Helen Garraway's Blog, page 9

Book Review Alert: The Bookworm and the Cat’s Meow by Jeanine Lauren

Reviewed: September 5th, 2024
Released: Septeembr 10th, 2024
Genre: Romance
eARC: Hidden Gems

When life gives you a second chance, sometimes it comes with claws.

Recently divorced and looking for a fresh start, Lance Reed swaps his business in the city for the cozy charm of a bookstore in the heart of Sunshine Bay. What he doesn’t expect is the slew of community commitments that come with it—especially the agreement to display cats from the local pet shelter in his store.

There’s just one problem: Lance hates cats.

Enter Raven Johnson, the spirited, cat-loving woman behind the pet shelter. Also, in her mid-fifties and divorced, Raven has dedicated her life to her daughter and her feline friends, leaving little room for romance or other personal ambitions.

To her chagrin, her cat sanctuary is now linked to the bookstore, where her cats, the cat-hating Lance, and his books must somehow coexist.

Will Lance learn to open his heart to the furry friends he never wanted, and can Raven find room for a new chapter in her own story? Read My Thoughts…

Author Interview – Julie Pike

Author of the children’s fantasy book, Flame Chasers.I was thrilled to meet children’s fantasy author, Julie Pike, at a local book fair in Bracknell, and I am so happy to be chatting to her on my blog this week.

Helen: Welcome Julie. It’s great to speak to you again. I am excited to talk to you abour your books. Tell us about your latest book, Flame Chasers.

Julie: Flame Chasers is a magical children’s adventure about flamebirds, family and friendship. The flamebirds crackle through the night sky like fireworks. Once every year they stop at Bright Beacon to rest before continuing their journey – where to, exactly, no one knows. Anyone lucky enough to touch a golden tail feather will be granted a wish, so their fiery arrival has become the start of a strange race. Boats full of Flame Chasers gather in the harbour, ready to dash across the ocean in hot pursuit of the Phoenix-like flock. Ember is desperate to join the chase but is devastated when Pa leaves without her. She’s not the only one left behind: on the rocks there is a beleaguered little bird, a cinderling, a flamebird unable to return home to recharge its magic. Ember is determined to find a boat so she can look for the flamebirds secret home, and in so doing, find her Pa and save the cinderling.

Helen: Oh, that sounds amazing. What a wonderful story. What were your thoughts behind the cover design?

Julie: The beautiful cover for my story was designed by children’s book illustrator David Dean. He was commissioned by my publisher, Firefly Press to create a bold, colourful and action-packed cover.

To help David envisage my story world, I developed a mood board of images that I’d used myself to inspire the adventure. These included pictures of ‘Bright Beacon’, images of my flamebirds, my characters, and the story’s squash buckling settings. David’s concept took my breath away. I love its rich colours and swirls of magic as he seamlessly combines these elements to create a whirlpool effect, cleverly mirroring in design the action of the story itself.

Helen: I love learning the detail behind the covers. I think titles are sometimes even harder to think up! How did you come up with your title?

Julie: For a long time, the draft title of the story was called Feather Flame, but as I worked through the drafts, I realised the story was about so much more than the magic in the birds flaming feathers. It was about the characters that chased the flamebirds tails and what they hoped to do with the wishes they yearned for. I also wanted a more action-led adventurous sounding title to appeal to children, and a shorter title than that of my first book. Shorter titles are easier to remember and work better for hashtags. I played around with a long list of title ideas, but once I’d combined the noun and verb, I knew I had the perfect title. Luckily my publisher agreed, otherwise we’d have all gone back to the drawing board!

Helen: I love the title you chose, as you say it works really well. Which genre do you typically write?

Julie: All my stories have a fantasy twist to them. I’ve tried writing contemporary tales, but as I write each scene my brain always offers up a delicious magical ‘what if’ which I find impossible to resist!

Helen: Most writers are great readers as well. What is your favourite book and how did it inspire you write fantasy?

Julie: Gosh, I have soooo many favourite books, but if I had to pick one, then I’d cheat and say The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix. It’s not really a cheat because the three books are part of the same story arc. For a long time, I knew I wanted to write stories, but I didn’t get serious about it until my 40s – partly because I didn’t think a kid from a council estate was ‘allowed’ to be an author, and partly because I didn’t know what stories I wanted to write. All that changed when a friend gave me the first book of the trilogy, Sabriel, and said, ‘Read this, you’ll love it!’ She was right. That story lit my imagination like nothing else. I didn’t want to leave Garth’s magical worlds, so I resolved to create my own. If not for Sabriel’s and Lirael’s stories, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be a writer today.

Helen: I’m so glad your friend gave you the book. I loved Sabriel as well! It’s been fun chatting but before we finish, could you share one of the best things that has happened to you since you began writing?

