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Hello lovely book angels (and demons)!

I apologize for the significant hiatus that I have been on these last couple of months. Life has been throwing me one curve ball after the other, but I think I’ve finally learned how to juggle. I’ve been dealing with car problems, pet issues, and a big move that made me downsize my book collection. It broke my heart, but when moving into a smaller space, I had to make a few tough choices and ended up severing ties with newly 120 books…and there’s still more to be culled!

In the midst of all of this, I have been reading like a maniac. I want to read the books before actually getting rid of them so I have been devouring one after the next.

Here are a select few that have made an impression on me thus far:

• Godkiller. An epic fantasy that is inclusive, gripping, relatable, and one of the most beautiful reads I have come across in a while. In this books, gods are real, both big and small, and our main character is on a mission to sever the bond between one young girl and a little god. There is so much more to this story, but believe me when I tell you, you’re going to love it.

• Dark Water Daughter. If you know me, you know I am obsessed with HM Long’s work. Dark Water Daughter is her newest release that I had the privilege to read as an ARC and get an advanced copy of the audiobook. Both were absolutely exceptional. Long does an incredible job of creating her own lore and I was obsessed with this pirate fantasy that is going to give those similar in the genre, a run for their money!

• Knot So Lucky. This spicy romance is well outside of my genre, and yet I ate it up. This book is red hot that will make even the most experienced smut readers blush. Not only that, but this book is funny as hell! I found myself laughing out loud multiple times as Elenor found herself in wild situations. I highly recommend this if you’re looking for something new and fun to read. #knotyourmomsvegastrip

• The Fall of Souls. Easily my favorite indie read so far. Not just of the year, but in general. This is a beautiful Nubian romance that had me hooked from the very first page. I’ve always had an obsession with Egyptian mythology and their gods, but this took it all to the next level. I’m looking forward to Moreau’s next book.

• One Dark Window. What I loved most about this book was the unique magic system. I haven’t come across a book yet that uses cards and the way certain elements came to life was brilliant. I enjoyed each of the characters, though the Nightmare was probably my favorite.

• Fourth Wing. I think it is safe to say that this has been everyone’s favorite read of the year. While it is not my five, it was a lot of fun. What I enjoyed most about this book is the nostalgia that came with it. As a little girl, I was obsessed with dragons. I drew about them, I read about them, and soon I started writing my own stories with them. I understand this is Yarro’s first fantasy, and I think that is another thing that makes it so easy for readers to enjoy. This isn’t your typical epic fantasy that will turn readers off because of the world building and odd character names- this is a book for everyone! While the Scottish Gaelic names can be a bit hard to pronounce (there are plenty of Youtube videos to guide you), the world building is limited, and the characters and their choices are easy to follow.

Let me know below if you have read any of these or intend to. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Summertime Updates

Summer is finally here to stay in the sunny and breezy Lowcountry! That means it is a beautiful season to get outside to read and write.

Outside of working on the prequel to the Revelation series, I have been doing a lot of reading. My current obsession is Cassiel’s Servant by Jacqueline Carey. If you know me, you’ll know I am obsessed with her series Kushiel’s Legacy (Kushiel’s Dart being the first in the trilogy). This new installment takes place from Joscelin’s POV, combing all three stories into one. While it is not as exciting as Phedre’s voice, it is still beautiful and captivating nonetheless. It feels good to have fallen back into the world of Terre D’Ange!

In addition to cramming my head with words and stories, I am thrilled to announce that I have taken over the social media and marketing department for Trade A Book, a local bookstore in Mt. Pleasant, SC. My step-aunt has run this business for the last 33 years. I fell in love with it as a little girl, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve seen that though it does well, it still has more potential. It’s been exciting introducing new readers to this hidden gem. Within the first month of taking over the web, we saw a 33% increase in foot traffic. And it has bene steadily climbing!

Marketing has gone so well, I’ve also opened my book to take on 2-3 more businesses next month. Ideally, I would like to work with other small business and creatives.

And I know some of you are wondering, where do I find the time? I honestly have no clue! Between working a full time job, writing, working with animals, and now this, I can feel a bit sparse. But I can say without a doubt it is all absolutely worth it.

I am looking to setting up a local signing in the next couple of months. I have been trying to narrow locations down. In the meantime, be sure to check out my events page. I will be a featured author at Sinful Signings this Fall and Velaris Starfall Ball May 2024. You are always welcome to reach out to your local bookstores to request I be featured there as well. Sometimes a little extra outside help goes a long way!

That's all for now. Keep an eye out for more updates on my Instagram and TikTok: @shewriteswithknives

All the best,

Paige

News for April 2023

Whoo! March was a busy month.

I’m glad things have finally calmed down where I can get back in front of my computer to write. At the beginning of the month I met some of you in Rock Hill, SC at Springtime Blooms. It was so wonderful to meet each of you at this indie author event! I also met YA author Marissa Serro. her debut novel Seeking Nessabella is perfect for young adults who love fantasy and adults that are looking for something nostalgic.

