Blog Archives
Sincerity and Authenticity
The False Queen follows a young fairy who arrives on an island and is thought to be royalty due to her appearance and she does her best to give back to the islanders. Where did the idea for this fantasy story come from?
The answer to this question takes place at an inspiring moment. I’m just now writing a story for a fantasy anthology, which includes the same protagonist, Viola. In the book The False Queen, I didn’t reveal why Viola left her former life behind and arrived at Swing Island. My separate story goes back in time and shows the background of the escape – but it is a story of its own and may now remain a secret. My novel involves many real-life events, modified, of course. I know people who have gone through the same situations. They have failed, left the old life behind, and tried to make a fresh start elsewhere. Depending on the person, the results have been different. For some, a new beginning allows correcting past mistakes, but others become even more entangled in the same sorrows. In The False Queen, Viola is an ambitious and stubborn fairy girl. Initially, she is just looking for possibilities to benefit from others’ trust and faith and enjoys the opportunities and attention brought by misunderstandings. Even after her deception is revealed, the essential motivation in her actions is still realizing her dreams—to some degree, surviving in a difficult situation, making up for the fraud, and finding a place in this Swing Island fairy society.
What creative element about this story inspired your imagination the most?
The book’s other crucial main character, the fairy boy writing a play in the treetop hut, is close to me. I sometimes feel like a similar observer of life. It was nice to write about how he saw much more from his viewpoint than others and was then able to influence the course of events in his gentle way.
I can relate well to this quiet playwright’s passion for writing down and expressing, through art, everything he saw and experienced. He also gets to live those moments when the results of his work come out and bring joy to others. I feel happy thinking about the fairy boy’s play becoming—under the drama director Viola—an event that finally unites the entire fairy community. This play is like life itself. It can accommodate various types, and the best result is achieved if everybody flourishes in their role.
As a source of inspiration, I would like to mention the old villa at the center of the events of The False Queen. It has its counterpart in reality. In a small town on the west coast of Finland, there is a beautiful yellow villa where I’ve had my summer bookstore for the eighth summer. I’ve imagined many stories to take place in that old building and the surrounding garden. Some of them I have written as separate books or short stories in children’s magazines; some are still waiting, ready in my head.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The most essential theme in this story is sincerity and authenticity. People should learn to be honest with themselves and others. Lies and pretense do not create a sustainable result. Cooperation should be based on mutual trust. That is, it must extend to both one’s own and others’ abilities, and it must not be deceived. Patching the losses is difficult and takes a lot of time!
Many of us desire and aspire to achieve something bigger and better. Still, the goal should be more than one’s personal interests, reputation, and honor. And the means used should not be exploitative or unfair.
The False Queen is yet another story about the power of collaboration. It is valuable that we learn to function as part of different communities and to respect the contributions and goals of others. A well-functioning group needs various members. The community becomes even more vital when we learn to tolerate, understand, and appreciate differences.
In a way, this book also praises art in its various forms. It shows multiple opportunities for self-expression. Using them awakens new sides in people or brings back to the surface previous skills and abilities. The enthusiasm of former amateur actors in my story makes me happy, too!
Do you enjoy writing longer fairy tales, or do you prefer writing picture books?
I have to admit right away that I’m happy with both! The main thing is that I get to write for different target groups to whom I have something to say.
Writing longer texts allows me to express my thoughts more efficiently and in detail because the book’s scope does not set strict limits. Also, thinking about and coordinating the illustration with the story’s narration does not cause an extra headache.
On the other hand, the challenge of a short fairy tale is fascinating. It is rewarding to notice that even a small story can fit a whole world. Even a text that is short in terms of words can convey essential and significant questions for the reader to think about. I often talk about the space between the words and the lines. That is truly important because it carries tremendous emotion and energy – messages that travel directly between the hearts of the writer and the reader.
Cooperation with my network of international illustrators has also given me a lot of joy. I appreciate the work of skilled visual artists. The enthusiasm and effort of young and novice illustrators are refreshing. More experienced artists bring their expertise and, sometimes, more independent interpretations. I recognize when the illustrators are involved with their hearts. Such cooperation creates incendiary moments both for the book’s author and later for the readers.
I write stories with motifs from many countries or cultures, or they are set worldwide. I also like to work with artists from various countries to illustrate my stories. I trust that we all have much in common, wherever we come from.
