I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
The vastness of the Multiverse is put to the test in author Katrina Zari’s “The Princess from Earth”, the next chapter in the Warriors of Mirral series!
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The Synopsis
Worlds with Magic. Worlds with Space travel. Worlds where everything gets connected. The Multiverse is unlimited, but the Worlds have their limits.
“The Princess from Earth” is the next chapter of the “Warriors of Mirral” series.
The Review
What another fantastic entry into the epic sci-fi and fantasy series. The author found the perfect fusion of science fiction and fantasy, with advanced technology melding with magic wielders to craft a wholly original story that mirrors our world’s beliefs and studies. The idea and theory of the multiverse are ones I’ve personally been fascinated with for years, and the author’s navigation of this concept showcases both the creativity and insight that this plot device has given so many properties over the years.
The character development was incredible. The journey not only delves into protagonist Kira’s adventures to find her purpose and mission in life, as her father and the King of her people think her duty as princess comes first, but a secret mission turns into a shocking revelation on a haunting past for Kira as she is reunited with a surprise person from her childhood. The world-building and atmosphere the author created allow the dynamics between these characters and their relationships to shine.
The Verdict
Remarkable, thoughtful, and entertaining author Katrina Zari’s “The Princess from Earth” is a must-read sci-fi and epic fantasy. The narrative’s twists and turns and the author’s ability to maintain a tether of connectivity despite the use of parallel worlds between these characters make this a compelling novel to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Katrina Zari, an author born and raised in Russia, spent a significant time of her life immersed in its rich culture before transitioning on a life-changing journey to the United States two decades ago. Her decision to relocate was driven by love, as she followed the one and only person who held her heart. Throughout her upbringing, Katrina developed a strong passion for literature, particularly science fiction, fantasy, and related genres. The local public library became her second home, where she would lose herself for countless hours in the captivating stories written by Asimov and Bradbury, King and Tolkien, Verne and Stephenson, or any other Si-Fi book she could access.
Inspired by these literary giants, Katrina’s creative mind was crowded with stories of her own imagination. She always wrote stories in her head, inspired by those great books. She was adding her own characters and coming up with their new adventures. It was no surprise that her stories predominantly featured a courageous female protagonist, a reflection of her deep understanding of these inspiring heroines whom she gladly associated herself with.
Years later, she found the courage to transition those stories from her thoughts onto paper.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
The hidden history of the powerful feline ally to Death’s new North American intern is finally revealed in author D.C. Gomez’s “The Origins of Constantine: An Intern Diaries Novella”.
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The Synopsis
A feisty cat. A moody God. And a friendship to last through all time.
Every hero has an origin story. The infamous five-thousand-year-old talking cat, Constantine, from the Intern Diaries, is no exception. Even in his early beginnings as a lowly tom-cat, Constantine had spunk. His sense of justice had a way of overtaking his common sense.
Constantine wasn’t one to back away from a fight, even if he killed him. To defend his friends, Constantine would do anything.
* The Origins of Constantine is a humorous Urban Fantasy/Alternative History Novella, part of the Intern Diaries Series. If you enjoy Constantine’s snarky remarks and over-the-top attitude, you are going to love this trip down memory lane to the rise of the first Egyptian empire where Gods still roam the earth.
The Review
This was a fast-paced and fun read. The author has expertly woven fantasy and historical fiction/alternative fiction elements. The rich character dynamics and humor that the main series this novella stems from were profoundly present in the narrative, and the balance the author found in the world-building and character development was perfectly executed here.
The fast-paced novella and the entertaining story found in both the mythos and history of the story were great to see unfold on the page. The dynamics between Constantine the Cat and Anubis were electric, and the narrative’s setting added to the historical significance of this series overall.
