Helen Garraway's Blog, page 4
May 2, 2025
Sentinals Origins Part One receives a Readers’ Favorite Five Star review!
The first part of the prequel to the award winning Sentinal Series, Sentinals Origins, which launches on May 5th, 2025, and has just been awarded a Five Star review from Readers’ Favorite.
On Preorder. Releases May 5th, 2025Click HERE to Purchase Your Copy Today!
By Jamie Michele
Sentinals Origins by Helen Garraway is part one of the fantasy series Sentinals. In Remargaren, unchecked wild magic threatens stability as a covert faction rises, seeking to twist its forces for their own gain. Leyandrii, a goddess charged with safeguarding the realm, and her captain, Guerlaire, confront the growing danger while Guerlaire masters new abilities. At the same time, three cadets embark on rigorous training to join the Lady’s Rangers. Among them, Birler, a boy from Vespers, faces hostility and unfamiliar challenges within the Academy. He must navigate prejudice, build trust among fellow trainees, and awaken dormant powers linked to the world’s ancient magic. As conflict escalates, Birler and his comrades must not only complete their training but also stand with Leyandrii and Guerlaire to prevent the forces of chaos from overtaking their world.
Helen Garraway’s Sentinals Origins is an excellent fantasy with a lot of moving parts, each of which melds perfectly into the origin story that the author creates for the rest of the series. Birler’s growth is really well done, as he evolves from an uncertain, impoverished young man into a competent and self-assured cadet. The intense relationship between Guerlaire and Leyandrii brings a unique sizzle, and sparks fly when Garraway allows us into the more intimate moments. The setting details are striking. I love the juxtaposition of the beauty of the temple, contrasting against the grim, impoverished reality of Harbourtown, both of which stand out as entrenched social divides. Ways of life vary, and as a reader with total wanderlust, the Terolian nomadic culture and its reliance on the sun, sand, and stars for navigation, and its reverence for family are really lovely. The Ascendants, who seek to control and corrupt, are worthy antagonists in a powerful story that makes me want to carry on. Very highly recommended.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
Sign up to my newsletter and download Sentinals Stirring for freeBy clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator).
April 28, 2025
Author Interview – Cecilia Agetun
Author of the Freya’s Legacy series.
I am very pleased to welcome YA fantasy author Cecilia Agetun to my blog.
Helen: Welcome, Cecilia. It’s a pleasure to meet you and congratulations on the release of your latest book, Darkened Soul, on April 20th, 2025. Could you tell us about it?
Cecilia: My current book is Darkened Soul, book 3 in my Freya’s legacy series. It’s about revenge, but also about love and friendship.
Nick is determined to find out who ordered the attack that killed his wife and shattered his family. When he does, he retrieves a sword powerful enough to kill him. The only problem is that this sword was deemed to dangerous to be wielded, but it was too powerful to be destroyed so the dwarfs hid it away, hoping no one would ever find it again.
It is a bit darker than the previous two books in the series, but an important part of the overall arc of the series.
Freya’s Legacy is a YA Romantic contemporary Fantasy series comprised of four books, written with inspiration from Norse mythology. We follow Jax, a crow demon, on a journey of friendships, love and self acceptance.
I’m currently looking for ARC readers Darkened soul, so if you’re interested you can fill out this form: https://forms.gle/hKQ7ZeYRN8g81oBU7
Helen: What were your thoughts behind the cover design?
Cecilia: The cover contains the image of the sword, named the Dauᵭans. It’s a very specific looking sword so I had my friend commission it for me. The cover also contains a flame that goes from blue to amber – it’s a symbolism for Nick’s journey throughout the book.
Helen: I love finding out about the story behind the cover. What about the title? How did you decide what to call your book?
Cecilia: The working title I had when I wrote the book was Nick’s revenge, but Darkened Soul fits so well, because Nick’s soul gets darkened by grief and depression, after he loses his wife which is a guardian angel. Due to this he does down a path that will darken his soul.
Helen: Who is your favourite character from your series?
Cecilia: I have a very close bond with Jax, maybe because he’s lived in my head for such a long time or maybe it’s because he’s trying to find his place and where he fits in. He’s a sweetheart, but because he’s not from the human world, he can come across a bit awkward and blunt. He is terrified of his own demon, and worried that if he loses control he will hurt the people he love and care about.
