Author's Blog - Drake Leitold

Music has always been an integral part of my life and it's flowed directly into my writing. Here is a short list of some of the songs that inspired me to write this series. Breath of Life for the Wicked (Theme Song) Breath of Life – Florence and the Machine Donovan Playlist: No Light, No Light – Florence and the Machine Colors – Halsey The Darkest Star – Depeche Mode Void – Melanie Martinez Frozen – Madonna Kasmira Playlist: Conflict of the Mind – AURORA Get Out – CHVRCHES All I Wanted Was You – Paramore De Una Vez – Selena Gomez Butterfly – Marina Thane Playlist: High Enough – K. Flay Dinner & Diatribes – Hozier Kill for Your Love – Labrinth Good Enough – Evanescence The Handler – Muse

Hello, everyone! I'm Drake Leitold, and I'm absolutely thrilled to share this moment with you as I introduce myself as the author of my debut novel, Breath of Life for the Wicked, the first book in my ongoing series, The Obsidian Dahlia Chronicles. After two years of pouring my heart and soul into writing this dystopian suspense / thriller, seeing it finally published feels like a dream come true. This story, set in the dark and intricate city of Valore, follows Donovan, Kasmira, and Thane as they unravel secrets that challenge their beliefs and shape their fates. I hope you'll dive into this world with me and find yourself as captivated by it as I've been while crafting it. As a new author, I'm still learning the ropes of storytelling, and I'm excited to grow as a writer over the years to come. The Obsidian Dahlia Chronicles is just the beginning of what I envision as a long, thrilling saga, with plenty of twists, betrayals, and redemption to explore in the world of Valore and its characters. I'm so grateful for every reader who picks up Breath of Life for the Wicked, and I hope it leaves you eager for more. My goal is to keep you hooked, and I'm already working on the next book to continue this journey. Beyond writing, I'm also an artist, and I'm excited to bring the world of The Obsidian Dahlia Chronicles to life through my art. Over the past two years, while writing the novel, I've drawn characters like Donovan, Kasmira, Thane and scenes from Valore's shadowy streets. I plan to regularly share new artwork on this blog, giving you visual glimpses of the characters and the world they inhabit. These pieces are my way of deepening the experience of the series, and I hope they spark your imagination as much as the story does. This blog will be my space to connect with you all, with regular updates on my writing, sneak peeks at upcoming books, and, of course, new character and world art. I'd love to hear your thoughts on Breath of Life for the Wicked—what you loved, what surprised you, and how I can make the next books even better. Your feedback is invaluable as I continue to grow as both a writer and an artist. Thank you for joining me on this adventure, and I can't wait to share more of The Obsidian Dahlia Chronicles with you! With gratitude and excitement, Drake Ilarian Moore Leitold