A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 62
April 19, 2022
Into the Shattered Mirror – New Release #Poetry
A dark poetry duology: war, politics, life, loss, nature and the vagaries of life feature in this special two-book collection.
Featuring – Shattered Mirror – A poetry collection & Beyond the Shattered Mirror
Only available on Amazon
April 18, 2022
Swift Six Author Interview – Raven Oak #Fantasy
Name: Raven Oak
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
I’m a disabled, geeky, enby and full-time SF/F author and artist. I live in the Seattle area with my partner and three special-needs kitties and we both enjoy gaming (tabletop, board game, and video games) and exploring the ocean. Cartography and linguistics are both hobbies of mine, and I love living in the Pacific NW.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
I have a lot of them so I’ll tell you about Book I of my Boahim Trilogy, Amaskan’s Blood.
It’s been described by others as Disney’s Tangled meets Game of Thrones. I don’t think it’s as violent as GoT but it’s a valid description in terms of the study of familial relationships and political intrigue. My short blurb for it is: Two sisters. Two loyalties. One path together. The two sisters didn’t grow up together and are the antithesis of each other. Adelei has been raised in the Order of Amaska, a holy sect of assassins that seek out Justice for their clients. Margaret is the very stereotype of spoiled princess. Through book I, as they grow to know each other, they both learn lessons from each other that make them better people. While the familial themes are going, there’s an ancient evil brewing because let’s be honest, there always is in epic fantasy. The trilogy is about how they deal with various shades of evil and what evil really is.
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
I’ve always written. My first publication was actually a children’s book I wrote and illustrated that was published as part of a university study on children’s literacy. Whenever I got into trouble, I made up a story to go along with it and explain what “really happened” and why it “wasn’t my fault.” Some people call those lies or super-elaborations but in my brain, they were stories. Adventures to entertain me and keep me from thinking too hard about the environment I grew up in.
When I was twelve, I discovered the majority of SF/F, specifically Anne McCaffrey. I liked her photo in the back of the book because she looked like my grandmother and even shared the same birthday (April 1st), plus the books I first found had dragons (my fav). After devouring the Pern novels, I spent my summer that year writing a 350+ page novel that was my own version of The Dragonriders of Pern. I didn’t know what fanfiction was but it was pretty much that. I even got map making supplies and drew my own maps. I drew dragons and characters as well. I was hooked. I’d written stories before then but never a full novel. After that book, I wrote a trilogy, and by the time I was in high school, I was writing daily of my own material (not fan-fiction). It wasn’t until college that I began to seek publication.
What writing plans do you have for the future?
I’ve got three novels, 1 short story collection, and 1 story in an anthology due out in the next twelve months! Right now, I’m working on revisions for most of those works with some pretty serious deadlines so wish me luck!
What do you like to read?
I read most genres: sci-fi, fantasy, horror, thriller, mysteries, urban fantasy, historical fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, etc. I don’t read a lot of romance unless it’s mixed into one of the other genres. Straight up romance and erotica tends to bore me as a demisexual. As far as my favorites, they shift all the time since I read a LOT, but some favs are: Rebecca Roanhorse, Neil Gaiman, Connie Willis, Jenny Lawson, and Shannon Mayer.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
Don’t be afraid to experiment. It’s how we learn.
Author bio and book synopsis
BIO:
Multi-international award-winning speculative fiction author Raven Oak is best known for Amaskan’s Blood (2016 Ozma Fantasy Award Winner, Epic Awards Finalist, & Reader’s Choice Award Winner), Amaskan’s War (2018 UK Wishing Award YA Finalist), and Class-M Exile. She also has many published short stories in anthologies and magazines. She’s even published on the moon! Raven spent most of her K-12 education doodling stories and 500 page monstrosities that are forever locked away in a filing cabinet.
Besides being a writer and artist, she’s a geeky, disabled ENBY who enjoys getting her game on. She lives in the Seattle area with her husband, and their three kitties who enjoy lounging across the keyboard when writing deadlines approach. Her hair color changes as often as her bio does, and you can find her at www.ravenoak.net.