Julie: Garth Nix has a saying, which I cleaved to when I was an aspiring author. He said (and I think he’s also quoting another here, but I’m not sure who) ‘nothing can happen until you finish it’. It took me six years to write my first story and five years to write my next. Finishing both stories was a major achievement and filled me with life affirming confidence. Many wonderful things have happened since the first time I wrote ‘The End.’

It’s hard to choose just one, but I think it would have to be an early book signing in Waterstones Bournemouth. I met a young girl, who’d read my story and was eager to meet me. So much so she ran into the bookshop and hovered shyly by my signing table. Her parents said she’d run across the car park to meet me. Wow! I’d never expected that! I knew of course it wasn’t ‘me’ she was desperate to meet. She wanted to meet the part of me who’d written an adventure that had made her soul sing. She reminded me of the person I’d been at the age of eleven, eyes shining like stars as I read new worlds filled with adventure. The day I met that young reader, I knew then, regardless of whether my story was a commercial success, I’d achieved something more important, I’d made eleven-year-old me proud.

About the Author

Julie Pike

Growing up on a council estate in Neath, nestled in the Welsh Valleys, Julie developed a love of stories at the town’s fine Victorian library; so much so, she included it in her children’s fantasy-adventure debut, The Last Spell Breather.  

Published by Oxford University Press in 2019, the book was translated into Polish, Indonesian and Russian. It was longlisted for Waterstones Children’s book of the year.

Her second children’s novel, Flame Chasers published in 2024 by Firefly Press was translated into German and was named Children’s Book of the Week in The Times.

Julie has an MA (with distinction) in Creative Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University and gave the valedictorian speech at her graduation ceremony. She lives in the Forest of Dean, on the border between England and Wales, where she adventures under the canopy with her Border Collie, Spock. 

She is passionate about adventure stories, volunteering in schools and libraries, helping children find stories that excite them.

The stories she read as a child inspired her to have real-life adventures as an adult. She has trekked to Everest Base Camp and the peak of Kilimanjaro, tandem skydived over the great lake of New Zealand, and camped on the Great Wall of China in a lightning storm!

Follow Julie:

Social Links

Purchase Julie’s book, Flame Chasers :

Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback

Link to book on Amazon US: 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.

Sentinals Banished makes the 2024 CIBA OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction Short List

I am so excited to share that Sentinals Banished, the fifth book in the epic fantasy Sentinal Series has made it through to the Short list for the 2024 Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA) OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction!

The Ozma Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in Fantasy Fiction. The Ozma Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs).

Chanticleer International Book Awards discovers the best books in the Ozma Awards featuring magic, the supernatural, imaginary worlds, fantastical creatures, legendary beasts, mythical beings, or inventions of fancy that author imaginations dream up without a basis in science as we know it. Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Dragons, Unicorns, Steampunk, Dieselpunk, Gaslight Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, or other out-of-this-world fiction. These books have advanced to the Long List in the 2024 CIBAs OZMA division.

Sentinal Banished has moved forward in the first look rounds from the 2024 OZMA Book Awards long list to the SHORT LIST. These entries are now in competition for the 2024 Ozma Semi-Finalists List. FINALISTS will be chosen from the Semi-Finalists and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC25.

Sentinals Banished is the fifth book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.

Sentinals Banished is set seventeen years after the fourth book, Sentinals Across Time.

Sentinal Birlerion has watched from the shadows for so long he doesn’t know how to stop. Always there when the Lady’s Captain needed him. He did what was necessary to keep those he loved from harm.

When the king banishes the Lady’s Captain, Jerrol Haven, from Vespiri and disbands the Sentinal guard, the Sentinals are at a loss, some bitter, some eager to retire, all angry at the king’s decision.

Birlerion moves to Old Vespers to watch over Jerrol’s daughter as she begins her journey to become a King’s Ranger.

Old Vespers is in turmoil, the king unpredictable, and the Sentinals are unwelcome. Unexplained deaths are occurring, and bodies begin to appear in the city streets. As Birlerion continues his search for the place he can call home, he has to step out of the shadows as he is drawn into a tangled web of deceit and lies. He must hunt down those responsible and clear the Sentinals name before anyone else goes missing.

Want to know more and follow my journey? Then make sure you sign up to my newsletter below.

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.

Book Review Alert: Apprentice’s Luck by K.L Noone

Reviewed: August 25th, 2024
Released: July 22nd, 2023
Genre: MM Fantasy Romance

Apprentice magician Talisman Morning has always been lucky. It’s a problem.

Talis knows his luck is a magical talent — but he can’t control it. And good luck for him can mean bad luck for other people, and a lot of trouble. He’s beginning to wonder whether he belongs with the magicians at all, or whether he should give up and run away … until he meets a royal guard who asks for his help.

