Zachary Hagen’s Aisha’s Secret is about a girl who lived life on the edge and all of a sudden came across a very different kind of life. But even if circumstances change, it does not mean all of you change overnight. Magic doesn’t fix everything. This is a heady mix of fantasy, romance, palace intrigue, and djinn mythology. A story about the curious space between getting what you want and knowing what to do with it. This combination is what makes the novel so powerful. One wants to imagine escape, but what comes after is much more complex.
The Cost of Getting What You Want
Hagen identifies Aisha by her identity: Oiled Hand. Her cleverness and her instinct for self-preservation don’t seem like handy character traits to make her particularly appealing. And that’s why she has to live with a lot of insecurity. Then a djinn, Qadira, enters her life, offering her three wishes and opening doors that Aisha could never have imagined. Magic has its boundaries. ‘I can’t raise the dead. That’s rewriting history,’ Qadira says. She can’t change a person’s heart or mind forever. These rules mean that magic is not a simple answer to any problem and add emotional depth to the story. Aisha has the power to change her life, but she also has to live with the consequences of her decisions.
What I most loved about Aisha was that her circumstances changed much faster than she did. But she can’t just throw away the instincts that helped her survive, even if she might walk into a world of privilege. Her past still affects her thinking and her perception of other people. There’s always a tension between who she shows the world and who she’s learned to keep in check. Hagen, too, grieves in his own very personal way. Aisha fills her mother’s memory with clothes, perfume, sewing materials, and other small things that connect to her. At one point, she says, ‘My mother was extremely proud of this dress.’ The dress is much more than something she happens to be wearing. It reminds her of who she lost, of the life she abandoned.
Qadira’s one of the most energetic characters in the book. She adds humor and character to the story, especially when things get complicated in Aisha’s life, but she isn’t there to resolve everything for her. There is love between them, but also argument, frustration, and real concern. Qadira tells Aisha that magic entails responsibility. The truth is, the more power Aisha has, the more she has to consider what she does with it. And that’s one of the things that keeps the fantasy grounded in something that feels recognizably human.
And the same is true of the romance. Aisha’s relationship is not just a reward for all she’s been through. Love demands of her what survival never really asked of her: that she be honest and vulnerable. This is especially true because Aisha has been hiding pieces of herself for so long. So the notion of being truly known becomes a big part of the romance. It is not just two people falling in love. It’s about whether they can take each other without the masks. Well put in the promise of Aladdin’s desire ‘to know you and know you fully.’
Fantasy With High Emotional Stakes
The story takes Aisha from a world of survival to a world of privilege and responsibility. The palace setting also allows the story to examine the social and political elements of Aisha’s new reality. Some of the emotional and political developments happen rapidly, and I found myself wishing the story would have lasted a bit longer before moving on from something. But that momentum is part of the reason the novel is so easy to read on.
What Aisha’s Secret ultimately does with its most important questions has little to do with magic. Magic can change your situation, but it can’t take away your grief, or make you feel like you belong, or make the consequences of your choices go away. Hagen combines the pleasures of fairy-tale fantasy and romance with a more serious identity question: What do you have to become to live the life you dreamed about when you finally get it? And that’s what makes the story so emotionally powerful. If you like fantasy with romance, humor, magic, secrets, and a heroine whose new life isn’t quite what she thought it would be, Aisha’s Secret has lots to recommend it.
Storytelling has been an instinct with T K Bush all her life, beginning in childhood and now finding its way into the world of psychological suspense. A registered radiologic technologist specializing in interventional cardiology, she brings an unusual professional perspective to her fiction, drawing on her medical expertise to provide authenticity to hospital settings and protocols. She also reads and reviews thrillers and assists other authors with writing accurate medical scenes. Her debut psychological thriller, Unveiled, marks the opening of a new chapter in her literary journey. In this interview with B Sudharsan, Founding Editor-in-Chief, Literary Harbinger, T K Bush discusses how she began her writing journey, the unexpected turns her characters take, juggling a career in healthcare with fiction writing, and the stories she plans to tell next. The interview has been lightly edited for flow.
T K BUSH | MARGIE DOTSON PHOTOGRAPHY
SPECIAL & EXCLUSIVE
‘Knew From a Young Age Would Become an Author’
B Sudharsan: Glad to make your acquaintance, Ms Bush. When did you first discover your love for storytelling, and what made you realize that you wanted to become an author?
T K Bush: I started writing as soon as I learned to read. I think I was creating characters in my head even before that. The joy I felt from bringing stories to life, from my imagination to the page, is how I knew from a very young age that I would one day become an author.
B Sudharsan: That early connection with storytelling has now led to your debut novel. How did itcome into being, and what can readers expect from it?
T K Bush: My debut novel, Unveiled, releases on October 6. It’s a psychological thriller about a cardiac manager who has amnesia after an accident. As she rebuilds her family and career, she must confront her forgotten past when someone arrives with a deadly secret that could destroy everything.
B Sudharsan: How much of a story and its characters do you usually have mapped out before you begin writing?
T K Bush: I try to have at least a basic sense or outline of everything before I start. I used to start writing and see how things unfolded, but I’ve found I save time by planning as much as possible in advance. Despite all the planning, the characters and plot almost always develop in unexpected ways, and for me, that’s the most exciting part of writing.
B Sudharsan: What kinds of writers and stories do you find yourself drawn to?
T K Bush: I don’t have a particular favorite. I read pretty much anyone who writes psychological thrillers, romantic suspense, or biblical/historical romance.
‘I Write Whenever I Can’
B Sudharsan: With so many responsibilities beyond writing, how do you find the time to create, and does inspiration tend to follow a particular routine for you?
T K Bush: I write whenever I can. I’d like to follow a set schedule, but that rarely works out. I find I’m most inspired when I don’t have much time to write, so I have to make the time.
B Sudharsan: Your professional life, as I am given to understand, connects intriguingly with your fiction. Where are you currently based, and what exactly is your professional background?
T K Bush: I reside in Florida, and I am a registered radiologic technologist who specializes in interventional cardiology.
B Sudharsan: Looking back at that childhood certainty about becoming an author, was writing always something you consciously intended to pursue as a career?
T K Bush: Yes, definitely. I always knew I wanted to be an author.
