#Authorinterview with J.L. Askew

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Diana Coyle is talking with J.L. Askew, author of Alaska Bloodlust.

FQ: One of the first things I do when I read a book by an author I’m unfamiliar with is read the author’s bio to get to know them better. Would you please tell us a few things about yourself so that new readers, like myself, can learn about you?

ASKEW: I’ve always read everything I could get my hands on, even reading the daily newspaper front to back from the time I was in elementary school. Following twelve years of public school I graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in psychology. I began writing down daily events randomly then started keeping a diary in my twenties. In my job as a social worker I wrote family histories, case summaries, and court reports. After getting a technical degree I spent 34 years as a field engineer with corporations like Siemens and General Electric working on MRI systems. I retired in 2015 and began writing full time. Currently I have published three books.

FQ: Can you please tell our readers a brief synopsis of your book, Alaska Bloodlust, and what specifically makes your book unique?

ASKEW: The story is about a young PI just back from Alaska where his first case almost becomes his last. Race Warren is exhausted and wants to forget but he is soon engulfed in the aftermath of what happened in Alaska and it’s even worse than before.

I think the villain, Kallick Smith, is what distinguishes the book. A native from the North Slope, Smith is a cult leader with mystical ideas that shape him as a killer. He and Warren have a series of deadly encounters that leads to a final faceoff in the far North.

FQ: I loved how well-written Alaska Bloodlust was and how you decided to create an interwoven storyline from the first book into this second book for readers to carry on Race Warren’s mission.  You created amazingly believable characters and an in depth storyline within these pages. How long did it take you to write this second book and can you explain a bit about the process for you?

ASKEW: I wrote this book in nine months, quicker than the first one. I’m a “pantser” by nature, letting my imagination have full rein, and the story simply evolves. The process was helped by key points emanating from the previous book but Alaska Bloodlust can be read singly because I think I provide enough details to make it a standalone thriller.

FQ: When can your anxious readers expect your next book to be available within this series and can you give us a quick synopsis of it?

ASKEW: The next book will complete the trilogy and it will take longer because of what I’ve learned from the first two. I’m trying an outline this time, hoping to have a better plot. I’m trying to be more original and striving for improved dialogue that will be more concise and realistic.

The book will focus more on Ron Billings, the ex-cop who saved Warren in the first book. Basically, Billings is on a vendetta to find the assassin who killed his daughter. Warren will be helping him but the book will be all about Billings’ lust for vengeance. I hope to have it published sometime next year.

FQ: Where did you look upon for inspiration for writing this book?

ASKEW: Inspiration came from a photograph I got when I lived in Alaska. In the summer of 2009 I was at a downtown open air market in Anchorage where local vendors hawked their wares. A guide/wildlife photographer had hundreds of photos in his stall and I flipped through scores of them until I saw the picture of a lone wolf. I was smitten and bought the photo on the spot. It appears as the front cover of Alaska Deadly.

FQ: What made you want to be a published author?

ASKEW: I put in four years of research to write my first book, a narrative history of an artillery unit in the Civil War. I wanted it published to remember the soldiers. I was going to do another one but my brother insisted that I branch into fiction. I dedicated Alaska Bloodlust to him.

FQ: Please tell us what is your writing routine like?

ASKEW: I write most every day, starting early and going an hour or so before a break. The writing is never continuous but I put in three or four solid hours of effort. By 4:00 pm I usually stop from exhaustion. Some days I manage just half a page and on good days I get two or three.

FQ: To wrap up our interview, is there anything you would like to add to tell our readers?

ASKEW: I am honored that people choose my books to read. I do signings at book stores and sell books at various venues and I’m always thrilled to talk to readers.

 #Authorinterview with Angelica Lamb

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Alma Boucher is talking with Angelica Lamb, author of Into the Arms: A Discovery of Truth & Love.

FQ: What motivated you to write Into the Arms: A Discovery of Truth & Love?

LAMB: For many years I had been asked by friends to write. Write about life and what I have seen in the world around me. I have been privileged to see many parts of the world and work very closely with people from all walks of life. I have experienced much and observed much more. Seeing, sensing and feeling the hardship that we go through, often unnecessarily, was ultimately the driving factor of this book. Knowing people for they are and observing them (myself included) believe they are something much less, getting caught up in the merry-go-round called life, can be hard and saddening to observe. There are too few role models in this world showing us another way of living, and I guess I wanted to give that light a voice.

FQ: The novel explores themes of love, healing, and self-discovery—was there one that felt particularly personal to you?

LAMB: It’s an interesting question, and I believe they all roll into one, symbiotically.

