The Seven Books of August

September 4, 2024September 4, 2024

storm between bookstacks August was a banner month for reading. When I’m writing, I don’t have as much time for reading, but that wasn’t the case this month. While I usually share 3-4 reviews in my newsletter, I didn’t have room to cover all my recent reads. Here are ALL the reviews/recommendations! Enjoy!

**The Unsound Theory (Emilia Zeeland) 4.5/5 Yalena isn’t star crazy, but when she gets an invitation to the Star Academy, it might answer all the questions about where she came from. This reminded me of Harry Potter, in that it was the orphaned Chosen One in space that goes to a special school and makes friends. I enjoyed it and have book 2 waiting on my Kindle.

**Once Upon A Dream, A Twisted Tale (Liz Brazwell) 3.75/5 Although the Prince tried to wake Aurora, he fell asleep. Since she’s still asleep, too, they must navigate her dreamscape and try to break the curse together. This fairytale was based on Disney as the source material (which I disliked a bit) and the Prince was written with Golden Retriever vibes—not very bright but with a goofy happiness and eternal devotion. I didn’t hate it, but I think I’ve read better Sleeping Beauty retellings.

**The Game She Hates (Ella Marie) 4.5/5 In this Christian romcom, Zane and Pearl couldn’t be more different. Although he’s charming, handsome, and plays center for the popular Glaciers hockey team, Pearl isn’t interested. She wants commitment, family…and a man who loves Jesus. Still determined, Zane offers her friendship hoping a mutual attraction will grow, but does he have room for Jesus in his life? Reading a romcom with a faith element was interesting, and I loved the way Zane fell first. The strong faith element didn’t overpower the connection between all the characters, including Zane’s teammates and Pearl’s best friend, Robyn.

***House of Hybrids (Savannah Goins) 4.25/5 This sequel to Whisper of Weapons continues the tale of a misfit group of friends as they travel to recover a missing friend and his animal familiar (which is a rare hybrid). Once they arrive, their search for answers raises more questions and reveals layers to the queen’s deviousness. This multi-POV coming of age story includes adventure, friendship, and a touch of romance.

***Just A Friend (Deb Goodman) 4/5 This sweet romcom follows Sophie and Oliver who have always had an annual standing date for a milkshake…until he doesn’t show. Sophie knew this would eventually happen. So even though she’s stuck in a small town, she’s determined to ignore the feelings she has for Oliver that Won’t. Go. Away. When the two suddenly reconnect, Oliver finds Sophie…different. In a good way. Not that they have a chance—their families have been feuding for years and he can’t see how his jet-setting and her homebody tendencies can mesh. Plenty of sweetness and romance ensue as they strive for their own happy ending.

***Bluebeard and the Outlaw (Tara Grace) 4.25/5 This clever retelling is a mashup of Bluebeard and Robin Hood with fae elements. Robin Hood and her band of brothers rob the rich to help the poor the evil Duke Guy Bluebeard taxes so heavily. So what if the duke is handsome? And brooding? And nothing like she expected? Their community needs financial help, so Robin chooses to marry the duke and kill him to get to the treasure he’s hiding. But as the duke slips past the walls around her heart, she finds more trouble than she expected.

***Her Maine Catch (Ash Keller)4/5 Aspen is ready for a No Drama, No Men summer family vacation. Especially after being dumped by her boyfriend last Christmas. But when her cousin shows up with her new boyfriend, he just happens to be Aspen’s ex. To avoid her ex and his snarky comments about her lack of fishing skills, she begs her way into a fishing class for seniors. Anything has to be better than dealing with her ex in the cabin’s close quarters. But with every cast, she finds herself drawn to the grumpy instructor, leaving her revenge plans far behind…

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Are You A Rebel Reader?

October 10, 2023October 10, 20234 Comments

Banned book week was October 1-7. Although I’m a bit late, here are some of the top banned/challenged books of the last decade.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
1984 by George Orwell
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Animal Farm by George Orwell
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Beloved by Toni Morrison
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
The Lord of the Flies by William Golding
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Captain Underpants (series) by Dav Pilkey
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Looking for Alaska by John Green
George by Alex Gino
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Drama by Raina Telgemeier
Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James

How many of these have you read? I’ve only read 6. I’m obviously under-read in most of the classics. Some of them I don’t enjoy them because, well, I’m shallow like that. Lol! Also, with all the new books available, I usually forget to go back and read the classics, and I won’t read books with unhappy endings. (I’m talking to you, Looking for Alaska!)

