Interview with Alina Lesnik (ONCE Band)

Music is a must when I'm writing; both a source of inspiration and a tool to calm my nerves and focus. Today, I have the pleasure of featuring Alina Lesnik, the lead vocalist of ONCE, one of my favorite bands. 

Interview.


*Tell me a bit about yourself
My name is Alina Lesnik and I am a mezzo-soprano singer from Germany. Beside creating YouTube covers, I am working as singer for trailer music and as lead vocalist and lyricist of the band ONCE, so music is my main passion. Moreover I am studying the Master of Education in History and German Linguistics. I always loved history, old languages and poetry a lot and felt attracted to the stories of the past, but at some point I realized that music is the only thing I really can imagine to do for the rest of my life, so I decided to finish the studies, but to concentrate on music ☺ 

*What sparked your passion for music?
I always loved to sing along with different Disney characters and dancing around as a child - still do ;-) - so the seeds were planted in young ages. It was simply this feeling of releasing power you gathered within after being loaded with a special emotion. Singing always was like medicine for me.
When I noticed that my singing also touches people around me, the spark became a flame and I wanted to create moods and atmospheres people need in different situations of life. When I hear a known song, I usually get the images and feelings I had when I listened to it for the first time. For me music works like a diary full of memories and feelings. 

*Do you play an instrument?
I played a little bit acoustic guitar before I started to concentrate on singing, but I don’t play an instrument on a professional level, even though I would love to learn Piano or a folky instrument like the Nyckelharpa.

*What’s your favorite genre?
Next to Metal, I am totally into old school rock music, folk music, soundtracks of movies and games and classical music. I would say those are my favorite genres! 

*Please mention some of the bands/singers that have inspired you.
To start with the metal and rock scene, Anna Murphy is one of my idols. I love her natural performances and the tone and power she creates with her voice beside playing the hurdy gurdy, which always fascinates me! 
Floor Jansen also is an inspiration, because her achievements show what you can reach if you just stay passionated and keep living your dreams. The music business is hard sometimes and I can understand people who are frustrated because they need to put so much energy into their career but never get something back. You always have to give a lot first and spent much time, energy and money into this, but then there are those people you look up to, because they already achieved what you wish most and then the flame is burning even brighter. For example, just listening to Floors  live performance of “Ghost Love Score“ triggers something within, which tells me “Continue! You can reach this too”. 
I am a folky music head and there are some really wonderful musicians I like a lot, just to mention a few would be Wardruna, Loreena McKennit or the german band Faun. They reconnect me with my surroundings and nature when I am to much lost in thoughts. 
And at last there are soundtrack composer and YouTuber who are really inspiring, just like Two Steps From Hell and the YouTuber Karliene. 

*How long ago did you begin to make covers? 
I started to record my covers when I did a christmas CD for my mother in 2013. I picked up some songs she liked a lot and simply recorded them and uploaded “Tale As Old As Time”  from “The Beauty And The Beast“ on Youtube. My friends told me I should try it out, so I did ;-) 


*Do you have a favorite one? 
That‘s a difficult question, because I like all of them, even the old ones! They show a development and each cover reminds me of a special situation in life.  But if I had to choose I would say  “The Last Ride Of The Day“ by Nightwish!




*You have a band called ONCE. How did this project begin? 
It is a long, looong story, but I will try to sum it up! In 2012 I wanted to form a band and already had Marco with me as guitarist. We tried out different band projects, but all failed. One day I read a notification in the local newspaper and went to an audition for a Progressive Metal band. We didn’t really matched but when I told the guys that I was searching for someone who plays keyboard, they suggested Frank who also had an audition before. Fortunately he lived close to us and he brought a friend with, our drummer Alex. So ONCE was formed and through the years we developed a really strong friendship.

*Do you guys write your own lyrics? 
Yes, I write all the lyrics. 

