1. Tell us a little about yourself: I’m married to a wonderful wife, have 2 fantastic children, both of whom have left home; my son courting and my daughter married with 3 beautiful children. I am a qualified aircraft engineer having trained and served in the Royal Air Force, but now work full time as a finance officer in local government. I love walking, preferably in the spring and autumn, camping, and gardening, (I just wish I had one large enough to do something in). I have a passion for genealogy, reading and of course, writing; I enjoy watching classic British sitcoms, crime dramas such as Agatha Christie, Lewis and Midsomer Murders, and have a large collection of films of all genres. Finding time to do everything I would like is hard, so it often requires a careful balancing act, although some things do get neglected at times, such as genealogy. 2. When did you start writing, and why? I first started writing back in 1998 when I was off work following a back injury. Not being able to do much physically, including walking and driving, I thought I would pass some of my time away by writing a story. I did not expect to write much, but once I had started, the story just seemed to flow and I was hooked. 3. What do you write, and why? What do you enjoy about what you write? My first version of my series of ‘The Guardians’ novels actually started off as science fiction with a slight supernatural element, but I was not happy with the finished manuscripts. So I put these aside to write in my favoured genre, Fantasy, having always preferred reading fantasy novels to science fiction. However, after having set aside my writing for several years to focus on genealogy, I decided to rewrite ‘The Guardians’ series into a Fantasy set in the distant future. I suppose I would have to say I enjoy everything about what I write, from developing the characters, to evolving the level of magic involved in the story. I just love writing, and the genres of Fantasy and Science Fiction can give your imagination that little more freedom to explore beyond the accepted laws of science. 4. What is your latest book? Any forthcoming books? My latest book was published as an eBook back in January 2013, ‘A Guardian Reborn’, the third book in the series ‘The Guardians’, however, I have also just completed a thorough revision of the first book in the series, ‘Path to Vengeance’, which I feel brings it more up to the level of books two and three. I will soon be starting the rewrite of books four and five in the series, with a hope to publishing the book four later this year and book five early in 2014. I am also working on some short stories that will fit in and around ‘The Guardians’ series of novels. When all of these are completed, I will commence working on my fantasy epic series “The Chronicles of Ferantiana”. 5. "Welcome To My Worlds": Tell us a little about the world of your latest book: The third book focuses primarily on the main character, Grogaan, and the story is set on several worlds and sectors of space, each having an important and profound effect on him and his future. The Guardians’ series is set in the distant future, where travel between worlds is at the speed of light, guns have been replaced by lasers, but human nature is still volatile and unpredictable. Magic has played a major part in shaping society across the galaxy, often with catastrophic effect. The galaxy is divided into four quadrants; the Gaashox, where the first book is set; the Ladorran, which features prominently in books 2 and 3; the Yeasson, which features in books 4 and 5, and avoided by most space farers and merchants of the Ladorran quadrant; the Neaffrox, only mentioned. 6. Introduce us to some of your characters. What do you like about them? Grogaan Learman, one of the main characters, the son of a renowned fighter pilot, adept in magic, and destined to achieve great things. I like Grogaan for several reasons; he has an inner strength that helps him cope with everything destiny throws at him; he cares for his friends and puts as much importance on their welfare as his own. Ellarna Rayshon, the eldest daughter of a Senator, intelligent and a gifted diplomat, who discovers she is adept in magic. She is another strong character with a kind heart, and puts the needs of others far above her own. Pakrowask and Kopranton, both former Senators of their homeworld of Krelath, now Imperial Governors of the Hebradon Empire and powerful sorcerer’s. Although initially deceived, they show a surprising level of restrain in their dealings with magic and their Empresses. General Sorann Taggash, Guardian Master, and hero of the ‘Confederation of Star System’s. Prone to rushing in to situations without thinking and getting into trouble, but underneath the appearance of immaturity, he bears surprising strength of character and compassion. 