Blog Archives
A Fan of Dragons
The Spires of Dasny: 3 finds a new and unexpected enemy threatening the alliance. What inspired the conflict driving book three in your series?
The antagonist, Belinda, has shone her dislike of Seyra throughout the books and given the right opportunity, has the ability to get rid of her competition, even if the competition is only in Belinda’s mind.
I enjoyed the characters in this story. What aspect of character development do you find the most satisfying as a writer?
I like to make the characters distinct, complete with their own and varied personalities. When their emotions begin to show it gives the reader a fuller value of the character.
Are you a fan of the sword and sorcery genre? What books do you think most influenced your work?
I’m mostly a fan of dragons, and along with them, sword and sorcery often comes into play. Believe it or not, I can’t say any particular dragon books influenced my writing. The book that stands out in my mind because I was completely immersed in it was The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel. I couldn’t get the books of this series quick enough. She had a wonderful way of writing a prehistoric earth and the characters leapt from the pages. The greatest compliment I have ever received is when a reader compared my writing to hers in my Legend of the Dragon Child series.
What can readers expect in book four of The Spires of Dasny series?
Book 4 will give the reader a deeper understanding of what really drives the antagonist to behave the way she does. It will come with a huge twist in the story which, I hope, will have the readers gobbling up the pages. I expect this book will give us a new hero to root for, and clutch at our hearts over what occurs.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook
The Spires hold onto a tenuous alliance with another kingdom. Fresh trials await when Belinda flees from home prior to a planned visit as an ambassador to the Kingdom of Stone Dragons. She jeopardizes not only herself and her dragon, but those searching for her.
What would you do to save one that you love? Belinda risks it all and her life is forever changed in ways no one could have guessed. Will this spell disaster for the Spires?
Not Just Another Picture Book
Magic in Windowland follows a window doodle that springs to life and goes on an imaginative adventure with other doodles. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I wrote Magic in Windowland during the pandemic. You could call it one of the bright sides! I am a scientist by profession. Both me and my husband are. We are based in Germany, but our families are in India. When the pandemic started last year, like most countries in Europe, Germany went into strict lockdown. Overnight things changed. We were asked to work from home, until further notice. In the beginning things worked out okay because we all thought it would be a temporary situation. But, as time passed, it started to get worse. Our four year old daughter was having a really hard time, staying away from kindergarten. We did not have a TV at home, because we never really needed one. Eventually, working at home became impossible. So I started to read books to my daughter. Over a hundred and twenty of them.We would read together and then play out the stories. When my husband and I tried to work on our computers, I saw that our daughter found herself a new way to stay busy. She started doodling on the windows. She would draw Pip and pretend like he was real. I noticed her playing with her doodle ‘illustrations’ on the window. That’s what made me think, ‘why not?’ What if our world had a secret universe hidden somewhere? On our window panes perhaps? A universe with its own laws and Physics … the concept fascinated me, and I wrote the book to add a bit of Magic to our complex mundane lives.
I loved the art in the book. What was the art collaboration process like to bring the story to life?
The art credits go to Aliaksandra! In the beginning, I had not thought to make Magic in Windowland into a picture book, you know. I just wanted to write a story for a blog or something. So I looked for some affordable illustrators on Fiverr and that’s how we got introduced. Aliaksandra saw my script and immediately jumped on it. She was so excited and encouraging about the story that I decided to give it a shot with a proper book. We had one or two zoom meetings in which I explained to her how I saw the story happening. Then Aliaksandra came up with the very interesting idea to mix stick figures with full colour illustrations. I have to admit, it was a really bold move, because to make stick figures the most eye-catching elements of a full colour illustration, is really really difficult. But she tried anyway and I think she did a brilliant job. Some illustrators have told me since that the illustrations could have been better … more colourful … perhaps they are right, but I do not, for once, regret using Aliaksandra’s services for this project.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted my readers to enjoy a fun story about freedom, friendship, the ability to do absolutely anything in the world, with imagination. I wanted my readers to relate to the doodles and see Captain Barnaby, as a sort of father figure … their usual partner in crime. But most importantly, I wanted the story to have something in store for everyone. While it should be able to stir imagination and play with little children, it should also take the older reader on a walk down memory lane. I wanted this book to be one that the entire family wants to read together, and not just another picture book on the shelf.
This is book one in the Pip’s Adventures in Windowland series. What can readers expect in book two?