*What’s the name of your latest album, and what inspired the concept? 
The upcoming album is called After Earth and the main idea behind the concept was to create a piece of art, in which everything is connected. 
We want to tell a story and invite the listener to sit down and to imagine the world we created in music, lyrics, artwork and structure. It should be like being a part of a movie, reflecting own thoughts and feelings while wandering through the protagonists story.
The structure is inspired by an Aristotelian drama  and the story is builded around the life of a main character. You can see him on the album cover artwork and he is also the main actor in our music video “The Hour Of Eden’s Fall“. 

*The Hour of Eden’s fall is beautiful. Did you have fun recording the video? Was it hard? 
Filming the video was a really interesting time and one of the most beautiful moments I gathered! We spent nearly 3 days sleepless in a house which seemed to live and breath dust of forgotten tales. 
We had to improvise a lot, but the team was perfect and when we started, everything seemed like working by itself. Thinking back it seemed like being in a kind of trance, where ideas were born and directly manifested into reality. 
Moreover it was autumn already, the lost place was surrounded by the smell of fallen leaves and the sun was shining really bright, even though the air was fresh. I simply loved it! Our families and friends were helping out and our actors William Seidel and Christin Paulzen were simply amazing! 


*Future albums/plans? 
Yeah we have ideas and plans, but nothing which is concrete yet. We will keep you updated ;-)

*Where can we stalk you and ONCE? 
Me on Facebook: https://goo.gl/jRPU6W 
Me on YouTube: https://goo.gl/APtmTE

ONCE on YouTube : https://goo.gl/pkV5Hw 
ONCE on Facebook: https://goo.gl/35uw2d 
ONCE on Twitter: https://goo.gl/PEXx8R 
ONCE on Instagram: https://goo.gl/EQq5gZ 
Website: http://www.once-official.de/

Interview with Angela J Ford

When did you write your first book and how old were you?
When I was 12 I wrote my first novel, The Five Warriors. It was the first time I’d finished something that was quite lengthy and it felt like a huge accomplishment. 

Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Writing tends to energize me! I love creating a story from nothing or just glimpses of ideas that dance in my head. 

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? 
One of the things I’ve struggled with and worked really hard on is character development. I want my characters to be flawed, make real choices, and become someone the reader roots for, despite their good and bad decisions. 

What motivated you to become an indie author? 
When I was a teenager I submitted query letters to publishing houses, and it was depressing just sitting around waiting for a response. I got five or six rejection letters, which was awesome, it mean people heard me and were polite enough to write back. However, in my early 20s I started working with entrepreneurs and was able to see their self-publishing journey. It inspired me to forgo the traditional methods and publishing and do it myself because it’s faster and I have more control over the process. At the end of the day I just want to get my books into the hands of readers as soon as possible!

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I write the story I want to read. Most of the time it’s something other people want to read too which works well for me. I also draw my inspiration from classic fantasy because those were the kinds of books I enjoyed growing up. 

What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip, I adore that book! It’s one I finished and turned over and started again because I loved it! I’ve read it three or four times now. 

Do you find difficult writing characters of the opposite sex?
No I don’t. For some reason I tend to have more male main characters. 

Why naming your Saga The Four Worlds? 
The Four Worlds is not a very fantasy name, but I chose it because I have four continents within the planet. The Western World, the Eastern World, the North World and the South World. There are adventures that take place in each world and I wanted each book to focus on a world. The North World was intentionally left out of the main series but will be included in spin-offs and stand alone tales from the Four Worlds. 

Do you have a favorite world?
I adore the South World! It’s where all my fantasy dreams came into play which is why I’ve written three books that take place within the South World and am working on an entire series that takes place there. The South World is also the largest world and leaves more to the imagination and gives more room for insane adventures!

Let's talk about the Five Warriors.