7. A fun fact you would like your readers to know about you or your book. Sorry, can’t think of any fun facts about me, and there aren’t any about my books. [Kyra sez: the books themselves are fun enough!] 8. Blog/site link, and where your book is available: Website: www.whcann.co.uk Books available from: Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/whcann Paperback Editions: Path to Vengeance: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Createspace Sorcerer’s Duel: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Createspace eBook Editions: Path to Vengeance: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Smashwords Barnes and Noble | Diesel | Kobo
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Meet Sevry, from Chosen of Azara (sorry, this one's kind of depressing) (remember, these are of the character as they are at the beginning of the book, or, in this case, their story arc) (enough asides; on with the interview): 1. What is your full name? Is there anything significant about your name? My name is Sevros, but when I was little my parents nicknamed me Sevry, and it stuck. That's what I've been called ever since. 2. How old are you? I am 23 years old. 3. Tell us about your family. What do you like and not like about them? My grandmother was Queen Ilvana, queen of Savaru. My aunt Juzeva was married off to the Crown Prince of the Madrinan Empire. I also had a grandfather, mother and father, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles and cousins; we were a large and loving family, and I was fortunate to have that for a few short years. They're all dead now. I'm the only one left. I definitely do not like that. 4. Who was your first kiss, and what did you think of it? I've been too busy trying to stay alive and fighting a war for the last twenty years to kiss anyone. 5. What is your occupation? Nominally, I'm the king of Savaru, but my country is completely overrun by the enemy and all my people are dead except for me. So my list of responsibilities is pretty short - mainly, kill as many Madrinans as I can before they kill me. 6. What are your best and worst qualities? I had a talent for music when I was a boy. I don't know what's happened to that - I haven't felt much like making music in a long time. My worst quality is that I was too weak to save what was left of my people. 7. What quality do you value most in a romantic partner? Alive would be good. But it seems I'm out of luck there. If things were different... I'd like a woman who loved music, who could sing to me and with me. 8. What is your favorite thing to do? Like I said, I used to love to sing and make up songs and stories. Now, life is just a matter of trying to stay alive even though death would be preferable to what passes for life now. 9. What is your greatest fear? My country has been conquered by the Madrinan Empire, all my people are dead except for me - the last few insisted on dying to protect me, their king, which was pointless because I'm also going to be dead within the hour. So there isn't really anything left to be afraid of except that I'll die without taking a handful of Madrinans into death with me. 10. What is your most treasured possession? The song that used to be my mother's favorite. I still remember it. If I knew that that one song would survive my death and the destruction of my people, then I would die a little more content. Another character interview: introducing Juzeva from Chosen of Azara. (no, she isn't the young lady on the book cover.) 1. What is your full name? Is there anything significant about your name? My name is Juzeva. It's a Savarunan name meaning "promise." 2. How old are you? I am 20 years old. 3. Tell us about your family. What do you like and not like about them? My mother, Ilvana, is the Queen of Savaru. My father, Ezdar, her consort, is also the High Priest of the Source Yizu. I have four elder brothers, who all have wives and children. Though I love my family, of course, and I honor my parents for giving me birth, the person - or being, I suppose, since a Source is not a person - I am closest to, who is my true family, is Source Azara. I was born Chosen - that is, perfectly attuned to Azara's power. I need her power in order to live, and I am closer to her than I could ever be to anyone or anything else. I do have a good friend, though. My dear servant Ysa stood very much in the place of a mother to me when I first came to the Convent, when I was eight, and she remains my closest human friend and confidante. 