September 07, 2026

Weekly Spotlight - September Anticipated Reads

 


Tempest
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard comes an epic adventure of love and betrayal, amid a brutal war for the high seas.

May the sea always sing for you
Cat Rose knows what it is to live in two worlds, in two times. Before—as Lady Catrine Rose of the Meridian Empire, chained to a loathsome lord with a dwindling fortune. And after—as the Widow Rose, queen of a pirate tavern in the Lyrian Sea, determined to be the master of her own fate.

But tides turn and winds change. The Meridian Empire looms on the horizon, the full weight of her navy falling on the Lyrian, bent on reclaiming the wealthy colonies and crushing the pirate republic once and for all. Ship after ship is captured, save for one, captained by a pirate who continually evades both noose and blade: the legendary Valerian Kane.

With his fearsome ship and uncanny connection to the song of the sea, Valerian is the only man who might rally the pirates who remain. The only man who threatens the Empire. And the only man Cat has ever loved, blazing in and out of her life like a star.
Desperate for victory, the Empire offers Cat a devastating choice: bring them Valerian or hang. In truth, no choice at all.
But Cat Rose is nothing if not a survivor.

A storm is rising on the Lyrian Sea—the question is, what will it leave in its wake?


 
 
Fallen Rook
From New York Times bestselling author L.J. Shen comes a sizzling age-gap, forbidden MM romance about an FBI agent and the Camorra enforcer who thaws his frozen heart.

Tom
I know a secret that can destroy the most powerful crime organization in America.
For years, I’ve watched Enzo Ferrante get away with murder. Literally.

He’s slipped between the FBI’s fingers time after time, spreading terror and mayhem on the streets of New York, masked beneath a gorgeous face and elegant pedigree.

A sloppy error on his part results in an incident that unexpectedly binds us together.

Suddenly, I’m no longer the special agent who is thirsty for his blood.

I’m his savior. His god. The light in his pitch-black existence.
Now that I caught the social butterfly in my spider web, I’m never letting go.

He is about to taste the venomous kiss of betrayal as I put him and his entire family behind bars for the rest of their lives.

Because when the night falls, the Camorra’s enforcer crawls between my sheets and whispers all his sordid secrets in my ear.
Enzo Ferrante is completely and utterly mine, and no one knows. Not even not his lovely fiancée.



 
Empire
The gripping conclusion to the action-packed, ruthless, and romantic fantasy duology that began with HEIR, from the #1 New York Times bestselling and National Book Award–winning author Sabaa Tahir.

A crumbling empire.
An ancient evil.
A lost homeland.
A lie that could destroy the world.

In the crumbling Martial Empire, crown prince Quil Aquilla and his Aunt Helene are losing a battle against the vicious Kegari horde. Quil’s armies dwindle, his faith falters, and the woman he loves vanished months ago, leaving him broken-hearted. Torn between his duty to his people and his desire to discover Sirsha’s fate, Quil embarks on a dangerous quest for aid—from the most treacherous of allies.

Sirsha Westering finds herself tethered to Div, an ancient evil unleashed by a terrible tragedy. Div delights in tormenting Sirsha, hungering for her magical heart. Even as Sirsha fights for control of her own fate, she is desperate to shield Quil from Div’s destructive power. But Div won’t release Sirsha without a fight. To earn her freedom, Sirsha must uncover Div’s past—and face horrors in her own.

Cero bet-Dafra, former right hand of the Kegari leader Aiz, now finds himself pitted against her. As Aiz slips further into violence and delusion, Cero must discover if his people have any hope of a future or if they’re condemned to an unending cycle of violence. His journey will force him to confront hidden truths, ancient secrets and a lie that could destroy the world.

In Empire, #1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir returns to the expansive world of fury and vengeance of Heir, weaving a story of legacy and rebellion, of loyalty and freedom, and of what it means to confront the monsters that lurk within us all.



