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Obsidian Solutions Podcasts
Join bestselling authors (and former college roommates) Ines Johnson and L. Penelope as they read and discuss the writing craft, worldbuilding, and romance of paranormal and fantasy novels. First up: we’ll be reading the Psy-Changeling Series by Nalini Singh.
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In this episode, we're reading Nalini Singh’s very latest release, Atonement Sky! BEWARE: SPOILERS AHEAD! Both Ines and Leslye agree this is a solid and satisfying addition to the Psy-Changeling series—even if we're still longing for a return trip to Black Sea and the aquatic shifters. We discuss how this installment continues to explore one of the…
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In this episode, we have finally caught up with the rest of the world as we read Primal Mirror. The story revolves around the ticking time clock of the PsyNet’s imminent collapse, while woven with the building of a new changeling pack, and the fall of a prominent Psy dynasty. The end is near for the Psy-Changeling world, and Ines and Leslye’s binge…
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In this week’s episode, we’re almost caught up on all things Psy-Changeling. Listen in to find out what will happen next in the podcast as we get ready for an array of magical new episodes. But first, we’re going to take a short spring break—perfect for recharging and planning even more exciting content for you! Watch this space to know what’s comi…
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Although coming into the story confused because of the blurb, Ines and Leslye dissect this dual love story, of sorts in Resonance Surge. The main love story revolves around a Changeling bear with foresight and a wounded Psy with a past filled with childhood trauma. Woven with real life stories of Psy siblings before silence, as well as tales from t…
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In this episode, Ines and Leslye reveal their favorite books of 2024 plus a few honorable mentions. Gird your wallet as they unapologetically aim for your TBR’s expansion. Sign up for author Nalini Singh’s newsletter to receive fan service here: https://nalinisingh.com/ Want the official Psy-Changeling Reading Order? Click here: https://nalinisingh…
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In this episode, we explore Nalini Singh's Storm Echo, in which we visit both the amnesia and second chance at love tropes. The story centers on Lei, a Changeling healer with little memory of her past, and Ivan Mercant, a man whose own turbulent past haunts him. As their paths cross, they not only navigate the complexities of their emerging feeling…
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Join us on this week’s podcast as we dive into the process of revising your manuscript, from the rough beginnings of the "dirty draft" to the final, polished version. We've got the expert tips and practical advice to help you tackle each stage with confidence. Tune in to learn how to transform your writing with each pass through your manuscript, en…
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In Last Guard, we meet a hero with a mobility disability and a heroine grappling with mental health challenges. Together, they navigate a world filled with obstacles, both external and internal, finding strength and love in each other's company. In the episode, we'll explore how Nalini Singh skillfully portrays complex characters breaking down barr…
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Get ready to tackle your goals for 2025 in this week's episode of our podcast. We’ll help you start the year off smart—that's Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. We also talk about how to effectively use both paper and digital planners to keep you on track. Join us as we provide tips, tricks, and insights to help you organiz…
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Join us on this week's episode as we break down Alpha Night, where a female alpha wolf and a Psy male with a ticking time bomb in his head get insta-mated in the first chapter! Gird your loins, listeners, in this wild ride as of an unconventional pairing, the challenges of navigating differing societies, and the power dynamics involved with skin-pr…
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In this week's episode hosts Leslye and Ines are joined by their mastermind partner, Cerece Renee Murphy. Not only will they discuss the invaluable benefits of participating in a mastermind group, but they will also give listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how they run their own. Listen in to learn how a mastermind can elevate your skills, broade…
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Singh's foray into thrillers is on display in this gripping entry into the Psy Changeling world. In Wolf Rain we meet a hero who sees himself as a rogue wolf destined to be alone and a Psy woman convinced she's a monster beyond redemption. Together, they discover that their beliefs about themselves are profoundly mistaken. Suspense blends with hear…
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This week you get a masterclass in worldbuilding in a romance novel from expert Leslye while Ines listens in. We explore how setting is not just the backdrop against which a story unfolds, but a dynamic element that enriches the narrative through its integration of culture, language, and politics. The discussion reveals how these broader world elem…
