Author interview: K. L. Small, plus J is for Jinn

Books:   A Dress To Remember and The Magic Carousel

Genre:   Middle Grade Fantasy

Author:  K. L. Small

Today I’m very pleased to welcome fantasy author K. L. Small. Hello Kathleen, can you tell us something about your books? 

I write middle grade fantasy and have released two books this year (2023). My debut novel was A Dress To Remember: A Fairy Tale. It is the story of strong-willed Princess Zarina who makes a deal with a mysterious dressmaker. The dress she receives is a magic black ballgown, not what she expected but what she needed. My second book is The Magic Carousel, which is Book 1 in The Brass Ring Series. Ten-year-old Russell gets a brass ring that turns each carousel ride into a time travel adventure. These adventures challenge Russell’s courage and help him face the bullies in his life.

Both sound so interesting! What are your plans for the future?

I’m planning to release The Christmas Carousel (Book 2 of The Brass Ring Series) later this year. The third book is The Haunted Carousel, which will be released in 2024.

Your covers are so striking. How did you come to work with Brandon Dorman?

During an online writing course in 2022, I asked the instructor how to find an illustrator for my book. He suggested looking at a book cover I liked and see who illustrated it. When I did that, I discovered Brandon Dorman was the illustrator. I found his website and filled out his contact form. I was thrilled that he was willing to work with me on my debut novel. After all, his art appears in middle grade series such as Goosebumps, Land of Stories, and Fablehaven. He is so talented and such a pleasure to work with.

Who is your favorite character?

My favorite character in The Magic Carousel is The Duchess. She is a fancy circus horse with a big personality. She was so much fun to write. Her diva attitude made me smile.

Who inspired you to write and why did you choose fantasy?

As a child, I loved the horse books written by Marguerite Henry and decided I wanted to be an author like her. In high school, I discovered J.R.R. Tolkien and became fascinated by fantasy. Another speculative fiction author who inspired me was Anne McCaffrey.

Thank you so much for joining me today. One last question: Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

Readers can follow me at: www.kathleenlsmall.com and subscribe to my monthly newsletter to learn about my writing and horse life at Carousel Acres.

About the Author: Kathleen “K. L.” Small writes fantasy stories, both short stories and novels, for the young and young at heart. She lives in Florida on a ranch called Carousel Acres, with her husband, two horses, four cats, and assorted wildlife. She is a three-time award winner in the Florida Writers Association’s Royal Palm Literary Award competition.

Link to books on Amazon:

A Dress To Remember: https://a.co/d/8OWMfzg

The Magic Carousel: https://a.co/d/9LtvnOK

Now on to this week’s fantasy creature.

J is for Jinn

Jinn (or djinn or genies) are shape-shifting spirits and have amazing powers. While Jinn can be found everywhere, such as underground, in the air or in fire, and wield their powers freely, they are often popularly depicted inhabiting various objects, such as oil lamps, and are enslaved or bound to them. Jinn can be troublemakers but whoever gains control of a jinn has a powerful weapon at his disposal!

With these qualities, who wouldn’t want to read about them more!

One great epic fantasy book that features jinn is An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. Would you like to see more jinn in fantasy or do you think they have too much power to be a fun creature to read about? Perhaps setting a jinn as a formidable antagonist might result in a great read.

Some self-promo!

When sixteen-year-old Shael helps a mortally wounded messenger, he entrusts her with delivering to the queen three magical statuettes stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. But Shael accidentally cuts her fingers while handling the statuettes and magic links her to them—any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh. Shael’s fate is now inexorably tied to the Hyllethans, the statuettes, and the political turmoil in the land.

If you like magic, enemies to lovers, twists and turns, harrowing escapes and family drama, then you’ll enjoy The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy.

Dawn of Purple and Grey, Days of Wind and Snow, and Night of Rites and Wraiths (The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy) are available through Amazon as ebooks and paperbacks or as an ebook Complete Series Box Set.

Till next time,

Caroline

Author Interview: Lucy A. McLaren, plus I is for Ichthyocentaur

Today’s post is a milestone for me – the 50^th newsletter – and I felt this needed to be celebrated. As a thank you to all of you who have followed me on this journey, Dawn of Purple and Grey, book # 1 of The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy will be FREE on 20 September. The 20th is also Stuff your Kindle Day where thousands of e-books are discounted to Free. So if there’s that one book you’ve been dying to read, including mine ( 😊 ), head over to Amazon on the 20th and check it out!

Now on to today’s Author Interview:

Book: Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1

Genre: Fantasy

Author: Lucy A. McLaren

I’m excited to welcome fantasy author Lucy A. McLaren. Hello, Lucy. Can you tell us something about your book? 

