My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is JF Monroe, author of the book The Legendary Guardians: Reunions. When reality isn't enough, you build your universe. That's precisely what J.F. Monroe did with the Legacy of the Four trilogy, creating a world where ancient powers walk among us and destiny can be rewritten by the courage of the human heart.   A lifelong devotee of fantasy fiction, Monroe crafts stories that blend epic adventure with deeply personal journeys. Her writing draws inspiration from the character-driven narratives of "The Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter," the high stakes of "The Hunger Games," and the intricate plotting of Christopher Nolan's films. These influences combine in her work to create stories where even the most extraordinary characters feel remarkably real.   At the heart of Monroe's storytelling philosophy lies a simple truth: the most powerful magic comes from human connection. Her characters—whether they're vessels for ancient powers or loyal companions with four legs—face struggles that resonate with readers long after they turn the last page. She crafts protagonists who aren't just extraordinary in their abilities but also in their capacity for growth, love, and sacrifice.   When not weaving tales of legendary guardians and supernatural realms, Monroe can be found immersed in the stories that fuel her imagination—curled up with a good book and a steaming cup of coffee, embarking on movie marathons, or exploring virtual worlds through video games. These moments of escape and adventure inspire new stories and new worlds for readers to discover.   In my book review, I stated The Legendary Guardians: Reunions is a fantasy. I enjoyed the storyline and would have given it more stars if it weren't for the multitude of gratuitous explicit scenes. If you don't mind spice or are willing to skip the scenes, you'll find the story has a lot of depth.   We learn early on that the human race is being held together by a treaty that keeps demons, angels, and the seven deadly sins in check. The enforcers of the treaty are the four horsemen. However, the horsemen have to choose human hosts during an event called the crucible.   Both Shade and Theo, teenagers in love, are chosen to participate in the crucible - and Theo is chosen as a horseman, tearing the young lovers brutally apart. Several years go by, but Shade can't move on with her life. Then, strange things begin to happen - things that suggest the treaty is no longer in effect.   What will this mean for Shade? For Theo? For the world? This book is fast-paced and leaves you wanting the next installment.   Content note: There are some rather detailed sex scenes. I chose to skip them and doing so did not change the book's narrative.   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author JF Monroe Website: https://www.jfmonroebookshelf.com/ IG: @jf.monroe TikTok: @jf.monroe   Purchase The Legendary Guardians: Reunions on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/4mbsu7m Ebook:  https://amzn.to/46lsUDE   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #jfmonroe #thelegendaryguardians #fantasy #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.