April Aasheim's Blog

I may have gotten a bit metaphysical during the creation of The Shadows of Dark Root. I always knew I wanted Maggie and her companions to journey to the Netherworld, only I wasn't sure exactly how that journey would go. I suppose I saw more camping in my head (ha-ha). What I did know was that it had to be Maggie's journey, the climax to not only the storyline but to Maggie's personal growth as well. I knew she couldn't argue her way through things or throw temper tantrums or start fires (although that all did come in handy). But she needed to learn to use her magick in new ways. She needed to come into her full power and strength in this book, and what better way than a journey to hell and back?

Astute readers will notice the chapter headings on this book are not song titles, as has been the tradition. Because this was a different kind of book than the others, set in a different world, I wanted the titles to reflect that. So I chose to use the Major Arcana from the Tarot in order, to mark Maggie's journey from Fool to The World. That doesn't mean Maggie knows everything after, only that one journey has ended and another began.


One thing that caught me by surprise when writing The Shadows of Dark Root was how in love I fell with the Goddesses I was writing. Its so much fun to take their personalities, and make them your own. I especially enjoyed writing Lilith! She oozed sex appeal, playfulness, and an almost childlike innocence. But she is not a woman you want to cross! And I haven't ruled out her making a future appearance in Dark Root. Another character I had loads of fun with was Hecate. I did a lot of studying on her, and found multiple myths and points of view and I fused what I could and created a fun version, I think, both wise and mischievous. These ladies sure gave Armand a run for his money!

This book was so different from the others I knew that I was taking a risk in presenting it. And I know there are readers out there who wished I had stayed in the town of Dark Root. But there is no growth without new challenges, and I took on this quest not only for Maggie but for myself. I had never written high fantasy before, but I have enjoyed it and I love nothing more than reading and studying myth and the occult and ancient religions so it came out much more naturally than I anticipated. Maggie and her companions forged ahead, and came out purified on the other side.

As for the Michael incident, I'm sorry. I know. The emails I get usually say something like "I hated Michael in the beginning but then I started to like him and then you did that!!!"

Trust me, it was hard for me too! I loved Michael as much as I initially hated him. But I had always intended for him to be saved, not by God, as he initially thought, but by his own deeds. The fact that some of you cared that much for this person at the end of this series makes me excited as a writer. And for those of you who still didn't like him, I know its good riddance, haha.

I'll be posting more on my thoughts on some of the books I wrote. I intend to post more on The Shadows of Dark Root as well, as there was a lot of brainpower than went into this, and even more intuition and strange synchronicities.

Happy reading everyone!
April Aasheim

My last post was almost three years ago. I've been writing so much fiction I've kind of neglected my blog, but I'm ready to jump back in.

I'll start with a quick update: I have completed the entire Daughters of Dark Root series last year, and I admit, I'm in love. The series isn't perfect. There are things I would change. But it is good. Really good. Like 'How did I write something this good, good?" I know not everyone will agree. We all have our own tastes and preferences, but I love it. I'm very proud of it. These books took a big chunk of my life and soul and I'm so happy to have produced something so lovely that I can send out into the world.

I decided to end the series at five books. When you read book 5 you'll see it was a natural ending. Maggie's story isn't quite done, however, and her family has yet to tell their tales. So, I began the spin-off series:  The Children of Dark Root. Its four years after the last book, and the next generation of witchy kids has arrived. Maggie may have her hands full! It's a good thing she's a master of magick, now! The first book came out in October and I'm working on Book 2 now! (You can read sample at link above).

Anyway, I'll try really hard to keep this blog updated with life scenarios for those who are curious, and writing updates. I'll probably not post as many short stories now, as you can see I'm in full steam writing novels, but I'll share snippets of my current stories.

Cheers to 2019!
Buy Book One HERE

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Enter to win a Kindle Fire, Amazon Gift Cards, or FREE Ebooks from USA Today Bestselling Author April Aasheim (me!)Contest closes July 18.Enter HERE

This weekend I'm going to StokerCon in Las Vegas. This is put on by the Horror Writers Association. To say I'm excited doesnt really cut it. I'm drooling.

Getting accepted into HWA was a true thrill last year. Now, I'll be talking to, and taking workshops from Jack Ketchum, R.L. Stine, Heather Graham, and more. There's even a paranormal investigative team that may help me figure out the ghost hunting gear I bought for my birthday.

I'm not sure what will happen or why I'm so excited though. But it does feel like a weekend I won't forget. Or maybe that's just Vegas.

