Welcome to Realm Explorers! In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors. Enjoy your travels! And don't forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.
Author’s name: Cynthia P. Willow
Title of book and/or series: The Karini and Lamek Chronicles
Brief summary of the story:
The Karini and Lamek Chronicles is an endearing fairy tale of High Fantasy. Enter a world of fairies, dragons, dwarves, and elves in The Land of Serenity, a magical world where possibilities are endless and truth makes a difference.
From one reviewer: “Cynthia does an expert job of creating memorable and interesting characters who rapidly endear themselves to you with their exploits and personality traits. Her book[s] are good for young readers, with lots of action and adventure to hold their interest while also being very parent-friendly.” ~ Krystine Kercher
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
The Land of Serenity is a beautiful land full of lush forests, scenic mountains, and a huge castle! Fairies dance on flower petals, dwarves mine for diamonds, and then there are the dragons…. are they good or evil?
If we were to visit The Land of Serenity as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
The mushroom village where the fairies live would be a lot of fun. Just watch your step! Then we could split into groups to see which group could find the secret cave first! A visit to Mount Flog to meet the snow parrots would be interesting, but bring a snow suit! We could hop in a mine cart and visit the dwarves…diamonds anyone? If you’re not scared of getting lost in the woods, we could hike up Mount Chesney and search for Natas’ cottage. If nothing else, we’d have to take a tour of the castle.
What dangers should we avoid in The Land of Serenity?
Well, watch out for the dragons, giants, and trolls. But they’re nothing compared to Natas.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in The Land of Serenity?
There’s no telling what Filmer will cook, but he specializes in dumplings. The fairies would love to serve you tea and cakes though!
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in The Land of Serenity?
It depends on who it is, but many use wands, teleportation, and animal transformation. In other words, MAGIC!
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to The Land of Serenity?
The Land of Serenity is full of mythical creatures. Just about anything you can think of is there. If you can tame a dragon, you can hitch a ride on it. Then again, it might be more fun to befriend a witch and hop on the back of her broomstick!
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in The Land of Serenity? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
Magic plays a huge role in the Land of Serenity. There are good witches and wizards, and there are evil ones. We learn in book 1 a secret that has to do with magic, but I don’t want to reveal it.
Is there any advanced or unusual technology in The Land of Serenity? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.
Not really. For the most part, the folks in The Land of Serenity live a lot like people in medieval times did.
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in The Land of Serenity as on earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?
Yes. The days are the same. The only holidays that are mentioned are birthdays. Several characters celebrate their birthdays in The Land of Serenity. One particular party starts off with a bang and ends in a huge battle. Wedding celebrations are also big in The Land of Serenity.
Is there a particular religion practiced in The Land of Serenity? Please describe what it involves.
Not directly. Characters demonstrate faith in God, but I don’t go into a whole lot of detail with it. However, the good morals and lessons in the stories reflect my own Christian upbringing.
What is the political or government structure in The Land of Serenity? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
The Land of Serenity is supposed to be ruled by a king, but that was before the dragons took over….
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
I’ve always had a love for fantasy. I passed that love onto my children, and they were the inspiration for these stories. I began writing book 1 when my son (now 17) was 8 years old, and my daughter (now 14) was 5. The villain in book 1 (Ocamar) was named by my son. Once we came up with the land and the names of a few characters, it took off! There would be no Land of Serenity without my children.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
Magic is controversial enough! As a writer who is also a Christian, I have had to defend this series, but most Christians are accepting of it once they realize it’s not much different than the writing of C.S. Lewis. The Bible is clear when it comes to the presence of evil, and fantasy and the use of magic is one way to demonstrate good versus evil.
Author Autobiography:
Cynthia P. Willow writes Christian fiction and fantasy for all ages. She lives in Georgia with her husband, three children, and their family pet—a Morkie named Madam Alice Bellatrix.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your books?
All of my books are in paperback and Kindle on Amazon. Select books are available in other eBook formats such as Nook and Apple. Please visit my website www.cynthiapwillow.comfor links to all my books. Some of my series are available in bundles to save you $$$! For example, click here for the 3-book bundle for this series!
Where can readers connect with you online?
Cynthia’s website: www.cynthiapwillow.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CynthiaPWillow
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cynthiapwillow
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to the Land of Serenity. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the Mythic realms (hidden right here in our own world!) in Realm Explorers Part X!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the Mythic realms (hidden right here in our own world!) in Realm Explorers Part X!
-Annie Douglass Lima
Are you an author who would like your world to appear on Realm Explorers? Click here to download the instructions and interview form, or email me at [email protected] for more information.
4 Replies to “Realm Explorers Part IX: Visit the Land of Serenity with Cynthia P. Willow”
Thank you Cynthia and Annie for a delightful trip into the Land of Serenity! I think I should love to wear a snow suit and perhaps be the first to discover a secret cave. Glad that birthdays are celebrated there too! Annie, I am thoroughly delighted to be able to travel to so many different lands through your website!
What a cool series!
What a fun world to explore! I love dumplings! When do we leave??? Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday this week! Hope to see you again soon!Tina
Thank you for leaving comments, Peggy, Keely, and Tina! I'm just now seeing them! God bless you all, Cynthia P. Willow