Blog Archives
The Threads That Bind Us Together
Under Her Spell follows a woman who explores her magical abilities, causing an unexpected disaster that leads her to return to the place she fled, and the man she left behind with a broken heart and no explanation. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
At first, I was just enjoying the fantasy of the brother’s best friend trope, the tension of an age gap and where the nerd gets the girl lol. It’s one of those dynamics I’ve always loved reading. But as Yasim’s character arc started to take shape, the story became deeper and far messier than I expected. It turned into one of those complicated, aching loves we love to read about, the kind that lingers even when everything’s gone wrong. I wanted to explore what it means to leave someone behind without explanation… and what it takes to face them again when life forces your paths to cross. So yes, there’s magic, but at its core, it’s about heartbreak, healing, and all the unfinished things we carry with us.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
The idea for 2100 London started with a simple concept: what if tech and nature didn’t have to be enemies? So many sci-fi or futuristic books paint this doom-and-gloom picture of the future, but I wanted to do the opposite. I wanted to show that people, and the world, deserve a redemption arc. That’s where the idea of NexaGreen came from. It actually first appeared back in Book 1, but I ended up building the world around it. It became a symbol of balance between chaos and peace, past and future, destruction and healing. As I kept writing, the setting grew more layered. NexaGreen became not just a place, but a reflection of the characters’ emotional journeys, especially for someone like Niamh, who’s caught between who she was and who she’s becoming.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
The way we love. The way we break. And the way we keep trying, even when we don’t know who we are anymore. I think the most powerful stories are the ones that don’t shy away from the grey areas, when characters make bad choices, carry guilt, act out of control, crave things they’re scared to name. Vulnerability, shame, desire, forgiveness… those are the raw threads that bind us together. And when fiction taps into that, it hits different. It feels like truth, it feels relatable even in the most magical settings.
Now that you have completed the Whispers of Destiny series, what is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
So first, Hers to Tempt, the first spin-off novella, is already out in the world, and I’m honestly still blown away that it won the Literary Titan Gold Award in July. That story holds a special place in my heart.
Right now, I’m working on another spin-off that follows Lucio (Diedra’s brother) and Kaiko (Kairos’s sister). Their connection was undeniable in Inked Into Your Soul, and I knew I had to explore it more. It’s messy, intense, and full of heat, but there’s real emotion driving it too. Kaiko’s trying to start fresh(and far away from someone) in London with her son, but her past, and Lucio, won’t stay quiet for long. I’m aiming for a similar length to Hers to Tempt, and if everything goes according to plan, readers won’t have to wait too long to get their hands on it. Hopefully, before the end of this year.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Two years ago, Niamh packed her bags and fled to Ireland, leaving Yasim – her brother’s best friend – behind with nothing but heartbreak and unanswered questions. She thought burying herself in her family’s history and learning to control her powers would be enough to move forward.
She was wrong.
When an experiment with her magic causes an unexpected disaster, Niamh has no choice but to leave Ireland. The only place she can turn is NexaGreen in London, and the only person who can help her is Yas – the man she left behind without so much as an explanation.
Thrown back into each other’s lives, the tension between them is impossible to ignore. As Niamh tries to repair the damage her powers have caused, she’s forced to confront the feelings she thought she’d buried. But as danger looms, she realizes this is about more than just fixing what’s broken… it’s about fighting for what matters most.
Grief, Identity, and Found family
Inked Into Your Soul follows a spirited, passionate woman whose life is shattered by tragedy and slowly rebuilt through love, art, family, and hidden heritage. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Diedra and Locran’s story started revealing itself during the first book. There’s a moment when Locran sees her through the tattoo shop window, and something just clicks. That one glance stayed with me… it was magnetic. At first, I hesitated to go deeper because I didn’t want her to feel like a “diversity token.” I wasn’t sure I knew enough about the cultural heritage she represented, and I wasn’t willing to do it halfway. But their story wouldn’t leave me alone. It kept unfolding in my mind. It was/is steamy, complicated, beautiful, and I knew I had to honour it. I wanted their connection to be more than just physical or magical. I wanted it to feel real. Their issues, their struggles, their love… they’re rooted in the kind of emotional truth that makes characters feel like they’ve lived a life before the first chapter.
Your characters go on a deeply emotional and transformative journey in your novel. Is this intentional or incidental to the story you want to tell?
Very intentional. I’m obsessed with character growth, especially messy, non-linear growth. Life rarely gives us clean arcs, and I wanted my characters to reflect that. They cry, they rage, they screw up, they love too hard, and through it all, they transform. Not because life hands them answers, but because they dig through the pain and choose to evolve. That was the heartbeat of the story for me. Plus, if you have been betrayed by someone whom you loved, you know that it is very hard to come back from that. So, Diedra might come off as dramatic at times, but her heart is fighting with logic… and that can be chaotic.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Grief. Identity. Found family. The fear of being too much and the ache of not being enough. This book is about surviving the fire and realising that sometimes the version of you that rises from the ashes is the most powerful one. It’s also about how love, romantic or otherwise, doesn’t save you, but it can be the thing that reminds you you’re worth saving.