What is their mission?
The Five Warriors. I was inspired by the Bible for this one, and King David and his Mighty Men. I wanted a group of warriors who were invincible and could complete the impossible. Strange creatures are crossing into their land and the Five Warriors take it upon themselves to root out the cause of evil once and for all. However, their quest doesn’t go as expected...

My favorite character in The Five Warriors is Alaireia. Where do you get the inspiration to write strong female characters?
It’s strange to say but I don’t have many inspirations for Alaireia. I’ve always seen females as they are, which happens to be strong and independent. That’s just how I see females which, I was surprised to find, is now a common viewpoint. I think I was blessed to be surrounded by strong females growing up and that only led to my writing of strong females. 

The Green People. Would you describe them as good bad or neutral?
Oh now this is a spoiler! The Green People have good intentions...good intentions for whom? I’ll just leave it at that. You can decide for yourself! 

You have several weapons that bring power to the bearer. Which one would you like to have? 
Can I have all of them? I think though, I would take the bow of Marklus the Healer because he never misses, and I see myself as more of an archer than someone who wields a sword! 

Who is Sarhorr?
Sarhorr is a Changer...I suppose we would call him a demon if he showed up on earth...or perhaps a combination of an angel and a demon. He is an immortal with a unique power and an uncanny demeanour. One thing about Sarhorr is that he is driven, and he doesn’t give up, I think that’s one thing that makes him so attractive. He’s a strong male who is goal-oriented and determined to get what he wants, regardless of what it takes and who he has to go through to get it. 

Let’s talk about the Blended Ones.

How long has it passed since The Five Warriors?
Let’s see, The Blended Ones takes place about 150ish years after The Five Warriors. The story ties in with what’s coming next but seems quite a change after The Five Warriors. 

Who was your favorite character to write in The Blended Ones?
I loved writing about Cuthan! He’s just mischievous and bad and a whole lot of fun. It was a bit of a challenge for me to write outside of my comfort zone but so worth it! 

Why are the Blended Ones considered dangerous? 
People tend to look down on things they don’t understand, and the Blended Ones happen to be an oddity. There are four main people groups and they tend to have pure bloodlines, and intermarrying is frowned upon because of the power that can transfer through bloodlines. I really enjoyed writing about The Blended Ones because I wanted to bring up racial stereotypes and debunk them, or at least get people talking. 

Let’s talk About Eliesmore and the Green Stone.

Who is Eliesmore? 
For a while I’ve been wanting to write a story about the Chosen One, the person who is the answer to a prophecy. Eliesmore is a reluctant hero fantasy trope with a fun twist...because I like to keep people guessing! 

What’s the Green Stone?
The Green Stone is the power of creation waiting to be unleashed. What does that mean exactly? You’ll have to read to find out more, but it’s the ultimate power of the Four Worlds. 

Who will accompany Eliesmore in his journey?
Eliesmore is young and naive and naturally he will need mentors with experience to assist in his quest. The Green Company is a group of eleven who come together to assist in completing the three deeds. 

Why are the immortals helping more openly this time? 
Ah well...there is a spoiler in all this. There’s a reason why the immortals choose to help. They claim it’s because mortals and immortals must work together to save the world…

Are the Green People up to something? 
Yes! Watch out!!
In Eliesmore and the Jeweled Sword, Chapter 101 revels all. 

One of my fave bad boys is back! Do you enjoy writing his POV?
I loved it! He was supposed to be very dead but he ran away with the story and developed a life of his own. It worked out quite well and I’m so excited for people to freak out about the plot twist!!

Who is Myran?
Myran is Eliesmore’s mother. She has a very emotional tale but she was pivotal in shaping Eliesmore’s childhood and helping him become the person he is. 

So that was a mean cliffhanger at the at the end of The Green Stone. What can we expect of Eliesmore now that he’s faced such battle?
I can’t help it! It was a terrible cliffhanger and my beta readers asked for it. No worries though, all books are now available and you can read them all without worrying! 

