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Other Realms
Whispers from the Grave follows a black witch/half-demon and her partner, a homicide detective/necromancer, who are working to navigate otherworldly threats while also trying to raise a child. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When I was writing this book, my niece Aria had just been born (this is where I got the name) and I had already decided by the end of book 3 – Eternity, that Victor and Olivia were going to have a child. Having followed Molly through the whole saga to date, she was always going to continue (and will continue as long as I write in this Saga) As Whispers from the Grave is book 4 in this Saga, the characters have grown within each other. So to answer the question I would have to go back to Sekhet, the 1st in the Saga.
Born and reared in Ireland, I grew up within the folklore of ghosts, witches, entities from other realms, and yes heaven and hell. My inspiration came from my want to create a world within our own, which to some is a real thing. I wanted to delve into a world of supernatural beings while navigating through it in a way I believe it would be. My fear of hell from a young age allowed me to really imagine what it is to be there, those holy crap moments that test your resolve.
Whispers from the Grave allowed me to concentrate on some of my favourite characters, and branch out beyond what they have already brought to the table.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
My favourite character to write is Joe, since the beginning he has been the one to lighten the mood. The hardest in Whispers from the Grave was actually Olivia. As a human caught up in Victor’s world, trying to bring her into his supernatural life was in some ways tricky. I wanted her to keep her human side, the side that refused to accept anything out of the ordinary, especially the knowledge that Victor not only seen ghosts but could speak with them. Something as a human and not of his world leaves her terrified for her daughter.
In fantasy novels, it’s easy to get carried away by the magical powers of characters. How did you balance the use of supernatural powers?
Balancing was easy. The idea that a supernatural is simply just a powerful being is just that – an idea. Werewolves, witches, necromancers, seers, and vampires all have a human side. It is keeping that side of them alive within their characters and that in itself is not difficult.
Where do you see your characters after the book ends?
I see them in book 5 🙂
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website
In a world of supernatural beings where boundaries are pushed beyond the realms, Victor (a homicide detective and necromancer) and Olivia grapple with the revelation that their newborn daughter is not without reach. With the aid of his childhood friend Molly, a black witch with demon bloodlines, Victor has no choice but to allow and support her taking control in a bid to fight off Lilith and a black witch from the land of Fairies. The Glaistig, an ambivalent figure both malicious and benign in nature, sees Molly tapping into her powers, although fearful for Aria’s safety, is always excited to delve into ancient spells and rituals.
News of a teenage witch’s demise at the hands of a vampire, leaves tension and mistrust the Coven feel in their connections, within the supernatural world.
The Borealis Queen
The Borealis Queen by Henry Guard is an imaginative adventure set in a speculative Ice Age world, centered around Nin, a resilient young woman marked by a mysterious prophecy. Struggling against oppressive foes and navigating harsh landscapes, Nin embarks on a perilous journey that intertwines survival, destiny, and the forging of unexpected bonds.
I found myself captivated by Guard’s storytelling. His vivid descriptions, especially of Nin’s harrowing encounters with Gore, are so intense and emotional they kept me flipping pages, heart in throat. The opening scene in Chapter 1, where Nin is dragged through the snow by her hair, is brutal but powerfully written. It immediately connects readers with Nin’s defiant spirit despite her desperate circumstances.
One thing that stood out to me was the portrayal of relationships and unexpected alliances. Nin’s bond with Shadow, the fearsome Dagger Mouth Demon, genuinely moved me. The nuanced depiction of their connection—beginning with Nin’s compassionate rescue of Shadow as a pup and later reciprocated through his fierce loyalty—highlighted themes of empathy and interdependence. The moment Shadow saves Nin from Ursang was both thrilling and heartwarming, encapsulating the book’s underlying message about the power of kindness even amid brutality.
While I admired the strong character development, some sub-stories, like the detailed recounting of tribal rituals or backstory expositions, momentarily pulled me away from the main plot. Still, these slower sections offered rich cultural insights, and Guard’s enthusiasm for his created world shone through clearly.
The Borealis Queen is a compelling read with memorable characters and gripping emotional intensity. Guard does a fantastic job creating a world that’s both fantastical and believably harsh, making the stakes feel real and the victories genuinely rewarding. I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy immersive fantasy with a gritty edge—particularly those who appreciate strong, complex heroines and intricate relationships set against vivid, unforgiving landscapes.