King’s guard Jeryn de Machaut could use a magician. He thinks he’s overheard a plot against the king, but he has no evidence and no support. But a wayward apprentice with a knack for being in the right place — and stumbling over hidden objects — might be exactly the luck Jer needs.

Together, Jer and Talis will uncover a palace conspiracy, save a king, and find their own best chance at love. Read My Thoughts…

Sentinals Banished makes the 2024 CIBA OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction Long List

I am so excited to share that Sentinals Banished, the fifth book in the epic fantasy Sentinal Series has made it through to the Long list for the 2024 Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA) OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction!

The Ozma Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in Fantasy Fiction. The Ozma Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs).

Chanticleer International Book Awards discovers the best books in the Ozma Awards featuring magic, the supernatural, imaginary worlds, fantastical creatures, legendary beasts, mythical beings, or inventions of fancy that author imaginations dream up without a basis in science as we know it. Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Dragons, Unicorns, Steampunk, Dieselpunk, Gaslight Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, or other out-of-this-world fiction. These books have advanced to the Long List in the 2024 CIBAs OZMA division.

Sentinals Across Time has moved forward in the judging rounds from all 2024 Ozma Fantasy Fiction entries to the 2024 Ozma Book Awards LONG LIST. Entries are now in competition for 2024 Ozma Short List. The Short Listers will compete for the FINALIST positions. Finalists will be selected from the Short List. All FINALISTS will be announced and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC25) on April 3rd, 2025.

Sentinals Banished is the fifth book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.

Sentinals Banished is set seventeen years after the fourth book, Sentinals Across Time.

Sentinal Birlerion has watched from the shadows for so long he doesn’t know how to stop. Always there when the Lady’s Captain needed him. He did what was necessary to keep those he loved from harm.

When the king banishes the Lady’s Captain, Jerrol Haven, from Vespiri and disbands the Sentinal guard, the Sentinals are at a loss, some bitter, some eager to retire, all angry at the king’s decision.

Birlerion moves to Old Vespers to watch over Jerrol’s daughter as she begins her journey to become a King’s Ranger.

Old Vespers is in turmoil, the king unpredictable, and the Sentinals are unwelcome. Unexplained deaths are occurring, and bodies begin to appear in the city streets. As Birlerion continues his search for the place he can call home, he has to step out of the shadows as he is drawn into a tangled web of deceit and lies. He must hunt down those responsible and clear the Sentinals name before anyone else goes missing.

Want to know more and follow my journey? Then make sure you sign up to my newsletter below.

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.

Author Interview – Erica Sebree

Author of the fantasy Wild Heart series.I am very pleased to welcome Erica Sebree to my blog this week, and we’re chatting about her fantasy Wild Heart series.

Helen: Welcome Erica. I am very excited to learn more about your series. I saw your latest book, Wild Heart of the Magic released on May 1st, 2024 and you’re working on book four. Tell us a little about it.

Erica: I’m currently working on the fourth book in the Wild Heart fantasy series. Because it’s a series, I’ll tell you a little about books 1-3. Wild Heart of the Storm is the first in the series, and follows the classic fantasy quest trope. The main character comes into her magic unexpectedly when she brings a dead wolf back to life. Not long after, assassins track her down, and she’s forced to flee with the mysterious town metalsmith. Book one features secret identity, found family, untamed magic, and confronting the past. Book two, Wild Heart of the Crown, dives into court intrigue, ancient secrets, and a desperate attempt to heal a barren landscape. Court members continue their scheming in book three, Wild Heart of the Magic, which grows to include hordes of prospective noblemen. With the alarming truths revealed in book two and the barrenness continuing to spread, hidden objects imbued with dark magic must be found (and destroyed) before it’s too late. Book four, Wild Heart of the Darkness, tackles the fallout of the events at the end of book three, and includes a journey back across the sea.

Helen: I love the colours of your covers. What were your thoughts behind the cover design?

Erica: Wild Heart of the Storm features a vast landscape that represents both the starting and ending points of the main character’s journey. It also features her strongest magical ability, wielding storms.

Wild Heart of the Crown takes place mostly in the capital city, so I wanted to feature a portion of the palace—particularly the glass dome of the throne room—and the magical lights (a reflection of magic in the land) in the night sky.

Wild Heart of the Magic revolves around…magic! The unordained priestesses also become more central in book three, so illustrating the opulent temple from the beginning of the book seemed like the perfect setting.

Helen: I love learning the detail behind the covers. I think titles are sometimes even harder to think up! How did you come up with your titles?