The Verdict
Memorable, fast-paced, and engaging author D.C. Gomez’s “The Origins of Constantine” is a must-read novella. The funny exchanges Constantine shares with Bob, Anubis, and more and the depth of mythos that the author delves into make this a gripping story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
D. C. Gomez is a fast-talking, extra-quirky Dominican with a dark sense of humor.
A long time ago, she used to enjoy long walks at the park and long days under the sun. Unfortunately, due to a mysterious condition, she is now allergic to those pesky UV rays. Rumor has it that her true nature is coming out and her vampirism is now showing. But don’t fear my friend, she doesn’t bite (much…).
Now she has a legit medical condition to hide indoors and indulged her passions of reading, sometimes cooking, and of course writing. DC writes in multiple genres from Urban Fantasy, Contemporary Lit, YA, Children’s Books, and even Devotionals. Her dark sense of humor and infatuation for action/adventure can be found in many of her books.
As a self-proclaim serial-hobbyist, her passions expand to podcasting as well as live hosting. You can find DC every Monday night interviewing a new author on her podcast Inside the Minds of Authors. If you enjoy a more active experience, catch her online live on her Amazon Channel – The Book Corner. Where she features authors releasing books within the next 90 days.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young boy seeking a magic cure to his illness befriends a local artist, who may hold the secret to the boy’s journey as he falls for the boy’s mother at the same time in author Julie Rogers’s “Falling Stars”.
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The Synopsis
Everyone says vampires aren’t real. Tommy Lucas isn’t so sure.
Nine-year-old Tommy Lucas needs a bone marrow transplant to survive. But he’s convinced his disease is a curse on his bloodline, that he’s a vampire. His mother’s an oncologist, but Tommy believes only magic can cure him—or the same synthetic blood substitute developed for urban legend Viscount Claudius Fallon.
Tommy is stoked when he discovers a five-part series about Fallon in an online pulp fiction magazine called Philly’s Argosy. Descended from a ruling class of vampires in Cardiff, legend has it that Fallon traveled to Eureka Springs, Arkansas seeking a cure for his own leukemia during WWII.
Tommy’s quest leads him to befriend local artist and gallery owner Callan Masters, who struggles with his growing affection for Tommy’s mom, June—for he is Fallon, cured in 1939 at Norman G. Baker Cure-for-Cancer Hospital.
Dedicated to living off-grid and as a human, Callan must decide whether he will take the risk involved in helping Tommy or falling in love with June. His bite is no longer capable of turning anyone—or so he thinks.
The Review
This was such a compelling read. The author did a wonderful job of weaving together fantasy and historical fiction elements, taking readers on a journey between magic and reality. The story’s profound atmospheric nature and the imagery of the author’s writing style brought the reader into the narrative, keeping them brilliantly immersed in the characters’ lives.
Yet despite the fantastic depths of the fantasy and magical realism that the author imbued this story with, the true heart of this novel was the immense and profound humanity found within these characters. The themes of family, love, and what we are willing to sacrifice to save or protect those we love all play a vital role in the story. These characters’ relatable nature and journey made the story feel tangible and heartfelt.
The Verdict
Memorable, engaging, and thoughtfully written author Julie Rogers’s “Falling Stars” is a must-read fantasy meets historical fiction and magical realism novel. The heart and compassion found within these characters and their struggles balanced the narrative’s more fantastic elements, keeping readers invested until the book’s final pages. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Julie Rogers’s award-winning articles and stories have been featured in trade, self-help, inspirational, and fiction publications including Writer’s Digest, Coping With Cancer, Daily Meditation, Mocha Memoirs, Anotherealm, Horsethief’s Journal, Images Inscript, Complete Woman, and the annual anthology Writes of Passage: Every Woman has a Story!
She is the author of the the urban fantasy Falling Stars, the self-help books Happy Tails: How Pets Can Help You Survive Divorce and Simeon: A Greater Reality, the ghost story collection Seven Shorts, the inspirational upper-elementary reader, Hootie, the romantic comedy When Pigs Fly Over The Moon, and co-author of the existential teen guide Letters: Sidereal Insight for a 21st Century Mystic.
