Water Princess, Fire Prince (Author Interview)

 

It is my very good pleasure to introduce to you all, Kendra E. Ardnek, authoress supreme, wonderful friend, and just a fantastic and fun girl. As part of the festivities this week surrounding the release of her latest novel, Water Princess, Fire Prince, I was granted a very special interview! 

Be on the lookout for my full review of this wonderful novel on Saturday!!

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I know from a previous interview you mentioned a shower and a waterfall being the inspiration for the princess. What, pray, was the prince's inspiration? And why fire?

His inspiration were two simple little words: Love interest. Having declared this girl the Water Princess, I knew I didn't want full responsibility of this country to rest on her slim little shoulders. Why fire? Um, because it made a good contrast with water? I was young at the time.

Will there be other elements showing up in later books (as I found references to a series on your Pinterest board)?

Well, within the book itself, there is a Wind Prince and Leaf Princess. Beyond that, you'll have to wait and see. (Though, if you scan down the pinterest board, you'll see tags for at least a Light Prince, and a Flower Princess, but they're not in this book)

Who is your favorite minor character?

In this book? I'll go with Queen Kiona of Rizkaland. She's a character who I didn't exactly plan, but she walked into the book with a full-blown personality and a complicated backstory. She's fun to write, too.

 

If you could cast anyone (and I mean anyone) as the Water Princess and Fire Prince in a movie, who would you cast?

I know I want Eddie Redmayne for the Fire Prince, but I'm still considering my options for the Water Princess. My first choice was Annasophia Robb, but she's lost a bit of her baby face since then. One of my beta readers suggested Saxon Sharbino, and while she looks perfect, she's a bit too tall. Choices, choices, here.

What other stories do you think WPFP compares best to?

Hmm... Well, I do call the series itself a YA version of Narnia, because it has the same magic, and deals with similar issues, though in a more mature fashion.

There are also elements of Doctor Who.

Is the book's ending exactly as you pictured it when you began writing?

It's very different, because many of the circumstances changed over the course of writing (i.e. I moved the initial setting from Hawaii to Texas), but the heart's the same.

I know from experience how tedious editing can be. What did you find to help the process along as you edited this story?

A group of girls who beta read it for me and then started fangirling so hard, I gave them a secret group on Goodreads, and then a secret pinterest board.

 

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And just one snippet of the story to whet your appetite. You're welcome.

 

“I’ll decide if there’s a quarrel or not,” the girl hissed. She spun back around to face Andrew. “I don’t believe it. You’re too clumsy to be the Fire Prince.”

Clumsy. Well, that was a new one.

“Well, I came out of the Firefall,” Andrew protested.

Her already narrow blue eyes narrowed even further. “So you say.”

Suddenly something clicked in Andrew’s head. She’d been quoting books from his world, including Alice in Wonderland. That meant that she must come from his world. And she fought. Very well.

“You’re the Water Princess,” he realized, wanting desperately to be wrong. She was gorgeous, and that was half the problem. The other problem was that she was staring up at him from the hilt of his sword.

“Well, well,” she said, with mocking surprise. “You can figure something out on your own after all. Yes, I’m the Water Princess, and I am not impressed.” She waved with his sword. “Turn around and march. I can ask questions of you far better at my own camp. And you, Lord Abraham, had best follow, unless you want me to give you a reason.”

 

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Stop by Kendra's blog for the full tour schedule! You won't want to miss one moment of the fun!

Half-Blood Review & Author Interview

Review first!

How Jaye knew we needed this book before we even asked for it still amazes me. I absolutely loved Resistance and I've been dying to get my hands on a copy of The King's Scrolls. Jace has proven himself an epic character again and again in my mind, so to get a chance to take a peek into his life before Rayad was truly amazing. If you call yourself any kind of fan of Jaye Knight's work, then you simply must read this book.

First off, it was a lot shorter than Resistance. I really wasn't sure what to expect reading this prequel, but even from my confused thoughts, Jaye blew me quickly away. I had been afraid at first to dive into it, lest by some terrible design the character of Jace that I had grown to respect in Resistance be damaged. Nope. No way. Instead, this novella opened up an entire new world of understanding who he really was. It added so much depth to him. I was dumbstruck. Pretty much.

I love that Jaye starts out with Jace as a younger boy. She takes us through his childhood, how he grows, what he learns from those he comes in contact with. The foreshadowing... the suspense... the desires... the pain. Wow. Instead of just throwing us directly into his gladiator fights with Jasper, Jaye gave us to see Jace before the fights. 

