Blog Archives
A Track of Forgiveness
Snow: Cursed begins in a traditional way, but then takes a turn that defies traditional fantasy storytelling. What was your approach to writing the story?
My approach was definitely to “defy tradition,” and that trope of “good guy versus bad guy” with the good guy always winning. I wanted to express the fact that we—as humans—are all different, and that good and evil are not two absolutes, but that there’s a blurred line in between. I really just wanted to turn the whole idea of a fairytale on its head so I could expose that truth while unraveling that trope in the process. I tried to really show that in the prologue of Snow: Cursed, which is written in Snow’s first person as a sort of “looking back” type thing. In a way, I set out to make something entirely untraditional, to escape the black and white, and I believe I succeeded.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
The human condition is so unique and can take lots of different turns which makes it stellar for fiction books. As humans, we have countless emotions that can be displayed in so many ways, and we get into lots of situations that are awesome to write about. Our reactions to things are very interesting and are fun to play with in fantasy because sometimes they can become warped by fictitious realities. Writing from perspectives other than my own sort of allowed me to place myself in their bodies and feel for what I, as the character, would do in that situation. I’ve done this with Snow more times than I can count. It’s so fascinating to me to put all those components into a character and to stir them up and spew them out sometimes.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
There were a lot of themes that I wanted to explore throughout Snow: Cursed, primarily the fact that good and evil aren’t as black and white as the stories say. I really wanted to show off that morally gray area in my debut novel. Self-discovery, self-acceptance, forgiveness, and friendship are also really important parts of my book. Snow has to go on a journey to find herself, and to accept who she has become because of her knowledge of the curse. She sets herself on a track of forgiveness when Merlin refuses to go with her out into the world behind the wall. Forgiveness is something I think a lot of teens reading YA probably struggle with, so I wanted to delve into that quest. Snow’s friendships were also paramount in my mind when I was writing their interactions with each other, but especially with Merlin. The strong bond between the two characters is expressed during Merlin’s flashback in chapter twenty-four. Themes of loyalty and trust are explored through their relationship, sometimes both getting shattered in different situations. All of these are really important to me.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’ve finished writing book two of the Snow Saga, and I am currently revising it. It’s a continuation of Snow: Cursed that follows up on the cliffhanger ending, so readers will learn what happens to Snow, along with Marian and Merlin. New characters are introduced into the story, such as Gretel Charming, Jack Horner, and Mulan. The title of the second installment is Snow: Wanted. I’m also playing around with a few different series ideas to expand my writing interests a bit further.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
On the eve of her fifteenth birthday, her father divulges a secret that her parents had kept from her since the very beginning. One that could ruin her life forever. The fact that she was cursed at birth by an evil sorceress who cast a spell that is nearly impossible to break.
Snow will find that the line between good and evil is not all that it is cut out to be. It is blurred, and it has faded from the black and white that it once was. Good is not always pure, and evil is not always wicked. Throughout her adventures, battles, and difficulties she quickly discovers that she might not be on the side that she thought she was on.
Will she succumb to the fate that was forced upon her or live to see another day? Will she find the truth or just encounter lies? Will she remain pure as snow, or will her conscience falter as the trials of her life wear on? Will she live happily ever after or have her future unjustly stolen from her grasp? The future is up to Snow.
Snow: Cursed
Snow: Cursed takes a classic fairytale and shatters it like glass underfoot. We start with a familiar image: Snow White, pale as snow, hair black as night. But instead of dwarves singing in the mines, we get blood, betrayal, and wolves with names like Big Bad and Dummy. This story spins out into something entirely new, grittier, darker, and painfully human. At its heart, it’s about identity and control. Who are you when the world decides you’re evil before you even take your first breath?
What stood out most to me was the prologue. Finnegan immediately immerses the reader in a morally ambiguous space, blurring the lines between good and evil. The opening passage reads like a blend of philosophical reflection and personal testimony. Statements such as “no one is truly good, and no one is truly evil” are particularly striking, establishing the thematic foundation for the rest of the novel. Rather than presenting a simple fantasy, the prologue invites deeper reflection on the assumptions we make about people and the lasting impact of the roles society assigns them.
