Lyndsey Hall's Blog, page 9

Interview: Sci-Fi and Fantasy Romance Author Dani Hoots

Hi friends! With just three weeks to go until is released into the world (so exciting!), I wanted to introduce you to another of my fabulous coauthors.

Dani Hoots is a science fiction, fantasy, romance, and young adult author who loves anything with a story.

Keep reading to find out all about Dani’s books, and her upcoming story in OUAN.

Hi Dani, welcome to my blog! Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself?

I am Dani Hoots and I am a YA sci fi and fantasy author with over 20 books published. I live in Arizona with my husband where we spend our time hiking and finding new bookstores to check out and restaurants to eat at. I love manga and anime and learning new recipes. 

Reading and eating, my two favourite pastimes! When did you start writing and what inspired you? 

I started writing when I was very young. I always loved stories and wanted to create my own.

I can totally see little Dani reading Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and dreaming up her own version! What are some of your favourite tropes?

The punk boy with a soft heart. Also the badass female lead who doesn’t stick to gender norms. Enemies to lovers is also a fav.

Those are such good ones! I’m a big enemies to lovers fan too, and who doesn’t love a tough female main character? Tell us about your first published book, or your favourite or most recent release.

It’s not my first book published, but the first book I ever wrote and finished was The Quest and although my newest book always ends up being my favorite, I really love that one and it is dear to my heart.

That’s so heartwarming, it’s a really special moment when you finish a book and this just shows how important that feeling of achievement can be. Where do you find inspiration for your characters or settings? 

For The Quest, I think I was inspired by some dreams I had when I was in high school, along with actors/actresses. I always end up getting inspired by some actor/actress and make up a story for them. For The Quest it was Anna Van Hooft and Taylor Kitsch.

I can definitely see that, I probably did the same and just never wrote my imaginings down. Are you a plotter, pantser or plantser? 

Plantser! I make some outlines and then let the characters go like squirrels.

Haha! That’s a brilliant image. Those pesky plot bunnies are definitely nothing like nice little ducks that will sit in a row! So, what are you working on right now?

I am working on the next books of my City of Kaus series.

I’m excited for that, Revenge has such a cool concept and is a really fresh take on the space western genre. I loved Firefly and your City of Kaus series gives me serious Firefly vibes! What one piece of advice would you give aspiring authors? 

Keep writing and don’t listen to people who say you can’t do it. You can and you will. Also take some marketing classes.

I completely agree! Especially on the marketing classes. Just kidding, but my day job as a marketer has definitely come in handy as an indie author!

Thank you so much for chatting with me today, Dani! Before I let you get back to creating worlds, how can we find out more about you and your books? 

Visit Dani’s Website:    www.danihoots.comSignup to Dani’s newsletter:  https://BookHip.com/MZQGXKH Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/danihootsauthor Like her Facebook page:   www.facebook.com/danihootsauthor Join her Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/danihootsfangroup/ And subscribe to her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/danihoots 

Which of Dani’s books are you going to read first? I have to admit, I’m torn between Trapped in Wonderland, Revenge, and Endangered! All of Dani’s covers are just so gorgeous, I’m going to need them all.

You can support both me and Dani by buying our anthology, which comes out on 20 April and all profits go to Book Aid International.

Happy reading!

Lyndsey

x

Ten books my mum would love

It’s Mother’s Day this weekend, and whilst thinking about what to write for this week’s blog post I stumbled across a post I wrote back in 2017 for Father’s Day sharing ten books my dad and stepdad would love. So, I thought it would be a nice idea to complete the circle and share ten books my mum would love this Mothering Sunday!

My mum loves a good thriller, but she’s also a romcom fan, and she always passes any good books she reads on to me. So let’s see what new and upcoming releases my mum might be getting for Mother’s Day!

Verity by Colleen Hoover

My mum is definitely not on TikTok, and I don’t think she’s read any Colleen Hoover books, but as they’re so popular right now, I think they’d be right up her street. We both loved Gone Girl, and this one is supposed to be like Gone Girl meets Rebecca, with a shocking twist you won’t see coming – me and mum’s favourite kind!

Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson

Mum and I absolutely adored Nashville when it was on TV, and we actually went to see the cast perform on stage, too. Plus, who doesn’t love Dolly Parton? She’s an icon. We watched Steel Magnolias whenever it was on when I was a kid. Combine that with one of the greatest thriller writers of our time? Match made in heaven.

I’ll probably advise one of my darling brothers to get Mum this for Mother’s Day, there’s a gorgeous special edition in Waterstones with sprayed/stencilled edges and pretty end papers that I’m eyeing up. I don’t mind letting the boys get the credit for choosing this one, as long as I get to borrow it after!

Again, Rachel by Marian Keyes

This is the seventh book in Keyes’ Walsh Family series, but as most of the books follow different main characters, this is the first sequel, returning to our original protagonist from Rachel’s Holiday, twenty-five years after it was first published.

Marian Keyes is one of those authors everyone has read at least one book by, and I know Mum has Grown Ups on her shelf right now, although I don’t think she’s read it yet. But at least I know another Marian Keyes book would be a safe bet!

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

I started taking my little boy to the mobile library in our village just before Christmas, and I rediscovered my love of domestic thrillers amongst the shelves. I’m usually drowning in fantasy novels, whether it’s my own writing or my friends’ and other authors within my main genre, so it was really refreshing to delve into a few completely gripping, quick reads as a bit of a pallet cleanser. As my mum is also a fan, I chucked The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley at her after I’d finished it, and she enjoyed it just as much as me.

Foley’s most recent book sounds just as tense and thrilling, and it’s set in exciting Paris, so I reckon this is a good choice for a Mother’s Day gift that I’ll benefit from too!

The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell

The Family Upstairs was another library book we both loved, and while the sequel may not actually come out until July, I know it’s one Mum will be really excited to read. This one may have to wait until her birthday!

Because of You by Dawn French

I feel like this one is pretty self explanatory. Dawn French. Enough said.

I’m a huge Dawn French fan, I rewatch the entirety of Vicar of Dibley at least once a year, usually in the run up to Christmas. I didn’t even know she wrote fiction until a couple of years ago when I saw my mother-in-law reading one of her books. I’m yet to try them, but I just know they will be hilariously heartfelt, like everything Dawn does, so when I need a good book to make me laugh and cry with every page, she’s the author I’ll be turning to.

As this book is about motherhood and all of the heartbreak and anguish that comes along with it, it would be a perfect choice for Mother’s Day.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

This book was absolutely everywhere last year, and I was a bit put off by the amount of hype – I hate being disappointed, and I’m not usually a fan of mainstream literary fiction. But the blurb, and the fact that with over 1m reviews on Goodreads this book has 4.5 stars, have me convinced.

It’s both a murder mystery and a coming of age story, two of my favourite things, and despite the fact that YA is my cup of tea but not so much my mum’s, I can tell from the description and reviews that this isn’t aimed at young adult readers and has universal appeal. (I mean, over a million Goodreads readers think it deserves 4+ stars? That’s almost unheard of!)

Us Three by Ruth Jones

If you weren’t aware, Ruth Jones is the absolutely hilarious actress and writer from such televisual delights as Gavin and Stacey and Stella. She’s funny, warm and down to earth, and if her novels are anything like her screenplays then they’ll be a definite hit with my mum.

This one follows three childhood friends as they grow up and face all of the harsh realities of life, and events that put their lifelong friendship into question. I’m intrigued already!

Neighbors by Danielle Steel

I remember Mum reading loads of Danielle Steel when I was growing up, and sneaking the odd one to my room to read, hoping she wouldn’t notice! Neighbors came out in 2021, so I can be fairly sure she hasn’t already read it, but I think she’d love to revisit one of her first favourite authors.

The book sounds like a twisty, glamorous thriller, set in San Francisco during an earthquake, as a movie starlet now living as a recluse lets her neighbors take refuge in her beautiful mansion. It sounds right up mum’s and my street!

My books

And of course, Mum loves me, so she’d definitely love a copy of one of my books! She already has copies of all my current releases, but I’ll be treating her to my upcoming anthologies, Once Upon a Name and Enchanted Forests when they come out in April and July. Plus, they’re both raising funds for charity, so it’s a double good deed!

So there you have it! Ten books that would make the perfect Mother’s Day gift for mums who love romcoms, thrillers, or fantasy books by me!

