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I've been seeing a lot of similar questions coming in from readers, so I thought I'd address them here. I've broken them up into series, and then overall questions. Enjoy!  FATE OF EYRINTHIA QUESTIONS: When is Royal Traitor coming out? I'm literally dying, it's been so long! I know, and I'm sorry it's been so long since we've been in Eyrinthia. But Royal Traitor is my current main project right now, and I am hopeful about having it in your hands Summer 2026. (If the fates are with me, it will be mid-summer. If the fates give me some grief, it will be late summer/early fall.) I will announce a date for you as soon as I can! Each new book in the series has brought in new POVs. Can you tell us what new POVs we'll get in Royal Traitor? Um.....no. I'm not going to say, because I don't want to give any spoilers! But there is one new POV I think you're going to REALLY enjoy... How many books will be in the Fate of Eyrinthia series? 6 novels, and a few novellas. Royal Traitor is book 5, so we're getting close! Do you have a favorite novella? This was such a fun question to see popping up! Short answer--no, I don't have a favorite, because I'm incapable of picking a favorite. BUT. I can tell you why I love each of the novellas I've written so far. 1. Fire & Ash This is Desfan's origin story. It takes place before Royal Decoy, and I absolutely ADORE this book. Not only is it humorous, it is also heartbreaking--and heart healing. This was perhaps the most emotional book I've ever written. I tapped into my own grief from losing my dad and my youngest brother. It feels real and raw, and it really endeared Desfan to me. We trauma bonded, you might say. It also has a seriously epic bromance between Desfan and Karim, his new bodyguard, and that's a lot of fun. 2. Shield & Blade This one takes place during the main storyline of the story. Basically, Royal Captive and Royal Rebel were too long for me to include Venn and Vera's story. So they got their own book. And I love it! There are so many cute moments between them, and I am a sucker whenever the hero and heroine are taking care of little kids, so it's fun that we get that, too! While it doesn't really matter when you read a prequel, this one must be read AFTER you read Royal Captive to avoid spoilers. 3. Crown & Serpent This is another prequel. It is a villain origin story that somehow manages to have fairytale vibes, complete with a prince seeking a bride, beautiful ballgowns, and a controlling guardian figure! This is the story of how Iris met Henri and became the Poison Queen we all know and fear. This was one of the most interesting books I've ever written, and I'm super proud of how it turned out. Many readers worried that reading this would make them sympathetic to Grayson's evil parents... but I promise, it's not that kind of villain origin story. It will just give you a glimpse into Iris's past, and you'll see what Ryden looked like before Henri and Iris took charge. ESPERANCE TRILOGY QUESTIONS: When does the sequel to Invictus come out? (That cliffhanger was CRUEL!) This one will be a bit of a wait, but honestly, I would love to release it before the end of the year. That may or may not happen, so please bear with me. I promise, whatever the wait ends up being, it will be worth it! In the meantime, get your friends to read it so you aren't suffering alone ;) Have you announced a title for Esperance #3? Did I miss it?? You didn't miss it! I have not revealed the title yet, but it will be happening soon. Is there ANYTHING you can tell us about book 3? Not really, because I want to avoid spoilers. But. I can tell you that it is going to be EXPLOSIVE. So much has to happen, it's not going to be book that wastes any time. And I suppose I can say... A certain character we love, who is still in the dark about a certain development that happened at the very end, will react probably exactly like you're thinking. And I am quite certain you are going to love it. (There. That's all I'll say!) Will you ever do hardcovers for these books? My hope is to do special edition hardcovers once the trilogy is complete. (Possibly with beautiful sprayed edges....) OTHER QUESTIONS: Do you have any book signings on the calendar for this year? Yes! I have three scheduled so far, and they are all FREE entry, so I'd love to see you there!
How do you come up with your ideas? Ideas can come from pretty much anything. Other books I read, movies I watch, a dream I have, a song with a particularly interesting lyric or vibe. Basically, my brain is never shut off to ideas. And I think that's part of what keeps my imagination feeling active. My story ideas tend to start with one moment or scene, and then I build a story around it. Though, sometimes it feels more like I'm just unfolding the story that was there all along. I'm very much a "discovery" author. And one of my favorite questions to ask is "What if...." Your books are awesome! Is there anything I can do to help make you bigger? YES! Here are some things you can do that help so much:
Didn't see your burning question here? Feel free to let me know in the comments, or send me a message using my contact form!
