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.
This time you can also enter a giveaway to win an Amazon gift card or a free book!
This time you can also enter a giveaway to win an Amazon gift card or a free book!
On Tour with Prism Book Tours.
Author’s name:
Jessica Leake
Titles of books:
Arcana
The Order of the Eternal Sun: A Novel of the Sylvani
The Order of the Eternal Sun: A Novel of the Sylvani
Brief summary of the stories:
Arcana:
Amid the sumptuous backdrop of the London season in 1905, headstrong Katherine Sinclair must join the ranks of debutantes vying for suitors. Unfortunately for Katherine, she cannot imagine anything more loathsome—or dangerous. To help ease her entrance into society, Katherine’s family has elicited the assistance of the Earl of Thornewood, a friend and London’s most eligible bachelor, to be her constant companion at the endless fetes and balls. But upon her arrival in London, Katherine realizes there will be more to this season than just white gowns and husband hunting.
Through her late mother’s enchanted diary, Katherine receives warning to keep hidden her otherworldly ability to perform arcana, a magic fueled by the power of the sun. Any misstep could mean ruin—and not just for her family name. The Order of the Eternal Sun is everywhere—hunting for those like her, able to feed on arcana with only a touch of the hand.
But society intrigue can be just as perilous as the Order. The machinations of the fashionable elite are a constant threat, and those who covet Katherine’s arcana, seeking the power of her birthright, could be hiding behind the facade of every suitor—even the darkly handsome Earl of Thornewood.
With so much danger and suspicion, can she give her heart to the one who captivates her, or is he just another after her power?
Order of the Eternal Sun:
Arcana:
Amid the sumptuous backdrop of the London season in 1905, headstrong Katherine Sinclair must join the ranks of debutantes vying for suitors. Unfortunately for Katherine, she cannot imagine anything more loathsome—or dangerous. To help ease her entrance into society, Katherine’s family has elicited the assistance of the Earl of Thornewood, a friend and London’s most eligible bachelor, to be her constant companion at the endless fetes and balls. But upon her arrival in London, Katherine realizes there will be more to this season than just white gowns and husband hunting.Through her late mother’s enchanted diary, Katherine receives warning to keep hidden her otherworldly ability to perform arcana, a magic fueled by the power of the sun. Any misstep could mean ruin—and not just for her family name. The Order of the Eternal Sun is everywhere—hunting for those like her, able to feed on arcana with only a touch of the hand.
But society intrigue can be just as perilous as the Order. The machinations of the fashionable elite are a constant threat, and those who covet Katherine’s arcana, seeking the power of her birthright, could be hiding behind the facade of every suitor—even the darkly handsome Earl of Thornewood.
With so much danger and suspicion, can she give her heart to the one who captivates her, or is he just another after her power?
Order of the Eternal Sun:In 1908 London, aristocrat Lucy Sinclair is finally making her debut into society, something she’s always dreamed about. But ballrooms and suitors quickly must take second place to a greater concern.
Her arcana, a magical talent that allows her to mentally enter any scene that she draws, grows stronger by the day. Again and again Lucy is compelled to draw a portal to her mother’s realm of Sylvania—and with each stroke of her pen, she risks attracting the attention of the Order of the Eternal Sun, the sinister brotherhood that steals the power of Sylvani blood for their own dark ends.
When a bold new suitor arrives from India, Lucy can’t help but be intrigued—though her family questions his mysterious past. But as Lucy’s own suspicions grow, and the threat of the Order looms larger, Lucy will have to learn to harness her unpredictable power or risk falling under the Order’s shadow forever.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this series:
Sylvania is a realm outside of our own where its inhabitants practice an ancient magic called arcana. Their power is supplied by spirit animals—everything from the tiny ferrets to soaring phoenixes—and the Sylvani and animal form an unbreakable bond. When a Sylvani chooses to live in our realm, though, their spirit animal cannot follow, and they must seek out an alternate source of power—like our sun.
If we were to visit Sylvani as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
I would take a ride on an oryx (see below) to see ancient trees with a language of their own, with silver bark and lavender leaves; I would visit the city of Cascadia, where Lucy’s grandmother is queen, and see the ten waterfalls that cut through the city. Lucy’s visit is confined to Cascadia, but there are many other places to see in Sylvania, each with a different cultural background and history.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served?
Because every Sylvani has a spirit animal, the food there is completely vegetarian, though milk and cheese is still consumed.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common there?
It depends on the abilities of the Sylvani. Some have corporal abilities, where they can directly impact the body—with explosive power and channeling of the elements, for example. And some have spiritual power, where they can create some tangible things, but the majority of their power lies in the abstract. Lucy, the main character in The Order of the Eternal Sun, has this type of power. She can bring her drawings to life or even use them to transport herself to another realm.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Sylvani?
Depending on the spirit animal, the Sylvani might travel by riding, particularly if it’s a large bird (like the queen’s phoenix) or other fast-moving animal. They also travel by oryx, which, as Lucy says, are much like an antelope, though these are drastically different in both coloring and size. The ones she saw were a dappled silver, and their massive backward-facing horns were as white as ivory tusks. They were as tall as horses, and their eyes were kind and intelligent. Most importantly, they’re fast and agile.
Author Autobiography:
Jessica Leake has been in love with historical England ever since her first literary crush: Mr. Darcy. After embarking on a quest to bring her own intriguing and headstrong characters to life, she decided to quit her day job as a clinical therapist and spend her time weaving arcana with words. She lives in Greenville, SC with her brilliant husband, four painfully cute children, and two mischievous dogs.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)?
Order of the Eternal Sun:
Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository│IndieBound
Arcana:
Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository│IndieBound
Where can readers connect with you online?
Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest
Tour Schedule
October 30th: Launch
October 31st: Rockin’ Book Reviews, Mel’s Shelves & Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima
November 1st: Christy’s Cozy Corners & Katie’s Clean Book Collection
November 2nd: Wishful Endings, Falling Leaves & Nicole’s Book Musings
November 3rd: Adventures Thru Wonderland, The Silver Dagger Scriptorium & Deal Sharing Aunt
November 4th: Jessica and Gracie’s Tree & Zerina Blossom’s Books
November 6th: Grand Finale
Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon eGift Card and an ebook of ARCANA (open internationally)
Print copy of ARCANA plus swag (US only)
Ends November 11th
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Sylvani. 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 another world, in Realm Explorers Part CXV!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world, in Realm Explorers Part CXV!
-Annie Douglass Lima
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: Juliann Whicker
Title of book and/or series: Butcher, Baker, Vampire Slayer
Brief summary of the story: Urban Fantasy retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story: My story is Urban Fantasy set in an alternate reality St. Louis. The action takes place at the all boys school, Calder, training grounds for the next generation of Butchers.
If we were to visit Calder/Alternate reality St. Louis as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there? You should visit the sculpture park, eat some baked goods, and ride the metro.What dangers should we avoid in Alternate St. Louis? In fiction as well as in reality, don’t run out of gas on the North side. In fantasy, werewolves, zombies and vampires roam, and where in reality, 149 murders are committed every year.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Calder? The baked goods are magical, but might make you sick if you aren’t in need of extra strength, skill, or healing from a werewolf bite.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Calder? Whips and Butcher’s knives are your average weapon for the Butcher, while a Baker wields a mean rolling pin.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Calder? You can take the train downtown, or a car. There is a tank parked in the garage in case of emergencies.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Calder? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used. A Baker bakes a batch of muffins which feeds the Butchers making them super fast, super strong. The Butchers are super humans after they make the transformation, genetically disposed to the change from ordinary human to Butcher’s boy and then eventually full-fledged Butcher.
