The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

The first full week since the holidays brought homework and adjustments for the Royals and my husband. I had a few client meetings, a tour to send out and a few to plan. I’ve almost completed my finish a series in a month challenge. Mostly because I got them from the library, which added three to my Library Love goals… go me. Just wanted to cocoon myself and did very little interacting. I had the winter blues this week with cold temps and dark days. How do you beat the blues? Stay Caffeinated.

Last Week on the Blog

• Max Abaddon And The Crystal King By Justin Leslie (audio review)
• The Cloisters By Katy Hays (audio review)
• A Chance Inheritance By Carolyn Brown (book review, guest post)
• WOLF By Rebecca Zanetti (book review)
• Dead Things By Stephen Blackmoore (audio review)

This Week on the Blog

• The Backup Plan By Jill Shalvis (book review)
• How To Sell A Haunted House By Grady Hendrix (book review)
• Lie To Her By Melinda Leigh (book review, guest post)
• Blog Tour: Ever After By Kate SeRine (spotlight,book review, giveaway)
• Broken Souls By Stephen Blackmoore (audio review)

New Arrivals at the Caffeinated Cafe

Learn more:

• The Bride Wore White by Amanda Quick
• The Duchess Takes A Husband by Harper St. George
• Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• The Levee by William Kent Kruger

A special thanks to Berkley, Penguin Audio & Simon Audio

Around The Blogosphere

• 2022 New Release Challenge hosted by the Conventional Bookworms

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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/01/sunday-post-558.html

The Road Renounced follows a mourning woman as she goes through her father’s things and discovers the diary of her grandmother, that died before she was born. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The premise for the setup of this book, which follows my last novel, presented itself to me before I had even finished writing The Road Remembered. That earlier book explores Sam Ryan’s family, where we learn that his father, Buzz, was a less than stellar parent. I knew that my own father’s father was, in fact, a less than stellar parent, and there are some parallels between the life of my father’s mother and Sam’s mother. While my real grandfather was not a drunk (as far as I could learn), he had a habit of leaving my grandmother alone much of the time with no or very little money—and eight children to care for.

Like Sam, who spent much of his life wondering how his father could have abandoned his mother, I wondered what got into my grandfather to leave my grandmother alone so much with all those mouths to feed. No one in the family had a good answer and since my own father WAS a stellar parent, I couldn’t understand the thought process my grandfather must have gone through to have been okay with leaving my grandmother alone the way he did. So I began thinking of reasons my grandfather may have had for leaving. Was he disappointed with his life and searching for a better one? Or at least a different one? As I speculated all manner of things that could have gone through my grandfather’s head, as often happens, the characters, themselves, reached out to me and told their own story rather than, I believe, my grandfather’s story. It turned out to be chilling and brutal. Much worse than my grandparent’s real life story.

And, since I knew that everyone who could have related the fictional story to Sam’s daughter was dead, I had to think of another way to tell the story to my readers. So I told it in layers—Suzanne reading her grandmother’s diary to get the big picture and then the scene morphing into that particular point in time so the reader could learn the “as-they-happened” details. My early readers and the Literary Titan reviewer have led me to believe that that story-telling style worked.

Suzanne learns of her family’s past and about how alike she and her grandmother are. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

The primary ideal was women’s strength and how strong women do whatever is necessary to care for their children and keep a roof over their heads. While Suzanne wasn’t faced with raising children alone the way Maude was—Suzanne’s husband didn’t die until her son was grown—she still had to face life alone once he died and then the day-to-day trials of caring for her father. So while we didn’t have a chance to explore the depth of Suzanne’s strength, we certainly saw how strong Maude was.

Another huge ideal was dealing with emotional impact as a result of external factors. In Maude’s case, she had to deal with losing her brother, her mother, and then her father in addition to figuring out how she would cope when she realized she couldn’t count on Buzz. In Suzanne’s case, it was dealing with losing her husband, then her father and finally, realizing that she couldn’t share what she had found out about her grandfather with his remaining children.

And of course, both women shared their fierce love of family.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

Since the story takes place during the first World War, I wanted to explore the themes surrounding what leads to and takes place during global fighting. The overarching thing I tried to get across was the emotion generated from all aspects of the war—the dread of having to leave your home and go and fight someone with whom you had no quarrel, the heartsickness of those left behind, the devastation when loved ones are lost, and finally, the realization that a few people decide the fate of the world and that foot soldiers are simply pawns in the process. One of the things that upset me the most was the fact that so many soldiers died needlessly on the last day of the fighting because one general didn’t agree with the armistice.

