A grandmotherly necromancer seeking resolution for her past with the help of her loyal entourage: an undead cat and a spectral knight.
A girl on the run from the Eternal Empire for the mysterious power she possesses.
When a chance encounter pulls them together, Gam Gam will do what it takes to protect Mina from the rogue sergeant hounding her–including raising the dead. As long as they’re dressed for the occasion.
Cosy fantasy seems to be the ‘in’ thing right now but I’m not sure I would call A Necromancer Called Gam Gam a cosy fantasy as many other reviewers have done. Yes, there is a cosy warm-hearted relationship at the centre of the story, but there is also the gut-wrenching grief felt by a twelve-year-old girl who has just lost her beloved father, not once but twice, having just got her hopes up that he might be returned to her only to have them dashed. There is fear of her own powers which she believes are the reason for his murder. At the time that she meets the wonderful grandmotherly character, Gam Gam she is terrified – running for her life through the woods from soldiers intent on capturing her in order to use her powers as a weapon. There is also empathetic sadness when she learns of Gam Gam’s grandchildren’s untimely deaths.
I really enjoyed the relationship between the child, Mina and Gam Gam and the easy way Gam Gam recognized another soul in torment who needed an adult to lean on and immediately took her on without question. I also loved the undead animal companion, Nugget!
Gam Gam giving her risen dead warriors rewards in the form of knitted hats, scarves or socks that they didn’t need, but really wanted, was a highlight for me.
I definitely didn’t expect there to be as much story as there was in such a short book and applaud the author for packing an exciting and enjoyable story with unique and engaging characters (both main and side) into a small number of pages. I really hope we will see more of Gam Gam and Mina in the future!
About the Author
Adam Holcombe daylights as a programmer and moonlights as an author. After spending years toying with the idea of writing, he decided to fully commit and work toward releasing his first novel.
Then Gam Gam got in the way, and his first novel became his first novella. The novel will come later.
When he’s not locking himself in a cold basement to type away, he can be found squishing his dog (but not too hard), squawking at his tortoise (but not too loudly), goofing off with his wife (in perfectly ordinary, non-weird ways), DMing for his friends (I even got to play as a character a couple times!), or the usual chilling at home. He is a lover of books, board games, video games, and swords.
Adam is currently working on more Gam Gam stories, as well as the launch of a Sci-Fi series with the novel Bounty Inc.
Today I am welcoming Karl Forshaw into the Indie Spotlight.
Karl Forshaw was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. After a successful career as a contract software developer and all the travel that came with it, he settled down on the edge of the countryside with his wife, children, and dog, where he now resides. He writes from his basement to a soundtrack of obscure music, drinking too much coffee and watching his fish grow.
What made you decide to publish your books independently? What was your path to publication?
It was an easy decision to self publish, but it boiled down to a few things really: I wanted to have complete control over what I write and publish, and keep all the rights to my work. I also wanted to experience the whole publishing process, from working directly with editors and proofreaders, the cover design, and even the printing. I’ve always been a sucker for a well made book, so I wanted to be able to nitpick over decisions like what paper to print on, or whether or not I had embossing on the cover. Overall I’m very happy with how it turned out, but it was a big push to make it all come together.
What made you decide to write in your specific genre rather than other genres? Have you ever written in other genres?
Renia has been called a “genre-blendy” book. I’m not sure it fits easily into the Fantasy box. It has elements of Steampunk, Mystery, Horror – I think I must have gone quite mad actually, now that I think about it. I do read a lot of Sci-Fi and Grimdark stuff, and I have a love for weird Fantasy – China Miéville’s Bas Lag trilogy had a massive impact on me as a younger bloke. I think Perdido Street Station is somewhere close to a perfect book for me, so perhaps that’s where my mind went when I decided to write Renia. The best thing about writing Fantasy is that there’s very little research to do. You just dream up whatever weird and wonderful (or dreadful) things you can and start typing. I do have a couple of dystopian stories in the works. One of them would qualify as Sci-Fi, but for the time being Luna Ruinam 2 is my primary project.
Do you only read the genre that you write?
No, not at all. I’ll read anything. I’ve not often read a book from cover to cover and found nothing inspiring in it. Everything has its wonder. One of the great things about publishing a book yourself is that it gives you a deeper appreciation for the amount of work that goes into one.
What are you currently reading? Watching on TV? Is there a type of music you listen to for inspiration?
