I'm happy to have my friend and author Debra L. Stout on the blog today to talk about her book on miracles! Check out Continued Miracles – Inspiring Testimonies of God at Work in the Lives of Everyday People by Debra L. Stout.

Q1. Do you believe in miracles?

I believe in miracles 100%. Do you? I witness, and pray for miracles daily and    weekly both here and abroad.
 
Q2. Could you tell us what a miracle is?

 Supernatural interventions by God on behalf of His people.
 
Q3. What inspired you to write Continued Miracles book?

This book was written to help you believe God for your miracle. And to give    you a fresh ray of hope and draw your soul into the kingdom.
       
Q4. Do you have more works on the way?

Currently, I am content creating YouTube videos to encourage and inspire     you and those you know. Continued Miracles with Faith, Hope, and Love.
youtube.com/@continuedmiracles
 
Q5. Why does God perform miracles?

God performs miracles demonstrating His Power, He gets the glory, and He brings people to salvation.
 
Q6. Have you ever read miracles in the Bible?

I make it a point to read and re-read about miracles throughout the Bible every day. 
 
Q7. What would you say a miracle is to you?

       “Something that shouldn’t have happened and happened anyway.”
 
Stay tuned for parts 2 & 3 coming soon. You can find more on Debra until then here:  www.continuedmiracles.com and pick up the book here:
www.christianbook.com/continued-miracles-inspiring-testimonies-everyday-people/debra-stout/9780986174605/pd/174601?event=BRSRCG|PSBR

or here:
www.amazon.com/Continued-Miracles-Inspiring-Testimonies-Everyday-ebook/dp/B089H26HCY

Youtube  youtube.com/@continuedmiracles
facebook facebook.com/getmymiracle

Bio: Debra Stout (Debbie) is a direct woman who doesn’t mind speaking her mind, Servant Leader, sought out Speaker, Author of Continued Miracles - Inspiring Testimonies of God at Work in the Lives of Everyday People and The Gratitude Journal - Giving Thanks Goes a Long Way, Radio guest, Street Minister and LegalShield Independent Associate.

            If you like books that help you escape during a tough time, you might like my Cecily Taylor Series about a high school girl who gets a chance to have her dreams come true when she ends up an extra in her favorite singer/songwriter Andrew Holiday’s music video. From there, she begins an acting and modeling career as well as dating the singer, but she soon sees what a different world Andrew lives in. Can two teens from different worlds make it work? You can pick up book one of the three book series for free for a limited time.

Blurb:
Cecily has always had a huge crush on singer Andrew Holiday and she wants to be an actress, so she tags along when her friend auditions for his new video. However, the director isn’t looking for an actress, but rather the girl next door—and so is Andrew. Cecily gets a part in the video and all of Andrew’s attention on the set. Her friend begins to see red and Cecily’s boyfriend is seeing green—as in major jealousy. A misunderstanding leaves Cecily and her boyfriend on the outs and Andrew hopes to pick up the pieces as he’s looking for someone more stable in his life than the models he’s dated. Soon Cecily begins to realize Andrew understands her more than her small-town boyfriend—but can her perfect love match really be her favorite rock star?

***Pick up book one for free for a limited time. Book 2 and 3 of the series are in Kindle Unlimited:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Can-Dreams-Come-True-Cecily-ebook/dp/B09VYS5G3S
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Can-Dreams-Come-True-Cecily-ebook/dp/B09VYS5G3S/
Amazon AUS: https://www.amazon.com.au/Can-Dreams-Come-True-Cecily-ebook/dp/B09VYS5G3S
Amazon CAN: https://www.amazon.ca/Can-Dreams-Come-True-Cecily-ebook/dp/B09VYS5G3S
Amazon GER: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Krysten-Lindsay-Hager-ebook/dp/B09VYS5G3S

I'm happy to have YA author Kimberly King on to share a guest post and a little about her new book. Check it out here:

When I began my publishing journey years ago, my purpose was to write books that were clean, light-hearted and full of humor. I wanted stories that were fun with laugh-out-loud moments for all ages to enjoy. Though the majority of my ideas come from my own imagination, occasional real-life events have made their way into my books, and the one that inspired my latest book, “Falling for Finn (and his dumb duck, too),” was too good to pass up.

