Monday, February 10, 2025

 #AuthorInterview with Richard Harland

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Katie Specht is talking with Richard Harland, author of Ferren and the Invaders of Heaven, Book 3 in The Ferren Trilogy.

FQ: Tell our readers a little about yourself. Your background, your interests, and how this led to writing a book?

HARLAND: I was born in England and grew up in the farming countryside of Suffolk. I dreamed of being a writer from age twelve, but a few years later I won a national prize for a short story - which turned out a total disaster! I had a natural instinct for telling exciting, imaginative stories, but I won the prize with an oh-so-clever literary story. So I thought I ought to be writing literary fiction, and when I tried - writer’s block!

Author Richard Harland

For twenty-five years, I started and abandoned endless stories and novels. I still have a wardrobe full of unfinished mess! Even when I went back to imaginative storytelling, it was too late. The habit of writer’s block had its grip on me.

Meanwhile, I migrated to Australia at the age of twenty-one. I never intended to stay, but fell in love with the sunshine, beaches and easygoing lifestyle. I drifted around for years as a singer, songwriter, poet, and fringe academic, then finally became a university lecturer. And really enjoyed lecturing! But I never gave up the struggle to complete a novel.

At last I did! When The Vicar of Morbing Vyle, came out in Australia, it gained a cult following and led to a contract with a bigger publisher. I glimpsed the chance of writing full-time and resigned my tenured lectureship. I had to follow my original dream!

Since then, I’ve had nineteen books of speculative fiction published. My biggest international success has been with my YA steampunk fantasy, Worldshaker and its sequels. I’ve won the Prix Tam Tam du Livre Jeunesse in France for Worldshaker, six Aurealis Awards in Australia, and now I’m starting to win awards for the Ferren books in the US - the Reader Views Teen Fiction Silver Award and the Moonbeam YA: Fantasy/SciFi Silver Award.

I live south of Sydney with partner Aileen and Yogi the labrador. We’re not far from the biggest steelworks in the Southern Hemisphere, but we’re even closer to a string of golden beaches with an escarpment like a green cliff for a backdrop. Living the dream!

FQ: Tell us a little about your book – a brief synopsis and what makes your book unique.

HARLAND: Ferren and the Invaders of Heaven is set in a post-apocalyptic world -but a literal apocalypse! The background is drawn from angelology, the fascinating Judeo-Christian-Islamic lore about angels, fallen angels, Heaven and Hell, as preserved in the Apocrypha, Gnostic writings and the Kabala. This is not a religious book, though, and has no religious message to push.

A thousand years in the future, the continents of our planet have been reduced to ruined wastelands by an endless war between Heaven and Earth. The war began ten years on from our present time, when human medical scientists pushed over the boundary between life and death, resuscitated a human brain, discovered the reality of a Heavenly afterlife and ended up fighting against the angels. In Ferren’s present, Earth’s military forces are composed of artificially created Humen, while the original human beings have been reduced to small, fearful, isolated tribes.

Now the Humen launch their ultimate invasion of Heaven. They have the means to climb right up into Heaven’s First Altitude, they have secret weapons, and most of all, they have a new leader. The angel Asmodai has turned against his own kind, and wields not only his knowledge of Heaven’s secrets but special powers he’s developed himself.

The angels have no answers … but Ferren has been building an alliance of tribes to stand against the Humen. He’s been aided by Miriael, an angel who was shot down and miraculously survived on the Earth. She’s also acquired human feelings and once fell in love with their new arch-enemy, Asmodai.

Ferren and the Invaders of Heaven contains shocks and betrayals, a desperate pursuit, close encounters with the highest archangels, an amazing journey up to Heaven, and the wonders and terrors of terra-celestial warfare. When Ferren and his followers join the fighting on Heaven’s First Altitude, this battle will decide the outcome of the thousand-year war. And there are still more twists and turns to come …

FQ: Please give our readers a little insight into your writing process. Do you set aside a certain time each day to write, only write when the desire to write surfaces, etc?

HARLAND: I start writing every day straight after breakfast and keep writing until about half past one – late lunch time. I used to think my best ideas came at the end of the day, and maybe they still do, but morning’s the best time for motivation, which I need for turning ideas into words on a page. At half past one I stop, even if I’m in the middle of an exciting episode – because then I have something I’m eager and ready to get back to next day. I’ve learned to be very strict with myself, ever since regular writing habits helped me to beat my writers’ block.

In the afternoon, I do what I call ‘pre-filming’. I’ve never heard of any other writer doing it, so perhaps it only works for me and my very visual imagination. But I mull over the episode I’m going to be writing tomorrow, I see it in my mind’s eye, how it unfolds, how it looks and sounds, I live through it like a character in the scene. Then – and here’s the trick – I sleep on it overnight. I really believe in that phrase ‘sleep on it’! I think the unconscious mind goes to work, firming up ideas and making them solid. Because, next morning, it’s no longer possible scenes, it’s the one definite episode of story – and as real as if it really happened. All I have to do is record it!

Then there are all the other times of day when ideas for scenes later on in the story pop into my head. People ask, where do your ideas come from, but mostly there’s no answer, ideas just appear, no rhyme or reason. But maybe it helps if you have a sense of your story, world and characters always at the back of your mind – like a space held open for ideas to jump into. I don’t know, I don’t think too much about it – I don’t want to think too much about it. That’s one part of the writing process that’s always come easily and naturally to me!

FQ: What was the hardest part of writing your book? That first chapter, the last paragraph, or something else?

HARLAND: Ferren and the Invaders of Heaven is a YA retro-future fantasy. But it also has elements of science fiction - as in the backstory about the beginning of the terra -celestial war between - elements of steampunk - as in the old-new technology used by the Humen of this retro-future - and elements of horror. Definitely not fantasy in the standard sense of fantasy! The supernatural here is based on religious angelogy, magical in spirit but not ordinary magic.

I think fantasy ought to be challenging, always opening up new kinds of world for the imagination. I’ve never wanted to write fantasy that simply uses the standard medieval/Celtic tropes  (though I don’t mind reading it).

The book is YA because the main characters are in that age group, but I’m sure it’s not limited to YA readers. That’s the beauty of fantasy: it really can work for anyone! I originally started the Ferren Trilogy as adult fantasy, even though the main characters were always in the YA age group. But parts of it weren’t working well, so I re-imagined it as YA in order to help myself rethink the overall story. I didn’t pull any punches in the rethink, though!

FQ: If you were to teach a class on the art of writing, what is the one item you would be sure to share with your students and how would you inspire them to get started?

HARLAND: I can answer this because I’ve done it - in workshops with writing groups, in schools, etc. I think the supreme challenge of fantasy is to imagine a world that’s way, way different to anything in our real lives - and then convince the reader to experience it just as if it were real life. Every bit as solid, filled-out and vivid! For all writers, it’s essential to get the reader living along with the characters as if standing in their shoes; for fantasy writers, it’s harder to do, so all the more crucial to succeed in doing it!

I set up a possible scene that none has ever has or could experience for real, and say to aspiring writers: imagine yourself there! What would you see, hear, smell, think, feel? What would it actually be like? I’ve sometimes used the example of Ferren coming upon the angel Miriael lying shot down and damaged in the grass - this awe-inspiring, fear-inspiring kind of being only ever seen as a distant light in the sky … but now the light of her aura is dying. She’s in pain - yet she’s an enemy - yet she’s very, very beautiful. It’s amazing the impressions that people can come up with - it doesn’t matter if they match what I created, just so long as they’re detailed and personal and persuasive.

A big part of the skill lies in drawing on morsels of what you have experienced in real life, but projecting and expanding them to live up to something much, much bigger. Another, more testing example: put yourself in Miriael’s shoes (sandals?!) - how would it feel to be reduced to this damaged state, losing your light and unable to fly - and then sense the approach of an Earth-dwelling creature, dirty, unkempt, sweaty, physical? That requires an almost metaphysical leap of the imagination, but everyone has it, although it’s often buried under the weight of real life.