Helen: Jax sounds like a great character. Who is your protagonist and why did you write him/her?
Cecilia: So the protagonist for the overall series is Jax, this is his story, but each book follows a difference protagonist because knowing their past and how everything is connected helps understand their actions. Jax has been living in my head for the last 10 years so it only seemed natural to finally write down his journey.
Helen: I bet that was really satisfying writing Jax’s story. What are you working on next?
Cecilia: I’ve started gathering the notes I have for book 4, called Shadow love. I already know the rough story line but I haven’t really started writing it yet.
Helen: You write YA fantasy, why did you choose that genre?
Cecilia: I’m a fantasy writer because I like to escape the real would and live somewhere that isn’t defined by human logic. Where magic and mythical creatures is a possibility. I grew up having my granddad tell me stories about the Norse gods growing, and I’ve always had a vivid imagination. I even practiced Wicca in my younger days. Most of my stories are contemporary, because who to say the supernatural doesn’t exist in our world? There are so many myths and legends about magical things, that it seems illogical to discard them as completely fictional.
Helen: When did you realised you had a passion for writing?
Cecilia: I always loved stories and been daydreaming about other places ever since I was little. I wrote a lot during my teenage years, but I don’t remember if I ever finished them. I never really thought I had what it took to publish a book due to my dyslexia, but when lock down came around, I started writing again, and this time, due to internet and social media I connected with other writers, and they give me confidence that my stories were worth sharing with the world. so, after I finished writing my first story and spent two years editing it, I found a great editor that help polishing the technical aspect of writing and then I took a leap and published it.
Helen: How do you get ideas for a new book?
Cecilia: The easiest way to answer this is randomly. I can be walking the dogs, and maybe the sunlight hits the trees in a specific way, and a scenes is playing out in my head, or I wake up from a dream that lingers. And then the characters won’t go away, so I sit down and write down everything that comes to my head while thinking about the scenes or the character, and from there I usually get a starting point; who is the character and what do they want and then I start writing. Sometimes I know the ending before I finished writing, sometimes it comes while im writing, so I guess you can say I’m a bit of a pantser.
Helen: It’s been great talking about your books. Let’s talk a little about your writing process. Which elements of the writing process do you find most challenging and why?
Cecilia: I think the hardest part is converting the movie I have playing in my head into words, words that paint it in the right light. Having English as a second language (thought I’ve lived in the UK for 15 years) means that sometimes my vocabulary isn’t as large as I would like it to be, and my writing often comes out as quite basic. It isn’t necessary a bad thing, but my books should definitely be read for the story and not for beautiful prose.
Helen: When writing, do you plan everything in advance or do you make it up as you go? Are you a pantser or a plotter?
Cecilia: I’m definitely more of a pantser, however as I’m getting further and further into this series, I have needed to do a bit more plotting
Helen: I think as we learn more about the writing craft and our series become more complex, planning is key. Even if the characters sometimes takes us off road on occasion. When you encounter writer’s block how do you over come it?
Cecilia: I usually do one of two things. And it depends a bit on why I have writing block, if it’s because something isn’t working, and I need to figure out a solution I will usually step away and go for a walk. If it’s because I don’t know that’s next, I would try a writing sprint and just write the first thing that comes to mind for 20-30 min.
Helen: What is the best thing that have happened to you since you started writing?
Cecilia: I’ve connected with an amazing community online, and found some lovely friends. But the best thing is probably when I hear from readers and they’re telling me that my story made a difference to them. It really does make my day, and gives me encouragement to continue writing.
Helen: What is one of the most useful resources you use when writing?
Cecilia: So if we are talking specifically about writing, it’s probably the emotion thesaurus by A Ackerman and B Puglisi, its really helpful when trying to show an emotion instead of telling it. Other than that I find brainstorming with other writers very helpful. Sometimes as I writer I’m a bit too close to my story, and my writing can comes across differently from what I want, so brainstorming how to get the message across more clearly can be very beneficial.
Helen: Those thesauruses are amazing! I use them all the time. Do have any hints or tips for how to overcome the fear and little voice in your head and keep writing?
Cecilia: It’s really hard, but the biggest advice I have is to not compare yourself to other writers. It’s a sure way of getting disheartened. Instead look back at your own journey, celebrate your accomplishments and milestones, and see just have far you have come and have much you have gained since you started.
