Swift Six Character Interview – Silver Blakely #Fantasy

Swift Six Character Interview

Character Name

Silver Blakely

Which book/world do you live in?

Steel Princess by April Grace

I live in Elysia, on the outskirts of the Steel City that has always been forbidden to me. The cruel queen’s men patrol the gates, and they scour the mountainous areas outside the Wall for humans to hunt down and kill, or to take for their human servants.

Tell us about yourself:

I’m the only gynoid in a travelling community of humans, who I didn’t know, until recently, were trying to avoid the cruel queen’s men because they have been keeping a secret. I am the stolen heir of Elysia, the steel queendom, daughter of the cruel Queen Magnolia Crescent. But I’ve spent my entire life travelling with my human friends, learning their ways and becoming just like them. I’m not supposed to be able too feel emotions like they do, but I can. If someone offends me, I’m hurt. If my friends are appreciative or loving toward me, I can empathise with them too.

I understand humans, and I would never wish to hurt them if I were queen. I want to make the world a better place for everyone, so my community and I have decided that I must return to the city I was taken from as a child, and take down the queen. To be a better and kinder ruler than she ever was.

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

My strengths are that I’m loving, I’m kind, and I always try to do my best by my friends and family. But I suppose this can also be a weakness, because I’m not supposed to feel such things so it makes me strange, or abnormal. Broken, even. I wasn’t programmed to be this way, but my experiences have changed me.

Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc).

Unfortunately, Queen Magnolia rules over Elysia, and she has ruined the world as we know it. You only matter to her if you are rich, or made completely of steel, and even then you only matter to her as much as she can take from you.

I met Prince Elijah of Sularia when I was journeying under the Steel City to get to the queen’s palace with my human’s friends. He pleaded with us to free him, and he would help us take down the queen. As it turns out, he’s the prince of the kingdom that Elysia lives to imitate. He’s winged, and handsome, and quite charming. But I’m not sure how I feel about him just yet.

I met Seraphina on my journey as well. She’s a wolf made of pure steel, and I found her under the city when I saved her puppy. She hasn’t left my side since. She has become very dear to me.

What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?

Always doing the best for people, never being selfish, and putting other peoples’ needs before your own. I don’t consider myself a hero of any kind, but I am determined to make Elysia a fairer place for everyone. For humans especially, so they don’t have to live every day in fear anymore.

What do you think of your ‘creator’?

I was built by the palace tinkers, and that’s all I know. I was built for the queen, to be her heir, but maybe it was fate that I was taken from her hands and shown such compassion. I was angry that my parents lied to me for so long, but perhaps it was for the best. If I wasn’t, I would have ended up just like the queen, and the cycle of cruelty would have continued.

Give us your favourite piece of advice:

Always be kind, because you never know what someone is going through.

Links to book

Book Spotlight – Steel Princess – April Grace #Fantasy #YAFantasy

Title: Steel Princess

Author: April Grace

Genre: YA fantasy

Main character description (short). Waist length silver hair, blue eyes, petite figure, cotton tops and leather trousers.

Synopsis: TWO WORLDS: ONE OF MAGIC, ONE OF STEEL.
She just wants to belong.
Determined to fit in and connect with her human friends, android Silver has always felt like an outsider within her human travelling community. In Elysia, humans are seen as outsiders, their steel queen claiming every last one of them as rebels. They’ve always been on the run. Like her mother, Silver just wants to help others.
But when cruel Queen Magnolia’s soldiers come looking for their missing princess, who was stolen by rebels when she was only three years old, Silver begins to unravel an endless string of secrets woven into the family she has always cared for. Could her parents have stolen her from the Elysian palace when she was small? Worse, could she be the princess they’re looking for?
After journeying to their Northern Mountain Sanctuary where her parents were born, Silver finds a new purpose:
She must kill the cruel queen and take her throne before she destroys them all.
He only longs to know who he really is.
Tinker Eden has only ever known life in the palace lab. Taken from his home in the Northern Mountain Sanctuary when he was only three years old and brought to the palace, he spends his days working under close supervision of Master Lennox, building, rebuilding and repairing the Elysian royals until his fingers bleed. He knows nothing of his parents or their lives, and remembers barely a thing of his childhood, leaving far too many questions about his own life unanswered.
So when Master Lennox’s assistant reveals he’s been working with a community outside of Elysia and sends him to the Sanctuary where he was born to work on the missing princess, Eden seeks the opportunity to return home and learn more about where he came from.
When Silver and Eden meet, their connection is clear, but things don’t always go to plan. Kidnapped by pirates while searching for his parents at the Elysian harbour, Eden finds himself caught up in an adventure across the seas to Elysia’s magical enemy Kingdom of Panyria, who have plans to infiltrate the steel queendom.
He discovers a world full of magic, new friends, and the family he’s always wished he had.
Both only want to make the world a fairer place for everyone.

Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?

It’s a fantasy story with a futuristic touch. Fast paced, and full of magic: sirens, mermaids, pirates, androids and cyborgs and more.

Link to Steel Princess on Amazon

The Light Keeper – Blog Tour and Giveaway #YAFantasy #Fantasy

The Light Keeper

by Christina Wallace

Genre: Epic YA Fantasy

Wishes aren’t all they’re cracked up to be… especially when you have to capture the Fairies who grant them to you.

Er… make that faeries… and not the normal, hiding-in-plain-sight magical kind.

When a misadventure cleaning out the attic leads Isaac to release a faerie trapped in a glass ball of light, he believes he’s struck gold–in the form of wishes. All he has to do is mention the name that was engraved on the ball, and the indebted faerie would grant him any three wishes he wanted.

The best part of all was knowing that there was an entire chest of captured faeries waiting to be freed…

But when strange things start to happen around town, Isaac begins to wonder if the increasingly unfortunate events are his doing.

Only his mysterious neighbor, Yara, knows the truth about his lineage as a Light Keeper.

Can Yara’s strength and wisdom guide Isaac into his new role?

Can Isaac make things right again?

Or will his dream-come-true turn into his worst nightmare?

**Check out the kickstarter campaign HERE!**

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

Christina Wallace has been many things. A student, an analyst, a wife, a mother, a gamer, and a lifelong writer. For almost as long as she can remember she’s dreamed of people and places that only existed in her mind, and sharing her stories is a dream come true.

Christina writes books not only for middle-grade audiences, but for young and new adults as well. Stories should be an escape. Christina likes to write about people who become their own heroes and take fate into their own hands. Many of her works contain fantastical elements and also a bit of love, but strong friendships are the common thread.

The Light Keeper is Christina’s debut series with more books soon to come. She is thrilled to begin this adventure of her very own as an author.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$30 Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The World of Erana – The People -Part I

The fantasy world of Erana – which features in my Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles series, and the Tales of Erana is a complex world. Magic is illegal – but magic doesn’t know that and it doesn’t care. Mages are illegal, adepts are illegal but still magical people exist, mainly in hiding or unaware that’s what makes them a little faster, a little more talented, a better healer, a craftier thief or whatever. The Order of Witch-Hunters hate magic and seek to divide and rule.

But who are the people of Erana?

Races:

Humans – humans are the predominant race and the shortest-lived. Most humans are not magical if they are pure-blood humans, but it’s not unheard of. They come in many colours – the mainland people are largely pale-skinned but in the Far Isles and some of the Northern areas the people are dark-skinned, and the people who dwell in the Emerald Valley are dark-haired, olive-skinned folk.

Witch-Hunters are all human (or at least look human).

‘Passer’ humans – they have in their ancestry Elven or Trollish blood. It can be several generations back. They look human, but often these are the folk with a bit of magic. If they know of their elven ancestor most would keep it quiet.

Elves – Legally all elves are the property of humans – slaves. They have no rights in law and any elf who moves around must have papers from the human who owns them.

The Forest Elves dwell in the Shimmering Forest, their ancestral home. Much of it is remote, mysterious and unexplored by humans. Many elves are magical to a degree, but at a cost. The elves were once the predominant and most powerful race, but wars and the feared Plague decimated them – spreading to the human and Trollish lands and bringing much death. The elves are still blamed for the Plague and humans are wary.

There are a few Elven towns and villages within the Shimmering Forest, but for the most part the once-great civilisation is gone. Technically even Forest Elves are slaves – and periodically the Slaver raid the Forest, or the Witch-Hunters purge any elven settlements.