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A security specialist with a life-threatening brain chip. A changeling chef with her own guarded secrets. Bowen and Kaia’s love story starts off as a slow burn in “Ocean Light,” but things heat up and combust before the tale is over. This book not only explores the romance and challenges between Bowen and Kaia but also serves as an intense lesson f…
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In this episode, we tackle the "messy middle" of the second act. One of the solutions we offer involves a series of Try Fail cycles, where the protagonist encounters a carefully designed obstacle course that tests their resolve and pushes the plot forward. Ines emphasizes the importance of a structured approach to these cycles, suggesting that each…
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We’re back!!!! Season 2 of the podcast is live and in full effect. We’re jumping into the second season of the Psy-Changeling world with Nalini Singh's "Silver Silence," book one of the Psy-Changeling Trinity series. We meet bear changeling Alpha, Valentin Nikolaev, whose life is a whirlwind of loyalty, affection, and disorder—everything that Silve…
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Join us as we chat with Melanie Harlow about crafting found family in small town romances. Find out how this plot device isn’t just about banding a bunch of brothers together, it’s all about the worldbuilding of characters in a tight-knit unit that makes readers want to return again and again! To check out Melanie’s books, go to: https://www.melani…
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Ep 31: Allegiance of Honor by Nalini Singh
35:40
35:40
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35:40In today's episode, we celebrate the grand finale of season one of the Psy-Changeling world with "Allegiance of Honor." This novel is a heartfelt nod to fans, masterfully weaving together the lives of beloved characters from previous books, tying up loose ends, and paving the way for exciting new adventures in season two. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT We wo…
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Ep 30: Reader Love & Marketing with Jessica Cage
57:52
57:52
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57:52Forget Beetlejuice! Jessica Cage will show readers how to summon a hot demon boyfriend, gain traction on social media, and build a tribe of loyal fans. With advice like decide your boundaries, batch your content, and be yourself, this episode is a treasure trove of killing it on social media and at live events. Check out Jessica’s bestselling book …
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In today’s episode, we watch the push and pull as two emotionless Arrows fall hopelessly in love! In Shards of Hope, as Aden and Zaira find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other, they begin to navigate the unfamiliar waters of emotional attachment and romantic love, challenging everything they have been taught to believe about strength and vu…
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Ep 28: Fantasy Romcoms with Kimberly Lemming
36:05
36:05
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36:05Get ready to bust a gut because this week we have on Fantasy RomCom author Kimberly Lemming. We’ll chat about her hit series, the Mead Mishaps. Kim will tell us about her inspiration for the series, how she makes sure it’s funny, and recap her interactions with a Savannah ghost! BOOKS MENTIONED That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon - https://amzn…
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This week means war as we march into Nalini Singh’s Shield of Winter to encounter a world on the brink of transformation. Vasic, a lethal Arrow with the weight of a dark past, and Ivy, a Psy with the rare and misunderstood gift of empathy are tasked with stabilizing a faltering psychic network that threatens to plunge the world into chaos. As they …
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This week Ines and Leslye tackle how to bring stories to a close with a deep dive on story endings. We dive into character arcs, open doors (and windows!), and resolutions. BOOKS MENTIONED Write Your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell: https://amzn.to/4a6NaqQ Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi: https://amzn.to/44v2TPn One…
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Get ready for a festive episode with Wild Invitation, a collection of four enchanting novellas from the Psy-Changeling series. With a touch of Christmas spirit, these shorts offer glimpses into the daily lives and celebrations of the DarkRiver and SnowDancer packs. Each novella not only catches up with beloved characters but also weaves in the joyo…
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We chat with bestselling author Angel Lawson about "traumance," a subgenre where a broken hero finds healing through the transformative power of a romantic relationship. Beyond the pages of traumance, we also venture into the realms of fanfiction and fandom, where passionate communities breathe new life into beloved characters and settings. And fin…
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Ep 23: Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh
1:06:11
