Here's to 2026!

It certainly has been a while! But it's a new year, and we're leaving negative things in the past and looking optimistically to the future! Here's a short wrap-up of my reading and writing for the last twelve months and goals for the next twelve.

 

Reading

In 2025, my reading goal was 45 books. I exceeded that and read 55, including some single-issue comics. Here are five of my favorites: 

A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon
Supergirl: Being Super by Mariko Tamaki and Joëlle Jones 
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
A Long Time Dead by Samara Breger
A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft 

I also embarked on a loose project of reading all the Supergirl comics I can get my hands on, starting with the current run by Sophie Campbell and working my way backwards. I finished the Rebirth (2016) run and started the New 52 (2011) run. So far, my favorite graphic novel is the standalone Being Super, pictured above. I thought it did a great job capturing Kara's emotional journey. 

Next year, I'm hoping to read 52 books. That's one a week if I can do it! I'll also be continuing my Supergirl project.

 

Writing

I didn't do so hot on the writing side of things last year! That's due to a number of factors, including mental health, focusing on trying to move back home, and concern that releasing the last book in a series will be more of a whimper than a bang.

However, I did manage to make progress on Book 3 of The Heartfriends. I can confidently say it's looking better than it was! I also did a little bit of work on my next fantasy series, set in a land called Vesarrna, by doing some worldbuilding and planning out a novella.

What's next: Finishing Book 3! I'm planning to publish it later this year, so stay tuned! My Vesarrna plans include revising Book 1 in the series and drafting a novella.

 

I hope you all met your reading goals! Drop some book recommendations if you've got 'em. Good luck on your goals for this year. Let's keep our chins up and do the hard work so we can reap the rewards at the end of the year. 🫶

 

 

Dear Elphie

Dear Elphie,

We brought you home in September of 2014, and even though there were some growing pains (you were nervous, and--let's be real--house-training took a long time!), it was one of the best decisions of my life. Soon enough, we were pretty inseparable. Walks in the park and around the neighborhood, watching TV while lounging (or cockroaching) on the big red couch in the family room, you sleeping in between my legs on my tiny twin bed. And I loved every moment we spent together.

Your presence did wonders for my mental health. You got me out on a walk every day. You made me laugh when I'd get home and you'd zoom around the room, bouncing on the couch. You were always ready for snuggles. When life got me down, you always brought me back up. I'll never forget that.

A few years ago, we tried Ohio for a little bit, but you missed Mom and Dad. I didn't blame you because you were always a social dog, always wanting people to pet you and talk to you and love you up. I do regret not being closer for almost three years, but I hope you knew you were the reason I came to visit so often. I'm glad you stayed with them so you could be around them almost all day every day and that you got to see so many of your friends on walks around the neighborhood. So many people loved you! I can't even count the number of times strangers called you "such a beautiful dog," and you sure did live for the attention. 

You lived for attention so much that sometimes when we stopped petting you, you'd paw us until we started again. Even when I moved to a queen bed, you made sure to be right up against me as we slept. If I moved away a bit, you'd move, too, until I was right on the edge and you and your long legs were taking up most of the mattress. 

Writing Update: Spring 2023

 

It's been a while since I gave a proper writing update! So, here it is. In case you missed it, I released an epic fantasy novella back in February called IN THE ARMS OF THE RESTLESS SEA. It's set in The Heartfriends universe, and it follows Nessa, Aurelia's childhood best friend, as she navigates life after the temple. Check out the synopsis:

Sometimes, only when we’re lost can we discover who we truly are.

When Nessa and her fellow priestesses are abducted from their temple by bounty hunters, Nessa is the only one to escape. Unable to return to the sole home she’s ever known, she is forced into the great wide world, where she will either forge her own path or leave her life up to chance. Along the way, she just might find a family, find herself, and find out what “home” truly means.

Add it to your to-read list on Goodreads and buy it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.