B Sudharsan: How do you balance your professional responsibilities with writing, and what other interests occupy your time when you step away from your stories?
T K Bush: I do the best I can. Sticking to a set schedule can be difficult, but I find that I am more productive when I have a clear deadline. I enjoy reading, of course, and creating goodie bags for events or parties.
B Sudharsan: With Unveiled about to make its way to readers, where is your writing taking you next? And do you hope to make writing your full-time career?
T K Bush: I am currently working on my next psychological thriller, which involves choices and consequences. I don’t want to give too much away at this time, as it’s still a work in progress. I definitely intend to become a full-time author in the near future.
‘Just Don’t Give Up’
B Sudharsan: Every writer encounters moments when the response to a book may not match the hopes invested in it. What would you say to authors who begin to lose motivation when their work does not perform as they expected?
T K Bush: I would say to remember why you do what you do. The joy and blessing from creating should first be for yourself. The rest will come. Just don’t give up.
B Sudharsan: Your advice to writers places the joy of creation at the heart of the journey. If you could extend that philosophy beyond writing and change one thing about the world, what would it be?
T K Bush: I would change the way people think about forgiveness and unconditional love, especially the importance of extending both to themselves and others.
‘My Days Vary’
B Sudharsan: From cardiovascular technology to writing and family time, your days seem to move between very different worlds. What does a usual day look like for you?
T K Bush: My days vary. I’m either at work as a cardiovascular tech or sitting at home by the pool or in my office writing or spending time with family.
B Sudharsan: Besides English, are there any other languages you know or speak?
T K Bush: Just English.
B Sudharsan: What final message would you like to leave with readers?
T K Bush: Please check out my debut novel, Unveiled, which releases on Oct 6! Thanks!
I would say to remember why you do what you do. The joy and blessing from creating should first be for yourself. The rest will come. Just don’t give up.
Book: To Be a Fae Queen Genre: Romantasy Author: Tricia Copeland Rating: 5/5 Reviewer: Stavyah Vatsarah
In To Be a Fae Queen, Tricia Copeland puts a young woman under the weight of a crown and asks a more interesting question than whether she can wear it: what happens when power comes before certainty? Titania knows she has a kingdom depending on her, but she is far less confident than her subjects might imagine. ‘How am I to rule a nation, an anxious girl?’—a novel with immediate emotional honesty. What follows is a fantasy as much a product of Titania’s internal struggle as it is of the world she has been called on to lead.
A Heroine Learns to Stand Tall
Copeland makes Titania convincing because she can be strong and uncertain at the same time. She is able to say, ‘I am the best archer in the land,’ with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what she can do, but that confidence does not automatically extend to the responsibilities placed before her. That difference is recognizably human. It suggests that excelling at something in no way equates to feeling prepared for whatever comes next.
Her vulnerability is particularly touching in the quieter passages. Titania’s collection of crystals ‘makes me feel connected to them,’ revealing a private relationship with loss that supports her public identity. In moments like these, she becomes more than a figure traversing a fantasy landscape. Copeland provides her with a life of the mind where memory has a physical presence, and this imparts an intimate dimension to Titania’s development.
A Faerie World of Its Own Reason
The novel’s world is convincing when its magic has consequences. The faerie rings are essential for the realm to function, and the threat to ‘sun, rain, and winds to clear our air’ makes their importance feel urgent. Copeland does not treat the supernatural as decoration but weaves it into the conditions under which her characters live.
Titania also has a pleasing uncertainty about the stories she has grown up believing. Things she once considered ‘myth, rumor, folklore’ now have a different resonance. There’s a muted tension between belief and what could actually be true. The addition of Upper Earth and Lower Earth adds depth to the setting, suggesting a universe that is far beyond what Titania first understands.
Titania’s character is all about movement. When she says, ‘Doing something will be better than nothing,’ she reveals her instinct to respond rather than retreat. It is a flawed form of courage, but perhaps a more persuasive one for just that reason. She may not always have the right answer, but she will find a way to act.
She also has a more reflective understanding of leadership than one might expect from the simple possession of a title. Titania believes elections ‘will increase diversity and help bring all ideas to the council,’ demonstrating a desire to make authority responsive rather than merely inherited. The idea provides a modern undercurrent to the novel without detracting from its fantastical setting. The ruling is starting to sound less like sitting on a throne and more like taking responsibility for the voices beyond it, for Titania.
Fantasy Meets the Personal
Copeland’s first-person narration keeps the reader close to Titania’s consciousness, an effect that is particularly effective when the outside world begins to press upon her private fears. The fantasy provides the scale, but Titania gives the emotional heart. Her thoughts are centered on the question of whether she can live up to the expectations of her position, so the story’s larger concerns feel personal, not remote.
What makes To Be a Fae Queen stand out, ultimately, is its interest in the person behind the title. Titania’s courage is her action in the face of fear, not the absence of fear. Copeland has provided her with space to question herself and constructed a heroine whose journey is less the fulfillment of a prophecy and more the arduous, recognizable process of becoming the equal of the life one has been given.
Book: Chewed Up by the Jungle Genre: Romantic Adventure Thriller Author: Ann Charles Rating: 5/5 Reviewer: Stavyah Vatsarah
The third book in the Dig Site Mystery Series, Chewed Up by the Jungle, by Ann Charles, takes us back to the Maya jungle with archeologist Angélica García and photojournalist Quint Parker. Their work at an archeological site combines Charles’s love of Maya history with a story woven with danger, humor, romance, and the possibility of the supernatural. What makes the novel so fascinating is how well these different threads weave together. There’s enough mystery to keep us guessing with the story and enough warmth in the characters and their interactions to make the journey just as important as the destination.
Charles also provides the novel a visceral sense of place. Quint’s first description of the jungle as ‘angry’ suggests generations of human intrusion and scarring. Angélica immediately punctures the description when he compares humans to ‘chiggers’ and ‘leeches.’ This exchange establishes something important about the novel: even when Charles creates an atmosphere of threat, she allows her characters to respond with humor.