Julie currently ghostwrites creative fiction for clients through Julie Rogers’s Books, Edioak, and The Authors’ Assistant.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Four authors bring a unique collection of folklore with a modern twist in the book “Dark Tales of Whimsy”.
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The Synopsis
Dark Tales of Whimsy
Dark Tales of Whimsy is a collection of four short stories which weave elements of folklore with modern influences, engaging readers with tales of danger, curses, and more than a little mischief. This collection also includes illustrations by Oz Osborn.
Tooth, written by Simone Le Roux
In her short, Tooth, Simone LeRoux introduces us to Peg, who is feeling the pressure of surviving tooth to tooth. Join Peg and her ambitious cousin, Orla, as they aim to evade the woeful fate of Tooth Fairies who break the rules.
Anti-Cupid, written by Carlotta Cosmai
In Carlotta Cosmai’s story of love, we follow dead-beat husband and father, Cupid. In time, his arrows have been replaced by an enchanted smart phone, and his desires have become sleazy and self-serving. Follow his daughter, Pleasure, as she tries to bring true love back to Rome.
Little Miss Muffet Meets Anansi The Spider, written by Remy Fernandes
It’s been a while since ‘The Spider Incident,’ when Missy lost her foot from the bite. Now, she has grown to adulthood and landed a job at the Ice Cream Hut at the zoo. When her lunch break is interrupted by a talkative spider, Missy finds herself in a deal with a hungry, eight-legged intruder, whose antics could cost Muffet more than her job.
Three’s Last Stand, written by Alyssa Blackmon
In Alyssa Blackmon’s re-telling, we meet Three, the brick house-maker, who now has spent years being hunted by the big bad werewolf and his turned brothers. The day has come that Three can finally find closure with his brothers, and gain vengeance on the wolf.
The Review
One of the most challenging genres to break into is the retelling genre, which involves taking classic tales and giving them a fresh spin. Yet, in this collection, the authors have done just that, taking some of the world’s most iconic myths and legends and providing a unique, adult, and engaging spin. The amount of world-building that each tale can incorporate in such a short time is fantastic, and the haunting atmosphere that each story provides brings about that dark fairytale feeling that the collection aims to provide.
This was a short story collection driven by character dynamics. The heart of this collection was the way each story provided a unique, vulnerable, yet impressive protagonist to stand behind and a worthy problem to overcome. The chilling take on the black market and illegal thefts of children’s teeth regarding the lore of the tooth fairy was such an inspiring twist in the first tale and brought a standard of dark whimsy that each story thereafter lived up to.
The Verdict
“Dark Tales of Whimsy” is a must-read short story collection that is captivating, enthralling, and memorable. The chilling adult storylines and unique twists on iconic fairytales made this compelling collection richly developed and mesmerizing to behold. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A lone warrior wakes to a world he no longer recognizes, and must take it upon himself to stop the otherworldly threat stripping his world’s natural resources in author Paul G. Zareith’s “Revenge of the Wraith Paladin: Book 1 – The Wraith Returns”.
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The Synopsis
Rana has given up all hope when he realises that his decade long quest to exact revenge on a corrupt aristocracy and a totalitarian religious order has been exploited by an otherworldly malicious organization determined to destabilize the very foundation of the known civilization.
Against all odds though, he finds himself free of his shackles in a world that he barely recognizes. With his army long vanquished and his allies dead, does he have a chance to stand up against the evil gods who are stripping the entire planet of the mineral that serves as the fundamental prerequisite of all runecraft – Ildaria’s ultimate defence?
The Review
This was such a vast and richly developed narrative. The scope of the world-building that the author took on was not only imaginative but captivating to read as the story progressed. The suspense and mystery that immediately hit readers as the protagonist wakes to this changed world and the haunting atmosphere that brought these deadly threats to life made the story feel alive on the page.
The amount of detail that went into the mythology of this world and the diverse character development made the story feel cinematic in its approach. The multiple POVs make the reader feel connected to these characters. They showcased both the heart of the heroes and the chilling nature of the villains, allowing readers to witness the protagonist’s long and harrowing journey in this first novel.
