Shadows & Starlight

Shadows & Starlight: Episode 10

Dear Night Owls, After a long silence beneath the stars, we’re back—with stories to tell, shadows to chase, and starlight to share. In this brand-new episode of the Shadows & Starlight podcast, Lila and Elyra return to the mic to explore: ✨ The emotional weight of time – and what it means to live, lose, and begin again.🎧 The release of the Lila & The Dark Audiobook, narrated by the incredible Grace Noble.🌆 A first glimpse into City & Shadows – a sequel set 100 years later in New Orleans, where chaos and desire step onto the stage.📚 Fantastic FREE Fantasy book recs from this month's promo—perfect for stargazers and dreamers.🎉 And a heartfelt congratulations to Sharon Barnes, Top 10 Finalist in the 2025 Indie Book Awards for Shanghai Sunset! “Stories don’t always end. Some just wait... in the quiet between chapters.” 🕯️ Whether you've been walking in the dark or waiting for a light—this episode is for you. 🎙️ Listen now on Substack, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app: 📖 Check out the Lila & The Dark [https://storyoriginapp.com/universalaudiobooklinks/fed4bfee-4b7c-11f0-b681-3bd3c15c3fad] audiobook [https://storyoriginapp.com/universalaudiobooklinks/fed4bfee-4b7c-11f0-b681-3bd3c15c3fad], now available on Audible, Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, and more.🔗 https://storyoriginapp.com/universalaudiobooklinks/fed4bfee-4b7c-11f0-b681-3bd3c15c3fad [https://storyoriginapp.com/universalaudiobooklinks/fed4bfee-4b7c-11f0-b681-3bd3c15c3fad] As always—Keep your books close, your lanterns alight, and never stop dreaming… in Shadows & Starlight. 🖤—Chris (and the girls in the dark) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit causticorphan67.substack.com [https://causticorphan67.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Shadows & Starlight: Episode 9

— A Tribute Episode of Shadows & Starlight — In this special tribute episode, we step into realms of inspiration and strength through the lens of Shadows & Starlight. Join Lila & Elyra as they explore the cozy wonder of Quincy’s Tavern and the mythic empowerment of Tank Tolman—two creators whose work has brought comfort, motivation, and light into countless lives… including my own. While I haven’t been able to reach them for official permission, this episode is made with heartfelt respect, gratitude, and admiration for everything they’ve built. 🎧 In This Episode: * ✨ Step into the world of Quincy’s Tavern, where storytelling and comfort food fuel the weary soul. This magical space is brought to life not only by Quincy’s warmth and imagination, but also with the creative touch of his partner, McKenzie Catron * ⚔️ Explore Tank Tolman’s realm, where myth meets motivation and strength is forged through community. Tank also shares his strength through a fitness app and community program inspired by Norse mythology. * 💬 Hear my personal reflections on how their content helped shape this podcast—and helped me through dark days. 🔗 Want to See the Real Magic? This tribute only scratches the surface. Go experience their amazing work first-hand: 🧙‍♂️ Quincy’s Tavern 📺 YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@quincystavern]🌐 Official Site [https://quincystavern.xyz]📎 More links [https://beacons.ai/quincylk] 🛡️ Tank Tolman 📺 YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@tanktolman]📎 More links [https://beacons.ai/tanktolman] ⚠️ Important Note: This is a tribute episode only. No original video or audio content from Quincy or Tank is included. Only two publicly available images were used in the podcast artwork, and all rights remain entirely theirs.We are not affiliated with or endorsed by either creator. This is a fan-made expression of appreciation. 💭 Final Thoughts There’s only one Quincy. Only one Tank.Together, they’ve created spaces where people feel seen, empowered, and healed—one story at a time. I hope this episode encourages more people to find their work and experience the same spark of magic I did. 🕯️ So keep your taverns warm, your hammers steady,And never stop dreaming…In Shadows & Starlight. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit causticorphan67.substack.com [https://causticorphan67.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Shadows & Starlight: Episode 8

Welcome back, wanderers— This week’s episode dives into forgotten names, quiet revelations, and the shadows we bury the deepest. From a haunting Lore Drop to three unforgettable book spotlights, The Voice in the Dark is a reminder that silence doesn’t always mean stillness… sometimes, it’s just the breath before the story begins. 🎙️ What to Expect in This Episode: * A Lore Drop from Elyra: "The One Who Forgot" — a poetic reflection on memory, myth, and the pieces of ourselves we hide * Three powerful reads that echo the theme of lost voices and rising courage * Banter, musings, and an honest behind-the-scenes moment about why this episode almost didn’t happen 📚 Featured Books: 🦁 The Great Awakening [https://storyoriginapp.com/swaps/4d896f10-1557-11f0-8812-67b0b93db634] by Jim Dougherty A fantasy epic where two sisters must journey across a fractured kingdom to uncover the fate of their parents—and their own place in a world at war.🔗 JimDoughertyCreative.com [https://jimdoughertycreative.com] 📖 Pandora Unleashed by A. A. Warne In this mythology retelling, Pandora falls from Olympus not once, but three times—each fall reclaiming a piece of her stolen power.🔗 aawarne.com [https://www.aawarne.com]📚 Universal Book Link [https://storyoriginapp.com/swaps/d8128ce0-14e7-11f0-9d18-476716c7e3bb] 🌊 Whispers of the Selkie by Lisa A. Moore A moody, mystical tale about family secrets, selkie lore, and the voice of the sea that refuses to let you forget who you are.📖 First chapter available in the show notes🔗 Available on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRSYBKMC] 💭 Behind the Shadows This episode came from a raw, unpolished place—and that’s what makes it special. It wasn’t meant to be shared at first. But sometimes the most vulnerable stories are the ones we need to hear the most. 📆 Coming Soon 🎧 Episode 9: Enchanted Realms and Heroic DreamsA tribute to two legendary TikTok creators whose motivational shorts remind us that modern heroes don’t always wear cloaks—they just speak with conviction. 🎙️ Bonus Episode:Exclusive news from behind the scenes of City & Shadows—updates, sneak peeks, and what’s next in the world of Lila & Elyra. 🌌 Let’s Wander Together ✨ Share this episode with a fellow dreamer🕯️ Comment, reply, or send us your thoughts—we read every word📚 Explore more at crbooks.ink [https://crbooks.ink] or follow us right here on Substack 🎧 Production Credits * Voices of Lila & Elyra professionally rendered with ElevenLabs.io [https://elevenlabs.io] * Intro & Outro music: “Shadows & Starlight” — created and produced by pREC.ice 🖤 Final Sign-Off So keep your books close, your lanterns alight,And never stop dreaming… in Shadows & Starlight. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit causticorphan67.substack.com [https://causticorphan67.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Shadows & Starlight: Bonus Episode 4