 
 
Our Strange Duet
A reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, spotlighting Christine Daaé as she rises to fame while torn between love, ambition, and the haunting secrets of the opera house from #1 New York Times bestselling author Erin A. Craig.

Inspired by Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel, Le Fantôme de L’Opéra, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a mysterious masked figure who lurks beneath the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it.

He falls madly in love with a young soprano, Christine Daaé, and devotes himself to nurturing her extraordinary talents, employing all of the devious methods at his command.

Our Strange Duet centres Christine’s emotional journey and her agency within this sweeping, atmospheric opera.



 
 
Styx - The River
Beginning a generation before Hekate Styx sings the story of the goddess of the underworld river that bears her name…

The firstborn child of Titans, Styx is revered as the first of her kind – until she is eclipsed and forgotten amid her scores of siblings, the Oceanids and the Potamoi.

Coming of age in a world simmering with paranoia and unspoken fear of Kronos, the volatile and unchecked god-king, Styx learns to conceal the rage ignited by her growing disillusionment with her parents and her vain and unkind siblings. Instead, she finds solace and sisterhood in her cousin, Asteria. Together, they train in the arts of creation and magic. And as they seek to learn their divine purpose and their place within the Titanomachy, they discover both the joy sparked by true love and the fierce resilience birthed from motherhood.

In this lyrical and heartrending tale of sisterhood, identity, love, and war, Styx must carve her own path to womanhood – and ultimately, godhood.




 
The Knave and the Moon
Rachel Gillig, the queen of gothic romantasy, returns with higher stakes, darker mysteries, and deeper longings in this gorgeous sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling sensation The Knight and the Moth.

Aisling Cathedral is in ruins. Rodrick Myndacious, Bartholomew, and Maude Bauer are rumored to be dead—and the king has taken Sybil Delling as his bride. To show off their union and solidify his power over Traum, Benji proposes a series of tournaments throughout the hamlets.

Captive and drugged, Sybil remains determined to vanquished him as she once did the Omens, even if she destroys the kingdom’s faith—and herself—in the process.

But then a mysterious knave rises to the top of the lists, a man with no name and no memory who may just be Sybil’s ticket to undoing Benji’s power. For in a land where stories repeat themselves, where a king can prove as cruel as a god, the only way to truly destroy the Stonewater Kingdom’s faith is to save it.




 
Grim Tidings
From #1 New York Times bestselling author B.K. Borison comes a new whimsical, haunting romance. When a runaway grim reaper tries to save a life, she clashes with a skeptical Guardian, forcing them to form an unlikely partnership beyond the grave.
 
Darcy Moore is tired of death. Which would be fine and good ... if she wasn’t a Grim Reaper. Determined to outrun her designation as the villain, Darcy decides she won’t be dragging her next assignment to the underworld. She’ll be saving him instead.
 
Unfortunately for Darcy, there’s a complication in her plan. Guardian Angel Gabriel Aetos doesn’t tolerate threats to his little corner of the world, and a Grim Reaper showing up at his bar is as deadly as it gets. But when he realizes Darcy is not as she seems, Gabriel must decide if he can trust his growing feelings or hold on to his long-standing grudge.
 
But magic doesn’t come without consequences. And the Department of Hauntings & Spirits will eventually come calling for their missing Reaper.
 
A spooky yet simmering enemies-to-lovers tale to keep you warm this fall.

September 03, 2026

Our Strange Duet

 

Our Strange Duet
by Erin A. Craig
  
Book: Stand Alone
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pub Date: September 1, 2026
Genre: Adult, Retelling, Fantasy, Romance
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon  Bookshop  

A reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, spotlighting Christine Daaé as she rises to fame while torn between love, ambition, and the haunting secrets of the opera house from #1 New York Times bestselling author Erin A. Craig.

Inspired by Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel, Le Fantôme de L’Opéra, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a mysterious masked figure who lurks beneath the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it.

He falls madly in love with a young soprano, Christine Daaé, and devotes himself to nurturing her extraordinary talents, employing all of the devious methods at his command.

