TopShelf April 2023

MODERN DAY BARD

SEBASTIEN DE CASTELL

Exclusive Interview

Sebastien de Castell is a Canadian fantasy writer, mostly known for his Greatcoat series that has been described as "Three Musketeers meets high fantasy", and which got him nominated several science fiction and fantasy awards, such as the Astounding Award for Best New Writer and the David Gemmell Awards for Fantasy.

Q: HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO JUGGLE A FOCUSED CAREER AS A MUSICIAN, OMBUDSMAN, INTERACTION DESIGNER, FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER, TEACHER, PROJECT MANAGER, ACTOR AND AS A PRODUCT STRATEGIST?

Writers as a species seem to be remarkably prone to working in all kinds of different jobs, and I was certainly no exception. I’d often work in a particular field for five to seven years and then shift careers to something entirely new. Fortunately, I was rarely working in more than three of them at a time, otherwise I’d have started forgetting which was which. You never want to show up at a big project launch meeting swinging a rapier while singing a pop song. Actually, looking back on some of those projects, maybe the rapier would’ve improved things.

Q: WHICH OF YOUR MANY CAREERS WOULD FIT INTO YOUR TOP THREE FAVORITES?

My top three favourite careers? Well, there’s lots of competition for the third slot since I loved all those strange and varied jobs. Working as an ombudsman was philosophically enriching; interaction design allowed me to explore the way people relate to technology; teaching is an excellent way to learn because your students are always challenging not just the material but the way one might think about the subject; fight choreography and acting were both tremendously fun and took me on some wild adventures. So, all of those are going to have to share the number three slot.

Number two, however, is unquestionably music. I still perform with bands periodically and there’s nothing quite like the combination of the

physical, intellectual, and emotional connection you experience when a group of musicians performs together on stage in front of an audience.

As for number one? Well, who wouldn’t want to be a full-time fantasy novelist? It’s the best job in the world!

Q: YOU MENTIONED DOING A CAREER IN ARCHAEOLOGY BEFORE HATING IT. WHAT LED YOU INTO THAT FIELD AND WHAT MADE YOU LEAVE IT?

Like so many before me, I was seduced into an archaeology degree by the Indiana Jones movies. I should’ve been suspicious when on day one of classes nobody gave me a bullwhip and fedora. One of the wonders of university is that you can go through almost an entire degree before discovering what it’s like to actually work in that field. Archeology is both a marvellously fascinating subject of study, and – if you happen to enjoy camping and digging in the dirt with a toothbrush all day – an excellent job. Alas, I really hate camping and I get bored easily. You never see Indiana Jones camping. So, really, I blame him.

Q: HAVE YOU GIVEN YOUR CHARACTERS ROLES OR KNOWLEDGE IN THE FIELD AREAS IN WHICH YOU WORK?

One of the joys of writing fantasy is that in addition to devising magic systems and coming up with fabulous worlds, you also get to invent entirely new cultures and jobs. Most of the time, my main characters are

employed in fields that make sense for the societies in which they live but don’t exist in ours. The fun part of this is that I can imagine myself in professions that neither I nor my readers could otherwise experience in our daily lives. Who wouldn’t want to be employed as a swashbuckling magistrate or card-playing philosopher?

Q: HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE YOUR FANTASY SERIES THE GREATCOATS BEFORE YOU WON MULTIPLE AWARDS AND RECOGNITION FOR IT?

Mostly, I get nominated for awards and then lose to more deserving authors. Every once in a while, though, I’ll discover I’ve won an award and an engraved glass plate or little statue or a leather book-shaped award will turn up in the mail. Traitor’s Blade, my debut novel in the Greatcoats series, received some lovely nominations for the Gemmell Morningstar Award, Goodreads Choice Award and even the Astounding Award for Best New Writer. I lost them all – proudly! When Spellslinger won a French fantasy award, I found myself wondering whether it was because the French liked the book even more than the English, or whether the translator secretly rewrote it and made it a better novel.

Acclaim is a lovely – but momentary – event. It’s nice because it can mean interacting with other authors and seeing your name in the paper, but it’s an ephemeral experience that disappears quickly.

Knowing that you’re earning a living from your books is far more motivating both financially and emotionally. And yet, neither of these can compete with the spiritually sustaining joy of finishing a novel. That’s the feeling never goes away.

Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING STYLE?

Despite being a fantasy novelist, I’ve always been

influenced by the prose style of hardboiled writers like Raymond Chandler or even modern neo-noir authors like Dennis Lehane. They write with such a sense of immediacy, not only making scenes cinematic but also visceral. The difference, of course, is that my books are less cynical and driven more by notions of idealism and the redemptive power of friendships. So, while I might think of my style as having neo-noir roots, most readers probably never notice that influence. In fact, with the Greatcoats, readers and reviewers often bring up Alexandre Dumas and the Three Musketeers, but while I’m delighted to fit into the swashbuckling tradition any way I can, stylistically I write with a much more contemporary and informal voice.

Q: WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO WRITING BOOKS IN THE FANTASY GENRE?

Fantasy is alternately praised or derided as offering an escape from our own world, but what draws me to to the genre is the opportunity to explore and juxtapose the familiar with the fantastical. I like to venture into lands and cultures that can have both similarities and stark differences to our own. My favourite fantasy novels never left me wishing I could stay forever in Narnia or Middle Earth, but rather had the effect of making me perceive my own country and culture in a different, less jaded light. That’s fantasy literature’s greatest power: not to escape our own lives, but to re-enchant the world in which we live.

Q: YOUR LATEST RELEASE COMING OUT THIS MAY, THE MALEVOLENT SEVEN, IS ALSO IN THE FANTASY GENRE. CAN YOU SHARE WITH US, READERS, WHAT IT IS ABOUT?

Malevolent Seven is an irreverent dark fantasy filled with mercenary mages of dubious moral character who find themselves accidentally caught up in a battle between god-like forces threatening to destroy the mortal realm. Despite their insistence on not being heroes, they’re stuck trying to save the world – unless someone comes up with a better offer. It’s wilder and fasterpaced than my Greatcoats novels, but retains some of the themes of friendships and found-families that I love both as a writer and as a reader.

When I first shared the manuscript with my publishers, I proudly informed them that Malevolent Seven contained more swearing and dirty jokes than any other book I’d ever written, and that none of them could be removed for publication. Looking back, I’m not so sure my editor didn’t actually add a few swear words of her own.

Q: WHO ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERS IN YOUR NOVEL, THE MALEVOLENT SEVEN?

Cade Ombra is a mercenary wonderist – a mage who draws his spells from one of the dozen different planes of reality where the laws of physics work differently enough to make magic possible. In Cade’s case, his spells come from the Infernal Realm, which is rather uncomfortable for someone who’s trying his best to avoid becoming an even worse human being than his fellow magesfor-hire. Accompanying him is Corrigan Blight, a big, boisterous Tempestoral thunderer who mostly gets off on blowing things up. Galass, a blood mage whose magic keeps trying to exsanguinate her comrades. Along for the ride is Aradeus, the world’s most handsome, swashbuckling rat mage whose convinced that rodent magic is the noblest of all, an angelic being betrayed by

her celestial rulers and a demon who happened to be trained by the most honourable paladin who ever lived. Oh, and there’s an enthusiastically yapping jackal who may or may not be the most dangerous of them all.

Q: WHAT THEMES WILL READERS FIND IN YOUR NOVEL?

In the world of Malevolent Seven, as in our own, there’s a lot of talk about who’s good and who’s evil – which side is right and which side is wrong. But most of us don’t get to choose the society in which we’re born or even which side wants us and which one doesn’t. Cade Ombra is always wrestling with the fact that the good guys seem just as willing to engage in havoc and destruction, murder and mayhem as the bad guys. If the methods are the same, then are the sides really so different? And if you can’t trust in the idea that your side is righteous, what’s left? For Cade, what’s left is trying to take care of the people near him, which is why friendship and family are as central to Malevolent Seven as all the magic and blowing things up.

Q: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING WRITERS IN YOUR GENRE?

Write the book you want to read . . .  boldly. Don’t tone down your writing, don’t avoid so-called clichés or tropes or whatever other nonsense people are nattering about on social media. If you loved Twilight, then write about vampires that are twice as sparkly and broodingly handsome as the ones in that series. If you love big adventurous quests with unicorns and dragons, make your unicorns and dragons the most magical of all and give your characters the coolest swords. Don’t back away from what you love just because you’re afraid of not being unique enough or people on the Internet claim that sub-genre is passé – doing so will only water down your voice and passion. It’s

easy to ‘tone something down’ or make it more ‘sophisticated’ later, but it’s incredibly hard to bring a story that you’ve drowned in your insecurities back to life. Write the book  you want to read as  boldly, irreverently, and honestly as you possibly can.

Q: WHAT OTHER PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

So many projects! When you’re fortunate enough to reach a certain amount of success in this business, the demands on your time start to multiply between writing, publicity, travelling to various events, negotiating contracts that range from new series to translations in other countries to film & TV options. Thankfully, the work that occupies the lion’s share of my day remains writing new novels including:

• FATE OF THE ARGOSI, the third Ferius Parfax book that spins off from my young adult series, Spellslinger, comes out in August, 2023 worldwide.

• CRUCIBLE OF CHAOS, a standalone Greatcoats novel featuring my new favourite swashbuckling detective will come out later this year.

• OUR LADY OF BLADES, first of the new Greatcoats quartet, is scheduled to hit shelves in March, 2024.

• PLAY OF SHADOWS has been finished for ages, but it’s coming out in March 2025.

• During the past couple of years, I wrote two quirky mystery novels that I adore: THE TROUBLE WITH TUPPENCE and COLD STEEL FOR CROOKED HEARTS. Some of the world’s top publishers have excitedly informed my agent that neither of these could ever be a hit with readers. I’m inclined to see if I can prove them wrong.

• Finally, with both the Greatcoats and Spellslinger series having been optioned for television, I get to have

the pleasure of periodically meeting with vastly more famous and talented people than myself about how they might be brought to the screen. No promises, of course, as Hollywood is as strange and fickle a land as any fantasy realm one can imagine, but still, tremendous fun!

ABOUT SEBASTIEN DE CASTELL

Sebastien de Castell had just finished a degree in Archaeology when he started work on his first dig. Four hours later he realized how much he actually hated archaeology and left to pursue a very focused career as a musician, ombudsman, interaction designer, fight choreographer, teacher, project manager, actor, and product strategist. His only defence against the charge of unbridled dilettantism is that he genuinely likes doing these things and that, in one way or another, each of these fields plays a role in his writing. He sternly resists the accusation of being a Renaissance Man in the hopes that more people will label him that way.

Sebastien's acclaimed swashbuckling fantasy series, The Greatcoats. was shortlisted for both the 2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy. the Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut, the Prix Imaginales for Best Foreign Work, and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His YA fantasy series, Spellslinger, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and is published in more than a dozen languages.

Sebastien lives in Vancouver, Canada with his lovely wife and two belligerent cats. You can reach him at www.decastell.com

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW

AS THE STARS FALL

STEVE N. LEE

by Pelican Freak

BRILLIANTLY HEART-WRENCHING

A Desperate Dog. A Scarred Girl. A Bond Nothing Can Break. An injured, young dog trudges the city streets, trembling from cold, from fear, from lack of food. Battered by the howling wind, he searches desperately for his lost family, yet day after day, week after week, all he ever finds is heartbreaking loneliness.

But then, one magical spring morning.... Across town, a little girl sobs into her pillow in the dead of night. Her life devastated by a family tragedy, she can’t understand how the world can just carry on. Her days once overflowed with childhood joys, yet now, despair, darkness, and emptiness smother her like a shroud. But then, one magical spring morning....

…the dog and the girl meet.

In a tale as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking, As the Stars Fall explores how compassion can make us whole again and

friendship can heal even the most broken of hearts.

Overall:

This book invokes so many emotions, constantly and just … wildly. Even if you’re not a dog person, I expect this book would tear at your heartstrings. And this book stars the absolutely sweetest, most wise-beyond-her-years 9-year-old girl, who, early in, proves just as lovable as ‘Dog’.

The writing is brilliant—I’ll have to see what else this author has out. It’s terrible only in how heartbreaking it is, however ultimately, it’s great. I did predict the end but, not until the last 12 minutes or so of it, so I’m not sure that counts.

It’s also not quite like anything else I’ve ever read or seen, which is quite a feat.

This is a tale of friendship and loyalty, in their purest forms.