Helen: That is really great advice. How much research do you do for each book?
Cecilia: It differs. I will write the first draft without any research, and then as I read over it I will make notes where I need to do more research.
Helen: It’s been great talking to you today. I wish you all the very best with your launch. Just to close, what advice would you give new writers?
Cecilia: Rules are meant to be broken, take what you need, and leave the rest behind. Try new things, but if it isn’t working for you, try something else. There are many way to reach a destination.
There are sooo many rules about writing, but most of the times they are not actually rules but suggestions. E.g. you have to write everyday to be a good writer – no you don’t have to write every day but you do need to make time to write. Or you have to outline before you can write the book – I can see how it can be beneficial, but my outline comes after I’ve written my first draft.
About the Author – Cecilia Agetun
Cecilia AgetunCecilia has always been interested in writing and spent many hours writing poems and short stories throughout her teenage years. She has always had an interest in fantasy, mythology and witchcraft.
As she grew up, her writing got put on ice as she followed her other passion – Animal care. She moved to England, where she completed her Bsc (hons) degree in veterinary nursing and started working full time at a 24 hour hospital. She later moved to Cambridge with her partner and two dogs, hoping to get a better work- life balance.
It wasn’t until the lockdown came knocking on everyone’s doors that she picked up her writing and fell in love with it all over again. It started off as one book, but by the time she finished the first draft of her young adult fantasy novel, she knew it would be a series.
Follow Cecilia:
Purchase Darkened Soul from Amazon:
UK: eBook | Paperback
USA: eBook | Paperback
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free copy of Sentinals Stirring
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
April 19, 2025
Book Review Alert: Voyage of the Damned by Frances White
Reviewed: April 19th, 2025
Released: January 2nd, 2025
Genre: Fantasy Murder Mystery
For a thousand years, Concordia has maintained peace between its provinces. To mark this incredible feat, the Emperor’s ship embarks upon a twelve-day voyage to the sacred Goddess’s Mountain.
Aboard are the heirs of the twelve provinces of Concordia, each graced with a unique and secret magical ability known as a Blessing. Except one: Ganymedes Piscero – class clown, slacker, and all-round disappointment.
But when a beloved heir is murdered, every one of these powerful people becomes a suspect.
Now Ganymedes – alone and vulnerable without a Blessing – must become the hero he was never born to be.
With the body-count rising, can he unmask the killer before they reach the shore? Read My Thoughts…
April 15, 2025
Enter the Goodreads Giveaway for the Sentinals Origins Part One launch!
Closes: Thursday May 1st 2025 11.59pm PST
USA Only, see Goodreads for T&C’s
Join me as I celebrate the forthcoming launch of Sentinals Origins Part One by giving away 100 ebooks of Sentinals Origins Part One.
Sentinals Origins – Part OneReleases: May 5th, 2025.
On Preorder. Releases May 5th, 2025Are you ready to travel back three thousand years and meet the Goddess Leyandrii, her Captain, Guerlaire, and find out how the Sentinals came to be and what happened to them?
Set three thousand years prior to Sentinals Awaken, the first book in the Sentinals Series, the prequel part one delves into Leyandrii’s world before she acted to protect her people against the shadowy threat of the ascendants.
Here we get to meet Guerlaire, his friends Chryll, Anter and many more. We find out how Tagerill, Serill and Birler first meet and join them in their trials and tribulations to become a Lady’s Ranger.
Interwined is the great love story of Leyandrii and Guerlaire and how they both strive to protect the other against those who oppose them.
Part One will be available May 5th, 2025, and Part Two as soon as I can finish it, but it will be in 2025.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
Sign up to my newsletter and download Sentinals Stirring for free
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator
April 13, 2025
Last 24 hours to back the Reign of Dragons Kickstarter!
Three full page colour artwork stretch goals are unlocked for Eileen Mueller, RM Krogman and R.M. Schultz. Do you want more? Then next up are specially commissioned artwork for Rocco Levitas and JDL Rosell.
Back the Kickstarter now!Kickstarter runs until April 14th, 2025.
Wow! Just wow – this is the specially commissioned artwork created by the amazing Ertaç Altinoz for Eileen Mueller’s story, “Javelina’s Dragon”.
Full Page colour art for R.M Krogman
Commissioned artist: Joe Requesa
Full Page colour art for R.M Schultz
Commissioned artist: Joe Requesa
Next stretch goal – artwork for Rocco Levitas’s story: “Downscaled”.
