#Bookreview of Beach of the Dead (The Heartland Trilogy, Book Two)

Beach of the Dead (The Heartland Trilogy, Book Two)

By: Cynthia J. Bogard

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Publication Date: February 15, 2024

ISBN: 978-1-63988-980-8

Reviewed by: Diane Lunsford

Review Date: August 14, 2023

Beach of the Dead, book two in The Heartland Trilogy, author Cynthia J. Bogard takes the reader on a journey south of the border to Zipolite, Mexico, which is the place to be to escape and reinvent oneself.

Jane Meyer needs to get out of Pine Hill Station, Texas now. She is on the run because she stabbed and killed her lover/graduate school advisor, Jonathan Wharton the Fifth. She knows there is no chance of un-ringing the bell of murder, and the first thing to shed from her past is her name. On her bus ride south, she meets Alex (Alejandro). Coincidentally, he is (sort of) on the run as well. He is gay and caught between the unacceptability of being gay in Texas (where his lover lives) and returning to his home in Mexico to figure out how he can explain to his family that at 26 years of age, this handsome man has not found a wife to settle down with and live happily ever after. As the journey continues from El Paso, to Jaurez, Mexico, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Perto Angel, and eventually for ‘Ana’, Zipolite, the two concoct a plan that could be mutually beneficial for them both.

Ana and Alejandro part ways in Oaxaca where Alejandro will reunite with his family, but not before extracting a promise from Ana. He will meet her in three weeks’ time in Zipolite at which time they will be married, and she will be the answer to present to his family to mask the reality (in his family’s eyes a sin) that he is gay. Ana continues south from Oxaca on a terrifying bus ride to Puerto Angel. From there, she must walk the next miles (approximately thirty minutes) that will take her to her end destination: Zipolite, Beach of the Dead. Ana (formerly Jane) was a history major and was intrigued to learn how this mysterious Zipolite was referred to as the Beach of the Dead. Fronting the Pacific Ocean, a serious and terrifying undercurrent and undertow existed where people could get trapped in its torrent, dragged to sea and never be seen again. Swimming on this beach wasn’t a consideration. On guard upon her initial arrival to this utopian paradise, it doesn’t take long for ‘Ana’ to let her guard down and learn to blend in with the latent hippie community on the cliffside overlooking the Pacific. It is when an early season hurricane touches down on her paradise, that the lies Ana carefully crafted begin to unravel and it’s just a matter of time before she must set her truth free.

In this second book of Ms. Bogard’s trilogy, she continues with a sound voice. Her storytelling ability is nuanced throughout with a strong tone of acceptance and ‘fitting in’ and she does an excellent job of assigning the voice to her main character Ana (formerly, Jane Meyer). She insists the premise of being gay or lesbian is not ‘abnormal.’ Rather, she artfully crafts scenes that portray perhaps there are still archaic thoughts toward being gay or lesbian and attempts to lay it out in more of a light of relationships should come from a place of love first no matter the union. I applaud her for writing the story in a frame of mind that doesn’t force feed the notion of gay and lesbianism. Rather, she uses characters to plead their stance; Thorpe, for example, is a lesbian and is comfortable with her preferences as much as Alejandro is with his affinity for men. Bogard captures the beauty of this magical place in Mexico with descriptive scenery that transports the reader to the moment and place in time: "...Eventually, the road straightened out to hills rather than mountains. The jungle gave way to farmland. We rounded a corner, and there it was, the sapphire Pacific. I had never seen an ocean before. Somehow the vastness of the horizon, so limitless, so unfathomable, scared me to the depths of my being..." (pg. 28). Having read the first book in the series, A History of Silence, I applaud the author once again for delivering a fantastic continuation of the story in book two.

Quill Says: Beach of the Dead is a great experience to take pause and think about acceptance, what matters most in life, and how much the truth really can set one free.

For more information on Beach of the Dead (The Heartland Trilogy, Book Two), please visit the author's website at: https://www.cynthiajbogard.com/

#Bookreview of Aboard Blackbeard's Queen by Robin Reams

Aboard Blackbeard’s Queen

By: Robin Reams

Publication Date: March 13, 2023

ISBN: 979-8987189603

Reviewed by: Kathy Stickles

Review Date: February 12, 2024

Did you know that every pirate ship had a cat who was a very important member of the ship’s crew? I certainly did not, and it was just one of the things I learned about the life of pirates in the wonderful book Aboard Blackbeard’s Queen. Robin Reams has given readers a delightful and well-researched look into the life of a pirate through the eyes of her wonderful main character, Cooper the Cat.

