Category Archives: Interviews
A Heavy Theme
Posted by Literary-Titan
Weun Academy: The Shadow Maker follows a teenager caught between two worlds—Earth-born and Mars-raised—who suddenly discovers he possesses incredible powers and is whisked away to a secretive academy in a sprawling alien space station. I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
The original locations of New Eden space station, Rinow City, and Weun Academy first appeared in my D’mok Revival series, but Weun Academy is the first book (and now side-series) to focus on the students and faculty at the academy. While a few existing characters made appearances—or even became permanent faculty—the majority were brand new. To bring these places and people to life, I dove deep into research: conducting “interviews” with each character (my journalism background helped here) and writing numerous backstories about life on the station, Rinow City’s districts, and every building and feature of the school.
The core inspiration came from my son’s experiences in school, my parents’ backgrounds as educators, and my own views on effective teaching strategies. Those influences shaped how the academy operates, the dynamics between faculty and students, and even how superhuman aliens approach learning.
As a “pantser,” I let the world grow through the characters’ actions. Sometimes they wandered into places I hadn’t planned, or a moment in the story demanded more history for a location or alien race. When that happened, I’d pause to explore—often by writing a new short story—so that by the time readers visit these settings, they feel authentic, layered, and full of possibilities.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The core theme of the book is gun violence, inspired by real incidents in U.S. schools. My own son experienced three lockdowns during his school years, the most recent just this past year. I saw firsthand how parents, kids, and educators felt—scared, powerless, and unprepared.
I wanted to make that reality tangible for adult readers, while also giving young readers something they could relate to—validating their feelings and showing them they’re not alone. Most of all, I wanted to offer hope: to show how we can support one another, and how fear, depression, and even trauma can be channeled into something that helps us move forward. It’s a heavy theme, but one I believe is deeply important.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
Weun Academy will absolutely continue, with Eisah and his crew remaining at the heart of the story. Future books will explore the lasting impact of the first book’s events—on the school, its staff, the students, and their families.
I’m already halfway through writing a novella that bridges the first and second books. A full trilogy is planned, along with a prequel that reveals how the academy was founded. And there’s room for even more.
Each book connects to the greater D’mok Revival literary universe—deepening readers’ understanding of events that shape a much larger storyline, while giving the academy its own unique and memorable place within that world.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Dmok Revival | Amazon
As an Earther on the fringes of a Martian colony, he keeps to the shadows, evading bullies who stalk his kind for sport. But when their cruelty explodes into violence, a dangerous power ignites within him—one that can’t be hidden—drawing unwanted, extra-terrestrial attention.
Torn from Mars, Eisah is conscripted into Weun Academy, an alien school for gifted outcasts. With an uneasy start, he struggles to master his superhuman powers—and finally belong. This alien realm proves just as treacherous.
When a brutal strike shatters the academy, shifting loyalties and hidden agendas drive Eisah and his friends into a fight for answers. Learning who to trust is the deadliest lesson.
As enemies close in, they must untangle a web of lies, betrayal, and something far darker—before shadow consumes them all.
Step into Weun Academy—where mettle is tested, chosen family secures, and the fight to step into your power begins.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fantasy, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, Michael Zummo, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, series, space opera, story, Teen & Young Adult Space Opera, Teen & Young Adult Superhero Fiction, Teen and YA, Weun Academy: The Shadow Maker, writer, writing, YA
Vulnerability and Questions
Posted by Literary-Titan
On the Edge takes the reader through your past lives, telepathic experiences, encounters with entities, and moments of stark human vulnerability. Why was this an important book for you to write?
On the Edge serves as a complement to my two previously published books: On the Other Side. Memories of a Past Life and Conversation with Xenex.
In the first book, I detail how I accessed the memories of a past life and explore the historical context surrounding them. In Conversation with Xenex, I take a more technical approach, speaking about contact with non-terrestrial entities, the role of guides, and the mission I received—sharing as much information as I could from those communications.
However, neither of these books truly captured what the spiritual awakening journey feels like.
With On the Edge, I wanted to explore the human side of this path, including how challenging it is to maintain balance between everyday life, with all its trials, and contact with other realms. I aimed to show the moments of fear, the ecstasy these experiences can bring, and the vulnerability they expose us to.