Although I’m conservative, and I don’t like smut, I don’t approve of book banning for two reasons.

1. Books provide a marketplace of ideas. You don’t have to approve of every book’s message or worldview, but you can’t dialogue intelligently about a book you’ve never read. In the past, I’ve had conversations go like this.

Them: “Book X is terrible, just terrible. Why, it should be banned!”

Me: “Have you read it?”

Them: “Well, no! Of course not. It’s trash.”

Me: “Then how do you know?”

Them: “Well, I heard from my sister’s husband’s cousin three times removed that it’s just full of garbage.”

Me: Blinks. Waits. Moves on.

Some of the “questionable” books I read were trash, but I could talk intelligently about WHY I wouldn’t recommend the book to others. There were others I loved, and I couldn’t understand why someone would prevent another from enjoying the story (the Harry Potter series is a case in point).

2. Who decides what gets to be banned/removed? Who’s the gatekeeper? What if they don’t hold the same views you do? I have a book in my possession that I read as often as possible. It’s also one of the most banned books of all time—the Bible. The thought of someone taking away my right to read it (or any book) upsets me because it’s an infringement on freedom.

I remember an interesting conversation when I worked as a librarian. I was talking to an acquaintance whose son I went to school with. She was part of a group that wanted to put brown wrappers on all the Cosmo covers and/or put the magazines behind the counter so children wouldn’t see them. They weren’t asking for banning per se, but a “limiting” of material. When I said I didn’t agree with her, she lost it and began yelling at me in the children’s reading area of the library. I’ve never forgotten how ugly she became when I voiced a view different from hers.

Of the banned books I’ve read, I thoroughly enjoyed the Harry Potter series, The Great Gatsby, and To Kill A Mockingbird. Earlier this year, I picked up 1984 at a used book sale, and I plan to read it soon (even though I know the ending. It helps if I can prepare myself. : -) ) What banned books were your favorite? Which titles do you plan to read or have already read this year?

Let me know in the comments!

Spark: Firestarting & Neurodiversity

March 10, 2021March 8, 20215 Comments

Today as part of the StoryQuest Academy Clean Fiction Blog Tour, I wanted to share some of the inspiration behind The Firebrand Chronicles (includes Spark, Flare, & Burn).

And don’t forget to comment on the posts for a chance to win some bookish prizes!

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I’m a firm believer God gives each of us a special gift that makes us unique and distinctive. This fact and the question “What if…?” inspired the beginning of my YA portal fantasy trilogy the Firebrand Chronicles.

What if God’s gifts were more dramatic than being a good teacher or a great speaker? Don’t get me wrong—those are valuable gifts (especially the speaking gift—I’m often unclear or awkward!) But what if God gave each person a highly visible gift, like firestarting or control of the weather? Could being able to control time be used for good or evil? How would individuals use these talents?

These questions were the basis for Spark, book one of the Firebrand Chronicles. I added another component to the main character due to my youngest daughter. Around the time I was writing Spark, she was diagnosed with ADHD (inattentive). This means rather than being hyperactive and loud, she was more often distracted and unfocused. I learned how ADHD affects children—lack of focus, impulsivity, and low self-esteem are often present. I couldn’t even imagine how an impulsive, distracted teen would handle firestarting, but I was interested in exploring it.

The YA fantasy landscape lacks characters with ADHD, especially girls. Percy Jackson’s ADHD and dyslexia are mentioned briefly in Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief then explained away. In fact, few literary characters at all, male or female, are neurodiverse (this term covers ADHD, autism, Tourette’s, dyslexia, as well as a host of other disorders). Adhdaware.org.uk says 30%-40% of the population is neurodiverse, and the CDC says 11% of American children have ADHD. The YA fantasy genre doesn’t reflect this.

In response, I created Brenna James who struggles with ADHD while also being the Chosen One. I wanted my daughter and other neurodiverse kids to know they weren’t broken or damaged; they are creative, out-of-the-box thinkers who process the world differently. They can ride a griffin, battle the evil villain, and use their gift to save the world.

Because some YA reads more adult than young, my series is clean yet with lots of nail-biting action, some snark (because snark is a teen’s second language), and a touch of romance.

Here’s a little more about Spark:

Brenna James wants three things for her sixteenth birthday: to find her history notes before the test, to have her mother return from her business trip, and to stop creating fire with her bare hands.