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Note: This interview was originally shared as part of the Esperance Media Tour.  Hello Carver, thanks for stopping by! Would you mind telling us a little about yourself? Hello, I’m Carver Vincetti. I’m a general in the Craethen Empire’s military, and I’ve recently returned from the front in our war with Harvari. You may have heard that I was wounded, but I’m fine now. Completely. I’m ready to serve the emperor in this new capacity at Esperance. That’s right—you’re about to get married to a stranger. Can you tell us a little about that? Of course. The emperor decided that peace in the empire could be strengthened by arranging marriages between the eligible elite in all the kingdoms. Each kingdom offered a candidate, and the emperor paired everyone up. Now we’ve all come to the remote temple of Esperance to get married and live for a year, without distractions or outside biases. And you really don’t know who you will be marrying? Even though you are a favorite of the emperor’s? Well . . . can you keep a secret? The emperor learned that some rebels may have infiltrated the temple—they might even be some of the candidates that were sent here to be married. So, the emperor asked me to investigate everyone at Esperance, and make sure this venture succeeds. As part of that, I asked the emperor if I could marry Amryn Lukis. I’ve never met her, and I don’t know anything about her, but she’s from Ferradin, and that was one of the last kingdoms to be brought into the empire. There are some lingering anti-empire sentiments there, which means Amryn might very well be an enemy to watch. “Keep your friends close but your enemies closer”, then? Yeah, something like that. How did you feel when you learned about your impending arranged marriage? Honestly? I was a little wary. Hesitant, even. I always wanted to get married and have a family, but I’ve been fighting a war for years, and marriage has been the last thing on my mind. But I’m happy to serve the emperor however I can, so I will marry Amryn Lukis. Where did you grow up? In Westmont, near the coast. I may be biased, but I think it’s the most beautiful place in the empire. You’re from a large family. Do you enjoy having so many siblings? Saints, yes. I was lucky enough to grow up in a home filled with family, laughter, and love. I’m the oldest brother, though I do have an older sister. And I’m by far the favorite uncle to my niece and nephew, though some of my brothers might disagree. Did you always want to be a general? Going into the military was always my dream; it’s a family tradition that I’m very proud of. My father is High General of Craethen, and I’ve always admired him and wanted to be like him. Who is your best friend? Argent Vayne. He’s the future emperor, but he’ll always be the boy who told me it would be a great idea to jump off the royal stables roof when we were little. All jokes aside, I think he’ll make an incredible emperor one day, and I’m honored to have him as my friend. What is most important to you? My family. I would do anything for them. What quality do you most value? Loyalty. What’s your favorite animal? I love all sorts of animals, but dogs are a favorite. What would you like to tell your admirers? Do I have admirers? Haha, I’m not sure what I’d say. Thank you…? I’m not sure what I’ve done to gain admirers. I’m just me. But I guess maybe there’s a bit of wisdom in that: be yourself. You have no one to compete against but yourself. If your mother had to describe you in three words, what would they be? Oh no. *Chuckles* Well, as a child, she probably would have labeled me as reckless, irreverent, and vexing. Today . . . well, she might actually say the same. But I’d like to think I’ve grown over the years. I calculate risks before I take them. I joke, but I can be serious. As for being vexing . . . I’m definitely still that. What are your aspirations for the future? I plan on continuing my career in the military. Serving my country, and the empire as a whole, brings me a great deal of purpose. And I always dreamed of having a family—large and full of love, like my own. Considering circumstances now, I’m not sure how likely that is. Marrying Amryn Lukis is my future now—for better or worse.  Note: This character interview was originally shared as part of the Royal Captive Media Tour. Hey Imara! Would you mind taking a moment to tell us a little about yourself?
Of course! I’m Princess Imara Buhari of Zennor. I’m the third child of seven, and I think being a middle child allowed me to get away with a lot of things—which probably only widened my natural mischievous streak. I have five sisters and one little brother. I love traveling, making people laugh, and learning new things. I believe in embracing life. I’m not one to sit back and just let things happen. The fates might have a plan, but so do I. Let's get the standard getting to know you questions out of the way, shall we? How old are you? 18 Do you have a favorite color? Yellow What is your favorite flower? There’s a flower native to Zennor called savai; it’s bright orange, and the blossoms are large and very beautiful. I love the vibrancy and resiliency of this flower. Please, describe yourself in three words.
