Blog Archives
Tribal Logic: Book Four of The Tribal Wars
In Tribal Logic, set in Dolvia, readers are reintroduced to the persevering Brianna Miller, who remains in captivity. Her friends, determined and unwavering, strive tirelessly for her release. Brianna’s courage and resilience have made her a symbol of strength among the other women. This time, the narrative spotlights Jesse Hartley, who emerges as a central figure skillfully navigating the tumultuous political landscape of their world. The stakes are higher than ever, with Jesse appearing as a potential savior in this intricate situation.
The book also delicately explores the evolving relationship between Jesse and Hershel Henry. Despite their shared goal of liberating the captives from the clutches of an oppressive company, their personal paths have significantly diverged, casting doubt on the future of their romance. As a reader who thoroughly enjoyed the third book in the series last year, I approached this with high expectations, which were fortunately met. For those familiar with the series Tribal Wars, this is the first book in a new trilogy that is part of the series. It does not disappoint readers with its exciting adventure and political intrigue. Newcomers to the series are encouraged to start from the beginning to fully appreciate the depth and evolution of the narrative. One of the book’s strengths lies in its character development, particularly in showcasing a female protagonist in a leading role. The story unfolds at a suspenseful pace, keeping readers eager to discover the characters’ fates. The novel’s rich tapestry of characters and its intricate plot add depth to the narrative, making it more engaging. While navigating through the large ensemble of characters may require some initial effort, the payoff is in the form of compelling dialogues and well-crafted individual character arcs that enrich the reading experience.
Tribal Logic: Book Four of The Tribal Wars is a captivating science fiction novel that takes readers on a thrilling adventure filled with complex character dynamics and political intrigue. This book is an excellent choice for anyone who loves well-crafted stories that blend action, suspense, and thought-provoking themes. With its engaging plot, relatable characters, and well-paced narrative, Tribal Logic is a must-read for any science fiction fan looking for an exciting and intelligent read.
Pages: 419 | ASIN : B0CW3VGXPM
The Neighbors
In this evocative tale, we’re introduced to Zoe, a dedicated maternity nurse who finds solace in structure and a meticulously curated routine. Her cautious demeanor hints at a shadowy past that has made trust a scarce commodity in her life. Yet, as she forges an unexpected bond with her enigmatic neighbors, Jensen and Terrence, we witness her gradual embrace of love’s transformative might.
This paranormal novel intriguingly juxtaposes the familiar trope of vampires with a fresh lens. Jensen and Terrence, despite their supernatural lineage, are neither overwhelmingly menacing nor dripping with charisma. Instead, the author paints them with strokes of vulnerability and human nuances. Such an interpretation not only lends depth to these characters but also leaves readers with tantalizing, unanswered questions, stirring curiosity rather than exasperation.
In this world, reality gracefully bows to the wondrous, encouraging readers to relinquish their skepticism and wholly immerse in its imaginative embrace. Certain plot points, like Zoe’s peculiar potato consumption or Jensen’s journey to self-acceptance, may appear offbeat, but they accentuate the distinctiveness of the relationships they forge. These moments underscore the message that healing from trauma is profoundly individual, defying comparison.
There are moments of high drama, epitomized by the relentless pursuit of Anthony. To elevate the narrative’s coherence, I think a touch more foreshadowing and nuanced character arcs culminating in the climactic scene in Zoe’s chamber would have been welcome.
In a genre brimming with tales of the undead, this novel distinguishes itself from the mundane. It eschews overt clichés, delving deep into the intricate webs of trust, love, and change. It’s a departure from the archetypal vampire narrative, offering a refreshing and heartening angle that establishes it as a mesmerizing read.
Pages: 180 | ASIN : B0CBX4GG7Y
How A Dictatorship Can Fall
Home Rule is an intriguing Science Fiction novel that has a lot of real-world themes blended into this fictional world. Why was it important for you to write this book?
HOME RULE pulls together the threads for the trilogy. The story has two male narrators, Hershel Henry and Jessup Chandliss who reviewers seem to really like. We see characters grow into adult roles, especially at the wedding of Rufus and Kelly. And we see how a dictatorship can fall on the strength or failure of one personality.
I wanted the final sequence to be operatic and show outcomes for several characters. They experience a moment in their history together and are forever changed.