What are you getting the amazing mother figure in your life this Mothering Sunday?

Lyndsey

x

Review: Tribe of Midnight by Iris Knox

I just finished listening to the audio book of Tribe of Midnight and I had to come straight here and tell you all how good it is. So please grab your beverage of choice, put your feet up, and enjoy as I tell you why you NEED to read this book.

In the Tribe of Dawn, one must always follow the rules:

Never steal from a neighbour
Never curse the skygods out loud
Never lie to the High Court
Never wander into the East woods alone
Never speak to an enemy clansman
Never approach the boundary
Never, ever cross the boundary

The rules must always be followed.

Lilian Utopiv is wandering through the woods alone one afternoon when she sees a boy across the boundary. She knows the rules. She knows what will happen if she breaks them.

With secrets unravelling at every turn, and an enemy tribe hungry for her blood, Lilian is pushed to her limits–physically, mentally, spiritually. Her enemies want her to be a coward. They want her to spill her secrets. They want her to turn on the Sungod she serves.

But she can’t. Or her tribe will pay with their lives.

Title: Tribe of Midnight (The Skygod Tribes, #1)

Author: Iris Knox

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Tribe-Midnight-Iris-Knox-ebook/dp/B09B941BG2/

Rating: 5 Stars (and if it was possible, I’d give it even more!)

Review: I have never been so mad that I didn’t write a book. Reading this book, I WISHED I had been the one who had written it, I loved it THAT much.

Aside from being mad at Iris Knox that she gets to be the one to claim this wonderful story as her own, what did I like? Well, for starters, the world building was incredible, the world Knox has created for this story is fully formed and described in rich detail, without being overwhelming or including too much exposition.

The two tribes, the Tribe of Dawn and the Tribe of Midnight, absolutely came to life for me, everything about them was so well thought through and described throughout the story. I felt as though I could have been standing right beside Lillian as she stumbles across the boundary and is taken prisoner by a warrior from the opposing tribe.

The plot pacing was perfect, fast enough to keep me interested from start to finish (it’s a relatively short book, at just 155 pages, or 4 and a half hours for the audio book) but never rushed. I grew to love Lilian for her strength and loyalty, and to hate Wyren for his cruelty, over the course of the book, and I loved discovering more of the Midnight Tribe’s city and culture as Lilian did.

This book is Romeo & Juliet meets Red Riding Hood meets epic fantasy, with elements of The Sin Eater’s Daughter by Melinda Salisbury, The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson, and a hint of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village. The enemies to lovers (more like enemies to even worse enemies) romance reminded me of Serpent & Dove (without the steam – or really even the romance), and I’m struggling to see how Wyren will ever redeem himself for his horrific actions in this book, if we’re ever to see Lilian and him fall in love in a future book. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a Darkling/Tamlin vibe, as I can’t forgive Wyren for his awful treatment of Lilian and I don’t think Lilian should either.

Tribe of Midnight sets the scene for what will be an absolutely incredible high fantasy series, with two rival tribes destined to do battle on the lavender fields every Solstice, and two fiercely loyal and skilled tribal warriors who will do anything to protect their people.

Only one wears a red cloak, but which one is the wolf? Read Tribe of Midnight and make up your own mind…

I listened to a free, review copy of the audio book (thanks Iris!), but I actually bought the ebook back when it first came out, and I’m so glad I have both. The audio, narrated by Cassondra Ladd was brilliant, with English and Scottish accents to distinguish the two tribes, and I’m definitely going to read the ebook before book two comes out (which will hopefully be very soon, please Iris!!) to reimmerse myself in this brutal and captivating world.

Happy reading,

Lyndsey

x

Interview: fantasy author Donna White

Hello, hello! The weather has brightened up considerably here in the Midlands (I imagine ‘the Midlands’ sounds pretty *^*fantasy*^* to people from outside of the UK, but it means exactly what it sounds like, the middle section of England).

We’re just over a month away from ‘s release day, so if you fancy getting 20 short fantasy stories for 0.99 and supporting Book Aid International to provide reading resources and libraries in underprivileged countries, then you can .