Pages: 395 | ASIN : B0DXH5MT1B
Eastlanders’ Fall
Eastlanders’ Fall, the first book in the A Drying World series, is a sprawling epic that plunges readers into the richly imagined continent of Ananthia. It’s a tale of ancient evil rising again, powerful cults seeking domination, and unlikely heroes trying to stop the world from crumbling—literally. The story kicks off with a chilling prologue featuring a cultist ceremony that goes sideways in a burst of divine justice and continues across time and space with mages, paladins, and political intrigue all grappling with the fallout. Brandon weaves together threads of high fantasy, horror, and philosophical musings about power and knowledge in a setting where the land itself is dying.
What I really loved about this epic fantasy novel was how unapologetically ambitious it is. The prologue alone is cinematic—seriously, the cult scene in “The Black Mass” is intense, grisly, and gripping. The way Brandon sets up Darvis Talsdrum as this menacing, dark priest of undeath is fantastic. I couldn’t stop thinking about that moment when the undead plunges a dagger into the elven girl’s chest just as paladins storm the room. It was horrifying and heartbreaking, but also incredibly effective storytelling. It’s rare to find a villain introduced with that much weight so early. I was hooked.
Some characters, like Milendil—the rogue wizard dabbling in necromancy—really worked for me. He’s a blend of tragic, arrogant, and brilliant, and I couldn’t help but root for him even as he spiraled. His quiet descent and eventual disgrace (and bitter sarcasm during sentencing) felt both earned and kind of sad. I genuinely felt for him, especially during his scenes with Villiena. That tension—knowing he’s doing something wrong, but for reasons that almost make sense—kept me glued. But not every character felt as rich. Maybe because there’s just so much going on that they don’t get as much time to breathe.
Brandon clearly has a massive world in his head, and while that can be a strength (the lore, the politics, the factions—it’s all super cool), it can be a lot to take in. There were chapters where I felt like I was swimming through exposition or trying to decode dwarven history. But then, just when I was about to put the book down, he’d hit me with something awesome—like the mage tower drama, or the way the desert literally eats cities. Those moments made the slower parts worth it. The writing style itself is vivid, sometimes poetic, and definitely leans dark fantasy, which I like.
Eastlanders’ Fall is a wild, sometimes brutal, always thought-provoking ride. If you like your fantasy epic, dark, and packed with morally gray characters, this is for you. Fans of Brandon Sanderson, Joe Abercrombie, or even older D&D-style storytelling will find something to love here. It’s not an easy read, but it’s a rewarding one—and I’m absolutely curious to see where the story goes next.
Pages: 413 | ASIN : B0DNG6RY4Q
Adding Depth to My Characters
The Oberon Stone follows a group of friends who are searching for an ancient artifact of immeasurable power, when one is kidnapped, turning their mission into a desperate rescue. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted the second book to break away from the artifact-hunting structure of the first, so I set up the story to make readers believe the search for the artifact was the main plot—only to subvert that expectation when the real quest became the Mage’s rescue. That shift came as a shock, flipping the narrative focus. If you look at the book’s climaxes, they’re tied more to the rescue than to the artifact itself, even in the “coming back home” moment. The artifact hunt ended up taking more of a side-quest role.
Removing the MC’s mentor was also intentional. It allowed other characters to step into the mentor role, shifting the dynamics from Book 1. The different quests also gave me the opportunity to define the rules of magic in more depth, breathing more life into the Downtown-verse—something I couldn’t fully explore in the first book without overwhelming the reader.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Ada was a difficult character for me. I was very cautious about making her more than just an unpredictable sidekick. I wanted someone loud, someone who would steal the scene multiple times, but she also needed to be deeply flawed—a character that would play with the reader’s emotions. I couldn’t push her so far that readers would put the book down because of her, but I wanted to push right up to that emotional edge, making her memorable not for her wins, if that makes sense. The hardest part was figuring out where that fine line was for different readers.
I really enjoyed writing Montgomery. It’s easy to write a classic arch-enemy—just make them all bad and powerful. But if you know anything about me, you know I’d never lean into that cliché, just as much as I dislike Deus Ex Machina solutions. So yes, Montgomery needed to be awful, but he also needed a history behind his awfulness—one that readers could relate to, enough to humanize him. I loved crafting his background: the family dynamics, the bad parenting that shaped him, his desperate need for his father’s attention, and how discovering a half-brother only deepened his existing insecurities. I especially enjoyed writing Montgomery as a father—desperately overcompensating with Rachael, trying to give her the love he never had, without realizing he was creating another version of himself. Different paths leading to the same destination.
Yes, Montgomery was a fantastic creative process.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
Mostly, yes — I knew where it was going, at least for the main ideas. But side stories and details tend to change as I populate the story. I base the overall plot on Vogler’s Hero’s Journey structure, which gives the main plot a very well-defined progression. Then, I break the story into bigger chunks, which usually turn into one or two chapters each. From there, I start layering the side stories — the events that make character interactions unique and develop each character’s individual trajectory.
