Guest Review: Starcross Manor by Christie Barlow

You won’t want to miss the next spellbinding chapter in the Love Heart Lane series – where friends are there for you no matter what.

When Julia Coleman meets Flynn Carter again in the cosy village of Heartcross it can only mean trouble. Flynn might be rich, brooding and sexy, but Julia knows first-hand he’s ruthless and she plans to watch his every move.

When Julia discovers Flynn’s plans for beautiful Starcross Manor her greatest fears come true.  Because Flynn’s dreams of turning Starcross into a luxury hotel could ruin Julia’s dreams…and finish off the community of Heartcross for good.

Flynn makes it clear he doesn’t want trouble, and he’s not the man Julia thinks he is.  As he sets about convincing the community he’s changed, he hopes he can convince Julia to give him another chance too…

Review: This is the fourth book in the Love Heart Lane series by this author. The stories are set in the fictional Scottish village of Heartcross and follow the characters who live there, but each can be read as a standalone. Having read all of the last three books in the series, I was looking forward to finding out what was happening to the characters I had met previously.

The last book in this series ended with the arrival in the village of property developer Flynn Carter and speculation as to his reason for moving there. This story centres on Julia Coleman, owner of the village’s popular bed and breakfast establishment. She has more reason than most to be interested in Flynn Carter’s presence in the village as she has had first-hand experience of his ruthless behaviour. However, she is not the only person in Heartcross to be shocked to find that he is planning to redevelop beautiful Starcross Manor into a luxurious hotel with all kinds of amenities which will have potentially devastating effects on local businesses, including her own. As Flynn sets out to convince the community that he is not the hard hearted business man they envisage, he appears particularly determined to change Julia’s perception of him.

I am continuing to enjoy this Love Heart Lane series of books. Although this part focuses on Julia and Flynn, all the villagers readers have met in previous books are there too. There is the usual feeling of real community that was present in other parts of the series, along with the drama caused by some unfortunate misunderstandings. Julia has the well being of the village at heart and is willing to fight hard for it. I had to feel sorry for Flynn when faced with such determined opposition and admired him for his reasonable attitude, although the reason for that became apparent. I can recommend this series of books to other readers. They can be read in isolation, but it is well worth following the series. I’m already looking forward to book five.

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Ranking and Reviewing Backlist Lisa Jewell Novels... Which Was My Favourite Backlist Book?

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Review: Dear Justyce by Nic Stone

The stunning sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Dear Martin. Incarcerated teen Quan writes letters to Justyce about his experiences in the American juvenile justice system. Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Angie Thomas.

In the highly anticipated sequel to her New York Times bestseller, Nic Stone delivers an unflinching look into the flawed practices and silenced voices in the American juvenile justice system.

Vernell LaQuan Banks and Justyce McAllister grew up a block apart in the Southwest Atlanta neighborhood of Wynwood Heights. Years later, though, Justyce walks the illustrious halls of Yale University . . . and Quan sits behind bars at the Fulton Regional Youth Detention Center.

Through a series of flashbacks, vignettes, and letters to Justyce--the protagonist of Dear Martin--Quan's story takes form. Troubles at home and misunderstandings at school give rise to police encounters and tough decisions. But then there's a dead cop and a weapon with Quan's prints on it. What leads a bright kid down a road to a murder charge? Not even Quan is sure.

Review: Wow this book was so powerful but just like Dear Martin it left me incredibly sad. This novel has an authors note both at the beginning and at the end and they really add to the power of the message and the story within. 

I really loved the way this book links with Dear Martin, that these two characters are from the same neighborhood and that neighborhood still has the same issues uncovered in Dear Martin. This book also really highlights through the narrative and also through Nic Stone's choices the importance of support. Support within your community and having someone who believes in you. So much of the pain these young people have gone through could be so easily avoided and yet because of he way society has been and is today, they are almost unavoidable. 

One of the things I also really loved about Quan's story is that he highlights the power of a supportive teacher and someone at school who believes in him. As a teacher this really warmed my heart and helped to reinforce my ideas around the power of what happens within the school building. I think my being a teacher is one of the reasons this book felt so sad so much of the time for me. There are some wonderfully funny moments between Quan and his friends and he never really looses his sense of humour throughout the novel but I was so sad the way things so quickly declined for him and the reasons behind so many of the choices that he made. 

This book can be painful to read sometimes and feels so close to home I struggled to believe it was fiction in points but it is an important read and it does give us a sense of hope as well as that affirmation of the importance of having someone in your corner who believes in you. 

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Blog Tour: The Earl and the Mud-Covered Maiden: A House of Hale Story: Book One by GL Robinson Author Interview and Excerpt From @gl_robinson @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours

Today is my top on the tour for The Earl and the Mud-Covered Maiden: A House of Hale Story: Book One by GL Robinson. I have an interview with the author today and if you like the sound of that you can click here to order a copy of the book for yourself. Don't forget to check out the other wonderful stops on the tour for more exclusive content and reviews.

