Tag: Interview

Author Interview – Bruce Spydar

Author of Unboxing. The ART of Happiness

Today, I am pleased to welcome author Bruce Spyder to talk to us about his latest book, Unboxing, The ART of Happiness which released on May 29th, 2023.

Helen: Welcome Bruce. I’m intrigued about your new book. A departure from your romcom books which I am more familiar with. Tell us a little about it.

Bruce: Re-shape your thinking, transform your life!

Simple, practical, and positive, Unboxing: The Art of Happiness combines life experience, logic, and basic psychology to show how we can feel happier and more resilient in everyday life.

At times, many of us have our struggles with health, money, work, relationships, self-acceptance, and so on.  Becoming happier is not about ignoring our problems and limitations, nor about pursuing the fantasy world of our dreams.  It’s about making everyday choices that are right for us. 

As youngsters, we discover instinctively how to solve simple puzzles.  At school, we are taught to unpack questions to clarify our understanding, and to identify any constraints before working towards the solutions.  Unboxing takes the same approach to issues we face in everyday life.

We discover clarity when we UNBOX our issues.  We find direction when we ACCEPT what we cannot change, when we are REALISTIC with our expectations, and when we remain TRUE to ourselves.  The path towards happiness is indeed an ART.

Unboxing is for anyone seeking to re-boot their positivity.  It’s about ordinary life and everyday issues.  The ART of Happiness is the tool of a positive mind, and Unboxing reveals how to use it.

Helen: What a great concept and so practical to use. I love the cover. It is very clean and simple, and yet I am sure there is more behind the imagery. What were your thoughts behind it?

Bruce: I designed the cover to be strikingly different, aiming to portray a simplicity in thinking while aligning with the title and content of the book. 

There are three primary components:

1) the gift boxes, which underpin the UNBOXING idea and title;

2) the child’s face filled with joy, wonder, excitement … at such a young age, our minds are free from the troubles of the world;

3) the butterflies, which are the subject of several inspiring quotations on happiness, and which also convey the inspiration and freedom I find in nature. 

The choice of light blue was primarily because it’s a calming and natural colour.  However, during the time spent writing and designing, the war in Ukraine was also frequently in my mind … so blue and yellow became my colour choices, and I think it works well.  

Helen: It is so interesting to hear about the ideas behind the cover, there is always a lot more thought put in than you realise. How about the title, why did you use that title?

Bruce: I’ll illustrate why by giving a couple of quotes from the book.

“Before opening a box, all it contains is our imagination. It’s only when we remove the lid that we see the reality”

UNBOXING is about revealing and understanding our situation, while the ART of Happiness are the steps we take towards greater contentment … being ACCEPTING where we must, being REALISTIC about our expectations, and being TRUE to ourselves.

“Throughout life we face a constant battle to control what we can’t accept, while having to accept what we can’t control.  We become happier when we find the right equilibrium.”

I had also toyed with BOXING HAPPY as a title, representing the control versus acceptance battles we face in daily life, but felt UNBOXING was a better fit overall.  However, readers will also find the boxing analogies at certain places in the book.

Helen: This book is quite different to your other romcom books. What made you write this particular book?

Bruce: My mother died late in 2021, and I wanted to dedicate a book to her memory.  The book I was writing back then (Refining My Dining) was a naughty romcom, and not of the type that would have met her approval. 

One of the first books I wrote was a self-help model, Spydar’s Web: How to capture happiness, released in 2019.  Since then, my thinking has evolved during my four more years of life experience, including witnessing my mother’s decline.   The methodology behind Unboxing: The ART of Happiness has helped me through some tough times, and I believe a similar approach to life may be beneficial to others.

Helen: I can understand why you wrote a book in the self-help genre. What genres do you typically write in?

Bruce: I write from personal experience, with a desire to help and/or inspire others.  I started in the self-help arena when I was at low point in my life after losing my job.  I found the thinking and creative process rather cathartic.  Once I discovered that other people appeared to think I could write, I began writing a naughty rom-com series (Diary of a Shy Backpacker) because it’s the type of humour that I enjoy reading.   I figure that if I can write material that helps promote happiness and laughter, I’m probably using my time well. 

Helen: I also write what I enjoy to read. Where did your inspiration to write come from?

Bruce: I could either say I was ‘self-inspired’ or that I simply fell into it.  After decades working in international nature conservation, I lost my job, and needed a fresh start.  In the lead up to turning 50, I felt the urge to try something completely different, so I began writing … and a few books later, I’m still going. 

Helen: Congratulations on publishing your books. I always say it is never to late to start write as there is a time and a place for everything. Like yourself, I started wtiting later in life, and I love it! What is the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing?

Bruce: I’d have to say finding the indie author community on Instagram.  I started writing as an anonymous pen-name, without any network and with precious few expectations.  Finding so many mutually supportive authors amongst the Instagram community has been great, and it’s been wonderful to discover some great writing talent out there. 

Also, I must admit, although I’m not yet a bona fide best-selling author, on the occasions I have seen my books high up the Amazon category charts, they have been moments of great satisfaction … perhaps that comes a close second.

Helen: It is a wonderful feeling to see your books being appreciated. And I agree the Indie author community on Instagram is amazingly supportive. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Bruce: While I may be too unconventional to give sensible writing advice, I do have decades of varied life experience.  If you feel like writing, just write … but do it because you want to, and write primarily for yourself.  The chances are that if you like it, others will too.

Helen: Great advice. It’s been lovely chatting with you today. Thank you so much for joining me. One last question. Most authors suffer from self-doubt. How do you overcome the fear and the little voice of self doubt in your head so you can keep writing?

Bruce: I’ve experienced self-doubt throughout my life, and in many more contexts than writing.  In fact, self-doubt is a significant aspect of what I’ve come to write about: it can detract from our personal happiness and is something that so many of us have to overcome, or adapt to.  Also, the main character in my Shy Backpacker rom-com series has many such issues (BJ’s character stems from my own).  Self-doubt can arise for different reasons and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.  However, in many cases, the route through it may be found in taking small steps, and simply pushing yourself to take the next one.

About the Author

Bruce Spydar

Bruce Spydar used to wear a suit, work in an office, and get paid to lead teams of staff working for international nature conservation. Today he possesses no suit that fits, has no office nor staff, and he doesn’t get paid … although he still volunteers in support of nature.