I’d been driving my kids to school when something out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. I swore I passed a house with a dog standing on the roof. I looked through my rear-view mirror and sure enough, there was a black and white dog pacing back and forth! I couldn’t believe it had found its way on a roof of all places! I turned the car around and anxiously knocked on the door, but when a girl answered and listened to my frantic news, she surprised me by her nonchalance. She told me that he got up there all the time. I didn’t believe her of course, but after driving by day after day, sure enough, there he was, even appearing occasionally with another brave dog. I couldn’t believe it!

I thought this experience would make a hilarious way for a couple to come together for the first time, and as I considered the type of character this could work for, I remembered Ava Presley. She’s a character who’s been lurking in the background of several of my Honeyville High Romance books, happily gossiping and trying her best to destroy everyone’s hopes and dreams, and especially their relationships.

Of course, writing a romance for someone with such a fiery personality was going to be a challenge, and I thought the perfect way to do it would be as a modern-day retelling of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.”

Ava, however, was going to be a tough egg to crack. A boy was going to have a hard time breaking through the walls she put up around her heart, but as I considered what might soften her tough exterior, I thought befriending an unlikely animal might do the trick. And what better animal than a terrorizing goose that everyone hates?

I grew up with pet ducks, so some of the things Ava experiences in this book with Hank the goose have actually happened to me in real life. For instance, my dad would frequently let the ducks into our house, and they’d always flip-flap their way across the linoleum kitchen floor and over to the fridge where they’d wait for him to open it up and then gobble at the lettuce he’d keep in the bottom drawer. With stories such as these, I hope that, despite Hank’s initial bad temper, readers will fall in love with him and see how loveable even a mean goose can be!

Writing Ava’s redemption story has been an absolute blast. Between her hilarious insults and Finn’s quick wit and occasional off-the-wall antics, this couple has easily become one of my favorite couples ever written. Like my other books, “Falling for Finn (and his dumb duck too)” is full of humor and heart, focusing on forgiveness, friendship, and acceptance.
 
Blurb: A modern-day retelling of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” Honeyville High’s mean girl, Ava Presley, is not looking to change. But when a run-in with the school’s theater star, Finn Hayward, lands her in trouble with the principal, Ava is forced to choose between getting expelled or auditioning for the school musical. Reluctantly, she agrees, and lands the lead right alongside Finn. Ava has no plans of trying to fit into his superficial world, except the more she gets to know him, the more she realizes how wrong she’s been. Even Finn’s insane killer duck is not what he seems. But just when things finally start going her way, she discovers that the only way to save everything she’s come to love is by giving it all up.

Buy: www.amazon.com/Falling-Finn-dumb-Honeyville-Romance/dp/B0DY65XV22

Today I welcome author and podcaster Michelle Miles to the blog. Check out this interview with her and learn about her and her books.

Tell us about your new book.

My latest is a Sleeping Beauty retelling, ONCE UPON AN ENCHANTED KISS. This is book three in my Enchanted Realms series.
Rosamund is a rebellious princess determined to chart her own destiny. Prince Phillip is determined to ignore court politics. But a daring journey that will lead them to more than just adventure.
 
What inspired you to write it?

I’ve wanted to do fairy tale retellings for a long time. For nearly a decade, I was writing a dark urban fantasy. When I finally finished book five of that series, I was ready for something light, fun, and sweet. Over those years, I started amassing pre-made covers that just spoke to me and told me these were fairy tale retellings. I was happy when I finally started the series. The first three books launched last summer.
 
Can you share a little about your writing process?