Here's what it's all about...

Sophy is covered in mud by a distracted curricle driver. Then he hides his real name from her. And that's only the beginning of their problems.

When rain-soaked Sophy Hawthorne is splashed with mud in a country lane by a handsome stranger driving much too fast, she's affronted but attracted at the same time. The same goes for him. But to win her hand he has to employ not altogether straight-forward stratagems. And if the beginning is inauspicious, a secret revealed on their wedding day is worse.

This is a classic, clean Regency story of lovers caught in a twenty-year old mystery that for the sake of the family name, they must untangle.

The Earl and the Mud-Covered Maiden is the first book in the House of Hale Trilogy, introducing characters you will love to follow as they set out on their rocky path together.

And here's that interview for you...

First question-bit of a cliché-how did you get into writing?

It's a half sad, half weird story! My sister and I were in boarding school when we were young. We used to read Regency Romances under the covers at night with a torch(flashlight in US!). We were always very close, though she lived in the UK and I've been in the USA for the past 45 years. She died unexpectedly in 2018 and the day after her funeral, I sat up in bed with a whole story in my head. I started writing and haven't stopped.

Do you write full time & if so, have you always done this?

I do now, except I also have a small antiques (i.e. pretty junk) business. But I used to be a French professor.

Do you have a particular writing style or genre that you prefer to write?

Yes, I write Regencies in very proper English!

How do you develop your characters as you write, are any of them based on real people?

They develop as I write. I never know what they're going to do or say! I don't think they're based on real people!

What was the inspiration behind your book?

The novels of Georgette Heyer – they were the ones my sister and I used to read.

What is your writing process-do you plan it out first? Write a bit at a time?

I think about it (!) then start writing. I'm not a planner, really. I know where I'm going but not how I'm going to get there.

How much of you is reflected in your writing?

More and more, I think. I realize this as I am just now publishing the very first stories I wrote (the ones after my sister's funeral. The story turned into the House of Hale trilogy). The first three published stories all contain more incidental history and philosophy. For example, in Rosemary or Too Clever to Love, I talk – that is to say she talks!- about Pascal and the education of women. In Cecilia or Too Tall to Love, I talk about the development of public education and in Imogen or Love and Money, I talk about the Stock Exchange. These are subjects that interest me a lot.

What kind of research did you have to do before/during writing behind your book?

I don't do any beforehand. I do it as I go when I need to. As I said, I never know what's going to come up, so I can't pre-research.

How much attention do you pay to the reviews that you get?

Quite a lot. If I get a negative critique I look to see how justified it is, and how I could have avoided whatever the pitfall is. I really listen to my Beta readers.

Are friends and family supportive of your writing?

Yes. Well, that's to say, my husband and two sons don't read the books. I do have some male readers, but they aren't amongst them! But they are very encouraging. My daughter is very supportive. She reads the books and has arranged readings with her friends (She lives in Boston, I live in upstate New York). My mother (who's 96 and going strong) likes my books. She says, "How do you know all this stuff?" I say it's Francine (my sister) on my shoulder.

How do you feel leading up to your publication day?

Well, I'm not very good at all the marketing stuff so I'm usually thinking, "What should I have done?" But I'm not usually a worrier. The way I know something is in my mind is I wake up super early and can't go back to sleep. For example, I began answering these questions at 4:30AM!

Which other authors inspire you or are there any you particularly enjoy reading?

I mentioned Georgette Heyer. I also love Barbara Pym. She wrote in the 50's/60's and is very under-appreciated. I LOVE her wry humor. Her books make me laugh out loud, though they are a bit dated. There's a Canadian writer called Roberson Davies (died in 1995) who wrote great long trilogies that I love too. He had the same sort of wit. I think I'm naturally drawn to the ridiculous and I hope my books make you smile in places.

I should also give a shout-out to my email friend Regency author Audrey Harrison who I didn't meet at an RNA Conference in 2019 – though we were both there! She has been a good friend and inspiration.

Finally...what are you working on right now?

For the first time, I'm writing a historical novel with a split time-line. It begins in the French Revolution in Paris in 1793 and ends in London in 1815. It's called The Lord and the Landlady's Daughter. I'm loving it! Along the way, I've done some research into medicine and the use of herbs at the time. That's been great. I think if I'd lived 250 years ago I'd have been a medicine woman or a witch. My great-grandmother was like that. She could get rid of warts by taking people down to the end of the garden. She probably put some sort of herb on them. I wish I'd been old enough to ask her!

EXCERPT FROM THE EARL AND THE MUD-COVERED MAIDEN

“Ah, Miss Hawthorne,” he said with warmth in his tone, “the tea. Thank you. Your father has been trying to persuade me to the port, but I knew you must be coming soon.”

