Keeping a series feeling fresh after 6 books is a difficult challenge. Book 6, Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris, felt like a bit of a stumble as it’s position in the overall plotline felt a bit forced to ask a question which it immediately answered early on. There was a lack of tension … Continue reading Book Review: Harley Merlin #7 – Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix by Bella Forrest
Author Update: Book 3 Progress, Struggles and Uncertainty
Hello everyone!It’s been a strange month in all honesty. There’s been a lot of ups and downs throughout March, far more than I would like. I’m not quite sure what it is but I’ve become easily distracted by the smallest things nowadays. My mind has become a bit more foggy and my energy level each … Continue reading Author Update: Book 3 Progress, Struggles and Uncertainty
The Legend of Nariko: 5-Year Anniversary Hardcover
For the longest time, I had always dreamed of publishing my first book. It's honestly hard to believe it's been so long. I guess the last two years has felt like a bit of a blur. But that tangent aside, I wanted to celebrate this accomplishment by paying homage to the first cover art I … Continue reading The Legend of Nariko: 5-Year Anniversary Hardcover
Small break to work on a special project
Hi everyone!Taking a short break to work on a project for the 5-year anniversary of my first book, The Legend of Nariko: The Mark of Silverfrost. It still shocks me to this day I finished writing and published a book! The road was a bit bumpy but I learned a lot and I'm happy how … Continue reading Small break to work on a special project
Storytelling Musings: The Redemption Arc
A very controversial character development depending on the character in question. A character who was misled into doing something evil? Potentially redeemable. A character who gleefully commits murder and doesn’t come off as remorseful? Probably not. There’s a lot of nuance in the idea of redeeming a character. Can it be done well? Absolutely! There … Continue reading Storytelling Musings: The Redemption Arc
Book Review: Harley Merlin #6 – Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris by Bella Forrest
Entering the latter half of the series begs an interesting question. How does the author keep the story engaging and exciting when so much has already happened? That might sound strange, but truth be told it was something I hadn’t really considered before. Trilogies don’t have this issue, but anything longer essentially has a longer … Continue reading Book Review: Harley Merlin #6 – Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris by Bella Forrest
Author & Life Update: Rediscovering Discipline and Schedule
Hello Everyone, It’s been a good four weeks since my last update when I wrote out a schedule I would follow for my articles. It’s been working quite well so far and far more manageable than my previous schedule where I tried to do a book review a week. I think it is definitely doable, … Continue reading Author & Life Update: Rediscovering Discipline and Schedule
Storytelling Musings: The Love Interest
Romantic subplots can be difficult to pull off, especially in contemporary stories. The dynamics of the relationship can be so varied and have their own audiences that will enjoy them. It’s very much a matter of subjective tastes as, for example, I detest love triangles but I know some people love them. Love is a … Continue reading Storytelling Musings: The Love Interest
Book Review – Harley Merlin #5 – Harley Merlin and the Broken Spell by Bella Forrest
A series that has gone on as long as the Harley Merlin series can be at risk of running into derivative plots and character arcs. As someone whose working on their own lengthy book series, the idea of keeping everything fresh and interesting by book #5 seems like a daunting task. However Harley Merlin and … Continue reading Book Review – Harley Merlin #5 – Harley Merlin and the Broken Spell by Bella Forrest
Storytelling Musings: Showing the villainy rather than telling it.
**Slight spoilers for Harley Merlin #4: Harley Merlin and the First Ritual** While I’ve been praising the Harley Merlin series and especially Harley Merlin #4: Harley Merlin and the First Ritual, there is a strange lack in stakes or at least it doesn’t feel like the stakes are that high. That’s because the antagonist, the … Continue reading Storytelling Musings: Showing the villainy rather than telling it.
Raph's Cozy Musings 