Amaskan’s Blood Book Synopsis:
Adelei was a master in her field, one of the feared Order of Amaska. Those who were a danger to the Little Dozen Kingdoms wound up dead by her hand. The Order sends her deep into the Kingdom of Alexander, away from her home in Sadai, and into the hands of the Order’s enemy, her birth father. The job is nothing short of a suicide mission, one serving no king, no god, and certainly not Justice. With no holy order to protect her, she tumbles dagger-first into the Boahim Senate’s political schemes and finds that magic is very much alive and well in the Little Dozen Kingdoms.
They say the truth depends on which side of the sword one stands. But they never said what to do when all the swords are pointing at you.
Links/Social media
Website: www.ravenoak.net
Mailing List: https://www.ravenoak.net/join-the-conspiracy/
Facebook Author Page: https://facebook.com/authorroak
Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ravenconspiracy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/raven_oak
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_raven_oak/
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/raven_oak
Bookbub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/raven-oak
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Raven-Oak/e/B00P5PT4AM
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/kaonevar/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravenoak1
Book Spotlight – Amaskan’s Blood – Raven Oak #Fantasy
Title: Amaskan’s Blood (Book I of the Boahim Trilogy)
Author: Raven Oak
Genre: Fantasy (Epic Fantasy)
Main character description (short):
Adelei is a master in her field, one of the feared Amaskans. She serves as a deliverer of Justice on behalf of the Thirteen. Young and impetuous, she’s sent into the hands of her birth father in order to protect the family from assassins. She’s forced to juggle her feelings about the “job” and her relatives while learning the truth about her adopted family.
Synopsis:
Adelei was a master in her field, one of the feared Order of Amaska. Those who were a danger to the Little Dozen Kingdoms wound up dead by her hand.
The Order sends her deep into the Kingdom of Alexander, away from her home in Sadai, and into the hands of the Order’s enemy, her birth father. The job is nothing short of a suicide mission, one serving no king, no god, and certainly not Justice. With no holy order to protect her, she tumbles dagger-first into the Boahim Senate’s political schemes and finds that magic is very much alive and well in the Little Dozen Kingdoms.
They say the truth depends on which side of the sword one stands. But they never said what to do when all the swords are pointing at you.
Brief Excerpt 250 words:
Ida closed her eyes. “—Our task was simple. While the King was busy with the enemy at his border, we’d take the child Uncle Goefrin arranged for us to ‘protect.’ I swear to ya, Leon, I didn’t know what they planned. No one said they were to kill ’er. I thought—”
“You thought what, exactly? You would kidnap my children and wife? My family? To do what exactly? Go for a walk in the woods? Who the hell are you to take part in such a—” This time when Leon shook her, the tears fled their prison and leapt across her cheeks. “That’s what you are—you’re Amaskan,” he whispered.
She winced when his fingers squeezed what little flesh clung to her bones, but she didn’t look away.
The quiet anger within left him breathless, yet he lifted her off her feet before he flung her to the floor with a snarl. “Who are you? What are you to crawl into my bed, into my heart? For ten years—”
The knock at the door startled them both. “Your Majesty?”
“Send the captain away,” she hissed from where she’d fallen, her robe torn where she’d tripped over it.
“Why should I do anything you ask?”
“Because I’m the only one who knows where your daughter is.”
Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?
If you love stories about what it means to be family and what it means to seek justice for all, you’ll love this book.
Cover Art (add as attachment please)
Links etc.
Autographed copies can be obtained here: https://booksandchains.square.site/
Otherwise, links to book here: https://books2read.com/ravenoak
April 17, 2022
Book Spotlight – Darkness Holds the Son #Fantasy
Title:
Darkness Holds the Son
Author:
D.L. Gardner
Genre:
Fantasy: Noble bright
Main character description (short).