For example, Bruno and Sarah’s broken romance is a side story. Sarah’s emotional progression — learning self-love and accepting that she often gives more than she receives — is another side arc in itself. These subplots, along with side quests, can shift as I write. I also tend to place unexpected obstacles in the characters’ paths that I hadn’t planned initially. This adds a sharp edge of anxiety to the quest, making readers wonder whether success is even possible. Sometimes I let the characters overcome these hurdles, and sometimes they are forced to find a workaround — a plan B. These choices often happen at the last minute. Yes, I’m the kind of author who ruins my characters’ lives — and you’ll love it.
When will book three be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Book three (The Temporal Scythe) is already available for pre-order on Amazon (Kindle only). It will be released — along with the physical copies — on June 10th, 2025.
You can expect a deeper, darker, and more emotionally intense story, just as you could notice the progression from book 1 to book 2. The characters are also more emotionally mature, with their arcs intensifying both in magical knowledge and personal growth. The stakes are higher, and the long-awaited climax of the trilogy arrives, featuring the much-anticipated final battle between good and evil.
Without giving too much away, readers should prepare for the emotional rollercoaster they already know they will get from my works — only this time, with higher speed, sharper loops, and a broken track somewhere that might just as well launch them toward their doom.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website | Trilogy Website
“This jam-packed, … cross-genre tale proves consistently entertaining! A smashing final-act turn makes checking out the sequels a virtual necessity.” – Kirkus Reviews
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards Nominee
Eric Hoffer Da Vinci Eye Nominee
Reader’s Favorite Five Stars YA SF / Dark Fantasy
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Liam Hale’s world spirals into chaos when he receives a message in his late mother’s handwriting-delivered by a friend who should no longer exist. This is no coincidence. As he searches for answers, he unearths something far worse: the prophecy foretelling the end times has been shattered, tearing apart the fragile barrier between the Houses of the Living and the Dead.
With the Megaverse on the brink of collapse, Liam and his companions-alongside the enigmatic druid Sarah and the unpredictable witch Bruno-set out to restore the balance. Their only hope lies in the Oberon Stone, an ancient artifact of immeasurable power. But when McCormick is kidnapped by the merciless Winifred family, their mission turns into a desperate rescue.
The Oberon Stone
In this second installment of the Conjurers’ Prophecy series, the stakes are higher, the darkness is deeper, and the emotional gut-punches come harder. The Oberon Stone dives right back into the chaos where book one left off, with Liam’s powers growing out of control, old enemies regrouping, and new villains entering the game. We get a peek behind enemy lines—into the twisted mind of Montgomery and the broken-but-desperate heart of his daughter, Rachael. The story stretches across magical dimensions, haunting memories, and existential questions about fate, free will, and what it really means to be “good” or “chosen.”
The book kicks off with a literal storm of dark energy, grief, and desperation. Montgomery flying through chaos, clutching a dying Rachael is intense. And weirdly emotional. He’s awful—seriously, he’s terrifying—but seeing his panic over his daughter gives you this whiplash moment of almost-feeling sorry for him. The writing here is theatrical, like a twisted fairytale. The fairies trapped in a dark cave scrubbing stone for eternity is both horrifying and weirdly beautiful.
Then we’ve got the heart of the book—Chiara. Watching her spiral, question everything, and fall for Rachael’s manipulation felt like watching someone you love walk straight off a cliff while you’re screaming at them to stop. In the scene where she spies on Liam and Ada through water pipes I could feel her guilt like it was my own. But what really broke me was the final confrontation with Rachael. The choking spell, the pain, Chiara trying to survive and not wanting to hurt anyone was brutal. Rachael’s cruelty felt personal. The moment Chiara dies (or seems to—Franco loves to keep us guessing) was so vivid, so devastating, that I actually had to stop reading for a minute.
And Liam… poor Liam. He’s unraveling in real-time. One of my favorite moments is when he looks at Ada and says, “I’m tired.” It’s not dramatic. It’s raw. He’s lost so much—his mom, Chiara, maybe even Ada—and he’s still standing, still chasing birds and cryptic notes like his life depends on it. That moment when Titan (his maybe-dead, maybe-magical bird) leads him through the portal into a new world was actually kind of magical. For a second, there’s peace. Wonder. Then everything falls apart again, but that pause? That pink-sky, giant-mushroom pause? It gave the book a necessary breath before plunging us back into the deep.
