In
a world of lies and betrayal, can they trust each other?
Lady Raell
can fight, ride, and argue politics as well as her brothers. Only
being mistress of her father's household keeps her in skirts. In
Naed, the new Lord of Druemarwin, she has found devotion, a kindred
spirit, and a marriage promise. But when a forgotten and unwanted
betrothal comes to light, she has no choice but to run.
Amidst
sweeping revolution, Naed must rally his people, fend off
assassination attempts, and fight against claims he's a traitor. Then
he discovers everything about his lineage and family is a lie. And
his beloved belongs to another.
With
lives and a kingdom at stake, Raell and Naed must find a way to
protect the innocent and save their love.
Wild
Women Authors
is pleased to feature Lord
of Druemarwin,
a fantasy romance, writted by Helen C. Johannes and released by the
Wild Rose Press. First up is heroine, Lady Raell of Tylus
Where
are you from? Western
Tolemak, my father has a holding there
Tell
us a bit about Lord
of Druemarwin. We
are at war to restore the Kingdom and unite the three lands. Since
the Lost Crown was found, all alliances have been upended, and only
personal bonds of trust have made allies of former enemies. My
beloved will bring his people to our side—if he can overcome their
long-standing neutrality and fend off assassins. Oh, these are
dangerous times among both his people and mine, and no one knows whom
to trust.
What
did you think the first time you saw Lord Naed?
My father sent me to tend to his wound and settle him with food and
clean clothing. I’d been told to look for a D’nalian with a bit
of copper in his hair. ‘Tis unusual, you see, hair so fiery, so I
was curious but not prepared to in any way like him, however much
he’d done to save the folk. Among my people D’nalians are not
known or respected for their warrior skills. But when he turned, all
soot-covered and blood-streaked, my heart pinged for all the misery I
saw in those rare green eyes.
What
was your second thought?
Oh.
My.
I saw his heart there in that moment, how he cared so deeply for all
those he thought he’d failed, how alone he was among strangers to
whom he’d given his all, when in truth he was to be our rallying
voice.
Was
love at first sight?
Aye, indeed.
What
do you like most about Naed?
His courage, honor, loyalty, and how he treats me always as a lady
even while we steal away for oh-so-delicious kisses.
How
would you describe him?
Not tall, but strong, and ever so handsome with those green eyes and
that fiery hair.
How
would Naed describe you?
He thinks me beautiful, and I make him smile, a rare feat for all the
misery he’s carried.
What
made you choose the role of royalty?
‘Twas no choice to be born a lady, nor to be born last and the only
girl, or to lose a mother so early, but my father indulged me when I
wished to learn swordplay alongside my brothers. They, demons all,
ensured I paid with bruises for each lesson.
What
is your biggest fear?
That Naed will reject me when he learns of my warrior skills. His
womenfolk do not go about armed.
How
do you relax? If we
were not at war, mayhap hearing a bit of music or a tale of heroes
would serve, but I have time only for practicing swordplay with my
brother Toth as I take delight in the rare times I catch him unaware.
Who
is your favorite fictional character?
In the history of the Last Kingdom, which is nigh as much fiction as
history, Prince Tolem is my favorite. His was the right of succession
and our people follow him as he seeks to regain the Lost Crown.
What
is the best piece of advice you ever received?
My father’s first lesson of swordplay: “Use whatever’s to hand
or to foot.”
Lady
Raell, we thank you for taking time away from your duties to spend
time with us. You've given us added insight into the fascinating
novel. Now we'd like to chat with Helen.
What
movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer?
Too many to count. I studied English and German literature, so all
the grand tales of knights and fairy tales, plus Shakespeare,
Tolkien, Rick Riordan, and all things mystery. Disney movies, The
Princess Bride, Shrek, Avatar, The Lord of the Rings, Guardians of
the Galaxy, Downton Abbey, Pride and Prejudice—the
Colin Firth
version—and the Leverage
TV series—all things with wit and heart and a band of intrepid if
unlikely friends.
What
event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and
how do you feel it impacted the novel?
I’m a military brat, so I know what it’s like to be uprooted and
plopped down into an entirely different geography and culture as Lady
Raell is when she dashes off to join her beloved in Druemarwin. She’s
the Princess and the Pea in this situation, having to prove to his
people that she’s worthy of him and them, just as I had to
constantly find a way to fit in each new environment.
Tell
us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what
influenced your decision to submit to them?
The Wild Rose Press presented at a conference I attended, and I took
home materials. I was impressed with what they offered for my niche,
fantasy romance, so I submitted. I now have three books with TWRP.
What
book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile?
Too many to count, both in print and on my Kindle, mostly romantic
suspense of any kind. I just finished A
MURDEROUS RELATION by
Deanna Raybourn and THE
OUTLAW’S HEART by
my very good friend Amy Sandas.
Lastly,
what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves?
I hope to self-publish a children’s fantasy soon. Otherwise, I’m
working on a novella in the Crown of Tolem series.
Helen
brought an excerpt from Lord of Druemarwin:
“Raell,
now is not the time—”
Aye, it
wasn’t. They stood in torchlight on an open parapet while assassins
stalked them, but this might be her only chance to reach him across
that precipice he’d thrown up between them, to secure the future
they were meant to share.
“Does
my
honor mean naught? When weighed with D’nalian honor, is mine lesser
because ‘tis a woman’s honor? Or because ‘tis a Tolemak’s
honor? Be honest and tell me that.”
The world
had gone silent; Raell could hear nothing over the rush of blood in
her ears, the terrible heavy beats of her heart while she waited,
dizzy with fear, breathless with longing, for the man she loved to
respond with a word, a look, even a blink. Even a shift of his gaze
she’d take as a sign he’d at least heard, mayhap begun to
consider—
“Yes,
be honest, Lord
Naed,” said a voice she’d heard but once, a voice that raised all
the fine hairs on her body and made her innards contract into a cold,
tight knot. “Tell us both how much honor means to a bastard who’s
betrayed his countrymen and his blood.”
A bit
about our feature author:
Helen
C. Johannes writes award-winning fantasy romance inspired by the
fairy tales she grew up reading and the amazing historical places
she’s visited in England, Ireland, Scotland and Germany. She writes
tales of adventure and romance in fully realized worlds sprung from
pure imagination and a lifelong interest in history, culture, and
literature. Warriors on horseback, women who refuse to sit idly at
home, and passion that cannot be denied or outrun—that’s what
readers will find in her books.
To
learn more about our feature author, go to:
Contact
email: helen.c.johannes@gmail.com
To
purchase Lord of Druemarwin, go to:
Nook:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lord-of-druemarwin-helen-c-johannes/1134375458?ean=2940160729602
Sounds lovely! Good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting me today and for giving me an opportunity to introduce you to my heroine in her own voice. Thanks, too, for the fabulous review!
ReplyDeleteI loved getting to know your character and you more! Thank you for sharing, and best of luck with the book.
ReplyDelete