Maegan M. Simpson's Blog, page 3

Update About All the Things

Hello hello!

Once again, I’ve fallen behind posting on here… So, since there’s a bunch of stuff going on, I’m going to put it all here at once and hope I won’t forget anything. Alright, ready for the whirlwind? Hold onto your hats!

First, Shrouded Hope is out in the world! The sixth and second to last Agonizomai Book is available on Amazon, and I’m so excited to have you all read it! This book is getting to the very heart to the series, and it brings all our beloved characters together. (Most of them…Iyanka and Victorin have to stay in Elnar, at least for now.) If you haven’t already, you can buy Shrouded Hope HERE.

Second, I’m hoping to release the FINAL book of the Agonizomai Series in January or February of 2023. I’m already around a quarter of the way through the rough draft, and I’m loving it. I’m also pretty sure it’ll be the longest book I’ve written, by the time I’m finished. So many things need to happen, friends…so many things. I don’t have the pre-order up yet (I may or may not still need to paint the cover…), but we’re getting there! I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that this series will be finished in only a few months…

And that brings me to my third bit of big news: Stone Heart. I revealed the new cover on my Instagram last Friday, and oh my goodness I’m in love. My new friends at MoorBooks Design did such an amazing job of capturing Ember and Dyre…it’s better than I ever could’ve imagined.

In addition to an amazing new cover, I have another piece of Stone Heart news: you can now preorder the second edition! (Click here to check it out) It’s launching on December 16th, which just so happens to be my birthday. I’m already planning lots of ways to celebrate leading up to the launch.

Read below for Stone Heart’s new blurb!

A woman of secrets. A lord of living stone. Which will break first, the curse…or their hearts?

Ember is used to living on the fringes. When her family chooses her as the sacrifice to serve out their debts, Ember doesn’t expect her life to change that much. She’ll clean where she’s ordered, keep her head down, and survive another day. Life as usual…except Ember doesn’t need a storybook to tell her this castle is cursed. Even more troubling, the lord of the castle isn’t nearly as monstrous as appearances suggest. But Ember has a reason for keeping to the fringes, and failure could cost Ember her life.

Dyrerisan has spent well over a lifetime wandering the dark halls of his castle, alone in his thoughts. He has his own reasons for demanding a servant from Ember’s family, but a desire for companionship wasn’t one of them. But when Ember arrives on his steps, fearless and vibrant, he begins to wonder… Perhaps a life spent in isolation isn’t much of a life at all. But more than his own heart is at risk if he lets Ember in.

Dyrerisan and Ember have both learned to keep their secrets close, and their hearts closed. But hearts of stone can still shatter. A curse is at work within the halls of the castle, and it won’t stop until it claims the life it was promised. Will they choose to fight the curse alone, or standing side by side? And just what is at stake if they fail?

Alright, I think I covered all the things. Keep a look out for more news ahead! It’s going to be a wild, wonderous few months.

Stone Heart 2nd Edition

The title says it: Stone Heart is getting a second edition! This December, I’m fully relaunching Stone Heart. This means a new cover, new interior, new description…new everything! 

I’m doing this relaunch a little differently than the Agonizomai Books…the new version of Stone Heart is a true second edition, meaning it’ll have a new ISBN and be available seperately on Amazon. This does mean that if you’ve already bought Stone Heart, you’ll still have to purchase the new one…but I’m thinking through something special for those who own the first edition and want the second. 

In the meantime, I’m planning all sorts of fun hype to lead up to this new launch. I’m especially excited to reveal the new cover. It’s the first time I’ve commissioned a professional cover for one of my books and it is AMAZING. Absolutely stunning. I’m SO excited to see what you all think. 

But for now, keep a look out on my social media for sneak peeks of the new Stone Heart!

And for those who’ve read this little book and enjoy it…rest assured, the heart of the story remains the same. This second edition will simply be a little longer and a lot deeper. 

Winds of Wrath Release

Hello hello!