Erica: The title for Wild Heart of the Storm came about in a couple of different ways. When I first started compiling a list of all the keywords that described the book, I kept coming back to “wild heart” and was reminded of the movie I saw when I was a kid, Wild Hearts Can’t be Broken. It’s a story about a woman who performs high-dives into tiny pools…on a horse! How incredible is that? So I knew I wanted to include “wild heart” in the title. More specifically, the title highlights all of the main character’s magical abilities: wild represents her ability to grow and direct plants, heart represents her life-giving power, and storm represents her storm magic. But wait, there’s more! “Wild heart” also represents the main character’s independence, and “heart of the storm” illustrates the final battle in book one. As for the series, I wanted to carry that naming structure through to each book. Wild Heart of the Crown focuses a lot on the main character’s new role as queen, and Wild Heart of the Magic brings the magic of their world to the forefront.

Helen: Writing a series is such fun, beacuse you can really dig into the characters and thier backstories. Who was your favourite character to write?

Erica: Both Hazel and Cadwyn are my favorites! I just love fiercely loyal friends. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of the love interests too (I read a lot of romance), but the unwavering friendships are where the heart of the story is.

Helen: If your main character could answer this question, why would they say we should read your book?

Erica: She would tell you that strength is always inside you, even when it feels out of reach. She’d tell you to find small moments of joy, and to laugh even when things feel beyond overwhelming. She’d tell you to take care of the people, animals, and land under your protection—though the author argues that self-sacrificing isn’t the only way to do this. And finally, she’d tell you that family can be found anywhere, and those who seem prickly at first might end up being your fiercest allies.

Helen: Lovely answer! Which genre do you prefer to write?

Erica: I love writing fantasy because I have the privilege of creating the world. It’s incredibly freeing. There’s a lot that goes into it—geography, history, government, social structures, magic systems—but it also means I get to create a space that’s more equitable and inclusive. And just like reading fantasy offers an escape from the stresses of our lives and the chaos of the world, writing fantasy does too. I feel like I’m able to correct some of the injustices I’ve experienced or witnessed. It’s far from perfect, but it’s a small way I can take action—even if only for my own peace of mind.

Helen: I love world building as well. I sometimes think the new world is almost another character with its own quirks and foibles. If world building frees you, which element of the writing process do you find most challenging and why?

Erica: I have such a hard time with transitions! I’m a very organized writer, so I know all the plot points and character arcs. I find inspirational images for locations, structures, weapons, clothing…you name it! But when it comes time to flow from one scene to the next, I get stuck. I don’t always feel like a scene break is appropriate, especially if only a short amount of time passes between the two scenes. I also want the transition to contribute something to the story. Even if those couple of lines don’t move the plot forward, I hope they offer a glimpse into the fantasy world or the dynamics between characters.

Helen: Most indie authors work as well write. How do you fit writing into your everyday life?

Erica: I’ve tried a lot of things over the years (while working a full-time job), and I’ve found that writing for about an hour most evenings is ideal. When I attempted to write in the mornings before work, my mind was free from distractions, but my creativity was lacking. By waiting until the evening to write or outline, I find that ideas and words come to me more easily. And with all my tasks completed for the day, my mind doesn’t wander much.

Helen: Do you plan your books, or are you more of a pantser, making it up as you go?

Erica: I’m a bigtime planner! I had over one-hundred pages of outlines and character descriptions before I started writing the first book in this series. My planning technique of choice is the Snowflake Method. It’s about starting small, then expanding. Over and over. For example, you start with one sentence that describes your story, then expand it to two sentences, then a paragraph, then a page, then four pages. By that point in the process, the plot is pretty clear. Next comes the character summaries. Along with their own sub-plots, each character needs a backstory, motivations, goals, conflicts, and an epiphany (or two). Finally, you outline every scene in the book. I use a spreadsheet so I can reorganize as needed. Others might prefer a text document or a program like Scrivener. The thing I love most about this process (aside from all the organization) is that it’s difficult to run into writer’s block with everything planned out so well. I highly recommend it for anyone that prefers planning or needs guidance with building out their characters.

Helen: There are a lot of methods out there, I think it is key to find the one that works for you. Every writer experiences self-doubt. How do you overcome the fear and the little voice in your head to keep writing?

Erica: Before I wrote my very first chapter, I listed all the things that scared me about taking on this huge project. I worried my writing wouldn’t be any good. I worried I wouldn’t finish the book, let alone five. I worried no one would read my books, or if they did, that they wouldn’t like them. That small exercise took away a lot of my anxiety about writing and publishing. When I need a confidence boost, I go back and read that list. Then I remind myself that I did write a book (three so far), that people do actually read them, and most seem to like them!

Helen: What is the most useful piece of writing advice you’ve received, and by whom?