Tell us about your latest release.
The Complete Four Worlds Series Box Set is now available! It includes all four books:

The Five Warriors
The Blended Ones
Eliesmore and the Green Stone
Eliesmore and the Jeweled Sword

The Four Worlds Series is a collection of epic fantasy novels with enchanted weapons, magical powers, epic battles, deadly armies and a hint of romance. Grab your copy today and dive into an action-packed adventure.

https://amzn.to/2EF7vF2 

Thanks for being here. 

Interview with Melissa A Joy

Interview with Melissa A Joy, author of Keys of the Origin (Scions of Balance) 

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Both.  I love writing when I’m able to get the inspiration/imagery put into words, but there always comes a point when exhaustion hits no matter how much or how little I’ve actually written.  Just thinking about plot points, the characters’ circumstances and where the story is going (etc) can be mentally draining.  It’s worth it in the end though.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

One thing both readers and authors should be aware of and respect is that in no way can authors write books like chefs can cook a meal to order.  We should strive to be original in what ways we can, but all readers have varying tastes in what they want to read or will accept as reading material.  I see far too many discussions/debates over what readers of fantasy will or won’t accept, and in my experience, if we put all those gripes together, they cover more or less everything the genre stands for.  It has, and still does, make authors want to quit while they’re ahead.  Authors should write what they want to write about, while bearing in mind what has gone before them; we simply are not able to tailor our books to each and every individual’s expectations, and nor should we be expected to.  Beverly Cleary, author of Young Adults and Children’s fiction once said, “If you don’t see the book you want on the shelves, write it.”

What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel/book series?

The Shadowleague trilogy by Maggie Furey, and perhaps the Guardian Cycle by Julia Gray would be among the favourites.

Do you find difficult writing characters of the opposite sex?

Not at all.  I consider myself to be a perceptive individual; there are both typical and atypical people in both males and females, and all who identify as an alternative gender.  One need only study behaviour from as many different sources as possible, and consider all as individuals. 

Let’s talk about Keys of the Origin, your debut novel.

What are Aevnatureis and Phandaerys? 

It is the Nays word for Aeldynn’s crystalline support structure on which the world and its linked realms are cradled (generally known as The Foundation in the more common tongues).  Think of it like Yggdrasil (the World Tree) from Norse mythology.  

Phandaerys is the inverted counterpart to Aevnatureis; the “evil twin” so to speak.

Is Aevnatureis stronger than Phandaerys? 

That’s like asking if earth is stronger than wind, or if water is stronger than fire, or even if light is stronger than darkness.  All elements are stronger or weaker respectively, and affect one another in various ways.  Phandaerys (The Inversion) is the counterpart to Aevnatureis (The Foundation).  As there is light in darkness, so there is darkness in light; they are equal opposites.  Hypothetically speaking, if Aevnatureis were to represent virtue or positivity, Phandaerys would represent sin or negativity, but on a level that affects the functioning of the world as a whole.  At a basic level, Aevnatureis = purity and Phandaerys = corruption, but both are natural in their own right.

Can the actions of those who inhabit Aeldynn affect the balance?

Over time and in great quantity, yes.

Who are the ones in charge of protecting the balance? 

The Nays (and their Drahknyr) and the Kensaiyr (and their Wardens of Lyte – “Lyte E’varis”).

What does Kaesan mean?

Arch, chief, commander/general.

Some would compare the Kaesan’Drahknyr with angels or demigods.  Which do you think is closer?

It depends in which context you’re looking at them.  There are several different types of angels said to exist in relation to planet Earth, but they are typically associated with love.  The main similarities may be that there are many angels but only seven archangels, as there are only seven Kaesan’Drahknyr but there are many Drahknyr; and that angels are typically drawn with wings or are described as having wings – and all Drahknyr have wings.  In that respect they are similar to angels.  In terms of the power they possess and are able to utilise, however, they could only really be described as demigods.

