Blog Archives
A Layer of Supernatural Dread
The Tribune follows a struggling American PhD candidate who receives a mysterious phone call, sending him off to Romania on a journey into the Carpathian wilderness in search of a long-lost Roman eagle standard—an artifact tied to one of history’s forgotten battles. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for The Tribune came years ago when I discovered that a series of Roman Army battles had taken place in the southern Carpathian Mountains of Romania, and that historians are divided on exactly what happened. Roman history is fairly exhaustively documented, so learning that an entire legion may have been lost in what is still considered the last great wilderness of Europe seemed like the perfect opportunity. I could capitalize on what we know happened and take artistic license on the rest. The Carpathians also seem to resonate an aura of mystery, at least in American pop culture, and that can probably be attributed mostly to Bram Stoker. But that aura of mystery was the perfect backdrop to take a familiar, historical institution like the Roman Army and weave in a layer of supernatural dread.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
The most interesting thing about the human condition is our fallibility and our inherent, daily struggle against it. Great fiction is relatable because it tells the story of how we all miss the mark, something we all recognize. This isn’t necessarily a negative view because the heart of great fiction is articulating the struggle.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
Roman historical fiction, particularly Roman Army fiction, is a fairly popular subgenre, so I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of stories I could find combining the topic with supernatural horror. For certain, I’m not the only author in this very specific subset, but it did give me a boost of confidence to take the subject and run with it.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am working on the sequel to The Tribune, and hope to have it available in early 2026.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Darke Realms: One Tough Temporary She Alpha (Arcana 2)
Michele L. Sayre’s Darke Realms – One Tough Temporary She Alpha drops you into a world where supernatural beings, werewolf politics, and the remnants of a brutal war collide. The book follows Leiry Matthis, a reluctant alpha, forced back to her pack after the death of her rogue mate and father. The stakes are high. Her son is in danger, a self-proclaimed Rogue Alpha King is on the rise, and she has no patience for anyone trying to control her fate. With power struggles, deep emotional wounds, and a fierce determination to protect her own, Leiry embodies the grit and resilience that define Sayre’s heroines.
One of the strongest aspects of this book is its protagonist. Leiry is not your typical heroine. She’s hardened by loss, unapologetically strong, and yet emotionally vulnerable in moments that make her feel incredibly real. From the first chapter, where she steps back onto the packlands she once fled, the weight of her past is palpable. The author does a great job balancing her toughness with raw emotional depth, like when she recalls her mate’s death during the Arcana-Kabaltz War. The trauma is still fresh, and Sayre doesn’t shy away from showing how that grief shapes Leiry’s choices.
The world-building in this book is layered with supernatural history, werewolf customs, and high-stakes politics. Sayre weaves in elements of mythology and war lore, making the conflict feel bigger than just a personal struggle. It’s about survival, legacy, and the balance between light and dark. The concept of the Arcana, beings of light who oppose the Kabaltz, agents of darkness, adds an epic scope to the story. The inclusion of treaties, sacred burial rites, and pack dynamics makes the world feel lived-in, though at times, the sheer amount of detail can slow things down. Still, it’s a rich setting that fantasy lovers will appreciate.
There are moments where the pacing slows, particularly in the middle of the book. Some sections take their time delving into exposition, especially when exploring the mythology and history of this world. While these details add depth and intrigue, they occasionally pause the action. Similarly, some dialogue leans into exposition, particularly when characters reflect on past events. However, Sayre’s snappy writing style and Leiry’s sharp inner monologue keep the story engaging, ensuring the book moves forward in an enjoyable way.
Darke Realms – One Tough Temporary She Alpha (Arcana 2) is a gripping read for fans of supernatural fantasy, particularly those who enjoy strong female leads and intricate world-building. If you love stories with werewolves, war-torn pasts, and heroines who don’t take crap from anyone, this book will be right up your alley.