What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there? All Hallow’s Eve celebrates the beginning of the days of darkness and is when there is a great battle followed by an enormous feast. Twelfth Night celebrates the end of the days of darkness with a ceremony at the werewolf seal, closing another year of hunting.Is there a particular religion practiced in Calder? Please describe what it involves. Calder is a Catholic boys school. They have mass and other conventional religious observances.
What is the political or government structure in Calder? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she? The C.M. is in charge over all the Butchers in the district, but over Calder, Orion Daughtry is head Butcher, strong, perfect, but struggles to relate to other Butchers who aren’t as naturally talented as he is.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book? I would not have written this book if I hadn’t done a homeschool unit on Twelfth Night, and gotten lost on the North side with my kids. It’s a desolate, horrible place. I’ve never seen such a sad thing. A teddy bear lying on the road, empty lots, every building barred and shuttered, people wandering, vacant eyed… It made an impression. Luckily, I did not run out of gas.
Author Autobiography: Juliann C. Whicker was raised with chickens, goats, and a cow named Mrs. Mooley who everyone (neighbors included) chased down the street in a small college town. She now lives in Saint Louis with her five children, husband, and all the free museums and zoos a soul could crave.She works painting in oil and ink, writes clean fiction that’s too dark for those with delicate stomachs, and has a marvelous time hanging out with her friends and family.
Some hobbies include: Sewing, Painting, Photography, Writing, Ballroom Dancing, Hiking, Biking, and Gardening.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)? You can get my book from Amazon in either ebook or paperback!
Where can readers connect with you online? Facebook Twitter http://juliannwhickerwriter.blogspot.com/
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to alternate reality St. Louis. 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 another world in Realm Explorers Part CXIV!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world in Realm Explorers Part CXIV!
-Annie Douglass Lima
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: Kendra E. Ardnek
Title of book and/or series: The Rizkaland Legends – in particular, the second book of the series, Lady Dragon, Tela Du
Brief summary of the story:
A thousand years have passed since Amber’s most recent imprisonment on the Isle of Banishment, and it’s time for her to claim her promised fifty years ruling Rizkaland. Only one person stands in the way of her making the rule permanent – the Tela Du, a girl prophesied to share her face and to be the only one capable of ending Amber’s life.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
Rizkaland is a cylindrical world divided into a mainland and six islands, with thick bodies of water known as Rivs flowing between them. Water flows in every color of the rainbow, each color with its own distinct flavor and use. Also, they have something against the letter c for some reason.
If we were to visit Rizkaland as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
I’d recommend that you start your tour in Loray, the castle at the heart of the mainland, where you’ll find not only the Bookholder’s library containing the complete history of the world, but also Alphego’s Hill, where Alphego stood to create the world. You can use the Hill to travel to the replicas built on the islands and do more exploring.
What dangers should we avoid in Rizkaland?
It is generally considered a Bad Idea to be caught by Amber – for not only can she turn people to ice, but she can turn herself into a dragon. She’s only a problem when she’d not on the Isle of Banishment, though. There are also a number of vicious animals, such as kirats – a large, bear-like creature you don’t want to tangle with – in Rizkaland’s forests.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Rizkaland?
Mistletoe muffins!
And Spiced Pomella Cider is a general favorite among visitors to the world.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Rizkaland?
Predominately swords, bows, and a form of martial arts.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Rizkaland?
Predominately the horse, but on the mainland they have Haric Doors that are doormats that you can use to travel quickly to Loray and back. And Alphego’s Hill and its replicas on the islands can be used for travel.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Rizkaland that we don’t see on Earth?
Plantlife in Rizkaland is every color but green (except in autumn, when it ALL turns green).
Animals? Well, as well as kirats, there are shwazles, a reptilian beast that has a head resembling that of a camel; etrinas, a catlike creature the size of a bobcat; kloradies, a yellow bird that resembles a canary, but with a longer beak; korrens, a yak-like beast of burden; and quaggleshumps, which are birds that resemble pelicans, but are much larger, with purple feathers and donkey-like ears.
The predominate sentient race – or Eliue in the Rizkan language – apart from the humans are the elves. And on the Isle of Talking Beasts you’ll find four races of horse-like creatures called the harandas, the hinequas, the rowandas, and the kiandas.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Rizkaland? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
Each elf has a semi-unique gift such as invisibility, flight, healing, a heightened sense, or some other such. The kings and queens on the mainland are given similar gifts.
The hinequas have the ability to lessen the effects of gravity, which they use for flight. Kiandas can turn themselves invisible. It is suspected that Rowandas have the ability to slow time – in any rate, they move so fast, it’s hard to tell. Harandas have the power of telepathy and teleportation, and it is with hairs from their tales that the Haric Doors are made.
The Hills function on a supernatural level.
During Tying Ceremonies, a magical cord is used to bind the couple together.
The Bookholder – the highest rank a elf can hold – owns a special Book that contains prophecies and orders from Alphego, the words of which will change depending on the need. Daughters of the Bookholder, known as Bookdaughters, have the ability to Speak prophecies.
Alphego will occasionally gift certain people with gifts beyond that to perform certain tasks.
Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Rizkaland? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.
Nothing unusual compared to our world, but there is electricity in Loray and the five castles on the Isle of Klarand.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Rizkaland.
Variations of the medieval tournaments are popular, and they do have a few ball sports, though nothing organized on the level that earth sports are these days. Royalty enjoys balls, while barn dances, of a sort, are frequent among the common people. There is a nightly recitation of the Legends – what histories are called in Rizkaland – at Loray and the Kastle by the Bookholder or a Bookdaughter, and there are a few acting companies that travel through Rizkaland and Klarand presenting plays of their own invention and ones based on the Legends.
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Rizkaland as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?
Rizkaland has a day and year equal to ours, but their year is divided into ten months named for the original rulers of the island of Klarand, and the weeks are eight days named for the original rulers of the mainland.
The New Year is celebrated much like we celebrate Christmas, and there are a few other special days, mostly commemorating past defeats of Amber.
Is there a particular religion practiced in Rizkaland? Please describe what it involves.
Almost everyone acknowledges the existence of Alphego, even if they don’t personally believe in him. The Hill and its replicas are regarded as places of worship, and most people will at least try to seek the advice of the Bookholder or a Bookdaughter before making major decisions. Tying Ceremonies – which are technically engagement ceremonies, but with wedding vows – are held on the Hill or one of its replicas, and are officiated by the Bookholder or a Bookdaughter if at all possible.
What is the political or government structure in Rizkaland? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
Rizkaland has a monarchy, with four kings and four queens, as it is believed that it isn’t good for any one person to have absolute power. Their chief advisor is the Bookholder, and they have a number of officials and such below them to help carry out laws.