Jareth, father of two and devoted husband, Jareth has been goat herding to please his wife and life down the stigma of his former occupation, i.e. mercenary. He’s in his early 30s, strong, able, and restless with a passion to protect his family and find the cure for his son.
Synopsis:
Darkness Holds the Son takes us to a small village named Tuluva where Jareth, an unemployed mercenary, and his wife and two children are raising goats to sustain themselves. Things go well for them until the land-baron of Ogress raises their taxes, forcing Jareth to pick up his crossbow and return to the battlefield. Jareth has an even more pressing problem than keeping his family out of debtor’s prison, though. His son Crispin has seizures that are caused by magic and if Jareth doesn’t find the source soon, it could be fatal as the boy hears voices instructing him to kill his father. On Jareth’s quest, he discovers that the same affliction is haunting all the children in the kingdom.
Join Jareth, his wife, and King Barin in this new adventure as they search the Neverworld and half of Casdamia to find and destroy that which has taken the youth of their world captive.
Brief Excerpt 250 words:
“What was it like?” Jareth asked as he held the boy’s hand. “What do you feel when this thing happens?”
“Everything around me, you, Mother, the fire, the room, it became a blur. I saw only that boy, but it wasn’t really him, not in the flesh. It was his ghost. He talked to me.”
“What did he say?”
Crispin glanced out the window and shook his head, his eyes red. “I can’t tell you.”
“You must, Son.”
The hesitancy bothered Jareth. What could a vision possibly tell his boy that would make him ashamed?
“Tell me, Crispin. We’ve always shared our thoughts. Let me carry this burden with you.”
Crispin trembled and wiped his face. Jareth squeezed his hand as the boy drew a breath.
“It’s not easy,” the boy said.
“I’m here for you.”
“He wanted me to tell you that you’re fighting for the wrong cause. He said you shouldn’t draw arms with the King’s soldiers, or the baron’s or any of the lords.”
“What?”
“He said I should convince you to join the insurrection that is growing throughout Casdamia and Potamia, if you know what’s good for you. He said our generation, the children they…” Crispin stopped and wiped his eyes.
“What about the children?”
“He said we will rise to conquer at a young age and slaughter all those who are in our way—that we’ll rule both the kingdoms, and he wants me to—”
“He wants you to do what?”
“Father. I can’t.”
“He wants you to do what, Crispin? Tell me. I need to know.”
His son looked deep into his eyes, tears welling in his own.
“He wants me to kill you if you don’t.”
Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?
The Sword of Cho Nisi series, and particularly this book, is unique, filled with action, and is meant to make the reader think. What if your children were stolen away by a dark and magical force and there was little you could do to save them? Would you fight all odds to find them? It’s a story about parental courage and passion.
Cover Art (add as attachment please)
Links etc.
April 15, 2022
Book Spotlight – A Court of Crows #Fantasy #RomanticFantasy
Basic Book Spotlight
Title: A Court of Crows
Author: Eliza Eveland
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Main character description (short). Eris Telari is a young and inexperienced queen whose city is under siege. She’ll do anything to save her city, which leads her to hire a group of mercenaries, The Crows to help.
Synopsis:
Nineteen-year-old Eris Telari was never supposed to rule Brucia. She’s always been more interested in swordplay than courtly intrigue.
After her brother’s assassination, however, Eris has no choice but to take up the crown and defend her city against an invasion led by an undefeated elven warlord.
With Brucia’s forces decimated, and a siege looming, Eris needs help. Who better to repel the elven invaders than a band of elven mercenaries?
Their leader, Ruith, is as charming as he is deadly, and used to getting what he wants. Six thousand swords strong, his Crows have a reputation for winning against impossible odds. He won’t take a fight he can’t win, and now he has his sights set on Eris…
Is it her kingdom he wants? Or her?
With assassins and traitors still lurking around every corner, and an army nearly twenty thousand strong at her gates, Eris cannot afford to turn away the Crows’ assistance. Even with their help, the battle for Brucia will be hard-won.
