Today we're bringing you something a bit different
in that this is not marketed as a YA novel. However,
the premise of the story struck a chord with me and
I thought I would share it with you. It is listed as an
Epic Fantasy/Adventure, Sword/Sorcerer,
so I believe it could be read by anyone, especially
given that a Faery is the leading role.
Shawndirea, The Chronicles of Aetheaon, Book One
by Leonard D. Hilley II.
A virtual book tour from Bewitching Book Tours.
Today our Author is not only offering a generous
Giveaway of 5 ebook through Smashwords, but
he has graciously supplied us with a Guest Post on
the topic of writing about Faeries. So be sure and
enter your name below for a chance to win, and as
always, please leave us a comment so we know
you were here…thx for tagging along, PLP.
Shawndirea Chronicles of Aetheaon Book I
Leonard D. Hilley II
Genre: Fantasy (Epic, Adventure, Sword/Sorcerer)
Publisher: DeimosWeb Publishing
Date of Publication: June 27, 2014
ISBN: 9781310304965
ASIN:
Number of pages: 536 printed pages
Word Count: 148,000
Book Description:
Often the smallest unexpected surprises garner the most demanding dilemmas, which proves to be the ordeal that entomologist Ben Whytten faces. While netting butterflies to add to his vast collection, he mistakenly sweeps what he thinks is the most spectacular butterfly he has ever seen into his net. Upon examining his catch, Ben is horrified to discover he has captured a faery and shredded her delicate wings into useless ribbons.
Devastated, Ben vows to take Shawndirea back to her realm, Aetheaon; but he discovers that doing so places their lives into immediate danger. To get to Aetheaon, they must pass through a portal rift deep inside the haunted cavern, Devils Den.
Once they cross the rift, Ben enters a world where mysteries, magic, betrayal, and power struggles await. He must adapt quickly or die because Aetheaon is filled with enchanted creatures and numerous races where chaos often dominates order. And since Shawndirea’s destined for the throne of Elvendale, opposing dark forces plot to prevent her from ever reaching her kingdom again. The faery's magic isn't enough to fully protect them, so he must trust other adventurers to aid them during their journey.
Why a Faery for a Series?
By
Leonard D. Hilley II
First, thanks so much for the opportunity to share with your followers about Shawndirea.
Why a series about a faery? Truth be told, this adventure was supposed to be a novella backstory for Devils Den that was published almost three years ago. The events in Shawndirea occur twenty years prior to the setting in Devils Den. Devils Den is a novel about a teenage boy who disappears inside a haunted magical cave and ends up in a magical realm on the other side of the Underworld. Several characters in that novel were from the mystical realm, Aetheaon, and I thought a nice backstory would explain their history for readers. However, an unexpected change of plans occurred that I did not anticipate. The characters hijacked the novella, and the next thing that I knew, an epic novel had been written.
How did this happen?
Almost twenty years ago I wrote a novel loosely based on a fantasy realm with these characters, but I was just starting out as a novelist and the book wasn’t working out like I thought it should. So, I trashed the novel. Tossed it. Even though I killed the novel, the characters resided in the back of my mind, silent but yet, maturing. They were there, and eventually I knew they’d have the opportunity to come to the page, only I didn’t know how much they wanted to tell their stories.
Since I teach full-time at a junior college, my schedule is often hectic. My advisor from my graduate school had called me one day last year, and I told him that finding time to write was almost impossible. He replied, “A writer will always find the time to write, regardless.”
That struck home with me. He was right. So when November rolled around, I kept hearing about Nanowrimo. Although I didn’t officially sign up for the challenge, I thought I’d keep a daily count of my words, just to see if I could meet the required word quota. I think by the end of November, I had 44,000 words. I didn’t hit the 50,000 mark, but I did get blessed with something else. I had gotten into a habitual routine where I needed to write every day. And with the amount I wrote each day, despite my demanding schedule, I knew I could keep doing this. The characters in Shawndirea insisted that I did. They kept taking me places and revealing underlying situations I had not expected.
Here’s a secret about my writing. I never use an outline. I let my characters interact, and I follow, taking notes and recording their conversations. Needless to say, this has works wonders for me over the years, especially in my other series. Another thing is that the scenes come to me like watching a movie. I feel like I’m standing on the sidelines watching and hearing everything they do. It’s enthralling to be a bystander and record what they are doing.
The characters in Shawndirea are vivid. And since most of them are twenty years old, they readily came to life on the page and took the reins. Characters from other factions—Elves, Dwarves, Wizards, and Vykings—joined the quest to get Shawndirea back to her homeland where she can be healed and her tattered wings renewed.
Shawndirea is the central focus of this novel, but there are other dilemmas within the realm that demand attention and also need to be dealt with. Her story is the first book in the series, but several more books follow due to pressing issues that need resolved.
There’s the Black Chasm where a dark sorcerer resides and his kingdom magically expands. He sends out evil minions to kill and destroy. The City of Hoffnung was overtaken, the Queen killed, but her daughter who is the rightful heir is missing. Two opposing groups search for her—one that is dead set to kill her, and others who wish to find her and have her claim her rightful place on her mother’s throne. These situations definitely require novels of their own. I’m already several chapters into the sequel.
Shawndirea is a magical adventurous journey. Indeed it has been for me with many revelations along the way. Here’s hoping that you phenomenal readers will take the journey as well.
Wishing you all my best,
Leonard D. Hilley II
Leonard D. Hilley II currently lives in the mountains of Kentucky with his wife, Christal. He is a biologist that has also earned his MFA in creative writing. Having a passion for books at an early age, he knew he wanted to author his own creative works. He wrote his first novel at the age of eleven and has never lost his love for books.
Twitter: @Deimosweb Publishing
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