I also participated in an anthology that recently came out called TALES OF MONSTROSITY, which includes 19 stories of the monsters we think we know. Check it out today!

GIVEAWAY: Signed Copies of In the Arms of the Restless Sea

 

NEW RELEASE: In the Arms of the Restless Sea

It's here! In the Arms of the Restless Sea is now available on Kindle e-book and in paperback. Click the cover photo above to go to Amazon. 

 

The e-book will stay exclusive to Kindle for a while, but the paperback should be available at Barnes & Noble online and other online stores.

NEWS: Upcoming Heartfriends Novella

I have news! After working starting this project a long time ago, taking a break, and finally picking it up again last fall, I've made a ton of progress on In the Arms of the Sea, a novella set in The Heartfriends universe and revolving around Aurelia's old friend Nessa. 

I've been working hard to put this out in the world soon, so you can expect it in the next month or so. I'll be releasing more information as I have it.

For now, check out below for a glimpse of what the cover will look like!

2022 Favorites

As the year winds down, I'm reflecting on the pop culture I've consumed throughout the year. Below, you'll find my lists of the favorite TV shows, movies, music, and books I've enjoyed. Unsurprisingly, this is genre heavy! None of the lists are in any particular order.

TV Shows

1. Willow (Disney+)

20 years after vanquishing the wicked queen Bavmorda, the sorcerer Willow Ufgood leads a group of misfits on a dangerous rescue mission into the unknown.

2. The Letter for the King (Netflix)

Tiuri, a teenage squire, answers a call for help that sends him on a perilous mission across the three kingdoms to deliver a secret letter to the King.

3. Andor (Disney+)

Prequel series to Star Wars' 'Rogue One'. In an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue, Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a Rebel hero.

4. Rings of Power (Amazon Prime)

Epic drama set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings' follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth.

5. Obi-Wan Kenobi (Disney+)

Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi has to save young Leia after she is kidnapped, all the while being pursued by Imperial Inquisitors and his former Padawan, now known as Darth Vader.

Honorable mention: Motherland: Fort Salem. Couldn't leave this baby out, especially since this year's third season was the final season.

Epic Fantasy for Winter Viewing

I like winter for many reasons: snow (when I don't have to drive in it), time off to spend with family, those pine cones that smell like cinnamon, cozy blankets and sweaters, tea and cookies, beautiful decorations. I could go on and on. But one thing I especially love about winter is that I associate it with fantasy stories, whether epic or simply high or other-world fantasy. I'm not really sure why. I think it's because fantasy is my favorite genre and therefore it feels cozy to me, and winter is the season for coziness.

In that vein, here are some suggestions for epic fantasy movies and TV shows to watch this winter.

The Letter for the King
This TV show is from 2020 and is on Netflix. My friend Meredith recommended it to me ages ago, but I only just got to it and finished it. I'm glad I did! The series follows Tiuri, a teenage squire who's trying to follow in his adoptive father's footsteps. On the night he and his fellow squires are going through the trial to become knights, he breaks the silence by answering a knock at the chapel door. Answering the door leads him to a dying knight, who gives him a letter for the king across the mountains. By accepting the letter, he begins a journey that will have change both his world and himself.

Amir Wilson, who plays Tiuri, is absolutely endearing, and I loved watching his character grow. Thaddea Graham, Islam Bouakkaz, Jonah Lees, Jack Barton, and Nathanael Saleh play his fellow squires. All of them are interesting and have satisfying character arcs (although I disagreed with how one of their stories ended). Ruby Ashbourne Serkis has a standout role as Lavinia, a brash and hotheaded girl who joins Tiuri's quest mostly to run away. Their different personalities play off each other really well. 

There's lots to love here! The story feels very Arthurian inspired, and it's set in a world where chivalry matters. In epic fantasy fashion, there are multiple kingdoms, a war going on, and political aspects at play, which is why delivering the letter to the king is so vital. Each episode introduces new things about the world, which ultimately feels familiar in a comforting way.