The younger the group I’m talking to, often, the better they are at letting loose their imaginations.

FQ: Is this the first book, the second, etc. in the series and how many books do you anticipate writing in this series?

HARLAND: Ferren and the Invaders of Heaven is Book 3 in the Ferren trilogy. When I originally wrote Book 1, it was a standalone, and I wasn’t prepared when my publisher wanted it turned into a trilogy. I managed to come up with the ideas for a trilogy, but was never fully satisfied with the result - I didn’t have time to flesh out those ideas the way they deserved to be fleshed out.

That was the original Heaven and Earth trilogy published twenty years ago and sold only in Australia. By and by, the books went out of print, which should have been the end of the story. But those books had fans - really devoted fans, and they wouldn’t let Ferren and his world go! They harassed publishers for a reprint, and twenty years later, they won through! IFWG Publishing proposed a reprint of the trilogy, I countered with a proposal for a total rewrite - and now here it is!

For me, the new Ferren trilogy is the story as it always should have been. Instead of a great first volume followed by a falling away, now every volume builds upon the one before. The stakes get higher and higher, the story gets bigger and bigger! When I finished typing out Ferren and the Invaders of Heaven, I felt the ultimate satisfaction: the potential that had always been there was now fully realized! I’d brought it to birth at last!

FQ: Where did the idea for your story come from?

HARLAND: The inspiration for the trilogy was a single generative spark – it came out of a dream. Seriously! I dreamed I was under a blanket, then peeked out and saw uncanny, moving lights in the night sky and heard weird, ominous sounds. Suddenly I knew – the way you can know things in dreams as though someone had told you – that this was the great war going on between the armies of Heaven and the armies of Earth.

I was still watching when one of the lights came hurtling down out of the sky straight at me. That was the moment I woke up, but I was still in the drowsy, half-conscious state when you come out of a dream too fast. I thought to myself, ‘That must've been an angel shot down and crashing to Earth. And she must've landed very close by. Perhaps she’s dead or injured.’

I thought more about it as I came fully awake. One thing I thought was, ‘I’ve been gifted the start of a novel.’ And so I had! It took me decades to fill out the background behind that first scene, decades of research and story-planning, many, many drafts and versions. But through every draft and version, one thing was always the same: the opening scene. With the young tribesman Ferren in my place, the first ten pages of Ferren and the Angel have never varied. Ferren sees Miriael shot down and fall to the Earth; next morning, he goes to investigate.

The third book, Ferren and the Invaders of Heaven, grew very naturally out of the two before. All the elements were in place for building up to a tremendous Humen invasion of Heaven – yet so many elements hadn’t been planned for that purpose at all. The Morphs, the angel Asmodai and Miriael falling in love with him, the past world history including the Weather Wars and the fallen angels allowed back up into Heaven – I’d never guessed at the role those elements would play. Yet it was if they were just there waiting to play it! It’s a great feeling when the story takes over with a life of its own!

FQ: The “bad guy/gal” in your book … was he/she fun to create and how difficult was it to write those scenes where he/she plays a central role?

HARLAND: The angel Asmodai is the ultimate ‘bad guy’ in the Ferren trilogy, and bad with a special sort of evil. It was fun creating him, but he made me shiver too. In fact, I don’t know how much I created him - he seemed to grow and develop into a kind of monstrosity I’d never expected.

His monstrosity is all internal; outwardly, he’s very beautiful, with a solemn sadness on top of the natural beauty of all angels. He’s also compassionate and sympathetic towards Miriael - at least, he can assume those qualities very, very convincingly. But underneath …

He was once a follower of Satan, but now views Satan as clumsy and unsophisticated. His version of pride is more inward, and he’d never reveal it. He’s also unusually clever and original for an angel, despising the traditionalist thinking of Heaven and developing powers never previously contemplated.

Did I mention that he’s been allowed to return to Heaven along with other ‘Luciferians’? That was a belief of some of the early Church fathers such as St Jerome, that the followers of Satan would eventually repent and be allowed to return.

Asmodai’s special monstrosity comes from the general condition of angels in Heaven. They touch spirit to spirit and exist in a state of total community, and partake in a communal kind of love, all for all. They can’t experience the human kind of love of one person for another.

Miriael, who is no longer purely spiritual, can experience the human kind of love, and she falls in love with Asmodai. Asmodai observes it in her and encourages it for his own ends. But he also enjoys being fallen in love with! It tickles his vanity, to have someone feeling this peculiarly close, personal love for him, which he - still a purely spiritual being - can never feel in return.

Isn’t that monstrous? It seems to me the pinnacle of cold-hearted egotism. Asmodai does many terrible things in the story, but the way he uses someone else’s feelings for his own gratification is what chills me the most.

FQ: Tell us about the fans favorite character. Were you surprised at the response to this character? Why do you think readers respond to this character?

HARLAND: Some fans have told me that Zonda’s their favorite character - others dislike and condemn her! She’s that sort of personality, you either love her or hate her. I’m not sure how I’d react to her in real life, but I love her in Ferren’s world. She’s pushy and forward, utterly self-confident, and what she wants she goes for. I don’t know - she’s just so much herself, just totally Zonda through and through! Ballsy and irrepressible! She always bounces back, and although she bumps thoughtlessly and bruisingly against other people, she really doesn’t have a mean bone in her body.

In Ferren and the Invaders of Heaven, she’s decided that what she wants is Ferren - and that creates a triangle with Kiet. I’m not telling how it works out, but you can bet Zonda will bounce up some way or other!

FQ: What was the most difficult scene to write and why?

HARLAND: I think the most difficult chapter was when Miriael goes up through the Altitudes of Heaven in a visionary dream. She’s had such dreams before, where she’s really, presently there as a spiritual consciousness, while her body remains below on the Earth, so I could handle the paradoxes of that. But to create a sequence of different Heavenly scenes, all beautiful and tremendous, while making them so vivid that the reader can actually see them! My imagination works very much with visual effects and sound effects, but I don’t think it’s ever had to work so hard as on that chapter.

I started Miriael off on the Third Altitude, which is where manna is produced according to traditional angelology. I pictured light falling from above like a faint mist, settling and crystallising as manna on the branches of manna-bushes; then the silhouetted figures of angels in the light, carrying baskets and gathering manna. I can’t properly describe it now, but I think I did in Chapter 12. Simple and peaceful … but more and more magnificent as she rises up through the Fourth Altitude, home of the Heavenly Byzantium, then the Fifth Altitude where a vast wall of a thousand angels sing in unison. There’s a thunder of organ music behind the choir, and I hope I created a visual equivalent.

Finally – in Chapter 13 – she ascends into the Hall of the Council, where the boughs of the Tree of Life arch to form a roof and the fluttering Blessed Souls form the leaves. There stand the great archangels in all their radiance …

I don’t know if it was more or less difficult for the fact that Miriael is experiencing emotions of her own at the same time: a desperation to communicate with angels who can’t see her, a sense of loss over the glorious realm she’s left behind, a sort of awestruck dread at venturing into levels of Heaven where she’s never been allowed before.

To learn more about Ferren and the Invaders of Heaven, Book 3 in The Ferren Trilogy, please visit the author's website at: richardharland.au

 #Bookreview of Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean

By: Dan E. Hendrickson

Publication Date: December 12, 2024

ISBN: 979-8985442588

Reviewed by: Trix Lee-Rainwater

Review Date: February 10, 2025

When honor, family, and justice collide with treachery on the high seas, who can stand against the combined might of pirates, ninjas, and corrupt nobles? This question lies at the heart of Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean by Dan Hendrickson.