Hmmm… that’s a surprise! I can give you a clue. Windowland is expanding. There are going to be new characters and some unexpected interactions with humans!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Anger And Envy
Burning Rage is a thrilling story following a woman who commits horrible acts and readers get to slowly understand how she’s become the person she is. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
The impetus to write this book came from deep inside of me. Two main reasons compelled me to write Burning Rage. Firstly, when I was in junior high I had low self esteem. I had anger and envy. On the outside I appeared to many of my peers as cool, neat and one of the gang. But, it wasn’t until later in life I realized none of them were bullies. I was the only one. My friend’s and I would all play sports together, garden raid at night, and collect and trade football and hockey cards. But there was that one big difference. I bullied some of my classmates and they did not. I recall vividly two girls I insulted and bullied daily in junior high.
Near the end of grade nine I started to develop acne. And by the beginning of grade ten my acne was bad. My self esteem plummeted even lower. I was depressed, sad, and isolated myself. I did not want to have friends. Karma is true. I was now the one being bullied and insulted. I felt like an outcast. A solitary single lonely kid. Insults such as “ pizza face” and connect the dots” were directed to me by many students. I kept to myself and avoided having friend’s. To avoid these insults I would not go to my classes from walking in the hallway. I went outside even in the cold winter to walk around the school to get to the closest doors by my class. To avoid hearing the insults. The second inspiration I had was that I knew a woman that talked to me a lot about her wretched childhood and adult life. She had much sadness but mixed with that sadness was a lot of anger. She mentioned several times that she would get back at everyone that teased her and degraded her. She was very vigilante, did not trust anyone and was a recluse.
Jess is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?
Being the main character I knew I had to convey to the reader Jess’s inner thoughts and feelings. I had to help the audience understand Jess’s childhood, teen life and young adult life. It was important to attempt to justify her actions. Her anger her frustration her disgust for society. In my first published book I recall writing about a psychologist stating “ no one knows an individuals mind and reasoning better than the person themselves.”
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Certainly bullying. Bullying can lead to devastating life changes, choices and even death. Lifelong bullying and loneliness can be a formula for disaster. How the human psyche deals with constant torment and loneliness is never easy to understand. As we have read and seen in the news over the last several years bullying is a social issue that needs to be curtailed drastically. And loneliness. Loneliness is often overlooked but is extremely harmful to the mind.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have had the title “ Octagon” in my mind for a few years now. Not to give too much away here is the logline: Four young aspiring female MMA competitors are lured to a desolate training facility, only to be weakened by psychological and physical torture. I usually write the screenplay first then adapt it into book format.
The New Currency of Marketing
The Death of Content as King is a detailed guide that shows how data democracy has revolutionized the marketing industry. Why was this an important book for you to write?
There are a lot of bad reasons to write a book, and this wasn’t about selling something else to readers. In my case, I was driven by the argument I felt compelled to make about what the industry has chosen to ignore regarding marketing today. I was aware, however, that it was imperative that it be thoroughly researched and the reasons for its change were thoroughly examined.
How has your professional experience helped you write this book?
Throughout my career, I have led integrated marketing efforts for hundreds of marketing campaigns, websites, social media properties, and mobile applications. This experience has enabled me to understand why some campaigns succeed and others fail. As part of my research for this book, I compiled my learnings and weaved them with stories from my marketing career to aid the readers in understanding the arguments I have put forward.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about marketing today?
The biggest misconception is that platforms like Google, Facebook, and Amazon are here to help marketers find a free audience. As it turns out, platforms use data to provide users with an algorithm-driven experience, which is uniquely curated and tailored so products and ads can be targeted to specific users. The value of content to them is just one data point amongst many calculated to determine if it helps the platforms achieve their goals.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
Data is becoming the new currency of marketing, and for companies to prosper in this new era, they must stop seeing data as just a collection of zeros and ones but as the most important source of consumer insight.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads | Twitter | LinkedIn | Website
What A True Friend Would Do
No Dinosaurs Allowed teaches young readers about friendship and acceptance in this fun picture book. What inspired the idea of using a dinosaur to tell this story?
I have always been intrigued by dinosaurs and have visited the Museum of Natural History many times. I also used to read “If the Dinosaurs Came Back” by Bernard Most to my children and have always wanted to write my own dinosaur story. One day I started to think about how much fun it would be to have a dinosaur as a best friend but he would be so big and maybe some people would not accept him because he was different. And even though Bobby wants to go to the party he will not leave Teddy the Dinosaur behind and that is what a true friend would do.
The art in this book is wonderful. What was the art collaboration like with illustrator Ashleigh Heyns?