A new way of combining authors and illustrators from different cultures also stimulates fresh thoughts in the readership. Building cultural bridges is essential in children’s literature, and a certain amount of open-mindedness is an asset. Both the longer stories for children and lovely picture books can equally cherish and develop our lives worldwide!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Stealing Glass
Stealing Glass, by Liv Strom, is the enchanting introduction to the Tales of Bones and Roses series, weaving elements of magic, royalty, and survival into a richly textured narrative. The story opens with Vanya, a character determined to secure freedom for herself and her sisters from the clutches of Kirill. Their plan relies on executing one final heist, leading them into a maze of ever more complex schemes.
The narrative is imbued with a spiritual and mystical aura, particularly highlighted by Strom’s vivid settings—like the haunting image of trees adorned with bones, a tribute to the departed, which, rather than macabre, is portrayed as a serene and sacrosanct space. This backdrop serves as a poignant reflection on themes of loss and remembrance, resonating deeply with readers. Vanya’s internal conflict about communicating with her deceased mother adds a personal layer to her quest, enhancing reader empathy and engagement.
Strom skillfully balances the elements of action, desire, and the fantastical, making Stealing Glass a captivating journey. This novel will particularly appeal to enthusiasts of fantasy and romance, offering a fresh and spirited take on the genre that is currently capturing the imaginations of many.
Pages: 401 | ASIN : B0CHVYH5Q2
An Immersive Fantasy World
The Land of Sweets is in danger from the Mouse King, and Prince Klaus must enlist the help of Clara, now an adult, to help save his kingdom. What was the idea, or spark, that first set off the need to write Return of the Nutcracker Prince?
Growing up, every year my family watched a movie version of the ballet where Clara and the Prince magically turn into adults in the Land of Sweets. In the finale, they rise up into the sky and then are ripped apart, and Clara wakes up in her bed. It took years before I realized that wasn’t normally how the story went.
After reading Aidy Award’s Claimed by the Winter Realm two years ago, I watched that old movie again. During the finale that plays up the star-crossed lovers aspect, I thought to myself, “What if the prince grew up and went back for Clara?” And I hopped on my computer and wrote until one in the morning.
Prince Klaus and Clara are well-known characters with rich histories. What was your writing process to ensure you captured the essence of the characters?
My first step was to research The Nutcracker Ballet and look at photos of various productions and how it’s changed through the years. Then I read The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, by Alexandre Dumas, which the ballet was based on.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
Overall, I wanted an immersive fantasy world. I hadn’t written a fantasy romance before this and there wasn’t really anything else like it I could find. Additionally, I wanted to pay homage to the original work while giving the story my own spin. As a student of both history and the German language, I challenged myself to keep the historical aspects as accurate as possible. I also changed the names of some characters because I wanted more German names for them.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
For my next book, I’m returning to contemporary romance. It will be a spin-off from my contemporary romance series, The Geek Girl Squad, coming this spring. It doesn’t have a title yet. Then, in the fall, I plan to release my first romantic suspense novel, Thief’s Bodyguard.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
The Nutcracker Prince is on a mission — to save the Land of Sweets from the power-hungry Mouse King. But when Prince Klaus turns to Clara, the mage from the Realm of Waking, he finds more than just a savior for his kingdom. He finds the girl from his past, all grown up — but she thinks that long-ago battle was all a dream.
Clara has been promised to a man she hates and can’t see a way out. When she comes face to face with the boy from her dreams, her world turns upside down. He’s all grown up now, and he needs her help. She takes a leap of faith and joins Klaus in a daring adventure across the Realms. As they battle the Mouse King and his army, Klaus and Clara rekindle their connection and discover a love that might save them all.
Return to the Land of Sweets and Toys in this imaginative sequel to the Nutcracker Ballet!
Intersection of the Things I Love
Beauty & the Alchemist follows a pragmatic alchemist who is drawn into a web of intrigue involving a jailbreak, a mysterious murder, and an ancient curse, alongside a witty dog familiar and a diverse cast of magical beings. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I think my answer to this question changes each time someone asks! At its core, Beauty and the Alchemist is an intersection of the things I love: puzzles, fantasy, adventures in old castles, big fluffy dogs, and of course, books. I wrote it at a time when I needed someone like pragmatic Red in my life to help me find a new path. So if I’m being truthful, my inspiration was quite simply my own desire for a story to get lost in–a story that would be both magical and comfortable, where seeing characters overcome their challenges could inspire me in my own life.