Hunters and traders (where they can be) the Forest elves live precariously on what the Shimmering Forest has to offer – with a little light agriculture where the land permits it.

City Elves – these folk live among the humans, either having been born there or having been captured and sold by slavers. Within the larger towns and cities, they are forced to dwell in the poorest area – the Enclave. Some elves live in the homes of their masters and many are harshly treated.

Elven women are considered attractive and are often taken (mostly against their will) to be Kepts to rich men. Male elves too – are taken to work in the brothels, and elves of both sexes usually end up with the hard, dangerous jobs – mining, physical work in the quarries, servants in the houses of the rich humans doing….whatever the human wants.

Half-Elves – legally with the same rights as elves (i.e none) half-elves are the offspring of an elven (or half elven) parent and usually a human parent. They are taller and stockier than elves but generally have pointed ears, an angular face and the wider set eyes of their elven heritage.

Trolls – The Trollkind live in the mountains and hills, and generally avoid humans. They are large, with curved horns on their heads and the male warriors have hard dermal plates on their bodies. Their skin colour ranges from black through to red, grey, even blue now and then, and often similar to the land around their home. They have long, curly hair and pointed ears.

A warrior race they are the only matrilineal race. Their rulers are always women – Shaman – powerful, wise women renowned for their ability to tell fortunes, and the future. The male warriors – called Hirik – are shapeshifters – able to transform into wolves or bears. They are a spiritual people – they honour the gods and respect for their patron god or goddess is very important.

Outsiders see them as strange, rather barbarian as the are often tribal wars, but kin is very important – and alliances can span decades and mountain ranges.

Most humans would never have seen a troll in the flesh.

In a dark world beset by tyranny and lies can love and magic entwined bring freedom? Dark adult fantasy with sizzling sorcery, romance and revenge.

The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book I

In a world of forbidden magic, slavery and lies a group of outlaws seek a legend. Facing monsters, Witch-Hunters, hardship and unwelcome truths they must find what has been lost, and discover who they are.

Dare you follow?

The Shining Citadel – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book II

Mirandra Var must prove her worth to rule and find the deadly mystery within the StolenTower. If she succeeds, she will become the leader of her tribe. If she fails, there will be no tribe to lead.

The Stolen Tower – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book III

All the books are available as ebooks, paperback, large print paperback, hardcover and audiobooks.

Swift Six Character Interview -Raelyn #Fantasy #Paranormal

Character Name

Raelyn

Which book/world do you live in?

I live in the Rebirth of the Fallen series. I’m summoned by Cinderhorn, in book 1, but you really don’t get to meet me until book 2.

Tell us about yourself:

I’m an over nine centuries old succubus, and I’m tired. I’ve been banished twice, and I don’t think I can endure another century of torture. This recent summoning is my last chance to make a life for myself, and I’ll let nothing stand in my way.

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

I spent my second century of banishment mastering several magical schools, including healing. It is quite rare for demons. Being ancient, I know many lost rituals, and approach my illusions and charms with a patience and attention to detail all but lost to younger demons.

Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc).

First, I want to acknowledge my summoner, Cinderhorn. He is an honorable and powerful demon.

I have become quite involved with Derregain’s hospital, the House of Healing. Initially, the sprawling building seemed a perfect place to hide, with the side-benefit of readily available blood and sacrifices, but after essentially taking the place over, I take pride in it.

I have recently taken a lover. Achillion, the Governor of Derregain, and I became somewhat intertwined. He spared my life after I barely survived my battle with Bonewalker, an enormous demon looking to claim the bounty on my head. I saved his life from an angry mob of drugged-up, crazed psycho children. He helped me defeat the moist meat monster… what can I say… we make a good team… and I think his cross dressing is adorable!

What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?

It means not taking the easy way out. It means crawling through the dust, no matter how exhausted, until you somehow make it back to the surface.

What do you think of your ‘creator’?

I have no creator.

Give us your favourite piece of advice:

Never sell yourself short. I’m just a lowly fourth order demon, yet I’ve accomplished things demon lords have failed to do. Don’t ever let someone else define you. You are as weak or as powerful as you want to be.