Other themes included how the world handled the Spanish flu, especially given the fact that we are still recovering from the COVID pandemic. I also wanted to explore women’s rights—or in this case, lack of them. There were many times, as I researched, that I was shocked at what women had to endure a mere hundred years ago. And because of the time in history, it was also important to bring in tidbits about prohibition and the Great Depression.

Mostly, I wanted to write a satisfying story of human emotion and a mother’s determination to keep her family together during difficult times as Maude, first, reinvented herself to leave home and get a job, and then—always—focused on maintaining her selfless devotion to and love for her children.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

I am currently exploring an idea for a third book in the “Road” series that would focus on Sam’s remaining siblings. I haven’t gotten very far with this one yet, so it may be 2024 before that one is ready. And of course, like any writer, a myriad of other ideas are chasing around in my head and working to take shape.

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/01/15/it-turned-out-to-be-chilling-and-brutal/

Inspiration From a Masterpiece inspires and motivates readers to take the steps needed to draw close to God in order to become his masterpiece. Why was this an important book for you to write?

As Christians, the line between what we decide our future will be and what actually is our true destiny can be intertwined. In more ways than we know and see. Beginning to untangle all the possibilities begins with knowing our creator on a deeper level. Authenticity and transparency are the keys. For myself, frustration was the real enemy. Gnawing at me for long seasons. I wanted to know who my unique person really is. During my research, I discovered many people just like me, searching for their true place, destiny and person. 

What research did you undertake to write this book?

First off, I just finished a 2-year course in biblical theology. This helped me tremendously. I also have an extensive library with books from my favorite Christian theologians which I have read over and over many times. I also have numerous study Bibles and concordances. Lastly, I interviewed former pastors from my church and many other churches. Lost of computer searches and knowledge I’ve gained from my experience in church leadership and teaching over the years.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

First, never lose the desire to want a closer relationship with your God. Second, always have a willing Heart to except the person you may not be presently. Third, don’t be surprised if he doesn’t let you do what you want, don’t be surprised if he does permit you to do what you want. Lastly, don’t be afraid to discover the real you, and don’t be angry if you turn out to be someone you didn’t want to be. Most of all, find that person God designed you to be and embrace it.

What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?

When people read my book the one thing that I hope they get from it is this; that they discover just one new thing about themselves which will motivate them to begin the process of searching. This wanting or yearning I believe is exactly part of God’s plan for each one, to discover this process that can bring them closer to God and enable them to find his plan and look for it as they move through life. 

Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/01/15/searching-for-their-true-place/

The Visitors follows two time-traveling aliens who go back in time to save Earth from destruction with the help of some misfit friends. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I was fiddling with some basic digital art. I created a Pteranodon aimed at kids. My cat Dax, one of the main characters, did something typically cheeky and I was inspired to create the story round Dax and Ptoni.

With so many entertaining characters in this story, who was your favourite character to write for and why?

My favourite is Dax because he is based on a real cat. The scene on the ship in orbit over NASA, where Dax flicks his collar off, is based on an actual event. I do have to say that family feedback is that Florence the Jersey Cow is the favourite among readers hands down.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

Inclusion

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

I am currently on working on a follow up to The Visitors, and I am turning an original screenplay into novel form. A very adult story of street kids, I will release it under a new pen name. Both should be around 6 months away.

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/01/15/something-typically-cheeky/

The Red Eyes & The Curse is a fascinating collection of supernatural stories for middle-grade readers. What was the inspiration for the setup of your stories?

I got the inspiration from having the enthusiasm to imagine stories which belong to the supernatural genre. I have always wanted to write stories which can intrigue middle-grade readers by letting them feel immersed in the fiction of supernatural world where things are mystical. I like to keep young readers continuously enthralled by the things that cannot be explained by natural causes or the sciences, and also by the suspense at the very end of each chapters that hook them to go on to the next chapter.

The characters in both stories were interesting. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

The characters in the stories are both very young, and yet, they possess the boldness of soaring eagles and the determination of charging bulls. In these stories, the characters start off by being pure and innocent, and it is not until the strange things have happened as the stories flow that the characters begin to challenge their limits. I intend to let the readers savour the radical transition of the development of such characters as the stories unfold, and to let middle-grade readers feel inspired by the courage of such characters.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in these stories?

The plot twists and the captivating ending of every chapters in the stories are the uniqueness of the book. The stories are laid upon the foundation that there are myriads of suspense and mysteries that make the readers want to explore more as the stories unfold. The themes of the story revolve around the supernatural happenings that transpire in every chapter, and they let the readers continuously wonder what is going to happen next. Other things that revolve around the themes are freshness, creativity, and dynamism.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

Currently, I am not yet working on the next book, but I have already published 7 books. All these books can be found in my social media such as Facebook, Website, Instagram, and Amazon Author Central Page.

