Spotlight & Author Interview: A Touch of Light + Giveaway

A Touch of Light Tour Schedule (blog)

A Touch of Light Cover

A Touch of Light
by Thiago Abdalla
Series: The Ashes of Avarin
Genre: Epic/Grimdark Fantasy
Intended Age Group: Adult
Pages: 452
Published: March 1st, 2022
Publisher: The Alterian Press (Self Published)

You Won’t Like Me When I’m Angry • Is it Just Me or is it Getting Hot in Here? • Why So Serious?


The dead shall not be mourned or remembered, for death is the enemy, and will only drive the Seraph away.

The Domain is the bastion of life. The Seraph blesses her faithful with endless years, and death is kept away in hope for Her return, but The Domain nations are not the only ones in Avarin. They have managed only a tenuous peace with the clans to the south, who believe life must be returned to the Earth to keep it whole.

Yet the world of Avarin is changing.

In the clanlands, parts of the Earth seem to be withering away, while in the Domain, a deadly frenzy spreads among the people. It brings darkness to the minds of men and bloodlust to their hearts.

This sickness threatens more than just the peace in the realm, it imperils its very heart.

Now the people of Avarin must fight to save it, before death comes for them all.

Dive into this sweeping epic fantasy saga where religion and politics are one, magic brings terror into the hearts of men, and a looming blight threatens to tear everything down

Amazon US / Amazon UK / Goodreads


Content/Trigger Warnings:

Shown on page:

  • Violence/gore
  • Very light vomiting
  • Very light/brief torturing
  • Children/young adults in battle/violent situations
  • Brief consideration of suicide
  • Anger
  • Mental instability

Alluded to:

  • Torture

Author Interview:

1.What inspired you to write this book?
I’m not one of those writers who’s been writing since they were young. I had the idea of publishing a book bouncing around in my mind since my twenties, but what really inspired me to start was when I found out my wife was pregnant. I wanted to take a shot at doing this full time and having more time with my son.

My greatest draw to fantasy has always come from Magic: The Gathering and PC games. MTG has been such a big part of my life that it probably influences me subconsciously at this point, so I wouldn’t be able to point out what in the story was influenced by it, but it’s definitely there. I’ve always loved PC games as well. The story is always what kept me coming back to them, and Diablo 2 and Warcraft 3 in particular were the ones that most influenced my teen years. The initial spark, however, came from a Symphony X album cover called Paradise Lost. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to the album, but the cover stuck with me for years.

2. What, if anything, did you learn when writing the book?
In the writing process… well… everything. I studied writing craft for about 8 months (through craft books) before starting to write, and even then I was only scratching the surface. I also can’t understate how much I learned from my editor, Julian Delfino. He was an integral part in this bringing this story to life and taught me A LOT through his examples.

It’s a constant learning process, though, and I think there’d be still an extensive list of every little thing I’ve learned throughout the process. I’m still learning a lot, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how important Mark Lawrence has been in sharing his experiences (through his patron discord). I’ve also met a bunch of authors on The Oasis discord server and their experience has been invaluable. The fantasy writing community is generous and amazing.

3. What surprised you the most in writing it?
This may sound cheesy, but I was honestly surprised when I got positive feedback from my editor and a few other people who helped me throughout. Impostor syndrome is a real thing, and I think most writers will tell you they think their writing is bad throughout the entire process.

4. If it’s not a spoiler, what does the title mean?
It is meant in a darker sense that all you need is a touch of light to see the horrors lurking in the dark. Religion plays a heavy role in this story, and what people preach as being right or being the “way of the light” might not be the best/right path for the characters. If someone forces light into your darkness, it might not always show what you want to see.

5. Were any of the characters inspired by real people?
Not really. They are an amalgamation of crazy ideas and experiences I’ve had.

6. Do you consider the book to have a lesson or moral?
I’m definitely not looking to impose any kind of belief onto people, so I’d say it has themes, not lessons or morals. As to what they are, I think it’s part of the experience to let the reader identify with what parts relate to them, so I think I’ll leave it there.

7. What is your favorite part of the book?
Don’t think I can answer this one without heavy spoilers, but let’s just say it involves reunions, madness, and death.