Ashleigh was wonderful to work with. We collaborated closely and it was a fun process to see the characters come to life. She is very talented and all the characters are diverse and there are three versions of the book. This book is part of Hurn Publications’ the Princess Like Me(R) and Prince Like Me(R) Campaign. Therefore it is available in multiple ethnic backgrounds. Book Option Legend: (B) for the Black Community, (L/X) for the Latin/Hispanic Community, (E) for the European/Caucasian Community
What is the best way for children to learn to be inclusive?
I think children learn by example and the role models in their lives; parents/caregivers, teachers, friends, and siblings. I also believe that books that include subtle themes that teach and not preach can be very helpful.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am working on several books. Hurn Publications will be releasing my picture book Booch the Pooch in 2022 in addition to several other books (Dates TBA). I also have a chapter book Detective Natty and Doggy Dale Follow the Clues being released by Clear Fork Publishing in 2022. I have two books out on submission with my agent Dawn Dowdle and am currently working on several picture books and a middle grade book.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Twitter | Website
Bobby tries to take his friend Teddy the Dinosaur to a party, the library, and the zoo, unfortunately, dinosaurs are not welcome. Finally, they go to the park but there are no swings or slides and only one little boy. But Teddy saves the day by allowing the little boy and Bobby to use him as a swing and slide.
Eventually, a group of children joins them. On the way home, the zookeeper invites them to come back the next day because the zoo animals want to meet Teddy, and the librarian has moved storytime to a larger room so now Teddy can fit, and then the birthday party mommy invites them into the backyard for cake.
***No Dinosaurs Allowed is part of the Princess Like Me® and Prince Like Me® Campaign. Therefore it is available in multiple ethnic backgrounds.***
This picture book is 398 words and is perfect for boys and girls ages 4-8.
Those Dreams Devastate Me
Blood Mark follows a woman who realizes that her nightmares our actually visions of real people being killed and her birthmarks are the only thing protecting her from the killer. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
The inspiration for the set up of Blood Mark comes from dreams, the ones that seem far too real. The ones where, when you wake up—sometimes in a sweat—you experience a brief moment in which you wonder if what just happened was a dream or reality. I’ve had vivid dreams all my life, including some pretty bad nightmares when I was young. The worst dreams are the ones wherein someone I love is killed, or hurt, or leaves me – those dreams devastate me.
Jane Walker is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
There’s always a danger of making a character too perfect, too rich, too beautiful—it makes them unrelatable, which doesn’t work well in books like mine that are set in contemporary times, where the character is living amongst us. In developing Jane Walker, I wanted someone with flaws. As such, Jane has personality traits that make her difficult to live with. She also makes poor choices at times, which we all do, and she has to live with the consequences. It was also important that I made her both strong and vulnerable. Wrapping Jane in the blood mark served both of those ends. And finally, I wanted her to know what it felt like to have nothing—no family, no money, no beauty—so she would appreciate the friends who came into her life, complete with their flaws.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I really wanted to explore the concept of what is beauty—a theme as old as time. I find it especially interesting in light of tattoos being so popular today; the designs people choose, and where they choose to display them are often topics of judgment. Instead of having a choice in the matter, I thought I’d explore what it might feel like to live with an unflattering birthmark that’s difficult to hide.
I also wanted to explore how beauty plays into assumptions of good vs evil. Our society often puts unearned labels on people because of their perceived attractiveness, wealth, or clothing. But these things are all facades, like the recessed ceiling in the bar Jane frequents, painted black to hide the pipes, wires, and ducting. Jane sees this as “Proof that even the sleekest facade had something ugly to hide.”
I’ve also explored the role of family in the story. Jane and Sadie didn’t have the benefit of a stable, loving home, but developed a keen sense of family, honour, and justice. Rick, who had the benefit of a loving, well-off family, turned out to have a warped sense of justice and to love himself more than anyone else.
And I’ve also played around with the concepts of strength and vulnerability, exploring both from the physical and psychological perspectives. I love that sometimes it’s the person who’s weakest physically, that’s the strongest psychologically. And if the game is psychological, well, sometimes the weakling wins!
