Freebies and Sales!

Greetings fellow adventurers! We are bound by our common love of a good book, and as you know, I often give book reviews or make you aware of discounted books, sales etc. Something new I’ll be adding to my blog is Freebies and Sales!

To clarify, Freebies are books (ebooks) gifted by authors for newsletter sign-ups. Sales are ebooks authors are advertising. Some are on sale and some are at their regular price. So check out the links below and the amazing offers available. Feel free to return for more or share the links to fellow book lovers!

Sales

Fantasy and Sci-Fi Sale

Let Your Imagination Soar

YA High Fantasy Book Fair

December Book Review

Portal to Fantasy -December Book Fest

Freebies (newsletter sign-ups)

Fantasy & Sci-Fi Giveaway

Fantastic Realms Free Fantasy Reads

Fantastic Reads

December Fantasy & Magic

Give a Gift of Fantasy and Science Fiction ebooks

Free Urban Fantasy

Free Urban Fantasy

Fantasy Magic for Kids and Teens

Urban Fantasy Freebies

NOTE: Yes, two have the same title

Let me know what you think of the reads. Did you find a new favorite author? What are some of your favorite reads or styles of books?

Check out this fun Christmas Puzzle book! Silent Night Puzzle Night

Thanks for reading and to ensure you don’t miss further great content, take a moment to like, share and subscribe.

(Picture created with Canva)

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

Story Telling

So when a writer sits down to pen a tale, do they intentionally try to teach a lesson? That’s a great question and I’ve noticed that some people seem to think this. I think this reflects the power of a good story.

As an author, I can honestly say that I’ve never written a story to ‘teach a lesson’ rather, it is the character’s story and their struggle that creates the character arc that drives the narrative. In Breaking Enchantments, Erin had to come to terms with her identity as being Korean -Canadian and be at peace with her Korean side. For Tully in Hidden, as she learned the truth about the past, she had a choice to choose differently and not follow social norms. And Zoe in Twilight’s Curse had to forgive so that her magic would no longer be fractured.

When I sit down and feel inspired, I question the inspiration. And with those answers, the main character’s story begins to form. A writer get immersed in their character and this journey needs to be developed so the reader is satisfied and doesn’t feel cheated in the journey. And when a reader also feels that they are on the journey with the main character to the point that they learn the lesson. As an author, that is a breath taking moment. For a reader to connect that strongly with the character is powerful and amazing.

What’s a story or who’s a character you’ve connected deeply with?

Thanks for reading and to ensure you don’t miss further great content, take a moment to like, share and subscribe.

(Picture created with Canva)

Check out this fun Christmas Puzzle book! Silent Night Puzzle Night

Subscribe to my mailing list for a free copy of Breaking Enchantments

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

Brainstorming: The First Step to Writing Your Book

Do you have a creative idea you’d like to turn into a novel but aren’t sure of the first steps today? That’s totally understandable. The biggest first step is to explore your idea and something that helps me the most is to ask questions.

Usually a story idea begins with something that inspires us. What is the idea? Explore it and ask as many questions as you can to get your creative ideas engaged. Ask questions about what happened before the picture, during and after to get a sense of story continuation.

If you see characters, begin to figure out who they are. Sometimes it’s fun to interview these characters. When I’ve done this, I get a really strong sense of who they are because my imagination is giving them a voice, body language, tone, etc.

Other questions to ask are about the story itself. World building is one of the biggest steps you have to take as a writer to make your story come alive. So where does your story take place? Over how many days? weeks? months? What’s the weather like? What’s the genre?

Depending on the kind of writing you do, you’ll have to ask a lot more questions. If you write fantasy, for example, then you’ll have to explore the magic in your world and the variety of fantasy creatures for starters.

Other ideas to explore are the different scenes: beginning, middle and end as well as themes and narrative questions. To help you with your world building, I’m including a link to a Brainstorming document. Let me know if it was helpful and I can include more documents like these in future posts.

So what are some ways you brainstorm and build your story ideas?

Thanks for reading and to ensure you don’t miss further great content, take a moment to like, share and subscribe.

(Picture created with Canva)

Subscribe to my mailing list for a free copy of Breaking Enchantments

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

Book Review: The Merging -John P. Logsdon

Are you a fan of cop shows? Think urban fantasy/paranormal/speculative fiction mixed with a police show you enjoy and you have The Merging by John P. Logsdon.