Erica: Owen and Jodi Egerton spoke at a writing conference that I attended several years ago, and they were delightful! I felt so inspired that I immediately bought their book, This Word Now. There’s a lot of wonderful advice in that short book, but the part that really stuck with me was about writing for yourself and no one else. I have to remind myself of that whenever I start thinking about the audience or doubting my work.

Helen: Great advice. I write for the joy of it. I am fortunate that when I decided to self-publish, my books were well recieved. You have to enjoy your writing in the first place. When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to overcome it?

Erica: Luckily, writer’s block doesn’t happen too much for me (except with those pesky transitions), but when it does creep up, I step away from my computer. Going for a walk is ideal, depending on the time of day. But any mundane tasks—cooking, folding laundry, or watering the plants—really help to reset my creativity. And the adage that great ideas come to you in the shower is one-hundred percent true!

Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today, Erica. It has been great meeting you. Just to finish, what advice would you share with aspiring writers?

Erica: Find what works best for you! When I first started writing, I heard a lot of the write-every-day advice, and that simply didn’t work for me. I had to figure out what my own process looked like, as I think every writer should. If writing is—or becomes—a struggle, try something different. Does writing in the morning or the evening work better for you? How long can you write and still feel like your creativity is flowing—one hour, four hours, 20 minutes? Where do you write best, at home or at a coffee shop? Do you need absolute silence or does music help? Experiment with different methods of writing. If plotting and outlining isn’t working, try stream of consciousness writing. Does your story flow better when you write in a linear fashion or should you jump around to different scenes? And if a particular scene isn’t coming out the way you’d intended, try writing it from a different character’s point-of-view.

About the Author

Erica Sebree

Erica Sebree lives in Austin, Texas, where she works in public service as a graphic designer. She reads too much romance and drinks too much tea—usually at the same time. She makes frequent attempts at gardening, and will happily talk to any animal who crosses her path. She believes lists should be written in colorful ink, and dreams of one day having a farm sanctuary with many adorable cows. When she escapes into fantasy worlds, it’s to places where magic is vital, animals are guardians, and a stubborn bodyguard’s only weakness is the fierce, reluctant heroine he’s sworn to protect.

Follow Erica:

Author WebsiteTwitter/XFacebookInstagramTikTokThreadsGoodreadsBookBubAmazon Author Page

Purchase Erica’s book, Wild Heart of the Storm:

Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback

Link to book on Amazon US: 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.

Author Interview – Eleanor Dixon

Author of the middle grade series, Tally and the Angel.I am very pleased to welcome Eleanor Dixon to my blog this week, and we’re chatting about her fourth book in the Tally and the Angel series, The Sands of Time.

Helen: Welcome Eleanor. Congratulations on your new release. I am very excited to learn more about your series. Tell us a little about it.

Eleanor: Tally and the Angel: The Sands of Time is a middle-grade (8 to 13 yrs) adventure that whisks readers to a sun-drenched Greek island where Tally faces her most thrilling quest yet. As the fourth book in the series, this standalone story blends fantasy and everyday life, letting readers explore Greece through Tally’s eyes. Having lived there for twenty years, I’ve infused the book with authentic details, making readers feel like they’re right alongside Tally.

Helen: What a wonderful way to introduce history to young readers. Your cover has a flavour of the mediterranean. What were your thoughts behind the cover design?

Eleanor: The cover of The Sands of Time captures the book’s essence: a churning sea mirroring Tally’s inner turmoil as the mighty Poseidon looms. It’s a visual invitation to join Tally on a high-stakes adventure. I wanted to evoke a sense of wonder and danger, enticing readers to dive into Tally’s world. It’s also great for a summer launch!

Helen: When did you realise you had a passion for writing?

Eleanor: The spark ignited young. School essays were my escape, where my imagination could run wild. I remember crafting stories at five, and by nine, I’d penned a full-length play (though sadly, never performed). My father was a superb storyteller and maybe I got some of those genes. It was many years before that passion turned into writing novels, but I always wrote a daily journal (and still do) and, from age ten, wrote weekly letters to my mother until she passed away when I was in my late thirties. Mum kept and catalogued all my letters and I still have them. They are sometimes a great source of inspiration for plots.

Helen: It’s wonderful to see your series going from strength to strength. They do look great together. Who inspired you to write?

Eleanor: Authors such as Tolkein, C S Lewis, Enid Blyton and J K Rowling all inspired me to write, but the person who kick-started me on my writing career is my best friend Phillipa. We danced, and lived, in Greece at the same time. One day I was telling her about a story I had made up in which I wreaked vengeance on someone who had wronged me. She persuaded me to ‘write it down’ and her encouragement led me to a creative writing course, where I discovered a talent I didn’t know I possessed. However, life and love briefly sidetracked me when I came back to England, and my writing was pushed aside. Eventually, it was my husband who encouraged me to take it up again. And I have never looked back. It was as if he had opened a floodgate. Ideas that had lain dormant for many years tumbled so fast out of my head, I couldn’t keep up. I am so grateful that he saw what was missing in my life and for his unwavering support ever since.