Sure. I generally know how the story will go, but getting there is somewhat of a challenge. The first thing I do is think about the story and what the blurb will be for that story. That gives me a general idea of the plot. Mostly, I wing it so I’m a pantser. 😊 When I start writing, I have to know the ending or I will never get there and give up. I also spend a lot of time finding the perfect names for my characters in every book. To me, names really mean something and I want it to be a good fit for the story I’m trying to tell.  Once I get started, I write at least two hours a day and try to hit a specific word count, especially if I’m headed toward a deadline.
 
What inspires your creativity/writing (music, movies, art, etc. Feel free to share links to playlists or Pinterest boards)?

I’m a sucker for a good story of high adventure, so everything I write has a little bit of that in it. I also love good versus evil, slow burn romance, magic, and – of course – true love! What inspires me are beautiful images of fantasy worlds, renaissance festivals, and movies. I prefer action/adventure movies to rom-coms, high stakes fantasy to drama. I’m a huge Lord of the Rings fan, so those movies really fuel the imagination for me.
 
Tell us about the first book you wrote or published. How has your focus changed since then?

The first book I published was a spicy contemporary romance with a small press that is no longer around. It gave me the confidence to continue writing and publishing, but it’s not what was in my heart. Deep down, I wanted to write fantasy. That book is no longer available, because I don’t write in that genre anymore.

The first book I wrote before that, which will never see the light of day, was a fantasy romance about a young girl who comes into her power. It was a learning experience for me in that I learned I didn’t have the writing skills – yet – to write what I wanted. Eventually, I started to understand how worldbuilding worked and now that I’m 30+ books in, I know this is what I want to write.
 
Favorites:

Favorite book in your preteen and/or teen years?
My mom was a voracious reader – she introduced me to sweet romance. There are two books that have stuck with me for years since there:
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip – this book introduced fantasy romance to me. I was hooked! I loved this book – about a reclusive girl who lives alone surrounded by a magical menagerie. I still have this book on my shelf and still love it.

The Road to Paradise Island by Victoria Holt – this book was a historical romance about a girl who discovers a cryptic journal by her ancestor with a map to a mysterious far-away island. She eventually sets sail for this island. To me, this was the ultimate adventure. I still remember the vivid descriptions the island.
 
Favorite book now?

Such a hard question! I have so many. I loved the Throne of Glass series. A total must read if you love adventure, fantasy, and romance. Sophie Jordan’s Fire in the Sky was an amazing read. The Unseen by Lilla Glass also amazing! Illusion of Stars by Sara Marie Page – LOVED this one so muc!
 
Favorite actor/actress?

Harrison Ford. Always and forever.
 
Movie and/or TV show?

Raiders of the Lost Ark is hands-down my favorite movie of all time. I also love Star Wars and Star Trek. I’m an equal opportunity nerd. 😉
Favorite TV shows: Once Upon a Time, Game of Thrones, Ghosts, Big Bang Theory
 
Singer?

I’ve loved the Beatles forever. I’m a classic rock lover, so that’s what I mostly listen to.
 
Where can we find more about you and your books online?
 
Direct Store: http://www.michellemilesbooks.com
Website and Blog: http://www.michellemiles.net
Newsletter Sign Up: https://viplist.michellemiles.net/enchanted
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleMilesAuthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MichelleMiles
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/MichelleMilesAuthor
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@michellemilesauthor
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/michellemiles.bsky.social
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/MilesOfRomance/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleMilesBooks
 
BIO:

MICHELLE MILES believes in fairy tales, true love, and a little bit of magic in every story. She writes fantasy, paranormal, and young adult books packed with adventure, action, and swoon-worthy romance—because what’s a story without a bit of danger and a whole lot of heart? From angels and demons to dragons, elves, and time travelers, her books are filled with epic quests, fierce heroines, and the kind of heroes worth falling for.

When she's not crafting new adventures, she brings stories to life as a narrator and hosts Miles Beyond the Page, a podcast where she chats with authors about their writing journeys. A Texas girl through and through, she loves getting lost in a good book, binge-watching movies, hiking the trails, and sipping a glass of wine. Come hang out with her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and more!

