C.M. Banschbach’s Oath of the Outcast

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Enter the Blog Tour Giveaway (details at the bottom)!

K.A.:
C.M. Banschbach is on the blog today talking about her newest release, Oath of the Outcast!!

Last year, while this story was in its early stages and known under a different title, I had the privilege of reading the first few chapters. And, man, did it hook me. The characters, the conflict… C.M. is a talented writer.

K.A.:
Glad you’re here, C.M.! Before we launch into all the behind-the-scene fun, tell us about the story.

C.M.:
It’s a New Adult Fantasy-Adventure. Perfect for people who want something more than typical YA fantasy, but don’t want everything that comes with current adult fantasy. Good for fans of Stephen Lawhead and Michael J. Sullivan.

C.M.:
A lost brother. 
An unwilling outlaw. 
A rising enemy. 
An unusual alliance. 

Years ago, Rhys MacDuffy was brutally cut off from his clan, stripped of his name and inheritance, and banished to the remote Dragon Keep. Perched high above the Shang Pass in the land of Alsaya, he assumed the mantle of the Mountain Baron, serving out his sentence as the overseer of the worst outlaws and outcasts. 

But one day he receives a desperate message from the clan who disowned him: MacDuffy’s Seer—his beloved brother—has been taken by their enemies. 

With his band of Mountain Brigands and an unwelcome sidekick, Rhys leaves his mountain stronghold to find and rescue his brother. The tide of war is rising amongst the Clans of Alsaya, fueled by the magic-wielding sect of Druids who seek to unleash a dark force the world has long forgotten. 

Can the bond of blood run deeper than banishment?

K.A.:
Rejected by his family, cut off from the only life he’s ever known, and exiled to a land of the worst criminals and outcasts. That’s a hard life. Where did the idea for this story come from?

C.M.:
Driving in foggy weather, funnily enough! Because my brain is always hyperactive, it plopped the image of a man riding down a foggy mountain. All I knew about him was that he had a massive chip on his shoulder about something, and was less than happy to be leaving his mountain keep. The rest of the morning at work was spent sorting out information this guy, now known as the Mountain Baron/Rhys MacDuffy, graciously dumped in my lap.

K.A.:
What research went into writing this story? Did you venture into any new areas or topics?

C.M.:
I…maybe shouldn’t admit this, but I don’t do a lot of hard core research usually. But some things I did look up were – voodoo dolls/voodoo in general (didn’t spend a whole lot of time there because it’s super weird lol!), sword fighting videos, lots of castle floor plans, time spent calculating distances/how fast and far horses can realistically run at a time (because chase scenes…) and sandstone. 

K.A.:
Lol. I would have never guessed. Your stories feel so authentic and immersive.

What’s the most interesting discovery you made writing this story?

C.M.:
The most interesting discovery was actually about myself (kind of cheesy, I know!). I was about a third of the way through the initial draft when I realized that Rhys/The Baron and I were working through a lot of the same issues. That really helped me dive deeper into the story and it kind of became the story of my heart as I tackled some of my own scars head on after several years of thinking I was fine, and starting to actually process/work through things.

K.A.:
Not cheesy at all. It’s a beautiful sentiment, C.M.. Heart stories are special.

K.A.:
Okay. I’m a huge fan of Easter eggs. Any hidden references, details, or tidbits readers should keep an eye out for? ;)

C.M.:
Back when I was first writing this book, my sister was doing some research on Robin Hood and outlaws. She was telling me about outlaws being known as wolf’s heads, and I loved that, and worked it into the book! (See what you can spot on the map!)

K.A.:
How cool! Before we go, share a line from the story you love.

C.M.:
“Rhys MacDuffy died on that beach and it was Brogan that killed him. The Clans have forgotten him, and so should you.”

K.A.:
Oath of the Outcast is available from Crosshair Press or from other retailers, like Amazon. Grab a free copy of a prequel story by signing up for C.M.’s newsletter and join the celebration giveaway. Details about the giveaway, as well as the blog tour schedule are posted at the bottom.