4. Who was your first kiss, and what did you think of it? As a Daughter of Azara, vowed to the service of Azara, I am sworn to celibacy. (Not all Sources require those in their service to remain celibate; my father, for example, is High Priest of a Source and is also consort to my mother.) I entered Azara's service when I was eight years old; therefore I have never kissed a man, other than, of course, my father and brothers in the manner of family members. I don't mind the requirement of celibacy. Azara is my life; her service, her magic, the love I feel from her, are all I need. I do not feel that I am missing out on anything by not marrying or having children. 5. What is your occupation? As Chosen of Source Azara, I am the High Priestess of Azara. My primary responsibilities are to lead the rituals of worship, assist those who wish to draw upon Azara's power in order to work magic, and convey Azara's word to those who worship or are dedicated to her or who desire guidance from her. I hesitate to use the word "responsibilities;" that makes what I do sound like a chore or an obligation. Serving Azara is my greatest joy; I cannot think of anything I would rather do. 6. What are your best and worst qualities? My best quality? I have no wish to sound vain, but I believe my best quality is my desire to serve Azara and, through her, to help the people of Savaru. I am, after all, the daughter of their Queen, and they are my people. My worst quality... Again I do not wish to boast, but Azara has never given me reason to feel that my character is lacking in any way. 7. What quality do you value most in a romantic partner? As I said before, I am sworn to celibacy in Azara's service, and I have no regrets about living my life in that manner. If for some reason I were to marry, though, I would like a husband who is kind. 8. What is your favorite thing to do? I love to climb down the path and walk out onto the rocks in the cove where Azara dwells, and stand among the waves and speak with her. 9. What is your greatest fear? That someday, for some reason, I will be forced to leave Azara. 10. What is your most treasured possession? That is easy - my connection to Azara as her Chosen. Introducing Alexandra Butcher, whose book The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles, Book 1 I reviewed in the last post. 1. Tell us a little about yourself. I am a British author with a variety of other interests, including nature, history, the theatre, gaming and, of course, reading. I live in the south-west of Britain with an assortment of pets, plants and books. 2. When did you start writing, and why? I suppose at school, I always enjoyed reading and English Literature and certainly at primary school/middle school age I would get asked to write poetry or short prose for summer events. Always an imaginative person I would often imagine stories or what is now called ‘fan-fic’ from the books I read. More seriously I suppose the fan-fic progressed into more than just a few pages and the poetry continued, albeit darker. Running and playing RPG games, including Warhammer, Vampire and Star Wars meant I often had to write interesting adventures, and even as a player I often used to come up with complex backgrounds. Yes I am a geek, and proud of it. Why? That is more of a difficult question. If I am honest probably as escapism as I was often quite unhappy at school and would both read and write to lose myself in new and exciting worlds. All my family like books, my sister is a teacher of English and Drama and my late grandmother was a researcher of local history and had a couple of books published. 3. What do you write, and why? What do you enjoy about what you write? I write poetry, as I mentioned, but not often now and most of it will never see the light of day. I do have a couple published in an anthology and I recently wrote a summer based poem which will feature in a summer charity anthology, along with a short fantasy story. My main genres, however, are dark fantasy/fantasy romance and erotica. I love to create the worlds and the adventures, it is very exciting to be able to see the story flow. 4. What is your latest book? Any forthcoming books? Can I mention both? The first is the ‘Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I’, which was published just over a year ago and I have just released ‘The Shining Citadel – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book II’ which was released just a few weeks ago. I also, as I mentioned, have a short fantasy story and some poetry in ‘A Splendid Salmagundi’. I am just about to start writing Book III of the Chronicles and there will also be some short stories. 