Oof. I’ve done it again and let a month go by… But the good news is, I haven’t been idle in that time!

Winds of Wrath launched on Kindle last Friday, and today I hit publish on the paperback! Click here to see it on Amazon! That marks my tenth book published for the world to see, just as I’m celebrating the seventh anniversary of becoming a published author.

And now that Winds of Wrath is released, I get to talk about a few Agonizomai Series things. (I don’t think there will be spoilers)

Winds of Wrath marks a major turning point in the series. Up to this point, the books have jumped all over the place with who they follow and when they take place. But Winds of Wrath is the last book in the main series that introduces a new Main Character. The final two books will be from the point of view of characters that we’ve heard from before, and the timeline stays chronological (Menacing Whispers and Winds of Wrath actually take place at roughly the same time, so we’ll pick up with both sets of characters in book 6 pretty soon after we last saw them).

What this also means is that if you haven’t read all of the books in the series, now is the time to do it. Starting with Winds of Wrath, the stories heavily rely on those that have come before. (For instance, if you haven’t read Born in Darkness, there are going to be some major spoilers for you in Winds of Wrath). The last two especially should be read in the context of the rest of the series. The final two books contain all that the series has been building toward since book one, and I am so incredibly excited to be writing it! This is the heart of the series, the stories that I’ve been longing to write for years.

 

In other news, I’ve updated the Agonizomai timeline to include Winds of Wrath. And don’t forget to get the kindle version of Winds of Wrath soon, before the price goes up to $2.99!

More news is coming soon, but for now I’m going to get back to writing. Happy almost-Autumn, my friends! Happy reading!

Winds of Wrath and Late Summer Plans

Hello hello!

 

So, an update on life stuff… I made it back from Bible Camp a couple weeks ago, and I’ve been working on a combination of catching up on sleep and making progress on writing stuff.

My biggest news is that Winds of Wrath has a pre-order up! Click here to see it on Amazon! The release is set for September 9th, and I am so excited for you all to read it. The series is speeding up, and from this point on all that the series has been building is coming together. So now’s your chance to catch up on the series… You’ve met all the main players now, and from Winds of Wrath on is full of spoilers from the first four books.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m working hard to bring the Agonizomai Series to a finish by early 2023. The sixth book, Shrouded Hope, is in the editing stage (that’s actually what I’m working on today), and soon I hope to start writing the final book. I still have a few more exciting adventures this summer, so I won’t give any more dates yet…but we’re getting close.

And while you wait, here’s an excerpt from Winds of Wrath to whet your appetite. This one brings in some old friends.

“Ivy found the Shacar training yesterday,” Zef said. “I think she had a few questions about it.”

Ivy’s glare quickly smoothed over as Iyanka turned to her. Zef turned his eyes to his food to hide his smirk.

“Victorin and I would be happy to answer any questions you have,” Iyanka said.

“Thank you,” Ivy said slowly. “Mainly I was wondering…how it works? Zef claimed that your elements are still your own?”

“As much as they ever were,” Iyanka said. “When the bond is complete, our elements are shared in that we have access to both, and we’re able to meld them within ourselves. But we’re still capable of using them separately, as well.”

Iyanka held up her hand, fingers glinting with frost, to demonstrate. Ivy’s eyes widened at the sight, and Zef wondered if she’d ever seen an ice wielder’s power in action. The way Henry talked about the gardeners made it sound like they hadn’t often interacted with other wielders.

Victorin slipped his hand into Iyanka’s, and white-blue flame flared to life where their skin touched. Ivy jumped at the sight.

“As Shacar,” Victorin said, “our elements want to work together. They’re stronger together, and more resilient against other forces, including sorcery. They retain their individual properties and powers, but when melded the opposing forces work as one rather than destroying each other.”

Character Profiles: Menacing Whispers

Hello hello!

And we’ve made it to Menacing Whispers! Finally! I lost momentum a bit in the craziness of my summer, but we’re here now. I hope you enjoy!