Now, on to the more fun questions! Is there someone you call your best friend, and how long have they had the honor of holding that title? My cousin, Princess Serene of Devendra. She’s been my best friend my whole life, even if we didn’t always see each other often. She can be a bit stiff sometimes, especially since losing her mother. But she has a wonderful heart, and I wish more people could see that. Everyone loves a childhood memory. Do you have one you would like to share? When I was about five years old, I desperately wanted a monkey. My older sister told me they only lived in the jungle, so I decided I would live in the jungle, too. I packed up my favorite toys and left a note for my parents, and I arranged for one of my younger sisters to distract our nursemaid so I could sneak out. When my parents found the note, they of course panicked. A search was organized, and everyone rushed to the jungle that borders the city. What they didn’t realize is that in my mind, the “jungle” was actually the castle garden. So, while everyone was madly searching for me, fearful that I would be eaten by some dangerous animal, I was building a blanket tent in the back corner of the garden. When I got hungry, I naturally went to the kitchen for a snack. The cooks were so astonished to see me! And because I’d gotten quite dirty while building my new home, they truly feared I’d barely survived a harrowing trip to the jungle. They fed me my favorite cake and everyone fawned over me while a message was sent to my parents. When they arrived and learned about my definition of a jungle, my father couldn’t stop laughing. My mother was a little more frustrated with me, but I got delicious cake out of it. I never did get my monkey, though. I'm curious, how many kingdoms have you visited? Do you have a favorite? Now that I’m in Mortise, I’ve been to every kingdom except Ryden. My favorite kingdom is my own: Zennor. I just love the people, the culture, the food—it’s home. In all your travels, did you ever find a place you could see yourself settle down as a civilian? What an intriguing idea! I think I would choose to settle in Zennor, probably on the coast. If you were a civilian, would your talent for forgeries aid you in earning a living? Forgeries? Goodness, so blunt! Well, I may have some skills in that area. And I may have used those skills in order to accompany Serene on her journey to Mortise. But what can I say? She needed me. I wasn’t going to let her meet her future husband alone! As for those forgery skills possibly earning me a living . . . That’s an intriguing idea that may have some merit. How did you learn such an ability? It was a mixture of boredom and my aforementioned mischievous streak. But when it comes to all the details of how and what my first forgery was . . . Well, a girl must have some secrets! Do you have any other hobbies? Oh, the usual things. Reading, embroidery . . . I play the flute as well—sort of. I didn’t have much patience for practice, so I’d often sneak out of my lessons early. What about your betrothed? I'm sure everyone would love to hear what you have to say about him. My father recently arranged my marriage to the leader of the Kabu clan, a man named Skyer. We’ve only met a few times, so I don’t feel like I know him well enough to say much more than that. When is the wedding, and how are you feeling about it? The wedding is set for this fall. My feelings are a bit tangled, but I’m looking forward to doing my part to stabilize the relationship between the monarchy and the clans. I should probably add that it’s possible I joined Serene on her tour to Mortise partly because I’m nervous about marrying Skyer, and I needed some time away from Zennor before my wedding. Thank you so much for joining me today, Imara. I hope you know that you are beloved by many. We wish the best for you and your kingdom. Thank you so much! I appreciate that. And I’m glad we had this chance to visit! Note: This interview was originally shared on the blog "The Shelf Life Chronicles", as part of the Royal Decoy Media Tour.  Describe yourself in three words.
Quiet. Protective. Dangerous. What was your childhood like? It wasn’t good. As the youngest Kaelin prince, I was the whelp my brothers tortured. I avoided my family whenever possible, but I couldn’t always run. The only redeemable thing in my childhood—my entire life, really—is Mia. I met her when I was nine and she was eight. Her friendship saved me. What’s your most embarrassing memory? Probably the most embarrassing memory I have is when Mia convinced me I could sing. I was probably ten, and I was trying to sing the song she had taught me, and one of the guards rushed in with his sword drawn. He thought someone must have been dying, it was that bad. Mia laughed about it for days, and I have not tried singing ever again. What do you think is your best quality and why? My best quality? That’s not something I’ve ever really been prompted to think about . . . I’m fiercely protective of Mia. I’m also tenacious. I was once the weakest in my family, but after years of training, my brothers fear me now—even if none of them will admit it aloud. But, probably the best thing about me is my conscience. No one else in my family suffers from one, and sometimes I wish I didn’t, since I have no choice but to be my father’s weapon. But my conscience keeps me human, and because of that I will always try to find even little ways to rebel. If you could make one change to your kingdom, what would it be? I don’t know that any one change would heal Ryden. But if the crown could be taken from my father—from my entire family—well . . . that would be what I’d wish for. What is your biggest fear? Losing Mia. How far are you willing to go to protect those you love? However far I have to. I would lie. Beg. Bleed. Betray. Kill. Die. Thanks, Prince Grayson! If you want to learn more about the youngest prince of Ryden, check out Royal Decoy!  