Our Strange Duet centres Christine’s emotional journey and her agency within this sweeping, atmospheric opera.
 

 

My Review: Erm... 

I have many thoughts on this book and I still don't know if I liked it or not. 

At first, I really liked this book, however, as we get around the 50% mark it starting to fail for me. It became too slow and boring and I had to push myself to drag through the rest of the book. 

Also, there were MANY inaccurate things about the book which was hard to get over. 

I liked Christine, she was a good character, but everyone else fell flat for me. Though, I'm not a fan of the whole a woman gives up everything simply to marry a man and be taken care of. So all your hopes, dreams, wants, etc. go out the window.  Although, there is Raoul who gives off the opposite for Christine. He won't stop her from following her dreams, further her careers, etc. He was even willing to leave the estate after his mother was an absolute horror to Christine. The rest of the girls though were too quick to want to marry and have a man take care of them. 

I tried to push through and there were moments that gave me hope again and then it would come crashing down. This book has the potential to be something amazing but there were too many things that needed to be done and changed to make it so.

While, I didn't exactly hate it, I wouldn't say I loved it either. Kinda like a right book but wrong time situation. 

For those that are fans, I'd say give it a read but go in with caution.


My Rating:
✪✪✪

September 01, 2026

September Reading Challenge

 

Let's get reading! September Reading challenge is here!  

Here is a list of books to help you get started:

Fae:
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Filthy Rich Fae by Geneva Lee
 
Orange Cover:
Arrows and Apologies by Sav R. Miller
Give Up the Night by P.C. & Kristin Cast
Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle


We welcome you to comment with your suggestions and tell us which bingo spot you’re most excited about this month!


Pretty Savage

 


Pretty Savage
by Lexi Davis
 
Book: The Order #2
Publisher: Author
Pub Date: September 10, 2026
Genre: Adult, Dark Romance, Dark Academia, Secret Society
Format: ARC
Source: Author
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon   

Getting sucked into a secret society was bad.

Falling for its ruthless heir was worse.

Now I’m part of a secret society preparing to brand me, bind me to him, and turn our most intimate promise into a public ritual.

Carrson will destroy anyone who threatens me. But the enemy is no longer one man. It’s the world that made him, the father he can’t escape, and the secrets buried in my own blood.

To survive, I have to learn The Order’s rules faster than they can use them against me. I must decide which truths to hide, which alliances to risk, and how far I’m willing to go to claim a future with the man I love.

Carrson thinks he’s the dangerous one.
He’s about to discover I can be savage too.

Pretty Savage is an obsessive secret society dark romance with a ruthless, morally gray hero who is only soft for her, touch-her-and-die possessiveness, dangerous rituals, forced bonding, an us-against-the-world romance, and an increasingly powerful heroine. It is the second book in The Order series and should be read after Pretty Vicious.

Want more from this world? Read the prequel Pretty Ruthless, set thirty years before the events of Pretty Vicious. She’s an outsider on the hunt for answers. He’s the cruel, reluctant ruler who will one day become Carrson’s father. When these two collide, sparks fly and blood spills.

You’re not ready for what happens next.



My Review: I have never been so addicted to a series like this in a LONG time.  

Laurel and Carrson are to be bonded in just a few days and there is so much packed in these few days.  

Picking up where the last book left off, Laurel is let go after Silas and her have a talk. Oddly enough, its about as good as it can go for being kidnapped.  

Laurel walks back home like nothing happened. Only to walk into something else though. Carr is here, Carrson is on the ground badly hurt and then Laurel jumps in and takes the rest of his punishment.  

Like sheesh has this girl been through it today.  

After the whole thing and Laurel and Carrson are back together and catch up, then go on a little adventure to visit her dad. In that short time frame, Carrson sees what its like to just exist like anyone else. Entertained that no one knew who he was and getting a table for dinner was such a highlight. Then seeing and dreaming of a world he wish he could have with Laurel. Then they make it to the rehab where her dad is and everything seems really good. Her dad is doing worlds better and then suddenly Carr shows up and things take a turn. Identities revealed,  truth unfolds and now Laurels world is even more upside-down.  