It seemed like you took your time in building the characters and the story to great emotional effect. How did you manage the pacing of the story while keeping readers engaged?
Pacing was a puzzle with a pantheon of characters. I added a character list at the end for the reader’s convenience, but I feel that the story is easy to follow since we tend to choose favorites and wait for their action scenes.
For the writing part, I had a chart for character location. Each needed to be on the right planet for her big scene. LOL
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The story is science fiction for entertainment, of course. If we learn something about our lives along the way, then that’s a plus. I just wanted to show multi-dimensional women rather than the stiff archetypes of formula sci-fi stories. I hope that part is satisfying to the reader.
Where does the story go in the next book and where do you see it going in the future?
In book 4 titled CYLAY GAZETTE (slated for a January 2024 release), Jesse Hartley jumps back to Dolvia from Paris France, just like Brianna Miller had but with different consequences. Hershel Henry carries the middle part of the story, and then we hear from Bybiis the beastmaster who is traveling with Jesse.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
The Fated Ones
The Fated Ones, an intricately woven tapestry by Kennedi Morgan, masterfully traces the journey of our protagonist, Nessa, through her life as a latent. Ensconced in her direwolvin pack, Nessa’s survival hinges on her constant struggle to secure her rightful place among her peers, even striving to establish herself in her alpha father’s esteem. Embarking on a quest alongside her brother, their adventure descends into turmoil, eventually compelling Nessa to depart her pack. In this challenging time, Nessa’s brother, Aeron, and her steadfast confidant, Marcus, devise a strategy to sustain their unity. Though Nessa harbors reservations, the fear of losing the only two individuals who truly care for her nudges her toward acceptance. Their plan, however, sets the stage for war and unexpected romance, pushing Nessa to make consequential decisions.
Morgan’s storytelling prowess is evident in The Fated Ones. She effortlessly captures readers’ interest right from the outset with a dynamic altercation featuring Nessa. She then skillfully builds up to a climactic conclusion that’s a poignant blend of triumph and despair. Morgan’s narrative is emotionally rich and palpable, with Nessa’s deep-seated bond with her twin and her intriguing relationship with Marcus adding captivating layers to the plot.
The narrative flow is fluid, allowing the story’s multiple events to unfold seamlessly. It’s also complemented by a diverse array of characters who enhance the plot’s dynamism. Alea, the green witch, offers a vibrant supporting role, while Daelin, a fellow direwolvin of pack Fenrin, perfectly embodies the antagonist we love to despise. Eadwulf, the benevolent yet ferocious captain of Lord Primarch’s army, becomes a personal favorite with his balanced characteristics. Furthermore, Skye, the genderfluid dragon fae, brings an intriguing dimension to the storyline. With a complex backstory still under development, Skye leaves readers eagerly anticipating further revelations in the sequel.
Innovative elements such as the inclusion of a content warning and a reading playlist enhance the reading experience. The content warning shows sensitivity towards readers who might find certain scenes uncomfortable, while the reading playlist is a unique touch that provides an immersive backdrop to the narrative.
The Fated Ones is a riveting read that I wholeheartedly recommend. The cliffhanger ending leaves me excitedly awaiting the unfolding destiny of Nessa and the rest of the captivating ensemble in the forthcoming book.
Pages: 282 | ASIN : B0BF3GQ6PY
Dark Academia and Magic
House of Pain follows a half-witch who attends a prestigious witchcraft university where she’s a target of one of the rival Houses and fights a dangerous attraction. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When I sat down to write House of Pain, I wanted to write the darkest story I could. I wanted something gritty, toxic, and filled with characters that are very hard to like. I’m a huge fan of dark academia, but I often want fantasy with it. So, I wanted to mix fantasy with dark academia and magic and then add a sprinkle of high-society drama because who doesn’t love Gossip Girl?
Your characters are intriguing and well-developed. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Thank you. Honestly, I took a lot of my inspiration for the main characters, Alecto and Blaze, from social media, particularly TikTok. I’ve stumbled across so many real-life stories of women struggling with sexual trauma, men who treat them poorly, and similar stuff, and so Alecto became a combination of it all. Val’s personality and drive, the cutthroat approach to getting things done no matter what, and the hunger for more power was inspired by my grandmother in a way. It’s hard to pinpoint one source of inspiration, really.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I would say that the most important one was toxic family dynamics and family trauma. We are often affected by our surroundings growing up more than we think, and it’s very easy to turn into our parents/grandparents and repeat the cycle of toxic behavior because it feels familiar. In House of Pain, the main cast of characters is all from prominent families that look pretty on the outside but hide dark secrets. I loved writing about how the main characters navigate the expectations they have and what they truly want.
