The characters are from Sentinals Banished, the 5th book in the Sentinal series- though these events are all made up for the #12DaysOfTurvywriting challenge and are out of sequence and do not exist in the book.
Chatacters:
Leyarille is Jerrol and Taelia’s daughter, born at the beginning of Book 4, Sentinals Across time. She is now 17, as is Jared, Alyssa and Jennery’s second son.
Marianille and Birlerion are Sentinals, and step-brother/Step-sister.
Niallerion is a sentinal and Marianille’s husband.
Dec1. Weather. #12DaysofTurvy
A cold draught swept into the room as Leyarille hurried through the door surrounded in flurries of snow. “It’s getting heavier,” she said as she shook the flakes out of her cloudy brown hair.
Jared peered over the back of his chair and scowled at her as he tugged the rug tighter around his shoulders. “Shut the door!” With a shiver, he sank deeper in his chair and stretched his long legs out before the crackling fire. “It’s a bit early for snow in Old Vespers, isn’t it?”
Marianille laughed from her seat opposite him where she was busy darning a shirt. “You get snow in Deepwater too. This is not so unusual.”
“But it doesn’t usually lay this early.”
“Don’t be such a baby and don’t hog the fire.” Leyarille complained as she shrugged out of her cloak and came to join them. She sat on the floor and toasted her numb fingers before the flames.
“Where’s Birlerion?” Jared asked, moving his legs out of her way.
“Settling Kino in the stables. He’s no more a fan of snow than you are.”
“Not surprised, seeing as Darian’s hail from Terolia. What I wouldn’t give for the deserts right now,” Jared said.
“You’d be complaining it’s too hot,” Leyarille replied.
“No, I wouldn’t.”
“Seeing as neither of you have ever been to the desert—” Marianille broke off as the door blew open and her brother, Birlerion, entered. He quickly shut it and surveyed the cosy scene before the fire.
Leaning against the door, he tugged off his gloves. His silver eyes, like Marianille’s and Leyarille’s gleamed in the lamplight, and his black hair glistened with melting snow. “Well, you all look snug,” he said as he unfastened his cloak. “You’d better make the most if it, because Niallerion is going to be freezing by the time he gets home from the Chapterhouse.”
Marianille tutted. “He spends far too much time in those underground chambers. I wish the scholars would stop finding them. I’d better get the soup on.”
“I’ll do it. You stay by the fire,” Birlerion said as he hung up his cloak and entered the kitchen. The sound of pots clanging made Marianille wince, but she stayed in her chair.
Leyarille stared at the fire. “It’ll be strange not going home to Stoneford for year end,” she said.
Marianille leaned forward and squeezed her shoulder. “We’ll have fun here. You wait and see!”
Today, I am talking with fantasy author Jennifer Becker about her debut novel Through Fire and Ruin.
Helen: Welcome Jennifer, I am so excited that we get to chat about your first ever book today!! Tell us about Through Fire & Ruin.
Jennifer:Through Fire & Ruin is the first book in a New Adult fantasy trilogy. It’s written in dual POV and follows Lora, who crosses over into the fae land from the human world after a deadly virus sweeps Earth, and Amira, a fae princess, who is trying to leave her past behind her.
It’s full of badass characters, fae, witches, villains you’ll definitely hate, intriguing love interests, magic, court politics, power games, fancy parties, and romance—I love adding in romance. This one has the enemies-to-lovers trope and all the tension that goes with it.
Through Fire & Ruin covers themes such as promises, lies, trust, holding onto hope and accepting oneself.
Helen: It sounds amazing, and I love your cover. It’s beautiful and very atmospheric.
Jennifer: The cover symbolizes the fae and human land and how both mirror each other in some ways. The colours are based on the royal colours of the fae kingdom Turosian, where most of the story takes place. In the fae world of Liraen, a shooting star symbolizes ruin, which fits the theme of the book (which is also why it’s also part of the title). I really love how the cover turned out and the moody, dramatic, epic vibe it has.
Helen: I am so thrilled to be talking to you about your debut novel. Congratulations on finishing and publishing it. Such a great achievement. What made you write this particular story?
Jennifer: The idea started during the first lockdown back in 2020. With the whole Covid situation, I had this image in my mind of a girl trying to find a cure for a virus in the fae land and then things evolved from there. The plot and characters changed a lot during our brainstorming sessions, but Lora and her goal has always remained the same.
