional view. A gateway to true happiness and inner wellbeing.

Helen: I know you didn’t start writing until later in life, much like me. What made you write this particular book?

John: THE SWING was only ever meant to be a stand-alone book. Then readers started asking me about a sequel. There were no plans, but again and again, feedback was that people wanted to find out what happens to Peter, and Charlotte. So, I wrote it and I’m so glad I did. I had fun developing the story and felt I had so much more freedom to take them on a new adventure.

Helen: Having readers so engaged with your story and your characters is the greatest feeling, isn’t it? When did you realise you had a passion for writing?

John: My writing journey is quite unique. I had never written anything or even read a novel, before one night, waking up and started to write one. I was 50 years old and had spent a lifetime scared of words and reading due to debilitating dyslexia. Now I love it so much, I just can’t stop.

Helen: I am so glad you persevered. Writing is such a joy and being able to share our creations and entertain others is a wonderful feeling. You are an inspiration to those who also struggle with dyslexia and show that it is possible to enjoy your passion. What made you choose to write Women’s Fiction?

John: I didn’t choose to write women’s fiction and romance. It chose me. I’m a romantic for sure, and I’m fascinated by life, the possibilities and the people within it. I’m not a scifi man or a crime/fantasy fan, so write what comes naturally to me. What is more exciting than love and romance, especially with plot twists, deep passion, and intrigue?

Helen: What is your writing style? Do you plan the whole plot in advance or make it up as you go?

John: I’m a Pantser. 100%. I never start at the beginning, and I usually start with a sentence or a conversation between two people and let the characters take me where they want to go. I write from my sub-conscious and just let it unfold and thrill me as I write.

Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today, John. Good luck with your forthcoming launch. Just to close us out, tell us the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing.

John: The two best things to happen to me are, meeting so many incredible fans and fellow authors. Their feedback and love is quite overwhelming and I value these connections greatly.

It has also enabled me to break away from my dyslexic shackles and become free. Free to express myself and free to be me. Not perfect by any means, but able to be confident in who I am. Something not easy for anyone with self-esteem issues associated with dyslexia.

About the Author:

J A Crawshaw was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1969.

Writing romance is a passion for him. ‘Life is all about the connections we have with others and ourselves. Relationships are never straightforward, but always fascinating to me, and I love sharing my stories with my readers.’

A suspense romance. The Swing is a nostalgic and intriguing foray into the differences of the English class system. Charlotte and Peter battle with many external pressures but hope that an earthy, deep connection, shared experiences and passion in the bedroom will win through for them.

J A is currently working on the sequel to The Swing and also a romantic trilogy, based in an English coastal town and specifically the secrets of a boathouse hideaway.

You can find him on:

Website

Instagram

You can purchase the first book The Swing here:

Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback | Hardcover

Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback | Hardcover

As an Amazon Associate I may earn commission from purchases made using these links.

If you enjoy fantasy romance books then you will love SoulBreather, and my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.

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Author Interview – John Regan

Author of Nearhope: The Rise of the Demons.

Today, I am pleased to welcome Indie author John Regan to talk to us about his latest fantasy novel Nearhope The Rise of the demons which released on November 7th, 2022.

Helen: Welcome John. I am so excited to meeet you and that we get to chat about your book today! Tell us about Nearhope.

John: My current book is NEARHOPE – Rise of the Demons. A fantasy horror. Synopsis: Felix has lost everything. On an ordinary evening, he meets a lonely figure at a service station who needs his help. How can Felix be of any assistance to this man, and where is he taking him? Plunged into blackness and faced with demons from his past, he must fight to help save the future of humankind. Nearhope, a place populated by the damned, acts as a buffer between the demon’s realm and our world. But the first incursion has occurred. Can the chosen twelve and their leader return evil to where it came from? If they fail, He who reigns over all the darkness will claim the prize he has long sought, and the consequences for the human race will be devastating. A fantasy horror, where the fight between good and evil rises to a new level and takes the reader on a journey to a place like Hell… only far, far worse.

Helen: The premise sounds suitably horrifying. What inspired your cover?

John: My covers are designed by an illustrator. I gave her a short synopsis of my story, and she produced several designs. I wanted to give potential readers an idea of what the book is about and decided on the design I used.

