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Phoebe’s Identity is Revealed
Phoebe Douse: The Return has a dramatic turn of events that test the students abilities and reveal Phoebe’s destiny. What were some new ideas you wanted to introduce in this book that were different from book one?
New ideas introduced would be that book 2 answered some unanswered questions from book 1. An important part of Phoebe’s identity is revealed. And the elements of life and death danger and fear, I believe, are intensified.
I thought this story was fun and I enjoyed the unique twists. What was the funnest scene for you to write?
I’m so happy you enjoyed all the different twists and turns in the story! One of the funnest scenes to write was the chapter called, The Factory. I wanted it to have a very intense, mysterious vibe that heightened the drama of the story and have a big reveal. Definitely a chapter that I like to reread, even on its own.
What were some challenges you set for yourself as a writer with this book?
My main challenges were setting mini deadlines for writing so that I could finish the book on time. Another challenge was making sure that I remained true to each character as the plot developed. I knew I wanted there to be growth and conflict within each character as well as between characters, but at the same time, I didn’t want to veer away from the essence of who each of them are.
This is book two in the Phoebe Douse Trilogy. What can readers expect in the final book?
Honestly, this is still a mystery even to me. I’m currently outlining the plot, which has been a bit tricky since I have so many ideas and ways in which I’m imagining the story could go. I’ve decided that I’m not going to plan too much ahead. For book 3, I’d like for the story to develop organically. So I’m excited to see where this final book will take me!
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Phoebe Douse: Secret Society for Special Abilities and Artefacts
Phoebe Douse: The Return by L. Samuels is the second of three books in the thrilling young adult mystery series, Phoebe Douse. It begins with a string of unfortunate events that will force Phoebe into actions she is neither ready to accept nor eager to follow through with. All seems well for a time, until she makes the mistake of turning on the television and seeing the breaking news about a man found dead. A man she killed. Forced to team up with Renaud, Phoebe plunges into a supernatural world filled with striking imagery, global destinations, and a good bit of history. The Return sets up the final book in the series perfectly and will leave readers on the edge of their seat throughout this riveting paranormal fantasy.
Phoebe Douse: The Return was a highly anticipated follow-up novel to L. Samuel’s previous novel, at least for me it was. The Return continues to be consistently engaging and keeps moving at a quick pace. I would highly recommend finishing the first book in the series, however, as it will help establish characters and their backstory. This book is written in the first person and the author does a fantastic job of packing the story full of intriguing characters, puzzling supernatural events, and shocking twists.
This novel, and the entire series I think, centers around Phoebe and I like how this is turning out to be much more of a character driven adventure, although fun and light, something like Percy Jackson & the Olympians. Phoebe’s destiny is revealed but as with most things in this series, it comes with some dramatic consequences that kept me absorbed in the novel.
Author L. Samuel has written an enchanting urban fantasy novel that excels at weaving supernatural elements into a fun story that feels fresh within a packed genre. Phoebe Douse: The Return is fun and exciting and is a must read for those who read book two, and highly recommended to readers looking for an urban fantasy with more mystery in their adventure.
Pages: 322 | ISBN: 1732284679
The Motif of the Moon
L. Samuels Author Interview
Phoebe Douse follows a young girl that gets invited to a mysterious school in Scotland where a world of fantastical possibilities starts to open. What was the inspiration behind this thrilling novel?
I was inspired by my personal life experiences, cultural heritage, and sparks of imagination. Also, I’ve always been an avid reader of all books—mysteries, adventures, history, contemporary, the classics, and the list goes on. With Phoebe Douse: S3A2, I wanted to blend elements of classical literature with those of a genre fiction.
Phoebe Douse is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some themes you wanted to capture in her character?
Thank you! I wanted to capture the themes of trust, self-discovery, and belief. Phoebe represents the journey of finding who we are, with the inevitable challenges and triumphs that we experience along the way. Further, Phoebe embodies the motif of the moon. The moon has always been special to me, and I believe it brings into the story the idea of our inner potential and the force, within and around us, that can help to empower us.
I felt like this book had a rich backstory. How much of that did you plan and how much of that developed organically?
The backstory started organically, and between intervals of my imagination, I intentionally infused the narrative with planned elements.
When and where will this book be available?
Phoebe Douse: S3A2 will be releasing September 30th, and is currently available for preorder on my website, http://www.lucillesamuels.com. After its release date, it will be available on Amazon and my website. Further, I’m establishing a contract with a major distributor so that it can be available through most retail channels and libraries.
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Grandmother Naan’s superstitious stories seem too peculiar and childish to Phoebe Douse. It’s foolishness, as she likes to say. But when surprising and unfortunate circumstances in Texas lead her to accept a timely invitation to attend a remote boarding school, thousands of miles away in Scotland, Phoebe finds that everything is not what she made herself believe.
Unwittingly, Phoebe is thrown onto the stage of power and danger as events unfold that reveal the extent of her abilities and Naan’s connection to the school. There, Phoebe is introduced to the clandestine world of S3A2 and is forced to decide between her new friends and the promises of power and S3A2 status from the welcoming but strangely mysterious Headmaster Duff.
Will Phoebe be able to develop her abilities in time to protect her friends? Or, will she decide to use her abilities to fuel her own ambitions?
Phoebe Douse:S3A2
Pheobe Douse, Secret Society for Special Abilities and Artefacts allows a view into the life of young Pheobe, a high school student whose tendency to be unusually distinct has her feeling like an outcast. After her grandmother dies, it leaves her even more unsure about herself. Her grandmother would always tell stories that seemed fantastical about her life and travels. Phoebe took those moments for granted and when she can no longer have them, she is left feeling guilty. When she receives a strange invitation to attend school in Scotland she accepts the offer with the approval of her parents. She has no close ties outside of her family and she hopes for an adventure like the ones her grandmother had lived.
She soon realizes that while she fits in more readily than she ever has before, this sense of belonging actually makes the new school, her new classmates and her surroundings pretty extraordinary. When she finally begins to accept the possibilities that come with being extraordinary in an extraordinary place, she finds herself torn between her loyalty to her new friends and her grandmother’s legacy. Pheobe has to figure out who she is able to trust before secret forces lead her on a path of no return.
It would be unsurprising if L. Samuels’ debut novel lands on the bestseller list. Any of the millions of Harry Potter fans would be a fan of Pheobe Douse and the well crafted, gifted characters L. Samuels brings to life. The origin of the main character is seeped in a legacy that is undeniably powerful but shrouded in mystery.
Every event and continuation was strategically laid out in a way that caused constant anticipation. Even so, at each moment of conflict, climax and revelation, there were still surprises. There were no moments of overwhelming unpredictability but the pace of events varied and provided an emotionally dynamic experience.
The least agreeable aspect of the book is that the reader is left wanting to know what happens next and in the world of storytelling, this kind of itch usually happens after a satisfying read. The best part is that a second installment is expected so the anticipation continues!
Pages: 348 | ISBN: 978-1-7322846-7-8
LITERARY TITAN 