And the most dangerous threat may already be inside her walls and vying for a place at her side…
Brief Excerpt 250 words:
“I have six thousand Crows at my command. I am stronger than any man, better with my sword than all three of your queensguard put together, and faster than every human I have ever met. If I wanted your city, it would be mine. Whatever I want, I get.” He lifted his fingers from the table and brushed them against her cheek.
Eris’s heart skipped a beat.
She grabbed his hand. “You do not have me.”
The sound of his dark chuckle left her fighting a shudder.
“Not yet,” he said.
“If you ever touch me uninvited…”
“Please.” He wrinkled his nose, disgusted, and pulled his hand away. “I would never. I have no interest in bedding a woman who doesn’t wish it. If the touch is truly uninvited, then I apologize. But if it isn’t, and if these sultry looks you’ve been throwing me are more than just curiosity…” Ruith leaned down, lips hovering next to her ear. He smelled like warm leather with a sharp citrus bite. “I will touch you in ways no one ever has, or ever will again. I could give you more pleasure with one finger than you’ve ever known.”
Eris’s insides turned molten, skin prickling at the thought. She turned her head toward his, their mouths suddenly so close that they shared breath for a moment. “That’s a bold claim. I’m a queen. I could have anyone I wanted.”
He leaned back, his smirk returning. “I’ve seen the men in this city. I know what I’m up against, and I stand by my statement.”
Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?
This book is for readers who love their spicy romance to have intricate plots, well developed characters, and heroines who do their own rescuing. If you’ve read ACOTAR and FBAA and wished the books had more diversity, you’ll love this series!
Links etc.
Social media links:
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorElizaEveland
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/616062436341571
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorelizaeveland/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elizaeveland
Website: https://www.elizaeveland.com/
April 14, 2022
Swift Six Character Interview – Johnny Lupul #Paranormal #UrbanFantasy
Character Name
Johnny Lupul, although I was McPherson most of my life. Lupul is my birth name before I was adopted in Romania and brought to the US.
Which book/world do you live in?
The Werewolf PI series. Book 1 is Johnny Lycan and the Anubis Disk. Book 2 (December 2022) is Johnny Lycan and the Vegas Berserker
Tell us about yourself:
I’m just an average 30- year-old mook from Chicago. I grew up in the burbs, then kicked around for a few years working construction and collecting debts for a bookie. Now I’m trying to get my own Location and Retrieval business going. Oh, and I’m a werewolf. Have been my whole life. That can make things a little tricky.
I spent my life thinking being a Lycan was like a learning disability—they kept me on Ritalin and thought I was just hyperactive. That led to a lack of self-esteem and a major problem with authority. Until lately, I was convinced the world was completely sane and I was the weirdest thing out there. I’m finding out that’s not true, and being a werewolf may be the most normal thing I have to deal with.
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
You’d think that having a slobbering rage monster trapped inside you is a pretty big weakness and it can be. I’ve learned to tap into Shaggy—the other side of me—to sense danger and help me physically when I need it. It turns out I may be smarter than I’ve been led to believe, but my mouth keeps getting me in trouble. Also, I’m not the brightest bulb on the tree but God knows I try my best.
Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc).
I’m not much for institutions. Schools, religion, even my adoptive parents have left me feeling adrift.
I have an adopted family—my best friend Bill and his Romani grandmother—that mean the world to me. Bill is gay but smarter than me and keeps me grounded. Gramma is a dirty old lady with more secrets than I’ve got.
I rely on my main client for steady employment I suppose. Oliver Cromwell is a creepy rich guy with a habit of collecting arcane relics and making me feel like an idiot most of the time. He’s not warm and fuzzy, but the checks don’t bounce.
The only relationship in my life that’s lasted or really helps is Shaggy. The Lycan inside me keeps me out of trouble or gets me into it depending on the time of the month and the stage of the moon.
What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?
Heroism? Hell, I don’t know. I guess it’s doing the right thing even when it can get you killed. Heroes are famous, good looking, morally upright people who defy the odds. I’m not heroic, I’m just the right combination of lucky and dumb. Sometimes it works out.