The Verdict
Imaginative, entertaining, and thrilling, author Paul G. Zareith’s “Revenge of the Wraith Paladin: Book 1—The Wraith Returns” is a must-read fantasy novel and the perfect entry into a new series. The narrative’s twists and turns and shocking ending will make fans eager to dive further into this magical world. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Avid fiction aficionado and fantasy author dabbling in the grimdark, arcane and all things forbidden and forgotten.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A fallen angel must contend with her growing friendship with a human tribesman and the promise of her dream of returning to heaven by a secret, beautiful angel who visits her at night as the war continues between humanity and heaven in author Richard Harland’s “Ferren and the Doomsday Mission”, the second book in the Ferren Trilogy.
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The Synopsis
The unique friendship between an angel and a human is the only hope for the future – but can they remain friends?It’ s one thousand years since medical scientists brought a dead brain back to consciousness. When they discovered the reality of life after death, they laid claim to Heaven and set off a war against the angels.Now the Earth is a ruined wasteland. Descendants of the original scientists continue the war with their armies of artificially created Humen. When the greatest of Doctors, the all-knowing Doctor Saniette, takes control of the Bankstown Camp, the fighting moves to a terrible new phase.Miriael is the angel who fell to Earth, ate mortal food and can no longer return to Heaven. Ferren is the young tribesman who has been her only friend since her own kind abandoned her. Together, they work to unite the tribes in an alliance independent of the Humen.But suddenly Miriael has another friend. A beautiful, caring angel visits her in secret and offers her what she most desires: the chance to return to Heaven. The consequences will be extreme … for her, for Ferren, for the world.
The Review
This was another fantastic entry into the author’s rich, fantasy-driven dystopian world. The immense scope of the world-building the author took on in bringing this story to life was incredible to see expanded upon in this book. The threat of Dr. Saniette and the Humen in this story and the action-packed drama that unfolds as the battle rages on make this narrative genuinely memorable.
Yet the action and drama are so well balanced, thanks to the rich character dynamics. The friendship and the evolution of the relationship between the protagonists, Miriael and Ferren, is the core heart of the narrative. However, the exciting directions their journey takes them on as individuals, from the interesting romance/love triangle between Ferren, Kiet, and Zonda to the twist connection Miriael has to Asmodai, and the impact Miriael has on the growing alliance amongst the last of the tribes of humanity made this a remarkable narrative to get lost in.
The Verdict
Exhilarating, thrilling, and heartfelt, author Richard Harland’s “Ferren and the Doomsday Mission” is a brilliant sequel and a memorable fantasy-driven story that readers won’t put down. The twists and turns in the story will keep readers on the edge of their seats, and the cliffhanger final moments will bring readers back for the third book of the Ferren trilogy. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
Interview with Richard Harland
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What is the biggest difference between writing a solo novel and a series?
I don’t have much experience of starting out to write a series! The only time I’ve done it was with my Wolf Kingdom quartet, and they were kids’ books. My first novel The Vicar of Morbing Vyle was a standalone until fans pushed for a sequel. My SF/detective movel The Dark Edge was a standalone until my publisher demanded sequels. And ditto with my steampunk fantasy, Worldshaker – I was ready to be asked for a sequel, but I’d spent 20 years planning the novel as a standalone.
With Ferren and the Angel, I wasn’t even ready to be asked for a sequel. I loosened it up at the end when my publisher first talked of a sequel, but that was only in the last stage of editing before publication. There’s a whole complicated story there, which I haven’t much explained to anyone anywhere.
ANTHONY: Let’s hear it.
OK, confession time! There’s an earlier version of The Ferren Trilogy called The Heaven and Earth Trilogy. It came out only in Australia, published by Penguin Australia, had some success, but wasn’t marketed very well (internal publisher politics!) and Penguin let it go out of print. That first publication was twenty years ago.
