H. Nightshade's Blog
September 2, 2025
A Note to My Goodreads Friends
Dear friends,
As the new season begins, so too does the return of my work in the courts. Being a practicing **criminal lawyer**, my days ahead will once again be filled with long hours, demanding cases, and the challenges that come with standing for justice.
During my recent break, I had the chance to spend more time here on Goodreads—reading your thoughts, engaging with your recommendations, and sharing my own love for books. It was a refreshing and inspiring experience that reminded me how powerful this community truly is.
Although my professional duties may keep me away more often in the coming weeks, please know that I value every one of you. Your reviews, your insights, and your friendship are things I carry with me, even when I am not present online.
I will join in whenever I can, and I look forward to returning to more regular conversations once my schedule allows. Until then, keep reading, keep sharing, and know that I deeply appreciate being part of this wonderful circle of readers.
Warm regards,
H. Nightshade
As the new season begins, so too does the return of my work in the courts. Being a practicing **criminal lawyer**, my days ahead will once again be filled with long hours, demanding cases, and the challenges that come with standing for justice.
During my recent break, I had the chance to spend more time here on Goodreads—reading your thoughts, engaging with your recommendations, and sharing my own love for books. It was a refreshing and inspiring experience that reminded me how powerful this community truly is.
Although my professional duties may keep me away more often in the coming weeks, please know that I value every one of you. Your reviews, your insights, and your friendship are things I carry with me, even when I am not present online.
I will join in whenever I can, and I look forward to returning to more regular conversations once my schedule allows. Until then, keep reading, keep sharing, and know that I deeply appreciate being part of this wonderful circle of readers.
Warm regards,
H. Nightshade
July 25, 2025
Narrative Scene – The Queen and the Dragon
In the shadow of the great war that preoccupied King William, Queen Vensia sat quietly in her royal tent, pitched just behind the advancing army. Her thoughts wandered from the battlefield to the skies above, where freedom once beckoned her through the wings of her mighty companion.
She longed for the wind in her hair again, for the wild flight across the kingdom’s skies. Her fingers reached instinctively for the small flute that always hung from the silver chain around her neck — a relic from long ago, found beside the wounded hatchling she had once rescued as a child. That hatchling had become **Darcon**, the great dragon whose bond with her defied the laws of man and beast.
With a soft breath, she blew into the flute. Moments later, the clouds stirred and the heavens answered — a thunderous roar tore through the sky as Darcon descended, wings spread wide, scales shimmering like burning coals, and eyes locked on his queen. The earth trembled as he landed gracefully beside her tent.
Climbing onto his back, Vensia set off, soaring above forests and rivers, her heart filled with both nostalgia and unease. Something felt… wrong.
As she neared the coast, a salty wind hit her face. In the distance, the sea boiled with motion. Below her, the royal fleet stood in formation — but beyond them, on the horizon, she saw sails. Not just one or two, but **hundreds**.
Enemy ships. Tatar banners. War was coming from the sea.
Unknown to the king, the traitor Nero had sent a secret invitation to King Abraha of the Tatar realms, promising him half the kingdom in exchange for his alliance. And now, that alliance had arrived — on burning tides.
Vensia’s eyes narrowed.
The fleet commander below had already spotted the threat and sent a message pigeon toward the king’s camp, requesting reinforcements to hold the shoreline should the fleet fall. But Vensia knew time was a luxury they could not afford.
She leaned forward and whispered to Darcon.
The dragon growled low in response, his wings ready.
She had never once used him for war.
But today, she might.
🔥 **"Stay tuned for Part Two... Coming soon!"**
📖 **"Haven’t read Part One yet? Discover it now:
Echoes of The Astral War: Book One Vatika
She longed for the wind in her hair again, for the wild flight across the kingdom’s skies. Her fingers reached instinctively for the small flute that always hung from the silver chain around her neck — a relic from long ago, found beside the wounded hatchling she had once rescued as a child. That hatchling had become **Darcon**, the great dragon whose bond with her defied the laws of man and beast.
With a soft breath, she blew into the flute. Moments later, the clouds stirred and the heavens answered — a thunderous roar tore through the sky as Darcon descended, wings spread wide, scales shimmering like burning coals, and eyes locked on his queen. The earth trembled as he landed gracefully beside her tent.
Climbing onto his back, Vensia set off, soaring above forests and rivers, her heart filled with both nostalgia and unease. Something felt… wrong.
