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Winifred the Wonder Witch
Winifred the Wonder Witch faces two incredible challenges in this whimsical double feature! In the first story, The Witch who Lost her Magic, Winifred, the beloved Wonder Witch, struggles to regain her lost magic from the clutches of grumpy Gerald, the Giant. Enlisting the help of an unlikely ally, Winifred sets out on the quest to get her magic back, and absolutely nothing will stand in her way. In the second tale, Saving the Dragons, the young Princesses Madeline and Isabella do all they can to protect their endangered pet dragons. However, when a dreadful scheme by the evil black witches threatens their beloved pets, the princesses, with the help of Winifred and her friends, must use their wits to safeguard the dragons from harm.
Winifred the Wonder Witch by Margaret Harcourt West is a wonderfully whimsical tale of magic and adventure. Each concise narrative takes up about half the book, and gentle storytelling whisks the reader into a far-off world where anything is possible. There is a good focus on problem-solving, as witty Winifred thinks outside the box to protect her world from danger. Enemies can become friends, and allies can be found in the strangest of places in this lovely adventure. Charmingly illustrated by Hilbert Bermejo, these tales of friendship and fantasy are nothing short of enchanting, firmly securing a spot in my heart as Winifred soars high up in the skies.
Perfectly suited for ages 6 and up and all who love a gentle tale of magic, Winifred the Wonder Witch is an adventure that simply can’t be missed. With beautiful storytelling, an enchanting setting, and loveable characters, Winifred’s journey of overcoming problems as she fights to save the day is an excellent choice for bedtime or anytime. Together with Winifred, prepare to soar high as the Wonder Witch explores her wonderful world.
Pages: 42 | ASIN : B08XJNT6QM
The Chaos Reigns Saga
Call of Chaos follows a young half-eleven woman who is trapped in a temple searching for a lost artifact.What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The original inspiration came from a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. It started out with having Kyrianna keep a journal of her travels and I would write the notes up, the characters started to take over the story and it grew from there.
Kyrianna is an outcast but refuses to give up and hide away, determined to find redemption. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Like many of my characters Kyrianna started out as a name with a general description of her background. That general description is generally what is needed to set up the story opening and let me know why the character is facing what they are facing. It is usually the story that helps me develop the character further. They start telling me more about their background in their actions as they move through the story world.
I’m typically what some call a pantster when I write – I develop stories from a general conflict idea, a title and a main character. I might have a general idea of how I would like the story to end – but it’s the characters who take me on the journey to get there.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Most of my stories tend to explore the themes of redemption and hope. While my characters may suffer during the story – I alway want to show the reader the power hope has. That hope and redemption can always be found if you want it and you look for it.
Can you tell us what the second book will be about and when it will be available for fans to purchase?
The second book, Chaos Embraced, finds Kyrianna and her friends trapped in an elemental maze. As they work to find their way out of the maze, we learn more about the reasons why Kyrianna was brought through the portal in the first book and the group will have their first encounter with the Goddess Thynitic.
Chaos Embraced as well the next two books: Road Into Chaos and Chaos Challenged are all available now.
I am currently working on Book 5 – Chaos Bound (tentative title) and hope to release it in 2024. There is 1 more book planned after Chaos Bound – that will be The Artifact of Order and Chaos which will see the group finally collecting and having to work with the artifact that was mentioned in the first book.
There are also several short stories available as ebook stories that try into the Chaos Reigns stories.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
She and her companions, are charged with finding an ancient artifact before the ones guarding the portals out will allow them to leave.
As their search continues, Kyrianna begins to question if there was a specific reason she and the others were brought to this place.
The Most Rash of Sorcerers
Thaddeus and the Master is the second book in the trilogy; what was the initial idea behind this story, and how did that transform as you were writing the novel?
I’ve always felt getting started somewhere new, while exciting in many ways, can also be daunting and, sometimes, anxiety-producing. So, I thought, now that my characters had achieved their goal of admission to the College of Sorcerers, what would it be like for them ‘breaking in’ to the Sorcerceral school culture – making gaffs, finding allies, taking their ‘places’ and so on.
I tried to maintain that mind-set throughout, at least to the point where, as is most often the case with new places and time, it starts to get sorted out and, therefore, becomes easier.
What was your favorite character to write for and why? Was there a scene you felt captured the character’s essence?
Asullus, the old gray Mule, has always been my favorite to write for and he’s the one I find I’m most often asked about. I’ve even had a couple of Gentle Readers wonder when the Asullus Plush Velvet Stuffed Mule will be available.
One scene where I believe his character is most truly seen is when he coaches the Apprentice kick-ball team in their match against the Seniors. He is wise, loyal to a fault, sturdy and staunch and not above slipping a hoof on the weighing scales if it will benefit his charges.
