Blog Archives
Modern New Adult Audience
Moonlight Desires, a Gothic retelling of Cinderella, follows a woman abused by her family who is lifted from drudgery by a royal figure who appears in spider form. What inspired you to retell this classic tale with a Gothic flair?
I’ve always had a thing for fairy tales, the kind we used to call “wonder tales” before they were sanitized. If you look closely at my work, the Brothers Grimm are almost always lurking under the surface. These are classic stories we all know by heart, which gives me a great foundation to build on. It allows me to focus my energy on reshaping those familiar bones into a Gothic fantasy retelling that feels gritty and real for a modern New Adult audience.
The imagery—especially the web, the dress, and the spectral coach—feels symbolic as well as aesthetic. What meanings did you intend behind those elements?
I actually used the Italian Commedia dell’arte as a sort of mental map for these characters. In that world, you have the “unmasked” lovers. These are the ones who are vulnerable and can actually change. And then you have the “masked” figures who are stuck in their ways.
In Moonlight Desires, Aurelia is the “unmasked” one. She’s going through loss and resentment, and she has to choose to forgive to find her path. Princess Kipira, though, is a “masked” figure. Her spider form isn’t just a choice; it’s a reflection of her own selfishness, trapped under a hideous curse. Then you have the Desires. These beautiful yet hollow spirits of the underworld only come alive in the moonlight. They’re yearning for a life they can’t have. By weaving these magical elements together, I wanted to create the kind of atmospheric writing and vivid world-building that fans of dark romance and monster fantasy are looking for.
Some readers have mentioned they wanted more technical details about the “Ingridelite Weave,” which is the pattern of Aurelia’s dress. But the weave is a metaphor of the story itself. In adult fairy tales, you don’t always need a manual for how the magic works and what makes it significant. You need to experience it. Kipira explains the Ingridelite Weave simply: every part of the pattern is connected to everything else. That’s how I see fantasy retellings across history: their patterns are endlessly moving, reshaped, and retold while staying recognizably themselves.
Just as the threads of the dress guide Aurelia’s movement when she dances, the inherited patterns of Ye Xian and Ashputtel guided my own hand as a writer.
What question did you most want readers to wrestle with after finishing the book?
I try to create a literary space where the symbolism does the heavy lifting. I don’t want to be a control freak and tell you exactly what questions to ask. I’d rather give you a dark, moody environment where you can find your own questions and answers within the frame of an adult fairy tale.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m currently finishing up Spider Sister, which is the sequel to my novel Spider Seeds. It’s part of the Spider Seeds Universe and links directly back to Moonlight Desires. You can expect a 2026 release, which will officially bring my spider horror series to a close.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
From her webs arise quiet works of fantasy: a gown, slippers, and a horse-drawn carriage, their threads quickened by moonlight and inhabited by the restless spirits of Hades.
Carried to Duke Andrew’s court festival, where jeweled crowns glint and his son must choose a bride, Aurelia steps into a world that finally sees her worth. Yet the curse gripping Kipira tightens, for she can only be freed through an act of true kindness, and even her best intentions are shadowed by self-interest.
As romance awakens, fate begins to stir.
Aurelia is about to discover that destiny is as fragile as threads of moonlit silk…and they are all woven into MOONLIGHT DESIRES
There Is Always More
Into the Arms follows a woman from her early days at a Catholic boarding school through a series of life-shattering experiences into womanhood, leaving her questioning everything she was taught and seeking a life filled with truth and joy. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I think as young children we see the world through a different lens than the adults around us. We have an innocence and grand awareness of what is happening, a wisdom and a sensitivity that actually allows us to see through things without the burdens, expectations, ideals and conditions on life that we seemingly pick up through our developing years. Yet this is crushed so very quickly and we are asked to jump aboard the treadmill of life with little to no concern of what may be true for us.
The staggering numbers of young suicides, teenage self-harming, drug and alcohol abuse is only but rising. I don’t know a single person who hasn’t questioned why we are here or what life is about in some shape of form throughout their years. With no answers, often a distinct lack of purpose, and only a show of hands pointing us in a direction other than what we are sensing from within, it seems we stop trusting ourselves and what we feel, usually at a huge cost.