I will say that I didn't find myself fully invested until the third episode, and it's only six episodes total. Once I was invested, though, I was really invested and finished the show in a couple days. Unfortunately, it's been two years since Netflix released this, and since Netflix likes to cancel things or let them languish instead of investing in them, it seems like this won't get a second season. However! It's based on a book series by Tonke Dragt, and I absolutely plan to check it out.

The Dew Review: Part 1

I can't remember exactly how it started, but there's a running joke in my Dungeons & Dragons group that I love Mountain Dew (also known as MTN DEW). And, as I tend to do, I leaned into the joke. For a while now, it's been my Quest to try every flavor of Mountain Dew out there. This is my mountain to climb.

If you're unaware, Mountain Dew comes out with a truly astounding amount of flavors. I swear it seems like I find a new one every time I go into the grocery store. Recently, I found the flavor...Fruit Quake. 

That's right--Mountain Dew with "fruitcake flavor." Let's dive in.

Color: As you can tell by the photo to the left, the Fruit Quake flavor is red, but not quite as red as the Code Red flavor. 

Smell: Mountain Dew Fruit Quake has a fruity, spicy smell. I don't know how to describe it better than that. There is some fruit, and there is some spice!

Taste: Unsurprisingly, this tastes like...fruit-punchy Mountain Dew along with a sprinkling of spices. Although I'm not great at identifying flavors (lol), the closest I can think of is the spice is nutmeggy, sort of like an apple pie. Basically, it tastes like stepping into a Christmas store. Make of that what you will!

Verdict: Better than I expected! I had had dinner right beforehand because I assumed being full wouldn't bother me and I wouldn't want to drink much. However, I found myself sipping this quite a bit during our D&D session. I'm not sure I'd finish an entire bottle, but...I give MTN DEW FRUIT QUAKE a solid 6 out of 10!

I never actually promised I'm a good food/drink critic! But maybe you'll stick around for part 2, whenever it comes. :)

NEWS: Anthology Kickstarter

 

Tales of Monstrosity: Monsters, Myths, and Miscreants

An anthology of urban fantasy and horror stories about lesser known monsters of lore told with a creative twist.

I have a story in this upcoming anthology from Cabbit Crossing Publishing, and the Kickstarter is now LIVE! Check it out! There's even a reward where I'll edit one of your short stories (up to 5,000 words). 

The Kickstarter will be live until November 23rd. Help us reach our goal and get this book out into the world!

 

 

NEW PROJECT: A Matter of Perspective, a D&D Adventure

I did something new in July! I took an online class about writing an RPG adventure through the Storytelling Collective and then took a stab at actually writing an adventure. The fruits of my labor (which took a little longer than a month thanks to a planned vacation and an unplanned bout of illness) is a one-shot adventure called A Matter of Perspective. 

In a sleepy countryside village, a commoner asks an adventuring party for help in finding his son, who’s been taken by “the witch on the hill," a dragonborn sorceress who keeps to herself. As your adventurers brave the obstacles put in place by the sorceress both on the way to her house and inside, the story--and the supposed rescue mission--grow more complicated.

A one-shot adventure for a party of level 5-6.

If you're interested in my process or want to hear more about the adventure I wrote, get in touch! I'm happy to discuss it. Since I started playing tabletop role-playing games a few years ago, I've noticed they've opened up my creativity and rejuvenated my love for the fantasy genre. I'm hoping to branch out from novels and short stories into games more, starting with small projects like this adventure, and one of my long-term goals is to write my own campaign setting.

 Find A Matter of Perspective on DM's Guild by clicking the button below.

Giveaway Time!

Since my birthday is coming up, I wanted to spread the love a little bit. I'm giving away one paperback copy of each of my books! Enter below!