Another theme that was very important for me to explore is the true nature of love. In House of Pain, Alecto is struggling with her place in a world that doesn’t want her, with her sexual trauma, and she finds herself gravitating toward bad men, looking for validation and probably some form of affection. On the other end, we have Blaze, who appears to have all the love and admiration from the outside world, yet he’s as lonely as Alecto. Maybe even more so. I also talked a lot about the nature of love and whether there is one right person for us, a soulmate if you will or if we’re meant to love more than one person in our lifetime. I find the topic of love to be fascinating.
What can readers expect in Precious Villains Book 2?
Precious Villains Book 2, House of Ruin, will be a wild ride. Readers can expect lots of steamy action between Alecto and Blaze, dark family secrets uncovered, high society drama and the themes of vengeance explored.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Gothic Harry Potter meets Gossip Girl, House of Pain is the first book in a dark fantasy romance trilogy set in the magical world of Inathis, where the witches are beautiful just as much as they’re wicked.
Alecto Black has spent her whole life in Inathis, yet she never quite fit in being the half-witch amongst the purebloods. When she finally enrolled in the most prestigious witchcraft university, The Venefica Academy, last year and joined the House of Snakes as a rightful legacy member, she thought she had finally found her place.
But every year, The Venefica Academy students that belong to 12 Houses all participate in the deadly Game that many witches don’t survive. And when the second year at Venefica starts, Alecto finds herself a target of one of the rival Houses while also having to face the enemy from the inside — fellow Snake, Blaze Leveau. As secrets start unraveling, hate turns into something more dangerous and deadly.
While Alecto tries to fight her new dangerous attraction to Blaze, she also finds herself asking how far she is willing to go to secure her place in the world that wants to destroy her?
House of Pain will be perfect for dark academia and Dramione fans who want morally grey characters with spice and loved The Atlas Six, The Ninth House, and Zodiac Academy. It’s a dual POV, steamy (extremely) enemies-to-lovers bully romance, so please read the content warning list before reading.
Growing Up In Addiction
The Silence in the Sound is a provocative novel detailing the devastating effects of growing up with addiction. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Inspiration for the book came from plenty of things, but if not for William Styron, the Pulitzer-prize-winning author probably best known for his book Sophie’s Choice, I’m not sure I’d ever have had the courage to write a word. Writing had always been my passion since I could remember, but having grown up in the inner city, blue-collar and with lesser means, it wasn’t something encouraged. Like many inner-city kids, I was shown early on that paying the bills was the priority. My mother, a nurse, and father, a truck driver, seemingly wanted my brother and me to pursue our passions, mine being art and writing, but encouraged a career that fed us and put a roof over our heads; that was first and foremost. Dreams could come later. After becoming a nurse, like my mother, and succeeding at putting a roof over my head, I felt satisfaction and honor in helping people, but there was always something missing, although I wasn’t sure what. While having the privilege of caring for Mr. Styron on the beautiful island of Martha’s Vineyard as his nurse at the end of his life, I saw a man and a family existing for art, and I breathed it in along with the crisp salty air, feeling alive and inspired. I spent years with a talented, complicated, deep, and melancholic man at the end of his life, reading his books across from him in one of the most stunning places in the world. His friendship and fascination with the darkness of humanity and himself led me to explore my darkness, which was growing up in addiction, my father an alcoholic, and later falling in love with someone with the same affliction, both having succumbed to the disease. Mr. Styron showed me through his life and work not to be afraid to find my meaning.
Georgette is a compelling and well-defined character. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?