The story begins with Brandy, a former pirate's daughter turned freedom fighter, and her husband Captain John Edwards leading their crew on their ship, the Morning Star, to rescue runaway slaves. Their mission goes awry when they're separated, leading John to encounter Lord Frederick, a British nobleman secretly arming Southern states for civil war. The stakes escalate dramatically when their children are kidnapped by the Jaded Empress, a notorious Chinese pirate seeking revenge against Brandy's martial arts master, Zhang Yong. As Brandy commandeers a slave ship, the Pearl Reaper, to pursue her children's captors, we learn that the Empress was Zhang's first student who betrayed him, stole his ceremonial swords, and fled to Japan to train with ninja. Now she seeks to defeat Brandy and claim leadership of the ninja clan.

Multiple forces converge as the scheming British nobles plot to use this situation to take control of a powerful shipbuilding company, Joshua Shipyards, by having the Jaded Empress eliminate its rightful heirs. Everything builds to an epic confrontation where Brandy must master Zhang's teachings about controlling rage in deadly combat, while John orchestrates a brilliant naval battle against overwhelming odds.

Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean is the second book of the Pirate Princess Saga and we return to see Brandy, who has evolved from her origins as a pirate's daughter to become a formidable force for justice in the Caribbean. This story is a historical action-adventure that weaves together themes of family loyalty, justice, and honor while delivering thrilling naval battles and martial arts sequences. Hendrickson excels at crafting memorable characters, from the fierce and principled Brandy to her steadfast husband John and their wise mentor Zhang. The author's detailed knowledge of sailing ships, martial arts, and the historical period adds authenticity to the fantastical elements. While the multiple plotlines and large cast of characters occasionally threaten to overwhelm the narrative, Hendrickson keeps the story focused and engaging. Though some readers may question the convenient coincidences that bring various characters together, this is forgivable given the nature of the adventure. The fusion of Chinese martial arts with Caribbean piracy creates an intriguing cross-cultural backdrop that sets this story apart from typical historical fiction.

Quill says: Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean is a swashbuckling adventure that blends historical drama with martial arts action while exploring timeless themes of family, honor, and justice on the high seas.

For more information about Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean, please visit the author's website at: www.danehendrickson.com

 #Bookreview of Brave Falls

By: AnneMarie Mazotti Gouveia

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Publication Date: February 11, 2025

ISBN: 979-8891325364

Reviewed by: Nellie Calanni

Review Date: February 10, 2025

In Brave Falls, AnneMarie Mazotti Gouveia delivers a gripping continuation to her middle-grade fantasy series, set in the vividly imagined world of Drifters Realm. Packed with high-stakes adventures, heartfelt relationships, and captivating magic, the book builds on the momentum of the first two installments, plunging readers into the tumultuous journey of Roe, Theo, Tora, and their friends as they face the greatest threat their world has ever known.

The story opens in the Desolation Mountains, where Roe, grappling with the revelation of her Sorcerer destiny, must summon the strength to lead her siblings and allies against Zane, their estranged uncle turned ruthless adversary. As tensions mount within the group, internal conflicts and unresolved rivalries threaten to derail their mission to stop the Guardians and end Zane’s uprising.

Mazotti Gouveia masterfully balances action-packed sequences with poignant character moments, giving readers a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics between the siblings. Themes of resilience, trust, and self-discovery are woven seamlessly into the narrative, reflecting the challenges faced by the young protagonists as they shoulder responsibilities far beyond their years.

The author’s world-building shines throughout the novel, with lush descriptions of the perilous caverns, the haunting beauty of the Uncharted Territory, and the red-rock wilderness that serves as the backdrop for much of the journey. The magical backpacks and unique Obligations of each character add a layer of intrigue and creativity to the narrative, providing readers with moments of awe and wonder.

At its core, Brave Falls is a story about bravery and the power of unity. As Roe, Theo, Tora, and their companions navigate the perils of betrayal, shifting alliances, and the weight of an ancient prophecy, they discover that their greatest strength lies in their bond as a family and their unwavering determination to save Drifters Realm.

Quill says: AnneMarie Mazotti Gouveia’s Brave Falls is a spellbinding tale of courage and camaraderie, sure to captivate fantasy readers of all ages with its rich storytelling and unforgettable characters.

For more information about Brave Falls, please visit the author's website at: www.annemariemazottigouveia.com

Thursday, February 6, 2025

 #Bookreview of On the Precipice of the Labyrinth

By: Brian Snowden

Publication Date: January 21, 2022

ISBN: 979-8885250979

Reviewed by: Lily Andrews

Review Date: February 6, 2025

Brian Snowden's historical fiction work On the Precipice of the Labyrinth is an inspiring and educational story about a Spanish teacher and writer's passion and resolve to visit a high-risk country.

With little money, William Benning found himself hitchhiking from Charlottesville to Washington, D.C., and then to New York, from where he planned to travel to Spain. Talking with one of his father's university colleagues piqued his curiosity in traveling to Spain. The latter was a professor of international relations who had been studying Spain and Italy, as well as the rise of radical politics influenced by the Russian revolution. At the time of William’s trip, Spain was going through a very turbulent political period, and his father believed that he was entering into that adventure blindly and so it would not be prudent for him to go. Nevertheless, William yearned to witness the scenario firsthand and contribute to the country's recovery. He just had no idea how to do so.

With mixed thoughts and doubts about the prudence of his decision, William landed in Spain without a well-thought-out strategy for what he was going to accomplish, wondering if his grasp of the Spanish language would be enough. Nevertheless, he would soon understand the extent of the emotions when someone suggested that he was an agitator attempting to interfere in Spain's affairs, since no tourists were expected to be traveling there. Things would get even more perplexing for him when he witnessed a double murder, and for a man whose ambition to explore the country rose above all other considerations, this was an occurrence he never anticipated.

This is a story of bravery, unwavering resolve, powerful willingness, and great mental fortitude. Looking at the sequence of events, one can surely concur that "where there is a will, there is a way," which is incredibly inspiring. The story is elevated above the typical adventure tales by the choices made by a character who has an unquenchable burning desire to visit a hostile nation. His results remarkably confirm the power of positive as he exposes the actual situation in contrast to the people's perceptions of their own nation.

Reading this wonderfully told narrative transports you to the heart of Spain, where its varied cultures, weather, cuisine, and other events are vividly described. Readers are kept on the edge of their seats throughout the novel as they anticipate specific expectations that have been set by the supporting characters. With a hint of romance that challenges long-held positions and convictions, this novel evokes a wide range of feelings in readers and encourages reflection on what they should truly value.

Quill says: On the Precipice of the Labyrinth is a moving story that combines several literary themes, including a political dilemma—where some citizens desire to return to the heyday of having a monarch, while others want to bring the nation back to the twentieth century. It makes readers want to explore and pursue their ambitions while weighing the potential consequences of doing actions that are strongly discouraged.

For more information about On the Precipice of the Labyrinth, please visit the author's website at: www.brianfsnowden.com

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Monday, February 3, 2025

 #Bookreview of Unsolved

By: Susan Fleet

Publisher: Music & Mayhem Press

Publication Date: January 21, 2025

ISBN: 978-1-7321301-4-2

Reviewed by: Shrubaboti Bose

Review Date: February 3, 2025

Stories based on true crime have always intrigued readers, but with classic detective novels like that of Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot circulating in the literary market, it is definitely not an easy feat for an independent author to find her own niche. Despite that, Susan Fleet’s character, Frank Renzi, with his gritty yet empathetic attitude is very popular among contemporary readers and her works have been acknowledged, receiving appreciation from various different sources.