As she neared the coast, a salty wind hit her face. In the distance, the sea boiled with motion. Below her, the royal fleet stood in formation — but beyond them, on the horizon, she saw sails. Not just one or two, but **hundreds**.
Enemy ships. Tatar banners. War was coming from the sea.
Unknown to the king, the traitor Nero had sent a secret invitation to King Abraha of the Tatar realms, promising him half the kingdom in exchange for his alliance. And now, that alliance had arrived — on burning tides.
Vensia’s eyes narrowed.
The fleet commander below had already spotted the threat and sent a message pigeon toward the king’s camp, requesting reinforcements to hold the shoreline should the fleet fall. But Vensia knew time was a luxury they could not afford.
She leaned forward and whispered to Darcon.
The dragon growled low in response, his wings ready.
She had never once used him for war.
But today, she might.
🔥 **"Stay tuned for Part Two... Coming soon!"**
📖 **"Haven’t read Part One yet? Discover it now:
Echoes of The Astral War: Book One Vatika
July 21, 2025
For the women who feel too much, know too deeply, and love beyond words — this space is for you
🌙 Whispers Beneath the Stars
A Sacred Letter to the Women of My Circle
I greet you — not just with words, but with energy.
To the intuitive, radiant, and quietly powerful women within my orbit: this space is for you.
I sense you — some of you are carrying new life, others carrying invisible weight.
Some of you are healing, others growing wings. Some are remembering who they were, and some are becoming someone new.
As a modern shaman, I write not to explain, but to remind.
Your path is not random — it spirals through cycles, energies, and sacred seasons. Let me show you the map in the stars.
🔮 Zodiac Whispers – Energies This Month:
♓ Pisces: Dreams are speaking louder now. Write them down. Trust them.
♌ Leo: You’ve dimmed your light for long enough — time to reclaim the stage of your life.
♑ Capricorn: Allow stillness. Your power doesn’t always need to move.
♋ Cancer: Your softness is your magic. Don't let the world harden you.
If your sign wasn’t mentioned — listen anyway. You already know which message is yours.
🧘♀️ Shamanic Grounding Practice (5 Minutes)
Try this gentle ritual today — wherever you are:
Find a quiet corner. Sit or lie down. Place both hands over your heart.
Close your eyes. Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds… Hold for 4… Exhale gently for 6.
Repeat the breath three times, and with every breath, whisper softly to yourself:
“I am here. I am safe. I am whole.”
Visualize a soft golden thread connecting your heart to the Earth below.
Breathe again. Smile softly. You’ve come home to yourself.
You don’t need to do more to be worthy of peace.
You simply need to return to your breath and remember — you are sacred.
📚 A Space Between Worlds
This blog is not just a collection of words. It's a channel — a doorway — a conversation between souls.
Each post is a note from me to you, from energy to energy. If it resonates, it is yours.
You are not random. You are not lost.
You are on a sacred path — and I’m simply here, whispering from the shadows, reminding you to trust it.
#ShamanicWisdom #SacredFeminine #ZodiacHealing #SpiritualReflection #GoodreadsBlog #DivineConnection #AstrologyVibes
July 14, 2025
Whispering Between Pages: An Open Reading to the Women Within My Circle
Lately, I’ve felt the winds shift.
Not in the world around me — but in the space between thoughts, in the energy that radiates quietly from the women I share soul-space with.
Some of you are glowing — your bodies nurturing new life.
Some of you are aching — silently, beautifully, bravely.
Some are dancing in light.
Others are standing in the soft shadows, waiting for something unnamed.
As a modern-day shaman, I don’t need to name names to feel your presence.
You're with me in the margins of my pages,
in the rhythm of my own breath when I write,
and in the sacred stillness between one heartbeat and the next.
I’ve read the skies this week —
and here is what the signs whisper for you:
Aries women, this month is your fire: lean into your passion, even if it burns.
Cancer sisters, tend to your heart. A wave of intuition is coming. Trust it.
Libra goddesses, you’re on the edge of beauty becoming truth — say what you've hidden.
Scorpio moons, something is breaking open: it’s not loss, it’s transformation.
Pisces souls, love will arrive softly — not in fireworks, but in a single deep gaze.
I honour you.
All of you — known and unknown — whose energy has brushed mine, even for a moment.
You are part of the story.
Perhaps even the beginning of it.
💬 Have you felt the shift too?
Which part whispered to you the loudest?
Let it guide you… or simply sit with it. That’s enough.
🖋️
R.
Not in the world around me — but in the space between thoughts, in the energy that radiates quietly from the women I share soul-space with.