The path hasn’t been easy. I still experience moments of doubt and distress. But my life has been deeply enriched, and each step forward brings more clarity and motivation to keep going.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Since childhood, I’ve had various experiences that I ignored at first. But as the intensity of these visions grew, I could no longer dismiss them. I chose instead to accept that I had the ability to connect with other realms and non-terrestrial entities.
The parallel between my daily business life and these otherworldly experiences—along with the constant questioning of whether they were real and how I should face them—transformed me both inside and out. I watched myself grow and evolve into a completely different person.
I stepped onto this path with both fear and hope, and in the end, I found myself—at once, the same and entirely changed.
I believe everyone experiences moments of vulnerability and questions their life and purpose. This book aims to be a companion during those times—like a friend who speaks to you when you feel lost, and who shares in the extraordinary moments.
The memoir offers a unique perspective on out-of-body experiences, astral travel, telepathy, and parallel universes. It makes no claim to expertise; instead, it conveys how these phenomena are felt when experienced firsthand.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging part was speaking about myself. In this memoir, I share stories from my country under Communism, along with some deeply personal and dramatic events. It wasn’t easy to open up completely to readers and bring to the surface moments that were painful for my family and me.
However, I discovered that the process of sharing parts of my life had a therapeutic impact, allowing me to close old wounds and find healing.
I hope readers will feel inspired to look within themselves, revisit their own past, and begin to heal the difficult moments that may have shaped their lives.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
Nothing is final. We are so much more than just a body and the roles we play in this lifetime. We are as complex as the level of our soul’s consciousness—which has experienced far more than a single lifetime, a single planet, or even a single universe.
Even if we only catch glimpses of our soul’s evolution while remaining grounded in our 3D realities, there is so much more beyond what we can perceive.
With On the Edge, I want to offer a new perspective on the mysteries of the universe. My hope is to open both the minds and hearts of readers to a whole new world of possibilities.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
On the Edge is Adria Sanders’ most profound and transformative work—a spiritual memoir chronicling her lifelong journey between the seen and unseen worlds. From childhood visions to encounters with non-terrestrial beings, Adria’s story is one of deep inner conflict and awakening. Initially overwhelmed by her metaphysical experiences, she struggled to reconcile them with everyday life, often questioning her sanity and purpose.
Through out-of-body travels where she perceived herself as a ball of energy, telepathic connections with non-terrestrial entities, and glimpses into parallel universes marked by objects mysteriously disappearing and reappearing within minutes, Adria gradually embraced her spiritual gifts. Her path was not easy, it was marked by fear, isolation, and the challenge of accepting truths that defied conventional reality. Yet, in choosing to walk the edge between worlds, she found clarity, courage, and connection.
This memoir is more than a recounting of extraordinary events; it is a guide for those navigating their own awakening and the vulnerability that often accompanies it. With vivid storytelling and heartfelt insight, Adria invites readers to explore the mysteries of existence and discover the power within themselves to transform confusion into wisdom.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: Adria Sanders, astral travel, author, biography, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, memoir, nook, novel, On the Edge, parallel universes, read, reader, reading, story, telepathy, writer, writing
Live Through Grief and Trauma
Posted by Literary-Titan
The Coldmoon Café follows a rotating cast of mourners, monsters, and misfits who stumble into a mysterious café that only seems to exist for the broken. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration was simple; to share the experiences that our close group of friends had. Not only for each other, but with the world. Before it was all forgotten forever.
The supporting characters in this novel, I felt, were intriguing and well-developed. Who was your favorite character to write for?
While it’s hard to pick just one character (as each added their own voice), for me personally, Simon, Mourns and Charity will always share a special place in my heart.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The most important themes in The Coldmoon are the same ones that every being faces in life. Finding a way to live through grief and trauma, finding love/friendship, and perseverance. Even when the odds seem insurmountable.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
The Coldmoon Cafe took place every night, over many years, but was never intended to survive the test of time. Logs weren’t even recorded for the first 1/2 of its time, and most of the rest became lost to the digital graveyards of floppy and Jazz disks. In this first book, I was able to present some of the most important storylines. While there were many not touched from which a second book could be done, they would all be from after the decline of the Cafe. I could definitely do a follow-up short book to address and wrap things up for the readers if there’s a call for it later. But for now, I’m just happy that The Coldmoon is published and out there to share a part of the darkness most people would never get to experience otherwise.
