Category: Writing (Page 1 of 29)

 Sunday Shout-out for @davidhearnewriter and his fantastic review of my book The Power of Conviction 

 “I enjoyed this story which features some first-rate world building and is paced superbly. There’s an authentic flavour and continuity that comes through in the writing that helps the book flow. It’s an absorbing read.

The story itself is sound enough, I was reminded of the Grimm series. Despite the hunting being for demons I felt the author had created something different with its own lore and rules. The concept of having a prime (or boss) works well during the quests as the Priesthood hunt out the evil around them (with mixed results). Good fiction becomes much better with memorable characters and we have plenty of them here.

The dynamic that unfolds between Anaya and Samael creates both a hook and intrigue. What can light and darkness possibly have in common, after all? I found it made for fascinating reading and complimented Anaya’s quests, adding a tasty element to the story.

While Anaya is our protagonist, Edric is an interesting character too with real depth provided by both his backstory and his gruff quirkiness. He’s deftly written and Vixen works very well also as the one who takes an interest in him for reasons of her own.

Lenda is a good, likeable support character too while Ekelon is supposed to be a good guy but his means sometimes suggest otherwise.

Some of the other characters (Adena, Eden, Arax, Lilith) get a little lost in the background but I think they’re supposed to as we have plenty of characters taking centre stage. It’s a balancing act not to throw too many new characters at the reader and one that the writer has managed well.

There’s plenty of violence, sex and torture going on here but it’s not gratuitous and works as part of the story.

The climax of the book just works and foreshadows possibilities for future works (of which there are). Can’t wait to read them.” – David Hearne

 Sunday Shout-out for @childofadaban and his fantastic review of my book The Path of Salvation 

 “The Path of Salvation is a great follow up to the first book in a wonderful series. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and the author have paid attention to what a reader would want. Beautifully written and balanced when it comes to details and plot movement. I recommend this series to anyone looking for something familiar, yet different enough to keep its originality in all the right places.” – R. L. Myles

 Tuesday Teaser 

 Here’s a snippet from my current WIP, The Condemned. It’s part of my unedited first draft 

Magnus slammed his hand down on the dining table inside his home, dust swirling into the morning sunlight. “You are not going! Over my dead body!”

Iselyn’s brow lowered, her fingers whitening as she gripped her shirt. She had already dressed for the trip, wearing sturdy leather trousers, knee-high riding boots, two layers of shirts—one made from linen and the other from wool—then a vest on top, cinched at the waist by a double-wrapped belt. Her purple cloak, she would grab on her way out. “But I am, Father. You know as well as I do that this is our only choice. One member per ten families must volunteer, and if I go, I ensure the safety of you, Mother, and my siblings, along with their spouses and children. Also, our family will need all the supplies we might find, and if I can lay claim to food and whatever else before someone else does, I will do so.” She held Magnus’ gaze, her expression all resoluteness. In fact, she wasn’t lying. At least, not entirely. For the whole night, she had contemplated how to break the news to her parents; what to say to soften the blow about her leaving. Since morning came, Iselyn had decided on a plan of action: she would travel to Evergreen Lake, gather as many supplies as she could and send them back to her family, then set off towards the World Tree, even if she would be forced to do it alone. She knew something was amiss in Moraker Forest, and even if no one else seemed to care, she wouldn’t let this go. She couldn’t let this go. She simply couldn’t ignore the fact that a sensation deep inside her told her something was wrong. The World Tree, and whatever other creature that might be connected to it, needed her.

 The Condemned – a stand-alone Romantic Fantasy novel, perfect for readers who enjoy dark and gritty fantasy tales with romance and explicit steam 

 Sunday Shout-out for @karencrawfordmysteries and her amazing review of my Light of Darkness box set (books 1-3) 

 “This is only the beginning in an epic series! Catrin Russell’s world-building skills are on par with the likes of J.R.R. Tolkien! That is a huge statement, but one this author has earned! We all have beliefs and values, but what if events occurred that made us question those? THAT is the premise for this series. And in these three books, we meet and fall in love with the characters who will see us through to the end of that question. Russell gives us love, friendship, enduring bravery, and grief. And we accept them willingly as we rush to turn each page! Battles with morality – and on the battlefield itself – will leave you breathless. The depth of characters – and your enduring loyalty to all of them – will have you begging Russell to spare them and win a war against good and evil that you didn’t know existed. Bravo, Catrin Russell, for this SPECTACULAR dive into your magnificent series!!” – Karen Crawford

Tuesday Teaser

Here’s a snippet from my current WIP, The Condemned. It’s part of my unedited first draft

Rose blew out a breath. “Yes, yes. Let’s talk of happier things. What about the Autumn Fair; will you be attending, dear?”

Iselyn gave her a flat look. “What for, Mother? To sit in the Town Hall and watch yet another generation of girls being wooed, whereas I’m left to rot in a corner? I’d rather be at home and read a book or, you know, repaint the house and watch it dry.”

“Oh, come now! You are only to find the right man yet.”

“You mean, one who would somehow overlook this?” Iselyn brushed her hair back behind her ear, allowing the entirety of her birthmark to be shown. “If someone, against all odds, would endure my plain looks, they would most certainly not submit themselves to this.” She pointed at the red area of skin. “No one in their right mind would marry me, Mother. You know this.”

Rose reddened, her mouth opening, yet any response died on her tongue. And Iselyn knew why—she was right. No one would marry a woman who risked being accused of witchcraft, if she carried such a mark. It was bad enough that Iselyn held no beauty, yet at least, that was something a desperate enough man could overcome. But not this. Never this.

Iselyn would likely live her whole life as a maiden.

The Condemned – a stand-alone Romantic Fantasy novel, perfect for readers who enjoy dark and gritty fantasy tales with romance and explicit steam