Pick Up a YA Second Chance Sports (& Soap Opera!) Romance that’s Completely Free December 27-29th

Do you like YA contemporary novels with second chance romances, soap stars, college basketball players, strong female friendships, cinnamon roll heroes, and cute banter? Plus. there’s the added high stakes of a soap opera star up for an award and her first love, Davis, playing in a college basketball tournament. If this sound like your kind of book, then pick up Stars in the City for free from December 27th-29th on Amazon.

Check out the blurb here:
        Valeria Joseph seems to have it all: career as actress on the soap opera, Charmed Lives, and everyone wants to be her. Her so-star, Cecily Taylor, fixes her up with a rising pop star named Dex Doyle and suddenly Valeria has a bigger spotlight on her.

Then, on the busy streets of New York City, she runs into her first love, Davis, who she never got over. Davis is a college basketball player who is dealing with high pressure stressors of his own and they find themselves supporting one another and falling back in love.

​            But, just like being on a daytime soap is full of drama—so is the publicity that surrounds Valeria. Throw in a pop star who’s crazy about her, an award show event that trends on social media for all the wrong reasons, and tons of swoony moments. Can Valeria find true love in the big city?

Read an excerpt here:

Davis was sweating and not having his best game, but he managed to put up twenty points
.
“The other team is not letting up.” Paige clutched one of my throw pillows.

"I'm sweating.” Cecily pulled her shirt away from her body. “I don't even follow the sport much, but I’m dripping like I'm on the court right now.”

I nodded. “I have so much adrenaline going through my body that I think I could play. Put me in, coach." They cracked up.

"Yeah, I feel I could go in right now and take the game-winning shot. Somebody stop me before I try out for basketball down at the university." Paige shook her head as she reached for
the popcorn.

I put my hand up. "Do not put popcorn in your mouth right now because you keep shrieking each time somebody does something. You're going to choke on that popcorn, and I'm sorry, but I need to watch this game, so I can't be calling for help or performing CPR or the Heimlich maneuver, which I don't even know how to do. I’d probably end up breaking all your ribs anyways because I'm so pent-up with adrenaline and nervous energy."

She put the popcorn bowl down as we continued to watch.

Cecily bounced up and down on the coach. “Why am I more nervous for this than I was my first audition?”

Paige started yelling then. "That guy pushed Rashad.” She stood up and yelled at the screen. “Get in there and rip his head off and bring me his skull to use as a ladle."

I laughed and threw a pillow at her. "Didn’t Walker write a song about you called, ‘The Sweetest Whispers?’"

She laughed. “Shh, no talking about Walker in front of Rashad. I don’t want to distract him.”
The rest of the game flew by.

“You guys, this is it. We’re almost out of time.” Paige jumped up from the couch. She put her hands over her mouth. “Oh my goodness, Rashad, you can do this. You can do this, baby. I love you so much right now, Rashad. I know I've never met you, but right now you're my very best friend in the whole wide world, and I think you might be my boyfriend."

Time was running out, and it all came down to one time-out. Davis got ready for the tip-off. He took a big, deep breath in and exhaled slowly, and I knew he was doing the breathing exercise I showed him. I watched as he slowed down his breathing and focused. I clasped my hands together and continued praying. I prayed that he’d know he did his best no matter what happened. That he’d have the strength to carry on feeling good about what he did and how he supported his teammates. Then I prayed he wouldn't get hurt, and that he’d come out of this a stronger person who was able to be more compassionate to his teammates.

The referee blew the whistle and threw the ball up. I saw Rashad go up in the air and come down hard. He started to fall, but he tossed the ball to Davis. Davis tore down the court, and I saw him pass the ball. It went whizzing so fast I didn't know how the other guy even saw it, but he caught it. The next thing I knew it went sailing toward the basket just as the buzzer went off. Paige sucked in her breath as we watched the ball like it was going in slow motion toward the basket.