With this project behind me, I’m currently working on my next books, which will be part of a high fantasy adventure series, comprising at least 3 books. I greatly appreciate your time and attention toward my book, and can’t wait until its release date on Oct. 7th!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
In a town where magic simmers just beneath the skin, the Coldmoon Café offers a liminal sanctuary—for monsters, misfits, and haunted hearts that refuse to disappear.
☕ The coffee’s always hot.
💀 The regulars don’t ask questions.
🫀 And if you sit long enough, you might hear a heartbeat that isn’t yours.
Inside This Book
✔ Found family
✔ Vampires and supernatural drama
✔ Grief, memory, and slow-burning healing
✔ Shapeshifters, secrets, and cozy horror
✔ Sad immortals with great boots
Just be careful what you order. Some hungers can’t be satisfied.
Recommended for mature teens and adult readers.
Contains emotionally intense themes and moments of intimacy—nothing explicit.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, D. Wolfe, ebook, fantasy, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, monsters, mystery, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, story, suspense, The Coldmoon Café, writer, writing
The Impossible Choice
Posted by Literary-Titan

Time Lines follows a group of characters who move between the Nazca desert, space stations, collapsed civilizations, and alternate timelines, trying to find a timeline that saves humanity. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Originally, this idea was supposed to be a Mayan prophecy story/idea that I had back around 2010. It mostly involved the main foundation of my ultimate story – with 2012 approaching, I thought it would be interesting to revolve a story around the memory of a cataclysmic event involving the moon that would be sent back in the time with the astronauts who then help send a message forward. That moment came and went, and I never committed to writing the story.
My brother Peter passed away in June of 2021, and that experience and feeling of loss is what drove me to finally start writing. My brother was always an inspiration – a person who always worked to better himself and never left anything on the table, so to speak. The grief I felt after losing him inspired me to get this story out of my head. It became my outlet.
I have always been fascinated by ancient cultures – the Nazcan lines and the Nazcan people in particular and thought I could weave some of their unexplained history into my story. I admit, the story became a whole other thing after that.
I know that the combining of philosophy, some hard sci-fi, and the palatable feelings of loss and grief create what is perhaps a unique story. I wrote the story and then put it all together in a purposeful nonlinear flow that I hope will resonate with future readers. Memory isn’t linear, and neither is my story.
I agree it can be frustrating to read at times. That is purposeful. I want you to feel that sense of frustration and feeling of living similar moments over and over again – but set in different timelines. I want the reader to feel the same sense of loss that one of our characters feels after losing their family to the past. Only in the end do I allow the reader to see the story for what it is – A story of sacrifice, loss, and the wish to spend one more day with those you love that are now gone.
This story was and is at its very soul a story written to allow me to grieve in my own way. Once I wrote it, I then decided I owed it to the memory of my brother and to myself to share it. I have been fully committed to that endeavor since the book was published.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
The human condition truly is a beautifully flawed idea to me. We call it a condition, as if it has been diagnosed with some ailment or disease. We, the ones bestowed with this condition, are not perfect, not even close. We strive to be better through our own actions, and many times, thankfully, with the help of those around us. If we are lucky, this gift can allow us to be better – to help tender our fire and hopefully in time that fire will grow into something even more beautiful.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Time Lines isn’t just a story about time travel. It’s a story of love, of loss, and of the impossible choice to leave your family in the past… so the rest of us might have a future.
It is also a story of grief and trying to take something back from the thief that is time, so that we have the hopeful chance to get it right just once.
Where do you see your characters after the book ends?
I hope that wherever they are – lost in time or those who have made the final sacrifice so that the rest could have a future will know that they had purpose. I see Elly, Max, Sunita, Renée, Sam, and Peter as they are in my mind – people who have lived a thousand lifetimes and have always been the best of humanity.
Through fractured memories created from these many lifetimes, these characters never cracked. Others, trapped in their shattered lives, could never move forward.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Website | Amazon
Four suits. Four names. No astronauts missing. No mission logged.
The spacesuits had been there for 2000 years—how did they get there?
When archaeologists uncovered them beneath the Nazca desert, time itself began to fracture.
What followed wasn’t just discovery. It was memory—echoing across centuries. It was sacrifice, carried from the Moon to the ancient past. And it was the desperate search for the only timeline that worked.