The Jungle as Context and Beyond
The jungle is slowly absorbed into the reading experience. Charles fills it with sounds, movement, heat, insects, and hidden spaces so that the characters are never entirely apart from their environment. Her use of auditory imagery, describing the jungle as ‘loud with chirps and chatters and whistles,’ makes the setting feel alive rather than static. There is an undercurrent of uncertainty pervading the archeological expedition, for the characters can never be quite sure of what may be lurking just beyond the edge of vision.
The archeological context is integrated into the narrative just as well. Through Angélica’s work, Charles is able to introduce the reader to Maya architecture, glyphs, mythology, and ancient traditions and archeological practices without the novel reading like a history lesson. The characters and their work also connect the technical details of LIDAR technology and the study of ancient structures. This adds a dimension to the adventure and also reflects Angélica’s real interest in the past.
Characters Give Heart
This interest in the past is for Angélica. She has a professional relationship with archaeology but also a personal one, particularly with her mother’s work and theories. ‘For Angélica, the thought that there were civilizations that prospered so long ago was a comfort,’ writes Charles thoughtfully. The concept goes beyond archeology’s excavation and discovery; for Angélica, learning how people lived in the past also becomes a way of reflecting on life in the present.
The added warmth of her relationship with Quint is also a source of comfort. They say they like to tease in casual conversation rather than let the excitement happening around them shut them off. Quint’s interest in Maya culture is important because it shows his desire to understand something that is important to Angelica. So their relationship is more than a romantic thread; it’s another way that Charles shows character.
One of the most attractive things about the novel is perhaps its humor, which arises naturally from the characters. Finally, when Quint and Daisy joke about Angélica’s obsession with archeology, Daisy gives the condition its wonderfully simple name: ‘It’s called archeology.’ It’s a clever exchange, but it also shows how the characters see Angélica and how comfortable they are with each other. Charles mines humor from character, not laying it in for laughs.
That humor is especially effective when the story veers into more unsettling territory. The supernatural element is unsettling, but Charles still makes room for skepticism and wit. Quint is less certain of what he has experienced but still considers rational explanations. This balance keeps the paranormal engaging without overwhelming the archeological and human aspects of the story.
A Story of the Past
A further one of the more subtle strengths of Chewed Up by the Jungle is its curiosity and respect for Maya civilization. Charles’s research appears in the specifics of the archeological sites, the language, the beliefs, and the relationship between the ancient Maya and their environment. The glossary also provides readers with an opportunity to learn about unfamiliar terms, such as ‘aguada,’ ‘cenote,’ and ‘Chakmo’ol,’ without interrupting the narrative.
But the past never loses its people. Angélica reflects on the lives of people from centuries ago, reminding us that history is, ultimately, a tapestry of shared human experience. That perspective gives the archeological material an emotional dimension and helps explain why the past matters so much to her.
A Fun Trip
Chewed Up by the Jungle succeeds because it knows what kind of story it wants to be. It’s an archeological mystery, but it’s also about the people who are chasing it. There’s a feeling of peril, but it doesn’t sacrifice humor. It brings in the supernatural but allows for some doubt. These work because Charles keeps character and setting at the center of the story.
The result is a novel that is easy to enter. Charles herself describes it as a mixture of ‘quick wit and mystery, sweat and adventure, wonder and Maya mythology’ with ‘laughter and romance,’ and this description does quite well encapsulate the book’s generous spirit.
Its most impressive aspect is how it makes the archeological work, the relationships, and the setting feel like natural parts of the same story. Chewed Up by the Jungle is surely a satisfying addition to the Dig Site Mystery Series for readers who like their mysteries with a strong sense of place and characters who are just as much fun to spend time with as the mystery itself.
Patti Lee is an award-winning novelist who writes about the complexity of daily life. She started writing seriously after the age of 50 and finally published her first novel, Between February and November, in 2022 with RockHill Publishing. Her latest novel, Tanya, We Have a Problem, published this year, adopts a decidedly comic take on the messiness of relationships. Lee, who lives in southern Vermont in the United States, has a lived experience and instinctual approach to storytelling that results in relatable characters and emotionally engaging stories. She runs a small nonprofit, where she can indulge her love of spreadsheets and lists, and keeps her four cats and two dogs supplied with catnip and treats when she’s not writing or spending time with her grandkids. B Sudharsan, Founding Editor-in-Chief, Literary Harbinger, recently interviewed her via email. You can read the full interview, lightly edited for flow, below.
HARBINGER EXCLUSIVE
‘I Write Relatable Women’s Fiction’
B Sudharsan: It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ms Lee. Let’s begin with a fairly straightforward question: when did you start writing?
Patti Lee: Though I’ve journaled on and off for years, I didn’t start writing until shortly after I turned 50. While I’d constantly make up stories in my head about people and/or situations, I didn’t start writing them down and really fleshing them out until 2019.
B Sudharsan: Could you tell us about your published works, how they came into being, and what your latest book, Tanya, We Have a Problem, is about?
Patti Lee: I write relatable women’s fiction, mostly focused on everyday situations that could happen to anyone, whether they lean into deep drama or lighter humor. I started writing my debut novel, Between February and November, shortly after I turned 50. I had a few character ideas floating around, and once I actually decided to sit down and write, things just took off. Between February and November is an emotional drama following Layla Ranker, who unexpectedly catches her husband with another woman. As she struggles to figure out what went wrong, old wounds from the past are opened, and she has to figure out how to navigate the fallout. My latest book, Tanya, We Have a Problem, is definitely on the comedic side! It opens right in the middle of the mess, with Tanya waking up in bed only to realize the man sleeping next to her isn’t her husband, Bill. That crazy situation is all thanks to a throwaway comment Bill made earlier about updating his wardrobe, which convinced Tanya he was cheating. Desperate to prove it, she recruits her best friend Bonnie for a series of stakeouts and zany traps that quickly spiral out of control. It’s a funny, heart-filled journey about navigating the messiness of relationships, self-discovery, and finding out what’s really worth saving.
‘I Want My Characters to Come Alive on the Page’
B Sudharsan: Both your novels begin with compelling situations involving relationships. When developing a story from such a premise, how much of the plot and characters do you know beforehand, and how much do you allow to emerge as you write?
Patti Lee: I describe myself as a panster (one who flies by the seat of their pants as a writer) as opposed to a plotter, and the more I’ve written, the more this is reinforced. I may have an idea of a character or how I want a story to end, but the story unfolds throughout the writing process and often changes as the characters develop.