For the last few years, Bruce has thrown himself into writing. Perhaps it’s a last-ditch attempt to harness his creativity, before his brain turns to mush. On many an afternoon he can be spotted gazing out of an upstairs window of his house near Cambridge, searching for inspiration.

Bruce describes himself as writing with a kind heart and a naughty mind. Personal experience has taught him that everyday life is rather full of struggles, and that happiness and laughter are too often in short supply. It’s why he now chooses to focus his creativity towards sharing his humour and positivity.

Website

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Amazon Author page UK | USA

Goodreads

You can purchase Unboxing. The ART of Happiness here:

Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback

Linkt ot book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback

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 submit, 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.

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Author Interview – Angela Cairns

Author of A Song for Kitty.

Today, I am pleased to welcome contemporary romance author Angela Cairns to talk to us about A Song for Kitty, her latest novel which will release in August 2023.

Helen: Welcome Angela. I love your Ellie Rose series so I can’t wait to chat to you about your next release, A Song for Kitty. Could you tell us a little about it?

Angela: I’m incredibly excited about my next book A Song for Kitty. It’s a historical fiction set in the years before the First World War – against the backdrop of a tumultuous time where suffragettes fought for the vote, trade unions challenged employers for better pay and conditions and political unrest and war stalked the carefree Edwardian lifestyle.

Lily Matthews, an apprentice seamstress and her neighbour Aiden Donnelly, a talented pianist, are in love. They dream of careers in the Music Hall in London. At a suffragette meeting they encounter London Music Hall star Kitty Marion. Will the charismatic Kitty help them to achieve their dreams or destroy their relationship and put their well-being at risk?

Helen: This sounds so good. I look forward to reading it. Now I know you don’t have your cover yet, but what can you tell us about it?

Angela: I’ve been doing a lot of cover research as historical fiction is a new genre for me. I like the idea of a young woman in Edwardian dress, backed by a music hall scene or London skyline theme – but I will have to wait and see what my cover designer comes up with. I am also delighted with the interior art around the chapter headings.

Helen: I love lilies. This is such a pretty chapter heading and I love the way it resonates with the name of your protagonist. How about the book title, how did you come up with that?

Angela: I wrote the drafts of a Song for Kitty under the title Moonlight on the Water, and only changed the title after a dark night of the soul the evening before I sent my brief to the cover designer. Moonlight on water was a motif that ran through the book and set an ambience, however, a pivotal point in the story is when Aiden writes a song in honour of Kitty Marion, which Lily sings at a suffragette meeting. I ran both titles past my writing group as a mini poll and they unanimously voted for A Song for Kitty which confirmed the change for me.

Helen: I love asking my readers for help. I am a terrible ditherer when it comes to making decisions on covers and titles! So they are a good sanity check. You said historical fiction was a new genre for you. Who inspired you to write this book?

Angela: I wrote A Song for Kitty because my grandmother was born in 1896, she was 106 when she died and so I talked to her a lot about her life growing up. I also have some amazing archives in the form of her photos and some of her beautiful needlework too. This book is not her personal story at all, but the stories she told me, along with my research, gave me the setting and the voice of some of the characters. She was an amazing lady and I wanted to write something in her memory.

Helen: That is so lovely, and it is so wonderful that you were able to talk to your grandmother about her life and experiences. The best kind of research. If I was to ask your main character, Lily, why someone should read your book, what would she say?

Angela: If Lily Matthews could tell you why you should read A Song for Kitty she would say “We made mistakes, Aiden and I, but we were young and had brave, restless hearts. We wanted to be part of the changes that were going on around us and most of all we wanted to be together. But life isn’t always simple, we say things we don’t mean with powerful consequences. This is my story, but more than that it’s the story of how women found their voice.”

Helen: If that doesn’t make you want to read A Song for Kitty, I don’t know what will! Readers- Make sure you sign up to Angela’s newsletter here to find out first when A Song for Kitty releases. As a writer, we all experience self doubt at some point. How do you overcome the imposter syndrome?

Angela: When I’m experiencing doubts about my writing, I hold a lovely quote in my head, “You don’t have to be a Guru to contribute.”  I may not be a literary prize winner or a punctuation guru, but someone out there needs to read what I write, so I write anyway.

I also go back to my yoga breathing to centre myself and accept that all is well. It’s alright to be a little scared, scary means we are pushing the boundaries to be our best self.

I’m a writing coach as well as an author so I use lots of techniques to help with imposter syndrome – it’s always good to remember that no-one else has your unique voice and experience to contribute. Your readers might like to download my free eBook – Overcome Your Writing Roadblocks, which is packed with information to make the writing process easier. https://launchmoxie.com/cairns-writing-roadblocks/

Helen: Thank you so much for sharing this writer resource, I think all writers will appreciate the advice. How about Writer’s block? How do you deal with that?

Angela: The dreaded writer’s block! If I’m struggling to get words on the page, then I change up my routine. I write somewhere different like the library or local coffee shop. I change from my laptop to pen and paper, or I dictate. Sometimes I change medium, and dance or paint instead of writing to stimulate creativity in a different way. Failing that, I give myself a break, take some time off and go out to engage my senses looking, listening, touching, and smelling in a detailed, mindful way to get the creative juices flowing.

Helen: Great advice! Most writers are great readers. What is your favourite book?

Angela: My favourite book – well I suppose there are a number, but if I must choose one – I love Joanne Harris’ Chocolat series. I lived in France for six years and she effortlessly takes me back there. I love the sprinkle of magic in all her books too and that the main character Vianne Rocher lives from her generous heart.

Helen: Great choice! It’s been lovely having you on my blog, Angela. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me. Just to finish could share some of your recent reads with us?

Angela: As a writer, I love to read and have read some excellent indie books recently. In women’s fiction, I thoroughly enjoyed Julia Blake’s Perennials trilogy and laughed and cried along with the characters. The books tell the story of how a lonely ugly duckling girl created her style, gathered a found family and weathered all the storms that life can throw. I also love a good crime thriller and enjoyed Wendy H. Jones’ The Killer’s Countdown, set in Dundee, if you love Rebus you’ll enjoy DI Shona McKenzie too. I loved your SoulBreather and DragonBound too, the themes of corruption and political powerbroking in heaven are intriguing and who doesn’t love a wounded hero.

