Spotlight & Author Interview: The Prince + Giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE PRINCE by Antony Soehner Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Title: THE PRINCE (Prince Theo Saga Book 1)

Author: Antony Soehner

Pub. Date: April 12, 2022

Publisher: Roll15 Publishing LLC

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 226

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

 

Destiny will always test the greatest of leaders.

“Theo never imagined life outside the king’s castle. But when the queen’s funeral reveals the king’s true colors, Theo must rely on his sister, her allies, and his friends to get him to safety. With the help of mercenaries and the native tribes of the plains, Theo must learn to face his destiny and open his mind to the diverse world he’s been thrown into.”

The Prince is a High-Fantasy Adventure and the first book in the Prince Theo Saga by Antony Soehner. A multi-layered story about a young prince who discovers the diverse, fantastic world around him as he escapes his abusive tyrant father, King George. Finding himself in the care of a native tribe thought to be the enemy, Theo begins his long journey of growing and healing from the traumas he faced back home.

Content Warnings: Abuse(Physical, Mental), Fantasy Violence

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Author Interview:

1. Tell us a little about how this story first came to be.
“The Prince” has a fun backstory when it comes to its inception. Originally titled “My Pandemic Project,” I started writing Theo’s story at the end of March 2020. I was in need of an escape from the anxieties of what was happening in the world around me and with a few scenes playing on repeat in my head, I sat down and began spilling out chapter after chapter. Eventually, I found the external issues and concepts that fit my story and I knew they would find the proper voices within my characters. My goal has always been to create conversation either positive or progressive with this book.


2. What, if anything, did you learn when writing the book?
When writing the second and third acts of the story, I did a lot of research and studying on Native American traditions. I wanted to create characters who properly represented their real-life counterparts and stayed true to my own personal experiences. The lessons of community and stewardship for the world they live in have carried past my writing and inspired me to take up gardening as a way to lessen my own carbon footprint. Although a small gesture in the greater scheme, I’ve learned new ways to look at life and nature.


3. What surprised you the most in writing it?
I was very surprised by how my characters developed. When I write, I let my characters take control of their own story and I merely translate. But it was the dynamics and relationships they blossomed that surprised me. Especially the relationship between Theo and Jeb. Originally, the bard halfling was only meant to be a single-use comic relief to get Theo and Oli to the next stage of their journey, but something along the way changed and now Jeb is a main part of not only book one but book two as well.


4. What does the title mean?
The title is very straightforward. Theo is The Prince of the story and it’s about his journey. Although it is completely unrelated, when I discovered the Renesaunce era book titled “The Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli, I knew it was a title I wanted to maintain for my own story of a young royal’s world perception being turned upside down.


5. Were any of the characters inspired by real people? If so, do they know?
The character Ta’goda was inspired by someone who was in my life at a very pivotal and monumental time. Although they don’t know it and I’m not sure if they ever will, that brief time they were around really changed my perspective on the world. They taught me things about life I had never realized or expected to be important and many of the lessons they taught me I reflected in the lessons Ta’goda teaches Theo.


6. Do you consider the book to have a lesson or moral?
This book is meant to be layered with lessons and morals that reflect our own complicated world. Some are more blatant and obvious while others are subtle and nuanced. The biggest lesson I wanted to portray was facing, questioning, and opposing abusers. Theo and Alice’s father, King George, is meant to be an unredeemable, narcissistic scumbag. He abuses his family, his power, and his people. The lesson comes in how Theo reacts. They’re small moments but the weight they carry protects those around him from being abused. He refuses to stand by and watch. He would rather throw himself into danger to protect those he loves. Even if he fears the consequences, speaking up is the strongest thing anyone can do.


7. What is your favorite part of the book?
My favorite part comes during the third act of the book when everything that was once peaceful is shattered in a fiery battle. Theo and Rhan are returning from a private moment away from the celebrations only to find the camp asunder and in flames. The moment comes when Rhan is reunited with her father, Chief Ta’goda, in the heat of an intense battle. It’s a small and brief moment between bouts of chaos that I always felt really captured Ta’goda’s biggest strength. Not just his physical prowess but his ability to care and love those he holds closest to him while his own life is in danger


8. Which character was most challenging to create? Why?
At first, I want to say Ta’goda or Rhan, but the deeper I think about it, Oli, Theo’s friend and protector, was and is the most challenging to create. He was the first character to put himself into the story. His introduction and background spawned by complete accident. There was something missing from the story and when he appeared, I knew he would stay. Four books later, he is still challenging me to tell the best story I can! I can’t wait for readers to see what he has developed into.

9. What are your immediate future plans?
Most immediate plans are to sell and promote “The Prince” at Denver FanExpo 2022 in July. This is the one and only convention I go to and is the most fun I have all year as an author. If you’re close by, I highly suggest checking out the convention and coming to meet me! I always have fun swag!

As for the writing portion, I plan on continuing along with Theo’s adventure and finding out where our Prince will end up. If this summer goes well, Book 2 should arrive early next spring! Keep your eye out for “The Admiral.”

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About Antony Soehner:

Raised on a healthy diet of geek and pop culture, I have come to share my love and appreciation for role-playing games, geek culture, and fantasy adventure. If it’s random comic book fact, Star Wars trivia, or just the measly obscure movie reference, I’m there!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

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