Helen: Lockdown inspired many creative projects. I think it made people really think about what was happening around them. What made you first start writing?
Jennifer: I’ve pretty much always been an avid reader but I didn’t start writing regularly until a few years ago, actually. When I was in school, I would write a bit every now and then, but nothing was ever finished. I had this thought in my head that writing a book would be crazy and I could never pull it off. Then during my studies (I was a film student), I got into writing scripts which was the first time I saw myself as a writer. Then Corona happened and as it did for everyone else, life changed. The lockdown was a very weird and depressing time. One day, I was talking to one of my best friends, Alice, and we kind of jokingly decided to come up with an idea for a book and write something for fun. The idea of publishing wasn’t even on the table at first. It was all just for fun and maybe that’s why I wasn’t afraid to try. It quickly became much more than a fun story that would never see the light of day. I’ve grown attached to our characters and their stories. I’ve put parts of myself into it and seeing people relate to it and enjoy the story means the world. I really can’t imagine not writing now. Now I’m really in it.
Helen: That’s so great. A writing buddy keeps you accountable and having someone to sound ideas against is amazing. Though I think there is an art to co-writing a book! What is your preferred genre to write?
Jennifer: I write fantasy romance. Fantasy and its unlimited possibilities is so much fun to write and romance just makes it even more exciting!
Helen: If you didn’t write fantasy which genre would you like to try?
Jennifer: There’s something about a cute contemporary romance novel. When I’m feeling down and I don’t have much time to read, I always tend to pick up a contemporary romance— preferably one that I can finish reading in one sitting. I love writing dialogue and I love writing anything romance related, so I can picture myself writing in this genre too one day.
Helen: I know this can be a tough question, but who is your favourite character from your book?
Jennifer: My MC Lora. She was the first character we came up with and I’ve grown really attached to her. I’ve put parts of myself in her and I want to see her happy. But if that was always the case, it would be a pretty boring book 😉 I love how fierce she is, even when she’s terrified.
Helen: A powerful female MC, excellent. If your Main Character, Lora, could answer, why would she say we should read your book?
Jennifer: You should read this book to follow me as I go on an insane adventure in the fae land. I have to find myself and see my own strength, while navigating through a lot of darkness. I think that’s something a lot of us can relate to.
If you love stories with fae, court politics, badass female characters, dual POV (who are not love interests), slow-burn romance with some spice, plot twists, a mix of urban and high fantasy, then this is the book for you.
Helen: Ooh she sounds convincing! So as you revel in the excitement of launching your first book, what’s next? Do you have another project oin the works?
Jennifer: My co-author Alice and I are currently working on book 2 of the Through Fire & Ruin series which I’m already so excited about sharing, even though it won’t be out until 2023. Book 2 will have more POVs which has been fun but challenging to write. It’s definitely shaking up character dynamics and the stakes are higher than ever! I can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks of it.
Helen: Sounds like you are very busy! How do you fit writing in your daily life?
Jennifer: I wish I had a good answer to this, but honestly I’m still trying to figure out how to juggle my job, my writing, my other creative projects, and my remaining social life haha It’s a struggle that I know many indie authors share. For now, I fit it in by sacrificing sleep and being a workaholic.
Helen: Could you share three random facts about yourself?
Jennifer: I’m a film grad (but really I should have a degree in binge-watching Netflix haha)
I eat way too much popcorn but don’t regret it.
I have a habit of listening to one song on repeat until I get sick of it.
Helen: Do you have time to read in your busy life? Who are your favourite authors?
Jennifer: Some of my favourite authors include Jennifer L. Armentrout, Cassandra Clare, Sarah J. Maas, Holly Black and Leigh Bardugo.
Helen: Excellent choices. Being a debut author, do you have any advice for aspiring writers hoping to be in your position one day?
Jennifer: You can tell yourself a million reasons not to try, not to write that book. Finding time is hard, really hard. But the thing is, once you’ve given it a real try—once you’ve made time to try—if you love it, you’ll somehow keep making time for it. Don’t let your fears hold you back, and write.
Helen: Thank you, Jennifer, for that great advice and for spending time with me today. Just to close, did you have anything else you wanted to share with your readers?