Red is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind her character development?
First of all, thank you! Red is near and dear to my heart. She is a perennial outsider, someone who bridges the gap between dualities–science and magic, skepticism and belief, honoring a past home and making a new one. One of the big ideals that Red will come to terms with (she gets a taste of it in Beauty and the Alchemist, but she still has some growing to do in future books!) is balance. Her work as an alchemist means that she knows a lot about balance in the natural world, but she’s going to have to learn to balance her need for facts with trust in her own intuition–not to mention balancing her identity as an outsider with trusting in her friends’ love and support. In a similar vein, one of Red’s personal ideals is a strong sense of justice, which certainly fuels her investigations!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
So, Beauty and the Alchemist is a fractured retelling of Beauty and the Beast . . . and let’s be honest, fairy tales often deal with themes of abuse. Two of the characters in Beauty have faced chronic gaslighting and undermining of their personal worth, and they react in very different ways. However, with the help of their friends, both characters ultimately take steps forward. This, to me, is the promise of “cozy” literature: there will be some adversity, but together, we will make things right. Additionally, Beauty and the Beast–again, like many fairy tales–deals heavily with appearance, and how appearances can either be deceptive or reflective of an inner truth. That’s a theme that lends itself very well to mystery, where a murderer could be hiding in plain sight. I admit I had some fun with that one!
And naturally, because Beauty and the Beast is a romance, there is a theme of love in this book too–not only romantic love but the love between friends as well. But certain relationships will unfold over the course of the series, so we only take baby steps in book one!
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
By a happy coincidence, today (December 8th, as I write to you) is the release day for book six in the Alchemical Tales series! Beauty and the Alchemist is book one, of course, and from there each new book in the series sees Red and her friends tackle a new–and murderous–fairy tale. The newest book, out now, finds Pinocchio mixed up in politics–and even a suspicious cult. (A bit on the nose, perhaps, as Officer Thorn might say!) It is titled Death Pulls the Strings. But again, that’s book six in the series; if you want the immediate follow-up to Beauty and the Alchemist, book two is called Cold as Snow. I truly enjoyed and learned from writing each book in The Alchemical Tales, and we still have more stories to go!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
In this magical mix-up of fairy tales and murder, Little Red Riding Hood solves the mystery at the heart of Beauty and the Beast . . .
What does it take to overcome a curse?
Traveling alchemist Red settles into life as a shopkeeper in rural Belville and expects to focus on her potions. But crime stops for no woman. Neither does Red’s friend, police officer Thorn! When a beastly criminal escapes to a nearby abandoned castle and is found murdered, Thorn immediately suspects Luca, a meek-mannered bookseller–not to mention Red’s best friend.
Red knows that there’s more to the castle–and the murder–than meets the eye. But as she rushes to prove Luca’s innocence, she’s beset by a not-dead-yet ghost, a beautiful and ill-tempered suspect, and a horde of mysterious mist creatures that terrify the town. Oh, and then there’s the series of lost books that hold the key to the castle’s curse! If Red and her friends can’t find the books and solve the mystery, Luca might not be the only one in trouble. But in idyllic Belville, appearances can be deceiving. Red will need all of her alchemical prowess and all the help she can get in order to uncover the truth behind this twisted tale.
Return of the Nutcracker Prince
Return of the Nutcracker Prince by Jasmine C. Caldwell presents a captivating continuation of the classic Nutcracker Ballet tale. Set a decade later, the narrative follows a grown-up Clara Stahlbaum as she grapples with her parents’ plans for an arranged marriage to a disagreeable suitor. Her childhood memories of a magical Christmas Eve begin to blur with reality when she reunites with Prince Klaus, now confined to the form of a wooden nutcracker soldier. Together, they embark on a mission to save his realm, the Land of Sweets and Toys, from the menacing Mouse King.
Caldwell’s novel stands as a testament to the enduring allure of holiday magic and fantasy. Readers need not be familiar with the original ballet to become immersed in this imaginative extension, making it an accessible read for those new to the story. The book skillfully weaves a tale of romance and enchantment between Clara and Klaus, set against a whimsically detailed Land of Sweets backdrop. The author’s vivid descriptions of this fantastical world – complete with chocolate mines, cinnamon trees, a river of lemonade, and gingerbread houses – are particularly noteworthy, inviting readers to step into Clara’s shoes and explore a world of wonder.