The story begins with a routine check-in with a vampire feeding on a human. Something the PPD (Paranormal Police Department) of Las Vegas frown on. It seems regular enough until they’re attacked by a paranormal who’s too strong to take down. They have a case! Because it’s not one but many super naturals: vampire, werewolf and fairy who are wreaking havoc on a quiet Las Vegas night.

The story was a quick read that kept my attention. It was like experiencing the shift with the workers and the action was constant going from one paranormal mishap to the next. I wasn’t sure I fully understood the working of all the magic especially the lead character’s magic. He’s supposed to be special, but why he’s special wasn’t clear to me. Perhaps with future books this will make greater sense and the author reveals more of this world. The book itself is definitely episodic so each book in the series would center around solving a case (I presume).

Click this link to check out this read: The Merging

What do you think of this kind of urban fantasy read? Have you read other books like this?

Thanks for reading and to ensure you don’t miss further great content, take a moment to like, share and subscribe.

(Picture created with Canva)

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

Twilight’s Curse: Behind the Scenes -Zoe

Zoe was a character I loved writing. She had such depth and pain but also incredible strength. She was in a way a real hero because she faced her fears and came out stronger. I think this is the reality for all of us when fear comes knocking in our lives. There’s the tap at the door and our hearts begin to race as anxiety clutches as us. Will we be brave enough to move forward despite the fear? Or will we let it keep us a prisoner in our circumstances?

Deep questions and when I started writing Twilight’s Curse, I hadn’t planned on Zoe being such a deep character, but that’s the fun of writing: stories often go in directions we don’t always expect. I do spend a lot of time mapping out my novels, and my conclusions seldom change, but as the character is written, I learn so much more about them that brings in a lot of dimension and complexity.

When I first imagined Zoe, I had this picture in my mind of a girl who had tattoos of daggers on her forearms. They’d separate from her skin and solidify into weapons she’d fight with. I began to ask questions about who she was, how did she get her weapons, and why is she fighting… the brainstorming process was extensive, but Zoe and her world was born and it is my privilege to share it with the world. I hope you enjoy her journey and maybe she’ll inspire you!

What kind of characters do you find the most inspiring? Is there a character that seemed to come alive on the pages of a book? I’d love to hear about these adventures.

Thanks for reading and to ensure you don’t miss further great content, take a moment to like, share and subscribe.

(Picture created with Canva)

Subscribe to my mailing list for a free copy of Breaking Enchantments

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

Book Review: Ready to Fumble -Christy Barritt

Imagine if your real life and imaginary life converged. What would that look like for you? And better yet, would you want to face that kind of life?

In Ready to Fumble by Christy Barritt, the main character, Joey Darling, was a detective on a T. V. hit series in Hollywood. But when life took a turn, she found herself in a beachside sleepy town making a living as a hair dresser Accepting her situation, Joey wonders if she even has what it takes to cut hair since her last cut left the town’s detective with a crooked edge. Then someone walks in who recognizes her as her T.V. alter-ego and offers Joey a case. She’s not sure she wants the job but the money is good and it wouldn’t hurt to sneak around… right?

The story is a sweet read that kept my attention. It was light and not my usual fantasy genre, but I do like to dip into other genres once in a while. NOTE: this is a cozy mystery with a touch of romance though nothing happens in this book. There’s just two guys: one who scowls and one who’s a laid-back surfer with magic fingers (masseuse).

I’ve read Christy Barritt before and I might continue with the series if I’m in a ‘mystery’ mood. She’s a great writer who adds humor to her stories. Her books are clean reads and come to satisfying conclusions.

Click this link to check out this book:

Ready to Fumble

So do you like the odd mystery book? Do you like the odd scare or prefer the sweet cozy mystery? Who are some of the authors you like to read?

Thanks for reading and to ensure you don’t miss further great content, take a moment to like, share and subscribe.

(Picture created with Canva)

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

ebook Sales!!!

Greetings fellow adventurers! Below are some amazing fantasy and sci-fi reads on sale now. Since we love fantasy and sci-fi, I thought these selections might interest you. Check them out for a fun binge read.

Sales

Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Adventure Books

Kindle Unlimited Fantasy Books

Portal to Fantasy – November Book Fest

November Book Review

Young Adult Urban Fantasy

Let me know what you think of the reads. Did you find a new favorite author? What are some of your favorite reads or styles of books?