Where do you see your characters after the book ends?
I see them still healing, but thriving. Dee doesn’t just survive her past; she reclaims it and uses it as fuel. She and Locran have this fiery, chaotic love, but they’re learning how to soften with each other too. The rest of the characters? Let’s just say their stories are far from over. There are bonds still forming, and secrets waiting to be unearthed. So yes, Inked Into Your Soul ends, but the journey is still unfolding.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Meet Diedra, a tattoo artist with a rare gift hidden beneath her ink, and Locran, a high-profile lawyer with a shadowed past. Their worlds intertwine in an unexpected dance of fate, where ancient legacies blend with the city’s futuristic pulse.
As secrets unravel and emotions intensify, they find themselves at the heart of a mystery that defies time and logic. Will the enigmatic forces that drew them together become their salvation or their undoing?
In a world where technology meets mysticism, “Inked into Your Soul” weaves a tale of passion, mystery, and the unbreakable bonds that form when two souls are destined to collide.
The Ruinous Curse: The Hunt for Alesta
The Hunt for Alesta kicks off Mark K. McClain’s “The Ruinous Curse” series with the story of Barrett, a prince caught between duty, prophecy, and personal longing. As his kingdom teeters on the edge of war, Barrett discovers not only that magic might live inside him, but also that he’s at the heart of a much larger destiny. Alongside loyal friends Zanora, Gaia, and Unger, he battles dark forces, navigates hidden tunnels and magic festivals, and must decide whether to wield ancient power or follow a simpler path. The book weaves friendship, fear, and growing up into a quest full of danger and mythic weight.
What stood out most to me was how deeply human Barrett felt. He’s not some perfect hero. He hesitates, he doubts, and he fumbles through his feelings for Zanora like any teenager would. That made his story so much more relatable. The magic and world-building had a classic fantasy feel, but the dialogue kept it fresh. There’s a bit of whimsy here, like talking doors, cheeky magical creatures, and floating gossip orbs, but it’s grounded by the looming threat of war and the emotional weight of loss. McClain isn’t afraid to slow down for a tender moment or dive into darker territory.
The setup took a while, and while I enjoyed the time with the characters, I found myself itching for the real stakes to kick in. Still, once the action started, especially with the chase through Ashton and the reveal of Barrett’s power, I was hooked. There’s also a lot of prophecy talk, which can get a little heavy-handed, but it didn’t stop me from caring about the choices Barrett had to make. McClain manages to keep the story from veering into cliché by injecting heart into every turn, even when the tropes feel familiar.
The Hunt for Alesta is a heartfelt and imaginative coming-of-age story wrapped in the trappings of high fantasy. I’d recommend it to younger readers who loved the early Percy Jackson books or fans of coming-of-age tales in magical worlds like Eragon or the Earthsea Cycle. It’s for those who want magic with emotion, action with meaning, and friendships that feel real. It spins a tale worth following, and I’m excited to see where Barrett’s story goes next.
Pages: 301 | ASIN : B0B4V5BMLG
Under Her Spell (Book 3 of the Whispers of Destiny series)
Under Her Spell is book three in the Whispers of Destiny debut series by author Ava Rogue. Under Her Spell is a genre-blending tale that merges contemporary romance, fantasy, and emotional trauma into a rollercoaster of passion, power, and healing. At the heart of the story is Niamh O’Sullivan, a woman who discovers her magical heritage rooted in ancient Irish myth, just as her emotional world is torn apart by forbidden love and buried secrets. Parallel to her journey is Yasim Fletcher, her brother’s best friend and a man marked by a haunting past and complicated desires. Through their tangled connection and the people surrounding them, the story dives deep into themes of trauma, longing, grief, and self-discovery, all tied together with the force of magic, both literal and metaphorical.
I reveled in the emotional rawness in Rouge’s writing. It’s intense. The flashbacks to Yasim’s childhood are gut-wrenching, especially the scenes that tackle abuse and betrayal. I felt like I was grieving with him. Niamh’s awakening, both mystical and emotional, unfolds in a beautifully chaotic way. Rouge does an exceptional job of showing how complicated people are, and how love can be both liberating and destructive. The prose isn’t polished to perfection, but that rawness works in its favor. It feels like a story someone needed to tell, not just wanted to write.
Some of the dialogue can be dramatic, and certain scenes lean into melodrama. There were moments I wanted to shake the characters, particularly Niamh, for making reckless decisions. But maybe that’s part of what makes it real. People mess up. They lash out. They run away from what they want. And in the end, Rouge captures the messiness of being human in a way that’s strangely comforting, even when it hurts.