Jennifer: As an author, I can’t help but have expectations for my novel. But no matter if it does well or not, I hope readers will go through all the emotions. I hope they have fun with the banter between characters and laugh at the jokes. I hope they swoon over the romance and get frustrated in a good way about the slow-burn. I hope they feel for the characters and feel sad when bad things happen. I hope they feel amped up at the fight scenes. I hope they feel uncomfortable and angry at some scenes. And I hope they feel impatient to get book 2 once they get to the ending 😉
About the Author:
Jennifer Becker
Jennifer Becker is one of the debut authors of Through Fire & Ruin, the first book in a new adult fantasy series. She has been an avid reader for most of her life and has always craved telling her own stories. Jennifer earned her MA degree in film production in the UK and has since been working in the film industry in her home country, Austria, while independently working on her own writing projects. The two things she can talk about forever are good books and TV shows. When she’s not obsessing over a great story or a ship, she’s most likely working on her creative endeavours such as her novel.
As an Amazon Associate I may earn commission from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasy romance books then you will love my new release SoulBreather, part of the Realm of Darkness Anthology, or on preorder here, and my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Immerse yourself in this epic fantasy series of ancient myths and legends. Set in the world of Remargaren, a world guarded by the goddess Lady Leyandrii and her sister Marguerite, evil is stirring, an evil that would ensnare and beguile her people as slaves.
Desperate to protect them she reaches out to one man who will become her Captain and wake her sleeping guardians. Only the guardians, her personal gurad, have been sleeping in the tall sentinal trees for three thousand years, and noone really believes there are people inside. And even if there are, her new Captain has no idea how to wake them.
I am running a Kingsumo Giveaway until launch day. All you have to do is follow the link to the Kingsumo page and enter the draw, addional actions are available for extra entries, so please do sign up to my newsletter, follow me on Goodreads and shelve Sentinals Banished and/or join my Sentinals Readers Group over on Facebook. Chance to win a bookish swag box full of Sentinal goodies, including a signed paperback copy of Sentinals Banished.
Open Internationally. 18+ only. One winner. Prize must be claimed within 48 hours. See Giveaway for full terms and conditions.
So excited to reveal the cover of Sentinals Banished, Book Five of the Sentinal series.
Book Description
Book Five of the Sentinal Series, Sentinals Banished is set seventeen years after the fourth book, Sentinals Across Time.
Sentinal Birlerion has watched from the shadows for so long he doesn’t know how to stop. Always there when the Lady’s Captain needed him. He did what was necessary to keep those he loved from harm.
When the king banishes the Lady’s Captain, Jerrol Haven, from Vespiri and disbands the Sentinal guard, the Sentinals are at a loss, some bitter, some eager to retire, all angry at the king’s decision.
Birlerion moves to Old Vespers to watch over Jerrol’s daughter as she begins her journey to become a King’s Ranger.
Old Vespers is in turmoil, the King unpredictable, and the Sentinals are unwelcome. Unexplained deaths are occurring, and bodies begin to appear in the city streets. As Birlerion continues his search for the place he can call home, he has to step out of the shadows as he is drawn into a tangled web of deceit and lies. He must hunt down those responsible before anyone else goes missing.
If you are interested in reading an ARC of Sentinals Banished in December, then sign up to my ARC team. (👀 Link in my Linktr.ee/HelenGarraway )
The Sentinal Series
Immerse yourself in this epic fantasy series of ancient myths and legends. Set in the world of Remargaren, a world guarded by the goddess Lady Leyandrii and her sister Marguerite, evil is stirring, an evil that would ensnare and beguile her people as slaves.
Desperate to protect them she reaches out to one man who will become her Captain and wake her sleeping guardians. Only the guardians, her personal gurad, have been sleeping in the tall sentinal trees for three thousand years, and noone really believes there are people inside. And even if there are, her new Captain has no idea how to wake them.
I am running a Kingsumo Giveaway until launch day. All you have to do is follow the link to the Kingsumo page and enter the draw, addional actions are available for extra entries, so please do sign up to my newsletter, follow me on Goodreads and shelve Sentinals Banished and/or join my Sentinals Readers Group over on Facebook. Chance to win a bookish swag box full of Sentinal goodies, including a signed paperback copy of Sentinals Banished.
Open Internationally. 18+ only. One winner. Prize must be claimed within 48 hours. See Giveaway for full terms and conditions.
