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The Burden of Power

Ess-Jee Rautenbach Author Interview

Avatars of Destiny: The Quest for Reality’s Edge is a genre-crossing novel with elements of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Action/Adventure. Did you start writing with this in mind, or did it happen organically as you were writing?

You know, it was quite an organic process. I started with a core idea and as I delved deeper, the story naturally branched out into these different genres. It felt like the world I was creating demanded a blend of science fiction, fantasy, and action to tell its story fully.

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?

The inspiration came from a mix of my favorite sci-fi and fantasy worlds, alongside real historical events. As I wrote, the setting evolved—initially a sketch, it soon expanded into a vibrant universe teeming with life. Every chapter seemed to breathe more detail into the world, making it feel almost alive.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

Themes of self-discovery, the burden of power, and the clash between science and magic were central to the story. I wanted to explore how characters navigate their identities and responsibilities in a world that constantly challenges their beliefs and values.

When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?

Book two is in the works and should be available next year! It’s going to take readers even deeper into the conflict, exploring new territories and unveiling secrets about our protagonists’ pasts. Expect more twists, more adventures, and a deeper dive into the mystical and technological aspects of the world.

Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon

Avatars of Destiny: The Quest for Reality’s Edge
🌟 Unlock the Power of Destiny in This Thrilling Adventure! 🌟
Avatars of Destiny: The Quest for Reality’s Edge has been honored with the Literary Titan Book Award! 🏆📚 This prestigious award celebrates exceptional storytelling and creativity, recognizing novelists who craft compelling narratives, memorable characters, and captivating stories that linger long after the final page is turned.
Receiving 5-star ratings from Readers’ Favorite, Readers’ Views, and Literary Titan, this must-read has captured the hearts of both readers and critics alike.
Get ready to dive into a world where magic meets technology! 📚✨
In 1940s Italy, a secret experiment goes awry, opening a portal to another dimension. Decades later, the fate of both worlds hangs in the balance. Join Elara, Thorne, Zara, and Kael—four extraordinary heroes—on their quest to find the Nexus Key, an artifact with the power to reshape reality. Their journey takes them through fantastical realms, facing dark forces and testing the limits of their courage and friendship.
Why You’ll Love This Book:
Epic Fantasy and Sci-Fi: A unique blend of magic and technology.
Compelling Characters: Follow the adventures of four unforgettable heroes.
Non-Stop Action: Thrilling battles, perilous quests, and unexpected twists.
Powerful Themes: Friendship, loyalty, bravery, and the power of destiny.
Interactive Elements: Engage with the story through author’s notes and prompts.
This book isn’t your typical novella. Crafted by a life coach, it incorporates elements of coaching after each chapter, making it an interactive experience. It’s like reading a game or being in a movie.
Don’t miss out on this unforgettable adventure! 🚀✨📖

Stand for the Truth

Steffanie Costigan Author Interview

Land of the Dragon follows two siblings navigating the aftermath of their father’s assassination after he assisted Jews in Nazi Germany. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I have been writing this book for half of my lifetime; I started at the age of 12 years old, and I had next-door neighbours growing up who were from Nazi Germany. My neighbours told me so many stories from their experience in Nazi Germany that really piqued my interest as a child and got me researching and studying more about World War II in Nazi Germany. That is where my inspiration started to develop this narrative for the start of Land of the Dragon.

I have studied and interviewed a lot of people who lived in Nazi Germany during that time, and I have really grown to believe this is an important time that we should not forget because we don’t want to repeat history. If we are not to repeat history, we really need to recognize what happened. It’s easier to repeat history if we do not remember and recognize patterns that happened in history.

Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?

You know, I have been writing this novel and going over it for just about 20 years, and I took my time because I really wanted to feel satisfied with Land of the Dragon when it was published. I have finally reached a point with it that I feel no regrets with the characters and the development of the characters.

I have based each of my characters on a personality from the 16 Personalities test. I studied those personalities because I wanted to make sure that the choices my characters made were not just convenient for the story but would be an actual choice the character would make. Just to name a few characters, Andrew’s character would be INFJ, Eleanor is ENFP, and Tara is ESTJ, all personalities from the 16 Personalities test.

