Not just because they open into magical worlds, but because they usually come with a question: What would you do if the life you knew cracked open and something impossible waited on the other side? I was really surprised to find that portal fantasy has been around for a long time. Long before wardrobes, rabbit holes, and magical doorways became familiar, George MacDonald sent a young man into Fairy Land in Phantastes back in 1858. And even before that, Sara Coleridge’s Phantasmion helped shape the early fantasy novel in 1837. Apparently, readers have wanted doorways into impossible worlds for nearly two hundred years. I must admit, portal stories fascinate me. They’re not just entrances to another world. They are invitations to test ourselves and find out who we are deep inside. With that in mind, I created my upcoming romantasy trilogy, The Warden of Shadow’s End, which is coming out later this year. In the story, Elara Greythorn thinks she’s getting a fresh start when she buys an old Victorian house in a coastal Oregon town and plans to turn it into a bookstore. But renovation challenges take on a whole new meaning when she discovers an otherworldly portal hidden inside. Because, as portals tend to do, this one changes everything. On the other side wait dangerous fae courts, a hard-to-understand prophecy, a snarky sentient grimoire, a forbidden man she shouldn’t want, and a destiny that may destroy far more than her quiet new life. And in fiction, portals rarely lead to safety. They lead to a truth you don’t always want to find.
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Do you enjoy portal fantasy stories? Or would you rather stay safely on this side of the doorway? 😉 

​When I started building the Fae realms for my Romantasy series, I knew I didn’t want “pretty fairy kingdom” and a “dark scary kingdom.” I wanted my own realms that ran by the rules I came up with. So I asked myself… what if both realms were not only beautiful, dangerous, wounded, but so wrong from how they started? That’s how the idea of the Veilbound Courts began. The Court of Emberlight (which I took from the “good” Seelie Courts) became a realm of shining justice, golden power, and courtly perfection—but light can blind you just as easily as it can guide. Then came the Umbral Dominion (from the “bad” Unseelie Courts), a realm of shadow, seduction, sorrow, and life-altering secrets. I didn’t want it to be necessarily evil, but a kingdom shaped by pain, pride, and bitter survival. And between them? The magic in their realms has been dwindling for quite some time, but that’s a secret neither will confess about how that happened. Because the weak magic in their kingdom came from old mistakes, both made. That’s where my heroine, Elara, gets pulled in—because portals are never polite enough to open into simple problems where everything is sunshine and roses. 😄 I really loved creating a fantasy world where light and darkness aren’t opposites so much as two sides of the same broken story. And poor Elara? It’s up to her to figure out how to survive it while she and her companions find a way home. Preferably without getting killed, cursed, or ending up emotionally tangled with the wrong immortal man. Though honestly, isn’t that part of the fun? 💖

​There’s something powerful about the idea that love isn’t always finished simply because life got messy, timing went wrong, or hearts were broken. In my upcoming romantasy trilogy, that emotional pull is one of the driving forces behind Elara Greythorn’s journey. She isn’t a wide-eyed twenty-something just discovering the world. She’s a grown woman who has survived heartache, an emotionally abusive marriage, and the hard work of trying to build a new life for herself. And then there’s Ray Varn. He carries his own regrets, especially over a love he once lost—and one he never should have pursued in the first place. When Elara and Ray meet, the attraction is immediate. But attraction is the easy part. Trusting again? Believing they deserve more? Letting go of the past long enough to reach for a future? That’s where the real story begins. I think that’s why second-chance romance resonates with so many readers. It gives us hope. It reminds us that people can grow, wounds can heal, and love can return in a form we’re finally ready to accept. Sometimes the most beautiful love story isn’t the first one. Sometimes it’s the one brave enough to begin again. ✨