But the fights themselves! *whistles* I was concerned with how Jaye might handle the progress of the fights, as there were many of them over the course of... quite a long time. But she did marvelously. There were times I felt I was at the arena with Jace - fighting with him, or yelling from the sidelines. He lived up to every one of my expectations and hopes... and then of course, Jasper walked on the scene, and my heart just broke for Jace. 

Really, what more can I say than this book is a must for all Ilyon fans, fantasy lovers, and adventure nerds alike? I give five stars whole-heartedly.    

Advisory: Quite a bit of violence as Jace fights different opponents/enemies, so please expect some descriptions of that. Several characters are wounded and, as a result of his fighting, more than one death follows Jace, haunting him. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

*Please note that I was given an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.* 

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For those of you who were interested, this book review will show up later this month on my book review blog, KiriBeth. I am so honored to have been able to review this novella for Jaye. 

Okay, ready for that interview now? *grins*

Half-Blood is a prequel to the Ilyon Chronicles, focusing on everybody's favorite - Jace. What inspired you to write his backstory?

I had Jace’s backstory in my mind for a very long time. I mean, as a writer, you have to know all such details about your characters. I always wanted to write it, but the ideas sat for a while, until this last winter. I thought I would write a short story that started just before he met Rayad and tell that meeting from Jace’s point of view. Once I started it, however, it grew and grew until it spanned several years and was novella length instead of a short story. As tragic as his story is, I’m happy readers will be able to read it because it shows so clearly why he is the way he is and exactly what he has to overcome.

Did you find that exploring his background in this novella changed your perspective of Jace?

I wouldn’t say it has that much, though I didn’t realize just how compassionate he was all through his life until I wrote it. I certainly did discover some things he went through that I never knew before though. And having it all written down is sure to help as I build on his character over the next few books, especially in book three in which a lot of things from his past are brought up.

Let's look forward into the Ilyon Chronicles. Might you share a bit of an adventure coming for Jace and his friends?

Well, how about a little scene from Samara’s Peril? :)

  

The sun was only just lighting the way when Jace and the others rode up to Marlton Hall the next morning. Most of the countryside was still asleep, and they hoped to be off before too many noticed their departure. Trask dismounted first and knocked on the back door. Sir John answered it, spilling light into the yard, and invited everyone inside. Anne and Lady Catherine greeted them as they entered.

Sir John closed the door behind them and gestured to the dining room table. “I have the uniforms for each of you.”

While Anne took Kyrin upstairs to change, the men stepped to the table and donned their uniforms—a deep blue and black tabard with a white dove in the center of the chest. Jace pulled his on over his shirt and buckled on his belt. Looking over the others, he found they made a diverse group, but in matching uniforms, no one would ever guess their true identities or intentions.

His eyes shifted to Trask and Sir John. They may have agreed to this, but neither one looked fully on board. If he thought it would make them feel any better, he would have told them that anyone intending harm to either Kyrin or Anne would have to kill him first, and the same went for every man in the group. He tested his sword in its sheath, making sure it didn’t stick. He’d just put a razor edge on it and his dagger the night before.

A few minutes later, Anne returned with Kyrin who wore a nondescript gray traveling dress and white cap. She looked the part of a servant, though it didn’t make her any less attractive. But Jace only let this thought form for a moment and nothing more. He’d determined not to let his feelings overshadow his reason and common sense as they nearly had yesterday.

Thank you so much, Jaye! I'm really looking forward to reading more of the Ilyon Chronicles!

Also, wonderful world of blogger, be sure to check out my post earlier today and enter the Ilyon-themed giveaway!

Water Princess, Fire Prince - Interview and Cover Reveal

My good friend Kendra is publishing another book! How that wonderful girl manages to give us so many books so quickly I'll never know, but she is an amazing authoress. 

Today, I have the great pleasure of participating in Kendra's cover reveal for Water Princess, Fire Prince. I know you all are eager to see the cover, but I must needs post an interview first. Just be patient, folks. *winks*

Ready?

Ah, my dear Kendra, what originally gave you the inspiration for this story? Any specific pictures that spurred the plot onward?

The story first came to me in the shower, in the form of the random thought, "Hey, wouldn't it be cool if I were to blink and suddenly find myself under a waterfall? I could be a Waterfall Princess!"

As for visual inspiration, this book was mostly plotted by the time that I discovered Pinterest, and skimming down my Rizkaland Pinterest board, I'm not seeing anything that really influenced the plot. Well, there's this pin ... 

{source} Clara likes rewording this quote.

Now, let's ask her brilliant characters (Clara and Andrew) a question. What's the most important thing you've learned on this journey? The most practical thing?