 

Caidalie (Caidi) Flerdie is a language expert and experienced troublemaker. Although extremely nearsighted, she is carefree and bold, determined to find adventure and friends wherever she goes. Her mastery of most of Agon’s major languages is only one of the skills she’s developed in her determination to be useful and independent. Her bright spirit and fearlessness combine to make her a pleasant companion but a handful to take care of, which is largely her own design.

Caidi has spent over half her life in Tusta, one of the largest cities in Agon and a center for trade and immigration. She’s the daughter of two devoted Theophiloi. Her parents raised her to know Theohyios, and her faith in the Creator is strong. Her father is a captain of a karlys trading vessel, while her mother cares for her six younger siblings and works odd jobs in their neighborhood.

Because her parents are so often gone or busy, Caidi has had plenty of opportunities to seek out adventures. Caidi knows Tusta well enough to navigate without anyone’s aid, though she often has her younger brother, Ado, with her. And she walks those streets without hesitation or fear, even in places where most grown men won’t venture alone. None of her adventures have led her to serious harm, and she feels at home among every level of Tusta’s varied society.

Her safety in Tusta is due to Caidi’s unique charm, which leads most people to see her as someone to laugh with and guard from danger. Her open and mischievous manner makes her endearing to a wide variety of people, though those who don’t like her find that she has a talent for biting sarcasm as well as foreign languages. As a result of her particular charisma, Caidi has made friends with a large variety of Tusta’s society, including most of the “underground”: Tusta’s crime families, the power structure outside the nobles and merchant lords.

These friendships have led Caidi to be even more fearless in her interactions with people, enough that when Coggan takes her captive she resolves to not be intimidated by the power he controls. She has known groups similar to “The Family” of Moute and has years of practice navigating the kind of people she’s surrounded by under Coggan’s control. She also has plenty of practice withholding information, and she’s determined to guard her secrets and withhold her aid from Coggan as much as possible.

As Caidi gets to know Jair, and experiences his persistent attempts to keep her out of trouble, she recognizes his capacity for loyalty and protectiveness. She latches onto him, resolved to stay at his side and somehow convince him to help her defeat Coggan. But even as she places her life in his hands, she holds to her own convictions: she’s held to what she knows to be right among Tusta’s underground, and she refuses to bend them now despite any threats to her life. She will stand against evil…no matter what form it takes, no matter what she has to give up in the battle.

Tuan is the leader of one of the village havens deep in the wastelands of Cron, populated by people who have reason to hide from wider society and are yet victims, not villains. He has the ability to turn into a dragon, and is descended from the notorious dragon kings of the Taraq (known for carving out an empire stretching across half the continent in a single lifetime). 

While Tuan takes his heritage seriously and knows the stories passed down about his ancestors, he is not proud of how the dragon kings led. He strives to be a humble leader, always focused on the people he protects and always willing to listen to their stories.

Tuan established the village he leads when the original haven, led by his father, grew too crowded. This split was done with the approval of Tuan’s father, who maintains close contact with Tuan and is the “ultimate” leader of the two villages.  Tuan deeply respects his father and is close to his family, but he is also secure in the conviction that beginning another village was the right choice. And although Tuan recognizes his father as a higher authority, Tuan will stand against his father if he believes his father is making the wrong choice. 

Tuan has led a somewhat sheltered life in the wastes, separated from the world and possessing a dragon form that few threats can stand against. However, Tuan has listened to enough stories from those who come to the villages to know the pain and evil that resides in the world. He is slow to condemn but quick to protect, believing that every person has a choice with what they do with their lives, no matter their stories. 

He is a dedicated servant of the Creator, and a firm believer in the grace and transformation the Creator offers. Strong in his convictions but willing to listen, Tuan is not the leader the Taraq dream of, but he is the kind of leader they need. And he will give everything he can offer to lead them to follow the Creator.

Ah Caidi and Jair…they certainly are a pair.