My new publisher, IFWG, sells mainly into the US, and it seemed a smart move not to make a lot of noise about the first version, which never even existed in America. Why create confusion? But it ended up being confusing anyway, because the audio format of Ferren and the Angel is under a separate contract and still on sale on Amazon. Not so smart after all!
But here’s the best bit of the story. After the Penguin version dropped out of print, and after I’d moved on to some international success with Worldshaker and its sequels, there were still fans of the original trilogy who’d fallen in love with it and refused to forget about it. They wanted those novels out there and wouldn’t let them die! They hounded publishers year after year, until they finally succeeded. One day, out of the blue, I received an email from IFWG Publishing, saying they’d like to do a reprint of the Ferren books. Yay!
ANTHONY: So is this a reprint or a new version or what?
It’s a total rewrite! Although I’d moved on to writing other books, I always had the feeling that the trilogy deserved better than it got. The fans of the book believed that it deserved better from publishers, but I believed it deserved better from its author too! The raw material was there, the incredible future world where the armies of Heaven do battle with the armies of the Earth – so much potential! But not fully realized. When IFWG offered to do a reprint, I said I wanted time to rewrite the books first. After twenty years of mulling over the stories in the back of my mind, I just knew they could be better told. And now they are!
It’s a wonderful thing, to be given a second chance. I haven’t wanted that chance for any other novel I’ve written, only the Ferren books. They’re finally turning into the books they were always meant to be!
Um, maybe I’ve left the question behind … What was your first question again?
ANTHONY: What is the biggest difference between writing a solo novel and a series?
Right! I knew there was some connection! The thing is that when Penguin Australia were about to bring out the early version of Ferren and the Angel, they hit me with the request for a sequel to be written within twelve months. Which was great, but … I’m not a fast writer, and, even more, I needed time to recharge my batteries for imagining a whole further expansion of the world and story. I think I did well – better than I could ever have expected – with the ideas I came up with. Trouble was, I was forever playing catch up and never had time to shape them into a truly effective story dynamic.
I always felt that Book 2, originally called Ferren and the White Doctor but now called FERREN AND THE DOOMSDAY MISSION, needed more of a rewrite than any other volume, I read through the Penguin version before starting, but then hardly looked at it again while I went through the rewrite. And the rewriting just flowed! I guess the difference was that I knew where the story was going, so I knew how to set it up right! I’d planted the seeds properly in Book 1 and got them growing at the start of Book 2. When I wrote the original Ferren and the White Doctor, I remember always struggling to pull the story back into line. With the rewrite, it just unfolded all by itself!
I guess I experienced the hard way what makes a series a series. The three novels in the new Ferren Trilogy all have their own individual story dynamic, but now they’re not merely tacked on one after the other – they grow out of each other, bigger and bigger with every volume.
So what’s the biggest takeaway you want readers to have when finishing your series?
I suppose as the trilogy develops, it puts you more and more on the side of Heaven. For all their blinkered sense of superiority, the angels and archangels do hold strong ethical principles – and they learn to shed their sense of superiority in the end. Their basic goodness comes through, whereas the Humen who make up the armies of Earth are just plain bad and nasty. But there’s no religious message. The beauty of angelology – the traditional lore about angels and Heaven – moves me emotionally, but I’m still an agnostic.
I think the takeaway would be more of a humanist one – for human beings to believe in themselves, respect themselves and stand up for themselves. That’s what the Residuals, descendants of the original human beings, learn to do in the course of the trilogy, even as they eventually choose to fight alongside Heaven.
As for the moral balance between Heaven and the Humen, I’d say that the Humen lack reverence for anything and everything – they’re only interested in what they can exploit for their own purposes. I suppose that’s my religion – a humanism that isn’t self-centered but has respect for what’s other than ourselves. It’s not a message, and I’m not preaching it, but it probably colours the story and events.
Do you plot out your novels and the characters within them, or do you write and let the story develop at its own pace?
I don’t like the word ‘plot’ because it’s sounds mechanical and controlling, but it’s true I do a huge amount of thinking and imagining before turning a story into actual words. I’ve always had a very vivid visual imagination, so I tend to watch my story unfold like a movie before verbalizing it.