Today, I want to share a chat I had with my new Enchanted Anthologies coauthor, Donna White. Enchanted Forests comes out 1 July and we’re so excited to share this follow up to Enchanted Waters, which will be raising funds for the Rainforest Foundation, and will be fully illustrated with gorgeous artwork by our incredibly talented coauthors, Elena Shelest.

On with the show!

Hi Donna! It’s lovely to get to chat with you finally, and welcome to the Enchanted Anthologies team! First off, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I was born and raised in Tennessee where I started writing rock-n-roll songs about my cats and their adventures at the age of eight.  My life was filled with tree climbing, playing in any source of water, reading mysteries, and exploring with my animals in tow. Fast forward a few years, I married the Man of My Dreams and we moved out west, ending up in southern California.  We share four wonderful children and a pack of large, well-loved dogs. Writing brings me joy, as does being in the outdoors and driving fast cars.  For the great indoors, I love cooking and interior design. My husband is the biggest supporter in my writing. He talks over my stories with me, helps me with the technology, and keeps a stocked home library for our family.

That sounds wonderful, my husband isn’t a big reader, but I’m trying to instill a love of books in our little boy. And life wouldn’t be worth living without a pack of large dogs to snuggle! Tell us a little about your favourite books to read and write.

I’m a fantasy girl. I love the action/adventure stories of Robert Howard’s Conan the Barbarian series.  I’ve always been drawn to ancient cultures and different styles of fighting. J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit is my all-time favorite book. The forest adventures and wild creatures resonate with my imagination. I admire J.K. Rowling’s use of many legends taken from cultures throughout the world and given a new spin with stories inside stories.  My first book is The Whitmere Legacy: Inheritance which deals with a middle-aged mama and her unwanted inheritance.  It turns out there’s some supernatural mysteries and dangers that warrants the use of her hidden talents, alongside some pretty talented friends. One of my reviewers called me “a master of cryptic chill…” because I can put the scare factor in my tales. The second book is The Whitmere Legacy: Heritage which unravels some of the mysteries, and unlocks some scary beings. Readers are treated to mythological creatures, exotic locations, twists and turns, spine-tingling chills, lots of fighting, southern charm, friendship, humor, and gumbo.  There’s always gumbo.

Here is the link to my Amazon author page.

Wow, that sounds fantastic, I love books that are inspired by mythology and folklore – especially cultures I don’t know as much about. Books that I can learn something from at the same time as being entertained are my favourite. Where do you find inspiration for your characters or settings?

I’m over 50, so I’ve had a lot of experiences from modeling posh clothing to practicing Japanese martial arts that make it into my stories. I also know some of the most colorful individuals on this planet whose adventures get polished and handed to my characters. Once I saw someone who looked like they just escaped from the set of The Lost Boys walking around in the searing California sun. I took it from there and created more than I expected. Most of my settings are places I’ve been, or scenes that I’ve dreamed.  Nature, grand or gothic architecture make for iconic atmospheres. 

Those are some interesting and diverse sources of inspiration! It’s amazing when you can take bits and pieces from a dozen different places and combine them to make a story that is completely unique and yet still relatable. Do you consider yourself a plotter, pantser or plantser?

I start every story with a scene that mills around in my head for a long time.  The characters start out simple. They grow with the story. My body has to be engaged with an activity, and my mind has to be working on something satisfying for my imagination to be free. I have my ideas when I’m working in the kitchen while listening to music, or driving on the freeway. After I’ve written some scenes and stitched them together, then I jot down all the other scenes in my head and put them in order.  So, usually halfway through the first draft I have an outline. The story changes as I write it, but it’s good to have a list of things I don’t want to forget while in the wild stages of manic writing. I’m a plantser.  

I’m somewhere between plotter and pantser too, but leaning more towards plotter. I need a framework before I can even start, or I’ll get myself into a tangled mess that no amount of editing can ever get me out of! What are you working on right now?

I’m writing the first draft of the third book in The Whitmere Legacy series. 

Exciting! What one piece of advice would you give aspiring authors?

Read On Writing by Stephen King.  It doesn’t matter what genre you write.  This master of the craft can teach you how to produce compelling stories. 

Thank you so much for chatting with me today Donna! It’s been a pleasure, and I can’t wait to read your story for Enchanted Forests! Before I let you go, how can we find out more about you and your books? 

