Every writer loves a good review. But sometimes, you get a review that gives evidence that your fiction is touching hearts in the way you’d hoped it would–in the way that you pray it might.

I like to say that “Herezoth is for everyone,” referencing my Herezoth trilogy, and I mean it. We all need good stories to inspire us with their truth, beauty, and goodness, to remind us of what really matters and prompt us to reflect on those things, to hold them in our hearts.

There is so much darkness and division in the world today. I wanted my stories to inspire reflection on what unites us all as human beings, on our common struggles and common questions. I want my stories to inspire hope.

Below are some of my favorite citations from reviews of “The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope” because they show that the book is doing this.

• “This book is remarkable. On the surface it’s a simple “chosen one” quest to overthrow the tyrant. Once you start reading, it takes you on a more incredible journey. Gritty, realistic, but the thread of hope running through the whole thing.”
• “But there’s hope (it’s in the title!) and I was rooting for Kora every step of the way because she’s such a great, real character.”
• “Inspiring beyond the story line, brings in a new perspective if you choose to see it.”
• “Moreover, a firm moral compass is stressed repeatedly, which is a needed breath of fresh air in a genre that frequently promotes an ‘ends justifies the means’ mentality. It reminds readers that the choices we make and the values we uphold are crucial, even in the most challenging of circumstances . . . It not only entertains but also challenges readers to reflect on the complexities of human nature and the importance of unwavering principles in a world that frequently tests them.”

This is the kind of feedback that makes my heart sing, because it’s why I write.

Book two is a different story in its way, but it’s just as deep, and I believe just as powerful as book one. I can’t wait until “The Magic Council” is out in the world!