Ink and Magic

Heart of Obsidian peels back the layers of a seemingly impenetrable character to reveal the heart beneath the obsidian exterior of Counselor Kaleb Krycheck. Singh masterfully crafts a tale of redemption, power, and unwavering devotion set against the backdrop of a world teetering on the brink of monumental change.  In this episode, we discuss how Heart of Obsidian shifts the paradigm of heroism, p...

You will get taken on a journey, possibly against your will, in this discussion of dark romance with bestselling author Skye Warren. It’s more than just the non-consent and power dynamics that make readers of the genre rabid. Learn why Skye insists dark romance is feminist literature, and see if you agree! Skye recommends if you want to try out a dark romance, start with her book The Pawn which yo...

In this episode, we dive into Tangle of Need, which focuses on Adria, a strong-willed Snow Dancer wolf going through a bad break up of her chosen life partner, and Riaz, a lone wolf battling the torment of a lost fated mate bond. As they grapple with their unexpected and intense connection, the story explores themes of love's resilience, the struggle for identity within the confines of pack law, a...

Today, we discuss the crux of romantic comedies: the deception and the revelation.  Ines postulates that there are four types of Romantic Comedy Deceptions: the Merry War, Identity Deception, Bet or Wager Deception, and the Magic Potion Deception. Each of these deceptions creates obstacles for the characters to overcome on their journey to finding true love. The eventual revelation and resolution...

We finally take a bite out of Kiss of Snow, where the fierce and resilient Sienna Lauren, a young Psy defector, and the powerful alpha wolf, Hawke, are caught in a tumultuous dance of forbidden desire. Their undeniable attraction threatens to ignite the world, but first they’ll be tested by the coldest of wars and the fiercest of passions.  Join us as we explore the intricate dynamics of inner and...

We sit down with Sacha Black, author of 13 Steps to Evil and explore the art of crafting multifaceted villains and the process of transforming them into heroes. Sacha shares her expert tips and strategies to create the perfect foil to your protagonist, as well as the choices necessary to turn a villain into a hero.    Join us as we uncover the secrets to bringing your literary adversaries to life...

Ready to play? We’re back in the SnowDancer wolf pack with Play of Passion. The dominance challenge is on when the budding romance between Indigo Riviere, a high-ranking and fiercely independent wolf lieutenant, and Andrew Kincaid, a charismatic and playful tracker, challenges pack dynamics and their own deeply ingrained beliefs about hierarchy and strength.    Grab your copy of Play of Passion he...

Leslye and Ines talk about unconventional plotting, 150 word blurbs, and television versus novel structure across all genres with the Fairy Plot Mother. In this magical conversation, you’ll see how Becca Mysoor earned her storytelling wand by helping to craft some of today’s best selling stories! Need some Plot Fairy dust sprinkled on your manuscript or want to go on a writing retreat with Becca?...

Bonds of Justice, book 8 in Psy-Changeling, introduces us to a dedicated New York police detective with a natural shield against psychic powers and a Justice-Psy with the rare ability to retrieve memories. Singh skillfully weaves a narrative that is as much about solving a crime as it is about exploring the depths of human emotion and connection. Join us as we unpack the layers of this multifacete...

In this week’s episode, Leslye and Ines have a chat with bestselling author Sarra Cannon , who is famous for her twists and turns between chapters and at the ends of her paranormal books. Explore the craft of endings through music composition, TV breaks, and cliffhangers. Wanna experience Sarra’s world for yourself? Try out her Shadow Demons Saga: https://amzn.to/49oChkN   Need help organizing you...

In Blaze of Memory, we leave the Changeling world for the cities of the humans where a Psy has been dumped on the Shine Foundation's doorstep. Dev Santos has to uncover who Katya is but with her memory loss she might not only be a danger to herself, she might be a danger to everything he’s built... including his heart.   Grab your copy of Blaze of Memory here: https://amzn.to/3RwMynb Sign up for a...

In this week’s episode we talk with fellow craft enthusiast and master story baker Theodora Taylor. Her book 7 FIGURE FICTION: How to Use Universal Fantasy to SELL Your Books to ANYONE took the author world by fire as she taught us all how to baste our stories in butter to make them universally fantastic.  Theodora discusses how to steep your stories in Universal Fantasies TM which keep readers hu...