What do you think of your ‘creator’?
Wayne Turmel is okay for an old, cis-het, white guy. He cusses less than I do, and keeps inventing messed-up situations I have to get out of, which makes me wish he had less faith in me. He used to live in Chicago, where I’m based, but left for Vegas. How do people live there? Chicago’s a pretty good place to be if you’re a werewolf. Half the year the weather’s perfect for wearing a fur coat and there’s plenty of green space, even in town. You can find a deer when you need to kill something in a hurry to take the edge off.
Give us your favourite piece of advice:
Not a lot of 30-year-olds listen to classic rock, and people make fun of me for it, but I think Mick had it right… you can’t always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need.
Oh, and no matter how bad things get, never let Shaggy run the show.
Links to book
Johnny Lycan and the Anubis Disk https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08KQHJQ7D
Wayne Turmel’s website www.WayneTurmel.com
Wayne’s Twitter @Wturmel
Book Spotlights – Charity Anthologies for Ukraine
With the recent terrible events in Ukraine, many people have been looking for ways to help. To that end, the team at Romantic Fantasy Shelf [https://romanticfantasyshelf.com/] has put together two massive limited-edition anthologies, Fierce Hearts and Adamant Spirits. Each volume is packed with over a thousand pages of short fiction, novellas, novels, and sneak peeks at upcoming works, from debut authors to international bestsellers. All proceeds from sales will be donated to the International Rescue Committee https://www.rescue.org/topic/ukraine-crisis (or to another similar charity should IRC become unavailable) to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering as a result of this war.
Fierce Hearts is devoted to romantic fantasy and fantasy romance set in “fantasy” worlds or fantasy versions of historical earth. Adamant Spirits contains paranormal romance, romantic urban fantasy, and science fiction romance. Both collections are available at multiple stores in ebook format, and will also be available in paperback and special-edition hardcover, coming soon!
Fierce Hearts: https://books2read.com/fiercehearts
Adamant Spirits: https://books2read.com/adamantspirits
Fierce Hearts authors: Bethany Adams, Amy Beatty, Claudia Blood, Elizabeth Briggs, Carissa Broadbent, Jessica M. Butler, Therena Carlin, Denali Day, Monica Enderle Pierce, Tameri Etherton, Eileen Fox, Lauren L. Garcia, Catharine Glen, Joan Grey, Kristina Gruell, Kyra Halland, Emma Hamm, Meredth Hart, Miranda Honfleur, Amelia Hutchins, Kelly N. Jane, Jaycee Jarvis, Clara C. Johnson, Jeffe Kennedy, Karpov Kinrade, Lisa Kumar, K.N. Lee, Kate LeFay, Constance Lopez, M. Lynn, Hollee Mands, Lisette Marshall, Daniela A. Mera, Sylvia Mercedes, C.A. Morley, Tessonja Odette, Monica Enderle Pierce, Joanna Reeder, Vanessa Roades, Vela Roth, Bernadette Rowley, Clare Sager, Anna Santos, Anthea Sharp, Marina Simcoe, R.A. Steffan, Shari L. Tapscott. Karen Tomlinson, Megan Van Dyke, Velora Venn, Charissa Weaks, & Olivia Wildenstein
Adamant Spirits authors: Maggie Alabaster, G. Bailey, Elle Beaumont, Katherine Bennet, Alexi Blake, Ella Blake, Claudia Blood, Jessica M. Butler, Demelza Carlton, Kel Carpenter, Alora Carter, Anna Carven, Debbie Cassidy, Eva Chase, Leslie Chase, Sarah M. Cradit, G.K. DeRosa, T.K. Eldridge, Tameri Etherton, Sara Fields, Grace Goodwin, Jen L. Grey, Miranda Honfleur, Hattie Jacks, Aurelia Jane, Alana Khan, Lea Kirk, Lisa Kumar, K.N. Lee, Jen Lynning, Ashley McLeo, Michele Mills, Chloe Parker, Vee R. Paxton, Honey Phillips, Candace Robinson, Rebecca Rode, May Sage, Veronica Scott, Tana Stone, Julia Vee, Maria Vermisoglou, Jade Waltz, Jenni Ward, Jessica Wayne, Calla Zae
The anthology organizers and participating authors are not affiliated or endorsed by the charity.