The island of Klarand and the Isle of Talking Beasts are both subject to the Rizkan monarchy, though they are recognized as separate governments. Klarand has a monarchy with only one king and queen, but the island is divided into four quarters and their power is diffused through the Lord and Lady reigning over each section.
The Isle of Talking Beasts is ruled by the Sentaur who as his name suggests, is half-human and half-horse, and is immortal as far as anyone can tell. He rules with the help of a council of seven elected from among his people.
Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit Rizkaland?
Rizkans don’t shake hands. They press a fist to their heart and, depending on their rank, will hold eye contact, bow, or glance towards Alphego’s country or the nearest Hill.
They refer to north, south, east, and west as up, down, ea, and wea.
As mentioned earlier, they don’t like the letter “c” and will only use it to make the “ch” sound, in which case, it is used alone. In every other situation, it is replaced with “k” or “s” as applicable.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
Probably, but I’m having trouble remembering anything off the top of my head. There are the boxes that the elves possess, inspired by a typo by a friend of mine, though. And the Rowandas and Hinequas come from a story game my sister and I did in the backyard once.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
I never outright address the issue, but I do deal with gender norms and women in power a lot in my writing. Also predestination vrs. free will came up in LDTD, which can be a pretty controversial subject. And there was a moment when old earth vrs. new earth was mentioned.
Author Autobiography:Kendra E. Ardnek is a homeschool graduate who picked up a pen at an early age and never put it down. The eldest of four, she makes her home in the Piney Woods of East Texas with her parents, younger siblings, giant herd of giraffes, and honor guard of nutcrackers.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)?
Lady Dragon, Tela Duis currently available for preorder on kindle.
Where can readers connect with you online?
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Rizkaland. 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 another world, in Realm Explorers Part CXIII!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world, in Realm Explorers Part CXIII!
-Annie Douglass Lima
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. This one is on sale for just 99 cents, for the next two days only!
Author’s name: Jennifer Ellision
Title of book and/or series: Threats of Sky and Sea
Brief summary of the story:
Bree has spent her life as a barmaid, innocent to her father’s past and happily free from the Elemental gifts that would condemn her to a life in the King’s army.
…Until the day soldiers recognize her father as a traitor to the throne.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
The world of the Threats of Sky and Sea series begins in the country of Egria, where those who possess abilities over the Elements are conscripted into the King’s armies. As time goes on, our characters are drawn further into the war the King hungers for with the island nation of Nereidium. To say much more would be to spoil you!
If we were to visit Egria as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
If you find yourself in the capital, do stop by The Soused Turkey for a drink. It’s a bit of a hole-in-the-wall, but locals speak highly of the friendly manner of the barkeep and you can get a good—well, cheap drink there.
If you prefer landmarks and architecture, the winter palace is a sight to behold—some have playfully described the view as reminding them of a beautiful frosted cake.
What dangers should we avoid in Egria?
If you happen to be an Elemental, stay well clear of the palace in the capital. It’s the King’s stronghold and, if Revealed, he’ll not only punish you for avoiding conscription, but… well… you’ll find yourself serving a lifetime in his armed forces.
Unless you’re the sort that prefers fighting for a corrupt king. Then, by all means! Snap those fingers and light a flame.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Egria?
If you do happen upon The Soused Turkey and meet the barkeep, Clift, you might ask him for a glass of Starter Cider. It’s got a heady cinnamon flavor, but careful! It’s strong stuff.
And, erm… perhaps keep your Starter Cider away from an open flame. Just in case.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Egria?
Those who don’t possess Elemental abilities favor old-fashioned steel—swords, daggers, and arrows alike. When those are tossed aside, they’ll swing a punch if need be.
But the Elementals among us heavily favor using their Elements against an enemy. Stay clear of a Torcher in a bad mood…
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Egria?
By and large, inhabitants in the world of Threats of Sky and Sea travel by hoof or by foot. That is, unless they’re travelling to or from the island nation of Nereidium, in which case, they’d need a boat.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Egria? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
The magic at play in the world of the Threats of Sky and Sea series is dependent on the powers over the Elements that certain individuals possess—and the times that the Makers deign to interfere in the affairs of mortals.
Is there a particular religion practiced in Egria? Please describe what it involves.
Many worship the Makers—the Mother and the Father. The Egrians’ creation myth tells that the Makers created the world, after a previous one was destroyed. With this new world, they chose to imbue certain individuals with the power of the elements, in the hopes that tying them more tightly to the earth would give them a greater respect for it.
When possible, Egrians worship in the middle of the week, mid-day—interrupting their day and week to worship.
What is the political or government structure in Egria? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
Egria is a monarchy, currently ruled by King Langdon, who has one son—Prince Caden.
Langdon is power-hungry. Power-mad, but he rules unchecked.
…For now.
Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit Egria?
I’d avoid wearing the colors red or purple, if possible. The King likes to reserve purple for royalty. And, though it is an outdated practice, red was once the color worn by murderers.
Author Autobiography:I spent a great deal of my childhood staying up past my bedtime with a book and a flashlight. When I couldn’t find the stories I wanted to read, I started writing them. I love words, have a soft spot for fanfiction, and am a master of the fangirl flail. I reside in South Florida with my family, where I live in fear of temperatures below 60 Fahrenheit.
I’m the author of the (now complete!) YA fantasy series, Threats of Sky and Sea, as well as the New Adult contemporary romance, Now and Again.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)? Please include links.
You can find my e-books on Amazon (where Threats of Sky and Sea is 99 cents at the moment), Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Smashwords. Threats of Sky and Sea also has the honor of being available as a Booktrack, as well. Booktrack is a unique reading format in which the text is scored—like a movie soundtrack that plays as you read!
My novels are also available as paperbacks and you can find some of my works in audiobook form on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes—and I am working to make sure that they are all available in that format soon!
Where can readers connect with you online?
I’m (almost) everywhere! You can visit me on my website, jenniferellision.com, chat with me on Twitter or Instagram as @JenEllision, or come hang out on my Facebook page!
You can also get updates on my work as well as other fun stuff by signing up for my newsletter—you get a free introductory short story just for signing up!
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Egria. 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 another world, in Realm Explorers Part CXII!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world, in Realm Explorers Part CXII!
-Annie Douglass Lima
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.
On Tour with Prism Book Tours.
Author’s name: Leigh Statham
Title of book and/or series: The Perilous Journey of the Much-Too-Spontaneous Girl
Brief summary of the story: Lady Marguerite Vadnay and her trusty automaton, Outil, have settled into life in New France rather well. Marguerite is the top of her class at flight school and her future as an aerpilot is nearly secure. She has everything she wants-except a commission on the pirate hunting dirigible The Renegade. Using every card in her aristocratic arsenal, Marguerite wiggles her way onto the finest warship France has to offer. But as usual, Marguerite’s plans endanger the lives of those she holds dear-only this time no one else is going to save them. As she and Outil set off on a rescue mission they may not return from, Marguerite finally realizes it’s time to reorder her cogs.
This steampunk adventure is littered with facts from The Golden Age of Piracy and follows (not too closely) some of the lives and adventures of the brave men and women who sailed the seas as privateers, pirates, and soldiers.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story: 1600’s French Canada, Quebec — New France—filled with steampunk technology, automatons, and pirates. Arrrg!
