Sorchia's Universe

Sunflowers! Bright, Beautiful, and featured in today’s Novel Magic post by author Jeny Heckman. Read all about Sunflowers and how they connect to Jeny’s new book, Dee’s Cornucopia– Released August 4 . Grab your copy today! And find the link to the newest Giveaway from N.N. Light’s Book Heaven. Sunflowers in the design of Dee’s Cornucopia by Jeny Heckman Greek Mythology is such a giving source of inspiration for many aspects of our modern life. The never-ending soap opera-like saga of Greek gods and Greek Goddesses was the inspiration of my fantasy paranormal Heaven & Earth Series. Dee’s Cornucopia is a novella telling the story of Dee Taylor, the beloved grandmother who started the Quest in our modern lives when she communed with Demeter the Greek Goddess of Harvest and Agriculture.  Dee is a grower! She can grow anything! She has a nursery in Hawaii called Dee’s Cornucopia and also happens to be a descendant of Demeter! The sunflowers are the sto...

Novel Magic features a YA fantasy this week– The Lost Chord by Lyndi Alexander. I’m excited for you to learn about this book and the inspiration behind the main character. Also, note the link to Arms Around ASD , a resource center providing therapies for people on the autism spectrum. Meet the Inspiration for Bee Warrick by Lyndi Alexander I have a daughter on the autism spectrum. She is not Rain Man. What she is, though, is uncannily intuitive. She often seems to be listening (and even conversing) with someone I clearly can’t see. I can make a mental wish that she would do something like turn off her light—and she will without my even saying it. She has a whole separate world where she lives part-time and is incredibly happy. She bursts into peals of laughter without any explanation. It’s kind of amazing. It’s also the inspiration for The Lost Chord , a YA fantasy novel I wrote about an autistic girl who travels through multiple dimensions to help a professor of music save...

Four Book Reviews! If I’m going to read, I figured I might as well write reviews. I’m happy to report that every book I’ve picked has been a solid 4 or better. This has not always been the case. Spoiler Alert: One of these books got my first 5-Star rating on NetGalley. You won’t see this very often. Fantasy, Mystery, and Magic Abound! Take a peek at my reviews. Every one of these is well-worth a read! My scale is the standard 5-star system. If I can’t give a book at least a 3, I won’t post a review. Threes are good with defects. Fours are really, really good with a few minor issues. Fives are mind-bogglingly fantastic with very few or no errors that pulled me away from the story. You can find these reviews and more of mine on NetGalley, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. Book Review of Marshlights by Joy Ellis Get your snacks, make a comfy nest, and enjoy a trip to the fenlands. It’s no real mystery w...

A haunted hotel and a new book– A Witch’s Quandary by Tena Stetler–keep things spooky in Sorchia’s Universe this week. Read all about it and don’t forget to enter N.N. Lights Summer in the Sun Book Giveaway. The Haunted Imperial Hotel by Tena Stetler Before I give you a glimpse between the pages of my new release, A Witch’s Quandary . I wanted to tell you about a city near where I live. With its wild and turbulent past, Cripple Creek has a history of unexplained, supernatural occurrences, no wonder it’s earned the reputation of one of the most haunted towns in America. Tales of haunted Cripple Creek hotels, casinos, and homes flourish. The Imperial Hotel at Third Street and Bennett Avenue known originally as the Collins Hotel, was built after most the town burned to the ground in 1896. As a young man, George Long emigrated from Europe and eventually made his way to Denver. He married his first cousin and together they ran the hotel. The union produced two ...

Cozy mystery author Ana Diamond gives us a peak at her latest book, Body Conscious , and tells a little about her creative process. I’d love to hear more about her research!! Why I write Cozies by Ana Diamond I write cozy mystery because I like intrigue and romance. I also like the idea of a character taking matters into their own hands. Usually, the first line of a manuscript comes to my mind and then it goes from there. I knew I wanted to write about an amateur sleuth but how my mind decided to make my heroine a mortician is anyone’s guess. I do work in healthcare and tend to have a dark side. I have no experience working in a funeral home but I found the research into this world interesting. I think it’s important to give value to everyone’s profession, even if it’s slightly morbid. In terms of favorite authors I would say Charlaine Harris and Jeanienne Frost both have sassy heroines who take no prisoners.  Body Conscious by Ana Diamond Mortician, Lily Reynolds is used to...

Who can resist a good King Arthur story? I have to agree with my guest that the women in the classic tale often come off a little shrewish–possibly because the legend has traditionally been told by men–or is that just me? Author Kelley Heckart talks about what inspired her to approach the tale from another angle. And she’s giving away a free ebook! Why I wrote White Rose of Avalon by Kelley Heckart There have been so many great books written about King Arthur and Avalon, so why would I decide to write one? I’ve found that all of the stories I’ve read on this subject only gloss over the romance and love triangle between Arthur, Lancelot, and Gwenhwyfar. Most books focus on Gwenhwyfar’s betrayal to Arthur and paint her as a sinful woman. As a strong-willed female whose role models growing up were Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Xena Warrior Princess, and Joan Jett, this didn’t sit well with me. Why is the woman always to blame in an affair? Last time I checked, it takes two to...

Leave a comment for a chance to get a Free Copy of this week’s featured book, Prophecies of the Mayan Undead by Fiona McGier. How did she dream her way out of writer’s block? Oh, and there are vampires! When a character talks directly to the author, you have to listen! by Fiona McGier I’ve always maintained that I get my best ideas for books from my dreams. I’ve woken up with entire story arcs–the details of the story unfold as I write them. I often have characters talking in my mind, showing me scenes of their lives, or the conversations they have. They especially like to do this when I’m in the shower–or driving long-distance on a highway. I’ve even gotten used to the abuse they give me when I don’t have time to write. Sometimes they yell at me, demanding that I write their stories immediately.  Sometimes they pout and go quiet on me, which isn’t a bad thing when I’m uber-busy and can’t get any time to wr...