Pages: 542 | ASIN : B0DXKH34D2
Something in the Blood
H. H. Mika’s Something in the Blood is a dark and atmospheric novel that blends crime, psychological horror, and an unsettling sense of dread. Set in the frozen landscape of Bloodrun Borough, the story follows Detective Terry Volker as he investigates a grotesque murder—a woman found cleanly severed in two, her body carefully displayed in the snow. As Terry digs deeper, the case intertwines with his crumbling personal life, particularly his pending divorce and the custody of his dachshund, Spartacus. Layer by layer, the novel reveals a twisted world of human depravity, eerie folklore, and a community teetering on the edge of madness.
I really enjoyed the writing. It’s sharp, unrelenting, and loaded with tension. Mika has a way of making the smallest details feel significant, almost conspiratorial. The opening scene of a black timber wolf watching a quiet town wake up sets the tone perfectly, hinting at something primal lurking beneath the surface. The descriptions are haunting, from the corpse’s “scarlet void—a red-stained window into something that never should’ve been opened” to the rundown, labyrinthine Card House, where some of the most chilling moments unfold. Every sentence feels deliberate, pulling you further into the story’s grip.
But beyond the horror and crime elements, the novel shines in its portrayal of human fragility. Terry Volker is a flawed yet compelling protagonist. He’s tough but not invincible. He’s methodical but haunted. His struggles—both professional and personal—feel raw and painfully real. His relationship with Spartacus, the dog he refuses to give up even as his marriage disintegrates, was one of the most unexpected yet poignant aspects of the book. It humanized him in a way that made his relentless pursuit of justice all the more gripping. Mika does a fantastic job of weaving these personal stakes into the overarching mystery, making the horror of the case hit even harder.
The story’s antagonists, both seen and unseen, are what elevate Something in the Blood from a standard detective novel into something more sinister. There’s an undercurrent of something almost supernatural—hints of folklore, cryptic messages, and a lingering sense that something ancient and malevolent is pulling the strings. Yet, the scariest parts aren’t the shadows in the woods or the half-glimpsed monsters—they’re the people. Whether it’s the mysterious architect of the Card House, the deranged figures lurking in the margins, or the way an entire town seems complicit in its own decay, Mika makes you question who—or what—is truly evil.
By the end, the novel leaves you shaken. It’s not a clean resolution, but it’s the right one. The lingering questions and the sense that the horrors of Bloodrun Borough aren’t over make the story stay with you for a long time. Something in the Blood is perfect for fans of True Detective, Silence of the Lambs, or anyone who enjoys crime fiction with a chilling, literary edge.
pages: 341 | ASIN: B0DS4HXZPT
Vampires Turning Back to Human
When Darksome Falls tells the story of a former vampire grappling with her newfound humanity, as she embarks on a journey of redemption, self-discovery, and emotional healing. What inspired you to explore the theme of a vampire choosing humanity over immortality?
When Darksome Falls had not originally been planned. I ended The Darkened Enchantment in a way to end The Dark series, however the series still had one more story left. Melia’s story. One I tried to avoid, but I was justified in writing her story. There are many stories out there about vampires, however there are not as many stories about vampires turning back to human or the day to day life going from extraordinary back to ordinary. A parallel to life, in a way. You can get used to a certain way of life and then change happens, sometimes within our control, but sometimes out of our control. Everyone copes differently.
How did you develop the intricate emotional dynamics between Melia, Levi, and Camille?
The dynamics between Melia and Camille were interwoven through The Dark series books. When Camille was in a bad place, it was Melia who helped her through it. Now the roles were reversed, however Camille takes it a step further due to her motherly protective instincts. The addition of Levi makes it intricate due to a past Camille is haunted by which she didn’t confide everything to Melia. To Melia, Levi is a distraction to avoid coping from her loss.
Did any particular personal experiences or influences shape your portrayal of grief and healing?
Yes and no. When developing the story, I wasn’t focused on anything personal to portray about grief and healing. However, I did go through a personal matter during the writing of the story that in some ways I’m sure got intertwined. The one major theme I was focused on within the pages of the story was self-discovery. Life isn’t fair, but when one reflects back to who they once were to who they are now and embracing what they have overcome, they will realize they have grown. Each small step is self-growth in one’s life journey.
What message or feeling do you hope readers take away from Melia’s journey?