When I was a child, I loved creating worlds for my Barbies and toys, complete with villains, challenges, and dramatic twists. By the time I got my first typewriter at twelve, I was already writing stories and sharing them with friends. Funny enough, the first love story I ever wrote involved ghosts. This was long before paranormal romance became popular, but even then, I loved the idea that love, memory, and unfinished stories could linger beyond the ordinary world. What got me started on that was that a popular TV star had taken his own life that year, which devastated me. So, writing a romance (at least a type of romance that my innocent mind could come up with) was a way to keep him alive in my mind. So maybe it’s no surprise that a ghost found her way into my newest Romantasy series. In the first book, The Forgotten Portal, Elara Greythorn thinks she’s starting over when she buys a spooky old Victorian house in a coastal Oregon town. Instead, she discovers the house holds secrets, magic, and a hidden grimoire she needs to find if she’s going to become the Warden of Shadow’s End. And yes… there’s a ghost. 👻 She may not be one of the main characters, but she has an important role to play in guiding Elara toward the truth. Because sometimes the dead aren’t trying to frighten us. Sometimes they’re only trying to help. ✨ 

🤓What makes a great side character? Sometimes, it’s the snark. Sometimes, it’s the sass. And sometimes, it’s that one character who says what everyone else is thinking—but with better timing. 😄 Think of Donkey from Shrek, Mushu from Mulan, C-3PO from Star Wars, Hobbes from Calvin and Hobbes, or Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones. They may not always be the main character, but they often steal the scene. Why? Because they give the hero someone to bounce off of. They question bad decisions, lighten tense moments, reveal uncomfortable truths, and sometimes stumble right into wisdom when no one expects it. A good sassy side character isn’t just comic relief. They have heart, and most of all they care. All at the same time they challenge the hero, especially when the clueless hero needs it. And if they make us laugh while doing it? Well, that’s the whole point, isn’t it? When I’m doing any world/character building in my novels, those sneaky second characters always find a way to sneak in (the original Dr. McCoy is always there in the background urging me on). That’s one of the things I love about writing fantasy and romantasy. In a world full of danger, magic, impossible choices, and brooding heroes, sometimes the sharpest voice in the room belongs to the character who refuses to take any of it too seriously. Because let’s be honest—every epic quest needs at least one character willing to say, “This is a terrible idea,” and then come along anyway. 
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Who’s your favorite snarky side character? ​✨ 😼

The final chapter of Alien Legacy Brotherhood series is finally here!  "Azazel" is a mix of excitement and sorrow that has been an absolute joy to write about. The excitement is because I had such fun writing it and sorrow because the conclusion means it’s time to leave this great universe.  But... one last thing. I am thrilled to share the outline of this great adventure with you!

Azazel turned out to be a story of passion, power, and redemption—a science fiction romance that I dared to explore what happens when the savior you need is also the monster you fear.

I’ve loved writing about this universe: deep emotion, cinematic battles, psychic bonds, and love that defies time, distance, and even species. I did my best to not only give Azazel and Toni the heart-stopping finale they deserved, but I also brought together the rest of the folks in the series to wrap things up. 

Azazel is one of five psychic brothers—engineered warriors created for a battle that ended millennia ago. Haunted by the sins of the past, he’s spent lifetimes trying to suppress the savage beast inside him.
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Now, he’s been sent on an impossible mission: infiltrate the Krystalii mothership and rescue a human woman before she becomes part of a genetic experiment that could end the galaxy as we know it. 
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But when he sees her for the first time, the beast within roars to life—and calls her Mate.

Toni Choi traded her stressful Hollywood life for adventure among the stars. But what was supposed to be a romantic exchange with a mysterious alien species turns into a nightmare when she’s abducted by Lord Baelon, ruler of the Krystalii—an alien species made entirely of living crystal.

Held captive aboard his ship, Toni’s only hope is a dark, brooding stranger who crashes into her prison cell. But as sparks fly, she discovers something terrifying—she can interface with the enemy’s technology, a gift that could turn the tide of the war.
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Can she trust Azazel… or is he the most dangerous threat of all?