Website: https://www.amazon.com/author/donnawhitethewhitmerelegacy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitmerelegacy

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/thewhitmerelegacy  

Donna’s story in Enchanted Forests, Dimension of the Sasquatch, is a companion story to her series The Whitmere Legacy, so you can get a taste for Donna’s writing before diving into her novels AND help us raise funds for global literacy at the same time!

Happy reading folks,

Lyndsey

x

Review: The Mirror Souls by Julia Scott – a YA Sci-Fi Trilogy for Love Triangle Fans!

Happy Pancake Day friends! How do you eat yours? I’m partial to either bacon and maple syrup or chocolate spread and ice cream. Or one followed by the other…

Anywho, welcome to the March edition of the YA Sci-Fi and Fantasy Addicts Blog Hop. This month we’re celebrating science fiction, so I thought I’d introduce you to one of my favourite YA sci-fi series, The Mirror Souls by Julia Scott.

March Blog Hop10 Young Adult Sci-Fi Books You’ll Devour If You Love Young Adult Fantasy NovelsCyborgs & Crowns: Young Adult Science Fiction Books with Royalty5 Reasons You Should Read YA Sci-FiReview of Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz – A Gem in the YA World5 Awesome YA Sci-fi CoversParallel Universes and Portal FantasyShould I Read YA Science Fiction? Readers Share What They Love about the Genre.Out-of-This-World YA Indie Sci-Fi Books!The Mirror Souls: YA Sci-Fi Trilogy for Love Triangle Fans (YOU ARE HERE)Altering human traits… can it really happen?Review: The Mirror Souls by Julia Scott A fast-paced young adult novel that blends sci-fi (without being too heavy), near future dystopia (without being too stark and depressing) and soulmate romance.

The truth doesn’t always set you free…

Like the rest of the Gaian race, Alana’s life is ruled by the Avalon, the superior race who once created Earth and returned to reclaim it after humanity brought it to the brink of destruction. Because of the Avalon, every Gaian faces the risk of being moved from Region to Region, over and over, with no warning. Alana has no place to call home.

Fearing that she may be resigned to this life of control forever, the opportunity to explore the world outside of her Region is literally dropped into Alana’s pocket in the form of a small silver device.

Taking a leap of faith and teleporting to the unknown, Alana must discover who is pulling the strings in her life and why. But in her quest for answers and freedom, she’s thrown headfirst into a hidden battle for humanity alongside a boy whose life was destined to be entwined with hers from the start.

With the secret of who she really is starting to unravel and abilities she didn’t know she had rising to the surface, she becomes a commodity to whatever faction can keep her in one place.

But others around her are carrying secrets, too, and Alana must decide who to trust before she can change the fate of all the races.

Title: The Mirror Souls

Author: Julia Scott

Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PZ953YR

Rating: 5 Stars!

Review: I tend to reach for fantasy more than sci-fi when I’m looking for my next read, but the premise of this book had me hooked – a sci-fi, dystopian romance? Soulmates AND a love triangle? A futuristic version of our world filled with secrets, lies and a battle for humanity? Yes please!

The Mirror Souls follows Alana as she discovers her place in this dangerous, new world, where Gaians like her are moved around on the whim of the Avalon, forced into job roles based on their suitability, and coupled with partners chosen by their oppressors. She stumbles upon the chance to learn more about her world, uncovering truths and disturbing secrets as she goes, all while trying to figure out the strange new feelings she’s having for a certain boy.

This is a fast-paced read with plenty of twists and turns, some shocking reveals, and a really clever and intriguing concept that takes the classic dystopian tropes and weaves them into a new sci-fi setting, with threads of fantasy romance.

Perfect for fans of Divergent and The Hunger Games, if you love to see the reluctant heroine fighting against their oppressive overlords, exposing the dark, ugly side of their society, and struggling to choose between two paths, two futures, two distinct parts of themselves (and, of course, two boys), then The Mirror Souls is your perfect next read!

Book two, The Anahata Divide is out now, and the final book in the trilogy, The Original Midorian, is coming later this year! PLUS, the first two books are available to read FREE with Kindle Unlimited, AND they’re both available in audio book with Audible!!

But most of all, LOOK AT THOSE COVERS!!! *swoon*

Giveaway!

