Problems By Jennifer Estep -epub-: Only Hard

“I’ll take the job,” she said. “But you’ll need to double the deposit.”

Check for themes that Estep often uses—resilience, self-discovery, overcoming fears. Maybe add some dark elements, like a supernatural threat. The ending should resolve the main conflict but perhaps hint at larger issues for potential sequels or series development.

Lila’s mentor, Felix, a voodoo priest with a penchant for sarcasm and too many tattoos, leaned over her desk. “What’s wrong, sugar? Losin’ your touch?” Only Hard Problems by Jennifer Estep -ePub-

She hung a new sign on the door:

The entity slithered forward, voice hissing like steam from a kettle. “We eat those who resist us. You, little problem-solver, are the only one strong enough to defy us. But defying isn’t helping, is it?” “I’ll take the job,” she said

Back at the laundromat, Lila let the shadow taunt her. It lunged—faster than a ghost should be able to move. She sidestepped, uncharacteristically unimpressed.

I need to make sure the story has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Perhaps start with the protagonist facing a problem that her power can't handle, leading her to investigate why. The middle explores her journey to understand her unique ability and the problem's true nature. The climax would involve her overcoming the challenge in a unexpected way, using her hard problem-solving skill in a new context. The ending should resolve the main conflict but

“Maybe,” Lila said, pulling a vial of Felix’s holy water from her coat. “But I don’t need to beat you. I need to solve you.” She hurled the vial. The glass shattered, and the water hissed as it burned the shadow to smoke.

“Ms. Thorne, there’s a woman in your lobby,” her secretary, Mica, called. “She’s… arguing with a shadow.”

The shadow roared. Lila grinned. “What, no epic monologue?” She yanked the lighter back and struck it, the flame blue—straight from her power. The shadow recoiled.

By Jennifer Estep (A fictional work inspired by the author’s signature dark fantasy style) Prologue: The Impossibility of Easy