At the start of the book, Cooper is aboard a French ship. When the ship is taken by the pirate Blackbeard, Cooper’s life is dramatically changed as he is transferred onto Blackbeard’s ship as a mouser. Cooper quickly finds out that being a member of this crew is not going to be as easy as he thought. One of the first issues is that members of the crew would like to throw Cooper overboard to drown rather than take him onto the ship because he is not black like all other pirate cats but orange, and this is seen as a sign of bad luck. Cooper needs to show them that he can be a useful and true pirate cat, and for that, he will need help. Along with Tuffy, his mentor, and Blackbeard’s official cat, Como, a spider monkey who is Cooper’s closest friend, Marisol the macaw, and the other cats, Cooper sets out to prove himself to the man who took him aboard...the terrifying Captain Blackbeard. Along the way, Cooper will meet new friends, face his biggest fears, and fight hard for his life as he attempts to earn his place on the ship.

Aboard Blackbeard’s Queen is a great story with wonderful characters, both animal and human. From Blackbeard himself to his crew to the ship’s cook, Cookie, everyone has their opinion about Cooper and the other animals, and it all ties together in a very well-written and exciting tale presented to readers from Cooper’s perspective. Each character, again both human and animal, is well-developed and has a very important part in the story, and the reader will enjoy each and every one. The descriptive and detailed writing is great and will make the reader feel as if they are actually on a pirate ship and a member of the crew.

The story has been very well-researched in terms of the historical time period and the life of a pirate’s crew, and that comes across in every page. At the end of the book, Robin Reams includes a few pages that detail some of her research regarding Blackbeard, the life of a pirate, and the life of a pirate’s cat, which explains a lot and makes for some very interesting facts that readers will enjoy learning.

Aboard Blackbeard’s Queen is such an enjoyable story and I am sure it will be loved by many readers. The plot of the story is well-developed and so much fun as it is told by a cat who is the main character and narrator of the story. I really adored that part and thought it was a wonderful way to tell the story. I am hoping that there will be more adventures ahead for this author and for Cooper, Como, and all of the others. I, for one, will definitely be right there to read them.

Quill says: Aboard Blackbeard’s Queen is such a unique way to teach readers about history and pirates, and I am sure that the book will be adored by many.

#Bookreview of Burned Out to Lit Up: Ditch the Grind and Reclaim Your Life

Burned Out to Lit Up: Ditch the Grind and Reclaim Your Life

By: Cara E. Houser

Publisher: Parliament Press

Publication Date: October 24, 2023

ISBN: ‎ 979-8988925200

Reviewed by: Barbara Bamberger Scott

Review Date: February 12, 2024

Cara E. Houser has searched for and attained a level of true contentment and clarity after many trials and setbacks and shares her experience in Burned Out to Lit Up, a richly informative guidebook.

For Houser, it took a family calamity to prove to her that she was burdened by too many cares, chores, and self-assigned duties. Statistically, she notes, work burnout has become quite common, and among women, the percentage would probably be the highest. This is because working women have manifold duties with home and family that cannot be neglected, in addition to the demands of career obligations. Houser’s guidance - arrayed here in nine chapters with questions and exercises in each for readers to absorb and utilize - involves mental, physical, and spiritual intentions for inner growth and greater outer fulfillment.

The author advises reading one chapter of her manual per week, allowing time to think deeply about the concepts introduced. The initial step is to recognize that “work-life balance” should be converted to “life-work balance” with one’s concentration fixed on reaching a goal of self-possession. Decluttering physical surroundings is a recommended step, followed by devising one’s chosen form of meditation, with Houser suggesting several possibilities. To achieve the goals set forth will require rescheduling one’s daily routines, setting priorities based on what one truly enjoys, and resolving to accentuate the positives for growth of one’s mindset. The reset will entail designing a physically and mentally healthful schedule and determining how to maintain it. These steps ultimately lead to joy, which, Houser asserts, can be sustained through various creative endeavors, evoking an emerging sense of lightness that can be appreciated in “simple moments.” And lastly, with the gentle humor that pervades her studious work, Houser urges readers to take themselves on a “celebratory date” – rewarding themselves for their success in constructing their well-deserved freedoms and comforts.