Some of you are glowing — your bodies nurturing new life.
Some of you are aching — silently, beautifully, bravely.
Some are dancing in light.
Others are standing in the soft shadows, waiting for something unnamed.
As a modern-day shaman, I don’t need to name names to feel your presence.
You're with me in the margins of my pages,
in the rhythm of my own breath when I write,
and in the sacred stillness between one heartbeat and the next.
I’ve read the skies this week —
and here is what the signs whisper for you:
Aries women, this month is your fire: lean into your passion, even if it burns.
Cancer sisters, tend to your heart. A wave of intuition is coming. Trust it.
Libra goddesses, you’re on the edge of beauty becoming truth — say what you've hidden.
Scorpio moons, something is breaking open: it’s not loss, it’s transformation.
Pisces souls, love will arrive softly — not in fireworks, but in a single deep gaze.
I honour you.
All of you — known and unknown — whose energy has brushed mine, even for a moment.
You are part of the story.
Perhaps even the beginning of it.
💬 Have you felt the shift too?
Which part whispered to you the loudest?
Let it guide you… or simply sit with it. That’s enough.
🖋️
R.
Whispering Between Pages: An Open Reading to the Women Within My Circle
Lately, I’ve felt the winds shift.
Not in the world around me — but in the space between thoughts, in the energy that radiates quietly from the women I share soul-space with.
Some of you are glowing — your bodies nurturing new life.
Some of you are aching — silently, beautifully, bravely.
Some are dancing in light.
Others are standing in the soft shadows, waiting for something unnamed.
As a modern-day shaman, I don’t need to name names to feel your presence.
You're with me in the margins of my pages,
in the rhythm of my own breath when I write,
and in the sacred stillness between one heartbeat and the next.
I’ve read the skies this week —
and here is what the signs whisper for you:
Aries women, this month is your fire: lean into your passion, even if it burns.
Cancer sisters, tend to your heart. A wave of intuition is coming. Trust it.
Libra goddesses, you’re on the edge of beauty becoming truth — say what you've hidden.
Scorpio moons, something is breaking open: it’s not loss, it’s transformation.
Pisces souls, love will arrive softly — not in fireworks, but in a single deep gaze.
I honour you.
All of you — known and unknown — whose energy has brushed mine, even for a moment.
You are part of the story.
Perhaps even the beginning of it.
💬 Have you felt the shift too?
Which part whispered to you the loudest?
Let it guide you… or simply sit with it. That’s enough.
🖋️
R.
Not in the world around me — but in the space between thoughts, in the energy that radiates quietly from the women I share soul-space with.
Some of you are glowing — your bodies nurturing new life.
Some of you are aching — silently, beautifully, bravely.
Some are dancing in light.
Others are standing in the soft shadows, waiting for something unnamed.
As a modern-day shaman, I don’t need to name names to feel your presence.
You're with me in the margins of my pages,
in the rhythm of my own breath when I write,
and in the sacred stillness between one heartbeat and the next.
I’ve read the skies this week —
and here is what the signs whisper for you:
Aries women, this month is your fire: lean into your passion, even if it burns.
Cancer sisters, tend to your heart. A wave of intuition is coming. Trust it.
Libra goddesses, you’re on the edge of beauty becoming truth — say what you've hidden.
Scorpio moons, something is breaking open: it’s not loss, it’s transformation.
Pisces souls, love will arrive softly — not in fireworks, but in a single deep gaze.
I honour you.
All of you — known and unknown — whose energy has brushed mine, even for a moment.
You are part of the story.
Perhaps even the beginning of it.
💬 Have you felt the shift too?
Which part whispered to you the loudest?
Let it guide you… or simply sit with it. That’s enough.
🖋️
R.
June 12, 2025
~Beyond Escapism: How Fantasy Books Can Make Us Better, Braver Humans
When people hear the word fantasy, they often think of dragons, magic, and faraway worlds — and sometimes, they assume it’s all just “escape from reality.” But what if fantasy does more than help us run away from the world? What if it helps us return to it — stronger, wiser, and more open-hearted
Fantasy fiction has the power to do exactly that
Fantasy Isn’t Escape — It’s Exploration
Contrary to the old belief that fantasy is merely a way to avoid real life, modern readers and psychologists alike have found the opposite to be true. Fantasy trains the imagination, and the imagination is the engine behind empathy, problem-solving, and hope
In reading about distant worlds, we gain the ability to look at our own from new perspectives. We ask better questions. We dream bigger. And sometimes, we begin to believe in possibilities we once dismissed
A Story That Reflects Us: Echoes of The Astral War: Vatika
Take, for example, the recently released novel Echoes of The Astral War: Book One – Vatika. On the surface, it’s a sprawling science-fantasy adventure — ancient astral wars, forgotten prophecies, and cosmic legacies. But beneath the surface lies a deeply human journey
The protagonist’s search for truth, identity, and meaning in a universe of chaos mirrors the very same questions many of us face in daily life. Through the trials of the characters, readers are invited to reflect on their own values, fears, and strength.