Happy reading, thank you for asking me to talk to your readers, Helen, It’s always fun to chat about books. If your readers would like to sign up to my newsletter then they can download Paradise, prequel novella to the Ellie Rose Series as a gift from me. www.angelacairnsauthor.co.uk/sign-up. A Song for Kitty is due for release in August this year.

About the Author

Angela Cairns

Hi,

I’m Angela Cairns, Amazon bestselling women’s fiction author of the Ellie Rose Series and historical fiction, A Song for Kitty. I’m a holistic physiotherapist and acupuncturist, author, writing coach and BBC guest broadcaster.

 I write stories and books because I can’t help myself. I’m lucky, because at this stage in my Physio career, I can give time to writing fiction.

I write about things that matter to me, everyday life, amazing people, interesting times, and emotions. What could be more exciting and challenging than to convey all that to someone reading a story you’ve created. Recently someone wrote to me to say they had re-read Touch, my first novel, because it moved them, and warmed their heart. It’s humbling, priceless and makes all the hard work worthwhile.

If life is a boat in which we sail – then our stories are the waves which carry us.

Angela

Website

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If you’d like to find out more about Angela’s Ellie Rose series then see the interview we did back in February 2022.

You can purchase Touch first book in the Ellie Rose series here:

Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback

Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback

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 submit, 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.

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Author Interview – G.N Gudgion

Author of Hammer of Fate.

Today, I am pleased to welcome author Geoff Gudgion to talk to us about the Hammer of Fate, the first book in his new epic fantasy Rune Song trilogy which released on June 1st, 2023.

Helen: Welcome Geoff. I am so excited to chat about your new epic fantasy book today!! Congratulations on the release. I am currently reading Hammer of Fate, and I am loving it. Tell us a little about it.

Geoff: Hammer of Fate is the first in the Rune Song epic fantasy trilogy, which was released on 1 June. The publishers (Second Sky, an imprint of Bookouture/Hachette) are positioning the series alongside George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones and Robin Hobb’s Farseer series, but I’d like to add a nod to Guy Gavriel Kay’s The Lions of Al-Rassan.

The heroine, Adelais, was raised in the far north, learning stories of the old gods and the skill of weaving runes into magic. Now she’s locked in a convent far from home and forced to kneel to a foreign god. Adelais falls foul of the Inquisition, escapes dressed as a boy, and finds herself caught up in much larger conflict between faiths and nations. She must summon all her courage and her memories of the old gods’ magic as the noose tightens around her and a thunderous final reckoning approaches.

Some will adore her as an angel. Most will hunt her as a witch. She may be both.

You’ll find more details at https://geni.us/B0BT8BH85Dcover  Two other titles in the series, Runes of Battle and Blood of Wolves, will be released in July and October respectively.

Helen: I love the nod to the Knights Templar and the renaissance feel of the world, reinforced by the naming. And I am so happy this is a trilogy, more books to enjoy! I am assuming that is Adelais on the cover?

Geoff: The fantastic cover art was commissioned from the talented Lance Buckley ( https://www.lancebuckley.com/ ) by Second Sky. I can see elements of my suggestions in the design, though I pictured Adelais as being a little more vulnerable and feminine in the first book; more like Daenarys Targarian in Season 1 of Game of Thrones than Brienne of Tarth in Season 2. By Book 3, Blood of Wolves, her character has evolved through adversity and this image would definitely fit.

Helen: I love the character of Adelais, you have written her so beautifully. She is still feminine under her disguise, so I do agree that the cover does portray her more as boy, which loses the sense of her vulnerability and naivete at the start. But the cover does still suggests an underdog against the powers that be.

Geoff: Adelais is all my agent’s fault. Ian encouraged me to focus on historical fiction ‘with a female protagonist’. I was researching the 14th century at the time, an era when the only empowered women were queens or nuns, but writing a ‘nun on the run’ seemed like a fun idea. ‘What about a kick-ass, cross-dressing nun?’ I asked, and was rewarded with a literary air-punch.

Sadly, publishers did not buy the manuscript as historical fiction, much to Ian’s frustration, so he suggested I keep the characters and the essence of the plot but rewrite it as fantasy. That worked.

I had reservations, at first, being a man writing a female protagonist, but Adelais became very real to me faster than any character before. Sometimes it feels as if we wrote her adventures together. Fortunately I had an excellent lady copy editor who could ensure that masculine thinking did not intrude into a feminine point of view, but she had to make very few changes in that regard.

Helen: You mentioned researching. How much research did you have to do for Hammer of Fate?

Geoff: Masses! Research for the Rune Song series has taken me into the Old Norse language, arcane aspects of Nordic rune lore, the trials of the Knights Templar, the mindset of chivalry, and medieval sword fighting techniques. I could add a few minor diversions such as medieval medicines. (Hot tip; wash wounds with wine and pack them with sphagnum moss; it contains a form of penicillin.)

Helen: Researching can be quite consuming, but these subjects sound really interesting. Let’s talk about your writing process. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Geoff: A bit of both. I’ll always have a premise; the key characters, needs, jeopardies, and resolution. Then I’ll start crafting craft words but stray off track, and write the premise again because I’ve improved on the original idea. That could happen three or four times in the course of a novel. 

Helen: How does your writing fit into your daily life?

Geoff: At the moment the difficulty is fitting everyday life around my writing! I’m a keen amateur horse rider but deadlines mean even my lovely mare is neglected. When Blood of Wolves is out & running I will heave a massive sigh of relief and book a holiday.

Helen: Hammer of Fate is a new genre for you. How easy was it to write in a different genre to your previous books?

Geoff: Remarkably easily. In fact it was liberating. In historical fiction the plot has to fit within the framework of known facts, but a fantasy author can let their imagination rip. Rune Song would only have run for two books as HF, but in fantasy I could give Adelais a character arc that would have put her into the history books. If I want dragons, ‘here be dragons’. There aren’t, by the way. Dragons, that is. Just a little magic that’s based on pre-Christian, Nordic rune lore.