Helen: It is such fun choosing the right design to match the story in your head and not always as straight forward as you’d think. How about the title? How did decide on that?

John: The title is a play on words. Nearhope is a village between our world and hell, acting as a buffer between the two. The people that inhabit Nearhope were saved from purgatory by a mysterious individual called James. The idea is that no one is beyond forgiveness, and there is always hope that they could be saved. Hope is always near (Nearhope). The Rise of the Demons subtitle is to separate it from the rest of the series.

Helen: Nice to hear that this the first book in a series. What made you write this particular book?

John: My wife and I assist authors to self-publish their work through our company (JV Author Services) – part-time. We have proper jobs – and one of our authors writes horror stories. It was a genre I hadn’t previously tried, so I thought I would give it a go. The beginning came to me, and I just wrote that. I’ve got a loose outline for the end, two or three books down the line.

Helen: I don’t know how you find the time to write, along with working and assisting other authors. Though writing can take over when you get that burning idea. When did you realise you had a passion for writing?

John: Writing is something I have enjoyed sporadically throughout my life, so I joined a creative writing course in my late forties. My first story – The Hanging Tree – was born from that.

Helen: Which part of the writing process do you find most challenging?

John: Having to edit my own work. By the time I’ve been through my manuscript several times, I am sick of the story and characters.

Helen: Nearhope is fantasy horror. Is that your prefered genre to write or do you write more?

John: Several. I like to stretch my writing wings. I have written: Adult Thrillers/Police procedurals, Comedy Thrillers, Sci-fi/Fantasy and even a contemporary love story with a twist. I also write quite a bit of poetry.

Helen: Most indie authors are juggling many things, a day job, family, writing. How do you fit writing into your daily life?

John: With difficulty. I work full-time, and as I explained above, my wife and I assist other authors, so I am always busy. I have one rule: Never beat yourself up about not writing. If you’re not actually writing, you should be thinking about your book. This way, you will know what to write when sitting behind your laptop

Helen: In thoise brief moments when you are not working! Where do you get your ideas and who inspires you write?

John: No one in particular. Inspiration is everywhere. Many people want to write, especially those who read a lot. Maybe the ideas already live out there waiting to be discovered. If we’re lucky enough, we find them.

Helen: I’m glad to hear you still have many ideas for new books. Tell us about your current WIP.

John: The Dappled Shade. It is the third in a series – The Hanging Tree and The Fallen Leaves are the other two. They’re about a police detective haunted by someone from his past while trying to decipher murder cases. He has an uncanny ability of getting to the bottom of seemingly unfathomable cases using his Thin-slicing skills (something honed over years of practice) while trying to stop his life from falling apart.

Helen: Who is you protagonist and why did you write her/him?

John: Detective Inspector Peter Graveney. A troubled soul who has a weakness for drink and women. His character has changed throughout the books, and if I’ve managed to portray him as I see him in my head, the readers should be torn between like and dislike for him.

Helen: If DI Graveney could answer, why would they say we should read your book?

John: Even the darkest of secrets deserves an audience.

Helen: Tell us the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing.

John: I met my wife, who greatly helps with my writing and editing.

Helen: That is wonderful. Every writer experiences self-doubt. How do you overcome the fear and the little voice in your head to keep writing?

John: Ignore it. Never get blown away by praise or depressed because of criticism. Treat those two imposters just the same to paraphrase Rudyard Kipling. Your story will not be for everyone.

Helen: Many writers struggle to get there ideas down on paper. Do you encounter writer’s block? And if so, how do you deal with it?

John: I genuinely don’t believe it exists. If I was running a marathon, I wouldn’t expect to complete it without training. Writing is the same. As I explained earlier, if you are constantly mulling the story over in your head, you will be able to write when you sit down. Think about what you’re going to write much more than actually writing. Be easy on yourself.

Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today, John. I’ve enjoyed chatting to you. Just to close us out, tell us the best piece of writing advice you’ve recieved, and what you would say to aspiring writers.

John: Write for enjoyment. Can’t remember where I gained this advice. You don’t have to write in a linear way (chap 1, chap 2 … etc.) If you have a good idea for a chapter later in the book, write it and drop it into the story later. Writing linearly can sometimes stultify your writing if you’re unsure what should happen next. Writers often struggle to finish their stories because of this.