Helen: How do you get the ideas for a new book?

Eleanor: Ideas are like unexpected guests—they burst into my mind uninvited! A single word, a fleeting image, can spark a world. If I am starting a new book with no clear idea, I surf the internet and random phrases seem to ignite something in my brain. The curse that threatens the Yukon village in Tally’s second adventure was born from a trailer for a movie. One word in the movie’s title was the eureka moment for me, but I can’t tell what it was because it would be a huge spoiler! Other times, I lie down in a quiet place, close my eyes and visualise characters and settings until one captures my imagination. I also swim a lot and this is a brilliant time for examining my brain for themes. The time just whizzes by while I’m working out glitches or plot twists.

Helen: Ideas come from all over the place. With so many ideas, what are you working on next?

Eleanor: I’m currently weaving enchantment into the fifth book in the Amberwood Hall Ballet School series, which I write alternately with Tally and the Angel. Blending my ballet background with the supernatural means that Amberwood is not just any ballet school: it has ghosts! The idea for the first book came from an event that happened to me when I was ten years old and was a boarder in a girls’ school at the spookiest old house in the country. The fantasy element, which I love, is a big part of the series and readers don’t need to be ballet fans to enjoy Amberwood any more than one must be a wizard to enjoy Hogwarts.  

Helen: What a wonderful combination, boarding school and ghosts!! With all these ideas flowing, do you find you plan your books upfront, or are you more of a pantser?

Eleanor: I started out as a pantser, but my editor has moulded me into a planner. She insisted she couldn’t work with me unless I write out the storyline, which we then discuss, and then a complete chapter breakdown before I write the actual novel. At first I really struggled! I toyed with the idea of writing the book, then going back and summarising it for her, subsequently wowing her with how quickly I finished it! But I never did that. I soon realised that I write much better for plotting the entire novel in advance. Of course, things change along the way and nine times out of ten, a character turns out to be totally different from the original idea. But having a frame to work to means I work much more efficiently. Plus, I don’t get sleepless nights wondering where it’s all going to end. It’s a wonderful preventative to writers’ block.

Helen: It sounds like you have an excellent editor! Have you ever experienced self-doubt as a writer, and if so, how have you dealt with it?

Eleanor: Self-doubt is a constant companion, but I’ve learned to channel it into motivation. Positive feedback from my editor and readers is a powerful antidote, reminding me of the joy writing brings. I always read the reviews for my books and this can be so uplifting.

Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today. It has been lovely learning about you and your books. Just to close us out, if you didn’t write middle grade what genre would tempt you?

Eleanor: The allure of adult fiction beckons. With a wealth of experiences as a young dancer, I have a world of stories to explore. So, I would like to write an adult novel using some of the events that happened to me. It is something I think about a lot. It would be a daunting task after Middle-grade literature because adult novels are so much longer. I’m used to wrapping everything up in about 40 to 50,000 words. I would enjoy the challenge of finding enough material and complexities of plot to fill 80,000 to 120,00 words.

About the Author

Eleanor Dixon

Eleanor Dixon writes exciting, page-turning, high-stakes books for young people (though many adults enjoy her books too!). Her Tally and the Angel series (recipient of Mom’s Choice and Literary Titan Gold Awards) are travel adventures with each book taking place in a different country. The series takes its inspiration from Eleanor’s extensive global travels. Visit different countries with Tally from the comfort of your seat. And help her and Jophiel, the angel, foil dastardly plots.

Eleanor used to be a ballerina and taught in her own school in Athens, Greece (she speaks Greek fluently!) and is well qualified to write her Amberwood Hall Ballet School series, about a ballet school with a difference: it has ghosts! The first two books have been shortlisted in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards and The Graceful Ghost, the first, has also been shortlisted in the UKSelfies2020 awards. If you want a free taster, download The Ghosts of Amberwood onto your Kindle for nothing! It is the prequel and tells how Grace and Rodney became… the ghosts of Amberwood.

Eleanor adores animals and always has dogs, cats, hens, sheep and an abundance of wildlife at her UK home.

And… she loves birthday cake!

Follow Eleanor:

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Purchase Eleanor’s book, Tally and the Angel: The Sands of Time:

Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback

Link to book on Amazon US: 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.

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2024 Global Book Award Winners

Very excited to announce that both Harmony, my standalone dystopian fantasy and Sentinals Across Time, Book Four of the Epic Fantasy Sentinals series won awards in the 2024 Global Book Awards.