Set in the busy streets of New Orleans, Fleet introduces us to a sinister darker side of the city throughout Unsolved, a gripping crime thriller, which is also the twelfth book in her detective series. The story revolves around two main characters: Zack and Frank. Zack, a former cop turned murderer goes off the grid for eight years after killing his ex-wife and leaving behind his 5 year old daughter, Lily. However, with time he starts missing his daughter and longs to be by her side. Determined to reunite with his daughter who is now 13 years old, and staying in a rehabilitation center for children with behavioral issues, Zack devises a plan to meet Lily secretly and to help her run away from that prison-like facility, without raising the NOPD’s suspicions. He cannot afford to get caught by law enforcement while on the run with Lily. If he gets caught, he would immediately be arrested and go to jail. Frank, a well-respected homicide detective known for his genuine and sympathetic nature, is ordered by his superior, Beverly to solve a cold case from eight years ago, which just happens to be Zack’s murder case.

The fact that the story begins with one of the characters possibly having killed someone unintentionally, gives us an inkling of the existing moral values of this character. Additionally, the graphic description of the dead body heightens the bone-chilling effect of such an act of violence. What is even more jarring is the lack of a sense of remorse or guilt felt by the murderer. Zack’s resolution to get Lily out of her home for wayward children turns almost obsessive when he stops caring about what his actions mean and how they could jeopardize his future even more.

It is clear from her narratives that Fleet has mastered the art of creating characters with unique personalities. They are so realistic and at times flawed that it makes them more relatable to people. Initially, for a few moments, we are almost tempted to support Zack even though we know he is a vicious murderer who later goes on to commit various acts of crime. The author focuses mainly on the qualities of each of the two characters Zack and Frank as they were shaped in such a way to act as a foil to one another.

Although women’s role in the book has been largely compromised, it is still heartening to see them occupy at least a supporting role. Overall, the story has a range of diverse characters, each of them bringing something new to the equation and instead of remaining in the background, they actively contribute towards the growth and evolution of the protagonists. Ultimately, Unsolved is an engrossing book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys crime and mystery novels.

Quill says: Unsolved is bound to become a popular crime thriller that will keep its readers enthralled until the end!

For more information on Unsolved, please visit the author’s website at: www.susanfleet.com.

Sunday, February 2, 2025

 #Bookreview of Adam's Garden

By: Alexey L. Kovalev

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Publication Date: January 28, 2025

ISBN: 979-8-89132-473-2

Reviewed by: Kathy Stickles

Review Date: February 2, 2025

Adam’s Garden is a very interesting piece of literature that revolves around one man’s search for perfection, to put it simply. The book itself, in this reviewer’s opinion, is not a simple one but it is definitely one that is worth reading if you are someone who likes to challenge your own ideas about life, realization, and belief of the ideal world.

In this book, readers follow the main character, Adam, on his path as he attempts to figure out how to remove the flaws from his life, and the world around him, and live a life that is completely perfect. Adam is searching for a utopia that seems to no longer exist no matter how much one may want it to. It is his own personal voyage of evolution, filled with many questions and hope, that he will finally be able to find the idyllic existence that he is searching for. The garden, descriptively used throughout the story, is a symbol of the real possibilities that exist within each one of us and especially Adam, to grow and change and make our own world a wonderful one.

In Adam’s Garden, author Alexey Kovalev brings a creative and very unique take on finding the answer to how one can find perfection in their life. He has given readers a book that is well-written and one that will definitely dare readers, as well as the main character, to take a serious look at their lives and what they need to do to improve them and hopefully, in the end, make them the most ideal that they can be. All of the characters included in the story, especially Adam, are very well-developed and I found each of them to be interesting and to possess a different and fascinating look at their own life and of life in general.

The study of the idea of utopia included in this story is very perceptive and well-crafted and one that does not come across as overthought or condescending to the average reader. By having Adam reflect on his own ideas about life without things coming across to the reader as lecturing, this author has crafted a book that anyone can read, understand, and use as a springboard for their own ideas and search for excellence. In addition, the symbolism between the garden and an idea of life that is without destructive thoughts and moments, is a perfect focal point for the book. It is that place that all human beings strive to reach on their journey through life.

Adam’s Garden is a book filled with abundant images, deep thoughts and symbolism, and profound and beautiful writing. It is a book that I think will challenge and truly affect any reader who delves into it. By combining both understanding and feeling, Alexey Kovalev has written a story that will remain in the reader’s hearts and minds long after they have the finished last page and I would recommend it highly to others.

Quill says: If you are someone who enjoys a different and sensitive story that will make you think, and possibly grow and change, then Adam’s Garden is definitely a book that you should not miss.

For more information about Adam's Garden, please visit the publisher's website at: atmospherepress.com/books/adams-garden-by-alexey-l-kovalev.

Friday, January 31, 2025

 #Bookreview of Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles

By: Helene Hovanec

Publisher: aka Associates

Publication Date: January 13, 2025

ISBN: 979-8989035755

Reviewed by: Diana Coyle

Review Date: January 31, 2025

In Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles by Helene Hovanec, readers are presented with a puzzle book that is broken down into two sections: Word Fun Riddles and Crisscross Puzzles. In the back of the book, it contains all 50 answers to both sections of the book.

In the Word Fun Riddles section, there are 25 puzzles offered in which to solve them, you need to find the one letter in the word in the left column that is not in the word supplied in the right column. You then write the letter down on the middle line provided between both columns. When you have filled in all the lines, read down the middle column of letters and it will reveal the answer to each puzzle riddle. Each riddle provided will have the puzzler laughing out loud at the silly answers.

In the Crisscross Puzzles section, there are also 25 puzzles to solve. These are basically puzzles in which you find the appropriate word to fit in the specific number of boxes provided. Avid fans of this puzzle type might know it by the name “Fill In” puzzles.

Ms. Hovanec created this puzzle book to provide children with an endless number of hours sharpening their minds, while also entertaining them as they solve each puzzle. By providing kids a pen and paper puzzle, it engages their five motor skills while also improving their focus. As they are writing, it reinforces memory learning and builds cognitive connections for them. The ultimate goal of this book is to encourage learning and provide a sense of accomplishment when the child finishes each puzzle.

This reviewer loved solving each puzzle in both sections and found the riddles worthy of laughs. Especially enjoyable was Puzzle Pooch, the eyeglass wearing dog, who is your puzzle coach throughout the book. Puzzlers of all ages will enjoy these puzzles, while looking for Puzzle Pooch scattered throughout the pages, offering you encouragement to keep solving all the puzzles in the book.

Ms. Hovanec has been hooked on puzzles all her life. She is a former elementary school teacher who is constantly trying to teach children by providing them with educationally fun puzzle books. Amazingly, she is the author of over 60 puzzle books for children and adults.

Quill says: If you love puzzle books, no matter what your age, Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles is sure to tickle your fancy as well as your funny bone. It comes highly recommended!

For more information on Word Fun Riddles & Crisscross Puzzles, please visit the author's website at: puzzlepooch.net

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

 #Bookreview of Born to Trouble

By: Regan Walker

Publisher: Regan Walker Publishing

Publication Date: February 27, 2025

Reviewed by: Lily Andrews

Review Date: January 28, 2025

Regan Walker's Born to Trouble is an illuminating work of historical fiction that focuses on “a man born to much trouble all his lifetime." It also intends to provide a historical narrative of a power struggle that resulted in grave betrayal at a period of highly layered internal conflict and self-interest.

Following his father's death, Alexander is inaugurated as Chief of Clan Donald and Lord of the Isles. He is of a magnificent built, upright stance, golden hair, and piercing blue eyes and is married to Catherine, with whom he has four boys. It is in the fifteenth century, and he and his family have been awaiting the return of King James to Scotland after being imprisoned in England during the rule of two of its monarchs for eighteen years. With a glorious coronation imminent, Alexander believes King James must be wary of Duke Murdoch's long-standing alliances, as well as his army of Albany supporters fighting in France under the command of his younger brother, John Stewart, Earl of Buchan.

