As winter’s cold winds howl outside, there’s no better time to cozy up inside with a few bone-chilling thrillers that send shivers down your spine. Hidden Gems ARC readers were able to fully immerse themselves into a variety of highly rated thrillers over the past few months, and this is a round-up of some of the most popular and well-reviewed page-turners.

The Art of Killing by C.R. Clarke

In Gloucester’s provincial streets, a wave of media fascination surrounds the anonymous graffiti artist known as Tick-Tock for two years. However, the once-intriguing art takes a dark turn, each piece growing more perverse and contentious. DI Gutteridge is the lone detective who sees a disturbing pattern, hinting at a sinister force on the horizon. As the art transforms, a looming storm of shocking events threatens the city’s reputation. The clock is ticking, and only time will reveal the chilling truth.

“The book immediately seized my attention from the beginning. It drew me in right away, and I found myself unable to stop reading,” wrote Nathalie in their 5-star review. “This suspenseful novel kept me in suspense throughout. The characters were well-crafted, and the narrative unfolded with excellent timing. The book maintains a pleasant equilibrium. In summary, it was a fantastic reading experience.”

“The premise alone is enough to pique anyone’s interest, but what sets this novel apart is the seamless blend of suspense, psychological depth, and an exploration of the gritty urban subculture,” wrote Nigel in their 5-star review. “C.R. Clark masterfully weaves a tale that not only keeps you guessing at every turn but also delves into the psyche of the protagonist, offering a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the motives behind the madness.”

The Wrong Patient by Rachel Hargrove

Dr. Selene Marks’s world unravels after a failed medical procedure leaves a young patient permanently disfigured. As a malpractice suit looms and her personal life crumbles, Selene seeks solace from the chaos. However, when she mysteriously goes missing, colleagues and internet sleuths focus on a former patient, Ava, suspecting she holds crucial information. Ava’s obsessive history and a tendency to blur reality raise doubts, but Dr. Marks, skilled in navigating the line between reality and illusion, hides secrets that may unveil the unsettling truth.

“This is my first Rachel Hargrove novel and it won’t be my last. She brings her characters to life. Halfway through I was pretty sure I knew who was guilty,” wrote Jan in their 5-star review. “Then the last chapter came and bang, I was wrong.”

“When a famous doctor disappears, the apparently obvious abductor may not be guilty after all. Suspicions grow as secrets are uncovered,” wrote Patti in their 5-star review. “Was it the patient who had been stalking the doctor? Was it her sister? Did she choose to disappear? It all comes together at once – it does it?”

Red Screen by Daniel Burke

The Metaverse’s virtual realms are a haven for millions of hardcore gamers known as Meta Junkies. Shea Britton, a top player immersed in the fantasy simulation game “Land of Might and Magic,” guides her character Darshana on a quest to vanquish The Gray Warrior, an evil player wreaking havoc. Unbeknownst to Shea, this isn’t just a game for The Gray Warrior; he’s turning deadly in the real world. As danger looms, FBI profiler Parker Reid must intervene to stop the killer before he reaches Shea, unraveling a thrilling tale where virtual and real worlds collide.

“Equal parts taut psychological thriller, Dungeons and Dragons fantasy and Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing game, Red Screen by Daniel Burke manages to spin an immersive tale that had me reading way past my bedtime,” wrote Anonymous in their 5-star review. “What I found most satisfying were the emotional beats of the novel. The impact of loss, trauma and grief on the protagonists’ motivations are given as much narrative weight as the descriptions of the Land of Might and Magic.”

“This story concept was so cool! Some twists I saw coming but most I didn’t and I love how Daniel Burke was able to put it all together in the end! The descriptions of the Metaverse were so cool I could really picture it clearly,” wrote Savannah in their 5-star review. “Definitely a great thriller, mystery read!”

No Escape by Bill Runner

As dawn illuminates Bison Creek, a tranquil Wyoming town, a scene of chaos unfolds. Two lifeless bodies inside the police station, one of them a cop, and a man covered in blood on the steps. The evidence seems clear: Ex-Marine Staff Sergeant Logan Davis, driven by acute PTSD, is the perpetrator. Seeking the truth, Logan reaches out to Axel Blaze, the only man he trusts. As the story unfolds, secrets unravel, and a battle between justice and deception ensues.

“I’ve been hooked to the Blaze series ever since I read the first novel. This sixth one in the series continues the trend, not letting up on the fast-paced narrative and intense action that Bill Runner’s books always deliver,” wrote Rachel in their 5-star review. “With its relentless pacing and gripping narrative, this book is a must-read for fans of high-octane thrillers.”

“Danger, extreme action, obvious protagonists. We are given a battle of wits as well as strength. The underlying friendship and camaraderie add a strong desire to see things put right for the wrongly accused,” wrote Anonymous in their 5-star review.

Beautiful Little Furies by Laurel Osterkamp

In 2004 Minneapolis, Hazel Ford, an English teacher at a diverse urban high school, finds joy in discussing The Great Gatsby with her Advanced Placement students. Her life takes a tragic turn after a horrific car accident erases Hazel’s memory, including the supposed breakup with Vance, her fiancé.

As Hazel grapples with amnesia, her brilliant yet troubled student, Febe, unveils dark secrets about Vance. In a journey of self-discovery, Hazel navigates twists and turns, risking everything, including her safety, to protect her loved ones.

