bulari saga

Read more about the article Who gets to be a villain?

Who gets to be a villain?

As a child, I loved the Disney movie Sleeping Beauty — but probably not for the reason I was supposed to. I suffered through Aurora's sappy yearning for love. I yawned at the Prince (. . . um, Erik?) and his earnest escapades. I loved the Flora, Fauna, and Merriwether of course — who doesn't appreciate a gaggle of adorable witchy aunties who are just doing their best at adulting? But I watched Sleeping Beauty for my idol. Maleficent. She had power. She commanded minions. She was fierce and strong. She did whatever the hell she wanted. Yes, cursing a…

Read more about the article Orchids and remembrance

Orchids and remembrance

(Edited July 13, 2021 to add photos of Doug's greenhouse that I took while watering it for grandma a few days ago. He used to have two full greenhouse of orchids, but donated many of them to the orchid society a few years back as he started to downsize.) I write stories like a male bower bird builds its nest: by picking up whatever shiny object attracts my eye, and placing it just so. A twig of memory here, and overheard fragment of conversation there, a dash of a scent that reminds me of a favorite location, a half-remembered line…

Crossfire (Bulari Saga 2) [Excerpt]

Unlike my Durga System novellas, which are designed to stand alone, I wrote the Bulari Saga to be one overall story arc — though each book is meant to be a satisfying read on its own. Don't worry. I hate cliffhanger books, too. :) I normally share the first chapter or prologue of a new book when I launch it — but since Crossfire begins a day or so after the climax of Double Edged, I was worried I wouldn't be able to find a section that wasn't super spoiler-y. Fortunately, one of my favorite scenes made the cut. I edited…

Read more about the article Double Edged (Bulari Saga 1) [Excerpt]

Double Edged (Bulari Saga 1) [Excerpt]

Ever since I released the first Durga System novella back in 2016, I've heard the same thing from readers: "I loved it, but I want MORE!" With every Durga System novella I wrote, I got the same praise/complaint combination. Reviewers kept talking about how they could sense a larger story behind the books I was giving them. Friends texted me asking what's the deal with this character, or when they're going to get a novella with that character. Through all these years, I've been plugging away at a series of full-length novels set in the Durga System universe, and I'm…

Read more about the article Cover Reveal! Double Edged (Bulari Saga 1)

Cover Reveal! Double Edged (Bulari Saga 1)

I'm going to make this quick, because you have books to read and I have books to write. I've broken free from revisions for a minute to say hello, and to share with you some super exciting news. I know I just released Deviant Flux, but the next Durga System book is coming soon. That's right — I have an official release date for the first book of the Bulari Saga, Double Edged. Yep. May 31st. Mark your calendars — or JOIN MY MAILING LIST to get the alert. The Durga System novellas I've been releasing are just the appetizer…