In reaction to growing criticism of his leadership, King James moves quickly to retake his ancestral kingdom and detain Duke Murdoch and his son. He summons the main Highland chiefs to a parliament in Inverness later on, but they are assaulted and arrested as accusations of treachery reverberate across the region. Alexander and his mother, who are among the invitees, are imprisoned for weeks, and two of his Highland nobles are put to death without a trial. Alexander, unsure of what might have led King James to be so harsh and unscrupulous, must decide whether to accept the promise of power and rank in exchange for his devotion or stay behind bars.

Everything changes, however, when he discovers, following a careful choice, that some of his family were executed at the king's command. Everyone around him is consumed by anger and a desire for vengeance, and he quickly realizes that he might have to lead the lordship and the men of Ross into battle, which would entail walking on a path steeped in blood.

This narrative deals with deep issues of oppression, self-interest, betrayal, and revenge. Set in a historically relevant era and a highly charged political atmosphere, it builds the bully-underdog dynamic right away. A well-chosen figure, the protagonist's popularity and brilliance earn him broad support among his people until he is compelled to make judgments that appear out of proportion to his age. His deeds initiate a sequence of events that imply a readiness to give up oneself for the good of others, a concept that is ultimately tested.

By thoroughly examining these endeavors, the author skillfully depicts early Scottish aristocratic society. She ably discusses the political climate and key historical occurrences by examining the king's, lords', and other political intrigues and disputes. Examining what happens to the protagonist when he mopes in the tumultuous and romantic circles is one of his novel’s standout features.

Quill says: Born to Trouble is a masterfully written historical fiction work with detailed illustrations and an insightful narrative that profoundly gives the story a worthy conclusion. Not your typical one-sit read, it strikes a mix between fiction and history to keep the reader interested. This is a flawless fictional exposition with a lasting aura for anyone interested in ancient Scottish history.

For more information about Born to Trouble, please visit the author's website at: www.reganwalkerauthor.com

Monday, January 27, 2025

 #AuthorInterview with Dorothy Love

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Katie Specht is talking with Dorothy Love, author of A Season of Saigon.

FQ: Tell our readers a little about yourself. Your background, your interests, and how this led to writing a book?

LOVE: I can't remember a time when I wasn't obsessed with stories, both writing them and reading them. In high school  I fell in love with journalism and edited my school paper. I worked at the University Press as a college student first as a volunteer general stories reporter and later I had a paid position as co editor. After graduation I taught for several years, earned a master's degree and a doctorate before pursuing a full time career as a novelist. I wrote a dozen novels for YA and middle graders before turning to writing for women. A Season in Saigon is my twenty-first novel.

FQ: Tell us a little about your book – a brief synopsis and what makes your book unique.

LOVE: A Season in Saigon is inspired by the women who worked in Vietnam as writers and photojournalists during the war.  Many of them worked for newspapers but in the 1960's discrimination against women in the newsroom was pervasive, and many women were confined to writing about food and fashion. So they funded their own travel to South Vietnam in order to write important stories, but  were then humiliated and obstructed by the military and the male journalists who regularly told them they didn't belong there. Tallis Reed, my protagonist, is a fashion writer who is essentially black-balled after making a wrong decision at her magazine. She buys a one-way ticket to Saigon to redeem her mistake and to salvage her career. But she's unprepared for life in a steaming, wary city teeming with refugees and orphans, soldiers and spies.  And she's unprepared to fall in love with Nick Landry, an American doctor volunteering at a civilian hospital. This book was completed, but not yet published when Kristin Hannah's novel The Women came out last year. Her book opened the door for conversations about the war and the toll it took on the nurses who served, and its publication increased my confidence that A Season in Saigon is arriving at a time when readers want to know more abut this chapter in our history. No book is truly unique, but A Season in Saigon, like Hannah's book is told from a woman's point of view, and shines a light on the experiences of another group of women whose stories have been largely unexamined in fiction. Most of the fiction about the war is written by men, for men. A Season in Saigon is a woman's story. It's both an adventure tale, and a sweet love story that I hope will educate readers too young to have lived through the tumultuous 1960's and the war, and that it will entertain older readers who can recall the music, the politics, and the culture of the times.

FQ: What was the impetus for writing your book?

LOVE: As a former journalist working at the university in 1969, I was in the middle of that era, so this story is a part of my lived history. A couple of years ago I discovered a handful of nonfiction books about the women who covered the war, and as the author of many other historical novels, I was fascinated by their stories, and a bit annoyed, really that they had done such important work over there, and for the most part, nobody knew about them. A Season in Saigon is my attempt to rectify that oversight.

FQ: Please give our readers a little insight into your writing process. Do you set aside a certain time each day to write, or only write when the desire to write surfaces?

LOVE: After twenty previous books of various lengths and set in various time periods, I've developed my own system. Historical fiction done right requires a tremendous amount of research, background reading, tracking down primary sources. I usually spend however long it takes to complete this process. Then I develop an outline, and follow it through to the end. In  the revision stage, some of that research gets weeded out and then there are gaps in my knowledge that must be filled in during multiple rounds of revision.  I am not infallible; I'm certain there are details I have gotten wrong, but readers are usually forgiving if they see that you've made a real effort to be accurate.

FQ: What was the hardest part of writing your book? That first chapter, the last paragraph, or something else?

LOVE: With this particular novel, getting the details right was a huge challenge. It's set in Saigon, a city halfway around the world and takes place fifty-seven years ago amid the chaos of a controversial war. I've traveled to the locales of most of my other books but it wasn't possible to visit  Saigon. I relied upon memoirs and upon more than six hundred photos in an effort to paint an authentic portrait.  I've tried to balance the various American perspectives with the perspectives of the Vietnamese, using  countless official  transcripts, newspaper clippings,  and interviews. Thanks to the magic of the internet, I was able to chat online with a few of the men who were there.  Some of their comments were funny, some were poignant, some profane, but underlying all of it was the sense of having been part of a brotherhood. This book is the most emotionally challenging one I've written.  I'm sure I have made mistakes but I  hope I have done justice to everybody.

FQ: The genre of your book is Historical Fiction. Why this genre?

LOVE: Historical fiction from a female perspective has always been my favorite to read and to write. Among the historical novels of which I'm most proud are Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray (TNZ Fiction/HarperCollins) based on the journals of Mary Custis Lee and on her correspondence with Selena Gray, an enslaved woman at Arlington; and Carolina Gold from the same publisher, based on the life of Elizabeth Allston Pringle, a woman rice planter.  I hope A Season in Saigon, while set in the twentieth century, also will engage and entertain readers.

FQ: Do you have any plans to try writing a book in a different genre? If so, which genre and why?

LOVE: I'm currently at work on a murder mystery set in a small Texas town in 1956.  There's a romance element to it but I hope to serve readers a slice of life of Texas in the 50's.  It's new territory for me but I enjoy a challenge. We'll see how it goes and whether I can pull it off.

FQ: Who are your favorite authors?

LOVE: I read widely for research but for pleasure I love historical fiction. A few of my favorite authors in the genre are Susan Meissner, Lisa Wingate, Erika Robuck and Kate Quinn.  They're masters not only at creating characters to root for, but their attention to detail has earned my admiration. Susan's novel about the San Francisco earthquake and Kate's novel about the women who worked at Bletchley Park during the Second World War are outstanding. And I don't think there's anyone left on Planet Earth who has not read Lisa's searing Before We Were Yours. Erika has a novel coming out in August set in Vietnam, about Dickey Chapelle, a female photojournalist who worked there until her death in 1965. I can't wait to read it.

FQ: If you were to teach a class on the art of writing, what is the one item you would be sure to share with your students and how would you inspire them to get started?