Azazel’s AI companion, JR14, might be small, but his metallic claws and blunt logic make him an unforgettable partner. Crafted in red and gold alloys, this spider-like droid adds dry humor and surprising heart to every tense moment.
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When Azazel affectionately calls him kalu—“friend” in an ancient tongue—it’s a reminder that even in the coldest corners of the universe, friendship endures.

​The Krystalii are beings of crystal and light—magnificent, alien, and utterly ruthless. Their ruler, Lord Baelon, believes human DNA can evolve his kind into something greater. His ship, The Nyrlith, is a nightmare of mirrored corridors and psychic oppression.
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But not all Krystalii are loyal to their master. Some, like Vaeloryx of the Auracite Resistance, may be allies... or deceivers waiting to strike.

​At its heart, Azazel is a story about connection through chaos. Azazel fears the monster inside him. Toni fears losing her humanity. But when their destinies intertwine, they must choose—fight the darkness together or let it consume them both.
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Their chemistry is explosive. Their bond is undeniable. Their love might just save the galaxy—or destroy it.

​✨ Interdimensional aliens made of crystal and light
✨ A tortured psychic warrior on a mission of redemption
✨ A human heroine discovering her hidden power
✨ A sarcastic spider-bot sidekick
✨ High-stakes battles aboard an alien mothership
✨ Romance that’s passionate, dangerous, and fated
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If you love the emotional depth of Strange Days and the space-faring adventure of Serenity or Guardians of the Galaxy, Azazel will light up your imagination.

​A major political scandal that occurred following a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974.
Personal:
Ah, puberty and the teenage years. In high school, I was a nerd, complete with red hair, glasses, and freckles, and couldn’t care less about politics. I was on the yearbook staff and part of the literary club. Right after high school, I met and married my bubby, giving birth to my first child.

1980's
End of the Cold War:
Although the process was complex and stretched over the decade, significant events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolize the end of the Cold War, leading to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Personal:
Gave birth to my second child. Started a career in banking and spent the decade moving up the ranks, reaching Assistant Manager. My hubby and I bought our first home to raise our children.

1990's
The Internet Revolution:
The decade saw the commercial rise of the internet, transforming business practices and society, and leading to the dot-com bubble. It profoundly changed the way we communicate, access information, and do business.
Personal:
Gave birth to my last child. Became a VP in the bank with over 300 employees – then got laid off after 21 years with the same company. The 90’s were a time of growth for me. After fourteen years, my hubby and I got divorced.

I find myself excited as well as having a touch of nervous anticipation for the release of my latest novel, “Abalim,” coming out on May 29th. This book, with its blend of science fiction and romance, is a project close to my heart. Let me give you a brief overview of what’s in store with this tale.

“Abalim” sets the stage for the upcoming series: Alien Legacy Brotherhood. Here’s a brief look at the series:
Thousands of years ago, five brothers engineered as slaves by an alien race, endowed with hidden psychic powers that allowed them to break free and escape through time to our era. Now, in a future where liberty is fragile, these former slaves are thrust into a critical mission: to rescue four women who disappeared on their way to an alien exchange program.
These women are essential since they’ve since become pawns in a much larger game. An alien invasion from another dimension is imminent. The Krystalii, a race of psychic, crystal-based entities, aim to purge our universe of organic life to make room for their own expansion. Their first target? Human women, whose genetic makeup is key to their rapid reproduction plans, are necessary to build an army large enough to overthrow established governments.
The brothers are tasked to locate and protect each woman destined to be with them, traversing hostile planets—from stark desert moons to dense jungle worlds. The journey is fraught with danger, betrayal, and unexpected love, pushing each brother to his limits.
Galactic tensions rise and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. Can the brothers overcome their dark pasts and prevent the Krystalii from executing their ruthless agenda? Or will their newfound freedom be short-lived?