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1:06:11Heart of Obsidian peels back the layers of a seemingly impenetrable character to reveal the heart beneath the obsidian exterior of Counselor Kaleb Krycheck. Singh masterfully crafts a tale of redemption, power, and unwavering devotion set against the backdrop of a world teetering on the brink of monumental change. In this episode, we discuss how He…
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Ep 22: Dark Romance with Skye Warren
1:10:42
1:10:42
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1:10:42You will get taken on a journey, possibly against your will, in this discussion of dark romance with bestselling author Skye Warren. It’s more than just the non-consent and power dynamics that make readers of the genre rabid. Learn why Skye insists dark romance is feminist literature, and see if you agree! Skye recommends if you want to try out a d…
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In this episode, we dive into Tangle of Need, which focuses on Adria, a strong-willed Snow Dancer wolf going through a bad break up of her chosen life partner, and Riaz, a lone wolf battling the torment of a lost fated mate bond. As they grapple with their unexpected and intense connection, the story explores themes of love's resilience, the strugg…
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Ep 20: Romcom Deceptions & Revelations
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1:12:37Today, we discuss the crux of romantic comedies: the deception and the revelation. Ines postulates that there are four types of Romantic Comedy Deceptions: the Merry War, Identity Deception, Bet or Wager Deception, and the Magic Potion Deception. Each of these deceptions creates obstacles for the characters to overcome on their journey to finding t…
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Ep 19: Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh
1:07:43
1:07:43
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1:07:43We finally take a bite out of Kiss of Snow, where the fierce and resilient Sienna Lauren, a young Psy defector, and the powerful alpha wolf, Hawke, are caught in a tumultuous dance of forbidden desire. Their undeniable attraction threatens to ignite the world, but first they’ll be tested by the coldest of wars and the fiercest of passions. Join us …
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Ep 18: Villains, Antagonists & Anti-heroes with Sacha Black
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50:26We sit down with Sacha Black, author of 13 Steps to Evil and explore the art of crafting multifaceted villains and the process of transforming them into heroes. Sacha shares her expert tips and strategies to create the perfect foil to your protagonist, as well as the choices necessary to turn a villain into a hero. Join us as we uncover the secrets…
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Ready to play? We’re back in the SnowDancer wolf pack with Play of Passion. The dominance challenge is on when the budding romance between Indigo Riviere, a high-ranking and fiercely independent wolf lieutenant, and Andrew Kincaid, a charismatic and playful tracker, challenges pack dynamics and their own deeply ingrained beliefs about hierarchy and…
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Ep 16: Plotting with the Plot Fairy Becca Mysoor
53:51
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53:51Leslye and Ines talk about unconventional plotting, 150 word blurbs, and television versus novel structure across all genres with the Fairy Plot Mother. In this magical conversation, you’ll see how Becca Mysoor earned her storytelling wand by helping to craft some of today’s best selling stories! Need some Plot Fairy dust sprinkled on your manuscri…
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Bonds of Justice, book 8 in Psy-Changeling, introduces us to a dedicated New York police detective with a natural shield against psychic powers and a Justice-Psy with the rare ability to retrieve memories. Singh skillfully weaves a narrative that is as much about solving a crime as it is about exploring the depths of human emotion and connection. J…
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Ep 14: Endings & Cliffhangers with Sarra Cannon
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52:29In this week’s episode, Leslye and Ines have a chat with bestselling author Sarra Cannon, who is famous for her twists and turns between chapters and at the ends of her paranormal books. Explore the craft of endings through music composition, TV breaks, and cliffhangers. Wanna experience Sarra’s world for yourself? Try out her Shadow Demons Saga: h…
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In Blaze of Memory, we leave the Changeling world for the cities of the humans where a Psy has been dumped on the Shine Foundation's doorstep. Dev Santos has to uncover who Katya is but with her memory loss she might not only be a danger to herself, she might be a danger to everything he’s built... including his heart. Grab your copy of Blaze of Me…
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Ep 12: Butter & Big Misunderstandings with Theodora Taylor
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1:07:58
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1:07:58In this week’s episode we talk with fellow craft enthusiast and master story baker Theodora Taylor. Her book 7 FIGURE FICTION: How to Use Universal Fantasy to SELL Your Books to ANYONE took the author world by fire as she taught us all how to baste our stories in butter to make them universally fantastic. Theodora discusses how to steep your storie…