With this, we’re caught up on character profiles for the Agonizomai Series until Winds of Wrath releases in September. Are you excited yet? I know I am…

I’m a few days away from going to the Bible Camp I work at during the summers, so I’ll be MIA for another few weeks. But once I’m back, prepare for all the Winds of Wrath teasers! And some fun announcements about my other plans for the rest of 2022.

Have a lovely week, friends! And happy summer!

Summer Plans

Hello hello!

I’m writing this post from the far off place of central Ohio (well…far from my usual spot)

Those of you who follow me on social media will know that I spent the past week in Pennsylvania for the wedding of a close friend. What a whirlwind! It was a crazy, amazing week of seeing the sights, hanging out with my friend, and helping her prepare for her wedding. It was wonderful, and you should definitely check out my Instagram for a few pictures of what I found.

It was my first visit to Pennsylvania, and oh it was beautiful…there’s so much life there, all around. And the architecture!!! Every place I saw enchanted me, and I dearly hope I get a chance to return and explore more of that part of the world. For now, though, I’m in Ohio visiting my brother and exploring all the wonder available. I’m taking tons of pictures, talking pretty much constantly, and soaking in the all the peaceful green.

What all this means for writing is that I’m on vacation. I pushed myself pretty hard this spring, and now I’m taking a break for personal stuff for a while. It’s going to be a crazy couple of months, but very fun.

This does mean that I won’t be posting as much, but it won’t majorly affect my book releases. Winds of Wrath is scheduled for September, and I’m hoping to have the pre-order up this month. And my major news is that Agonizomai book 6 will release in October/November! In fact, it’s already written: I managed to finish the ENTIRE 90k draft in one month, which is a new record for me. The seventh and final book in the Agonizomai series should follow pretty soon after that, early in 2023. I’m finally writing the parts in the series that I’ve been dreaming of and building up to since the very beginning, and I am loving it.

My main focus for the rest of this year will be the Agonizomai Series, making sure I finish it well so you aren’t dying inside waiting for the last book. As for other projects in the works…those will stay secret for now.

So that’s the news. Check out my Instagram for fun pictures, and keep an eye out for excerpts of Winds of Wrath in the next few weeks. Hope your summer is going well, friends!

 

Character Profiles: Broken Healer

Hello hello!

And we’re on to Broken Healer’s character profiles! Sioned holds a special place in my heart just because her story is so hard, and yet she still finds hope and learns to heal. And of course, this book has dragons, so that makes it one of my secret favorites as well. Enjoy!

 

Sioned belongs to the ranks of healers known as aerhme, who bear the power to take the wounds and illnesses of others onto their own bodies. Sioned studied at the famed aerhme institute from the age of five until she was twelve. Spending so many of her formative years under the tutelage and guidance of the aerhme gave Sioned a powerful sense of responsibility to protect and save lives wherever she has the ability. This, combined with her inability to take on anything less than a whole wound, means that Sioned will take herself to the edge of death without much consideration for her own body’s limits. 

At twelve, Sioned was stolen and enslaved by Taraq raiders who attacked her party on their way to Falkere. They took Sioned as a village slave as well as a healer, using her to heal the wounds their warriors incurred raiding other caravans. Her loss of freedom, and being forced to heal men she knows will use their strength to take more lives, wears on Sioned heavily. 

Her life changes drastically once again when she is fourteen, when a group of sorcerers known to the Taraq as the “night people” approach her masters to offer their skills. Her masters ask the sorcerers to make Sioned more powerful, so she’ll be able to heal more of their warriors at a time. The night people agree, but fulfill this promise by forcing magic into Sioned that gives her the power to steal a person’s life-strength for her own use.

From that point on, while outwardly she is stronger, inwardly she withers. Holding the power to steal lives with a touch goes against everything Sioned believes she was made to be. Her conviction that the power she now controls is evil never wavers, but as years pass and the voices whisper in her ear that conviction shifts to see herself as evil too. Thus, even when she escapes the night people and is taken to the dragon haven of the wastes, Sioned sees herself as nothing more than a threat to others, broken and deadly. 