Clara: I'd say the most important thing I've learned is that I don't have to do it on my own. It's not the end of the world to have people relying on me, because I can rely on them right back, most of the time.

Andrew: I'd say the most practical thing I've learned is how to defend myself. It was rather useful, what with the war and all that.

This question is for Kendra, Clara, and Andrew: What is the best way to spend an evening after a long day of adventuring?

Clara: Curled up with a good book.

Andrew: With a good, homecooked meal.

Me: Good book and good food.

I really like how the common thread in that last question was food and books. I approve immensely. 

And now on to the cover reveal...

Ta-dah!

Ain't it purty? *grins* I won't gush.

About the book:

When the Lady Dragon does come,

Hold fast, do not fear, do not run.

Your Water Princess will fight,

Fire Prince will set all to right.

Each shall come from a Fall,

Their union will save you all.

Despite the fact that she's on track for competing in the Olympics, and he's practically raised his younger brothers since they lost their mom in a car accident, Clara Mandras and Andrew Stevenson are pretty much normal teens. They have normal hopes, normal dreams, and they live in a normal world.

All this is torn away from them when they are thrust into another world and declared Water Princess and Fire Prince. With no experience ruling a country, meeting each other for the first time, and being expected to fight the Lady Dragon – an evil sorceress plaguing the world of Rizkaland – Clara and Andrew are underprepared and inexperienced. Unless they learn to work together despite their standing opposition, Rizkaland's hope will be lost. 

What is to come will change their lives forever.

Where can you go to learn more about this book? I'm so glad you asked!

Check out Kendra's blog for more information on the blog tour for Water Princess, Fire Prince. Also, be sure to browse the following links! Water Princess, Fire Prince is all over the place! 

~ Available for kindle preorder: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Princess-Prince-Rizkaland-Legends-ebook/dp/B00YTQBTDI/  $2.99 the 19th and 20th ONLY (at which point I’ll put it up to its official price of 3.99)

~ Add it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24022364-water-princess-fire-prince

~ Part 1’s first chapter: http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2014/12/water-princess-chapter-1.html 

~ Part 2’s first chapter: http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2014/12/fire-prince-chapter-1.html 

About the lovely authoress:

Kendra E. Ardnek loves fairy tales and twisting them in new and exciting ways.  She's been practicing her skills on her dozen plus cousins and siblings for years, "Finish your story, Kendra", is frequently heard at family gatherings.  Her sole life goal has always been to grow up and be an author of fantasy and children's tales that also glorify God and his Word. You can read more about her on her blog, knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com.

Interview with Robin and Madeline

 

 If you're not familiar already with Kendra's Bookania Quests, you don't know what you're missing. I've already reviewed the first of the series, Sew, It's a Quest, on KiriBeth, and I'm hoping to get one up of Do You Take This Quest? before too long. Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to the third installment, My Kingdom for a Quest! You should can purchase the first two books on Amazon. LINK.

Today's interview is with two very special characters from the world of Bookania: Robin and Madeleine. Robin is the best swordsman in the world, and Madeleine is her great-great-aunt who's a brilliant artist. Robin doesn't trust Madeleine.

 

Here we go!

Madeline {source}

Robin {source}

1. Do you have any special pets?

Robin: My red horse, Snow. She and I are close. Very close ... but Kendra says that to tell you anything more would be spoilers for the next book. I don't see why, but anyways.

 

Madeleine: I have a appaloosa named Splatter, but I'm not nearly as close to her as Robin is to Snow.

2. I know that your story is based on a fairytale/myth. Could you tell us which one? Also, if you were to choose another fairytale/myth to be the star of, which one would you choose and why?

Robin: I'm the twin sister to Sleeping Beauty's prince and, apparently, I'm the Lady of the Lake. Which basically meant that I gave Arthur his picky sword. Honestly, I don't mind them too much. Would have preferred it if the forest hadn't eaten Robert while he was trying to rescue Rosamond, but it's in the past now and he's all right. She's all right too, for the record.

 

Madeleine: I'm one of the princesses who fell asleep at Sleeping Beauty's party, and I'm involved in Arthur's story ... not exactly sure how ... maybe I'm Morgana. Yeah, that would be interesting.

 

Robin: And now she's off practicing her evil laugh ... I just thought she was creepy enough to begin with.

3. What's the best way to spend a slow summer evening?

Robin: Swordfighting Eric. Best way to speed up any summer evening. And when get tired of it, there's always chess.

 

Madeleine: Painting.