Swift Six – Character Interview – Barte #Fantasy
Character Name
My name is Barte son of Moshere. And no, there are no commas. That name, my friend is my title, though I believe my guardians should have included more surnames just to make it difficult for the common people to remember.
Which book/world do you live in?
I live in the books the author titles Sword of Cho Nisi. She really should have called it Sword of Casdamia as my empire is larger, stronger, and much more fitting than that tiny little island in the middle of the Nisi Sea. Did you know the natives walk barefoot on that island? I was there once but I don’t remember much. I was blind at the time—under the curse of that evil wizard Skotádi, the murderer of my parents. I’d rather not talk about it.
*Fiddles with his falcon’s breast feathers and kisses the leather helm over its head.
Too traumatic for me. Too much blood. They know I get sick at the sight of it, yet they made me go there anyway. *shudders.
Tell us about yourself:
I’m the emperor of the greatest nation in the world. Casdamia is my charge and someday I hope to conquer all the lands. Perhaps. Well, maybe not. Seems like such an effort. I would like to have Tellwater Valley within my borders though. No finer wine in all the land comes from Tellwater and I hate to say it’s ruled by Potamia and that young scallywag son of a king, Barin. He’s not an altogether rotten chap, but the commoners speak way too highly of him.
My father was the emperor Moshere. He was the grandest of all warriors and provoked fear throughout the land. Part of that was Skotádi’s doing. They were in cahoots for most of the battles, but something happened, and the dark wizard changed. He cursed my father and my mother and when I was an innocent young child barely out of my nightcap, he burned them to a crisp. Magic did it. A cruel inhumane bolt of magic. *He breathes a sigh and fans himself* I will never forget, nor forgive. And I trust no one because of it. Only my Allat. *Kisses the falcon again.
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths? *He laughs and takes the falcon’s headdress off. Strengths, the man asks. Yes. Well, my strength is in my army. They’re a cruel lot. I’ve been working on them. You should see their black Armor and green plumage. One look and you’ll be quivering in your boots, my dear fellow. No one messes with the Dark Army!
As for weakness, well, I must admit I retch at the sight of blood, but that shouldn’t make any difference. I don’t really need to be on the battlefield, you know. That’s what soldiers are for.
Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc).
Does me, myself and I count? Oh, I know. You’re looking for something beyond Rigelstaff.
I heard a rumour that Barin the king of Potamia, has a lover, the daughter of one of his barons he exiled. Seems that her father was slain in my kingdom. I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry about that one.
And his wizard Kairos made a pet of a skura. Had me fooled for months. I’m the one that taught him falconry and to think he took advantage of my blindness and tricked me into thinking he was training a falcon. No wonder the man stunk every time he came around.
King Tobias’ gods died with him. That’s what I’m told. They put a monument for them in the palace garden.
And the fool who married the Tobian Princess, the man who was once king of Cho Nisi? Gossip is spreading that he handed his throne to the village elders. Imagine that! A whole conglomerate of natives sitting on a throne. Barefoot, no doubt. *Snickers and kisses Allat. The Fool will lose the island.
What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?
Heroism is what Allat is to me. *He holds the falcon close to his heart. My hero. The only friend I have. The only creature I can put my trust in. Allat is my hero. He hears my deepest thoughts and keeps them secret. He does what he’s told. He even found the murderer of my parents for me, and nearly lost his life doing so.
What do you think of your ‘creator’?
Hmpf! Poor choice of main characters.
