HOUSE OF RUIN by Miriam Newman

Please welcome Miriam Newman author of HOUSE OF RUIN

Miriam will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour

HOUSE OF RUIN

by Miriam Newman

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GENRE: SciFi Romance

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INTERVIEW

2. Dreaming—whether day dreams or real dream-dreams—are usually the foundation for my books.It amazes me. Just this morning, frying bacon, a new character suddenly appeared in order to insert himself into the manuscript I’m currently writing, and turn the plot point with which I was struggling. Why bacon?  I ask myself these questions…

3. Over twenty years in psychiatric social services undoubtedly gave me the ability to write characters who are deeply flawed or deeply troubled or both.Even my villains have points of view the reader can probably understand.  They feel justified in what they do.  They have been shaped by forces the readers come to understand.  Occasionally they even lead to a spin-off.

5. Future plans are crystal clear right now.For the remainder of the year, I will publish “Scion: Book II:  House of the 12^thPlanet,” which is the final book of the Scion series featured here.  The next book after that is “Warlord,” an ancient-times fantasy romance.  And then there is “Land of Shadow,” which is set against the Siege of Jerusalem.  My muse has taken me on into 2020, too.  That looks like the year of historical romance.

8. I have belonged to critique groups in the past and met some of the most wonderful authors and critics there.One person who is now an editor, and rightfully so, was spot on telling me where I had begun one manuscript in the wrong place and directed me like a flaming arrow to the appropriate spot.  I never forgot that advice.  She turned my manuscript on its head and it needed it.

9. I never submitted my first work until I was in my mid-fifties.That was because a 24/7 – 365 career in social work ate my creative energies like a vampire.  Sadly and yet providentially, my husband’s long illness and subsequent death ended that career and I was left wondering what to do next.  To return or not to return, that was the question.  My original goal in life had been to write.  Before I even had an answer to the career question, my muse did. I began writing three days after he died and never stopped.  Everything that had been bottled up came roaring out and I was published within the year.

11. I never outline.At one time I was just seat of the pants.  I still am, but with a difference.  Where at one time everything rolled out like a script, now I am writing scenes and then hooking them together.  That is where the need for daydream inspiration comes in.  At first I was understandably nervous about my change in style.  Then I discovered that if I would write a scene and then another scene, within two or three days daydreams had filled in the holes.   But basically I don’t care how it comes, just so it does.

12. I live in the country, where hunting and fishing and raising animals—basically just the outdoor life—gives me a lot of knowledge I do incorporate in my books.Many of them represent ancient civilizations or military campaigns where that knowledge—current or acquired by further study—gives detail the reader would not get any other way.   I mean, who else knows that eel blood is poisonous?

14. Having finished my quota for 2020, I’m on into 2021 in terms of current projects.I had always thought I might want to expand on my book “The Comet,” historical romance set in the time of the Norman Conquest.   It was one of my best sellers and personal favorites and some of the secondary characters really appealed to me.  In particular, I wanted to write a prequel tracing the lives of a Norman lord and his wife first met in their mature years in “The Comet.”  This pair had a fascinating and conflicted history. My current manuscript, “Flame” will trace that and offer some gratification for mature readers, too, since it follows them right up to “The Comet.”  And as I was writing “Flame,” their daughter kindly informed me she wants her own book.  That manuscript, “Clothilde” should be out next year.

17. Interesting question.Would you believe that I have never watched a single reality show?  I think I am so wedded to fantasy that reality just doesn’t stand a chance with me.

18. Series are an interesting challenge.You would think they would sort of roll out like a movie script, one triggering the next.  Instead, I have found that more time than the reader might like has to pass—as a rule—for my muse to come up with them.  Sometimes I think it’s never going to happen.  But I never take a series book down, because when the next one comes it’s going to be gangbusters.  That is what is happening right now.

BLURB:

When the beleaguered citizens of the capitol city of Thelona are swept by plague in the absence of their ruling class, which has fled it en masse, desperation finally pushes them to take to the streets. With their city burning, the Lords of Thelona have no choice but to shoulder the burden of responsibility. In the absence of their Highest, they turn to Caius, Scion of the House of Bardin. He has unwittingly placed himself in the path of his ruler’s ambitions and also endangered his human slave, Lela.

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EXCERPT:

A boiling cloud twisted above Syrstine as though the gods had decreed rain only for the prime city of Longos.  The long line of elite winding their way back from Solstice Season spent on country estates were turned to figures of insignificance.   Chatter about return to their Solstice Homes, winter festivities to be attended, business and marital fortunes to be brokered—all dwindled and died.  Such a harbinger of evil had no regard for them.  Too shocked to move, they stopped in their tracks.

“That is no natural thing.” Antin, Scion of the House of Valens, looked in thinly-veiled horror at the cloud of indigo, lavender and black doing an evil dance above his city.

“No.” Scion of the House of Bardin since his father’s death, Caius reined in his bay gelding.  “It is smoke and weapons fire.”  He alone appeared more curious than fearful.  Thirty years of age by Thelona’s two suns, Caius was in his prime, with a broadsword in his saddle scabbard and a knife strapped to one calf.  Most of the other men carried the same, but without the same ability to use them.  It had been too long since they had tried.

“Weapons fire?  Then the aircos are here.”

“No.  It’s the Mercenary Corps.”

“What would bring Mercs to Syrstine?”  Neither man could remember the Mercenary Corps–enforcement arm of the Air Company–touching down on Thelona.  But Caius had been off planet for eight years, and he had been a Merc at the time.

“Invasion or insurrection,” he told his friend.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Fantasy poetry driven by myths and legends has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I was published in poetry before catching the romance writing bug. I bring that background to my writing along with a lifelong addiction to horses, an 18-year career in various areas of psychiatric social services and many trips to Ireland, where I nurture my muse. My published works range from contemporary fantasy romance to fantasy historical, futuristic, science fiction and historical romance. Currently I live in rural Pennsylvania with a “motley crew” of rescue animals. You can see my books at www.miriamnewman.com.

Available now in print and ebook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/scion-miriam-newman/1135680689

www.thedarkcastlelords.net

www.miriamnewman.com

www.thecelticroseblog.blogspot.com

Facebook:  Miriam Newman Author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/miriamnewman

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Miriam-Newman/e/B005DBFZUG

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

PLEASE MENTION THE PRIZE THAT THE AUTHOR WILL BE GIVING AWAY:

Miriam will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3296