This sense of brokenness and depravity leads to a wholehearted devotion to Theohyios when He frees her. Knowing the evil of the night people, and then experiencing the mercy and deliverance of the Creator, gives Sioned unwavering faith in the Creator and His ways. Having tasted the deepest evils, she cannot imagine a person who could see the light the Creator offers and refuses. Seeing that the darkness of the night people can be defeated, and learning that the Creator has gifted her with the power to undo such darkness, imbues Sioned with a bright hope that presses her onward into the unknown. Though she still has a lot to heal from after her time with the Taraq, Sioned holds fast to this hope. Her life so far has taken her to the darkest places she could imagine, but the pain of her past only makes the light of hope that much brighter. 

Tuan is the leader of one of the village havens deep in the wastelands of Cron, populated by people who have reason to hide from wider society and are yet victims, not villains. He has the ability to turn into a dragon, and is descended from the notorious dragon kings of the Taraq (known for carving out an empire stretching across half the continent in a single lifetime). 

While Tuan takes his heritage seriously and knows the stories passed down about his ancestors, he is not proud of how the dragon kings led. He strives to be a humble leader, always focused on the people he protects and always willing to listen to their stories.

Tuan established the village he leads when the original haven, led by his father, grew too crowded. This split was done with the approval of Tuan’s father, who maintains close contact with Tuan and is the “ultimate” leader of the two villages.  Tuan deeply respects his father and is close to his family, but he is also secure in the conviction that beginning another village was the right choice. And although Tuan recognizes his father as a higher authority, Tuan will stand against his father if he believes his father is making the wrong choice. 

Tuan has led a somewhat sheltered life in the wastes, separated from the world and possessing a dragon form that few threats can stand against. However, Tuan has listened to enough stories from those who come to the villages to know the pain and evil that resides in the world. He is slow to condemn but quick to protect, believing that every person has a choice with what they do with their lives, no matter their stories. 

He is a dedicated servant of the Creator, and a firm believer in the grace and transformation the Creator offers. Strong in his convictions but willing to listen, Tuan is not the leader the Taraq dream of, but he is the kind of leader they need. And he will give everything he can offer to lead them to follow the Creator.

Maryth is one of the residents of the havens in the waste led by Tuan and his father, and is Tuan’s betrothed. She grew up in Falkere and had a difficult childhood. When she was a teenager, she fled north with her mother and younger brothers. They heard about the dragon havens on their way to the Shoque Sea and decided to make their home there. 

Maryth is very protective of her family and slow to trust, both results of the pain and fear she experienced as a child. She’s determined that her little brothers won’t face the same sort of life that she did, and determined that she won’t let people close enough to hurt her. It takes several years in the havens, and Tuan’s patient determination, for Maryth to open her heart to people outside her immediate family. Tuan is the first she opens herself to, and he becomes her closest confidant. 

She attributes her sense of safety in the wastes to Tuan, and when he tells her he’s thinking of starting another village in the southern caverns she’s the first to say she’ll join him. In the new village, Maryth is Tuan’s fiercest supporter and the first to offer her help with whatever issue arises. Though it takes several years for them to become officially betrothed, most of the citizens of both villages felt it was a long time coming.

Although Maryth remains slow to trust and can be somewhat cold toward newcomers, she cares deeply for people. Once someone wins her trust and loyalty, her love and concern for them runs deep. So it is that when Maryth learns some of Sioned’s painful past, she becomes determined to help Sioned feel safe in the cavern villages, and show Sioned that it’s a place where she can heal and begin a new life.

Given a choice, Maryth would have remained in the caverns for the rest of her life. However, her first loyalty is to the Creator and to the path He calls her to. She believes she is supposed to be with Tuan, wherever he goes, and she refuses to hold him back from his birthright leading the Taraq if that’s where the Creator calls them. She feels uncomfortable with the fierce Taraq, especially knowing what they did to Sioned, but she’s also determined to stand firm. She knows the work the Creator can do in people’s hearts, and she will live among the Taraq as long as the Creator tells her to.