How did you handle balancing the power and use of magic in the story?
In the series, it is made clear from the start that while one can do amazing things with Sorcerous craft, there is a steep price – which turns out to be the shortening of the practitioner’s lifetime with each use. However, the Sorcerer can never know ahead of time how much of his life-force will be used up with each spell. It is entirely random and changes, even with the exact same spell and the exact same user, from time to time. This tends to provide a cautionary brake to all but the most rash of Sorcerers.
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
We see that, joining together, the Apprentices are able to detect there is a great Evil at work in the College, and that their close bonding is the one factor that will allow them to first, identify, then, second, challenge this dark force.
The third book of the first trilogy will show how the young Apprentices and their female counter-parts are finally able to confront not only a Fallen Master but, behind him, a Daemon of the Ninth Level. No small task.
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The three Brother Apprentices have arrived at the College of Sorcerers only to face new challenges and tribulations set upon them by both the senior students and the Faculty.
Hindering their advancement at College are a collection of obstacles including a half-mad Centaur, a Green Goblin, the last living Father of Man, drug-seeking Sprites, sentient warrior statues, the Guardian of the Temple of Time, murderous attacks by Excelsior-Class brigands, Graecolian Slavers, the uncloaked evil of a twisted Master Sorcerer and the Pale Horse of Death.
. Can Thaddeus truly trust the mysterious Prince from far-distant Mauretesia?
. Can Thaddeus and his three friends solve the riddle of what lies behind the mirrors?
. Can Rolland prove how the College’s cook can claim to have fathered the leader of Fountaindale’s Thieve’s Guild?
. Can the Daemon’s challenge to Thaddeus be answered by his brother Apprentices?
. Can the ancient Lay of Man unravel the fate of the Father of Man?
. Can the four friends alter the dread fate prophesied by the Pale Horse?
In Louis Sauvain’s epic fantasy Book One, Thaddeus of Beewicke, the tortuous and danger-laden journey to the Sorcerer’s school is at last completed. In Book Two, Thaddeus and the Master, the young Apprentices at the College of Sorcerers learn first-hand the life-threatening risks of spell-casting, hand-to-hand combat and confrontation with hostile upperclassmen, disdainful Faculty and the deadly presence of the school’s Daemon.
Sauvain’s strength prevails creating a page-turner of strong and vigorous cast of characters.
Thaddeus of Beewicke
Louis Sauvain’s Thaddeus of Beewicke, the first book in The College of Sorcerers Trilogy, is a gripping tale following a young boy named Thaddeus, who is set to follow in his father’s footsteps as a beekeeper until a Master Sorcerer, Silvestrus, comes along and offers him the opportunity to become his apprentice. However, Thaddeus’ journey to college, where he is set to learn the ways of a sorcerer, is not an easy one. The path is fraught with beasts, assassination attempts, and wonders that are entirely new to him. Along the way, Thaddeus finds two other apprentices chosen by Silvestrus, and together they embark on a journey filled with twists and turns that keep the reader captivated.
Sauvain’s storytelling skills are exceptional. He takes his time to establish Thaddeus’ intricate world and builds a captivating mystery through a brief prologue that sets the stage for a compelling narrative. While Thaddeus is the protagonist, the author does not shy away from providing glimpses into the minds of the other characters, which adds depth to their personalities and the story.
The novel’s pacing is smooth and well-orchestrated. This pace allows us to spend plenty of time with the protagonist, where readers are provided with ample background information about Thaddeus. The length of the book may seem daunting, but it is necessary to provide a comprehensive understanding of the characters and the deep backstory and lore of the world.
Thaddeus of Beewicke concludes with a satisfying ending yet leaves the reader with unanswered questions that create anticipation for the next installment of the trilogy. Sauvain has created a rich and well-thought-out world that is filled with magic and fantastical creatures that are sure to appeal to fans of the sword and sorcery genre. Overall, Thaddeus of Beewicke is an engrossing fantasy novel that takes readers on a spellbinding journey. Sauvain’s storytelling skills, combined with the thrilling plot and well-established world, make this book an exciting read for fans of coming-of-age fantasy stories.
Pages: 532 | ASIN: B0B59LLNTN
If I Reveal My Truth
Season of the Dragon follows a cursed girl who is grappling with two souls when her father is killed by a dragon which sends her on a quest for vengeance where she becomes the hunted. What got you excited about starting this Dragos Primeri series?
