Interview with Fantasy Author Shelby Oval

My next interview is with Shelby Oval, the author of Out of Embers and Shadows.

Alexis: Tell us about yourself! What would you like readers to know about you?

Shelby: I am a self published author who loves fantasy books. After reading so many I decided that I wanted to write one that used the beloved tropes, but gave a bit more power to women and other non-typical groups! So that's what I did!

Alexis: Awesome! It’s always good to write a book that you’d love to read. What book or books have most influenced you as a writer?

Shelby: Throne of Glass, From Blood and Ash, and Fourth Wing.

Alexis: I enjoyed Fourth Wing as well. What are some tropes of fiction in your genre that you love/hate? Why?

Shelby: I adore “who did this to you" and especially when they aren't together together yet! I am also a huge fan of when the male love interest is obsessed with his female counterpart (think Casteel in Blood and Ash). Overall, I love a good enemies to lovers trope. With that being said, I am NOT a fan of young girls needed a big strong man to teach them magic and how to save the world. Women can do that on our own thanks!

Alexis: Who is your favorite character in your book? What do you like about them? (or, which character do you hate most and why)

Shelby: I love my main character, Lora - obviously - because she is already strong and powerful at the start of the book, and she knows it. I also like a character named Garrison because from the get-go he is honest and open about Lora and all the events that transpire.

The cover of Out of Embers and Shadows by Shelby Oval.

Alexis: What do you like to do other than read or write? Do you have any interesting hobbies?

Shelby: My partner and I scuba and hike (when we can). We live in the Middle East and try to go to as many amazing places as possible on weekends and holidays.

Alexis: I love hiking and travel as well! Tell us about a mystery/urban legend from your hometown (or another place you’ve lived).

Shelby: In my hometown we actually have the longest missing person case in state history. A young woman my mom and dad knew from high school was walking home after a U2 concert and vanished. No one knows anything - or at least hasn't said anything. Its been 30 years and only little leads have come to the surface.

Alexis: That is a very tragic mystery! I always hope that someday someone will come forward, or evidence will be found, so that there can be some justice and resolution for the families of these victims. What’s your favorite animal?

Shelby: I have an absolute attachment to weenie dogs. I had one for 15 years and she was the light of my life. Besides her, I love turtles and swim with them whenever I get the chance!

Alexis: Dachshunds are very cute—my husband had one for a while as well. Do you have pet(s)? If so, share a picture of your pet!

Shelby: My perfect angel baby - Edelbe - was my dog growing up and I am still just as obsessed with her now!

Shelby Oval’s beloved dog, Edelbe.

Alexis: What advice do you have for other writers or people just getting started in writing?

Shelby: I have to keep reminding myself, even now, that the first draft is just that - a draft. It doesn't have to be perfect and print ready! Just get it onto the page!

Alexis: How do you choose what books you want to read?

Shelby: Lowkey - I judge a book by its cover hardcore! If the cover is cool I will read the back and then decide. (sometimes someone will suggest something and I'll look into it! Or I ARC read!)

Alexis: Do you like Greek/Roman/Norse/Asian/African mythology or folklore? What’s your favorite myth?

Shelby: I am obsessed with Madaline Miller's Song of Achilles and all that is the love story between Achilles and Patroclus. But I am currently diving into the Persephone/Hades retelling!

Alexis: Exciting! I love myths and retelling as well. Thank you for talking to our readers, and I wish you luck with your book!

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Interview with Fantasy Author E. B. Repetto

My next author interview is with E. B. Repetto, who wrote the fantasy duology, The Goddess Maker.

Alexis: Tell us about yourself! What would you like readers to know about you?

Repetto: Hi everyone! I'm a 29-year-old epic fantasy writer hailing from a small town in southeast Ohio, now residing on the east coast in the Greater Boston area. I released my debut novel, Lightning & Ember in the Fall of 2023 and recently released the second in the series, Blazing Sun, in May of 2024. As a self-proclaimed weeb, my series is action-packed, featuring a diverse cast of characters, magic, and court intrigue.

Alexis: What book or books have most influenced you as a writer?

Repetto: I generally read a lot of sci-fi/fantasy novels and manga/manhwa, so my inspirations are somewhat spread out. If I had to pick one, I would say Scott Westerfield's Uglies was one of the first sci-fi novels to stick with me. I loved the world-building and the character interactions, and it was refreshing to see a capable female lead in a genre that, at the time, was mostly dominated by men.

Alexis: Interesting! I’ve never read Uglies, but it sounds like a fascinating series. What are some tropes of fiction in your genre that you love/hate? Why?