Links to book

J. R. Konkol | J.R. Konkol – Author (jrkonkol.com)

(1) J R Konkol | Facebook

Character Interview with Vampwitch Alice Quinn, Hunted (Vampwitch Novel, Book #1), by Kathleen Harryman

Character Interview with Vampwitch Alice Quinn

Bio: Alice Quinn lives in York, England. After watching a fire demon kill her mother, she moved in with her aunt, half-brother Julian, and super-hot alpha werewolf, Ethan Jefferies. Before the death of her mother, Sophie Quinn, Alice was your average human, working in a deli and dreaming of a better life. Things have changed, if supernatural creatures aren’t trying to kill her, they’re determined to control her—in the name of keeping her safe.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Alice Quin, and I am a Vampwitch— half witch and half vampire. Vampwitch—it sounds cool, unless, of course, you’re the one who is the Vampwitch. Life is complicated when you are half of something. An anomaly that shouldn’t exist.

Up until Mum died at the hands of a fire demon, named Arison, I thought I was a regular human. But then I didn’t know monsters of the supernatural kind really existed either. Now I’m stuck with a dad, Nathaniel Quinn, who I wish had stayed dead, not undead, a half-brother, and master vampire, Julian Quinn, who thinks he knows what is best for me, and an aunt, Mum’s sister Dorothy, I disappoint on a regular basis.

My best friend, Polly Palmer, is the only one of us celebrating my new supernatural powers. But then she thinks I can go around zapping people like superwoman and fly through the sky on a broomstick. Superwoman had it a lot easier, I can tell you.

There is this group of supernatural beings called MAMS (Magic Against Mixed Species – kind of a dumb unoriginal name if you ask me) that want to kill me. They don’t like the fact that Mum and Dad did the nasty and produced me. Apparently, I weaken the whole supernatural species.

Is your life now as you envisioned it? If not – then why?

Before Mum died, I was between jobs. I’m not sure how I envisioned my life to be before I became a Vampwitch. Something regular, I guess. A dog, a house, doing a spot of painting—I like to paint, not that I get the chance now. Maybe having a bit of fun before I got old. I’ve always wanted to travel. Visit far out places. Take a trip to the Amazon, or travel to the North Pole.

Now, with MAMS out there, and having to cram twenty-five years of supernatural knowledge in less than a few weeks, all I want is to make it to twenty-six.

Do you believe in monsters?

I never used to. Before my Vampwitch status, monsters were bad people who got locked up in prison. Now I know monsters exist because I’m one of them.

Do you believe in magic? How do you feel about it?

Even before Mum died, I believed in magic. Maybe not the kind of magic that supernatural’s have, but yeah, I believed. Earth is a magical place, if we open our eyes, and let it sweep through to our very core it can make us whole, removing our woes for a while.

I’ve always had a fascination with folklore. We seemed to appreciate the earth so much more when we believed in the Fae, creatures like the Selkie and Demi Gods then we do now. My Granddad is the Seelie King, so maybe my fascination with folklore stems from him. Not that we get on. For me, he’s just another relative that has come out the woodwork.

Would you die for those you love?

In a beat. There isn’t a day that goes by that I wish Arison had killed me, not Mum. We might not always get along, but Dorothy, Nathaniel, Julian, Oliver, Seberg, Polly, Ethan, Arthur, and Jack, are my family now. I’m not about to let them die because of me. So, if it comes to it, yes, I will die for those I love.

Who is your greatest enemy?

If you had asked me that question when I first learnt about my supernatural heritage, I would have said MAMS. Now, I’d tell you, my greatest enemy is me.

Tell us about your family?

Before, when Mum was alive, there was just the two of us. Now I’ve an aunt, Dorothy, mum’s sister, a Master Vampire for a dad, and half-brother, oh, and a granddad who doesn’t like me. But you know, I’ve also learnt recently, that family isn’t just about blood ties. Jack, who is a ghost, Arthur, an annoying, biscuit stealing gnome, my best friend Polly, and Ethan, who is an alpha werewolf, they are all my family. We don’t always like each other, but I know they’d do anything for me, and I’d do the same for them. But that’s family for you, life is filled with grey areas when it comes to family.

What is your greatest fear?

