Taiwan Butterfly is a riveting gothic fantasy novel that begins in December 1949 in China when 35-year-old British missionary Jonathan Woods is in the middle of a battlefield and finds his mortally wounded friend, Chen Ming-Yu. On his dying breath, Ming-Yu asks Jonathan to go to safety, to his homeland Taiwan and find Ming-Yu’s daughter Chen Mei-Ying. Before he dies, he vows to Jonathan to use the enchanted butterfly book for something greater. Eventually, Jonathan gets to Taiwan, transferred, and injured. His path to Mei-Ying leads him to experience love, loss, and magic.
Taiwan Butterfly offers readers a unique fantasy world with a backstory that is well thought-out and lore that feels deep. Set during the Chinese Civil war this rousing book combines historical fiction with fascinating magical elements that keep readers intrigued throughout the narrative. I enjoyed this book because of the clear writing and mystique surrounding the elements of the storyline. This was a fun book to read because the characters are easy to follow and understand, but also because we get glimpses of the mystery throughout the story and those glimpses are so compelling. What is the secret Book of the Butterfly and which purpose does the book have?
The authors writing style is succinct and gives the narrative voice a unique quality, making this an easy book to read and makes it perfect for young adult readers. But even with this we’re still treated to gripping scenes with vivid descriptions, imaginative world building, and creative use of magic.
Taiwan Butterfly is a fast-paced teen fantasy story that cleverly combines romance, mystery and magic to create a dark magical realism story that kept calling me back every time I put the book down.
Grayality follows two friends who set off to try and restart their life in a small town, only to be faced with hate and judgment while trying to find love. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I transitioned in a tiny rural town in Montana. I haven’t faced anything as direct as Pate and Oakley encounter, but I have experienced subtle issues. For the few other transgender people I know here, they have encountered pretty nasty prejudices. Personally, I have found it hard to be open with who I am since there is little support here. I also feel lucky, however, because as someone who transitioned later in life, I have more financial resources and independence than many college students undergoing these changes. I wanted to share both the internal and external struggles that sometimes exist. A great deal of my own personal challenges is portrayed through Pate, but as I reread it now, I know that I have grown. I embrace myself a lot more.
My husband inspired Oakley. He married me when I presented as a woman with neither of us knowing at the time that I was transgender. I know that sounds strange, but I had assumed that I had to live my life presenting as a woman for a long time. He adamantly believed that he could not be romantically or sexually involved with a man. However, he came to realize that it’s the person that counts. I will proudly say that his attraction for me has not faltered. I wanted to convey his internal struggles with sexuality that stopped him from supporting me for nearly three years. However, in the end, he showed me that love knows no gender.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
My inspiration for this entire book comes directly from my life, but I will add some more to the first question in this regard. I struggle with social anxiety and have experienced some bad bouts of depression. As a mental health counselor, it is important to me to share these experiences without shame. I did reveal a lot of them through Pate. Sometimes it is difficult for me to even read those parts of the book, but they are a part of my journey. Also, it is hard for me as a transgender person to share my own internalized transphobias that were present when I first transitioned, which is also portrayed through Pate. I am in a better place now with my identity and even see it as a gift rather than a tragedy. I wasn’t always there, so I am happy with my progress.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
This novel has some very heavy themes to it. Identity is a major theme in several ways. Foremost, Pate is coming into his identity as a man while Oakley is discovering his bisexuality. However, both characters are young and are still figuring out what direction they want to take in life, making this a coming-of-age novel.
I would also say that prejudice is a theme. While there is obvious prejudice against LGBTQIA people, readers could also say that Pate and Oakley show some prejudices against rural communities. Stormy was created as a character who shatters these preconceived notions about ranchers. Lastly, I would say acceptance is a theme. The characters learn to accept themselves while also discovering that others will accept them, too.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next novel is Acing the Game, which is getting published through Extasy Books and will hopefully get released either later this year or the beginning of 2023. This novel is a contemporary LGBTQIA+ romance about two married bisexual men – a popular small-town chef (trans and ace) and a shy and reserved high school principal (cis and allo) — who are thrown for a loop when the latter finds himself yearning for more sexual discovery. Through a surprising dive into polyamory, they explore every side of their compatibility. . . and just might learn how strong their romantic bond can be.
Shep Lee thought he had it all. A successful restaurant, a loving husband who understood his asexuality and, most of all, the ability to be himself, a popular chef in the small town of Cloverleaf, Montana. That is, until his husband Elmer Eshler began pushing Shep more on sex. Elmer doesn’t understand why he can’t turn his partner on – aren’t they perfect for each other? And Shep loves him, right? Shep, meanwhile (while confident with his body) is and always will be sex indifferent. Why has Elmer suddenly changed his tune? But he doesn’t want to lose the man he loves so much. What can they do?