Audio:

Perfect narration, very well 5-star performance.

About The Reviewer - Pelican Freak

Pelican Freak is the online alter ego of an author PA who works with authors in all genres, some of who are international best sellers. Pelican Freak reads all genres and is brutally honest in what is reviewed.

THE TWO-DOLLAR HUSTLE

by Heather and S.D. Vassallo

Pirating an author’s manuscript is what I refer to as a two-dollar hustle. You steal someone’s work, sell it, collect your profits, and call it a day. Career pirates will sell their ‘booty’ through other sites quickly; that way they make money, not only from their first upload—that will most likely be taken down within sixty days—but through those secondary sources which might never be removed.

It’s not sexy or glamorous, and it doesn’t provide large sums of money like a big heist, but unlike a heist, it’s a low risk enterprise. And, best of all, it likely provides a steady stream of cash. One twodollar hustle might not bring in big bucks, but a few hundred of them and the pirate has sustainable income flowing in. Most pirates are career criminals They’ll set up 100 two-dollar hustles over the course of a weekend. Even better for the pirate is the fact that their income is tax-free.

It’s hard to protect a manuscript from being pirated. What makes it worse is the large corporations make piracy easier. They tend to have loose policies and multiple departments that don’t

communicate with each other. It’s common to get bounced back and forth between departments till you finally reach someone who can finally get the situation resolved. We spent the last week sending email after email, talking to reps from different departments, filling out forms, and the process is still ongoing.

It’s disheartening that there’s so much piracy taking place in the book industry. The pirates aren’t going to quit. They’ve found their niche and they’re going to stay there. And the ones running their two-dollar hustles aren’t really worried about what might happen to them. They’re good at their business, and they tend to remain anonymous, even when their acts are discovered. The worst that generally happens to them is their pirated book gets taken down. They aren’t worried about legal actions or punishment; corporations and law enforcement agencies generally aren’t going to devote much energy, time or resources towards tracking down and punishing someone doing a two-dollar hustle.

We, as authors and publishers have to keep trudging forward. We have to keep writing and publishing. We have to stay diligent in our best efforts to protect our work. It’s hard, and it can be disheartening, but we have to keep moving forward. The only way we’ll have any success against piracy is to keep striving. It takes patience. And tenacity—remember that word!

Our emotions have run the gamut this week from shock to fear to disbelief and finally to rage. How dare someone do this to one of our authors! How dare someone do it to us! We’ve spent twenty plus hours talking to four different departments at Amazon, filing copyright infringement claims, searching for other pirated copies online, updating readers, and working with our publicist and lawyer. We’ve talked to other publishers and authors. We’ve agonized over how to protect our other authors and the next two upcoming book launches. It was exhausting. But we’re not giving up; we’ve got loads of tenacity (if you only remember one thing from this article, remember that word!).

We’ve put together a survival list for publishers, for if and when they get plundered by pirates. Many thanks to Andrew at Dark Lit Press for the tips he provided.

What you’ll need to survive piracy:

* Coffee. Don’t skip this step.

* Open communication with the author and/ or artist. Remember that the theft effects you both, but for them this is bigger than that. This is a violation.

* Make sure your whole team knows, including your publicist, bookkeeper, and lawyer. Continually update your team.

* The contract between the author and publisher.

* The contract between the cover artist and the publisher or author.

* Screenshot of where you got the ISBN (be sure to get your own ISBN).

* Screenshot of any other dashboards where you have the book published.

* A cease-and-desist letter from your lawyer.

* The tenacity (don’t forget this word) to keep calling and keep submitting forms over and over again.

* A sense of humor.

* A support group. Reach out to other publishers, editors, and authors you know. Gather as many tips as you can.

* The tenacity (there it is again!) to keep calling and keep submitting forms over and over again.

* Learn to channel your rage and frustration into perseverance.

* Patience.

* Sleep.

* Exercise and/or meditation of some kind. Self-care is key if you’re going to keep fighting.

* The tenacity to keep calling and keep submitting forms over and over again (we’re tenacious in our attempts to make sure you remember tenacity!).

We hope other writers and presses don’t have to deal with their work being pirated. Unfortunately, as common as piracy is, most of you will have to deal with it at some point. Just remember—if and when it happens—not to lose heart or give up. Be patient, be tenacious (we can’t stress that enough!), and keep moving forward. It’s all we can do.

Ad astra per aspera!

SPOTLIGHT ON HOUSE OF FIRE AND BLOOD

Two babies, born with the blood of witches.

One of darkness.

One of light.

The magic of each yet to be awakened.

Separated at birth, neither knew of the other. Seventeen years have passed, with their strength increasing with every moon cycle.

Sacred relics were forged to contain any magic too great to wield.

One a dagger.

One an amulet.

During the time of the First War, these magical artifacts were stolen and hidden from the world.

It is foretold that if the Cursed One were to wield both relics, it would bring about the end of days.

Alliances forged.

Blood spilled.

Lives lost.

Gifted the artifacts, twin witches, Imogen and Amelia, must harness the power within them to save those they love... and prevent the rise of Aed.

L. L. HUNTER

L.L. Hunter is the bestselling author of over 50 published works, including The Nephilim Universe and The Summervale Series. She has studied and worked in a range of professions, including dog grooming, forensic science, and the dramatic arts, but has always known her true calling was to be an author. When not working on her next novel, she can be found at home in Australia, reading somewhere comfortable with her fur babies, drinking wine, or watching true crime documentaries.

ABOUT

"T he House of Fire and Blood sets out a rich canvas of strange lands, foreign civilisations and high-fantasy characters

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Q: HOW DID YOU START YOUR CAREER IN WRITING?

Firstly, I must mention the elephant in the room. Picture yourself as a French Canadian with very broken English. The idea of writing a book in English or having a “career in writing” was really not part of what I thought could be possible. The voice in my head was telling me: “What? You want to write books, in English? It’s never gonna work, you’re not good enough!” And unfortunately, I know I am the not the only one. Research shows that 70% of our thoughts are negative and that 85% of people lack of self-confidence in at least one area of their life. So back then, I did not know what I know now about neurosciences. I was a personal trainer, fitness instructor and nutrition and wellness specialist in the fitness industry. I realized that my clients would have better results if I was able to give them a more global approach and deeper advice than the ones that can be shared while doing bicep curls. I started a series of conferences which were very popular and well attended. Many were asking to receive my power point presentations and my notes after participating in a conference so I thought that having a book on the topic would be a perfect complement for them to get to the next level. But first, I had to get rid of the negative voice in my head. So I studied neurosciences and created a system to transform negative selftalk and limiting beliefs so that I could tackle my first book. Fasttrack 17 books later, I now share that system in my books, in my online courses, on stages around the world and with my one-onone coaching clients.

Q: HOW DOES IT FEEL HAVING SUCCESSFULLY PUBLISHED SEVENTEEN BOOKS ABOUT SUCCESS, COMMUNICATION, WELLNESS AND EMPOWERMENT?

It makes me realize that if me, a small town girl that did not even speak English can do this, that means that everybody can. I know that each book has been better than the previous one, that I gained experience writing them, I now have a very efficient and solid system that contributes to fast tracking the process. It makes realize that like anything else, we start being uncomfortable and with practice, we get better. But, perseverance is not the only factor that I want to point out here. I now am able to work smarter. Seeing my clients skip over all the mistakes I made and use my systems to succeed faster than I ever did is really what provides me with the best feelings. That learning can now be transmitted

to others so that they don’t need to write 17 books to get it right.

Q: TELL US WHAT IT WAS LIKE FOR YOU PUBLISHING A BOOK COWRITTEN WITH JIM BRITT AND KEVIN HARRINGTON FROM THE TV SHOW SHARK TANK, AND ENDORSED BY TONY ROBBINS.

When I started speaking on Confidence and Mindset 15 years ago, I cannot say that people were lining up to hire me. But now, I am very busy. Highly successful entrepreneurs in the major leagues have understood that Mindset and Confidence is everything. When Jim Britt contacted me on LinkedIn, I actually asked for a Zoom conversation “face-to-face” so that I could see it was really him and not just someone impersonating him. We had a glorious conversation which in the end, we were not really sure who was interviewing who. It was a perfect fit. I have learned a lot in the process of getting to know them better and we continue to meet monthly in a mastermind where we support each other to get to the next level in our respective business and life. Jim often invites surpriseguest luminaries to our mastermind calls, including legends like Denis Waitley and Mark Victor Hansen. Conversations and open-questions with these notorious writers and entrepreneurs is continuing to benefit to the book experience. My mom used to say that you can’t put your hand in a bucket of glue, without some of that glue sticking – I think she took this from Stephen Covey and she was only telling me this so that I would stay away from the bad boys at school – but someone, still today, I love and take every opportunity to learn from everyone around me. Surrounding myself with driven speakers, writers, entrepreneurs that understand me and “get me” has been a huge key to my personal success.

Q: WHEN DID YOUR IDEA FOR YOUR LATEST BOOK, THINK YOURSELF CONFIDENT, START TO FORM?

The book idea goes back almost 20 years. Let’s go back to the days when I was just starting out teaching fitness, at a gym in Toronto. I was not super confident; I’m sure you’ve been there before, maybe not in a gym but in some other setting where you were brand new and a little out of your element. You’re not sure what you’re doing, you’re not popular, you don’t know anybody, or you’re new in the area and haven’t really found your feet yet. That’s where I was in my first few months at this gym. So what happened between me begging my boss not to remove my class from the schedule because of the low numbers, and being awarded fitness instructor of the year for the whole country, less than a year later?

The gym was introducing a new dance program. We put together a group to demonstrate it at the next instructor’s meeting of the Greater Toronto Area; there were about 100 people in the audience, all local fitness pros. So picture this: You are on stage in front of 100+ fitness pro, all much better than you, you are really intimidated but you are “giving your all”. You are starting to feel pretty good and you can just feel all the eyes in the crowd turning towards you. You know you are drawing attention and everyone has this shocked look on their faces! You are thinking “Oh my gosh, they’re so impressed with my dance skills! They had no idea I was this good at dancing!” You’re having the best time on stage and can really feel all the energy coming from the audience.

I don’t know what this would do for you, but for me, it made a huge impact on my life. It was a real turning point. We finished the number, and I was amped. My confidence was through the roof! That performance totally changed me. I started strutting around in the gym and putting my hand up to become team leader, I was so confident that my teaching style exploded,

and my classes started to get packed. Everybody was so impressed with how I well I was doing.

Much later, I was chatting with one of my colleagues in the locker room, and she said to me: “I’m so impressed with you, Nathalie. Even after what happened to you that day, you’re still so confident, and you’ve been acting like you own the place instead of being embarrassed. Everybody really respects you because you didn’t let it bother you at all.”

Um, record scratch! Excuse me?! What was she talking about? Well, it turned out that, unbeknownst to me, I’d had a wardrobe malfunction that day, and my breast was sticking out during the whole performance. That’s why people were looking at me with shocked looks on their faces. They were looking at me in amazement, alright. But for a very different reason than I thought!

But I had no idea, and for weeks afterward, I was this super confident person. Once I heard about this, of course, I kind of wanted to disappear, but only for a few minutes; by then, it was too late, I was already the queen of the gym, boob malfunction or not. Because, honestly? I still felt absolutely amazing. Although the story I’d had in my head was not the right one, it completely changed my mindset, and it just hadn’t mattered. One of the most embarrassing moments of my life had a much different impact for me than it might have, because of that story of success I had in my head. What mattered most was my mindset around it.

The book came from this lesson. That is when the system started to take form and I was able to create a process to apply it to your daily life. It took many years and many books in the THINK Yourself® SERIES to really gather case studies, testimonials, facts and to perfect my system to create my signature THINK Yourself® CONFIDENT book. It is a cumulative of everything I have learned from the past 15 years working with my clients and learning from my audiences around the world.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MAIN POINTS THAT YOU DISCUSS IN YOUR BOOK, THINK YOURSELF CONFIDENT?

Statistics show that 85% of people suffer from a lack of selfconfidence in at least one area of their lives. Draining negative self-talk creates procrastination, stress, anxiety, and burnout. People know what they want or need to do, and yet they do the reverse—they resist change and can’t adapt to the fast world we live in. That makes them feel powerless, frustrated, and insecure. In a work environment, this can lead to a demotivated and unhappy team, low overall performance and a high employee turnover rate. With the layers of stress people are already buried under, important decisions are clouded by emotions or limiting beliefs, instead of being based on skills and experience. Bottom line: whether on a personal or professional level, most people admit to not working—or living—at their full potential.