Snow herself is fascinating. She starts out fragile and frightened, learning that her own father plans to burn her alive because of a curse. That scene involving Merlin and the journal was particularly impactful and emotionally resonant. When she finds out about her supposed destiny and how her father lied to her for fifteen years, it’s devastating. And then she breaks out of the castle, climbs the wall, and everything flips. There’s this moment where she takes down Big Bad, the alpha wolf, and suddenly she’s “Red Riding Hood,” drenched in blood, leading a pack. That moment was striking, intense, and deeply affecting. It vividly conveyed her transformation, which felt palpable through the page.
While Finnegan’s writing occasionally leans toward directness in the dialogue, it’s balanced by a refreshingly original voice that brings a distinctive energy to the narrative. It’s dramatic and fast-paced, but it never takes itself too seriously, and I appreciated that. There’s a kind of campy magic in how she blends fairytale with modern sarcasm. When Snow throws a dagger near Dummy’s neck to shut everyone up, it’s brutal and hilarious. That blend of horror and humor works surprisingly well. The side characters are uniquely compelling, with Midnight the wolf standing out in particular. Her character arc is both surprising and dramatic, culminating in a plot twist that is as unexpected as it is effective.
The ideas in this book stick with you. Finnegan messes with traditional fantasy in a way that made me uncomfortable, but in a good way. There’s a recurring theme of rewriting your story instead of letting it be written for you. Snow literally goes from princess to fugitive to alpha to maybe something even darker. And that evolving identity is central to the whole thing. It’s not always clean or elegant, but it’s full of grit and soul.
Snow: Cursed is a fairytale for anyone who’s tired of black-and-white stories. It’s for readers who like a little bite with their magic. Readers are likely to find this story thoroughly engaging. It is intense, emotionally charged, and at times brutal, yet undeniably compelling. I found it difficult to put down.
Pages: 260 | ASIN : B0DS2SVPZS
Rage (The Lit Series Book 3)
Rage is a relentless, mind-bending thriller drenched in supernatural horror. The third book in The Lit Series, it drops us into the chaos of Sam Morris, a man shackled by both his past and the terrifying entities clawing at his mind. The story grips from page one as Sam, bloodstained and half-conscious, sits in police custody, interrogated for a crime steeped in mystery. What follows is a disturbing descent into an eerie world where reality and nightmare bleed together. As Sam’s fragile grip on sanity crumbles, the novel introduces Ellie and Josh—two figures tangled in the same supernatural horror—desperately navigating an existence where monstrous forces lurk in the shadows, waiting to strike.
Mark Anthony’s writing style is an experience in itself. It’s raw, visceral, and utterly immersive. The way he captures Sam’s unraveling psyche in the opening scene is haunting. Sam isn’t just confused or traumatized he’s drowning in a thick fog of something unexplainable. The story thrives in these moments, where reality feels slippery, and every shadow threatens to come alive. Anthony’s prose flickers between poetic and grotesque, making the horror feel as much psychological as it is physical. It’s messy, unpredictable, and wildly effective.
What truly sets Rage apart is its unsettling atmosphere. From the interrogation room to the rain-drenched streets, everything feels oppressively claustrophobic. The scene where Ellie and Josh, exhausted and terrified, realize they are being stalked by a presence they cannot see is particularly chilling. The horror isn’t just in the grotesque creatures that lurk in the dark; it’s in the dread that builds before they strike. The tension never lets up, and Anthony’s knack for drawing out suspense leaves the reader in a constant state of unease.
Rage doesn’t shy away from violence, and when things go bad, they go bad fast. The moment the Dark Child enters the police station, reality collapses into chaos. One officer, blindly grappling with an incomprehensible horror, has his face torn apart before he can even scream. The scene is savage and cinematic, a blood-soaked spectacle of terror. But Anthony balances brutality with a sense of sorrow, this isn’t just horror for horror’s sake. The violence means something, and the characters are acutely aware that every drop of blood spilled has consequences.
