Angela VanWell

Author | Reader | Traveler | Tea and Coffee Drinker

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Inspiring Author of the Week: Jenn Stark

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Jenn Stark’s Immortal Vegas Series, follows Tarot Card reader, Sara Wilde as she joins the Vegas Connected community. Her personal goal is to save the children who are the victims of the illegal sell of their magic, but to save them, she needs resources; a whole lot of money. She is hired by the Arcane Council, to find magical items, and more often then not, a whole lot of trouble. The series follows Sara as she searches for magical items and learns about the darkness that is also a part of her world. Where she makes allies and enemies in her search to create a safe place for the innocent and to stop the evil festering wound in her world.

I was trying to remember when I found this series, and cannot. All I remember is reading Book 1: Getting Wilde and loving the fresh take on urban fantasy. The idea the Arcane Council and members of the Connect, (magical), community were situated in Las Vegas made total sense to me. Where else could they all perform magic and be themselves without being called out for appearing different? Where else could there be a second level of fantastical housing above the already magical Vegas buildings, that only those who are a part of the Connected community could see?

The Immortal Vegas series is a series I want to read when I am in the mood for a darker adventure. When I yearn to feel disquiet brought on my a magical tale where magical children are hunted so others can abuse and use their magic. Over a decade ago, I was at a fundraiser where a child in our world was used and abused by the adults around her. She shared her story and how the new people in her life, lawyers who were fighting for the rights of the underaged and abused, removed her from the dark and poisonous world she had been brought up in. How it was the few people who made the difference and gave her a chance to have a life where her basic needs, including safety and trust, were met. These books bring me to a lighter version of that memory. It is an imagined story and imagined victims, but after meeting a true victim with real heroes in her life, I connected with it.

There is also a lot of snark, action, and at the time I found the series, the new world of Tarot Card reading. And I loved how well Jenn Stark put it all together. If you want to learn more about Tarot Card reading, learn more on Ms. Starks page here.

I also need to mention, there is a slow burn romance that occurs between Sara and the Magician. Slow burn romances are my favourite. The frustration and challenges of new romances in desperate times. Sara has had enough pain in her past to be extra careful, and to some extent, look for magical support in fighting off the feelings she is having. All smart plans when the one focused on you has immense power. There are also other delectable characters and a spin off series with Demon Enforcers, fallen angels, who are released to this world and are left to find their place, and maybe love, along the way.

I have yet to start Wilde Justice, the newer series staring Sara Wilde. I have the first book, The Red King, but with so many books coming out at that time, I bought it, but did not read it. The good news is, there are now six books available in the series when I have time to binge read them all. And I will! I think it will be the perfect series to enjoy as the autumn air turns crisp outside and I hide under a blanket on my couch.

The Red King, reading on my couch shortly!

My Writing Journey: Pillar II The Journey

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Pillar 2 in Jesper Schmidt and Autumn M. Birt’s Plot Development Step by Step Book is all about the journey. They outline the section in a series of plot posts integral to fully developed story. I did follow the exercise completely, all 69 pages of it, but I will not be showing that outline here. Instead I will talk about the beginning, and how Ally and Riley ended up in their mess.

Why am I not sharing the Posts? For several reasons. First, even though I outlined it and have a general sense of where the story is going, I find that a strict outline does not work for me.

The first manuscript I completed, in 2017 my first NaNoWriMo I completed a middle grade novel, I did not have an outline. I had an idea of the story I wanted to tell and wrote enthusiastically. It was through the process I would realize, I needed more structure. At the beginning of the day if I started with a blank page, I would end up staring at it for a long time before I had an idea of what I wanted to write. By the end of the month I was jotting down notes the night before so I had something to start with. It was stressful, but a great way to learn what didn’t work for me.

I then started taking creative writing courses. They helped me find a writing style that works for me. What proved just as beneficial is I kept writing. I would brainstorm ideas and searched online for ideas of how to structure my stories. Then every NaNo event, whether the big NaNoWriMo in November, or camp in April or July, I would write. It is thanks to the combination of learning and experience that I have the beginning of a writing style that works for me. I say a beginning, because I am still at the beginning of my journey. If there is a workshop, webinar, a podcast, a book that looks interesting, I investigate it. I love to learn and happily embrace new strategies I can incorporate in my learning. Creating this blog is one of them! As an introverted person, I prefer small groups of people I can get to know and hang out with. I am not as good at large events. The blog provides a way for me to be both.

Back to Ally and Riley’s journey. Ally doesn’t want to live on a boat her entire life, but she doesn’t know how to tell her parents she doesn’t want to take over the family business. To see her backstory, here is a link to her introductory blog post. She has applied to colleges and universities where she had a chance at a swimming scholarship. And finally, she was accepted.