I wanted to offer something more than the usual depiction of life, that may allow space for others to ponder on something grander than what is usually served up; to return to the innocence, wonder and sensitivity we all had as children; to not brush over all the daily irks but to acknowledge them for what they are, and to live untainted by their brutality, in the glory of who we truly are.
All of these factors and more were the inspiration.
I found Rei to be a very well-written and in-depth character. What was your inspiration for her and her emotional turmoil throughout the story?
Rei is a character that many, if not all, of us can relate to. A young being inquisitive, playful and eager to see the world and explore its people; a being craving to be seen and loved for who they truly are. It’s what permeates our skin and is often the basis for all that we do, whether consciously or not. We see each other as such vastly different characters on the world stage and in its playground, when in truth there is so much we have in common with one another. Despite this commonality we are taught to covet our insecurities which often creates further separation and emotional turmoil.
Our pathways through to, and including, adulthood are paved on our experiences at birth and as youngsters; these are often turbulent, rocky or laden with nuances that distort our behaviours moving forward. We are taught that there is something wrong with us and we react accordingly, when actually perhaps it is more than the individual stories and structures we have grown up with.
Bringing light to emotional turmoil such as this is important to help us all understand that intrinsically there is nothing wrong with any of us, we have just been encrusted with layer upon layer of brutality from everything around us. Unpacking this is wise, it’s no-one’s fault per se, yet the burdens we carry are often grossly unnecessary and harmful for all.
I feel we have a responsibility in life to live and share what is true. Unpacking and unpicking situations and experiences can be hugely healing and empowering and it gives us an awareness from which we can grow. Using Rei’s character, I felt able to give voice to occurrences that are often left unspoken about, and that felt great.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Abuse is such a huge word with many connotations and examples attached to it. Just as everything in life there are 50 shades (and more) of it. The novel touches upon this but I’m not sure in life we stop and give it much air time. Whilst it happens to ‘someone, way over there’ we are quite happy to go about our every day regardless. To add insult to injury, because we have these 50 shades of abuse, we often accept the so called lesser-scale abusive behaviours because there are far-worse versions out there, telling ourselves it’s not so bad, it could be worse. And so the behaviours go on, not being called out, not being stopped. For this reason we can see how we are all complicit enablers in the play out. This is an extremely relevant and important theme that runs through our daily lives that I felt was necessary to explore.
Love too was, and is, a biggie and is believe it or not linked to the abusive theme above. Without fully loving ourselves it is easy, if not second nature, to accept abuse, regardless of where it falls on the so-called sliding scale. Anything that is not loving is abusive. Simple. Why would, and do, we settle for anything in-between and call it something different? Why have we given up on ourselves and the love we truly deserve? We can’t expect the quality of anything to raise if we except lower standards ourselves; supply meets demand. I wanted to explore this too, because too often we bitch and moan about everything, without actually making the small, simple steps within ourselves that we are capable of making that could and would bring about huge and eternal change globally.
Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with Rei in the novel?
I think a character as universally relatable as Rei could continue on as a never ending story. There are so many experiences in every day life, minute-to-minute, moment-to-moment that highlight things that go on around, or to, us. Perhaps we have given voice to them, perhaps not, but they are all possible learnings for us. How can one possibly cover them all?
Rei’s journey had to have an end date (2025 in this story), but perhaps there could be more as the years unfold and she connects back to what came before and all that is left there to deepen into. Within the pages it felt complete, but as the story so beautifully depicts There is always more.
Author Website
Rei grows up on the fringes, taught by society from young to stay quiet and look pretty, not questioning life until it is too late. Escaping the clutches of family and relationships she builds a life free from everything she’d known, but at a cost.
Could losing everything be the richest lesson of all or was it merely a delay tactic from living all that was there to begin with?
A magnificent story, with lightness and dumbfounding truth all over it.