The book explains my D.N.A. System, through which readers discover 15 proven Keys to Confidence, real-life, simple skills and strategies to transform your inner thoughts and beliefs into a serving force that will empower you to be your best and thrive through change. In one sentence: this book ignites performance and gets you the tools you need to THINK Yourself® CONFIDENT.

Q: SHARE WITH US, READERS, WHAT YOUR COMPANY, THINK YOURSELF® ACADEMY, IS AND WHAT IT OFFERS?

The THINK Yourself® ACADEMY, offers keynotes and trainings, leading-edge online courses, books, laser-focus business strategy and oneon-one transformation coaching. By offering a full package to organizations and associations of entrepreneurs, we are able to really address the challenges they face with stress, adapting to constant change, employee rotation, imposter syndrome, low performance, negative mindset, etc. I often use the fitness industry as an example: If you want to lose 50 lbs and you hire a personal trainer, you cannot expect the pounds to magically disappear after ONE session. So, yes, a keynote, a conference, a book gets people started on a mindset journey, but if it ends after the one hour keynote. People go back to their busy agendas, put their notes on the shelf and it becomes shelf-help. In order to

make a difference, there is a series of events, products, books, courses, strategic coaching that are involved in the process. Hence the vision to create the THINK Yourself® ACADEMY as a one-stop shop for all-things-mindset related that really unlock full potential.

Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING STYLE?

As some of my books were conferences that I recorded and transcribed as the first draft of my manuscript, and because English is my third language, my writing style is very easy to understand. I have been crown the Queen of Metaphors many times as I used stories and analogies to make it easy to relate to a concept. Neurosciences in laymens’ terms.

Q: FOR ASPIRING WRITERS, WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR THEM?

Here are a four tips:

1. Before giving everything you got to ONE book, identify if you potentially have a book series in your head.

2. Break down your book into 3-5 or 7 parts and for each part, divide in 3 or 4 pieces of content per part. For example: if you choose a 5-part book you will have about 20 chapters to write. Then write a weekly blog for 20 weeks about each of these sub-ideas. After 5 months, you will have blogged your way into a book.

3. Collect testimonials and case studies that you can use in your book.

4. Allow your book to be “old” as soon as it will be released. As we all evolve very fast, it is perfectly normal for our books to needing to be updated every so often. So just write, publish and allow yourself to be done with it even though you will always feel that you could add more. You will do so in the version 2.0. of the book. Just publish it and the next one will have what you forgot. Don’t let perfection keep you from becoming a published author.

Q: DO YOU OUTLINE YOUR BOOKS OR JUST DIVE INTO WRITING THEM? WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS FROM?

I follow a plan. I break it down in parts and only have to write one part at a time. I have blogged my way into some books, I have transformed recorded online courses into some books, I have also written a book that would become my blog for the next 6 months: 27 tips to live a vibrant life. I was tired of the panic every week not knowing what to write on my blog so I rented a house in California with a pool for 2 weeks and I wrote 27 tips. It became a No.1 bestseller (THINK Yourself® HEALTHY) and gave me content for the next 27 weeks for my blog. Win-win.

Where do I find my ideas: I listen to my clients problems. What is the advice that I keep repeating like a broken record? What is googled the most about this topic? I go into social media groups and see what challenges are people facing. Then I find solutions and publish the answers. I do the same when creating online courses. I survey my audience and I tell them that I am about to launch a new course on a certain topic and ask them what they would want to see covered. I also have a button on my website for people to be alerted when the course is ready. I wait until I have enough people interested and then I create the course for them. So I really listen to what people want. I use to create content about what I wanted until I realized I needed to respond to a demand instead. During the pandemic, I created a lot of content for entrepreneurs: THINK Yourself® A MARKETING PRO, THINK Yourself® A SALES PRO, THINK Yourself® A TECH PRO, etc. As I had moved my business online 4 years prior to the pandemic, a lot of people came to me saying:

“I know you want to teach me how to be confident, but what I need right now, is to know how you build your Academy and how to transform my social media fans into paying clients.” So after multiples one-on-one sessions with entrepreneurs asking me the same thing over and over, I created the online courses responding to exactly what they wanted. I am very close to my followers and I create what they need. It is no longer about how I can be successful

but more about how I can serve.

Q: TELL US, READERS, WHAT OTHER

PROJECTS YOU ARE WORKING ON, IF ANY.

As I am writing this outside in my bathing suit in the middle of the cold canadian winter, I am in Palm Desert for two months and I have been able to automate my business so that I can work only 9 months per year. So my project right now, beside working out, hiking, spending time a the pool and playing cards with my husband, is to do some long-term planning as I review my multiple projects on my Trello Board. I am having each idea re-audition to deserve a spot in my calendar. I have learned that I am at my best when I take some breaks and when I work smarter. I have been the Queen of NOs lately. There are so many things I could be doing and I have been saying No to everything in order to evaluate what I really want to say YES to.

Psst: I am glad I said yes to being part of your magazine.

Q: WHERE CAN READERS FIND YOU AND YOUR BOOKS ONLINE?

Email: nathalie@thinkyourself.com Website: https://thinkyourself.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/nathalie.plamondonthomas Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkYourselfAcademy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-plamondonthomas-6b3262a/

Instagram: @nathaliepthinkyourself - https://www.instagram.com/ nathaliepthinkyourself/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NathaliePlamondonThomas Book your FREE 15-min Virtual Coffee: www.thinkyourself.com/ schedule

Downloadable Speaker Kit: https://thinkyourself.com/speaking-kit/ Books: https://www.amazon.ca/Nathalie-Plamondon-Thomas/e/

B00JEEQTGC

Podcast: https://thinkyourself.com/podcast/

My advice to writers, in whatever genre, is just to write, and keep writing - preferably about things of which they have some knowledge.

ABOUT NATHALIE PLAMONDON-THOMAS

I was born in Saint-Raymond, a small town near Quebec city, in Canada, and was raised by the most positive and amazing parents. I lived in Quebec for a big chunk of my life as a successful entrepreneur. I was a co-owner of a manufacturing business in the printing industry and had over 50 employees, mastering human resources and sales techniques. Then, I moved to Toronto, Ontario, where I got into fitness, personal training and nutrition consultation, all while accumulating 16 more years of experience in sales in the Natural Food industry.

After reaching the top of my game as the No.1 Fitness Instructor in Canada, I realized that being my own personal best wasn’t fulfilling enough for me. I started to realize that even though I was helping people, my clients were not becoming successful just because I gave them a better kale salad recipe or showed them a different way to squat. They thrived because they were changing the way they thought. That's when I traded the spandex and hand weights for a pen and paper and started to help my clients with their transformations by coaching their brains instead of their bodies. Working "in" instead of working "out". The system I created is inspired from my Master Practitioner Course in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and my Master Life Coaching certifications and combines my experience as an entrepreneur, my health and wellness knowledge along with the specific processes I use with the thousands of clients I have helped reach their full potential. I am also a certified Practitioner

of the Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories

TM (RTM) Protocol, which helps people with trauma and PTSD get their life back.

I work with clients one-on-one and propel people into the life they want through my coaching, online courses, books, events, and speaking engagements Keynotes and Conferences. I also continue to teach fitness classes (33 years and counting), using fitness for my personal fitness goals and as an introductory platform in order to help people be their best. I also work with kids in schools, which gives me an even wider audience to impact, because I believe that if certain seeds are planted at a young age, flourishing happens sooner in life. The program I am the most proud of is certainly the THINK Yourself® POSITIVE for Kids program where children learn to transform their inner language in order to build self esteem and perseverance through The Adventures of Captain Vic and Captain Miserable.

I have also built a full Online Coaching Certification to teach the D.N.A. System to others so that they can also transform lives around them as certified THINK Yourself® ACADEMY Life Coaches.

I am honoured to have recently received the 2021 Canadian Presenter of the Year Award and now live in White Rock, British Columbia in Canada with my loving husband Duff. He is the most inspiring and wonderful man in the world, and we are celebrating our 18th anniversary this year.winning Quercus (a relatively young publishing house which did not exist when the book was first presented to British publishers). It went on to become an international best seller, and was shortlisted for both Barry Award and Macavity Award when it was published in the USA.

The Blackhouse won the US Barry Award for Best Mystery Novel at Bouchercon in Albany NY, in 2013.

Q: HOW DID YOU GET INTO CREATING A COMIC BOOK SERIES?

I wanted to create comics that I wanted to read. My husband and I co-owned a comic book store called Black Cat Comics in Northern California for nearly two decades and we’ve been reading and enjoying comics for much longer than that. For a while, there felt like a lapse in good, quality horror comics. I missed the days of Neil Gaiman’s  Sandman , Alan Moore’s  Swamp Thing , Garth Ennis’  Preacher  and so many more. When I first got into comics, in the early nineties, it felt like a golden age for non-traditional comics. With imprints like DC Vertigo and publishers like Dark Horse, there were a myriad of amazing comics in the horror/scifi/fantasy genres.

In the 2010s, I had a hard time finding comics that I was excited to read. There were some phenomenal superhero comics, but I had to dig deep to find horror, fantasy and sci-fi. And though there were some great gems during this period, it left me wanting more. So, after being fans and retailers for twenty plus years, we decided to try our hand at creating and publishing our own comics.

Q: TELL US, READERS, ABOUT YOUR BLACK CAT CHRONICLES COMIC BOOK SERIES.

Our  Black Cat Chronicles  comic book series is a mix between  Tales from the Crypt  and  Ripley’s Believe It or Not . Each issue tells a true horror story narrated by a mysterious and ethereal black cat. The realistic and moody art by Nate Olson, creates the scenes for these strange, supernatural and haunting tales. Each issue is a standalone and focuses on a particular geographical location then dives into the main horror tale. The first issue takes place in Scotland in a haunted location known as  Greyfriars Cemetery , where there are reported hauntings, poltergeist activity, a history of torture and exorcisms (yes – plural!). The second issue, Alaska’s Port Chatham , focuses on a small fishing town in the early 1900s that just up and vanishes without a trace. The third issue,  Invasion Antarctica , documents the countless secret military missions during and after WWII in Antarctica. The

next issue,  Portland Underground , will focus on the kidnapping of young men as they were put on shipping vessels as forced laborers. Each tale is painstakingly researched so that the reader can become fully immersed in the story, and adds to our tagline: Truth is Scarier than Fiction.

Q: WHAT THEMES DO YOU LOVE TO EXPLORE INSIDE OF YOUR COMIC SERIES?

Looking back, we’ve tackled themes like human hubris, man vs. nature, revenge, the nature of evil and more. What really drives each issue is the depth and layers the story has to offer. It’s not just a haunted cemetery, it’s how it became haunted with the historical references, people involved and the past and present impact. We love finding stories that are obscure, with multiple facets and twists and turns, which make them seem unbelievable.

Q: IS CREATING YOUR COMIC BOOK SERIES EASIER OR HARDER THAN WRITING SHORT STORIES?

Great question. I wouldn’t say it’s easier or harder, just different. It’s like writing a screenplay vs. writing a novel. When writing a comic, I write visually. Meaning –I need to imagine each scene in detail and then translate that into something akin to stage directions for the artist. Then I will write the dialogue or narration. Given the fixed and limited amount of space in comics, only the most important words make it onto the page. There’s no room for extraneous detail. The art on the page creates the mood, the setting, the emotion, allowing the words to focus mainly on dialogue, story and plot.

In writing short stories, especially for open call submissions, there is a set word count. For example: write a story about a werewolf in the year 2255 but it has to be between 500 – 1500 words. So similar to comics, there is a fixed amount of space with which to tell your story. But the difference here is that you also have to include all the visual clues, you have to write about the scene, create the mood while developing a character and plot.

Q: HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE YOUR THEY HIDE:

SHORT STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK BOOK?

Some of the stories in  They Hide  were written over twenty years ago. When I dusted them off, edited them and wrote the new stories, it took about four months to complete. During the pandemic, I was able to carve out between two and four hours of writing each day, which helped me stay on my target deadline and word count goal.

Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING STYLE?

Wow, that’s tough. I don’t know that I necessarily have a writing style. With each story in  They Hide , I tried, stylistically, to do something different. This would hopefully distinguish each story and help them to stand on their own. I experimented with different POVs, tenses, flows and word choices. So I guess, I would call my style experimental.

What I can say about my writing that is universal, is that I try to write from a place of authenticity. Sure, I’m writing about fantastical, fictional monsters and impossible situations, but the nature of fear and powerlessness are real human emotions, ones that I try to tap into with each horror tale I craft.