5. "Welcome To My Worlds": Tell us a little about the world of your latest book. The books are set in the world of Erana, a dark medieval-style fantasy world. There are humans, half-elves and elves in Book I and Book II introduces trolls and fae. Erana is not a nice place to live, especially for those of the elven race. Elves are un-free, with no rights, no recourse to justice and often kept as slaves or servants, they are unable to move around freely and many are forced to live in utter poverty. Those who live in their ancestral home – the Shimmering Forest – do so in hiding ever afraid the slavers will come. The land is run by the Order of Witch-Hunters, a brutal and largely corrupt organisation who maintain their power through ignorance, fear and violence. Magic is also illegal. Mages are feared, and anyone who has magic in one form or another must hide it or risk a visit by the Order of Witch-Hunters. The humans tend to be unkind to the elves. The nobility too are often corrupt and indifferent. Life is hard for the poor and most people are too busy surviving to dare to question the status quo, or in some cases it suits them. In Book II we are introduced to the trolls – which are not creatures who live under bridges and menace travellers. These trolls are a noble race; strong, and clever but rather insular. They too have magic but it is limited, they are shape-shifters and seers. We also meet the fae, believed to have been banished and nasty – think emotional-vampire mages who use the fear and turmoil of others to enhance their spells. Book II reveals quite a lot more lore of the world, the history of the darkness and of Dii and Archos. More will be revealed later on. 6. Introduce us to some of your characters. What do you like about them? Book I features Dii, an elven sorceress and former slave, who runs away from her master’s house in fear of her life. Fleeing into this dark threatening world she must survive and find a way to be free. She is also passionate and loving and to a great extent she needs to be looked after, she is the more submissive of the two mages. She does learn to be a little more dominate but she likes to please, this is a result of her slavery. She is also extremely clever and she finds wonder and joy in many things, such as snowfall, being allowed to read what she wishes and the sheer beauty of the natural world. She is wary of people. Then there is Archos, a mysterious nobleman and powerful mage who befriends her. Those two have quite the passionate relationship! Archos is powerful, rich, handsome and dangerous but he can be moved to acts of great kindness and bravery, including at the risk of his own life and his reputation. Archos is a lot of fun, he is a real anti-hero. He fights for the good team but he doesn’t always use pleasant means to achieve his ends. He is also quite mysterious and dark. He is certainly not how he appears. He does have a kind side, his relationship with Dii is very touching and to his friends he is loyal and generous, but to his enemies he is ruthless. The other main characters are Olek, a half-elven thief and the young elven huntress and scout Ozena, whose sister is taken by slavers. Ozena is the young rather naïve and virginal girl in book I. Raised in a small elven village she knows next to nothing about the world of humans but she is brave in her own way and she is stubborn, if sometimes impulsive. She does not wish to ask the humans for help but she knows she must. She does have a bossy streak though. Book II has these four, plus Marden who is a human warrior and has other secrets, Th’alia an elven scholar and Talfor a shape-shifting trollish warrior. What do I like about them? Dii is kind and gentle, despite her terrible history, and as the stories progress she becomes more confident and more sure of her magic and starts to become a formidable mage in her own right in Book II. Olek is amusing. He loves to eat and he has a good sense of humour but again he knows what is needed to be done and he does not shirk from it. He is very worldly, which is surprising for an elf or half elf. He is also very confident, another unusual trait for an elf. Marden is interesting and he develops a lot as a character and a man in book II. Archos is deliciously nasty when he needs to be but he is also quite amusing. He has an air that he knows more than others, but this is often the case. He does. He can be arrogant but in some ways he has the right to it. 7. A fun fact you would like your readers to know about you or your book. I am frightened of clowns. 