Helen: It was good job you clarified that, otherwise we’d all be asking where are the dragons! Do you have a favorite tool or software that helps your writing?

Geoff: I’m a fan of Scrivener. It keeps all my research in one file, allows me to ‘cork board’ plots, and keep side notes to remind me what to change. I’d be lost without it.

Helen: I have Scrivener, I’ve just never had to time to figure it out! Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Geoff: Don’t give up, just learn to fail better.

Write for yourself, but if you want to reach a wider audience recognise the realities of the market, particularly genre structures. These days, you can have a brilliant manuscript but if you don’t fit into a neat Amazon tick-box, mainstream publishers don’t want to know because they can’t position the book into their primary means of distribution. There can be a huge gap between what people like to read and what the market is prepared to sell them.

Helen: It’s been a pleasure chatting with you, Geoff. I wish you all the best of luck with Hammer of Fate. Any last words you’d like to share?

Geoff: Fifteen years ago I left corporate life and went freelance to release time to write. My mother-in-law was not impressed. When, eventually, my wife rang her and said ‘wonderful news, Mummy – Geoff’s got a publishing deal! He’s going to be a published author,’ the response was ‘that’s nice, dear, but has he got work?’

Helen, thank you so much for inviting me onto your blog. It’s a privilege to be here and in such good company.

About the Author

G.N Gudgion

G.N. Gudgion (‘Geoff’) grew up with his nose in a book, often one featuring knights in armour. These days he prefers tales where women don’t have to be either beautiful damsels or witches. He likes to craft stories with complex, conflicted characters that a reader can bleed with, cry for, and perhaps fall in love with. They live in worlds where you can smell the sweat and the sewers, as well as the roses.

Geoff lives in a leafy corner of England, where he’s a keen amateur equestrian and a very bad pianist. He spends much of his time crafting words in a shed, fifty yards and five hundred years from his house.

He is also the author, as Geoffrey Gudgion, of supernatural thrillers Saxon’s Bane (Solaris, 2020) and Draca (Unbound, 2020)

Web site

Twitter

FaceBook

Instagram

You can purchase Hammer of Fate here:

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

Linkt ot book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback | Audio

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 submit, 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.

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Author Interview – Rowena Grech

Author of Ktieb Tas-Shahar.

Today, I am pleased to welcome Maltese author Rowena Grech to talk to us about her collection of dark fairytale retellings Ktieb Tas-Shahar.

Helen: Welcome Rowena. I am so excited to meeet you and that we get to chat about your book today!! Tell us about your collection of adult fairytale retellings. I understand they are quite dark and thought provoking.

Rowena: This book features 19 stories. It is a re-telling of different fairy tales for an adult audience in contemporary settings.  Not all stories consist of immersive fantasy. Some tales are solely used for their titles and the repertoire that they carry in order to create another story. I also used photography in order to accompany further story telling with symbolism found in the photos.

Helen: That is quite an accomplishment, pulling together 19 stories into one book. And I love the twist your photos suggest you have incorporated into your version of the fairytales. How did you decide on the cover for you retellings?

Rowena: The cover is showing a broken castle and red-riding hood staring in front it. I chose it since it represents the dark attributes that adulthood brings with it upon us humans.

Helen: It is a beautiful cover, drawing you in, much like Little red riding hood and very atmospheric. How about the title? You published this collection in Maltese with a Maltese tilte, I believe?

Rowena: The title in English means A book of Fairy / Witch Tales.

Helen: What made you decide to write fairytale retellings? What made you write this particular book?

Rowena: It was a therapeutic way for me to pour my disappointments and bitterness that life had in store for me. I finished during the pandemic, where the first 3 months in Winter were an introvert’s paradise. I could just write and read without any social obligations imposed on me.

Helen: I think Covid stirred many inner creatives, and gave many people the chance to express their ideas. When did you realise you had a passion for writing?

Rowena: Since I was a child I used to invent stories and then I started writing them in narrative essays at schools. My stories were often read in the classroom due to being original and I guess that encouraged me to keep on writing. Then I totally stopped during my teenage years and got back to writing when I was around 30 years and older.  

Helen: Well, I’m glad you returned to writing. Which genre do you prefer to write?

Rowena: Dark fantasy. The pleasure of building allegories in between the lines of what seems a simple story for pleasure.

Helen: Turning to the writing process for a moment, which element of the writing process do you find most challenging?

Rowena: When I need to write dialogue I tend to get a bit stuck. The reason is because the way we speak is very different from the way dialogue is written in a book. And also because I am not the most talkative person on earth thus it gets a bit hard to imagine what other people would say.  

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

Rowena: Even though I have been published, the little voices still torment me when it comes to writing out my new stuff. I guess you have to keep on pushing and ignoring these little voices till they are nothing more than whispers.

Helen: Great advice. What is one of the most useful resources you have found to help you write?

Rowena: Music. It is a must. And other good books that inspire my imagination.

Helen: Authors are typically great readers. What are some of you favourite reads. What would you recommend?

Rowena: The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly. It is my favourite book for re-telling of fairy-tale characters. Also, Haruki Murakami Kafka on the Shore, John Boyne All The Broken Places, Lord of The Rings, Stephen Fry Mythos, Verity by Colleen Hoover.

Helen: If you didn’t write Dark Fantasy, what genre would you love to try?

Rowena: Science fiction since I’m a laboratory analyst and I find science very amusing.

Helen: Thnk you so much for joining me today, it was lovey chatting with you. Final question, what is the best piece of advice you’ve recieved?

Rowena: Jan Carson. The use of past and present verbs make a huge difference. She also emphasized on the importance and how to create credible characters.

Rowena Grech

You can find Rowena’s book blog on:

Instagram

You can purchase Katieb Tas-Shahar here:

Link to book on Midsea Books: Paperback

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 submit, 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.

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Author Interview – Lauren A.R Masterson

Author of Succumb to Darkness.

Today, I am pleased to welcome the prolific Indie author Lauren A. R Masterson, a.k.a Alice Lidell to talk to us about her latest novel Succumb to Darkness which released on May 11th, 2023.

Helen: Welcome Lauren. I am so excited to meeet you and that we get to chat about your new book today!! Congratulations on the release of your sixth novel. Let’s start with your newest book. Tell us about Succumb to Darkness.