The original inspiration for this story began back in 2016! Initially, I was inspired by the idea of a story with a elemental magic loosely based on my Feng Shui practice. I began talking with readers at comic-cons and book festivals about dragons and elemental magic. The world of Menauld grew out of those conversations. The main character, Quen, took a while to develop. But once I “got” her, I became excited for the possibility of the story I could tell about her—and the mysterious shadow soul within her.
Quen Santu was a character that faces a lot of obstacles. What were some sources that informed her character development?
While I don’t outline every scene for my books, I know where I want my characters to wind up at the end. For Quen, I had a premise that guided her character arc, and thus informed the conflict. The idea was this: To become our most powerful selves, we must accept the truth of what—and who—we are. That’s the “why” for writing the book, and the idea for the Quen character came from that. But an additional, and very important, idea soon developed: the bonds of family. Quen, for good reasons, questions whether she is lovable if people learn the truth about her. So that first idea—embracing the truth of who/what you are—butts up against the second story question—will people love me if I reveal my truth? That emotional question forms the spine of the story. All the fun with dragons, mages, and rogues flows from these essential questions for the main character.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The romantic scenes are all fun to write, but the scene I enjoyed writing most is the drinking scene in the Juinar Inn. Quen’s found family is kicking back with a few drinks after a difficult day, and it was fun to imagine this group of rogue-type characters getting “pished.” I wrote a drinking song called “Song of Niyadi” that kicks off the book at the beginning. It was a blast to re-work that song into bawdy lyrics—and hella difficult as I had to stay within the rhythm of the song with the same number of syllables! But hey, that’s fun for a word nerd such as myself.
What can readers expect in book two in the Dragos Primeri series?
It’s difficult to answer without giving away the end of Season of the Dragon… I can say that book two will focus mainly on Aldewin, and readers will learn much more about this mysterious man from the north, and learn his secrets that remained at the end of book one. And as with book one, readers can expect that book two will immerse them once again in the world of Menauld—and the northern continent, Tinox. Oooh, I have such fun things planned! SotD truly is just the beginning.
Author’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nataliewrightauthor
“A dazzling epic fantasy kickoff that rewards and upends reader expectations.”—Editor’s Pick, BookLife Reviews
Quen wasn’t born to save the world. She was created to destroy it.
Quen Santu works for her father tanning hides, waiting for her tides to turn. Everyone she grew up with has already committed to a herdclan. But Quen was born cursed with a second, shadow soul. Sensing the oddity within, animals run from her—an untenable trait in a herding culture. On the cusp of her twentieth year, Quen is at risk of becoming pesha—no one.
Then, a dragon kills her father. The murder turns Quen’s life upside down and dashes her hope for an honorable life. As her anger grows, so does her untapped power. Fueled by a quest for vengeance, she joins a vigilante group of rogues hunting the beast. But her journey soon reveals a terrible truth: beyond the safety of her desert village, she has caught the attention of dangerous eyes. And now, she has become the hunted.
At the end of her journey, Quen’s fate will be sealed. Can Quen overcome her curse and unite her warring souls? Or will her shadow soul consume her—and everyone she loves?
The fate of her homeland—and all she loves—hangs in the balance.
Caught Stealing From A Wizard
The Owl-Headed Wand follows an orphan boy who is taken under the wing of a wand maker and ends up on the run from revolutionaries. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Many years ago I envisioned a simple opening of a story where an orphan is caught stealing from a wizard, but the wizard sees greatness in the orphan and helps him. That was the original inspiration. I wrote a book called The Winter Wizard Chronicles where I first created the world of Yohan. In passing, the story mentions the Fire Elf Rebellion. The two books are almost entirely exclusive in their stories, only sharing the world. But, that mention gave me an idea of where this story would go.
James has endured a lot in life and finally starts to feel at home and safe only for things to fall apart again. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
James was one of the most difficult characters I have written, because his struggles are so unique to a life that I haven’t experienced. I had to put myself in the shoes of a kid who has had so much wrong done to him by those who should love him, and then expose him to people who do love him and let him learn to accept that love and grow from it. Once he had the love, I took it away and let the character fight to preserve it in the face of insurmountable obstacles. For James, I wanted to also showcase the need for others. I wanted a story about a young hero who saves the day, but does so with the help and kindness of those around him. James isn’t alone, even when he feels very alone, I never let him truly be alone. Sometimes that means he has to seek the help of others, sometimes it is accepting their help when they see he needs it.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Love, trust, and hope. James sought the love of a parent and found it in Othano. He had to learn to trust that the love was genuine and that at no time would Othano toss him aside. Hope was a driving force behind James’s actions as he is forced to fight to retain the life he had come to love.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out and what can your fans expect in the next story?