One thing I love is a narrative that builds and converges to a huge rolling climax. In Ferren and the Angel and Ferren and the Doomsday Mission, the climactic scenes take up nearly a quarter of the book – and the climax of Book 3, Ferren and the Invaders of Heaven, will be the biggest of the lot! But you can’t produce those sorts of climaxes just by ambling along page after page. I don’t believe in weak endings or fade-out endings (I mean, I don’t believe in fade-out endings for fantasy fiction), but I also don’t believe in artificially imposed big endings. The climax has to grow naturally out of everything that’s gone before.
Am I starting to sound like a broken record? I believe you have to grow those big climaxes by planting the seeds early on. I’m the sort of author who’s always looking ahead – I don’t know exactly how the final development will work out, but I can sense when I’ve got all the material for it. Like the volume of a wave that’ll just sweep me along at the end!
I think of being an author as like being on the back of some humungous, lumbering beast! The beast is the story, with its own vast mass and momentum. You can’t drag it round suddenly to where you want it to go, e.g. a big, rolling climax. You have to begin guiding and nudging it right from the start, looking far ahead and applying tiny prods that are all the influence you ever get to have.
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About the Author
Richard was born in Yorkshire, England, then migrated to Australia at the age of twenty-one. He was always trying to write, but could never finish the stories he began. Instead he drifted around as a singer, songwriter and poet, then became a university tutor and finally a university lecturer. But after twenty-five years of writer’ s block, he finally finished the cult novel, The Vicar of Morbing Vyle. When he contracted his next book to a major publisher, he immediately resigned his lectureship to follow his original dream.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I’ve considered myself a writer (small “w”) for as long as I can remember. My father was a professional editor, so I guess an affection for the written word has always been in my blood. My second-grade teacher read a short story I wrote to my entire class when I was 7. But I didn’t consider myself a Writer (capital “W”) until Six Moons, Seven Gods was published. Although my primary career in public service required loads of writing and editing, it’s only since retirement that I have found sufficient time to write for pleasure.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
I’ve been wanting to write novels ever since I was a child. When I finally found time to put pen to paper, Six Moons, Seven Gods is what flowed out. I can’t say there was any specific inspiration, but I was definitely motivated to write a fictional story that would stimulate a variety of emotions in the reader. The movie Camelot had a profound impact on me when I was young; my father read Tolkien to me and my sisters, and later in life I thoroughly enjoyed reading Herbert’s Dune series and Scott Lynch’s Gentleman Bastard series to my son. So I suppose a bit of all that helped to inspire me.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Very few things in life are strictly black and white; the world is filled with shades of gray. Nothing’s quite as simple or self-contained as it first appears or we might like to make it. The same is true of this novel’s plot and its characters.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
Good question! I didn’t sit down thinking, “I’m going to write a fantasy novel.” But when I finally found time to put pen to paper, Six Moons, Seven Gods is what flowed out: fantasy, with tinges of grim dark and romance. Go figure!
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
If I knew the environment was truly safe, I’d sit down with villain Reynard Rochon and ask him how he met his sidekick, Spiro, because I’d like to know what forged the strong bond between them, and what drives their interesting relationship.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Gosh. I wish I could say that one social media site was significantly more helpful than any other, but I have not found that to be the case. That said, I’m still fairly new to the game, so I’m hopeful that a year or two from now I’ll have a better answer!
