Brandan and Joachim of Sanctuary of Nine Dragons: Book Three by Christina Weigand @CAWeigand #Christian, #Dragons, #Quest

I’d like to welcome Brandan and Joachim of Sanctuary of Nine Dragons: Book Three by Christina Weigand.

RW:   What’s your story/back story? Why would someone come up with a story about you?

J & B: We’re twin princes, and we’re thrust into adulthood in a world torn apart by war, kidnapping and betrayal.

We’re crowned Kings of Mahorg and Crato, and we wed powerful women, but we each deal with the loss of our parents in our own unique way. The choices we make set our world on a cataclysmic course that only loss and sacrifice can deter.

RW:    Can you tell us about your heroines?

J:        My wife, Maeve and my daughter, Enit and son, Airyn are my heroes. She pulls me from a very dark place and is to be my salvation. She never gives up on me.

B:       On first consideration I would say I don’t need anyone to rescue me, but when I think about it further there are a couple of people who I might consider a hero. One is my brother Joachim. No matter how bad things got between us he never gave up hope that we could be a family again. I can’t tell you who the other is, because that would be a spoiler. But there is one other who makes a big difference in my life.

RW:   What problems do you have to face and overcome in your life?

J:        Joachim: My son has been kidnapped, my brother is missing and presumed dead, and the people in my kingdom are threatening to remove me from the throne. They don’t seem to understand, that I have to find my son and brother.

B:    My biggest problem is my brother. He refuses to acknowledge the fact that I am better than him, and I should be king. His wife should have been mine and his children mine. But I’ll show him, the wheels are in motion for him to learn what I already know.

RW:  Do you expect your heroes to help or are they the problem?

J:       As I said before, Maeve and my children play a very big part in rescuing me from the dark place that I travel too.

B:       Initially Joachim is the problem although at the end he does help. As to the other, once again I can’t say anything as it would be a spoiler.

RW:    Where do you live?

J:      When I am at home I’m at the Palace of the Twelve Pillars in Wyrzburg.

B:      I currently don’t have a home. I do a lot of traveling around trying to figure out where I belong. I have lived in Wyrzburg with Joachim, and in Dun Dealgan, Palace of the Three Crosses, and in the mountains of Hyogo in a cave.

RW:    During what time-period does your story take place?

J&B:  It is similar to Earth’s medieval period in Ireland and Germany.

RW:    How are you coping with the conflict in your life?

J:       Joachim: I don’t cope very well. No one wants to help me find my son. All they do is threaten to remove me from the throne if I don’t stop. Even Myrria, the dragon, thinks that I need to go to the Sanctuary of Nine Dragons and find myself again. They have all abandoned me and my son.

B:       Conflict? Hah! If anyone is in conflict with me I destroy them. You should see the things I am going to do to my brother.

RW:  Bubble baths or steamy showers? Ocean or mountains? Puppies or kittens? Chocolate or caramel?

J & B: Steamy showers are not an option for us but neither of us like bubble baths, so an ordinary bath when we have the time. Joachim prefers oceans, he loves to swim and play in the water. Brandan is a mountain man. As for puppies or kittens: Brandan prefers puppies and Joachim kittens. Chocolate or caramel both men like chocolate with caramel.

RW:   What is your secret guilty pleasure?

J:        Not sure how to answer that. I guess if I have a secret it would be that I envy, Brandan. No not the evil part that wants to destroy everything, but instead the freedom he seems to have. He has no fear and takes on any challenge without worrying about the consequences. I wish I could be more like that and ignore all the responsibility of a country and family, not that I don’t love them, I just wish that the burden were lighter.

B:       Secret guilty pleasure? I’m not sure it’s a secret, but I love to hurt people who hurt me or try to defy me—I guess just about anyone, especially my brother. Our father always favored him over me. So instead of accepting it I vowed to show both of them who was the better person.

RW:    I can never (fill in the blank) because (fill in the blank).

J:    I can never let down my guard and escape my responsibilities because there is no one else that can do it. It is expected of me.

B:       I can never be just like my brother, because he is too wimpy, never takes any chances and is just overall boring.

Christina Weigand

Bio:

Christina Weigand’s a writer, wife, and mother of three grown children and a teenage daughter. She is also Nana to four granddaughters. She lives with her husband and youngest daughter in Pennsylvania after a short sabbatical in the lovely state of Washington.

She has three published YA Christian Fantasy novels; Palace of the Twelve Pillars: Book One, Palace of the Three Crosses: Book Two, and Sanctuary of Nine Dragons: Book Three. She’s also published Women of the Bible: A Study. Recently the first two books in a MG Fantasy series were published: Sir E. Robert Smythe and the School Bully and Sir E. Robert Smythe and the Lost Detective with four more to be published over the next two years. Through her writing she strives to share the Word of God and help people young and old to realize the love and mercy He has for everyone.

