Colin Bradley's Blog - Posts Tagged "epicfantasy"
A Glimpse into the Skies of The Sky Between (Yes, I'm Still Writing It!)
Dear amazing readers,
I’m currently lost in the turbulent skies of Aeridor, pen in hand, heart racing, as I write my next fantasy romance, The Sky Between. And let me tell you, this story is sweeping me away like one of the forbidden winds I’m weaving into its pages. I’m thrilled to share a sneak peek with you—my incredible community who’s been with me through every twist and turn of my writing journey.
Picture a world where the sky isn’t just a backdrop but a living, breathing force—fractured, unpredictable, and teeming with ancient magic. In The Sky Between, we’re soaring into Aeridor, an empire of shimmering citadels and sky-stone spires, where the winds howl with secrets and the very air hums with a fading enchantment. At the heart of it all is Mira Vance, a rebellious cartographer who dares to map the “forbidden winds”—dangerous currents the Sky Guild pretends don’t exist. And then there’s Auren Valen, the Sky King, a man burdened by a crown of cosmic responsibility, fighting to hold his unraveling world together.
Their paths collide in a storm that’s anything but ordinary, sparking a connection that’s as electric as it is forbidden. This is a tale of defiance, discovery, and a slow-burn romance that’s got me swooning even as I write it. Think sweeping fantasy like The Priory of the Orange Tree mixed with the heart-pounding stakes and simmering tension of From Blood and Ash. It’s about two souls finding each other amidst chaos, where every choice could mend the heavens—or shatter them.
Right now, I’m deep in the messy, magical middle of the manuscript. Mira’s charts are sprawling across my desk (and maybe my brain), while Auren’s brooding intensity keeps me up at night, whispering his next move. Writing this feels like navigating my own skiff through a tempest—thrilling, a little terrifying, and full of surprises. The world-building has been a joy, from crafting resonance chimes that hum with the sky’s moods to imagining airships dancing through violet-streaked storms. And the romance? Let’s just say it’s evolving in ways that make my heart skip—intellectual sparks, stolen glances, and a pull that defies the chaos around them.
Here’s a little taste from Chapter One to set the scene:
"The sky above Aeridor was no longer a vault of predictable azure, but a fractured mirror reflecting the empire's own fractured state. Gone were the days of gentle breezes carrying the scent of blooming sky-orchids and the reliable passage of trade airships. Now, the winds were capricious, violent, and unpredictable, howling through the gilded spires of the capital with a mournful keen, or falling into an unnerving, suffocating stillness."
And because I know you love a hint of that romantic tension, here’s a snippet from their stormy meeting in Chapter Two (no spoilers, I promise!):
"Through the swirling rain and mist, [Auren] saw a smaller craft, battered and broken, spiraling towards his own. And within it, a figure—a woman, her hair a wild halo of dark strands, her face set in a grim expression of desperate survival. Their gazes locked, a silent acknowledgment across the tempestuous divide."
I’m still shaping the story, so I won’t spill too much yet—the twists are still unfolding for me too! But I can promise a journey filled with celestial wonders, heart-wrenching stakes, and a love story that’s as vast as the cosmos. I’m aiming to wrap this draft soon, and I can’t wait to share more as I get closer to release.
For now, I’d love to hear from you in the comments: What’s your favorite part of a fantasy romance in progress? The world-building? The slow-burn chemistry? Or maybe those epic moments where everything feels like it’s about to break apart? Drop your thoughts below, and let’s chat about what makes your heart soar in a story like this.
Thank you for cheering me on as I navigate these skies. Your support keeps my quill moving and my imagination flying. Stay tuned for more updates as The Sky Between takes shape!
With starry dreams and stormy hearts,
Colin Bradley
I’m currently lost in the turbulent skies of Aeridor, pen in hand, heart racing, as I write my next fantasy romance, The Sky Between. And let me tell you, this story is sweeping me away like one of the forbidden winds I’m weaving into its pages. I’m thrilled to share a sneak peek with you—my incredible community who’s been with me through every twist and turn of my writing journey.
Picture a world where the sky isn’t just a backdrop but a living, breathing force—fractured, unpredictable, and teeming with ancient magic. In The Sky Between, we’re soaring into Aeridor, an empire of shimmering citadels and sky-stone spires, where the winds howl with secrets and the very air hums with a fading enchantment. At the heart of it all is Mira Vance, a rebellious cartographer who dares to map the “forbidden winds”—dangerous currents the Sky Guild pretends don’t exist. And then there’s Auren Valen, the Sky King, a man burdened by a crown of cosmic responsibility, fighting to hold his unraveling world together.
Their paths collide in a storm that’s anything but ordinary, sparking a connection that’s as electric as it is forbidden. This is a tale of defiance, discovery, and a slow-burn romance that’s got me swooning even as I write it. Think sweeping fantasy like The Priory of the Orange Tree mixed with the heart-pounding stakes and simmering tension of From Blood and Ash. It’s about two souls finding each other amidst chaos, where every choice could mend the heavens—or shatter them.
Right now, I’m deep in the messy, magical middle of the manuscript. Mira’s charts are sprawling across my desk (and maybe my brain), while Auren’s brooding intensity keeps me up at night, whispering his next move. Writing this feels like navigating my own skiff through a tempest—thrilling, a little terrifying, and full of surprises. The world-building has been a joy, from crafting resonance chimes that hum with the sky’s moods to imagining airships dancing through violet-streaked storms. And the romance? Let’s just say it’s evolving in ways that make my heart skip—intellectual sparks, stolen glances, and a pull that defies the chaos around them.
Here’s a little taste from Chapter One to set the scene:
"The sky above Aeridor was no longer a vault of predictable azure, but a fractured mirror reflecting the empire's own fractured state. Gone were the days of gentle breezes carrying the scent of blooming sky-orchids and the reliable passage of trade airships. Now, the winds were capricious, violent, and unpredictable, howling through the gilded spires of the capital with a mournful keen, or falling into an unnerving, suffocating stillness."
And because I know you love a hint of that romantic tension, here’s a snippet from their stormy meeting in Chapter Two (no spoilers, I promise!):
"Through the swirling rain and mist, [Auren] saw a smaller craft, battered and broken, spiraling towards his own. And within it, a figure—a woman, her hair a wild halo of dark strands, her face set in a grim expression of desperate survival. Their gazes locked, a silent acknowledgment across the tempestuous divide."
I’m still shaping the story, so I won’t spill too much yet—the twists are still unfolding for me too! But I can promise a journey filled with celestial wonders, heart-wrenching stakes, and a love story that’s as vast as the cosmos. I’m aiming to wrap this draft soon, and I can’t wait to share more as I get closer to release.
For now, I’d love to hear from you in the comments: What’s your favorite part of a fantasy romance in progress? The world-building? The slow-burn chemistry? Or maybe those epic moments where everything feels like it’s about to break apart? Drop your thoughts below, and let’s chat about what makes your heart soar in a story like this.
Thank you for cheering me on as I navigate these skies. Your support keeps my quill moving and my imagination flying. Stay tuned for more updates as The Sky Between takes shape!
With starry dreams and stormy hearts,
Colin Bradley