Into The Arms
From the very first page, Into the Arms throws you straight into the storm. This isn’t a story told, it’s lived. We follow Rei, a girl clawing through her youth with an aching heart and sharp eyes, struggling to understand love, shame, and survival in a world that often turns its back on innocence. Author Angelica Lamb’s novel is part memoir, part emotional reckoning, a raw and lyrical unraveling of trauma, told through flashbacks, poetic fragments, and brutal honesty. We’re led from Rei’s early days at a cold Catholic boarding school through a series of shattering, formative experiences into womanhood. What holds it all together is a quiet inner light, dimmed but never out. The writing itself is jagged, unfiltered, emotionally dense, and it works.
Angelica Lamb doesn’t give you time to warm up or settle in. You’re tossed into Rei’s mind. Her pain, her longing, her awkward, tender, and often horrifying moments, every one of them slices through you. Some scenes, especially with Rei’s father or the grotesque acts at boarding school, made me physically squirm. And yet I couldn’t stop. The writing is wild. Sentences swerve, thoughts bleed into each other, and punctuation comes second to rhythm. It reads more like memory than fiction, fragmented, dreamlike, vivid. Lamb’s greatest gift might be how she makes trauma feel both intensely personal and alarmingly universal. I saw my younger self in Rei more times than I care to admit.
There’s barely a plot in the traditional sense, but the emotional thread? Oh, it’s there. It pulls you under and doesn’t let go. I loved the way Lamb lets Rei be a contradiction. Sweet and angry. Lost and wise. Scarred and still somehow soft. Her journey is filled with abuse, abandonment, awakening, and through it all, this persistent, haunting whisper: “You are love.”
If you’ve ever felt silenced, if you’ve questioned your worth, or carried shame that didn’t belong to you, then Into the Arms might just feel like someone seeing you. I’d recommend it to women healing from emotional or sexual trauma, to lovers of poetic memoir, and to those who find power in pain. It’s a hard read. A beautiful one. And one I won’t forget.
Pages: 416 | ISBN : 1036966186
Out of Body: Straight to Hell
Out of Body: Straight to Hell is a wild, genre-defying ride that blends psychological drama, speculative science, supernatural horror, and heartfelt coming-of-age storytelling. The novel follows Harley Baker, a paralyzed young man who, after a childhood trauma tied to a dream-world soulmate and a very real fall from a second-story window, sets off on a determined, mind-bending journey to rediscover the truth of those dreams. Armed with government-declassified astral projection guides, banned hallucinogens, and a stubborn belief in the soul’s reality, Harley risks everything to find Stephanie—a woman who may or may not exist. Along the way, he tangles with literal demons, the CIA, and the biggest enemy of all: his own doubt.
I didn’t expect to get sucker-punched by emotion so often in a story that features Satan as a literal antagonist. But Chater does something special here. His writing has this knack for yanking you through a dozen moods in a single chapter. One minute, I’m laughing at Harley’s razor-sharp sarcasm and tragically millennial monologues, and the next, I’m stunned into silence by the sincerity of a line about loneliness or parental love. Chater’s voice is sharp, raw, never too polished, and it suits Harley’s inner chaos perfectly. Some of the scenes, especially those involving the black-eyed dream demon or Harley’s aching memories of his dog Barney, hit harder than I expected. And while the dialogue flirts with melodrama at times, it never crosses into the unbelievable. Harley’s voice is exactly what it needs to be: brutally honest, emotionally bruised, and relatable.
Now, the ideas in this book? They’re bonkers—in the best way. We’re talking government-funded psychic training, astral projection as espionage, spirit dogs quoting hip-hop, and an actual demon with a libido and a vengeance. And yet… it works. Chater doesn’t dump exposition on your head. He lets you piece together the crazy through Harley’s obsession. There’s a surprising amount of research under the hood—Gateway tapes, Monroe Institute lore, CIA documents—and it’s all used not to impress, but to deepen Harley’s desperate search for truth. The line between madness and metaphysics is always razor thin, and Chater walks it like a tightrope artist. Sure, some plot turns stretch credibility, but so does reality when you’re twenty-two, emotionally shattered, and chasing your dream girl through multiple dimensions. I bought in—and I stayed in.
