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Adapt and Persevere
The King’s Ascent follows the rightful ruler of a kingdom that has been taken over by an insane man craving power and control, who, with his loyal friends, must find a way to regain his throne. What was your inspiration for the setup of the story, and how did that help you create the ending?
I believe people are drawn to the timeless clash of good versus evil. While it is a familiar trope, its enduring appeal lies in its reflection of real life—where both good and bad exist. The battle between Barrett and his friends against evil mirrors the struggles we face in the world today.
As for the ending, I wanted to convey that life is never a straight path. Like Barrett and his friends, we are often guided by unpredictable twists and turns, many of which are beyond our control. Yet, to survive, we must adapt and persevere. While this lesson is difficult and sometimes painful to learn, Barrett’s journey reflects the challenges we all face in life.
Your characters go on a deeply emotional and transformative journey in your novel. Do you think this is intentional or incidental to the story you want to tell?
The theme of transformation is intentional. Every moment, we are changing—shifting in ways both big and small. We are never the same person we were yesterday, last week, or even last month. Barrett and his friends undergo a similar evolution, growing before our eyes. They make countless mistakes, but it’s through these trials and tribulations that they ultimately become stronger and better equipped to reach their goal
What is your background and experience in writing and how did it help you write The Ruinous Curse series?
I have been writing since I was a child, creating short pieces of fiction as early as nine years old. Over the years, I have honed my craft as an outdoor columnist, taken writing courses, and learned the art of editing and storytelling. I have never looked back. My time in the military, where I had the opportunity to travel the world, deepened my understanding of diverse cultures and people. I strive to weave those experiences—the sights, beliefs, and emotions—into my writing, enriching my stories with a global perspective.
Where do you see your characters after the book ends?
That’s a great question, and honestly, I’m not sure there’s a clear answer just yet. I’ve been toying with the idea of extending the series into another trilogy, featuring a more mature and wiser cast of characters. However, I haven’t taken that step yet, as I’m currently immersed in a new project titled The Library Between Worlds. Stay tuned, there’s much more to come.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed my work. I truly appreciate each one of you.
Author Links: Website | LinkedIn
To save their home, the friends must remove the tyrants. But the task will be harder than imagined as their plans fail at every attempt. Making things worse, the wizard Elimar is nowhere to be found and the sorceress, Trishar, is confined to her house under the watchful eyes of Bureau Agents.
Now, Barrett must use all his cunning and powers to free Westmore from the vile grasp of the Bureau, regain his throne, and rebuild the city. Standing in his way are an evil wizard, armies of hired killers, Mystical Affairs, and Grimes himself, who has more secrets than anyone could have guessed.
A Curse or a Gift
Apadora Rising follows a young prince thrust into impossible battles and choices, wrestling with magic, loss, and the burden of leadership. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My inspiration stemmed from a blend of mythology, real-world history, and the profound emotional complexities of growing up under pressure. I have always been drawn to stories where young leaders are forced to grow up too quickly. In this case, it is where the weight of the crown is more curse than a gift.
I tried to explore what would happen if a teen were suddenly responsible for many lives, a kingdom, and the fate of magic itself. The story grew out of that tension: the clash between destiny and personal choice, the cost of leadership, and the emotional toll of loss at a young age. Magic in this world became a metaphor for potential—beautiful, dangerous, and unpredictable—just like the prince’s journey
In many coming-of-age fiction novels, authors often add their own life experiences to the story. Are there any bits of you in this story?
Authors always leave pieces of themselves in their stories, and Apadora Rising is no different. For me, it was the group of friends. Barrett and his friends reflect the bond I shared with my own friends during my youth. The way they support each other, challenge one another, and stay loyal even when everything around them is falling apart—it all came from real experiences. We faced our own battles, not with swords or magic, but with life, and that kind of friendship leaves a mark. Writing their dynamic was one of the most natural and heartfelt parts of the book, because it came from something very real.