If we were to visit New France as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there? You should definitely take a tour of the St. Lawrence River and ride a dirigible over the Hudson Bay. It’s breathtaking in the spring— literally.
What dangers should we avoid in New France? Don’t get on the wrong side of a pirate, or a nun. Some of the girls at His Royal Majesty’s Flight Academy for Resilient Young Women wouldn’t be fun to run into in a dark alley if you’ve recently stolen their boyfriend. But for the most part it’s a wonderful place to visit.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in New France?The fishing industry is alive and well, and given the fact that the French know how to cook better than any other nation, I’d say you’re in for a treat no matter what you order. Just make sure to get a side of gear oil for your automaton. They will take better care of you if they aren’t squeaking about their work.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in New France? Aer cannons are all the rage these days. Claude Vadnay is the most sought after engineer in all of the New World and rumor has it that he has a new hand held pistol that doesn’t use black powder.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to New France? Aerships are the most common means of travel. However, Sir Vadnay of La Rochelle recently moved to the area and had the latest autocart shipped with him from Paris. The steam powered road rollers can be seen bouncing down the dirt and cobble stone streets causing horses to balk, and ladies to faint if not prepared for the sudden appearance and swift departure of a sparkling new autocart.
What is the political or government structure in New France? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she? His Royal Majesty, King Louis the XIV, is the supreme ruler of New France and its provinces. However, the pirates rule the water, and the struggle on land for power is constantly in flux between New England, New France, and the Iroquois Nation. At this point, it’s anyone’s game.
Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit New France? Yes! In New France women are welcome to chose a career or marry. If a man is lucky enough to be chose as a husband by one of these ladies, they will be given land and a promotion of title. The king may be in charge, but the ladies are calling the shots.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book? My books are based on the true story of the life of Marguerite Vadnay, one of my great-great-great grandmothers. Plus, I’m a huge Francophile. I love the food, the fashion, the history, and especially my family stories.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book? I cover women’s rights and independence quite a bit. The idea of a woman needing man to “Get by” in life or support her in an ancient one that has been challenged for as long as it has been around. I’m merely continuing that challenge with Marguerite. She will choose to settle down when she wants to, not because she has to— that is, if she ever settles down.
What About the First Book in the Series?The Perilous Journey of the Not-So-Innocuous Girl
Lady Marguerite lives a life most 17th-century French girls can only dream of: money, designer dresses, suitors, and a secure future. Except she can’t quite commit to a life of dull luxury and she suspects she may be falling for her best friend Claude, a common smithy in the family’s steam forge. When Claude leaves for New France in search of a better life, Marguerite decides to follow him and test her suspicions of love—only the trip proves to be more harrowing than she anticipated. Love, adventure, and restitution await her if she can survive the voyage.
Based on the true story of The Daughters of the King, Louis the XIV’s social program to settle the wilds of Canada with women of noble birth, Marguerite’s steampunk adventure follows in the footsteps of nearly one thousand brave women and girls who were rewarded handsomely for trekking across the pirate-infested Atlantic to a strange land.
“The writing is solid and the world-building – that clever combination of historical detail and Ms. Statham’s imagination – is excellent.”~ The Australia Times Books
Buy it at Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo│!ndigo
Leigh Statham was raised in the wilds of rural Idaho, but found her heart in New York City. She worked as a waitress, maid, artist, math teacher, nurse, web designer, art director, thirty-foot inflatable pig and mule wrangler before she settled down in the semi-quiet role of wife, mother and writer. She resides in North Carolina with her husband, four children, five chickens and two suspected serial killer cats.Leigh is also a founder of QuantumFairyTales.com and is currently serving a life sentence there as senior editor and gnome driver. She loves all things sparkly and strange that go bump in the night.
Tour Schedule
September 11th: Launch
September 12th:
September 13th:
September 14th:
September 15th:
September 16th:
September 18th: Grand Finale
Tour Giveaway
• 1 winner will win signed copies of The Perilous Journey of the Not-So-Innocuous Girl and The Perilous Journey of the Much-Too-Spontaneous Girl plus some awesome Steampunk goggles (US only)
• 3 winners will win ebook sets of The Perilous Journey of the Not-So-Innocuous Girl and The Perilous Journey of the Much-Too-Spontaneous Girl (open internationally)
• Ends September 23rd
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to New France. 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 another world, in Realm Explorers Part XCXXI!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world, in Realm Explorers Part XCXXI!
-Annie Douglass Lima
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: Diane Rapp
Title of book and/or series:
HOWL OF THE WOLF, Book 1 of Heirs to the Throne Trilogy (I also have a prequel to the trilogy titled THE ALPHAS) The whole series is reasonably clean and violence is not graphic.
Brief summary of the story:
This science/fantasy novel takes place in a distant future. When a human colony ship lands on the distant planet Drako, the occupants of the world…telepathic wolves…try to communicate with the two-legs. The wolves decide there are no intelligent creatures to speak with them. They wait, hoping a two-leg might acquire enough intelligence to finally speak with them.
Meanwhile in civilized space, the process of Transfer is developed by a team of four scientists. They save lives and correct genetic conditions by sending the mind of a patient into a clone, creating virtual immortality. Unfortunately, the scientists turned the process over to clerks in the Institute that they established to handle the paperwork and lost power over the invention.
Hundreds of years later the medical spaceship Zebulon flees from Institute assassins, who were sent to kill all the scientists and their teams. Captain Donovan chooses the remote planet Drako to hide with his crew and protect the scientist leader, Dr. Alexander. (They don’t know that an evil assassin stowed away on their ship.) After landing and destroying their ship, they discover that Donovan must compete for the crown of the dying king to secure sanctuary for his people.
Faced with superstitions, hatred, and eminent danger, the spacers must adapt to a feudal society without using modern tools or weapons. Fortunately centuries of Transfer enhanced the natural talents of each crew member which might give them an advantage on the backward planet. (The evil villain has the power of mind control.)
An intelligent wolf leader, Kriegen makes telepathic contact with Donovan and must decide if he will help protect the pack of the two-leg commander. The wolves’ Council of Elders might be difficult to convince, but Kriegen knows an evil human lurks nearby with plans to kill his targets and gain control over the pastoral world of Drako. Mind control is against the code the wolves live by, so Kriegen believes the Council must act.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
Drako is a pastoral planet located on the fringe of civilized space. Although the planet proves suitable for colonization, a society of telepathic wolves already occupies the lush world. The wolves try to make contact with bad results and decide to wait. They watch two-legs clear the land and develop Drako into a recreation planet for wealthy tourists. Settlers become feudal lords, desert sheiks, oriental samurai, and ordinary peasants depending on a level of investment. After several generations the monarchy revolted against technology and closed Drako to off-world visitors. Distaste for technology eventually mutated into superstitious hatred. Anyone caught with spacer tools or weapons could be executed.
The planet is part of a two-sun system. The main sun is like our own. From ground-level the second distant red dwarf sun looks like a red moon at night and provides extra warmth to grow lush plants. The pastoral planet is perfect for people hoping to escape modern technology and live a simple life. Peasants, knights, and kings become common-place and scientific knowledge is shunned and soon forgotten.