Can we get to $30k?? Next stretch goal – artwork for JDL Rosell’s story: “The Dying Heart of Hope”.
Eighteen amazing authors came together and wrote eighteen dragon themed short stories. From Epic fantasy, LitRPG to dark fantasy or noblebright, there is a story for everyone.
Reign of Dragons blends some of the most beloved self-published fantasy authors with top-tier digital artists to bring you a first-class reading experience centered around dragons.
Venture into luxurious epic fantasy, where master crafters of dragons give you an epic blast of illustrations and short stories from diverse perspectives. Ranging from warm-hearted lessons to rip-roaring action, this anthology will remind you why you fell in love with the epic fantasy genre in the first place.
Get ready to satisfy your thirst to forget the present and experience breathless thrill, gut-wrenching emotion, and gritty adventure—just how a flight on dragonback should be.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
Sign up to my newsletter and download Sentinals Stirring for free
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator
April 12, 2025
Enter the International Giveaway for the Sentinals Origins Part One launch!
Starts: Saturday April 12th, 2025 at 12 midday BST
Closes: Saturday May 3rd, 2025 midnight BST
Winner announced midday BST May 4th, 2025
Open Internationally, One winner, Over 18 only
Join me as I celebrate the forthcoming launch of Sentinals Origins Part One with many of my friends in the writing community. Thank you to these generous authors for donating one of their books to the grand prize. Enter the launch giveaway by following the authors on social media or by signing up to their newsletter. The more authors you follow, the more entries you recieve.
One randomly drawn reader will win a signed paperback of Sentinals Origins and SIXTEEN amazing fantasy ebooks.
Enter Giveaway here: https://kingsumo.com/g/1rjd9z3/sentinals-origins-part-one-launch-giveaway
Prize list:Signed Paperback:
Sentinals Origins by Helen Garraway
Ebooks:
The Last Ranger by JDL Rosell
The Last Dragon Knight by Tim Akers
Secrets of the Deep by Marisa Noelle
The Sword Digez by Stephen Prendergast
Soul Cage by Luke Schulz
Season of the Dragon by Natalie Wright
Liberation by RM Krogman
The Iron Crown by LL Macrae
The Magic Keepers by EL Williams
When Darkness Hunts the Dawn by MH Woodscourt
Breaking of Realms by Jasmine Young
Bandalore by DK Girl
The Half Torn Page by David Palin
The Seam of Eternity by Rocco Levitas
Whispers of a World Breaker by Corey Ratliff
Title TBC by Eileen Mueller
Sentinals Origins – Part OneReleases: May 5th, 2025.
On Preorder. Releases May 5th, 2025Are you ready to travel back three thousand years and meet the Goddess Leyandrii, her Captain, Guerlaire, and find out how the Sentinals came to be and what happened to them?
Set three thousand years prior to Sentinals Awaken, the first book in the Sentinals Series, the prequel part one delves into Leyandrii’s world before she acted to protect her people against the shadowy threat of the ascendants.
Here we get to meet Guerlaire, his friends Chryll, Anter and many more. We find out how Tagerill, Serill and Birler first meet and join them in their trials and tribulations to become a Lady’s Ranger.
Interwined is the great love story of Leyandrii and Guerlaire and how they both strive to protect the other against those who oppose them.
Part One will be available May 5th, 2025, and Part Two as soon as I can finish it, but it will be in 2025.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
Sign up to my newsletter and download Sentinals Stirring for free
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator
April 4, 2025
Author Interview – Melanie Ansley
Author of the Theo series, the Riders of Jade and Fire series, and contributing author to the Reign of Dragons anthology.
I am very pleased to welcome Melanie Ansley to my blog to talk about her writing process and the Reign of Dragons Anthology kickstarter.
Helen: Welcome, Melanie. I’m excited to talk to you about your wonderful books and your contribution to the Reign of Dragons anthology. I love your cover for your first book in the Theo series, tell us a little about your books.
Melanie: My first series is called “Book of Theo”, and is set in a world where reading and writing are forbidden. One rabbit with the taboo ability to read and write decides to challenge the empire that is trying to enslave animal kind. It’s “Redwall” meets “Lord of the Rings”, basically!