B Sudharsan: You’ve mentioned that you’re a pantser and that you let your stories and characters develop organically as you write. Given how important it is for you to create vivid characters, which authors have influenced or inspired your storytelling approach?
Patti Lee: I admire authors like Janet Evanovich, Jennifer Weiner, Jodi Picoult, and Diana Gabaldon. I recently rediscovered Diana Gabaldon and really appreciate her ability to write scenes in such a way that the reader has a clear vision of the surroundings as well as what’s happening with the characters internally. As a reader, I love to get invested in characters. As a writer, I want my characters to come alive on the page, much like what the authors mentioned above are able to accomplish in their work.
B Sudharsan: Has your writing routine evolved over the years as you’ve gotten more experienced and as life has progressed?
Patti Lee: When I started writing in 2019, I used to write early in the morning and late at night—I was a card-carrying member of the #5AMWritersClub. Since then, my life has become busier, and now I write when I feel inspired or have the capacity while at the same time having dedicated time to write.
‘Becoming an Author Wasn’t Something I Thought About Until I Hit 50’
B Sudharsan: Please tell us a little about where you are based, your educational background, and the learning that prepared you for the craft of writing.
Patti Lee: I currently live in southern Vermont, where I’ve been for almost 40 years after moving here from Connecticut when my kids were very young. As for my education, I finished high school in 1986 and later took some college courses in child development while working in a preschool. But what really prepared me to be a writer was living life, observing people, and telling stories about them to myself. When I decided to get serious about writing, I dove into a lot of self-directed craft research, studying books on writing by Stephen King and Anne Lamott and taking online MasterClasses.
B Sudharsan: Did becoming an author itself feel like a conscious decision, or did it happen more organically?
Patti Lee: I wouldn’t call it a conscious decision or a childhood dream. It wasn’t something I really thought about until I hit 50. I realized I had these characters and stories knocking around in my brain, and I decided it was time to write them down. Once I started, the process took on a momentum of its own, and getting published became the natural next goal.
B Sudharsan: Your writing, I am given to understand, developed alongside a full-time career and family life. How do you balance those responsibilities while continuing to pursue your creative work?
Patti Lee: I manage a statewide nonprofit full time, and it’s pretty demanding at times, so writing has to fit around the rest of my life. Since I don’t have a set writing schedule, sometimes I write a lot and sometimes life gets in the way. I’ve learned to be okay with that because I know I’ll always come back to it. Outside of writing, I like to read, listen to music, and, admittedly, watch way too much reality TV. I’m also a big fan of spending time with my family and our pets. I think having those other interests is important because they give me a break and sometimes a little inspiration too.
‘Don’t Let Your Inner Critic Talk You Out of Writing’
B Sudharsan: What can you tell us about the stories you are currently working on, and how do they differ from your published novels?
Patti Lee: I have a couple of works in progress. One is a novel about four lifelong friends whose relationship gets fractured when an affair comes to light. Friendship turns fragile, and each woman must decide what, and who, is worth forgiving. The other started as a psychological thriller, and the more I wrote, the more I found myself in a dark funk. I’m thinking that genre may not be for me. I do love the main character, Imogene, so I’m waiting until she tells me what she wants to do. I’d like to spend more time writing, but I’ve got to keep the lights on, so until I retire, I will continue to be a part-time author.
B Sudharsan: Having experienced the uncertainty of establishing yourself as a writer, what would you say to authors who lose motivation when their work receives rejection or fails to perform as they had hoped?
Patti Lee: Just write, and don’t let your inner critic talk you out of it. Treat rejection feedback as free coaching, refine your query when it’s not clicking, and keep honing your craft. My own path took roughly 35 queries, a bit of luck, and a whole lot of refusal to quit. When that ‘yes’ finally lands, every bit of persistence pays off.
B Sudharsan: Your fiction deals with human conduct and the choices that people make. What is a bigger change you want to see in the world?
Patti Lee: If I could change one thing, I think it would be for people to be accepting of each other regardless of race, religion, political affiliation, background, income, looks, or gender.
‘Hope My Stories Give Readers a Chance to Laugh’
B Sudharsan: What does a typical day in your life look like, and where does storytelling fit into it?
Patti Lee: Boring, haha! I still get up between 4:30 and 5:30 AM. Because I work full-time, my days are a blend of professional responsibilities and keeping up with home life. Writing happens whenever I can carve out space—usually in those early morning hours when the house is still quiet. Even when I’m not actively typing, I’m usually letting characters and story ideas simmer in the back of my mind while I go about my routine.
B Sudharsan: Do you speak or write in any languages besides English?
Patti Lee: I don’t fluently speak any other languages, though I do recall quite a bit of my middle-school Spanish—props to Ms. Mioti!
B Sudharsan: Before we wrap up, what do you want to say to readers who might be discovering your work for the first time?
PL: If you love relatable women’s fiction filled with humor, heart, and the everyday moments we all navigate, I’d love for you to check out my books! My debut novel, Between February and November, and my newest release, Tanya, We Have a Problem, are both available now through RockHill Publishing and major booksellers online, like Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Most of all, I just hope my stories give readers a chance to laugh, feel understood, and escape into a good book. I love connecting with readers, so please feel free to visit my website at pattileewriter.com or join me on Facebook at facebook.com/PattiLeeAuthorPage. Thank you so much for reading!
Just write, and don’t let your inner critic talk you out of it. Treat rejection feedback as free coaching, refine your query when it’s not clicking, and keep honing your craft. My own path took roughly 35 queries, a bit of luck, and a whole lot of refusal to quit. When that ‘yes’ finally lands, every bit of persistence pays off.
~ PATTI LEE
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Book: The Ascension Genre: Mythic Urban Fantasy Author: J M Shaw Rating: 5/5 Reviewer: Stavyah Vatsarah
J M Shaw’s debut novel in the Callum Walker series, The Ascension, is a modern fantasy with an impressive scope of imagination and a focus on moral character. Callum Walker is the hero; he is a young man living quietly in Duncaster but with an extraordinary inheritance that makes him different from the ordinary world in which he abides. Shaw works to establish this duality: Callum is deliberately inconspicuous, but he has skills that make it increasingly difficult to remain anonymous. The imaginative tension of the novel is this contrast between his pedestrian life and the secret world that gradually opens before him.
