Today we bring you stories from T.A. White and Shalini Abeysekara.
T.A. White
I’ve kind of always been drawn to the art of storytelling. From a very young age, I can remember sitting at my grandparents’ feet and listening to tales of yesteryear. That wonder later manifested into attempting to write ghost stories with my fellow camp goers. I say “attempt” because as children are prone to do, my fellow aspiring writers decided the very next day they wanted to play other games instead. This resulted in what henceforth became known as the cookie fiasco. (I threw the cookies I was passing out at their heads. The camp councilors no longer trusted me with the task of food distribution after that.)
I’d say my true “aha” moment didn’t happen until I was in third grade. My parents came to one of the school open house events. We’d written essays the week prior. When my mom read mine, she exclaimed “it looks like we have a writer in the family”. On some level, I’d known what I wanted for years, but that really put it into words I could grasp and identify with. From then on, I knew that whatever else I became, I would also be a writer.
Fast forward a decade or two and I’m in the military and deployed to Afghanistan. You’d think being in a war zone working long hours would be enough to keep you occupied. Turns out not. There are also only so many books, tv shows and movies that you can consume before you go a little stir crazy. A few months in I decided to do something I’d been talking about for years. I was going to write a book. It wasn’t the first book I wrote, that happened in high school, but it would be the first book I published. Self-publishing was becoming more prominent and feasible and I thought why not.
That book was an abject failure but I didn’t quit. I wrote a second book. That book found an audience. Then they went and read my first book. It’s been a wild ride ever since.
T.A.’s Featured Release
Rules of Redemption
The war everyone thought was over is just beginning.
Kira Forrest is a survivor. She’s risen above the pain of her beginnings to become a war hero only to leave it all behind in the pursuit of a simple life. Now a salvager, she makes a living sifting through the wreckage of dead alien ships from a war that nearly brought humanity to its knees.
After her ship takes damage, she’s forced to re-route to a space station where her past and present collide with dangerous consequences.
Kira’s existence holds the key to a faltering peace treaty with the Tuann—a technologically advanced alien race who dislikes and distrusts all humans. Winning her freedom should be easy, but a powerful and relentless Tuann warrior stands in her way. Deceiving him seems impossible, especially when he strays dangerously close to secrets she struggles to hide.
Can Kira reconcile the pain of her past with the possibilities of her future? The fate of two races depends on her success.
Shalini Abeysekara
There are dreams that you can swipe with your fingertips and those that feel entirely out of reach. Writing was the latter for me. As the eldest daughter of a household swimming below the poverty line, the words ruling my life were “financial stability.” Then came Tolkien.
It was 2012. I’d borrowed the DVD of The Hobbit. Popped it into the family desktop. Fell utterly in love within 15 minutes. That film gave me what Gandalf gave a perplexed Bilbo: the sense that I could dare dream of more. I wanted to create worlds that did the same: give others a moment of respite in their laden lives, and perhaps the strength to keep persevering in them. So, with all the brilliance and gumption of a seventeen-year-old, I began writing.
I’d always been a voracious reader, devouring David Eddings, Lynn Kurland, and Anne McCaffrey at thirteen, then Ilona Andrews themselves (!), Jeaniene Frost, Kresley Cole, and Gena Showalter a couple years later. (Reading PNR earlier than we should have is a canonical event, isn’t it? My mom did side-eye my rotation of covers with shirtless men, but mercifully didn’t forbid me so long as my grades were good.)
I drew maps. I built twelve countries. I wrote a whole book and queried it at eighteen. One year and over three hundred rejections later, I slunk off into the ether to lick my wounds and told myself, “Never again.”
Financial stability returned to ruling my life. I went to law school, checked boxes, navigated the minefield of corporate life while being autistic. All the while, I ignored the writing bug gnawing at me, but life has a funny way of taking you full circle. And lightning miraculously struck twice.
In 2021, I devoured a Korean drama called The Devil Judge with my favourite actor (Ji Sung). I felt seen and heard in a way I never thought possible, and I suddenly wanted to try the entire mad dance again: writing, querying, hoping. So, I did.