You have many races co-existing in Aeldynn. (Name a few, please) Do you have a favorite one?  

The Nays, Kensaiyr (white-silver elves), Cerenyr (woodland elves), Shäada (dark elves), Thénya (plains elves), the Aurentai (highest ranking Fey race), Neiréyu (merfolk - fey), Vhaeoul (amphibian - fey), various draconic species (dragons, wyverns, leviathans, drakes)... There are more.  

I would probably put the Nays, Kensaiyr and dragons among my favourites if I really have to choose, but they all hold their unique merits for me.

Why are the Nays the most powerful race?

I’d say they’re among the top most powerful, as it’s the Drahknyr who are born into the Nays who top them all.  The Nays were given the name “Guardian Race” because they are effectively Aeldynn’s caretakers.

Could one of the Nays or the Drahknyr survive in the Phandaeric realms?

With sufficient protection the Nays could for a time.  The Drahknyr are far more resistant to the toxins, but there is a limit even before it will start to affect even them.   It is possible for Drahknyr to recover from phandaeric poisoning.

You have complex names, and several languages in your world. How have the readers responded to this? 

Some have found it immersive and intriguing, and others have struggled to wrap their heads around it.  I added translations in footnotes/endnotes and added a pronunciation guide and glossary for those who are interested in knowing more about it, and some have responded exceptionally well to that idea.  After all, Aeldynn is a living, breathing world.  It is a fact that Earth has multitudes of nations, languages, cultures and ethnicities, so you wouldn’t expect to visit another country in which the people spoke another language and be able to pronounce every word/name you came across unless you happened to learn that language.  I want my readers to feel they are in another world entirely. 

Are you a plotter or do you go with the flow?

I do a bit of both.  I’d say I’m a bit like an archaeologist; I discover one part of an idea or plot, and need to spend time dusting away around it to uncover the bigger picture.

Is there an equivalent to the devil?

That’s probably best left to the reader’s interpretation, but I would say yes; though it depends on entirely what angle you’re looking at him from.

Did you have an alternate ending for Keys of the Origin?

I had originally intended to end it on a different note, but something didn’t feel quite right about it.  In the end it went the right way.

How many more novels do you think will complete the Scions of Balance?

Estimated between 3-5.

Future releases.

Currently, I have:

Endeavours of the Unsung (short stories – early 2018).

Mindseer Oracle, book 2: The Scions of Balance (TBC).

Links 

Website: http://aeldynnlore.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DefineImagineMJ/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DefineImagineMJ 

Deviantart Gallery: https://aeldynnlore.deviantart.com/gallery/ 

The Obscure World’s review of Keys of the Origin: https://selenekallanfantasywriter.blogspot.com.co/2017/10/keys-of-origin-book-1-scions-of-balance.html 

Get Keys of the Origin: https://amzn.to/2Xq4Fhx

Get Endeavours of the Unsung: https://amzn.to/2Vsuz7a

Interview with Laurie Forest, author of The Black Witch.

First of all, I’m very happy to have you here. You’ve had quite a busy year, tell me about your releases on 2017. 

The Black Witch came out in May – the first book of The Black Witch Chronicles (a series of four book and two novel-length e-book “novellas” – there might be a few more novellas down the road as well as a sequel series, but that’s on the back-burner at the moment).

I’ll give you the cover blurb as a description, since I really like it (my editor wrote it – I’m not good at writing short, but she’s good at writing all things) -

Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter of the last prophesied Black Witch, Carnissa Gardner, who drove back the enemy forces and saved the Gardnerian people during the Realm War. But while she is the absolute spitting image of her famous grandmother, Elloren is utterly devoid of power in a society that prizes magical ability above all else. 

When she is granted the opportunity to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an apothecary, Elloren joins her brothers at the prestigious Verpax University to embrace a destiny of her own, free from the shadow of her grandmother's legacy. But she soon realizes that the university, which admits all manner of people—including the fire-wielding, winged Icarals, the sworn enemies of all Gardnerians—is a treacherous place for the granddaughter of the Black Witch. 

