The Duality of Advocacy: Can One Champion Social Causes While Hiding a Criminal Past?
Would you accept such a character through the pages of fiction who is a defender but somehow has a dark past? Penny Fairland's "Fey Impulses" weaves a chilling and psychologically intense narrative that explores the haunting consequences of past secrets and the dark allure of ancient powers. The novel follows Kiera Scruggs, a woman whose life seems to be defined by a stark contrast between her outward commitment to social causes and a shadowy past that she has kept hidden, even from her own children. Fairland’s masterful storytelling, blended with elements of suspense, supernatural forces, and family drama, pulls readers into a whirlwind of obsession, madness, and fear.
Kiera Scruggs is a complex protagonist—an activist and mother whose past involvement in a crime haunts her in ways even her grown children cannot comprehend. The novel starts by revealing how her comfortable life is disrupted when her son, Rory, goes missing. Her desperation leads her to seek out a fortune teller, only to receive an ominous warning that sets the stage for Kiera’s dangerous descent into invoking an ancient Gaelic goddess. Fairland’s use of this ancient deity adds layers of mysticism and dread, as the goddess demands unwavering devotion and fearlessness, stripping Kiera of her moral boundaries.
Themes of Secrecy, Guilt, and Supernatural Power
Fairland expertly delves into the themes of guilt and secrecy, making Kiera's dark past an anchor that pulls her further into obsession. The inheritance from her indulgent father, her once secure life, and her perceived control over her family are juxtaposed against her growing madness. Readers are taken through her psychological unravelling, and her struggle between maternal fear and the intoxicating power offered by the goddess evokes a deep sense of foreboding.
The novel’s mix of psychological suspense and supernatural elements provides a unique flavor. Kiera’s petition to a fearsome crone-like deity, known for demanding extreme devotion, adds a gothic, foreboding atmosphere to the book. The spiritual and mystical dimensions of the plot reflect how obsession and the abandonment of conventional ethics can lead to terrifying consequences.
A Narrative of Maternal Obsession
At the heart of "Fey Impulses" is Kiera’s relationship with her son Rory. Her intense worry over his absence and her relentless pursuit to bring him home underscores the novel’s exploration of maternal obsession. Kiera’s interactions with the fortune teller and her desperate appeal to the ancient goddess highlight her willingness to sacrifice everything, even her own principles, to ensure her son’s safety. This maternal obsession, however, becomes a conduit for her darker impulses. Fairland portrays Kiera’s internal conflict with harrowing precision: the tension between her public image as a defender of social causes and her deep-seated fears and unresolved guilt. This dichotomy drives much of the suspense and adds complexity to Kiera’s character, making her both sympathetic and unsettling.
Conclusion: A Haunting Tale of Madness
Penny Fairland's "Fey Impulses" is a gripping and atmospheric novel that explores the dangers of obsession, the weight of past sins, and the seductive pull of ancient powers. The tension between Kiera’s desire to control her family’s fate and the dark forces she engages with creates a compelling narrative filled with twists and haunting revelations. For readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with a supernatural twist, this novel is a must-read.
Book Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1917306571

The Thin Line Between Protection and Harm: How Good Intentions Can Lead to Devastation
We frequently tread carefully in our attempts to keep ourselves and others safe from the perils and challenges of life, lest we inadvertently cause more harm than good. An innate instinct based on responsibility, care, and worry is the desire to protect. It’s critical to understand this delicate balance since decisions motivated by fear, control, and overprotection can backfire and have disastrous consequences.
This article will help you understand how this thin line between protection and harm can appear, as well as the steps we can take to make sure our well-meaning efforts don’t end up doing more harm than good.
When Protection Becomes Overreach: The Consequences of Excessive Safeguarding
Protecting others appears to be a good deed at first glance. The goal is to prevent harm from occurring, whether it be by mental, physical, or even societal protection. But protection can easily cross the line into overreach when it becomes too great.
There is a tipping point at which well-intentioned protective actions might inhibit resilience, growth, and independence. We run the risk of keeping people from picking up important lessons or honing their problem-solving abilities when we assume the position of guardian too much.
The Fragile Nature of Control: How Protecting Others Can Lead to Harmful Dependency
A further danger of overprotection is seen in the delicate equilibrium between control and support. Protectors sometimes make the mistake of thinking they know what’s best in every circumstance, which makes them try to control choices, behaviors, and results.
This type of control can have negative effects even though the goal may be to guarantee safety or avoid errors. We deprive someone of their agency when we do away with their capacity to choose and grow from their experiences.
From Shielding to Suffocating: The Emotional and Psychological Impact of Overprotection
Protection on an emotional and psychological level might have equal effects as protection on a physical level. But when emotional defense goes too far, it can suffocate the people we’re attempting to assist.
Even while the goal can be to shield someone from disappointment, safeguard their feelings, or shield them from emotional harm, doing so in excess might cause long-term emotional harm. People who receive excessive emotional pain shielding may find it difficult to grow resilient and overcome adversity.
The Unseen Danger: When Fear of Harm Leads to Unintended Devastation
The cause of overprotection is frequently fear. Fear can lead us to act in ways that may have unforeseen effects, whether it is fear of pain, loss, or failure. Fear-based decisions are typically more instinctive than deliberate. This may result in activities that injure the same individuals we are attempting to protect, impose restrictions, or impede progress.
It's important to walk carefully on the thin line that separates protection from harm. Although the desire to protect people from hardship or suffering is frequently motivated by love and concern, it’s critical to discern when protection verges on suffocation, control, or excess.
If you are looking for a compelling read, ‘Fey Impulses: A Story of Obsession and Madness’ by Penny Fairland is a treat for you. Penny Fairland’s latest novel is your gateway to an enthralling tale of identity, family secrets, and the consequences of self-serving morality.
Step into Kiera’s Life, a woman who has convinced herself that her extreme actions are justified by a self-serving sense of morality, believes she is protecting her family, yet her rash actions only lead to harm. As secrets from her criminal past emerge, her relationships with her grown children hang by a thread. Confronted by her past, Kiera embarks on a journey where every step is shadowed by mysterious omens and the influence of a Gaelic goddess.
Are you ready to dive Into a world where reality blurs with the supernatural? Lose yourself in a world where the supernatural intertwines with reality. Head to Amazon and get your copy today.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1917306571