Discover Vatika on Amazon
What Fantasy Gives Us in the Real World
Emotional Resilience: Facing danger through characters teaches us courage
Empathy: Walking in other worlds helps us walk in other people's shoes
Vision: It stretches our imagination beyond limitation — vital for artists, entrepreneurs, even scientists
Hope: In worlds where darkness exists but can be overcome, we find strength for our own battles
Reading Vatika, for example, is not just about following a storyline. It’s about seeing yourself in those moments of choice, loss, and revelation — and walking away with a clearer understanding of who you are, and who you want to be
Why We Need Fantasy More Than Ever
In a time when the world feels increasingly complex and divided, fantasy can offer something incredibly powerful: perspective. It reminds us that there is more to life than what we see, and that change — both internal and external — is always possible
So no, fantasy isn’t about escaping reality. It’s about preparing for it And sometimes, the key to becoming the best version of ourselves is hidden in a world far, far away. Maybe even in a place called Vatika
Echoes of The Astral War
Fantasy fiction has the power to do exactly that
Fantasy Isn’t Escape — It’s Exploration
Contrary to the old belief that fantasy is merely a way to avoid real life, modern readers and psychologists alike have found the opposite to be true. Fantasy trains the imagination, and the imagination is the engine behind empathy, problem-solving, and hope
In reading about distant worlds, we gain the ability to look at our own from new perspectives. We ask better questions. We dream bigger. And sometimes, we begin to believe in possibilities we once dismissed
A Story That Reflects Us: Echoes of The Astral War: Vatika
Take, for example, the recently released novel Echoes of The Astral War: Book One – Vatika. On the surface, it’s a sprawling science-fantasy adventure — ancient astral wars, forgotten prophecies, and cosmic legacies. But beneath the surface lies a deeply human journey
The protagonist’s search for truth, identity, and meaning in a universe of chaos mirrors the very same questions many of us face in daily life. Through the trials of the characters, readers are invited to reflect on their own values, fears, and strength.
Discover Vatika on Amazon
What Fantasy Gives Us in the Real World
Emotional Resilience: Facing danger through characters teaches us courage
Empathy: Walking in other worlds helps us walk in other people's shoes
Vision: It stretches our imagination beyond limitation — vital for artists, entrepreneurs, even scientists
Hope: In worlds where darkness exists but can be overcome, we find strength for our own battles
Reading Vatika, for example, is not just about following a storyline. It’s about seeing yourself in those moments of choice, loss, and revelation — and walking away with a clearer understanding of who you are, and who you want to be
Why We Need Fantasy More Than Ever
In a time when the world feels increasingly complex and divided, fantasy can offer something incredibly powerful: perspective. It reminds us that there is more to life than what we see, and that change — both internal and external — is always possible
So no, fantasy isn’t about escaping reality. It’s about preparing for it And sometimes, the key to becoming the best version of ourselves is hidden in a world far, far away. Maybe even in a place called Vatika
Echoes of The Astral War
June 10, 2025
A Dream Between the Stars – My First Fantasy Novel
A Dream Between the Stars – My First Fantasy Novel
Dear friends and fellow book lovers,
Ever since I was young, fantasy stories offered me a kind of escape — a place where the impossible felt real, and every battle, friendship, or whispered prophecy meant something beyond the page.
After years of dreaming, writing, deleting, doubting, and dreaming again… I’ve finally taken the leap and released my debut novel:
✨ Echoes of the Astral War – Book One: Vatika
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCD1H2LG
It’s a cosmic tale of memory, destiny, and war — a young man haunted by visions, a mysterious warrior named Vatika, and a universe on the edge of unraveling.
If you enjoy:
Deep character journeys
Celestial magic and world-shifting lore
Unexpected mysteries beyond time
…then this story might be for you.
You can find it here on Goodreads:
👉 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
If you do decide to check it out, I would love to hear your thoughts — even a simple rating or note means the world to a new writer like me.