Repetto: I love a good hidden truth. There's something about a mystery that makes a story complete in my mind and they're so much fun to unravel. I've been challenging my beta readers to find the ultimate antagonist in my works (thus far, no one has been able to name them, but they are on the right path). Beyond that, I think I have a love/hate relationship with most other tropes, so I tend to play around with them. Sometimes, I follow them straight--other times, I might make a character knowingly follow one only to do so with an ulterior motive. I'm all about subverting expectations (for good or for bad).

Cover of Lightning & Ember by E.B. Repetto.

Alexis: Who is your favorite character in your book? What do you like about them? (or, which character do you hate most and why)

Repetto: This one is tricky! My main trio are all gripping in their own ways. At the end of the day, though, Akina is probably the closest to my heart. She's a woman that knows her strength and how to wield it. It's a quiet skill that doesn't go unnoticed by the people around her, and truthfully, one I wished I knew how to master.

Alexis: She sounds like an interesting character! What TV shows/Movies do you like to watch or stream?

Repetto: Given the aforementioned weeb comment, I tend to watch a lot of anime. My recent favorites are Jujutsu Kaisen, Blue Lock, and Kaguya-Sama: Love is War! My husband and I are always on the hunt for a bingeable action/adventure/sci-fi series, however, so we tend to hop between what's new on the big streaming services.

Alexis: You should check out Delicious in Dungeon, which is my favorite anime recently! Do you have pet(s)? If so, share a picture of your pet!

Repetto: I do! I have a 4-year-old German Shepherd and a 1-year-old Australian Shepherd. Yes...there is a lot of barking in our house (in fact, that's how the Aussie got his name--Echo!)

Alexis: How do you choose what books you want to read?

Repetto: I tend to shop for books at physical, local bookstores, so I generally rely on staff recommendations when picking out a book. While I tend to give preference to stories from diverse authors, I'll read anything if the recommendation is glowing enough. From there, I do what I call a "random page test" where I'll flip to a random page in the middle front of the book and read about half of it. If I'm grabbed by what's there, I'll walk out with it.

Cover of Blazing Sun by E.B. Repetto.

Alexis: Do you like Greek/Roman/Norse/Asian/African mythology or folklore? What’s your favorite myth?

Repetto: I love a lot of Greek mythology. The Iliad and the Odyssey were two of the first books that I bought when I moved to Boston. I particularly love a good hero's journey, so the Odyssey is probably my favorite of the two. Down the line, I've been toying with the idea of creating a sci-fi series modeled after the Greek Primordial Deities. It's still in the early planning stages, but so far I'm excited about the prospects.

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Interview with Fantasy Author Camilla Vavruch

Check out my latest interview with doctor and fantasy author Camilla Vavruch, who has written the Stories of Gereon and the Elemental Saga!

Alexis: Tell us about yourself! What would you like readers to know about you?

Camilla: Hi! My name is Camilla Vavruch and I’m an author of feel good fantasy - because the world out there is more than dark enough, so I want my books to leave you with a good feeling. That doesn’t mean they don’t include their fair share of darkness, angst and bad stuff, but the end feeling should be happy. Pretty much all my books include dragons, and usually other sorts of magical creatures too. In real life, when I’m not playing pretend the voices in my head, I work as a medical doctor and am a mom of three kids.

Alexis: I love dragons, and I think it can be a relief to read some feel good fantasy every once in a while. And you sound like a very busy and energetic person! What are some tropes of fiction in your genre that you love/hate? Why?

Camilla: I love hurt/comfort, which is pretty obvious from my own writing (and probably inspired by my work as a doctor). Other favorites are coming of age and found family, which you can always find in my stories! Miscommunication is probably my least favorite trope, because I want to just go in there and explain and make things right, so it frustrates me.

Alexis: I can see how miscommunications in books can be frustrating, because you just want everyone to talk things out! Coming of age is a great classic, and I love reading about found families! Who is your favorite character in your book? What do you like about them?

Camilla: Tristan Arrington, main character of Boy of Shadows and a major part of the other books in the series Stories of Gereon, is my favorite at the moment. He thinks of himself as a weakling, but considering what he’s survived and that he’s still standing, he is one of the mentally strongest characters I’ve written. In an upcoming book, I’ve written a grumpy dwarf named Bruni, who has also quickly become a big favorite of mine. Writing a sarcastic, rude character with a heart of gold turned out to be so much fun.

Cover of Stone of Shadows, the first book of the Stories of Gereon series by Camilla Vavruch.

Alexis: What do you like to do other than read or write? Do you have any interesting hobbies?