Enter this month’s giveaway and you could win FIVE YA ebooks of your choice!

Lyndsey
x

My publishing plans for the next five years

Everyone has a five year plan, right? Just me? I like to have a few goals to work towards in the short and long term, to keep me on track.

After all, if you don’t know where you’re headed, you’ll never get there, but if you have a destination in mind you’ll eventually reach it, even if you take the scenic route.

Okay, enough of the driving metaphors. Here’s what you can expect to see from me in the next five years:

2022

January: The Solitary King, The Fair Chronicles #2

April: Baroness of Blood and Bone ()

July: One Fair Eve (Enchanted Forests anthology)

December: The Fair War, The Fair Chronicles #3

2023

April: Twice Upon a Name anthology

July: Enchanted Flames anthology

2024

The Rose and the Serpent

April: Thrice Upon a Name anthology

July: Enchanted Anthologies (possibly Enchanted Winds)

2025

The first three books in a new prequel series to The Fair Chronicles, tentatively titled the Crowns of the Fair Saga:

A Crown of Thorns

A Crown of Embers

A Crown of Pearls

2026

The final two books in the Crowns of the Fair Saga (titles TBD)

So, there you have it! Which book are you most excited about?

I’m really looking forward to writing The Rose and the Serpent (historical fantasy set in Victorian England, for fans of Stalking Jack the Ripper) and plotting my next five book series, the Crowns of the Fair Saga! It’s going to be set a few decades after the creation of the Fair Realm, and follow the five children of Queen Oriana as they each marry into the Five Kingdoms and face the challenges and politics that come with royal life!

Lyndsey

x

When to shelve your manuscript (and when to just take a break)

Does anyone else find it almost impossible to DNF a book?

What about you, writers, how hard is it to abandon a manuscript you’ve worked on for a long time, but know will never be ready for publishing? Or even, that you’ve simply fallen out of love with?

There’s this concept called the sunk cost fallacy, and I think a lot of us can identify with it. In a nutshell, it means you refuse to give up on something, even when it’s terrible or has come to its natural end, because you think the time and energy you put into it so far will have been wasted if you quit.

It’s used a lot to explain why people stay in relationships and jobs that no longer serve them or make them happy. But it also applies to your creative projects and WIPs.

So, how do you decide when it’s time to abandon your current novel and start working on something new?

Should you shelve your current WIP?

There are a few questions you could ask yourself to determine if it’s time to move on from that book you’ve been writing for years, or that hasn’t gotten any requests from agents or publishers:

Are you hoping to publish it one day, or are you just writing it for fun? (There’s nothing wrong with writing something you’re passionate about but have no intention of sharing, it’s good to have a comfort WIP you can turn to when you need a break)Does it fit into a recognisable genre and have clear comparative titles? Is the genre you’re writing in selling/popular right now? (If not, it doesn’t automatically mean you should abandon your WIP, trends come back around and it could be the next big thing!)Have you had beta readers and editors look at it, and did they enjoy it?Do you feel as though there’s still work to be done, revisions and edits that will make your story better? (If you feel like you’ve done everything you can and the story still isn’t working, it might be time to shelve the MS)Do you enjoy working on your story? Do you fall asleep thinking about it and daydream your way through the work day, jotting down snippets of dialogue and ideas for plot twists? (Then it’s probably not quite time to abandon your story! Another round of betas might help you get closer to being publication ready)Is there another idea or plot bunny that’s been nagging at your brain? (You’re not alone, we all get shiny new ideas, but if you give up on your current WIP every time you get a new plot bunny you’ll never finish a book, so make all the notes you want, and then get back to your WIP!)

We all hit road bumps in our writing journeys, and some days getting the words down is like pulling teeth, because writing is hard. It is hard. But we’re all in this together, even when writing feels lonely, there’s a whole community of us out here who you can reach out to for support and encouragement.

And even if you shelve an MS, that doesn’t mean you can’t take it back out months or even years later, dust it off, and get it ready for the world to read. We need your stories!