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if The OA made out with Stranger Things while reading a Monroe Institute report high on DMT, this book is your answer. It’s heartfelt sci-fi for the spiritual misfit, horror for the sensitive soul, and a love story written in the language of astral projection, regret, and raw hope. I’d recommend this to readers who crave deep weirdness with emotional bite—fans of Chuck Palahniuk, Neil Gaiman, or anyone who’s gone down a rabbit hole at 2 a.m. and come out wondering if any of it was real.
Pages: 216 | ASIN : B0F4ZJ8WVG
Real Aussies: John’s Heartbreak
At its heart, Real Aussies: John’s Heartbreak is a raw and emotionally intense dive into the life of John, a 24-year-old car salesman hustling through Sydney’s sun-soaked grit of the late ’70s. The story kicks off with John chasing the Australian dream—buying out the dealership he works for and giving his family a better future. But things unravel fast. There’s infidelity, identity struggles, explosive family drama, a deeply repressed past, and an unexpected romantic connection that challenges everything John thought he knew about himself. It’s set against a vivid Aussie backdrop of drag queens, classic Holdens, meat pies, and church pews. It’s heavy, hilarious, heartbreaking, and, at times, unhinged.
The dialogue snaps with authenticity, the slang hits just right, and the pacing is mad. One minute you’re laughing at a wild Monaro test drive, and the next you’re cringing through John’s brutal Sunday family lunch, dripping with micro-aggressions, classism, and suppressed rage. The scenes with his mum and Beergut Barry was spot on. Horribly accurate. You can feel the suffocation. That kitchen table tension isn’t just writing, it’s lived experience on the page.
But the emotional gut-punches land hard. The twist about John’s biological son genuinely winded me. And then, Jezbon goes further. That deeply disturbing assault scene with Peter was unexpected and so painfully real. It’s handled with unflinching honesty. It doesn’t glorify or overexplain, it just lets you sit in the horror of it. It messed me up a little. That’s powerful storytelling. Still, it’s not for the faint of heart. You have to be ready for it. But it shines a light on the complexity of male trauma, especially in a world that doesn’t give men like John the language or space to process it.
John is messy. He lashes out. He hits. He breaks. But Jezbon doesn’t romanticize it. He forces you to reckon with the choices people make when their lives implode. There’s nuance. There’s shame. There’s that desperate grasping for control when everything’s slipping. And then there’s hope, like a tiny stubborn weed growing through concrete. John’s care for his sons—especially Jason, his “little champ”—grounds all the chaos. The emotional rollercoaster is real, and I didn’t wanna get off.
If you like your stories emotionally charged, a little chaotic, and rough around the edges—this one’s for you. Especially if you’re into queer themes wrapped in raw masculinity, generational trauma, and the realest kind of love—the kind that’s flawed but refuses to give up. It’s not tidy. It’s not polished. It’s real. And that’s exactly what makes John’s Heartbreak stick. Jezbon wrote something that lingers.
Pages: 398 | ASIN : B0F3KDHH9R
The At-Your-Beck Felicity Conveyor
The At-Your-Beck Felicity Conveyor is a satirical novel that dives into the exploits of a grocer, Justyce Dreadmiller, and his turbulent interactions with Yvette Cartier, a wealthy young kleptomaniac. It’s a story riddled with irony and dark humor as Justyce maneuvers through moral dilemmas, exploring the complexities of revenge, economic strain, and the lengths one might go to protect their reputation and livelihood. This “sin and retribution” novel pairs outlandish scenarios with striking reflections on class, character, and consequence.
The writing was both a joy and a challenge. Landon’s language is exuberant, full of wordplay and intricate descriptions. Justyce Dreadmiller’s inner monologues often had me chuckling and groaning at the same time; he’s dramatic, even flamboyant, in his thoughts about revenge. For example, when Justyce fantasizes about the exaggerated consequences for his bully from prep school, we get insight into his deep-rooted vindictiveness. It’s over-the-top but hilariously so and gives the story a unique and theatrical vibe.