Last night, after a week of travel, I teasingly asked my husband, "What are you getting me for Mother's Day?"  Then, I quickly recanted. "Just kidding. Please, don't get me anything, and I mean it."

I did mean it. I didn't want a gift. We had just gotten back from Nashville and were going to Vegas the following week. I'd eaten well and shopped and been pampered. I had no desire for anything else.

But my husband, tired from seven hours of flying, answered me quite uncharacteristically. "You're not my mother."

The words shocked me. It was true of course, but I knew my husband well enough to know the tone and edge of his voice. He also meant I wasn't his daughter's actual mother.

As soon as he spoke it, his mouth clamped shut. He turned his head away and mumbled, "I mean, I didn't know Mother's Day was for people who weren't your mom."

"Oh?"

He quieted again. Last year he had given me a card for Mother's Day he forgot to sign.

"You mean you didn't know you were supposed to acknowledge the woman who helps take care of your daughter?" I asked.

"I was just teasing," he tried again, trying to smile. "I'll take you shopping and get you anything you want."

"Maybe you can just sign the card from last year," I answered.

"I'm taking you out to a nice dinner," he hurriedly added. "I had it planned all along."

We both knew this was untrue. But at least it was a nice try. I should have let him go with it and saw how his plan floundered when he couldn't get a last minute reservation anywhere. Instead, I politely explained that I was tired and went to bed.

Why was I so upset, I wondered. What my husband said was the truth. I wasn't Maddie's mom. I hadn't given birth to her. Our relationship wasn't forged by nature, but slowly built, through gifts and giggles, secrets and songs. I assisted her with homework, listened to her school stories, helped her change clothes in the dressing rooms when we shopped. We watched her Disney Channel TV shows together, and talked about her dreams. It was a long haul, built brick by brick like a Lego Friend house.

Maddie and I didn't have those same ties that biological parents share. She was still young and didn't know I loved her unconditionally. A harsh look or tone from me carried more weight and could cause more damage than if it came from her 'real' parents. I had to be more careful. Trust was slowly built, and easily taken away.

In essence, I was more than her friend, less than her parent, stuck somewhere in between, and my husband's words were a reminder of that.

He apologized that night, and again the next morning. And of all the apologies he's ever given me (and there have been a few!) there was none more sincere. I saw it in his eyes and heard it in his voice. And though I accepted it, the sting remains.

I hadn't wanted a gift from him. Nor a fancy dinner out. I didn't even want him to sign that damned card from the previous year. But what upset me, I realized, was his lack of acknowledgement. Some recognition of the place I had in his daughter's life.

Maybe stepparents should have their own day, I thought. Or half a one.

Or maybe we should just realize that at the end of the day it isn't about flowers or candy or even acknowledgement. Its about the bond we've created with kids who are not
our biological children, but who we love like them, nonetheless.

Be Witched, the Multi-Author Witchy Boxed Set is Live!

It features The Witches of Dark Root plus 21 other witchy tales by Best-Selling Authors.
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The bestselling Edge young adult box set introduces Other Side of Forever, a novel by Shannon Eckrich. This is just one of 20 page-turning, full length novels for only $.99! Order your copy today!

What if your life finally seemed to make sense? But, what if —in an instant— everything is taken away? How far would you go to get your life back?

Seventeen-year-old Allie Anderson's telekinetic powers are anything but useful— she can't bring her father back, can't stop her mother's downward spiral into alcohol, and can't keep her from falling in love with Ethan Bradley. Loving Ethan is easy, but it comes with a hefty price: Ethan is prohibited by his people from interacting with mortals— because he isn't mortal himself.

When Allie and Ethan's love is discovered, there's someone who will do anything to keep them apart. If Allie can't learn to control her powers and fight to save Ethan, this dark entity will make every attempt to stop her beating heart. And if that happens, not even the energy of an immortal can bring her back.

Author bio

Shannon Eckrich is an International Bestselling Paranormal Romance author who writes for teens and adults. She is a dreamer, an avid reader, ghost hunter, and believer in aliens, myths, and love at first sight. After all, she did marry her high school sweetheart. Shannon also believes all the problems in the world can be solved with a little bit of love and compassion.

When she’s not creating worlds that walk the line between fiction and reality, she enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering at the firehouse down the street.

She currently lives in Delaware with her husband, two kids, three cats, and her dog, Chewy.

Excerpt from Other Side of Forever

“Allie, why do you hate me so much?” he asked softly as he stared into the sky.

His question took me by surprise. Did he really think that?

“I…I don’t hate you, Ethan.” I stumbled over my words. “I barely know you.”