BOOK REVIEW: In Blood and Duty Bound

Erin Bales and I attended the same grad program, although we weren’t in the same cohort. However, Erin was in my very first workshop, where I got to read ten early pages of this manuscript. I don’t even remember what the pages were about, but I know I liked them a lot. What I do remember is telling her that I trusted her as a writer, and that still holds true. Throughout the read, I wasn’t always sure where plotlines were going, but I was happy to be along for the ride.

In Blood and Duty Bound features multiple points of view and storylines. Renn, one of the main characters, is the youngest princess in the Morovide royal family and the fourth in line for the throne of Ombratos behind her mother and her three older sisters. She’s overlooked by her mother, the queen, and in love with Dallan, who’s engaged to her oldest sister, Solena. We spend a bit of time seeing Renn’s typical life before the plot kicks in and she’s tested as a princess and as an individual.

Parneo, her twin, is gifted in alchemy, which is the world’s main magic system and based on blood. The Morovides are literally bound to the Ombratos throne via their blood. Healing charms and the like are activated with a drop of blood accompanied by an incantation. Like all the other male twins in his family line, Parneo, because of his talent with alchemy, is prone to the madness that tends to accompany it. This plays a minor part in the story with some major implications.

Getha, my favorite main character, is a royal guard training for the varo, the elite force who protect the members of the royal family. She’s a very straightforward person with tunnel vision toward her goal. It’s always interesting to me when characters like this are forced to pivot when something unexpected demands their attention. Since this is the first book in a series, I’m very much looking forward to how she develops as a character.

Helenia provides the third main point of view and easily the most morally questionable and interesting. While Renn and Getha are youngish and idealistic, Helenia has more experience with life, specifically its disappointments. Dallan’s aunt, she’s from the island nation of Tithen, which has a revolutionary history. Especially intriguing is her relationship with Mayve, her sister-in-law and former wife of the ruler of Tithen.

Which brings me to two of the things I find most effective and refreshing about In Blood and Duty Bound—its female characters and their relationships with each other and with other people. Until we get to a point in the fantasy genre where having a majority female cast is as normal as having a majority male cast, I think it’s worth drawing attention to that. Renn, Getha, and Helenia are all complex people with clear motives, strengths, and flaws, and their relationships shape who they are and affect their actions. The book is at its strongest when Getha and Renn are together. In the interest of not spoiling anything, all I’ll say is that I look forward to seeing where the story takes them.

Like many epic fantasies (including my own!), there’s some pretty intense world-building in the first hundred or so pages. Consequently, I found the book a little slow to start, but I find a lot of books slow to start, so take from that what you will! That said, the world-building pays off, and the intertwining of all the storylines near the end is satisfying.

Ultimately, this has a ton of what I like to see in the genre and some surprises to boot. I’d recommend this for any reader who likes fantasy, especially epic fantasy, and for readers who enjoy books with female main characters. This was one of my favorite reads of the year so far, and I’m very much looking forward to the second book in The Final Queen of Ombratos series.

A Walk in the Woods + A Brief Writing Update

It's March, and Spring is finally showing its face once more. I enjoy winter, but usually by this time of the year, I'm also happy to see warmer weather and the sun for more hours of the day. Yesterday, I was able to get out for a 2.3-mile hike, and it was a really good decision! It was great to get out into the fresh air and get some exercise and sunshine even if it was only about 45 degrees. 

The stream was cold! But there's something about sticking my hand in running water that grounds me and calms me. And in this case, the shock of the cold woke me up a bit as well.

This hike was also the first time I tried out bird-watching. I got myself some binoculars and was able to see a handful of birds. A few were definitely robins. I know that much at least. Some were, I think, red-bellied woodpeckers. And there were at least two other types that I can't yet identify, but I hope to gain more bird knowledge and be able to identify more on the fly during my future walks.