LOVE: I have taught at writers' conferences and workshops nationwide and enjoy it. Here's the lesson I try to impart: The building blocks of fiction are actually pretty simple (it's only the execution that is difficult). Someone has a high-stakes goal. Some force, either internal or eternal, or both, motivates her to pursue it. Conflicts, both internal and external stand in the character's way. Readers read to find out whether the character will reach her goals, and how she reaches them and how she is changed, or not changed, by the experience.  I inspire them to get started by having them read The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler.  It never fails to get writers excited and to get the creative juices flowing.  I use it to varying degrees in my own work.

FQ: Are any of the characters based on real people you know? If so, how closely does your character mimic the real person?

LOVE: The only real person portrayed in A Season in Saigon is Ann Bryan, the woman who most inspired this novel. Like many of her contemporaries, Ann worked on the women's pages at a newspaper before heading to Saigon. In her case, she went to Germany first to work at Overseas Weekly, and was then assigned as bureau chief for the Weekly in Saigon.  In Saigon she developed a reputation for truth telling that so infuriated the US military that they tried to take her paper off the streets. Ann took them to court and won. At her death in 2009, one of the Major Generals who had worked with her said she was beloved among the troops and that the Weekly was the only paper that told the truth as it was happening, As a single woman, Ann adopted an infant daughter from a Saigon orphanage and later, after her marriage to Frank Mariano, a reporter for ABC News, they adopted a second daughter. Ann was one of the last Americans out of Saigon in 1975. I have tremendous respect for her, and wanted to acknowledge her in the pages of the novel. In the story, she becomes Tallis's boss, mentor, and friend. I hope she would be pleased with my story.

 #Bookreview of The Greatest Band That Never Was

By: Jeff Meshel

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Publication Date: January 14, 2025

ISBN: 979-8-89132-499-2

Reviewed by: Kathy Stickles

Review Date: January 27, 2025

The Greatest Band That Never Was is a riveting story that is filled with everything a reader could want in a story. There is emotion, humor, drama, music, relationships, fun and confusion for all of the characters. It is a story that gives readers a chance to believe that dreams can come true. The book is heart-warming and will grab you immediately and keep you completely addicted until the very last page. Spanning over seven hundred pages, author Jeff Meshel has created something truly epic and I just could not stop reading once I started.

At the beginning of the story, the author presents us with two separate stories that will eventually come together as the book continues. The separate storylines are both wrapped around one old song; with an almost forgotten band in one decade and a paralegal named Shelly Griffin in another decade. As Shelly connects the song to a local hometown beer and a family-owned brewery that is about to shut down, we find that the band from long ago is actually the creator of this magical piece of music. The author goes back and forth flawlessly showing how the band, Decapede, forms and how, in a future time, Shelly hears a song and decides that she is going to bring the band who sang it, if she can figure out who they are, back together to save a failing business.

As readers observe Decapede come together and then break apart, these wonderful characters become a part of our own family. From Aaron Wainwright, who is the leader and creator of the band; to Sam Miller, an amazing singer who seems to appear out of nowhere; to Kathleen, the simple waitress who turns out to be an incredible singer and one that both Aaron and Sam want to be with. All the members of the band have a story to tell about themselves and their ability to interact with the others. Of course, everything falls apart as they are neither ready or able to be the overnight sensations that the world wants them to be.

Everything becomes even more interesting when Shelly decides to bring the band back together and make them famous again in order to save her new friend’s business and gift the song and Decapede back to the world. Can she bring everyone back and, if she does, what is going to happen between the band members, given the problems that broke them up in the first place? How will all of these clashing personalities work together decades after they dropped out of sight?

The Greatest Band That Never Was is an incredible tale that takes readers on a nostalgic trip into the past filled with music and emotion and it is a trip that should not be missed. Everything about the storyline and writing is outstanding. While Jeff Meshel has proven with this book that he is a wonderful writer, I have to say that his character development is beyond any that I have seen before in a book. It is obvious to this reader that he stands out among other writers with his ability to craft each and every character into a person that we care about and cheer on. Each of the characters have such a distinctive personality and an interesting, well-developed backstory and you cannot help but adore them, whether they are at their best or their worst in any given moment. Even with the number of characters and the long length of this book, Jeff Meshel never once lost control of it. It remains flawless throughout and keeps you wanting more.

I cannot recommend The Greatest Band That Never Was strongly enough. Regardless of what draws you to a story as a reader: music, great dialogue, an extremely well-crafted plot, a lot of twists and turns, or a remarkable and diverse group of characters, you are guaranteed to find it in the pages of this book. I can honestly say I was very sad to see this story end!

Quill says: It is not very often that a reader is offered such an enchanting, heart-warming, and truly epic story that is so fabulously written. It is so wonderful to find a book where you do not expect as much as you are given. The Greatest Band That Never Was is just such a book and I have no doubt that it will be a great success.

For more information about The Greatest Band That Never Was, please visit the author’s website at: jmeshel.com.

Thursday, January 16, 2025

 #Bookreview of Cooling our Environment: An Architect's Vision to Combat Global Warming

By: Kalpana Sutaria

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Publication Date: December 10, 2024

ISBN: 979-8891325418

Reviewed by: Diana Coyle

Review Date: January 16, 2025

We look at buildings as a place where we live, work, and play. We take for granted that those existing buildings may or may not have been built with our environment in mind. In Cooling our Environment: An Architect’s Vision to Combat Global Warming by Kalpana Sutaria, we learn that professionals in the building industry are presently implementing sustainable building practices to create green buildings and infrastructures to lower emissions as best we can. All our activities, whether they are for work or play, are continually warming our planet. If we don’t make serious changes now, our planet and generations to come will experience unnecessary suffering.

Through our actions, global warming plays out in future weather events that will lead to increases in droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and hailstorms. The intensity of these weather events has been increasing over the past decades, causing severe devastation across the United States. Because of these severe weather changes, we must pay careful attention to our actions, and that of future generations, to address the severity of our present situation. In order to do this, we must use cleaner energy sources such as wind and solar power.

Sutaria presents a valid argument that if we and future generations don’t start taking responsibility for our actions, we are setting ourselves up for future devastating disasters. We need to be educated in not only how we, as individuals, can conserve for our planet, but as a whole we must all take responsibility to preserve our planet for generations to come. Part of this education comes from understanding how our homes, schools, and work places are being built. We need to get our local politicians involved and make them just as accountable for helping protect our future environment. They are the ones allowing areas to be built up, so let’s hold them accountable so we can collectively work toward a better, healthier, and environmentally friendlier place for future generations can grow up in.

The author has done her research and it clearly shows in the diagrams she provides and the statistics she shares. While reading, this reviewer had to take a minute or two to pause from time to time to actually let these statistics sink into her thoughts. Honestly, with everyone’s schedules being jammed with family and work routines, we all collectively don’t put much thought to what our future generations are going to be dealing with because of our present day actions. We don’t think about how buildings are being built, or what materials they might be using to build them. We don’t hold our local city and state departments accountable enough when they grant building permits. We have to wonder if they are truly taking the time to see what the builders plan on using to build the structures. But as Sutaria states, the time is now to start making changes before it is too late to do so. We all need to be held accountable for what future generations are going to have to deal with due to unfriendly environmental actions today.

Quill says: Cooling our Environment: An Architect’s Vision to Combat Global Warming will make readers stop and take a look at the footprints they are creating today. After reading this book, readers will be equipped to put into practice positive changes in order to shape a healthier environment for our future.

For more information about Cooling our Environment: An Architect’s Vision to Combat Global Warming, please visit the publisher's website at: atmospherepress.com/books/cooling-our-environment-an-architects-vision-to-combat-global-warming-by-kalpana-sutaria/

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

 #Bookreview of Year of the Snake Zodiac Predictions 2025

By: Barbara Hall

Publication Date: January 3, 2025

ISBN: 9798305910278

Reviewed by: Rebecca Jane Johnson

Review Date: January 15, 2025

Ringing in a new year brings new unknowns about the future. Rest assured, the librarian, teacher, and writer Barbara Hall’s Year of the Snake Zodiac Predictions 2025 gives helpful forecasts about the year ahead.