“Beautiful Little Furies is a TRUE treasure of a read! WOW, I fell fast into this vivid and skillfully written story. These pages are SO full of mystery and intrigue!” wrote Elizabeth in their 5-star review. “Laurel Osterkamp had me HOOKED! I flew through pages as fast as I could. I was completely captivated and completely fascinated with this riveting read.”

“Beautiful Little Furies is a suspenseful tale that will leave you guessing,” wrote Anonymous in their 5-star review. “The plot twists will keep you turning pages and the main character, a teacher worth rooting for, will have you believing in the power of redemption. Highly recommended.”

Hidden Gems readers get to read these bone-chilling thrillers first, so if you want more stories that will stay with you, sign up today! Subscribers to Hidden Gems receive invitations to read books like these – plus other titles from any of up to 15 other genres – for free. Authors send these out in the hopes that the readers will write an honest review on Amazon once they’re done.

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The heart of any memorable story lies not in perfection, but in the imperfect layers of its flawed heroes and heroines. Imperfections and vulnerabilities in our heroes can transform them from mere characters on a page to living, breathing entities that resonate deeply with readers. The flaws of a protagonists help connect us, making their triumphs and struggles our triumphs and struggles. 

Today, Ginger explores a variety of ways that we can bring complexity and imperfection to our main characters, while still allowing readers to root for them. Whether it’s the moral ambiguity of Hamlet or the enduring resilience of Jane Eyre, Ginger takes us through examples that demonstrate how a flawed character can captivate readers, allowing our imperfect heroes to not only leap off the page, but leave a lasting impression long after the story is done. 

Superman may be the most powerful member of the Justice League, but Batman consistently tops the polls as the most popular superhero of all time – largely because that character of Bruce Wayne is so much darker, more wounded, and relatable than the God-like Kal El, who is derided by both heroes and villains as a moralistic “boy-scout” who always does the right thing.

Not that there’s anything wrong with doing the right thing! But heroes who never make mistakes don’t make for very excited main characters – and in the vast landscape of literature, readers have always been drawn more often to protagonists who aren’t flawless “boy-scouts” like Superman, but instead harbor relatable imperfections and defects like the tortured Dark Knight.

As an author, crafting a compelling, flawed protagonist is a skill that can really elevate your work and help it resonate with readers on a much deeper level. With that in mind, I’ve been researching the attributes that make a flawed protagonist so compelling; and I’ll share what I’ve found with you, and provide examples from classic literature to help illustrate these principles.

Imperfections Add Complexity

As I said above, Superman is often considered a “boring” hero because he’s always so perfect. The most memorable protagonists of fiction and literature are very far from perfect. Just look at the alcoholic, womanizing James Bond – or the acerbic, Vicodin-addicted Dr. Gregory House. These characters possess deep flaws that serve to humanize them – making them relatable despite the less relatable, larger-than-life things about them that make their stories so much fun.

But flaws like those often tell a deeper story – hinting at why the character is the way they are. A great example of that is the classic character of Jay Gatsby from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Gatsby initially seems larger than life – incredibly wealthy, throwing lavish parties every weekend. Later, however, we discover his fatal flaw; his relentless obsession with his first love, which has led him to create an entire personality and build an empire just to lure her back to him. Gatsby’s pursuit of an unattainable dream showcases the complexity of his character and makes him achingly relatable to those of us who still pine for “the one that got away.”

Internal Conflicts

The cornerstone of any compelling story is conflict, and a flawed protagonist is often more compelling because they’re grappling with an internal conflict that drives their motivations and behaviors. Take the titular Hamlet from William Shakespeare’s iconic play as an example. 

Hamlet is torn between his desire for revenge for his father’s murder and the moral and ethical considerations that hold him back from seeking that revenge. Throughout the play he is hesitant and contemplative, often questioning the consequences of revenge, yet driven to pursue it nevertheless. Making his conflict worse, Hamlet feels betrayed by those who were once closest to him, most notably his mother, but also his friends. As a result, he struggles to trust the very people who could help him most. Deception and betrayal contribute to the complexity of his internal conflict – and together, they combine to make him one of the most fascinating characters in all of western literature.

Evolution Over Time

A story is a journey, and the most satisfying stories see the protagonist change and evolve along the way. If you’re familiar with the structure of a good story, you can see that it’s circular – with the difference being that when our hero or heroine returns to the same place they started, they’re a totally different person.

Therefore, a truly compelling protagonist must undergo transformation and growth throughout the story, and highlighting their flaws is the perfect starting off point. A great example is Jane Eyre, from Charlotte Brontë’s novel Jane Eyre. Jane is a very relatable character, flawed by the meekness she developed as an oppressed orphan. That resonates with any of us who’ve struggled to stand up for ourselves; making us root for her despite Jane being “weak.”

However, as the story progresses, Jane evolves into a strong, independent woman; and as the story ends, she’s able to provide the love and nurturing that she was denied growing up. Tracking this evolution has captivated generations of readers, and makes the story especially compelling.

Vulnerability and Relatability

One of the other reasons Superman is so boring is the fact that he’s practically indestructible. Born on the planet Krypton, Superman can survive anything up to and including the blast of a nuclear bomb – meaning there’s no real power on Earth that can threaten him. 