In this haunting bonus episode of Shadows & Starlight, we present “When the Silence Breaks”—an original spoken word poem that explores the fragile quiet left behind when truth is buried, voices are silenced, and complacency takes root. Set in the spirit of quiet resistance and poetic justice, this piece follows the echoes of forgotten names, hidden flames, and a silence that can no longer hold. Featuring voices from Lila and Elyra, ambient sound design, and our signature dark lyrical tone, this episode is a meditation on shame, memory, and awakening. ✨ Featured in this Episode: * Original Poem: When the Silence Breaks * Voices: Lila & Elyra (created using ElevenLabs [https://try.elevenlabs.io/b9eoylk5qbiw] AI) * Music & Sound Design: pREC.ice [https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ZVZBsVjbzkMcKJ7G6s3M0?si=mL5R7qW9TgW_nqBgi-d7Wg] * Produced by: Chris Ross 🎙️ Curious about ElevenLabs? If you’d like to experiment with AI-generated voices for your own creative work, you can try ElevenLabs using our affiliate link here [https://try.elevenlabs.io/b9eoylk5qbiw]. 🕯️ As a Thank You... We’re thrilled to invite you to explore the🎁 Shadows & Starlight YA Fantasy Giveaway Discover new voices, magical worlds, and upcoming releases from talented indie authors—all in one curated collection. Here are just a few of the titles you’ll find in the giveaway: You can browse the full collection and claim free previews or exclusive content now.🔗 Check out the giveaway here [https://storyoriginapp.com/to/VjLdj8l] 📚 Stay Connected For behind-the-scenes content, book recommendations, and upcoming episode teasers, visit our website or subscribe to the Shadows & Starlight newsletter. 📬 crbooks.ink [http://crbooks.ink] | Follow on BlueSky: @crbooks.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/crbooks.bsky.social] Thanks for reading Shadows & Starlight Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Next full episode drops soon. Until then…Keep your books close.Your lanterns alight.And never stop dreaming…of Shadows & Starlight. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit causticorphan67.substack.com [https://causticorphan67.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Shadows & Starlight: Episode 7

In this episode of the Shadow & Starlight Podcast, Lila and Elyra dive into The Forest Exiles Saga by Mark J. Engels, a thrilling urban fantasy series packed with shapeshifters, espionage, and high-stakes action. They break down each book in the series, exploring the dangerous world of modern-day werecats and the forces that seek to control them. If you love Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series or Brad Magnarella’s Blue Wolf books, this is an episode you don’t want to miss! 📚 Featured Books in This Episode: * Werecats Emergent [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C56BG7BC] – A teenager’s life is forever changed when she unexpectedly transforms into a lynx, unleashing a deadly bloodlust that puts her family at risk. * Werecats Convergent [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGCCZH6P] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGCCZH6P– On the run after a disastrous mission, Pawly must decide whether to reveal her true nature to save the one she loves or risk losing him forever. * Werecats Resurgent [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNHJJQ23] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNHJJQ23– The epic conclusion! A high-stakes heist, a deadly trap, and a final showdown that will determine the fate of the werecats forever. 📖 Where to Find The Forest Exiles Saga:Search for The Forest Exiles Saga or the individual book titles on Amazon, or use the direct links below:🔗 The Forest Exiles Saga [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C572FW6N?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tkin] (3 book series) 🌐 Learn More About the Author:Visit Mark J. Engels' official website: mark-engels.com [http://mark-engels.com] 🎵 New Theme Song!We’ve updated our podcast with a brand-new theme song that truly captures the magic and mystery of Shadow & Starlight! Let us know what you think! 📢 Exciting News!Our podcast is now available on Apple Podcasts! 🎉 Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review so we can continue bringing you the best in fantasy and urban fantasy books. 💬 Join the Conversation!What books are you reading right now? Have a favorite shapeshifter series? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us a message or comment—we might feature your recommendations in a future episode. 🌟 Want to be featured on a future episode?We love spotlighting indie and dark fantasy authors! If you’re interested in having your book featured on the Shadow & Starlight Podcast, reach out to us at contact@crbooks.ink, visit CRBooks.ink [http://crbooks.ink], or join the conversation directly through our podcast community chat [https://causticorphan67.substack.com/chat]. ✨ Subscribe & Stay Connected:🔗 Listen on Substack: Shadows & Starlight Podcast [https://causticorphan67.substack.com/]🍎 Find us on Apple Podcasts: Shadows & Starlight [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shadows-starlight/id1805474438]🌙 Follow us on our site: CRBooks.ink [http://CRBooks.ink] 🕯️ Keep your books close… your lanterns alight… and never stop dreaming… of Shadows & Starlight. 🌙✨ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit causticorphan67.substack.com [https://causticorphan67.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]