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
Book #3, The King’s Ascent, takes a darker turn as the series moves toward its climax. With the stakes higher than ever, Barrett and his friends will face overwhelming odds, uncover a traitor hidden in plain sight, and fight to prevent their city from collapsing into despair under the Bureau’s tightening grip. Every lingering question will finally be answered.
As with the previous books, the friends’ lives are filled with tough choices that will test their loyalties. The journey concludes with heart, sacrifice, and an emotional farewell that will hopefully stay with readers long after the final page.
Author Links: Website | LinkedIn
Declaring all magic forbidden, the Bureau brands Barrett and his allies as enemies of the realm. As the friends prepare to flee, a ghostly vision of Alesta appears, begging for rescue. She is imprisoned by Apadora, a malevolent force long confined to the Outerworld.
Apadora, the embodiment of ancient evil, has waited centuries for her chance to return. As her release draws near, the very fabric of the western lands is threatened. Now, Barrett and his companions face rival factions as they race to find the key to either bind or unleash her.
Orphaned, homeless, and hunted, the exiled prince must choose between reclaiming his kingdom or restraining the evil tide poised to sweep across the western lands.
The Ruinous Curse: The King’s Ascent
The King’s Ascent is the third book in The Ruinous Curse series and brings Barrett’s long and bruising journey to its peak. With his friends by his side, he faces the final push against Apadora’s curse, the treachery of those he once loved, and the crushing weight of decisions that could end or save entire worlds. The story picks up where the last book left off and wastes no time plunging the companions into the Outerworld, where trust splinters, love is tested, and the line between sacrifice and survival grows thin.
What struck me most while reading was how much darker and heavier this installment felt. The writing carried more bite, more despair, and yet more raw urgency than before. Sometimes that worked brilliantly, especially when Barrett’s doubts mirrored my own unease. I loved how the story kept its momentum, never letting up for long, and the constant clashes and arguments gave the book an energy that pulled me through without pause. I was hooked by the constant turmoil between the characters, particularly the fraught tension with Zanora. Those confrontations sparked with real venom, and I found myself torn between pity and fury every time she opened her mouth.
At the same time, there were moments of beauty that kept me grounded. Gaia’s voice of calm and her warmth gave the book its balance, and the loyalty between the companions, frayed as it was, always pulled me back into caring. I can’t deny the sheer emotion McClain poured into this tale. I caught myself smiling in places and even shaking my head in frustration when Barrett stumbled into old mistakes. That mix of reactions is what made the book feel alive.
The King’s Ascent is a grim, emotional, and fitting conclusion to the saga. It’s a book for readers who crave fantasy that doesn’t shy away from sorrow, who enjoy characters wrestling with their worst selves as much as their enemies, and who want the messy, tangled finish to a story about love, loyalty, and the high cost of leadership. If you’ve made it this far in the series, you’ll be more than pleased with this third entry in the coming-of-age fantasy series.
Pages: 351 | ASIN : B0FC6YKL3C
The Ruinous Curse: Apadora Rising
Apadora Rising follows Barrett, a young prince thrust into impossible battles and choices, wrestling with magic, loss, and the burden of leadership. Alongside a close-knit band of companions, he faces treachery, uncertain alliances, and forces greater than he can control. The book pulls readers through lands filled with dragons, sorcery, betrayal, and grief, all while exploring the cost of destiny and the question of what it means to be a leader.
This was an exhilarating coming-of-age fantasy novel. The pacing swung wildly from sharp, fast-moving battles to slow, emotional moments that lingered, and I found myself invested. The author’s style is bold and unafraid to lean into melodrama, though it matched the intensity of the world he built. I often admired the way he layered tension on top of grief, particularly in Barrett’s mourning of his father. Those passages hit hard. The banter often lightens the mood of this otherwise high-stakes adventure story.