Love ~ So often we are taught that love comes and is received from outside of ourselves, or that we direct it outwardly, yet in truth we cannot give something we do not have. It is only with a deep sense of who, and of the love, we innately are, that anything of true substance can arise, grow, or expand…

Healing ~ As we begin to hold deeper standards of self-love, self-care, and self-nurturing for ourselves, our movements become those of healing, self-discovery and love for all involved as they ripple out exponentially…

Self-discovery ~ Life is constantly changing; the pillars and goal-posts are forever being moved, and without a deep knowing and honoring of ourselves we can easily get lost or taken for a ride down the wrong track, which can be costly on all levels…we need to know our North Star and keep our inner compass pointing in the right direction.

All three of these themes are important to explore now and for evermore.

FQ: Which character did you most enjoy bringing to life, and what made them special to write?

LAMB: I guess it has to be Rei. Rei could be any little girl, any older woman, and anyone, of any gender, at any stage of their lives in between. I think her character is so relatable because she clearly loves and wants to be loved for who she truly is. Is this not the story of all of our lives?

Beneath all our facades, all of our stories, is a tender young man or woman, searching for truth, love and the meaning of life. We all crave to be loved; yet often we settle for scraps, when in truth there is, and we are worth, so much more. The significance of Rei’s character is her universality and that made it an absolute pleasure to write about.

FQ: Were there any moments or scenes in the book that were especially difficult to write? What made them challenging?

LAMB: I think contemplating the reality of life can be tough in itself, bringing up moments that we’d rather be left forgotten or issues and fragments of the imagination that we’d rather leave swept under the carpet, but as we see in the novel’s story, doing this serves no purpose other than bringing momentary relief. The repercussions of not dealing with things the first time round are not inconsequential as they only come back round with more vigor the next time we have to deal with them.

The real challenge often comes when being pushed outside of our comfort zone, when being forced to deal with situations we’d rather we didn’t have to. Not in that moment, or anytime soon, anyway!

In writing this book I knew I could not hold back, everything had to be spoken about in full without censorship, there could be no comfort zone. The rawness and realness of its writing is, in the end, what makes it so powerful and relatable because so often we are denied this level of transparency in our every day world.

FQ: How do you create such believable and emotionally resonant characters?

LAMB: A beautiful and very dear friend shared something with me a long time ago that has always stuck. It allowed me to move from being fearful of speaking out loud, to finding my voice in front of hundreds on stage, and not only that but with an abundance of joy whilst doing it, on repeat. They asked me to share what I lived rather than try and project what I thought everyone else needed me to be and wanted me to say.

This aliveness is what is felt throughout the novel. I didn’t try to create any characters, I merely shared my observations of life and its moving parts for all to see in full transparency. The characters we see and know of in life need no embellishing, they are rich and deep, vulnerable and raw, warts and all. There is zero need to create anything, we already have it all.

FQ: Did any real-life experiences or personal insights influence the story or its characters?

LAMB: There are many aspects of the story that were inspired by personal experiences that could be built upon; alongside what I have observed and worked with in others. The fact is that these stories and experiences go on day-in-day-out, yet are rarely spoken about in depth or without dramatization. Being able to feel, see, smell, taste, hear, touch the moments is what brings them alive, it takes you back to moments in time you may have forgotten or purposefully blocked out, and this is why it is so easy to feel like you are walking beside Rei as she takes you through her journey.

There is nothing different about Rei’s story than anyone else’s, it may look different on the outside, but ultimately it’s someone wanting to be loved for who they are, and I think this is something that resonates with us all.

FQ: What is the key message or feeling you hope readers take away from the book?

LAMB: Undoubtedly the message that prevails is that deep down beneath the surface of it all, we are already love. We do not need to go out looking for it to fill us up, we need to nurture it within ourselves first and foremost. Unfortunately we are, more often than not, bought up in families and societies bereft of true love, and often without any intention to do so, damage is done. The odd word spoken in tiredness, the sentence mouthed in jealousy, leave scars that can rip and pull at the heart of every grown adult within.

To come to realize that these moments are not, and never were, personal and that they needn’t become your story or your identity, is a powerful message that everyone should hear. We all deserve to be loved for the incredibleness that we are, nothing less. Full stop. To be encouraged to be spectacular and to flourish no matter what is an important voice we all need to hear.

FQ: How do you strike a balance between romance and the more serious, sometimes painful truths in the story?

LAMB: I think life is a journey, an unfoldment, a return to who we truly are. I think it’s naive to think that it is all plain sailing, and unfortunately, our view of romance is most often corrupted.