Author Links: Facebook | Website | Instagram | Amazon

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/01/15/enthusiasm-to-imagine-stories/

In The Phantom a rebellion is revealed and the destinies of individuals will intersect when dreams and desperation collide. What was the one thing that motivated you the most to write this book?

That is a great question. For me, the driving force behind the book was the notion of empire and the cost it brings. As an avid history reader, I found myself drawn to battles and political inquisitions from both the recent and distant past. Moreover, I wanted to focus on a different type of war. The Harmonious Union, technically speaking, is not your traditional behemoth of an empire like say Rome, Britain, or Spain. It functions more like the United Nations with the Nameless Continent serving as a foundation for a brotherhood between the nations. In turn, the Expeditionary League functions as a multinational peace-keeping force. I drew inspiration from the modern day status of NATO which serves as a tight coalition between what many would see as the western powers. NATO originally served as a deterrent against the Soviet Union, a rival superpower during the Cold War. Even with its main adversary gone, however, NATO has not been dissolved. To the contrary, NATO has carried out offensive operations in the former Yugoslavia, several nations of the Middle East, and even took a crack at Africa during the Libya campaign. Many would argue these bombing campaigns were the only alternative to deal with tyrants and tottering nations, but there’s no doubt that the price of such campaigns has been extensive for stability and civilian life. 

That was the duality I wanted to show with the Expeditionary League and their foes. Pantheon:The Phantom‘s central theme is that no adversarial nation appears in a vacuum. All actions have a historical precedent and an origin point, even if one doesn’t agree with the policies and aftermath of a rogue state, a band of terrorists, or the now lesser used term radicals. The Pact of Ram can be seen as any number of these historical groups. That to me would be for the readers to decide. Are they freedom fighters, or dangerous insurrectionists and anarchists? 

There is a lot of fantastic action in this book. Was that intentional or incidental to the story you wanted to tell?

It actually developed naturally for me. I sat down and first decided the geographic layout of each theater of combat. A promontory over a foggy ocean, a ship out at sea, a forest not far from a beach, all of these things took time for me to visualize. Then I wondered how the characters would use that environment. Unlike my previous science fiction works, magic was a factor so I also decided to make full use of that. I wanted to give each nation a unique use of their mages’ abilities, and for me it was a whole lot of fun that way. The Daijo bend water, ice, and fog to their will while Yunians rely more on alchemy and even music itself. The lone Ilean soldier portrayed uses a much more aggressive style than all the rest and walks a fine line between black magic and what’s legally sanctioned. I hope to explore more of these characters in the future. 

Do you define your character’s motivations before writing or are they revealed to you as you write?

As a writer, I am admittedly slower because I like to build thorough skeletons of my chapters and characters. Thanks to the power of Google Docs, I can line up my chapters from start to finish and examine if the order is logical or substance is needed. Even so, I also discover much about the characters as I write. This process of “putting meat on the bones” leads to development of character personality quirks, underlying motivations,  and sometimes even backstory reveals. A soldier is never just a soldier any more than a king is just a king. I try to keep that in mind when I write.

What can readers expect in book three in the Pantheon – Genesis Arc?

Oh boy! This is a book I can wait for readers to experience! I actually wanted to release it in 2022, but a slew of ideas and expanded storylines led to me pushing it back. The next book will be released in August of 2023 and will be called Pantheon: The Contact. As I’ve spent more and more time in the world of the Pantheon series, I’ve found myself developing the history of the world, its culture, and of course its dark secrets. Many of these dark secrets will come to light in the third book.In a similar vein to the Malazan Book of the Fallen Series, each book will now focus on a different set of characters though many characters will crossover between stories of course. Pantheon volume 1 introduced primarily Atty Sowell and Yaphet Orinse while the Phantom focused on Atty, her father Palkan Sowell, and the Pact of Ram warriors. Pantheon: The Contact will follow Yaphet as he discovers a massive conspiracy that has rotted the integrity of the Sebelian south. Hot on the trail of these dark secrets is the huntress Dahan who will discover her own sordid history. All the while, Palkan Sowell continues his hunt for the Pact of Ram. What he discovers, however, is no less than a monstrosity that threatens to consume the entire world of Avah. An ancient terror will emerge from the shadows and drag the nations into chaos. An ancient terror for centuries known only as The Wanderer. This is a character who has briefly appeared in the first two books but also in the Law of Might trilogy. The Wanderer’s backstory will be explored in the Law of Sacrilege books.

There’s much more to come in the Pantheon Universe!

Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/01/15/for-the-readers-to-decide/