Shep convinces Elmer to try a polyamorous relationship. Elmer gets to have Shep and the sex life he has always wanted. Shep gets a cooking buddy and a chance to experience a relationship, and even try sex, with a woman, as his authentic gender. Shep isn’t sure at first but finds himself coming around – this feels safer than opening up the relationship. All three of them will be romantically involved, so that should ease any jealousy, right? But when Willow Saint, a free-spirited, boisterous and saucy young woman, comes into their lives, neither are prepared for the emotional and sexual rollercoaster that follows. Enthralled by Willow’s charm and kindness, Elmer and Shep struggle to understand what this means for their own bond.
Can they become one happy family? Or will this ruin everything?
Acing the Game is a novel about loving others, loving oneself and the intricate nuances of asexuality, sexual insecurity, polyamory and relationships. Starring three memorable characters who find each other in completely different but wholly satisfying and sexy ways, (and with plenty of emotionally erotic scenes and a lot of heart), Acing the Game shows that there are many dimensions and paths to satisfaction and love.
FROM EXCITING AUTHOR OF LGBTQIA ROMANCE FICTION CAREY PW Love knows no gender. Pate Boone, a twenty-six-year-old transgender man, embarks on a new adventure when his childhood best friend, and yes, ex-lover, Oakley Ogden, convinces him to escape their hometown in hopes for something new. They land in Cloverleaf, a tiny rural town in Montana, so that Oakley can care for his granny who is battling breast cancer. She pressures the two young men to enroll in a nearby college. Pate immediately becomes enthralled with Maybelle, a young, vivacious freshman to whom he fears revealing his transgender identity. Still, he finds it impossible to resist Maybelle, even after he meets her ex, Bullet, a large, violent man determined to keep Pate away from “his girl.” But there are others who accept Pate immediately, like Stormy. An outdoorsy, rugged freshman, Stormy warns Pate away from Maybelle and Bullet, but Pate’s too infatuated to heed these warnings. Oakley tries to support his friend’s new love but finds himself entangled in his own emotional calamity when he unintentionally falls for Jody, a gay and ostentatiously confident drag queen. This new relationship awakens deep internal conflicts in Oakley as he struggles to accept his bisexuality, lashing out at Pate and causing friction between him and Jody. Oakley must decide if he can overcome his insecurities so he doesn’t lose the love of his life. And Pate must discover if the love between him and Maybelle is strong enough for her to accept him as a transgender man, or if she will break his heart.
Sticks and Stones follow three people who are on a dangerous collision course that will test their skills and have them face their past. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Personally, I am involved with the Close Protection industry which has allowed me to travel to over 45 countries.
There have been instances that there have been some tense moments with those we offer services for. The team members I have worked with come from all walks of life and life experiences. As well we train hard in many disciplines so that we may provide the best version of ourselves when providing these services.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Whatever you decide to do in life, do it with passion, do it with purpose, and be optimistic about your outcome.
Life is not always easy, you pick yourself up and begin again. Life is an adventure, dig deep instead of being all you can be, be more than you can be. I think the characters in the story embodied all of these traits.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The next book, Book #2 Is called “Stone Cold” I have a good start to it and look forward to a spring/summer release in 2023.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook
Raines, a protector, manages to get his client to safety from the fatal blast. However, this will cost him everything. As despair creeps in, so does solitude, training… and thoughts of revenge. So, he seeks out Tosh, a Japanese Master Martial Artist, and seeks purpose in life, to find himself and the truth. Cameron Stone, also a protector, finds himself called away on protection assignments. Although his security details grow more complex and deadly, he’s not the kind to back down from a challenge, and failure isn’t an option. Leaving his girlfriend, Sara behind isn’t easy. She, in turn, trains in Martial Arts and Parkour and stands behind her love. Three very different people on very similar paths discover that life has winners and life has losers; sometimes, we lose everything in the blink of an eye only to spend eternity thinking about that one moment…
The Curse tells the story of a boy who is invaded by a mysterious demonic spirit that manipulates his mind and lures him toward something dark and sinister. How did you come up with the idea for the setup to this novel?
Honestly, Joseph’s backstory comes from my own, minus the evil entity possession. Witnessing his mother’s years of abuse at the hands of his own father is similar to my own childhood. Writing his story in a way was like my own private therapy, releasing all the demons of the past. As I brought the Shadow, a.k.a demonic spirit, into the story, his character represents all the trauma I carried throughout my life. So, my fictional characters, Joseph and the Shadow, represents the battle between good vs evil. Adding my Breedline characters to the story just gave me a channel to express my imagination and love for the supernatural world.
What were some ideas you wanted to explore with the relationship between Joseph and Carrie?
I’m a sucker for a fairytale love story, so I wanted to create two characters who were somehow brought together by fate. And no matter what crosses their paths, nothing will break the chains that binds their love.
How do you balance story telling for long time fans with making your book accessible to new readers?
This is a tough strategy, especially for an indie author. For me, although I’m excited to introduce a new book to my series, it’s important to showcase each one. Advertisement and continuous promotion are key components.
What excited you about writing this book?