Sh*t happens if not to us directly, to those around us, and with that there can be turmoil. In an intimate relationship a mirror is placed in front of our faces, up-close and personal, with little to no escape. I don’t believe that there is anyone that truly sets out to be a monster at heart, yet after many twists and turns and seemingly insurmountable pressure (both from the outside and upon oneself) even the gentlest soul can be used to wield great harm, if they are not willing to look at and take responsibility for their actions and how they are being used, despite their desire to love and be loved.

It’s challenging to admit this of ourselves and of our loved ones; it’s far easier to see it in those we do not know, yet statistically it is within the confines of family, friendships and lovers that the most pain and damage is often caused.

Nonetheless, love is still a journey we are eager to, and cherish embarking upon because we know deep down the power of two, of a union; and the beauty of sharing life with another.

The balance you speak of, is I believe a reflection of the way we live; of knowing what true love can be and of our grappling to get there, to be that, and live it day-in-day-out, however clumsy and perfectly imperfect that may be along the way.

FQ: Are you currently working on a new project, and will it touch on similar themes?

LAMB: I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed writing this book. It bought great purpose and pleasure to my days, to every spare moment and I would love beyond words to write some more. Let’s see what unfolds…

 #Bookreview of Escala's Wish

By: David James

Publication Date: December 13, 2025

Publisher: Trash Panda Publishing

ISBN: 979-8999979940

Reviewed by: Ephantus Muriuki

Review Date: February 5, 2026

Escala's Wish (Tales of Valla Book 1) by David James is a story whose prologue beautifully sets the solemn foundation upon which the whole narrative arc rests. We are taken ten years back to witness the cold, ceremonial judgement of a sprite of the fey realm named Teryn Lightwhisper, whose only crime was helping a child who had strayed through a hidden portal between the mortal world and the fey realm. His story establishes the story's setting as a realm governed by a code of ruthless consequence, one where compassion is an unforgivable crime, and one where every choice one makes begs a precedent.

We are introduced to Escala, the main character through the vivid recollection of our narrator, Wigfrith Foreverbloom, bard of Misty Springs, who conjures her image to a tavern audience, one, as a golden-haired pixie princess of the Court of Dreams and two, as a flawed, deeply curious individual whose attempt to understand mortal love through a single, forbidden kiss leaves her facing a devastating consequence. We see Escala and her friend Rihanna at a hidden crossing between the fey realm and the mortal world. Here, we lean in with the tavern crowd as Escala leans down to plant that fateful kiss despite her friend's warnings. Suddenly, a sharp crack of a branch in a nearby bush, followed by the appearance of a monstrous wolf jerks us back to reality. A brutal struggle for survival follows, leaving two dead and one injured. Here, we are left wondering not just what Escala's fate will be, but the real reason why the wolf was there at that precise, devastating moment.

The story drags us before the merciless tribunal of the court of Dreams where a sentence is passed to Escala, in cold transformative magic- a permanent exile in a foreign body and foreign land, burdened with a paradoxical quest. The ground she is cast upon is literally stained with the memory of her failure. Every threat on her path feels like a threat that aims to ensure that her exile becomes a permanent grave. Here, we are not forced to care for her, rather, our emotional investment gets earned by the heartbreaking scale of her fall, which frames her fight as a classic underdog struggle to survive in a world that views her as expendable. I remember pausing here, not because the pacing slowed, but because the cost of that single choice had expanded so suddenly and so brutally that it needed a moment to settle.

This story is built upon well-structured themes that are not merely decorative or abstract. They rise from lived, painful realities, driving every twist of the plot and defining every character's choice. The consequence of choice is one of them, and it is well rendered to make the reader feel the weight of every decision. Equally, the theme of love is articulated through sacrifice and yearning, deepening the reader's emotional investment and contributing to a rich, resonant and deeply satisfying experience. Personally, I loved the character formulation and intricate dynamics that bring this story to life, ultimately making it unforgettable. Each figure, from the flawed young heroine to the vengeful Morvena, has been crafted with a compelling motivation. Even supporting characters such as Harper and Roedyn have been given room to endear themselves to the reader. I totally believe that it is these characters that the novel's themes are not just communicated but truly felt.

Quill says: Escala's Wish (Tales of Valla Book 1) by David James is undoubtedly the perfect pick by readers who enjoy stories where personal growth, complex relationships and moral dilemmas drive the plot. It is a story that forces one to sit with questions of justice and mercy, as well as a wonder on what the value of a good heart really is, in a world that often punishes compassion.