Time Lines is a haunting, non-linear science fiction novel where the past collides with the future, and memory itself becomes the battlefield.
Perfect For Fans Of
- Neal Stephenson’s Seveneves
- Arrival and thought-provoking, idea-driven sci-fi
- Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven
- Post-apocalyptic and time-travel thrillers
Why You’ll Love It
- Nonlinear storytelling that mirrors memory itself
- Ancient mysteries intertwined with futuristic science
- Emotional depth: love, sacrifice, and the cost of survival
- A pulse-pounding finale where not every astronaut makes it home
Time Lines isn’t just a story about time travel. It’s a story of love, of loss, and of the impossible choice to leave your family in the past… so the rest of us might have a future.
The past is buried in the desert. The future is written in the stars.
Discover Time Lines today.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, fiction, Giulio Savo, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, Metaphysical Science Fiction, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, sci fi, science fiction, story, Time Lines, Time Travel Fiction, Time Travel Science Fiction, writer, writing
Small Town Feel
Posted by Literary-Titan

Sweet Secrets on Mackinac Island follows a freshly unemployed marketing executive who suddenly inherits her great-aunt’s fudge shop on Mackinac Island, sending her on an unplanned adventure. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I knew I wanted to create a cozy mystery novel with a bit of romance thrown in. I really came up with the local first and started brainstorming from there, wondering what type of person would end up on Mackinac Island and how they would adjust to the new environment. I wanted someone completely out of their element. The idea of someone in the corporate world came to me, and I thought it would be funny to see how they would handle the island environment, and especially the small town feel of it. That’s really how Lucy came about.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
Well, the cats were based on two of our seven cats, Thor and Winnie LOL. The rest of the characters really just came from my imagination. I’ve been to Mackinac several times and used my experience of my time there in shaping the local.
How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing, or did it develop organically?
Initially, there was a completely different mystery involving hidden treasure. I had a rough draft and gave it to my daughter, Maddie, who serves as my editor. She read it and pointed out several plot holes. We went round and round with this draft, trying to make it make sense, and in the end ended up ditching it and starting over with the current murder mystery. The story was very planned out and went through many revisions before we were finally satisfied.
When will Book Two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
I am hoping to have book two, tentatively titled Sweet Revenge on Mackinac Island, available by November, fingers crossed. That story will continue to follow Lucy as she navigates life as a fudge shop owner and will also introduce some new quirky characters that will join the ones from the first book. The plan is to release the books with each season. Book one is set in the summer, book two will be in the fall, then the last two will be in winter and spring.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Fresh from a corporate marketing job and a messy breakup in Chicago, Lucy is determined to prove she can run Mabel’s Marvelous Fudge—even if she can barely tell a candy thermometer from a tire gauge. With help from her quirky teenage employees and the island’s self-appointed Fudgeamentals committee (a group of elderly confectionery enthusiasts with strong opinions about everything), Lucy slowly finds her footing in her sweet new life.
But when the island’s wealthy power couple turns up dead under suspicious circumstances, Lucy discovers that paradise has a dark side. Between dodging the Fudgeamentals’ amateur detective theories, navigating romantic tension with rugged bike shop owner Jake Miller and polished lawyer Ethan Hayes, and earning the approval of Felix—the island’s most discerning feline critic—Lucy has her hands full.
When someone vandalizes her shop and leaves threatening messages, Lucy realizes the killer isn’t finished. With Felix as her unlikely sidekick and the Fudgeamentals as her enthusiastic backup, she’ll need all her marketing skills and newfound island connections to solve the mystery before she becomes the next victim.
A deliciously entertaining cozy mystery filled with small-town charm, romantic entanglements, and one very opinionated cat who might just be the best detective on the island.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Cozy Mysteries, ebook, Elizabeth Fairweather, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, Literature & Fiction, mystery, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, series, story, suspense, Sweet Secrets of Mackinac Island, writer, writing
Captivating and Steamy
Posted by Literary-Titan

Love at the Evening Ball follows a refined Southern gentleman who spots an enchanting woman across the ballroom floor, igniting a spark of chemistry that quickly blossoms into passionate flames. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The setup was inspired by the history of my family and hometown. Being from Shreveport, our family once owned and worked on a plantation, described as the one that is brought to life in Love at the Evening Ball.