Right now, I’m reading Titandeath by Guy Haley, it’s one of the later books in the Horus Heresy series and so far it’s fantastic, but all his work is. I’m also reading an interesting book about alchemy called The Philosophers’ Stone, which is giving me lots of ideas. I’m hoping to do a bit of an indie readathon this year as I have made a lot of new friends in the scene. I’ve particularly enjoyed J.C.M Berne’s Hybrid Helix series and I’ve been lucky enough to read two of Rex Burke’s books too. As for TV… I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I do listen to music. Anything goes, really – from cinematic stuff to heavy metal. I just discovered an amazing new vocalist named Dino Jelusick – I think he might have one of the best rock voices I’ve ever heard.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Grit your teeth! It’s a marathon. Writing a book is an incredibly difficult and emotional journey. There will be times when you wonder why you’re doing it, if you’ll ever finish it, or if anyone will even care when it’s done. Stay the course. If you manage to touch even one person with your work, all of those feelings will abate, and you’ll have this wonderful thing in your hands that came out of your head.
What are you working on right now and what can we look forward to seeing from you next?
I’m working on Luna Ruinam 2, and planning a series of short stories based in the same world that I will publish for free. They will hopefully be episodic, but I’m still trying to figure out how to make that work. I’m out of the habit of doing actual writing at the moment after setting everything up for Renia’s release, so it’s slow going, but I’m getting there! There are also a couple of other stories in my head, as I mentioned. I don’t have much down on the page as of yet, but one is a Sci-Fi novel written from the POV of an AI, and the other is a dystopian drama about a man who is struggling to find a place for himself in what’s left of the world. All grim stuff… maybe I should do something about that.
Thank you so much for taking part in the Indie Spotlight, today, Karl. I wish you every success with your books!
Thank you for having me!
Renia
The Halls of Venn are the seat of both knowledge and power in the great continent of Luna Ruinam. Renia, a scribe with a tragic past, spends her days expertly copying books that do little to satiate her desire for knowledge. When a fateful commission lands on her desk, she finds herself tasked with transcribing a book coveted by assassins from the southern continent. Its theft throws the scribing halls into chaos and threatens to destroy the fragile peace that exists between their nations. Haunted by dreams of her past, Renia must learn to master her impulses and awaken her long-dormant magical abilities if she is to prevent war. Fate, it would seem, is eager to grant her wishes. Yet she must risk everything to pursue it, and pay the bloody price it demands.
“This book was just utterly captivating from start to finish and I honestly can’t wait to read whatever else this author puts out next. With a debut that’s this bold and strong, I have no doubts that Forshaw is going to be an author to watch!” — Esmay Rosalyne
“Forshaw’s prose was beautiful. It wasn’t overly flowery, but it was moving and touching, and each character had a distinct voice and attitude, bringing their narration alive.” — Booksblabbering || Cait❣️
“Part twisting mystery, part pure fantasy, Renia rattles along,leaving you chuckling one moment before punching you in the gut the next, and never sure what to expect on each fresh page. With a whole world outside the Halls still to explore, Forshaw and his creations are definitely one to watch.” — Sean Cregan, author of The Razor Gate.
BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists and one overall winner. If you are an author and wish to learn more about the BBNYA competition, you can visit the official website http://www.bbnya.com or Twitter @bbnya_official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads. Today I am reviewing the third-place finalist, Sunbolt by Intisar Khanani, a middle-grade/young adult fantasy.
Publisher: Purple Monkey Press Length: 152 Pages Genre: Fantasy Age Category: Middle Young Adult Date Published: 17 June 2013
The winding streets and narrow alleys of Karolene hide many secrets, and Hitomi is one of them. Orphaned at a young age, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude and who her parents really were. Most of all, she must conceal her role in the Shadow League, an underground movement working to undermine the powerful and corrupt Arch Mage Wilhelm Blackflame.
When the League gets word that Blackflame intends to detain—and execute—a leading political family, Hitomi volunteers to help the family escape. But there are more secrets at play than Hitomi’s, and much worse fates than execution. When Hitomi finds herself captured along with her charges, it will take everything she can summon to escape with her life.
Sunbolt is a short book, but it packs a punch and I found it to be a quick, yet highly enjoyable and exciting read, starting right away with a chase through the market. The pace was fast and the world of the market came to life in the description of its vibrant colour and smells of fish and the other items for sale. The author’s world-building skills are excellently showcased right from the start of this book.
Told entirely from the point of view of a fifteen year old female ‘honest thief’ and orphan called Hitomi, a member of the mysterious and secretive Shadow League, we learn that an important family is about to be arrested and the League plans to get them to safety before their arrest. I instantly liked Hitomi, she was brave, but not fearless. We could feel her vulnerability when she was being chased by the guards, her feeling of not fitting in with the locals, since she was not born in the city of Karolene, where the story takes place, but had moved there with her family five years before, becoming an orphan soon afterwards. Her appearance makes her stand out and she is treated as different by everyone she meets.