If we were to visit Drako as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
Should tourists be permitted to visit Drako once more, they would be immersed in life from bygone eras. Kings and castles, sheiks and desert riders, peasants and merchants can be found living a simple existence without modern conveniences. There are telepathic wolves in the shadows (if you can find a pack) and tales about dragons by the seaside tantalize visitors.
What dangers should we avoid in Drako?
Don’t whip out a camera or cell phone as use of forbidden instruments of technology warrant death. Superstitions mark technology as witchcraft, so you wouldn’t want to burn at the stake.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Drako?
Medieval weapons like bows and arrows, as well as swords, knives and spears, are used by trained knights and desert riders. Gigantic war horses are an integral part of any soldier’s weaponry. The Samurai are trained to kill with their bare hands but archery skills are learned as well.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or in Drako?
People travel on foot or by horseback, however, by the end of this series Dragon Riders make air travel across the world much easier for lucky young people.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Drako that we don’t see on Earth?Earth-type plants grow on Drako but night-blooming varieties thrive in the red light of the distant second sun. A society of telepathic wolves occupied the planet before the arrival of humans. Separate wolf packs are ruled by a combined Council of Elders, who “host” the minds of many ancestors to provide wisdom and a living history. A wolf host voluntarily accepts the minds of a dying pack member and those minds give advice until the wolf’s death. The host hears ancestor voices but any final decision is left to the living host. The Council of Elders does not believe that two-legs are intelligent creatures, so it does not interfere in the society of lower animals. They protect forests and the holy structure on the Bloody Lake by scaring two-legs away.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Drako? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
There is not actual magic on Drako, however, centuries of Transfer left spacers with special abilities that have been magnified over time. Telepathy, healing powers, incredible speed, visions of the future, and mind control talents might seem like magic to superstitious natives. Using these abilities give the spacers an edge if they do not allow the skills to brand them as sorcerers.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Drako.
A sporting tournament to choose the successor for the dying king includes archery, horse racing, and various matches in a ring (hand-to-hand combat, saber, foil, and sword contests) help contestants win points. In the final two combatants face off to win the crown.
What is the political or government structure in Drako? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
The government is a monarchy, but the ruling king’s entirely family was recently poisoned. King Halder is also dying from the same strange poison. He secretly sends an interstellar message to summon a distant heir. Captain Donovan returns to Drako, unaware of his lineage, but agrees to compete for the crown. King Halder has his own “special mental skills” and plans to use Donovan to ferret out his family’s killer and take a revenge.
Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit Drako?
Mullahs who rule with an army of Desert Riders are descendants from colonists migrating from Middle East region on Earth. They follow their own traditions and religious beliefs. The Mullahs plan to gain power on Drako by winning King Halder’s throne. A separate region is ruled by Marasuta, an Oriental Samurai who pledges allegiance to the King. He trains his soldiers in the Samurai code and traditions, making sure they are skilled warriors.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
When I began writing this series, I asked a series of “what if” questions and imagined how society might develop from potential answers.
1. What if cloning provided doctors with the ability to transplant a patient’s mind into a new body free of genetic problems? What if the expense of such immortality caused people to work as virtual slaves to pay off the debt? How would society develop? Would people finally decide that freedom in a short life is better than slavery?
2. What if telepathic creatures occupied a world ripe for colonization? How would humans make “first contact” with telepathic creatures? What if everything went wrong? Would those creatures destroy humans or wait until we developed enough intelligence to properly communicate? Could the creatures become allies to telepathic humans and help save lives?
Author Autobiography:
Diane Rapp became an entrepreneur when she started her own dog grooming salon in Santa Barbara, California. She spent the next thirty years as a small business owner; she sold real estate, started an office supply/copy center, and performed free-lance advertising design. During all those years Diane wrote stories for herself as a cure for insomnia. She imagined distant planets and mysteries set on Earth.
After writing a tour guide book to the Caribbean together, Diane’s daughter gave her the idea of writing a mystery/romance set on cruise ships in the Caribbean. She got serious about publishing her books. “Murder Caribbean-Style” and “Murder on a Ghost Ship” are the first two novels of a High Seas Mystery series. Readers meet the main characters of the series and learn about life aboard a ship while solving murders. There is danger and romance mixed in with the action. The third book in the series, “Murder for Glacier Blue” takes the reader on a cruise to Alaska with an art heist, murder, and a wedding on Glacier Bay.
Diane’s first love has always been science/fantasy. “The Alphas” is the prequel to the Heirs to “Howl of the Wolf”. The story is a mystery blended with science/fantasy. The heroine tries to solve the murder of an old friend and discovers why her beloved German Shepherd was stolen. The novel also introduces telepathic dogs and the wolves who eventually travel to the planet Drako.
“Howl of the Wolf” is the first book in the Heirs to the Throne Trilogy. The novel introduces the planet Drako, telepathic wolves, and the crew of the space ship that took sanctuary with people who banned technology from their world. In “The Havenshire Resistance”, the second book of the series, Queen Krystal’s three teenage daughters learn to use inherited powers to help rescue their father. Krystal leads an army of Samurai women, telepathic wolves, and ragtag commoners against an evil usurper in a dramatic battle. In “Dragon Defense”, the third book of the trilogy, the planet is under threat from space when an Institute battleship arrives. King Donovan must train bored teenagers to operate forbidden defense technology while his daughters befriend a flock of wild dragons. Will the crazy defense tactics save Drako from destruction?
Diane took a break to write a fractured fairy tale for her granddaughter. “Dragon Knight: and the Heart’s Blood Curse” is a humorous fantasy that adults will enjoy reading to their kids. When a witch turns a magnificent dragon into a puny human knight, Dragon must complete a quest to regain his powerful dragon form. A demon steals dead musicians from the mundane world and forces them to perform songs that change people into evil creatures. He plans to steal a living musician, Jimmy Buffett, and use his songs to destroy the barriers between the worlds. Dragon is the only creature who could destroy the demon and save the day. Wizards in the mundane world use smart phones as wands to protect Buffett from capture while Dragon and a young sorceress, Robyn, fight the demon in the magical realm.
Last year Diane added a new mystery to her growing catalog. The characters from her High Seas Mysteries travel to Colorado to find a family gold mine. “Golden Legacy” features a journal written in 1888 by Kayla’s ancestor, a woman traveling alone from San Francisco to Ouray, Colorado. Kayla reads the journal to uncover clues to fine the gold mine and prove herself worthy of inheriting the family legacy.
What is next? I am currently working on a new science/fantasy novel. When Dr. Alexander and his team arrived on Drako, the three other scientists who invented Transfer fled to other planets. Now readers can explore what happened to these talented men, what kind of worlds they chose to inhabit, and what interstellar threat might bring them all back together. If you enjoy character-driven science/fantasy, start reading the first series today. The next book should be ready by the end of this year.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your books?
All nine books are available in e-book and print formats exclusively on Amazon.com. My author’s page can be found at http://Author.to/DianeRapp
Please include links to the books:
Science/Fantasy Series:
The Havenshire Resistance: http://viewBook.at/Havenshire
Dragon Defense: http://viewBook.at/DDefense
Mystery Series:
Murder Caribbean-Style: http://viewbook.at/HighSeas1
Murder on a Ghost Ship: http://viewBook.at/HighSeas2
Golden Legacy: http://viewBook.at/GoldenLegacy
Fractured Fairy Tale:
Dragon Knight and the Heart’s Blood Curse: http://viewBook.at/DKnight
Where can readers connect with you online?