Lauren: Succumb to Darkness is my 6th novel, set for release Q2 of this year.  This dark fantasy novel is a vampire tale with parallels to the French Revolution.  The main character, Evanangela, is a fallen angel, cast from the eternal kingdom for her cardinal sin of vanity.  Doomed to walk the earth as a vampire and never be able to gaze on her own reflection again as punishment.  She joins a French vampire court and must find a way to not only survive, but to thrive as the newfound favorite of Seigneur Verseau and his official consort, Àmichemin.

Helen: Sounds intriguing. And I’m loving the artwork on the cover. Tell us how you came up with your design.

Lauren: I commissioned the cover art from my friend R. Taylor.  She is also an author who writes high fantasy novels and is an accomplished artist.  She did a wonderful job bringing my vision to life.  My goal with the cover art was to represent the three main characters, Evanangela, Verseau, and Àmichemin, exactly as they appear to me.  It was especially important to me to have this cover custom designed because there is no representation of black vampires in typical cover art templates that you can buy; and Verseau is black.  I’m also an artist and have designed book covers for myself and other authors in the past, but I felt my colorful illustration style was not a good fit for the moody opulence of this novel.

Helen: I’m glad you managed to get your vision into the cover art, sometimes it can be quite difficult to get the cover right. Kudos to you for. being artistically creative as well as writing novels. Did your title have any ulterior meaning?

Lauren: “Succumb to Darkness” is the title of the book because it’s about Evanangela’s slow descent into the “darkness” of living as a vampire.  Throughout the story she must question and even go against her previous nature and morals in order to survive.  She also begins to question her blind devotion to humanity she once believed in as an angel.  That seeing humans up close, she sees their duplicity.  Her succumbing to the darkness of her new nature as a vampire and seeing the world how it truly is, is what the story is all about.

Helen: I think you must have had fun delving into the human psyche for your characters to disect. What made you write this particular novel?

Lauren: I wrote this book originally back in 2005.  It started as a short poem.  That sparked a longer saga poem.  And at last, that sparked the first few chapters of “Succumb to Darkness”.  I put this story away for several years until I worked on it again in 2008.  Then put it away once more until 2019.  I put this story on hold for several reasons, but at last, I finished it this year.

Helen: It sounds like you’ve been writing for some time. When did you realise you had a passion for writing?

Lauren: This is a question I’m frequently asked.  The honest truth is I’ve always known that writing is ma raison d’etre (reason for being).  I created little stories when I was 3 years old.  That grew into stapling together notebook pages into makeshift books with stories and pictures I created.  I started writing novels at age 12 and went on to art college for writing when I was 20.  I was writing professionally by the time I was 24, and published my first novel when I was 30.  Writing is why I’m alive.  It’s why I was put here.  I have other passions, talents, and interests, but writing has always been the pillar of my life.

Helen: I love how your poetry evolved and grew into a novel. Where else do you find inspiration, and is there anyone specific who inspires you to write?

Lauren: Many things inspire me- songs, paintings, stories I’ve heard or read, dreams or nightmares I’ve had.  In my adult years, I’ve had to limit the flow of that firehose of inspiration because I already have too many stories to write.  After two decades of creating and creating endlessly, I’ve had to prioritize the books I’ve already started writing so I can start finishing them.  I’ve already sent off #6 to be published this month, and I’m already two-thirds of the way done with writing novel #7.  Novel #8 is only a third done, and I need to also do all the illustrations for it.  I need to get down the list all the way to #97, and that’s only if I don’t create more.  Being inspired and creating stories is my gift.  Completing them and sharing them with the world is my discipline.

I haven’t been specifically inspired by any person to write, but I have had important people that have helped, and continue to help, my writing journey.  My Mum is also a writer.  She gave me all the resources I needed and encouraged me growing up.  My parents sent me to art school so I could learn the industry from professionals.  Once there, I made great connections, especially my college professor Tina Jens, who has become my mentor.  After graduation, I became a part of the Chicago writing community, and made many friends who are also authors.  Together, we help each other and cheer each other on.  Having a community and support is so important.

Helen: You are extraordinarily creative. You are fortunate to have such a supportive network. Finding your writing ‘tribe’ is so important, otherwise, writing can be a very isolated profession. How do you fit writing into your daily life?

Lauren: It can be a big struggle to fit writing into my daily schedule due to my busy life.  In addition to writing, I work a corporate office job, have several freelance jobs, and work as an artist, a model, and a YouTuber.  In order to balance everything, I have a planner, a calendar, and white boards to keep all my projects and tasks organized.  In recent years, I’ve found that working on only 2-3 projects at a time is the best way to get everything done in a reasonable timeframe.

Helen: Being so organised, I imagine you are a planner when writing as well, or do you find yourself winging it?

Lauren: I do both.  I begin the process as a pantser.  I write and write and write until I get the full inspiration onto the page.  After that step, I start to detangle the story idea and organize it into story sections.  After that, I start to organize out chapters and the general storyline.  Then I pants again as the chapters inspire me.  Rinse and repeat.

Helen: If your main character could answer, why would they tell us to read your book, Succumb to Darkness?

Lauren: Evanangela is the main character in “Succumb to Darkness”.  She would say that readers should pick up this book because it’s a new take on the lore of vampires, as well as it’s unique with the parallel to the French Revolution and the idea of the nobility literally sucking the people of France dry.  It’s a read that has a lot of wild moments and the ending conflict hits hard.

Helen: Who is your favourite character and why?

Lauren: Àmichemin is my favorite character in Succumb to Darkness.  I had so much fun writing her and discovering her as a character.  She is so sassy, cool, and aloof.  The best part was that a big reveal about her character in the story was a surprise even for me.  It was one of those instances where the character hijacks the story.  Àmichemin basically jumped off the page and revealed this incredible twist to me, and I ran with it.  She’s a fantastic character.  I think she and my main character from “Love of the Sea”, Asrai, would have a fantastic time taking over the world together.

Helen: Succumb to Darkness is set in similar setting to the French Revolution. Do you have to do much research for your books?