This week it’s dominant versus dominant as we delve into the intense relationship between Mercy, a high-ranking leopard changeling, and Riley, a wolf changeling with an equally strong personality. Their romance is marked by a fierce, passionate dynamic that challenges both characters' deeply held beliefs and pack loyalties.   Grab your copy of Branded by Fire here: https://amzn.to/3RwMynb   Sign u...

This week, we breakdown Ines’s favorite trope to write: the Marriage of Convenience story (MoC), where characters marry for reasons other than love, such as financial gain or social necessity.  Forget something borrowed or blue, Ines presents her Seven Must-haves to Successfully Pull Off a MoC as she and Leslye explore this compelling romantic trope, its enduring appeal, and its reflection of chan...

Though the cover to Hostage to Pleasure will mislead you about M-Psy Ashaya Aleine, leopard changeling Dorian Christensen is ready to set her straight. Their paths intertwine in a story of forbidden attraction and political intrigue against the backdrop of a society where emotions are suppressed, and shifting abilities are latent. Ready to get lost in this gripping tale of love, rebellion, and the...

In this episode, Leslye and Ines break down the necessary elements of First Scenes and First Lines. Want to see how we cracked the code to awesome beginnings? Curl up and listen close!   Grab K.M. Weiland’s Structuring Your Novel for tips on crafting your first scenes here: https://amzn.to/3RXzad9   We love the movies too, but have you ever read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice? Check it out: htt...

Our discussion of Mine to Possess includes all the trigger warnings! This novel takes us on a journey through the turbulent reunion and uncovering of long-buried secrets of Clay, a leopard changeling with a troubled past, and Tally, a human with deep emotional scars and a mysterious connection to the Psy.   Grab your copy of Mine to Possess here: https://amzn.to/40SBchm   Sign up for author Nalini...

In this episode, we’re exploring an exciting trend of narratives featuring strong heroines who rescue themselves, and the supportive heroes who love them for it.  Gone are the days of damsels in distress waiting for a hero; today's romance stories are about empowered women charting their own destinies, creating community, and finding partners who respect and admire their strength.    Want to read...

As we break down Caressed by Ice, we delve into a story where the cold world of the Psy meets the fiery realm of the Changelings. We also explore the complex dynamics between the emotionally suppressed Psy and the sensually alive Changelings, focusing on the intriguing bond between Brenna, a wolf changeling recovering from a traumatic ordeal, and Judd, a Psy assassin trained to feel nothing.    Gr...

Today's topic is one that sets our hearts racing and pages turning: the Enemies to Lovers trope. We dissect some of the most iconic enemies to lovers stories in literature and on screen and dive deep into the intoxicating dance of characters who start off at odds, only to find their hearts entwined as the story unfolds and explore why this trope captures our imaginations and keeps us hooked, from...

Join us as we discuss how Singh expertly crafts a narrative that's not just a tale of forbidden love, but also a compelling commentary on freedom, identity, and the nature of emotion. From the nuanced development of characters to the richly detailed setting, Visions of Heat offers a masterclass in building a captivating paranormal world. Grab your copy of Visions of Heat here: https://amzn.to/40Yh...

In our second episode, we take a hard look at the quintessential romance hero: Fitzwilliam Darcy and how his character has crafted so many that came after him in what Ines (not Leslye!) likes to call the Darcy Arc. Ines postulates that the Darcy Arc can be found in the evolution of characters like Edward Cullen from Twilight and Christian Grey from Fifty Shades of Grey. These characters begin as m...

It's the kick-off episode of the Ink and Magic podcast!!  We're starting with a dream of a book Slave to Sensation which, coincidentally, also includes some steamy sex dreams!  In our first foray into the Psy-Changeing world, where emotions are forbidden and the wildest of passions take center stage, we meet the pivotal characters of Sascha Duncan, a Psy struggling with her feelings, and Lucas Hun...

Meet your hosts Ines Johnson and L. Penelope and learn what the Ink & Magic podcast is all about and why you should tune in. Find us at https://inkandmagic.net/   Credits: "Moonlight Hall" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License .