Q: WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO WRITING STORIES IN THE DARK HORROR GENRE?

Writing horror has always been a way for me to process my fears. I grew up in a haunted house where fear was a constant. I never felt safe. Lights and electronics, including TVs would turn on and off on their own, doors would open and close, phantom footsteps haunted our empty attic, strange noises came from deep inside our bedroom closets. There was a constant presence that followed you wherever you were in the house, whether inside or out. It was terrifying. I never truly felt safe or alone until my family moved out of that house when I was 14.

That sense of helplessness and unmitigated fear left its imprint on me.

Writing horror helps me to process those fears and create characters and situations that help me repurpose those terrors into something where I  get to control the ending,  I get to say what happens,  I  get to slay the demons. Writing horror for me has been incredibly cathartic.

Q: CAN YOU TELL US, READERS, WHAT YOUR LATEST RELEASE THEY HIDE: SHORT STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK IS ABOUT?

Sure, I’d be happy to.  They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark  is a collection of 13 tales all connected by the theme of monsters. It’s my love letter to horror tropes: witches, vampires, werewolves, demons, mummies, aliens, etc. The collection explores the nature of fear, powerlessness, and control.

Here are a few descriptions to whet the appetite: a series of murders in a New England colony, an untamed beast in prerevolutionary France, a mysterious stranger who invades 18th-century Ireland, a traveling circus that takes more than the price of admission, a gathering of the Dark, telling tales on the longest night of the year, and more.

Q: WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS HAVE YOU ENJOYED CREATING THE MOST?

Oh, hands down it has to be Satan. I am a huge fan of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series and the offshoot Lucifer by Mike Carey, so the idea of a suave, charismatic Morningstar is not a new concept to me. I loved getting inside his head and seeing the world from his perspective. I think if I tried my hand at a novel, it would be with the Fallen One.

Q: WHAT THEMES WILL READERS FIND IN YOUR DARK HORROR STORIES BOOK?

As mentioned before, the major themes throughout the collection focus on powerlessness, fear and control. I was writing during the height of the pandemic where these three emotions consumed my every waking moment. I channeled those feelings into each story.

or

Q: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING WRITERS IN YOUR GENRE?

Keep writing, find and join your local Horror Writers Association chapter – if there isn’t one, start one, check out open submission calls on Submission Grinder and Horror Tree, take writing classes specific to your genre, write like no one’s reading and always keep pushing the envelope.

Q: WHAT OTHER PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

I have about a dozen short stories that I’m editing. I’m in the process of  finding the right homes for each one. I am also researching the next issue of  Black Cat Chronicles: Portland’s Underground  which we hope to launch on Kickstarter later in the fall of 2023.  Thanks for having me!

ABOUT FRANCESCA MARIA

Francesca Maria writes dark fiction surrounded by cats near the Pacific Ocean. She is the creator of the  Black Cat Chronicles, a  true horror comic book series narrated by a mystical black cat. And her short story collection; They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark  will be out in April 2023 from Brigid’s Gate Press. Her short stories and essays can be found in Crystal Lake Publishing›s Shallow Waters series and anthologies and Death’s Garden Revisited. You can find her at francescamaria.com  and on Twitter @Writer_of_Weird.

BOOKS SHAPING HISTORY

by Deena Rae

Books have played an important role in shaping historical events throughout human history. They have the power to inform, educate, inspire, and even incite people to action. Whether they are works of fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to influence how people think and act, and they can often have a profound impact on the course of history.

One of the most significant ways in which books have influenced historical events is through the spread of knowledge and ideas. Throughout history, books have been a powerful tool for sharing information and knowledge with a wider audience. For example, during the Renaissance, the printing press made it possible for books to be printed and distributed more widely than ever before. This led to a dramatic increase in literacy rates and a greater sharing of ideas, which in turn helped to fuel the scientific and

cultural revolutions of the time.

Similarly, during the Enlightenment, books played a crucial role in spreading the ideas of the era’s great thinkers, such as John Locke and Voltaire. Their works, which championed individual rights, reason, and scientific inquiry, helped to inspire political and social movements that ultimately led to the American and French Revolutions.

In addition to spreading knowledge and ideas, books have also played a role in shaping historical events through their ability to inspire and motivate people to action. For example, books such as Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” helped to galvanize the anti-slavery movement in the United States. The book, which was published in 1852, presented a powerful depiction of the horrors of slavery and helped to change public opinion on the issue. Similarly, books such as Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” and Ralph

Books have had a significant impact on historical events throughout human history

Nader’s “Unsafe at Any Speed” helped to spur the environmental and consumer rights movements, respectively.

Moreover, books have also played a role in shaping the actions and decisions of historical figures. For example, during World War II, Winston Churchill’s speeches and writings helped to rally the British people and inspire them to resist the Nazi threat. Similarly, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and “I Have a Dream” speeches helped to inspire the civil rights movement and shape public opinion on issues of racial equality and justice.

In some cases, books have also had a more direct impact on historical events by serving as catalysts for change. For example, “The Communist Manifesto,” written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, helped to inspire communist revolutions in Russia, China, and other parts of the world. Similarly, “Das Kapital,” also written by Marx, helped to shape the economic and political theories that would later inform communist and socialist movements around the world.

However, it is important to note that books can also have negative impacts on historical events. For example, books such as Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” helped to spread Nazi propaganda and fuel the rise of fascism in Europe. Similarly, the publication of “The Turner Diaries,” a racist and anti-Semitic novel, has been linked to several acts of domestic terrorism in the United States.

In conclusion, books have had a significant impact on historical events throughout human history. They have the power to inform, educate, inspire, and even incite people to action. Whether

they are works of fiction or non-fiction, books have the ability to influence how people think and act, and they can often have a profound impact on the course of history. As such, it is important to recognize the power of books and the responsibility that authors and publishers have to ensure that their work does not contribute to negative historical events. At the same time, it is important to celebrate the positive impact that books can have on the world, and to continue to support and promote the production and dissemination of works that advance knowledge, understanding, and social progress.

Now think, which books on your shelves, nightstand, coffee table, have had a historical significance? Which books that shaped society have you heard of and always wanted to read? Is now the time for you to pick up a historically significant book and expand your mind? Only you can decide.

ABOUT DEENA RAE

Deena Rae was born and raised in Texas –home of bluebonnets, boots, beef and big hair – into a family that was in the printing and publishing industries.

With a total of 20 years in publishing, in 2010 she decided to branch out as eBookBuilders helping established & new authors, designing books, ebooks and websites.

Daisy Jones & The Six

TaylorJenkins Reid

“I devoured Daisy Jones & The Six in a day, falling head over heels for it. Taylor Jenkins Reid transported me into the magic of the ’70s music scene in a way I’ll never forget. The characters are beautifully layered and complex. Daisy and the band captured my heart, and they’re sure to capture yours, too.”

-Reese Witherspoon

Everyone knows DAISY JONES & THE SIX , but nobody knows the reason behind their split at the absolute height of their popularity … until now.

Daisy is a girl coming of age in L.A. in the late sixties, sneaking into clubs on the Sunset Strip, sleeping with rock stars, and dreaming of singing at the Whisky a Go Go. The sex and drugs are thrilling, but it’s the rock ’n’ roll she loves most. By the time she’s twenty, her voice is getting noticed, and she has the kind of heedless beauty that makes people do crazy things.

Also getting noticed is The Six, a band led by the brooding Billy Dunne. On the eve of their first tour, his girlfriend Camila finds out she’s pregnant, and with the pressure of impending fatherhood and fame, Billy goes a little wild on the road.

Daisy and Billy cross paths when a producer realizes that the key to supercharged success is to put the two together. What happens next will become the stuff of legend.

The making of that legend is chronicled in this riveting and unforgettable novel, written as an oral history of one of the biggest bands of the seventies. Taylor Jenkins Reid is a talented writer who takes her work to a new level with Daisy Jones & The Six, brilliantly capturing a place and time in an utterly distinctive voice.

About Taylor Jenkins Reid

Taylor Jenkins Reid is the New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, as well as One True Loves, Maybe in Another Life, After I Do, and Forever, Interrupted. Her newest novel, Malibu Rising, is out now. She lives in Los Angeles.

You can follow her on Instagram

@tjenkinsreid .

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW

THE BLOOD MAGE

BLOOD MAGICK TRILOGY BOOK 1

MARIE-HÉLÈNE LEBEAULT

by Pelican Freak

On his 16th birthday, Tom triggered strange new magical abilities. When his sister is kidnapped, he discovers he was the intended target. A community of magical villains is after him because he may be the last Blood Mage. Will Tom embrace his new destiny?

The Blood Mage is the first in a new YA series. It's a spinoff of The Evers Series, but new listeners do not need to have listen to the series to enjoy the book.

This is my first Lebeault read and absolutely not my last. I came in a bit late, not realizing right away that

I probably should’ve read “The Evers” series first— but I didn’t feel lost or like I was missing anything.

The writing is good, the book fast-paced and the characters very lovable. The book is packed with adventure, as these characters face all sorts of challenges. I definitely noticed some parallels to HP.

Based on this, I’ll be reading more from this author, and I’ll likely go back and check out “The Evers”—how fun!

Audio:

I listened to the audiobook—the narrator did a great job and the production was well done.

About The Reviewer - Pelican Freak

Pelican Freak is the online alter ego of an author PA who works with authors in all genres, some of who are international best sellers. Pelican Freak reads all genres and is brutally honest in what is reviewed.

REMINDER: This is an interactive magazine. Click on book cover or link to follow.

Q: YOU HAVE PUBISHED BOOKS OF POETRY SUCH AS “BLACK SHEEP RISING” AND HUMORUS FICTION WITH YOUR CHRISTMAS SERIES NOVELLAS, WHICH FEELS MOST COMFORTABLE TO YOU AND WHY?

They’re both comfortable in their own ways. I feel like poetry is my second skin because my emotions are always near the surface. I’m an introvert and tend to soak up the atmosphere around me, so poetry is a way to release that. Humor, on the other hand, is like my secret identity. I feel like people were surprised when I published my Christmas novellas because they revealed a side of me that I don’t share with many.

Q: WHAT WAS YOUR MUSE FOR WRITING “LITERALLY CHRISTMAS” AND “FINALLY CHRISTMAS”?

My mom had recently died when I wrote Literally Christmas, and I was in deep mourning. She never read my poetry and I honestly think she was embarrassed by it. She was from Peru and so culturally she just didn’t believe in talking about anything personal. I wanted to write something that she would actually read and enjoy, and my mind quickly went to Hallmark Christmas movies. These movies were sort of neutral territory for us, and we could watch them without ending up in an argument. So in reality, Hallmark was my muse haha… I wanted it to be light, have an easy resolution, and be seasonal.

Q: DO YOU PLAN ON WRITING MORE HUMORUS FICTION STORIES AND IF SO, DO YOU HAVE ONE IN MIND ALREADY?

I do plan on writing a third novella in my Christmas series. It will be called “Actually Christmas” and will be the final work in that trilogy. When will I have it done? I have no idea.

Q: MANY WRITE POETRY AS A STATEMENT ON POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES OR TO EXCISE THEIR FEELINGS, WHICH ARE YOU AND HAVE YOU CONSIDERED WRITING FOR THE OPPOSITE PURPOSE?

I first start writing on a blog in 2008 or 2009. I meant to be just a way for people to keep up with my family and our life, like many blogs of that era. However, as I wrote, I began to really process my trauma (I’m a rape and sexual assault survivor) and it was a relief to me. Then, I joined Twitter in 2009 and began posting what I wrote on there. I only had maybe 40 followers at the time, so it was low stakes and not threatening. I participated in a writing challenge at the time called Reverb (old-timers will remember!) where there were daily writing prompts that made me dig deeper into myself. Pretty soon, my poetry began to centralize on healing and recovering. I’ll always be grateful for it in that way.

Q: WHAT GENRE BOOKS DO YOU NOT WRITE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRY?

I would very much like to attempt historical fiction. Someone once told me I wasn’t smart enough for that genre, and it stung at the time. Now, I’d like to prove them wrong.

ABOUT CEE STREETLIGHTS MOTHER, POET, BADASS

As a child, C. Streetlights listened to birds pecking at her

rooftop, but instead of fearing them, was convinced they would set her free and she’d someday see the stars.