This Monster of Mine took shape over fourteen months. I finished it in November of 2022, began querying in January of 2023, got agented in May, and got a book deal in August. The book and its sequel are now out in the world. Portions of that map I drew at eighteen are now in print. I have never been happier. I’ve also never been more anxious!
It’s a lucky author who is on speaking terms with financial stability, and I certainly can’t lay claim to that. This business of writing and dreaming is a crucible. But regardless of where publishing takes me, I’m awed to have gotten to stand on the shoulders of giants, to add my book to the enormous lexicon of works published, to see people genuinely love these characters even more than I do, and to have met my heroes and walked away giddy.
What a privilege. What a dream.
Shalini’s Featured Release
This Monster of Mine
She knows the taste of death. He’ll stoke her hunger for it.
Eighteen-year-old Sarai doesn’t know why someone tried to kill her four years ago, but she does know that her case was closed without justice. Hellbent on vengeance, she returns to the scene of the crime as a Petitor, a prosecutor who can magically detect lies, and is assigned to work with Tetrarch Kadra. Ice-cold and perennially sadistic, Kadra is the most vicious of the four judges who rule the land – and the prime suspect in a string of deaths identical to Sarai’s attempted murder.
Certain of his guilt, Sarai begins a double life: solving cases with Kadra by day and plotting his ruin by night. But Kadra is charming and there’s something alluring about the wrath he wields against the city’s corruption. So, when the evidence she finds embroils her in a deadly political battle, Sarai must also fight against her attraction to Kadra – because despite his growing hold on her heart, his voice matches the only memory she has of her assailant…
A dazzling Ancient Rome-inspired romantasy debut, This Monster of Mine is a bloodbath of manipulation, deception, and forbidden love.
Read previous posts in this series: The Moment Everything Changed.
I love T.A. White. I’ve already read this new book in the series and I highly recommend.
I love T.A. White too! I’m so glad they got featured here on the blog the BDH is going to love their characters!
Certified first, in case you are playing 🙂
adjacent topic:
I appreciate your website search function so much. You all cater to the horde so sweetly!
🙂 So glad to see it used!
T.A. White was mentioned a few years ago in one of the blogs posts on this site where the BDH was encouraged to name other authors that they liked. I think I binged all the Kira books that were available at the time, then I binged all the rest of T.A.’s books. I love her stuff. I reread her books as often as I reread HA’s.
I was one of those mentioning TH White back in the day under that post. Super happy that you ended up liking it!
You guys and TA White are my favourite authors by far ❤️
This is a lovely little blog series.
Thank you for it. It’s not only a pleasure to read, but has introduced me to some (new to me) authors.
First?!?!?
So close, but not today. Thank you for sharing these glimpses. I love finding out how people decide to chase their dreams.
I love T. A. White! I was actually introduced to her from a blog post on here for Pathfinder’s Way.
Same!! I love that book.
I love these posts and HA book recs. I always find great new reads and authors this way.
+1
love all her stuff
Me too!
Same!! Love that series and her other series!!!
Oooo these are SO GOOD! What an awesome set of authors. This Monster of Mine is in my “must buy on payday” list – excitement!!!! New book day is coming *grabbyhands*
Also TA White is a re-read author for me. Loving Botanical Mischief, which you can read standalone. That said, if you the Firebird Chronicles first, it makes it sooo much better!!!
Timing is everything. Had just passed over This Monster of Mine in the Libby app thinking not really in the mood for another revenge story. But going back to nab it after hearing more about the author.
Oh you should! This Monster of Mine is easily one of the most gripping books I have read!
I love TA White books, especially the Firebird Chronicles and Pathfinder’s Way! So happy to see them featured here and get more exposure! I learned about them from the IA book recommendations thread ❤️
T.A. White is my favorite author after House Andrews. Love the Kira series! Pat Briggs is a close third – looking forward to the new A&O book!
I’m looking forward to the new Alpha and Omega book too.
Ditto to both statements.
I love the Firebird Chronicles from T. A. White. It should appeal to Kate Daniels fans with its strong lead female, great cast of characters, action/suspense, great world building and a slow build romantic relationship.
I need to check out This Monster of Mine. Ordered on KU. Thanks!
Just started reading This Monster of Mine last night (which I bought based on a prior mention on this blog.) It’s so good so far!
