Dear Reader, Love Paul A. Destefano

 

 

Dear Reader,

I know Riftsiders: Unlawful Possession looks like a horror/romance/comedy. I would be lying to say it isn’t. After all, it’s got funny characters and situations, sex, demons, sex with demons, and all of the other required elements of those genres.

But.

I encourage you to explore deeper into the themes and symbols. Use it as a lens to view the way society views people of different skin tones, nationalities, sexualities, beliefs, and the neurodivergent. Other books in the series will examine other population segments. Step back and ask if marginalized groups are treated with respect or are they treated as demons. Question how laws, media, society and the attitudes that permeate our lives on a daily basis vary based on a perceived demographic label.

Are any of the characters better off for hosting their riftsiders in this reality? I’m not going to answer that question. But I urge you to consider it. The members of the lead ensemble identify as possessed. They don’t attend the support group to remove their demon, but to learn to live with it. If they were exorcised, would they be the same characters? If you completely ignore a demographic trait from a given group, rather than simply acknowledge a healthy difference – are you really doing them any favors?

Throughout the Riftsiders series, each character confronts how they deal with their riftsider passenger. Their demographic. Some embrace it. Some despise it. Some fear it.

I’m not saying any demographic group in reality is anything like a demon. But sometimes the world at large would make you feel like it’s that bad.

Look at these as the traits we assign to minority groups or any individual labelled as ‘different’. When removed – how much of that person is lost with that label? This is the dilemma of exorcised individuals being reduced to Imps and the Discarded throughout Riftsiders. Lose your demon and you may lose yourself. Does ignoring someone’s uniqueness render them as something less than they ever were?

Again, I’m not answering. I’m just providing lenses. Lenses that help you look at someone, acknowledge what sets them apart, what makes them – or you – so different you cannot even understand it and… accept.

See you on the other side.

Paul A. DeStefano and his wife live on Long Island, NY, with a strange menagerie that includes a dog, a few cats, sugar gliders, a bearded dragon, and several grown children that have not left.

After graduating from Hofstra University with a split degree in English and Acting, he worked in the board gaming and roleplaying industry for decades, including officially licensed projects for Star Trek and Lord of the Rings. He did not win the Origins Award for Best Miniatures Rules in 2004 and has forgotten that bitter defeat. When not playing and working on games, he is sometimes found touring internationally, giving lectures on worldbuilding and character design.

Being a professional full-time blacksmith for several years made him realize how much less painful it was to go back to writing. He’s been lucky enough to hold the Top Humor Writer badge at Medium multiple times and has had his work narrated by James Cosmo (Lord Mormont from Game of Thrones) on multimillion-dollar Kickstarter projects.

It is also worth noting that having never taken any bassoon lessons, he still cannot play one.

His latest book is the urban fantasy/paranormal romance novel, RIFTSIDERS: UNLAWFUL POSSESSION.

Visit his website at www.PaulADeStefano.com or connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads and Instagram.

Enrique Marin wants a quiet life after the death of his wife. Just one problem stands in the way–he’s possessed by the misanthropic English demon, Tzazin. A violent night under demonic influence accidentally leads Enrique to love, and it’s anything but quiet. Shy, autistic yoga instructor Elle thought allowing herself to be possessed by the very-not-shy sex demon Key would help her find love. She finds Enrique, but she didn’t count on coping with the anti-demon bigotry of society. Fate–and AA meetings for the possessed–brings them together, but hostile forces, demonic and human, fight to keep them apart. It might cost them everything to keep their love alive.

Book Information

Release Date: April 18, 2022

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-1509241231; 292 pages; $16.99; E-Book, $4.99

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HZpkPE

Dear Reader, Love Virginia Barlow

 

 

Dear Reader,

Thank you for picking up my book. Your interest makes everyone involved with the publication process happy to know we caught your attention.

I am delighted you have given me the opportunity to carry you away to my imaginary world.

This story you’re holding waltzed across my mind, enticing me with its possibilities and characters until I gave in and sat down to switch on my computer.

As I plotted, new situations and words popped up and I opened my search engine to find out if such a thing where possible. I studied and researched until I came to a new situation, and then I did it again.