Southern California sunshine never gave C. Streetlights the blonde hair or blue eyes she needed to fit in with her high school’s beach girls, her inability to smell like teen spirit kept her from the grunge movement, and she wasn’t peppy enough to cheer. She ebbed and flowed with the tide, not a misfit but not exactly fitting in, either.

C. Streetlights grew up, as people do, earned a few degrees and became a teacher. She spent her days discussing topics like essay writing, Romeo and Juliet, the difference between a paragraph and a sentence, and for God’s sake, please stop eating the glue sticks.

C. Streetlights now lives in the mountains with a husband, two miracle children, and a dog who eats Kleenex. She retired from teaching so she can raise her children to pick up their underwear from the bathroom floor, to write, and to slay windmills and dragons. She is happy to report that she can finally see the stars.

Links: Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest

HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY - NORTH AMERICA

JUNE 8-10, 2023

Every two years, the HNSNA holds a writers conference that attracts historical novelists from all over North America and beyond. In 2023, the #HNS2023 conference is being held in beautiful San Antonio, TX, from June 8 to 10, with virtual content beginning June 5.

When you register to attend the conference, you can choose either the in-person or the virtual option. Both options provide you with ample opportunity to connect with old friends and make new friends, attend dozens of amazing sessions aimed at helping you be a better writer, meet our special guests (all bestselling authors), and even pitch your novel to an agent.

#HNS2023 is all about community. Join us and get inspired!

you can enjoy it for a full 90 days following the conference.

Registration closes May 15 for In-Person and June 4 for Virtual

Conference Rates

In-Person HNS Member: $589

In-Person Non-Member: $639

Virtual: $299

Student: $350

In-Person Guest (meals only): $350

Trying to decide between in-person and virtual?

Both our great options! Check out our PDF Guide that shows you exactly what’s included in both options.

Announcing Our Special Guests at #HNS2023

Our Full Conference Program includes 90+ hours of programming, much of which will also be available virtually on our conference app so

We’re excited to welcome Lisa Wingate, Jamie Ford, Libbie Grant, and James Scott Bell as our special guests at #HNS2023! Read all about them here.

follow.

Q: WHEN DID YOU FIRST BEGIN TO CRAFT STORIES?

I’ve been creating worlds and characters and bringing them to life in stories all my life. I can remember playing as a child, that imaginative play, where I was one of my characters in a world from my mind. I was the storyteller at campfires, or on rainy days, and if I didn’t have a friend or family member right beside me to share the story with then I would tell it to myself. I don’t think I started committing stories to paper until sometime after grade six and over a decade later I started submitting for publications sporadically. I received my first rejection letter in 2008. It was for a short children’s story full of magic called Princess Grace and the Magic Bubbles. I still have the reject slip.

Q: YOU HAVE TWO BOOKS PUBLISHED. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST NOVEL, CHIMERA AND CURSES?

Chimera and Curses is a first-person friendly urban fantasy novel that’s engaging and humorous. It features several of the characters from The Ember Stone and a few new personalities. I had a lot of fun creating Lord Bradig for book two. He’s a shapeshifting mythical creature who’s a bit high-strung with an inflated sense of self. He creates a lot of laughs and a bit of mischief. Chimera and Curses is not all laughter. Kori Ember and friends are assigned a find and fetch mission that if failed will affect the fate of the world in a negative way.

Q: WHO ARE THE MAIN PROTAGONISTS?

The main protagonist is Kori Ember. An ex-police officer learning about her magical heritage after spending most of her life rejecting it. She’s accompanied by her quirky best friend and an ambivalent love interest.

Q: WHAT THEMES CAN READERS FIND IN YOUR LATEST BOOK?

Embrace your magic” is a theme that I associate with the series. In book one I would say that the theme started with me in the sense that my magic is writing and it was time for me to write my first novel. The idea of embracing one’s magic flowed into the main character Kori Ember in a very literal sense and continues in book two as she still works to accept the magical aspects of herself and her life.

Q: HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE FANTASY GENRE?

Escapism, that’s the honest answer for how I got into fantasy. I fell in love with fantasy because of the worlds and magic that can be found there and the diversion it offers from everyday reality. The 1985 Alice in Wonderland two-part American madefor-TV fantasy musical was my favourite world and characters growing up. Alice in Wonderland remains my favourite to this day although there are a number of other titles that I can add to the list including J.R.R Tolkien, Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, Margaret Atwood, George Martin and so on . . .

Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING STYLE?

I’m still trying to figure out my writing style. The Ember Files is fast-paced and easy to read so for now that is how I will describe my writing style. I credit finding my writer’s voice with becoming a mother. I had been away from writing for several years while working on a different career path, but once my children were born it rekindled my passion to tell stories. The stories I told at that point were about my children and they were often humorous parenting moments that made me stand back and shake my head (non-fiction). My writing voice continued to grow from

there and without realizing it that humour spread into my fiction.

Q: HOW DOES YOUR OTHER CAREER BENEFIT YOUR WRITING?

Law and writing were my two passions growing up. I wanted to work in law and I wanted to write. I never connected the two, there were always separate passions and they still are. Whether being a police officer benefits my writing, I’m not sure. Perhaps I could answer that easier if I wrote crime or mystery. But writing benefits my career as a police officer because writing is part of my self-care program. It allows me to reduce stress, smile, see humour, and create something that I can share with others so that they can reduce stress, smile and laugh too.

Q: WHAT OTHER PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

I have a loose outline for book three in The Ember Files, but I set it aside to write an Ember Files side story that’s novella length. It’s set approximately forty years before The Ember Stone which

is book one in The Ember Files. I’m in the early stages of editing with a projected publication date of 2024.

ABOUT SHARI MARSHALL

Shari Marshall isn’t a static snapshot.

Shari is a writer moonlighting as a police officer. She graduated University over a decade ago with an Honour English degree, and she received a diploma in Creative Writing, a Writing Memoirs certificate, as well as psychology, policing, and communication courses/certificates. She is someone who writes because she must.

Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharimarshallauthor/ Twitter: @WritingSparkle

Website: https://brewingcoffeetwistingwordsbreakingpencils.ca/

SPOTLIGHT ON ROCKHILL PUBLISHING

RockHill Publishing LLC was founded on the principle that a new writer is no less talented than one who has been published for years. The journey to get published should not be a path of heartbreaking and soul crushing rejections. However, there are some lessons that only time can teach, but you do not learn talent, you only perfect it over time.

RockHill Publishing LLC was formed to cut through the submission stack of unread writers and find those whose talents may otherwise never be discovered. I had an idea that the fast track to publication lay in the short story. Being able to write several short stories in the time it takes to write one full length novel surely increases the chances of “being discovered”. However, fighting ones way to the editor’s desk of magazines is no easier than breaking down the doors of a publishing house. Our submission model will be the synopsis, characters' outline, and sample chapter. We guarantee that all who submits will be read and an evaluation giving.

We are known and remembered by the symbols and icons we use. The name RockHill symbolizes a publishing house built on solid foundation, the Rock, and above the littered landscape, the Hill, to give clear vision. Not so high as to be unattainable, or unable to see the small gems among the big stones. The logo of a dragon perched upon the rock also conveys a duel meaning. First, dragons find themselves in multiple cultures across the world showing the universality of ideas. Secondly, dragons are both the protectors and

defenders of the realm. For some cultures they bring good luck and fortunes while chasing away the bad spirits. For others they bring death and destruction to the corrupt and the wicked. My dragon sits upon the RockHill bringing good luck and fortunes to new writers and warding off corruption and wicked ways.

ABOUT J. L. HILL

A native New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx, J L Hill spent his adolescent years in Fort Apache, the South Bronx 41st precinct during the 60’s, during a time when you needed a gang to go to the store. Raised on blues, soul, and rock & roll gave him the heart of a flower child. Educated by the turmoil of Vietnam, Civil Rights, and the Sexual Revolution produced a gladiator. Realizing the precariousness of life gave him an adventurous outlook and willingness to try anything once, and if it did not kill him, maybe twice.

After years in the computer world he returned to his first love, unleashing the characters in his head. Still a hopeless insomniac, he feels free to pound out plots. J L Hill is a prolific storyteller writing crime stories, fantasies, and sci-fi, with a slant on the dark side of life.

The next step on his journey naturally led to the business of publishing. He started RockHill Publishing LLC not only to publish his own work, but to give others access to the literary world. His computer background and experiences in word processing give him insight into what it takes to create good books.

Q: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED INTO THE MUSIC EDUCATION CAREER FIELD?

Music education was always my career choice! I started teaching my little brothers and neighbor’s kids when I was in High School, even enrolling them in competitions. After qualifying as a piano teacher, I taught music at different schools and institutions, from Early Childhood through College level. I taught piano part-time even while I held positions such as the principal of two pre-primary schools and the director of a College of Education.

Q: CONGRATULATIONS, FOR BEING A RECIPIENT OF A GENCOR S3 BRONZE MEDAL FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH!

CAN YOU TELL US, READERS, MORE ABOUT THIS SPECIAL AWARD AND WHAT RESEARCH YOU DID?

Gencor, a mining company in South Africa, annually issued this Bronze Medal. I received a Master’s degree (cum Laude) in Education at Fort Hare University, empirically researching the role of music in the school readiness program in the former homeland of Ciskei. At the time, I was a lecturer at Lovedale College for Continuing Education. A neighboring school agreed that I test the school readiness level of two groups of young learners, one group that would receive music training and a control group that did not. I devised a series of class music lessons for Grade one learners, focusing on specific school readiness skills. I trained my student-teachers to give these weekly lessons to a group of learners in a neighboring school over three months. After testing the school readiness level of the two groups again, I reached the conclusion that music training had a positive effect on their skill readiness level.

Q: YOU MENTIONED WRITING A BIOGRAPHY BOOK ABOUT YOUR FATHER WHO WAS AN ICONIC SOUTH AFRICAN ENTERTAINER CALLED PIET WAT POMPIES. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT HIM?

My father, Pieter van der Byl, started his entertainment career as a magician, comedian, and songwriter. He was one of the first radio personalities in South Africa, soon becoming so popular that the producers issued a country-wide competition to give him a stage name. His gimmick was to come on stage riding a bicycle, wearing a bicycle bell and horn mounted on a plank around his neck. The horn is a ‘pomp’ in the Afrikaans language. So, the winning name was Piet Pompies, referring to his real name and the pump. He went on to write two weekly radio comedy shows for a total of seventeen years as well as humorous articles for a weekly Sunday newspaper and a monthly magazine. I had to write a book about this fascinating man who pushed himself to become a master of whatever hobbies he entertained. He was a ventriloquist (his doll, called Sagarrias, lived in my closet), stage hypnotist, professional photographer (we had a dark room shed in the back garden, and he took the official photos of our one State President’s funeral), producer, and scriptwriter of three movies, winemaker, dahliaking, cook, and more. He wrote about 250 songs, some of which still earn royalties. His name Piet Pompies is a household name in South Africa and is used as an expression in the Afrikaans language today, e.g. “Write your name here, Piet Pompies.” My book’s title refers to ‘Piet (who was) Pompies,’ the original artist since, in recent years, a few singers usurped his name.

Q: WAS EVERYONE IN YOUR FAMILY TALENTED IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?

My uncle was a guitar and Hawaiian guitar player and co-wrote some songs. My brothers played in a band for a few years, but I was the one to pursue a musical career, playing tunes on the piano at age four. We had regular music evenings at our house.

Q: FOR US OUTSIDERS, WHAT WAS IT LIKE LIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA? WHAT OTHER TOPICS CAN READERS FIND IN YOUR MEMOIR, HIPPOS, HOTSPOTS, AND HOMELANDS?

In my book, I quote an unknown author: “My carefree existence was orchestrated by the mechanisms of Apartheid.”

Growing up as a white South African, I was privileged and had many advantages, such as excellent living conditions and a good education. Since the population groups led separate lives, we did not have racial interaction. As I moved into the black educational field, I became fascinated with different tribal cultures. I served on boards to build bridges between population groups and worked hard to promote my South Sotho choir and music festivals.

During the transitional period to democracy, there was political unrest and uncertainty. Unfortunately, people had to adjust to a dramatic increase in crime. Yet, somehow, the transition was peaceful, and the Truth and Reconciliation hearings brought healing for many people.

My book covers my experiences as an educator from the Apartheid era to post-apartheid democracy. The title references three main topics: Hippos - my adventures living in the exclusive Big-Five Sabie Sand Game Reserve while teaching at a black college, Hotspots - stories of the political and educational turmoil of the time, e.g., being held hostage at the colleges I taught at and being the victim of crime on a few occasions; Homelands - the history and culture of the people, and my experiences while teaching in the Ciskei (Xhosa people), QwaQwa (South Sotho), and Gazankulu (Tsonga).