He placed the tray on an adjacent table and stood looking at her. In the warmth of the kitchen her hair had almost dried and her curls sprang riotously from her head. The woolen shawl trailed behind her and her glorious bosom rose and fell with the exertion of carrying the tray up the stairs. Her cheeks, already pink from the kitchen fire, flushed as he looked at her with obvious appreciation.

His lordship was accustomed to the company of beautiful women. Indeed, he was well known for the large number of Beauties who had passed under his protection these past ten years. The widow who had failed to come up to scratch at the shooting party was his most recent aventure. He had had women try to win him by innocence and by guile. He had had women peep at him winsomely from under their lashes. He had had women lift their noses and pretend to be indifferent. He had had women try to win him by breaking their shoelaces outside his front door and requesting his assistance.

But he had never known a woman like this. She was obviously unaware of the vision she created. She was wearing a dress at least ten years out of date in a color that set off the whiteness of her throat. Her tumble of chestnut curls fell to the swelling hills of her breathtakingly revealed breasts. Entirely without coquetry, she gracefully poured out two cups of tea, handing him one before taking the second, then sitting down with a sigh of satisfaction.

“Oh, that’s better,” she said. “I have been thinking of nothing but a cup of tea these last two hours at least.”

Of course, this was only partly true, but since she had spent a good part of the last two hours with him, his lordship was left to the conclusion that his attractions rated below that of a cup of tea. “That’ll teach you to value yourself too high,” he said to himself.

Author Bio

You can sign up for a free short story or listen to the author read the first chapter of her novels on her website: http://romancenovelsbyglrobinson.com.

GL Robinson was born in Portsmouth, England and was educated in a convent boarding school as her father worked in Africa. She graduated from University College London in the late 60's and when Britain joined the Common Market (as it was then), moved to Brussels (Belgium) to work. She married an American in 1974 and they lived in Brussels and Bonn (Germany) before moving to upstate New York with their three children, where she has been ever since. She always says she never had a baby in English!

She retired from being a French professor and put her energies into running a small antiques (read: pretty junk) business. Then her dear sister died unexpectedly in 2018 and, inspired by the memory of the times they had spent together giggling under the covers after lights out in the convent reading historical romances, she began to write. She has written a number of Regency Romances, a contemporary romance (still in the editing phase!) and two children's travel books. Her first Regency was published in November 2019. Since then, she has published two more and a fourth, the first in a new series, is due out at the end of August.

Apart from writing, she still dabbles in her junk and likes her garden, cooking, reading and having tea parties with her seven grandchildren

Thanks to GL Robinson for stopping by the blog today!

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Blog Tour: Interview with Author of Reliance Paul McMurrough @Pmcmurrough @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Reliance by Paul McMurrough and I have a very exciting interview with the author for you today. If you like the sound of that, you can click here to order a copy of the book now. Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour for more exclusive content and reviews.

Here's what it's all about...

An eruption on the Sun leaves the Earth powerless, but is it a temporary inconvenience or the start of a spiral into anarchy?

Belfast Professor Martin Monroe knows the answers, but once branded a conspiracy nut, he struggles to get anyone to listen to his warnings of the impending disaster. His only friend, Simon Wilson, still coming to terms with the loss of his wife, is the only person who will listen.

Government Communications officer, Lisa Keenan, fights against bureaucracy, and her own lack of confidence, to get the word out. She enlists the help of Martin, despite the protests of her colleagues.

With a wife and new-born child to think of, prison supervisor, Derek Henderson, must weigh duty against family and live with the consequences of his decisions.

Will the world’s total reliance on technology, and the electricity that powers it, lead to the irreversible disintegration of society on a global scale?

‘Some works of fiction are simply pure entertainment, while others go that extra mile; Reliance alerts us to just how close to the tipping-point the majority of our societies dwell.'- STEVE ROGAN - Author of The Rain Saga trilogy & Tracks

Are you ready for that interview?

First question-bit of a cliche-how did you get into writing?

I’ve always been a bit of a daydreamer and for a few years now I have thought (more joked) about writing a book. So, when I started to think about some of the questions that the premise behind Reliance threw up, I thought “Okay just do it.” So, I did. English was never my thing, being partially dyslexic, Maths and Science had always been my field. But once I got into it, I found writing to be extremely therapeutic and relaxing. Now I find myself with more ideas than my poor little fingers can keep up with.

Do you write full time & if so, have you always done this?

No, writing for me is currently a hobby. I would love to be able to give up the day job and spend a few months a year sitting by a pool at a villa in the south of France writing, and that is what I will do – as soon as I win the lottery.

Do you have a particular writing style or genre that you prefer to write?

My debut novel Reliance (and the next two books in the series) are in the dystopian post-apocalyptic genre, however, I am also developing ideas for three other books in the Action/Thriller genre.

How do you develop your characters as you write, are any of them based on real people?