Lauren: Research depends on the individual story.  For my fantasy mermaid novel “Love of the Sea” I did some research on marine biology because I wanted to take a more biology focused approach to the mermaids I created in the story.  I spent three years researching and writing, and then another two years doing the illustrations for my historical fiction novel “Geisha Hands”.  I wanted to be as thorough with my research as possible to present a historically and culturally accurate story.  Another story that will require a ton of research will be one of my future novels – one about Marie Antoinette and Versailles.

Helen: Research can take you down a rabbit hole and consume so much time. But you also learn so much about different things! The quote you use from Alice in Wonderland fits this perfectly! “Start at the beginning, and when you come to the end, stop.” –Mad Hatter from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. It just seems there never is an end when it comes to research. What are you working on now?

Lauren: My current WIP is novel #7 – “Be Mine”.  This is an LGBTQ+ BDSM erotica novel.  It’s a story I’m having a lot of fun with.  It’s meant to be a “fluffy candy” sort of story, one just for enjoyment.  It’s a group of main characters – Blake, Tyler, Justin, Carter and Ashley and the story of a wild triangle romance.  My other WIP is novel #8 – Book One of my YA Fantasy Series.  I can’t share too much about this series yet, but I can say that it’s the crowning jewel of my work.  All thirteen books are written, but the manuscripts need major rewrites, as I started writing Book One when I was 12 years old, and finished writing Book Thirteen when I was 23 years old.  I have to bring them up to parr with my current skills and writing style.  All thirteen books will also have full color illustrations, and I’ll be drawing them all myself.

Helen: That is going to keep you very busy! I wrote my Sentinals series in one hit, all six of them. And then spent the next three years editing so I could publish them! The last one will release in the fall which is quite exciting. One of my greatest influences was the Belgarion series by David Eddings. Which books would you say have influenced your writing?

Lauren: The book series that inspired me the most with my writing style is The Sevenwaters Trilogy by Juliet Marillier.  The beautiful imagery and magical world building in the story has deeply influenced my writing.  But in terms of the book that I reach for over and over again is A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  I have a battered copy of the book from childhood.  It’s gotten me through some dark times.  The story gives me hope and brings me joy when I need it most.

Helen: Oh, I agree, I loved the Sevenwaters series. I’m not sure you have much time to read nowadays, but do you have any books you would recommend?

Lauren: I would recommend “Bittersweet Memories of Last Spring” by Ardain Isma.  It’s a wonderful story that showcases the struggles of immigrants finding their way in America.  It shines a light on the history of Haitian immigrants in America in the 1980s.  I learned so much reading this book and highly recommend it.  The sequel is also set for release this summer!  I’m also biased and must recommend “Marked Territory” and “Painted Cats” by my partner Neal F. Litherland.  These books are so much fun.  They take the hardboiled noir detective trope, but with a stray alley cat living in New York City.  Leo, the big tom cat, solves conflicts for resident strays.  It’s truly a fun series and there are plans for a third instalment.

Helen: Excellent recommendations. I’ve enjoyed learning about your many projccts, and I wish you much success with all them. One final question. What is the best writing advice you’ve received?

Lauren: A piece of advice that I think is important for most writers to heed is “Write now, worry later”.  Too many writers get ahead of themselves during the writing part of the process.  Whether it’s worrying about how the book will be received, what audience to target, or even lofty goals like getting on the NY Times best seller list.  Too many writers fall prey to these worries before their manuscript is even a completed rough draft.  Just write the story.  Get it all on the page.  All those other worries are later steps in the process.  No use worrying over them when you’re not there yet.

And a piece of advice I’d share for new writers: Don’t concern yourself too much with trends.  You can end up chasing your tail without accomplishing much if you’re trying to keep up with all the different writing trends.  Write what you want to write.  Write what makes you happy, or what you need to say.  Trends come and go.  Worry more about being proud of what you’ve created.  If you love your story, others will too.

Helen: Fantastic advice. That you so much for joining me today, Lauren. Its’s been fun chatting.

About the Author:

Lauren A. R Masterson

Lauren A.R. Masterson aka Alice Liddell graduated from Columbia College of Chicago with a degree in Fiction Writing. During her college days, she began working as a freelance model eventually making it her full-time profession after graduating. She toured nationally, met scores of creative people, and had many adventures. After retiring from modeling, and experiencing a divorce, Alice felt the drain of her creativity. But after finding a loving and supportive community she began exploring her writing talent and art again. Alice is now a regular in the local Chicago writing communities and is dedicated to enhancing her craft.

You can find her on:

Official website

Twitter

Facebook: Alice the Author

Instagram

YouTube 

You can purchase Succumb to Darkness 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.

By clicking submit, 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the Author:

J A Crawshaw

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

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

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

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

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.

By clicking submit, 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.

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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 3rd 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.

By clicking submit, 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.

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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.

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.

By clicking submit, 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.

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Author Interview – Maxx Victor

Author of Hearts and Diamonds.

Today I have the pleasure of talking to Indie Fantasy author and podcaster, Maxx Victor, who is the author of the paranormal romance The Anchor and the Moon series which also has a fairytale twist.

Helen: Welcome Maxx, I am so happy we get to chat about your books today. I was fortunate enough to be interviewed by Maxx on his Indie Author podcast, but today I get to turn the tables and find more about his books. Let’s start with your latest release. Tell us about Hearts and Diamonds.

Maxx: Hearts and diamonds, is part two of my Anchor and the Moon paranormal romance series. It is the continuing story of my two main protagonists Cinder and her love interest Angus (also known as Black because of his black hair and dark features). The series is mainly set in a small beach town called Heathcote which is reminiscent of the beach towns I spent my summers in as a kid with my family. Angus is a dairy farmer who lives on one side of Heathcote and Cinder lives in an old mansion the overlooks the town. While the Anchor and Moon series centres around Cinder and Angus’s relationship, there is also the mystery of the strange creatures that roam the forests around the small beach town. Book one, Cinder and black was inspired by the Cinderella fairy-tale. This book, Hearts and Diamonds, is based on Snow White.

Helen: It’s nice when you can blend locations you know into your story, and have fun with known fairytales which you can give a fantastical twist. Tell us about your cover, the heart shaped tree must have an importance in your story?