Get it here FREE Dec 27-29th:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Stars-City-Krysten-Lindsay-Hager-ebook/dp/B0C19THWX3
Amazon CAN: https://www.amazon.ca/Stars-City-Krysten-Lindsay-Hager-ebook/dp/B0C19THWX3
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stars-City-Krysten-Lindsay-Hager-ebook/dp/B0C19THWX3

I’ve been writing YA pop star romances for a while, and this time I have a pop star romance with a fake dating trope! When Stars Collide in the City is my latest book that’s a standalone in an interconnected series. Join these teens as they take on the entertainment world.

From the outside, Olivia Macomb looks like she leads a charmed life. She’s an up-and-coming influencer who is an heir to the Macomb family fortune, and about to start a lifestyle brand with her childhood sweetheart, Jeff. Then her world gets blown apart by her longtime boyfriend leaving her the morning of their website launch. Not only has he left, but the business she created is all in his name and she’s been left with nothing to show for all her hard work. Now she has to pick up the pieces and find out who she is on her own.

Enter Walker Vinton, the indie pop star who used to date Olivia’s close friend, Paige. When their school throws a big event, Paige asks Walker to be Olivia’s date to give to the gossip bloggers something else to talk about other than Olivia’s broken dreams.

Walker ends up coming to Olivia’s rescue in more ways than one at the party, and a twist of events leads to the two embarking on a fake relationship. Walker and Olivia wind up becoming best friends and she realizes he’s the boyfriend of her dreams.

He helps her build both her brand and her self-esteem back up. Walker even helps her start a new business. However, the lines begin to blur as Olivia’s feelings for Walker are very real. The two share intimate conversations and dreams, but what’s real and what’s fake in this starry world?

***FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED***

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/When-Stars-Collide-City-Book-ebook/dp/B0D8BR4H2L
Amazon CAN: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0D8BR4H2L
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0D8BR4H2L
Amazon AUS: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B0D8BR4H2L

     I’m excited to share my new release, Falling for a Star in the City. It’s a standalone book that’s part of the Stars in the City interconnected series. Each book can be read on its own, but the characters all exist in the same world in New York City. Check out the blurb:

     Paige thought she had it all: a job on the soap opera Charmed Lives and a boyfriend who was trying to get discovered as a singer/songwriter. Then her part on the show is reduced to reoccurring status and her family pushes her to leave her acting dreams behind to major in journalism—what they call a “real job.” Her relationship with her wannabe pop star boyfriend, Walker, ends only for her to find out he signed a recording contract right after their breakup. Then she reads online that his new album is about their relationship.

     She gets an internship in the sports department at the TV station where she meets a college hockey player named Viktor who has trust issues from a past relationship. Now with Walker’s pop star dreams taking off, it leaves her questioning her own play-it-safe tendencies, her acting career aspirations, self-worth, and relationships. Everyone else seems to have it together but her.

     Paige and Viktor begin to confide in each other, which soon leaves them falling for each other, but Paige worries their worlds are too different for them to work as a couple. Plus, there’s the issue of Walker trying to back together with her, but has fame changed him?

     Meanwhile, Paige has a minor accident which leaves her questioning if she ever really wanted a flashy lifestyle or if it was what she felt she was supposed to want. Now she must figure out what she really needs to be happy and fulfilled in life. Can Paige find both her purpose & true love?

Do you like books with:

♥ College Hockey Romance

♥ Grumpy x Sunshine

♥ Pop Star Exes

♥ Cinnamon Roll Heroes

♥ Strong friendships

♥ Finding Your Path


***Free in Kindle Unlimited ***

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Falling-Star-City-Hockey-Romance-ebook/dp/B0CVXHF8DL

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Falling-Star-City-Hockey-Romance-ebook/dp/B0CVXHF8DL

Amazon CAN: https://www.amazon.ca/Falling-Star-City-Hockey-Romance-ebook/dp/B0CVXHF8DL

Amazon Aus: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B0CVXHF8DL

Add it on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208865198-falling-for-a-star-in-the-city