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This week it’s dominant versus dominant as we delve into the intense relationship between Mercy, a high-ranking leopard changeling, and Riley, a wolf changeling with an equally strong personality. Their romance is marked by a fierce, passionate dynamic that challenges both characters' deeply held beliefs and pack loyalties. Grab your copy of Brande…
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This week, we breakdown Ines’s favorite trope to write: the Marriage of Convenience story (MoC), where characters marry for reasons other than love, such as financial gain or social necessity. Forget something borrowed or blue, Ines presents her Seven Must-haves to Successfully Pull Off a MoC as she and Leslye explore this compelling romantic trope…
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Ep 9: Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh
1:14:31
1:14:31
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1:14:31Though the cover to Hostage to Pleasure will mislead you about M-Psy Ashaya Aleine, leopard changeling Dorian Christensen is ready to set her straight. Their paths intertwine in a story of forbidden attraction and political intrigue against the backdrop of a society where emotions are suppressed, and shifting abilities are latent. Ready to get lost…
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In this episode, Leslye and Ines break down the necessary elements of First Scenes and First Lines. Want to see how we cracked the code to awesome beginnings? Curl up and listen close! Grab K.M. Weiland’s Structuring Your Novel for tips on crafting your first scenes here: https://amzn.to/3RXzad9 We love the movies too, but have you ever read Jane A…
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Our discussion of Mine to Possess includes all the trigger warnings! This novel takes us on a journey through the turbulent reunion and uncovering of long-buried secrets of Clay, a leopard changeling with a troubled past, and Tally, a human with deep emotional scars and a mysterious connection to the Psy. Grab your copy of Mine to Possess here: htt…
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In this episode, we’re exploring an exciting trend of narratives featuring strong heroines who rescue themselves, and the supportive heroes who love them for it. Gone are the days of damsels in distress waiting for a hero; today's romance stories are about empowered women charting their own destinies, creating community, and finding partners who re…
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As we break down Caressed by Ice, we delve into a story where the cold world of the Psy meets the fiery realm of the Changelings. We also explore the complex dynamics between the emotionally suppressed Psy and the sensually alive Changelings, focusing on the intriguing bond between Brenna, a wolf changeling recovering from a traumatic ordeal, and J…
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Today's topic is one that sets our hearts racing and pages turning: the Enemies to Lovers trope. We dissect some of the most iconic enemies to lovers stories in literature and on screen and dive deep into the intoxicating dance of characters who start off at odds, only to find their hearts entwined as the story unfolds and explore why this trope ca…
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Join us as we discuss how Singh expertly crafts a narrative that's not just a tale of forbidden love, but also a compelling commentary on freedom, identity, and the nature of emotion. From the nuanced development of characters to the richly detailed setting, Visions of Heat offers a masterclass in building a captivating paranormal world. Grab your …
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In our second episode, we take a hard look at the quintessential romance hero: Fitzwilliam Darcy and how his character has crafted so many that came after him in what Ines (not Leslye!) likes to call the Darcy Arc. Ines postulates that the Darcy Arc can be found in the evolution of characters like Edward Cullen from Twilight and Christian Grey from…
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It's the kick-off episode of the Ink and Magic podcast!! We're starting with a dream of a book Slave to Sensation which, coincidentally, also includes some steamy sex dreams! In our first foray into the Psy-Changeing world, where emotions are forbidden and the wildest of passions take center stage, we meet the pivotal characters of Sascha Duncan, a…
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Meet your hosts Ines Johnson and L. Penelope and learn what the Ink & Magic podcast is all about and why you should tune in. Find us at https://inkandmagic.net/ Credits: "Moonlight Hall" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.By Ines Johnson & L. Penelope
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Selling / Buying Businesses - Gary Goldwasser of Transworld
28:33
28:33
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28:33Have you ever thought about selling your business? Gary Goldwasser is a Business Broker with Transworld Business Advisors. As a business broker, Gary helps owners buy and sell businesses. Today, we discuss important factors to consider in selling or buying a business. Does it have processes, good books, is it scale-able? Best practices such as not …
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