Now fast forward to the ball and bonding day. CHAOS is everywhere.  From the ball to going out and coming back to violence everywhere. Then bonding day to more chaos and everyone rushing to escape.  

But after all of that? OH BOY are things really shaking up.  

Between the time with Laurel and Rebecca and finally the moment I've been waiting for with Rebecca revealing what she wants to do and if Laurel is in. 

The way Sam stood up for them at the bonding. 

BUT 

The worst part of this book?! The ending, I was screaming ever curse word there is. Lexi, how could you leave it hanging like that?!  What's even worse id that the next book isn't out yet, I just have to know.  

In case you couldn't tell, I loved this book. There wasn't a single thing I didn't love and was so hooked that I didn't realize how fast I devoured this book. Its certainly one of those series I will be pushing in front of folks whenever I can. (And there's very few that I will push hard to get folks to read)  


My Rating:
✪✪✪✪✪

August 31, 2026

Weekly Spotlight - Murder Mystery

 

As Good As Dead
The finale to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series. By the end of this mystery series, you'll never think of good girls the same way again...

Pip is about to head to college, but she is still haunted by the way her last investigation ended. She’s used to online death threats in the wake of her viral true-crime podcast, but she can’t help noticing an anonymous person who keeps asking her: Who will look for you when you’re the one who disappears?

Soon the threats escalate and Pip realizes that someone is following her in real life. When she starts to find connections between her stalker and a local serial killer caught six years ago, she wonders if maybe the wrong man is behind bars.

Police refuse to act, so Pip has only one choice: find the suspect herself—or be the next victim. As the deadly game plays out, Pip discovers that everything in her small town is coming full circle... and if she doesn’t find the answers, this time she will be the one who disappears...


 
 
In the Spirit of French Murder
After moving to France, Tabitha Knight has a new friend in fellow expat and Cordon Bleu student Julia Child, whose culinary tips can come in quite handy. But something’s cooking in postwar Paris, and it isn’t just cheese soufflé…

Tabitha has enjoyed an entertaining afternoon in Julia’s kitchen, but her return home is a bit jarring. As she arrives at her grandfather’s rue de l’Universitémansion, a woman bursts out the door babbling about messages from spirits and a warning Grand-père must heed. Oncle Rafe angrily sends the woman on her way, and neither man will answer Tabitha’s questions.

It’s not the last she sees of the mysterious visitor. While she’s on a date that evening, she’s accosted by her again—and learns that Madame Vierca is a medium who claims to have visions of a dark fate that awaits Grand-père and Oncle Rafe. The very next night, Tabitha’s messieurs host a soiree at their new restaurant, inviting fellow Resistance fighters from the war known as the Nine Bluets. To commemorate the work of the Resistance network, the vase on the dinner table sports nine of the pretty blue flowers.

But shortly after the revelers leave the restaurant, one of Grand-père’s old friends is found dead on the street . . . and one of the nine flowers is missing from the vase. When a second member of the Nine Bluets is found poisoned the next day, and a bluet flower is left with the body, Tabitha cannot ignore Madame Vierca’s frightening predictions about her dear messieurs. She has no choice but to share her suspicions and fears with the enigmatic and unruffled Inspecteur Merveille.

Tabitha soon finds herself caught up in an investigation that takes her and Merveille to the seediest, most dangerous parts of the Left Bank—home of strange, fantastical legends, disquieting events, and unusual people. As she and Merveille desperately try to find a killer, they know they don’t have much time before the rest of the Nine Bluets are targeted . . . including Grand-père and Oncle Rafe.


 
 
A Ghastly Catastrophe
Veronica and Stoker are practically dying for a new adventure but when their wish is granted, they find themselves up against a secret society and a darkly seductive duo in this landmark historical mystery from beloved New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award–nominated author Deanna Raybourn.