For all that Sunbolt is only 152 pages, it almost contains two separate stories linked by virtue of having the same protagonist. After the rescue attempt goes spectacularly wrong, Hitomi is captured, along with the children of the diplomat and taken to the home of the evil antagonist, Blackflame where she instantly begins working on ways to free them and herself from the cages they are locked up in.
At this point the magical and supernatural elements of this world come to the fore. We already know that Hitomi has magic but she believes herself untrained and keeps it a secret. When her captor, Blackflame, is done with Hitomi she is gifted to the evil Fang lord, Kol (a vampire).
The second story thread begins in Kol’s castle where she meets Val, a dangerous Breather, or soul sucker and James the werewolf. Her life depends on making a terrifying and unlikely alliance and learning to believe in her powers!
In addition there is travel by portal, blood magic, the introduction of a mystery surrounding Hitomi’s mother and what seems to be the beginnings of a heartwarming mentor/student relationship and the scene is set for what looks to be an exciting YA fantasy series!
Author Bio
Intisar Khanani grew up a nomad and world traveler. She has lived in five different states as well as in Jeddah, on the coast of the Red Sea. Intisar used to write grants and develop projects to address community health and infant mortality with the Cincinnati Health Department, which was as close as she could get to saving the world. Now she focuses her time on her two passions: raising her family and writing fantasy. She is the author of The Sunbolt Chronicles, and the Dauntless Path novels, beginning with Thorn.
Book Title: Only Prince Charming Gets to Break the Rules: Gender and Rule Violation in Fairy Tales and Life by Anne E. Beall Category: Adult Non-Fiction (18+), 148 pages Genre: Feminist, Fairy Tales, Literary Criticism Publisher: Independent Publishing Release date: Oct 2022 Tour dates: April 24 to May 15, 2023 Content Rating: PG + M. Some mature themes, some characters are executed for their transgressions, some violence
Explore the fascinating link between gender stereotypes in fairy tales and real-world life with Only Prince Charming Gets to Break the Rules: Gender and Rule Violation in Fairy Tales and Life. This thought-provoking book carefully analyzes 200 folktales and fairy tales from around the world, uncovering a universal disparity in how male and female characters are punished for breaking the rules. Through a blend of thorough research and literary investigation, the book sheds light on how these stereotypes affect our families, politics, and education. A powerful feminist critique of social norms, this academic yet accessible exploration shows how our most cherished tales shape our cultures.
The subtitle of this book is “Gender and Rule Violation in Fairy Tales and Life” and in it Anne E. Beall, PhD. collects together a huge number of folktales and fairytales from all over the world and analyses them against a set of principles she and her team have devised.
The research is meticulous, employing data analysis and statistics to prove her theories, which she lays out in the form of an extensive amount of tables for her readers to share. Anne is a successful business leader in the field of market research and her experience shines through as she presents her findings. She compares the results she uncovers with real-world situations such as well-known teenage rape cases and the way victims/perpetrators are treated along with the language used towards each, the unequal length of prison sentences for men and women committing similar crimes, and attitudes towards Hilary Clinton/Donald Trump during the presidential candidate debates, which proved to be fascinating.
The result is a thought-provoking read, whose results are not all that surprising (and somewhat given away by the title), but go to show that our fairytales may well be sending out strong messages to children of how the different genders “ought” to behave and how differently from one another they will be punished/rewarded as a result of societal expectations.
Thank you to the author, and Lauren at iRead for providing me with a paperback copy to review and the information for this tour.My review is honest and my opinions are my own.
💥💥 USA onlyGiveaway!!💥💥
Win a copy of Cinderella Didn’t Live Happily Ever After and Only Prince Charming Gets to Break the Rules (one winner) USA only – ends May 22nd 2023
Anne E. Beall is an award-winning author whose books have been featured in People Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Toronto Sun, Hers Magazine, Ms. Career Girl, and she’s been interviewed by NBC, NPR, and WGN. Her book, Cinderella Didn’t Live Happily Ever After: The Hidden Messages in Fairy Tales won a Gold award from Literary Titan. And her Heartfelt Connections book was named one of the top 100 Notable Indie books in 2016 by Shelf Unbound. She received her PhD in social psychology from Yale University and is the founder of the strategic market-research firm, Beall Research.
Welcome to Cruxil, the planet adjacent to Earth, where horses can fly, dinosaurs exist, and magic is real. When my sister and I went to Grandma’s for the weekend, I expected to spend my time playing games, eating sweets, and trying not to die from boredom. Little did I know that I’d spend the evening being chased by a dinosaur, attacked by a hydra, much less that I’d cap the night facing off with a giant frog. I thought Grandma Mimi was a sweet, eccentric old lady with a walking stick and a penchant for gossip. And boy, was I wrong.