A Well-Built Fantastical World
Shaw’s portrayal of Callum works particularly well since his powers don’t make him invulnerable. He is explicitly described as ‘not immune to fear,’ and he imperfectly masters his powers, so his encounters with the supernatural are a matter of nerve as well as of capability. His character is shaped not just by what he can do but by how he responds to challenges. Shaw embodies this principle in Callum’s statement: ‘It’s what we do despite it that defines us,’ a formulation that neatly captures the novel’s interest in courage as choice rather than temperament.
The speculative architecture is one of the novel’s most considerable strengths. Shaw creates a secret magical world called the Veil that exists alongside modern-day Duncaster, a world where the supernatural exists beyond ordinary human perception. The Veil is called ‘a world only accessible to those with magic,’ but Callum’s knowledge of mythology gives him the vocabulary to recognize beings that others dismiss as mere fantasy. The relationship between folklore and lived reality lends the novel a pleasing intertextual quality, for the mythical is not just invented but purposefully linked to traditions of storytelling and belief. Shaw also provides an internal discipline for magic, with words of power and specific types of knowledge; the use of magic can have physical consequences. The result is a fantasy system that is governed, not randomly deployed.
Shaw’s handling of the supernatural is especially lively, with monsters having unique physical and narrative existences. The novel places its fantastic creatures within a larger mythological vocabulary, allowing Callum’s study of mythology and folklore to become an important part of his understanding of the world around him. This is one of the novel’s more striking literary devices: mythology is knowledge, not decoration. Shaw thus creates a context in which old stories gain new imaginative vitality while retaining their connection with the modern world. It results in fantasy that is accessible but with a clear base in folklore.
The Ascension is very concerned with power and its uses under its supernatural premise. Shaw makes an important distinction between having power and using it responsibly, especially in Callum’s understanding of what it means to possess extraordinary abilities. This prevents the novel’s conflict from becoming a morally weightless spectacle. Shaw’s emphasis on conscience gives the fantasy an ethical dimension more compelling than any simple opposition between strength and weakness. In this novel, power becomes important in itself because its exercise requires judgment.
Trust and Human Connection
Callum’s emotional life adds another layer of substance to the novel. His isolation and fear drive his desire to stay out of the spotlight, not just a quirk, and Shaw allows this solitude to shape his relationships with others. His interactions with those around him gradually reveal how little company Callum allows himself. These details make his solitude more than a character trait; it becomes a central emotional condition. Thus, Shaw’s fantasy has an intimate countercurrent, asking what it means to live with extraordinary difference and to yearn for ordinary connection.
For this reason, The Ascension earns a 5/5 from me. Its strengths are cumulative: Shaw blends a vividly imagined supernatural world with grounded characterization and an evident concern for conscience. More significantly, the novel does not need its protagonist to stop being vulnerable to be compelling; Callum’s uncertainty serves to characterize him. ‘Everyone feels fear,’ he says, ‘but character is what you do when you feel that fear.’ This is a particularly effective distillation of the novel’s governing philosophy. Shaw’s achievement is to make fantasy serve character rather than oppose it; she produces a novel that is easy to read and morally aware, where the issue is not what power can do but what a person will do with it.
Maria Gallucci is an award-winning real estate broker, a best-selling author, and a champion of inclusive communication and accessible housing with over 30 years of experience. A CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) who learned ASL (American Sign Language) before English, she works with the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as with builders, investors, and families throughout the US. She founded Uptown Realty Group, Gallucci Homes, ASL @ Compass, and ASL Realty and is a top producer at Compass. Furthermore, she ranks in the top 1.5% of REALTORS® nationally. A board member for Rocky Mountain Deaf School, DOVE (Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment), and the Colorado Association of the Deaf, her motto, ‘Just Try,’ fuels her mission to ensure that her underrepresented clients are heard and respected. B Sudharsan, Founding Editor-in-Chief of Literary Harbinger, recently interviewed her via email. Below, you can read the full interview with Maria Gallucci, which is edited sparingly for flow.
SPECIAL TO LITERARY HARBINGER
‘Understood Why People Say Everyone Has a Story’
B Sudharsan: It is such a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ms Gallucci. To begin with, when did you start writing?
Maria Gallucci: I’ve always loved stories, but I never considered myself a writer. I was the person who loved reading mysteries and suspense novels and admired the people who could write them. It wasn’t until recently that I realized I had a story worth telling. Once I started writing Raised in Silence, I couldn’t stop. I finally understood why people say everyone has a story.
B Sudharsan: Your first published book draws on your own life and experiences. What inspired you to turn those experiences into a book, and what did you hope readers would take away from it?
Maria Gallucci: My first published book, Raised in Silence, is based on my life growing up as a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), where American Sign Language was my first language. While it shares my experiences, it’s really about something much bigger than that. It’s about communication, inclusion, empathy, and belonging. People often think it’s only for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, but I always tell them it’s for everyone. Every one of us has felt misunderstood, left out, or like we didn’t belong at some point in life. Those are the moments that connect us. The book came to life because so many people kept telling me, ‘You have to write these stories down.’ Eventually, I listened.
‘The Book Almost Wrote Itself’
B Sudharsan: Once you decided to tell these stories, how did the writing process unfold for you?
Maria Gallucci: Since Raised in Silence is based on my life, I knew the stories I wanted to tell, but I didn’t always know how they would come together. As I wrote, memories I hadn’t thought about in years would suddenly come back. One story would lead to another, and before I knew it, the book almost wrote itself. Looking back, I think it unfolded exactly the way it was supposed to.
B Sudharsan: That feeling of discovery sounds pretty interesting, especially since you didn’t set out with a defined structure in mind. Are there certain writers whose work has helped to form the kind of writer you are?
Maria Gallucci: I’ve always enjoyed mystery and suspense authors because I love trying to solve the puzzle before the ending. But I’m also drawn to authors who make you feel something. The books I remember most aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest twists. They’re the ones that stay with me long after I’ve finished the last page. That’s the kind of book I hope I’ve written.