As evil looms on the horizon and the pressure to live up to her heritage builds, everything Elloren thought she knew will be challenged and torn away. Her best hope of survival may be among the most unlikely band of misfits…if only she can find the courage to trust those she's been taught to hate and fear.

Wandfasted came out in July – it’s the prequel to the series (and a full-length novel, even though we’ve labelled it an e-book “novella”). It’s very actiony then very swoony ;) It takes place 20 years prior to The Black Witch and gives the reader a glimse of the original Black Witch in action on the battlefield and tells the love story of Elloren Gardner’s parents. I adore this book. And it was great fun writing characters who are older in The Black Witch as young adults – Uncle Edwin, Aunt Vyvian and Jules Kristian amongst them. The reader also gets to meet Fallon Bane’s parents and Gareth Keeler’s parents.

Here’s the description:

Magic, romance and adventure collide in Wandfasted, the irresistible ebook prequel to The Black Witch by Laurie Forest

When they painted Heretics on our barn and set fire to it, I thought that was the worst it could get.

Until they sent the dragons.

But they didn't count on us having dragons of our own. And they certainly didn't count on Her. Our Great Mage. The Bringer of Fire. The Storm of Death. The Crow Sorceress. Our Deliverance.

The Black Witch.

How did publishing your first book change your writing process?

It didn’t really. When I sit down to write, I try to put the entire world out of my mind and pretend I’m writing something that only I will see. If I don’t do that, my writing is pretty stale. When I do that, it seems that the muse kicks into overdrive and I’m excited about what I’m doing. I don’t believe in writing censored in any way. I do believe in brutal editing, however.

Have you traveled to get inspiration? And, what inspires you?

Books. Movies. I’m mostly in Vermont, and Vermont definitely was a huge inspiration for the physical world of The Black Witch. I’m thinking about straying into more of a fantasy landscape for Book Three when the story moves to the Eastern Realm. 

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Both. But even the exhaustion is deeply rewarding. And frustrating. And awesome.

Do you believe in writer’s block?

I do, but I think the only way to work through it is to write. Even writing badly through it. There’s a few quotes I repeat to myself when I’m stuck in a bad writing vortex:

“The muse can’t resist a working writer.”

Ray Bradbury

“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”

Jack London

Are you a plotter or do you go with the flow?

I mostly go with the flow. Which means my editor has to be a saint who needs to be showered with gifts at some point.

How do you come up with the names for your characters? 

Riffing on names in favorite books, baby name sites, fantasy name generators online, riffing on Hollywood actor names and names of people I meet. I was actually taking secret notes at book signings because I encountered so many fab names all over the country.

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?

Editing on deadline. Especially if the deadline is tight. 

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

No research prior to a book, but along the way. The tangents are one of the most enjoyable things about writing – I’ve found out about horses, smithing, swordmaking, violin making and playing, textiles, using birds for sending messages, etc. During the course of writing this series. I suspect seafaring will be next. 

Does the opinion of potential readers influences your writing? 

Not during the writing phase. During the editing phase it does, in that I want to be sensitive. But I also don’t want to shy away from controversial storylines and dark characters. It’s a difficult balance, but a balance worth striving for.

How do you deal with criticism?

Books are very subjective things – not everyone is going to like any given book, so I’m fine with readers having their own views about anything I’ve written, even very critical views. I do think it’s a good thing for critics/journalists/etc. to read books before giving a critique, though. It seems to make sense to me. I’ve gotten good ideas from some critics who have read my book – that have helped me to become a better writer. I am including controversial themes in my stories, so I anticipated those things touching off some debates and strong feelings, and that’s what’s happened. And I think that’s a good thing.

What do you think makes a good story?

Personally, I like character driven stories with compelling, dramatic storylines, romance with great chemistry and witty dialogue. And a great fantasy setting is always a plus.