My Grandmother the Dinosaur Hunter is a middle-grade short story featuring a fearless grandmother who is able to travel through a woodland portal to a neighbouring planet which has a monster problem that, as guardian, is Grandma Mimi’s responsibility to police. Told in first person perspective by her grandson, the story follows her exploits ridding the native population of these terrifying beasts.
The relationship between Grandma Mimi and her two charges was loving and she had nothing but praise for them for following her through the portal to its dangerous destination, hinting that they were going to make great protogé guardians for her to train.
“When I opened my eyes again, Nora was already seated behind Grandma Mimi, waving at me to let go, while my Grandma, the sweet lady with the quirky personality everyone adored, poked the dinosaur with the large spear.”
The children took everything in their stride and remained remarkably calm despite the unexpected circumstances they found themselves in. When Grandma gets injured the nameless grandson screws up his courage and takes over from his grandmother as guardian. He bravely heads off on the pegasus to close the breach through which monsters are arriving.
“The breach was an ugly pale-yellow shimmer between two large boulders. It hung mid-air like an inflamed wound. The edges were puckered and a darker shade of yellow. I’d thought piercing it with the spear would be easy, that all I’d need was to raise the spear and thrust. I was wrong.”
Full of fun banter from Grandma Mimi who rides a black pegasus and carries a walking stick that turns into a spear as her weapon of choice, this exciting adventure story kicks off almost immediately, with fast-paced action, and its characters will grab the hearts of middle-grade readers.
About the Author
I’m a freelance writer, a blogger, a mother, a baker, a chocolate fiend, a coffee enthusiast, and sometimes a poet. A wanderer in this vast world, I’m just another body with a passion for the written word. There is no boundary I can’t cross, no limit I can’t push; my mind is my passport, my thoughts my mode of transportation.
I was born and raised in a quiet, small town in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where I’ve had a happy and fulfilling childhood.
Like most writers out there, my love of books began at a young age, with comic books and alphabet poetry two of my favorite and earliest memories. Growing up, I wasn’t an awkward kid, and I didn’t prefer books to people. Unlike most authors out there, I never aspired to become one.
Soon after high school graduation I developed a chronic disease that caused gradual vision loss. I was blind at the age of twenty-three, and reading became one of many things I could no longer do.
That is, until I learned about screen readers. I picked up reading with vengeance, but soon realized it was no longer enough, and so I started writing.
When I’m not writing or networking on social media, you can find me in the kitchen, listening to loud music while baking (often misshapen) goodies, or cooking favorite dishes.
Title: Unpainted Author: Dan Fitzgerald Publisher: Dragonheart Press (author’s imprint) Publication Date: June 30, 2023 Total Pages: approximately 200
In the hermetic society of the Painted Faces, pale, unblemished skin is rewarded with station, wealth, and power.
Tera would almost rather go unpainted than enter into an arranged marriage with a total stranger, but that would mean giving up the only life she’s ever known. Not to mention her share of her family’s Pureline fortune.
She’d always thought love was a fairy tale and sex a joyless chore, but the alternative might be worse.
Enter Aven, a soft buttercup of a man, the kindest and most considerate person she’s ever met. A tropical honeymoon awaits, and with the help of her intimacy consultant, Tera is determined to make the best of this awkward ritual. Amid the island breezes, she and her new spouse form a bond neither of them knew they were capable of.
But trouble stirs beneath the polite veneer of the Painted Faces’ society, threatening to tear them—and their entire world—apart.
Unpainted is a queer arranged marriage fantasy romance, a standalone in the Weirdwater Confluence universe. It features a dual POV, magical currency shenanigans, and inordinate amounts of steamy, fluffy goodness with a soft femdom dynamic. Coming June 30, 2023.
Content warnings
Unpainted contains numerous explicit, consensual sex scenes, including light bondage and sex toys, as well as drug use and minor violence.
Author’s note: Unpainted has cameos from several characters in The Living Waters and The Isle of a Thousand Worlds but contains no spoilers, and no prior knowledge of these books is required to enjoy Unpainted.
And now the part you have been waiting for – the gorgeous cover, which is designed by the author himself! Dan is a man of many talents.
Advanced Review Copies are available, simply click here and fill out the form.
Let’s Meet the Author
Fantasy and romance author of the Maer Cycle trilogy (low-magic fantasy) the Weirdwater Confluence duology (sword-free romantic fantasy), and the in-progress Time Before Trio (spicy romantic fantasy). The Time Before Trio will include The Delve (a smutty dungeon crawl, out now), Wings so Soft (an owl-themed fantasy romance, August 2023), and Cloti’s Song (a poly fantasy romance, November 2023).