Iris and Henri are the bad guys in modern Eyrinthia, but in Crown & Serpent (a prequel to the main series) they’re just two harmless(?) teenagers. Since the book details how they met, I thought it would be fun to do a round of some popular “Never Have I Ever” questions with this young prince and noblewoman. And of course, I thought I’d answer the questions as well! Never have I ever read the last chapter of a book first. Henri: Guilty. Iris: No. Heather: NEVER. Never have I ever stolen anything. Henri: As a prince, anything I want I have every right to possess, so, no. Iris: Yes, when I was a child I would take little things from my parents. Mostly I remember taking things that my father didn’t think I was ready for, whether that was a book that detailed particularly gruesome poisons, or a dangerous poison itself. I was always a curious child. Heather: When I was a kid, I contemplated keeping a library book. [*gasps!*] I didn’t, though. I didn’t want to mess up my standing with the library! Never have I ever lost a bet. Henri: Perhaps, though I can’t recall a specific incident. Iris: I’m sure I have not. Heather: 100% I have lost bets. Luckily, I never place any money on bets, so there’s that at least. Never have I ever bribed someone. Henri: I generally resort to threats… Iris: I’ve never had the need. Heather: Nope. Unless bribing with chocolate counts... It counts? Oh. Well, then yes. Never have I ever broken a bone. Henri: I’ve broken a few over the years. …Oh, you mean my own bones? Ah. Well, yes to that, too. Iris: I only sprained my wrist once. I fell from a tree in my father’s garden. He’d warned me not to climb that high, but I was checking on the blooms. I was anxious to harvest them so we could make several different poisons. Heather: Nope, never broken a bone. Or had a bone broken. *looks purposefully at Henri* Never have I ever dog-eared the pages of a book. Henri: I probably have. Iris: I have, when a bookmark wasn’t handy and I needed to keep my place. Research trumps all else. Heather: Absolutely not! The sacrilege! Never have I ever lived alone. Henri: I wish. Iris: Yes, right after my father died. But I suppose I had the servants, so I wasn’t wholly alone. Heather: Yes. For the most part I’ve had roommates, but I’ve also had a couple stints of living alone. Never have I ever told a lie. Henri: Of course not. *looks at us, because we’re staring at him* Fine. I have lied. Iris: So have I. Heather: Yes. Never have I ever cooked something. Henri: Absolutely not. Iris: Do poisons count? Heather: Yes, I love cooking and baking! Never have I ever slept outdoors. Henri: Yes, during my more intense weeks of combat training. Iris: No. Unless a nap counts? Heather: Yes, though I’m not the biggest fan of camping. At least not in a tent. A cabin is more my speed. Never have I ever been to Disneyland. Henri: What now? Iris: …I don’t like the sound of this land. Heather: LOL I just keep picturing it! You two, at Disneyland! *laughs uncontrollably* Although to be fair, I haven’t been, either. But I’ll be going next summer! Never have I ever believed in ghosts. Henri: The only ghosts are the memories of the dead that the living can’t let go of. Unfortunately, their influence can be all too real. Iris: No. Heather: Yes. This was just a bit of fun :) I hope you enjoyed it!
If you want to watch Henri and Iris meet, don’t miss reading Crown & Serpent! Available Now: https://mybook.to/EWKdD6 Note: This interview was originally part of the Royal Captive blog tour, and was first shared on Author Sarah Hill's website: https://artauthorsarahannhill.art.blog  Hello Mia, thank you for taking the time to sit down with me today.
Of course! Thank you for having me. What's your favorite color? Pink. I thought we'd start with getting to know you a little. I see you have a small collection of books, do you have a favorite? Picking a favorite is impossible! I love to read so many different things. Poetry, adventure tales, and romances. I enjoy learning about the world as well, so studying plants, different climates, and cultures—I love it all! Staying inside a cell most your life has to be boring, but you found a talent for painting. They are beautiful, do you have a favorite piece of art? Probably this one. Grayson once told me about one of his trips into the northern mountains, and my imagination couldn’t let go of this stream he described. The setting sun glittering on the water. The fall leaves that blanket the rocky banks. And of course, the focus of the piece is the vibrant orange leaf caught in the current of the stream. The scene is both beautiful and somehow tragic, and I’m proud of how it turned out. I’ve always been fascinated with how such a simple image can convey powerful, complex emotions. I think that’s part of why art is so important to my sanity; it gives me a place to explore, create, and pour my emotions into. How does it feel being out of the dungeon and in a bigger space? It’s honestly a little unnerving. My world was a small, usually predictable space. Now I’m not sure what to expect, and none of it feels real. But despite those anxieties, I am enjoying the new environment. You have a window for the first time since coming to Ryden. I know being able to see the sights you only imagined is a gift, but what about the smells? They have to be different than those beneath the castle in a dark cell. Do you have a favorite scent? Is that scent