Thank you for your always reliable recommendations and mentions of other authors Ilona! 😁
[off to look into adding a TA White book to my ever growing TBR stack! Too many books, too little time….what a truly lovely problem to have!!! 🥰💕💕]
I love T.A. Whites books 💕 One day I write a book inspired by Hose Andrews and T.A. White.
Thank you. I think I will check out theses authors.
Thank you for the author recommendations.
Thanks to Ilona Andrews, when she recommended Pathfinder’s Way, I discovered TA White—and devoured the Broken Lands first, then Firebird Chronicles, then Aileen Travers, the Dragon Ridden, and every scrap she has written! Thanks, Ilona!💜💜💜
love TA White and read all her books i think, she is also gotten better and better, the dragon rider series can be a bit to complex and “what the h… is that” I felt but i love Kira and her whole crew and also the Pathfinder series is a favorite.
– have not heard of the second one but will check it out.
What a brilliant and wonderful way to introduce writers to BDH! Not only good for the horde but also a great opportunity for writers themselves to acquire new fans and increase book sales.
Add me to the TA White love train. Firebird is one of my favs, but I’ve enjoyed ALLLLL the things of hers. Very grabby hands when a book comes out. Totally an auto-buy for me.
This Monster of Mine is the one where I read the description initially as dork (rather than dark) romantasy. I’ve adjusted my dork expectations accordingly and look forward to reading it.
Heads up for those of us in the Horde who haven’t read any of T.A. White’s books and have a Nook, Barnes and Noble have a lot of her e-books at a really low price. Check out the site for prices.
Why did I just hear a loud, thundering gasp from the Horde just now? 🤣🤣🤣🤔
Good watching out for the Horde!! Never read anything yet from either of these well-recommended authors. Gotta go to catch a deal, lol. Thank you!!
I just discovered TA White in Invoking Mischief. It was so good I had to go back and start the whole series from the beginning. It didn’t hurt that her blog is almost as good as yours.
She has a BLOG? I somehow missed that. I’m scurrying over to sign up now.
T.A White is amazing and the world building is amazing, if you have nit given her a try please do. All her series are great
Thank you!! Love hearing from these amazing authors!!
I love T.A. White. I’ve read all of her series and she is an amazing writer! Great world builder.
Shalini’s book sounds really interesting. I find that a lot of fantasy books don’t discuss the judicial branch/mechanisms in worldbuilding (like it’s just a royal/city council deciding everything).
These “behind the scenes” stories of authors are so interesting! And I’ll now be adding both to my TBR list.
ditto-Love everything TA White.
My dream was House IA interviewing TA White -this is the next best thing, in addition to Kira’s Firebird chronicals, The Gus Nevella, & the new series in the works.
Thank you House IA.
I love T.A. White- especially her Pathfinder series!
These are always so fun to read. Thank you to both authors for sharing pieces of your journey!
another T.A. White fan for all her series, and now a new author, Shalini Abeysekara, to start book devouring. Today is a good day to read !
Thank you for these! I love getting glimpses into how other authors got started.
Off topic, I got my vellum today and it is AMAZING! Loving everything about it all. Glad I got both sets (white border and no border). There are slight differences, but they are both lovely. Another author I like has a pre-order for a special edition right now and you can get vellum in one of the tiers (or added on) and I’m here for the vellum trend. I really hope it continues to be a thing for books!
Yay, so happy everything arrived safely and you love them!
I just finished Monster of Mine on vacation and loved it. Just bought book 2 of the duology 🙂
love TA White too!
Almost done with “This Monster”. Will definitely be picking up the sequel. Although the first couple of chapters were involved with world building as expected, the story quickly picks up and I can’t wait to get back to finish it tonight!
Love TA White and also a new author to check out! ❤️
I love T.A. White’s series, they really build as the story continues and there are multiple twists and turns that you don’t expect. Highly recommended.
Also, how did I not know the latest story in the Firebird Series was out in May?! Now I get to re-read the series again to catch up.
Ok, but I need to know, is This Monster of Mine a HEA? You can email me if you like. I want to read but I deal with human problems all day long and most are not HEA.
Have always loved T A White, I clearly have some catching up to do as books have been written I have missed (rubs hands gleefully).