I also have two short romances coming out in the next year: Unpainted (a queer arranged marriage fantasy romance coming June 2023, a standalone in the world of the Weirdwater Confluence) and Jagged Shard (an enby/sapphic dungeon crawl fantasy romance coming early 2024, a standalone in the Time Before featuring characters from The Delve)
I write non-epic fantasy books, mostly romantic, in which you will find:
Mystery. Darkness. Wonder. Action. Romance. Otherness examined and deconstructed. Queer and straight characters living and fighting side by side. Imaginary creatures and magic with a realistic touch.
What you won’t find in my books:
Wholesale slaughter. Sexual assault. Unquestioned sexism or discrimination. Evil races. Irredeemable villains. Predestined heroes. An ancient darkness that threatens to overspread the land.
Today is my stop on the blog tour for Mother Knows Worst by Sofia Bella Roma, organised by iRead Book Tours. There is a US only giveaway further down this post, so be sure to enter if you are in the US and would like a chance to win a copy!
Book Title: Mother Knows Worst by Sofia Bella Roma Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 280 pages Genre: Literary Fiction, Novel Publisher: Mascot Books Release date: December 2022 Tour dates: Apr 24 to May 12, 2023 Content Rating: PG -13
After trying her hand at acting, Rose decides to change career paths and enter law school.
She enrolls in law school in a sleepy New England town, only to find that the practice of law is not all she will study. This quirky thirty-something Italian girl falls in love when she lays eyes on Anil, a handsome intellectual from India. The two discover a deep connection and quickly begin a romantic relationship. What could go wrong as their romance blossoms? Their future looks bright. They have each other. They have great friends. They also have Anil’s mother. Inspired by true events, Mother Knows Worstis a humorous and heartfelt novel. Rose is on a path to finding herself, love, and relationships, taking the reader on a delightful and often comedic journey as she explores two cultural worlds colliding.
“Author Sofia Bella Roma tells an absorbing story about two people from very different backgrounds falling in love and struggling to navigate the circumstances and people around them. Infusing romance, humor, and plenty of drama, Roma weaves an engaging narrative that keeps hold of the reader until the last page. Mother Knows Worst is not just a dramatic comedy but also a novel that showcases the challenges people sometimes face in adapting to other cultures, especially in relationships involving in-laws. The characters have their own idiosyncrasies, which make them very intriguing to read. Rose and Anil’s dynamic feels genuine, as do their respective struggles and conflicts. Recommended to readers who savor drama novels revolving around relationships.” – Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite
“A lively, thought-provoking journey into one young woman’s marriage, cross-cultural encounters, and life. Mother Knows Worst is recommended not just for novel readers seeking stories of women’s experiences, but for reading groups interested in the psychological entanglements between different cultures and generations.” – Reviewed by Midwest Book Reviews
💥💥 USA only Giveaway!! 💥💥
Win a signed copy of MOTHER KNOWS WORST by Sofia Bella Roma – one winner; USA only. Ends May 19th.
Sofia Bella Roma is a lawyer in North Carolina. She has been practicing law since 2009. She was first licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and then went on to become a licensed attorney in North Carolina. Sofia has spent most of her career telling stories. She regularly performs to judges when litigating her cases. Mother Knows Worst is Sofia’s debut novel. This book tackles common problems in relationships and takes on mother-in-law drama with a quirky point of view. Sofia knows firsthand about difficult relationships since she has been practicing law as a divorce attorney. She currently lives with her son and their pet lizard. She has a love for the arts and enjoys making people laugh.
Today I am welcoming Ashley Anglin into the Indie Spotlight.
The first real novel Ashley Bevilacqua Anglin read, age 6ish, was The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Never looking back, she’s still hanging out with valiant female protagonists at the intersection of contemporary fantasy, climate fiction, and the spiritual. Her passion for storytelling led her to a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and Linguistics. Her short stories and poetry have appeared in Panthology, also from Shadow Spark; in Everything Change, Vol. I (as runner-up in ASU Imagination and Climate Futures Initiative’s Climate Fiction Short Story Contest); and online in Miniskirt, Minison, Full Mood, and Tree and Stone magazines. Ashley lives with her Jamerican family in Virginia, where she is a longtime community college professor of Italian and Spanish. You can find her previous work (including other glimpses of the Undiscovered world) at https://linktr.ee/ashleyb.anglin.
Welcome to my blog, Ashley,
What made you decide to publish your books independently? What was your path to publication?