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m working on a sequel to Blood Mark, possibly two. Though Blood Mark is a stand-alone book, it contains some intriguing storylines that are ripe for exploring. What became of Jane’s friend, Buddy? for example. And where is Maria’s Inca offering bowl? I’d hate to think what might happen if it got into the wrong hands. Does Jane’s roommate, Sadie stay the course she set for herself? How does the court case against Rick and Andrew turn out? I’m excited to see where these possibilities take me. I expect the first sequel to come out late next year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
After she meets the first man who isn’t repulsed by her birthmarks, Jane thinks she might finally have a chance at happiness. Her belief seems confirmed as the birthmarks she’s spent her life so ashamed of magically begin to disappear. Yet, the quicker her scarlet marks vanish, the more lucid and disturbing Jane’s nightmares become—until it’s impossible to discern her dreams from reality, and Jane comes to a horrifying realization:
The nightmares that have plagued her since childhood are actually visions of real people being stalked by a deadly killer. And all this time, her birthmarks have been the only things protecting her from becoming his next victim.
Fate Was Doomed
Gotham Kitty follows an alien that escapes her cell and lands in Tanzania where she faces a 200 year old curse and angry villagers. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I wanted a realistic explanation of how the alien arrived on Earth and how it connects to the Chagga people and their prophecy. When captured by the Brozians, another alien race, the Catusapian’s fate was doomed. By adding a twist of fate of the Brozian spaceship slipping into a wormhole and spitting out into the Milky Way Galaxy, the Catusapian, who will become Gotham Kitty to the people who know her on Earth, gets a chance to escape cell confinement and seek refuge on Earth, where she will play an essential role in the future of the Chagga people in East Africa.
Allison Banes is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Allison Banes is a character that is strongly devoted to wildlife conservation, for which she has to be as a primatologist in the making. Even I made her a fan of the late Dian Fossey. But Allison’s devotion to her research not only keeps her family in Buffalo, New York at bay but ultimately leads to her downfall. When she devotes all of her time and research to the alien, you can only expect the Evil Shadowy Figure to go after her.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Perhaps the battle between good and evil is a common theme in literature, but I had to explore it in Gotham Kitty. I wanted the character of the Evil Shadowy Figure to be clearly different than the Gotham Kitty character. The alien character not only represents the fact that humans are not alone in the universe but also becomes an ally to humans’ survival in making their world a better place. But I didn’t make it easy for Gotham Kitty. With the theme of revenge, the Evil Shadowy Figure is able to go after the characters assisting the alien who will inevitably participate in a ritual to end his long reign of terror.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m currently working on Birdwatcher, a psychological, spine-chilling ghost story set in the Poconos of Pennsylvania, set to release in April 2022.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website
A Ghost Story From Nebraska
A Curse of Silver and Blood follows a man struggling to hide his psychic abilities while trying to uncover the truth behind his brother’s death. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
My lifelong struggle with overcoming anxiety and my own personal demons. And believe it or not … a stock photo, a song, and a ghost story from Nebraska.
Elijah is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I wanted Elijah to be relatable, flawed, and decent. My goal was to create a character who started off in a bad situation but did his best to become a better person despite the odds.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
From the beginning, the themes I knew I’d be exploring were forgiveness, past lives, and that not everyone is perfect. I think as human beings we’re harder on ourselves than anyone else is. It’s important to remember to forgive ourselves and to forgive others. No matter how long the road might be. Even if it follows us through numerous lives. LOL
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’d have to say this is the hardest question of them all! But, I’m doing a follow-up to “A Curse of Silver and Blood.” I think Elijah’s character still has more to offer, and I’m looking forward to digging deeper into him and his friends. When will it be available? Oh, holy crud. I’m shooting for Summer, Winter, Fall, or maybe just finishing it sometime in my lifetime? Totally kidding I’m shooting for February 2023, but hopefully sooner.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
In the Southern Coastal town of Savannah, he struggles to conceal his psychic gifts of astral projection and retrocognition.
“If you’re reading this, then I’m no longer alive, and you need to leave town before you’re murdered.” These were the haunting last written words Elijah’s estranged brother, Owen, left him before committing suicide. Ignoring the warning, Elijah finds himself hunted by shape-shifting wolves ravenous for his flesh.
Recently excommunicated from her coven, Quinn Rowan has been honing her magical abilities since birth. Tormented by dreams of a mysterious man she loved in a past existence, Quinn is drawn to an abandoned historic property. The exact property where she watched the man she loved murdered two hundred years earlier.
Elijah is confident Quinn is his soulmate. But she was the last person to see Owen alive, and he suspects she wants to kill him. Unfortunately, she’s the only person who holds the key to his survival. Bewitched by Quinn, Elijah is determined to uncover the spiritual connection between them and the truth behind his brother’s death.
LITERARY TITAN 