8. Blog/site link, and where your book is available. ‘The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I’ is available as an e-book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, I-books and Diesel and also as a paperback on Amazon. ‘The Shining Citadel’ is available on Amazon only at the moment. The paperback will appear shortly (as at early June) and will appear on the other sites when the KDP Select term expires. Book links –The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Light-Beyond-Storm-Chronicles--ebook/dp/B0088DQO9C http://www.amazon.com/dp/1481255622 (paperback) Smashwords | Barnes and Noble | Kobo I-tunes | I-tunes UK Book 2 http://www.amazon.com/The-Shining-Citadel-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00D4CF6W8 Blog/Websites www.LibraryofErana.wordpress.com http://www.facebook.com/DarkFantasyBeyondTheStorm The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles, Book 1, by Alexandra Butcher Kyra's star ratings: Characters: * * * * * Story: * * * * Writing mechanics: * * * Emotional engagement: * * * * A long time ago, I thought it was unfair that in the fantasy books I read, wizards never got to have personal lives. Kings and princes and ordinary village guys and everyone else, yes, but not wizards. "The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles" certainly makes up for that. Aside from the sex scenes (which are not frequent, but are very explicit, occasionally bordering on kinky), The Light Beyond the Storm is an intriguing tale of a world where elves and mages are oppressed, an elf woman, Dii, who decides to fight for her freedom, and the powerful human mage, Archos, who assists her and becomes a force for helping elves and other oppressed people against the cruel, decadent nobility and the ruthless Order of Witch Hunters. It also involves two very sweet love stories. Dii, who starts out the novel, kind of fades into the background after Archos comes on the scene, but Archos is such a seriously cool character that I didn't mind too much, though I do like to see the female character take a more active role. Even so, it's clear that Dii is a big motivation for everything Archos does. And, to be fair, with Dii being a female elf mage, she has virtually no freedom or ability to act independently in this world. Archos is awesome - handsome, powerful, scary when he's doing his really cool magic, completely badass and ruthless when he has to be, but also with a very tender side, and a genuinely good heart when it comes to helping the unfortunate and oppressed. I don't know if it's kind of contradictory to say this of a book with such graphic sexual content, but it's refreshing to read a fantasy novel with a clear moral compass, where the good people are strong, smart, and admirable, instead of being weak, stupid, and pathetic as is so common in current "dark" or "gritty" fantasy (*coughgrrmartincough*). I enjoyed the other characters, but Archos especially stands out. The world is painted in vivid detail, from ancient magic caves to fields and forests to the dark and dangerous city. I would have liked to know more about why elves are so oppressed, how they came to be treated as little more than property to be used and abused, and what gives the Order of Witch Hunters so much power. The background of the elves is hinted at a little bit late in the book; I get the feeling we'll learn more about that in the next book. The book could use a careful edit to smooth out some long, tangled sentences and tidy up the punctuation. For those who prefer not to read such graphic content, I would say that this book can still be enjoyed even if you skim over or skip the sex scenes. Also, there are a number of rapes that occur in the book, but none of them are described in detail. Overall, I found myself caught up in wanting to see if Dii could keep her new-found freedom and if Archos could help the captured, enslaved elves, and in the two romances. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book. Here's the companion piece to the last post about Rashali, an interview with Prince Eruz from Urdaisunia. 1. What is your full name? Is there anything significant about your name? My name is Eruzasharbat. I'm commonly called Eruz; it's becoming customary among younger Sazars to shorten our names. Some older Sazars think that makes our names too similar to Urdai names, but it also makes them easier to say. 2. How old are you? I am 25 years old. 3. Tell us about your family. What do you like and not like about them? My father is Nezudanasag, King of Urdaisunia. My mother, his First Wife, is dead. I have a younger twin brother, Hazramatanarg, and an older brother, Teshtarganazad. Teshtarg's mother was one of our father's lesser wives; that's why he isn't heir to the throne. I also have a number of sisters. My wives are Nishanara (my First Wife), Gutrarina, and Birsaguna, and I have a two-year-old daughter, Mizalilu, by Gutra. My father and brothers... Let's just say we don't see eye-to-eye on the best way to rule Urdaisunia and deal with the Urdai people. I think their view that it's appropriate and necessary to rule the Urdai with a heavy hand is short-sighted and dangerous, not to mention wrong for its own sake. My brothers would each love to take my place as heir, and I feel like my father is always watching me for an excuse to disinherit me. My father's brother Sumatriganaz, feels more the way I