Readers’ Favorite recognizes “Sentinals Justice” by Helen Garraway with a Five Star Review
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
Sentinals Justice is a work of fiction in the epic fantasy and adventure sub-genres and it serves as the third installment of the Sentinal Series. The work is best suited to the general adult reading audience for its mature themes and moderate sexual and violent content and was penned by author Helen Garraway. Continuing the epic action-packed adventures of the high fantasy world of Remargaren, we follow the events of this particular novel into the intricacies of the court of King Benedict. Diplomatic tensions result in a meeting between Commander Jerrol Haven and Grand Duke Randolf, with an unexpected guest along the way.
Author Helen Garraway holds a lot of information together in this massive fantasy world, and it makes for a truly thrilling setting filled with political and royal intrigue, interpersonal drama, and dangerous games of secrets, warmongering, and missing persons. I really enjoyed getting to know Jerrol and exploring the various pressures he was under in such a tense situation, but the character selection is so large that everyone will find someone they can relate to in the wider ensemble cast. The dialogue was also a big part of the engagement factor in this novel for me, as I felt like I got a lot of plot-relevant information from it which kept the novel pacey and interesting despite the epic nature of the overall story arcs. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Sentinals Justice to fans of epic fantasy and the series so far; you won’t be disappointed.
You can read the five star review for Sentinals Justice at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/sentinals-justice where you can also read reviews and the author’s biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages.
Book Three of the Sentinal Series
Books in the Sentinals Series:
Novella o.5: Sentinals Stirring (Free if you sign up to my newsletter.)
Reviewed: October 22nd, 2022 Released: October 4th, 2022 (Part of the Realm of Darkness anthology) Genre: Romantic Fantasy
When an undead witch discovers that all is not well in her new world, she has to put aside the loss of her magical powers and discover who has cursed the vampires and what it means.
Added to that, a hot warlock shows up on her doorstep like some stray cat, and has decided he might like to stay to drink the cream.
If you are a fan of Ava Silvers’ Witches of Shadow Hollow then you are in for a treat. This is the story of Hazel’s sister Willow, and having met Willow first (not having read Ava’s other books yet, though I aim to put that right shortly,) I am sure they are just as good. Read my thoughts...
I am pleased to announce that the Realm of Darkness boxset, including my fantasy romance novel SoulBreather, reached #110 on the USA Today Bestseller list for the week ending 12th September 2022.
So excited to be able to say I am a USA Today Bestselling author.
Thank you to all my readers who supported me by purchasing a copy of the Realm of Darkness boxset. I hope you enjoy the 30+ novels included in the set. All the authors worked so hard to bring this boxset to you, stepping out of their comfort zone to promote and speak about their books.
I look forward to hearing which are your favourites, please do leave a review, and make sure you update your eReader if you want to get all 35 books in one file.
My contribtion is SoulBreather, the first book in the SoulMist series:
If you fall in love with the shadows, does that mean you are fallen too?
A dying angel. A fractured realm. The SoulBreather who might be able to save them both.
Solanji has a secret. One that is becoming increasingly difficult to keep. She can touch souls and see into a person’s inner thoughts. Soulbreathing is exhilarating and addictive, until the day Solanji caresses the wrong person’s soulmist.
Dragged into a long forgotten angelic mystery, she is forced to venture into Eidolon, the godforsaken last resort for those without souls. In order to save her brother, she must rescue a broken and tortured man. Can she save him from the shadows? Does he even want to be saved? And can she find a way to return to the light before the darkness engulfs them both?
Book One of the SoulMist Series
A very big thank you to J.A Armitage of Enchanted Quill Press; J.A Culican of the Dragon Realm Press; and our Box Managers, Susan Stradiotto and A.L Morrow who guided us through the whole process. We couldn’t have done it without them. Hope you love all our books!!
Reviewed: October11th, 2022 Releases: October 4th, 2022 (Part of the Realm of Darkness anthology) Genre: MM Romantic Fantasy
Death comes for us all, even those we love. The line between angel and demon is razor thin. Kai knows this firsthand. As an Emissary of death, darkness follows him like a shadow, leaving him touch-starved and lonely.
Tormented by the error in judgment that killed his only love, he accepts an assignment to redeem himself: hunting down the demons destroying the mortal realm. But fate takes a turn, and Kai finds himself drawn to one of his targets instead.
Demonic martial arts expert Byron Black has struggled to survive his entire life. He has fought for every breath he’s taken and each bite he’s eaten, yet in the instant when his demise finally seems inevitable, death incarnate steps forward and spares him. Kai is as beautiful as he is terrifying, and although Byron suspects the angel’s interest in him is more than it appears, he can’t stay away.
