Blog Archives
Duty and Honor
Culgan follows a young woman on the verge of discovering her destiny as a direwolf shifter, and a seasoned warrior and heir to the Freki clan who find themselves bound by fate, ancient prophecy, and a rising evil that threatens the balance of their realm. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
A previous series, The Titanian Chronicles, inspired me to see and write about the Freki World. In fact, some characters in Culgan appear in The Titanian Chronicles.
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 secrecy imposed by universal decree on supernatural creatures was a critical aspect of the story. This helped me place and run their existence parallel to humans. Side by side, but the two shall never cross over.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The themes of duty and honor tied to power and abilities were part of the exploration. The gryphon comes into play, as the creatures symbolize purity, loyalty, and trustworthiness. They can’t accept an undeserving wolf. To ride a wolf must be worthy.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
The next book is in the editing process. This story delves deeper into the consequences of sin, greed, and amorality. How far up will someone go, breaking all the rules before the fall?
I have two more stories planned. But I haven’t seen the road yet.
Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | X (Twitter) | Website | Amazon
Long dreaming of becoming a gryphon rider and training to defend her clan, Roisin Hati is impatient for her sleeping inner wolf to awaken. She never expected a choking cloud of evil magic to do just that. When she finally opens her eyes, a huge black direwolf with stunning cobalt eyes is standing over her—Culgan, son of her beloved godparents.
Culgan freezes when he hears the first snarl of Roisin’s rising wolf in his mind, feels her fear in his bones. As a warrior defending the hidden Freki stronghold, bonding has never been a high priority. But something about the white-haired, dark-eyed Roisin rouses an irresistible drive to: Claim. Mate. Possess.
As Roisin navigates battle training, Culgan is at her side, guiding every step. The pull between them grows stronger until it ignites in a glorious mating union. But dark forces are gathering in the desert. A daemon hungry for revenge bargains with a goddess for the power to destroy the Freki. And the gryphon riders may have to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the kingdom.
Culgan, Freki Wolf Clan
Victoria Saccenti’s Culgan is a rich and magical tale set in a world where direwolves, gryphons, and ancient magic exist in powerful harmony. The story follows Roisin, a young woman on the verge of discovering her destiny as a direwolf shifter, and Culgan, a seasoned warrior and heir to the Freki clan. As a dark force reawakens in the world, Roisin undergoes her shift with Culgan’s help, and together they find themselves bound by fate, ancient prophecy, and a rising evil that threatens the balance of their realm. The narrative weaves romance, fantasy, political intrigue, and supernatural battles into a tight, emotional adventure.
I found myself drawn in almost instantly by Saccenti’s worldbuilding. Her ability to blend myth, lore, and visceral details into a living, breathing world is impressive. The Freki stronghold, the gryphons’ bond with their riders, and the mystical laws of the universe all come alive with elegant precision. But it was the emotional depth of Roisin’s awakening, the fear, the wonder, the pain, and eventual triumph, that left the strongest impression on me. Her transformation didn’t feel like just another magical puberty metaphor. It felt real. And Culgan, stoic and noble, struck the perfect balance between protector and partner. Their connection had a slow-burn warmth that felt earned.
At times, the story takes a pause to dive deep into the background and inner thoughts, which can slow the pace a little. And I felt some of the dialogue leaned toward the polished side, feeling a bit more formal than the story’s otherwise grounded and emotional style. Still, these moments felt intentional and helped flesh out the world and its history. But these moments were few, and the rest more than made up for them. The villains felt truly menacing. The magic felt ancient and consequential. And when Saccenti brings in darker themes like abandonment, manipulation, and power struggles, and she doesn’t sugarcoat it.
Culgan is a heartfelt and exciting fantasy that reads like a coming-of-age epic blended with a deep, magical love story. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy immersive fantasy worlds with strong female leads, loyal found families, and just the right touch of romance. It’s perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas or Patricia Briggs, especially those craving more complex shifter lore and mythology. Saccenti writes with conviction, and her story pulses with emotion. I walked away from the last page feeling satisfied, hopeful, and more than a little tempted to dive back into her world again.
Pages: 294 | ASIN : B0F4KN8WJ4
Emotionally Complicated Stories
Irresistible Bond follows a woman recovering from the trauma of being held captive who reunites with two men from her past and questions if they can now make their relationship work. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’m a pantser. I do not plot out stories. Soon after I finished writing Twisted Proposal, book 3 in the Central Florida Stories, the muse whispered in my ear about Marcus, Barrington, and Storm. The men in Club Nexus are all dominant. They inspire emotionally complicated stories, in which asserting their character and independence is part of the growth journey. The same applies to the women they love. Storm’s name is appropriate to her spirit.
Storm, Marcus, and Barrington are all gripping and interesting characters who draw readers into the story. What character did you enjoy writing? Was there one that was more challenging to write?
Marcus, I knew from previous books in the Central Florida Stories. He appeared in “Deception”, the first book and from that moment, I realized that writing his book would be a matter of time. However, he had to tell me how the story would unfold. He did, when Barrington came to work at Club Nexus on book five. Storm wasn’t so easy. I grapled with her fiery personality and hunger for a challenge. I hope I did her justice.
What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
I read a lot from authors who focus on suspense. I also watched a lot of gritty war-time and terrorist films and tv shows.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
Pete Brummer’s story is pending. He’s the bouncer with a complicated (of course) backgroud. I hope to complete his story in 2025.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Irresistible Bond
Irresistible Bond (Central Florida Stories) by Victoria Saccenti is a captivating contemporary M/F/M romance that weaves together love, intrigue, and the emotional complexities of trauma and healing. Storm Canales, now working for the DEA, leaves behind her childhood friends Marcus and Barrington Laurier. But after a mission is compromised by a mole within the agency, Storm is captured by a Colombian drug cartel. When she returns to Florida, haunted by her time in captivity, Marcus and Barrington are determined to help her heal. But the question lingers—will she let them?