Visit www.quicksilvernovels.com to learn more about all of Diane’s books. Contact Diane from the website. You may also find Diane’s posts at https://www.facebook.com/quicksilvernovels and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DianeRapp.
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Drako. 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 another world world, in Realm Explorers Part XCXX!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world world, in Realm Explorers Part XCXX!
-Annie Douglass Lima
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: Chess Desalls
Title of book: Glistens
Brief summary of the story:
Marian is a teen Glisten—a fairy that takes the form of a firefly—who hopes to become a guardian. She’s stuck in summer school when she hears a call for help. Will she be able to answer her ward’s call and complete her class project? Or will summer and its distractions make her lose focus?
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
Glistens is set in the real world. The Glistens are a fairy-shifter society whose colonies exist among humans. They use glamours to stay hidden. Ancestors of the Glistens in my novella settled in Applewold, Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny River.
If we were to visit as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
If the Glistens grant you sight into their world, I’d recommend a tour of their schools and homes. They are much different than how they appear on the outside. Otherwise, you might want to spend a day fishing.
What dangers should we avoid?
Stay away from the Rabbits.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served by Glistens?
Glistens enjoy vegetable stew and vanilla breakfast cake, as well as nectar ices and pollen nuggets. They maintain a vegan diet.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common to Glistens?
This breed of fairy shifters is, for the most part, peaceful. But they have a magic system with a basis in fire and cold light. They use their light to transform objects and guide others to safety. But sometimes their magic is needed to combat evil forces.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. do Glistens use to travel?
Glistens don’t own motorized vehicles such as cars and motorcycles. One of the Glistens in the story has managed to get his hands on an old bicycle. Even so, their preferred method of travel is flight.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter that we don’t see on Earth?
If you’ve seen a firefly, you’ve probably seen a Glisten in its insect form. They don’t keep pets and they share the same vegetation as humans.
There are also Rabbits that are nothing like the fluffy creatures we know. It’s best not to feed them.
Author Autobiography:Chess Desalls is the author of the YA time travel series, The Call to Search Everywhen. She’s a longtime reader of fantasy and sci-fi novels, particularly classics and young adult fiction. Her nonfiction writing has led to academic and industry publications. She’s also a contributing editor for her local writing club’s monthly newsletter. The California Writers Club, South Bay branch, has awarded two of Chess’ stories first place for best short fiction. When she’s not reading or writing, she enjoys traveling and trying to stay in tune on her flute.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)? Please include links.
Where can readers connect with you online?
Readers can connect with Chess through Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram, her website, and her blog.
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to the Glistens’ world. 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 world of Drako, in Realm Explorers Part XCXVIII!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the world of Drako, in Realm Explorers Part XCXVIII!
-Annie Douglass Lima
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: Malinda Andrews
Title of book and/or series: The Ryder Chronicles, The Incalescent Trilogy
Brief summary of the story:
To Riona, life was simple. She and her mother lived on the outskirts of a village in the secluded Rhal-Dages Mountains of Bjergen. They grew, or hunted what they could, and traded for the rest. Her best friend for the twenty years of her life, Damien, and his family were there for her without question. At least until a mysterious figure reveals something within her, setting in motion events that sweep Riona into a conflict decades in the making.
After another figure’s unexplained visit, Riona is required to accept that the abilities she has had for so long, and tried to hide, come from magic. But since Moriel destroyed the legendary Ryders and their powerful dragons twenty-one years prior, magic was something to be feared by the people. Magic was dangerous, and those using it were sought out and killed.
Forced to leave her home, Riona is stalked by nightmarish shadow figures, as she tries to uncover the truth of who she is. Her choices, and discoveries, could mean the destruction, or salvation of the people she loves most.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
The entire world for this trilogy contains several Realms. The Realm where book one takes place, and where the main characters are from, is called Bjergen. It is a mountainous realm that also includes a large, ancient, forest to the west of the mountains. Rivers, and small streams litter the landscape, providing the necessary irrigation for the people to farm small plots of land to supplement their hunting.
If we were to visit Bjergen as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
If you were to visit Bjergen you would be in for a hiking lovers trip! This Realm covers the Rhal-Dages Mountains and surrounding forests. Most of the realm is made up of small villages, but the capitol city of Erskine is the crown jewel. The majority of the city is built directly into the mountains! The home of the ruling family is extensive, and offers rooms to accommodate visiting Dragon Ryders and their Dragons, complete with oversized balconies!
What dangers should we avoid in Bjergen?
At one point in the history there would have been the danger of wild dragons. Now, there are wolves, and large wildcats that stay away from the villages and populated areas.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Bjergen?
No, the main faire is pretty typical medieval menus. Ales, meads, venison, roasts, fowl dishes are all common.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Bjergen?
Heavy armor complete with heavy horse and infantry units make up the majority of Erskine’s standing army. Due to skirmishes on their eastern front, Erskine is also well versed in archery and building defensive structures.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Bjergen?
The main mode of transportation is either wagons, horse back, or of course walking.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Bjergen that we don’t see on Earth?
Prior to both the rise of the Ryders, and then Moriel’s vengeance, dragons would have been prevalent throughout the realm. Some are friendly, some not so.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Bjergen? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
Magic was once something that was common, but after the fall of the Ryders magic became taboo. There are three types of magic systems. One is inborn magic, magic that runs through the blood of the first people in the 5 Realms. The second is the magic of the Dragon Ryders. Being bonded to a dragon gives the human abilities that they would have otherwise not have had. Using and having those magical abilities will change the individual at a genetic level, which will pass to the offspring of a Ryder. The third type is ritual magic. This is extremely taboo, and banned. The books that contain this knowledge have been hidden away. This magic is also extremely dangerous to the user.
What is the political or government structure in Bjergen? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
The line of Charncoite has ruled unbroken in Erskine for thousands of years. The previous king was a wise and kind ruler, who passed his crown upon his death to his twin sons who are to co-rule. Along with the king there is a council of advisors that aids in making decisions and provides support and information to the king.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
I had come up with this story/realm when I was much younger, but it wasn’t until I was visiting the highlands of Scotland that I really “saw” the landscape. Being amongst the craggily mountains, and sweeping hills really cemented the realm in my mind.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
There really aren’t any “hot-button” or controversial topics, but I do often explore the concept of “nature vs nurture”. There are a few twins, and backstories that include sharing the same upbringing, but how different two people can end up.
Author Autobiography:A transplant to the Midwest from Washington State, Malinda Andrews works as a desk jockey by day, but by night—and sometimes on her lunch break—she escapes the ordinary by writing. The love of writing started young (she credits, or alternately blames, her parents for her love of reading and writing) and she followed her passion for the written word into college. Forgoing financial security, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in December 2012.
The novel that started it all, Through the Mountains, was dreamt up when Malinda was sixteen. Though the assignment was only a ten-page short story, Malinda handed in the first twenty-five pages of her novel. Despite her passion, it would take until the last semester of college for inspiration, planning, experience, and momentum to culminate for the novel to be finished.