Hauser’s wide-ranging, diligently researched self-help/how-to creation contains many examples from her own experience. Her career path began with twenty years in the “meat grinder field of real estate development.” After a series of negative incidents, she began to teach herself how to live, and enjoy a “lit” lifestyle, leading her to become a career counselor. She was then prepared to assemble this pragmatic and philosophical work to point the way for others. Readers will use her manual as a personal textbook for conceiving a satisfying, all-encompassing life vision and the means to make that vision real.

Quill says: Houser’s dynamic exploration of and advice for self-improvement will be much appreciated by any reader but especially working women who find themselves overwhelmed by life’s complexities, showing them the way to regain and reclaim joy.

For more information on Burned Out to Lit Up: Ditch the Grind and Reclaim Your Life, please visit the author's website at: https://www.carahouser.com/

Press Release for the 2024 Feathered Quill Book Awards

Here's the press release for this year's award. We'll be sharing it on social media as well as sending it out via a few press release channels. If you'd like a pdf to use in your promotional materials, just send us an email at admin at featheredquill.com #featheredquillbookawards #pressreleaseawards#featheredquillbookreviews #bookawards #awardwinningauthors#awardwinningbooks

Press release for the 2024 Feathered Quill Book Awards

#AuthorInterview with Jack Wallace, author of No Good Deed

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Diane Lunsford is talking with Jack Wallace, author of No Good Deed.

FQ: I want to thank you for writing such a compelling novel. Before we get into the meat of your story, I would like to ask a few questions about you. I was intrigued by your Note to the Reader at the end of your story in that your inspiration for your books often comes from the news. I was appalled to learn that once the Golden Massage spa was raided (and the scum who was arrested was escorted off to the Criminal Justice Center in Nashville) that the story quickly faded from the news. In your opinion, why do you suppose that is?

WALLACE: It's the curse of the news cycle. Stories such as the Golden Massage raid and arrests make a splash for a few days, but it often takes months for any resolution through a trial and sentencing. I’ve learned since that women who are trafficked and arrested in spas like this usually face reduced charges or they are moved to another state and never show up in court. They are the victims. The real criminals are those who exploit and traffic other humans.

FQ: In line with my previous question, you cite three different organizations to reach out to if "...you want to help victims of sexual trafficking..." Have you done any follow-up with these organizations since sharing this information to see if any outreach was done?

WALLACE: My novel is scheduled for release on February 6. I hope it does help these organizations. Thistle Farms is a well-known organization in Nashville, and its mission is “Helping women survivors overcome and heal from systems of prostitution and exploitation.” I’ve supported this organization for many years. I am holding my Book Launch Event at the Thistle Farms Café in February and will donate a portion of book sales to their cause. 

FQ: It warmed my heart to learn you spent many weeks at your Flat Rock, North Carolina cabin where you are "...most at home on a trail or fishing a stream in the mountains of North Carolina or Tennessee..." You must have a fishing story of the ‘biggest fish I ever caught.’ Can you share the experience?

WALLACE: I love spending time in the mountains, and fishing a mountain stream is pure joy, even if I don’t catch many of the elusive trout. Lucy, my red Labrador, loves to go with me, and I make her wait on the bank while I fish, since she’s more interested in wading and swimming, which, if she does, means I’m not catching any fish. I also fish out of my kayak on a few of the rivers near where I live in Tennessee. Recently, Lucy was swimming alongside my kayak as I paddled upstream, but then she spotted several ducks across the river. That turned into a long chase on the river for both her and me! No ducks were harmed.

FQ: I enjoyed your character development in this story. Christopher Jones is described as a guy who has had his fair share of bad luck, yet he rallies and starts to rebuild his life after his divorce. I love a comeback kid, and he is truly that. Is there a time in your life when you were facing ‘rock bottom,’ and how did you begin your climb back up the mountain?

WALLACE: I spent most of my career as a business executive. My work required frequent travel. Writing opportunities were scarce, usually in the early morning and sometimes in a hotel room at night. Ten years ago, a large multinational corporation purchased the company I was with. I had not planned to retire and initially was not happy with the change in my status, but I suddenly had plenty of writing time. That year, I finished my first novel, The Unrighteous Brothers, and started on No Good Deed. With two books and several short stories now published, I’m happy about the change in my career. 