At first, I did query agents and some of the traditional publishers that are open to unagented writers; I got some requests and encouraging feedback, but ultimately no offers. After about a year, I reached the realization that even if/when this book did ever land an agent, finding a publisher for my strange little beauty would still be far from guaranteed, and would take lots more time. I wanted my story out in the world.
At the same time, I found self-publishing intimidating–I didn’t know where to start. So when I got the chance, I submitted the manuscript to a small indie house, Shadow Spark Publishing. Finally, my genre-blending book that was also “too long” for trad pub found an excited welcome. Working with a relatively new, small indie press combines elements of trad and self-publishing. I’ve found a great community here and I’m learning a lot.
What made you decide to write in your specific genre rather than other genres? Have you ever written in other genres?
The first real novels I read were those of C.S. Lewis and Tolkien, and it was love at first read. The first “short story” I wrote, age 7, was a Narnia-style fanfic with flower shapeshifters and a talking kitten. So I guess I picked my lane early! I’ve always written things with at least a touch of the speculative.
Climate fiction became an important part of my writing life in 2015, but I still manage to put a touch of the fantastical even into things that are more science fiction. Undiscovered is a total SFF mash-up; it’s been interesting to see which readers characterize it as more of a sci fi novel, or more contemporary fantasy/fabulism. And it’s romantic (but not a “romance”), with a strong women’s fiction angle. No wonder it wasn’t an obvious pick for trad pub…
In the last year or so, I’ve also published a bit of poetry–after realizing that I think about my prose sentences and phrases in essentially a poetic way anyhow, I decided to go for it! And I have my first short creative nonfiction piece coming out soon as well.
Do you only read the genre that you write?
I read a much wider range of genres than I write. I’m open to lots of things that are not too dark or graphic (and even then, I can be persuaded by works with a beautiful heart and amazing voice). Lately, I’ve been quite into uplifting nonfiction about nature, women’s history and more.
What are you currently reading? Watching on TV? Is there a type of music you listen to for inspiration?
Currently reading Steering the Craft, by the great Ursula K. Le Guin. It’s a short volume on her approach to storytelling. As the author of the first truly woman-centric and feminist fantasy and sci fi books I ever read, she’s always been a massive inspiration.
My favorite TV shows right now are Ted Lasso and Marvelous Mrs. Maisel–both all about smart writing, full of fascinating and admirable women (and fabulous costumes, also a weakness of mine). And I have such a soft spot for Grogu, from The Mandalorian! He is life and love.
As for music, I can’t listen to anything more than ambient soundtracks (like spa music or water sounds) while I write; I’m the kind of language person who is very attuned to rhythm and pitches, so I’ll be too distracted even by instrumental music. However, during the part of writing that happens while I’m doing housework, taking a walk, etc–that all-important daydreaming piece!–I do love listening to music. Currently on repeat have been Florence and the Machine (water-centric, like my climate fiction and selkie/mermaid stories! And so vulnerable yet strong), Bomba Estéreo (especially the nature-focused Deja), and Anaïs Mitchell (whose stunningly poetic and deep lyrics reflect a mature femininity I recognize). Also, Cirque du Soleil soundtracks, particularly O, but that relates to question #6…
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Not that I really consider myself in a position to give advice, but here’s a reminder I’ve been giving myself a lot. Whether trad or indie, publishing is a business like any other, and things that are similar to what the audience already knows will always be the easiest to sell. Since my stuff is quite thematically unusual, as well as literary in style, it doesn’t necessarily have that obvious commercial draw. The further outside the mainstream your work falls, the bigger the challenge to find a publication venue and readers who’ll love it. But that takes nothing away from the validity of the story!
There’s this book with a 3.8 on Goodreads that I’ve reread so many times. I recommend it constantly, to people–even well-read fantasy buffs–who usually have not heard of it. It’s simply not for everyone. But if I’m honest, I’d rather work toward belonging in the company of this book, than a more commercially popular one that has a ton of 5-stars, yet didn’t spark joy in me. So I try to keep that in mind. By the way, in the estimation of no less than Le Guin, this book–Little, Big, by John Crowley–“all by itself calls for a redefinition of fantasy.” If that’s not a goal, what is?
What are you working on right now and what can we look forward to seeing from you next?
At the moment, I have a short story (related to Undiscovered) and a novella (not) both out seeking their places in the world. I always keep an updated list of those publications on my linktree, for anyone who’s curious (https://linktr.ee/ashleyb.anglin). Lots of them are online and free to read. And I’m wrestling a big, weird second novel set in the world of Undiscovered, featuring members of the same family about 25 years later. That’s where the O soundtrack comes into play: one of the original characters has run away to join an ocean-going circus of her own making… which I think I’ll just leave here as a vague teaser!
