Fantasy Writer and Reader
I love to read magical realism/fantasy stories. About two years ago, on a rainy afternoon, I wanted to snuggle up on the couch to read, but I didn’t have any new books. I voiced my disappointment, while browsed my numerous bookshelves. My daughter had enough after a while and said, “Mom, stop whining! If you don’t have a book to read, then write one.” She surprised me with her statement, but I took her advice, sat down and started writing my Guarded Secrets series.
I'm new to this site and a bit lost
I joined this site a few days ago and I haven't quite figured it out yet. How do you make friends, what do you post about? I joined 2 groups, but seems like the groups are not very active. So, for now, I'm going to stay an observer, until I figure it out. What drew me to this site at the beginning was, the honest reviews I read in the blog posts. Wow! I'd live to have my books read and reviewed by avid readers of this site.
The first book of my Guarded Secrets series is free on SMASHWORDS for a limited time, if any of you are interested in romantic fantasy, magical abilities/secret society/time travel type of stories, I would love to have your opinion and input.
Thank you,
-Erika M Szabo
Epic fantasy/suspense/romantic fantasy
Foresight - Book 1 of the Guarded Secrets series by Erika M Szabo
Ilona has been in love with her unsuspecting best friend, when a dashing stranger explodes into her life. The sudden magnetic feeling frightens her. Will he break her heart, or will he bring true happiness? A sinister dark man appears, Ilona connects his presence with the series of mysterious deaths around her. She is an emergency room doctor, born into an ancient tribe which still exists hidden amongst us with its fiercely enforced rules. She doesn’t know much about her heritage besides legends and rituals that she continues out of respect for her parents. She begins to remember the forgotten instructions concealed as rhymes her mother was teaching her since she was a small child and discovers that she can rearrange the human body to its healthy state. This ability is exciting as well as frightening. She is conflicted between having confidence in her intelligence and inherited abilities while having no confidence as a woman. Her insecurity created barriers which keep others out, and I also keep her caged in. She has been evacuated from her easy and steady life, and is forced to face the unknown.
Acceptance - Book 2 of the Guarded Secrets series by Erika M Szabo
In book one Ilona is a lonely doctor discovering her rich tribal heritage and birthright to become a Healer. She also discovers growing magical abilities within her in the strange world of the Huns, which are beyond her wildest dreams. She can use her given gifts for absolute good or absolute evil; the choice is up to her. Ilona’s birthright as a Healer runs alongside her desires as a woman. She’s secretly and hopelessly in love with her best friend, he seems oblivious to her feelings. Fate brings Zoltan into her life. Will he break her heart, or will he bring true happiness? Ilona is hoping for a red tulip, the symbol of devoted love. Who will offer it to her? She discovers some secrets the Hun society is concealing, a society that is secretive and complex, with strict and fiercely enforced ancient rules; revealed to only those who come of age. Ilona is determined to control and guide her own life. Resourceful and daring, she crosses the line and breaks the sacred rules. She must face the consequences and has to fight for her life and for her men; both of them disappear from the face of the earth. She acquires magical abilities beyond her dreams to find and save them. Zoltan saves her life by jeopardizing his, which prompts Ilona to start fitting the puzzle pieces together and discovering the ancient tribal secrets that not only can change her future but the future existence of the Huns as well.