An avid reader, Malinda also enjoys crocheting, watching TV and movies, book shopping, hiking, and camping. She lives with her husband and their cats.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your books? Please include links.
They are available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback.
Through the Mountains: http://amzn.to/2aqfmwh
Across the Sea and Hills: http://amzn.to/2aamPxK
Fire and Snow: http://amzn.to/2amLH7u
Where can readers connect with you online?
I can be found online at:
My blog: http://onadragonswing.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @OnADragonsWing2
Instagram: @onadragonswing2
Pinterest: Onadragonswing2
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Bjergen. 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 _____ world of ______, in Realm Explorers Part XCXVII!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the _____ world of ______, in Realm Explorers Part XCXVII!
-Annie Douglass Lima
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.
Title of book and/or series: The Dragon Courage series—book 1 Dragon’s Future, book 2 Dragon’s Heir, book 3 Dragon’s Revenge, book 4 Dragon’s Cure (releasing August, 2016), book 5 Dragon’s Posterity, Prequel Dragon’s Past
Brief summary of the story:
In a world where dragons and humans live in peace with each other, it is a privilege to be a dragon rider, but riders, like everyone else, must find their purpose. In this series, twins Ruskya and Duskya fight for their dragons’ futures and their lives! Braidyn struggles with balancing justice and mercy as he searches for a stolen nestling. Kyn and a new friend, Ben’hyamene, discover a breed of wild dragons which have been at war with humans for four hundred years, and the two learn that peace is better than revenge. Kyn helps Duskya and her daughter, Carryn, search for a young rider who stumbles upon a slave trade. Carryn learns that bitterness leaves a person in bondage as much as being a slave. Follow along the riders’ quest in this exciting middle grade fantasy series by author Kandi J Wyatt.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story: The world itself has many of the same things our world has: lakes, deserts, mountains, swamplands, oceans, and mines. The center of the world is the inland lake. From there, we tell directions. North of the inland lake is the canyon country of Woolpren and Three Spans Canyon. Here the people are steeped in tradition. To the south of the inland lake is Boeskay. It is situated just south of the lake on the River Sur. The land is fruitful and many people farm here. To the east of the inland sea rolling sandhills spread out as far as the eye can see. The people here herd livestock and roam from oasis to oasis. Heading south and west of the inland sea will bring a traveler to the land of The Carr. A river overflows its banks creating a massive swamp. People live in sod houses on rocky outcroppings or in wooden cabins up on stilts. Their livelihood is dependent on the land whether in logging, farming, or ranching. To the south and west of Boeskay the city of San Valencia sits at the base of tall, rocky mountains. The mountains hold mines for ebony. To the west of The Carr sits the ocean. Its rolling surf crashes against rocks and plays a hide-n-seek game with the grasslands as they ebb and flow between the surf and the mountains.
If we were to visit the Lands of Dragon Courage as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
First and foremost, ride a dragon! You’d have to ask a dragon rider and the dragon for permission, but it would be the best thing ever. Secondly, I’d recommend that you visit the El’shad’n in the sandhills and experience one of their feasts. The heat will have dissipated by the evening feast and their pavilions will be open to guests. Drums will provide a beat for dancing, and after dark, the fire dancers will grace the grounds with their intricate work of twirling fire and blowing it in great balls into the air. Roasted lamb never tastes as good as it does at an El’shad’n feast. There’s just something about the way they grill it over the fire that brings all the favor to the front and gets rid of the grease lamb is known for. While on your visit, you must swing by and say ‘hi’ to Duskya or Ruskya and have a cup of tea. Listen to them tell the stories of the lands. Finally, if you’ve never been to an ocean before, go explore the coast. Listen to the roar of the surf. I’d suggest going in the summer during the Youngling Challenge.
What dangers should we avoid in the Lands of Dragon Courage? You’ll want to be cautious of the wild drakes in The Carr. They’ve been at peace with humans now for a few winters, but they are still wild. You don’t want to disturb their lands. They can be territorial. As long as you aren’t caught out in the open in the winter in Three Spans Canyon or Woolpren you’ll be okay, but winter storms have been known to lock people in their homes for days on end. In the summer time, Boeskay can have tornados. If you’re there in the summer months, you’ll want to keep an eye on the sky.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in the Lands of Dragon Courage?
Depending on where in the land you are, your food will vary. The northern lands of Woolpren and Three Spans Canyon serve meats from their livestock along with corn and wheat. Boeskay is known for the farms. All kinds of fresh produce comes through the market and fish is caught in the river. Tea is a prominent drink in the north; while coffee is served in the sandhills, and lemonade on the western coast of the inland sea.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in the Lands of Dragon Courage?
Swords, knives, arrows, and basic hand-to-hand combat are practiced among all the peoples of the land.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to the Lands of Dragon Courage?
Wagons and horses are the most common means of transportation. A few people are fortunate enough to be dragon riders. They have the wonderful opportunity to travel by way of dragon. Those living in the sandhills can travel using animals bred for the heat.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in the Lands of Dragon Courage that we don’t see on Earth? There is a plant that encourages dragons to have twins. It has a similar effect on humans as well. Dragons are another species that are specific to the Lands of Dragon Courage. Other than that, the world is very similar to ours.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in the Lands of Dragon Courage? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
Magic exists mainly in the form of dragons and their abilities. However, there are some items that are magical—an herb that produces twins, an amulet that binds dragons to people and enables the person to hear others’ thoughts, ebony crystals that can hold the essence of a person so that their presence is felt in an area, creating mental cages of memories to keep a person from knowing who she is. These are all magical happenings. The abilities of telepathy and telekinesis are explained by way of magic.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in the Lands of Dragon Courage.
The main entertainment happens in the summer along the coast. The Youngling Challenge is held where all the young dragon riders who are ready to graduate to full-fledged riders come to prove their abilities as riders. There are competitions for them to show how well they work together as a group, individually, and in team sports as well. They have hand-to-hand tournaments, races, and show their prowess with their abilities to wield their minds as weapons.
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in the Lands of Dragon Courage as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?
The days and months are the same. However they rate the passing of time by winters. The seasons are the same in the land but the severity of the weather depends on where you are visiting. The Carr has rain, fog, and sun all year long, while Woolpren and Three Spans Canyon have distinctive seasons with extremes. The special event for the north is the Youngling Procession where the dragons and prospective dragon riders meet every winter. The dragon rider colony then celebrates the arrival of new riders. In Boeskay, each winter they celebrate when their younglings are old enough to become full-fledged riders.
What is the political or government structure in the Lands of Dragon Courage? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she? The Carr has two different sets of government. There is the leader of the humans and the leader of the dragon riders. In recent years, the two have become one. The leader is a young girl by the name of Calum. She is guided by her father, the former human leader, and the former dragon rider leader, Shaylah. The El’shad’n look to Braidyn as their Ah’doneye or leader. The other areas have no political struggles. The riders are helpers who keep peace. In Boeskay, the riders help by fertilizing the farmlands with dragon fire.
Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit the Lands of Dragon Courage?