Since the release of Reliance I have been asked numerous times whether certain characters are based on real life individuals. The answer is yes and no; I think all my characters borrow certain traits from people I know or have worked with, interestingly those are mostly the negative traits. There are a couple of characters in the book who are based entirely on a group of people that I had the misfortune to have run-ins with (namely the group of drug addicts who reside in Heroin Heights)

What was the inspiration behind your book?

I have always liked posing the question “What if…?” usually related to a slight variation on reality. In the case of Reliance that “What if” concerned the sudden lose of power and what the immediate impact would be on society. For example what would YOU do if the power went off with no warning and was off for say a day, a week or even a month? The more research I did the more alarming were the answers – there are no aliens or zombies involved but it is frightening how quickly the mundane everyday things which we take for granted, can cause serious issues when they are no longer available.

What is your writing process-do you plan it out first? Write a bit at a time?

In my day to day life I am a planner and that has certainly influenced my approach to writing. Once I had developed the main premise for the story and some of the key plot points and characters in my head, the first thing I did before putting pen to paper for the book proper, was to develop an Excel spreadsheet (total nerd!) outlining the full timeline for the story. I just had bullet points in most cases, but I found it extremely helpful as a guide and it made structuring and pacing so much easier.

How much of you is reflected in your writing?

I think every character must have a little bit of me in them, after all everything they do and say comes from my imagination or experiences but I consciously try not to make any single character be too close to my real self. I think a story would be pretty boring if it were just filled with caricatures of me running around interacting with each other.

What kind of research did you have to do before/during writing behind your book?

When I first made the decision that I was going to commit my daydreams to paper, it was important to me that everything in the book would be realistic and believable (as much as possible). With that in mind I think I spent about six months researching a myriad of topics; everything from Space Weather, electricity grid infrastructure, the mechanics of gas and water supply, right down to how petrol stations work. I was a little nervous though (particularly living in Northern Ireland) when I started Googling things like – How many active soldiers are present in N.Ireland? or What kind of weapons do prisons have and where are they kept? I wouldn’t have been overly surprised to hear a size 10 boot kick my door in and uniformed men haul me away in the middle of the night.

How much attention do you pay to the reviews that you get?

I think reviews are important in that they let you see how your ideas are being received but they are a double edged sword – as elating as it is to hear complimentary words, criticism of your work can cut deep. I can see why they say authors need to develop a thick skin. The whole writing process for me was cathartic (apart from the inevitable moments of writer’s block) but it is always nice to think people have enjoyed the story.

Are friends and family supportive of your writing?

Very few people knew that I was writing a book at all until I had completed it. The last thing I wanted to do was to add more pressure to myself. For most of my family and friends the first they knew of it was when I handed them the proof copy that I got from Ingramspark, my parents actually thought it was funny that I had found a book written by an author with the same name as me (not a common name). Since then everyone has been very supportive and many of them are already giving suggestions for plots in the sequel and asking when it will be ready (better start writing it then!)

How do you feel leading up to your publication day?

When you mix half a cup of dread with an equal measure of excitement you get a tonic that leaves you thinking of nothing else but all of the things that could go wrong on the lead up to actually pressing the button on release day. One minute you’re thinking “This time next year Rodney we’ll be Hundredaires” the next your finger is hovering over the delete button as you contemplate binning the whole thing and going back to paperfolding as a hobby.

Which other authors inspire you or are there any you particularly enjoy reading?

I discovered an author a few years ago called D.J Moles, firstly through his excellent post-apocalyptic series The Remaining and then later some of his standalone works. He is an independent author and is now a New York Times bestseller.

Finally...what are you working on right now?

I hadn’t originally intended Reliance to be a series but I did weave some ideas into the story that would allow it to be extended and since its release, I have had a number of people ask when the sequel will be out, so I am currently working on book two. I am also at various stages with three other projects; a crime thriller, a two action thrillers. The problem is that the characters from each keep hopping over the fence and fighting with one another in my head so I need to be disciplined and force myself to develop one story at a time.

I also have a couple of short stories based on Reliance which I would love to get out; the girl in the red hat and the disgraced GP locked in his prison cell have stories that are worth telling, we’ll see.

Author Bio

Paul was born and raised in Belfast. Until the age of 15 he couldn't read. Then, when introduced to Computing at school, he forced himself to make sense of the letter spaghetti on the pages of the text books.

He went on to get a First Class honours degree in Computer Science followed by a career in Software and later IT and Business Consulting.

You may know him from Game of Thrones, where he played "Back of Head from 100 yards" or in The Fall with Jamie Dornan and Gillian Anderson where he played "Elbow at the bar" - His acting career ended soon after.

Author's page  - Reliance.fyi/Home

Goodreads page - Reliance.fyi/Goodreads

Amazon US - Reliance.fyi/AmazonUS

Amazon UK - Reliance.fyi/AmazonUK

The audiobook version is also now available at Reliance.fyi/AudibleUS and Reliance.fyi/AudibleUK narrated by Belfast actor Jonathan Harden.

