Spotlight, Author Interview & Excerpt: Autumn Chaos, by Olena Nikitin

Autumn Chaos
Season’s War: Book One
by Olena Nikitin
Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 342 pages
Genre: Steamy Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Viper Dawn Press
​Publication Date: September 2022.
Content Rating: R:  Contains sparse use of curses, mild sexual innuendo, one quite explicit sex scene and injury details in battle and fight scenes.

Book Description:

As strange monsters terrorize the land of Cornovii, the life of an exiled mage is thrown into turmoil when a half-dead warrior is brought to her door.

Tapping into the depths of her magic, Lady Inanuan of Thorn inextricably links her life force to Marcach, Captain of the King’s Guards, pulling him away from the jaws of death. However, the witch soon learns that you can’t escape your fate in the Black Forest-even if you’re friends with the Forest God himself.

Summoned to appear before the Magical Council to answer for her past, things are further complicated on the journey when Ina must use the forbidden spell once again to heal the captain’s best friend, Ren. However, for the harbinger of Chaos, no good deed goes unpunished when the connection her magic forges with both men awakens not only dark desires, but also an ancient bloodline that creates an intense rivalry between the two warriors.

As Ina struggles to fight her passion for Marcach and Ren, she must follow the clues to uncover the truth behind the plague of monsters roaming the land. But will the witch who doesn’t believe in love be able to deny her feelings as she attempts to clear her name, or will the kingdom fall before she can solve the mystery?

Excerpt:

The light glowing in Mar’s eyes flared, feasting on Ina, magnificent in her magic. His beautiful distraction gave him the perfect opportunity again. His axe cleaved through the air, crushing one dog’s head, killing it instantly. Ina held her ground, her fire vipers lashing at the troll, leaving deep gashes of burnt tissue behind. The beast leapt backwards, trying to avoid the pain, but Mar was there to stop it. This formidable display of Ina’s magic terrified the remaining canine to turn tail and run, whimpering into the darkness.

“Ina, stop!” shouted Mar as he ducked to avoid a strike from the vipers, and Ina lowered her hands, letting the energy dissipate in the air. Again, the monstrous troll turned back to her, giving Mar the opening he needed. His axe rose high and cleaved its collar bone so deeply that he could see the heart pulsing through the gap. Then, with a final stab of the dagger, it was stopped dead.

The beast landed on the floor with a heavy thud, and without glancing at it, Mar ran to his woman. In the light of her pulsar, he saw she was crying, her body and hair coated with blood and fluid, his heart aching at her pain.

“Are you… wounded?” He asked and felt immense relief when she shook her head. There was something in his spitfire’s posture that held him back. “What happened back there?”

Ina shook her head and walked toward the exit, and her silence worried him more than he was willing to admit.

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Author Interview with Mark, the male part of Olena Nikitin duo

1. Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
My inspiration stems from a misspent youth immersing myself in myths and legends from the various places I lived. My Father was part of the British military, and we moved a lot, so I spent too much time learning everything I could about the local folklore. Then I discovered fantasy fiction and never looked back.

2. If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?
I admit I have a soft spot for Mar. His grumpy ‘get on with the job’ attitude, and well-hidden soft side certainly appeals to the inner cantankerous old man in me, but more likely, I’d end up being the hapless ‘foot in the mouth’ Daro.

3. What genre do you write and why?
Our first book series is an Eastern European-themed Fantasy romp, which we wrote because it is very close to our hearts and deserves to be shared with as wide an audience as possible. We’ve also dabbled in paranormal romance on our website as a serial release.

4. Is there a specific ritualistic thing you do during your writing time?
Does closing the door on your co-writer count? I have a few quirks: music, preferably songs I don’t know, which focus my mind, and I must have a bottle of Maślanka(Polish buttermilk that is delicious and addictive) by my side. Apart from that, I am reasonably normal.

5. Any hobbies? Or name a quirky thing you like to do.
Hobbies? Yes, time? Less so. I love reading. It takes up quite a chunk of my spare time, but I also spend my time working with wood, making various items, mostly cat trees and other climbing devices, to keep our five neurotic rescues from getting bored. My co-writer also benefits from this hobby, as I can sneakily make pretty Chinese hairpins and gift them to her as a surprise.