Give us your favourite piece of advice:
Stay to yourself. There’s not a soul on this planet you can trust, not even the trustworthy ones. Unless of course they have some fashionable Armor to sell you or some delicacy for your kitchen. Still, don’t trust them.
Links to book
https://books2read.com/ap/nBvawn/DL-Gardner
April 11, 2022
Swift Six Author Interview – Nathan Tudor #Fantasy
Name: Nathan Tudor
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
Hello, I’m Nathan Tudor! I’m a new author, having just published my first two books in early 2022. I write fantasy novels that blend epic scope with intimate character moments. Ancient beliefs and ideas have always interested me, so I take lots of inspiration from myths and archaic texts—philosophical, religious, magical, you name it!
I knew I wanted to be a storyteller pretty much my whole life, and I’m so excited to finally put my work out there for people to enjoy. The response from readers has been encouraging, and I look forward to writing and publishing many more books in the future.
Besides reading and writing books, I spend my days exchanging memes with friends on Discord, gaming (tabletop RPGs and video games), and hunting down great stories to devour! I tend to think in archetypal patterns and symbols, so I’ll often pace around late at night pondering whatever I’ve taken in most recently—whether it’s a superhero movie, a romance manga, or a Russian tragedy. My interests are all over the place, so I love talking to people about what they’re into and then taking those recommendations to fuel my own creative work. Speaking of which, I’m very fortunate to have a coterie of artistic friends, who help fuel my own passion by sharing their creations. Having comrades in this line of work is essential, since so much of the work itself is solitary.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
I have two books out right now, both in my epic historical fantasy series The Imperial Adept. The Empire’s Lion is book one, a 220,000 word doorstopper full of action, intrigue, and awesome magic.
Adept Initiate is the prequel, which I give away for free to all my newsletter subscribers; it tells the story of how Reiva, the protagonist of the series, trained to become the lethal arcane warrior we see in The Empire’s Lion.
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
When I was six or seven, I wrote a short story based on my favorite video game at the time. Ever since then, I’ve had an urge to write—I told all my friends back in third grade that I was working on a book, even though each ‘chapter’ was only a couple of paragraphs! As I grew up and read more, I developed a love for epic fantasy, studied the craft of writing, and got more and more possessed by the need to write a full novel and send it out into the world for others to read. That day has finally come!
What writing plans do you have for the future?
I have plenty of plans for after I finish the Imperial Adept trilogy! They’re all pretty much fantasy books (though I have some sci-fi ideas), but I don’t want to get pigeonholed as just writing historical fantasy. I hope readers will enjoy seeing the ways my different series share some common DNA despite occupying different subgenres.
What do you like to read?
I read epic fantasy for the most part, though I tend to hop around a lot. At any time I’m working my way through three or four books, usually a mixture of fantasy novels, a classic (maybe mythology or philosophy), and then some wild card that happened to catch my interest. Reading widely is important to me, as I often find inspiration in books that occupy different genres than my writing.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
I wish I had internalized the importance of regular discipline and habit. I published at twenty-three, which I suppose is relatively young, but I know I could have published sooner if I had stopped waiting for inspiration to strike and just buckled down to do the work!
Author bio and book synopsis
Bio:
Nathan Tudor has researched ancient religion at Oxford, traveled the seven continents, and mastered the art of speaking in the third person. His debut novel The Empire’s Lion tells an epic story filled with action, identity, and the struggle to do what is right in an upside-down world
When he’s not writing or reading, Nathan can be found debating matters of no particular consequence with his friends, falling down research rabbit holes, and fiddling with a hand-crank coffee grinder that’s been stuck for the last few months.
Allegations that he hired an alchemist to give him the tread of a cat and the ears of a fox are categorically false.
Synopsis for The Empire’s Lion:
She left a slave. She returns a conqueror.
As an Adept, Reiva blasts fire from her hands and leaps over walls. But when her first solo mission leaves her half-dead amidst a heap of massacred allies, she gets just one chance at redemption.
The Empire orders her to crush the one kingdom she thought she would never see again: Talynis, the land of her birth, the land she left in chains.