And the Spanish version is available at Reliance.fyi/Spanish

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Review: Why Mummy's Sloshed by Gill Sims

Number One bestselling author Gill Sims is back with her eagerly awaited fourth and final Why Mummy novel.

I just wanted them to stop wittering at me, eat vegetables without complaining, let me go to the loo in peace and learn to make a decent gin and tonic.  

It genuinely never occurred to me when they were little that this would ever end – an eternity of Teletubbies and Duplo and In The Night Bastarding Garden and screaming, never an end in sight.  But now there is.  And despite the busybody old women who used to pop up whenever I was having a bad day and tell me I would miss these days when they were over, I don’t miss those days at all.  

I have literally never stood wistfully in the supermarket and thought ‘Oh, how I wish someone was trailing behind me constantly whining ‘Mummy, can I have, Mummy can I have?’ while another precious moppet tries to climb out the trolley so they land on their head and we end up in A&E.  

Again.

Mummy has been a wife and mother for so long that she’s a little bit lost. And despite her best efforts, her precious moppets still don’t know the location of the laundry basket, the difference between being bored and being hungry, or that saying ‘I can’t find it Mummy’ is not the same as actually looking for it.

Amidst the chaos of A-Levels and driving tests, she’s doing her best to keep her family afloat, even if everybody is set on drifting off in different directions, and that one of those directions is to make yet another bloody snack. She’s feeling overwhelmed and under appreciated, and the only thing that Mummy knows for sure is that the bigger the kids, the bigger the drink.

Review: I just adore this series. I feel like main character Ellen talks in exactly the same way as me, like we would be friends. I just love the way she views the world and the way she reacts to everything that happens to her. You don't have to have kids to love this series, I'm not a mummy but I can so relate to everything that happens to Ellen. 

One of my favourite things about this series is that it is in diary form so it makes for a speedy read, just reading 'one more day' or 'one more month'. I just love this format of book, it makes it feel more real and I think that's why I can relate to Ellen even though I am not a Mummy too. 

Obviously this is the fourth book in a series and so I shan't talk about specific plot points in case you want to go back and read the books that came before this but you don't need to have read the previous book in order to enjoy this one but you WILL be spoiled for Ellen's past adventures if you pick this one up first. 

This series really does show what real #momlife is all about, warts and all and I love how honest this writer is about what life is like when even a trip to the loo isn't your own time. I can imagine that this writer has vamped up some of the stories for comedy sake but I can totally picture everything that Ellen goes through happening in real life. 

It was great to come back to Ellen now that her children are older so we get to see all aspects of what it's like to be a parent, we started at the very beginning and now we see what parenting teens is like. I have so enjoyed this whole series, the audiobooks are also excellent. I highly recommend Gill Sims to anyone!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Blog Tour: The De-Coding of Jo: Hall of Ignorance by Lali A. Love @Laliaristo @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours

Today is my stop on the blog tour for The De-Coding of Jo: Hall of Ignorance by Lali A. Love and I have a very exciting interview with the author for you today. If you like the sound of that, you can click here to order a copy of the book now. Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour for more exclusive content and reviews.

Here's what it's all about...

When a demonic parasite turns her classmates into an army of sleepwalkers, sixteen-year-old Jo must confront her celestial identity and reveal the mystery of existence. Guided by the Galactic Council, a Galactic Compass and with the help of her best friends, Jo unleashes the cosmic powers of creation to prevent the Lord of Darkness from enslaving all of humanity into obscurity. 

Will she be able to decode the artificial system in time to save her friends and the sacred Light?

Are you ready for that interview?

First question-bit of a cliche-how did you get into writing?

Thank you so much for this opportunity, I hope you enjoy reading “The De-Coding of Jo: Hall of Ignorance”. For me, I have always loved the creative process of storytelling. Even in my daytime job as a Business Transformation Architect, I enjoy weaving the storyline for each briefing, presentation, or strategic paper.

I began writing my debut novel “Heart of a Warrior Angel: From Darkness to Light” almost five years ago. I was inspired to write a trilogy based on the journey of three spiritually connected incarnated Angels brought together in the third dimensional existence, to realize their Divine Feminine Soul purpose. Each of them are Light carriers and have to experience unique self-realization journeys through the awakening process, to connect with their authentic true self and overcome the obstacles and dark entities that are determined to destroy their inner infinite light, to derail their celestial mission.

“Heart of a Warrior Angel: From Darkness to Light” is the first book in the trilogy and a story that needed to be told to bring the subject matter of childhood trauma and fear based conditioning out of the shadows, through the tapestry of fictional storytelling. For me, it was a calling, and it started to flow organically as I began to develop the qualities of the main character and protagonists. With this visionary fantasy, I wanted to relay an inspirational and character-driven narrative that embodied a metaphysical supernatural element about an incarnated angel’s journey on earth. It also seeks to humanize the protagonists’ experiences in the real world, in a way that readers may be able to relate. I have had the pleasure of working with many brave men and women warriors that have shared their stories with me of their childhood violence, and I was astounded to discover how many innocent people suffer due to intergenerational cycles of alcoholism and abuse.