Riley, her best friends see his intro here, the only person she trusts where her secrets, is taking her out on the town to celebrate. They have one little errand to run for his parents and then they are free. Unfortunately, not everything goes as they plan and they end up chasing down the missing envelope before Riley’s parents lose out on a contract that will put their company in jeopardy, and they need to get back to the boat before it takes off and her parents meet it to find her missing and her acceptance letter on her bed.

Ally needs to create her own future, but hurting her family would break her heart.

Riley loves being apart of his families’ business, and wants they to see him as a responsible adult, not the baby of the family.

Riley’s family has been working on the river as long as Ally’s has. Such history also means they know the secrets of the river. Something Riley’s family shared with him, but Ally’s hasn’t. Some of those secrets are at risk as they two friends chase down the missing contract. Riley wants to share what he knows, but how can he tell his friend the secrets of the valley when all she wants is to escape? He was trusted with the knowledge of magic in the valley, a part of the community that may be responsible for the missing document. If they don’t find it, then there is more than his families’ boating company at stake.

As this book is a prequel to the River Run Series, it will be a full story in itself but will leave open plot points for entry into the trilogy. It, and the free short story, Lynx in Exile, which you can get by signing up below, provide background to the River Run Series that will be published in 2021.

Inspiring Author of the Week: Cassandra Claire

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Filled with magic, suffering, love with all its wonder, and a lot of action, Cassandra Clare’s books continue to inspire me. She explores depths of emotion as her characters fight to find who they really are and who and what they cannot live without.

As with many fans, I started with the Immortal Instruments. I love the relationships between the characters and how they grow together. The young shadow hunters are thrust into wars of old, where past grudges and secrets propel Clary and her friends to risk themselves to save the people they love and to find the truth. These books are the reason I enjoy reading Young Adult. I loved the books, especially because the characters acted their ages. And, although Clary and Jace were fun to follow, I prefer Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood’s journey. The old soul in love with the young one who was just finding himself, those two captured my heart.

I was very excited when I found out she was following through with their relationship and the adventures the two of them would go on. That Magnus was alive well before the books and had set in progress other challenges, such as a demon-worshiping cult, that he must now track down and stop. Or finding the stolen Book of the White with an injured Magnus. Whatever trouble they are in, they will get through it together. There is the perfect amount of action, love, secrets, and trust to pull anyone through their adventures.

The Infernal Devices

Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, and Clockwork Princess make up the Infernal Devices trilogy. This trilogy goes back in time when the Shadowhunters were a connection of old families that believed all Downworlders were beneath them. Where the separation of humans from the Downworlders was rigidly kept by the Shadowhunters. New to London is Tessa, who is kidnapped upon her arrival. She finds out she is a Downworlder and is taught, under duress, to use her rare ability to transform.

Hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of London. The series weaves its way through Great Britain as Tessa helps the Shadowhunters in exchange for helping her find her missing brother. Tessa is caught between her brother and the darkness he has chosen to be a part of and her new friends. Love is on the line either way.

As a fan, I was caught in the struggle that was tearing Tessa apart. She was brought up with the understanding family comes first, but how can she reconcile it with the truth she sees in London? And beyond that, Tessa is drawn to bonded Shadowhunters, Will and James, both who she feels a connection with, but she does not want to tear them apart. This is one of my favourite love triangles. All three are good people with deep wounds who want the best for each other.

The Dark Artifices

Cassandra Clare

Another beloved series is The Dark Artifices. More young struggling Shadowhunters that are trying to save the world even if it is tearing them apart. So much love and pain contained inside these characters. My heart hurt as I made my way through the series.

There is so much amazing character development, storylines, and the realization there is more grey then black and white in the world. A great way to get a feel for the characters is to go on Cassandra Clare’s blog and enjoy the excerpts and extras she has posted there.

Have you found an author whose characters capture you so well? If so, please share! Happy reading.

My Writing Journey Pillar I: Love Interest

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“Any relationship worth having is earned through commitment, patience, and compromises.” Jesper Schmidt and Autumn M. Birt are referring to the love interest being a fully developed character, with his or her own wants and needs that may run counter to those of the protagonist.

Hunter, with a chip on his shoulder and his less than stellar communication skills, will only be introduced in the novella. The focus is on Ally and Riley, their friendship and how they work as a team. Hunter is a shadow, a man whose help may save them, but it is not given without reservation. To be honest, he is only there because he respects Logan, he has no relationship with Ally at all. It is one of the reasons I like them as a potential romance.