When the corpse of an entitled young man is found entirely drained of blood in a carriage next to Highgate Cemetery, Veronica’s interest is piqued. And then a second victim is found, his death made to look like a suicide, and Veronica and her intrepid beau, Stoker, know the hunt is on. The two men share one link: they were both members of a society so secretive that only a singular mention of it can be found anywhere.

Thirsty for more clues, Veronica and Stoker hear that a young Roma boy may know more about their first victim, but the only way to the boy is through an old acquaintance of Stoker’s, Lady Julia Brisbane. Lady Julia and her dashing husband, Nicholas, occasionally track down murderers and are only too happy to help. But as it becomes clear the secret society is a dangerous sect looking to entice immortality seekers, Veronica and Stoker find themselves ensnared by a decidedly more sinister couple.

The professed leader of the society claims to be a creature of the night; his partner practices witchcraft and they both fancy themselves emissaries of the otherworldly. Just as Veronica and Stoker get closer to learning the true purpose of the society and unraveling this macabre mystery, another body turns up, and they quickly discover they’ve gone from being the hunters to the hunted. . . .



 
Deathbringer
For fans of Naomi Novik and Kerri Maniscalco, a dark academia romantasy steeped in necromancy, forbidden love, and a twisty murder mystery set within the perilous halls of a magical institute, as a death mage who hates her magic and a poison mage who hates her are forced to work together to stop a killer before one of them is next.

Born with the ability to speak with the dead, Viola hates her magic. It killed her sister, Olivia, and if she doesn’t learn why, it will kill her too. Her only hope lies within the perilous walls of Gorhail Institute of Magic, where Olivia spent her final days.

There, Viola clashes with Sylas, a poison mage whose magic stems from three magical snakes. Immortal, tormented, and reckless, Sylas is tethered to a life he never asked for and haunted by guilt for his father’s death. His hatred for death mages runs deep, and he’s determined to keep Viola at a distance. But when an attack forces him to heal her, their fates become intertwined by a magical bond that threatens to upend his loyalties—and his common sense.

As more students start turning up dead, Viola and Sylas are drawn into an uneasy alliance that pulls them deeper into Gorhail’s treacherous passageways, where secrets fester beneath the stone and the dead do not rest. And as enemy lines begin to blur and their undeniable attraction grows, Viola and Sylas uncover a chilling someone is hunting mages for their magical relics, and if they can’t uncover the killer in time, Viola will be next.


 
 
The Escape Game
It’s all fun and games until someone ends up dead.

Six months ago, season four of The Escape Game ended in horror when contestant Alicia Angelos was found murdered on set.
Now season five is underway, and new contestants are ready to put their skills to the test solving the show's trickiest escape rooms. There's Adi, the cryptographer; Carter, the math whiz; Beck, the wannabe game master, and . . . Sierra Angelos, the girl who got away with her sister’s murder. Or so everyone believes.

But Sierra’s not just here to win. She’s here for justice.

When the contestants begin uncovering clues that hint at the identity of Alicia’s true killer, it becomes clear that the stakes aren’t high in this competition, they’re deadly. If these teens want to win—and survive—the game, they must solve the biggest mystery of who killed Alicia Angelos?

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer and rising star Tamara Moss comes a twisty thrill-ride, filled with sabotage, betrayal, and puzzles to die for.

August 28, 2026

Book Spotlight - Life Without Fantasies

 

Life Without Fantasies
by Jordin Lea Andrews-Jones 

Lola Baxter has built her life around rules.

After being abandoned by her parents as a teenager, she creates a carefully controlled existence defined by boundaries, routine, and emotional distance. If she can control her surroundings, she believes she can protect herself from ever being hurt again.

Then Nick arrives.

His presence challenges everything Lola believes about safety, attachment, and freedom-and forces her to confront questions about her past that she has spent years avoiding.

But Nick knows things about Lola that he shouldn’t.