What I hope readers can take away from Melia’s story is, even when you hit rock bottom and think you’ll never be happy again, you have to take life one day at a time. Life is a constant test and you can let yourself drown in despair or search deep within and discover who you are by taking the journey.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Instagram | Website
When Darksome Falls
M.C. Ryder’s When Darksome Falls tells the story of Melia, a once-powerful vampire now struggling with human frailty after taking the cure. Her narrative is heavy with grief, self-discovery, and the echoes of her former life. From the very first chapter, Melia’s raw and reflective voice draws readers into a tale of redemption and resilience, offering a unique perspective on a genre saturated with tales of supernatural prowess. This isn’t a story about glory but about loss, healing, and finding a new sense of purpose.
Ryder’s ability to paint vivid emotional landscapes is the book’s strength. Ryder excels at showing rather than telling Melia’s struggles to embrace her humanity are intricately tied to her interactions with characters like Camille and Levi, who mirror her internal conflicts in compelling ways. The themes of redemption and forgiveness are woven deeply into the narrative. Levi’s guilt and Camille’s fiery protectiveness highlight how people cope differently with trauma.
One standout moment for me was when Levi, haunted by nightmares, unintentionally lashes out at Melia, only to spiral into self-loathing afterward. The scene is both terrifying and heartbreakingly real, and it solidified my admiration for Ryder’s ability to make even supernatural characters deeply human. These interactions anchor the book and make its characters unforgettable. The scenes at the mall, while insightful in their exploration of Melia’s humanity, felt drawn out compared to the heart-pounding moments of danger and introspection. Similarly, while the book’s focus on emotional healing is commendable, I believe that some readers may find the slower, introspective narrative less gripping. Ryder seems to favor character depth over plot momentum, which works beautifully in some places but can feel a bit meandering in others.
Ryder seems to suggest that healing isn’t about tidy endings but about finding the strength to keep moving forward. If you’ve ever felt lost, broken, or unsure of your place in the world When Darksome Falls might resonate deeply with you. It’s for fans of thoughtful storytelling with richly developed characters–a gem. I’d recommend it to readers who love introspective fantasy.
Pages: 262 | ASIN: B0DQBMM5YC
All I See Are Dark Clouds
In M.C. Ryder’s riveting novel, All I See Are Dark Clouds, readers delve deep into Cammie’s world, a once-human now-turned-vampire grappling with a traumatic past that included her transformation against her will, horrifying tortures, and the agonizing guilt of inadvertently killing her best friend, Nadine. In an endeavor to find some semblance of peace, Cammie follows a poignant personal mantra, “What Would Nadine Do?” while juggling two jobs and aiding fellow vampires as they introduce their werewolf counterparts to human life.
A striking feature of this novel is its take on werewolves. Deviating from the typical narrative of humans grappling with a beastly transformation, here we find beasts learning the art of becoming human. This nuanced role reversal facilitates intriguing scenarios where the werewolves embark on a journey of understanding and adopting human nuances.
Ryder’s portrayal of trauma, particularly as a result of the assault, is done with sensitivity and depth, illuminating the resilience of a character like Cammie, who, despite her strength, continues to grapple with her haunting past. The interweaving of the real-life horror of the COVID pandemic into a fantastical setting is both innovative and heartrending, emphasizing the powerlessness even immortals feel in the face of such widespread human suffering. Amid the tumultuous emotions and epic battles, there are moments of tenderness, such as the supernatural beings rallying to celebrate a human’s birthday and impending childbirth.
A particularly evocative touch is how the ever-changing sky and its clouds mirror the unfolding events, seamlessly binding the book’s title to its narrative. While I enjoyed the story, I felt there was an initial ambiguity regarding Cammie’s identity that might momentarily puzzle readers. Additionally, I felt the transitions between tranquillity and high drama can be pronounced at times throughout the story.
If narratives infused with the fantastical elements reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Twilight, or The Mortal Instruments captivate you, this book is poised to be a delight. With raw depictions of trauma, innovative creature dynamics, and moments both heartwarming and heartbreaking, All I See Are Dark Clouds offers a compelling read.