K.A.:
Great to have you here, C.M.. Thanks for giving us a backstage tour of your latest release, Oath of the Outcast!

About C.M. Banschbach

C.M. Banschbach is a native Texan and would make an excellent Hobbit if she weren’t so tall. She’s a pizza addict, a multi-faceted fangirl, and a firm believer in being authentic—even if it means acting like a dork sometimes! When not writing fantasy stories packed full of adventure and snark, she works as a pediatric physical therapist where she happily embraces the fact that she never actually has to grow up.

She also writesYA/MG fantasy-adventure as Claire M. Banschbach.

You can connect with her at her website, or on Instagram, Facebook, or Goodreads.

 

Giveaway

Open internationally!

  • 2 ebooks
  • 1 paperback
  • 1 combo pack of a bookmark and a map postcard

Enter the giveaway here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d11da96b6/

Blog Tour Schedule

 

Awakened by J.F. Rogers’ Astray

K.A.:
Welcome, J.F.! Thanks for stopping by. I’m eager to learn about the world of Astray. Before we dive in, tell us a bit about this first book in your Ariboslia Christian fantasy series for teens.

J.F.:
A mysterious amulet leads Fallon to everything she’s ever wanted…and possibly her death.

After a lifetime with no knowledge of her parents, troubled seventeen-year-old Fallon Webb receives a necklace once belonging to her mother. The amulet leads her on a life-changing journey through a portal to a foreign land where she encounters unusual creatures, shape-shifters, and something she’s always longed for—family.

In Ariboslia, Fallon learns her mother is alive. Vampire-like creatures have her, and many others, captive. Most distressing is the prophecy that devastated her family. Can she trust it? Because if it’s right, Fallon must destroy the vampires’ leader—her uncle—to rescue her mother and free her people from the threat.

Unprepared and afraid, Fallon sets out on the journey, with no skills to assist her quest and no other way home. In her travels, she learns about the One True God and how desperately she needs Him. Perhaps, with His help, she’ll find a way to fulfill her destiny and stay alive.

J.F.:
If you enjoy visiting alternate worlds that feature fast-paced adventure, supernatural creatures, compelling characters, and exciting plot twists, come to Ariboslia.

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Inspiration for book 2, Adrift
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Inspiration for book 2, Adrift

K.A.:
What an exciting story line. Vampires, prophesies, and alternate worlds all intertwined with family conflict and a journey of faith. Just reading it got my pulse racing.

What other creatures can we expect to find in Ariboslia?

J.F.:
Ariboslia is another realm that exists alongside ours. The original inhabitants, the pech, are small dwarf-like creatures. They create megaliths and amulets that allow for travel between the realms: Ariboslia and ours. Shapeshifters existed in our realm long ago, but the humans began to revere them as gods. The One True God became jealous and transplanted them to Ariboslia and memories of shapeshifters in our realm faded, eventually becoming myth. Unfortunately, the new inhabitants in Ariboslia drove the pech underground.

K.A.:
What does Ariboslia look like? Is it very different from Earth?

J.F.:
Since Ariboslia takes up the same space as Earth, the sky is the same and there are many similar landscapes: oceans, lakes, mountains, etc. Many of the animals and food are similar. But there are things that don’t exist here such as living grass that retreats so it won’t be stepped on, flying toads, fur dragons, and—of course—the pech and shapeshifters (gachen and selkie).

K.A.:
You mentioned the original inhabitants, the pech, were driven underground. In the history of this alternate realm, how did their downfall come about?

J.F.:
At one point, the clans were all united as believers in the One True God. When some clans started worshipping false gods, war ensued. Two women, hoping to save their husbands, resurrected Morrigan—the Battle Crow. But she wasn’t fully resurrected. She was undead. The first fasgadair (vampire). When the main character, seventeen-year-old Fallon arrives in Ariboslia, their realm is becoming overrun with vampires.

K.A.:
This world has a lot of past, present, and, I’m betting, future conflict. So what inspired it all?