Yeah, that’s so not happening. Unfortunately.

When Brenna learns her mother is missing in an alternate reality called Linneah, she travels through a portal to find her. Who knew portals even existed? But Brenna’s arrival in Linneah begins the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy, including a royal murder and the theft of Linneah’s most powerful relic: the Sacred Veil.

Hold up. Can everything just slow down for a sec?

Unwilling yet left with no other choice, Brenna and her new friend Baldwin pursue the thief into the dangerous woods of Silvastamen and beyond. Exactly what Brenna wanted to do for her sixteenth birthday. Exactly. When they spy an army marching toward Linneah, Brenna is horrified. Can she find the veil, save her mother, and warn Linneah in time?

And more importantly, why on earth doesn’t this alternity have Belgian waffles?

Spark (and the entire Firebrand Chronicles boxed set!) is available at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Firebrand-Chronicles-Book-One-ebook/dp/B06Y1DSKRB) and anywhere else books are sold.

Check out the rest of the blog tour participants below!

Happy Release Day!

January 11, 2021January 11, 2021

This is a slightly surreal day for me. Spark was published in 2017, Flare in 2019, and Burn in 2020. But when I learned there would be a boxed set, with all three of my books plus some extra stories included, it was hard to imagine. Today that news is a reality as the Firebrand Chronicles boxed set releases!

As mentioned, in addition to Spark, Flare, and Burn, there are also four stories inside which I had such fun writing. Let me tell you a little more about them.

“The Peddler”–a story that takes place between Spark and Flare as Brenna travels to Linneah to celebrate the winter holiday Sonatalis. And of course, Baldwin’s ex Gari is there.

“The Midnight Unicorn”–this gives the reader an inside peak into shapeshifter Anna’s search of One Maiden Chasm for new Stones of the Spring (and an internal heart-search on her long-standing crush on Erhardt).

“Beyond the Greatest Adventure”–this takes place immediately after Burn. Aideen Siriol’s sword (now carried by Brenna) is no ordinary sword. The readers and Brenna learn her sword has a story and powers of its own.

“The Helix”–this story shares a glimpse into Brenna’s world three years after the conclusion in Burn. Did you know griffins mate for life? We finally get the full story on how Arvandus met his mate Astraya.

I did some quick math and realized the total of the extra stories is equal to a novella, so the set is like four books in one. 🙂 To celebrate in style, I arranged a #Firebrandbox challenge on Instagram and Facebook. Participate and gain chances to win a prize pack (pictures above^^^)–a large fire-print, padded book sleeve from the Etsy shop TrueNorthExclusives, a “jasper” pendant like Brenna’s, a snarky magnet (the quote could’ve come from Brenna’s journal!), a dragon figurine inspired by the story “Beyond the Greatest Adventure”, and a paperback copy of Spark OR Flare. Just go to my post today on either IG or FB to learn how to enter!

And if you’re in the mood for more prizes and Firebrand trivia, join me at the Fellowship of Fantasy’s Facebook page on Thursday, the 14th. I’ll be visiting, talking about Spark, and having some games and giveaways. Stop by and have fun with us!

Anyway, I hope you’ll celebrate with me today as this boxed set releases into the wild. Happy reading, and as Arvandus would say, “Fly true!”

Fantasy books for Christmas? Yes please!

December 3, 2020December 2, 2020

Can you think of anything better than more Fantasy and Sci-Fi titles to put under your Christmas tree?

Yeah, I can’t think of anything either. So hold onto your Santa hats–I joined with fifteen talented authors for a blog tour! Each day a different author and book will be featured, from now until December 19th.

My day is December 4th, where you’ll have access to a fun excerpt from Burn, book 3 from the Firebrand Chronicles. (BTW, did you know a Firebrand Chronicles box set is releasing in January?!? Woot!)

Aside from amazing books to add to your towering TBR pile, there’s also a giveaway! Want all the pretty pictures and more details? Go here!