This book presents the perspectives of Chinese Astrology and Feng Shui as a friendly support to our intuition. After providing some background and stories about snake mythology in Asian culture, this book proceeds through each of the twelve animals in the zodiac, revealing insights that can guide readers to making wise moves in 2025. Learn which Zodiac sign you were born under, and live with confidence in your strengths because the year of the snake has something unique for you. This book is complete with advice on design and style of your living space or work space to optimize harmony. Subtle forces will be at play throughout the year and, according to this wisdom, 2025 will be a year to use the snake’s qualities of strategic thinking, adaptability, and patience to confront whatever life dishes out in the areas of personal growth, health, wealth, career, and relationships.

Beginning January 29, 2025 until February 17, 2026, the Wood Snake rules the lunar cycle. The Wood Snake’s qualities are elegance, introspection, resourcefulness, and patience. It is best, according to Hall, to set intentions at the new moon and be grateful at the full moon each month. Curious about how your compatible companions will fare this year? This book reveals insight about navigating within nature, culture, family, intimacy, and society so that you and your loved ones can be in alignment and harmony.

This is a well-researched book, written in a practical, accessible, and personal way for an audience that ranges from those who are seasoned students of astrology to those who consult astrological wisdom for fun. The book contains translations for Chinese characters and auspicious symbols. It tells some of the story of the snake in the Zodiac. Nothing is missing from this elegant presentation. Every essential aspect is covered, leaving the reader feeling confident to plan the year ahead armed with wisdom.

Quill says: Year of the Snake Zodiac Predictions 2025 presents a method and sound advice for the coming year from the Chinese Zodiac and Feng Shui that can help readers navigate the ups and downs of this year with informed wisdom to bring growth, wealth, and connection to you and your loved ones in 2025.

For more information about Year of the Snake Zodiac Predictions 2025, please visit the author's website at: barbarahall.ca.

Friday, January 10, 2025

 #Bookreview of Touchpaper

By: David Dodds

Publication Date: December 20, 2024

ISBN: 978-1-068566-90-5

Reviewed by: Shrubaboti Bose

Review Date: January 10, 2025

Touchpaper by David Dodds is a fantasy novel that slowly unravels amidst the cobbled streets of Edinburgh, recounting various challenges faced by its protagonist, Drew Macleod. Initially, he leads a lackluster and almost sedentary life, but everything changes one day when an other-worldly creature tries to kill him. The fine line separating the mortal world from the supernatural realm starts disintegrating, marking the beginning of an exhilarating journey of self-discovery and personal development. Hunted by several mysterious forces at the same time puts Drew under a lot of pressure, but he also finds friendship and acceptance within this new and unfamiliar community.

As the plot progresses, we are introduced to many interesting characters such as Traggheim, a dzarf with exceptional craftmanship and mechanical prowess; Alyssum, a highly spirited healer who offers him timely advice and some much-needed compassion as well as understanding; then there is Garm; Mamma Harbinger, Harkin the bloodcap, and more. Characters often draw inspiration from their past experiences and lend their strength to the main character in the form of unwavering support, as demonstrated by Drew’s best friend Jamie. It is no surprise that readers usually appreciate such sincerity and genuine companionship between two characters and feel moved to mentally cheer for them.

Archer, the ancient daemon who had rescued Drew on the night of the ambush, eventually assumes the role of his mentor, training him in basic survival techniques and combat skills. However, increasing stakes force Drew to finally come to terms with his new environment and the sheer importance of forming new allies. He gradually becomes acquainted with different members of this strange world and falls in love with a charming angelii, Ashnil. Despite internal strife and differences, this motley group of people from all walks of life quickly form alliances and unite their forces to fight against the evil aelve queen, who is notorious for her greed and cruelty.

Although the protagonist lacks the charisma one would expect from the main ‘hero,’ it seems justifiable in how Drew remains an amateur at best until the end, returning the symbolic torch of leadership back to Archer again. As a story narrated in the first person’s point of view, Drew holds the central space of the novel by default. And yet, almost ironically, the compelling presence of secondary characters undermines the significance of his role and gives us rather the impression of a naive character who is constantly in need of guidance or validation, far from being ready to take on the mantle and even less so in single-handedly organizing a battle against the otherwise clever and manipulative queen. Her final choice of deliberately walking into the trap that Drew had devised doesn’t really align with the rest of her character portrayal and comes off as slightly underwhelming.

Nevertheless, what makes this story particularly engaging is the way in which all the characters have been presented with their own individual personality and worldview. They are simultaneously different, original and realistic, making it enjoyable and also easier for readers to sympathize with their struggles and dilemmas. The author keeps the tone lighthearted, and the storytelling simple and captivating. There is some worldbuilding, but it is one that requires minimum investment in order to comprehend, which is bound to appeal to a larger readership than fantasy novels that feature extremely complex or confusing worldbuilding. With a curious blend of traditional and urban myths, this story holds our interest effortlessly, following an invisible chronology that binds the events together coherently.

Quill says: As a fast-paced fantasy novel with a group of different people working towards one common goal as a team, reflecting the subtle nuances and beauty of friendship, Touchpaper delivers!

For more information on Touchpaper, please visit the author's website at: daviddoddsauthor.com.

 #Bookreview of Align Your Business with the Real You

By: Jennifer Musser

Publisher: Penrock Press

Publication Date: April 29, 2025

ISBN: 979-8991544214

Reviewed by: Douglas C. MacLeod, Jr.

Review Date: January 9, 2025

According to Jennifer Musser, the founder of JLM & Associates Consulting, LLC and author of Align Your Business with the Real You, thirteen personal lessons must be learned to become more successful in business. These thirteen lessons stem from her “5C framework,” which developed throughout her years as a CEO and citizen. The five Cs are: connect; clarify; control; cocreate; and, change. Musser’s business framework may seem obvious, but what makes it more unique than most is that Musser writes about what owners need to do for themselves to become more effective for their customers, clients, and co-workers. Oftentimes, business communication books are more about how relationships can be lucrative for just the business owner. Instead, Musser’s work takes a more psychoanalytical approach, in that if one wants to be a business owner, the individual needs to first “LTY” or “Listen to Yourself” as “It’s the single most valuable business tool you own, and it’s accessible to you at any time.”

It is LTY that makes Align Your Business with the Real You a stronger text than most, because with “LTY” comes a recognition that “you” (because you are the audience who needs assistance with your budding business) must know yourself before venturing into a world that does not care about your well-being. Mental health challenges and a lack of self-care are contemporary issues discussed in houses, offices, and social media platforms around the globe; and Musser fully recognizes these points of interest and empathetically makes it known that without a clear sense of self--mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually--success (whatever that looks like for you) will be harder to attain. Musser’s caring demeanor is evident in her stylistic choices, which includes personal stories as introductions to chapters, and chapters that are consistently broken down to help readers reflect, learn, apply, act, and ask, all actions that positively feed into the thirteen lessons that should be learned while self-reflecting.

Each chapter in Align Your Business with the Real You is part of the process of learning about yourself so you can LTY, and each lesson that Musser presents is admirable and embraces humanism: change course if you feel it is right; collect skills and confidence; be kind; stay driven; persevere; and more. There is no doubt Musser has thoroughly vetted each of the lessons she is providing, and her affable mentality is a refreshing change from the barrage of vitriolic discourse we hear from powerful entities who use their platforms to disseminate negativity. And yet, there are potential questions: How long will Musser’s process take? If it took Musser years to figure out how effective this process is, should readers expect the same? In a fast-paced world where one feels the need to grab the brass ring before it quickly passes by, is LTY just another abstract mantra? Musser’s process has so many moving parts, so is it possible to hold onto each one of the thirteen lessons at all times? Throughout the book, Musser provides graphs and techniques to help readers map out their successes; however, can success take place if all thirteen lessons are not learned? What sorts of techniques can be used to help us keep all of the lessons in mind during moments of great professional strife? How can the thirteen lessons get us through each situation, being that each situation is unique in and of itself? Still, Align Your Business with the Real You presents a compelling and persuasive narrative to show that if you connect with yourself in a more profound and deeper way, and learn the empathic lessons presented by Musser, success, whatever that may look like for you, is bound to happen.