As secrets begin to surface, Lola discovers that her carefully constructed life may be connected to something much larger: The Saints, a world built on loyalty, responsibility, legacy, and rules that were never meant to be broken.

What begins as a struggle between control and vulnerability becomes a deeper journey into identity, survival, love, and the price of freedom.

Some rules keep you safe. Others keep you from living.

 

Get the Book!



Author Interview

What does your typical writing routine look like?
I don't really have a conventional writing routine. A lot of my stories begin in my head long before they ever reach the page. I can be going about my day and suddenly have a scene, a character, or an entire idea develop in my mind. Once the story starts taking shape, I tend to become completely absorbed in it and write whenever the ideas are flowing. For me, writing has always been much more about following the story than following a schedule.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
What I enjoy most is getting lost in the world I've created. I love taking an idea that initially exists only in my head and watching it become characters, scenes and eventually a complete story. I also love the freedom of writing because there are no limits to where a story can go. Sometimes even I don't know exactly where my characters are going to take me until I start writing.

Have you ever turned a personal experience into a fictional story?Yes. My writing is often influenced by real experiences and emotions, although I don't always write them literally. Letting Go is much closer to my personal experiences, while Life Without Fantasies allowed me to take themes, emotions and observations from real life and transform them into an entirely fictional story. I think there is something powerful about taking something real and reshaping it into something completely new.

How do you know when a story is “finished”?
That's actually a difficult question for me because I could probably rewrite a story forever. Eventually, I have to reach the point where I'm willing to let it go. I know it's finished when changing something no longer makes the story better—it just makes it different. At that point, I have to trust the story and let the reader have it.

LET’S ADD SOME FUN!


If you could choose three people to invite for a dinner party, who would they be and why?
Sabrina Carpenter – I absolutely love her humour and personality. I think dinner with her would be hilarious, and I have a feeling there would never be a dull moment.


Enid Blyton – Her stories were read to me as a child, so inviting her would feel incredibly special. Her books were part of my childhood and played a small part in my love of stories and reading. I'd love the opportunity to ask her where some of those wonderful worlds and characters came from.

Steve Irwin – He seemed to have such an incredible enthusiasm for life, animals and people. I'd love to sit across the table from someone with that much passion and hear his stories. I imagine the dinner conversation would be completely unpredictable—in the best possible way.

City or country?

It really depends on the location. I love the idea of the country for the peace, space and slower pace, but put me in the right city with good food, interesting places to explore and plenty to do, and I'll happily choose the city. So I think I'm firmly in the “depends where you take me” camp. 😄

Go through a haunted house or attend a murder mystery dinner party?
Murder mystery dinner party. Absolutely. 😂 As someone who writes psychological thrillers, I'd much rather sit around a table trying to work out who did it than voluntarily walk through a haunted house. And I'd probably spend the entire dinner analysing everyone's behaviour instead of actually eating.

LAST, BUT NOT LEAST


Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Readers can find me on social media under JL Andrews-Jones, particularly on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. My books are also available internationally through online retailers and Goodreads.


Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn


 

About the Author
I am a South African author known for writing across multiple genres, driven by a passion for storytelling that explores the depth and complexity of the human experience. I am committed to creating work that challenges, reflects, and resonates with readers beyond a single genre boundary.

At 19, I became medically disabled following surgery, an experience that reshaped my life and perspective. Writing became both a creative outlet and a way for me to rebuild purpose.

I am the author of Letting Go, a reflective work on healing and resilience, and Life Without Fantasies, a psychological thriller exploring identity, power, and truth.

Across my work, my focus remains consistent: to craft meaningful stories that stay with readers and encourage deeper reflection. Based in Gauteng, South Africa, I continue to write, publish independently, and engage with readers through various literary platforms.

August 26, 2026

Book Spotlight - Letting Go

 

Letting Go
by Jordin Lea Andrews-Jones

Letting Go is an intimate reflection on the realities of healing, grief, resilience, acceptance, and personal growth.

