Have you ever had to tear your entire life down to the bedrock just to survive? For three years, Cressa lived in a gilded cage. To the man who held the key, she wasn’t a partner—she was property, a prize, a transaction to command. But every cage has a breaking point. When he demanded an…
Category: Modern Fiction
5.19.26 Alderwood Crest Day
The Hidden Face of the Suburbs: Something Isn’t Right in Alderwood Crest On the surface, Alderwood Crest is the ultimate picture of manicured perfection. Sprawling, million-dollar estates boast flawless lawns, and the local academy operates with the pristine funding of an elite private school. It is an insular enclave built entirely on old money legacy,…
5.18.26 Renaissance of Self Day
Renaissance of Self: Stitching a New Life from the Remnants of the Past What does it look like to step out from the shadow of a broken past and see a version of yourself that feels entirely brand new? For Cressa, the answer isn’t found in a clean break from reality, but in the steady,…
Creating Esther in Costume Part 2
If you haven’t seen it, here is the original post. Esther is the best friend to my lead character in the Renaissance of Self series. Esther wears a costume in Part 1 – The Escape as she competes in one the central events of the novels: the Historical Sewing Society’s Renaissance and Age of Discovery…
Creating Esther in Costume
So one of the things in my novel, Renaissance of Self: Part 1 – The Escape, is that Cressa’s new friend Esther is competing in the Historical Sewing Society’s Renaissance Era costume competition. In the competition, Esther is recreating this painting: Esther is recreating this specific portrait. One that I have never seen before researching…
Using Nightcafe to create my cover art
So this is the cover idea I shared when announcing I had finished my draft. Well shortly after finishing my edit to refine that draft to the point I am ready for other people’s eyes to take it in, I was caught once more by how, while this is fine… none of the characters are…
A draft is done! Time to celebrate!
I am thoroughly stoked. I have finished my first draft of my first adult novel.
Tara Lionheart 