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Three pieces of advice: first, writing’s a journey. Don’t look too far ahead. Focus on your passion and the here and now. Write, write, write, and enjoy the traveling, one step at a time. Had I known early on what it would take to be published, and all the work involved in getting one’s book into the hands of readers, I might never have finished my first novel, let alone started it. I was so naïve to think that–you know–if you write something worthwhile, someone’s going to want to publish it and people will then read it. Simple, right? The truth, of course, is so much more complex and challenging, regardless of whether you are trying to secure the representation of a traditional publishing firm, or you have decided to self-publish. Unless your intended audience is limited to friends and family, finishing your novel (quite the accomplishment in and of itself) is only half the battle. So my advice is to take it slowly and enjoy the journey—don’t peek too soon or too closely behind the publishing world’s thick curtain lest thatcause you to turn back. Tackled one issue at a time, none of it as overwhelming or intimidating as the big picture first appears; there’s lots of support out there, and if you persevere, all those little challenges just make reaching your destination that much more rewarding. Carry on!
My second counsel is to listen to your heart while you are writing. Mine will generally tell me when I’m on the right track, and when I’ve gotten lost. The characters and scenes that I have been most engaged with during the creative process typically turn out to be those that readers also find most entertaining. So now, when I find myself slogging through some piece that I don’t find particularly exciting or enjoyable to write, I ask myself: why is that? Am I asking the reader to suffer with me? Is there not something I can do to the storyline or character to make writing (and reading) this more entertaining?
Lastly, I strongly suggest that you read your work aloud and slowly, either to yourself or to an interested listener. You’ll be surprised at the number of errors and opportunities that expose themselves. This advice was given me by my father, a professional editor by trade, and I have benefited from it ever since.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I’m currently working on the sequel to Six Moons, Seven Gods, and having a lot of fun with that! Folks who want to stay up to date on its progress can subscribe to my newsletter at rawalkerwriting.com!
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About the Author
Award-winning author Robert A. Walker grew up in Northwestern Massachusetts. After graduating college, he packed his scant belongings in a car with rusted-out floorboards and headed west. He’s lived in California ever since, and now resides along the Pacific Ocean with his wife and dogs. When not fabricating stories, he can be found roaming local tennis courts or working on a never-ending list of DIY house projects.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
An ambitious thief in the Thieves Guild sparks a chain of events that will reshape everything the people of Baelon once held dear in author Robert A. Walker’s “Six Moons, Seven Gods: The Legend of Baelon”.
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The Synopsis
“One must be careful practicing deception. The easiest to deceive will always be one’s self.”
The skilled thieves of the Takers Guild plot to overthrow the kingdoms of Baelon, but when their plans are thwarted by a prescient woman and her brooding daughter, they must turn to the League of Assassins for assistance. Meanwhile, retired royal guard Rolft Aerns returns to the palace of King Axil with an old score to settle. When they all cross paths–and swords–in the dark shadows of Fostead’s south end, nothing is as it seems and the murder count rises quickly.
The long fingers of the Guild reach everywhere, and one overly ambitious thief is all it takes to spark a chain of events that will haunt the world of Baelon for many years to come.
Six Moons, Seven Gods is book one in The Legends of Baelon.
To enter the world of Baelon, read the sample below the book’s photo on this page.
AWARDS
Winner, Book Excellence Award for Best Medieval Fantasy, Chick Lit Cafe, November, 2023
Winner, Literary Titan Book Award, December, 2023
The Review
This was an engaging, powerful tale of fantasy-driven political thriller meets fantasy-driven mythos. The author’s imagery and thick atmosphere throughout this novel were incredible, as they brought the world of Baelon to life on the page and made the lands of this world feel vibrant and alive.
The heart of this story was the incredible story and character development. The intrigue and drama that the author can develop in this novel capture the political intrigue of Game of Thrones but add even more fantasy elements that make the story feel original and unique. The characters were engaging, and each character, whether protagonist or antagonist, had a complex web of morality that kept them emotionally invested. The secrets each character held allowed the more redemptive arcs to feel engaging.
