Home Articles posted by Octavia Atlas (Page 4)

Author: Octavia Atlas

Thanks for visiting my site! I write contemporary, fantasy and sci-fi romance. Stay a while and get to know me and my characters.

Tildari Sunrises is Available Now!

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Tildari Sunrises is the third and final book in The Agitator’s Code Series! Purchase here and check out the playlist!

  • Genres: MM Romance, Science Fiction
  • Main Characters: Darion Navarr and Tolrek Marou
  • Tropes: Found Family, Hurt/Comfort, Power Couple
  • Word Count: ~92,000

Cover by Deranged Doctor Design

Darion Navarr and Tolrek Marou are eager to face their greatest challenge. As part of the Tildari Empire’s investigative team, Darion reveals the truth about Eastern Ledano’s devastating genetic engineering program.

Furious about the other nation’s greedy schemes, the Tildari Empress recruits Darion and Tolrek to stop the corrupt leaders. To determine the best strategies for this complex assignment, Darion has to look into his turbulent past. Before he can successfully complete his objective, he must navigate the grim trauma that surfaces.

While Tolrek does all he can to support Darion, he knows only Darion can break through the internal obstacles. As he and Darion juggle competing international interests, they risk catastrophic and far-reaching failure.

Darion and Tolrek aspire to prove themselves valuable to the Tildari Empire, giving them a pivotal role in its future. What are they willing to do and what will it cost them?

Content Warning: fights, discussions about rebellion/protesters imprisoned and PTSD, injury to characters, and deaths of minor characters.

The Agitator’s Code: Tildari Sunrises

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Tildari Sunrises will be available November 22, 2022! This sci-fi, m/m romance is the third and final book in The Agitator’s Code Series, featuring Darion Navarr and Tolrek Marou.

Cover by Deranged Doctor Design

Darion Navarr and Tolrek Marou are eager to face their greatest challenge. As part of the Tildari Empire’s investigative team, Darion reveals the truth about Eastern Ledano’s devastating genetic engineering program.

Furious about the other nation’s destructive schemes, the Tildari Empress recruits Darion and Tolrek to stop the corrupt leaders. To determine the best strategies for this complex assignment, Darion has to look into his turbulent past. Before he can successfully complete his objective, he must navigate the grim trauma that surfaces.

While Tolrek does all he can to support Darion, he knows only Darion can break through the internal obstacles. As he and Darion juggle competing international interests, they risk catastrophic and far-reaching failure.

Darion and Tolrek are determined to have a pivotal role in the Tildari Empire. What are they willing to do and what will it cost them?

Content Warning: fights, discussions about rebellion/protesters imprisoned and PTSD, injury to characters, and deaths of minor characters.

Fall 2022 Story Updates

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Water flows over rocks in a stream. Trees with green, orange, red, and yellow leaves are on either side of the stream.

Fall of 2022 has arrived! Here are my plans for this season.

The Agitator’s Code: I’ll release Tildari Sunrises and conclude this trilogy! Vaironian Tides and Ledani Moons are available as ebooks and paperbacks here and here.

The Architect’s Guardian: I’m so happy about the progress I’m making with revising Awakening, the first book of this sci-fi m/m romance series. I plan to publish book one in the summer of 2023.

Drama: KinnPorsche The Series

KinnPorsche The Series poster. Two men stand by each other. One looks at the camera, while the other stares off to the side.

KinnPorsche The Series is an action-packed drama that also balances angst with comedy. The show started airing in April 2022 and wrapped in early July 2022. It became incredibly popular. All the attention is well-deserved. I don’t see that popularity waning.

The main characters of the show are Kinn Theerapanyakun, played by Mile Phakphum Romsaithong and Porsche Kittisawat, played by Apo Nattawin Wattanagitiphat. This was my first time seeing these actors’ work and they were incredible in their roles.

Now that the dust has settled, I’m going to delve into the series. There’s so much to explore and enjoy:

Characters – Kinn and Porsche head up the crew, but there are many other notable characters. These include Kinn’s older and younger brothers, Tankhun and Kim respectively. There’s also Vegas, one of the main antagonists, who’s often a few steps ahead of many other characters.

Story – KPTS features some of my favorite tropes, including Forced Proximity, Found Family, and Hurt/Comfort. (These are the main tropes I wrote in my male/male romance series, The Agitator’s Code.) Kinn is a mafia boss and Porsche becomes his bodyguard, giving the show a morally gray center. Just the foundation of the relationship prompts viewers to explore the complexity of Kinn and Porsche being together.