What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to readers?

I believe the scene that really sets the stage and moral of the story for Land of the Dragon is when Israel speaks to Eleanor and Thomas and says, “Let me tell you both something, you can spend all your life living just for yourself or you can sacrifice everything you hold dear in order to stand for the truth that everyone ignores.”

It is so easy to paint reality to our feelings in the moment that the actual truth behind a situation can be easily lost. So that scene captures the message to Land of the Dragon that to be able to recognize the actual truth behind a situation sometimes you need to sacrifice your own beliefs and feelings to be able to see the situation as a whole.

What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?

So as a writer, I have a lot of stories being worked on but to focus it back to Land of the Dragon, this book is meant to be a series, and I have already planned out 5 books for Land of the Dragon. Land of the Dragon 2: The Return of Kiki is what I am working on. The book is already written out, and I am just taking my time to rewrite it and improve it before publishing. A rough estimate of Land of the Dragon 2 being published would be two years from now. I believe strongly in taking the necessary time to really develop the book and layer it out with details and symbolism. Like that quote says “You can’t rush art.”

Author Links: Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Reading Dream Press | Website | Amazon

They had not even started to fight, yet I already could smell blood in the air…


I am a traitor, victim, fighter, survivor, sister, and daughter of a Nazi. I am Eleanor Kuhn. I will not be indoctrinated by Hitler. I fight for the truth my world has forgotten and ignored, but upon escaping the country. I stumbled into a whole new world, and I soon realized that war is everywhere you look.


With nothing but the clothes on my back and five siblings in tow, I wash up on the coast of a world I’d only glimpsed in books and the clouds of dreams: Land of the Dragon. But there’s something about this new world that rings with familiarity. Or perhaps someone . . .


Land of the Dragon is a historic fantasy layered with details and rich symbolism. If you like details in stories, magic, adventure, romance, and dragons this book is a read you will enjoy time and time again. With each read, you may uncover more details layered throughout the book that you didn’t originally recognize. This book is brought to you from Reading Dream Press where stories come alive. 

Shadow Runner

Set in the captivating world of Victorian England, K.J. Fieler’s debut novel, Shadow Runner, introduces readers to the steampunk realm inhabited by Ada, a young girl born into wealth yet yearns for adventure. With a fear of ending up confined to a marriage like her mother, Ada’s thirst for excitement is both challenged and fulfilled when she is abducted by the Shadows, a mysterious group that tears her from her comfortable existence.

Thrown into a dark criminal realm, Ada must face incredible challenges and hurdles. It’s a world entirely alien to her, yet she navigates it with a courage that keeps readers engrossed. Fieler has woven a rich narrative, blending elements of fantasy and a coming-of-age story that consistently engages the reader.

Fieler’s prose is well-crafted, and the intrigue begins from the very first page. Ada’s strength as a protagonist sets the tone of the novel, and as readers delve into her years within the Shadows, her unyielding adherence to her morals – even when put to the test – is both impressive and refreshing. The character development is executed to perfection; Ada’s internal conflicts and confusions are artfully revealed to the reader, even as they remain concealed from the protagonist herself. This narrative device adds layers of complexity, making the unfolding dark tale even more compelling.

The writing is simple yet gripping, turning even the most intricate parts of the plot into seamless elements of the story. I feel some of the events toward the conclusion appeared somewhat rushed, but this is clearly the stage-setting for what promises to be an exciting series. Even those unfamiliar with the steampunk genre will find Shadow Runner an absolute page-turner.

What truly sets Shadow Runner apart is K.J. Fieler’s skillful manipulation of language and ability to weave emotionally resonant scenes throughout the plot. This is a thrilling exploration of courage at its lowest and highest points and a story that hints at more down the road. Shadow Runner is a commendable entry into the genre, a tale rich in detail and character that promises to linger long in the reader’s imagination.

Pages: 277 | ASIN ‏ : ‎  B0BXQ7337M

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