I have been astonished by what I’ve learned as I’ve written each novel. I had no idea Roman were the first to use glass windows or that fireworks and explosives have been around since the second century in China. I learned the difference between a castle and a palace, and so much more.

Each search is a labor of love for you, my dear reader, to make sure my story is historically correct. My protagonist is here to tug at your heartstrings and keep you turning pages to see what happens next. My antagonist is modeled after a specific personality to make you hate them and want them to get their just rewards.

The secondary characters are crafted to give reality and credence to the tale and to help my protagonist along her way. The ending has been carefully constructed to answer all the questions and bring the story to its natural conclusion. Every time I end a tale and send it off to the publisher, I feel a piece of my heart went with it.

My dear friend of the last five years died this last week. She was my biggest fan and greatest support. She worked a forty-hour a week job and took care of her elderly parents, one of whom suffered with dementia and took up much of her time.

 In her last communication with me, my friend thanked me for writing stories so she could close her door at night and escape to a different world for a time. She said it helped her cope with the situations in her life and gave her what she needed to get up and do it again. I’m at a loss to express my grief with her passing, but I’m also gratified I could help in my small way.

Such a comment from her makes all my efforts worthwhile, and it is my hope I can encourage and enliven you as well.

The greatest reward an author can receive is the knowledge they helped their reader through a difficult time and gave them a moment of escape. May the same be true for you.

Cheers!

With love,

Virginia Barlow  

I love being an author. It’s all about where your characters lead you. I start with a general idea. As the story unfolds, I type as fast as I can in hopes I keep up with my characters. They have had me jotting on napkins, making notes while I’m waiting in a line, and waking me up in the middle of the night. The hard part is always the ending. My characters live with me and when I reach the end of the story, it is hard to say goodbye. Sometimes, I let the story sit for a few days to make sure I’m okay with them leaving home to get published. Kind of like when you kids move out. LOL

I enjoy my grandchildren, and the time I share with them. They make me smile with their antics. I like to quilt, crochet, knit and sew. Cooking and baking are occasional itches I scratch. The rest of the time, they are necessary evils. LOL.

My greatest support comes from my husband. He has been my sounding board for all my stories. My daughters are also a great support to me. I couldn’t do it without my family.

Virginia Barlow’s recent release is the paranormal romance, The Witch of Rathborne Castle.

You can visit Virginia’s website at https://www.virginia-barlow.com or connect with her on Twitter, Goodreads and Facebook.

Lady Jane Lenwood is abandoned and alone in an empty castle in the middle of a dark twisted forest. The locals call her a witch because she has the “sight.”

When a wounded stranger is found within the gates, she is warned he carries secrets and their lives will be intertwined.

Lady Jane walks with a limp following a riding accident the night her mother left her. And had given up on having a normal life. She blames her misfortune on the current Duke of Rathborne.

Max Radley is sent by the king to find a traitor. His search leads him to Rathborne Castle and the beautiful woman living there. He must keep his identity a secret in order to find the traitor.

Lies, deception, and a grand scheme to relieve him of his wealth have the real villians framing him for treason.

Only Jane and her supernatural ability can save him, but in order to find the answer she must face her past and the feeling she has for him.

The Witch of Rathborne Castle is a riveting historical paranormal romance from start to finish. I hadn’t read more than a few pages before I was hooked. The plot unfolds at a nice easy pace with descriptive narration and a heroine to root for. Lady Jane is a mysterious character and her backstory plucked at my heartstrings. Max is a hero on a mission. Can he root out the traitor? The stakes are high for both Jane and Max which added to the anticipation. I did find the obstacles Jane and Max have to face a little over the top. But with each obstacle, they drew closer as a couple. There’s a wonderful gothic vibe to this story. There are quite a few twists I didn’t see coming, especially near the end. I may have gasped a few times. The ending was so unexpected, I got a little emotional. The Witch of Rathborne Castle is an engrossing historical romance with paranormal elements I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Fans of both historical romance and paranormal romance will love The Witch of Rathborne Castle. Reminiscent of classical historicals romance from the ’90s, The Witch of Rathborne Castle will sweep the reader away. Highly recommend! – N.N.Light’s Book Heaven Five Star Review