Ordering Extra Steam With Gardner - November 2022 Author Spotlight

    I know I'm not always the most optimistic person when it comes to the genres of romance and erotica, but I can appreciate a well-crafted story with steam. Though steamy scenes aren't my go-to for reading, there are a handful of authors who write them that I will purchase books from (and read) without a second thought. One of these authors is AnnaMarie Gardner. 

  Gardner is an Ohio author who honed her writing skills in PNR, horror, and fantasy. PNR (paranormal romance) tends to go hand-in-hand with fantasy, but focuses more on romance with an inhuman creature than on the responsibilities that come with magic powers. It is related to fantasy in the same way science fiction is. They're all part of the same family tree but have different traits. Gardner explores these different traits in her books, which are generally written for mature readers.

  "I write for 18+" stated Gardner, "though I am working on a YA (young adult) story."

  From the time she was born, Gardner wanted to do nothing else but write. Being an author was always her career goal.

  "I always told stories as a kid and was encouraged to write them down," remarked Gardner.

  Gardner's first publication was Young Fae in 2019. Young Fae is a PNR fantasy that's heavy on steam and set in the fae world. I've recently read this book and I gave it 5 stars. GoodReads shows that earlier reviews of the book tended to be around 3 stars, while newer ones are closer to 5. Overall, the book has an average rating of 4.5 stars, which is pretty typical. 

  I found Young Fae to be a fast-paced tale about a lost fae princess coming of age, finding love, and uncovering a plot against her family. Gardner wasted no time jumping into the plot. It is packed right from the first page. The story itself takes place over a year, but it takes mere hours to read. I was a little confused at first because my app stated the book would take roughly 19 hours to read, but I finished it in under 2. I'm not sure if this is because of other readers setting the book aside, or not. I, personally, got into the story and had to finish it. I like books I can finish in one sitting, they give me a sense of accomplishment. 

  The cliffhanger ending in Young Fae left me wanting more. I'm interested to see what mysterious dark force is hiding in the shadows of the Fae world now, and how the royal family overcomes its threat. 

  Mysterious Fae is the second book in the Fae Series and is Gardner's favorite that she's written. The main character of the series, Asha, means a lot to the author, who stated, "Asha is my favorite character. She has really developed over the years."

  "My biggest inspiration for writing is the indie community," explained Gardner. "I love writing and I feel compelled to write the genres I do. I like a little steam in my books and some darkness. The hardest part of my author journey has been marketing myself and learning that not everyone you meet cares about you. My favorite part has been finding my people and growing in my writing skills, thanks to many supportive authors."

  "It's important to follow your heart, stay true to yourself, and reach out for help when you need it," Gardner stated when asked what advice she might have for new writers or authors. "My door is always open."

  Gardner enjoys connecting with her readers and fellow writers. She's willing to chat with anyone who might be new to the community and needs help finding their footing. According to Amazon, Gardner currently has 15 books published, including the Fae Series, Owning Emotions (a poetry anthology), and the Angry Woman's Guide to Not-So Snappy Comebacks, vol. 1.

  I read Owning Emotions way back in January of 2022. Like with Young Fae I gave it 5 stars. I was familiar with several of the authors represented on the pages of this poetry collection and wanted to kick the year off with a taste of each of their unique styles. Each poem is an exploration of human emotion. From joy to sadness, to hope, to submissiveness, this collection strips humanity of its flesh and peers into its soul. 

  I highly recommend Owning Emotions to anyone over 18, especially women. It is empowering. Some of the poems are explicit enough not to recommend to teens, but the message behind them is astounding.

  I gave a 4-star rating to the Angry Woman's Guide to Not-So-Snappy Comebacks, volume 1. I found the collection to be a truly unique collection of writings and artwork. From poems to prose, ten women came together to create an anthology that is all about what it's like living under a glass ceiling when people don't want to admit it still exists. Gardner was one of these women. 

  This book is a call to action. It's a war cry meant to rally women together and remind them that we should not be tearing each other down because so many other people already do that for us. 

  Gardner is a believer in women empowering women. Her books contain female leads with astounding powers and the ability to change the worlds they live in. Currently, Gardner is working on the ending of her Fae Series, which I suspect will come with a side of steam and more of Asha's bravery.