Books That Inspire: The Legend Mirror Series
(A Guest Post By Saruuh Kelsey)

I’ve always been inspired by books one way or another, whether that was children’s stories when I was younger, or YA novels when I got older. But a few books stood out and spoke to me as a writer, as well as a reader. These are the books that inspired me to write, and keep writing, The Legend Mirror series.

The Lynburn Legacy Trilogy, by Sarah Rees Brennan 

These were the first books I read that featured bisexual and lesbian characters, and it thrilled me so much to see part of the queer community represented without the tragic ending I’d heard of and dreaded. Reading about Holly and Angela falling in love made me desperate to write my own f/f story, and The Beast of Callaire—the first Legend Mirror book—was born from that.

The Soul Screamers Series, by Rachel Vincent 

This was the series that got me really hooked on mythological creatures. Kaylee in the Soul Screamers series is a Banshee, and reading about her, I became interested in other creatures like her. At some point down the long road of research, I discovered Persian mythology and Manticores, and that’s where I got the idea for Yasmin – the main character in The Legend Mirror – being a Manticore shifter.

The books of Maggie Stiefvater 

Maggie Stiefvater always blends romance and fantasy perfectly, so I took a lot of inspiration from her books, more notably the Shiver series and my favourite, The Scorpio Races. Whenever I’m low on inspiration and my creative well is dry, I’ll read a Stiefvater book and usually by the end, I’ll have a clear idea where to go with what I’m writing.

These are just the books that I consciously know inspire me but I’m sure I’ve got ideas from every book I’ve read, maybe even from the ones I didn’t like.

The Powers of Callaire is out now! It’s YA Urban Fantasy and has a homoromantic asexual lead. Um, all seriously among my favorites things.Check it out on Goodreads and Amazon.  Or anywhere because this blog will come back for this series. – Tiffany

The Powers of Callaire

Yasmin’s girlfriend is dead, but she will stop at nothing to bring Fray back. Even if that means going to the Otherland and making a bargain with the Ruler of All Souls. If Yasmin finds Pluto’s lost power, they’ll return Fray’s soul to her body.

Yasmin’s search takes her, and two of her friends, from Bucharest to France to Wales, and exposes a horrifying secret with Venus, Yasmin’s mother, at the heart of it. With a murderous, fiery god and the incarnation of death in her way, Yasmin will have to compromise her morals and harness the Legendary power in her veins. If she fails, Fray’s soul will be lost forever.

Author bio

SARUUH KELSEY lives in Yorkshire, in a house halfway between the countryside and the city with an absurd amount of books and craft supplies. She’s the author of The Legend Mirror and Lux Guardians series. Find her online or follow her on twitter at @saruuhkelsey.

You can get The Beast of Callaire for free right now on Amazon!  Definitely give this series a try!