By the time the dust settles, Rage leaves a mark. It’s intense, deeply unsettling, and lingers long after the last page. This is a book for readers who crave horror that gets under their skin. If you like your thrillers laced with paranoia, supernatural terror, and gut-wrenching suspense, Rage is for you.
Pages: 545 | ASIN : B0DRKP5GMT
Cursed Mage
TC Marti’s Cursed Mage throws you headfirst into the chaotic, magic-laced life of Kaija Jokiharju, a girl who has already had her fair share of struggles before she even discovers the full depth of the world she’s about to step into. The story kicks off with a haunting, almost cinematic nightmare sequence, then shifts into the harsh realities of her home life. Kaija’s father is unreliable, lost in booze and bad habits, and just when she’s counting down the days to escape for college, tragedy strikes. She’s forced to move in with an uncle she barely knows in a house filled with secrets, a world filled with more than she ever thought possible, and a destiny far bigger than she bargained for.
The writing is fast and sharp, with bursts of dry humor and raw emotion that make Kaija’s voice feel real. I loved how the first few chapters refused to dump a bunch of exposition on me, instead, the book slowly lets its mysteries unravel. The way Kaija observes her new surroundings, from the eerie paintings in her uncle’s house to the suspiciously powerful people she stumbles across, adds a creeping tension that makes you second-guess what’s real and what’s just paranoia. The scene where she encounters the strange siblings by the creek, especially the way the girl lifts her with one hand like it’s nothing, was a perfect example of that shift from reality to something otherworldly.
There’s an undercurrent of rebellion throughout the book, not just in Kaija’s personality but in the way the world around her operates. The story weaves in themes of power, control, and hidden societies, keeping you on your toes. Marti balances the fantasy elements with an almost thriller-like pace. Kaija never really gets to rest, and that makes the tension all the more real. And then there’s Marko, a character who walks into the story carrying secrets as heavy as Kaija’s, and their interaction by the lake is intense, confusing, and loaded with meaning, setting up so many questions that kept me flipping the pages.
There are moments where the dialogue leans into exposition, but it never drags the story down. The world-building is layered, and while some elements remain cryptic for a while, it’s clear Marti is playing the long game, setting up a bigger picture beyond just this book. Kaija’s perspective is both sharp and emotional. She’s tough but never invulnerable, and that makes her journey feel authentic.
Cursed Mage is a must-read for fans of urban fantasy, especially if you like your magic systems tangled in real-world conflicts and your protagonists with just the right amount of bite. It’s a mix of mystery, magic, and survival, all wrapped up in an engaging, fast-paced read that keeps you guessing until the end.
ASIN: B0DC12YZF4
Heatseeker A Story of the Vampire Alex Chance
Heatseeker is an urban fantasy thriller that follows Alex Chance, a former FBI agent turned vampire, as he navigates the murky line between human law and vampire justice. With his centuries-old vampire partner, Jake, Alex investigates the gruesome crimes of Quasi Deus, a serial killer who leaves a trail of mutilated victims. The book weaves action, mystery, and supernatural elements into a dark and fast-paced story that explores morality, justice, and the burden of immortality.
The writing pulls you in right away with its bold, no-nonsense style. The prologue sets the tone with Alex’s introspective musings about life and death, immediately grounding the reader in his world. The descriptions are rich but never bog down the action. For example, Alex’s meticulous attention to his appearance—his five-o’clock shadow, his well-tailored suits—contrasts beautifully with his brutal efficiency as a hunter. The fight scenes are especially gripping, described with sharp clarity that makes them feel cinematic. When Alex and Jake take down a street junkie in a botched robbery, the details of the struggle feel immediate and raw. There’s no wasted motion in the writing, no unnecessary flourishes—just sharp, punchy prose that mirrors the efficiency of its protagonist.