new or one you've known for years? It took a while for my eyes to adjust to the natural light, but being able to see outside is definitely a gift—and a little overwhelming, if I’m being honest. And the sounds! Hearing people talking and working outside, dogs barking . . . It’s strange to hear all of that. To know that the outside world is right there. That in a way, I’m part of it again. And since you mentioned the smells, yes. They were overpowering, too, at first. I’m coming to love them, though. The rain smells divine, and I love the scent of flowers, though I hadn’t forgotten the smell of them while in my cell. Grayson would bring me flowers quite often. But I recently learned the name of my favorite scent: pine. It is said that a song floats from your room from time to time. Is this a song you learned from childhood? Who taught it to you? While I’ve made up some of my own songs over the years, I mostly sing ones I learned as a child. There’s a particular lullaby my mother would always sing to me, and that’s the song Grayson first heard from me. Do you have a favorite memory? Meeting Grayson. Everything was so dark before he came into my life, and I will always be grateful that he found me. Sometimes he says that I saved him, but in reality, he saved me. Let's delve a little deeper. You were brought to Ryden when you were very young. What do you remember about that day? I was young, but I remember the journey to the castle, and I remember meeting King Henri. When I first saw him, I thought he might help me. I think I’ll always remember how my gut fell when I realized he wasn’t going to. Do you remember who you are, or is the truth still locked behind a door in your mind you haven't found yet? I remember, I just can’t talk about it. I can’t even think about it. It triggers a panic, where my lungs and throat tighten and I can’t breathe. Let's move on to your friendships. You and Grayson have been friends for almost as long as you've been in the castle. Is it safe to say he is the best friend you've ever had? Without a doubt. We have been there for each other in a way I don’t think people on the outside can fully understand. He knows me better than anyone else in the world, and I would do anything for him. Do you see a future with Grayson? When I think about the future, Grayson is the only constant I see. I know we live in a dangerous and unpredictable world, but I honestly can’t picture my life without him. There's a look in your eyes when you talk about Grayson, is there maybe a little something more than friendship? Absolutely. The friendship we built as children turned naturally into something more, and I love him with all my heart. And what about Tyrell? To hate him would be understandable after the way he treated you after your first meeting, but you don't hate him, do you? No, I don’t hate him. I never thought I’d consider Tyrell a friend, but that’s how I see him now. I know some people won’t understand how that’s possible, and sometimes even I wonder how it happened, after everything he’s done. But there is more to Tyrell than meets the eye, and I think there is more goodness in him than even he will admit. It's quite obvious that Tyrell has feelings for you, do you return them in any degree? Is it friendship you care about or are there feelings hidden beneath that you might be scared to admit to? Tyrell has made it clear that he cares for me, and I . . . Well, I wish things hadn’t become complicated. I don’t want to hurt him, but I’ve told him that I’m in love with Grayson—and I am. But that doesn’t mean I don’t care about Tyrell. I want us to remain friends. I just can’t offer him anything more. How do you think Grayson will react to your friendship with Tyrell? Will he be grateful to him or do you think knowing how close you've grown will cause him to unravel? I’ve tried to picture the three of us in the same room, and I really can’t. Tyrell and Grayson both wear masks to hide their vulnerabilities, and they never let others see deeper. Pair that with the fact that they have a complex relationship filled with a lifetime of resentment, jealously, and pain, and I think it might make it impossible for them to see each other as I see them. I worry that all of this could lead to a fight, and that’s the last thing I want. But to answer your question, I think Grayson will be confused by our friendship, but I hope I can explain things in such a way that he can see Tyrell as I see him now, and not as the prince who hurt me. Grayson has always been protective of me, though, and while it’s something I love about him, I think that will make it hard for him to ever let Tyrell near me. And honestly, I think it will be even harder for him once he finds out that Tyrell has deeper feelings for me. All that being said, I think Grayson will be grateful to Tyrell for saving my life. Would you be able to choose? If a knife were held to each of their hearts and you could only save one? Just the thought of a decision like that turns my stomach. I can’t imagine being placed in such a situation. I think the weight of that guilt—no matter my choice—would ruin me. But if I had to choose . . . I would choose Grayson. I would give up anything for him, including my own life. Thank you so much for joining me today Mia, I honestly hope you get the happy ending you so deserve. Thank you, I appreciate that! And thank you for taking the time to talk to me.  Note: This interview was originally part of the Crown & Serpent blog tour, and was first shared on @a_lady_and_her_literature Instagram page. While we don’t get Henri’s POV in Crown & Serpent, I wanted to take a chance to interview this nineteen-year-old prince of Ryden.