Batman, on the other hand, is just a mentally traumatized guy in a suit – and generations of young men have read his adventures, thinking: “Maybe, just maybe, I could be Batman.”

The fact is, readers connect much more readily with protagonists who exhibit vulnerability; because vulnerability is what defines the human experience.

Take Atticus Finch, from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. He’s a principled lawyer in the Depression-era south, who agrees to defend a Black man accused of raping a white woman. Due to the alleged victim’s status in the community, much of the town turns against Atticus despite him simply trying to do the right thing and offer Tom his basic legal rights as an American. This makes he and his family vulnerable – to the scorn of their neighbors, and eventually to physical assault. The fact that Atticus was willing to put himself and his family at risk in order to do the right thing is meaningful because of that vulnerability. There’s no heroism in doing the right thing if (like Superman) you do so with no risk to yourself.

Contradictions and Ambiguities

Forget Superman and Batman – one of the original superheroes was Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in Victorian England, and now the most-portrayed fictional character in film and television.

What’s compelling about Sherlock Holmes is that his superhuman skills are balanced by some extremely human (and therefore relatable) flaws. Holmes is a brilliant detective with exceptional deductive skills, but he struggles with social interactions, displays a slough of eccentricities, and dabbles with narcotics to compensate. Today, many people on the Autism Spectrum say that Sherlock Holmes was one of the first characters they truly related to; and the idea of Holmes being neurodivergent has practically become a trope of modern adaptations.

What’s especially apparent is how many ASM people relate to the contradiction between Holmes’ awkwardness and his genius as a detective. Many on the Autism Spectrum have an extraordinary talent for mathematics, science, and engineering; and characters like Holmes give them a role model that suggests that maybe, in their own unique way, they’re superheroes too.

Moral Ambiguity

Returning to more traditional superheroes, the recent DC movie Black Adam was a critical and commercial failure, and one possible reason for that was how the classic anti-hero Black Adam never actually did anything anti-heroish throughout his adventure. Despite claiming “I’m no hero” on multiple occasions, he never once hurts anybody except the bad guys, and ultimately offers the ultimate sacrifice to protect those in need. 

To pull off a true anti-hero, you have to have them do unheroic things. Challenging the morality of your protagonist requires a careful balancing act, but those who have got it right have created some of the most memorable protagonists in literature.

A great example is Raskolnikov, from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s classic Crime and Punishment. A brilliant, moralistic law student, he becomes bitter and twisted as he’s forced to endure poverty and humiliation. Ultimately, this leads to him committing a seemingly unforgivable crime – murdering and robbing the corrupt pawnbroker, Ivanovna. However, Ivanovna was a despicable character, and Raskolnikov’s situation truly was unjust, blurring the lines between whether the murder was truly right or wrong.

Of course, Raskolnikov eventually faces and accepts the consequences of his actions; but forces the reader to grapple with his moral ambiguity until he does.

External Challenges

Moral ambiguity returns us to Batman – a vigilante who’ll happily beat and hospitalize the criminal scum of Gotham City, but refuses to ever kill them. This personal rule sounds great, until an external force like The Joker arrives and sends Batman’s moral compass spinning.

Batman invariably captures The Joker and locks him in Arkham Asylum; but Joker continuously escapes and goes on to commit more heinous crimes. How many lives could Batman have saved if he’d killed The Joker instead of letting him escape again, and again, and again?

Having external forces test the flaws of our favorite characters is what makes them so compelling – and those forces don’t have to be as murderous as The Joker. Take Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The arrival of Mr. Darcy forces her to confront her own prejudices and misconceptions in the face of societal expectations and romantic entanglements, which in turn makes the reader question many of the expectations of prejudices they might harbor themselves.

Conclusion

Batman’s darkness is why polls have consistently rated him as a more popular superhero than Superman, and I’d argue that most of the memorable protagonists in literature became that way because of their own flaws and internal conflicts. These are the things that makes characters relatable, and drive readers to become invested in their journey.

But crafting a compelling, flawed protagonist requires a delicate balance. Flaws can make characters relatable, but only to a point. Tip the balance too heavily, and your hero becomes a villain.

But that line is easy to define – as I’ve demonstrated in the characters I pulled from classic literature in the examples above. They’ve lasted the test of time because of their flaws, not in spite of them. Embracing the similar complexity of your own protagonists is the best way to leave a lasting impact on your readers – who’ll always crave more than just perfect heroes.

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Today’s interview is with debut fantasy author Jo de-Lancey. She shared with us her journey to publication and the challenges she has overcome. It was a pleasure getting to know more about Jo’s writing style, and life outside of writing!

HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet?

JD: I write swashbuckling fantasy, littered with morally grey characters. With my books, I want to take my readers on an adventure to new and different lands, surrounded by characters they love (or hate) and feel for. I have strong female characters who don’t conform to the usual tropes, as well as male characters who I’m not afraid to show as kind and sensitive. I’m very character-driven and I have run the Myers-Briggs test on my main characters. My writing style is bold, vivid and sensory. Readers will be able to smell, touch and hear my world, and hopefully want to be a part of it.

HG: Sounds phenomenal! You recently published your first book, The Crystal Shore (The Tempered Soul Series Book 1). Tell us a bit about this story and what readers can expect.