Since embarking on my own awakening journey 5 years ago, I was inspired to write an emotionally evoking thriller where I could raise awareness on these relevant issues through the fictional characters and share some philosophical insights into the various perceptions of existence, quantum physics and energy healing modalities. I am humbled to be able to tell this heart-wrenching tale that reflects the realities survivors from various forms of violence, giving them a voice through my characters. I am incredibly grateful for all the feedback and recognition my debut novel has received since launching a year ago on July 31, 2019. It has been bestowed with the literary and book excellence awards for the quality storytelling.

Do you write full time & if so, have you always done this?

During the day, I work full time as a senior advisor, assisting in government policy and strategy development for vulnerable populations. I have always loved writing through briefings and presentations, especially focusing on cohesive storytelling. It’s a passion and a creative outlet that I have had since I was a child. In fact, my mom recently reminded me that I used to write her poetry when I was 6 or 7 years old, which I have totally forgotten!

I plan on becoming a full-time writer when I retire from my government job in a few years, hopefully!

Do you have a particular writing style or genre that you prefer to write?

I don’t have any formal creative writing training; however, I do enjoy writing visionary thrillers that explore the inherent conflicts of the human condition through traditional structure, narrative voice, multi-POVs, and storylines to achieve an elevated sense of artistry. I enjoy creating multi-layered themes, descriptive narration/plot, and three-dimensional characterization, even in this niche genre of metaphysics.

As a Lightworker and energy healer, I am fascinated by quantum physics, epigenetics, metaphysics, and self-healing philosophies. Since embarking on my own healing journey, I was on a path of learning, and I was motivated to write unique fictional stories that created a beautiful tapestry of emotions, mysticism, with a blend of quantum reality. My visionary fantasies examine the fundamental nature of perceived existence known as metaphysics, and the power of the Universal Laws of Energy. Through the use of energy transmutation, my main characters, who are incarnated angels on earth, armed with a divine mission, are empowered to expose the evil out of the shadows and bring the truth into the light with self-love, vulnerability and forgiveness.

Using the niche genre of metaphysical fiction, my main characters are thrown into the most epic combat of all time – good vs. evil, fighting to break the bloodline curse of her heritage, where darkness had lurked and fed on the low-frequency vibrations of humans that were conditioned by fear and lived on the lower realms of existence. They undergo the destructive process of enlightenment to come to the realization that everything consisted of the vibrational frequencies of energy, including their thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and actions. I provide detailed modalities on the Universal Laws of Energy (Attraction, Vibration, etc.) within my stories. I also include a narrative on the tools and practices the protagonists use to shift their focus and attitudes to vibrate at higher bandwidth emanating from the heart energy center that affects the quantum fields, and ultimately determines the outcome of perceived reality.

This genre of metaphysics stems from the philosophy that our consciousness is the ultimate basis of our being that creates our reality. How our minds are programmed results in the experiences of our bodies, our perceptions, and our lives. When we elevate our state of awareness, we re-invent and transform our consciousness to our highest level of being. This then influences how we think, how we emotionally react, how we perceive the world around us, and how we connect with our loved ones. I believe that with vulnerability and finding our inner truth will heal ourselves from conditioned upbringing and childhood wounds, whatever they may be, and connect us with the wholeness of our inner child. This state of being will help us achieve nurturing, loving, compassionate relationships, social interactions, positive behaviors, and patterns that are more conducive to the process of enlightenment, while we also provide healing for our planet.

I was able to use my knowledge, insights, and research of this philosophy, linking concepts of realism, including the relationship between mind, matter, and spiritual consciousness into the visionary self-actualization storylines. It provides a thought-provoking alternative to an entertaining fantasy.

And with respect to other genres, I am currently working on a non-fiction anthology of visionary art, inspirational insights, and transformational poetry that will help uplift the reader with feelings of joy. It’s a collaboration of love and I’m hoping to release this hardcover book this fall, so stay tuned!

How do you develop your characters as you write, are any of them based on real people?

For me, the diverse characters are inspired by people in my life or have had the privilege to meet through work. As I develop the character arcs, their physical appearances manifest in my visions, much like watching a movie. It’s part of my imagination and creative process.

I used a character-driven, omniscient third person POV to ensure the reader is aware and captivated by each of the protagonist's story. I hope the unique, narrative storytelling invokes an emotional response in the reader and takes them on a rollercoaster-type of experience, while raising awareness on mental health issues and sensitive subject matters that are truly relevant in today’s society.

What was the inspiration behind your book?

