Interview with fantasy author Rival Gates

My special guest today is Rival Gates. We’re chatting about his new fantasy novel, Mandrean Revenge.

Bio:

Rival Gates has lived extensively in both Canada and the United States. He currently resides in Nebraska, USA. The son of an editor and English teacher, he began planning his series during his teen years. The Sapphire Chronicles took shape in his mind and manifested themselves into the first book in the series, Quest for the Red Sapphire. It was released in 2013 and caught the attention of readers. The following year, The Sapphire Crucible was published feeding the appetite of the growing number of fans of the series. Crucible answered many questions and raised others. Now the newest installment of the chronicles is out in Mandrean Revenge where Gates takes us once again back into the fray. Gates likes to develop strong characters and place them in difficult situations to create tension. He enjoys spending his spare time with his family and dreaming up new stories.

Welcome, Rival. Please tell us about your current release.

It has been more than 2 years since the half elf, Linvin Grithinshield returned from his life altering quest with the Red Sapphire as his prize in the medieval world of Letheria. Apart from surviving the regular assassination attempts he thought life had returned to normal. Far to the north in the Mandrean Empire, however, trouble was festering. In spite of Linvin’s best efforts, Lord Mandrean the 13^th survived their confrontation and has been plotting his reprisal. With his empire on the verge of revolt he needs a show of force to display his dominance. Dispatching Linvin in front of his subjects would fill that role most handsomely. With the help of his evil Necromancer, Mandrean kidnaps Linvin’s Uncle Anvar. The elderly elf is the closest family Linvin has remaining and has been a father figure to him for much of his life. The emperor promises to release Anvar only after Linvin has surrendered himself for execution. Though Mandrean’s word has slight credibility, Linvin is given a terrible decision to make. With little choice Linvin sees no other option but to set out for the empire. He cannot delay as Anvar’s life will expire at the first frost of fall. That will become more troubling by the obstacles he faces along the way. Can Linvin reach the empire in time to sacrifice himself in Anvar’s place? Will Lord Mandrean kill them both? Or maybe, just maybe, Linvin can pull another miracle and save them both. One way or another, blood will be shed.

What inspired you to write this book?

I had always wanted to do a story where there could be no foreseeable happy ending. It makes the reader try to figure it out throughout the entire read. They will be hard pressed to find an easy answer to this problem. To make it even more difficult for Linvin, I threw in a huge obstacle.

Excerpt from Mandrean Revenge:

The beggar had observed the conversation but could not hear

what was said. When the officer came near, the man’s face became

concerned. He clenched his satchel and put it over his shoulder.

“You on the corner!” called the constable. “That’s no place for

you to stay. This is a busy intersection!”

The man looked at the empty streets. “It isn’t busy now,” he

noted.

“All the same,” the policeman answered. “Come with me, and

8

I’ll see that you get a bed to sleep in and some good home

cooking.”

The man was surprisingly distraught. “That’s real nice, sir, but

I’m waiting for a friend.”

“You can wait at the eatery. I’m walking a beat all night. If

anything moves in this town, I’ll see it. Now come on. I will not be

dissuaded in this matter.”

The man reluctantly took to his feet. Then his demeanor

changed most abruptly. “Please show me the way,” the man said in

a cheery voice. He followed the constable down the street and out

of Linvin’s sight.

“So how far is this place?” the man said while looking around.

“Not far,” replied the constable. “Their stew is my favorite.

Morda also can cook a bird that tastes…”

The man tapped him on the shoulder. When he turned to see the

human, he was caught off guard. The man thrust his ridged fingers

into the constable’s esophagus. The action crushed his windpipe

and dropped the elf in moments.

Jumping on the officer, the man put his hand over the elf’s

mouth to remove any chance of noise. The man scanned

completely around him while his victim’s eyes bulged and then

moved no more.

He closed the constable’s eyes. If you had kept your nose out of

this, you might still be alive. He dragged the elf off the road and

hid him in some bushes. You chose the wrong night to patrol town.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am working on the next book in the Sapphire Chronicles, Book 4. It is ready to go to the publisher. Fans will love it and have some big surprises.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I wrote for years but did not consider myself a writer until my first book was published.

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?

I have a day job in retail that takes much of my time. I write on my days off. It is hard to find the time to write. I have to set aside time to write and work on my books. Then I need complete quiet.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I have to sit in a rocking chair when I write. When I need to think I just rock back.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a writer since I was 13. Other than that I wanted to be the General Manager of an NFL team.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I highly recommend the first two books in the series available on Amazon: Quest for the Red Sapphire and The Sapphire Crucible.