J.F.:
Ariboslia was sparked by the song, “Silent Lucidity” by Queensryche. Because of the song, I originally envisioned Ariboslia as a dream world Fallon visited while her body was asleep here. But every time I’d try to write, the story fell flat. When I finally submitted to the One True God personally, the book practically wrote itself and became a very different story.

K.A.:
That’s such a great song. Sounds like writing this story was it’s own journey. Tell us about some of the research that influenced your story world.

J.F.:
I researched some Gaelic and Celtic myths. The gachen are very loosely based on the Sídhee (shee). Morrigan is a well-known mythical character who has appeared in many different stories including Authurian legends. She’s had many names such as Morrigan, Morrigu, Morrigana, Morgan, the Battle Crow, the Battle Queen, the Phantom Queen, etc. The selkie come straight from Gaelic myth. But, as with everything, I like to shake things up.

Learn more about Morrigan on Mythology.net.

K.A.:
As our fabulous travel guide, is there anything else readers should know?

J.F.:
It’s a great place to visit and one of the cheapest trips you’ll ever take!

K.A.:
Lol. Traveling by book is certainly a wonderful way to explore. Especially on a budget!

K.A.:
You can pick up a copy of Astray here.

And if you scroll down the homepage of J.F. Rogers‘ website, you’ll find details on how to snag a free copy of an Ariboslia short story called The Redeemed.

K.A.:
J.F., it was great to have you here. And thanks again for the guided tour into the world of Astray!


About J.F. Rogers

J.F. Rogers lives in Southern Maine with her husband and daughter. She has a B.S. in Behavioral Science and teaches a 5th-6th grade Sunday School class. If she’s not visiting Ariboslia, you can find her buried in snow or kayaking, depending on the time of year. Or at church. She enjoys reading, watching television, going to concerts, drinking coffee, and gabbing. But most of all, she’s a believer in the One True God and can say with certainty—you are loved. Connect with her at jfrogers.com.

You can also find J.F. Rogers on Facebook, Pinterest, or Book Bub.


*** Want to know which author will be featured next?
View the full schedule here. ***

Suit Up for Ralene Burke’s Armor of Aletheia

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K.A.:
Ralene, welcome! Thanks for stopping by to give us a tour of the world featured in Armor of Aletheia. Tell us about the story that takes place there.

Ralene :
Armor of Aletheia is a YA fantasy that can be enjoyed by all audiences, but it is targeted at people striving to find their place in this world, their calling.

Ralene :
The death of her king changes Karina’s life forever. Fleeing the royal house, she must leave her life behind to seek out the Armor of the Creator—to save the very people who now hunt her.

Faramos, the evil warlock waiting to unleash hell, knows the Creator has already chosen his warrior, so he sends his bounty hunter to retrieve her. After Tristan abducts her, he witnesses Karina’s gentle nature and strong independence, and he finds he can’t complete his assignment.

Together, they set out to retrieve the armor and defeat the hordes of creatures sent to destroy them. But is Tristan’s heart secure as he faces certain death for defending the queen? And will Karina have the courage to become all the Creator intends her to be? Failure will condemn the world to eternal darkness.

You can find Armor of Aletheia on Amazon!

K.A.:
Karina’s got an intense battle ahead of her—saving those hunting her and fighting to keep the world from eternal darkness. What’s her world like? Hopefully, the weather’s at least nice.

Ralene:
The Sacred Armor trilogy takes place on an island world of the Three Kingdoms: Aletheia, Soter, and Tzedek. The first book takes place (mostly) in Aletheia, a snowy kingdom where warmth is found in the heart because it’s definitely not outside!

K.A.:
Oh, that’s cold! Seriously, I’m shivering just imagining Aletheia. Lol.

Ralene:
The Western Mountains take up about a third of the kingdom with their almost uninhabitable mountains which are too steep and rocky. To the east, you find Shadowed Forest, the only place you’ll find any green in Aletheia—but that’s only in the spring/summer. Along the southern edge of the mountains, the Barrens—a desert-like tundra stretches across the kingdom.

