Blog Archives
I’ve Always Believed In Destiny
Darke Realms: ENRAGED follows a golden-hearted Gorgon healer and a solitary Scorpion telepath who must navigate the treacherous path from strangers to fated mates, discovering that their strength lies in unity. What were some sources that informed this novel’s development?
Source 1 – I’ve always believed in destiny; that the universe has a grander plan in place than any of us can ever conceive. Source 2 – Evil exists, even if you don’t want to acknowledge it. There’s always someone somewhere who’s doing something they know they shouldn’t. Source 3 – You can’t help the way you were born. All we can do is make the best of what we are given. Source 4 – No one was meant to live their lives alone or we would have come out that way to begin with. Humans are social creatures – we quite literally can die from the lack of touch and love.
Source 5 – Every one needs someone to love, even if it is themselves.
What was your primary inspiration for the intriguing characters Xivani Stone and Hathrat Scorch?
A common theme you will see in a lot of my books is my fascination with world mythology. Gorgons come from Greek mythology, which, like most history, is heavily centered on male-orientated actions and views. Medusa – the most famous Gorgon – was raped by a man and punished by a woman for a rape she could not prevent. She was punished by being turned into a monster. I just thought that she deserved better. Why not take a story about destruction and turn it into one about healing.
Hathrat actually came from Akkadian mythology about the aqrabuamelu (scorpion men) in the Middle East. Most mythology covered in books usually pertains to Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Norse gods. I just wanted the mythology I covered to be more inclusive of the world, so – Hathrat was born.
Diversity and representation are evident in your work. How important do you think is the role of inclusivity in modern literature, especially in genres like fantasy and romance?
The universe was made with such variety of animals, people, geography, religion, etc. Why would we not want to see that variety reflected in our literature? Everything can be unique and still remain the same because every living thing on this planet just wants to live, to love, and be happy. We all love, we all fear, and we all deserve to share our inner light with the world.
The shifting perspectives between Xivani and Scorn provide a deeper insight into their thoughts, emotions, and attitudes. How challenging was it for you to alternate between these perspectives and maintain their distinct voices?
I think it’s much easier to keep the different perspectives separate when they are of the opposite sex, but there is also a commonality, too, because everyone – whether they realize it or not – is searching for some place where they belong. There’s always going to be those elements that bring us together.
It also doesn’t hurt that I can hear each character in my head speaking to me. They live there until I let them out onto the pages of a book. There’s nothing more compelling than unleashing one’s thoughts out into an unsuspecting world!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Website
How do I know this? From personal experience is how. My name is Xivani Stone, and I am a Gorgon. Yes, you guessed it – I’m one of those monstrous women creatures from mythology that was said to turn anyone to stone that looked upon our faces. Our most famous Gorgon sister was Medusa – made into a monster by a god and condemned to a life of misery.
Thankfully, there’s enough good people in the world that another god lessened that curse and let us become healers instead . . . most of the time anyway.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t still bad people in the world – humans, gods, and Supernaturals (or other creatures of the night).
It’s those villains with bad hearts and bad intentions that we fight. Shockingly enough, I’ve met my mate – Scorn – and his league of scorpion men assassins who were made to protect the world from the evil threatening to consume it.
There are plenty of bad actors – humans, gods, creatures that go bump in the night – is it any wonder that the rest of us are struggling to defeat the darkness? Even with the help of the half-human/half-angel hybrid – the Arcana – I still wonder if the world be strong enough to survive an evil that will never die – hatred.
Darke Realms: Enraged : (Gorgon 1)
In Michele L. Sayre’s riveting narrative, “Darke Realms – Enraged (Gorgon1),” an unlikely partnership emerges between a Gorgon and a Scorpion man, their fates intricately woven in an otherworldly tapestry of destiny. The narrative escorts us through their treacherous journey from strangers to fated mates amidst dire circumstances, demonstrating the compelling interplay of magic, romance, and tragedy.
The protagonist, Xivani Stone, is a Gorgon healer possessing a golden heart and abilities distinct from her brethren, while her enigmatic counterpart, Scorn – also known as Hathrat Scorch – is a solitary Scorpion telepath. Though initially resistant to their shared fate, the pair soon learn that their strength resonates in unity rather than in solitude.
Sayre’s immersive storytelling is supplemented by shifting perspectives between Xivani and Scorn, providing the reader with multifaceted insights into the characters’ thoughts, emotions, and attitudes. This narrative approach deepens the reader’s connection to the characters, rendering them not only relatable but imbuing them with a sense of individuality.
Sayre’s world-building prowess is also evident as she constructs a universe interlaced with our own, founded upon an intricate matrix of real-world religions and myths. The result is a harmonious blend of fantastical elements with realistic fiction, a feat achieved without muddying the waters between the two.
The inclusion of an index and character sheet enhances the reader’s immersion, providing a firm grasp of the narrative’s complex tapestry without inducing confusion or obscurity. Sayre’s inclusivity is evident in the diverse descriptions of characters, spanning a variety of skin tones and species – a testament to the author’s commitment to representation in her work.
Accompanied by Alexander AP Perez’s evocative illustrations, the text is given an additional layer of vividness, augmenting the reader’s mental imagery and making the narrative experience even more immersive.
“Darke Realms – Enraged (Gorgon1)” proves to be a rich feast for enthusiasts of romance, magic, and tragic narratives. Its compelling storytelling, coupled with Sayre’s distinct narrative voice, makes it a must-read for those seeking an immersive and engaging reading experience.
Pages: 410 | ASIN: B0C4KLFY9S
LITERARY TITAN 