Lucy: Hello! Thank you for having me, Caroline. I’m Lucy A. McLaren, a fantasy author and lover. My debut book, Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1, is a multi-POV, character-focused story featuring found family, ancient powers, animal companions, an authoritarian government, toxic love, mental health exploration and LGBT+ representation. 

Why did you choose Awakening as title for the book?

Lucy: Awakening may feel a bit generic but it also applies well to what happens in the story. Each of the four main characters awakens about an aspect of their past and present experiences throughout the book. It fits, it just could have been better! (Hindsight, eh?)

What do you consider to be something unique about your work?

Lucy: There’s a lot of focus on mental health because I am very passionate about that. I’m a counsellor and utilise psychological theories to create more realistic, relatable characters.

That’s so interesting. What are your plans for the future?

Lucy: The second book in The Commune’s Curse series is largely written and to be edited. In the meantime, I am writing a standalone dark fantasy story inspired by Jack the Ripper/Victorian London. 

Your cover is so striking. What are your thoughts behind this choice of design?

Lucy: Thank you! I love it. The idea with this cover is to represent main character Evelyn. That is her battered sword depicted. The white flowers are called Veritarra’s Gift and are an essential part of the plot of the three books. Book 2’s cover will represent main characters Hector and Raif, and Book 3 will represent Commander Jonah Sulemon.

Thank you so much for joining me today. One last question: Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

Lucy: You can learn more about my writing and sign up to my newsletter to receive a free bonus chapter at my author website: lucyamclarenauthor.com. You can also follow me on social media, my most active being Instagram @lucy_a_mclaren.

About the Author:

When not writing, you can find me looking after my toddler, playing video games, reading, watching TV or films, and taking photographs of nature/old castle ruins.  I’m a fantasy nerd in many ways! 

Link to book on Amazon: https://mybook.to/ATCCB1

I is for Ichthyocentaur

An Ichthyocentaur, or sea-centaur, is a sea-dwelling creature with the torso, arms and head of a man, the forelegs of a horse and the lower body and tail of a fish. Sometimes they have a pair of lobster-claw horns on their heads.

Ichthyocentaurs are tough creatures, fast swimmers and can raise or calm storms. They can also communicate underwater with other water creatures. Ichthyocentaurs live long lives, sometimes for centuries.

Ichthyocentaurs are peaceful, wise creatures who value family and friends and rarely have issues with other sea creatures.

In Greek mythology, the first two ichthyocentaurs were the sons of the Titan god Kronos and the nymph Philyra. They have often been depicted in ancient mosaics and relief sculptures.

One of the more benign fantasy creatures, don’t you agree? This creature reminded me of a short story I wrote about a shape-shifting hippocampus. You can read Whisper of the Waves online here.

Some self-promo!

When sixteen-year-old Shael helps a mortally wounded messenger, he entrusts her with delivering to the queen three magical statuettes stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. But Shael accidentally cuts her fingers while handling the statuettes and magic links her to them—any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh. Shael’s fate is now inexorably tied to the Hyllethans, the statuettes, and the political turmoil in the land.

If you like magic, enemies to lovers, twists and turns, harrowing escapes and family drama, then you’ll enjoy The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy.

Dawn of Purple and Grey, Days of Wind and Snow, and Night of Rites and Wraiths (The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy) are available through Amazon as ebooks and paperbacks or as an ebook Complete Series Box Set.

Till next time,

Caroline

Author Interview: Craig Montgomery; plus H is for Hydra

In today’s post, I’m very pleased to chat with fantasy author Craig Montgomery.

Book: A Circle of Stars

Genre: Fantasy

Author: Craig Montgomery

Hello Craig can you tell us something about your book? 

Craig: A Circle of Stars is about an 18-year-old boy who is abducted across the universe to a hidden lunar city where he is told he must be these strange people’s chosen one or die.

Interesting! What do you consider to be something unique or fascinating about your work?

Craig: The magic system is unique, and readers have responded really well to it. I also am really fond of the fact that the romance between the two lead characters is very healthy and is still compelling to read.

What are your plans for the future?

 Craig: I’m writing a little novelette that I’ll be sending out to my newsletter audience in the next few months. And I’m also working on book 2 of this duology.

Tell me more about your protagonist? Why did you choose to write him?

Craig: Casper is an 18-year-old queer kid from Chicago who grew up in a very religious household. I wrote his story because it’s the one I needed when I was a kid. We are seeing so much more representation in fiction these days, but I never got to see a character that was like me go off on a fantasy adventure and fall in love. So, I wrote that story.

Who is your favourite character in the book?