The dynamic of long-standing friendship evolving into romance is one of my favorite tropes, and Saccenti explores it beautifully here. The bond between Storm, Marcus, and Barrington, rooted in years of shared history, is palpable and makes the emotional journey even more satisfying. The moments of teasing banter between the characters add a much-needed lightness, balancing the darker elements of Storm’s harrowing experience. After five years apart, it was refreshing to see how these characters still had new things to discover about each other, despite their deep connection. I also appreciated the elements of intrigue that ran throughout the plot. The twists added a layer of suspense that kept me engaged.
There were a few pacing issues that slowed down the narrative for me, particularly in Chapter 2. The lengthy exposition about what had happened in Marcus and Barrington’s lives over the past five years felt like it disrupted the flow of the story. I would have preferred to see more of these details unfold naturally rather than through long descriptions. Additionally, the alternating points of view between Storm, Marcus, and Barrington worked well overall, but there were moments where details about one character were conveyed through another’s perspective, which could have been handled more effectively.
Irresistible Bond is a heartfelt, engaging story of love, friendship, and resilience. The emotional depth and strong connection between the characters make it a worthwhile read for romance fans with a touch of intrigue.
Pages: 248 | ASIN : B0CZ7NFYBV
He’s Bound For Termination
Titanium Warrior follows a man and woman whose lives are intertwined by fate and their destiny that could destroy the world. What was the initial idea behind this story and how did that transform as you were writing the novel?
I’ve been a lover of Greek mythology all my life. The concept of the Titanian universe sprouted from the Greek Titans and what could happen to the world if Kronos’s magic was misused. The Titanian race, descendants of the Titans, was created to protect humans and creatures with god-like powers, but that ability carries a high price. Hagen the main character in Titanian Warrior appeared in an earlier book. At that point in the Chronicles, he was impulsive and too anxious to demonstrate his powers. He’s matured in Titanian Warrior. The weight of his rash actions weigh heavily on him and if he doesn’t atone and find his eternal mate, he’s bound for termination.
What was your process in writing the characters interactions to develop the bond they have?
I’m an instinctual writer. In the business that’s called being a pantser. I allow my muse to invite the characters in and speak their story. Faiza came to me naturally. Her loyalty to her family was an inspiration for Hagen and a source of frustration at times. Their bond is best explained in the pages of the book.
What were some of your inspirations as a writer?
Dame Dorothy Dunnett, J.R.R. Tolkien, Laura Esquivel, Jody Hill, and Isabel Allende, to name a few have been a source of inspiration. Whenever I hit the doldrums, I read a few passages from a favorite book and that sets the writing muse on fire.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
My next book is a contemporary romance, with dark themes in the Central Florida Stories. The manuscript is with the editor and I hope to release it in May. Meanwhile, I’m working on another Central Florida Story. I’m planning on an end-of-the-year release.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Hagen drags himself to the gates of Hell, body and soul shredded by the bloodlust that consumes all the unmated of his kind. Awaiting the painful atonement that will buy him ten more years to find his eternal mate—or face oblivion. But Hades himself kicks him out with the bloodlust still prowling, unsatisfied, in his veins.
Bargained away by her parents to Master O, a mysterious and cruel wizard, Faiza serves in his household, keeping her small magic a secret, plagued by wild, confusing visions of a strange suffering male. Then her master brings home a wounded Titanian warrior whose touch sends ice, fire, and desire through her body.
When she learns Master O plans to use Hagen as a weapon to conquer all races, she devises a desperate plan to free him—a plan that opens a portal to a world she’s never known. And a destiny entwined with danger that could destroy them all.
Titanian Warrior
Titanium Warrior is the final book in the Titanium chronicles by Victoria Saccenti. Hagen, the novel’s hero must find his eternal Phoenix mate or risk going rogue with blood lust and getting eliminated. The heroine, Faiza, and her sister are sold off by their parents to Master O, a strange wizard who Faiza suspects is not genuine with them. The protagonists’ destinies intertwine when Faiza’s vision of an injured man accompanying master O. is fulfilled. As Faiza figures out Master O’s diabolical plan, she must get them out of his clutches. Will Faiza be able to accept the destiny that connects her and Hagen?
Titanium Warrior by Victoria Saccenti is a story of eternal love, fated lovers, and everything in between. It is filled with adventures and action. Readers are quickly immersed in an exotic world which, although materially similar to the human world, is wildly different. This is a befitting recommendation for lovers of fantasy and paranormal romance, including readers who enjoy heart-warming tales.
The romance between our protagonists is passionate and believable. Although it might seem like an advanced reading with complex characters, it is engaging. The supporting characters are also well-developed, adding depth to the story. The use of suspense moves the story’s plot, and the pacing of the story is well-balanced. The novel explores several themes, including love, trust, betrayal, and redemption.
Titanium Warrior by Victoria Saccenti is a riveting, well-written, and blends romance, action, and fantasy seamlessly. It features an exciting display of supernatural forces and power in the modern world. A world with cars, computers, and technology that doubles as a world filled with Titanians, vampires, wizards, and different supernatural creatures that walk amongst humans. There’s also a unique, constant reference to supernaturals using technology to fight evil.
Pages: 284 | ASIN : B0BNZFHM28
LITERARY TITAN 