Maxx: My good friend Paul Mah designed the cover. The large moon at the centre will appear on all three books of the trilogy. Red is a theme of the book and I’ll explain that more in the next question. I picked the Gold-shadowed text because that seems to be a feature of other books in my genre at the moment. I wanted the forest around the border to look dark and mysterious but the heart silhouette is also a follow on from the cover of book one. (Book one has a surfboard in front of the moon to make an eye shape).

Helen: How did you come up with the title?

Maxx: This book is inspired by Snow white. Both the mother and the daughter in the story are referred to as Red-Queens because of their red hair. The mother is more concerned with power and riches (the Queen of Diamonds) whereas the daughter is driven by love, friendship and compassion (the Queen of Hearts).

Helen: What made you write this particular story?

Maxx: This is the second book in what will be a trilogy. Most of the reading time I have is over the summer. Many years ago while I was reading Twilight at the beach, I begun to imagine what it would be like for there to be a something like that set in one of the small Australian beach towns that I had been vacationing in since I was a child. At the same time, I watched a documentary about Star Wars (My all-time favourite movies). The documentary explained how George Lucas reinvented old tales to create a “Space Opera”. I decided to use fairy tales as the inspiration for my trilogy. Book one was based on Cinderella, as I said this book has Snow White as its inspiration, and book three will have themes from Rumpelstiltskin. From my early teens, I had also been interested in Nephilim, strange superhuman characters mentioned in the bible and wanted to include them in my books. I didn’t realise until after I had published book one that Nephilim are the Shadow Hunters from Cassandra Clare’s books. 

Helen: The ‘What if’ scenario is so useful for sparking new ideas. And seeing as most stories have already been written, it’s all about taking what is a known trope and putting your own orignal spin on it. When did you first realise you had a passion for writing?

Maxx: I loved writing stories even as a small child, I still have some of the funny things I wrote. As most writers, I have always enjoyed reading and read an eclectic variety of books. In my teens and early adult life, I wrote a lot of poetry and song lyrics but my passion for story telling returned when my two sons were little. To get them to sleep at night, I would make up funny stories with them as the main characters and they would go on all kinds of adventures. I wrote down some of these stories and others and begun entering local writing competitions. When I won some of these competitions, I decided to try my hand at writing a novel.

Helen: And we are so glad you did! Which element of the writing process do you find most challenging and why?

Maxx: The element I find most challenging is time. I have never been a fast writer and I just don’t have enough time to get all my ideas down.

Helen: There are never enough hours in the day. Which genre do you prefer to write?

Maxx: I guess you could call me a fantasy writer. My short stories are sci-fi/ time travel. I have always imagined what it would be like to go back and change the past or to be in the past with knowledge of the future.

My trilogy is paranormal romance. I didn’t know what paranormal romance was when I started writing them, that is just the genre that fits with my ideas. I also still have some of the children’s stories that I wrote for my kids that I would like to publish in the future.

Helen: I started by writing what I enjoyed reading, which was epic fantasy, but I didn’t write specific tropes, I was writing what I thought should be in the book. I retroactively fitted the tropes to my story, once I realised what I had written! Who first inspired you write?

Maxx: My mother and father. As a child I struggled with dyslexia and found reading and writing a challenge. To help, my father would read to my brother most nights. My mother encouraged me to write journals and ideas. My mother passed away just before I published my first book, but I dedicated it to her. My older sister should also get some of the credit, she gave me the first book in the Narnia chronicles when I was about 10 years old, sparking my love for reading.

Helen: What is the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing?

Maxx: The best thing is seeing that my books appeal to a wide range of people. One of my friends who is in his forties enjoys reading my books, but his 11 year old daughter loves them and is always asking when the next one is out.

Helen: That is so great, reaching across generations. It’s been great chatting with you today, just to close us out, is there a tool you have found useful when writing?

Maxx: I Love Pro-Writing-Aid. I have never been great at punctuation and because of my dyslexia, I am bound to misspell words or put the wrong word in place of another. As for a resource for anyone thinking of self-publishing I am a big fan of Joanna Penn and all the work she does for Indie Authors.

Helen: Oh yes, Joanna Penn and her Creative Pen podcast is a great resource for all Indie authors. Thank you Maxx for joining me today. Wishing you all the best with your books and don’t forget to check out Maxx’s Indie Author podcast for more writing advice and great indie author interviews.

About the Author:

Maxx Victor is an Australian author, musician, and secondary school science teacher, who has achieved award winning success with his short stories. A dedicated husband and proud father of two, he is also highly involved in his local arts community; performing in bands and producing and directing amateur films.

Maxx’s author journey began at a very young age. As a child with dyslexia, reading and writing were a constant struggle. To help, his father implemented the nightly routine of reading Titin and Asterix comics and Biggles books to Maxx and his brother; installing a lifelong passion for reading. Maxx’s mother also encouraged him to write stories (some which he has kept to this day).

During his secondary school years, Maxx unearthed a love for music. He regularly wrote poetry and song lyrics, as well as scripts for plays and short films. Something again sparked the curiosity for writing stories when Maxx’s children were toddlers. He frequently created impromptu, twisted fairy-tale bedtime stories, with his family members as the main characters. Maxx now writes teen fiction and hopes that his writing can inspire young people to be defined by their passions and talents, not by the things that the world will tell them are impairments.

Social Media: Find Maxx’s scocial media links here.

You can purchase Hearts and Dimaonds 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 my new release SoulBreather, book one of the SoulMist series, 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.

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

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Author Interview – Jennifer Becker

Author of Through Fire and Ruin.

Today, I am talking with fantasy author Jennifer Becker about her debut novel Through Fire and Ruin.

Helen: Welcome Jennifer, I am so excited that we get to chat about your first ever book today!! Tell us about Through Fire & Ruin.

Jennifer: Through Fire & Ruin is the first book in a New Adult fantasy trilogy. It’s written in dual POV and follows Lora, who crosses over into the fae land from the human world after a deadly virus sweeps Earth, and Amira, a fae princess, who is trying to leave her past behind her.

It’s full of badass characters, fae, witches, villains you’ll definitely hate, intriguing love interests, magic, court politics, power games, fancy parties, and romance—I love adding in romance. This one has the enemies-to-lovers trope and all the tension that goes with it.