About the Author:

John Regan

I am John Regan, a self-published author and poet from the North-East of England.

I began writing in my late forties and completed eight novels. I am writing my ninth (the 3^rd in a detective series.) I live in Redcar – North Yorkshire, with my wife Vicky. Together we assist authors to self-publish their work affordably through our company JV Author Services. Although most of our writers are located close to where we live, we have assisted writers from across the country and recently helped an author in the States.

You can find him on:

Instagram

Facebook

Author Services website

Author Services Facebook

You can purchase the book Nearhope The Rise of the Demons here:

Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback

Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback

As an Amazon Associate I may earn commission from purchases made using these links.

If you enjoy fantasy romance books then you will love SoulBreather, and my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring, a bonus short story and get notified when my next books are published.

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Book Review Alert: Circe by Madeline Miller

Reviewed: May 11th, 2023
Released: April 19th, 2018
Genre: Greek Mythology Fantasy fiction

Woman. Witch. Myth. Mortal. Outcast. Lover. Destroyer. Survivor. CIRCE.

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. Circe is a strange child – not powerful and terrible, like her father, nor gorgeous and mercenary like her mother. Scorned and rejected, Circe grows up in the shadows, at home in neither the world of gods or mortals. But Circe has a dark power of her own: witchcraft. When her gift threatens the gods, she is banished to the island of Aiaia where she hones her occult craft, casting spells, gathering strange herbs and taming wild beasts. Yet a woman who stands alone will never be left in peace for long – and among her island’s guests is an unexpected visitor: the mortal Odysseus, for whom Circe will risk everything.

So Circe sets forth her tale, a vivid, mesmerizing epic of family rivalry, love and loss – the defiant, inextinguishable song of woman burning hot and bright through the darkness of a man’s world.

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Book Review Alert: The Librarian of Crooked Lane by C.J. Archer

Reviewed: May 9th, 2023
Released: September 6th, 2022
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Format: Audiobook narrated by Marian Hussey

A librarian with a mysterious past, a war hero with a secret, and the heist of a magic painting. THE LIBRARIAN OF CROOKED LANE is an intriguing new fantasy from C.J. Archer, the USA Today bestselling author of the Glass and Steele series.

Librarian Sylvia Ashe knows nothing about her past, having grown up without a father and a mother who refused to discuss him. When she stumbles upon a diary that suggests she’s descended from magicians, she’s skeptical. After all, magicians are special, and she’s just an ordinary girl who loves books. She seeks the truth from a member of the most prominent family of magicians, but she quickly learns that finding the truth won’t be easy, especially when he turns out to be as artless as her, and more compelling and dangerous than books.

War hero Gabe is gifted with wealth, a loving family, and an incredible amount of luck that saw him survive four harrowing years of a brutal war without injury. But not all injuries are visible. Burying himself in his work as a consultant for Scotland Yard, Gabe is going through the motions as he investigates the theft of a magician-made painting. But his life changes when he unwittingly gets Sylvia dismissed from her job and places her in danger.

After securing her new employment in a library housing the world’s greatest collection of books about magic, Gabe and Sylvia’s lives become intwined as they work together to find both the painting and the truth about Sylvia’s past before powerful people can stop them.

But sometimes the past is better left buried…

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Author Interview – LC Ainsworth

Author of Too Many Shadows, Not Enough Light.

Today, I am pleased to welcome author LC Ainsworth to talk to us about her novel Too Many Shadows, Not Enough Light which was released on January 12th, 2023.

Helen: Welcome LC. I am so excited to meeet you and that we get to chat about your book today!! Tell us about your series and Too Many Shadows, Not Enough Light.

LC: My book series is called A Dark Passengers Story and book 1 title is Too Many Shadows, Not Enough Light.

It is a Fantasy/Sci-fi/Mystery/YA/Romance.

It is the story of a young princess from an empire called Yanar. Yanar is also the only country on Earth where humans have developed supernatural powers. She dreams of being a chef, but her position as the future queen does not allow it and instead is forced to choose between one branch of the Armed Forces. She chooses the Air Force because she loves flying.

She faces her enemies from another planet in Book 1 and has, at the tender age of 17, to learn how to become a leader. By the end of the book, she also faces another challenge. She develops feelings for a boy.

Helen: That sounds like an action packed premise. What inspired your cover?