JD: With The Crystal Shore, I’ve written the sort of book I’d like to read, in the hope that someone else will too. It’s a fantasy adventure, leaning towards the quest and heroic subgenres. My main character is a charlatan called Killian O’Shea, who goes on an adventure with a bunch of pirates to find a lost artefact – in the hopes that finding it will redeem him of his past mistakes. Amongst the action and adventure there’s a romantic ‘will they, won’t they’ sub-plot between Killian and Lily Rothbone, the pirate queen.

I’ve written in a very character-driven way, as I find it fascinating to explore people, so my readers can expect deep and complex characters. There’s also a fair amount of humour and quips from my characters – some more than others. I’m from the UK so you can probably have a good guess as to what the humour is like. I build the magical element of the story slowly, dropping in hints here and there as the plot progresses. I write in a very sensory way. I don’t go overboard with the descriptions, but I put in enough to fully immerse the reader in my world. 

HG: That’s wonderful, thank you. What feeling do you hope readers are left with when they finish it? 

JD: I hope my readers finish my book feeling like they’ve been on a fantastical adventure and made some new friends along the way. There’s a couple of reviews on my Goodreads page from readers that said my characters felt like old friends to them. Honestly, when I read that, I almost burst out crying, in a good way. I’d also love my readers to be eager for book 2! 

HG: Oh, how excellent! Is Book 2 in the works? What can you tell us about that? 

JD: Book 2 is in the works. I’m on my third draft now and it’s due with my editor next summer. I’m hoping to get this draft done by the end of autumn. I’ll keep very quiet about it story-wise, but I will say to people who’ve read the first, there’s a lot more of Raven in this one. A little disclaimer here, I started book 2 in 2011 and it was about 70% complete by early 2012, various bad things happened in my life then, so I shelved it. I dusted it off last November and finished off the last 30%. I like to be fully honest and open about how long it takes to write a book. 

HG: I appreciate that. Thank you for sharing. You have incredible character sketches on your website. Did you have those done before or after you finished writing the book? 

JD: Awww, thank you so much. My artist, Thea Magerand, is absolutely amazing, I’m so lucky I found her. She also did my front cover. I had those done after I finished the book, but while it was with my editor. I loved how they turned out. It was like Thea just picked the characters right out of my head. Seeing them fully drawn up in such a realistic way was a very emotional moment for me. Those drawings are in the front of the book too. I thought it’d be rather unique to have them in there, a slight twist on a map. 

HG: That’s awesome! Along the same lines, if The Crystal Shore were ever turned into a movie or television show/series, who would you cast for each of the main characters? 

JD: This is a fun one, and it’s something I often think about. So, my main character, Killian O’Shea would be played by Ben Barnes, though he’d have to wear some blue contact lenses. Captain Lily Rothbone would be Stephanie Beatriz, though like Ben she’d have to wear contact lenses too, green for her. Ren Thorncliffe would be difficult, as I’d need a time machine to go back and grab a young Tom Hiddleston. Nesta would be the beautiful and majestic Angela Bassett. I have a trio of pirate gunners who the reader will get to know rather well, so with them Tom Gainsborough would be John Boyega, Finn Todd would be Rhea Seehorn and Blake (there is a reason he doesn’t have a surname) would be Nicholas Hoult. 

HG: So fun! Switching gears, could you tell us a bit about your publishing journey? How did you know you were ready to take on the “author” title?

JD: Well, let’s start off by saying my publishing journey was very long. I came up with Killian, my main character around 2002/03. He lived in my head for a few years, having various adventures, but nothing concrete. In 2008 I started my first draft of The Crystal Shore. I finished that around 2010 and did the thing that I think most writers do straight away, I started querying agents. Obviously, I had a lot of knock-backs as it just wasn’t ready. I kept sending anyway, and as I drifted into 2011 I started work on book 2. At the start of 2012, I lost my big brother, he was one of the very few people who believed in me, so that was devastating for me. I found it very difficult to keep going after that.

As the years ticked on, I left book 2 to gather dust and I started two other projects. My heart was still with The Crystal Shore, but my head wasn’t. Every now and then I’d get it out again, tweak it, maybe send it to one agent, get rejected and put it away for months. Then hate it, realise I actually love it, get it out again and repeat the above process. As 2020 rolled around I felt very stuck, I didn’t know what to do with it, or where to go. So, I decided to hire a professional editor. My intention then was to get edited, then try agents again. The editor I picked had a waitlist of a year, so I had a lot of time to think before the edit came around.

One night, I was drinking mojitos and listening to Wonderful Life by Black. I looked him up, as I hadn’t heard the song in years and in doing so, I discovered that he recorded and released that song himself. It just made me think that maybe I could do the same thing as him, I’d got an editor after all. Did I really want to pin all Killian’s hopes on an agent? The next day I found and hired Thea, my artist and after that it snowballed. I found a web designer, a copy editor and someone to format my book.

I knew I was ready when I absolutely thought ‘there’s nothing more I can do with this book.’ It took a very long time to get there too. I thought I was ready in 2010, but I certainly wasn’t. I needed to fall from the top of that mountain, and crawl back up until I truly reached the point of enlightenment. 

HG: That’s a really beautiful journey. Thank you for sharing it with us. What have been the challenges you’ve faced in your publishing career? 