8. Which character was most challenging to create? Why?
Nasha. Not close. Writing a character that is always struggling to balance herself on an emotional edge was very, very challenging. There were times when I questioned if I knew what I had gotten myself into.

9. What are your immediate future plans?
I just finished translating the book into Portuguese (I’m Brazilian, friends are pressuring me to read it), so now it’s being revised and I’m jumping into revising the outline for book 2. I plan on having at least four books in this series, so there’s no time to waste.


Author Bio & Information:

Thiago was born in Brazil but grew up in the fantasy worlds from the stories he kept in his mind. He has inhabited everywhere from Middle-Earth and Azeroth to the planes of Dominaria, Ravnica and Tarkir. No matter the medium, what kept him coming back was always his love for story.

He could never wait for the next world to dive into, so, after being (indirectly) urged on by the (printed) words of Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence, Patrick Rothfuss, N. K. Jemisin and many, many others, decided to create his own.

Thiago Abdalla author photo

Thiago Abdalla (@TAbdalla) / Twitter
Thiago Abdalla (@tabdalla_author) • Instagram
Thiago Abdalla | Facebook


Giveaway:

Starts: February 28, 2022 at 12:00am EST
Ends: March 6, 2022 at 11:59pm EST

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Spotlight & Giveaway: The Dreadbound Ode, by Jordan Loyal Short

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The Skald’s Black Verse

The Dreadbound Ode Book 1

by Jordan Loyal Short

Genre: Epic Grimdark SciFi Fantasy

 

Brohr has been lied to, abused.

All he wants is to live in peace, away from the ignorance of his village, to outrun the raging ghost which haunts him.

But a hidden evil seeks to harness his fury.

Accused of murder, hunted by ruthless soldiers, Brohr delves the way of the Skald, unlocking forbidden blood magic as he unearths terrible family secrets.

When the red moon is broken, and all is lost, it’s up to Brohr to lead a rebellion, or face the end of the world!

An epic blend of norse fantasy and grimdark sci-fi!



Praise for the Dreadbound Ode…

“Rich in detail, bringing his tale to life with a foreboding atmosphere and characters that are intense. Good dialogue, rapid-fire action scenes, explosive magic and wicked political machinations.” -Tome Tender

“This is extremely well-written grimdark and if you like your fantasy and sci-fi gritty…this is a book you should pick up.” -Booknest

“The Weeping Sigil never stops. It has a relentless forward motion. It’s painful, and its glorious, and there are twists and turns that I never saw coming. It made my heart pound and yes, there was even a tear or two.” – Sarah Chorn, author of Seraphina’s Lament

“Perfect for grimdark fans.” -Grimdark Magazine

“[The Weeping Sigil] took everything that I had loved from The Skald’s Black Verse and lifted it to a whole other level, and I for one can’t wait to see what Jordan Loyal Short will do next. This is a fantastic book, great for anyone who enjoys a delectable mix of fantasy and science fiction, with a good dash of grimdark.” – Beneath a Thousand Skies

“I love the cultures, the magic system, the spaceships and the interplanetary communication. There’s lots of action and peril. It’s a great book! I’d very much recommend it.” – Lee Conley, author of the Dead Sagas

The Weeping Sigil

The Dreadbound Ode Book 2

 

Adrift in the void, Henrik’s rescue is only a prelude to slavery.

But his new life on Tyria is not at all what he expected. When the illustrious House of Quoll purchases him, Henrik finds himself living in the home of his old enemy, Prefect Brasca Quoll. Desperate to hide the truth of his last days on Heimir, Henrik dives into the murderous game of Tyrianite politics. Devastated by the catastrophe on the Norn homeworld, the Federation teeters on the brink of civil war.

While the Shining Ones maneuver their champions for the final confrontation, Henrik’s fevered visions unveil the scope of Moriigo’s nightmarish rebellion.

Aboard a stolen voidcraft, Brohr and Lyssa hurtle into the depths of the starry abyss, on a desperate exodus in search of safe haven. But the outer reaches of the system are full of strange worlds, haunted ruins, and bizarre cults.

As anarchy grips the streets of Tyria, Henrik vows to reveal the true peril facing the Federation: Moriigo’s return! While rival electors, assassins, and federal inquisitors plot the downfall of House Quoll, Henrik must bind himself to the future of his onetime enemies, lest the horrors of his prophetic visions come to pass!