What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
I wanted to make this captivating and steamy. I wanted to do it in such a way as to create excitement in the reader, but not so graphic as to push away.
What draws you to the Southern culture and makes it ripe for you to write such a great erotic romance story in it?
I was born, raised in, and now live in the “deep” South. My ancestors were a mix of both enslaver and enslaved, with relationships that defy the mainstream norm. Terry’s outfit carried hints of the Confederate Gray, while Hiyeon’s ball dress would be typical of Southern belles of the era.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am currently working on a biography of a 3rd great-grandfather of mine. He is a Civil War Veteran. I have already published one similar on a 3rd great-grandfather. While history is my genre, I may author another title in a Steamy Southern Nights series, as I enjoyed jumping into a new genre and writing Love at the Evening Ball!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
What begins as a polite invitation soon ignites into a night of steamy indulgence, playful teasing, and intimate vulnerability. With lush descriptions and fiery encounters, Love at the Evening Ball invites you into a world of southern romance where every touch lingers, every look promises more, and surrender becomes the sweetest escape. For lovers of sensual storytelling and rich atmosphere, this tale is a passionate celebration of connection, pleasure, and magic of candlelit encounters.
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Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, ebook, erotica, fiction, goodreads, historical romance, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, Love at the Evening Ball, Multicultural & Interracial Romance, n Black & African American Romance, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, romance, story, Tony Williams, writer, writing
The Beauty of Life
Posted by Literary-Titan

A Sea Tail follows a retired dentist who is shown a dead fish with scales and skin, leading him to embark on an adventure to determine if mermaids exist. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I started working on A Sea Tail on a week-long vacation to Topsail Island, North Carolina. I had recently finished my first book, Shall Die by the Sword, and had gotten bogged down in the sequel. So, I was in a space where I was not writing anything major at the time. Being the father of two daughters, however, I was always trying to write books that appealed to them. And nothing appeals to a preteen girl like a mermaid. Furthermore, since I was a child, I have always been interested in fantasy and folklore. The final stimulus was a small sequence in one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies that had a side story about a mermaid. That got me writing. And as for Venice, it is the most beautiful city in the world, and what a place to merge water, fantasy, and story.
What was your inspiration for Dr. Manque’s character, and how did you craft his outlook on life?
For the lead character I wanted someone with some quirks, and in contrast to my first book, I wanted to write the main character as a little older. Also, I wanted to paint him as someone who could be stone deaf to the beauty of Venice.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
That’s a good question. There are a lot of things I could talk about: how our modern age can be so sterile for one, and how we have distanced ourselves from our past for another, but maybe the theme I was most interested in was beauty, and by that I don’t mean physical beauty, although the mermaid is portrayed as staggeringly beautiful, what I was exploring was the beauty of life, and becoming aware of how a beautiful life is one connected to others. And how discovering that someone needs us is just about the most beautiful thing in the world.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it out?
Thank you for asking. My next book is The Ordinary Adventures of Somerset Soames von Hesse. This is a coming-of-age novel about a young boy growing up in a missionary family in Egypt, Lebanon, and the coming back to the states in the 60’s. The story centers around the fourth child, Somerset, and his quirks, and his fascinations. It also deals with the tension because he likes the Beatles and fiction, and both of those are highly discouraged in his faith group. The book will be out in paperback within the next couple of weeks.
Beyond that, I will be working on Volume 2 of my epic fantasy series.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
Audible version coming soon!
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: A Sea Tail, action, adventure, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy, ebook, fantasy, fiction, folklore, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, Marvin Brauer, myth, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, story, writer, writing
The World Persists
Posted by Literary-Titan
Ghost of Nostalgia follows a woman living in an impoverished village who is taught to suppress all emotions or risk death at the hands of mysterious, ethereal beings drawn to human emotions. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
As cliché as it sounds, I had a dream. In this dream, there was a magnificent city floating in the sky surrounded by a spherical energy barrier. The land around the city was a complete wasteland, and underneath the city was a pile of battered cylindrical tubes. Suddenly, a hatch along the bottom of the city opened, and a silver tube dropped and landed on the pile. Something happened next, but for the sake of spoilers, I’ll have to keep the rest to myself.