Georgette (George) grew up with an alcoholic father she loved, but his chaos affected her much more than she realized. She’s insecure and feels unsafe, longing for stability, but she doesn’t know what that is. She formed an armor long ago as a child in living in her unpredictable home and thinks her toughness can get her through life. She knows better than her mother as a teen and young adult, she feels, as much of us do at that age, but in the running away from her family and pain to the island, her safe place, she finds she can’t run from herself. She must learn to love on her own, both herself and another person, in a healthy way which she doesn’t have the foggiest idea how to do. She must learn who she is and accept life on life’s terms. She’s spent her entire life fighting this—fighting them and the disease that’s affected all of them.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Of course, addiction. It’s odd, though, because I didn’t intend for this book’s premise to be about the effects of addiction. It was supposed to be there but in a much more subtle way. This all changed as I wrote about Georgette’s relationship with her father and found I could go back in time and tap right into my feelings of being a child and a young and new adult navigating his disease. My father was an alcoholic, so I have a significant amount of experience regarding this, but this was not supposed to be the central theme. Sometimes as we write, we have to see where the story takes us, and it took me here. So many readers have said I’ve helped them see the addicts they love in their life as more than their disease and that I brought humanity to my addicted characters. Because someone is flawed and broken in some way does not mean they are unlovable, and the people who love them should never be shamed for doing so. There is much shame in this disease, and while we often have to detach from the people we love who are suffering from this in our lives, often to save ourselves, it does not mean we suddenly love them any less. There is enough pain in this affliction, so it’s important to me to help end the shame children and anyone who loves those suffering feel because of our societal ignorance.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m well into my second novel. I hate to be cryptic and loathe people who are, but I’m going to be here. I was working on another book when something happened just outside my family’s inner circle. It’s another dark subject and one that I don’t have any personal experience with but have many friends who do. There was a trial, and two best friends, young girls, were broken by another’s act. The story is written from the perspective of the victim, which is not as obvious. In so many crimes, there are a vast number of victims, not just the ones directly harmed. I listened to this trial and became utterly fascinated. I want to do this story justice in every way, so I’ve been listening to other trials and performing interviews. I’m about halfway through, and I hope I can get it out much faster than my debut!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Life has not been kind to Georgette. Growing up with an alcoholic father and an enabling mother, she clings to the loving memory of a childhood trip to Martha’s Vineyard to help see her through the bad times; and now, as an adult, she returns to the island to start her life over. Soon she becomes the private nurse for a prize-winning novelist. As the two become friends, he opens her mind to new possibilities.
But everything changes when she encounters the mysterious Dock. Georgette isn’t quite sure about him but finds him irresistible. She quickly loses herself in her relationship despite the inherent dangers that come with him. Torn between her own future or spiraling into a life she tried so hard to leave behind, Georgette must make her most important decision ever.
Sometimes escaping the past isn’t as easy as it appears.
The Silence in the Sound is the provocative debut novel by Dianne C. Braley detailing the devastating effects of growing up with addiction.
Never Say Never
The Refusal follows a young entrepreneur that owns her own security firm as she investigates the source of a tech billionaire’s security problems and in the process finds romance. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
When I write, I always start with the characters, and they pop up in my head all the time, often fully formed. The Refusal is the start of a bigger series, and the idea for the series started with Fabian, a drug-taking, experiment-loving hacker, whose life is constantly running out of control. Fabian is the focus of book 2. In The Refusal, Jo is initially pitted against and operates in contrast to Fabian, and it was more interesting that her character would contrast with his.
A long time ago I was a young entrepreneur, and I wanted this book to reflect the reality of running your own business: Specifically how hard it is and how much support you need to do it, the insecurity and worry when you start out, when you don’t think you are going to make it, when you have to pay everyone’s salary all the while looking at other people who seem to have it all sorted. You spend time thinking about success and how that will never be you. I wanted Jo to mirror all this, but she still needed to have a certain confidence and be smart, she wouldn’t have started her own business otherwise. Not forgetting of course, that she has things in common with Janus: She’s the girl geek who says the wrong things at the wrong time and sweats about it.
I also wanted to do something different in romance. Haven’t we had enough of cowboys and motorcycle clubs yet? There are other avenues to explore, other niches that need to be filled. Not to mention of course, that I’d worked alongside techies for many years and felt I knew the industry and what they were like: a lot of lovely guys!
Janus turns out to be more than just a billionaire playboy. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Janus developed as another contrast to Fabian: He is the sorted ambitious friend to Fabian’s chaos (we can all identify with the organized friend I think!). Techie people can be very dorky and interested in tech, and Janus had to reflect that in order for his success to be credible: It wasn’t likely that he’d be the smooth player and flipping that on its head was a lot of fun. A lot of romance books portray billionaires as if they swan around in jets and cars and beautiful apartments chasing women, never worrying about money or companies or making a lot of difficult decisions to make under pressure. These books have never made sense to me. There’s a huge burden in running a company, competitors attack you, and things fail all the time: you are always ducking and diving to avoid collapse. I wanted Janus to reflect that. The fact that he is also a bit of a boy, flattered by models who want to take him to red carpet events and bowled over by a woman he likes, came out in the writing process and it felt right. He’s the nerdy boy made good who still can’t believe anyone wants to talk to him.