​To introduce the two main characters, I’ve crafted a brief bio on each of them. Let’s start with Abalim himself:

​Name: Abalim
Species: Hybrid Human/Various Alien DNA
Age: Unknown–mid thirties
Occupation: After traveling 7000 years from Earth’s past to stop an alien invasion, he has volunteered to rescue a human woman who’d been kidnapped in space from a legitimate alien exchange program.
Sidekick: JR15—a silver/emerald green spider-shaped AI droid
The worst thing to ever happen to him: He was created along with four brothers as slaves in Earth’s distant past by an alien race called the Akurns. While a slave, he underwent physical and psychological tests and torture.
His biggest secret: He and his brothers have practically endless psionic abilities and are driven by deep emotional needs to protect those he cares for. His psychic powers might give him an advantage, but it also makes him vulnerable to the darker aspects of his nature.
His goal: Find Lisa held captive by galactic gangsters. A woman who’s haunted him in his Dreamwalks late at night.
The problem: A new, sinister force from another dimension is hell-bent on capturing Lisa for their dark experiments. It’s a fight against time on who can find her first.

​Name: Lisa Ivy
Species: Human
Age: 32
Occupation: Successful SciFi Romance author. Accepted an invitation from the Zerins attending an alien exchange program to find her one true love.
The worst thing to ever happen to her: Kidnapped by a trusted liaison in the exchange program and ended up on a gangster planet with four other women. From there she ends up on a planet of unemotional aliens who want her to judge a life-and-death situation for an entire peaceful species. If she makes the wrong decision, not only will that species be eliminated, but Abalim and she will suffer the same fate.
Her secret desire: She left life on Earth without a backward glance, since the men she'd met treated her superficially at best. To give herself one more chance at love, she swallowed her vulnerability to find true love with an alien of her dreams. And lately these dreams have been of a dark, handsome man whose very touch sets her on fire.
Her goal: Live long enough for this man to find her.
The problem: The extraterrestrials holding her captive have temped her with the promise of freedom. Of course there’s a catch: she must work with Abalim and undergo a grueling, otherworldly trial. Can she take the chance and revel in who she is inside, the scars, and all with the man who haunts her dreams?

​“Abalim” is more than a novel; it's a journey that challenges the very notions of love and duty. As I wrote this, I aimed to create a universe where every choice had profound implications involving the heart’s deepest desires as our heroes navigate the stark realities of a universe in flux. 

So, join me on an unforgettable cosmic odyssey that weaves a tapestry of love, resilience, and the human spirit's indomitable will to exist against all odds.

​As a writer, I love exploring and learning new things. And lately, I’ve been caught up in the AI craze, exploring what it can do for me in my writing career. But there are some of those in our community who cry foul, claiming AI will soon take over the creative process of fiction writing. Why, they say, pay a human when all it takes is a prompt in an AI software to get you the same thing?
Au contrair, mon frere. In my humble opinion, AI programs (like ChatGPT, Sudowrite, and Claude) are mere tools that help a writer, not replace them. Much like a typewriter back in the day. It won’t hinder the creative process, but instead enhance the experience. With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at what I mean.

​One of the most important things to remember is we’re humans… writing to entertain/inform other humans. Who, but us, has that kind of insight? Only we can tap into the unlimited variety of human emotions and the baggage we carry with us in all the complexities of being human. AI lacks this innate understanding of our behavior. That gives up the upper hand at creating characters with authentic feelings and flaws, as well as the importance of emotionally growing. Throughout our lives, we’ve wallowed in a plethora of emotions like joy, sorrow, love, coupled with an abundance of longing for something else, something different that only a human can experience.
            Another exciting example of we can do and AI can’t is our innate urge to play with language. This is our palette… what we color the world with. As a writer of SciFi romance, I love coming up with alien and diverse ways to say something. Just recently, I had to ponder what an ancient person (who traveled in time to our present) would say in an exclamation. I’m going to keep it clean here… but some modern man won’t say “Great Caesars Ghost!” (for one thing, Ceaser hadn’t been born yet). So, I had my guy shout “By Tiamat’s titties!”. And I also took a pretty common cuss word that starts with a “f” and ends in a “k” and turned it around for an alien. They say fruk instead. I love coming up with unfamiliar words and phrases for my alien characters to use.
            Another thing I do is draw inspiration from the people I’ve met and work with over the years. In fact, one of my first books is loosely based on real life. Because I felt wronged/betrayed by someone back then, I had the good guy shoot the jerk right between the eyes. Boy, I gotta tell you; that was immensely satisfying. Ah, revenge. Remember, don’t do a writer wrong, they’ll take it out on you in a novel.