Hello, Your Highness. Would you like to introduce yourself? You don’t already know who I am? Well, I do, but I thought it would be helpful for the readers if you introduced yourself. Very well. I am Prince Henri Ezra Kaelin, heir to the throne of Ryden. I didn’t realize your middle name was Ezra. You don’t use it often. No. Would you like to tell us why? Not particularly. It’s your father’s name. Yes. How would you describe your relationship with your father? He is my sire. My king. I live to serve him—literally. The only reason I was born was because he needed a son and heir. The talk of Ryden society right now is speculation about your future bride. You’re old enough to be searching for someone. Has anyone caught your eye? Not as of yet. Can you tell us anything about what you’re looking for in a wife? Intelligence. Fearlessness. Beauty, of course, but inner strength matters far more to me than outward appearance. I want a true companion. Someone I can trust. Someone that can embrace my goals, and make them her own. What are some of your goals? Many won’t come to fruition until I am king, but I intend to make sure Eyrinthia never overlooks Ryden again. My father wants me to help him conquer Devendra, but I intend to take so much more than that. I assure you, history will remember me. My name will be echoed for centuries, while that of my father and brother will be long forgotten. Your legacy seems very important to you. Do you think it has something to do with your brother’s death? Leaving a powerful legacy is the most important thing you can ever do, so of course it’s important to me. My brother’s death really has nothing to do with it. Farrell died before your birth. Despite that, there are many stories of his bravery, monuments to his memory, and countless paintings as well. Do you feel you know him? Even a little? I may have never met my brother, but I have known him all my life. I’ve lived under his shadow in every way—in my lessons and training, in the way everyone in Ryden looks at me, in the expectations my father sets. Farrell and I will always be compared, and I hate that. My father speaks endlessly of Farrell, his beloved son. His perfect son. The son I am meant to imitate, but never have a chance of becoming. The son who will always be better than me, because only his perfect memory remains. My father will always consider me second rate, because Farrell is not here to make mistakes—but my every perceived flaw is on constant display. I am in constant competition with a ghost. How do you think that feels? It sounds miserable. Indeed. But growing up this way has taught me some valuable lessons, and I believe I am a stronger person for it. Not only that, but there are some parenting mistakes I now know to avoid with my own children someday. What sort of parent do you think you’ll be? I intend to have full control of my children. They will each have a role to play, and I will give them every necessary skill they need to succeed. I will keep them in competition with each other, so they always strive to be better. To be the best in my eyes. By giving them each a unique purpose, they will achieve perfection. And, by extension, I will be made more perfect, and Ryden will thrive under my rule. Describe yourself in three words. Determined. Unflinching. Driven. What’s something you love to do? I love riding. It brings me peace. Helps me clear my mind, and make sense of my muddled thoughts. I could spend endless days with my horses and never become bored. What is your earliest memory? My father, giving me my first dagger. I was five or six. I was so excited to have that blade. It was beautifully crafted, a magnificent piece that had been in the Kaelin family for generations. I was admiring it, shifting my hold, and the knife slipped. It clattered to the stone floor, and my father became livid. He screamed that Farrell would never have dropped such a gift. He said I would never be feared if I couldn’t control even a simple knife. He snatched it up before I could, and then he sliced the blade over my arm. It was the first time he’d ever raised a hand to me. I was shocked. I just held my bleeding arm, my eyes burning as he railed at me. But I didn’t cry. Refused to shed a single tear during his lecture. When he was finally done, he slammed the hilt back into my hand, hissed, “Never disrespect me with your failure again.” And then he strode from the room, and I cried. I think it was the first time I cried since I was a babe. It was the last as well. I left that room with a dagger and a scar, and a determination to never give him a reason to hurt me again. Your family is . . . complicated. Can you lay things out for us? It’s not that complicated. My father had a family before me. A wife he loved. A son he revered. When Farrell died in battle, he was an adult. His mother couldn’t handle his death, so she killed herself. My father was old enough to be a grandfather at the time, but that didn’t stop him from marrying his wife’s younger sister. I was sired for a purpose—to avenge Farrell, and fulfill my father’s revenge. A means to an end. That is all I am to my father. But one day, I will prove that I am so much more. And your mother? What happened to her? She died the day I was born. I’m sorry for your loss. Don’t be. I know little more than her name. And in truth, death was a better fate for her than marriage to my father. She meant nothing to him. Her life would have been a misery. What is something you’re reluctant to admit, even to yourself? That maybe my father is right. Maybe I’m not as strong as Farrell. That I’ll never be better than him. What is your greatest fear? That I will be forgotten. Who is your best friend? I don’t have friends. It’s better not to. Friends can get too close, can betray you. Subjects, soldiers—that’s all I’ve ever needed. Who is the person you despise the most? Farrell. He may be dead, but that doesn’t mean I can’t hate him. I guess that’s true. But who do you despise most that’s still living? My father. All right, last question. Summer in Ryden is a time filled with balls and parties for the noble class to enjoy. Are you looking forward to any of that? Actually, for perhaps the first time, I am. My father hasn’t made the announcement public yet, but . . . I have until the end of summer to choose a bride. So, this summer, I’m going hunting. And I plan to find my perfect match.  Note: This was originally written as an author guest post for the Royal Rebel blog tour, and was first shared on @anenglishmajorsdilemma Instagram page. If you’ve read the Fate of Eyrnithia series, then you know the characters pretty well. But I thought it would be fun to give readers a look at how the Fate of Eyrinthia characters interact with me off the page.
