Patricia Leslie

Urban fantasy is a type of speculative fiction set in “real worlds” with fantasy elements. You might prefer storyline and characters that flirt with the paranormal. Perhaps you're more interested in Science Fiction or magic realism. Whichever genre you prefer, urban fantasy writers have it covered. If you'd like to try your hand and at writing in this genre, simply follow these step by step instructions to get started with your first urban fantasy novel or short story. 1. Loc

I use a lot of traditional hearth magic in my stories. It's often recognised as witchcraft, but to an outsider who doesn't understand or who has differing beliefs, witchcraft is more an accusation hurled to belittle, alienate, and hurt. Looking around at various belief systems it seems that contemporary religious types often refer to pagan or indigenous practices as witchcraft: placing them on the primitive, or worse, ignorant superstition shelf. Primitive and tradition do no

I have a problem; reading. I love to read, preferably fiction, but anything that catches my attention is fair game. I like reading more than nearly anything else including writing. There. I’ve said it. It’s off my chest and I feel better. Now I’m off back to the book I’m part way throwing the… just kidding. I’ve just finished reading a novel, which is why I felt the need for this confession. I was meant to be writing this afternoon, not reading, and I can’t use my well worn e

Some people only ever read one genre, others might have two or three, yet others will read absolutely anything they can get hold of (like me). So, I asked my captured... I mean, friendly group of readers whether or not they read across genres or were loyal to the core readers of one genre and one genre only? Catherine Donald is a lover of challenges! She says, I love reading across genres. The last couple of years I’ve undertaken reading challenges to widen what I read and ex

Heart of Brass is a fun, historical steampunk fantasy set across London and Australia in the 1850s. Author, Felicity Banks has managed to combine all the elements of a great story in such an innovative way, the series as a whole is destined to take pride of place in everyone’s family fantasy collection. Emmaline Muchamore is a well-bred young woman from an eccentric London family. Determined to move past the stain on their reputation (and economic status) brought about by the

Review: Asena Blessed by Tracy M Joyce Publisher: Odyssey Books, Canberra Epic fantasy book 2 of a series and before you start, book 3 isn't due out until 2017. If you're reading this review and it is 2017; perfect! You won't have long to wait. If you're in 2018, even better, no wait at all. You may as well buy book 3 at the same time as no. 2 because waiting is terrible! You are not going to want to wait. I'm starting with the end in this review. I approached the last few ch