Q: WHEN CAN READERS EXPECT FOR YOUR TWO SEQUELS: FROM THE LOWVELD TO THE LOWCOUNTRY, AND BOOMERS, BAGGAGE, AND BACKPACKS TO BE RELEASED?

I hope to complete From the Lowveld to the Lowcountry  by November 2023 and  Boomers, Baggage, and Backpacks during the following year, 2024.

Q: WHAT TOPICS WILL BE FEATURED IN YOUR NEW

SEQUELS?

From the Lowveld to the Lowcountry  describes moving from the African bush of the Lowveld to a different life and the culture of the South Carolina Lowveld. I marvel at the Gullah culture I encounter and the challenges of dealing with Middle schoolers at a rural public school in McLellanville and then adjusting to an appointment three years later at an exclusive Girls’ School in downtown Charleston. I recount Lowcountry activities such as contra-dancing, crabbing, oyster roasts, and Kwanzaa celebrations and explore different states through an immigrant’s eyes. The book also refers to the joy of becoming a dual citizen in the United States of America.

Boomers, Baggage, and Backpacks will take the reader on tours I have led or taken, describe exciting experiences, and tell quirky stories about some of the guests on these tours. It will also relate adventures, such as passing out on a plane and being in a lifejacket for seventeen hours on the Viking Sky while helicopters airlifted passengers. It nearly ran aground off the Norwegian coast three years ago.

Q: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING WRITERS IN THE MUSIC AND EDUCATION FIELD AREAS?

I would recommend practicing writing regularly while learning the craft and finding your voice. If writing in a specific field area,

it is essential to research and collect as much information as possible about that subject. When aspiring to write about music and education, follow your gut when deciding the subject matter.

Starting on my latest projects, I collected data from my previous emails, blogs, and newsletters. I then outlined my design, structuring my work. Aspiring writers should know that they must persevere and that there may be several drafts before a project is ready. They should pay attention to grammatical rules and sentence structure and have the work edited. I imagine myself in the situation I write about and then think whether a reader remain interested.

Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING STYLE?

I would say that I have a descriptive and factually accurate writing style. However, it is personal, often with a self-deprecating and situational sense of humor. Reviewers comment on a captivating, entertaining, and intriguing storytelling style that draws in the reader.

Q: WHAT OTHER PLACES HAVE YOU TRAVELED TO BESIDES SOUTH AFRICA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, SWITZERLAND, AND CANADA? WHAT ARE SOME MEMORABLE THINGS YOU HAVE WITNESSED ON SOME OF YOUR TRAVELS?

48 States in America – memorable that each State is like its own country, with its own personality and unique sights. Other things: Pink desert of Arizona, Vulcano on the big island, Hawai, glaciers in Alaska

Australia – aborigines encountered on Kuranda Skyrail

New Zealand – unforgettable Haka executed by Maoris

Eight countries in South America – Iguazu Waterfall, Tango in Argentina, Wine estates in Mendoza, Galapagos tortoise

Norway, Wales, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Basque France

Africa: Egypt – Valley of the Kings, Kenya – ferry at Mombasa, Tanzania - migration, Angola, Rwanda, Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls, Namibia – highest sand dunes in the world

Islands in the Indian Ocean: Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion

United Emirates, Dubai – desert safari; Saudi Arabia – enclosed balconies of the old city

Q: IS TRAVEL WRITING YOUR FAVORITE PASSION BESIDES TEACHING MUSIC?

If I could think of a slogan for me, I would say, “Travel is my world, music is my soul, and writing is my craft. ”

I relive my travels through writing, whether in articles or books. I love the traveling experiences, the research to get my facts straight, sorting photos, and the writing process. I have published nearly 60 articles. I felt honored to be awarded a 2nd prize in an International Travel News competition (2018) and a Bronze Medal in a Travel Writers University contest (Travel Writers Café, February 2022.)

ABOUT ELSA VAN DER BYL / ELSA DIXON

In 2018, under her maiden name, Elsa van der Byl, she published PIET wat POMPIES was, an Afrikaans biography of her father, an iconic South African entertainer, and household name. Hippos, Hotspots, and Homelands, a memoir of her last twenty years in South Africa during the tumultuous transitional years to democracy, followed in 2020. She is currently writing two sequels: From the Lowveld to the Lowcountry, and Boomers, Baggage, and Backpacks.

As a travel writer, Elsa won 2nd prize in an International Travel News competition (2018) and a Bronze Medal in a Travel Writers University contest (Travel Writers Café, February 2022.) She is also a contributor to stock photography sites.

Elsa has led custom tours to South Africa and other countries since 2006. TravelswithElsa LLC has an active website and blogging component and lists her publications and published articles. Since her brothers, four married daughters, husbands, and nine grandchildren live in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Canada, she has reason to travel extensively.

Links:

Elsa Dixon Ph.D. (Piano teacher) https://musicwithelsa.com/

TravelswithElsa LLC (Tour group leader)

Website: https://travelswithelsa.com/ Travel writer, author, and photographer

IFWTWA, and Travel Writers University member

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelswithelsa/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelswithelsa/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/travelswithelsa

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mynetwork/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/elsadixon9/

PODCASTS OF INTEREST

The Grim And Bloody Podcast

Anthony DeRouen, Joe Flynn, Al Omega & Kevin Nickelson

A horror podcast brought to you by the folks at the Death's Parade Film Fest, Grim and Bloody will bring together all forms of horror in a fun and engaging show featuring Kevin Nickelson from Horror News Net, Joe Flynn, Al Omega (host of The Creature Feature Show) and Anthony DeRouen, founder of the Death's Parade Film Fest. At the end of the day we're all fans of horror and enjoying talking about it! You can also expect guests from both film, literary, music and illustration backgrounds.

AL OMEGA

ANTHONY DEROUEN KEVIN NICKELSON JOE FLYNN

TEDDY GETS ADOPTED

Teddy Gets Adopted is the third book in the series. In this story, Teddy experiences feelings of loss and lonliness but he purrseveres through hard times, never giving up hope. Follow Teddy’s journey across Canada while he meets helpers and heroes along the way.

CHRISTINE MILKOVIC KRAUSS

Everybody has a story. More importantly; every person is deserving of friendship, kindness and acceptance. Teddy Loses His Ears is a non-fiction story about my real life rescue cat who lost his ears to frostbite while being homeless in negative 50 degree temperatures in central Canada.

All of the books in the Teddy series will highlight educational points about pet care, support inclusivity and celebrate being different together. Teddy Loses His Ears is the introduction book to the series and touches on self esteem and disability awareness. Each illustration in the story is hand painted and

MANX-IETY: A COLLECTION OF DISTURBING STORIES

"Part memoir, part fever dream, the line between reality and fiction is blurred into an evocative slurry where both exist at once. It doesn't matter which is which, the emotions that remain are enough to ensure the tales within will linger long after the book is closed."

even has a Teddy's favourite toy hidden on every page for children to find! This story was created to raise awareness for rescue organizations and promote, adopt vs shop, to find your purr-fect family pet.

In addition to being a pet lover and cat mom, I am also a mom of two primary school aged children. These books could never have come to life without their inspiration, a tribe of supportive humans and of course, Book Club.

CIERRA VAN NES / ILLUSTRATOR

I am a full time nursing student hoping to one day work in neonatal intensive care. I have a passion for all things art and creativity. I have been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember, but only ever created things for family and friends. At the start of the pandemic, I decided to start selling my paintings and handmade greeting cards. It was through this that I was connected with Christine and fell in love with Teddy’s story. Each of these pages are painted by hand with acrylic paint, something not often done in book illustrations anymore, which echoes the uniqueness of Teddy. I am excited to help share more of his adventures and stories!

DAEMON MANX

Daemon Manx is an award-winning American author who writes horror, suspense, supernatural, and speculative fiction.

Daemon has recently been nominated for the 2021 Splatterpunk awards for his debut, Abigail in the best short story category.

In 2021 he received a HAG award for his story The Dead Girl.

—M Ennenbach Author

of Dreamwhispers

The stories in this book were inspired by reallife events. Some are loose interpretations of my nightmares and experiences, and others are dark memoirs. All were designed to evoke emotion. Longing, fear, remorse, desperation, and of course, anxiety, are a few of the horrors we all face and the ones from which there is often no escape. These stories were written during the most difficult periods in my life. Addiction, incarceration, and depression are the demons of which I speak. Creating this compilation became the tool I used to overcome these demons. This is the product of that struggle. This is Manxiety.

He is a member of the Horror Authors Guild (HAG) and has been featured in magazines in both the U.S. and the U.K.

Most recently, Daemon has opened his own publishing company and works with fellow authors, Diana Olney and Jack Wells, as well as business associate, Romol Chiossi.

Daemon lives with his sister, author Danielle Manx and their narcoleptic cat, Sydney where the patiently prepare for the apocalypse. There is a good chance they will runout of coffee far too soon.

THEY HIDE: SHORT STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK

WHO ARE WE IF NOT FOR THE MONSTERS THAT WE KEEP?

They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark collects thirteen chilling tales that weave through the shadows, exploring the nature of fear, powerlessness, and control.

- A series of murders in a New England colony

- An untamed beast in pre-revolutionary France

- A mysterious stranger who invades 18thcentury Ireland

- A traveling circus that takes more than the price of admission

- A gathering of the Dark, telling tales on the longest night of the year, and more.

Come play with vampires, werewolves, ghosts, zombies, ghouls and the devil himself. Make sure you check under the bed and don’t turn out the lights.

SMALL RECKONINGS

John V. Hicks Long Manuscript Award, 2019 City of Saskatoon/Saskatoon Public Library Saskatoon Award, 2021 Saskatchewan Book Awards

Glengarry Book Award Jury Short List, Recognition of Literary Excellence, 2021

In the early 20th century, as homesteaders in Saskatchewan are scratching out hard new lives on the Canadian prairie, William, an adventurer from New Zealand, brings his new bride, Louise, to the freshly broken earth of his farm near Watrous.

Physical and emotional isolation take their toll on everyone struggling to survive in the harsh landscape, and when William and Louise’s second child, Violet, is born “feebleminded,” it plunges Louise—a woman burdened with a dark secret—back into a time of shame and regret, even as the child draws out goodness and loyalty from her neighbours, Hank and Emily.

Then tragedy upends the family, and William, while struggling to raise and protect his daughter and find his way to forgiveness, must

FRANCESCA MARIA

Francesca Maria writes dark fiction surrounded by cats near the Pacific Ocean. She is the creator of the BLACK CAT CHRONICLES comic book series and her short story collection, THEY HIDE: SHORT STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK will be out from Brigid's Gate Press in 2023. You can find her at francescamaria.com and on Twitter @Writer_of_Weird.

come to terms with the fact that no one is infallible

KARIN MELBERG SCHWIER

Karin is a full-time freelance writer, editor and illustrator. She writes for local and national magazines and newspapers, and a variety of nonprofits, businesses and government agencies. Her photographs often accompany her work, and her illustrations appear in books, presentations and private collections.

While she has a longtime focus on disability issues, she is a sought-after and versatile writer and handles each job with respect, professionalism and a sense of humour. She can find the thread of a good story in subjects ranging from kitchen design, a seniors’ ski team, bariatric weight loss surgery, to energy efficient housing, outdoor home theatres, Saskatoon’s water quality, business profiles, and volunteer accomplishments.

THE GHOSTS OF SPIRITWOOD

The first English edition of the popular young adult novel Les fantômes de Spiritwood, originally published in French by Éditions de la nouvelle plume, translated by the author

One summer night, Ethan and four friends are heading north of Spiritwood, Saskatchewan, for a weekend of camping to watch the northern lights, but their car swerves off the road and ends up in the ditch. The teenagers head back to Spiritwood on foot, but a severe thunderstorm strikes before they reach the town, forcing them to break into an abandoned country school to take shelter. After exchanging scary stories for a while, they fall asleep. When they wake a few hours later, the storm is over and the sky is filled with bright-coloured northern lights.

Ethan recounts the legend of the northern lights. "Those lights are produced by the spirits of the departed. It's a sign that they want to communicate with the living. To establish contact, we just have to whistle at them." Then, Ethan produces a spirit whistle that

INFINITY: A SUSPENSE MAGAZINE ANTHOLOGY

“An adventure-oriented thriller collection that excels in the unexpected.”

