During her virtual book tour Gail will be giving away a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky, randomly chosen winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!
Bio:
Gail Z. Martin writes epic fantasy, urban fantasy and steampunk for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, SOL Publishing, Darkwind Press, and Falstaff Books. Recent books include Witch of the Woods, Sellsword’s Oath, Inheritance, and Night Moves. With Larry N. Martin, she is the co-author of the Spells Salt & Steel, Wasteland Marshals, Joe Mack and Jake Desmet series. As Morgan Brice, she writes urban fantasy MM paranormal romance including the Witchbane, Badlands and Treasure Trail series. Recent books include Loose Ends and Unholy.
Please share a little bit about your current release.
Sellsword’s Oath is the second book in the Assassins of Landria series. It follows the adventures of Joel “Ridge” Breckenridge and Garrett “Rett” Kennard, who are the two best King’s Shadows—elite assassins who protect the king and kingdom. Ridge and Rett are unconventional, they’re a headache to their boss, they suck at being stealthy, but they are fiercely loyal to the king and to their friends, and they will risk everything to protect the kingdom—even if doing so lands them on the ‘most wanted’ list!
What inspired you to write this book?
What inspired you to write this book?
My other three series of epic fantasy are more traditional—big books, complex plots, lots of characters. I wanted to write something that would provide all of the epic feels without the epic length, something for people who enjoy the genre but don’t have a lot of time to read. And I also wanted to do something lighter and funnier for a change.
Excerpt from Sellsword’s Oath:
“Moving along,” he said with a grimace, “there’s the matter of your next assignment. The Witch Lord has disappeared. We know he wasn’t killed or captured, but right now we have no idea where he’s gone. The nobles who supported him have either vanished, committed suicide, or been imprisoned for attempted treason. Some of us believe it’s only a matter of time before the Witch Lord makes another move, but until then, King Kristoph is eager to move on and put the incident behind him.”
Excerpt from Sellsword’s Oath:
“Moving along,” he said with a grimace, “there’s the matter of your next assignment. The Witch Lord has disappeared. We know he wasn’t killed or captured, but right now we have no idea where he’s gone. The nobles who supported him have either vanished, committed suicide, or been imprisoned for attempted treason. Some of us believe it’s only a matter of time before the Witch Lord makes another move, but until then, King Kristoph is eager to move on and put the incident behind him.”
Ridge thought the king didn’t want to look weak by dwelling on the attack. Kristoph had narrowly escaped death, and now he needed to show his enemies he was strong enough to take the matter in stride. That didn’t change the reality of Kristoph’s situation, and it presented a complication when it came to protecting him.
“Do you agree?” Rett asked.
Burke looked pained. “I serve the king, which requires doing what he asks and what he needs,” he added in a quiet voice. “So I am authorizing you to keep your ears open, but anything you find out—anything—you bring it to me before you act. Are we clear?”
Ridge and Rett nodded.
“In the meantime, I have a job for you. Those counterfeiters I mentioned before. Treason of a different kind.” He slid a folded paper across the table to Ridge.
“It’s your letter of marque to go after anyone illegally producing the coin of the realm,” Burke said. “We believe there’s a group set up near the border, where they can prey on merchants looking to exchange gold for Landrian currency. Counterfeiting is an act of violence against the king’s treasury and the realm itself. You’ll be passing as traders. Find the people responsible, destroy their forge, and end the threat. As quietly as possible.”
“Yes, sir,” Ridge replied.
“If in the course of your duties you learn more about the Witch Lord and his disciples, I’ll be fascinated to hear about it,” Burke added. “Now, finish your ale and go home. You’ll be leaving in the morning.”
What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m currently working on Reckoning, which is the third and final book in my Darkhurst epic fantasy series. Then later this spring, I’ll be working on Fugitive’s Vow, the sequel to Sellsword’s Oath!
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I started telling/writing stories when I was in elementary school. I realized it was actually a ‘job’ someone could do when I was 14, and that was my goal ever after!
Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
Yes, both my husband and I write full time from home. I tend to do administrative stuff like email and bills in the mornings, because I’m not a morning person, and then write in the afternoon and early evening. We have two dogs to keep us company and ‘manage’ us. It wouldn’t be very exciting to watch, because all the action is taking place in our heads!
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I drink a *lot* of coffee.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’ve pretty much always wanted to be a writer, except for when I wanted to join the Scooby Gang and solve mysteries.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
My Shadow Alliance reader group on Facebook is a fun place where I connect with readers, share photos and tidbits that relate to the books, and have some contests and surprises! Come join us:
Links:
Links:
And get a free complete short story, Catspaw, here: https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/UAjd6
Thank you for being a guest on my blog!
5 comments:
Thanks for hosting!
Thanks so much for both the book description and giveaway as well. I enjoy hearing about another good book.
Sounds like a great book.
Great cover, thanks for sharing!
I enjoyed the excerpt! Thank you for hosting.
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