My binoculars came with an attachment I can use to set my phone up and take pictures through the binoculars. I haven't quite figured that one out yet! But maybe soon I will. In the meantime, the picture on the right (from Wikipedia) is of a red-bellied woodpecker of the sort I saw.

credit: wikipedia

As for a writing update, I'm hard at work on two projects concurrently. One is the first draft of a mystery novel.You can keep up with my progress on the right side of the page under the Word Counts widget. So far, I have about 35,000 words out of an anticipated 85,000. Mystery is definitely a different beast than fantasy, but I enjoy reading mysteries and I'm enjoying writing this one. 

The other project is, of course, Book 3 of The Heartfriends trilogy. I'm revising the first draft into something with more detail and bones and cohesion. As usual, I have no idea how long that process will take! So far, each book of the trilogy has been a completely different experience. But I'm aiming for it to look more like an actual book than just words on pages by the summer, so we'll see how much trouble it gives me!

Recent Short Story Releases

Two short stories of mine have been recently released in anthologies. Read more about them below, and click the cover pictures to buy!  

 

Eighteen award-winning, veteran, and emerging authors bring you seventeen unique dragon tales that defy tradition. Winged serpents as large as continents, as well as those tiny enough to perch on the fingertip of a young girl. Dragons who inhabit the Wild West, Victorian London, Brooklyn, and a post-apocalyptic Earth. Scaly beasts who fight in the boxing ring, celebrate Christmas, and conquer the vast void of outer space. There are rockstars who meddle with dragon magic, clever and conniving shapeshifters, and powerfully exotic hybrids. Science fiction, urban fantasy, mystery, western, epic fantasy, YA fantasy...no matter the setting or the genre--here be dragons!

My story is called "Witherwillow." In a city divided between humans and dragonfolk, P.I. Iris Kane takes a simple case and ends up with more than she bargained for. 

Available in e-book or paperback.

 

They executed Alvard Lestrange for treason.

A necromancer.

A wielder of Death Magic.

This is the story of his victims, trapped in mundane objects for three centuries.

This is the story of the lives they will, unwittingly or maliciously, destroy.

12 authors. 12 stories. 12 souls, all caught in Lestrange's web.

My story is called "The Lengths We Go" and follows a warrior-for-hire whose latest job tests her very integrity.

Available in e-book or paperback.

The Heartfriends 5th-Anniversary Giveaway

 

NEW RELEASE: "Soldier and Servant"

 

It's release day for Reign: A Dark Fantasy Anthology, a collection of 500-word stories. Mine is called "Soldier and Servant." It's available in e-book and as a paperback on Amazon. Click here or the picture to get a copy!

REREAD: The Dying of the Golden Day, Chapter 6-10

Writing life got busy, but I'm finally back with annotations for chapters 6-10 of The Dying of the Golden Day!

UPCOMING RELEASE: Like Sunshine After Rain

 

I'm happy to say I have story called "The Witch and the Sunflower" in the upcoming charity anthology Like Sunshine After Rain, coming this summer from Raw Dog Screaming Press. Here's a bit about the anthology:

Raw Dog Screaming Press and international award-winning editor Heidi Ruby Miller are taking pre-orders for the charity anthology LIKE SUNSHINE AFTER RAIN. Proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The beautiful cover is by Brad Sharp. Interior illustrations by Sharon A. Ruby.

This limited edition anthology is available in lettered hardcover and numbered paperback editions. It hosts short stories, poems, and essays from 82 authors.

Find out more and pre-order your copy at the Raw Dog Screaming Press website. It's a limited edition, so get it before it sells out! And stay tuned for the launch event later this summer.

REREAD: The Dying of the Golden Day, Chapters 1-5

If you read my post about finishing the first draft of The Heartfriends Book 3, then you know I'm embarking on a reread of Books 1 and 2! Which I was a little bit intimidated by, to be honest. I started writing The Dying of the Golden Day in 2013 and published it in 2016, so it's been a minute since I looked closely at it.

Now that I've started to reread it, I thought it would be fun to do a short blog series with annotations on the story, like what inspired certain choices, how I drew from my experience in Kazakhstan, and notes about my writing process. I'll do about five chapters at a time, so let's begin!