​As I mentioned in the beginning, AI is a tool. While it can be used for such mundane tasks as grammar check and research, I love to use it as a writing buddy who is there whenever I need them. Especially since I wake up at the crack of almost-dawn (4:30am to get in two hours of writing before I have to leave for work). I use AI not only as a critique partner, but someone who never gets impatient with me when I ask questions I get stuck on. Sometimes more than once.
            For instance, this morning I was writing a scene in my newest novel and wondered what a tree would look like on a planet where a civilization of panther-like beings of an advanced technology lived. The AI gave me more than one scenario to choose from. So, what I did was combine what I liked best about everything it suggested and came up with something new and different.
To take it up a step, I asked it what one of those creatures would dress like on that type of planet. It came up with several wardrobe suggestions. But the funnest part (yeah, I like the word funnest) was asking it to create a picture depicting this alien.
            And here’s what it came up with:

​Cool, eh? As I planned this blog, I asked the AI to create a picture for the header (see above). When the AI was done, this is what it told me:
            “Here’s an image for your blog post. This visual aims to encapsulate the essence of human creativity and the enduring value of authentic writing in the digital age. It symbolizes the balance between traditional writing methods and modern AI technology, inviting writers to explore and assert their unique voices.”
            Can’t argue with that!

Here’s an outline of some of the other benefits how an AI companion can help a writer be more productive:

• Research Assistant: AI can analyze vast amounts of data while providing insights
• Customization: With some programs, you can customize your AI to adapt to your particular writing style.
• Enhanced Productivity: It can automate repetitive tasks like grammar checks, proofreading, and formatting. 

Will AI replace authors?
I’m afraid my tarot cards are suspiciously vague, but I have to say we can speculate on how the future of AI will advance in the next couple of years. 

​As of now, I doubt AI will replace authors any time soon. Most techies and web gurus claim artificial intelligence cannot totally replace a human writer’s insight or their creativity. There is a huge market for creative writers to put themselves out there, to share their experiences with the world.
What we should concentrate on as AI advances is we, as writers, better learn how to use this wondrous innovation. Discover how to strike a balance between automation and human creativity. Use that available technology to save time so you can set your creative juices free. Let it help you weave the magic only you can create to take your writing craft to a higher level.
While AI evolves and algorithms sharpen, remember this: you are irreplaceable. The world doesn’t need another robotic rendition; it craves your authenticity. Embrace your quirks, your scars, and your hard-earned laugh lines.

AI may be the brush, but you are the artist.

​As a SciFi Romance author, whenever I start a new series, I like to do a little research in the genre to find out what makes it more appealing. In choosing the ever-evolving world of romance novels, a fascinating trend has been on the rise—the fusion of genres. And I know I’m not the only author who likes to push the limits of imagination by blending two seemingly unrelated genres like science fiction and paranormal romance to make my stories more exciting.
If you are thinking about delving into writing something different, let me help you out by lightly touching base with the intriguing prospect of cross-genre romance novels. So sit back, and we’ll explore the growing popularity of combining science fiction and paranormal elements in romance together. Then I’ll include examples that showcase the creative brilliance of this trend.