FQ: I’m going to address an elephant in the room because there were many times I thought about your inspiration to write No Good Deed, particularly when the Golden Massage was raided and became a top story only to fade in a few days’ time. It reminded me of a similar occurrence in proximity to where I live. The shady happenings at Comet Pizza in Washington D.C. ‘Pizzagate,’ was a story that made quite a splash for a fair amount of time, and many familiar names were nuanced in many of the articles written. The disgusting part of this whole story is the victims were young children. Yet, many of the ‘players’ seemed to have gotten away with disgusting injustices and, to this day, walk about freely. In your opinion, does there come a time when good people simply become jaded and give up because ‘nobody is doing anything about the injustices?' What would you say to turn this sort of thinking around?

WALLACE: Our justice system is not perfect, and yes, too often perpetrators seem to escape their due punishment for their crimes. But we must not allow cynicism to paralyze us. I believe there will be a reckoning someday. Call it Karma, Judgment Day, or whatever suits your worldview, but I believe goodness and mercy will follow those who work to protect the vulnerable and those who are too often exploited.

FQ: Christopher embodies everything that is good in humanity. How did you identify with his character as you continued to layer him with such heroic traits and beautiful empathy?

WALLACE: Christopher has a moral compass instilled by his father, that causes him to “do the right thing.” I too was blessed with good parents. I have a friend who was raised in a dysfunctional environment with no father, and he is perhaps the most honest, empathetic person I know. He attributes his integrity to a man he met through Boy Scouts in his adolescence. We may never see the impact we might have on others, especially children and youth. I admire those who are quick to help others with no hesitation.

FQ: If asked to lecture a group of aspiring writers on the one element that is vital in penning the ultimate read, what would that advice be and why?

WALLACE: Write, write, write. Put your work in front of others, and seek honest, constructive feedback.

FQ: I want to thank you again for the pleasure of talking with you today and the opportunity to review your fantastic book. I would venture to guess you are already working on your next book. The ‘news’ certainly has lots of material. Are you able to share a teaser?

WALLACE: I’ve completed a sequel. This time, Christopher finds himself in the mountains of North Carolina, searching for a missing college student. His dog Lucy is with him, and other key characters show up late in the story. Once again, this story is inspired by actual events. I hope to publish this novel in late 2024.

#Bookreview of No Good Deed by Jack Wallace

No Good Deed

By: Jack Wallace

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Publication Date: February 6, 2024

ISBN: 979-8891320529

Reviewed by: Diane Lunsford

Atmosphere Press

Jack Wallace casts a bright light on the despicable world of the sex trade industry in his latest thriller, No Good Deed.

Christopher Jones’ life used to be the American Dream. He had a wife and a daughter, the perfect job, more than enough of an income to support his family and more. Then one day, he was laid off. The money tree wanes and Barbara, his wife, separates and then divorces him. Part of the collateral damage is he now shares custody of their daughter Amy. With nowhere else to turn, Jones moves back into his parents' house...

After he was laid off due to ‘downsizing’ from his job at Hospital Corporation of America, Christopher struggled to make ends meet and was forced to take a second job to supplement the launch of his computer repair business. It’s hard to imagine being a newspaper delivery boy in his late thirties, but it helped pay the bills. Besides, the work was mindless and the pay wasn’t so bad. It also gave him time to ponder life and enjoy the solitude that came along with 4 a.m. deliveries. However, shortly after making his regular morning pitstop for coffee and a snack, as he makes his way to his car, he noticed a "...slight woman huddled in the darkened doorway of a shoe store two businesses down. She was curled up, head down, knees against her chest..." Christopher has all the makings of a good Samaritan. However, this time may prove to be one of those moments when he should have just kept walking to his car.

It turns out Kim (the woman huddled in the doorway) was a lot more than a runaway. The same morning that Christopher was setting out on his paper route, at 4:45 a.m. in another part of town, Kim was preparing for her break. She couldn’t bear another day of indentured sex slave servitude under the horrors Kwan and Min-Jun subjected her and the other captives under their ‘ownership.’ Kim and the girls worked in a ‘Salon’ that guaranteed a happy ending by the girls to many of their patrons. Kim wanted her friend Suki to run with her. She had a plan and her freedom started as soon as she could make it to the Greyhound Bus Station. She would take the bus to Atlanta and from there, to San Francisco. Timing was everything and the early morning temperature chilled her to the bone. She had a couple of hours before the bus would depart and was terrified when she saw headlights heading her way. Was it possible Kwan and Min-Jun were hot on her trail? Where would she hide? Was Suki okay? She made her way to the only hiding place in a strip of restaurants and stores on White Bridge Road. She hunkered down as low as she could go and wrapped her arms around her knees hoping to make herself as small as she possibly could. She would watch for the bus in hopes the time would pass quickly and certainly, before she was caught.