Although the story is based on Joseph and Carrie, I was excited to reintroduce a character from my fifth book, The Immortal. Without mentioning the character’s name, I believe bringing “him” back into story at the end will give the readers closure to “his” character.
Set in the world of the Breedline—a secret species of humans born with the power to shape-shift into wolves—The Curse tells the story of a young boy, Joseph, who, grieving over his mother’s death at the hands of his abusive father, finds his world turned upside down. While his father awaits sentencing, Joseph is placed into the system, going from one foster family to another. And just when things couldn’t get any worse, an evil entity invades his body, introducing itself as the Shadow.
Twenty-one years later, this mysterious demonic spirit continues to inhabit Joseph’s body and manipulates his mind, luring him toward something dark and sinister, something that is beyond his control.
Carrie Randall, a substance abuse counselor who is unsuccessful at dating, comes face-to-face with death when two men approach her in a dark alley. Amid her assault, something resembling a werewolf, comes to her rescue in the nick of time. As she tries to process everything, unsure if what she witnessed was real or fantasy, her world suddenly collides with a handsome stranger as though they were somehow brought together by fate.
Despite her past relationships, Carrie finds herself spellbound, falling for Joseph Parker, a handsome, yet mysterious, journalist who works for an esteemed newspaper in Berkeley, California. But when Carrie discovers his terrifying secrets, she begins to fear for her life.
Now, Carrie is forced to make the hardest decision of her life. She can turn her back on Joseph, or stay and help him fight the demon who desires her soul.
Look Within follows a boy who meets a stranger that he wants to be like when he grows up; the stranger helps him make a plan and sets him on the right track to achieve his goals. What was the inspiration for your story?
The Inspiration for “look within” came from a moment of reflection. I remembered a writing exercise I did in a business program I enrolled in many years ago. The assignment was to draw a picture of yourself 5-10 years in the future. After my best attempt to draw my future self, I explained my drawing in front of the class. All the details of the picture and how it related to my goals for the future. This always hit a core with me because I never really saw or knew anyone personally who looked like me or came from my background who achieved what I saw myself doing in the future. Since that time I’ve dealt with a lot of adversity and loss, but also hit many milestones and achieved a lot of the goals that I set out for myself. When given the time to reflect on my journey up to this point, I see a noticeable resemblance between myself and the drawing I made all those years ago. This realization was a very profound moment for me, and it set the stage for what I believe to be a timeless story with a message that can benefit anyone but most importantly young people discovering and setting out their goals. In the same way, these principles and values helped me.
Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your character’s life?
I think remembering a time when I was at my lowest point. feeling lost and unmotivated. It was a feeling like I’m wasting my life, I’m not where I want to be, and I don’t know what to do. I want to achieve things but I don’t know how to get started. These are the emotions that created the lost boy character in the beginning. And the time it took to learn myself, identify my values, who I wanted to be, and realize that my failure and success are ultimately my responsibility. and just the process of digging myself out of that dark place. Inspired the journey and relationship between the boy and his mentor Kim. I now see the importance of having a mentor and a support system to help guide you in life, I know I can’t go back in time, nor would I want to. But writing this book ” Look within” and exploring the relationship between The main characters is really me having a conversation with my younger self, just saying “it’s okay” and sharing what I know currently that I wish someone was there to share with me during those hard times. I hope to reach as many people as possible who might be dealing with the same adversity and feelings of self-doubt or hopelessness that I experienced as a young person. And ultimately experience the joy of accomplishing a goal that you set out for yourself.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The beautiful thing about this book is it’s simply written as ”A story about discovering the key to success”. Breaking down this concept as plainly as possible was the goal. three steps were described to act as a guide so to speak. 1) identify your goal. write it down so you have clarity of purpose 2) write a plan. actionable steps to take to achieve your goals. Asking questions and searching for answers to clearly create a path to achieve your goals 3) creating a routine. Establish good habits that will carry you through the hard times and days where you lack motivation. It was also important that we explored the environment because the three steps become increasingly difficult When your environment and friend groups don’t align, and vice versa if your environment is positive with like-minded people who uplift you it becomes easier to achieve your goals.
I will say the underlying theme of the book is a philosophy adopted in my life, which is the ideals of stoicism or being stoic, which is simply described as Calm under pressure. Understanding We can’t control what happens to us, but we can control our actions and reactions when things don’t go our way. Focus your energy on finding solutions and self-belief that anything you want in this life can be achieved. It all starts with Mastery of self.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Well, I’m very much dedicated to screenwriting currently, can’t disclose too much at this time. I do hope to have stories shared on the big screen soon. But, I am finalizing a graphic novel called “IM A ROCKSTAR” that will be released tentatively in December. Very excited about this next project!
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram
“Look Within” is the epic coming of age story of a young boy lost in the world, until finding his wise mentor Kim. Together, they embark on a journey to discover the key to achieving his ultimate goal lies within.
I dedicate this book to my younger self and other young people like me. As a word of encouragement. No matter what challenges this life brings, stay calm. “Look Within.” Be your own hero.
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