And if not, thank you anyway for being part of this amazing reading community. 🌙
A small glimpse from the story:
"The stars do not remember names... but they remember choices. And one day, even time will kneel to what you become." ✨
Dear friends and fellow book lovers,
Ever since I was young, fantasy stories offered me a kind of escape — a place where the impossible felt real, and every battle, friendship, or whispered prophecy meant something beyond the page.
After years of dreaming, writing, deleting, doubting, and dreaming again… I’ve finally taken the leap and released my debut novel:
✨ Echoes of the Astral War – Book One: Vatika
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCD1H2LG
It’s a cosmic tale of memory, destiny, and war — a young man haunted by visions, a mysterious warrior named Vatika, and a universe on the edge of unraveling.
If you enjoy:
Deep character journeys
Celestial magic and world-shifting lore
Unexpected mysteries beyond time
…then this story might be for you.
You can find it here on Goodreads:
👉 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
If you do decide to check it out, I would love to hear your thoughts — even a simple rating or note means the world to a new writer like me.
And if not, thank you anyway for being part of this amazing reading community. 🌙
A small glimpse from the story:
"The stars do not remember names... but they remember choices. And one day, even time will kneel to what you become." ✨
June 9, 2025
~From Dream to Pages: How I Brought My Fantasy World to Life
Ever since I was a child, stories were my escape. I found myself dreaming of worlds beyond this one—worlds filled with magic, danger, honor, and heartbreak. But like many dreamers, I never thought I’d actually write one of those stories
Fast forward to today, and here I am, sharing my debut fantasy novel with you
Echoes of The Astral War: Book One Vatika
Echoes of The Astral War: Book One Vatika is more than just a book to me. It’s the result of late nights, rewrites, doubts, and the quiet belief that someone out there might care about these characters as much as I do
I wrote this book for readers who love
Epic quests that feel deeply personal
Characters who carry both swords and secrets
Magic that comes with a price
And above all, a world you can disappear into
Publishing independently wasn’t easy. I didn't have a big publisher or a team—just a passion for storytelling and a wild hope that readers might discover this little world I built
Right now, the book is free on Kindle. Not because I think it's worth nothing—but because I want to give readers a chance to discover it without hesitation. If you enjoy it, your review or word of mouth would mean the world
Thank you for giving an indie author a shot. I truly hope you find something in these pages that stays with you
Fast forward to today, and here I am, sharing my debut fantasy novel with you
Echoes of The Astral War: Book One Vatika
Echoes of The Astral War: Book One Vatika is more than just a book to me. It’s the result of late nights, rewrites, doubts, and the quiet belief that someone out there might care about these characters as much as I do
I wrote this book for readers who love
Epic quests that feel deeply personal
Characters who carry both swords and secrets
Magic that comes with a price
And above all, a world you can disappear into
Publishing independently wasn’t easy. I didn't have a big publisher or a team—just a passion for storytelling and a wild hope that readers might discover this little world I built
Right now, the book is free on Kindle. Not because I think it's worth nothing—but because I want to give readers a chance to discover it without hesitation. If you enjoy it, your review or word of mouth would mean the world
Thank you for giving an indie author a shot. I truly hope you find something in these pages that stays with you
April 29, 2025
Echoes of the Astral War – Now Available on Amazon!
# Echoes of the Astral War – Now Available on Amazon!
The stars are fading, and a forgotten war stirs once more…
My debut epic fantasy novel, *Echoes of the Astral War*, is now live on Amazon!
🗡️ Expect:
- A crumbling empire built on ancient magic
- A mysterious warrior haunted by celestial visions
- Dark prophecies, shifting alliances, and worlds colliding
I wrote this for fans of grimdark fantasy, complex lore, and emotionally driven characters.
Read the blurb, dive into the first pages, and let me know what you think!
📘 [Get it on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F3TQWV72)
Thank you for supporting indie authors — every read, rating, and review means the world!
The stars are fading, and a forgotten war stirs once more…
My debut epic fantasy novel, *Echoes of the Astral War*, is now live on Amazon!
🗡️ Expect:
- A crumbling empire built on ancient magic
- A mysterious warrior haunted by celestial visions
- Dark prophecies, shifting alliances, and worlds colliding
I wrote this for fans of grimdark fantasy, complex lore, and emotionally driven characters.
Read the blurb, dive into the first pages, and let me know what you think!
📘 [Get it on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F3TQWV72)
Thank you for supporting indie authors — every read, rating, and review means the world!