JD: Dealing with rejection, realising that I wasn’t that good in 2010 and that my book needed a lot more love, care and attention. These two things combined can easily stop someone writing, and there were times that I did. There were months on end, maybe even a year or two where I didn’t write. There were times when I thought my life would be infinitely easier if I deleted my manuscript and forgot about it. Thankfully, I didn’t do that. I suffer from anxiety and depression, so the rejections, the realisations, losing my brother and suffering from chronic mental health issues, made everything seem like a struggle. I’ve had a voice in my head for years telling me I’m not ‘good enough’ and a lot of the time I listen to it. But, deep down, there’s a part of me that’s so incredibly stubborn. That part never wants to give up, and she grabs onto dreams like a bloodhound. I’m lucky that part of me exists, or my book may still be languishing on my laptop now, or worse, deleted. 

HG: Is there anything you’d do differently? Advice to aspiring authors? 

JD: I haven’t quite worked out what I’d do differently yet, as I only released in July this year. But I’d try and stress less, which is a big one for me. I stress myself into migraines and end up in bed for days.

My advice is to write what you want to read. Your heart will truly be in it, and your readers will be able to tell. I know some people write to a specific audience, and that may work for them, but it doesn’t work for me. I tried it once, with one of my other projects and it didn’t feel right to me.

Don’t rush. Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. Be the tortoise, not the hare. I am so glad that an agent didn’t pick up my book in 2010, I’d be mortified if it was out there in that form now.

Have one person who will be truthful with you about your book, someone who will point out the flaws to you. I’m lucky that my boyfriend is on hand to do that for me. He is incredibly honest. He’s even made me cry with his feedback before – that was back in the ‘my book is perfect’ days of 2010. His feedback for book 2 didn’t make me cry, as I’m a lot tougher now. I still have plenty to change, but it seems my writing has improved over the last 12 years, thankfully!

If you decide to go independent a good editor is the most important thing. Research your editor, find out what other books they’ve edited, check their credentials, and reach out for a sample edit. I know editors are expensive but saving up for one is the best treat you can give your book and it’ll thank you for it.

HG: Great advice! Tell us a little bit about your actual writing process. Do you write at home? Do you set a word count goal? 

JD: I do write at home, I have my desk all set up with various neon lights, crystals, a figure of Rogue from X-Men who I love, and a salt lamp. I’ve created a relaxing tropical vibe to write in. I have pictures of my characters hanging above my desk too, to urge me to write. To make it as chilled out as possible, I always write to music. At the moment I’m listening to the channel called Calmed by Nature on YouTube. They create videos of calming jazz music, often set in cafes with ambience. Listening to it helps to transport me away.

I have a full-time day job, so I have to fit my writing around that. I tend to do 3-4 evenings a week with 1-3 hour sessions, depending on how tired I am, and then a few hours on a Sunday. That can be anything from 1-6 hours. I try not to beat myself up if I miss a day, as that’s the slippery slope to burnout. I did fully burnout in July, a week before my book release in fact, as I was doing too much. It got to the point where my body wouldn’t let me get out of bed, it was not a good time. I don’t set a word count goal; I just do what I can while I’m in the writing zone. 

HG: What inspires your writing? Do your books require a lot of research before writing? 

JD: I have several inspirations. Places is the first one. As a child I used to go down to a little town in Cornwall called Looe, every summer to see my grandparents. This town has greatly inspired Killian’s town of Brackmouth. I’ve infused Brackmouth with the boisterous seagulls and the salty smells of Looe. I’ve even added a bit where my characters run around the backstreets, these are based on the street where my great, great auntie Lily used to live. Looe even has an island off the coast, which is where Captain Rothbone and her crew live in my book.

My second one is quite strange, video games. I played a lot of Sonic the Hedgehog on the Megadrive/Genesis growing up. Some of those levels are so amazing and inspiring. You blast through crumbling ruins, race through underwater cities, and navigate crystal-lined caves. These images have been with me all my life. They really inspired my world building. The old Final Fantasy games are also a great source of inspiration for me. Back when I was a teenager and playing Final Fantasy 8 for the first time, it made me wish I could read a book, which felt like the game. That’s sort of what I’ve done with The Crystal Shore and The Tempered Soul Series as a whole. I have my ragtag party of (mostly) morally grey characters, going on adventures around an expansive world.

Life in general has inspired me too. It’s disappointments, devastations and uplifting moments – as it’s not all doom and gloom. When I was 20, I told an old man in the care home where I worked that I wanted to write a book. He told me I couldn’t, as I was too young and hadn’t experienced anything yet. At the time I thought ‘what do you know?’ But now I’ve realised that he was right. I couldn’t have created the story I have done, especially the whole overarching plot (it’s going to be 4 books) without the experiences, both good and bad, that I’ve had in my life over the years. 

HG: Amazing. So, what do you enjoy doing when not writing? 

JD: I like to do a lot of hiking. I live rather close to the countryside, so it’s very easy for me to wander through fields and forests. I play video games, I like RPGs like Zelda – Breath of the Wild was so good, though it’s hard to find the time to have a big gaming session these days, so a lot of the time I just have a quick blast of Sonic or Tekken. I absolutely love b-movies. A perfect evening in for me is watching a low-budget action film with a cocktail or a glass of red wine. I have a shelf in my lounge dedicated to my favourite b-movies, I’m a bit of a collector.