 #Bookreview of Escala's Wish

By: David James

Publication Date: December 13, 2025

Publisher: Trash Panda Publishing

ISBN: 979-8999979940

Reviewed by: Lily Andrews

Review Date: February 5, 2026

"No matter how innocent the deed, no faerie was permitted to meddle with the True Cycle of mortal lives. In the eyes of the court, compassion itself was a crime. The law was absolute..."

Escala’s Wish (Tales of Valla Book 1) by David James is a debut fantasy-romance you might pick expecting a clever fairy tale, which you will get. To your surprise however, and as revealed in the excerpt above, you will encounter a striking depth beneath its surface, one that carries an emotional, grounding, human touch even amid its world of pixies, courts of magic, and world-ending consequences. It begins with a deceptively simple premise: a kiss, a curious, impulsive one, the kind that changes everything because it was never supposed to happen. This single act becomes the catalyst that Escala Winter the protagonist, a mischievous pixie, beautifully propels into a layered tale about love, belonging and redemption.

We first encounter Escala not in the shiny halls of the Court of Dreams, but in a sun-dappled forest glade in the mortal world where she is hovering over a young man who is asleep beneath an oak tree. At this point you see her innocence, in a scene that strongly holds the seed for everything that follows. What is so impressive is how after that, intent and outcome get treated as separate things. We see this through how the laws of the Court of Dreams judge solely on outcomes, specifically the disruption of the barely twenty-year-old law of True Cycle, which governs the natural order of mortal life, and which in this case occurs when Escala kisses Jonathan, a herbalist who was meant to live his mortal life, pursue his craft and maybe die from natural causes in his own time. This is exactly where the chilling authority of the justice system emerges. It does not care whether she is naive, curious or longing for love, rather, it only sees the broken thread in the True Cycle that she causes. Here, the book forces you to hold two irreconcilable truths: one, the truth of her innocent intent and two, the truth of her catastrophic outcome. The separation of these two is what I believe forcefully, but in a good way wrenches the story from a simple fairy-tale, into something more complex, mature and deeply gripping.

The Court of Dreams will be one of the readers' favorite places to visit due to its breathtaking beauty and sweeping atmosphere. "...everything is infused with passion- wrapped in music, dance, and artistry..." It is a setting where gardens grow from whispered secrets and where laughter seems to hang perpetually in the air. What may fascinate readers the most is the knowledge that such beauty is upheld by laws that are cold, and which seems to have mercy or empathy as a forgotten language. The book will keep them smiling, thanks to its narrator, Wigfrith Foreverbloom, Bard Medic of Misty Springs, whose voice and tone as he tells Escala's story, remains warm and charming throughout. And then there is the romance. It comes out very different from modern romanticism, growing out of hardship and emotional vulnerability instead of instant attraction. This aspect reminds me of classic love stories where connections feel earned, not simply manufactured.

The supporting characters, from Morvena Winter who embodies the corruption of the law through a generational feud, to Lord Rowan Winter whose impossible choice pits a father's love against a ruler's duty, are meticulously crafted and beautifully serve as a mirror, catalyst or obstacle to the protagonist's journey. Others include Victor Graves, a warlock whose grief turns to vengeance, Rihanna, the friend who pays the ultimate price early in the read, and Teresa Whitmore, the protagonist's mother whose legacy is the precedent that both inspires and damns her daughter's actions.

Quill says: This story will give you the opportunity to witness the growth of a protagonist forced to mature faster than she expected, haunted by loss, mistakes, responsibility and the weight of atonement. Its stakes, which feel deeply personal, will draw you in quickly, and cause you to care fiercely for her, especially after you realize that in her world, curiosity carries a devastating price. If you love fairy tales with real consequences, slow-burn romance that is built on sincerity, and stories that balance charm with depth, Escala’s Wish (Tales of Valla Book 1) by David James is a story truly worth stepping into.

 #Bookreview of How Not to Up and Die from Lack of Sleep: A Doctor’s Guide to Better Sleep That Boosts Your Energy, Reverses Exhaustion & Restores Your Health

By: Dr. Jerome Puryear

Publisher: Eternaverse Publishing

Publication Date: May 1, 2026

Reviewed by: Alma Boucher

Review Date: January 29, 2026

How Not to Up and Die from Lack of Sleep: A Doctor’s Guide to Better Sleep That Boosts Your Energy, Reverses Exhaustion, & Restores Your Health by Jerome Puryear, MD, serves as a timely and highly relevant resource that addresses one of the most overlooked health dangers of contemporary life: chronic sleep deprivation.