The dream stayed with me for a long time, until I finally decided to take it to the page. The feeling of it was so bleak. The isolation is absolute. I realized the reason I remembered the dream so perfectly was because of how it made me feel. I sought to capture those emotions by making emotions the center of my world. I wanted them to be something that could set you free or lead you to death. But as I find with all my writing, it doesn’t come out quite the same as the inspiration. The dream was definitely more hardcore science fiction, but as I’m quite a romantic at heart, the result ended up softer with a heavy dose of romance. Even with those changes, I sought to have Gavril’s world be one that stirred the heart in many ways.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
I’m glad you think so! Steampunk played a heavy role in inspiring the setting, but as much as I love it, I wanted to branch out into something that had a similar feeling but with its own flavor. This is one reason I decided to go with an electric-based power system rather than a steam-based one. As for the cultural inspiration, Victorian England was out, so I did a bit of research and landed on pre-revolutionary France. It had everything I was looking for: elaborate fashion, notable architecture, and a stark class divide. Gavril’s home, Nostalgie, is a village literally made of scraps. They have nothing but hope. I wanted to show the progression of “moving up” as Gavril travels to different towns, and how, instead of sympathy, the rich feel nothing but contempt for the “lesser.” Since each town is isolated in its own barrier, they feel like different worlds of their own. There is no camaraderie, just hope for the government’s favor. As Gavril learns along her travels, even the most beautiful place can be a cover for ugly behavior.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One of the biggest themes of Ghost of Nostalgia is control. Controlling emotions, controlling citizens, and controlling towns. All of these are accomplished in different ways and play different roles. As the story progresses, it becomes less clear who actually benefits from this behavior, and despite the suffering of some citizens, the world persists as is. Part of this is the class divide, and yet, no one rises to challenge the authority of the land.
Other themes are more personal to Gavril. She’s seen as a burden, and then the town’s fate rests on her shoulders. Self-worth, sacrifice, and being true to yourself are challenges she faces, especially in this patriarchal world, which sees her as only worth what she can birth. Her view of the world is full of despair, but sometimes hope can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Finding one’s truth is central to the story.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The sequel! The sequel, which is tentatively called Sphere of Ardent, is currently in the editing process at Indigo River Publishing. We do not have a release date yet, but I’m hopeful I’ll be able to make an official announcement by the first half of next year. I’m very excited about it. The world-building really takes off, and the themes blow up in such unexpected ways.
Since I’m a glutton, I’ve already started writing the third book, which will finish out the intended trilogy.
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Gavril follows the rules. Don’t dream. Don’t imagine a better future. Don’t cross the barrier, and whatever you do, don’t open your heart to emotions-especially the most powerful one: love.
Breaking the rules is deadly. Phases surround Gavril’s rural, impoverished village of Nostalgie. These mysterious ethereal beings, attracted to human emotion, suck passion and soul from anyone they touch-if the victim survives the encounter. Despite the danger, demanding questions linger in Gavril’s heart. What might life be like beyond the electrical barrier keeping the Phases at bay? What happened to her father, a legendary Résonateur gifted with the ability to combat Phases, who vanished several years ago? What does freedom feel like?
When the Solenoid powering the village’s barrier begins to die, Nostalgie’s mayor offers Gavril’s hand in marriage to the son of a nobleman in the distant village of Envie-a woman of a Résonateur bloodline to raise the family’s prominence in exchange for a new Solenoid. Gavril has no choice but to comply. If she refuses, the barrier will fall.
Gavril will do anything to save her mother and fellow villagers-even if it means breaking a few rules.
Led by a heart that suppressed curiosity and compassion for far too long, Gavril befriends a Phase named Morrow. When her actions are discovered, she is deemed a traitor by her future in-laws and sent to the Capital, Éthéré Coeur, for judgement. Commandant Serein, a Résonateur like her father, escorts her to her destiny.
In the whirlwind of French-influenced, retro-futuristic adventure that follows, Gavril’s spirit is freed. She meets wonders of human achievement-from motorized automatrams and flying soulevers to massive electronic libraries holding the world’s secrets.She encounters the rich, vibrant, and sometimes horrifying world beyond Nostalgie . . . and she falls in love.
Once you break the rules, where do you draw the line?
Ghost of Nostalgia will resonate with readers drawn to rich worldbuilding, emotional rebellion, and character-driven dystopian fantasy. For fans of lyrical prose, slow-burn tension, and stories that challenge what it means to feel—this journey lingers long after the final page.
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