—D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

“The stories contained within are by turns fun, fantastical and frightening. Each one is utterly unique and utterly impossible to put down.”

—Lisa Black New York Times Bestselling Author of the Locard Institute Thrillers

Ghostly figures playing tricks on the minds of the ordinary while wandering the halls of a New England inn. A locale known as the Disappearing Place, where souls inexplicably vanished over five decades. What does infinity hold? Does anything or anyone get buried and remain quiet for all time, or is death just a second life that lasts forever? From traversing the gnarled roots of trees reaching from the sand like claws, to the moment where one finds out the price of justice and who serves

he had bought at Wanuskewin, and he starts to whistle at the sky.

Moments later, weird things begin to happen.

MARTINE NOËL-MAW

Born and raised in Québec, Martine Noël-Maw has called Saskatchewan her home since 1993. She is a French literature graduate from the Université de Montréal, and has authored fifteen books and a number of plays for both adults and youth.

Her work has earned her many honours, including the 2020 SATAward Outstanding Original Script for her play Will & Ernest, and two Saskatchewan Book Awards (Amélia et les papillons and Dans le pli des collines). She was long listed for the Prix de la nouvelle Radio-Canada 2016 and 2023 (CBC Short Story Prize), and shortlisted for the Prix du récit Radio-Canada 2015 (CBC Nonfiction Prize). Martine is also an editor and translator.

it, to a masquerade that can be murder—this collection was created to frighten, engage, entice and, worse yet, make you wonder what awaits you in eternity when your number is up.

To believe in infinity means you must acknowledge that all things are possible, and Suspense Publishing has brought together a menu of bestselling authors to express their beliefs in those endless possibilities. Using the art of mystery and suspense, these well-known writers have merged their innate talents to create INFINITY.

This haunting choir of voices is made up of your favorites who have elevated the literary scene with their astounding books: Kelley Armstrong, Allison Brennan, J.T. Ellison, Jamie Freveletti, K.J. Howe, Darynda Jones, Shannon Kirk, Tosca Lee, Sheila Lowe, Isabella Maldonado, Susan Santangelo, Susan Wingate, and Daryl Wood Gerber. Edited by one of the very best, Catherine Coulter, this anthology consists of memorable tales that open doors into thrilling and chilling realms you never knew existed.

A portion of the proceeds will go to breast cancer research.

THE BOX MUST BE EMPTY: A MEMOIR OF COMPLICATED GRIEF, SPIRITUAL DESPAIR, AND ULTIMATE HEALING

What happens when buried grief rises two decades late, upending the life you’ve built on its coffin? When your old grief seems inappropriate, and your heart wrestles with grief upon grief as you move too many times and lose too many friendships? How do you recover from a devastated marriage, a crushed faith, and an endlessly broken heart? This is the crux of Marilyn Kriete’s crisis. After losing her first great love to cancer, she becomes a Christian, marries Henry, and joins him in a hectic worldwide ministry that leaves little room for personal reflection. When her old grief unexpectedly resurfaces, she’s shocked by the tsunami that rips through their lives. And when intensive counseling fails to bring healing and Henry pens a letter that decimates their churches and spins them out of the fellowship, her battered heart is tested beyond imagination. Exploring delayed and complicated grief in its many disguises—dashed dreams, disenchantment, family troubles, and the guilt of being a former

HEX AND THE CITY (CANADIAN WEREWOLF BOOK 6) HER LOVE WILL BRING ABOUT HIS DEMISE.

Michael Andrews and Gail Sommers have finally found the love that had eluded them for so long.

But their romance has uncovered an ancient evil curse neither of them could have anticipated. It does more than bring down a plague on their houses - it unleashes something far more sinister that can destroy humanity.

Now they must choose: battle the evil forces out to destroy them, or continue to meet in secret while the rest of the world burns.

If you like thrilling action, paranormal adventure, and quirky humor, you'll love Hex and the City. Read it today!

Though this is book six in a series, it can be enjoyed as a stand alone novel. A "the story so far" summary is available for readers

MARK LESLIE

faith leader, now grappling with depression and dismay—Marilyn candidly shares her long journey back to wholeness.

MARILYN KRIETE

After a colorful life spanning four continents and 16 cities, earning her keep as cook, chambermaid, waitress, fisher-woman, missionary, speaker/ teacher, tutor, housekeeper and academic writing editor, Marilyn now lives in British Columbia with her husband and two delightful cats.

She enjoys writing, dreaming, hiking, cycling, reading, word games, discovering great TV series and documentaries, and cleaning other people’s homes. Her writing has appeared in many journals and anthologies, including The Eastern Iowa Review, Brevity Blog, and Longreads, and she's been the happy winner of several writing contests.

Mark Leslie would be the first person to admit he's still afraid of the monster under his bed. Most of his books explore the darker side, with a series of true ghostly tales that include SPOOKY SUDBURY, HAUNTED HOSPITALS and CREEPY CAPITALS, a few horror titles (I, DEATH, ONE HAND SCREAMING, and NOCTURNAL SCREAMS), the editor of the horror anthologies CAMPUS CHILLS, FEEL THE FEAR and SUPERNATURAL, and the lead author of the humorous paranormal action/adventure "Canadian Werewolf" series.

Proudly adopting the term "Book Nerd" for himself, Mark is most comfortable with a pen in hand, fingers on keyboard or with his nose stuck in a book.He can often be seen traveling to book events with a life-sized skeleton named Barnaby Bones.

Born in Sudbury Ontario, Mark has courted with a serious addiction to reading and writing his entire life. He has called both Ottawa, ON and Hamilton, ON home for about a decade each and currently lives in Waterloo, Ontario.

HOUSE OF SMOKE AND BONE: THE SEQUEL SERIES TO THE MIDNIGHT BALL SERIES. (A PALACE OF BONES BOOK 2)

With poison, curses, and blood, darkness coils near.

Twin witches Amelia and Imogen think they have uncovered the complete truth of their lineage, the artifacts they were gifted with, and the reason why they were separated at birth.

Yet that’s only part of their story.

Partnering with Pavin, and their new allies, the twins delve into the secrets of their dark pasts. But this quest could prove to be a fatal one. To find their way back, and defeat Aed, soul-crushing sacrifices must be made. What they learn along the way could prove to be more than any of them can handle.

Love.

Blood.

Sacrifice.

How far will Imogen, Amelia, and Pavin go to learn the truth? And what will it cost?

WITCH BREW: COZY FANTASY (ROSIE HEXWELL BOOK 1)

In the captivating town of Mystwood, where magic and mundanity intertwine, lies the Witch's Brew—a quaint, slow-living café nestled in the heart of a magical wonder and normality.

Enter Rosie Hexwell, a charming yet reluctant witch, who expertly crafts tantalizing concoctions and wondrous brews with the help of her loyal pumpkin golems. Together, they create a haven for their cherished, sometimes more than human customers who've been enchanted by the café's charm for years.

But tranquility teeters on the edge as a formidable rival threatens to shatter their idyllic world. A powerful, arcane enterprise seeks to claim the Witch's Brew business as its own, and Rosie must summon all her wiles and elbow grease to protect her magical coffee sanctuary.

As the battle brews, can Rosie unlock the full potential of her untapped powers to save her family's legacy and preserve the cozy comforts of her enchanted abode?

The author of the bestselling Nephilim Universe delivers an emotional punch in the highlyanticipated conclusion to the Palace of Bones duology!

L. L. HUNTER

L.L. Hunter is the bestselling author of over 50 published works, including The Nephilim Universe and The Summervale Series. She has studied and worked in a range of professions, including dog grooming, forensic science, and the dramatic arts, but has always known her true calling was to be an author. When not working on her next novel, she can be found at home in Australia, reading somewhere comfortable with her fur babies, drinking wine, or watching true crime documentaries.

From Wolfe & Falcon, the imaginative minds behind the best-selling Mana Harvest and The Retired S Ranked Adventurer, comes a heartwarming, cozy fantasy that weaves a slice-oflife tale of friendship, magic, and the unrelenting spirit of a witch determined to safeguard her heritage.

Prepare to be spellbound by Rosie Hexwell and the Witch's Brew, where every sip is an enchanting experience, and every visit is a whimsical adventure!

WOLFE LOCKE

I write Romantic Light Novels, GameLit, and LitRPG, usually weaving a bit of all into it.

Back in the day, there's a good chance you've already read something I've written. I used to ghost write champion guides for a certain League of Legends e-sports team.

Join my discord to chat, get updates, Download some free audiobooks and other exclusive stories.

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

A GOOD ROADMAP FOR MAKING A DECISION TO MAKE A DECISION.

Gary Grossman does it again with the third installment of his Executive series. Scott Roarke is back to help President Taylor avert the collapse of America from threats both foreign and domestic. Scott’s love interest has moved to Washington after proving herself in book 1 and book 2, now she works as one of the White House’s lawyers and is once again called to help the Attorney General avert a constitutional crisis.

Terrorism is top of mind for the President, the White House and all the intelligence communities. Expertly weaving different characters circling the globe to the page, Mr. Grossman keeps the storyline moving and tension building.

A nail biting read that weaves what if with conspiracy theories and real life events to bring to life a horrifying future.

Recommend?

For anyone who sometimes thinks “What if” and isn’t scared to follow obscure conspiracy threads to the heart pounding action.

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

A GOOD ROADMAP FOR MAKING A DECISION TO MAKE A DECISION.

Let me be honest, this book was timely at this point in my personal life as I am in the process of pivoting from other career endeavors, hence why I picked up this book in the first place. It was a quick read, not a huge tome on all the steps involved in making any decision – personal, career, etc. – but the advice was straightforward and told in such a way that it was not a “Do This” type of book. That said, when I exported my notes and highlights from the Kindle edition, I ended up with more than 17 pages of notes and lines that spoke to me.

This is a good book for high school & college students as well as those at a crossroads if their life. It explains why young adults do not have to have their entire life planned out and stick with that plan at all costs and shows the power of the pivot to what will bring you happiness and fulfillment.

With humor and insight, even when dealing with the prospect of his own mortality, this is an uplifting book. I was familiar with Mr. Gowdy long before he became a Congressman, back when he was a prosecutor and successfully prosecuted a hit and run that ended up being explored for an episode of Forensic Files, so I have followed his career trajectory. While the book has some parables regarding his time in house of representatives he does give dinner fascinating insights into the political infighting that has led to the fractions of the Republican party.

Read the complete review on the eBookBuilders site. https://ebookbuilderspro.com/start-stay-or-leave/

REVIEWED BY ROXB

Jinx Schwartz nails the end of season one with Book 9 of the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. Blue Bonet Texana Austin returns to Texas after her husband dies. She moved to the home and the land she inherited on Lake Burnet. The house brings back good childhood memories of when Blue spent time with her practical grandmother. On her first day, she gets adopted by a pup she names Toto.

Blue attended a year of high school in Magnolia Bluff and, like her mother, graduated. After graduation, she went to art school in Paris, France. She felt like an outsider during her Senior year even though folks in Magnolia Bluff thought enough of her to crown her homecoming queen. The friends she cultivated during high school who are still in Magnolia Bluff are better now than then. Her marriage was not happy in California, and after he died, she returned to Texas.

Blue heard from Handy, her remodeling expert, Toto belonged to a man living on the property as a squatter. He’s discovered dead with a rope around his neck. An escaped prisoner is found dead beside the shack. Then a snap winter freeze unearths bones. Blue undergoes questioning by police and the FBI, who asks for a DNA test. She wonders if she related to the victims and if the murders are connected or if a serial killer is hiding in Magnolia Bluff.

The masterful character development is fast and distinctive. These are endearing people. You want to sit at Harry’s and have a delicious coffee. The dialogue and banter are fast-paced and pure Texan country....

Read the complete review on the Rox's site. https://roxburkey.com/born-and-bred-texan/

REVIEWED BY ROXB

NO ONE TO TRUST

Lisa Towles creates an action-packed political thriller with global travel, conspiracy, money, and murder around each corner. BJ (Brock) Janoff and his brother, Jonas, private investigators get asked to locate Dr. Anastasia Bergman by her parents. Jonas, older than BJ, is stunned to learn BJ took on another case. BJ needs to deliver an unopened FedEx envelope to a swanky hotel within 72 hours to earn the million dollars in his possession. BJ risks death or worse by not following the directions to the letter. Lacy, a lawyer and childhood friend of the Janoff family, joins forces to find the answers to the brothers’ challenges.