Soundtrack – PhiangWaichai, by Slot Machine, as well as Free Fall, by Slot Machine are featured. These songs have the same tune with similar messages. I immediately added them to a playlist and often find myself listening to them. Other music includes Why Don’t You Stay, by Jeff Satur, who also portrays Kim. Even the incidental music is evocative. It perfectly helps to solidify the mood of each scene, especially during the private time between Kinn and Porsche.

The series is basically “the gift that keeps giving” because of the bountiful behind the scenes content. There are also fan-made videos as odes to this incredible couple.

This show is definitely worth more than one watch. The best part is that it’s short, at only 14 episodes. So, it’s easy to dive in and enjoy the chaotic duo of Kinn and Porsche.

Summer 2022 Story Updates

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Outside scene of a table set with tea cup, a lime, sliced lemon, and a flower vase with various flowers in it. The sun is shines in the distance.

The year is flying by and it’s already Summer of 2022! Here are my plans for this season.

The Agitator’s Code: My goal is to publish Tildari Sunrises this fall. I might need to adjust the release date, as the last book in my sci-fi m/m romance trilogy is the most complex. I also have other ideas involving Darion and Tolrek, but I’ll cover those in a different update. Vaironian Tides and Ledani Moons are available, as ebooks and as paperbacks, here and here.

The Architect’s Guardian: Revising Awakening, the first book of this series, is still a priority. I’m on track to publish it in Summer 2023!

My Internal Monologue Fuels My Stories

Silhouette of a woman thinking

I stumbled onto an awesome Twitter thread about internal monologues. I absolutely have an inner monologue. I love it. It’s one of the things that has kept me out of trouble, usually. Also, it’s great for fueling stories. “I won’t do [X] in this situation, but if my character did…Hmmm.”

I didn’t realize there was a more formal name for this phenomenon for quite a while. Also, I believed it was something everyone did. It seemed to help me imagine a variety of scenarios and pick the best option. Usually, that worked out well, though I sometimes wonder if I was too cautious and missed interesting opportunities. Regardless, it’s an ability I’m glad I have.

Finding that thread sparked a series of revelations. I recommend reading it. The conversation is fascinating and I always enjoy insights about how people think.

"Wait there are people out there who [have] an actual internal monologue going on in their heads? Like in the movies?" - @Lady_Gagnon on Twitter

Attack on Titan: Eren’s Decisions

I’ve continued watching Attack on Titan, an action/dark fantasy/post-apocalyptic anime. While the series has many compelling characters, Eren Yeager is the center of attention. See my previous post.

The below video, by WordyBlerd, is an excellent analysis of Eren and how he handles Paradis. The Surveys Corps‘ largest mistake is not understanding Eren’s fundamental core. Much of that is typical in a militaristic structure. And, in general, even when you’re valuable to an organization, it can crush your spirit. As a result, you might cling to it and crave approval. That method of control, however, doesn’t work when someone has a strong compass, regardless of the person’s ultimate goals.

Spring 2022 Story Updates

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Yellow flower with a yellow and black butterfly

It’s time to enjoy Spring of 2022! Here are my plans for this season.

The Agitator’s Code: Later this year, I’ll release Tildari Sunrises, the third and final book in this series! It’s so exciting to be wrapping up Darion and Tolrek’s trilogy. Vaironian Tides and Ledani Moons are available as ebooks or paperbacks here and here.

The Architect’s Guardian: I’m steadily revising Awakening, the first book of this series. I also have significant material I’m considering for the sequel. I plan to publish book one in Fall 2023.

Love Is In The Air

A series of hearts are layered on each other, with the largest hearts being side by side.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Here are some of my favorite romantic books, dramas, and movies that feature incredible and loving relationships.

Books:

  • Drag Me Up – This is a bold and vivid retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth, written by R.M. Virtues. See my full review here.
  • Slippery Creatures – K.J. Charles, who writes historical romance, brings us Will Darling and Kim Secretan. See my full review here.

Drama Series:

  • The Rebel Princess – Back in May 2021, I made a post about this fantastic drama. The couple in this show navigate daunting challenges where so many people around them are scheming.
  • You Are My Glory – I’ve enjoyed other dramas with Dilraba Dilmurat and Yang Yang. Seeing them act together is sublime.

Movies:

  • Love Jones – The chemistry between the main characters is undeniable, even as their stubbornness threatens to derail their love.
  • That Touch of Mink – This is a great romantic comedy starring Cary Grant and Doris Day. You really can’t beat a classic.