Read what you love and love what you read!

Links:

Web Site | Blog | Amazon | Book Trailer

Thanks, Rival. All the best with your writing!

Interview with author D.J. Davis about paranormal romantic suspense novel

I’m chatting with D.J. Davis today about her new paranormal romantic suspense novel, Summer Star.

During her virtual book tour, D.J. will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn 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:

D.J. Davis is a Colorado native and the rugged high country sets the scene for her stories. When she's not writing, she can be found hiking with her dogs, photographing the wildlife, or camping with her husband. A Great Dane runs her life.

A portion of each sale of her novel Courageous Cain will be donated to Big Bones Canine Rescue in Windsor, Colorado. Help us help big dogs in need.

Welcome, D.J. Please share a little bit about your current release.

Loner and history buff Troy Hart gets more than he bargained for when his psychic connection to the past leads him to the mountains of Colorado. The legend of buried treasure is nothing new, but falling in love is—and that’s the last thing Troy wants.

Troy’s visions of the old west are all fun and games, until the ghost of an outlaw forces Troy to fulfill his dying wish. To save his own life, and the life of the woman he loves, Troy must follow the trail of greed, betrayal and revenge on a treasure hunt for lost Civil War gold.

Now the fun is over and the game is survival as Troy battles the elements, a dead man, and his own heart deep in the remote high country. 

What inspired you to write this book?

I live in the mountains of Colorado. While exploring the back country, I sometimes find old relics, things people lost or threw away a century ago. I always wish I could touch them and see their past: who owned them, how they lost the item, what happened to them. My character, Troy Hart, can do just that. And it gets him into a lot of trouble.


Excerpt from Summer Star:
Protect her, now that was funny. How was he supposed to do that when he couldn’t begin to protect himself? And who said she wanted his protection in the first place? Probably slam her knee into his balls if he tried that hero shit with her. Which was a relief, really. Just thinking about Matthew was asking for migraine mania. She was the Knight, right? Maybe she could protect him instead. That was a stupid id—
The shadow was back, moving through the timber a dozen yards away.
“Troy, what is it?”
He pointed. “Do you see something in the trees? An animal maybe?”
She peered in the direction he was pointing, moving her head from left to right. “No, nothing.”
The shadow tracked the movement of her gaze, silently slipping to the right through the underbrush. When she looked back to the left, it went left. When she stopped, it stopped. Je-sus. “It’s moving, see?”
She squinted then shook her head. “Nothing. Anything moving in that thick brush would make noise.”
A branch—or an arm—rose from the shadow and pointed at her, then toward the road. His headache escalated to migraine status. Troy got the point and nodded at the shadow. It vanished and most of the pain went with it, but not all. Someone or something didn’t want Summer here.
“Are you all right? You’re pale.”
“Fine. Just a headache.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“No. I get them from time to time.” He kept a close eye on the trees as they joined the others at the fire pit. Troy couldn’t see the shadow, but he could sense it, lurking and watching. Waiting.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m currently editing a modern day western in which a widowed rancher must battle to save his ranch from an unknown predator and his heart from the haunting memory of his lost wife. I’m also a third of the way through the first draft of a romantic suspense.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Sometimes I still don’t. Summer Star is my second published novel and the experience is all shiny new. Maybe tomorrow. 

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?

I write in spurts. I enjoy wildlife and landscape photography, I raise cattle, and I am the bookkeeper at my husband’s business. I squeeze in my writing time based on the weather, the animals, and so on.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I like to jot down story ideas and character sketches in a notebook outside. I wrote the premise for Summer Star while I was leaned against a crumbling old miner’s cabin at 12,000 feet elevation in the mountains near my home. I can think of no better way to capture the details of a wilderness setting than by putting myself into it.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A veterinarian. I worked for many years as a veterinary assistant and that was close enough. I also wanted to be a dog trainer. Dogs are a huge part of my life. I have three at the moment so I am a their trainer. On the other hand, a Great Dane runs my life, so maybe I’m the trainee instead when it comes to her. 

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. The support I’ve received has been overwhelming and humbling.

Links:

Website | Amazon author page | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Champagne Books

Thank you for being a guest on my blog!

Thank you for hosting me. It was a privilege to be here.

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