In a page-turning political mystery, Ms. Towles combines exquisite character development with realistic dialogue. Each thread takes readers on a wild ride down one rabbit hole after another with heart-stopping action. BJ takes off with Lacy in tow to learn why he got the job of delivering an envelope containing an unknown substance in a baggie. The international intrigue takes readers along his journey to find Berman’s daughter, understand accusations of his father’s possible criminal ties, and if he can live to find the answers.

Fans of thrillers, international intrigue, and sleuth mysteries will love the excellent storytelling delivered in The Ridders. The characters are memorable, endearing, and with any luck, will return soon in another chapter in gripping prose—hats off to Lisa Towles.

REVIEWED BY PELICANFREAK

Alana is an epic tale of life, perseverance, love discovered, lost, found, family, unbreakable bonds, greed, and loyalty with a classic ‘good versus evil’ theme.

Barrie does an amazing job of setting the scene. Every time I opened this book, I felt like I’d stepped back a couple hundred years or so in time. It got to the point where I’d sort of hide out with this book for a break from life, it truly was an escape for me. I missed it terribly when I put it down and even with it over, I’m pretty sure it’s one of those that will stay with me for a while. The dialogue for both affluent whites and their help feels accurate and the picture painted for me has southern charm but also warravaged disarray. Pretty impressive

There’s no shortage of drama in this world, and it makes for some juicy reading.

Plausibility is there; many things in present day would seem too coincidental perhaps, but I suspect a couple hundred years ago, when the world was much smaller, that these things could happen. It’s pretty long, Alana just can’t seem to catch a lasting break. Or every time it seems like she might, there’s sort of a detour.

Multiple times, I found myself cursing the author out, it was quite the roller coaster.

I need to read Barrie’s entire catalog now, as few authors can provide such a vivid escape. Can’t afford a vacation, or get time off work? Just read Monica Barrie… seriously! I think this is what I’ll do from now on.

Read the complete review on the PelicanFreak's GR https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2560536484

REVIEWED BY PELICANFREAK

My first read by this author, I wasn’t certain of what to expect but as I write this, I’ve already devoured about 25% of her next book in the series.

‘The Devil’s Own’ is a really fun urban fantasy sort of spin on Satan, or more accurate, his daughter. She’s a good character with strong values who pretty much just wants to get through life without hurting anyone. Naturally, her status is high profile and various entities want her dead so there’s no shortage of excitement or action.

Cover:

Excellent! Relevant to the story; no doubt that is Laney on the cover.

Editing/ Proofing:

It’s pretty clean. I noted a few incidents of things I’d do differently or the occasional missed comma, but nothing that pulled me out of the story.

Character development:

Advanced! Brilliant work here. I expect I’ll keep learning more about at least some of them as I read on into the series and more of their backgrounds become relevant.

Overall:

The author even manages to work in a small town that I so much want to move to … and a dog who is full of personality. This book weaves an intriguing start to a series, some legends/ myths, comedy, love, action, danger, mystery, thrills and so much more and puts a very modern spin on all of it. I cannot get enough of the various types of demons and their traits.

Completely suitable for young readers. While there might be some blossoming love, there is no heat. (And it’s not needed.)

Very good read and clearly, by a very talented author.

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

SO MANY TWISTS & TURNS

In this installment of The Bosch Universe Harry is off suspension (which was an extended time), the first case he gets when coming back onto rotation is a dead body in the trunk of a Rolls Royce. Yes, if you watched the Bosch series, you would think you know the story, know how it ends, but you would be 100% WRONG!

Trunk Music is a fast-paced ride from the mountains of Hollywood to the desert of Las Vegas. Bosch's former flame, Elinor is back and there are sparks still there.

This installment has it all, twists, turns, thrills - exhilarating! So while some of the story is like an old friend, the is more than enough differences to make this a must read!

Recommend?

Highly recommend especially if you watched the Prime series - its about 85% different than the show.This is a very quick read as the storyline is engrossing and the plot moves very fast..

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

THINGS ARE GETTING SERIOUS FOR VIOLET

Violet has an Abe Lincoln look-alike client, Cornelius, walk in the door of Calamity Jane’s Realty office wanting to buy a hotel in town, but he wants to make sure the hotel is actually haunted – he’s a “ghost whisperer” so he will only buy the hotel if it is haunted.

Violet, who is used to strange (and homicidal) clients, takes Cornelius’ peculiarities in stride, she has to. Her job is on the line and if she can’t sell the hotel she’s out of a job.

As a character, Violet is good (or bad depending on your point of view) at compartmentalizing, she is keeping a secret from her best friend Natalie and her children, she keeps secrets from her secret boyfriend Doc, secrets from the police, secrets from her Aunt. There are secrets all over the place in Violet’s life.

No Deadwood book would be complete without “Old Man” Willis Harvey, spirits, demons and a pet chicken named Elvis –all are in pages leading to some laughs mixed with your mystery.

Once again Ms. Charles has hit it out of the park with this amazing story. The laugh out loud dialogue, fast pace and surprise elements are enough to keep the reader entertained and engaged.

Recommend?

Absolutely, anyone who likes some light-hearted laughter with their thrills and chills will love Ms. Charles’ characters and writing style.

REVIEWED BY

THIS BOOK MADE ME SMARTER

DEENA RAE

This book is definitely a "thinking" person read. There are an abundance of medical terms and descriptions that at times can be confusing. So much technical information I sometimes felt lost. My not being fluent in French also caused some "translation" issues.

The story was horrifying and terror inducing. Dr. Reich truly shows the horrible things humans are capable of.

If you read this thinking you will be getting the "Bones" and Seely from the television series your will be disappointed. Temperance in the books is not socially awkward and there is not Seely Booth in sight.

In Déjà Dead, the reader is introduced to American doctor of anthropology Temperance Brennan who is working with the Montreal Canada forensics department. She morphs from a forensic specialist to more of an investigator in the book. Ms Reichs does a wonderful job of allowing the reader into the main character's mind. Unlike another book I read recently, the characters that Ms Reich writes are likeable and the reader will develop a connection with them.

I will take a chance in more books in the series as I found this storyline intriguing and engrossing.

Recommend?

I recommend to those who do not mind 10-letter words and enjoy utilizing a dictionary or Wikipedia when reading. This book made me smarter.

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

CRIME THRILLER FILLED WITH TWISTS AND TURNS

Let me start by prefacing this review by saying, I am new to the Alex Cross universe. I've never read any of the books and it's been decades since I watched the movies so I came into this series with completely fresh eyes. I should say however that I read Mr. Patterson's Midnight Club a few months ago (see review here) but while I enjoyed the book I couldn't get past some issues with the plot so gave it a 3.5-stars.

I am so glad I went all the way back to a book published in 1993 to start a series. With more than 20 books, "Doctor Detective" Cross should keep me busy for a while

This book was an amazing start to a series. The characters were well developed, the chills were engrossing and the plot twists added terror.

With this book, we found out early who the villain was but with every chapter the suspense built until we realized that sometimes there are multiple bad guys, sometimes working in tandem and sometimes working independently.

Mr Patterson wove a wonderfully intricate plot complete with homicidal maniacs, outspoken grandmas and a tragically hurt main character. With a diverse cast of characters, this is an example of one of how authors can incorporate our nations diversity to world building in modern literature.

Read the complete review on the EBookBuilders site. https://ebookbuilderspro.com/along-came-a-spider/

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

ONE OF THE BEST SUSPENSE SERIES ON THE SHELVES

I have been a JD Robb fan for years. I have read the In Death series multiple times usually each time a new book comes out I reread the whole series. Kind of strange I know.

In the In Death series, the main character, Lieutenant Eve Dallas is a homicide investigator for New York in the year 2061. She has personally experienced assault and trauma, which helps make her into a more compassionate detective even though those who don't know her think she is gruff and uncaring.

In Desperation in Death, the storyline of girls being taken and held prisoner for sale hits very close to home for her. For that reason, she takes great joy in solving this crime and helping the victims.

One thing that's so fantastic about the In Death book series is the cast of of secondary and peripheral characters that weave through each book throughout the series of 50+ plus books.

Lt. Dallas is a heroine who is slightly flawed, whose growth into a fully-rounded , fully functioning woman has been a treat to see. The pain the characters deal with, grow from, has been an inspiration. The world building - in a futuristic sense - is interesting and complete. I love how JD Robb (pen name of Nora Roberts) is able to keep all the storylines, characters and crimes fresh. Nothing about this series is old or trite.

Recommend?

I recommend that if you are a fan of romance and need something with a little more meat in the storyline start reading JD Robb's In Death series. If you are like me and a series addict this will fit you perfect.

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

ANOTHER PAGE-TURNING, ACTION-PACKED THRILL

Fast-paced plot with believable characters, much like Man on Ice - Book 1 in the Rake Ozenna thriller series.

The storyline evolved around a multitude of characters, but they were very well developed and written. Main character - Rake Ozenna - is an army captain - is back although after the events of Book 1, his engagement to trauma doctor Carrie Walker has ended. There is no definitive answer to the ending of the engagement but the reader can infer that the two are still in sporadic contact so there aren't a lot of hard feelings on either side.

There are many secondary characters in government roles, because many of them made an appearance in book 1, there is not a lot of confusion with who-is-what and who-does-what. There are more secondary characters added and they are done in such a way that it is not such an information dump as with the previous book in the series.

Man on Edge was loaded with geopolitical intrigue, ramifications and plot lines, just like Man on Ice. There is an overabundance of globe-hopping travel for Rake, some that pushes the edge of credulity in this fast-paced book. It seems like no one needs sleep and doesn't get loopy when going days without rest.  Speaking of credulity, there are some instances where it's lucky plot twists that save characters, not truly something believable, but that is why it is fiction - things are supposed to strain the bounds of truth.

Read the complete review on the EBookBuilders site. https://ebookbuilderspro.com/man-on-edge/

REVIEWED BY DEENA RAE

A GREAT ESCAPE INTO A DIFFERENT ERA WITH DIFFERENT SOCIAL STRUCTURES AND NORMS

It's no secret I am Gen X. I grew up hearing stories of Woodstock; having Led Zepplin, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and all the huge arena bands of the 70s as the soundtrack to my chilhood and formative years. Daisy Jones and The Six takes me right back to that time. Once I had read that Taylor Jenkins Reid's inspiration was the dynamic between the Fleetwood Mac members - Lindsey Buckinham and Stevie Nicks in particular - I had to delve into this story in book form before even  thinking of watching the Prime Series.

Let me say that the writing style takes time to get used to. Instead of "show don't tell" , the author breaks the rules and "tell don't show". It is writting in an interview / documentary format rather than a true narrative. It works but I feel if it was a multi person narrative fiction novel the reader would connect more with the multitude of characters.

It was an interesting read to have the characters talk honestly to the reader, explain their actions, thoughts, and motivations, but we must trust that the characters are being brutally honest, and in one character's narration, we don't really know if we believe them or not.

The story line was fresh, the delivery format was unusual. A great escape into a different era with different social structures and norms

Read the complete review on the EBookBuilders site. https://ebookbuilderspro.com/daisy-jones-and-the-six/

REVIEWED BY ROXB

Gretchen McCullough takes on the horror of the revolution in Egypt in 2011 with an accused terrorist on the run. Gary, the narrator of this wild rollercoaster ride from Cairo to Texas, is a professor, hopeful author, rebel, and conservationist unable to prove his innocence, striving to remake himself and escape jail time. Gary and his closest friend, Kharalombos, travel together, meeting various distinctive characters who will make you laugh, fill you with disdain, or have you run for cover.

Gary attempts to remake himself with each identity change during his travels. He comes across a murder, drugs, stolen artifacts, arson, conspiracies, and even takes on a snake. The hilarity increases when he and Kharalombos become instructors at an auspicious girl’s camp in Texas. The juxtaposition of the terror in Egypt to the demands of spoiled girls and the femmes fatales women keeps the reader guessing. Gary, the professor, has limited skills placing him into roles at the camp — ones that he never considered nor wants to revisit.

As advertised, the style of this adventure fantasy is humorously grandiose in the manner of Cervantes. Readers will get charmed by the flashy characters as they deal with unfathomable situations. The twists and turns of this adventure end in a surprising way you’ll never see coming. Fun summer humorous fiction to make you think of the possibilities.

MEET THE TEAM!

Deena Rae

Design, Writer, Reviewer

Danielle Interviewer & Reviewern

RoxB Writer, Reviewer

PelicanFreak Reviewern

Mickey Mikkelson

Co-Publisher

Aimee Ravichandran

Co-Publisher