Dagger-Star

Author Q&A

Before Dagger-Star, you wrote the three books that comprised the Chronicles of the Warlands: Warprize, Warsworn, and Warlord. How is Dagger-Star related to the Warprize books?

They are set in the same world, but in different kingdoms, with different characters. You don’t have to read the Chronicles to enjoy Dagger-star. But those that have will start to see how they are interwoven.

Red Gloves, the heroine of Dagger-Star, is a warrior. Lara, the heroine of the Warprize books, is a healer. How did their very different “jobs” affect how you wrote their personalities?

For me, its more that the personalities of my characters drive their choices. Lara was a healer from the moment she first started to gently tell me her story. Red Gloves had a blade in her hand the instant she demanded I write her tale.

Demanded?

Oh, yes. Red Gloves is very different from Lara. A mercenary, a warrior woman who has hardened her heart even as she sharpens her blade.

Your characters talk to you?

Constantly. I hear bits of conversation, or see glimpses of action, and I have to write them all down. It can be distracting, especially when I am driving or grocery shopping. I am the crazy lady standing in aisle 5, madly scribbling notes on the back of my grocery list.

Where did you get your inspiration for the world of Dagger-Star? What sort of research did you do to create the people, places, and creatures of Red’s world?

I love reading history, and I steal from reality every chance I get. I tend to use the year 1000 as my guidelines for the world, but I freely insert what I need where I need it. What comes first are the characters and their relationships. They drive the action and the stories.

Dagger-Star is the first book in a fantasy-romance series that tells an epic story, with each book featuring a different couple. Now that you’ve told Red and Josiah’s story, can you give us any hints about what’s coming next?

Lady High Priestess Evelyn is talking to me right now, trying to explain how. . .but never mind. Read Dagger-Star first, then wait and see.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I love hearing from readers! Visit me at www.eavwrites.com and let me know what you think of the book!