 

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Don't forget to stop by Kendra's blog to check out the whole party! She's celebrating 5 years as a blogger and 3 years as an author! Very exciting stuff!

 

God bless!

Interview with Riley and Roxanne

See? I told you there'd be more interviews! Today, in Kendra's party (VISIT HER BLOG HERE) she's featuring her story HaV Academy which she describes as the following:


HaV Academy is an exclusive - and mandatory - boarding school to train superheros and supervillains. Once they assign you to your place, there's no changing it. To break the rules of their game will mean your death. Story of three attendies and how they coped.

Riley and Roxanne are the two characters participating in the interview today. Just for a little background, they are Twin Supers; she's a villain with Rock Manipulation, and he's a hero who can control plants.

 

Ready?

1. What's the greatest lie your friends may believe?

Roxanne: That the heroes are something special, and that villains are the problem.

 

Riley: That just because they're trapped in a life, they have to let it control them. My sister seems ruled by that philosophy.

Roxanne {source}

 

 2. I noticed a lot of masks on your story's Pinterest board. What does a mask mean personally to you?

Roxanne: Something you hide behind because you're to ashamed of yourself and you don't want  to let people see you for the real you.

 

Riley: A fun disguise.

Riley {source}

 

3. Favorite color, and why it's your favorite?

Roxanne: Black - The color of my villainous soul.

 

Riley: Will you quit with the dramatics? I think I would have to go with green, the color of life.

 

God bless!

Interview with Obsidia and Nadilynn

It's August 1st, which means today's the day to feature Kendra and Jack's story Worth of a King! Two great authors collaborating... this book is going to be amazing. I just know it.

Anywhoz, I have another interview! And yup, they're two characters from Worth of a King! About them:

Obsidia is the daughter of the former king. Nadilynn is the daughter of the king who killed Obsidia's father. Despite that, there aren't any hard feelings between them (at least not on that account) and Obsidia is even engaged to Nadilynn's brother.

Ready? 

Obsidia {source}

1. What is your favorite meal and what do you usually eat at it?

Obsidia: Breakfast because it's served in my room and I can be alone while eating it. I don't know why eating should be a social affair. I usually have eggs and toast.

Nadilynn: Dinner, because that's when all of the important guests are there and I can overhear all sorts of important conversations. We have all sorts of things, like stuffed duck, and roasted peacock. 

2. Your opinion on books?

Nadilynn: I think they're boring, but Obsidia and Delaney can't keep their noses out of them. That's how I knew they were destined for each other.

Obsidia: You just answered a question for me.

Nadilynn: Yep - don't mind, do you?

Obsidia: Not really.

Nadilynn {source}

3. What's the most foolish thing you've ever done? The hardest thing you've ever done?

Nadilynn: That is technically two questions.

Obsidia: If you want, we can each take one.

Nadilynn: That sounds just brilliant. I'll do the foolish one, since I am the foolish one in the family. 

Obsidia: It works for me.

Nadilynn: Well then, the most foolish thing I ever did was accept a dare from Delaney to read the thickest book in the library. It was the dullest five hours of my life.

Obsidia: You didn't have to read it all in one sitting.

Nadilynn: Yes I did! Delaney sat there and watched me the whole time!

Obsidia: Anyway, the hardest thing I ever did was my first ball. I'm really not a people person ... and all those people ... but I am a princess, and it was my duty to attend ...

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And don't forget to stop by Kendra's blog for more of her party!

God bless!

Interview With Ennion

Today I have the great pleasure of sharing with you all a very special interview. My good friend Jack of However Improbable is releasing the second book of The Loyalty Trilogy, and to celebrate the occasion, she asked for us to interview her characters. 

Click here to read my review of this book!

Personally, I had a hard time picking just one character to interview. I managed to whittle it down to Ennion and Stefan, but they're both really awesome characters, so how could I pick between them? But... I did. My obsession with elves pushed through, and now I am pleased to introduce you all to Jack's lovable, and extremely fun elf... Ennion.

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Welcome, Ennion! First off, I'd like to know... is there any special significance about your name?

Probably not. You see, I wasn't supposed to be in the book for more then one chapter. I - had to dig deep into my unlimited source of charm to convince Jack to let me stay. She was really mad about it for about a year afterward and she kept threatening to kill me off. So for future reference, having an amazing about of charm can really be life saving.

Haha! I've had some characters who are like that. But, oddly enough, they often turn out to be the favorites. *cough* But don't dwell on that too much. Next question... What is your favourite memory?

Probably the day I was walking through the forest and I met this young man who later introduced me to a girl and a runaway prince. Because that was what lead me to finding the friends who have become my family.