These characters are so alive to me that they are distinct individuals in my head. They can interrupt my thoughts when I’m not even thinking about writing, because they just can’t wait to tell me a line of dialogue or a plot twist. And sometimes, it takes all I have in me to pry anything out of them. Every character you see on the page has more layers, dreams, and history than will ever make it into the book. But today I’d like to share a glimpse of what it’s like for me to work with them. To do this, I’m going to answer a series of questions to give you a taste of what it’s like for me to have these voices in my head. If nothing else, this post may be enough to get me committed to the nearest asylum. Enjoy! Characters most likely to speak to me at inconvenient times (i.e. while I’m driving or in the shower): Desfan definitely tops this list. He chimes in with a huge grin, without a hint of apology, and just starts telling me things. Lines of dialogue, a joke he wants to work in, a person he wants to meet. He rarely holds anything back, and he will often tell me things about Karim—which Karim doesn’t always appreciate. Serene. She speaks to me in her own time, which means I can be there puzzling over things for a very long time without getting anywhere, then BOOM. Suddenly she’s very chatty, and I have to scramble to take notes. Iris. When she has something to say to me, she just sweeps in and starts talking. It’s up to me to grab a piece of paper and start writing things down, because the Poison Queen isn’t going to repeat herself. Characters who tend to wait patiently for my attention: Grayson often lingers in the doorway, waiting until he can have my undivided attention. And when he disagrees with the direction I’m taking things, he will respectfully let me know. Bennick is another who is very patient with me. He’s got a gentle soul, even though he can be so fierce. He wants everyone safe and taken care of. He usually waits for all the chatter in my head to fade before he speaks his mind. Clare. She’s Bennick’s perfect match in every way, and I can hear it in how similar their voices are in my mind. Characters that still have secrets from me: Serene. That girl loves to keep an ace up her sleeve. I can’t tell you how many times I think, “I’ve really got to know this now, Serene.” And her response is usually a little smile and a, “Okay, here’s this much. The finer details can wait. Trust me.” It can be very annoying, but it’s also perfectly in character for her, so I can’t get too mad. Liam. Though to be fair, he’s a spymaster, so that’s only to be expected. Henri and Iris. I know so much about them, and yet there are some things I just don’t know, or can’t quite put my finger on. Let’s just say they don’t like to admit to everything they’ve done, so there are some shadows in their pasts. Characters most likely to ignore me and the whole plan I carefully plotted: Desfan. He plunges into things with a reckless abandon I don’t know how to handle sometimes. I just have to scramble to catch up, and I very much empathize with Karim. Imara. She loves doing the unexpected, and yet everything she does also manages to feel perfectly in character. (Like befriending Grayson, for instance. Or finding herself drawn toward a certain prince of Mortise…) I’m not sure how she does it, but it makes for some interesting twists. Iris and Henri. They go off script a lot, and it’s always disconcerting—and usually the end result is terrifying. Liam. He tends to surprise me every time he opens his mouth, and I never know quite where he’s going to take a scene. Characters most likely to make me snort-laugh while I’m writing: Venn Desfan Imara Zadir Characters I knew almost everything about from the beginning, but I had to hold back things back because it wasn’t their time for the spotlight yet: Mia. She obviously had a lot of secrets from the very beginning, but they don’t start coming out until later. Cardon is another I knew very well, very quickly. He has been there since book 1, but we really don’t know a lot about him at this point, even though we saw a little more in Royal Captive. But don’t worry, we’re going to be learning a lot more about him in Royal Rebel! Liam. Yes, I know he also keeps secrets from me, but I knew some very important things about him straightaway. He’s got a lot of layers, and we’ve only seen some of them at this point. Skyer, Imara’s betrothed. We will be learning more about him soon, and that’s about all I can say about that. Grandeur. Serene’s brother, and the heir to the throne of Devendra. We’ve been learning more about him lately, but there’s still more to learn. Characters I always get excited to write: Zadir. That Mortisian pirate is just a lot of fun to write. Desfan. I never know what he’s going to do, but I know it’s going to be good—or at the very least, endearingly reckless, and probably funny. Grayson. He just has a huge piece of my heart, and I think his storyline just gets better and better. The youngest prince of Ryden has a more important role in the fate of Eyrinthia than anyone could have guessed in the beginning of all this. Scenes with Bennick and Clare. They’re just so lovely, and I love them together. Their dialogue always flows, and I love the energy between them. Well, there you have it. Probably more weirdness than you bargained for when you started reading this post, but this a glimpse of the fun chaos that resides in my head.  Note: This interview was originally part of the Royal Rebel blog tour, and was first shared on @a_lady_and_her_literature Instagram page. What was your childhood like?