Thank you for joining me today in the Indie Spotlight, Ashley. Good luck with your books!
Undiscovered
Sometimes truth is stranger than folktales.
Bilingualism and plate tectonics were the only kinds of shapeshifting Arden Araujo’s troubled geoscientist dad prepared her for. But it turns out, the outlandish prediction that wrecked his career–a devastating North Sea tsunami–might not be the unlikeliest truth he took to his grave.
In the 2097 tsunami’s aftermath, environmental first responder Arden expects her mission in hard-hit northeast Scotland to involve the usual grunt work, maybe a little freediving if she’s lucky. Instead, she stumbles upon a critically endangered species of Orkney and Shetland legend, hiding in plain sight among the refugees.
They trust that she can help restore their kind, despite storms, aftershocks, and policy decisions way beyond her pay grade. Increasingly at home on the shores of their life-giving sea, she may have found her calling; true love might not be a mere children’s story either. Yet the deeper she’s immersed in their tale, the less sure she feels that she’s the right hero to protect the hidden treasure of their existence.
UNDISCOVERED is a unique sci fi/fantasy fusion: climate fiction, hopeful fabulism, and a feminist hero’s journey, told in lyrical prose (and occasional Spanglish).
Bilingualism and plate tectonics were the only kinds of shapeshifting Arden Araujo’s troubled geoscientist dad prepared her for. But it turns out, the outlandish prediction that wrecked his career–a devastating North Sea tsunami–might not be the unlikeliest truth he took to his grave.
In the 2097 tsunami’s aftermath, environmental first responder Arden expects her mission in hard-hit northeast Scotland to involve the usual grunt work, maybe a little freediving if she’s lucky. Instead, she stumbles upon a critically endangered species of Orkney and Shetland legend, hiding in plain sight among the refugees.
They trust that she can help restore their kind, despite storms, aftershocks, and policy decisions way beyond her pay grade. Increasingly at home on the shores of their life-giving sea, she may have found her calling; true love might not be a mere children’s story either. Yet the deeper she’s immersed in their tale, the less sure she feels that she’s the right hero to protect the hidden treasure of their existence.
Set in the near future, Undiscovered contains a number of futuristic gadgets and forms of transport making it more a work of science fiction than fantasy, despite the mythical selkies who are it’s starring characters. It has also been described as climate fiction which seems appropriate since the action begins after a tsunami in 2097, where the main character, Arden Araujo has been sent to Scotland as part of the first response team dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy. Refugees are being targeted by human traffickers and she is determined to save whoever she can.
With this book, the author appears to be sending a message about humanity needing to clean up our destructive acts towards the environment before it’s too late:
“What kept me up at night for years after was the undiscovered places, creatures, plants, gone before we ever saw them. Cures meant for us to find, burned to ash in the former rainforest without saving a single life. Marine flora or fauna with something to teach us, but we poisoned it before seeing its face or giving it a name.”
Arden is a fabulous character. She has had a hard life, never met her mother, her father died, she married young and ended childless and divorced. To counter all of this she has thrown herself into her work which is as an unskilled ‘generalist’ environmentalist. Her career is not really progressing, despite her obvious tenacity and bravery. In the aftermath of the tsunami, she discovers that selkies, creatures of folktales and songs really exist and that their habitat has been damaged beyond repair, driving them to live more amongst humans than they have ever needed to. She is drawn to them without realizing why and when she does find out the reason her whole perspective on her past and future life suddenly changes and immediately becomes more meaningful.
I really enjoyed this story of an endangered species doing everything possible to cling on and remain viable, despite Mother Nature and inconsiderate humans doing their damnedest to wipe them out. I really liked their ability to pass on memories and feelings through touch. The most important thing to the selkies was their familial relationships and, being very long-lived, these were extremely convoluted and interconnected. However, I did find it difficult to follow all of the connections and kept wishing for a family tree diagram to help me figure things out.
Another problem I had was that not being a Spanish speaker, I found the combination of English and Spanish mashed together into a futuristic language used between Arden and her best friend Vega quite confusing and difficult to follow.
Apart from those niggles I thought Undiscovered was a well-written and often emotional story and I would recommend it to people who enjoy character-driven futuristic stories based in myths and folktales.
