Last Chance Before Chaos Reigns!

May 19, 2025

Hey! I hope you enjoyed hearing about the illustrated His Angelic Keeper omnibuses and Sovvan and Fay’s newest adventure, Chaos Rises. But all good things come to an end, and so does the Kickstarter.

Back now before the campaign ends at 12 midnight PST/3 am EST on May 22.

Whenever I hear someone’s fallen in love with Sovvan’s adventures, I’m reminded why this world exists and why I spent so many late nights writing her story.

Here’s what some awesome readers have said:

“These books leave you wanting more…fantasy, action, adventure and worldbuilding that I enjoy, but they also are ‘nice’ in a way where they aren’t as dark as some books are.”
"Sovvan’s snarky remarks…she is a very lively ghost (maybe even something more).”

If you want a change from grimdark epics (or you simply want to see what all the chaos is about), check out the campaign here!

But time is running out. There are just 72 hours left to grab the exclusive, illustrated editions of the His Angelic Keeper series omnibuses and Chaos Rises!

After 3 AM EST/12 AM PST on May 22, these special illustrated hardcovers and ebooks will vanish back into the Gray Between. (They won’t be in stores since the printer doesn’t ship to them, so this is your only shot.)

What you’ll find inside:

✨ 294+ unique illustrations (seriously, my digital paintbrush is exhausted...)

✨ Nearly 1700 pages of angels, demons, family, heart, and humor

✨ Did I mention dragons? There might be a snarky one or two

✨ Sovvan, Sarn, and an unforgettable supporting cast

If you’ve been thinking about backing, now’s the time. I’d hate for you to miss out after all the love you’ve shown these characters over the years.

Thank you for making these books possible. Let’s finish this quest together!

And now back to our preview of:

Chaos Rises

By Melinda Kucsera

Chapter 2, Part 3

But sleep wouldn't come for her. Sovvan stared at the ceiling. The room was silent, but Sovvan knew Ran’s and Miren’s guardian angels were here, somewhere. They always stayed near their chosen mortals, even if they stayed invisible to avoid speaking to her. She sighed. They probably hope I’ll leave them out of this problem too.

Do I really have to take on these Riders of the Apocalypse? The question gnawed at her as she held Ran close to her heart. His breath warmed the fabric of her dress, and that was comforting. Why do I have to do something about them? I didn't release them. Malachiah did.

He was her guardian angel once upon a time, but not since he sold her out to the literal devil and opened a gateway to let his army into the Gray Between. So why do I have to be responsible for what he did? Why can't someone else take care of it, someone like J.C.?

Why does it have to be me? Sovvan glared at the ceiling. J.C. could handle this.

The thought lingered like a storm cloud over her, making her bitter. But how would she even call him? She’d never called him before. Every time they’d crossed paths, it was by chance, or maybe fate. Would thinking about him even work? What would she say if it did?

Sovvan pictured him as she wondered that. Why not ask J.C. for help? He was powerful on a whole other level than the angels she’d met so far. He could take on those riders and he probably knew how to lock them up.

Perhaps thoughts of him summoned him because a light appeared in the opposite corner of this rectangular room. Was J.C. trying to teleport here?

The light didn’t get any brighter, nor did it resolve into a person. But she heard J.C.’s voice in her head, so he must be casting that light somehow. Hello, Sovvan.

I guess you heard me thinking about you. Sovvan tried to send that thought to him, so their conversation didn't wake Ran or Miren. They were mortal, and they needed their sleep.

J.C. sighed. Yeah, I did, and I thought it was time we talked again. We didn't have much time to talk the last time we met, and I'm sure you have questions.

I have lots of questions. Sovvan had so many questions they jammed up in her brain until she could sort them into some kind of order. That probably didn't endear her to him or make her seem all that intelligent.

It's okay. You don't have to ask all your questions at once. One at the time will do. The light bobbed in the corner by the door. Why didn’t J.C. appear?

What do you know about the riders and the Wraths? Sovvan asked instead because that was the most important question.

Not much, I'm afraid. They were created and locked away before I was a separate entity. So I've never seen them. Nor have I heard anything about them. I didn't even know they existed until Malachiah released them. J.C. didn’t sound upset about that either.

Well, that sucked. She hoped as the son of the Creator that he’d have some insights or intelligence to share. Can you track them down and lock them away? Sovvan didn't say, so she could stay right here with her family, but she probably implied it with her tone.

No, I can't. I'm sorry. Once the apocalypse starts, I can't return to the mortal world until the end. But I don't want the world to end, so I hope that someone will lock these things up and put a stop to it. He didn't ask if she would be that person. Surely he heard her argument with Misriah. He was just being polite by not mentioning it.

Does that person have to be me? The question lingered in the back of her mind, but she didn't send it to him, and she hoped he didn't hear it. It was a selfish thought, anyway. What would he think of her if he found out she didn’t want to help stop the apocalypse? Sovvan squeezed Ran. She was there for the release of the last Wrath, and she captured and locked it up. Did that make the other six her responsibility?

I'm not omniscient. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth. I don't know where any of them are, and I can't tell you how to find them or lock them up, but I have faith in you. If you take them on, I know you'll give it your best shot, and that's all anyone can ask. J.C. sounded hopeful.

Great, he expected her to do something about them. Well, so did her brother's guardian angel. Maybe Misriah was right.

I can't intervene during the onset of the Apocalypse. An end times prophecy prevents it. If I try to help you while it’s ongoing, I could hasten the end of all things, and I don't want to do that. So I’ll wish you good luck, Sovvan. J.C.’s light and his voice faded away, and the darkness seemed to close in around her despite the glow of her halo and eyes.

Will you talk to the council of angels for me? Sovvan thought of the question after he’d already disappeared, so it just sat there in her mind, reminding her of the messenger angels she was avoiding. She didn't want to talk to them either.

“Are you all right?” Misriah reappeared at the foot of the mattress.

“Yeah. I have a lot to think about. But I'm glad I got to talk to him. I wish he wasn’t barred from helping, though.” Sovvan stared at the ceiling. She just wished J.C. gave her a different answer.

“Remember, you're not alone in this. You’ve got me.” Misriah sounded eager to get started as she vanished and hopefully returned to Sarn’s side.

Perhaps in the morning when he came back, she’d have some ideas to pursue because right now she still didn't know what to do about the Wraths or the riders or where to find them. Nor did she want to get involved in this whole apocalypse thing any more than she already was.

As if hearing her thoughts, the seventh seal rang softly like a tiny bell inside her, reminding her it was there too. What part would it play in all this?

***

Back the kickstarter to get a copy of the illustrated edition now before they disappear.

Thank you for being part of this!

—Melinda

(Ran will return on Monday. I hope. He’s still not talking to me, so he will probably have a lot to say.)