In the book, Jesper and Autumn provide several examples of how romance can develop. Whether it begins with a love-hate relationship, frowned upon, unexpected, unlikely, fated, or they are soulmates. Regardless of how it develops, both characters need to be independent of each other in their needs and wants. This is why I thought it would be good to introduce Hunter here while he is still finding his own path, and has a chip on his shoulder.

Ally does not need a knight in hiking boots to save her. Rather, she wants to save herself. A relationship is not her focus, she is more interested in taking control of her life and not hurting her family in the mean time.

While Hunter is trying to find his way in the world, but in a very separate way, with a separate agenda. He knows where he belongs and understands the situation Ally and Riley are facing better than either of them do. His own life being torn apart, Hunter’s focus is on protecting his own community through decisive actions. He tends to not talk about what is wrong, but rather just fixes it. Ally and Riley running around without calling for help is a rookie mistake to him, an annoyance he is forced to deal with.

As the novella is set years before the trilogy, both Hunter and Ally have a lot of growing to do. Neither one of them is interested in investing in a close relationship, instead they are both working on their own lives. Hunter acts more like a mentor in this story, as he tries to emulate Logan, a man he holds in high regard.

The Challenger

The Enneagram Institute

The Challenger, Type 8, a self-confident, decisive, resourceful person fits Hunter perfectly. Hunter’s focus is on self-reliance while he protects those he cares about in his community. He learnt early on in his life that survival requires will, persistence, and endurance, and he carries those learnings through his adult life.

What I Watch In The Shadows

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October is one of my favourite months while I am in the northern hemisphere. The crisp morning air, the transition of leaves from greens to golds. Everyday on my walk, the colours and view is changed. It is magical. Another great reason for this month is I rewatch some of my favourite films, and one of my yearly favourites is What We Do In the Shadows.

We stayed in New Zealand for half a year, many years ago. While we were there I became enamoured with the show Flight of the Conchords. Flight of the Concords is about a couple of New Zealanders who are experiencing the highs, lows, and ridiculousness of life while they try to make a living as a rock band. One of the two main actors is Jemaine Clement. In a nut shell, he is hilarious. Everything he is in or voice acts in has a quirkiness to it that tickles my funny bone.

The mockumentary, What We Do In the Shadows, follows the daily issues of flatmates, but with vampires. The challenges of flat life and what habits annoy and others than might caught them to be burned alive. How does one stay entertained for a millennia? What do you do when your roommate doesn’t follow through with their house chores? If these are questions you would like answers too, then this is the movie for you.

What We Do In The Shadows

Photo Credit: Unison Films

And if you decide that this quirky humour is to your liking, they also now have a TV show! I have not watched it all yet, (I am pacing myself to enjoy all its greatness), but so far, it has lived up to the movie.

So if you are looking for a mature, funny movie, there is gore–they are vampires–then grab some popcorn and make yourself at home in the dark.

What We Do In The Shadows, TV Series.

Photo Credit: FX Studios

Inspiring Author of the Week: Jessie Mihalik

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I love reading most genres of books, it all depends on my mood. But when I want something that is a fun exciting read, I choose pirates in space. Or what is called Space Opera. Jessie Mihalik does not let me down with her wound ridden protagonists who are strong women tested by life.

Polaris Rising is Book One in the series and the perfect way to get drawn into House von Hasenberg. A dynasty headed by Albrecht, a cold-hearted, powerful man who uses his children as pieces on a chess board. All of his power and scheming brought his children closer as they protect each other from him and from the outside world. The first story follows Ada, the second youngest princess, as she runs from an arranged marriage to a man she neither loves or respects. She stayed out of her fathers grasp for two years before she was finally caught. It is then she is introduced to Loch, the Devil of Fornax Zero, her cell mate.

It is bad enough Ada is locked in with a killer, when Richard Rockhurst, her supposed fiancé, of House Rockhurst, attempts to capture her. A circumstance she would do almost anything, including making the deal with the Devil, to get away from.

Ada is strong, charismatic, and fully aware of the risks she takes. I like her wit, her heart, and the lengths she will go to protect her family. Loch is enigmatic and has his own code of honour. I loved reading as the two of them dance around each other as they try to work together to escape those hunting them both. In classic romance style there is a lot of longing and sparks, followed by some steamy bits. The perfect read to escape, adventure, and feel a little love.

The three books in The Consortium Rebellion Series follow each of the daughters as they are pushed to the limits to save their families while in the company of charismatic and power men with their own secrets.

Each book contains it own adventure with romance tangled in. The fast-paced adventures are filled with wit, honour, action, and love.

To learn more about Jessie Mihalik and other books she had written, check out her website: Jessie Mihalik