I absolutely recommend The Oberon Stone. But be warned—it’s darker than book one. It’s emotionally heavier. It’s also bolder, messier, and richer. If you loved the first book, this one will break your heart and make you thank it for doing so. It’s for fans of character-driven fantasy who aren’t afraid to feel a little wrecked. Anyone into morally gray characters, epic stakes, and stories that feel like myths and memories wrapped into one—this is for you.
Pages: 277 | ASIN : B0CLDCT9D7
The Pandora’s Box
L.S. Franco’s The Pandora’s Box is a coming-of-age fantasy that throws you into the chaotic, heart-wrenching, and ultimately magical life of 14-year-old Liam Hale. After the sudden loss of his mother, Liam stumbles upon a hidden world full of demigods, cosmic wonders, and parallel universes. What starts off as a rough summer in Florida quickly morphs into an urgent quest involving magical schools, mysterious holograms, ancient mythologies, and a ticking clock to save the world from spiraling evil. Franco balances it all with humor, emotion, and a relatable teen protagonist.
What really stood out to me was the emotional depth in the opening chapters. Liam’s grief over his mom’s death felt raw and authentic. That moment where he holds the green hurricane-patterned mug she gave him was emotional. The mug becomes more than a memory. It’s almost like a stand-in for his mom, a symbol of comfort and loss, and the way Franco uses it later (as a literal gateway to magic) was both clever and poetic. I felt like I was right there with him—awkward, overwhelmed, and trying not to fall apart. Even when things got fantastical, the emotional throughline grounded the story.
The writing is fast-paced and dialogue-heavy, which made it really easy to get into, even during more expository moments. I especially liked the dynamic between Liam and his best friend Ada—her personality bursts off the page. She’s loud, bold, slightly chaotic, and totally loyal. Their banter adds so much charm. When she gifts him the matching LA pendant and calls him “bestie,” you can practically see Liam’s heart crack just a little. He’s totally smitten, and it’s adorably painful. Franco nailed that awkward, hopeful teen crush energy without being corny.
Then there’s the twist: Liam is a second-generation demigod and heir to the “Keeper of the Seven Wonders” throne. His mother’s hologram spills the beans in what might be the most emotionally charged info-dump I’ve ever read. It was wild, but also kind of epic. The idea of seven parallel universes, a magical school hidden within a regular university, and secret codes inside mugs and journals gave it this mash-up vibe—like Percy Jackson meets Spy Kids with a sprinkle of Inception. The dream sequence with the unicorn and the mermaid was unsettling and beautiful. I wasn’t always sure what was real, but I didn’t mind. That’s part of the charm.
The Pandora’s Box is an emotional rollercoaster wrapped in magic and teenage angst. It’s for anyone who ever felt like they didn’t belong or wanted to escape their reality just for a little while. It’s especially great for young teens who love fantasy but want stories with heart—and some very real-world grief. That said, even as an adult, I found it moving and imaginative.
Pages: 256 | ASIN : B0DKMVCVNS
Wrath of the Storm Lord
Wrath of the Storm Lord is a sweeping tale of rebellion, memory, and the volatile cost of power. Set in the richly drawn world of Ver’Sut, the story follows Jerith, an outcast turned warrior-myth, as he rises to challenge the empire that crushed his people. What begins as a slow-burning character study morphs into a full-blown elemental war, with storms summoned by raw emotion and loyalty forged in blood. The novel weaves together political tension, intimate relationships, and supernatural forces to deliver a dark and layered fantasy that feels both timely and timeless.
What hooked me from the jump wasn’t the lightning-slinging protagonist—it was Harrison, the scribe. That guy is terrified, skeptical, and deeply human. Through his eyes, the reader gets a front-row seat to power that feels too big, too raw, and too dangerous to be trusted. The scene early on when he’s literally watching the ink on his page move was chilling. Like, I actually paused and thought, “Okay, Herod’s playing a deeper game here.” It’s not just about recording history, it’s about how power can warp even the telling of it. Harrison’s fear is real. You feel it.
Jerith, though. That’s where the book cuts deep. He’s not your clean-cut hero. The dude is powered by grief, rage, and something ancient. The scene where he finds out about his father’s death is wild. He literally becomes a storm. Not figuratively. He is the storm. I couldn’t stop reading as lightning turned the room to chaos, windows exploded, and he claimed the title “Storm Lord” like it was his birthright. It’s intense, and you believe it because Herod builds it slowly. You feel every loss, every scar. The relationship with Valeria was painful, honest, and beautifully tragic. She’s the daughter of the tyrant he’s sworn to destroy, and yet she stands with him. That kind of emotional tug-of-war hit hard.