“The De-Coding of Jo: Hall of Ignorance” is the second book in the incarnated angel trilogy, and my first novel in the young adult category. It is a meld of fantasy, paranormal and science fiction, with a strong appeal to young adult readers (ages 15 years+). It is the first book of the Ascending Angel Academy series, and incorporates plot driven and coming of age stories of diverse, gender inclusive teenagers struggling with self-identity and a sense of belonging. I was inspired to shine a light on issues such as anxiety, depression, bullying, body dysmorphia, and external dependencies, through my fictional characters.

The main character Jo (Josephine) is Lilac’s youngest daughter (from my debut novel, Heart of a Warrior Angel) who grows up in the New Age of technology and an insurgence of artificial intelligence matrix. She struggles with her celestial identity at an early age, while navigating through teenage angst and high school issues. Her journey to enlightenment explores her own authentic truth about love, belonging, passion, freedom and becomes the observer of her own celestial metamorphosis. This novel allows readers to understand the emotional turmoil taking place in Jo’s world as she evolves through the first stages of an awakening process. It is a story that brilliantly showcases the primordial struggle between light and darkness.

Sixteen-year-old Jo attends Forest Hill Academy, a preppy co-ed private school with her best friends Nisha, Daphne, Reyes, Zaxden, and Flynn. Ever since the fatal night her mother was taken hostage by a homicidal maniac, Jo has been plagued by debilitating nightmares. As she tries to unravel her bleak reality, Jo and her friends discover a mysterious gateway into a Black Hole, hidden behind a strange mirrored door in an eerie underground hallway of the school’s library. Reyes accidently releases the evil that has been imprisoned in this grid-matrix and unknowingly becomes infected with the menacing parasites.

These demons emerge from their shadows and spread throughout the school to gain control over their hosts. One by one, they raise an army of sleepwalkers to serve the Lord of Darkness in a sinister plot for universal domination. As Jo is activated by the Light to realize her truth and ascends from the hall of ignorance, she finds an antiquated Galactic Compass. Jo discovers its interstellar capabilities to time travel through the cosmos, and secures the Akashic Records, stored in a library of multi-dimensional consciousness of every soul since creation.

Primed by the Galactic Council and Ascending Angel Academy, Jo faces heartbreak and accepts a difficult mission to embrace her celestial form. She must unlock the power of creation and prevent the Lord of Darkness from enslaving all of humanity into obscurity. Will she be able to decode the artificial system in time to save her friends and the sacred Light?

What is your writing process-do you plan it out first? Write a bit at a time?

I am definitely a plotter! I always start with the book title and table of contents when I outline the plot structure, the initiating incidents, developmental arc, crisis, and resolution. Then I develop the character arcs, breathing life into each protagonist and antagonist. Normally, when I’m in the writing flow, I don’t realize the amount of time that goes by.

With a full time, job, I try to focus on my writing primarily on the weekends. I can be on the computer for 5 or 6 hours, letting the inspiration guide me. As long as I have my bowel of skittles to sustain me, then I’m happy!

How much of you is reflected in your writing?

Since embarking on my own self-healing journey over 6 years ago, I had overcome my fear of my intuitive abilities, and have fully embraced my purpose. I have refined my energy clearing techniques based on powerful visual imagery to activate a healing response in others. I am a Lightworker, an Empath and an Alchemist. With humility, compassion, and grace, I intend to continue to be in service for the highest good, to help elevate levels of consciousness, empowering individuals to seek their authentic truth by honoring their unique journeys.

Lightworkers are souls who have awakened to their higher spiritual objective, to shine light in the world and raise the vibration of humanity and Earth. In other words, we provide love, kindness, sharing experiences and messages of hope, unity, and understanding by expanding the state of the collective consciousness through information and energy transmutation. This information may come through conscious mental knowledge, and through coded energetic frequencies.

One who radiates and resonates with the frequencies of the Light, often provide blessings, radical intention settings, assisting and protecting the Earth and her inhabitants through the power of channeled Light frequencies, kind deeds, and actions. During tumultuous times and chaotic events, Lightworkers are consciously focusing on embodying the light and expanding it out beyond them to neutralize challenges and density. We help uplift humanity on an energetic level and support in the unfolding awakening process.

I am an advocate for children, women, diversity, equality, self-healing journeys, self-realization, and self-love. I believe that we are all connected through the powerful force of love. I am deeply passionate about this universal call to action, and it is my honor to ensure I keep radiating at high frequencies of loving kindness. So, everything I write reflects my insights, metaphysical experiences, and Soul purpose. May it be blessed.

What kind of research did you have to do before/during writing behind your book?

When I embarked on my own journey of self-love, healing, and Law of Attraction, I came across this self-help book written by Matt Kahn called "Whatever arises, Love that" which triggered my awakening process. I also began learning how to meditate by following Deepak Chopra's 21-day challenge on YouTube, and I found that I was really intrigued by the whole notion of metaphysics, quantum physics and the study of reality. I loved Eckhart Tolle's book "A New Earth," which really resonated with me. Deepak Chopra's book "You Are the Universe" and "You Are the Placebo" by Dr. Joe Dispenza have been instrumental in my quest for knowledge and understanding of quantum physics that has inspired the visionary fiction component of my books.