The narrative’s exploration of fantasy is coupled with a well-crafted romance, appealing to adult readers with a penchant for magical holiday tales. Caldwell skillfully tailors the story to adult readers, imbuing it with a depth and complexity that resonates with a more mature audience. The nuanced interactions between Clara and Klaus add layers of sophistication. This mature approach offers a fresh perspective compared to the original ballet, which has a broader, family-friendly appeal. The narrative’s pace, including detailed accounts of Clara’s time in the Sugar Plum Palace, allows for a thorough exploration of Caldwell’s enchanting world, inviting readers to savor every aspect of this magical realm.
Return of the Nutcracker Prince revives the spirit of a beloved classic through a modern lens, balancing the nostalgia of the original ballet with fresh, creative elements. Caldwell’s narrative is an invitation to revisit a cherished fairy tale, offering a new perspective on the enchanting world of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince.
Pages: 265 | ASIN : B0CMGSJSXW
His Quest to Save the World
Nathaniel Turner Author Interview
The Chimaera Regiment follows Hector as he sets off on a world altering journey. What was the initial idea behind this story and how did that transform as you were writing the novel?
The first idea that I incorporated into this story, or what eventually became this story, was the question, “What if someone compelled a worldwide society, perhaps not far into our future, back to a level of technology and culture comparable to the very first tribal communities?” Of course, by the time I wrote the book, I had decided to aim for something closer to the late Bronze or early Iron Age than the Stone Age, and the whole question became part of the world-building rather than a story I tell during the book.
The character of Hector started to develop as I began to catalogue ideas and lay out a basic plan of the plot. Up to that point, I had never completed anything longer than a short story (in spite of my best efforts), so I wanted to make it as easy as possible for myself to get all the way through a novel. To that end, I took that advice so frequently bandied about, “Write what you know,” and decided to make the hero someone a little younger than I was at the time.
The first draft of the novel was quite a bit shorter than it is now, and it ended up collecting dust in a box for a few years. (I prefer to write first drafts by hand.) Around the time a movie was released with, by total coincidence, my working title, I decided to go back to it and see what I could make of it. By that point, I had gotten a college degree and learned enough to know that the first draft had a good core, but the implementation was all wrong. Over the next couple of years, I went through the entire book and rewrote it, this time trying to make sure all the pieces aligned. It was at this point that I incorporated mythology into the story and titled it The Chimaera Regiment.
That initial idea is still in there, and you can see the edges of it as the backstory develops through this book, but I’m going to explore that question more closely in future books.
I think the story has roots in mythology. Do you read books from that genre? What were some books that you think influenced The Chimaera Regiment?
It does, and I do. My bachelor’s degree is focused on the Classics, which some may have heard called Classical Studies or (my favorite) Classical Philology, so I learned Latin and ancient Greek and I read a lot of Greco-Roman mythology, both in English and in the original languages. (My knowledge of Norse mythology is pretty limited, I’ve barely touched Egyptian mythology, and I’m as clueless as the next guy when it comes to anything else.)
For The Chimaera Regiment in particular, I looked to a lot of different sources for inspiration. What I wanted, perhaps most of all, was to craft a story that people would enjoy regardless of their educational background, but I also wanted to include a lot of “Easter eggs” for people with the same knowledge-base I have. So on the surface you have Hector on his quest to save the world from the Chimaera Regiment, and underneath that, I’m incorporating themes and plotlines from the myth of Bellerophon. Bellerophon, of course, was the hero that killed the Chimaera in the Greek mythos. Most of that particular tale comes to us from the writings of Apollodorus and one section of Homer’s Iliad, but there are a lot of minor references in other works, too.
While the myth of Bellerophon and the Chimaera is interwoven with the main plot, I also included references to other myths, both significant and minor, throughout. The vast majority of those can be found in Homer (either the Iliad or the Odyssey), Vergil (the Aeneid), or Ovid (the Metamorphoses), but to be honest, I enjoyed the process of hiding those references so much that I’m not completely sure I could tell you all of them at this point!
I found the characters in this story to be complex and engaging. What were the driving ideals that drove the characters development throughout the story?