I think the book’s greatest strength lies in its characters, particularly Alex and Jake. Their dynamic is fascinating. Jake, a seemingly innocent twelve-year-old with the skills of an assassin, serves as a dark mirror to Alex’s more grounded and world-weary demeanor. Their conversations are some of the book’s best moments, blending humor and pathos in a way that makes their bond feel genuine. For instance, Jake’s casual blood-mixing with his coffee at a café while discussing serial killers adds a surreal touch of dark comedy. Their code puts them at odds with both human law enforcement and their own kind, adding layers to their moral dilemmas.
While the mystery itself is engaging, with its twisted killer and underworld intrigue, what I truly liked about Heatseeker is its world-building. The vampire lore feels fresh—more akin to a clandestine society than the usual gothic tropes. The Urtama, or Nightwalkers, have their own rules and justice system, operating in parallel with human authorities. Alex’s ties to the FBI add another layer of tension. He’s a man caught between two worlds, enforcing laws he no longer fully belongs to. The contrast between mundane police work and supernatural justice is one of the book’s most compelling aspects. The scene where Alex investigates a ship full of drained and dismembered bodies evokes true-crime horror atmosphere that blends seamlessly with the supernatural elements.
Heatseeker is a must-read for fans of urban fantasy, noir thrillers, and supernatural crime stories. If you like the brooding intensity of The Dresden Files, the grit of a crime procedural, and the stylish brutality of John Wick, this book will be right up your alley.
Pages: 155 | ASIN : B0DSD4P1X2
Would You Rather…
Kimberly Baer’s Would You Rather… is a young adult thriller that starts as a harmless classroom game but quickly twists into something much darker. When a substitute teacher introduces a game of “Would You Rather” in physics class, the students think it’s just another way to kill time. But then, their chosen fates start coming true. Winning the lottery? Check. Losing hair? Check. Going missing forever? That’s when things get real. The story follows a group of high school students trying to unravel the mystery of their eerie predicament before it’s too late.
The dialogue is sharp, and the characters feel authentic. Henry, Blake, Ava, and their friends banter like real teenagers, sometimes goofy, sometimes awkward, but always believable. The moment the substitute teacher, Mr. Trinkley, enters the scene, the atmosphere shifts. He’s unsettling in a way that’s hard to pinpoint at first, but his chilling presence grows with every page. The game starts off lighthearted but quickly escalates. The moment Maddy pulls the card that forces her to choose between killing someone or being kidnapped by a serial killer? Goosebumps. It’s the kind of scene that makes you grip the book tighter.
Baer does a fantastic job balancing suspense with emotional depth. The friendships in the book feel genuine, especially the bond between the “Alphabet Quartet,” Ava, Blake, Charlie, and Deej. Their easy camaraderie adds a layer of warmth to the story, making the stakes feel even higher when things start spiraling. One of the creepiest moments for me was Reina’s hair loss. Her “Would You Rather” choice seemed harmless at first, but when her bald spots start appearing, it’s impossible to ignore the growing sense of doom. The way Baer describes it, little by little, until Blake accidentally yanks off her wig sent a shiver down my spine. It’s these slow, creeping horrors that make the book so effective.
The pacing is solid, though the middle drags a bit when the students are still debating whether the curse is real. I also wish we had more insight into Mr. Trinkley. He’s terrifying, but I wanted to know why, what his real deal was beyond being a creepy substitute. That said, once Maddy goes missing, the urgency skyrockets, and I couldn’t put the book down. The final chapters are a whirlwind of fear, desperation, and a race against time.
I’d highly recommend Would You Rather… it’s perfect for readers who love a mix of supernatural horror and high-stakes mystery, with just enough teenage drama to make it relatable. If you’ve ever played “Would You Rather” and thought, What’s the worst that could happen?—this book has your answer.
