Jul 3, 2024 | Interviews, Action & Adventure, Editors' Blog, Fantasy, YA
Today, we’re talking with Wayne D. Kramer about his book, Heroes of Time Legends: The Healer
Why do you write?
I love the concept and feeling of creating my own world, series, and brand that can be shared with readers everywhere. It’s extremely gratifying to tell stories that people can relate to, with lovable and relatable characters that people want to keep reading and want to keep writing.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
My entire Heroes of Time series takes inspirations from books like Redwall, Mistborn, The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings, The Name of the Wind, the video game Chrono Trigger, and a variety of individuals and experiences encountered in my life.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
There are virtually limitless boundaries in fantasy. Epic fantasy, in particular, appeals to me because I love that deep sense of adventure, discovery, and complex interwoven plot-lines that tend to come with it.
How would you describe your writing process?
Thorough and meticulous. I tend to be a bit slow, unless I really push myself, and because I consider every word so carefully, I don’t usually achieve large word counts in a single day/session.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
With the way algorithms are these days, it seems to be a place of diminishing returns. In the broad scope, I suppose some people do better with certain platforms than other. Social media is one of those things I would rather not have to spend so much time on. I enjoy being able to engage with fans, but I also get frustrated at how suppressed some posts and content can be.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Focus on content as much as possible before getting too deep in the weeds of marketing and promotions. Understand that it’s a long haul, over 2 million books are published every year, and it will be difficult to gain visibility. But, if your content is strong and you learn to be an enthusiast about it, you can get traction. Be ready for the long haul if you want to make a business or career out of it.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
For the title, I look at the overall premise of the book and try to think of catchy words that properly reflect the plot and character of that book. For the cover, I determine a scene from the novel that is the most visually stunning or catching to the eye.
What’s your next step?
As in my author career? I continue to build the Heroes of Time fantasy series as well as the Penny Pangolin children’s picture book series, and that’s what I’ll be doing for the foreseeable future.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I try to play basketball with a group of guys every week (whenever I’m not traveling). As for travel, I’ve been to nearly 40 countries and almost 30 US States.
What book do you wish you’d written?
Harry Potter. This series hit all the right notes to become a cultural phenomenon. I love how fans are able to engage with the content of this series in a way that has blossomed such creative merchandising, iconic films, theme parks, and ways for people to feel a part of the world with things like magic wands and the Houses of Hogwarts. Plus, I love the success story of J.K. Rowling going from nothing to one of the most successful authors in history. The idea of my own world becoming even a fraction of that kind of franchise is very exciting to me.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
I’m thrilled to see positive reviews and wish I could thank everyone that leaves one.
FIND WAYNE’S BOOK ON AMAZON
Jun 27, 2024 | Action & Adventure, Editorial reviews, Fantasy, International Review of Books
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Which line stood out from all the others in the book?
“As quickly and quietly as my thieving little feet would carry me, I padded the last few feet to the door.” (p. 292) Ah, the brilliance of humor smack dab in the middle of an epic battle!
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General Summary for Context:
An evil whispering through the world rouses Niri Lekani from her secluded home, and sends her careening headlong into a journey that she’s determined will end in the death of Mistress Witch. But though her mission is clear, the pathway to get there becomes muddied with pain, loss, and a haunting pair of blue eyes from her aching past.Through the agony of death, and the hope of love, Niri finds herself battling an ancient demon in a desperate effort to save herself, her friends, and all worlds where the Witch can reach them.One question she must answer: What is the definition of victory?
It isn’t until the bitter end that Niri uncovers a shocking secret within the fourth book of magic that she knows will send her hurtling into the next battle in her war with Mistress Witch. But this time, armed with her secret and her convictions, Niri might discover the answer to what it truly means to be victorious–and what terrible sacrifices might be demanded of her in order to achieve it.
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Concise Review:
Spirit Quest by Tim McRae is an intoxicating mix of powerful storytelling and breathtaking magic. It’s a book that leaves the heart pounding and aching in turns. I requested to read it because I figured I’d be able to review it favorably, but what started out as a desire to read a better-than-average book, quickly morphed into a wrenching need to devour the pages, while suffering the ache of knowing I was blowing through them WAY too fast.
I couldn’t put it down, but I wanted the book to never end, and the conflicting emotions were sometimes agony.
More than the storytelling and magic though, Spirit Quest was a story of emotional beauty and sadness that stabbed me clear to my core. What I thought would be a rivalry between women turned out to be the beginning of a deep and lasting friendship. What I distrusted as a betrayal waiting to happen turned out to be a love of the ages.
Spirit Quest surprised me at every turn. They say that every story out there has already been told in one way or another, but if that’s true (I’m highly sceptical now), I don’t think that applies to Tim McRae. The story within these pages was fresh, exciting, and deeply, profoundly alluring.
I read this book for free as a little side job, but I’ll pay for the next book in the series a hundred times over, regardless of how much it costs! Just one question I have for the author: Can I have the next book NOW, please?
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General thoughts on the Novel:
Dear Tim,
I read the final battle scene for Spirit Quest with a raging thunderstorm outside, and there is no way I could possibly describe to you what that felt like. In a word, though: Incredible!!! I LOVED this book, and I wasn’t joking about wanting the next book in the series right freaking now! (Seriously, how close are you to being done with it?)
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Feb 9, 2024 | Editorial reviews, Fantasy, International Review of Books, Romance
Which line stood out from all the others in the book?
Rabbie arched an eyebrow arched an eyebrow in surprise and chuckled. “Och, aye? Now that is something we should go see about, wouldna ye say, Andy? I’m nigh on famished.” To understand why this is such a great line and a laugh out loud moment you would have to read the book!
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General Summary for Context:
This is a book that mixes genres, Romance, Historical, Time Travel, Comedy, and Fantasy. There are some laugh-out-loud moments that I really enjoyed. It is what I would call a tongue-in-cheek kind of novel for people who enjoy books that don’t take themselves too seriously; for example, it is much more a romantic romp through the Highlands than an educational historical novel.
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Concise Review:
Embrace the Lace by Shannon MacLeod was a pure delight from beginning to end. I couldn’t put it down and was caught up in the magical romance from the very first page.
You might think that mixing Historical Romance, Time Travel, and Fantasy was a recipe for disaster… and you would definitely be wrong! It shouldn’t work but it does. Laird Andrew MacIver lives in Scotland, the year is 1659. After the deaths of his parents and his young wife, Andrew has had a year of mourning and now, for the sake of his clan, must choose a new wife. His uncle Alasdair is plotting Andrew’s downfall and moves in the shadows to bring disaster to Andrew and his loyal men. Thankfully, help is at hand with one of the most interesting characters in the book—a Brownie called Brown Tom. With a little magical interference, a potential partner for the clan leader is pulled through the faerie pond. Enter Evangeline (Van for short) Darling, all the way from present-day America! The three-foot mischievous Brown Tom dons the personality of a fairy godmother, but instead of sending Van to the ball, he dresses her as a warrior and sends her to battle!
The romance between Andrew and Van is intense and their banter is a sheer delight. There are several real laugh-out-loud moments as well as plenty of chuckle moments. But they are not the only interesting characters; the author has given everyone a unique personality that brings them to life. It is a fabulous romantic comedy—oops another genre! Don’t worry they all work perfectly well together for us readers who love both passion and a light-hearted historical romance. With swaggering men and simpering lasses, and one kick-ass heroine, this is an unputdownable read. I love the author’s tongue-in-cheek take and highly recommend this to people who love pure escapism.
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General thoughts on the Novel:
Enjoyable historical romance. I would definitely read something by this author again.
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