In the north, people bow in reverence and greeting to each other. The traditional greeting is “May your dragon fly true.” Among the men of The Carr, they shake hands instead of bowing. They are less formal. The El’shad’n had been ruled by a man who abused power. He required everyone to bow down to him as a king. He also kept the women separate from the men. This is changing, but there is still a cultural reticence for the two to mix in public without a family member around.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
Woolpren and Three Spans Canyon are based on two canyons I have visited personally. When I was between my junior and senior years in high school I went to Northern Arizona and saw Canyon de Chelly. I loved the idea of a town built into the canyon wall. The canyons of the high desert of Eastern Oregon are where my in-laws live. When I blended the Northern Arizona landscape with the foothills of the Blue Mountains of Oregon, I created Woolpren and Three Spans Canyon.
Boeskay comes from my childhood in the Mississippi River area of Southern Iowa. The farmlands surrounding the river and the bluffs fill the land. Even the tornados and thunderstorms come from my childhood. However, the market place comes from my time in Ecuador. I loved the way the vendors would set up their wares in colorful displays. The sing-song calling out of what they had to sell also comes into the Boeskay market.
The Carr probably is my favorite because it is what I have known for the past twenty-one years. It is based on the Coquille River valley in Oregon. In the winter time, the fertile fields fill with runoff and the river itself takes on a life of its own as it spills into the plains. The mountains around the valley used to supply many log mills with lumber. They aren’t conducive for dragons, but the valley floor works well for the flying creatures.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book? For the most part the series avoids anything controversial and focuses instead on family, friendship, courage, justice balanced with mercy, and revenge versus peace. However, in book four, the topics of survivors of childhood abuse and human trafficking come into play. When I wrote it, I wrote out of my own experience of overcoming the abuse coping mechanisms. At the time, human trafficking wasn’t even spoken about. Yet, somehow, I was able to put together a very believable experience of how young girls can fall into the clutches of this despicable system. As one character says, “I’d like to take down the whole system! Wing, tail, and horns. From the sellers to the traders to the buyers.”
Author Autobiography: Kandi J Wyatt is a wife, mother of five, teacher, artist, and author. In her free time, she enjoys writing fantasy stories and Christmas programs, and drawing with graphite and colored pencils. Portraits are her specialty. Kandi also enjoys photography, thanks to her photographer husband who has let her join his journey as both his model and apprentice, and she occasionally serves as his assistant when he needs a “light stand with feet.”
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)? Please include links.
Where can readers connect with you online?
Feel free to connect with me on my website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Google Plus, and Pinterest. I blog every week about things not necessarily book related but what I think would help my readers or about what’s happening in my own life. On Facebook, I share not only my blog posts, but any videos or pictures that pique an interest for my readers or would follow with themes in my books. I participate in Twitter games, #MondayBlogs, #TuesdayTitles (where I suggest books that are great reads), #1lineWed (snippets of either works in progress or from my books), and #momlife. My Pinterest boards are divided by things that fit with my books as well as a favorite quote and a favorite book board. I hope you all enjoyed the trip to the Lands of Dragon Courage. 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 fantasy world of Bjergen, in Realm Explorers Part XCXVI!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the fantasy world of Bjergen, in Realm Explorers Part XCXVI!
-Annie Douglass Lima
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:
Mandy Fender
Title of book and/or series:
Sparrow: Defier Series Book Two
Brief summary of the story:
The fight has only just begun…
Lennox Winters is guilty. She stood in defiance against the Regime when no one else would. Now, she must train to become a Sparrow and fight for what she believes.
When the war breaks out in her hometown, she is forced to decide whether she will obey orders or rebel against the authority she respects. Either way, she must protect those she loves most, no matter the dangers.
As she navigates new territory with her loyal best friend, she’ll risk her life, and even her soul, for victory.
In war, sacrifice is inevitable.
Is her faith enough to get her through the fire?
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
I like to refer to my world as ‘Defier Nation’. It is a dystopian setting in the not-so-distant future America. The land is no longer the land that we know. In the book, a weapon called the Global Weather Simulator has changed the game and Defiers must fight to stand for their faith against all odds.
If we were to visit Defier Nation as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
I would recommend getting to a Sparrow City safe zone as fast as you could and look out for patrolling drones – they’re everywhere.
What dangers should we avoid in Defier Nation?
The weather is unpredictable. There is no more forecasting it; the enemy is controlling it, setting off cataclysmic shifts in the atmosphere to further his rule. There are also drones, Prowlers (genetically altered humans), and Regime soldiers to watch out for.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Defier Nation?
MREs are the most practical source of sustenance for the Defiers now that the landscape is unpredictable.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Defier Nation?
There are some pretty cool technological weapons in the Defier Series. The Sparrow scientists have concocted a blue serum that can drop the enemy to their knees, while the Regime has Venom VI that can turn a human, well, let’s just say, not so human anymore. Science and technology play a big role in this series and progresses slowly to allow the reader in the world as the MC, Lennox, discovers it herself.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Defier Nation?
There are incredible motorcycles called Vanishers that the Sparrow scientists have created to be silent and invisible, along with the rider for a short period of time. Plus, military Humvees are always good way to transport soldiers.
Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Defier Nation? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.
There are a few things I have not mentioned yet and one is the Sparrow suit which is covered in nanotubes that literally act as a bulletproof shield. Sparrows also have Sapphire Shields that take the spherical shape when needed and provide a clear protective barrier so that you can hide behind it and still see the enemy. And my favorite little device would have to be the adaptor blade that the scientists tweaked the molecular structure to shape-shift to the tool you need when you need it. I sure wish I had one! J
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Defier Nation.
These days are pretty somber, but Sparrows have a good time in CTT – Critical Thinking Tactics, where they compete against each other in virtual worlds. The virtual worlds can be anything their imagination can think up.
Is there a particular religion practiced in Defier Nation? Please describe what it involves.
The Defiers and Sparrows are those who have chosen to stand and serve Jesus Christ and they try desperately to practice what they believe even when it’s hard or seems impossible.
What is the political or government structure in Defier Nation? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
Well, while the rest of the world is under the rule of Ahab, who is a dictator and plans to destroy everyone who stands in his way of being the new world leader, the Sparrows live by the Word of one King, and His name is Jesus.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
While the location is America, the culture is inspired by the bravery I have seen and heard about from fellow Christians. I take the true stories I read from the Bible and let them inspire me to create worlds that deep and true.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
It is the classic tale of good vs. evil, light vs. dark, yet doesn’t push off to the supernatural only. This series takes the challenges of hot-button issues and causes the reader to think and question what they would do should the challenge ever arise in their life.
Author Autobiography:
Mandy Fender is a wife, mother, women’s pastor, and writer. She is a blogger for Broken, Beautiful, and Bold, and has a monthy inspirational article in the Westside Sol. Her work has received the Readers’ Favorite Five Star Seal and the Redemptive Fiction Award of Excellence by Radiqx Press, and her short story, Samara of Shalocke, is published with Epifiction.
She wants to love like Christ and follow Him in all that she does. Through her writing she hopes to inspire, uplift, and encourage.
Her books are always written with Christ in mind.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your books?
To purchase books from the Defiers Series click HERE.
Where can readers connect with you online?
I would love to connect with readers! They can find me at:
Website: http://mandyfender.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandyfender11/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mandyfender11
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandy.fender/
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Defier Nation. 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 another world, in Realm Explorers Part XCXV!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world, in Realm Explorers Part XCXV!
-Annie Douglass Lima