In case you haven’t stayed up to date on my social media accounts (@shewriteswithknives), I have been hard at work on the prequel to the Revelation series. This story follows a young woman named, Ezra and takes place in Tartarus. In this dark tale the biggest question will finally be answered: How did the demons come to Earth? I am excited to get this into your clutches. Ezra’s story has opened so many doors to new stories and it has been killing me to post pone writing them. Not to mention, Leah’s third book still holds precedence.

I also wanted to remind everyone to mark their calendars for upcoming signings and Charleston events that I will be in attendance.

EVENTS

- April 29, 2023: Independent Bookstore Day at Itinerant Literate Books from 11A-7P

- May 19-21: The BIG Book Sale at Omar Shine Auditorium in Mt. Pleasant, SC 12-5P

- September 15-18, 2023: Sinful Signings in Roanoke, VA

- May 25, 2024: Velaris Starfall Ball in Larkspur, CO.

I am beyond and excited and grateful to be apart of these upcoming events. I would love to meet each and every one of you, so if I’m in your area, be sure to come out!

Last, but certainly not least, I will be traveling back to California in May to hike Yosemite. It has been on my bucket list for years to see this magnificent national park. I’ve acquired John Muir’s The Yosemite to help get my spirit ready. I also intend to take my camera with me, so be on the lookout for photos on both my author and photography page that first week of May. 

Thank you all for your strong support and attention. I’ve noticed After the Bees has been receiving a lot more traffic lately and I only have you wonderful readers to thank. Without you, none of this would be possible.

Take care and I’ll write to you soon!

Allison Paige

Oh No! This is your last chance to get a copy!!!

Happy Tuesday! There are just three days left to preorder the paperback of Through High Waters.

Place your order through Kickstarter here.

To everyone that has backed this project thank you. This has been such a wonderful experience and you all have gone above and beyond. I appreciate your contributions as well as your willingness to spread the word about Leah and Raum.

Once this Kickstarter comes to an end, all pre-orders will be held through Amazon. It is only through Kickstarter that you can receive extra goodies such as bookmarks, character art, an ozien necklace, and even the opportunity to be written as a character in my next book.

In addition to all of this wonderful news, I have also started booking signings! Currently, everything is being held in Charleston. As things progress I will be looking to branch up state or even out of state. Let me know if you have any recommendations I would be happy to consider. You can follow along on my tour through my event page.

Thank you for your continued support and for tagging along on this journey.

Talk to you soon!

Best,

Allison Paige

ARCs, Pre-Orders, and MORE

Good morning and happy Tuesday!

We are a couple of weeks away from the presale for Through High Waters, the highly anticipated sequel to After the Bees.

Here is a refresher of what to expect in this next novel:

Leah has done everything she can do to escape the demon apocalypse that havocs Earth, including dying. When Raum revives Leah, it is not just for the simple pleasure of it, but to hunt down the man that killed her, Sebastian.

The three become unlikely companions when they are taken into Pethaino, a city that has not succumbed to the return of the bees. Led by a ruthless king, it is a kingdom where only the wicked thrive and even demons are expendable. Within the fortress lies power that could very well shift the tides of humanity’s fate and restore Hell’s order.

As the Pacific coast rises, threatening the dark sanctuary, Leah must make a decision that forces her to choose between her freedom and Sebastian’s. Where even her loyalty to Raum is tested and tried. Is her life worth more than theirs? And if it is, what price is she willing to pay for it? 

There will be two separate pre-orders; one for the physical paperback and physical goodies and one for ebooks and e-goodies. As much as I would like, I unfortunately cannot ship everywhere in the world. I wanted to make it fair to my readers who are outside of the US and CAN. There will be separate incentives for each.

Ebook preorders will be open on Amazon while all paperback copies will be available through Kickstarter.

I have also started to post events. The first is my release party which will take place in Charleston, SC at The Purple Buffalo. You can visit my event tab for more info. Book signings are on their way.

And last, but certainly not least, ARC reviews have started to come in. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful team. Your support and work mean the world to me. I couldn’t do this without you. I am still looking for additional reviewers, so comment below with your interest and I will get a copy to you!

Interview with South Carolina Voyager

Hello everyone!

I’ve been quiet for a little bit while I work on “Through High Waters” and a sister novel to the Revelation Trilogy. I also recently got back from a trip to Monterey, CA this week. I have to say, the area surrounding Monterey is one of the most visually stunning places I have ever visited. It reminds me much of the coast of Ireland, a place that I consider to be home. Not only is the ocean and rocky shores breathtaking, but the amount of wildlife is outstanding. On my last trip to Monterey I saw sea lions, harbor seals, sea urchins, starfish, dolphins, grey whales, several species of raptors, and deer. On this trip there was a little bit less, but just as exciting. My favorites have to be the sea lions that hang out at the wharf.

The sea lions have given me plenty more inspiration for a novel I intend to write about selkies. That is further down the road, but that itch has become a bit stronger to get the words out now that I’ve seen them in person. They’re funny to watch and one of the more unique animals I’ve had the chance of seeing in the wild.