B Sudharsan: You’ve just touched on the importance of books that stay with a reader long after the final page. That sounds like an important emotional connection for you. Does that change the way you think about writing? When do you generally write?
Maria Gallucci: I wish I could tell you I had this perfectly organized writing routine, but that’s just not me. I write whenever inspiration hits. Sometimes that’s early in the morning with a cup of coffee, and sometimes it’s late at night when an idea won’t leave me alone. If a story comes to mind, I’ve learned to stop what I’m doing and write it down before it disappears.
B Sudharsan: Your life combines writing with a long and successful career in real estate and advocacy. Where are you currently based, how old are you, how have your experiences shaped you, and what stage of life are you in?
Maria Gallucci: I live in Colorado, where I’ve spent more than three decades building my real estate career while serving clients throughout the state. My education has come from a combination of formal training, professional experience, and life itself. Growing up as a CODA taught me lessons no classroom ever could. As for my age, let’s just say I’ve collected enough life experiences to have plenty of stories to tell.
‘Balance Is Always a Work in Progress’
B Sudharsan: Given everything you’ve achieved in your career, did you always imagine yourself becoming an author?
Maria Gallucci: Not at all. Becoming an author was never part of my plan. I simply wanted to tell a story that might help people see the world a little differently. If the book encourages someone to become more patient, more inclusive, or more willing to connect with people who communicate differently than they do, then I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.
B Sudharsan: With real estate, advocacy, speaking, and writing all demanding your time, how do you make room for the things you enjoy outside your professional life?
Maria Gallucci: Balance is always a work in progress. I’m still a full-time REALTOR®, speaker, and advocate, so my days stay busy. Writing has to fit around everything else, but it’s become something I genuinely enjoy instead of another item on my to-do list. When I’m not working, I love spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, exploring Colorado, and, of course, hanging out with my pug, Ray. He definitely keeps life entertaining.
‘Don’t Let Numbers Decide Whether Your Story Matters’
B Sudharsan: Having discovered the joy of writing, do you have more stories you would like to tell, and could you see yourself becoming a full-time author?
Maria Gallucci: I definitely have more stories I’d like to tell. Right now I’m enjoying speaking, meeting readers, and having conversations inspired by Raised in Silence. I don’t see myself giving up real estate because I truly love what I do, but I absolutely see more books in my future. Writing has become another way for me to help people, and that’s something I want to continue.
B Sudharsan: What would you say to aspiring writers who become discouraged when their work does not receive the response they hoped for?
Maria Gallucci: Don’t let numbers decide whether your story matters. Sales, reviews, and rankings go up and down, but if your words help even one person, you’ve succeeded. Keep writing because you have something to say, not because you’re chasing a bestseller list. Success doesn’t always happen overnight. Sometimes your book finds its readers when they’re ready for it.
‘No Two Days Are Ever the Same’
B Sudharsan: Your work centers so strongly on empathy and inclusion. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
Maria Gallucci: I’d love to see people become more willing to understand before they judge. We spend so much time focusing on what makes us different instead of what we have in common. A little more empathy and a little more curiosity could change so many lives.
B Sudharsan: You lead a remarkably varied professional and creative life. What does a usual day look like for you?
Maria Gallucci: No two days are ever the same, and that’s exactly how I like it. One day I might be showing homes; the next I’m recording a podcast, speaking at an event, writing, or meeting with clients. Somewhere in there you’ll usually find me answering emails, drinking coffee, spending time with Ray, and trying to squeeze in a little reading before the day is over.
‘ASL Is a Huge Part of Who I Am’
B Sudharsan: You grew up with American Sign Language as your first language. What role does ASL continue to play in your life today?
Maria Gallucci: American Sign Language was actually my first language, so it’s a huge part of who I am. I still use ASL every day, both personally and professionally. Being bilingual in ASL and English has allowed me to connect with people in ways I never realized would become such an important part of my life and career.
B Sudharsan: Finally, what is the one message you would most like readers to carry with them after reading Raised in Silence?
Maria Gallucci: I hope readers remember that every person they meet has a story they know nothing about. We all want to feel heard, understood, and like we belong. You don’t have to know sign language to make someone feel included. You don’t have to have all the right words. Sometimes all it takes is a smile, a little patience, and a willingness to try. That’s really the heart of my book and the way I try to live my life.
I’d love to see people become more willing to understand before they judge. We spend so much time focusing on what makes us different instead of what we have in common. A little more empathy and a little more curiosity could change so many lives.
~ MARIA GALLUCCI
ENGAGE WITH LH | Click on the cover image of the book Raised in Silence and buy yourself a copy right offthe bat!
A-M Mawhiney’s Spindrifts is a surprisingly tender science fiction novel imagining a future Earth that has not merely survived catastrophe but is gradually learning how to heal. Half a century later, after the destruction of the past, Mawhiney presents a world shaped by ecological responsibility and an extraordinary belief in what people can achieve together. But this is no faultless utopia. Yet beneath the beauty, questions quietly accumulate, and a current of uncertainty in the novel keeps its optimism from becoming naive. It’s a book about the future, certainly; nevertheless, its most profound concerns feel wrenchingly present: how we co-exist, how we make sense of difference, and whether real progress is possible without compassion.
Evoking Movement And Change
Fania is the fulcrum of this universe, and we see much of it through her eyes. Her curiosity pulls the story along, and it’s never merely intellectual. She has a genuine interest in people From Away, rooted in a sincere desire to know and connect, based on an instinctive belief in equality. ‘I want my communication to be equal,’ she says, a simple statement that reveals something fundamental about both Fania and the society she lives in. The unease she feels about technology quietly reproducing assumptions about whose language matters is what gives this futuristic world a surprisingly familiar human dimension.
Mawhiney’s world-building is strongest when it’s lived rather than explained. Ecological recovery is something we can almost touch, not just observe, as rivers, snow, ice, new plants, and changing seasons are all part of the process. And even that tiny moment when Fania and her great-grandmother, Alicia, hear the fragile crackling of ice becomes almost musical. Spindrifts is also a fitting title, suggesting something that can obscure what lies ahead but also evoking movement and change. This is not only a technological future; it is a living world.