About the Author
The first real novel Ashley Bevilacqua Anglin read, age 6ish, was The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Never looking back, she’s still hanging out with valiant female protagonists at the intersection of contemporary fantasy, climate fiction, and the spiritual. Her passion for storytelling led her to a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and Linguistics. Her short stories and poetry have appeared in Panthology, also from Shadow Spark; in Everything Change, Vol. I (as runner-up in ASU Imagination and Climate Futures Initiative’s Climate Fiction Short Story Contest); and online in Miniskirt, Minison, Full Mood, and Tree and Stone magazines. Ashley lives with her Jamerican family in Virginia, where she is a longtime community college professor of Italian and Spanish. You can find her previous work (including other glimpses of the Undiscovered world) at https://linktr.ee/ashleyb.anglin.
Unicorns don’t exist, and dragons aren’t real, but the Fae are. And they are to be feared.
Or so the tales say.
As the sole sorceress within the Lion King’s court and kingdom, Isolde is valued for her power, provided she fulfills the king’s commands.
Her task? Deal with a child who has emerged from a forest no one has returned from in over one hundred years. As Isolde works to fulfill her order, accompanied by her nameless guardian, she’ll encounter a creature she’s only heard of through myth and legend…
The Sparrow and the Oak Tree is a romantic fantasy (romantasy?) retelling of the classic tragedy of Tristan and Isolde. In this version of the courtly love story, the couple are a fae and a sorceress, respectively and are brought together by Tristan’s need for a sorceress to help him rid his forest of ‘a sickness’ which I will not go into as it could be considered a spoiler. To the fae the power of a real name is absolute, so he calls himself Oak, and Isolde is equally wary to give away her real name, so uses the nickname she earned at court: Sparrow. A feeling of fairytale unreality pervades the story right from the beginning and there is a sense that anything could happen in this world and that concrete explanations are not really needed.
A mystery is introduced at the beginning of the book. The King has ordered his only sorceress on a mission to investigate a strange child who has come out of the forest and presented himself at the town of Perdition. No one has come from the forest alive for over a hundred years, so who can this child possibly be and what is his intent? The King wants him destroyed and Sparrow is given the task. A bodyguard who calls himself Bear is accompanying Sparrow on her mission, but little do they suspect that before long they will end up deep within the forest, battling for their lives and discussing how much the fae should not be trusted.
I enjoyed the easy relationship between Sparrow and Bear. They had only known each other for a couple of weeks but their conversation was relaxed and felt natural, as if they had quickly built up a rapport and trusted one another. I loved Bear’s steady, fatherlike character. He was determined to protect Sparrow’s honour as well as her life, despite it becoming clear as the story developed that her heart might have already been captured and her honour was probably a lost cause.
The scenes between Sparrow and Oak were smoulderingly sexy as the author draws out their attraction and makes them wait for as long as possible. Bear seems to have a knack for knowing exactly when to interrupt them and where to find them. Even his horse gets in on the action, accompanying Sparrow in the garden when Oak hopes to find her alone. Some of these scenes seem to have a tongue-in-cheek sense of wry humour as Oak sets Sparrow’s heart on fire while wiping pieces of gore off her skin and hair. Oak has been alone since his mother left him and at many hundreds of years old, his lack of experience entertaining guests or holding conversations helps to highlight his lonely existence. No wonder he falls head over heels for the first female who comes along! He is a being of nature and trees and plants respond to him, growing and flowering at a flick of his hand. He also has a woody scent and unseasonable warmth about him which, when added to his appearance, help make him irresistible to Sparrow. His connection to his forest home is deeper than he is letting on – his health dependent on that of the forest, which is well-depicted and easy to imagine – the world-building in this book is solidly descriptive.
Sparrow is the only character whose scenes are written from first person perspective and this helps the reader share some deeper insight into how she is feeling about her companions. She is somewhat taken by surprise by the strength of her desire for Oak and cannot be sure if this is a real feeling or one brought upon her by the fae’s magic.
I do have a couple of negative things to say about the pacing. I felt the part in the forest where the three characters were traveling to its centre was a little drawn out and occasionally repetitive, whereas the discovery in the centre of the forest could have been a more dramatic ‘big reveal’ after all the time and effort they had spent getting there. I didn’t really feel like I understood completely what had happened to Oak when he collapsed and why he didn’t think he would ever be well again. However, these are minor complaints which did not stop me from enjoying the story as a whole.
The Sparrow and The Oak Tree was an easy and enjoyable read with plenty of ‘will they won’t they’ anticipation, leading up to some spicy entanglement. If you enjoy retellings of classic stories with a twist give this one a try!
I was sent a complimentary review copy of this book by the author. Thank you Jamie! My review is honest and my opinions are my own.
About the Author
Jamie lives with her husband, three feral children and two badly behaved dogs.
Her favorite pastimes are watching too many documentaries, reading any and all genres she can get her hands on, and when she remembers to get the ingredients, baking.
She has BAs in English and Theatre, her favorite part of which was working backstage on traveling Broadway productions.
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