Well, there they are! Tuan and Maryth’s relationship is a fascinating one…I hope someday I can learn their story enough to write it. And Sioned, of course, we’ll meet again as she continues to Tusta in pursuit of the Batka. But that’s another book entirely…

In the meantime, I’m hard at work writing and editing. We only have Menacing Whispers left for the character profiles…we should be finished by the end of May (and then my chaotic summer begins…)

Hope you all are having a fine week!

Character Profiles: Born in Darkness

Hello hello!

It’s time for more Character profiles! I only have two for Born in Darkness, but they’re longer than the others because, well…Henry and Illias are two of my favorite characters EVER. I definitely could’ve written two more pages on each of them, but I figured that might be a bit much. So here you go! Insight into Henry and Illias, the Exiled Eero and the Wandering King. What a pair…

 

Henry is the Eero of Ecleath, the second son of King Duna and Queen Acacia. Henry inherited his mother’s ability as a gardener, but (because of his father) he was also born with the price of magic already within him. Under King Duna, Henry is raised to be loyal and bound to duty, a powerful and ruthless sorcerer even while a child. He rose to his father’s expectations early on, becoming a feared figure in Ecleath, especially among Theophiloi.

Henry has a will of iron, and once convinced of something he cannot easily be persuaded otherwise. This proves both a strength and a weakness. While under his father, Henry is taught that needing help is weakness, and that efficiency and obedience to orders comes first. Even when Henry gives his allegiance to the Creator, he has to fight these behaviors ingrained in him by his father.

Henry is also incredibly protective and loyal to those he respects and treasures, first and most of all his mother. Her loss is the first step Henry takes to seeing the darkness lying behind the life he’s been raised in, and his failure to protect her haunts him for the rest of his life. However, after his experience in Plarim he does his best to also remember the joy she took in simple life.

As he was a fearful warrior as a sorcerer, he is a force to be reckoned with as a servant of the Creator. When Henry renounces sorcery to follow Theohyios, he does so wholeheartedly, and his loyalty to Theohyios is one that rivals all others. He never forgets the horrors of his past, and he struggles to remember those days and the lives he’s taken without torment, but he is determined now to fight for good with as much zeal and power as he once fought for darkness. 

Though at times outwardly stoic, Henry feels and cares deeply. Once he considers someone one of his own, there are no boundaries to what he’d do to see them safe. He is a fierce fighter, a loyal companion, and a cunning adversary. Henry is resolute…he is also young. Robbed of his childhood, Henry sees himself as an adult far too early, but he has much to learn as he continues to grow and discover what purpose the Creator has for him.

Illias is the former king of the kingdom of Falkere, known as the Wandering King. He was born centuries before the events of Born in Darkness, having reigned in the time of the Dragon King Empire of the Taraq. Cursed during his reign, Illias is forced to wander Agon, unaging and unresting. However, Illias uses his long life to better serve the Creator, traveling Agon by the Creator’s guidance and fighting darkness wherever he finds himself.

Illias’s reign was a significant time for Falkere, resulting in many legends regarding Illias and his accomplishments. Defeating the Dragon Kings began Illias’s renown and is the act he is most known for in Falkere’s history. However, it was in battle with the sorcerers of the Batka isles, who cursed him, that Illias swore to guard Falkere as long as he lived. Given the length of his life, Illias has returned to Falkere to keep this vow many times. As such, the people of Falkere see Illias as their great protector, and when faced with trouble they pray for his return to deliver them from threats. He has delivered them enough times that the legends have only grown through the generations.

Although he is best known in Falkere, Illias has lent his assistance throughout Agon. His first loyalty is to the Creator, and he goes wherever the Creator bids, whether that be on the shores of Cron or in the heart of Ecleath. Illias prefers to work from the shadows, avoiding the attention of grateful beneficiaries and embittered enemies alike. He has taken on many young people throughout his years of wandering, guiding and teaching them how to live in the Creator’s service.