Pages: 516 | ASIN : B0CD41GY5Q
I Want To Write Different Stories
Serenade explores the saga of a mateless shifter who must navigate a complex web of ancient taboos and personal fears when he’s irrevocably drawn to a reluctant witch whose allure is as dangerous as it is irresistible. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Actually, I based the scene in Chapter one, where Kingsley visits a spiritual center and sits among human beings desiring a psychic reading, on my personal experience at the famous spiritual camp in Cassadaga, Florida. I am always trying to find interesting twists to throw into novels and I thought-hmmm-what if a wolf shifter sat among human beings and a psychic picked him for a reading?
This concept intrigued me and I didn’t think this theme had been explored by any other authors, so I wrote it. Honestly, if an idea makes me laugh and seems entertaining, I will consider it for one of my novels. I love to keep my readers entertained while they are diving into the worlds I create.
I knew, at the beginning, that I wanted to write a book about a wolf shifter and a witch but I didn’t know much else until I started writing it. The idea that the female protagonist happens to walk in during the session and Kingsley, coincidentally, happens to be there too, just seemed too perfect to pass up.
Kingsley and Eva are compelling characters. What were some driving ideals behind their character’s development?
I wanted Kingsley, despite his inability to find his mate, to still have hope that she existed. Once he found her, he would instantly know her yet I wanted Eva to, somehow, be unavailable to Kingsley. She had a secret and he had to remain caution around her, because of it. Yet, her secret wouldn’t make him walk away from her.
Even though he wanted her and needed her in his life, there was something keeping him from solidifying the deal that he had to work through. As her fated mate, standing by and letting nature take its course wasn’t an option for him so having patience as Eva works through what she needs to would be tough for him but worth it, in the end.
With Eva, I knew I wanted her to be like most of the female characters I write about- she felt an attraction to Kingsley but she wouldn’t immediately and instantly be drawn to him. There had to be something in her past that kept her from moving forward with him but at the time I started writing the book, I wasn’t sure, yet, what that was.
It was through the development of the story lines that other characters popped up in the book to add to Eva and Kingsley’s challenges and development like Crimson, Kingsley’s friends and Kingsley’s younger, rebellious brother, Weldon.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Once I started writing about Eva’s ability to affect electricity, I was interested in exploring this phenomenon more. I wanted to find out how this would affect the relationship between her and Kingsley, especially if she was unable to control it. Since Eva is a very passionate female, she doesn’t understand the nature of her ability and this makes it scary for her. That was also a concept that intrigued me and needed exploration.
Despite Kingsley’s sexual magnetism, Eva wouldn’t immediately fall for him. So, Kingsley’s pursuit of her would take time and patience, which he doesn’t have much of since he’s an alpha male. Still, moving slowly through their romance, allowed them both to get to know each other better.
After introducing the subject of her electro kinesis ability, I needed to find a way for her to learn to control it so they could be together. That was also a journey I wanted to explore with, for the couple.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am currently self-editing my manuscript called The Unwanteds before I formally turn it over to my editor. I am hoping to publish the book in a few months.
The Unwanteds is an anthology comprised of six stores with various shape shifters that have been ignored, rejected and shunned by the shape shifter community.
Most stories with shape shifters feature powerful, larger than life wild animals and beings like bears, tigers, dragons and wolves. Yet, I wanted to write a different story. I wanted to tell the tales of those you don’t typically find in paranormal romance books, tell their stories and let readers know of their lesser-known, unique abilities that make them so very interesting. Despite their irrelevance to their community, each one ends up with their own, unique HEA.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Kingsley gave up on meeting his fated one until Eva walked into his life and threw him a curveball—a puzzling dilemma he doesn’t know how to resolve. Her cheery laughter thrills him, her generous curves devour him, and her scent…dear God, her scent undoes him.
Eva had given up on men, but there is something about Kingsley she can’t resist. He is persistent, driven, affectionate, and different from the men in her past.
Kingsley, the Artic Wolf won’t take no for an answer, but witches and wolves don’t mix.
And Eva is dangerous…
LITERARY TITAN 