Lyndsey

x

Interview: Asian mythology and folklore inspired author Xander Cross

Hi friends! I hope you’re having a fabulous February so far, I’m currently flying solo while my husband is in Scotland for work, it’s like a little refresher course before he goes on deployment to Qatar later this year (coincidentally right when the World Cup happens to be on…)

In case you missed it, my second book, The Solitary King came out on 31 January and it’s been so much fun seeing everyone’s posts as the book has arrived, and the handful of reviews that have come in so far.

I’ve got two more short stories coming out in charity anthologies this year, and Enchanted Forests. Today, I want to introduce you to one of my EF coauthors, Xander Cross!

Hi Xander! Thanks for chatting with me. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Xander Cross, and I live a rather quiet life with my spouse in Maryland. I have a bad habit of writing mythological fiction that is politically charged, and I practice Soto Zen with Taoist influence. I have a deep love of Eastern philosophy, and I obsess over gongfu tea. Currently, I’m learning Chinese. 

That sounds so interesting! I travelled around East Asia a few years ago and absolutely loved it, especially Singapore. The street food is incredible! So, when did you start writing and who encouraged you?

I started writing when I was six. No one encouraged or discouraged me. I have always liked to read and make up stories to entertain myself. 

Six, wow, so it’s been a lifelong creative passion! And what are your favourite kind of stories to read and write?

I love books with conspiracies and puzzles and Easter eggs, where I can tell the author really worked it through, loved the story, and trusted the audience to leave a breadcrumb trail for them. Stories like that excite my imagination, and that’s what I try to deliver for my audience, just because I think it’s so much fun and awesome!

I love a good bit of foreshadowing, especially when it turns out unexpectedly but still feels credible. Tell us about your published books.

My series, “The Atlas Dystopia Apocalyptica” is an Action/Adventure/Supernatural series that begins in the 22nd Century and goes well beyond. Beginning with The Origin of the White Wind, the first half of my book series begins in a Far Eastern dystopia, the world on the brink of apocalypse by human greed and mismanagement, the second half to follow life post-apocalypse. Our anti-hero, Hayate, is a fallen divine messenger of Inari Okami, and we follow his adventures as he turns from angel to demon, and moves from a bleak life off-grid into a cyberpunk megapolis to prevent his starvation. In New Tokyo, we enter a dark, neon world of shadows and monsters, some of whom are fighting to save what is left of the planet. 

My latest book was released last October, which is the sequel to Origin, entitled The Dragon Game. I hope to release The Onmyōji Gambit late this year or early next. 

That sounds absolutely incredible! And so original. Where do you find inspiration for your characters or settings?

Usually an image takes my fancy, and from that it grows in my psyche until I have to make a character, and from that character grows relationships and interactions in a complimentary world, until a plot evolves. Folklore and mythology are pitted against human nature and politics, because I believe that from such themes, great epics emerge. 

The inspiration for The Atlas Dystopia Apocalyptica is based on Japanese folklore.

I haven’t read many Japanese inspired novels, I’m looking forward to reading it! Do you consider yourself a plotter, pantser or plantser?

I am a proud plantser. I plot a series to the end, and leave myself room for creative inspiration between the main scenes. 

That sounds like the perfect writing method to me, I love a loose plan with room to wander off track. What are you working on right now?

I’m about to edit Book Three, The Onmyoji Gambit, of my current series, The Atlas Dystopia Apocalyptica. I’m hoping to begin recording Book One next month for a possible audio. I have a trunked trilogy I need to dust off soon, Book Four to begin writing for November NaNoWriMo, and complete a short story for this amazing anthology (Enchanted Forests), of which I am deeply honored to take part. 

I’m really excited about our anthology, and so proud of our mission to raise funds for the Rainforest Foundation. What one piece of advice would you give aspiring authors?

Let go of perfection on that first draft and learn to take joy in the editing process. It’s in the edits that the magic really happens. 

I definitely need to take your advice and learn to enjoy editing, it’s my most hater part of the process! That was so much fun, thank you for speaking to me and sharing your journey and advice. Before I let you go, how can we find out more about you and your books?

Please visit my website, listed below! There are pictures of a grown man wearing ears and a tail — how can you not be entertained? Granted, I need to update the darn thing soon. I will, just as soon as I get through my next edit of The Onmyōji Gambit. Maybe sooner, but probably not. 