Together, the pair search for answers regarding who wants Byron dead—and why—but uncovering the truth might destroy them both in the process. Can Kai defeat his inner demons to save the one that has crawled into his bed? Read my thoughts...
This angel must pay the price for his transgressions. But he’t not going down without a fight.
Jax is cast to earth and trapped on an island surrounded by demons. He can’t leave until he learns from his sins. He wants his wings back. Only problem is, he doesn’t feel guilty for killing. And as soon as he meets Addie, the girl who doesn’t believe in gods or angels, his desire to leave wilts.
He’s too intrigued. An intrigue that consumes him when the lightest touch from her makes his wings burst back to life like a flame rekindled. She’s got faith all right, and it just might be his saving grace.
Order Realm of Darkness Boxset
Exclusively available as part of the Realm of Darkness Boxset order now on Amazon and other retailers for only $9.99
About the Author:
Emily Clark is a best-selling author who has been writing since she could lift a pencil and making up stories even longer than that.
For years she worked part-time jobs so she would always have time to write, read, and travel. Some of her favorite filler jobs included working as an editor, at a nursery (flowers not children,) as a driving instructor (not as harrowing as one might think,) and being a ghost tour guide.
She loves YA fantasy with subtle “moral of the story” lessons (Brandon Mull excels at that), swoony clean romances, and if there’s a mystery involved, she’s hooked!
If she’s not at her computer, you can typically find her reading, listening to podcasts, in her garden, in her kitchen, or with her sister and her sister’s kids.
She also writes cozy mysteries, romantic suspense, and clean romance under the pen name Ellie Thornton.
If you’d like to be kept appraised of her upcoming books, freebies, and giveaways, (she’s also been known to send amazing recipes,) you can sign up for her email list here.
Other books by Emily Clark
Red: The Wolves Must Die ( A Red Riding Hood YA retelling)
If you enjoy fantasy romance books then you will love my new release SoulBreather, part of the Realm of Darkness Anthology, and my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Realm of Darkness is now live!! and there are still more authors to spotlight.
I think we can squeeze one more in before the witching hour!! Check out Unblessed by Daphnee Moore and Marie LaRoche.
Only available as part of the Realm of Darkness Anthology.
Have you ordered your copy yet for the insane special preorder price of 99c only available until end of Sunday 9th October, 2022? I can’t wait to read these wonderful books. See some of the covers revealed so far here.
Unblessed by Daphne Moore and Mari LaRoche
A life debt is nothing to be trifled with … even if it means spending the week with an irritating unicorn shifter with secrets to hide.
Nia is a rakshasa assassin, more than capable of protecting the tiny unicorn that a dying woman passes into her arms.
Xavier is not who he seems, but when homicidal trolls try to kill them all, can she work with the devil she knows to save their world from obliteration.
Order Realm of Darkness Boxset
Only available as part of the Realm of Darkness Boxset available to order now on Amazon and other retailers for only 99c- but order now as price goes up on Monday, 10th October!
About the Author:
Daphne Moore, a USA Today bestselling author, has been a story teller from her preliterate days. She writes them down now for those out of earshot.
She lives in Ohio, in a small suburb, raising roses and children. She’s an aunt to a bunch of humans and two cute dogs.
She writes what she loves- speculative fiction in all forms, with a seasoning of romance.
For more information about Daphne Moore follow her on Facebook: @AuthorDaphneMoore
or Instagram: @daphnemooreauthor
Mari LaRoche is an emerging fantasy and paranormal author who has been making up stories since she could talk. Her stories: “Secrets and Gold” (Seven Deadly Sins: Avarice), “Witches and Kings” (Seven Deadly Sins: Lust), and “The Ghostly Loch” (Secrets In Our Cities) appeared first print under her former pen name, Mari L. Yates, with “Secrets” and “Witches” being republished in Taradiddles: An Anthology of Short Fiction, a textbook currently in use at a local community college. Her most recent story “Pigwitch Now” can be found in Beyond the Veil: An Anthology. She is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, presents workshops to local community college students on the challenges and rewards of creative writing, and is currently pursuing her BA in Creative Writing at SNHU. When not found with a book, camera, or laptop in her hands, she loves to cuddle with her three cats, travel through Canada, and collect feline and dragon tattoos.
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasy romance books then you will love my new release SoulBreather, part of the Realm of Darkness Anthology, and my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Helen Garraway 