Pages: 178 | ASIN : B0DP364MX2
Of Love and Angels
D. A. Chan’s Of Love and Angels weaves a compelling story centered on Troy, a human tasked with observing angels and reporting his findings to a clandestine organization known as the Eye. Bound by strict rules to remain invisible and detached, Troy’s resolve is tested when he’s assigned to observe Grace. Her enigmatic presence captivates him, driving him to risk everything for a chance to know her. His forbidden actions do not go unnoticed, and as Troy unravels a devastating truth, he discovers the lengths he’s willing to go for love.
The story immediately pulls readers into its gripping premise, introducing a character at the heart of the action. The pacing is fantastic, maintaining a seamless balance that propels the narrative forward without becoming overwhelming. From the start, it’s easy to become immersed in Troy’s world and the dangers he faces.
I really enjoyed this story’s unique concept. The absence of demons in a story centered on angels feels unconventional, but this creative choice works in its favor. Not everything in this celestial realm is light and virtuous; Chan explores the darker, more complex facets of angels, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative.
The story is told entirely through Troy’s perspective, which offers a human lens on the divine and unknown. While this perspective enhances the mystery, it also comes with a limitation. The first-person narration creates a narrow emotional scope, making it difficult for me to connect with other characters or Troy on a deeper level. Despite being privy to his thoughts, his emotions often feel distant. I think the world-building could be enhanced with more vivid descriptions, as the setting occasionally feels a bit indistinct.
Of Love and Angels stands out for its originality and thought-provoking exploration of divine order. The premise of angels living among humans, coupled with the idea of humans being instrumental in maintaining cosmic balance, is both refreshing and engaging. The story’s unique concept and well-paced narrative make it an intriguing read.
Pages: 237 | ASIN : B0DVBW2P7D
A Story Someone Needs to Hear
The Call of the Dreamwalkers follows an ordinary teenager trying to fit in who discovers that she is a “Light Warrior” and must stop a dangerous attack originating from another realm. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration came years ago when I was taking my then teenage daughter to school. We were discussing what kind of book she would like to read and I told her the story spontaneously, as if I was downloading it from the ethers. When I went back home, I wrote the story down in a notebook so I wouldn’t forget it and kept it in a drawer. And then, during the pandemic, I realized I couldn’t delay writing this story anymore because there could be a teenager somewhere who really needed to hear it.
What were some of the trials that you felt were important to highlight the character’s development?
Ana, the protagonist, is a phobic teenager who has trouble making friends and is terrified of the dark. When her only friend falls into a coma after a strange accident, Ana is desperate to wake her friend up. But in order to do this, she has to build the courage to face her worst fears and become a leader.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The themes I wanted to address are bullying, mental health, teenage suicide, personal empowerment, and spirituality.
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 wrote the book as a stand-alone with the possibility of a sequel. I am developing the second book, so it’s becoming a series, and I expect the second volume to come out by the end of 2025 to early 2026.
Author Links: Instagram | TikTok | GoodReads | X | Website
Every shy ninth-grader has dreams—to fit in, to talk to their crush, maybe even to become popular. For Ana, those dreams are overshadowed by a nightmare when her only friend, Heloise, falls into a coma after a suspicious bus accident. Her world crumbles. School becomes unbearable. Until one fateful night, a strange dream becomes her lifeline.
Meet Arcadion, a mysterious light being who unveils a chilling reality—dark forces known as “Mind Worms” exist, feasting on the vulnerability of young minds, pushing them to unimaginable lengths of destruction. They targeted Heloise, and now they’ve set their eyes on Ana.
But all is not lost—Ana is destined to fight, to become a “Virtue,” a force for good.
Her mission? Save Heloise, save her school, and save herself. To do this, she must enlist her classmates to stand with her as warriors of light and confront their deepest fears.
It’s more than just a fight for survival—it’s a battle for their souls. But will the Virtues have what it takes to face the hideous Mind Worms in their own realm? Or will they be enslaved forever?
A gripping novel that will challenge you, inspire you, and make you question—Do you have what it takes to face your fears and fight for what’s right? Join Ana on her extraordinary journey!