Although outwardly gruff, Illias cares deeply for people. The years have worn heavily on him, especially the losses of friends and family, but he’s still dedicated to following wherever the Creator leads. He is wary, at first, about mentoring Henry, knowing some of Henry’s past and seeing his stubbornness. But it doesn’t take long for Illias to warm to Henry, offering him the firm love and guidance Henry needs as he relearns how to live. Illias is grateful for the time he spent guiding Henry, short as it was, and sees Henry as more of a son than an apprentice. 

*Sigh* …I love these two so much.

In other news, I finished the rough draft of Agonizomai Series book 5, Winds of Wrath. Henry may or may not play a very large part in this book…

While you’re waiting to read about Zef and Henry’s adventures, did you know there’s a short story on Amazon from Henry’s point of view? It occurs a few months before Winds of Wrath, so if you want a glimpse into what our friends from Frosted Fire have been up to… Here’s the link!

And in the meantime… What are your favorite characters from the Agonizomai Series?

Character Profiles: Frosted Fire

Hello hello!

So a few weeks ago I discovered a wonderful site called ArtBreeder that allows me to create profile pictures that I can customize in like a bazillion different ways. It’s so much fun! I can get way more precise than stock photos, and I won’t lie…I spent a solid four hours one night creating all sorts of pictures for my various characters.

I knew I wanted to share these profiles with you all (because how often do we get to see our favorite book characters outside of movie adaptations???). And I decided to accompany these with a little more insight into who these characters are as individuals. So I’m writing character profiles for each main character of the Agonizomai series! (If you enjoy these character profiles, I might do some for my other books as well. We’ll see )

First up is Frosted Fire!

 

Iyanka is Princess of Eisadel, the ice wielder kingdom of Elnar, and the eldest child of King Dane and Queen Visha. As a princess, she was sheltered but caring, willing to do her part to bring peace for her people, including marrying a fire wielder (one of her people’s traditional enemies).

When we meet Iyanka, she is lonely and fearful, believing she is completely isolated in Baron Malchomy’s fortress. Convinced that the wielders of Elnar have been nearly annihilated, Iyanka’s focus is on keeping her own powers hidden from those around her.

Despite the difficult situation Iyanka has been living in, and what she has witnessed and experienced since the barons attacked, she isn’t cynical or hardened. When offered a chance to escape the barons and break their hold over Elnar, Iyanka is quick to hope and determined to hold onto that hope for as long as she is able. Once in a situation where she isn’t under constant threat, she is quick to laugh and find joy in the small things in life.

Throughout Frosted Fire, Iyanka struggles to find a way to stand firm even in the midst of danger. She continues to have to fight against her fear for the sake of doing what’s right, and as a result she is compassionate toward those in similar situations. This leads Iyanka to extend understanding to the soldiers on the barons’ side, and later to offer aid to their wounded.

This compassion and willingness to forgive her enemies, as well as her gentle but unyielding insistence on what she believes is the right course, gives Iyanka an influence over others that she is largely unaware of. She is not a warrior like Victorin, but she has a strong sense of virtue that she seldom compromises on. Ultimately, it is her love for her family and her people, and her passion for following the Creator’s design, that provides her with the strength to stand against the barons and the sorcerers they’ve allied with. And once she stands, she’s determined not to fall again. Her fight for hope and virtue continues beyond Frosted Fire, and shapes her into a shacar and princess who is ready to stand firm through the battles ahead.

Victorin is the prince and heir of the fire kingdom of Elnar, the only child of King Ignacio and Queen Aitla. Victorin’s training as a prince and fire wielder was strict and grueling, as his father sought to forge him into an unyielding and powerful ruler. Despite this difficult upbringing, Victorin recognizes his father’s downfalls and swears not to become a ruler like him. He is the first to seek peace between Siersh and Eisadel.