The characters are as absurd as they are fascinating. Justyce’s obsession with his store and his frustration with Yvette’s petty thefts contrast sharply with his idealization of himself as a “pillar of the community.” This duality paints Justyce as both relatable and ridiculous. Yvette, meanwhile, is as enigmatic as they come. Her lifestyle suggests privilege and luxury, yet her compulsive stealing and mysterious persona make her more complex than your typical antagonist. Author Dolly Gray Landon uses these dynamics to satirize social expectations, which felt relevant.
What I found most engaging was the novel’s underlying tension between justice and self-interest. Justyce’s attempts to address Yvette’s thefts go beyond practicality into the realm of personal vengeance. His conversations with friends and allies, like the dean at Yvette’s college, feel almost conspiratorial, showing how community respect can turn into a weapon when someone feels slighted. It’s a darkly humorous yet unsettling reminder of the lengths people go to maintain their version of “justice.”
The At-Your-Beck Felicity Conveyor is a must-read for those who enjoy biting satire with a flair for the absurd. If you’re a fan of stories that poke fun at human flaws while diving deep into moral quandaries, this book is right up your alley. This novel is bold, strange, and refreshingly unfiltered. A true delight for anyone craving something a bit unconventional.
Pages: 203 | ASIN : B0DHB3PXSV
Vengefully Yours
Vengefully Yours presents a captivating collection of short stories, interweaving mystery, romance, and profound themes of longing, loyalty, vengeance, and redemption.
A Disgraced former police officer, now a private investigator, is entrusted with the critical task of safeguarding a substantial amount of illicit funds during transportation. However, his mettle is tested when the captivating platinum blond singer, Angelina Darlane, takes the stage, posing a severe temptation.
Ryder, who once rescued Larissa from a life plagued by fear and abuse, has been her secret benefactor, shielding her from harm with his enigmatic past. But now, everything is on the brink of transformation.
Cormac, a resilient ex-Navy SEAL turned mechanic, confronts a shattered future and a resentful heart as Aurelie, the daughter of a powerful US Senator and his former flame, unexpectedly resurfaces. Their reunion unfolds under dire circumstances.
Stellan Stark, a paramilitary assassin, finds himself compelled to confront both a mission and the woman he left behind a decade ago. As his handlers meticulously monitor his every move, Stellan must make a pivotal choice between seeking closure or defying orders once again.
Former Marine intelligence operative Maxen Brigh teams up with the tenacious and captivating investigative reporter Aveline Watson in a relentless pursuit of a murderer. The victim in question happens to be none other than Dr. John Watson, the renowned assistant of Sherlock Holmes and Aveline’s own father.
Private investigator Joe Casey, battling his own demons as a recovering alcoholic, disrupts Mayor Reagan Kane’s re-election party to declare a vengeful mission against the corrupt politician who ruined his life. However, his plans take an unexpected turn when he becomes entangled with an alluring femme fatale. Will she lead him astray, or could she become his path to redemption?
Each story within this enthralling book leaves the reader yearning for more, immersing them in diverse narratives inhabited by characters with their own personal struggles, secrets, and desires. The authors masterfully craft these compelling tales, effortlessly turning pages as the plot unravels and the characters confront their inner demons. Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, the stories possess a nostalgic charm that enchants readers, transporting them to a bygone era brimming with intrigue and peril. Whether you are drawn to the streetwise private investigator, the protective, military figure, or the enigmatic alpha male, Vengefully Yours offers stories that will undoubtedly resonate with your sensibilities. The brevity of each story, though leaving the reader wanting more, speaks volumes about the authors’ ability to create spellbinding narratives.
Vengefully Yours is a thrilling and seductive collection of interconnected tales, sure to captivate aficionados of mystery, romance, and suspense. The vividly depicted settings, engaging characters, and expertly crafted storylines combine to deliver a mesmerizing reading experience. Whether you seek an escape into a treacherous world of secrets and desire or a transformative journey of redemption and love, this book excels on all fronts, promising to satisfy even the most discerning readers.
ASIN: B0C3ZGGFVT