LC: The cover I chose reminded me of the first scene in Terminator 1, one of my favourite movies. You have the bones of humans covered in some dark grey ashes and a robot just steps on a skull, crushing it while moving toward a group of rebels shooting at it and other machines.

In the early part of the book, the heroine is fighting aliens, and the fighting happens in space. But the war will inevitably reach Earth and the image that kept popping into my head every time I would picture the coming war was the robot crushing the skull. So I picked it and I think it is a good representation not just of book 1 but of the series.

Helen: The cover certainly embodies the threat. It is dark and brooding. I love your title, how did decide on that?

LC: The first title was meant to be The Fire Underneath but the more I wrote the more words like darkness came to me. Eventually, I settled with Shadow and Light but something was missing and my sister “Why not Too Many Shadows?”, I smiled, it was perfect.

Helen: I am so glad your sister piped up. It is a perfect title. What made you write this particular book?

LC: When I was 11, someone discovered the body of a woman near the school gates. My friends and I had a spot hidden where we loved to pretend we were spies. We called it the KGB. That day we found hair in our hiding space, a lot of hair. I remembered hearing my parents talk about the murdered woman. The murderer had cut her hair. We waited until we spotted a police officer nearby and told him about the hair we found; he laughed and ignored us.

We got angry and investigated the matter ourselves. By the end of the school term, we had concluded that our headteacher was guilty; the woman murdered was not his first murder, and he was having an affair with a teacher. Both were married. We proudly walked into a police station and handed over our evidence. They laughed at us and kicked us out of the station but not before complimenting us on our wild imagination and advising that we write books or scripts for tv series.

And this is how the idea of the plot for the first book entered my mind. By the time I gave writing a go, I had gained a passion for fantasy and sci-fi, not to mention romance. So I kept the vibe and the essence of the story alive while adding aliens, creating a new country, and adding some violence.

Helen: I can see why that idea stuck. Quite a traumatic event at such a young age. I’m glad you were able to purge it through your writing. What genre do you typically write?

LC: I write a mix-genre. I love Mystery; I am a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie’s books. I am also a huge fan of Jane Austen. Adding that to my love of Fantasy and Sci-Fi, I simply couldn’t stick to one genre. I tried to write a Fantasy book and ended up writing a Fantasy/YA/Romance/Mystery/Sci-Fi book. In a sense, I think the book took a life in itself. And when I got to book two, I had developed a taste in Smut books, so I added some explicit content.

Helen: I think the more we write the more confident we become, and so our writing reflects that. Which element of the writing process do you find most challenging and why?

LC: Editing. As someone who is writing in her third language, it is already difficult to put the words on paper. But it is nothing compared to the editing process which in my opinion takes even longer than the actual writing. For each book, I have had to reread, rewrite and delete entire chapters which is so painful because I cherished every word. Yes, for me editing is the most challenging part.

Helen: I am so impressed that you are writing in your third language. May I say that I think it is amazing. I struggle with grammar and English is my first and only language!

Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Final question for you. What is the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing?

LC: I would say I accepted who I was. I suffer from depression and anxiety and always lived in my head. I would create worlds and imagine what life could be if I didn’t have to hide from the world then I would put on a mask and walk among people, pretending to be ok. Writing allowed me to open about my depression and anxiety. I no longer fear to be seen as someone dealing with mental illness. I can accept it and work on getting better without fear of judgment.

Helen: I truly believe writing is carthartic and allows us to express freely what is inside us. I am so glad you found that on your writing journey. Thank you again, LC, for joining me today.

About the Author:

L.C Ainsworth is an author living in Wales surrounded by her loved ones while taking care of her mother’s garden.

You can find her on:

Instagram

Tiktok

You can purchase the first book Too Many Shadows, Not Emough Light here:

Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook

Link to book on Amazon US: eBook

As an Amazon Associate I may earn commission from purchases made using these links.

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Book Review Alert: The Starlight Witch by Kim Richardson

Reviewed: May 2nd, 2023
Released: October 31st, 2022
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy

Finding my husband in bed with another woman was not how I planned to start my day.

Or homeless the next minute. And broke.

So, when a job comes my way from The Twilight Hotel—a paranormal hotel in midtown Manhattan that serves as a sanctuary and residence—I take it.