Camilla: I spend a lot of time in my garden and grow a lot of vegetables and flowers. Other than that, I mostly just chase after my kids and try to keep my house in order, which is easier said than done.

Alexis: I also like gardening—it’s very peaceful and makes me feel connected to nature and the earth. And i can definitely relate to spending lots of time chasing kids! What TV shows/Movies do you like to watch or stream?

Camilla: At the moment, Bridgerton. Me and my husband are rewatching Scrubs again, the best medical series ever!

Alexis: I like Bridgerton as well! What advice do you have for other writers or people just getting started in writing?

Camilla: Just start writing, and when you’re done with the book, don’t be afraid to let it go. First to the editor, and then out into the world. You should, of course, be happy with what you put out, but the risk is that you end up sitting on your manuscript forever and ever - I know I did. It took me like fifteen years to get my first book out, and I wish I had just gotten it done sooner.

Alexis: How do you choose what books you want to read?

Camilla: I mostly judge the books by their covers… And then if the blurb keeps my interest, I’ll pick up the book. I do DNF books if they don’t catch my attention pretty quickly.

Alexis: Yes, an interesting cover can definitely draw readers in! For our readers, if you’d like to learn more about Camilla Vavruch, check out her author bio and her links below!

About the Author

Meet Camilla Vavruch, a multitasking marvel and dragon-lover extraordinaire! By day, she’s a doctor at a healthcare center, healing bodies and saving lives. By night (and early morning and lunch breaks), she unleashes her wild imagination as a writer of fantasy novels filled with magic and, of course, dragons of all shapes and sizes.

Camilla is the author of two series, The Elemental Saga and Stories of Gereon. Both are set in the same universe, but with entirely different characters and focus. All of Camilla’s stories include found family (her favorite trope!), at least a touch of hurt/comfort, and a healthy dose of fantastical creatures.

When she’s not slaying dragons on the page, Camilla is also a mom of three (who somehow still finds time to sleep), a web and graphic designer, and a lover of all things creative – from writing to drawing and photography. It’s a wonder she has any time left to breathe, but Camilla wouldn’t have it any other way.

Join her on her wild and fantastical journey through life!

Check out her website and other links!

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Interview with TexArcana Author J.C. Alegria

This is an interview with J.C. Alegria, one of the authors from our upcoming anthology, TexArcana! J.C. Alegria wrote the short story, “Buck and a Half.”

Alexis: Tell us about yourself! What would you like readers to know about you?

J.C. Alegria: Retired airline pilot with a passion for reading and storytelling. Seven publishing credits

so far: two aviation articles and the rest are spooky short stories. I live quietly in the

woods of western Pennsylvania. With the owls.

.Alexis: Owls are amazing creatures! I love seeing them on my walks. So, what book or books have most influenced you as a writer?

A picture of a beautiful barn owl!

J.C. Alegria: Better to list authors: Ray Bradbury, E.A. Poe, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Robert

McCammon, Elmore Leonard, Donald E. Westlake, et al.

Alexis: That’s a great list! I particularly like Ray Bradbury, Edgar Allen Poe, and Stephen King. Dean Koontz’s Watchers is one of my all-time favorite sci-fi/horror books, as well. I loved the idea of a hyper intelligent dog! If you write horror, what are some of your biggest fears, and how have they inspired your writing?

J.C. Alegria: The frailty of sanity and how easily our minds can deceive us and blur reality, and how comfortable evil seems to be curled up in the human spirit. I think these are things that frightens us all at some level.

Alexis: I agree. It’s always so disconcerting how easily evil seems to get into everything in the world, isn’t it? So what do you like to do other than read or write? Do you have any interesting hobbies?

J.C. Alegria: I am an avid scuba diver.

Alexis: Interesting! What TV shows/Movies do you like to watch or stream?

J.C. Alegria: I enjoy well-written horror stories that focus more on psychological and supernatural elements rather than violence and gore. “The Lady in Black” (2012) is a good example: a terrifying movie that was rated PG-13. I also enjoy good crime stories along the lines of Elmore Leonard.

Alexis: “The Lady in Black” is truly terrifying. What’s your favorite animal?

J.C. Alegria: I’m a dog person.

Alexis: Do you like playing video games? What’s your favorite game right now? Has a video game ever influenced you as a writer?

J.C. Alegria: The last video game I played was about 40 years ago. It was “GALAGA.” Joy stick and two buttons to destroy alien spacecraft. Booth-type machine in the lobby of a movie theatre. Cost twenty-five cents, and I kicked butt.

Alexis: Sounds like fun! Do you have pets?

