Today, I'm very pleased to bring my readers an interview with fantasy author Terri Rochenski. She's sharing about her new release, Eye of the Soul. Be sure to check out her book as well as her wonderful giveaway at the bottom of this post.
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In Eye of the Soul, the heroine, Hyla, travels into a land nearly void of her own Natives, where human soldiers pursue her. Why do they seek her?
An apprentice Healer, Hyla is on the human mainland gathering wild herbs & roots when their island home is invaded by soldiers from Varosh. From hiding, she sees her people in chains, and through supernatural circumstances her escaping is noted. The one responsible for the gathering of the Natives demands her capture.
Hyla is in that world searching for the mystical Pool of Souls—home to the one man she thinks can save her people. Why does she believe this?
Because of a dream. ;)
Led by her faith in the deity Fadir, Hyla is met along her journey by Jadon—a human male and fierce King’s warrior, and his childhood best friend Conlin—one of the few Natives aware of his Fadir-given Talents.
a. Tell us more about the deity Fadir.
Fadir is the god of the Natives, adopted by the humans when they arrived on the mainland ages earlier. He has become the god of all, one of love and forgiveness.
b. How did Jadon, a human, and Conlin, a Native, come to be best friends?
Conlin is one of the few Native-blooded to grow up on the mainland, in the village of Bradenfeld whose lord is Jadon’s father.
How is Conlin able to know about his Fadir-given talents while other Natives are not. What are these special talents? What are Jadon’s talents as a King’s warrior?
It’s unknown why some work and others’ do not. The Talents / Gifts of old are myths, dismissed by most humans and Natives alike. The Gifts range in ability from internal to external, but you’ll have to read the book to learn more. As for Jadon’s talent, his are of the human nature – strength and a natural ability with a sword.
Like Hyla, another searches for the Pool, and should he gain access first, everyone she loves, and everything she knows, could be lost. How does she know about this other person in search of the Pool? What might happen to Hyla’s people if he claims the Pool first?
The first part I can’t answer without giving too much away, but if he DOES gain access first, the old, quiet lifestyle of the Natives will become one of true slavery.
Briefly describe the magical systems of your world. How do those who are empowered gain their abilities? Does Hyla have special abilities?
Sorry. Can’t answer the first part of this one! As for Hyla, she doesn’t know why her Talent works, but she does find out before the book’s end.
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Series: Pool
of Souls #1
Genre:
Fantasy
Release Date: October
7, 2013
Link for Eye of the Soul on Goodreads:
Author Bio:
Terri started writing stories in the
8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure
never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with the
fantasy genre.
Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her two young daughters allow. When not potty training or kissing boo-boos, she can be found on her back patio in the boondocks of New Hampshire, book or pencil in hand.
Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her two young daughters allow. When not potty training or kissing boo-boos, she can be found on her back patio in the boondocks of New Hampshire, book or pencil in hand.
Author Links:
Book Blurb:
Escape.
That should be Hyla’s first thought as her people are chained and imprisoned for no imaginable reason.
Instead, Hyla finds herself traveling through a land void of Natives, with human soldiers pillaging in desperate pursuit of her, and in search of the mystical Pool of Souls—home to the one man who can save her people.
Or so she believes.
Led by her faith in the deity Fadir, Hyla is met along her journey by Jadon—a human male and fierce King’s warrior, and his childhood best friend Conlin—one of the few Natives aware of his Fadir-given Talents.
Protected by Jadon, guided by Conlin, and with an unfailing belief in the purpose of her pilgrimage, Hyla carries on.
Like her, though, another searches for the Pool, and should he gain access first, everyone she loves, and everything she knows, could be lost.
Forever
That should be Hyla’s first thought as her people are chained and imprisoned for no imaginable reason.
Instead, Hyla finds herself traveling through a land void of Natives, with human soldiers pillaging in desperate pursuit of her, and in search of the mystical Pool of Souls—home to the one man who can save her people.
Or so she believes.
Led by her faith in the deity Fadir, Hyla is met along her journey by Jadon—a human male and fierce King’s warrior, and his childhood best friend Conlin—one of the few Natives aware of his Fadir-given Talents.
Protected by Jadon, guided by Conlin, and with an unfailing belief in the purpose of her pilgrimage, Hyla carries on.
Like her, though, another searches for the Pool, and should he gain access first, everyone she loves, and everything she knows, could be lost.
Forever
Excerpt:
Cursing her arthritic fingers, Miri squeezed out a rag and
draped it over the human man’s hot forehead.
“I’ve seen a lot more harvests than you, old goat,” she
muttered, lifting his eyelids. “I’m thinking you’ll never catch up either.
Doubt you last another half-moon’s phase.”
Miri pushed to her feet and stretched her hunched back. A heavy
sigh slipped past her wrinkled lips as she glanced around the sick house.
Keeping the night watch wasn’t too bad—she’d volunteered often since her old
bones wouldn’t allow much sleep.
“Joints wasted, hearing all but gone …” Miri yanked on the long
white braid lying over her shoulder. “I’m the old goat.”
She shuffled down the aisle, woolen kirtle swishing in the
silence. A cool, autumn breeze rustled the crimson leaves of the magnolia and
palm fronds overhead, drawing her gaze upward. Violet streaks lit the pre-dawn
sky.A dog barked, yipped, and fell silent.
Miri peered across the village green to the thatched buildings
beyond. A shadow passed between two cottages. Another three hurried toward the
neighboring dwelling.
“Sight fading or my mind, too?” Miri rubbed her watery eyes,
blinked, and leaned forward. Light flickered through the palm trees behind the
outlying homes.
Torches?
The flames drew closer, weaving between the trunks.
Humans from the mainland? Miri’s hand clutched at her
throat. Soldiers. Fadir have mercy.
The men crept through the village, taking up positions at every
doorway. Two brutes, more horse-like in size than human, approached the sick
house.
Sputtering torch held high, the first strode forward, dark eyes
intent upon Miri. A green surcoat covered broad shoulders and fell to his
thighs. The golden wheat sheaf of the city of Varosh adorned his chest.
Cold sweat beaded upon Miri’s brow. Breath burst from her lungs,
and she moved back, clutching the door jam.
The second soldier stepped closer, chains and shackles clanking in
his hand. He stopped two paces away from Miri, and a smile stretched his
stubbled cheeks, revealing rotted teeth. “Good morning pointy-ears.”
Miri stared, heartbeat thundering in her ears. She’d been called
worse in her eighty-three birth passings but never with such malice.
A single cry rang out across the village, and doors crashed
inward. Screams rent the air.
“Don’t fight Native woman,” rotten-teeth sneered, shackles
outstretched.
“W-why?” Miri whispered, taking a step backward.
A scowl narrowed his gaze, and his fist shot forward.
Bursts of light and pain exploded through Miri as she crumpled
to the floor.
#
Miri’s people huddled on the village green as fall’s pale sun
crested the trees. Cold metal had been clasped around their necks and ankles.
Many trembled in the cool air, little more than night clothes covering their
nakedness. Miri held to her braid with a white-knuckled grip, her head and its
egg-sized bump throbbing in time with her pulse.
A handful of other battered Natives who had attempted flight
were the last to join them, the soldiers tossing them forward like sacks of
potatoes.
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Sorry I'm one day late ... THANK YOU so much for hosting me! Much appreciated.
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