do, but I'm not sure if I can count on him to back me up in a confrontation with my father. As for my wives, they're charming and attractive, but I never seem to be quite able to please them. Especially Nisha - we've been married for five years and I've yet to give her a child. My daughter Mizalilu is the light of my life. She's quite perfect in every way, of course, the most beautiful child ever born. 4. Who was your first kiss, and what did you think of it? My father contracted my first three zanira for me when I was seventeen. Since, of course, it's improper for a man to kiss a woman who isn't legally contracted to him as a wife or zanira, my first kiss was one of them, though I don't remember which one. (I'll admit, though, there might have been a kitchen girl or two before then, but my first permissible experience of any kind with a woman would have been with one of those zanira.) I'm sure I enjoyed it, I enjoy engaging in intimate relations, but sometimes I wonder if duty and physical pleasure are really all there is to it. 5. What is your occupation? I am the High Prince, the Heir to the throne of Urdaisunia. Besides the general duties that go with the position, I am responsible for matters concerning the Urdai and also the harbor city, Kubiz. 6. What are your best and worst qualities? I think my best quality is my willingness to look at matters objectively and realistically and to think for myself rather than being blinded by prejudice and tradition. Although this does cause difficulties for me with my father. My worst quality is that sometimes I lack the courage to stand up for what I think is right. Besides that, allow me to refer you to my wives. I'm sure they'd be happy to give you an exhaustive list of my faults. 7. What quality do you value most in a romantic partner? I appreciate a woman who is intelligent, and who can challenge me on an equal standing. Also, I know this sounds silly, but it would be kind of nice to have a wife who cares about me for myself instead of just for what I can give her. I know that isn't how things work, but it would be nice. 8. What is your favorite thing to do? I enjoy riding my horse, Teshkarizaz, and spending time with my daughter. I also like going out in disguise to gather information myself rather than relying on agents to find out the things I want to know. It's a relief to be able to stop being the High Prince for a while and do something challenging and exciting. Also, the Sazars still worship Kuz, the god of sorcerers, and he's one of my favorite gods, so he has granted me a few small gifts which I enjoy using when I have the chance. 9. What is your greatest fear? That my father's oppression of the Urdai will lead to an uprising, which would lead to bloodshed and disaster for all of us. I especially fear that my daughter would be harmed in a rebellion. I also fear being disinherited - not that I care so much about being King, but because both of my brothers hate the Urdai and would be even more ruthless towards them than my father is. I would like to see Urdaisunia peaceful and prosperous for the sake of all who live there, and especially for the sake of my daughter and any other children I might have. 10. What is your most treasured possession? My daughter, Mizalilu. Urdaisunia is available at:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple | Kobo | OmniLit Smashwords | CreateSpace | DriveThruFiction Here's another fun thing I thought of to have on the blog: character interviews! I always enjoy reading these on other blogs about characters I like, so I decided to give it a try. Non-spoilery - these interviews are of the characters as they are at the beginning of the book. Have more questions for the characters? Leave them in the comments :) First up is Rashali, from Urdaisunia! 1. What is your full name? Is there anything significant about your name? My name is Rashali. It's just an ordinary Urdai name. I've heard that people from other lands have names for their families, but we Urdai don't have that custom. 2. How old are you? I'm not really sure. With things being so difficult, once someone survives to adulthood, their age doesn't really matter. I think I'm about 22 years old. 3. Tell us about your family. What do you like and not like about them? Most of my family, including my parents, most of my siblings, and my husband and daughter, are dead. Of course, I don't like that. My sister Kinna is still alive, and a few of her children. I live with them and help care for them. Kinna is older than me, but I feel like I'm the one who is stronger, and who looks after her. That's all right, it keeps me busy and gives me something to do, to keep my mind off of Tigun and Lalana being gone, and keeps me from getting too lonely. 