Thanks for reading and to ensure you don’t miss further great content, take a moment to like, share and subscribe.

(Picture created with Canva)

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

Twilight’s Curse: Behind the Scenes -Nix

Prince Phoenix or Nix witnessed the murders of his parents and he has no desire to take the crown, and is challenged to accept the role as the only means to save the Twilight Realm. Will he step up? Or step away? You’ll have to read to find out.

Nix’s character grew up in obscurity and meets the beautiful woman of his dreams . If you think that sounds like a bad pick-up line, then Nix agrees. But he literally had a dream where a beautiful woman tells him she’ll help him and then he finds her! One small snag, she has no desire to help him and keeps threatening him with her daggers. Will he be able to win her over? Get her to help him? And discover if there’s room for friendship and maybe more?

Nix was a fun character to write. He struggled with his identity and what that means for himself and the Twilight Realm. Because he’d seen his parents brutally murdered and grew up without parents, he feels unprepared to be king and doesn’t want to be in a role that might cost someone else their life. He stubbornly refuses the help of others and ends up getting himself into a worse mess. I liked the depth of his inner conflict because it felt real and something all of us can face at times: We’re afraid to move forward because of what it might mean due to ghosts of our past.

Is there a character who has faced ghosts they had to overcome to find their future? I’d love to hear about it. What kind of characters or struggles characters face do you find relatable?

Thanks for reading and to ensure you don’t miss further great content, take a moment to like, share and subscribe.

(Picture created with Canva)

Subscribe to my mailing list for a free copy of Breaking Enchantments

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

Book Review: Touched by Magic -Celine Jeanjean

What do you get when you have an Asian orphan raised by British parents who has a touch of magic? Celine Jeanjean’s urban fantasy series: Touched by Magic.

Apiya works in a barber shop with pathetically weak magical skills (she’s able to encourage your surroundings to remain clean). She finds herself thrown into a brewing war between those who have strong magic and regular old non-magical humans. (Apiya is human but has a ‘touch’ of magic.) She must face stronger and far more magical creatures than herself to protect the egg of a very strong but dwindling magical race.

The story is interesting and fun. I found it hard to put the story down as I was curious about what would happen next. I liked the main character and her bit of ‘snark’. It added humor to the story and made her likeable.

I also enjoyed the Asian world or background Celine Jeanjean set Apiya’s world in. It was a nice twist from the regular American or UK setting. It felt like discovering a whole new fantasy world with familiar and new fantasy characters/creatures.

I did find there were a few plot holes. They weren’t major. They mostly felt like the author assumed the reader would know something about the world she created. I could read the story without this being a major issue, but it did leave me wondering (only a little). I do plan on reading more by this author and in this series.

Check out this read by clicking the following link:

Touched by Magic

Side note: There are three books from a completed series from this author set at ‘free’, so check them out here:

The Viper and The Urchin Books 1-3

What is your favorite part of fantasy novel? What draws you in about the magic? Or character?

Thanks for reading and to ensure you don’t miss further great content, take a moment to like, share and subscribe.

(Picture created with Canva)

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

Twilight’s Curse: Behind the Scenes -Royal Advisor Nate

Every good fantasy book isn’t complete without the mentor! In Twilight’s Curse, Nate, Royal Advisor to the king, has held this role for as long as… well you won’t quite know until you’ve read all three books in the series and I’m not planning to tell you. Not yet, anyway.

Nate first comes on to the scene to help Prince Phoenix or Nix escape when the royal tree has been attacked by the regents who kill his parents. We next see him as a kind of a grandfatherly character who offers Zoe refuge when she flees her parents. He’s a bit eccentric but a gentle and kind soul who seems to know much more than he lets on.

I had a lot of fun writing Nate and discovering his story as I wrote him. He’ll get his own book in a spin-off, so if you love him as much as I do, then you’ll love learning how he became the king’s advisor! How he gained his wisdom and so much more.

Who are some of your favorite mentor characters in books? Should they be all-powerful and wise? Or perhaps larger than life? Or should they have a few winkles and flaws?

Thanks for reading and to ensure you don’t miss further great content, take a moment to like, share and subscribe.

(Picture created with Canva)

Subscribe to my mailing list for a free copy of Breaking Enchantments

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.