Craig: I think maybe Helix. I’m not good at picking favorites, but I think we all need a Helix in our life.

Who inspired you to write and why did you choose Fantasy / SF?

Craig: I’ve been telling stories since I have memories. I was home schooled as a child, so I would imagine up stories while playing in the yard to occupy myself. I chose to write SFF because they are the stories I’ve always gravitated toward. I love the fantastic. It’s so excited to imagine different kinds of worlds and the magic that can fill them.

Thank you so much for joining me today. One last question: Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

Craig: Thank you for having me! I can be found at my website www.craigmontgomerybooks.com and on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram @craigmontgomerybooks.

About the Author:

Craig has always been drawn to the fantastical. Whether it’s sword and sorcery, superheroes, or faraway galaxies, he’s along for the ride, happily ever after preferred. He recently moved to the San Francisco Bay Area with his husband and their two cats, where he tries to spend as much time with trees as he can.

Link to book on Amazon:

H is for Hydra

This week’s fantasy creature in our ABC of Fantasy Creatures series is the Hydra.

In Greek mythology, hydras are huge serpent-like creatures with (usually) nine heads. They are found in marshy or wet areas.

A hydra is difficult to kill as beheading one of the heads leads to two more heads emerging from the cut (this means that the number of heads a hydra has could change). Moreover, its blood and breath are poisonous to humans.

Killing a hydra was one of Hercules’ 12 labours. He succeeded because he had help. As soon as he cut off one head, his nephew cauterised the wound so no new heads sprouted out.

Not a creature I’d like to meet. Don’t you agree?

Some self-promo!

Dawn of Purple and Grey

In the Inner Lands, there are three ways sixteen-year-old Shael can get herself and her family killed—by looking like the enemy; by working with the enemy; by becoming the enemy.

When sixteen-year-old Shael unknowingly helps a mortally wounded thief, he entrusts her with delivering three figurines to the lord of her castle. Too late, Shael discovers that the figurines were stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. And since she cut her fingers on the figurines while handling them, she is now linked to them. Any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh.

Despite her reluctance to aid the enemy, Shael teams up with three Hyllethans to retrieve the figurines and break the connection. Shael is caught in the tussle for the thrones of the two lands. To avoid becoming a pawn—or dangle from a hangman’s noose—she has to regain possession of the figurines and face the unsuspected secrets of her lost past. 

Days of Wind and Snow

Three thrones. Two power-hungry mages. One girl standing in their way.

Exiled in Hylletha, sixteen-year-old Shael longs to return to the land of her birth but her brother Iysel, the new, terrifying mage-king of the Inner Lands, wants her dead. Shael’s very existence threatens Iysel’s right to the throne since she is the holder of the magical Gift of Touch, which is traditionally held by the monarch.

To ensure peace, Theis, the young man Shael loves, goes to Iysel’s court to negotiate the reunification of Hylletha and the Inner Lands under one ruler. But when Shael’s young foster brother is abducted and held prisoner in the Inner Lands, Shael has only her limited knowledge of spellcraft to help her stay out of Iysel’s reach, rescue her foster brother and make sure Theis doesn’t bear the brunt of Iysel’s rage.

Complicating matters further, Iysel has won the unexpected support of their wily cousin—the son of the king of a neighbouring land and an extraordinary mage—who has his own reasons for wanting to get hold of Shael.

The stability of the three realms lies in the balance. Faced by intrigue and betrayal from all sides, Shael must choose between protecting the lives of those she loves or taking up her role as princess and heir to the thrones to safeguard the welfare of the people.

Night of Rites and Wraiths

She’ll be crowned queen—if she lives that long.

With her coronation fast approaching, Shael fears the debilitating effects of poisoning resulting from her stint in the dragons’ birthing grounds will make her unfit to rule. But this becomes the least of her worries when her brother Iysel turns up claiming he’s the true King of Hylletha as well as heir to Dragonia. Shael is determined to protect the realms from the merciless mage, but the documents that challenge Iysel’s right to the thrones have disappeared.

Protecting the realms isn’t the only reason for finding the missing documents. Proving Iysel’s duplicity is the surest way of saving Theis, the love of Shael’s live, whom Iysel has accused of desertion and treason.

With time running out, with assassins stalking her every move and her health failing, Shael sets out to unravel the tangled web of deceit and greed ensnaring her and the kingdoms. Unfortunately, the most obvious culprit isn’t always the only enemy.

Dawn of Purple and Grey, Days of Wind and Snow, and Night of Rites and Wraiths (The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy) are available through Amazon either as individual books or as a Complete Series Box Set.

Till next time,

Caroline