The main reason I wanted to write this blog post though is this:
I am so excited to share with you all my first interview through South Carolina Voyager. Their job is to go throughout the state and find “hidden gems” and share with the community. You can read the article below to learn more about how I started writing and what I was doing prior, like photography!

LINK: South Carolina Voyager Interview

Be on the lookout for my next post where I’ll reveal the cover of “Through High Waters”!

Happy Wednesday!

Paige

The Conflict of Raum

I get a lot of comments from my readers how conflicted they are towards Raum. He is the kind of evil that you cannot only accept, but forgive him for his wickedness. What makes Raum evil isn't just the fact that he is a demon, it's how manipulative and very human he can be.

Raum is modeled after every toxic relationship I've ever been in. That's not to say the men of my past are evil, but a lot of them were not good and truth be told, some of them have done terrible things. I see many people fall into similar relationships. Movies and books romanticize mental and physical abuse. Toxicity is not something to be sought after. And yet, we do. We crave it. There is something lush and dangerous about loving someone who has the power to hurt us.

Let me be clear that After the Bees is not a romance, though Raum tries time and again to make Leah believe she is in love with him. If Leah is in love, her need to be close to him will become dependency. He will be able to gaslight her more easily and manipulate her into believing his will is her own. He is easy to forgive because, for a demon, he is kind. It is unexpected and therefore, it must be genuine.

Raum is the one who breaks you down and kisses you sweetly, telling you how sorry he is for hurting you. He is the one that promises you it will never happen again. He is the one you cry to your friends about but turn around just as quickly to say "but he will change" and "when he is good he is so good". This is why Raum is so easy to hate and love at the same time. He is familiar to you. You have come across his kind at least once in your life. Despite the sickness in him there is something about him that demands love and attention. It is something that you crave despite his wrongness.

When you combine this with his intelligence it is a recipe for disaster. He is an immortal being full of infinite knowledge that is always three steps ahead of those around him. He can perform "miracles" and illusions that strike both awe and fear into humans and demons alike.

Raum is, in a sense, the perfect evil.

I am looking forward to sharing with you the way his character continues to evolve as The Revelation Series continues. Though ATB is my first published book, I have several manuscripts in the works. That being said, Raum is one of my favorite characters I've ever written. You never know what he is going to do next.

After the Bees Sequel Announcement

Hey everyone!

This is the message you all have been waiting for. I have finally finished the first draft of THROUGH HIGH WATERS, the second installation to the Revelation series and sequel to AFTER THE BEES. It has been a rough two years, so I give you my deepest apologies with how long it has taken to finish this manuscript. I am very excited that now that the first step is down, things are moving along quickly. India Evans, the artist of my first novel, will continue working on the series. If you haven’t seen her work, the cover of ATB doesn’t even scratch the surface of how amazingly talented she is. If you look at the first cover, you’ll notice the wheat at the bottom. You’ll remember this is a nod to the scene where Leah is taken by the humans and first discovers that bees have returned. I’m excited to see what hidden gems she will use from THW as this story delves deeper into the demons’ world and gives us a better visual of what it is like within their fortress.

I’m writing to you, not only to announce that the end is near, but to search for beta readers. I will be taking a maximum of five readers for THW. Below is a form I ask each applicant to fill out and email back to: allisonpaigeofficial@gmail.com . I will contact you within 3-5 business days if you have been selected or not.

The catch? You MUST have read ATB and leave a written review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. This is nonnegotiable. THW will not make any sense if you haven’t read the first book and your reviews help me bring in more readers.

For those of you who are not familiar with beta reading, this is your opportunity to get a first look at the story and give your input.

As a beta reader it is your job:

· To make suggestions to improve the story

· Give feedback on the book’s characters

· Comment about the setting and how it plays a part in the story (or doesn’t)

· Find plot holes and comment on believability

· Advise on slow parts of the story

· Problems with continuity (was the character sitting down a minute again and now they are suddenly standing across the room)

· Find and improve elements such as grammar and spelling

If this is something you are interested in and think you’re up for the task, please copy and paste the form below and e-mail to the address above. An e-signature is perfectly fine if you do not have access to a printer.

Thank you all for staying with me during this long process. Your support has encouraged me to get off my ass and keep writing. I truly thank and appreciate each one of you that has read AFTER THE BEES. It means a lot that you would take the time to read something I’ve worked so hard on. I can’t wait to share THROUGH HIGH WATERS with you as Leah and Raum’s story continues.

Blessings,

Allison Paige

BETA READER APPLICATION

NAME:

EMAIL:

PHONE:

Have you beta read in the past? If so, please list the books you have beta read:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why should I consider you?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By submitting you application you are confirming that you have read AFTER THE BEES, the first book of the Revelation Series, and have left a written review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. You understand that the manuscript must be turned in with thorough notes within 30 days from the time it is sent to your mailbox.

Signature: __________________________________ Date: ____________________