Here’s the tour schedule:

November 29th: Launch
November 30th: R.J. Anderson – Swift
December 1st: Ralene Burke – Armor of Aletheia
December 2nd: Michelle Diener – Breakaway
December 3rd: Sandra Fernandez Rhoads – Mortal Sight
December 4th: J.M. Hackman – Burn
December 5th: Sharon Hinck – Forsaken Island
December 6th: Ronie Kendig – Dawn of Vengeance
December 7th: Carla Laureano – Oath of the Brotherhood
December 8th: Belle Malory – Deviant Descendants
December 9th: Sara Schaller – The Genesis of Seven
December 10th: Jennifer Silverwood – Stay
December 11th: Anne Wheeler – Treason’s Crown
December 12th: Melissa Wright – Between Ink and Shadows
December 13th: Morgan Wylie – Silent Orchids
December 14th: Kristen Young – Apprentice
December 15th: Grand Finale

Hope to see you there!

The Firebrand Chronicles Boxed Set

November 10, 2020

I’ve got interesting and exciting news–the Firebrand Chronicles will be released as a boxed set! *cue the confetti, marching band, and awkward cartwheels*

After Burn was released, there was a flurry of emails between me and my publisher discussing this. I got to work and wrote four short stories about Brenna and beloved side characters. It was a lot of fun to flesh out the world of the Jasper Territory a bit more. I’m thrilled to share it all with you!

The three books of the Firebrand Chronicles will release with the four short stories on January 11, 2021 (just one more reason 2021 looks better than 2020) 🙂

We’ll be planning a fun release week, and I’ll be putting together an Instagram challenge. And for those of you who avoid IG like the plague? If I can expand the fun to Facebook, I’ll do that, too. 🙂

Keep your eyes on this website for more information coming soon. But if you want to be kept in the loop, come to the Facebook group The Pryomaniacs or sign up for my newsletter (the gray box on the right). We have giveaways, updates on upcoming books, and other bookish stuff. We’d love to see you!

Writing a Series vs. a Standalone

September 9, 2020September 8, 2020

I’ve heard authors ask, “Should I write a series or a standalone?”

My first answer would be to write the story in your heart. DO NOT WRITE TO TRENDS – say it with me. Do not. By the time that story’s written, revised countless times, edited, and polished, that royal Tasmanian zombie-shifter prison quartet trend will have flashed and died.

But if you can see your story going either way, here are a few truths regarding series and standalones.

Historically, authors are told to write series. Series sell better. If you’re shooting for traditional publishing, it shows agents/publishers you have more than one book in you. Readers like following characters they’ve read about before. (This last point is a double-edged sword. More on this later.) But if there isn’t an arc there, and you aren’t interested in adding or fleshing out secondary characters, don’t force it. Some stories might only be one book long. That’s not a crime. In fact, lately, I’ve hesitated to buy or read a book in a series. Every story seems to be part of a series (says the author who wrote a trilogy. Ahem.) Sometimes I just want to read a well-told, juicy standalone. Sometimes I just want to write a well-told, juicy standalone. But…
There’s a benefit to sticking with characters you’ve created, tortured, and triumphed with after just one storyline. I found this especially true with the Firebrand Chronicles. I grew to really know and love Brenna, Baldwin, and Arvandus. Spending all that time with them made me imagine what else could happen to them. After finishing a story, I usually imagine different connecting points between characters and plot. Even my short story “Everwild” (which is in the anthology Mythical Doorways and is FREE, BTW…) is already a four-book series in my head. I have plenty of adventure and mayhem planned for half-fae Flint and full-fae Lila. I just can’t get all my projects written as quickly as I’d like.
At the outset, writing a series requires more planning. Detailed notes are imperative—a “bible” for your world, with the characters, their backstories, descriptions, towns, magic system, tech level, money system, languages, belief systems, etc. You won’t remember it all—trust me. Take copious notes and keep them with you while you write. A map is good too, even if it’s one scrawled on notebook paper (which is what I have for my current WIP. I’m not crazy about it, but it’s working—for now.)
Over the long haul, world-building is generally less work. Although there are detailed notes being listed in your notebook bible, you create one world. That world lasts for the duration of the series. For each standalone, the author must create a new world. Every. Single. Time.
I mentioned how much readers like following characters they’re familiar with. I’ve found some readers don’t want to buy a book and then wait a year for the next installment. So they’ll wait. (*Raises hand.*) Many will wait until all the books are out. You won’t see sales. Don’t let that discourage you. Keep writing the next story. If you’re self-publishing, you could avoid this problem by doing a rapid release (which is writing all the stories, editing and polishing them, and then releasing them in quick succession, usually no more than six months apart.)

Don’t feel you have to create a series if it’s not in you. There’s a place for everyone at the table, both series writers and standalone authors.

