Mara Valderran's Blog

Book Review: Where Oceans Burn by Casey L. Bond

Taking full advantage of my Kindle Unlimited membership, I decided to pick up Casey L. Bond's Where Oceans Burn duology. You can find my spoiler-filled review below, but I'm going to tell you about the book first since I highly recommend it.

About the Book: With these three virtues, we shall rise. With these three, we shall conquer.Truth. Honor. Blood.
To my people, the sky-reigning Empyreans, Intention Day is sacred... To me, it’s the day my carefully crafted lie crumbles and my truth gives way to...

July's Featured Author: Katie Hamstead (#1)

It seems only fitting that I introduce this series with my dear friend Katie Hamstead. Katie is the author of over a dozen books, including the Historical Romance series KIYA. The first book, KIYA: Hope of the Pharoah is being rereleased this month and the other two books are releasing in coming months. I'm super excited to see these books in print again. When Katie and I did a book signing in Las Vegas years ago, I couldn't stop myself from gushing about her books to potential readers who stopp...

The WFH Mama: Stay at Home Moms and Dads

My husband and I were talking about this Facebook video he saw where the husband was pissed because he was the only one with any income because his wife stayed home with their two year old. This got us talking about Stay at Home Moms and Stay at Home Dads and the stigmas surrounding them. Like, where did this mentality start that says if you’re a stay at home parent, it must mean you’re lazy and don’t want to work? Is it because, all too often, being a stay at home parent is also tied to financi...

#YAIndiePath Series: Blog vs Vlog (4)

In other words, feeling analog in our digital world. 
I mentioned before that marketing is a beast that is always changing and evolving. We’ve gone from text based social media like Twitter and blogs, to more image heavy and visual posts like Instagram and Tumblr, to straight up videos like YouTube and TikTok. 
Did you notice how I didn’t include Facebook in any of those categories? That’s because Facebook has adapted to be more image friendly and to now have Reels like TikTok. Instagram has also ...

The WFH Mama: Working with Active Babies

I should title this one “How to Work from Home with an Active Baby and Stay Sane?”

Did you notice the question mark there? Yea, I’m still trying to figure it out too. But there are a few things I’ve found that have helped. I'm listing the original prices, but I tend to put these things in my shopping cart and wait for sales, and then I piece it all together bit by bit. 
1) A jumper. I have a tall baby, so she’s already at the highest setting and quickly growing out of it. When she does, I’m going ...

#YAIndiePath Series: Newsletters are the Worst (3)

I’m going to be completely honest here: I hate newsletters. I’m guilty of not reading them, and I really don’t like writing them. Or sending them. For some reason, newsletters feel like those credit card or coupon mailers you get. You don’t remember signing up for them or giving your information to someone, and yet you now have this piece of spam in your mailbox trying to sell you on something.

Unfortunately for me, they still look to be a must-have marketing tool for authors from all walks. I re...

TV Review: The Witcher (Season 3 Part 1)

I'm having a really hard time getting through this season. And not just because the kids keep interrupting us every time my husband and I turn on the show after they go to bed. It's not because of the story either. Each episode has been great, just like the seasons before. I could use some more Jaskier in my life, but then again, who couldn't?

No, I'm struggling because I know the end is nigh. At least, it is for Henry Cavill as Geralt. Funny anecdote on that topic: My husband didn't realize Liam...

Braddock

 

Meet the Heirs of War Characters

Want to know more about the characters of Heirs of War? You can find the family trees of the ruling Duillaine Banair below, along with a list of supporting characters. Click on the character images below to view their character cards.  

FireBanair Nandalia - Arland (Husband) 

Children:Nolan - Isauria      Zelene - Ariana   
WaterBanair Meridel - Leone (Husband)  
Children:Terrena - Rhaya  

AirBanair Solanna - Devland (Husband)  

Children:Daughter (Missing) - Mira 

EarthBanair Sylvanna - Morissey (Husband)  

Ch...

Sheridan