Under Her Spell is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a story soaked in passion, trauma, and supernatural intrigue. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy angsty, character-driven romance with dark themes and a touch of magic. If you’re looking for a neat, tidy love story, this isn’t it. But if you crave emotional grit and vulnerability paired with the unknown, this book might just get under your skin in the best way.
Pages: 353 | ASIN : B0DN1TW889
Inked Into Your Soul (Book 2 of the Whispers of Destiny series)
Inked Into Your Soul is book two in the Whispers of Destiny debut series by author Ava Rogue. Inked Into Your Soul is a bold and genre-blending dive into romance, trauma, identity, and mysticism. Set across vibrant backdrops like Cuba and London, the story follows Diedra, a spirited, passionate woman whose life is shattered by tragedy and slowly rebuilt through love, art, family, and hidden heritage. Told from multiple perspectives, primarily Diedra and Locran, the brooding Irish law student, the novel weaves erotica with ancestral spirituality, exploring Santería, grief, sexuality, and soul connections in a deeply intimate way. It’s part romance, part coming-of-age, part spiritual revelation, with plenty of fire.
Rouge doesn’t hold back in this second book in the Whispers of Destiny series. Whether it’s a sex scene, a panic attack, or a mystical vision, the emotions hit hard and fast. Some moments felt downright cinematic, vivid, and aching. I admired how the sensual scenes didn’t just feel like shock value; they were often layered with tenderness, vulnerability, or power. Some chapters soared while others took their time as it meandered through the weight of its own emotional intensity. The dialogue occasionally slipped into melodrama, and while the characters were distinct and layered. I found myself swept up in Diedra’s journey and rooting for her, flaws and all.
What I appreciated most, though, were the themes Rouge tackled head-on. This wasn’t just about love or lust. It was about healing intergenerational wounds, reclaiming spiritual heritage, and standing firm in one’s power. The Santería elements weren’t tokenized; they felt personal, reverent, and textured. I didn’t expect a story that started with beachside sex to also make me think about cultural erasure, ancestral responsibility, and the complexity of grief. There’s something gutsy about that. I also liked how Locran’s own trauma mirrored Diedra’s. They were two souls shaped by loss and pulled together by something they couldn’t quite explain.
Inked Into Your Soul is messy, passionate, and unfiltered. And that’s its strength. It’s not a story that tries to be neat. It just tries to be true. I’d recommend this book to readers who love steamy romance but also want depth, character-driven stories, and a touch of the mystical.
Pages: 335 | ASIN : B0CTYLC6CK
LIORA Lost In Heaven’s Touch ( Book 1 of the Whispers of Destiny series)
Liora: Lost In Heaven’s Touch is book one in the Whispers of Destiny debut series by author Ava Rogue. Liora: Lost In Heaven’s Touch is a futuristic fantasy-romance set in a reborn London of 2100, where technology and nature harmonize and healing is not just physical, but emotional and spiritual. The story follows Liora, a mysterious young woman who wakes up with no memory in a lush sanctuary called NexaGreen. As she navigates a world she doesn’t recognize and grapples with an identity she can’t recall, she forms powerful connections with three complex men: Yasim, a gentle scientist; Locran, a warm-hearted flirt; and Kairos, a closed-off surgeon with a painful past. Through this web of relationships, Liora embarks on a journey of rediscovery, love, trauma, and choice, all wrapped in a rich blend of futuristic wonder and deeply human emotion.
What struck me most was Ava Rouge’s writing style. It’s lush, sensual, and emotional, but never overwrought. She has a way of turning even a simple scene like drinking coffee or running through a city into something vivid and intimate. Her dialogue feels real, and her characters are wonderfully flawed. Liora is tender and vulnerable, yet quietly fierce. The alternating points of view, especially Kairos’s chapters, dig deep into the emotional walls people build to protect themselves. And when those walls start to crack, Rouge doesn’t hold back. The story’s pacing is slow in a deliberate way, inviting the reader to soak in every look, touch, and unsaid word. That said, there were moments where I felt the book lingered in introspection, especially from Kairos.
It’s not just a love story. It’s about trauma, memory, and the push-pull between safety and desire. I found myself rooting not just for Liora, but for all the characters to find peace in their own way. Kairos, in particular, frustrated me and broke my heart all at once. Rouge isn’t afraid to make her characters unlikable at times, and that makes them feel more real. The setting added a whole other layer; NexaGreen and London 2100 aren’t just backdrops, they’re reflections of the characters themselves. Rebuilt, beautiful, and haunted. There’s a rich world hinted at, glowing lynxes, projection symbols, AI enhancements, that begs to be explored further.