Helen: Sounds amazing, and your second series is set in the same world as your contribution to the Reign of Dragons anthology, “Day of the Blood Dragon”.
Melanie: The book “Dragon Class” takes place in the Tang dynasty, so roughly 1000 years after the events in “Day of the Blood Dragon”. It’s a story of a thief who steals a dragon egg, then finds herself catapulted into the Dragon Class, the empire’s most elite force. Like many dragon stories, it’s really about the bond between dragon and human, so I knew the cover needed to convey these two characters—as well as the unique setting!
Helen: Tell us about your contribution to the Reign of Dragons anthology.
Melanie: My story “Day of the Blood Dragon” came about from a question: what if the First Emperor of China united the kingdoms only because he had the help of dragons? I’ve loved history and fantasy for as long as I can remember, and the first emperor of China is both a fascinating and repugnant figure to me. In this story, his sorceress Lu’sha sets out on a quest to convince the queen of the dragons to support his cause, but neither she nor her king realize the price they will have to pay. I had such fun writing this and I’d love to turn it into a tie-in series.
Helen: How did you become involved in the Reign of Dragons anthology?
Melanie: Firstly, the co-host of this anthology, Jasmine Young, pitched it so well I couldn’t refuse. She is so fun to work with, and she’s an experienced Kickstarter organizer. It was also such an amazing line up of talent, and I’ve never been in an anthology so I immediately said yes.
Helen: It is a wonderful anthology to be involved in, and each stretch goal we achieve will help make this book even more beautiful, which is so exciting. We’ve just got the draft art copy of the colour dust jacket which will also be gold foiled! Isn’t it gorgeous?
When writing your stories, do you prefer to write heroes or villains?
Melanie: I enjoy writing villains, because I’m fascinated by what makes them tick, what makes the darkest act you and I can imagine seem justifiable, maybe even morally superior, to someone else. Because no one believes they are evil, they just have a very different–and sometimes deeply buried–moral compass.
Helen: That is so true and characters that readers can relate to, whose motives although morally grey, are understandable, hook the reader even more. Do you plan out your books or do you let your story go where it will.
Melanie: I feel like pantser or planner is a spectrum rather than an “either/or”, and I think this is something I had to figure out by myself—it’s very personal, like how much salt or pepper you like in your food. I also do things a little “backwards”—I do an outline, write the thing, and then break it down chapter by chapter into an excel sheet to see what’s not working and why. Efficient? Probably not, but I get there in the end.
Helen: I think everyone should write in the way that works for them and everyone is different. Do you have any favourite authors?
Melanie: I love Peter S Beagle and Lian Hearn. Their writing is so exquisite I feel like I’ve been on some magical ship after reading their work. Plus one of the best things about this anthology “Reign of Dragons” has been discovering some of my new favourite indie authors!
Helen: There are so manay amazing authors, and every story shines on its own merits. I can’t wait to hear what our readers think. Do you have anything random you’d like to share about yourself?
Melanie: I’ve always wanted to learn to play the ukelele.
Helen: I hope you do! Thank you for joining me today, Melanie. It’s been lovely chatting to you. Just to finish, do you have any advice for aspiring authors.
Melanie: It’s not writing advice by one particular person, but as a film producer I often brushed up against the attitude of “no one wants to watch your movie”. It sounds terribly discouraging, but I found that embracing it was very freeing. When I first started publishing, I suffered the common paralysis of worrying whether my work was good enough. But then “no one wants to read your book” is like the advice to “dance like no one’s watching”—it frees you. And being good enough also becomes a moot point, because really at the end of the day, I would write even if no one read my work. This took away the pressure while also forcing me to examine my book: WHY would someone want to read it? I try to answer that question for everything I write, and I think that helps me with story, focus, and marketing.
Who are the authors in the Anthology?
About the AnthologyReign of Dragons: An Illustrated Anthology blends some of the most beloved self-published fantasy authors with top-tier artists to bring you a first-class reading experience centered around dragons.
Venture into luxurious epic fantasy, where master crafters of dragons give you an epic blast of short stories and illustrations from a rich cross section of the fantasy genre. From romances to rip-roaring battles to LitRPG adventures, think of this anthology as your next first-class experience.
We invite you to treat yourself to this delicious charcuterie board of talent—with every story centered around dragons!