Cue in tattooed, sexy as sin, grumpy restaurant owner Valen, who can’t do drama or high-maintenance women. The problem? He’s cruel and dangerous.

And he’s hiding something.

Rumors arise of a dark spell that would mean the hotel’s closure, and I don’t know who I can trust. Do I have what it takes to fight this new evil? We’ll see.

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Book Review Alert: The House Witch by Delemhach

Reviewed: April 28th, 2023
Released: June 21st, 2022
Genre: Humourous Fantasy Romance

A heartwarming and humorous blend of fantasy, romance, and mystery featuring a witch with domestic powers and the royal household he serves . . . dinner.

When Finlay Ashowan joins the staff of the King and Queen of Daxaria, he’s an enigma. No one knows where he comes from or how he came to be where he is, which suits Fin just fine. He’s satisfied simply serving as the royal cook, keeping nosy passersby out of his kitchen, and concocting some truly uncanny meals.

But Fin’s secret identity doesn’t stay hidden for long. After all, it’s not every day a house witch and his kitten familiar, Kraken, take to meddling in imperial affairs. As his powers are gradually discovered by the court, Fin finds himself involved in a slew of intrigues: going head-to-head with knights with less-than-chivalrous intentions, helping to protect the pregnant queen, fending off the ire of the royal mage, and uncovering a spy in the castle. And that’s only the beginning—because Fin’s past is catching up with him just as his love life is getting complicated.

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Book Review Alert: The Bandalore by DK Girl

Reviewed: April 21st 2023
Released: February 26th, 2021
Genre: Gaslamp MM Fantasy

His second chance at life will be the bloody death of him.

Silas Mercer is a dead man. Or at least…he was.

Upon waking in his grave, he finds himself without a single memory of the life he once lived. Silas is bewildered and lost, and apparently, now in the employ of the mysterious Order of the Golden Dawn. A secretive organisation who specialise in all things supernatural.

To begin with, their plans for him seem to involve nothing more than making a spectacle of himself in front of London society, with his terrible dancing skills and inept attempts to host the occasional séance.

But Silas’s odd new life takes a startling turn when the Order partners him with the scandalous rake, Tobias Astaroth. A quick-tempered, dangerously beautiful man who harbours some hellish secrets.

Their unlikely, and infuriating, partnership soon faces its first terrifying challenge.

A monster straight out of a nightmare is haunting the woods of Leicester, and the Order want Silas and Tobias to end its rampage.

But nothing in this world is as it seems. Not the Order. Not Silas himself, and certainly not the incorrigible and utterly beguiling Mr Astaroth.

For Silas, the perils that lie ahead are many. But few are as dangerous as the bewitching man at his side.

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Book Review Alert: The McConnor Curse by M.J Padgett

Reviewed: April 15th 2023
Released: October 26th, 2022
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
Audiobook narrated by Kristen Saburn

Charlotte McConnor has all the luck of the Irish… until she doesn’t. When she agrees to marry Colin, her boyfriend of several months, things go downhill fast. The second the engagement ring slips on her finger, things get strange—and hot. As in, he burns her hometown to the ground every night in a sick game of cat and mouse. Unbeknownst to Charlotte, she’s just met her sin-eater—the man cursed by her family to carry her sins to Hell and keep her cup of luck overflowing. Now he’s out for revenge, unless, of course, they can figure out a way to break the centuries-old curse that has enslaved them both.

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Book Review Alert: Where Shadows Lie by Allegra Pescatore

Reviewed: April 13th 2023
Released: March 20th, 2020
Genre: Epic Fantasy

The Chosen One is dead.

Only his sister can take his place.

Disabled since childhood, Elenor was content to live in her brother’s shadow, besting her cousins at cards and sneaking her girlfriend into her room at night. Now she’s next in line for the throne and beset on all sides by factions out for blood. With time ticking down until someone manages to kill her too, Elenor will be forced to choose between accepting her father’s despotic rule or risking everything for her late brother’s lofty ideals.

Meanwhile, from the rainy streets of Lirin to the scorching dunes of the Mondaer Desert, the death of the Chosen One has inadvertently broken a chain of events five centuries in the making. Ancient forces move in the shadows, calling in debts and striking deals. A monster with a thousand faces fingers his knife, ready to kill, and a pair of fugitives run for their lives, unaware of the danger they carry with them.

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