Through honest and compassionate reflections, JL Andrews-Jones explores the emotional weight we carry through life’s transitions-the experiences that shape us, the expectations we struggle to release, and the difficult process of learning to move forward.

This is not a promise of instant healing. Instead, Letting Go encourages readers to slow down, reflect, embrace where they are, and recognise that growth can happen at its own pace.

A heartfelt book for anyone navigating change, loss, self-discovery, or the search for hope after difficult seasons.

Feel deeply. Heal slowly. Let go.

 

Get the book! 


 

Author Interview

What does your typical writing routine look like?
I don't really have a conventional writing routine. A lot of my stories begin in my head long before they ever reach the page. I can be going about my day and suddenly have a scene, a character, or an entire idea develop in my mind. Once the story starts taking shape, I tend to become completely absorbed in it and write whenever the ideas are flowing. For me, writing has always been much more about following the story than following a schedule.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
What I enjoy most is getting lost in the world I've created. I love taking an idea that initially exists only in my head and watching it become characters, scenes and eventually a complete story. I also love the freedom of writing because there are no limits to where a story can go. Sometimes even I don't know exactly where my characters are going to take me until I start writing.

Have you ever turned a personal experience into a fictional story?Yes. My writing is often influenced by real experiences and emotions, although I don't always write them literally. Letting Go is much closer to my personal experiences, while Life Without Fantasies allowed me to take themes, emotions and observations from real life and transform them into an entirely fictional story. I think there is something powerful about taking something real and reshaping it into something completely new.

How do you know when a story is “finished”?
That's actually a difficult question for me because I could probably rewrite a story forever. Eventually, I have to reach the point where I'm willing to let it go. I know it's finished when changing something no longer makes the story better—it just makes it different. At that point, I have to trust the story and let the reader have it.

LET’S ADD SOME FUN!


If you could choose three people to invite for a dinner party, who would they be and why?
Sabrina Carpenter – I absolutely love her humour and personality. I think dinner with her would be hilarious, and I have a feeling there would never be a dull moment.


Enid Blyton – Her stories were read to me as a child, so inviting her would feel incredibly special. Her books were part of my childhood and played a small part in my love of stories and reading. I'd love the opportunity to ask her where some of those wonderful worlds and characters came from.

Steve Irwin – He seemed to have such an incredible enthusiasm for life, animals and people. I'd love to sit across the table from someone with that much passion and hear his stories. I imagine the dinner conversation would be completely unpredictable—in the best possible way.

City or country?

It really depends on the location. I love the idea of the country for the peace, space and slower pace, but put me in the right city with good food, interesting places to explore and plenty to do, and I'll happily choose the city. So I think I'm firmly in the “depends where you take me” camp. 😄

Go through a haunted house or attend a murder mystery dinner party?
Murder mystery dinner party. Absolutely. 😂 As someone who writes psychological thrillers, I'd much rather sit around a table trying to work out who did it than voluntarily walk through a haunted house. And I'd probably spend the entire dinner analysing everyone's behaviour instead of actually eating.

LAST, BUT NOT LEAST


Where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Readers can find me on social media under JL Andrews-Jones, particularly on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. My books are also available internationally through online retailers and Goodreads.


Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn


 

About the Author
I am a South African author known for writing across multiple genres, driven by a passion for storytelling that explores the depth and complexity of the human experience.I am committed to creating work that challenges, reflects, and resonates with readers beyond a single genre boundary.

At 19, I became medically disabled following surgery, an experience that reshaped my life and perspective. Writing became both a creative outlet and a way for me to rebuild purpose.

I am the author of Letting Go, a reflective work on healing and resilience, and Life Without Fantasies, a psychological thriller exploring identity, power, and truth.

Across my work, my focus remains consistent: to craft meaningful stories that stay with readers and encourage deeper reflection.Based in Gauteng, South Africa, I continue to write, publish independently, and engage with readers through various literary platforms.