New review: Reviewed by Manik Chaturmutha for Readers’ Favorite

Falling for a Star in the City by Krysten Lindsay Hager follows Paige, a young woman navigating the highs and lows of her acting career and personal life in a bustling city. Paige is driven by her dreams of acting success and haunted by a recent breakup with Walker. Her journey takes an unexpected turn when she starts an internship at a TV station, initially performing menial tasks but eventually impressing the sports department. Paige faces professional and emotional challenges, encountering Viktor, a hockey player, and seeing her ex, Walker, whose music career was inspired by their split. The story captures Paige's inner conflicts and resilience as she navigates her evolving relationships with Walker and Viktor, culminating in moments of personal growth and professional achievements. Falling for a Star in the City is rich with themes of love, career ambitions, and personal discovery.

Krysten Lindsay Hager carefully shows the ups and downs of Paige's feelings and choices, helping readers understand her successes and failures. The writing is both engaging and straightforward and the use of humor and introspection maintains intrigue and emotional resonance. The descriptive language and relatable dialogue enhance the characters and their experiences. The setting is the vibrant backdrop of the city, and the tone is a blend of lightheartedness and emotional depth; both capture the protagonist's optimistic yet sometimes uncertain outlook on her future. Paige is a well-rounded character. Her interactions with Walker and Viktor are key to the story, revealing different sides of her personality and helping her grow emotionally. The other characters, like her friends and coworkers, enrich the story by showing the importance of friendship and support. The title itself aptly captures the essence of the story. The word "star" hints at Paige's acting career and her romantic interests, giving the title an intriguing double meaning. This sets the stage for the themes of love, ambition, and self-discovery that unfold. The book also gives a clear message of resilience and being true to yourself. It highlights the importance of real connections and having the courage to chase your dreams, no matter the obstacles. Falling for a Star in the City is a compelling narrative that resonates with its authentic portrayal of personal growth and relationships.
 

Today we welcome Sharon J. Burton to the blog to talk about her new book. I have a copy and it's a wonderful indepth guide with everything from advice on dealing with the inner critic, how to create the perfect creative environment down to the lighting, along with ways to spark your creativity. She has great info on journaling as well as journaling prompts for every section covered in the book. If you're someone looking to add more creativity in your life or, as part of an already established creative practice, then this book is a must have. 
 
Tell us about your new book. What inspired you to write it?

Creative Sparks: 21 Affirmations and Inspiration at Midlife is a book that provides support for emerging creatives at midlife who encounter  circumstances that may derail their creative goals or affect their creative potential.  By the use of affirmations, tips and testimonies by their peers, it is my hope that people will gain the confidence to move forward with pursuing a creative life that fuels their passion, no matter what age they are.
​
It is a book I needed some years ago when I was thinking about re-engaging my creative life after graduate school and working professionally in a non-creative world for a number of years.   I wanted to revisit my passion for creating art, but doubted myself thinking I was too old or that I really wasn’t the artist I thought I was in high school.  After being introduced to the concept of affirmations in Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, I found writing them to be helpful for me to release negative thoughts and feelings about my creativity and move forward towards engaging in a vibrant creative life.

Since starting my creativity coaching practice, I have encountered beautifully talented creative people who want to engage in a creative life after the kids have left home, a divorce, or retirement.  They are often entering a new role  without the benefit of having years of experience in navigating a creative life.  This is where the book steps in to help move you forward, no matter whether or not you were creative as a kid or younger person or if you are pursuing a creative life for the first time.
 
I love the idea of reaching readers/artists/creatives at midlife pursuing creativity. Why did you decide to focus on midlife?

All  of my clients are over the age of 40.  As a person at midlife myself, as a Gen Xer, many of us were not encouraged as other generations after us to pursue a creative life.  Some of  us were discouraged from going to art school or pursuing creative endeavors by well meaning family members who felt that it would lead to a life of poverty.   For example, when I was coming out of high school in the late 80s, there was a heavy emphasis on pursuing academic degrees such as business, health care, engineering, law, etc.  I didn’t experience a climate of celebrating art, artists and creativity.    A lot of us who were trying to engage in creative activity also encountered criticism about our work as youth or young adults that haunts us regarding the ability to create to this day.. 