The Verdict
Remarkable, magical, and entertaining author Robert A. Walker’s “Six Moons, Seven Gods: The Legends of Baelon” is a must-read fantasy novel. The action, suspense, romance, and each twist and turn in the narrative are enough to keep the reader enthralled, and the richly developed world of Baelon will keep readers wanting more of this fantasy world. If you haven’t yet, make sure you pick up your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Award-winning author Robert A. Walker grew up in Northwestern Massachusetts. After graduating college, he packed his scant belongings in a car with rusted-out floorboards and headed west. He’s lived in California ever since, and now resides along the Pacific Ocean with his wife and dogs. When not fabricating stories, he can be found roaming local tennis courts or working on a never-ending list of DIY house projects.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A science-driven young man and a young Mermaid defy the order of their worlds when their paths cross, and they must face the consequences as the worlds of men and mermaids split at the seams in author J.L. Hill’s “The Emerald Lady”, the first book in the Gemstone Series.
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The Synopsis
A fantasy Pirate/Mermaid love story set in the golden age of Pirates of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Jeremy Simmons is a midshipman on the commercial vessel, Rummy Gale. An honorable young man, he believes in the science of the day not age-old superstitions of the sea. But a hurricane will do more than sink his ship; it will forever change his world.
Shera, a mermaid, rescues him; they fall in love and in her attempt to return him to his world, she approaches her sisters at Usea Maya for assistance. The Maiden Queen forbids her from giving any further aid, condemning the man to a watery tomb. But Shera, a free spirit, defies the orders, goes it alone and inadvertently causes a tragedy.
Infuriated by Shera’s defiance and Jeremy’s steadfast defense and willingness to take the punishment meted out to her, the Queen curses them both. She locks Shera in human form and binds Jeremy’s life to hers. A fate so cruel it will cause a split in the realm of Mermaids and turn good men into Pirates.
The Review
I am an absolute fan of the world-building that took shape here in this novel. The author did an incredible job of bringing life at sea to life, utilizing an impressive knowledge of sailing and life on the ocean in his writing style, giving the setting and atmosphere a rich texture on the page. The tension that the author was able to infuse into the character interactions was excellent, both with the romance that develops between the two protagonists, the disdain the evil queen has for them both, and the growing tension between both worlds.
Yet the mythos and the themes felt iconic and original to the narrative. The wonder yet chilling nature of life for mermaids and mermen and the world they hail from, as well as the historical nature the author paid to the world of man above the ocean surface and the inclusion of pirates and dragons as a whole, made this story feel fantastic and enthralling. Themes of love, power, destiny, and consequences were creatively utilized in this narrative, keeping the reader engaged from the very first page.
The Verdict
Remarkable, thrilling, and adventurous author J.L. Hill’s “The Emerald Lady” is a must-read historical fantasy narrative. The narrative’s twists and turns, rich world-building and mythos, and an open ending that will undoubtedly lead to a sequel will all keep readers coming back for more of this incredible new series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
A native New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx, James L Hill spent his adolescence years in Fort Apache, the South Bronx 41st precinct during the 60’s, during a time when you needed to have a gang to go to the store. Raised on blues, soul, and rock and roll gave him the heart of a flower child. Educated by the turmoil of Vietnam, Civil Rights, and the Sexual Revolution produced a gladiator. Realizing the precariousness of life gave him an adventurous outlook and willingness to try anything once, and if it did not kill him, maybe twice. 12 years of Catholic education and a couple of years in college spread between wild drug induce euphoric years, which did not kill him, gave James an unique moral compass that swings in any direction it wants. A scientific mind and a spirit that believes nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough guides his writings. He enjoys traveling to new places and seeing what life has to offer. James began writing short stories and poetry back in his early years. In his twenties moved on to novels. He worked in the financial industry and later got a degree in computer programming, his other love. James has a successful career as a software engineer designing, developing and maintaining systems for the government and the private sector. He has been programming for nearly forty years in various languages. After years in the computer world he returned to his first love, unleashing the characters in his head. Still a hopeless insomniac, he feels free to pound out plots. James L Hill is a prolific storyteller writing crime stories, fantasies, and science fiction, with a slant on the dark side of life. The next step on his journey naturally led to the business of publishing. He started RockHill Publishing LLC not only to produce his own work, but to give others access to the literary world. His computer background and experiences in word processing gives him insight into what it takes to publish good books.