“Then why do you try so hard to avoid me?”

“I don’t,” I lied, knowing that I did, but not in a mean type of way. I closed my eyes and sighed, wishing he didn’t have to ask so many questions. Couldn’t he just go back to saying nothing at all?

“You do,” he argued. I could hear the change in his voice. He was smiling.

“No. I don’t,” I answered sarcastically. His persistence was pinching my nerves.

“Then look at me,” he challenged.

Without thinking, I turned my head and looked at him. His warm, sweet breath blew against my face as he exhaled. The scent of peppermint. His dark eyes snatched me up and whisked me away. I was lost and unprepared as he drew me deeper and deeper inside him. The walls he created around me were getting higher and harder to climb. Like I had slipped into a trench and I was sinking into the earth.

Ethan pressed forward, attempting to close the gap between us. His lips were so close to mine I could feel the heat emanating from them. And just as our lips were about to brush, the voice in my head begged and pleaded and screamed for me to stop.

Then I turned away.

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EDGE: A Young Adult / New Adult Paranormal Collection

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The bestselling Edge young adult box set introduces Kissed, a novel by Kimberly Loth. This is just one of 20 page-turning, full length novels for only $.99! Order your copy today!

Trapped in a dark cult, sixteen-year-old Naomi Aren has lived a quiet, albeit unhappy, life nestled deep in the hills of the Ozarks. With uncut hair, denim skirts, and only roses for friends, Naomi seldom questions why her life is different from other kids at school. Until the day her abusive father, who is also the cult’s leader, announces her wedding. Naomi must marry Dwayne Yerdin, a bully who reeks of sweat and manure and is the only one person who scares her worse than her father.

Then she meets Kai, the mysterious boy who brings her exotic new roses and stolen midnight kisses. Kisses that bring her a supernatural strength she never knew she had. As the big day approaches, Naomi unearths more secrets of about her father’s cult. She learns she has power of her own and while Kai may have awakened that power, Naomi must find a way to use it to escape Dwayne and her father—without destroying herself.

This young adult paranormal romance novel will appeal to readers, teens, and all readers who enjoy romance, mysteries, and fantasy.

Author bio

Kimberly Loth can't decide where she wants to settle down. She's lived in Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, California, Oregon, and South Carolina. She finally decided to make the leap and leave the U.S. behind for a few years. Currently, she lives in Shenzhen, China with her husband and two kids.

She is a high school math teacher by day (please don't hold that against her) and YA author by night. She loves romantic movies, chocolate, roses, and crazy adventures. She has published six novels.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

EDGE: A Young Adult / New Adult Paranormal Collection

Twenty of today's favorite YA & NA authors have come together to bring you a collection packed with full-length, spellbinding reads sure to keep you keep you on the edge of your seat and up way past your bedtime!

READER BEWARE: These novels take everything to the edge--and not just the edge of your seat. With authors who aren't afraid to push the boundaries, you get stories that take everything to limit, creating whimsical reads that teens can actually relate to and that adults can enjoy, too.

Amazon / Apple / Kobo / Nook

The bestselling Edge young adult box set includes my very own novel Fractured Light! This is just one of 20 page-turning, full length novels for only $.99! Order your copy today!

Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. But she never felt ready to face them---until now. Defying the Auran Council and everything she's been taught, Llona must learn to use her power over light as a weapon if she wants to survive.

 

 

EDITORIAL REVIEW

"This is seriously addictive reading. Believe me, if you like YA paranormal romance, you'll be hooked. Fractured Light offers a new take on vampire-like creatures and introduces some fresh and imaginative paranormal ethnicities while allowing the characters to struggle against the dangers of power lust and societal bigotry." -- Serena Chase, USA Today --USA Today

AUTHOR BIO

Rachel McClellan was born and raised in Idaho, a place secretly known for its supernatural creatures. When she's not in her writing lair, she's partying with her husband and four crazy, yet lovable, children. Rachel's love for storytelling began as a child when the moon first possessed the night. For when the lights went out, her imagination painted a whole new world. And what a scary world it was...

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon

EDGE: A Young Adult / New Adult Paranormal Collection

Twenty of today's favorite YA & NA authors have come together to bring you a collection packed with full-length, spellbinding reads sure to keep you keep you on the edge of your seat and up way past your bedtime!

READER BEWARE: These novels take everything to the edge--and not just the edge of your seat. With authors who aren't afraid to push the boundaries, you get stories that take everything to limit, creating whimsical reads that teens can actually relate to and that adults can enjoy, too.

Amazon / Apple / Kobo / Nook