Being dead. I’m the first of my kind. No one knows if I’ll survive the transition to full vampire, or if I’ll become some crazy killing monster with no conscience. Then they’ll have to kill me for real, and there’s no more Alice Quinn.

I’m twenty-five, I don’t fancy ripping people’s hearts out and calling it fun. I’m not a violent person. When my brother, Julian asked me if I knew any fighting moves, I showed him my warrior two pose, he didn’t find it funny. But that’s as violent as I like to get, so turning into a monster, brings me out in hives. Not literally.

Do you believe you will be successful in your quest?

I hope so. Since embracing my inner Vampwitch I’ve learnt a few tricks. Of course, there is the fact that I’m unpredictable. Supernatural creatures don’t like that. They think magic gives them the ultimate power. A bit of cunning can out whit magic. Well, that’s what I’m hoping.

If I survive the death threat from MAMS, and don’t turn into a blood craving monster, my next quest is for everyone to stop calling me a Vampwitch and start seeing Alice Quinn again. It’s like I’ve lost my own identity. Everyone keeps saying I’m special, I’m not, I’m just a woman who wants to be able to make her own choices and live as normal a life as possible, without it being a big deal.

Hunted – A Vampwitch Novel (Book 1)

Link: http://mybook.to/HUNTED-BK1

Author Bio: https://www.kathleenharryman.com/author

Book Spotlight – Kingdom of Men

Basic Book Spotlight

Title: Kingdom of Men: Sister Worlds Book 1

Author: Tiffany Nicole Terry

Genre: YA Fantasy

Main character description (short). KaLeah is happy being a recluse alongside her stoic father, even if both seem out-of-place in their village. Awkward and masculine, she is rejected by both girls and boys. Forced to protect a hyper-girly child, she is thrust outside of her comfort zone in more ways than one.

Synopsis: KaLeah’s adventure doesn’t begin when a phantom dragon shows her a mysterious object in the woods. It all begins when this news upsets her father. He takes off from their village and doesn’t return. She journeys out to find him, only to find danger and imprisonment instead. The mysteries she unravels is bigger than anything she could have imagined.

Brief Excerpt 250 words: KaLeah took a slow, silent breath and docked her arrow, pointing her nose in the direction of the sound.  After a long day of hunting for big game without luck, she was glad to have finally locked onto an easy shot. 

She could tell from the grunting and shuffling sounds that it was big, but she didn’t care.  KaLeah had carried home large forest beasts before, and she wasn’t afraid of a little exercise.

KaLeah stalked closer to the sounds coming from a clearing up ahead.  She knew the woods well and could picture the grassy clearing.  She moved carefully through the thick forest foliage, using only her hearing to guide her to her target. 

It was rare for animals to make so much noise, but she assumed it was most likely injured.  Since it was in the clearing, it would be a quick shot straight to the heart, wrap it up with some vines, and then home before dark.

She readied her bow, took one step toward the edge of the trees, and froze.  Crouched in the clearing beyond her was a monster with glistening emerald scales.  It gracefully lifted its long, slender neck, and turned its jet-black eyes to hers.

Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)? Three young women, two planets once inhabited by dragons who want the girls to finish the war they started centuries before. With their newfound sisterhood save them from the men, machines, and monsters determined to kill them?

 

Links etc.

https://www.tiffanynicoleterry.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@tntauthor

https://www.facebook.com/tiffanynicoleterryauthor

https://www.instagram.com/tiffanynicoleterry/

Swift Six – Character Interview – Barte #Fantasy

Character Name

My name is Barte son of Moshere. And no, there are no commas. That name, my friend is my title, though I believe my guardians should have included more surnames just to make it difficult for the common people to remember.

Which book/world do you live in?

I live in the books the author titles Sword of Cho Nisi. She really should have called it Sword of Casdamia as my empire is larger, stronger, and much more fitting than that tiny little island in the middle of the Nisi Sea. Did you know the natives walk barefoot on that island? I was there once but I don’t remember much. I was blind at the time—under the curse of that evil wizard Skotádi, the murderer of my parents. I’d rather not talk about it.

*Fiddles with his falcon’s breast feathers and kisses the leather helm over its head.

Too traumatic for me. Too much blood. They know I get sick at the sight of it, yet they made me go there anyway. *shudders.