HG: Super cool! What was your last 5-star read?

JD: Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa. Even though I’m a fantasy writer, I read any genre. I’m often drawn to Japanese ‘slice-of-life’ books, and this one is so perfect. It makes you happy, sad and hungry.

HG: If you could ask your author idol one question, what would it be?

JD: I don’t really have an author idol as such, I have a lot of books that I admire though. To the authors of those I’d ask, ‘How do you deal with impostor syndrome?’

HG: Good question. For fun, before we wrap up, let’s do a fast five! First one…coffee or tea?

JD: Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon.

HG: Bonfire or fireplace?   

JD: Fireplace, preferably with a mulled wine. 

HG: Tropical beach or rustic mountains? 

JD: I love both of these, but if I had to pick, I’d say rustic mountains as you can have plenty of adventures there. 

HG: Are you a morning bird or night owl?  

JD: Night owl, I’m writing this at 1:35 A.M. 

HG: eBook or paperback?  

JD: I prefer paperbacks, but I do like the ease of an eBook. 

HG: For readers that want to find out more about your stories and keep up with you, where should they go to connect or learn more? 

I have a website and I have a mailing list on there, which you can sign up to. You get a free piece of bonus art featuring a scene from The Crystal Shore, just for signing up. I also have an Instagram account which is @jo.r.delancey.

If you love to read and leave reviews on Amazon, and would like to get books from authors like Jo de-Lancey for free every day, then sign up for the Hidden Gems ARC program. We don’t just have captivating fantasy novels either – each day we send out emails with offers of free books in over 15 different genres, and you’ll only be sent the genres you’re interested in and the books you want to read. Sign up for as many or as few as you have time and interest for, we’ll keep the eBooks flowing as long as you want to keep on reading and reviewing!

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The Faith/Spirituality category covers a wide range of topics. We all have unique beliefs and inspirations, so we’ve rounded up a variety of books on faith and spirituality that were highly rated by Hidden Gems ARC reviewers. Take a look and see if your next eye-opening read is on this list.

7 Attitudes of the Helping Heart by John Christopher Frame

7 Attitudes of the Helping Heart: How to Live Out Your Faith and Care for the Poor is an eye-opening journey that will help you move into the joy of loving others more. If you like on-the-ground wisdom, empowering approaches to serving God, and practical advice, then you’ll love John Christopher Frame’s inspirational book.

A.J. Wind writes in their 5-star review, “Dr Frame offers sincerity, humility and a range of universal spiritual tools and skills to help guide the exercise and practice for our spiritual selves. This is so badly needed to counteract the materialistic forces that paradoxically dominate in much of this pandemic afflicted country.”

“This book really brought to light how quick we are to judge others and their situations,” writes Becky W. in her 5-star review. “Everyone has a story and we don’t always know the story behind someone asking for help. God gives us a spirit of discernment in each situation. As Christians we are called to follow God’s leading and leave the judging to Him. This book is an easy read and keeps your interests. It is filled with personal stories that really open your eyes to the needs that are around us. Highly recommend!”

A State of Mind by Dillon Jepson

A guided book with the objective to enlighten the mind for all curious or awakening people by advancing our understanding of the rational mind, social sciences, the cosmic drama, the art of perception, and Kabbalah. A State of Mind strategically describes a new system of thinking for how to perceive reality in its true nature.

Lea Irene writes in her 5-star review, “The author takes a mix of experience, research, and God to take us through a full guided journey to better ourselves and our minds. The author lays it all out including his most traumatic life experiences in order to teach us lessons that will change our lives. He guides you through the inner workings of his own mind and his thought processes and leaves no stone unturned. I recommend to all that are willing to open their minds.”

“Have an open mind and the ability to connect to self to enjoy reading this book,” explains Cee in their 5-star review. “Giving people advice on how to form their own Heaven on Earth, to create their own reality, from the perspective of someone who experiences schizophrenic episodes is eye opening. I’ve always felt and sensed people who experience schizophrenia are not ‘crazy’, they feel and experience other dimensions of our reality that are not visible or reachable to ‘normal’ people. Schizophrenics are connected to different planes of existence in a world where people are completely disconnected even from the one and only reality they are able to sense and experience. Just because someone can see, feel, or experience something you cannot, or cannot even begin to comprehend does not make them ‘crazy’.”

The Kybalion 101 by Matthew Barnes

How much better would your life be if you actually understood the whys and hows of life? In what ways would your own existence be transformed? Dr. Matthew Barnes, chemist, biochemist, doctor, and bestselling author of The Emerald Tablet 101, The Hermetica 101, The Tao Te Ching 101, The Bhagavad Gita 101, and Jesus Christ, Zen Master, presents his interpretation of the third major work of the ancient Egyptian Philosopher, Hermes Trismegistus. And he does so in a way that is simple, inspirational, and thought provoking.

Steven Lane Taylor writes in his 5-star review, “I am fairly well read when it comes to esoteric spiritual literature. But I have always wondered what value that knowledge has if it can’t help me live a happier and more fulfilled life. And that’s what I love about this book. It doesn’t just teach you about the nature of this universe and its Creator, but it also helps you understand what you can do to find peace—and even joy—in a world where things don’t always go the way you want them to. In The Kybalion 101, Matthew Barnes has once again taken ancient, esoteric teachings and made them understandable and applicable to modern daily life. I recommend this book. In fact, I recommend all of Matthew Barnes’ books. And don’t skip over the Dedication in this book. That section alone is worth the price of admission.”