Jack Wallace hits it out of the park with No Good Deed. The subject matter is disturbing at best, but a topic that is very real and tragically ignored: sex trade/trafficking. The sheer fact that modern-day slavery by trafficking innocent youth exists in a world that is supposed to be ‘evolved’ is unconscionable. His ability to develop rich characters is fantastic; particularly with the vulnerabilities he pens in creating Kim. She is a young Korean woman who believed in the American dream and packed her hopes and dreams to come to America. The ‘good people’ who offered her the deal of a lifetime to get here were offering nothing more than lies and smoke and mirrors once she arrived. At story’s end, Wallace explains how he develops his stories from the news. No Good Deed came to fruition after he read in "...our Nashville newspaper about a raid on Golden Massage, a spa in the tony area known as Green Hills..." Just like many egregious assaults on innocents, the parlor was hiding in plain sight. Thank goodness for authors like Jack Wallace to have the fortitude to tell the victims’ stories and I, for one, look forward to his next novel.

Quill says: No Good Deed is a fantastic example of the importance of getting involved and righting a horrific wrong even when it may be easier to look the other way.

#Authorinterview with K.T. Conte, author of Awoke

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Rebecca Jane Johnson is talking with K.T. Conte, author of Awoke: The Unseen War Series.

FQ: First, thank you for sharing book 1 in your new series. It was fun to get lost in Katya's adventures. I noticed that you released an earlier version of this book in 2017, but at that time, it was called “The Want Series.” Why the change? Are there significant differences between the two books? Was it more of a marketing change where you felt “The Unseen War Series” would draw more readers?

CONTE: I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Between the 2017 and today's version, there are some significant changes. There's a refinement in Katya's journey, where it's much more apparent that she is leaving adolescence behind and embracing her role as an adult. You will also see growth in my own writing, where I believe, like wine, I've gotten better with time. Additionally, the entire series went through a series of changes that made it apparent a name change was necessary. I'm truly excited about the changes that I've made, and what is to come for the future.

FQ: I loved how Katya reacted when she realized she had supernatural vision. I suspect a lot of people would do what Katya did - faint. Was this a fun scene to write and/or imagine? I would think it would really get your “creative juices” flowing.

CONTE: Honestly, Katya's entire journey is a reflection of how any of us would react to life-altering news about ourselves. Particularly when you've always suspected something but was never really able to accept it. As friends of mine have gone through their own transitions, learned more about themselves, and what they've been able to accept about themselves, my writing gives homage to that self discovery and acceptance in a fantasy context. Even for me, the last seven years have been a phase of transition - learning more about myself as an entrepreneur, as a writer and finding a good healthy place to set my expectations. Writing Katya at times was and is difficult because it's such a reflection of a shared human experience that makes you reflect on your losses and how to reconfigure yourself when your focus changes. Because of that, writing Katya is all the more rewarding.

FQ: Your book involves a lot of “world-building." Can you talk a little about how you create such an imaginative but believable world and the work that goes into making characters and their situations plausible?

CONTE: You would be surprised how often I walk around and a crazy scenario will pop in my head where I imagine what the IRL world in a fantasy scenario. So for me to add in these elements on top of what the world we're living through right now felt fitting. As kids when we wonder about the world, we tend to mix in an aspect of magic to make sense of why things happen. That has never left me and it's an amazing outlet to finally put those imaginary thoughts down on paper. I have to give a shout out to my editor Brenda Penegrine who really worked with me several years ago to dive in and refine the world of Ager and the hierarchy you experience with angels, demons and the Grim Repears. She honed on those empty spaces, unclear references and truly helped me write down clearly what I see so vividly in my mind.

FQ: I love that the story takes place in Boston (I live in Mass.) and the city is obviously dear to you. Indeed, I felt that the city was one of the characters in the story. Did you always want your story to take place in Boston? And given the fun Fenway scene, are you a Sox fan?