Standing in her way is the Wolf, a vicious assassin hellbent on killing Adepts—and a single cut from his cursed blade will destroy Reiva’s magic forever.
Even if she can survive, victory may come at a price too high to pay…
The Empire’s Lion is an epic military fantasy filled with action and intrigue set in a war-torn, magic-filled world perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson, Guy Gavriel Kay, and Steven Erikson.
Links/Social media
The Empire’s Lion: https://books2read.com/u/3n2GLP
Website/Free Book: https://nathantudor.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NathTudorBooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathantudorauthor
Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.com/author/nathantudor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nathan-tudor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22106843.Nathan_Tudor
April 10, 2022
Swift Six Author Interview – D. L. Gardner #Fantasy
Name: D.L. Gardner
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
Hi, I’m D.L. Gardner, a fantasy author and screenwriter. I live in the Pacific Northwest USA and am a nature lover, hiker, and painter. I have seven adult children, sixteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. I love epic fantasy and believe stories should last from one generation to the next.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
Darkness Holds the Son, a noblebright epic fantasy which is a stand alone spin-off novel to the Sword of Cho Nisi series.
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
I began writing novels in 2011 and have 16 titles published. I began writing Darkness Holds the Son last year shortly after I finished the Cho Nisi Saga. It’s hard to leave a fantasy world once you start building it, and it seems the construction is never quite finished, nor are the characters completely fleshed out. I wanted to do another book in the series that had nothing to do with the completed arc of the first three books, but still kept us in the world with the same adventurous atmosphere.
What writing plans do you have for the future?
I want to complete another stand alone book to the same series, and then finish Ian’s Realm and somewhere in between do a sequel to Hoarfrost to Roses, which is a Victorian era mystery/romance with a touch of the occult.
What do you like to read?
I like long involved sagas such as Wheel of Time and Lord of the Rings, but I also enjoy magical realism like Night Circus and historical fiction. I suppose any book with an exciting plot and endearing characters.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
Begin while you’re young and keep going. I waited far too long to do this. I have so many books in me! Time is valuable.
Author bio and book synopsis
I’m D.L. Gardner – Author, screenwriter, storyteller.
I write Noble-bright fantasy fiction for those who like a tall tale and fast-moving adventure. I’ve written ever since I was a youngster and have led an unusual life after that, having grown up in the sixties, lived in the desert for nearly 30 years in a mud hut, raising horses, sheep, goats, chickens, and seven children.
Much of my life experience has morphed into my stories in the form of other worlds accessed through portal travel. I’ve released twelve novels spanning all sub-genres of fantasy and one historical fiction based on a relative’s WWII letters.
Winner of two Book Excellence Awards for my series, Best Urban fantasy at Imaginarium Convention, and a host of screenings, trophies for my historical fiction screenplay Cassandra’s Castle, and six Screenplay awards for my story Dylan.
Storytelling is my passion and I especially love to collaborate with other artists in the Indie Film making realm. I believe a story should endure time and be good enough to hand down from one generation to the next.
Darkness Holds the Son
Darkness Holds the Son takes us to a small village named Tuluva where Jareth, an unemployed mercenary, and his wife and two children are raising goats to sustain themselves. Things go well for them until the land-baron of Ogress raises their taxes, forcing Jareth to pick up his crossbow and return to the battlefield. Jareth has an even more pressing problem than keeping his family out of debtor’s prison, though. His son Crispin has seizures that are caused by magic and if Jareth doesn’t find the source soon, it could be fatal as the boy hears voices instructing him to kill his father. On Jareth’s quest, he discovers that the same affliction is haunting all the children in the kingdom.
Join Jareth, his wife, and King Barin in this new adventure as they search the Neverworld and half of Casdamia to find and destroy that which has taken the youth of their world captive.
Links/Social media
https://diendrial.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DianneLynnGardner
Tweets by DLGardner2https://www.patreon.com/DLGardner