Beneath the Beautiful Surface
But Spindrifts isn’t just praising its own creation. Its quieter mystery slowly draws us under that beautiful surface. Fania’s return to Immersion raises questions about her apprenticeship, Alicia’s work, and the things that remain unexplained. Her strange experiences only deepen the doubt, particularly the recurring landscapes and pink fog in her dreams. Mawhiney doesn’t have to rely on the usual suspense to keep us interested. Sometimes, a hint is enough, and an unanswered question can be more compelling than an immediate revelation. The mysteries contribute to the novel without disrupting its warmth.
Its relationships are equally complex. Fania and Alicia are genuinely warm with each other, but their relationship is not simple, and questions of identity arise naturally. Fania’s sister, Nuna, is tender because it is spoken in the quotidian, not the grandiose. Meanwhile, Kiki, Fania’s former Immersion classmate, gradually reveals humor and the possibility of connection. These relationships add emotional weight to the larger ideas of the novel.
What’s important is how Mawhiney lets those ideas live through her characters. Equality, communication, healing, and responsibility come through the way people relate to one another. The novel constantly demonstrates the interdependence of communities and the natural world, strengthening Fania’s realization that ‘everything is connected.’ Technology can make this future easier, but the real foundation is a changing sense of interdependence.
Mawhiney is also refreshingly candid about progress. Her future society has accomplished marvelous things, but healing is never portrayed as finished. In her opening note, she describes Spindrifts as a utopian vision ‘but one with bumps and twists along the way,’ and that phrase perfectly captures its spirit. Hope here is not the belief that everything is already right; it is the willingness to continue building something better.
An Ingenious Piece of Work
Mawhiney’s prose is at its best when beauty and thought go hand in hand. The cedar and wild ginger, the melting ice, the water in motion, and the new growth pushing through the snow make the future palpable and provide the book with its meditative rhythm. When the novel says ‘there was much more to be done and endless possibilities,’ it feels earned.
Spindrifts knows that healing a landscape is only part of the job. A hopeful future also needs people who acknowledge their place in a larger web of life. With remarkable confidence, Mawhiney balances ecological science fiction, family drama, mystery, and a meditation on human possibility. Its greatest achievement is the tenderness with which it imagines what humanity could be.
I’d give Spindrifts 5/5 because it does something harder than inventing a good future: it makes a better future feel possible. It is a humane novel, intellectually ambitious, ecologically aware, suffused with real affection for its characters and for the living world they seek to restore. Its greatest success is that it has won the right to hope, through the courage to question inherited assumptions. If you want science fiction with a hopeful spirit, Spindrifts is a luminous, deeply satisfying read.
Book: Escape to Jekyll Island: Gem of the Golden Isles Series Book One Genre: Cosy Romantic Mystery Author: Sandy Malone Rating: 4.5/5 Reviewer: Stavyah Vatsarah
Life changes drastically in Sandy Malone’s Escape to Jekyll Island. After Hurricane Maria devastates her life in Puerto Rico, Tally Davis is back on Jekyll Island. This is a new professional beginning that drags her back into the orbit of people and memories she’s never quite left behind. Jekyll Island is no longer just a backdrop, and soon Tally finds out what home means to her again.
The book’s greatest strength is Tally. She’s capable and determined, but her narration is especially engaging because she has a wonderfully candid sense of humor. And the line that nails her professionalism is, ‘Everything has to be perfect. We have one chance to get this right.’ It also makes for a compelling heroine, for her devotion to her work is never a plot contrivance.
Weddings With Personality
Much of the novel’s flavor comes from the wedding-planning aspect. It’s not an easy job; Tally’s first big wedding is on Jekyll Island, and Malone makes the behind-the-scenes work surprisingly entertaining. Welcome baskets, flowers, guest arrangements—you name it, Tally’s got to see trouble coming before it becomes a disaster. Especially telling of the book’s irreverent humor is her own description of the situation as a possible ‘clusterfuck.’
Malone also notes the absurdity often associated with elaborate weddings. Annabelle continues to add to the already carefully thought-out celebration, and this process leads to some comedy moments. Tally’s reaction to the bride’s Icelandic bachelorette trip is especially funny as she points out that it’s ‘a Caribbean destination wedding that was moved stateside’ after a trip to another continent. These details give the novel a pleasing lightness, yet none of its characters ever feel disposable.
In the close-knit world of Jekyll Island, Tally and Mitch’s romance thrives. Their shared past lends the relationship an effortless familiarity while their adult lives add a new dimension. Their conversations are inherently warm, and the community surrounding them adds another layer of affection to their story. The novel is strongest when it lets their relationship develop through the mundane and avoids turning every moment into melodrama.
The island community itself is one of the most enjoyable pleasures of the book. Malone has created a community where neighbors know each other and care about each other, where personal relationships matter. Small events can be memorable due to the personalities involved. The humor in the book shines in these moments, and the prank involving Etah and a crab is a particularly strong example of the playful spirit that runs through the story.
Photo by The Visionary Vows | FOR REPRESENTATIONAL USE ONLY
Suspense in the Spell
The novel, while romantic and comedic on the surface, also introduces a darker source of conflict. Tension surrounding Tally’s past slowly begins to build as she starts her new life. Malone pulls off the switch nicely, ramping up the suspense without sacrificing the warmth that suffuses the rest of the novel. The contrast between the idyllic island setting and the problems Tally faces drives the story.
One of the best things about this book is Tally’s commitment to being prepared for any wedding disaster. ‘Don’t jinx us, Tally,’ Isabelle commands, with the memorable warning not to count your chickens before they hatch. That little exchange is so typical of the tone of the novel. But real jokes lie underneath, along with a real sense of the pressure Tally puts on herself to make it all work.
A New Beginning
There are places where the novel could have used some tighter exposition. A little background is overexplained, and a few of the developments seem a little convenient. These are minor reservations, however, and they do little to detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.
Ultimately, Escape to Jekyll Island works because it features a likable heroine and a fun professional world. Tally’s story is as much about the rebuilding of a life as it is about the loss of one. The warmth of the novel is summed up by its final gesture toward a future where Tally can finally feel that she has found her place again.