“I have read the Kybalion many times and this version is the best. The explanation is so clear and understandable,” raves Mystic in their 5-star review.

The Magic of Manifesting Money by Ryuu Shinohara

In The Magic of Manifesting Money, you will discover the #1 key to accelerating your money manifestation, instead of waiting a lifetime for it to come, so you can start changing your reality now. You’ll also learn how to be receptive to the infinite opportunities around you to speed up your money manifestation process and never miss signals from the universe and much more.

“It is by far the finest book on the subject I have ever read,” raves AdmiraLu in their 5-star review. “Thoughtful, informative and most of all helpful. Everything is explained in easy to understand terms, and easy to follow instructions. If you are willing and open to learn and grow, this book can help change your life. The author has a handy chart to help (available via a link) and he welcomes questions and comments. One of his previous books is an Amazon best seller and I can see why.  They are filled with good common sense. Read it and change your life for the better.”

“This is a wonderful book!” writes Elena P. in her 5-star review. “I think for the first time ever I really understood how manifestations work. I have been studying LOA for many many years by reading lots of books on the subject and listening to Abraham-Hicks seminars. That all felt very nice, but you need to know, not just hope or even believe that what you are doing will get the results you seek. Thanks to this book I now know how to do magic (it’s not really magic – it’s our truth, we can all do it). I have already easily manifested a number of things (a real estate contract, drastic weather improvement, a national sports team win, my health improvement, etc.) I am getting more ambitious and it’s all great fun. So, buy the book, study it, apply what you learned, manifest all you want, and live happily ever after!”

Nothing Ordinary About You by Dr. Victoria Ikoro

Get motivated and stay motivated with Nothing Ordinary About You. Overflowing with exhortation, enlightenment, and life-changing insights, this Christian-based motivational guide packs a powerful punch. For 44 days, you will be guided to higher heights, spiritually and psychologically. Shatter every lie you’ve ever believed about yourself, obliterate every self-defeating habit, demolish low self-esteem, conquer laziness, and enhance your self-confidence.

“I found this book very inspirational,” writes C. Larson in their 5-star review. “It is written in the style of a daily devotional. The chapters are short but pack a punch. The chapters are not numbered so if you use it as a daily devotional, you can pick the topic that speaks to you that day. Very well done!”

Suse920 explains in their 5-star review, “This book is excellent for inspiration to a Christian who is troubled with the concept of not being able to use the gifts that God has given them! Encouraging in that every one, including me, needs to keep plowing through and not giving up when you fail! I received this book free for giving an unbiased review but I would have gladly paid for it…it’s that good. You will also be encouraged when you read it and realize that you can do anything with God’s help.”

Hidden Gems readers got to read these books on faith and spirituality first, so if you want more inspiring reads to add to your collection, sign up today! Subscribers to Hidden Gems receive invitations to read books like these – plus other titles from any of up to 15 other genres – for free. All we ask is that you consider leaving an honest review of them on Amazon when you’re done!

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Today’s Author Spotlight Interview is with K.L. Bryce, the author of Mean Crush, the first in the Unbroken series. Even though this is her first book under that penname, it made an immediate impact and has already left readers hungry for more – plus, you can find more of Kayley’s writing under her other penname, Kayley Wood. 

HG: Firstly, WHO ARE YOU? Or more accurately – how would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet?

KLB: I’m a big goofball, really. I love to laugh and to make others laugh. I’m laid back and more of a peacemaker who avoids drama if I can help it, which is pretty funny since I write romance.

I love my friends and the amazing woman in my life who have helped shaped who I’ve become. I was very lucky to have a close relationship with my grandmother…a beautiful, sarcastic, funny, loving soul who was way ahead of her time.  I’m blessed to have women I still call friends since grade school and high school, and a diverse family I love to pieces.

Fun fact: I used to do community theater in my early twenties and once sang a solo on stage. The twist? I hate singing solo on stage! Acting and dancing I loved.

Quick Favs (that isn’t writing): a good book I can’t put down, making music playlists, dancing or performing in the living room for my 9-year-old puppy (she lets me know if it’s really bad with a sigh and a turn of her head. If it’s good, I get a tail wag), bad jokes or “dad” jokes, and binge-watching a great series (sometimes when I should be writing!)

HG: So how did you get into writing? Have you always been a writer?

KLB: I’ve had a love for storytelling in all forms for as long as I can remember. There’s something almost magical and cathartic about living through a character and going through the journey and emotions along with them. I will confess that I did attempt my first novel at the age of fifteen. It was really bad. Think the worst soap opera plot ever created and that about sums it up. My only regret is I didn’t keep it. That handwritten catastrophe could serve for hours of entertainment and laughs.

HG: So, is Mean Crush your first ever title? What was the route towards getting it published?

KLB: Mean Crush is my first title published under K. L. Bryce. I have a romantic comedy series published under Kayley Wood. Since that series was more chick-lit style with no sex, I had decided to create a new pen name for a sexier series I had in mind. Although I still like to keep the same heart in my contemporary romances, I really wanted to give my characters and plot ideas more freedom to go darker, steamier, and curse to their heart’s content without offending my sweet romance fans who don’t prefer that type of romance.