Goodreads * Amazon * Audible


 

Travels in the Dark

The Dreadbound Ode Book 3

 

The final chapter of the Dreadbound Ode…

Lyssa is going to the Dead Place and everyone she killed will be waiting.

As the Hidden One’s twisted plan to resurrect the Deep Gods unfolds, the only way to stop him is a secret buried in the land of death.

But Lyssa has not given up. If the Deep Gods can return, so can she.

Can Lyssa find a way back? Can she delve into hell’s darkest corners and emerge with the lore to stop the Deep Gods’ rise? Or will she become a lost soul, like so many of those she loved in life?

Ancient horrors will wake. Skalds will sing. And a blind seer will see the shadows gather.

Lyssa Pedersten has tasted poison, and hell had best beware.

Goodreads * Amazon


Jordan Loyal Short is an author of epic fantasy. His first novel, The Skald’s Black Verse, is a dark and beautiful story about families, cultures, and beliefs at war with themselves. The protagonist, Brohr, must navigate the tangled loyalties and unforgiving biases of a planet conquered by invaders from another world. Using black magic, and the bizarre bond he shares with his stillborn brother’s spirit, Brohr unravels the truth about himself and an eon spanning war that has reached its end game.

Jordan has worked in a variety of industries, as a web developer, bartender, copywriter and more. He lives in Washington state with his wife where he is currently daydreaming about the end of the world.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads


Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$20 Amazon giftcard – 1 winner

Audiobooks of the first 2 books – 3 winners!

 

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Book Blitz: The Hidden Kingdom, by Sarah M. Cradit

THE HIDDEN KINGDOM RDB BANNER

Title: The Hidden Kingdom (Kingdom of the White Sea, 3)
Author: Sarah M. Cradit
Genre: Epic Fantasy, Grimdark Fantasy, Fantasy
Cover Designer: Regina Wamba
Editor: Emily A. Lawrence
Publication Date: July 27th, 2021
Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

 

Blurb:

The perilous and provocative world of Kingdom of the White Sea, by USA Today bestselling fantasy author Sarah M. Cradit, comes to a startling conclusion in The Hidden Kingdom.

A kingless crown will fall. A crownless kingdom will rise.

It all began with a desperate demand from a broken crown. Four brides. Four Reaches. Unquestionable and absolute fealty from the mothers and fathers who were given no choice but to comply. A startling sequence of events followed, with stunning repercussions that reached across the entire realm.

Now, the king is dead. The would-be brides have forged their own destinies—some for the better, others for worse. Not all who started this dance will finish it. Those left will wear the lingering scars with a mix of pride and remorse.

From his stolen throne, Oldwin rules with a hand that grows shakier by the hour, as his once unparalleled magic dwindles. His grasp on power is reliant upon his truths remaining hidden by the shadows, just beyond the reach of the fraught kingdom.

But Oldwin is not the only powerful sorcerer in the kingdom. There are others who would see the terrible circle of their traitorous past come to a decisive end. Their moonlight maneuvering saved the life of Dain Rhiagain, and from his line the last sprig of hope remains: a chance to save the kingdom… to save all the worlds.

Dain’s three children, each raised in obliviousness, must now prepare to confront the staggering truth of why they were born, and what they must now do, if the kingdom is to survive the final days ahead.

But theirs is not the only sacrifice required. The dying words of an old man will stir one man and his Reach toward a new destiny, one that will decide the fate of all the worlds…

Book Links:

The Kingless Crown | The Broken Realm | The Hidden Kingdom

Sarah is the USA Today and International Bestselling Author of contemporary and epic fantasy.

An unabashed geek, Sarah enjoys studying subjects like the Plantagenet and Ptolemaic dynasties, and settling debates on provocative Tolkien topics such as why the Great Eagles are not Gandalf’s personal taxi service. Passionate about travel, Sarah has visited over twenty countries collecting sparks of inspiration (though New Orleans is where her heart rests). She’s a self-professed expert at crafting original songs to sing to her very patient pets, and a seasoned professional at finding ways to humiliate herself (bonus points if it happens in public). When at home in Pennsylvania, her husband and best friend, James, is very kind about indulging her love of fast German cars and expensive lattes.

 Author Links:

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Website | Newsletter | Amazon | Bookbub

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