The book is organized into four main sections: The Science of Sleep, Understanding Abnormal Sleep, The Life of Night Shift Workers, and Fixing Your Sleep. It guides readers through an extensive exploration of why sleep is biologically vital and offers practical methods to reclaim it. Dr. Puryear integrates clinical insights with personal stories and patient experiences, making the science relatable through real-life situations. By exploring the physiological effects of insufficient sleep and the distinct challenges posed by night shifts, the book presents a straightforward narrative that highlights how sleep deprivation, although subtle, has a profound impact on physical well-being, emotional resilience, and cognitive function.

One of the strongest ideas running through the book is the reminder that sleep is not a luxury: it is a basic foundation of good health. Dr. Puryear makes it clear that while we are responsible for our own sleep habits, we also have to be honest about the larger challenges working against us, such as demanding jobs and technology that keeps us constantly connected. Readers can determine warning signs early with Dr. Puryear’s discussion of abnormal sleep patterns and common sleep disorders, often before serious damage is done. When it comes to fixing sleep, the book offers a well-balanced set of options, from mindfulness practices and natural remedies to advanced sleep technology and AI-driven tools. Just as importantly, Dr. Puryear urges readers to use these tools wisely, stressing the need for medical guidance and awareness of data privacy to technology supporting care rather than replacing it.

The writing does not feel heavy or intimidating, and is clear, compassionate, and confident. Medical concepts are written in plain language for anyone to understand. The illustrations add clarity instead of distraction and are helpful to enhance understanding. The pacing is steady, giving readers time to absorb complex ideas while moving smoothly from identifying problems to finding practical solutions. Dr. Puryear’s willingness to share his own struggles with sleep adds a relatable touch, making the book feel more like a conversation with a trusted doctor than a formal medical lecture.

How Not to Up and Die from Lack of Sleep is a well-researched and practical guide for anyone stuck in the cycle of chronic exhaustion. It is especially helpful for night shift workers, high-pressure professionals, and readers interested in where sleep science and technology are headed. It is not a quick-fix read, and those who take the time to understand and use the material will be able to overcome their problem with the tools provided in the book.

Quill says: This book is a powerful wake-up call that turns sleep from an afterthought into a life-saving priority, offering both knowledge and hope for lasting change.

For more information about How Not to Up and Die from Lack of Sleep: A Doctor’s Guide to Better Sleep That Boosts Your Energy, Reverses Exhaustion & Restores Your Health, please visit the author’s website at: drjeromepuryear.com.

 #Bookreview of Line 'Em Up!

By: Oscar Avery

Illustrated by: Sarah Jane Docker

Publisher: Bread n Butter Bookz

Publication Date: February 1, 2026

ISBN: 978-1734574302

Reviewed by: Diana Coyle

Review Date: January 29, 2026

In Line ‘Em Up! by Oscar Avery, we are introduced to four students who have learning disabilities and seem to have a revolving door of teachers at their school. So far, no teacher has stayed long enough to even get to know these four students. This only makes the children feel more like outcasts than the rest of the students at their school.

Then one day, Mr. Murant subs their class and instantly connects with the four students. In the process of learning about each individual student, Mr. Murant tells them about himself. You see, he suffers from a brain disorder called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). This disorder is caused by repeated head injuries from playing things like rough sports such as football, which he previously did. This disorder causes the brain’s nerve cells to die and this produces many mental complications like forgetfulness, which happens to him quite frequently. The children bond with Mr. Murant for six months and he starts teaching them that the sky is the limit as long as they believe in themselves. What happens to Mr. Murant and the children as their bond strengthens?

This reviewer was extremely touched at how in depth this children’s book was, not only on an emotional level, but also on a developmental level watching each of the four children flourish under Mr. Murant’s guidance. This book is a feel-good story for any child or class that may be labeled difficult learners because it will teach them that the sky is the limit on what you can learn and who you can become. All children should live by this mantra, allowing them to feel that they are worthy just like any other child.

Personally, this reviewer learned about this brain disorder Mr. Murant suffered from by reading this children’s book. Learning exactly what CTE was and the difficult ramifications Mr. Murant and others deal with on a daily basis was eye opening. Although Oscar Avery briefly explained what this disorder was and the side effects of it, I feel that parents, guardians, and librarians should know that the disorder can be very dangerous and often life-threatening.

The illustrations provided by Sarah Jane Docker were done in muted tones throughout this children’s book. The pictures encompassed the entire page of every single page of the book. They were the perfect complement to the story that was written.

Quill says: Line ‘Em Up! by Oscar Avery is one book that will have children cheering on the four students they come to know and love in this story. The storyline is very believable, the characters are well developed, and there are valuable lessons to be learned as you turn the pages.

Congratulations to the 2026 Feathered Quill Book Awards winners!

https://featheredquill.com/feathered-quill-book-awards-2026-winners/