So, just because I love music, what song do you think sums up your life?

Dante's Prayer. (I forget the name of the lady who sings it. Jack said it is going to come out more, somethings about my past and how the song might fit me, in book three. I just nod when she talks and pretends she is making sense, you can do the same.)

From Jack's board on Pinterest.

If you knew you were to die tomorrow, what would you do today? What would be your biggest regret?

Oh, now we're getting to serious questions, are we? I thought you liked me, now you want me dead? I am getting mixed emotions here.

If I was going to die anyways I would confront the princes - Lachlan's brothers - and make sure they were never able to do anything to hurt him. 

My biggest regret? I have to just narrow it down to one? Well, there is this thing, with my cousin....but, we can save that for later.

Sorry, Ennion. I just like to throw a few deep questions in to make people think. I must say, I'm intrigued by your answers. What's the greatest life your friends may believe?

This is getting a little awkward. Um....the lie that I am always happy. 

Okey dokey... time for something lighter. :) What's the best way to spend a slow summer evening?

Okay, this is better.

Sitting out by the river that runs past my home. My cousin and I used to swim there almost every day in the summer when we were younger.

Favourite colour, and why it's your favourite?

Orange, because it reminds me of fall and I love fall. Simple enough.

Ah! Orange is a favorite of mine, too! After blue, of course. Now... your opinion on books?

One can never have too many. And there need to be more new ones, because I keep running out.

Again, from Jack's board.

Do you have any special pets?

You mean besides Golon? I am going to pay for that later.

I wouldn't say this out loud, but I'd count Golon. I mean, my one and only, favorite brother is my family's pet. But we love him to death all the same. *shrugs* Last question: What's the most foolish thing you've ever done? The hardest thing you've ever done?

They are the same, and they go along with the best thing I've ever done. Following an amazing girl all around the Nation and trying not to strangle a Dwarf. 

~*~*~*~ 

Thank you so much, Ennion, for agreeing to this interview! Readers, be sure to check out Jack's blog for more news/information/fun stuff about A Test of Loyalty!

God bless!

Interview with Tabetha and Melisza

It is my great pleasure to introduce you to two of Kendra's marvelous characters, both of whom make an appearance in her story The New Division. You can learn more about this story on Kendra's blog, so be certain to visit. And yes, if you didn't know this already, this post is part of Kendra's big (as my friend Kathryn dubbed it) 5&3 celebration (5 years a blogger, 3 years an author).  

Today's interview is with Tabetha Harsha and Melisza Lilna, two girls who, despite their friendship, end up on opposite sides of the division.

Tabetha {source}

1. What's your favorite memory?

Melisza: We didn't have a very bright childhood - we've grown up at an orphanage - but I do remember one time Mrs. Arden let me try on some of her jewels - she and her husband used to be rich, but their company fell through with the Great Depression. She's sold most of them by now, to help keep us children fed, but they were oh, so pretty.

Tabetha: There was an older girl who used to pick on us, because we looked different, because we didn't speak English very well. I remember well the day when I was strong enough to make her shut up.

Melisza: You got in big trouble for that.

Tabetha: But she never bothered us again, so it was worth it.

2. If you knew you were to die tomorrow, what would you do today? What would be your biggest regret?

Melisza: I would do something, anything to ... just be friends with Tabetha again. Just one more time. It's not her fault that she's a Harsha, any more than it's mine that I'm a Lilna. My biggest regret is that I've allowed them to make her a servant. I'm sure there's something I could do about it, but ...

Tabetha: Jaqob and I can handle ourselves, you don't have to worry about us, Lisza. 

Melisza: But it is wrong.

Tabetha: We're fine. If I were to die tomorrow, I would take some of those stuck-up Lilnia with me, and my greatest regret would be that I've allowed them to lord over me. Not Melisza, though. It's not her fault. Alistaar is another issue, but Melisza just needs to stay out of trouble.

Melisza {source}

3. Any special significance about your name?

Tabetha: I'm named after one of Kendra's best friends as a kid, but other than that, not really. 

Melisza: Same here, except that it was a lady at church that Kendra highly respects.

~*~*~*~

Be sure to check back in the next few days as I'll be interviewing more of Kendra's characters! And make sure you get on over to Knitted By God's Plan for more party fun! Kendra's introducing new games and other fantastical posts!

And just for fun, here's the mock cover I made for this story. I stole the picture off Kendra's Pinterest page and had fun with it. Technically, it's wrong because the trees in the story don't look like that, but I still thought it was a cool picture. And yes, I was pleased with how the cover as a whole turned out. 

God bless!