I was surprised by how often I cared deeply for the characters. The fragile loyalty between friends, the burden Barrett shoulders, and the flickers of vulnerability woven into big, fiery scenes gave the story its heart. The dragons, too, were written with such presence that I caught myself smiling whenever they appeared.
Apadora Rising is a book best suited for middle-grade readers who crave high fantasy drenched in feeling, who don’t mind a bit of melodrama with their magic, and who want to lose themselves in a sprawling tale of loyalty, sorrow, and stubborn courage. Apadora Rising reminded me of Eragon by Christopher Paolini, with its mix of young heroes, dragons, and the weight of destiny pressing down on every choice. If you’re the kind of reader who wants dragons soaring, kingdoms falling, and friendships tested to the breaking point, this one’s worth your time.
Pages: 319 | ASIN : B0CDHHK6SR
A Nod to J.K. Rowling
The Hunt for Alesta follows a reluctant teenage prince who is prophesied to be the chosen one with magical abilities that will save his kingdom from a curse that will destroy it. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Great question. My inspiration came from two authors who truly shaped my writing. J.R.R. Tolkien and David Eddings were my absolute favorites. Their ability to captivate from the very first pages left a lasting impression on me.
I also give a nod to J.K. Rowling, particularly in her magical settings. It sparked my imagination and helped craft my own world—so a blend of all three, really. That is likely why so many reviewers have mentioned my magical doors and described my world as ‘whimsical.’ (But you’ll need to read the books to see what that is all about.)
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?
Without doubt, my primary influence was, again, J.R.R. Tolkien. He was a true master of worldbuilding and description. From the moment I first read The Hobbit, I was captivated by the richness of the world he created, and it set me on a path to build a world of my own.
As I wrote, the prose seemed to take on a life of its own—fairy lamps, talking doors, and more—everything just fell into place naturally. I try to consider the kind of world I would have loved to immerse myself in as a middle-grade reader, and that vision shaped Westmore and the Western Lands.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Mostly, friendship, coming-of-age, teenage angst, romance, and more. I hoped to capture the essence that not every teen is eager to embrace responsibility right away—even if they are a prince. Often, they just want to enjoy the moment, hang out with friends, and be carefree, brushing aside the harsher realities of life. But despite all the youthful desire for freedom, they still prove themselves to be resilient—formidable even—when the bonds of friendship and mutual respect keep them united, especially through the toughest of times.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
Without giving too much away, let me just say the prince faces a major twist in Book 2. Being the Chosen One is not as glamorous as it seems, and the harsh truth turns out to be more disappointing than he ever anticipated.
The third and final installment is already available, so I shall hold off on revealing too much. But rest assured, the unexpected twists and turns—things every teenager knows all too well—are a constant thread throughout the series.
Book 2: Apadora Rising dives into the tension that arises when friends no longer see eye to eye. New enemies emerge, and life spirals out of control for the group.
In Book 3: The King’s Ascent, the friends face off against a host of villains in a desperate attempt to save Westmore. (Teaser question: Will Prince Barrett abandon the throne, or will he fight to keep the city his family has ruled for generations?)
Author Links: GoodReads | LinkedIn | Website | Amazon
The ancient sorceress, Alesta, has condemned humanity to an endless cycle of violence. The only hope of breaking her Ruinous Curse comes from the prophesized Helserian. Rumors say Barrett, the prince of Westmore, is the chosen one, but he despises that notion.
Being a normal teenager and spending time with his friends exploring their city—a haven for fairies, cyclops, talking doors, and other magical beings—is his only concern. However, the upcoming war may dash his hopes. Besides, he is a fighter, not a magic user. That is, until the day his power awakens.
Now, aided by his friends, Barrett must face ancient dragons and cave-dwelling Trowkens to acquire the tools to master his magic and confront Alesta. Ultimately, he must force the sorceress to lift the curse or destroy her if she refuses. For if he fails, he will watch helplessly as his world tears itself apart.
LITERARY TITAN 