As a result, many of us  entered careers that were considered stable and financially rewarding. It helped us to buy homes, raise our own families and take care of our obligations.  Quite a few of us thrived in these careers but many of us didn’t feel aligned with what we were doing.  Some of us who were lucky to pursue creative passions beyond high school had to abandon them to raise families and pursue these careers, but secretly long to return to it.   My own physician shared recently that she was a singer in a band before she finished medical school.  Today she is a wife, mom, and juggling her own health care practice with her husband.  Her face told me all I needed to know about how much she missed that creative part of her life.

A lot of us learned to hide that we have these creative passions.  I was sharing with an attorney in my age group the other day about my book and her eyes got big and she stated she has been in the process of  writing a mystery novel, almost in a hushed tone.  It reflected how I feel about many people who may not have felt comfortable owning and sharing that side of themselves as a result of an era that didn’t appear to value their creative interests.

I see this book as a love letter to them.  That it is never too late to engage into your creative passions. 

Can you share a little about how and why you use affirmations to help with creativity?

I share in the book about what affirmations are, which I define as statements that are in the present tense that are designed to “re-wire” or challenge negative thought patterns.  I also highlight a few research studies that examine the role and benefits of positive self-affirmations, which provides some level of scientific evidence that in the proper context, affirmations can work.

As someone who didn’t feel confident re-engaging into my creative passion, which was art, my doubts and insecurities kept me from moving forward for a time.   After learning about affirmations and how to use them in a way that helped me, I was able to coach and motivate myself in pursuing my  art practice and eventually to exhibit my work.  That was over 15  years ago and I continue to use affirmations as part of my daily morning journaling practice to focus on intentions every day.

What are some of the creative blocks/issues you help creatives work through and how?

Many people are encountering the more common blocks such as dealing with the inner critic, imposter syndrome and creative anxiety. A common one is time management…people are juggling more than ever in their lives and time for their creative life is often hard to schedule.

 I am also finding that grief is becoming more of an issue than it once was, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are grieving a lot right now, whether it’s the death  of a loved one, a life circumstance (ex: divorce, a  move to another city, our personal health issues that affect how we navigate the world,  witnessing the mental or physical decline of our parents, loss of income) or collective humanitarian issues.  Grief affects our ability to enjoy the things we are passionate about and can block us from pursuing them.

I use everything from affirmations to mindful exercises to help people achieve a sense of balance to achieve their creative goals.  It looks different for everyone based on their needs and their commitment to the process.  Much of how I assist blocked creatives in many circumstances is provided in Creative Sparks.

Could you share one of the affirmations that’s helped you during a period of imposter’s syndrome?

I am an author of a book that positively impacts the lives of artists and creatives.

Anything else you’d like to share about your book? Where can we find more about you and your book online?

The book is available through Amazon.com here: www.amazon.com/Creative-Sparks-Affirmations-Inspiration-Creativity-ebook/dp/B0D2GGK25D.  

​You can learn more about me,  the book launch and upcoming related events at https://www.sparkyourcreative.com/book.html   
 

YA/MG Fantasy Author Holly Davis joins us on the blog today to talk about books, music, and more!


Tell us about your new book.