Especially when it came to Hector, whom we follow more closely than anyone else, I wanted something realistic. I find a lot of “coming of age” hero stories jump too quickly from “callow youth” to “great warrior” without much reason for it. I didn’t want my readers to ask, “Wait, why can he do that? How come he’s not daunted by this fight or fazed by this tragedy? When did he have time to learn strategy?” Incorporating that development was important to me.
When it came to the other characters, it was a matter of establishing ideals for each of them—how they saw the world, how they expected life to go—and then challenging those ideals with reality. Sometimes reality is better than they thought, but usually, it’s worse; either way, they have to adjust to deal with that. It’s a process not altogether different from the way we deal with change in our own lives.
I find a problem in a well written stories in that I always want there to be another book to keep the story going. Is there a second book planned?
There is a second book planned (and, very roughly, a third). The sequel is titled The Aegipan Revolution and picks up, not where the main story of The Chimaera Regiment leaves off, but rather where our epilogue leaves off, with the child learning this epic tale from his history.
I’m in the midst of writing The Aegipan Revolution, and I’ve passed the halfway point, but there is still a lot left to tell. After that, I’ll need to edit it thoroughly (though hopefully not as slowly as the first book!). On top of that, my day job has me incredibly busy these days. So I’d love to set a date for the next book’s release, but I can’t realistically estimate that right now.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
It is late autumn in the 2040th year of the Sixth Era. For centuries, peace has reigned among the tribes of men, but as an early chill descends on the land, a new war looms from the south. Lord Derek, ruler of the Chimaera Regiment, seeks to reestablish the ancient Fylscem Empire under his banner, and he will stop at nothing to restore the dominion of his bloodline.
Before him lies the idyllic Valley of Kyros, home of the Alkimites, where the last direct heir of the old empire lives in ignorance. Guided by the ancient Guardian Lord Aneirin, Hector son of Abram must travel to the primeval capital of his heritage. There, in the Library of the Ancients, he must retrieve the three Blessed Blades of the Emperor, symbols of his authority. Agents of the Chimaera Regiment pursue him, and barbaric tribes stand in his way, but his path may unlock the secrets of the past, and it could bring light—or darkness—to the future.
The Chimaera Regiment
Many tales of adventure begin with chaos. There is always something that spurs action onward and The Chimera Regiment by Nathaniel Turner is no exception. Of course, there would be no story without chaos. Our story begins with a wizened man telling an unidentified youth a tale. There is no conception as to how long ago the events have occurred, but it draws the reader in. We meet Hector, his friend and confident Caradoc and a host of other players. There is an air of mystery surrounding The Guardians who are not creatures of our world. Before he knows it, Hector, the boy who can’t seem to do anything right, sets off on a world-altering journey. On the way he will mature, grieve and overcome the fate that has been so carefully laid out for him. With an elegant voice Turner will take us on a journey with Hector as he climbs towards his destiny.
Turner begins every chapter with careful details on time and date. He has created a complete world and the universe-building that happens in the first few chapters of the book are carefully laid out in such a way that they do not bog the reader down. Instead of reading endless pages of text as an entire universe is explained, Turner cleverly inserts important pieces throughout the story. This makes for an easy read and allows the reader to almost subconsciously learn about the history and environment of the world within the novel.
Our protagonist is young for this world, approximately fifteen, when he sets out on his journey. He is the ‘chosen one’, the one who will bring peace to the world. As a young adult who has already lost a parent this is a heavy task. He has yet to completely define himself as a person which may be for the best. Hector is much like any other teenager: falling in love, short-tempered and trying desperately to find out where he belongs in society. He wants what most teenagers want no matter what world they live in: he wants an identity that makes him satisfied. As he undertakes the journey we get to watch him grow as a person. He will learn to let go of certain behaviours and he will learn to adopt others. He will learn the true horrors of the adult world and he will learn his place in it.
The prologue and epilogue assist in putting the entire story into perspective and tell us where it fits in the ‘today’. These two extra parts set the tone and also bring about a satisfying conclusion that the final chapter wouldn’t have been able to do on its own. It eases us into the story and out of the story in such a delicate way.
Nathaniel Turner does well in capturing the audience’s attention in The Chimera Regiment. This fantastical adventure does not feel drawn out, bloated or overwhelming. It does well as a stand-alone novel but would also work quite nicely as the introduction to a series. Readers looking for adventure won’t be lead astray by this story.
Pages: 260 | ASIN: B00JQFWUP8