J.C. Alegria: I’ve had dogs most of my life but do not have any now. However, I frequently dog sit for friends and enjoy the company of two wonderful German shepherds. I thus get a weekly dose of canine affection, a necessary inoculation against a crazy world.

Alexis: What advice do you have for other writers or people just getting started in writing?

J.C. Alegria: Whatever you do, read these two books: Make Your Words Work, by the late, great Gary Provost, and, of course, The Elements of Style. Then study how authors you enjoy construct sentences and paragraphs to deliver clear prose. In my opinion, the best style is clarity. Learn how to combine sentences without using conjunctions and know that adverbs are not your friends. Learn how to express a character’s thoughts without constantly using “he thought.” Imagine a scene and write it down, remembering that you are playing a movie in your reader’s mind. That’s a privilege. And have fun telling a good story.

Alexis: How do you choose what books you want to read?

J. C. Alegria: Previous experience with authors, themes, and I may skim through reviews, but I never read a synopsis; I don’t want to know the story before I read it.

Alexis: Do you like Greek/Roman/Norse/Asian/African mythology or folklore? What’s your favorite myth?

J.C. Alegria: Icarus.

Alexis: Thank you for talking to me! To learn more about J. C. Alegria, check out his author bio below!

Author Bio for J. C. Alegria

J. C. Alegria, a retired airline pilot, was raised in both Latin America and the United States. His previous publishing credits include two cover-feature aviation articles for FLYING magazine and the horror short stories Ghoul is my Copilot (Murky Depths, 2008), Cathedral (Tell Tale Press, 2019), and The Strange Death of Ebenezer Scrooge (Silver Shamrock, 2019). He also has two novel-length manuscripts ready to fly; the first is a horror/thriller with wickedly ruthless characters and the other is an aviation-based adventure story set during the Sandinista Revolution of 1979, a tale which takes a hard, unflinching look at greed and the cold brutality of Man. An avid reader and huge fan of spooky tales, he lives somewhere in the woods of western Pennsylvania, where he is currently working on his next story. Usually at night.

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Interview with Young Adult Fantasy Writer Lucy A. McLaren +

Tell us about yourself! What would you like readers to know about you?

Lucy: Hi! I’m Lucy A. McLaren, a fantasy writer and professional counsellor. I’ve adored fantasy stories for as long as I can remember, and consume them in their various forms—from books to films, video games to TV shows. Besides these, I love spending time with my husband and young son. I also like taking photos of old castles or ruins, as these are really inspiring to me.

My debut book, Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1, released in May 2022 from Santa Fe Writers Project. It’s a multi-POV, character-focused YA dark fantasy, including found family, an authoritarian government, mental health rep, a realistic toxic relationship, and animal companions. I’m currently working on book 2 in that series alongside another YA fantasy book, and several short stories!

Alexis: Wow! I love looking at pictures of old castles or ruins, and your book sounds interesting.

What book or books have most influenced you as a writer?

Lucy: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman is my favourite series of all time and has certainly influenced me as a writer. I admire Pullman’s worldbuilding and the compelling way in which he tells stories. 

Robin Hobb is my favourite writer; I haven’t read all of her books (yet), but I love everything I have read (Rainwild Chronicles and Liveship Traders trilogy are my favourites). I admire Hobb’s character work in particular, and the way she makes the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of her characters so understandable, even when they’re abominable. 

Alexis: I love His Dark Materials as well, though I’ve read never any Robin Hobb.

 What TV shows/Movies do you like to watch or stream?

Lucy: My husband and I will watch anything Marvel. I really enjoyed Loki (I mean, Tom Hiddleston is awesome) and Daredevil (so pleased that’s coming back). The Witcher and His Dark Materials are both fantastic and I can’t wait for series 3 of both this year (roll on December)! I also like to watch crime dramas, or real life crime and police documentaries. I find them all incredibly fascinating from a psychological point of view. 

In terms of films, again Marvel will always be a winner in our house. Other than that, I love Lord of the Rings and have done since it came out when I was a child. I can’t wait to share it with my son when he’s older! My favorite film, however, is Gladiator. Just… ugh, gets me every time. Amazing. 

Alexis: Awesome! I’m a huge Marvel fan as well, and I really enjoyed the Loki TV series. I’m excited to see where they take his character. I’ve also enjoy The Witcher series (I even learned to play “Toss a Coin to Your Witcher” on ukulele:).

Do you like playing video games? What’s your favorite game right now? Has a video game ever influenced you as a writer?