Going Deep in Your Story, Part 1

August 12, 2020July 28, 20208 Comments

Have you ever heard of deep point of view? As a writer, you want to transport the reader into the story. You want them there with the characters, feeling and experiencing everything they are. Deep point of view accomplishes that.

It’s a more intimate way of writing. The writer removes the narrator and settles into a comfy chair in the chosen character’s head. Although deep POV usually refers to third person, I’ve also found writing this way helpful in first person as well. It is limiting, though. You can’t know what the other characters are thinking because you’re firmly entrenched in your comfy chair. You can see reactions, but the other characters’ thoughts are hidden.

There are several other things to remember with deep POV.

You have to pick a character to inhabit. You can’t do two or three characters at a time. When you change scenes or chapters, you can slip into someone else’s head, but don’t do it within the scene. It’s sometimes referred to as head-hoppping, and it’s very confusing to the reader.

Avoid dialogue tags (in third person.) If you’re in Ron’s head, you wouldn’t say Ron snapped at Sharon. You’d use interiority to give the reader a window into what’s he thinking. For example: “No, you can’t have the last pickle.” He gritted his teeth. I’ve never seen someone as selfish as Sharon.

Avoid “distancing” words. She felt, noticed, realized, thought, looked at, etc. For example: Shari exited the shop. She noticed the dark sky. In seconds, she felt the heavy raindrops soak her clothes as she ran for her car. I’ll have to drive home carefully, she thought.

The same passage with deep viewpoint: Shari exited the shop. Dark clouds loomed, blocking the sun. In seconds, raindrops soaked her clothes as she ran for her car. I’ll have to drive home carefully.

Although these aren’t excerpts from the great American novel, the reader is closer to the characters. They sense Ron’s irritation and experience the storm as Shari does.

A couple of books cover this writing technique. A good one is Rivet Your Reader with Deep Point of View by Jill Elizabeth Nelson. Another is Writing Deep Viewpoint by Kathy Tyers.

Try this technique the next time you sit down to write. It’ll make your characters come alive for your readers.

Avoid Vanilla Writing, Part 2

August 5, 2020July 28, 20202 Comments

Welcome to #WritingWednesday. Last week we talked about a few ways to avoid boring writing. This week, I have a few more tips for you to keep your story interesting and your readers engaged!

Hello Again: (At these two words, I’ve got The Cars singing in my head.) Anyway, have you ever read something like the following?

“Hello, George.”

“Hey, Larry! Long time no see. How’ve you been?”

“Pretty good. How about you?”

“Well, I can’t complain. How are your kids?”

Yawn. I don’t care about George, Larry, or either of their families. While dialogue should be natural, don’t dwell on exchanges like this. Move on to good dialogue that moves the plot forward.

2. The Land of Exposition: Description is good, as is internal narrative. You’ll need both to flesh out your world and your characters. But please don’t dump it on the page in a massive paragraph. The eyes need white space to rest on. Lots of black words in a big chunk is an invitation to read a little and then skim. Some readers are fine with navel-gazing, descriptions in detail, and mental ruminations on the meaning of life. But keep it pertinent to the world-building, plot, and/or character because a little of this goes a long way.

3. Nobody Cares: The climax scene is critical. As the two armies face each other, Minerva knows she must keep the faith. If her kingdom doesn’t win the war…she won’t make it to her bridge game on time. The only one concerned about that is Minerva herself.

Make your stakes matter. Then make it worse. What’s the worst-case scenario? Write it into the scene. That’s what your readers will care about. “Make it bad, then make it worse” so the happy ending’s satisfying. Which brings me to my last point…

4. “…and everyone lived happily ever after, forever and ever, with a big, red bow.” Hmm, maybe not. I NEED a happy ending. (I was very cross with Veronica Roth after reading the Divergent series. Just sayin’…) But that’s just me. You must decide how happy your ending’s going to be. Somewhat bittersweet? Tragic, like Romeo and Juliet? Or do we get the true HEA (Happily Ever After)? Even with an HEA, not every character is happy—not the villain and perhaps not some secondary characters. There may be unpleasant circumstances due to bad decisions. That’s okay. Just remember the expectations of your genre (romance readers expect an HEA or an HFN–Happy For Now). A spark of hope on the last page will satisfy your readers.

I hope these points help you craft exciting, riveting fiction. Do you have any rules you follow to keep your writing fresh and interesting? What are they?

JM Hackman

True North Fiction

Tag: readers