Checkout the Award winners .

Sentinals Across Time won the first place GOLD MEDAL in the Epic Fantasy category.

Sentinals Across Time is the fourth book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.

Jerrol’s fragile balance between duty and family life took two years to refine and one brief moment to tear apart as the Lady Leyandrii and the Oath conspire in a desperate bid to protect the Birtolian Empire. As a result, Jerrol finds himself stranded in the middle of an ocean, lost across land and time and seas.

Unsure what is expected of him, Jerrol learns to appreciate the idyllic life of the Birtolians, the vibrant people and the beautiful coastline. To his growing horror, he realises the devastation which lies in their future.

Can Jerrol prevent the destruction of the gentle people he has grown to love? Is he meant to? Desperate to find a way home, he begins to leave clues in anything he thinks will survive the test of time. Taelia and the Sentinals are his only chance of ever returning to his own life but can they find him before the Lady sunders the Bloodstone and changes the Birtolian Empire forever?

The fourth installment of the Sentinal Series takes us to the beautiful Island Empire of Birtoli. Only once, it wasn’t an archipelago of islands, it was a land of majestic mountain ridges, mystical forests and exquisite sandy bays joined as one to the southern Vespiri borders.

Harmony won the second place SILVER MEDAL in the Dystopian Science Fiction/Fantasy category.

He’s always tried to do what’s right. When ugly truths surface on their sentient planet, will he have the courage to vindicate the wronged?

Kiefer Gallante yearns to prove his worth. Son of two prominent scientists, the dedicated soldier is determined to ensure their legacy and protect their new home’s caring native sentience. So when a power sabotage by rebels leaves a destitute population vulnerable, the heroic young man throws himself into the conflict.

Shocked to discover much of what he’s been taught is a lie, Kiefer reels after learning how his superiors are exploiting the world. But when the revolutionaries plead with him to join their cause, the thoughtful idealist is torn between the life he loves… and fighting for justice for the people.

With the fate of millions at stake and enemies in his inner circle, can Kiefer restore hope for humanity?

Harmony is a page-turning, standalone dystopian science fiction novel. If you like compassionate heroes, awakening to the truth, and immersive world-building, then you’ll love Helen Garraway’s gripping adventure.

Want to know more and follow my journey? Then make sure you sign up to my newsletter below.

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.

Book Review Alert: The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

Reviewed: August 15th, 2024
Released: September 3rd, 2009
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Ten days after the war ended, my sister Laura drove a car off a bridge.” These words are spoken by Iris Chase Griffen, married at eighteen to a wealthy industrialist but now poor and eighty-two. Iris recalls her far from exemplary life, and the events leading up to her sister’s death, gradually revealing the carefully guarded Chase family secrets. Among these is “The Blind Assassin,” a novel that earned the dead Laura Chase not only notoriety but also a devoted cult following. Sexually explicit for its time, it was a pulp fantasy improvised by two unnamed lovers who meet secretly in rented rooms and seedy cafés. As this novel-within-a-novel twists and turns through love and jealousy, self-sacrifice and betrayal, so does the real narrative, as both move closer to war and catastrophe. Margaret Atwood’s Booker Prize-winning sensation combines elements of gothic drama, romantic suspense, and science fiction fantasy in a spellbinding tale. Read My Thoughts…

Author Interview – Christine Priestly

Author of Ella’s DominionThis week I am chatting to Christine Priestly about her debut novel, Ella’s Dominion, which released on April 1st, 2024.

Helen: Welcome Christine. Congratulations on your new series. I am very excited to learn more about your books. That cover. It’s absolutely gorgeous!! Tell us a little about your book.

Christine: Book One of The Lost Warriors, Ella’s Dominion, is a dark mediaeval fantasy about forbidden magic, dark desires, and a woman’s struggle for power.

Born into a world that hates and fears what she is, Princess Ella of Erldan’s life has never been her own. A mere pawn in her family’s political machinations, she’s forced to hide her magic at the risk of enslavement—or worse. Against a backdrop of political intrigue and heresy, Ella finds herself torn between two brothers—lust for one and love for the other—and must confront the unintended consequences of using her powers to navigate the dangerous world she inhabits, lest she burn for it.

Helen: Your cover is gorgeous. What were your thoughts behind the cover design?

Christine: JV Arts (https://www.justventurearts.com/) did an incredible job representing the story’s iconography with this cover. The sword in the centre holds the Sacred Stone, once the source of magic (represented by blue mist), while the Sun and Moon (opposing religions) struggle for dominion.

Helen: It is always great to understand the author’s thoughts behind the cover design. Is there any special meaning behind the title?