About the Author – Melanie Ansley
Melanie Ansley © 2012 Helen CouchmanMelanie is an award-winning author and filmmaker of Chinese descent, now based in Australia. Over her 20 years of film producing, she has been lucky enough to work on award winning feature films and also written for some Oscar winning producers.
Her first novel, “Theo and the Forbidden Language”, won Best YA at the 2018 IndieReader Discovery Awards, and its origin story “The Lost Child of Willago” is currently being developed into a video game. Her latest series, “Riders of Jade & Fire,” is an action-packed dragonrider academy tale set during Empress Wu’s Tang China, and perfect for fans of “Eragon” or “Temeraire”. When she’s not writing and filmmaking, Melanie is raising two children (which involves lots of magic and luck). You can find her at www.melanieansley.com
Follow Melanie:
Author Website
Instagram
Amazon Author page
Back the Reign of Dragons Kickstarter
If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free copy of Sentinals Stirring
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
April 3, 2025
Reign of Dragons Kickstarter Sprayed Edges Funded!
And the sprayed edges are funded. They are so pretty. I can’t wait to see them in real life!! Thank you to everyone who backed our kickstarter, you did it!
Next goal is colour artwork for one of our authors, Eileen Mueller’s Javelina’s Dragon.
Javelina’s Dragon is a Riders of Fire Dragon Masters side story about a character one of Eileen’s readers helped create. When Javelina, a circus acrobat, meets Xarian, the dragon rider sent to investigate her ex-lover’s murder, Javelina’s life is turned upside-down—and not just on the trapeze.
Back the Kickstarter now!Kickstarter runs until April 14th, 2025.
Eighteen amazing authors came together and wrote eighteen dragon themed short stories. From Epic, to LitRPG to noblebright, there is a story for everyone.
Watch this space for some Author spotlights and more information about each author’s story. Get to know the authors and find a new fantasy series to read today.
Author Interview: Jasmine Young. Co-organiser of the Reign of Dragons Kickstarter and author of the Realm Breaker series.
Reign of Dragons blends some of the most beloved self-published fantasy authors with top-tier digital artists to bring you a first-class reading experience centered around dragons.
Venture into luxurious epic fantasy, where master crafters of dragons give you an epic blast of illustrations and short stories from diverse perspectives. Ranging from warm-hearted lessons to rip-roaring action, this anthology will remind you why you fell in love with the epic fantasy genre in the first place.
Get ready to satisfy your thirst to forget the present and experience breathless thrill, gut-wrenching emotion, and gritty adventure—just how a flight on dragonback should be.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
Sign up to my newsletter and download Sentinals Stirring for free
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator
Book Review Alert: Retrieve by Sarah Addison-Fox
Reviewed: April 3rd, 2024
Released: December 26th, 2018
Genre: Epic Fantasy
What if the job you took to stay alive might be what kills you?
Kade knows what it is to suffer. He knows what it’s like to lose everything and everyone around him.
His job in a Stormer Unit guarantees not just his survival in the decimated country of Azetaria, but his sister Meg’s.
Even if it means facing the Numachi warriors baying for his blood, he’ll do what it takes to keep her safe.
Hadley is alone and surviving the only way she knows how. By hiding where predators won’t find her and scavenging enough just to keep her alive.
When desperation drives Hadley to search for her missing brother, she mistakenly accepts the offer of recruitment into the Stormer’s camp, only to be partnered with Kade and sent as a scout into Numachi territory.
The intimidating young Stormer may just know where her brother has gone. But can they stay alive long enough to find him? Read My Thoughts…
March 28, 2025
Book Review Alert: Remedial Magic by Nathan Gregg
Reviewed: March 28th, 2025
Released: April 25th, 2022
Genre: Fantasy – Coming of Age
A broken man finds a new life teaching magic. But can he keep it?
As a washed-up and forgotten sorcerer, Aldric’s only goal in life is to get drunk enough to forget his tragic past. That is, until his friends coerce him into a teaching position at one of the most prestigious magic academies in the world. Now he’s saddled with the responsibility of teaching four new pupils, all of whom wonder who this brilliant yet unorthodox man truly is.
But Aldric’s past demons aren’t gone. They’ve only been lying in wait. As wars, rulers and politics of the past all begin to catch up with him, Aldric’s newfound place to belong is threatened by the very things he’s been trying to escape.
It’s time for Aldric to finally confront his history. And learn some new lessons himself. Read My Thoughts…