CONTE: Shout out to my Massholes! Yes, I always wanted to have a story based here in Boston. Boston doesn't certainly get too much love in the fantasy world or a mysterious magical realm. My writing about Downtown Crossing actually stems from my time in law school which is directly located next to the iconic shopping center. Those cobblestones walkways have always illicited thoughts about the history of Boston and who else walked across those stone walkways. If you think about it, Boston has enough history that ghosts could definitely play a big role in what we experience on a day-to-day basis. I am a proud homegrown Boston girl and a Boston sports fan across-the-board.

FQ: The cover artwork for Awoke is very cool. Did you use a designer who came up with the idea? How much input did you give to get such a great cover? It really draws the eye and screams “read me”!

CONTE: Thank you! The cover of Awoke holds a special place in my heart. The concept came from a desire to foreground my Black female protagonist, highlighting the importance of diversity and representation in publishing. In crafting the cover, I turned to AI as a tool to help bring this vision to life, working closely with the technology to refine and perfect the design. It was very much a hands-on process, where I was deeply involved in every step, from conceptualization to the final adjustments. I honestly very happy that I was able to weld innovative technology with my artistic vision to create a cover that I hope speaks to readers and invites them into the world I’ve created. The conversation around AI in creative industries is complex, and I deeply respect the artistry and skill of traditional designers. For Awoke, using AI was a way for me to explore new creative possibilities while staying true to the essence of Awoke and its characters.

FQ: You have mentioned that you were inspired by folk tales from the Caribbean; can you mention some of that source material, names of characters, types of struggles with which they cope? What draws you to the Caribbean and these folk tales?

CONTE: I am a first generation Haitian American. So the concept of life, death, angels, evil spirits and demons, comes from that background. One of my favorite books growing up was the Magic Orange Tree which is a collection of Haitian folklore. Some of the stories like Bouki and Malice and Put That Man To Bed revolves around the idea of the energy you invite to yourself comes back to you and can affect your soul. In these stories, there are evil spirits that can do you harm in real life because of what you do or what you have done; these tales inspired some of the monsters of Awoke and the balance between the living and the dead in "The Unseen War" series.

FQ: Lawyer by day and writer by night - wow, that’s a lot! How do you find the time, and more importantly, the energy, to come home from a stressful day at the office and put it aside to write? When do you find time to fit in marketing your book? It must be difficult!

CONTE: I have such a great support system at home. My husband is a godsend, and does everything he can to fill in the gaps with our home and our daughter. Additionally because I am a senior partner, I do have the flexibility to switch hats when necessary. But it is a grind! I provide my clients with the best services that I can but also give myself the space to be a happy blerd. I also give myself grace and understand that I can only give 100% of my attention to one thing so everything is not treated the same at the same time. However, they will all eventually reach completion to my satisfaction.

FQ: Speaking of your “day job,” what led you to want to be a lawyer? What is the most rewarding part of the job?

CONTE: I wanted to be a lawyer since I was 12 and it came from a place of wanting to protect people. It's the Cancer in me! However, as I got older, and really begin to embrace the creative parts of me, I realize that protecting people's creative endeavors was just as important. Additionally being an attorney requires some creativity because everyone's situation is different and so you have to craft solutions for their needs. My practice is in intellectual property law (the fun area of law in my opinion) and it's absolutely fantastic to see my creativity flourish in a manner that allows my clients' dreams come to fruition. From TV shows to record deals, it's absolutely exciting to be in the background, and to know that I help it make happen.

FQ: Do you know yet how many books will be in this series? Have you already started book 2? Do you have the overall theme of the entire series worked out or is it creating “itself” as you go along? Is there anything you would like to share about what readers can look forward to for the future of this series and from you as a writer?

CONTE: This is a three book series and all the books have all been planned out so I know who lives, who dies and who continues to tell the story (Thank you Hamilton!). From the planning, it also became apparent why we needed to rename the series to "The Unseen War." Throughout the course of Awoke and the series, the reader will experiences the internal war within the characters, the spirits, even the monsters themselves. Which I believe is a reflection of what we all go through every single day - the internal conflicts of doing what's right, doing what could be wrong, and those in between. In Rise (Book 2), you'll see that continued growth within Katya and also within Gregor as their roles within this war becomes more apparent. I don't wanna give too much else away, but I will say you will hear Gregor's side as well. Not to mention, the series is a reflection of the world we live in. Not to take a page of out of Black Mirror, but ongoing world events might influence the narrative.

Author K.T. Conte