The writing style is bold, cinematic, and a little unhinged in the best way. Herod doesn’t play it safe. There’s a rhythm to the prose that feels like it’s vibrating with energy, especially when Jerith taps into his power. Whole pages hum with electricity, figuratively. But it’s not just flash. There’s meat here. The philosophical backbone about whether power corrupts or reveals had me underlining entire paragraphs. Like the line, “Power doesn’t corrupt. Power reveals.”
If you’re into morally complicated characters, revolution brewing beneath snowy forests, and a storm god with daddy issues—this one’s for you. It’s not light reading. It’s charged. Heavy. But damn if it doesn’t leave a mark. Wrath of the Storm Lord is perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson’s grit, Patrick Rothfuss’ poetic edges, and readers who want their fantasy with teeth. Highly recommend for anyone ready to get swept up in a storm.
Pages: 187 | ASIN : B0DVLGKL8F
A Recurring Dream
The Prometheus Engine follows three siblings who band together to fight an evil tyrant who has taken over the land and join forces with Elven warriors to restore the rightful ruler to the throne.
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 have always loved the King Arthur legend. I think it is the first true fantasy story written. It was the inspiration behind the FOREVER AVALON Series. The series came from my time as a sailor in the U.S. Navy playing Dungeons and Dragons in my off duty time while deployed. In the 80s, we didn’t have the internet, video game consoles, or satellite TV. So, I played a lot of D&D. Add to that missing my wife and newborn baby, I started having a recurring dream about being with them on an island of fantasy. That dream stuck with me whenever I deployed. Finally, during my last deployment in 2001, I decided to turn my dream into a novel and in that deployment, I wrote my first draft of FOREVER AVALON. After I finished writing it, I stopped having the dream.
THE PROMETHEUS ENGINE is the fourth book in the series. It tells the story of the reign of Mordred the Immortal. After years of suffering and torment, Mordred finally ascended the throne of Avalon through deceit and a coup in the face of despair. The resistance against Mordred is led by the MoonDrake family, a modern family from the outside world stranded on Avalon. They discover Mordred is building a mysterious device called the Prometheus Engine to secure his reign. Hunter MoonDrake, the Gil-Gamesh and Eternal Champion of Avalon, searches for clues to this magical machine while a traitor lurks within their ranks.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The most important themes of THE PROMETHEUS ENGINE are family bonds and good vs. evil. The MoonDrake family is the heart of the entire FOREVER AVALON series. This family is based on the traits and characteristics of my own wife and children, so I feel very close to these characters. The determination and sacrifice this family has made for their adopted home is evident throughout the novel. Lastly, I am a big proponent of good vs. evil. There is no gray zone here. You are either on the side of life or death. Mordred is a villain with no morals, a selfish bastard who only cares for the power he wields. He will do whatever it takes to hang onto that power, even if it means killing anyone and everyone around him. On the other side, the MoonDrake family fight for life, liberty, and love. They have suffered tremendous loss in Mordred’s ascension to the throne, but they fight on for the people of Avalon. Their drive and passion are the polar opposite of Mordred.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
The fifth and final book of the FOREVER AVALON Series is called ARCADIA DAWN. This will bring the entire saga to a conclusion as the resistance against the reign of Mordred fights the war on two fronts. The Gil-Gamesh and his siblings invade Purgatory to rescue the Lady of the Lake from the clutches of Abdel ben Faust while King Bowen and the Army of Avalon fend off Mordred and his forces in the ancient elven city of Alfheimer until their return with the sainted lady. This book will end twenty years of work in the first book series I’ve written. As sad as it is to end this story, it is time to move on to some new ideas.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Standing in his way are the children of the Gil-Gamesh: Hunter, Rose, and Ashley. Since their father’s death during Avalon’s Reclamation, these three have resisted Mordred’s reign at every turn from their new home in the ruined Elven city of Alfheimer. Along with the Holy Order of Shield Maidens and the Hîldrägo Boquè, an elite corps of Elven warriors, they fight back to reclaim the throne for the rightful heir, King Bowen, and to restore Avalon to the people.
But even now, Mordred schemes to bring down the resistance by constructing an ancient magical artifact…The Prometheus Engine. Only the immortal king knows its secrets and the power it will bring him, no matter the cost. Hunter and his siblings must race across the archipelago to uncover the engine’s secrets and discover the truth behind Avalon’s
Reclamation.
The story continues in THE PROMETHEUS ENGINE: Book 4 of the FOREVER AVALON
Series!
LITERARY TITAN 