Victorin is a cunning and careful leader, educated and experienced in military tactics and espionage. Although older than Milek, he supports Milek as the leader of Agera, preferring to take the role of advisor and commander of their limited forces. He prefers to stay close to the matters at hand, and will undertake missions personally if the danger and/or importance is too great.

A steady presence, Victorin typically has strong control over his emotions, though this calm may fragment when it is his loved one under threat. Though at times reserved, Victorin feels deeply and treasures quiet moments of humor or affection. Victorin is reluctant to speak his feelings, preferring to demonstrate them. His love for Iyanka began before Siersh and Eisadel fell to the barons, and it only continues to grow and flourish throughout Frosted Fire, as they search for a way to end the barons’ tyranny.

Victorin has a keen sense of responsibility, often taking too much onto his shoulders in his need to care for and protect those around him. He is also less forgiving than Iyanka, holding his enemies to the same level of moral responsibility to which he holds himself. However, he values peace over vengeance and is keen to find peace with the barons after their battle. Even with the treaty in place, Victorin keeps a watchful eye on the world around him, and will not hesitate to defend those dear to him even to death.

Milek is Prince and heir of Eisadel, the ice kingdom of Elnar, and the youngest child of King Dane and Queen Visha. Milek is mischievous and passionate, willing and able to lead his people in times of turmoil despite his young age.

He is fiercely loyal to his family and his people, and not as quick to forgive as Iyanka. He has a tendency to hold grudges against those who harm his family, and is reluctant to let go of old hurts. However, once he has forgiven someone (like Victorin), he forgives completely, beginning anew. He is a steadfast friend, willing to listen and take advice from those he trusts.

Entering adulthood as the informal leader of the wielders who fled to Agera, Milek nevertheless has an active sense of humor that leads him to laugh and tease often. Though outsiders might watch Milek and see someone unready for the responsibility of leading the wielders, he has a keen mind and a strong sense of responsibility toward those under his leadership. Those who follow him are loyal in return, and few who work with Milek doubt his strength as a leader.

Handling the aftermath of the attack on Eisadel gave Milek a personal understanding of the suffering war causes. He is determined to provide the wielders of Elnar with a home that is safe and prosperous, and to forge a path to a brighter and more peaceful future. Nevertheless, Milek understands and accepts the necessity of fighting for that future, and the sacrifices that will entail. He faces difficulties head on, refusing to allow impossible odds to discourage or dissuade him.

And there you have it! It’s a lot of words…but I hope you’ve enjoyed diving deeper into Frosted Fire and these characters who make this story worth reading.

And if you have thoughts or questions, shout them out in the comments below!

Menacing Whispers Release

Hello hello!

Menacing Whispers is HERE! (Click here to see it on Amazon)

I’m so excited to share Caidi with you! She’s a lot more lighthearted than the last couple Agonizomai main characters… I think you’ll enjoy her.

I won’t talk about Menacing Whispers too much today because Spoilers, but I do have some fun bookish posts planned for the Agonizomai Series!  (Now that Frosted Fire and Born in Darkness have their polished insides and shiny outsides published, I’m hoping to return to more regular blog posts). And while you’re waiting for those bookish posts, I have some Menacing Whispers fun for you today! If you check out my For Readers section, I’ve added Menacing Whispers to the Book Soundtracks. And if you check out my Facebook and Instagram, I’ve been posting some fun quotes from the book.

I’ve also made something for you: a timeline for the Agonizomai Series. I know the way the books are organized is confusing, and I’m hoping having a reference will help with that. Feel free to download this timeline so you can have it whenever you’re reading. And rest assured: I’ll update it with each new book release (though the main Agonizomai books should be more chronological from here on out)

Also, if you haven’t bought Menacing Whispers yet, be sure to do so soon. After this first week, I’ll take the price up to $2.99. 

Aaaand, I think that’s it for now. Enjoy reading, my friends!