Liora is a love letter to the lost and the longing. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong, or carried trauma like it was stitched to your skin, this book will probably speak to you. It’s a slow-burning romance about healing, identity, and the complicated ways we love. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy character-driven sci-fi romance with poetic prose, emotional depth, and a heavy focus on relationships. If you’re a fan of soft sci-fi, found families, and angsty, brooding love interests, this one’s for you.
Pages: 377 | ASIN : B0CLLB9BGP
A Wedding To Remember
A Wedding to Remember is a delightful blend of romance, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural. Set in the picturesque town of Blue Cove, the story follows Jessie, a bookstore owner with the unusual ability to communicate with spirits, as she navigates the complexities of planning her wedding to the love of her life, Matt, while also facing mysterious threats that put their future in jeopardy. With a host of colorful characters, both living and spectral, the novel is as much about love as it is about overcoming the unexpected.
Blue Cove feels alive with its blustery autumn winds, charming shops, and a cemetery that holds more than a few secrets. I loved how the town became a character in itself, and the opening chapter beautifully set the tone with Jessie watching a red leaf dancing in the wind—a small moment that echoes the balance between tranquility and turbulence in her life. Morrison’s prose is warm and inviting, though at times, I felt the descriptions leaned a bit heavily on exposition.
Jessie is a relatable and endearing protagonist. Her relationship with Matt, however, is the emotional anchor of the story. Their chemistry is tender and believable, whether they’re sharing quiet moments or weathering chaos together. A standout scene for me was when Jessie intercepted a threatening phone call at her bookstore. The mix of humor, dread, and resolve captured her duality—someone both ordinary and extraordinary, just trying to make it to her wedding day without catastrophe.
One aspect I found both fascinating was the integration of the supernatural elements. Jessie’s interactions with ghosts and fairy-like guardians added an intriguing layer, but some moments felt overly whimsical and disrupted the mystery’s tension. That said, Gina’s spectral presence, as the first ghost Jessie encountered, provided a heartfelt throughline about how the past shapes the present.
Morrison also shines when exploring themes of community and purpose. Jessie’s reflections on using her “gift” to help others—whether solving murders or giving voice to the voiceless—are thought-provoking. The chapter where she dreams of meeting the spirits she’s helped over the years was particularly moving for me. It’s a poignant reminder of how small acts can ripple outward, affecting lives in unexpected ways.
A Wedding to Remember is a cozy and heartfelt read with a unique blend of romance, mystery, and magic. It’s a story with a lot of heart. I’d recommend this book to fans of small-town mysteries, light paranormal romances, and anyone who enjoys tales with a whimsical twist.
Pages: 295 | ASIN : B0DYF72Z1Y
Life After a Zombie Apocalypse
Love and Other Cures for the Recently Undead follows a teenage girl who awakens from a two-year blackout to find she has survived the apocalypse but is now one of the undead. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was talking to a friend about zombies and zombie apocalypses. She’s more of a horror writer and was working on a post-zombie apocalypse story about an ex-zombie who still had cravings for human flesh. But my thought was that if there were ex-zombies, those people were probably really traumatized—it’s where my mind naturally goes. And it was that thought that made me start to really wonder what life would be like for those left over from a zombie apocalypse, what sort of things they’d struggle with on a daily basis, and how they’d cope with everything they’d gone through and lost. I’ve always been passionate about psychology, so this became something of an interesting thought experiment.
What is it that draws you to the paranormal romance genre?
I like the freedom it offers. As I mentioned before, my main interest is in the psychological and I feel like a treasure trove can be explored in paranormal romance. There are the interpersonal and social issues between the main love interests stuck within the broader context of something extraordinary with its own psychological baggage. In CeCe and Derrick’s case, they had to bridge the gap of trust and forgiveness while navigating the trauma from being ex-zombies.
What was the inspiration for Cece’s traits and dialogue?
I love tennis, so I made her this phenomenal tennis player—the type of player I could only dream to be. Because CeCe is so dedicated to a sport and having this identity as an athlete from such an early age, it shaped everything about her and who she is. For her to lose that, it was like losing half of herself. She doesn’t know who she is anymore and has to get to know herself in a way she never has. It’s this feeling of being disconnected that dictates her traits and dialogue moving forward in the story.
Can readers look forward to a follow-up to this novel? What are you currently working on?
I did leave it open for a sequel, and I really love CeCe and Derrick so I’ve definitely been thinking of how the story would continue. Right now, though, I’m working on another paranormal romance that involves a serial killer, who is definitely not one of the main love interests.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
CeCe wakes to a reality she can’t fathom and realizes it’s probably not a good idea to fall for the guy who bit her and made her one of the undead.
But in this post-apocalyptic world, everything she’s known and understood has changed, including the path to love.
This is going to be your next favorite story, so hurry and buy it now!
LITERARY TITAN 