Name a few of your favorite books and authors.

I’ll throw out a link (that is absolutely not final – it’s a work in progress). There are a lot of books I’ve read over the past few months that are phenomenal that I haven’t entered here yet – 

http://laurieannforest.com/reading/

But I will say, MAKE SURE YOU READ Tanaz Bhathena’s A Girl Like That coming in 2018. It is, hands down, the best book I’ve ever read. I’m not kidding. It is the greatest honor of my autor life that I got to read this book early.

LINK: https://amzn.to/2tRnUTP

What was the hardest scene to write in The Black Witch?

The scene where Ariel’s kindred is found murdered. It’s just so disturbing. And I had a hard time getting Tierney’s character right, but she’s fallen completely into place for me now (which is good, since she’s a major character as the series progresses).

Of the books you’ve launched so far, which is your favorite? Why?

Wandfasted. It was written during a very difficult time of my life (my mother was in hospice care) – and written in large part by her bedside. So, the book was an escape and a way of channeling feelings of intense grief and lonliness. It’s interesting, because I’ve heard from fans who found the book to be a great escape from stress – fans in the hospital, a mother of twins, a Pediatric nurse. I’m really happy that this book did for them what it did for me. And I’m madly in love with Vale Gardner (my husband was great inspiration for the carácter). I love The Black Witch too, but Wandfasted holds a special place in my heart.

Favorite character you’ve created so far?

Fain Quillen in Wandfasted. I just fell in love with him and am bringing him back in Book Three of the series because I adore him so much. In The Black Witch, I’d have to say Ariel Haven. Followed closely by Jules Kristian.

What releases do you have planned for this year? 

This summer, Light Mage comes out. It’s another full-length novel even though we’re labelling it a “novella” (e-book) and tells the story of how Sage Gaffney got hold of the White Wand, broke with the Gardnerians, had an Icaral baby and was drawn to bring the Wand to Elloren Gardner. I’m pretty excited to share this one – I think it’s my most personal book to date. It’s the most intense thing I’ve ever written (with the exception of sections of The Iron Flower, perhaps).

Planned for this fall is The Iron Flower which is Book Two of The Black Witch Chronicles which will be out in hardcover/audio and e-book. We pick up a few days after The Black Witch let off, and many explosive secrets will be revealed ;) And I also throw a stick of dynamite into the narrative – it’s a dark story, so get ready.

Here’s a sneak peak at what’s being worked on for the cover blurb (first time seen anywhere!) –

A dragon freed from captivity. A Selkie hidden in the North Tower. A shadow power rising.

Elloren Gardner and her friends were only seeking to right a few wrongs, but their actions have propelled them straight into the ranks of the realm-wide Resistance against Gardnerian encroachment. As the Resistance struggles against the harsh rulings of High Priest Marcus Vogel and the Mage Council, Elloren begins to realize that none of the people she cares about will be safe if Gardneria seizes control of the Western Realm.

With tensions heating up in Verpacia, more and more Gardnerian soldiers continue to descend upon the University…led by none other than Lukas Grey, now commander of the newly rebuilt Fourth Division base. Though Elloren tries to keep him at arm’s length, Lukas is determined to wandfast to her, convinced that she has inherited her grandmother’s power―the prophesied power of the Black Witch. As his very nearness seems to awaken a darkness inside her, Elloren finds it more and more difficult to believe that she’s truly powerless, as her uncle always claimed.

Caught between her growing feelings for the rebellious Yvan Guriel and the seductive power offered by Lukas Grey, Elloren must find a way to stay true to what she knows is right and protect everyone she loves…even if that means protecting them from herself.

Thanks for interviewing me, Selene ☺

The pleasure was for sure all mine!

Links were your readers can stalk Laurie. 

Twitter

https://twitter.com/laurieannforest

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009503414837

Instagram

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