I had originally intended this to be a standalone. However, the response has been great and I too felt a need to revisit old friends, so I wrote a sequel recently. It is in the first stages of completion, still needs a lot of editing and work, so I can’t give a firm date. I hope to have it ready to publish as early as Christmas 2023 or some time in 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Under Othano’s tutelage, James begins to learn all he can about the history of wands and Yohan. However, his newfound peace and security is threatened by a growing revolution and Othano’s disappearance. Now branded a traitor, James must find Othano, escape the revolutionaries, clear their names, and discover the secrets of The Owl-Headed Wand.
Season of the Dragon
Season of the Dragon by Natalie Wright, Book 1 of the fantasy series Dragos Primeri, follows Quen, a young woman plagued by a curse that makes her a pariah in her homeland and the world of Menauld. After a mysterious woman visits Quen’s small desert town claiming Quen to be part of a dark cult, Quen’s life is forever changed. In hopes of discovering the origin and meaning of her curse, Quen joins a vigilante group of warriors to travel throughout the country, searching for answers. While on her journey Quen is faced with those who fear her, those who wish to control her fate, and those who might just know the origin of her powers.
A book for fantasy lovers! With dragons, magical creatures, magic, corrupt kingdoms, and forbidden love, Natalie Wright has created an enthralling world. The reader journeys with Quen as she searches for answers to a dark secret she holds inside herself – her second soul. Quen, unsure of the meaning of her second soul, seeks to understand its origin for fear that she might belong to the shadow of Vay’Nada rather than the calming waters of Val’Enara.
Wright spends much of the book world-building and familiarizing the reader with the world of Menauld, and there is much to learn. Despite this, Wright successfully educates the reader without overwhelming them as she continues the introduction of the world throughout the entire book. Wright excels in immersive world-building, while her second act moves at a slower pace as readers follow along on Quen’s journey.
Quen is an amazing female protagonist. She is bold and strong yet kind, loving, and intuitive. What may seem to be naivete in some situations shows her earnestness and comes off as genuine and relatable. The secondary characters are also well-written. I recommend Season of the Dragon by Natalie Wright to fantasy readers who enjoy a gripping coming-of-age story that takes them on an exciting adventure. I am already looking forward to the sequels.
Pages: 444 | ASIN : B0BRNW6715
We Can Go Even Further
Dream Knights: The Network follows a young boy and girl in a world where adults have lost the ability to dream and the pair seek answers to the problem in their dreams. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Burnout in the United States, such as the Great Resignation, inspired me to suggest a world where adults no longer dream. In the novel, excessive stress and worry make dreaming impossible for adults. Yet, thanks to heroic children, there is hope to bring dreams back.
In reality, there is hope to reduce burnout too. Teleworking and flexible schedules are already gaining popularity. We can go even further.
When compared to the United States, Finland’s students show greater academic success while spending less time in the classroom. They even have summer breaks that are 10 to 11 weeks long. We can learn from this type of success not only for our children but also for our workforce. We all have limits.
Grant and Zahra are intriguing characters that were fun to follow. What were some driving ideals behind your characters’ development?
I wanted Grant and Zahra to be great role models and add cultural and gender diversity to the novel.
To be inclusive, I requested that my cover artist present my characters as silhouettes. Originally, the characters were also written in a nondescript manner. I later changed that, as to be more intentional with diversity, and modeled Zahra after a friend whose family emigrated from Bangladesh.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Different people have different skills, and they are all valuable. When working together, people can accomplish great things.
Also, building relationships and simplifying life can lead to a more fulfilling life than one filled with possessions and stress.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Dream Knights: The Gate, which picks up a couple of weeks after the first book, was just released on December 21, 2022. The third book, still in its early stages, will take place three to five years after the first two books. However, I have also started a historical fiction book for adults. It’s about a budding romance in 16th century Sweden during the rebellion against Danish rule. Although I’m still deciding which book to write first, I’m hoping to publish one in 2023.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Dream Knights: The Network is a children’s adventure novel about controlling dreams and connecting fantasy with reality.
Grant, a first grader in Winooski, Vermont, worries about his exhausted parents. When his classmate’s father becomes ill, his concerns intensify.
Meanwhile, in Colorado Springs, Zahra struggles with her parents’ hospitalization because they are in medically-induced comas.
Unfortunately, their parents are not the only ones facing problems. All adults—consumed by their thoughts—have lost the ability to dream.
Seeking solutions for their parents, this young boy and girl find answers in an unexpected place—their dreams. They also find the network, a mysterious hub of energy. But from where does the network’s energy come, and how is it used?
Dream Knights: The Network is an empowering middle grade novel about teamwork, bravery, and cultural diversity. For parents, it is an inspirational tale about valuing health, happiness, and the unique abilities of children.
LITERARY TITAN 