A Diamond Bright and Broken is a YA epic fantasy and my debut novel, releasing November 5, 2024 with Inimitable Books. It’s a Tangled retelling with a genderbent Flynn Rider and includes disability rep, sapphic romance, mages with unique magic, and a ride or die sister relationship. Here’s the book blurb:

Sixteen-year-old Cadence was born with the ability to cry tears of diamonds–a secret talent her parents have abused to climb the royal ranks thanks to the infinite source of wealth. At their command, she cries diamonds to pay for the pricey treatments for her sister’s neuromuscular disorder. Regardless of the pain, she’ll do anything for her sister, who weakens by the day.
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When the prince heckles Cadence at the King’s Summer Solstice Ball about her sister’s disability while dancing in the ballroom, she’s left on the verge of tears, threatening to expose her power. She is saved by a mysteriously charming girl who sweeps in to take the next dance—and the single diamond Cadence cried. The stranger reveals the Magi Queen sent her to tell Cadence that she’s a mage, and that her power is a curse.
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Yearning to discover the secrets behind her powers, Cadence sets off for the City of Magi. To claim the life she wants, Cadence must embrace her power—before she loses the bright spots in her otherwise sad existence. After all, even diamonds can shatter.
 
What inspired you to write it?

I’d written and queried a few manuscripts before writing A Diamond Bright and Broken. When I came up with the concept, I’d seen a beautiful YouTube thumbnail of an illustrated girl crying. For some reason I thought, what if she was crying diamonds? And the story grew from there! Cadence is most like me out of all the characters I’ve written, so I think I was finally ready to write someone who really represented me.
 
Can you share a little about your writing process?

I’m a plotter who likes to know where my story is going and how it will end before I write it. I follow the Save the Cat beat sheet to plot out my story and save everything to story bible in Microsoft Word. I usually take 1-2 months to finish a 1st draft and try to write during live writing sprints or with writer friends for accountability. I let it rest for a few weeks before doing some developmental edits before handing it to beta readers and critique partners. Then I go through maaany rounds of edits before I feel it’s ready enough to query. And I usually pay for a professional to critique/edit the first few chapters, my query letter, and synopsis to ensure my whole query package is as strong as possible.
 
What inspires your creativity/writing (music, movies, art, etc. Feel free to share links to playlists or Pinterest boards)?

I love listening to instrumental music, and also hearing other people talk about their stories gets me hype about mine! That’s why I love connecting with the writing community. I have a writing music playlist of songs I listen to when I write which you can find here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRAw-sOu1AE0yPD2-lQrTvW_UeN2oVGVD&si=1otXORXyvGxDd8VC
 
Anything else you’d like to share about your book?

Diamond is the first book in a duology, so you’ll get to be in this world a bit longer (I’m writing the sequel right now!). Also, if you submit your preorder receipt, you’ll receive 3 full body character art cards which are gorgeous! https://www.inimitablebooksllc.com/a-diamond-bright-and-broken
 
Favorites:

Favorite book in your preteen years? I actually read a lot of Robert Cormier books in 6th and 7th grade before I found my fantasy groove in high school. A lot of Cormier’s books were about troubled teens and had a lot of swearing in it, which was definitely the opposite of me, but maybe that’s why I was drawn to reading about it?
 
Favorite book now? The Shades of Magic series by VE Schwab. A Darker Shade of Magic was the first book to completely draw me in by the prose that felt like a poetic story, made me stop and admire Schwab’s writing craft, and bring such intrigue.
 
Favorite actor/actress? I don’t really have any faves, but I loved Tom Holland in Spiderman.
 
Movie and/or TV show? I love all things cooking shows like MasterChef and MasterChef Junior. I don’t cook much so their skills are super impressive and their stories and journeys are inspiring!
 
Singer? I’m definitely a Swiftie! Ha ha. I love the poetic lines she creates and both her upbeat and somber songs. I also really like female Kpop groups like BLACKPINK, VCHA, ITZY, and TWICE.
 
Where can we find more about you and your books online?

You can find links to preorder A Diamond Bright and Broken via my publisher’s website as well as submit your preorder receipt for exclusive character art: https://www.inimitablebooksllc.com/a-diamond-bright-and-broken

Join my newsletter for exclusive sneak peeks, reader and writer freebies, and more: https://www.hollydavisbooks.com/
 
I also frequent social media to connect with writers and readers alike:

https://www.instagram.com/writehollydavis/
https://www.youtube.com/@WriteHollyDavis