S A Schneider has a wolf, so naturally, he writes middle-grade fantasy. From his Lego and action-figure days, Schneider has been creating worlds and crafting stories within them, a pursuit that continues through his middle-grade fantasy works. But his interest in storytelling extends beyond traditional narratives. Schneider also explores how storytelling works in video games and encourages children to discover how they can create their own stories and fantastical worlds. He hopes to inspire others to join him in this imaginative pursuit. Recently, Schneider was interviewed by B Sudharsan, Founding Editor-in-Chief of Literary Harbinger. Excerpts:
SPECIAL & EXCLUSIVE
From Short Story to Book to Series
B Sudharsan: It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr Schneider. How long have you been writing, and what sparked your interest in it?
S A Schneider: It’s been about ten years, but I first got the thought to write about five years before that. I was a Girl Scout leader and wanted to write books that had female protagonists for my girls to read.
B Sudharsan: You mention you wanted to write books with female protagonists for the girls in your Girl Scout troop. How did that initial idea eventually lead to your published works, particularly the Town Magician and The Oddish Questors series?
S A Schneider: My fantasy series—Town Magician—started as a short story. Near me, at Kent State University, they had an annual Wizarding World festival. I wanted to set up a table but needed something that fit. So I wrote a short story. And, as happens, that short story grew to be a book. And, as happens, that book became a series. My newer series—The Oddish Questors—is based on my kids and stepkids. It’s been the most fun to write since I incorporated a bit of their personalities into it. I also included our wolf, Hunter, as a character. It’s been some fun stories.
‘My Two Favorites are Stephen King and Michael Crichton’
B Sudharsan: How do you approach developing a story once you have its basic premise? Do you map out the plot and characters beforehand, or do they evolve as you write?
S A Schneider: I have things loosely planned and mapped out. Not a detailed outline. Though, as I’ve gained experience, I can flesh out the outline more, and the writing is then even easier. I have a basic idea of the story, and then I use tools like Save the Cat and Hero’s Journey to help me fill in any details of the story that I may have missed.
B Sudharsan: Are there any authors who have significantly influenced your writing?
S A Schneider: My two favorites are Stephen King and Michael Crichton. Both keep me turning pages and wanting to read just a little more. Even books I’ve already read.
B Sudharsan: With your writing competing for time alongside editing, marketing, and events, how do you structure your writing routine, and when do you find yourself most creatively inspired?
S A Schneider: I try to write in the morning before work. But I can sometimes find other times to write. I have to balance it with editing, marketing, joining events, and a myriad of other connected things. Often, I will have a scene in my head while driving or mowing, and I need to write it down as soon as possible.
‘My Kids Call Me Their Intergalactic 12-Year-Old’
B Sudharsan: Great to learn that your writing and storytelling have developed alongside your experiences in other fields. Please tell us a little about where you live, your age, and your educational background.
S A Schneider: I live in Northeast Ohio near Kent State University. I went to school for computers and music, though I’ve let my music slacken recently. Do you want to know my physical age or my mental age? My kids call me their intergalactic 12-year-old.
B Sudharsan:(laughs) Certainly. Looking back at the journey you have described, when did you consciously begin to see yourself as an author?
S A Schneider: I had not given much thought to being an author until Kindle was introduced and I observed the emergence of numerous books. Then when I wanted to write stories for the girls in my Girl Scout troop, it all fell together.
‘I’d Love to Be a Full-Time Author’
B Sudharsan: Since becoming an author involves much more than writing, how do you balance your creative work with your personal responsibilities? What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
S A Schneider: Well, that’s a thoughtful question. It’s difficult occasionally. After work and then doing everything needed, like mowing the lawn and grocery shopping, some days you just want to do anything except sit at the computer and think. But the more fun writing is, the more I want to do it. I enjoy reading, of course. I’m trying to find the time to get back into music. I also enjoy playing games with friends.
B Sudharsan: You mentioned that you are continuing to develop The Oddish Questors and have the third Town Magician story in mind. Please tell us about your current projects and where you hope your writing career will go.
S A Schneider: I’m working on more Oddish Questor stories. I also have the third Town Magician thought out, but not much written. I would like to be a full-time author, but it’s not easy to just do that.
‘Concentrate More on Writing Than on Anything Else’
B Sudharsan: Drawing from your own experience of developing as a writer, what advice would you offer to aspiring authors who become discouraged when their work does not perform as they had hoped?
S A Schneider: Concentrate more on writing than on anything else. Don’t worry about seminars or classes at first. Don’t even worry about publishing. You’d be better off and further ahead if you wrote several books and short stories first and then went back to some learning to improve them. You’ll get so much more out of any learning if you’ve written multiple things. And that will be beneficial when you finally publish, and your published works will perform better for you. So all that time spent waiting is worth it.
B Sudharsan: Your advice to writers emphasizes the importance of writing and storytelling. Does that philosophy also connect with your thoughts on how we encourage children to read and tell stories?
S A Schneider: Oh, don’t think I want to go into this topic here. But there are multiple things. How about in school we let kids read more of what they want, including comics? And let’s not worry about spelling and grammar so early on. Let kids tell stories and learn to have fun telling them and reading whatever they want. I think that when you then introduce spelling, grammar, and reading other things, it will go over much better, and we’ll have people who enjoy stories.
‘Writing Is Some of the Fun Time’
B Sudharsan: You have spoken about writing, family life, work, and the everyday responsibilities that shape your routine. What does a typical day look like for you?
S A Schneider: My typical day includes working; household tasks like making dinner, doing dishes, and taking care of the animals; and some fun time when I can. Writing fits in there to various degrees and is some of the fun time.
B Sudharsan: Do you speak any languages besides English?
S A Schneider: Do some computer programming languages count?
B Sudharsan:(smiles) Finally, beyond what we have discussed, is there anything else about your books or your journey as a writer that you would like to share with our readers?
S A Schneider: All my books are at https://sa-schneider.com. I also have helpful resources for teachers and homeschool parents.
How about in school we let kids read more of what they want, including comics? And let’s not worry about spelling and grammar so early on. Let kids tell stories and learn to have fun telling them and reading whatever they want. I think that when you then introduce spelling, grammar, and reading other things, it will go over much better, and we’ll have people who enjoy stories.
~ S A SCHNEIDER
ENGAGE WITH LH | Click on the cover image of the book you wish to read and buy yourself a copy right offthe bat!