Tell us about yourself:

I’m the emperor of the greatest nation in the world. Casdamia is my charge and someday I hope to conquer all the lands. Perhaps. Well, maybe not. Seems like such an effort.  I would like to have Tellwater Valley within my borders though. No finer wine in all the land comes from Tellwater and I hate to say it’s ruled by Potamia and that young scallywag son of a king, Barin. He’s not an altogether rotten chap, but the commoners speak way too highly of him.

My father was the emperor Moshere. He was the grandest of all warriors and provoked fear throughout the land. Part of that was Skotádi’s doing. They were in cahoots for most of the battles, but something happened, and the dark wizard changed. He cursed my father and my mother and when I was an innocent young child barely out of my nightcap, he burned them to a crisp. Magic did it. A cruel inhumane bolt of magic.  *He breathes a sigh and fans himself* I will never forget, nor forgive. And I trust no one because of it. Only my Allat. *Kisses the falcon again.

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

Strengths? *He laughs and takes the falcon’s headdress off. Strengths, the man asks. Yes. Well, my strength is in my army. They’re a cruel lot. I’ve been working on them. You should see their black Armor and green plumage. One look and you’ll be quivering in your boots, my dear fellow. No one messes with the Dark Army!

As for weakness, well, I must admit I retch at the sight of blood, but that shouldn’t make any difference. I don’t really need to be on the battlefield, you know. That’s what soldiers are for.

Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc).

Does me, myself and I count? Oh, I know. You’re looking for something beyond Rigelstaff.

I heard a rumour that Barin the king of Potamia, has a lover, the daughter of one of his barons he exiled. Seems that her father was slain in my kingdom. I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry about that one.

And his wizard Kairos made a pet of a skura. Had me fooled for months. I’m the one that taught him falconry and to think he took advantage of my blindness and tricked me into thinking he was training a falcon. No wonder the man stunk every time he came around.

King Tobias’ gods died with him. That’s what I’m told. They put a monument for them in the palace garden.

And the fool who married the Tobian Princess, the man who was once king of Cho Nisi? Gossip is spreading that he handed his throne to the village elders. Imagine that! A whole conglomerate of natives sitting on a throne. Barefoot, no doubt.  *Snickers and kisses Allat. The Fool will lose the island.

What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?

Heroism is what Allat is to me. *He holds the falcon close to his heart.  My hero. The only friend I have. The only creature I can put my trust in. Allat is my hero. He hears my deepest thoughts and keeps them secret. He does what he’s told. He even found the murderer of my parents for me, and nearly lost his life doing so.

What do you think of your ‘creator’?

Hmpf! Poor choice of main characters.

Give us your favourite piece of advice:

Stay to yourself. There’s not a soul on this planet you can trust, not even the trustworthy ones. Unless of course they have some fashionable Armor to sell you or some delicacy for your kitchen. Still, don’t trust them.

Links to book

https://books2read.com/ap/nBvawn/DL-Gardner

https://gardnersart.com

Swift Six Character Interview – Jane #Fantasy

 

Character Name: Jane

Which book/world do you live in? Why don’t you ask the author?!

I had quite a normal life on earth! And what did she do?! Throw me head over heels into this, this- what should I even call it?! Ha! I don’t know the name of this world… Damon is the name of the land we left on our way north, but that’s as much as I can say…

Tell us about yourself: I was working as an emergency room nurse for about seven years. I loved my job! Loved my staff, the work, the crazy hours. Sounds crazy? Maybe, but I truly felt alive every time something entered through the doors!

I practiced martial arts since high school. It’s a mix of Aikido and Jujitsu. I feel it gives me the best of both. Love my sensei! Really, he is like a father figure to me. A father I never had…

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? You know this is really hard to answer… do you ask all characters these questions? Okay then, let’s see…

Strengths- I think fast, I can take in quite a lot of information and come to the right conclusions real quick. I have good intuition.  I take my job seriously, actually most things I put my mind to. I am not afraid of hard work or getting my hands dirty.

Weaknesses- well, I guess I am not the best judge of character, and after being hurt in the past, I have a hard time putting my trust in others. I think sometimes I bite more than I can chew and swallow.

Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc). My world? I really can’t say which is my world… but just for the sake of this interview, let’s say it’s this world I am now stuck in.

Owen- my anchor and connection to this world. I have no idea why we keep hurting each other… why do we act so stupidly around one another…?

Lord Kiran- saved my life. More than once. I owe him at least that.

A certain creature, but I will not name it. I shudder just being reminded of it… it’s a type of entity, but I can’t say much more. Only that we’re not on best terms…

What does ‘heroism’ mean to you? Heroism? I don’t know. I don’t like referring to someone or being referred to as a hero.

I was called a hero several times in the ER, but I don’t think myself as one. I was just doing my job. I enjoyed doing it and I dare say I was quite good at it.

But I guess it might mean giving something of yourself for the good of others without expecting to be repaid.

What do you think of your ‘creator’? If you can hurl her also into this world, I will gladly show her, in person, what I think of her! What do you think  I might think of her after everything she put me through?! My intuition says it’s not getting better in the sequel, and as I told you before- I got good intuition…

Give us your favourite piece of advice: Right now it would probably be-

Don’t go training in the ruins of old watchtowers.

But as I built everything in my life by myself, I guess my advice would be- trust your arms, for they will always be by your side. Trust your legs, for they will support you and finally your fingers, because you can always count on them!

Yeah! Always loved that one!

Links to book

https://amzn.to/3uOWtJh – Jewels of Smoky Quartz

Swift Six Author Interview – Jon Cronshaw

Name: Jon Cronshaw

Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):

I’ve been a full-time author since 2017. I’ve zig-zagged between high fantasy, post-apocalyptic, and gamelit. I’m trying hard to stay focused on writing fantasy stories, but that doesn’t stop the Muse teasing me with ideas for space opera tales.

Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)

My main fantasy series is called The Ravenglass Chronciles, this is a 21-novella series where each book is inspired by the tarot. My latest novel, Dawn of Assassins is set a few hundred years after The Ravenglass Chronicles and tells the story of a pair of thieves who are recruited by a master assassin. But they’re thieves, not killers.

When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?

I’ve worked as a professional writer for most of my adult life, mostly in journalism. I’ve written stories, comedy scripts, and lyrics since I can remember, so I’ve always had that drive to tell stories. When I saw I could bypass corporate publishers and produce books on my own terms, that’s when I decided to follow this as a career path.

What writing plans do you have for the future?

To keep writing stories in my Ravenglass Universe. As I establish the universe, I want to branch out into other media and work with other writers. There’s potential for video games, movies, and comics. It’s very exciting. It’s also meant that when I get an idea for a story, I ask myself whether it will fit in the Ravenglass Universe. If it doesn’t, I thank the Muse and move on. 

What do you like to read?

Books! And lots of them! I read in most genres. My favourite stories tend to be fantasy. Give me banter and swashbuckling and you’re onto a winner.

What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?

Just because someone’s got a system that works for them, it doesn’t mean it’ll work for you.

There is no magic bullet.

Author bio and book synopsis

Jon Cronshaw is a full-time fantasy and speculative fiction author based in Morecambe, England.

Born in Wolverhampton, he has a PhD in the history of art and has written for local and national newspapers across the UK.

He’s an avid reader, podcaster, and history geek.

Dawn of Assassins:

Two friends. A master assassin. One deadly choice.

Fedor and Lev are thieves…not killers.

They lead a desperate life in the tunnels of Nordturm, conning and stealing to buy their next meal.

But when an assassin recruits them against their will, they are forced into a life they do not want and cannot escape.

If they leave, they will die. But if they stay, they must kill.

Can they survive the master’s relentless evaluation?

Is loyalty stronger than the will to live?

Will their friendship last the ordeal?

From the best-selling author of The Ravenglass Chronicles, comes a new thrilling adventure featuring a new cast of unforgettable characters.

You’ll love this high fantasy series, because these unlikely heroes have a story you won’t be able to put down.

Links/Social media

https://joncronshaw.com

https://facebook.com/joncronshawauthor

https://youtube.com/c/joncronshawauthor

https://instagram.com/joncronshawauthor

https://tiktok.com/@joncronshawauthor

You can also find Jon Cronshaw’s Author Diary wherever you listen to podcasts.