Christine: The book explores various kinds of power, including magical, political, religious, sexual, and interpersonal, and the myriad ways people use, control, and suppress power. Navigating this world, the central character, Ella, born with powerful magic, yet rendered powerless, struggles for dominion over herself and her life.

Helen: What a great theme and plenty of content for you to work with. What made you write this particular book?

Christine: I didn’t intend to explore a particular idea or theme, but one emerged as the characters interacted with each other and their world. I studied mediaeval history at university and became fascinated with the various ways power and religion intersect. The story explores what it might be like to navigate a world where something you are born with and can’t change defies religious rule. The story follows several main characters, navigating power and privilege which sometimes conflicts with their own beliefs (themes very present in today’s world).

Helen: Who is the protagonist in Ella’s Domninon, and why did you write them?

Christine: Ella of Erldan was originally a minor character in a prequel for a book I wrote while in my teens. I became immersed in her story and started the series with her, a generation earlier, instead. She doesn’t follow the ‘chosen one’ archetype or trope of the ‘hero’s journey’ but is born into power and privilege. Yet, her situation renders her powerless, and she must navigate using the tools she has available—with some unintended and tragic consequences. While she starts out quite young and naïve, we see her grow across the series in a very adult world.

Helen: Which character was your favourite to write?

Christine: This is hard to answer. I enjoy writing so many characters. I love writing the villain, Gohran. He’s complex and broken, riddled with self-loathing and internalised hatred, and it’s fascinating to get inside his head, but he’s not someone I would ever want to meet.

 My most likeable character would be Amber, Ella’s magic tutor, and my most fun character is Lynden, who becomes Ella’s friend and confidante. She’s someone I’d love to hang out with.

Helen: Congratulations again on publishing your book, such a great acheivement. When did you realise you had a passion for writing?

Christine: I can’t recall a time when I didn’t. I wrote stories in primary school, loved any class involving reading or writing, and studied writing and literature at university. I’m always immersed in stories.

My parents told me to ‘get a real job’ so I kept my writing as a hobby, with long hiatuses of ‘real life’ in between. Now, in my late 40s, I have found my way back to my passion.

When I reflect on my earlier work, I don’t begrudge the delay, because my writing benefited. My characters are stronger, more complex and fully realised now, and my stories are more mature and believable.

Helen: I agree, I think there is a time to write and a time to publish, and they are not necessarily the same. I started writing very late in life, though I have always been a huge reader. Who inspired you to write?

Christine: We always had books in our house growing up. My grandparents read to us, we read books in school, and I just loved immersing myself in different worlds. My sister and I read stories aloud to fall asleep to, and I remember loving any chance to write something creative in school.

Helen: Having now published your first novel, which part of the writing process did you find most difficult?

Christine: Writing the logistical elements of a story, whether that’s action in a scene, or larger plot elements involving lots of moving parts (in real life, I need to rotate maps to know which direction I’m facing!).

Helen: What are you working on next?

Christine: I’m currently working on Book Two in my debut series, Ella’s Curse. Ella’s Curse explores the consequences of the choices and actions that occurred in Ella’s Dominion.

Ella’s Dominion started relatively slowly, and built up with the sense, as one reader described, of ‘running towards the edge of a cliff’. That tension continues in Ella’s Curse, and shares heartbreaking and darker moments.

While Ella’s Dominion involved a love story, the series is definitely not a romance, so don’t go into it expecting a happy-ever-after!

As in Ella’s Dominion, Ella’s Curse follows multiple third person points of view, so we get to know the characters intimately, through the twists of their tangled webs.

I’m in the editing process now and can’t wait to deliver the final version to my readers!

Helen: So exciting that you have another book in the works! It has been wonderful chatting to you. Thank you so much for joining me today. Just before we finish, what advice do you have for aspiring authors.

Christine: Block out the noise of the ‘shoulds’ and enjoy your journey. Allow the story to evolve, hone your skills, and make the story as strong as it can be. If it connects with readers, and makes them feel invested, you’re doing a great job.

Thank you for having me.

About the Author

Christine Priestly

Christine Priestly is an Australian author with a penchant for sipping tea, cuddling cats, and spinning stories (and poles!) in her spare time. By day, she’s unravelling the mysteries of human desire as a sexologist and hypnotherapist, but by night, she’s weaving tales that will leave you breathless and entertained. Her work has appeared in magazines and anthologies over the years, adding a dash of darkness and a pinch of spice to the literary world. So, grab a cuppa, pet your feline friend, and get ready to dive into Christine’s world of words—it’s one wild ride!

Follow Christine:

Author Social linksAmazon Author PageSign up to Author Newsletter

Purchase Christine’s book, Ella’s Dominion

Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback

Link to book on Amazon US: 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.