4. Who was your first kiss, and what did you think of it? *blushes* My first kiss was Tigun. He had come to our village from a village far away, on the Tabra River. He was so handsome, and the first person I'd ever met who wasn't from Moon Bend or one of the villages nearby. I don't know why he chose me - I'm told I'm not very pretty, and that I'm far too serious - but he did, and he kissed me, and I liked it enough to marry him. 5. What is your occupation? I'm a widow, a childless mother, a sister, an aunt. I care for my surviving family members, and for others in the village who need me. I'm also a Scorpion, a rebel against the Sazars, who conquered my country three generations ago. My greatest dream is to see the Sazars driven out of Urdaisunia and destroyed. 6. What are your best and worst qualities? My best qualities are that I'm loyal and hard-working, and I think about things instead of taking them for granted. My worst quality is, I wish I wasn't so weak that sometimes my emotions, my feelings, are hard to live with. I wish sometimes I could just stop feeling anything. 7. What quality do you value most in a romantic partner? I want a man who cherishes me and respects me, and who is kind and loyal and intelligent. A man like Tigun. I don't know if there are any more men like him. 8. What is your favorite thing to do? I used to love to... spend time being close to my husband, and also playing with my daughter. I can't do those any more. There isn't anything I really like to do now, except think about and plan for the day when my people can regain their freedom and their pride. 9. What is your greatest fear? That my people will all die away, our culture and achievements will be forgotten, and only the Sazars will be left in our land. 10. What is your most treasured possession? My memories of Tigun and Lalana, and my identity as a woman of Urdaisunia. No matter what else the Sazars take from me, they can't take those. Urdaisunia is available at:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple | Kobo | OmniLit Smashwords | CreateSpace | DriveThruFiction And now the moment you've all been waiting for, or at least that I've been so excited for: presenting the new cover for Chosen of Azara! Many thanks to Designbykatt for this beautiful cover. It's based on the stock photos I used in the original cover. I feel that Katt's work here really brings Lucie to life as well as the magic in the story. You can see more of Designbykatt's beautiful fantasy art (digital painting and photomanipulation) on her Facebook and deviantArt pages. And to any writers looking for a cover artist, she was delightful to work with and I highly recommend her. Cover credits: Digital painting and photomanipulation: Designbykatt Stock photos: Chesterf (woman); Grondin Franck Olivier (ocean) And now, the fabulous Donna Hawk has nominated me for the Beautiful Blogger award! If you haven't checked out the spotlight on her a few posts down, please be sure to do so. Thanks, Donna!
Here's how the award works: The Rules:
So, here are seven things about me: 1. When I was 8, and then again when I was 16, we lived in Germany for a year (Karlsruhe the first time, Kaiserslautern the second time) while my Dad was on sabbatical from the university where he taught and acting as a visiting professor in Universities there. It was an amazing experience, and I have lots of great memories - especially of landscapes and castles and medieval towns, which serve me well as a fantasy writer. 2. I have two cats, and I love making up silly nicknames for them. The big fluffy one is The Floofinator and Mr. Piggypants, the Cat Who Likes Food. The other one is Mr. Twitchytail and Sawyer the Mighty, the Scourge of the Backyard. 3. My favorite musical artist when I was in junior high was John Denver. 4. I hate grocery shopping. When I go, I take my mp3 player and turn the music up loud. (I don't listen to John Denver any more; my tastes now run more to European femme-metal bands.) 5. My older son is a physics major (though he works as a web designer) and my younger son is showing an aptitude for chemistry. My husband's a lawyer; the only non-lawyer is his family is his sister, a chemist. I am neither a scientist nor a lawyer. 6. For several years in the late 90s I was in a writing slump, then I discovered anime and fanfiction and that got me writing again. Since then, I've written about 20 complete novels/novellas (fanfiction and original) and completed the NaNoWriMo challenge 4 years in a row. 7. Chocolate. That's all. And here are my seven fabulous nominees: 1. Robin Leigh Morgan 2. Jennifer Howard 3. Kristen DaRay 4. Alexandra Butcher 5. Sharon Stevenson 6. Norma A. Roy 7. Katie Hayoz |
AuthorI am Kyra Halland, author of tales of fantasy, heroism, and romance. Sign up for my email list
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