Lucy: Oh yes, I love gaming. I haven’t had as much chance to do it as I would like since having my son, but it will always be a part of my life. At the moment, I’m playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons because it’s easy to dip into when my son is asleep and doesn’t take much brain power. However, I am *on hold* in Horizon: Forbidden West and I really want to get back to it. Just need to find the time and mental energy! It’s a brilliant game. 

I’d say the games I’ve played over the years have certainly influenced me as a writer. The ones that spring to mind as being the strongest influences are Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, and Final Fantasy VIII through X. There are multiple characters and intertwining storylines in these games. That is something I aim to emulate in my stories. 

 Do you like playing board games or role playing games like D&D? If so, which games do you like best?

Lucy: I don’t play any at the moment, but I discovered D&D for the first time about 5 years ago and loved it. Creating my character, Evelyn, and her backstory were a big part in my going on to write Awakening—Evelyn is one of the four main characters, and the one whose perspective we follow the most. Playing D&D really brought her to life for me. I wish I’d discovered it when I was younger. It’s so much fun, and really encourages imagination and creativity. I hope to be able to find a campaign to join in future! 

 Do you have a pet or pets? If so, share a picture of your pet!

 Lucy: Sadly I don’t have my own dog at the moment, although always appreciate cuddles with my family dogs Cosmo, Arya and Beth when I go to my parents’ house.

However, this is a photo of Evie. She was my dog; I bought her when I was 18 and we had 13 and a half wonderful years together. She was by my side for so much of the writing of Awakening, snoring away contentedly. She was the inspiration for Dog, the animal companion to young Rose in my book. She loved tea and going for walks in the woods. She was very special. 

Evie, Lucy A. McLaren’s adorable doggie!

 What advice do you have for other writers or people just getting started in writing?

 Lucy: Don’t worry about getting your story perfect straight away. Get it written, editing and rewrites will come later. I made the mistake of trying to tweak as I was writing the first draft. Looking back, that was a massive waste of time. The book went through numerous rewrites and edits since that first draft, and changed loads. 

Basically, get your first draft written. Get the ideas on paper. Refine later.

 How do you choose what books you want to read?

 Lucy: I’m very much a mood reader. I love the feeling of being able to choose my next book. My TBR pile is huge, so I’ll scan through that and just… get a feeling about a certain book. I’ve learned to go with my gut, because when I try to read a book I’m not “feeling” I end up not enjoying it as much. 

I’m currently reading: Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons; Tabula Smaragdina: The Destiny Thief by Natalia Wawrzynczak; and Fate and Resolve by Amy Lee. 

If you write horror or dark fantasy, what are some of your fears, and how did they influence your story?

Lucy: I write dark fantasy, though it’s not grimdark. My worlds tend to be grim, inspired by real life events I have seen or experienced. I do try to weave in some element of hope, though—whether that be the spark of friendship, or the animal companions that are part of Awakening. 

For me, my fears do come from real life scenarios: oppression, trauma, mental health issues, sexual assault, victim blaming, toxic relationships. These awful things happen in our world, and they’re scary. I hope that exploring them in a realistic, respectful way in my stories will help people to understand these issues or to process their own experiences. 

Lucy A McLaren, the author of Awakening: The Commune’s Curse

Share your links!

You can buy Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1 now from your favourite bookshop or retailer.

Find Awakening: The Commune’s Curse on Amazon!

Check out my linktree: https://linktr.ee/lucyamclaren

Keep up to date with my dark fantasy trilogy, The Commune’s Curse, as well as my other fantasy stories by signing up to my newsletter (bottom of my website): https://lucyamclarenauthor.wordpress.com

I also share mental health theory every month on my newsletter, which can help you better understand your own characters, or your favorite characters in the stories you read—so do sign up if that sounds of interest.

You can follow me on Twitter (@lucyamclaren), Instagram (lucy_a_mclaren), Facebook (Lucy A. McLaren Author) and TikTok (@lucyamclarenauthor). I love connecting with fellow fantasy readers and writers!

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Cover Reveal: Thine Eyes of Mercy

Welcome to the cover reveal for Danielle M. Orsino's novel, Thine Eyes of Mercy (Birth of the Fae #2) which is the highly anticipated follow up to Locked Out of Heaven!

Birth of the Fae: Thine Eyes of Mercy, Book Two

Expected Publication Date: December 2021

Genre: Fantasy

Queen Aurora, monarch of the Court of Light Fae and King Jarvok, Leader of the Court of Dark Fae are exhausted and battle worn after centuries of fighting. A war of attrition had taken its toll upon their kin and power bases.

What happens when you have to give in to your enemy?