Finished Monster and really enjoyed the world building, will get the next book.
I love T A White!
I devoured Rules of Redemption and never looked back. I adore all her series.
I am in the middle of This Monster of Mine after it was recommended here. 🙂
I am currently about halfway through ‘This Monster of Mine’ and am absolutely hooked! Thank goodness the second book in the series is already out…
I love these posts! It’s so interesting to read how other Authors started out (and didn’t give up!)and we also get book devouring recommendations at the same time. Thank you!!! I already bought Shalini’s first book but never tried TA White’s books yet (how did that happen???!!!!!) so I’ll go search them out 😊💗📘
This Monster has a sequel? And it’s out now? Wait… what???
T.A. White has been a favorite of mine for years.
I love T.A White! I just read Botanical Mischief, a spin-off of the firebird series and I hope there are more books about Gus! My favourite book of her’s is Pathfinder’s Way
Have loved T.A. White since Ilona first recommended her! Kira’s series is definitely my fave, but I really do love all of them. Each world is so unique! I have been wanting to read Shalini’s book since the panel in Columbus, just haven’t made it to the bookstore yet. Thanks for featuring such great authors!!
I really am enjoying this featured author series. We get book recs and insights into how these authors finally got published. Spark and persistence! Thank you!
I’m all set for a TA White reread with a new spin off at the end and placed a hold on This Monster. Thanks for all the recommendations!
Live this Series! Thank you for recommending other authors!
I already am a huge fan of T.A White and I’m going to check out Shalini.
While reading about the struggles of writers I am amazed that we still got so many good books – I mean, I couldn’t put up with the stress. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SACRIFICES AND YOUR ENDURANCE!
Love this Series! Thank you for recommending other authors!
I already am a huge fan of T.A White and I’m going to check out Shalini.
While reading about the struggles of writers I am amazed that we still got so many good books – I mean, I couldn’t put up with the stress. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SACRIFICES AND YOUR ENDURANCE!
I’ve been reading T.A since the beginning lol I didnt understand why dragon ridden didnt do well. I was like of I love fantasy then what that’s not just fantasy let’s throw in some scifi. I’ve better a few of her books. and
Im pretty sure she’s like hold on to the enthusiasm woman. Thanks for spreading the word on other authors. won’t detract from our hordish tendencies but hey we can spread the obsessi…err love.
Thank you!
I am a TA White reader I have some books in wish list others I listened to and loved
I recently DEVOURED the Broken Lands series. So good. And a great slow burn for those who like that thread of romantic plot like me. Highly recommend!
Love T.A. White, read quite a few of her series, my fav is the Firebird Chronicles cause I read it first, and the new spinoff Botanical Mischief was good too.
Also bought This Monster of Mine and I’m looking forward to reading it, haven’t had time yet 🙂
I am addicted to TA White’s Firebird Chronicles. I have the ebooks, and the audiobooks. And they’re on constant re-read. I wish I could find more svi-fi like these: not buried in technobabble, thankfully lacking an overblown concept of aristocracy, a slow burn on the side romance. Great, robust characters, found family, interesting story universe with political nuance and interconnected tensions but not overly buried in bureacracy, and not everything is as it first appears.
I LOVE TA White!
I started This Monster of Mine this week. I’m loving it.
I believe I first learned about TA White a few years ago on this very blog. I listened to the Rules of Redemption (first in the Firebird Chronicles). It took me a bit to get used to the narrator’s style (love it now) but I was definitely hooked on the story. The Firebird Chronicles is one of my TOP favorite series. (Now I know why the military parts have depth and seem so authentic!) This series is an automatic buy in ebook then audio as soon as it is available. I cannot rave about the world building and storyline enough. I have re-listened to the entire series multiple times and it is one of my go tos for listening in the car (I listen to audiobooks instead of music).
Another of Ms. White’s series that had me hooked was The Broken Lands. TOTALLY different world. Still fantastic. Another of my multiple listens.
Ms. Abeysekara is new to me but I love finding books by neurodivergent authors or with neurodivergent representation so I’m excited to put this on my TBR.
I love TA White’s other series and I’d love reading the Firebird Chronicles IF the first two books weren’t removed from the Kindle store. I’m not starting a Series at Book 3, sorry.