In the center of the kingdom is a large lake that is iced over year-round, called the Ice Plains. The capital city of Calliope rests between the Western Mountains and the Ice Plains, with snow-covered roads leading to the Northern Sea and Shadowed Forest.

Aletheia (inspiration)
Aletheia (inspiration)

Ralene:
The people of Aletheia are a kind people, always on the lookout for their neighbors, having taken the cue from their noble king. While there are still classes that separate the nobles from the peasants, the differences are not felt as deeply as in the other kingdoms. The king, his family, and the nobles go out of their way to make life better in the kingdom, just as the Creator has asked of them.

K.A.:
Sounds like peaceful place to live. In terms of history and day-to-day living, how does Aletheia compare to our world?

Ralene:
Aletheia is a medieval fantasy, and much of the world is set similar to our medieval times. The main character, Karina, is a healer, and you see her working with herbs and using traditional medical supplies from the time period. The capital city is set up like some of the traditional smaller cities as well.

Of course, the world has none of our actual history. And there are fantastical creatures, magic, and the physical manifestations of the Armor of God in this world!

(inspiration)
(inspiration)

K.A.:
Tell us more about these fantastic creatures.

Ralene:
While you’ll find some traditional creatures like dragons in Aletheia, I’ve created some unique fantasy creatures for this world. Lupens resemble muscular werewolves but do not change or anything like that. Aqlaqs are giant albino ferrets that live underground and have a special taste for human flesh.

There is a race of elves in this book, but they only live on one island, off the cost of Tzedek. They are trained and chosen to be Guardians throughout the world. Guardians are charged with caring for a specific area of land. For instance, in Aletheia, you meet 3 guardians: Rashka, Guardian of Shadowed Forest; Asharan, Guardian of the Northern Plains of Tzedek; and Brusho, former Guardian of the Barrens.

K.A.:
Flesh-eating ferrets and intense, high-stakes conflicts…what inspired you to write this story? Where did the idea for Aletheia come from?

Ralene:
Like the story itself, the world came to me during a prayer. I wanted to write a story centered around a snowy-white kingdom (I love winter!—well, most of the time.) where I could showcase the beauty and the warmth of curling up with a good book. I love looking at photos of snow-covered mountains and—well, snow-covered anything. LOL. I also like seeing evidence of spring pushing its way through the snow.

K.A.:
I love snow too. It’s one of the things I miss about living in Minnesota. What influences and research went into building your story world?

Ralene:
I remember reading a few other fantasy books to see how they handled winter seasons or winter-like realms. I also spent time researching medieval life during the winter, but also just in general. I know I had to find out what kind of medical supplies they used!

Most of my research was done on the fly. I tend to research only when I run into something I don’t already know. Hmmm…Karina needs to stitch up this soldier, what kind of thread would she use? Time to Google! (Note: It’s not usually thread.)

K.A.:
Google’s an incredible resource, especially when it’s a topic that can’t be drawn from personal experience—like medieval life during winter!

K.A.:
Armor of Aletheia is available on Amazon in both ebook and print.

Ralene:
Thank you for letting me hang out today. Have a great weekend!

K.A.:
The pleasure was all mine, Ralene. It was good to have you here. And thank you for giving us an inside look into the Armor of Aletheia!


About Ralene Burke

Whether she’s wielding a fantasy writer’s pen, a social media wand, or a freelance editor’s sword, Ralene Burke always has her head in some dreamer’s world. And her goal is to help everyone #SHINEBeyond their circumstances! Her novels, Bellanok and Armor of Aletheia, are available on Amazon. More fantasy novels coming soon!

When her head’s not in the publishing world, she is wife to a veteran and homeschooling mama to their three kids. Her Pinterest board would have you believe she is a master chef, excellent seamstress, and all-around crafty diva. If she only had the time . . . You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or at her website.


*** Want to know which author will be featured next?
View the full schedule here. ***