All wars eventually end even magical ones. The Dark and Light Fae have set their elemental magick and weapons down but, all is not quiet in the Veil…

King Jarvok was confident his army could win the war, but at what cost? It was time to act like a King not a power hungry megalomaniac. That was his Creator’s title not his. He reaches out to Queen Aurora, and the Treaty of Bodhicitta is signed.

The treaty promises the Fae will never spill each other’s blood again. Rules for their human worshipers are put into place. The Court of Dark must not interfere with humans in a malignant way, but they can act as gods and goddesses of atonement. The Court of Light can return to acting as advisors to the European royal families, as they have done for centuries.

However, Queen Aurora and King Jarvok will learn that while they were playing war games, their humans have changed and moved away from the old ways.

The two monarchs face unknown challenges in a world where Christianity not paganism is the new power.

Sometimes the devil you know is better than the one you do not.

Coming Soon!

Locked Out of Heaven (Birth of the Fae #1)

Ride on the backs of fire-breathing dragons with the Dark Fae and watch the Light Fae play in the shadows of primitive humanity as they build their magical world.
Abandoned by their creator, two factions of powerful angels remain on earth after the Great War with Lucifer. They struggle to comprehend their Creator’s plan while their angel wings, a symbol of their angelic lineage, slowly and painfully decay. With no hope of returning to the Shining Kingdom, two groups of angels denounce their angelic lineage and develop into separate factions – the Court of Light, led by Queen Aurora, a former Virtue Angel, and the Court of Dark, ruled by King Jarvok, a former Power Brigade Angel. The two monarchs have opposing views on how to govern their kin, but the one belief they agree on is that human worship equals power.
Birth of the Fae: Locked Out of Heaven is an epic-fantasy adventure of heartbreak, rebirth, and hope that examines the bonds of family, friendship, and love. It is a fantastic tale of good versus evil in a beautiful world, where the Light Fae and their potent elemental magick are tested by the raw power of the dragon-riding Dark Fae warriors.
They are their own beings and masters of their own destiny. They are the Fae.

About the Author

Danielle M Orsino, destined to be a writer from a young age, was working as a nurse and treating a patient who needed some distractions during long I.V. Treatment sessions. So, Orsino reached back to a forgotten skill, A childhood dream. Danielle had wanted to be a writer and so she decided to tell a story. Little did she know the seed would grow into a fantastically epic adventure of heartbreak, hope and rebirth — Birth of Fae: Locked Out of Heaven. Drawing from her passion for comic books, Cosplay and fantasy along with her expert martial arts expertise, Orsino brings forth an electric and hopeful debut.

Danielle is taking on her biggest challenge to date: taking the story born from the long treatment sessions with a patient into a fantasy book series-Birth of the Fae: Locked out of Heaven. Expanding her love of writing, comics and exploring the world of fantasy novels, she delves into the realm of fairies and retells their origins from a completely new perspective. Orsino has a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise science and is an LPN with a special interest in Lyme disease research. Orsino has been widely recognized from her influence and experience in martial arts realm, training for over 20 years and with over 500 tournament wins, and accumulating national and world titles. She has performed for former President of the United States Bill Clinton and has been featured on “Soap Talk, Fox Five news CBS, TLC and E! With this experience, she worked as a Fight Choreographer on ”Wonder Woman: Balance of Power” and has worked with the likes of martial arts legend Vincent Lyn and WWE marvel and action star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Nothing Danielle ever does is simple, look at what NY times Bestselling author Clete Barrett Smith has to say about her debut endeavor: “After summoning this world into existence through an imaginative force of will, Danielle has scoured every inch of the landscape several times over. Critics often praise a story’s world building by saying that it feels “lived in.” Well, the world of the Fae certainly seems like that because Danielle herself has happily lived there for years as she worked to put all of this together…My favorite part of this story is that it is gloriously depicted in vibrant images.

The Birth of the Fae | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify Playlist

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Interview with Fantasy Author Azalea Dabill

How has fantasy impacted your experience of the world? 

Azalea: It would be easier to say how it hasn’t influenced me. 

Great fantasy adventure has been a lifeline, an inspiration, a joy, a teacher, an expander of my world. During illness it has been a comfort and enjoyment when I couldn’t get out. Imaginative stories gave me the gift of adventure, and still do today. Both good and bad speculative fiction inspire me. They inspire me in the sense that the good shows me moral possibilities of great deeds of heart and mind, while the bad has shown me how far off track we can get. It also identifies evils that need to be fought in the spiritual arena, the wide world of ideas, and the sphere we breathe in. Fantasy shows me heart-thrilling new realms, including the inner world of other minds I have not known, places I have not gone, and kingdoms yet to be won. 