Through Fire & Ruin covers themes such as promises, lies, trust, holding onto hope and accepting oneself.

Helen: It sounds amazing, and I love your cover. It’s beautiful and very atmospheric.

Jennifer: The cover symbolizes the fae and human land and how both mirror each other in some ways. The colours are based on the royal colours of the fae kingdom Turosian, where most of the story takes place. In the fae world of Liraen, a shooting star symbolizes ruin, which fits the theme of the book (which is also why it’s also part of the title). I really love how the cover turned out and the moody, dramatic, epic vibe it has.

Helen: I am so thrilled to be talking to you about your debut novel. Congratulations on finishing and publishing it. Such a great achievement. What made you write this particular story?

Jennifer: The idea started during the first lockdown back in 2020. With the whole Covid situation, I had this image in my mind of a girl trying to find a cure for a virus in the fae land and then things evolved from there. The plot and characters changed a lot during our brainstorming sessions, but Lora and her goal has always remained the same.

Helen: Lockdown inspired many creative projects. I think it made people really think about what was happening around them. What made you first start writing?

Jennifer: I’ve pretty much always been an avid reader but I didn’t start writing regularly until a few years ago, actually. When I was in school, I would write a bit every now and then, but nothing was ever finished. I had this thought in my head that writing a book would be crazy and I could never pull it off. Then during my studies (I was a film student), I got into writing scripts which was the first time I saw myself as a writer. Then Corona happened and as it did for everyone else, life changed. The lockdown was a very weird and depressing time. One day, I was talking to one of my best friends, Alice, and we kind of jokingly decided to come up with an idea for a book and write something for fun. The idea of publishing wasn’t even on the table at first. It was all just for fun and maybe that’s why I wasn’t afraid to try. It quickly became much more than a fun story that would never see the light of day. I’ve grown attached to our characters and their stories. I’ve put parts of myself into it and seeing people relate to it and enjoy the story means the world. I really can’t imagine not writing now. Now I’m really in it.

Helen: That’s so great. A writing buddy keeps you accountable and having someone to sound ideas against is amazing. Though I think there is an art to co-writing a book! What is your preferred genre to write?

Jennifer: I write fantasy romance. Fantasy and its unlimited possibilities is so much fun to write and romance just makes it even more exciting!

Helen: If you didn’t write fantasy which genre would you like to try?

Jennifer: There’s something about a cute contemporary romance novel. When I’m feeling down and I don’t have much time to read, I always tend to pick up a contemporary romance— preferably one that I can finish reading in one sitting. I love writing dialogue and I love writing anything romance related, so I can picture myself writing in this genre too one day.

Helen: I know this can be a tough question, but who is your favourite character from your book?

Jennifer: My MC Lora. She was the first character we came up with and I’ve grown really attached to her. I’ve put parts of myself in her and I want to see her happy. But if that was always the case, it would be a pretty boring book 😉 I love how fierce she is, even when she’s terrified.

Helen: A powerful female MC, excellent. If your Main Character, Lora, could answer, why would she say we should read your book? 

Jennifer: You should read this book to follow me as I go on an insane adventure in the fae land. I have to find myself and see my own strength, while navigating through a lot of darkness. I think that’s something a lot of us can relate to.

If you love stories with fae, court politics, badass female characters, dual POV (who are not love interests), slow-burn romance with some spice, plot twists, a mix of urban and high fantasy, then this is the book for you.

Helen: Ooh she sounds convincing! So as you revel in the excitement of launching your first book, what’s next? Do you have another project oin the works?

Jennifer: My co-author Alice and I are currently working on book 2 of the Through Fire & Ruin series which I’m already so excited about sharing, even though it won’t be out until 2023. Book 2 will have more POVs which has been fun but challenging to write. It’s definitely shaking up character dynamics and the stakes are higher than ever! I can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks of it.

Helen: Sounds like you are very busy! How do you fit writing in your daily life?

Jennifer: I wish I had a good answer to this, but honestly I’m still trying to figure out how to juggle my job, my writing, my other creative projects, and my remaining social life haha It’s a struggle that I know many indie authors share. For now, I fit it in by sacrificing sleep and being a workaholic.

Helen: Could you share three random facts about yourself?

Jennifer: I’m a film grad (but really I should have a degree in binge-watching Netflix haha)

I eat way too much popcorn but don’t regret it.

I have a habit of listening to one song on repeat until I get sick of it.

Helen: Do you have time to read in your busy life? Who are your favourite authors?

Jennifer: Some of my favourite authors include Jennifer L. Armentrout, Cassandra Clare, Sarah J. Maas, Holly Black and Leigh Bardugo.

Helen: Excellent choices. Being a debut author, do you have any advice for aspiring writers hoping to be in your position one day?

Jennifer: You can tell yourself a million reasons not to try, not to write that book. Finding time is hard, really hard. But the thing is, once you’ve given it a real try—once you’ve made time to try—if you love it, you’ll somehow keep making time for it. Don’t let your fears hold you back, and write.

Helen: Thank you, Jennifer, for that great advice and for spending time with me today. Just to close, did you have anything else you wanted to share with your readers?

Jennifer: As an author, I can’t help but have expectations for my novel. But no matter if it does well or not, I hope readers will go through all the emotions. I hope they have fun with the banter between characters and laugh at the jokes. I hope they swoon over the romance and get frustrated in a good way about the slow-burn. I hope they feel for the characters and feel sad when bad things happen. I hope they feel amped up at the fight scenes. I hope they feel uncomfortable and angry at some scenes. And I hope they feel impatient to get book 2 once they get to the ending 😉

About the Author:

Jennifer Becker

Jennifer Becker is one of the debut authors of Through Fire & Ruin, the first book in a new adult fantasy series. She has been an avid reader for most of her life and has always craved telling her own stories. Jennifer earned her MA degree in film production in the UK and has since been working in the film industry in her home country, Austria, while independently working on her own writing projects. The two things she can talk about forever are good books and TV shows. When she’s not obsessing over a great story or a ship, she’s most likely working on her creative endeavours such as her novel.

You can find her on:

Website

Instagram

Tiktok

You can purchase Through Fire and Ruin 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 my new release SoulBreather, part of the Realm of Darkness Anthology, or on preorder here, 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.

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

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Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.