Quill says: Align Your Business with the Real You gives entrepreneurs much to work with and think about as it pertains to their inner selves and how to attain their own definition of success.

For more information on Align Your Business with the Real You, please visit the author’s website at: www.jlmaconsulting.com.

Thursday, January 2, 2025

 #AuthorInterview with Dr. Kathi N. Miner

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Diane Lunsford is talking with Dr. Kathi N. Miner, author of The Committed Professor A Memoir: My Fall from the Lectern to the Psych Ward.

FQ: Thank you for your time today. I was fascinated by your courage in writing your memoir and am honored to have the opportunity to chat today. I would like to ask a few questions about you before diving into the content. You have impressive credentials and during your educational journey, was there ever a time when you wanted to ‘call it quits’ and what was your motivation to keep moving forward?

MINER: Perhaps surprisingly, I never once thought about quitting my educational journey to get a PhD in Psychology and Women’s Studies. I tend to set pretty lofty goals for myself and persevere until I complete them. I also love doing social science research so it was very rewarding for me along the way. I am committed to making even a small change in society for those who are marginalized in society, especially women, so doing research on women’s lives for a career seemed like a perfect fit.

Author Dr. Kathi N. Miner

FQ: I’m intrigued to learn more about your departure from academia and your move to the Middle East to work for a large energy company to focus more on diversity and equity in the workplace. How much of an impact did writing your memoir play on making this decision?

MINER: Writing my memoir played a huge role in my decision to leave academia. As an academic working at a research-focused university, I was constantly working on publishing journal articles and securing grants and often felt like I had little time for other pursuits in order to succeed. I was committed to writing my memoir, but was making little progress. I felt leaving academia and getting a job in industry would offer me more work-life balance to complete my book – and it did!

FQ: I too am a mother. We have two wonderful daughters (aged 26 and soon-to-be 30) and I often reflect on the many joys they have graced my husband and me with over the years. What is one stand-out moment that comes to mind for you with each of your children?

MINER: I am so proud of my children. Two key instances that stand-out for me reflect how they have each influenced and had an impact other people. My daughter is a natural-born leader, always taking charge, involving and supporting others, and making things happen. I recall picking her up from preschool one day and the head of the school telling me “Your daughter, wow, she sure is a leader with all the kids! I truly believe she is going to be president one day!” My son tends to be the same way. One proud stand-out moment for me was at one of his track meets when he was 9 years old. He is very athletic and won the race with ease. But there was one runner who was lagging behind and having difficulty keeping up. My son went over to the runner, put his arm around her, and helped her, with words and motions, finish the race.

FQ: There were many moments while reading your memoir when I had to take a break. The mental anguish your ex-husband imposed on you is egregious. I work for a non-profit veterans retreat that provides a healing place for Warriors battling with the perils of their service experience. PTSD is very much in the forefront of those we host. If you were to give a clinic on coping mechanisms to learn how to address the mental anguishes of PTSD, what would be your number one recommendation and why?

MINER: My number one recommendation would be to find good social support. What really helped me was learning I was not alone, that my emotions were valid and real, and I was not to blame. Having support provided me hope that I would overcome what happened to me and thrive in the future.

FQ: Now that your children are grown, I would surmise even though they are grown, how difficult is it to be continents away from them?

MINER: It’s extremely difficult. They live in the US and I’m in the Middle East, so I only see them once or twice a year in person. Facetime helps tremendously – we talk regularly, sometimes daily, so we remain very connected even though we are not in the physical presence of each other. I’m also the happiest I’ve ever been (aside from not being close to them), so we all agree I made the right choice.

FQ: I was angered when you shared your experience with the first attorney you hired (Harry) and his blatant disregard toward women. In your opinion, do you ever think there will be a time when people (both men and women) come to the realization that it’s not about ‘women are this’ and ‘men are that’, but rather, let’s look at the issue at hand and focus on why is this happening and how do we turn the situation around?

MINER: I do. Gender roles and expectations have changed so much, even in just our lifetime. I think it will take time, but I do believe gender will play less and less of a role in relationships, decision making, opportunities, perceptions, etc. The first step is for people to become aware of the ways in which gendered expectations, stereotypes, and roles can negatively affect all genders though this is easier said than done when so many people believe its purely biological.

FQ: Your memory of your mother and how the scent of Estee Lauder Youth Dew reminds you of her touched a chord with me. I lost my grandfather many years ago and to this day, whenever I catch a scent of Old Spice, I immediately think of him. Are there other memories that take you back to the moment and if so, can you share one?

MINER: I have many memories that a stimulation of my senses bring me back to wonderful memories as a child. The smell of a charcoal grill is one – family time, laughing, yummy food, contentment, safety, and security.

FQ: There is a definitive dichotomy between what a man can do, and a woman has to do. Without going down a political rabbit hole, why do you think every four years we are faced with the insistence of having a woman in the White House? What I mean by that is, I am all for a capable woman, but not a woman solely for the sake of a woman. What is your opinion on this notion?

MINER: The push for a woman in the White House isn’t about putting someone there just because she’s a woman, though that’s what many people believe. Rather, it’s about breaking down systematic barriers and creating a government that truly represents everyone. When we call for women in leadership, it’s because they bring different perspectives and ideas, shaped by unique life experiences, that have been historically underrepresented. It’s not about ticking a box—it’s about ensuring we’re not missing out on voices that can drive real change for all Americans. So, every few years, this call resurfaces because people want leaders who reflect the diversity of our country and bring new, and often ignored and marginalized, ideas to the table. I think having a woman in the White House is a long time coming!

FQ: Your quote: ‘…abusers don’t have to punch you, choke you, or slam your head into a wall in order for it to be abuse…’ is quite powerful. There was an exchange with the police department when you attempted to take out a restraining order against your ex-husband because of his disgusting mental abuses toward you, yet the officer essentially said it wasn’t enough. How defenseless did this make you feel and if you were asked to give a lecture to law enforcement on this topic, how would you impress the importance of mental abuse and the need to be part of the criteria to gain such a restraining order?

MINER: My experience dealing with the legal and court systems during an abusive divorce felt like one defeat after another. I always thought those systems were there to support victims like me but instead I only felt more traumatized. In my research for the book, I learned that judges, attorneys, law enforcement etc. are dismally educated and prepared to deal with psychological abusers. If I was to give a lecture to law enforcement about the importance of mental abuse and the need to be part of the criteria for a restraining order, I would focus on three key points: (1) mental abuse is a form of abuse – while it may leave no physical scars, mental abuse is deeply damaging and can, and often does, escalate into physical violence; (2) patterns of power and control – mental abuse reflects a pattern of domination that often leaves victims too disoriented or fearful to report abuse, which means law enforcement must be proactive in identifying and addressing the signs of psychological abuse; and (3) legal standards must evolve – criteria for restraining orders must be updated to include psychological abuse to protect victims.

FQ: Thank you so much for your time today. Your memoir was incredibly moving, and I applaud you for your courage and strength to rise up and heal. Are you working on your next book and if so, are you able to enlighten us on its subject? If not, what’s next?

MINER: Thank you so much for your kind words. For now, I am working on promoting the book and getting it in the hands of as many people it can help as possible. I have many future book ideas though – mostly focused on empowering women. Stay tuned…and thanks again!