Why do you think clean fantasy adventure is important to us as human readers?

Azalea: Because moral adventure shows us a picture of admirable action, with a sense of the mystery, beauty, and courage we need to live well. It gives us a picture of goodness, not alone, or always unstained, but goodness as it opposes evil. It helps us sort out ourselves, and where we fit in life in the universe. We learn by inner experience what it means to be inhuman and to be human.

In what ways are great fantasy and imaginative fiction vital to our future?

Azalea: The moment we cease to imagine, an exercise in possibility and a kind of creation, we begin to die, in spirit if nothing else. And it is also vital for us to create good things, to think of virtue, to be a witness of its thriving existence. If we imagine evil things and live in them, we misuse our gift of sub-creation. We are not here to make the world worse, but to encourage, help, and inspire every person in the great race of life.

What do you like to write?

Azalea: So far I’ve written YA medieval fantasy set in Britannia and Araby. I’m on the last book of the series. My next planned books are fantasy adventures set in other worlds. All of them, from kings and princesses to dragons are caught in a state of dire flux, seeking to save themselves and others from destruction, of course. An adventure is no good without conflict! I also prefer conflict on more than one level, so my books tend to be character driven tales of beauty and danger.

Current Work in Progress: the third and last book of the Falcon Chronicle, a YA medieval fantasy. Title: Falcon Dagger. 

The first two books, Chronicle I: Falcon Heart and Chronicle II: Falcon Flight, and a companion novella Lance and Quill are available on Amazon.

Bio: 

I grew up in the California hills with four siblings, building forts in the oaks. 

The fuzzy-sweet scent of acorns and moss rounded the strong, delicate perfume of lupine and golden poppies under the summer sun. We didn't have TV in the evenings but listened to the night-song of crickets and dreamed of our day's adventures. We hunted ground squirrels with our home-made bows - but never got any, rode our Red-flyer wagon down our mountain, and roamed far and wide.

I learned to read early and entertained my brothers and sisters with many stories I read aloud. 

Words hold so much power. They loved Narnia, The Young Trailers, and extraordinary fantasy. Robin McKinley's The Blue Sword enthralled me. I have never found enough imaginative adventure with threads of beauty, mystery, and wonder. Now I enjoy family, old bookstores, and hiking the wild. 

Books: Falcon Heart, Falcon Flight, and Fantastic Journey

Or see my website: www.azaleadabill.com and sign up for reading adventure

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/azalea.dabill

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AzaleaDabill

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/azaleadabill

Join me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10067218-azalea-dabill

 Or email me at: fantasticjourney.dynamospress@gmail.com

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FanExpo 2021! Cosplay, Books, and Fun!

So one of the things I’ve missed since the start of the Covid pandemic is Comic Cons. The year before Covid hit, 2019, my friend Sarah Mensinga and I did our first con—Fan Expo Dallas 2019. We got a table where we sold our books and Sarah sold prints, and it was a great time. I only had one book available at the time, Sapience, and while I didn’t sell a huge amount of books, I made enough to cover my half of the table, which was good. I also met tons of people and saw some amazing cosplay.

After that, I got to do one more small con (Arlingcon, at the Arlington library). Sarah and I rented a table for Fan Expo 2020. Which was supposed to happen in March of 2020. And then the whole country shut down.

It’s funny, because I remember hearing rumblings about Covid even back in December 2019. By February it seemed like things were getting worse, but then it felt like it sort of exploded. In the end, Fan Expo 2020 was cancelled, but we decided to keep our table for the next time the con came back. Which it did for the first time September 17-20, 2021. And once again, we were there with our books. This time, I had Saints and Curses as well as Sapience.

Me and Sarah at Fan Expo 2021!

It was very exciting to be back after all that time. I honestly had no idea what to expect. I halfway expected that no one would be there except for a couple of vendors. I was amazed to see the huge crowds of people arriving at the con (masks were required and I’m vaccinated, so I felt reasonably safe from Covid). And just like 2019, there were tons of brilliant cosplayers. Since there were so many, I decided to post some of pictures in galleries. Check them out! I love great cosplay—it looks so fun and brilliant.

BTW, Sarah and I are also going to another fair in December, the Grapevine Library Christmas Market. I’ll post more about it as we get closer, but it’s going to be December 4-5, 2021.

Day 2—Sarah and I spread out because the table next to us was unoccupied.

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Book Spotlight: The Storm of Storms; Juche III by Adria Carmichael

A highly addictive Young Adult Dystopian Survival Saga that will keep you glued to the pages.