Website: www.ayakashifox.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayakashi_fox/

Facebook page/group:   https://www.facebook.com/ayakashifoxstudios/

If you’re a fan of Asian inspired speculative fiction, then you’ll definitely want to check out Xander’s books and follow him online! And don’t forget to preorder your copy of Enchanted Forests, where you can read Xander’s story, Pingguo and the Dead Forest, as well as mine, One Fair Eve, and ten more awesome fantasy stories by USA Today bestselling, award-winning, and up-and-coming authors.

Happ reading!

Lyndsey

x

The Solitary King is out now!

My second book baby, The Solitary King, has been out in the world for over a week now, and I’m so proud of how much this little book has achieved so far!

Over sixty preorders for the Kindle ebook, plus over thirty copies sold of all three formats since 31 Jan, and hundreds of pages read in KU. And already a handful of lovely reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I can’t thank everyone who has bought or borrowed this book enough, I know it’s only my second published book but this launch has surpassed anything I could ever have imagined. I’m so glad everyone is enjoying Aria and Xander’s story!

If you haven’t read book one, The Fair Queen, yet you can get it here.

If you do read The Fair Chronicles, I’d really appreciate if you could leave a quick review on Amazon. It doesn’t have to be long, but reviews are so important for authors, especially us indie authors, and help us to reach new readers.

Thank you so much for supporting me on this crazy self publishing journey! I couldn’t do it without you.

Lyndsey x

Happy Palentines: the Best YA Book Friendships

It’s February, the month of love and romance! But instead of another list of my favourite YA couples, this year I want to celebrate the greatest platonic relationships in fantasy and sci-fi. So, happy Palentines friends, and welcome to the February Blog Hop with YA Sci-Fi and Fantasy Addicts.

February Blog Hop PostsNice Guys Finish First:  My Favorite YA Book BoyfriendsYA Dystopian Book Boyfriends10 Amazing Indie Young Adult Books to Read If You Adore Clean RomancePrintable Bookish Valentine’s CardsDiversity and YA RomanceValentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Book Lovers in LoveApollo – the Anti-Book BoyfriendHappy Palentines – the Best YA Book Friendships (YOU ARE HERE)Love Triangles: Love Them or Love Them Not?February Blog Hop: Edgy or Safe Love Match?F/F Couples That Are GoalsTrope-off: Enemies to Lovers vs. Friends to Lovers in YA Love StoriesMay The Best Friend Win – Favorite Friends to Lovers BooksThe Best Friendships in YA Fantasy and Sci-Fi

Will & Jem from The Infernal Devices

If there was ever a pair of friends who the term ‘bromance’ was invented for, it’s Will Herondale and Jem Carstairs. Their friendship is the stuff of dreams, fighting evil side by side and always having each other’s backs, in sickness and in health, till death do they part. They even fall for the same girl, but something as simple as true love could never come between these two parabatai!

The Crows from Six of Crows

The Crows as individuals could not be more different from each other, but together they make the perfect team. Kaz, Inej, Jesper, Nina, Wylan and Matthias are the kind of friends you can call when you need help getting rid of a body. Their methods might not always be exactly legal or moral, and their motivations might seem murky to say the least, but at the end of the day they’re always there for their friends (usually with a snarky comment to boot).

The Night Court from ACOTAR

Everyone’s favourite high fae court are peak friendship goals. Rhysand, Cassian, Azriel, Amren and Morr are definitely the kind of friends you want beside you in battle, but they’re also capable of bringing the banter and good times too. And, let’s be honest, they’re all pretty easy on the eyes.

The Gnomes from The Fair Queen

When Aria stumbles into the Fair Realm, she tags along with a gang of Gnome boys and it’s not long before she feels like one of the crew. The loyal band of brothers, soldiers and princes show Aria the meaning of true friendship as they challenge and support each other, laughing both with and at each other, and always having each other’s backs, especially in battle. Even when things get dark and dangerous, these boys are always the best of friends.

A Valentines Gift for you!

Here’s your free copy of my novella, Daughter of the Selkie King, which was originally featured in Enchanted Waters and is set in the same world as my series, The Fair Chronicles:

February Giveaway

Enter our big Valentines giveaway to win an Amazon gift card and find your next book boyfriend!

Happy Valentines, Palentines and Galentines, friends!

Lyndsey

x