When I sat down to write Kingdomless I didn’t have any experience with crafting fantasy novels. So I started with a basic outline of where I wanted the story to go, but as I got further into the characters and plot it became obvious that I was following a “map”, if you will. So the best advice I got was from a dear friend who told me to abandon the ship. She suggested that some of her favorite authors don’t always follow a plan and allow the book to take on its own journey. Also, if everything works out “perfectly” then there’s not always a reason to turn the next page.

 I went home after that dinner with my friend and frowned as I explained to my husband that I had to sit down and “wreck my book”. Of course it didn’t wreck my book, it made it more dynamic and opened up the plot for things I hadn’t even considered, but for that one hour that I digested my friend’s advice I had to mourn the storyline that I had crafted that would never see the light of day. Now, I’m incredibly grateful to her.

 Kingdomless will definitely take you on an emotional journey, but the plot twists are sandwiched with witty banter and swoon worthy moments. Readers often comment on how quickly they read the book because each chapter ends with you wanting to keep reading. So to any budding authors out there, go ahead and wreck your book. It may just pay off in the end.

 My debut novel Kingdomless is out now and the second book in the series will be released on July 21, 2022.

 MY REVIEW
Kingdomless is a young adult fantasy novel set in the United Kingdom of Garth. A young woman named Raelle was found washed up on shore and has no memory of anything prior to her being rescued by the king. She's brought in and made a part of the family, and her three brothers adore her. But her stepmother does not like her. At all. And on her 19th birthday, her stepmother sends her away. This event sets off the rest of the story, which follows Raelle as she slowly starts to get her memory back and learns more about herself and the kingdom. And not all of it is good.
I really enjoyed this book. It's engaging and easy to get lost in. There are some twists and turns along the way, which keep it exciting and fun. The world-building is wonderful and really shines through. The imagery it evokes is easy to picture, and it makes you feel as though you're in Garth right along with Raelle.
There's action, romance, and at the heart of things, a coming of age story that will make you smile. The dialogue is entertaining at times. The plot flows nicely. And the characters are mostly likeable. 
While I did think the book was a little long for what it was, and it was a little slow in a few spots, I found myself immersed within the pages and delighted with how it all played out. The ending isn't a cliffhanger, but it does leave some unanswered questions that will hopefully be tackled in the next book. I know I'm looking forward to it.
4 stars!