HG: What have you got planned next? You say it’s book one of a series – when is the next one out?

KLB: I’m so excited and a little nervous about book 2. It’s the most angsty of any of my previous books with some intense scenes. The original plan was to publish around late June, but because of some last-minute gutting and changes, it looks like it will be pushed until sometime in July. I can write pretty fast when I’m in the flow, but slow when I’m stuck. I often find that if I’m stuck or need to force it, then something is wrong. This is when I go back and re-evaluate the outline and where I’m headed in the story. And I have to say the male hero is very adamant about how he wants his side of the story to be told lol. He’s so stubborn! But he’s hot and has a whole lotta heart, so I forgive him.

HG: What inspired Mean Crush?

KLB: I love the misunderstood alphas or bad boys in books (give me Darcy any day!) On the outside they may seem cold, aloof, or even jerks, but on the inside, they love deeply…or are at least capable of loving deeply for the right woman who melts the ice around their hearts. I wanted to do a series dedicated to misunderstood alphas with broken hearts, and how the love of their life finally mends it.

HG: What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned about writing on this journey?

KLB: Write what you would love to devour yourself. If your heart isn’t in it, it shows. Readers are smart. They are even forgiving of typos once in a while if they fall in love with the story and the characters. I find in romance, it’s not perfection readers seek, but all the feels! If you have your heart in your writing, then it reflects on the pages.

HG: So what’s the process of writing with you? What does actually WRITING look like to you? Do you schedule your writing time? Do you have a writing space or office? Or are you a laptop-in-starbucks kind of writer (not that we can be right now.)

KLB: You would never catch me writing in a café or anywhere in public. I mumble when I write. I sometimes talk out dialogue as I write, especially really intense or emotional scenes. I cry. I’m sure I would scare strangers in public with my writing process lol.

My writing space? Haha. My desk is a coffee table that pulls up like a TV tray over my lap, and the couch is my chair. Sometimes I sit on the recliner with a laptop where it was meant to be…my lap. I’ve never really been a desk person, but I do like to feel as comfortable as possible when I write.

My writing process? Oh boy. Well, the early stages are usually about an idea that I flesh out. I tend to come up with characters and a situation first. After that, I write a sort of skeleton outline, then a more detailed one. But once I start writing and get into the flow, the original outline pretty much goes right out the window because new ideas present themselves as I go. I always go with my gut on that and never force myself to stick to an original plan. If it excites me, I go with it. 

HG: Are you a plotter or a pantster?

KLB: A little of both. I always plan to make sure I won’t write myself into a corner but have no problem changing things up as I go…especially when characters are more developed, and I understand them better.

HG: What is it you hope people get out of reading your books?

KLB: For romance, my goal is to write books that are hard to put down and gives all the feels. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE when I pick up a book and stay up into the wee hours until I can’t keep my eyes open because I want to know what happens next. To be that immersed in a new world, story and the characters…there’s nothing like it. If I’m not hooked by the first chapter, I usually don’t continue. There are just too many books to be read out there, and I’m always searching for that book I want to devour until the end.

HG: Who is your favorite character from your books?

KLB: If I’m honest, it’s a character named Edgar Morgan from a contemporary fantasy/romance I haven’t published yet. He’s complicated, mysterious, and it would be so easy to call him a villain, but there are many ways he isn’t.

But that project is for another time.

My favorite character in a currently published book? I don’t have a favorite one character, but I will say my favorite couple is Emma and Alex from my first published book, The Virgin Club.  The fan-favorite couple? Many loved Logan and Mia in The Karma Book Club. But my favorite stories to write was definitely The Matchmaker Club and Mean Crush. I had such freedom in writing Mean Crush…and I may have a new favorite couple with Cruel Intent!

HG: What are you working on right now?

KLB: I’m working on finishing up Book 2 of my Unbroken series, Cruel Intent. The heroine of this story is Paige, Tabitha’s best friend from Book 1, Mean Crush. I’d say more, but there is an unexpected twist in the beginning that I don’t want to give away.

HG: The only other thing I haven’t asked you is who your favorite authors and books are!

KLB: For a time, I was really into YA fantasy, dystopian, and paranormal romance such as The Hunger Games, Twilight, Divergent, and still read both YA and adult now in those genres. The first book I’d ever wrote was a YA fantasy (unpublished.) I didn’t read many contemporary romances until I subscribed to Kindle Unlimited. Now I have the luxury to try all kinds of new authors. Some indie authors I enjoy are Max Monroe, Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland (Hate Notes was the first I read by them and loved it!), Vicious by L. J. Shen, R.S. Grey is a fantastic rom com author, and there are so many more talented authors that are too many to name. I like to explore all types of contemporary romance from dark and steamy to light and fun.

Once in a great while, I’ll read a mystery thriller. The last two I’ve read that I really enjoyed: Gone Girl and Girl on a Train.

HG: Where can people who have had their appetites whet find out more?

KLB: You can find me on Facebook, Goodreads, BookBub, Amazon and my website.

Thanks so much to Kayley for taking the time to speak to us, and if you want to read more from her, go and check out the links! Plus, remember that subscribers to Hidden Gems got to read Mean Crush before it was even published on Amazon! If you want FREE copies of the latest books from over 15 different genres, sign up to Hidden Gems today.

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