Nari’s shocking revelation in the watermill changes everything in an instant, and Areum is once more faced with an impossible decision. Will she betray her sister in order to save her life, or support her and let her die? In the midst of this struggle, the storm of the century hits the camp, and life goes from hard to impossible overnight. Areum slowly comes to realize there is only one way to ensure their survival.

To escape!

But how can they escape from an escape-proof prison camp? And even if they would get past the ferocious dog patrols, the machine gun-equipped guard towers and the electrified barbed wire fence… will she be willing to condemn everyone they’re leaving behind to an inescapable end through torture and death?

The Demon of Yodok (Juche #1)

JUCHE [dʒuːtʃe]

Just when Areum, daughter of a privileged family in the totalitarian state of Choson, thought she was free from her personal prison, her world collapses around her as her family are taken away in the middle of the night to a hell-like camp in the mountains where people who have strayed from the righteous path are brutally re-educated through blood, sweat, tears and starvation.

There she has to fight for survival together with the family she hates and is forced to re-evaluate every aspect of her life until then – her deep resentment toward her twin sister; her view of her father in face of the mounting evidence he is a traitor with the blood of millions of fellow countrymen on his hands; and even her love and affection for the Great General – the eternal savior and protector of Choson, whom she had always considered her true father.

Amazon

The Weeping Masses (Juche #2)

Areum’s hopes to be set free from the brutal political prison camp holding them is crushed, and the heinous assault on her sister plunges her into a state of shock and horror… and puts her on a collision course with her family. All hope seems to be lost. Just when she is about to give up, however, a disturbing revelation is made… and as the evil of the camp is given a face, Areum finds a new purpose to keep fighting.

Revenge!

But first they need to survive, and with the constantly harshening conditions and her family being targeted from all directions, daily life in Yodok turns into a never-ceasing fight to evade imminent doom.

On top of everything, an impossible tragedy strikes Choson, and the unquestionable truth Areum has built her life around is challenged to its very core.

About the Author

Adria Carmichael is a writer of Young Adult Dystopian fiction with a twist. When she is not devouring dystopian and post-apocalyptic content in any format – books, movies, TV-series and PlayStation games – she is crafting the epic and highly-addictive Juche saga, her 2020 debut novel series that takes place in the brutal, totalitarian nation of Choson. When the limit of doom and gloom is reached, a 10K run on a sunny day or binging a silly sitcom on a rainy day is her go-to way to unwind.

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Cover Reveal of Walnut Street: Phantom Rider by Sherrill Joseph

I'm thrilled to share the beautiful cover of another exciting Botanic Hill Detectives mystery! This one is called Walnut Street: Phantom Rider and its coming late this Fall!

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Walnut Street: Phantom Rider (A Botanic Hill Detectives Mystery)

Expected Publication Date: November 9th, 2021

Genre: MG Mystery/ Middle Grade (For fans of Nancy Drew type mysteries)

Objects of value have been disappearing from the Mayfield family’s rural California horse ranch. The Botanic Hill Detectives—Moki Kalani, Rani Kumar, and twins Lanny and Lexi Wyatt—are hired to come for a week to investigate.

Legend has it somewhere on the Mayfields’ forty-acre property is a long-lost gold mine. It was supposedly staked by thirteen-year-old Ben Mayfield’s five-time great-grandfather, “Papa” Mayfield, in 1875.

Adding to the excitement, a nervous Ben reveals a frightening secret to the detectives. At the ranch, he alone has seen a threatening black-clad figure on horseback whom he calls the Phantom Rider. Who is this mysterious person? Is he responsible for the thefts? Where is the lost gold mine? And what’s going on in the nearby, snake-infested ghost town of Rainbow Flats? The four intrepid detectives aim to find out.

Coming Soon!

About the Author

Sherrill Joseph will be forever inspired by her beautiful students in the San Diego public schools where she taught for thirty-five years before retiring and becoming a published author.

The author has peopled and themed her mysteries with characters after her own responsible, role-model students, of various abilities, disabilities, races, cultures, and interests. She believes that children need to find themselves and those unlike themselves in books for developing accepting, anti-racist world citizens.

Sherrill is a native San Diegan where she lives in a 1928 Spanish-style house in a historic neighborhood with her adorable bichon frisé-poodle mix, Jimmy Lambchop, who blogs.

Her books are recipients of two Gold Awards from Mom’s Choice Book Awards, a Gold Award from Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, three awards from Story Monsters Approved, and numerous other children’s book awards. She is a member of SCBWI, the Authors Guild, and Blackbird Writers. Watch for many more adventures with the Botanic Hill Detectives!

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