I researched epistemology (a theory of the nature and grounds of knowledge) and metaphysics (concept of reality and perceptions) extensively to further my understanding of the Universal Laws of Energy. This stems from the philosophy that our consciousness is the ultimate basis of our being that creates our reality. How our minds are programmed results in the experiences of our bodies, our perceptions, and our lives. When we elevate our state of awareness, we re-invent and transform our consciousness to our highest level of divinity. This will influence how we think, how we emotionally react, how we perceive the world around us, and how we connect with our loved ones. It will help us achieve nurturing, loving, compassionate relationships, social interactions, behaviors, and patterns that are more conducive to the process of enlightenment, as well as provide healing for our environment and our planet.

I was able to use my knowledge and research of this philosophy, linking concepts of reality, including the relationship between mind, matter, and spiritual consciousness into the visionary self-actualization storylines. It provides a thought-provoking alternative to an entertaining, gripping, and compelling works of fiction.

How much attention do you pay to the reviews that you get?

I love book reviews, no matter the star rating! I’m not a prolific writer, but my goal is to develop stories that resonate with readers who may relate to the protagonists’ experiences. My intention for my fictional novels is to provide alternate methods of healing practices such as mindfulness and meditation that the reader may find useful in their own healing journey. It may spark the reader’s curiosity about the study of metaphysics or energy healing concepts. It may even trigger past traumas that require further healing and self-work in their path of awakening and enlightenment.

So, when I receive book reviews, it helps me refine my craft to honor my intention. Not everyone will resonate with my writing style, and that’s alright as well. I am grateful that people take the time to read my creations, it is very humbling. However, if my books help even one person to begin healing their internal conflict and realize that they have the power and pure potentiality to manifest the reality their heart desires through the transformation of self-love, I will have achieved my calling through the poetic instrument of storytelling.

Are friends and family supportive of your writing?

Absolutely, I am so blessed to have such incredible support system around me. Not only do my family and my daughters inspire me, my friends and colleagues also provide so much support and encouragement in my writing journey. I am also incredibly grateful for my radiant Soul Tribe from all over the world and the most amazing and talented independent creatives from the writing community on Twitter.

How do you feel leading up to your publication day?

I am always filled with so much excitement and nervous energy leading up to publication day. I’m not the most patient human, even around the holidays. I just want to see everyone’s expression when they open their gifts. It’s the same with my books, I can’t wait for the world to read my stories. I hope they can feel the love and my intention behind each word, feel the incandescent world-building, and empathize with my magnificent, multi-dimensional characters.

Which other authors inspire you or are there any you particularly enjoy reading?

Growing up, I loved reading fictional books by Danielle Steele, Tom Clancy, Sandra Brown, John Steinbeck, and Dan Brown just to name a few. Ever since I joined the writing community on Twitter a year ago, I have been supporting independent writers and loving their books! The talent pool is incredible, and I have read and totally recommend multi-faceted books by Halo Scot, D. B. Carter, Derek King, Shannon Condon, S.P. O’Farrell, Anya Pavelle, Adam Wing, Ash Knight, just to name a few! My to-be-read list is a mile long!

Finally...what are you working on right now?

I am hoping to release my latest work in progress, a non-fiction, colorful hardcover book called “The Joy of I.T. (Infinite Transcendence)”. I am beyond excited to publish this anthology of visionary, stimulating artwork, my inspirational reflections / insights, and transformational healing poetry. It is a collaboration of love and contributions from lightworkers to raise the vibration of joy and hopefully help uplift the readers emotions with this tapestry of artistic creations.

The book is scheduled to be released on November 5, 2020. I am also plotting the second novel of the Ascending Angel Academy series, “The De-Coding of Jo: Hall of Learning”, so I’m keeping remarkably busy!

Thank you again for this opportunity and may you all be blessed with optimal health, infinite joy, inspiration, and fulfillment. Much love.

Author Bio

Award-winning Author, Lali A. Love provides a supernatural thriller of metaphysical and visionary fantasy with her own revolutionary philosophy and unique narrative skills to produce this heart-wrenching and gripping tale.

Lali A. Love lives in the capital city of Canada with her husband and two beautiful children who are her greatest source of pride, joy, and inspiration. As a debut author, Lali loves to write stimulating, character-based novels that invoke an emotional response in her readers. She has done extensive research into epistemology and metaphysics to further her understanding of the Universal Laws of Energy.

In her spare time, Lali is committed to writing her visionary fiction trilogy about spiritual transformation. These mystical novels are based on the journeys of three incarnated Angels that have been brought together in the third-dimensional existence, to realize their Divine Feminine soul purpose. Each of them must experience unique self-realization to overcome the dark demonic entities that are determined to destroy their inner light to derail their Soul mission.  

Thanks so much to Lali for stopping by the blog today!