What themes were important for you to explore in this book?
I suspect I will never write about a woman who doesn’t hold her own. I wanted the book to be a romance but also be realistic and have authenticity. There’s a lot of envy of other people’s lives now, often fueled by social media, and I wanted to show some nuance there, the pointlessness of that, that it’s never as simple as saying someone is a “billionaire” and therefore their life is amazing. I also wanted to reflect on women’s roles now: women work, they make their own money, and they have senior roles alongside men. Some day I might write an alpha male series (never say never) but I suspect I’d find it hard, and I also think I might reverse the roles! My guys are supportive, fun, kind, generous, and INTERESTING: Everything you’d want in a real boyfriend. And guys like this exist, make great boyfriends and husbands and I wish more romances exist that celebrate how amazing these kinds of men are, not some ridiculous “strongman” or some alphahole who you’d never date in real life (unless you had a hole in your head). Where are the role models for lovely supportive men – who look after their women by lifting THEM up?
What is the next book in the Techboys series that you are working on and when will it be available?
Next up are Fabian and Kate. And I couldn’t be more excited – Fabian is a bad-boy hacker and has been a joy ever since he appeared in my brain fully formed with all his erratic behavior, drug taking and a past filled with turmoil. Book Two will be out in the next few months.
Author Links: Goodreads | Instagram | Facebook | Website
Driven, workaholic Janus Phillips has glamorous tastes. Tech billionaire, red carpet events, a new model girlfriend every two months. But it’s all about to come crashing down around his ears if he can’t trace the source of a mysterious hack into his company.
Jo Williams has a temper that matches her hair, and she’s not about to let some playboy sleazebag taint her struggling tech business with his terrible reputation. When she runs into him in a lift, she impetuously pretends not to know who he is, and he ups the game by offering her a ton of cash to save his company.
Can Jo set aside her prejudices, grab the opportunity and answer one, vital, question: Is she trapped in this game with no way out?
HOW OBSESSED CAN YOU GET WITH A NEW ROMANCE SERIES?
When Stars Align
When Stars Align is a captivating story about how love and goals intertwine and the beauty in how two people make their relationship work despite the challenges they encounter. Elsie McCormick and Augustus Owens meet one night at a college party. Their lives forever change from that point onwards as they quickly fall in love and begin a relationship. This whirlwind romance develops into a bond full of promise and dreams.
The love story between Elsie and Augustus begins to unravel throughout the novel. Though it is not a smooth road, the two analyze the situation before continuing their journey together. The author depicts the reality of people who face conflicting goals and difficulties, even as they grow to love each other and support each other’s careers. The story does a great job of raising important questions about who is right or wrong in a relationship and whether an intense romance and love can overcome unexpected decisions. Can fate bring two people together and sustain their love through challenges?
E.K. McCoy approaches the story from the perspective of destiny and whether the love of our dreams will last for a lifetime. Elsie and Auggie have another priority on their list – their dreams. Elsie wishes to become a well-established musician, while Auggie plans to become one of the country’s best doctors. They move forward with their plans as they strike the perfect balance between their priorities. As they progress, their paths take them in various directions, ultimately impacting their life together.
The book addresses the unique challenges of relationships, the power of following one’s personal journey, and how this impacts Elsie and Auggie’s life as a couple. E.K. McCoy explores fate, and whether it plays a role in the outcome of their love and relationships. I found the book to be well written, providing an in-depth look at each character’s thoughts and conversations, with solid character development that draws the reader into their world.
When Stars Align is a fantastic read that uses compelling storytelling and rich emotions of joy, confusion, sadness, and acceptance in a brilliant style. This book tells a compelling romance story that would make an excellent adaptation to film. It’s a great novel for anyone who has faced the challenges of following love and a career path at once. The author offers a fantastic tale that reminds us of how we have to choose the place in life that will allow us to grow, with or without someone else.
Pages: 298 | ASIN: 1727884191