I grew up in the castle, because of my father’s high position in the Devendran military. My father was gone a lot for his different military assignments, so I didn’t spend a lot of time with him. Whenever he was home, I was practically his shadow. I wanted his approval more than anything. My mother was always loving, but she was often ill, so I spent a lot of time with Wilf and his wife, Rachel. I had a good childhood, really. I never lacked anything I needed, and I was surrounded by people who loved me. What is your earliest memory? I’m not sure how old I was, but I remember my mother giving me a stuffed, fabric panther. I took that thing everywhere with me, but I especially remember playing with it in the grass, pretending we were in the jungles of Zennor. My mother was there, just watching me with a soft kind of smile on her face. A lot of that afternoon might be hazy, but I’ll always remember the quiet peace that surrounded me. When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? For the most part, I grew up wanting to be a soldier, like my father. But when I was about seven, Wilf let me go with him to the royal blacksmith. I was completely mesmerized by the process of making a sword. When my father came home for one of his visits, I told him I wanted to be a blacksmith. He wasn’t impressed. He told me that learning to use a weapon was a far better use of time than learning to make one. Because I wanted to please my father, I focused on training to become a soldier. That set me on the path to become a royal bodyguard, and I honestly can’t imagine a different career for me—especially because it brought me to Clare. But someday, I would love to wield a sword I forged with my own hands. You are the youngest captain of the royal guard in Devendran history. When you became captain of Serene’s guards, were you intimidated? Oh, absolutely. Not only was I new to the work, but I was the commanding officer to older, more experienced men. I quickly learned the importance of listening to their opinions, and to trust my own instincts. It’s the advice I would give to anyone who might be intimidated or unsure of themselves in a new position or situation. Where do you go when you need advice? The men I serve with have become some of the most important people in my life. Wilf, Cardon, and Venn are all people I trust to advise me. I also value Clare’s opinion so much. She’s a great listener, so she’s easy to turn to. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? I’ve always imagined I’d settle down in Iden. I love the city, and Devendra. After the chaos of the last while, though, a remote cottage on the side of a mountain sounds very appealing. But honestly, as long as I’m with Clare, I’ll be happy anywhere. What three words would you use to describe Clare? Selfless. Brave. Kind. What do you think is your best quality and why? Dedication. When I commit to doing something, I will see it through, no matter what. It’s served me well in all areas of my life. I'm so excited to be a stop on the Crown & Serpent blog tour today! To make sure you don't miss a stop, check out the schedule here: https://www.heatherfrost.com/post/crown-serpent-media-tour-schedule For my stop on the tour, I've compiled a list of songs that remind me of scenes/moods in Crown & Serpent. They’re roughly in order of where I think they fit best in the story, and I have added some parenthetical track titles that may help readers place them in the story. I worked to avoid any spoilers, though if you've read any of the books from the main series, then you obviously know some things that happen to Iris and Henri in this novella :) If I had to pick one song that captures Iris and this story as a whole, it's the last song on this list: Castle, by Halsey. Listen to the playlist on Spotify or Amazon Music or see the full list with my track names below!  My December, Linkin Park (Mourning) Cough Syrup, Young The Giant (Just One Year) Words as Weapons, Birdy (How The Nobles Fight) Ship to Wreck, Florence + The Machine (Time To Rant) In The Air Tonight, Natalie Taylor (First Ball) Numb, Linkin Park (Done Playing) Yesterday Was Hard On All Of Us, Fink (An Outing With The Prince) Queen of Peace, Florence + The Machine (“Did You Know I Used To Be Afraid Of Snakes?”) Castle of Glass, Linkin Park (Kell) Fall, Ed Sheeran (Henri Asks Iris a Question) Stay, Lissie (Fears and Decisions) Way Down We Go, KALEO (Final Ball) Nothing Else Matters, Lissie (Dance With A Prince) Meet Me In The Mystery, Lissie (Iris Answers Henri’s Question) Castle, Halsey (The Poison Queen) Learn more about Crown & Serpent and get your copy here: https://mybook.to/EWKdD6 All she wanted . . .
Seventeen-year-old Iris Winn loves her quiet life with her father, studying the poisons that fascinate them both. But after his sudden death, Iris is now the ward of her estranged aunt and uncle. In order to claim her inheritance, she must live in the capital city of Lenzen for one year. While there, she must attend parties, balls, and participate in every other vapid thing the elite of Ryden value. Iris doesn’t care about learning their rules or joining their ranks–her only goal is to endure the next year. Then she meets Prince Henri Kaelin. Everything they demanded . . . Every young woman in Lenzen wants Henri–except for Iris. Unfortunately, the prince only has eyes for her. The king has decreed that Henri must choose a bride before his birthday, and Iris is determined it won’t be her. Dodging a prince’s focused attention while placating her relatives and the rest of Ryden’s high society is exhausting–and more dangerous than Iris could have ever imagined. She is about to learn that not all games are innocent, and some smiles are more lethal than poison. Luckily, Iris is a quick study, and this is a game she is determined to win. She would take it all. |
Heather FrostAuthor of epic closed-door romance, collector of books, and lover of adventures. Categories
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