When she’s not writing she’s active in her local Church as a lector, Bible Study, and helping children develop a love for reading and writing. Jesus fills her home with love as she shares Him through her writing.

SANCTUARY OF NINE DRAGONS: BOOK THREE

The Plot

Joachim banishes Brandan to the prison island of Hyogo. His infant son, Prince Airyn disappears from his cradle. A chain of events is set in motion that will pit brother against brother, friend against friend, parents against children as Brandan and Joachim struggle for control of their sanity and their very lives.

With Brandan declared dead and his son missing Joachim sinks into despair and anger, from which those close to him fear he may never return.

Is Brandan really dead and if he is, who is manipulating the Mantion and enemies of Crato?

Can Maeve save her country and her husband from the tentacles of evil pervading the land?

An Excerpt:

Joachim cringed as he thought about what he had to do. The council had decided. He didn’t agree completely, but in the end, Joachim knew it was the only way; something had to be done. Maybe Brandan would give him a reason not to send him away.

King Brandan stomped into the room. “Why, Brother, have you no throne prepared for your poor, missing brother? I’m hurt. I expected more from you and my sister-in-law. Maeve, dear, couldn’t you have helped him prepare better?” He stepped toward her, quickly grabbed her hand, and kissed it.

Joachim lunged at him, pushing him from the dais. Brandan staggered and then regained his balance and gazed at his brother. “Why such violence, especially when I am so recently injured?”

Stepping off the dais, Joachim stood eye-to-eye with his brother. “Enough! You’re no more hurt than I am. And you have no business touching my wife, or sitting on Crato’s throne.”

Brandan laughed, pushed him aside, and stepped up to claim his throne. Joachim grabbed his twin’s shoulder, spun him around, and punched him in the mouth.

Rubbing where Joa’s fist had landed, Brandan smirked. “Well, my brother has finally developed some stones.” He raised his other hand to hit Joachim.

Matthias stepped forward, sword in hand and grabbed his arm before he could hit Crato’s king. He pulled the king’s brother away, so Joachim could reclaim his throne.

Jerking himself free, Brandan straightened his tunic. “This has been fun; but as you seem to be in no mood to visit, I shall take my leave. Come to me when you’re in a better frame of mind.”

“Stop! You are going nowhere until I say you can.”

Brandan stopped and looked at his brother. “What did you say to me? Is that how you talk to a fellow king and brother?”

“Yes, it is. As of this morning, you are no longer a king, and I’m not sure I should even call you brother.”

“Why dearest brother, whatever do you mean?” Brandan asked.

“Ever since we were boys, you have done everything you could to make trouble. I was always willing to forgive you and hoped you would change your evil ways. But no more! You have pushed me—pushed this country—too far this time,” Joa thundered at him.

“What are you rambling on about?” Brandan sneered and bit a fingernail.

“Brandan, I should sentence you to execution, but there are two things keeping me from that. First: you are my brother, and I hold onto a hope, however faint, you can be reformed…”

Brandan chortled. “Not a good bet, brother.”

“Second, I strongly suspect you of making two attempts on my life. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough evidence to prove it was you. I punished one innocent man because of the little evidence we do have. I do not wish to make that mistake a second time.”

Brandan laughed again. “So, if we’re finished here, I’ll be leaving.”

“As I said before, you won’t be going anywhere until I say so. I may not have what I need to sentence you to death, but after your actions toward the queen this morning, I have some recourse.”

“What are you talking about? I did nothing she didn’t ask for.”

Maeve rose from her throne. Joa put his hand on her arm to stop her.

“Brandan, I suggest you remain quiet until I finish.”

“Brother, you do not have the authority to do this. We are equals.”

“Do you not see the Adept Council before you? We met and discussed this matter at length... They have given me the authority.”

“This tiresome group of old men?” Brandan laughed. “They have even less power over me than you do.”

Ignoring Brandan’s comments, the king continued. “First, I strip you of your title. You are no longer King Brandan but will henceforth be known simply as Prince Brandan.” He paused and swallowed. He didn’t know if he could continue. The lump in his throat felt as big as a koali fruit. He swallowed again. Maeve grasped his hand. Warmth and reassurance enveloped him. He knew what he had to do.

“When we have finished here, Rupert, Salochin, and Master Frederick will take you to Rupert’s tower. There, they will strip you of your magical powers. When they are finished, Matthias and Wilhelm will escort you to the Port of Wyrzburg, where you will be put on a ship bound for Hyogo, the prison island. There you will remain for the rest of your life. You are never to return to Crato or Mahorg. You will live in the mountain abbey with the monks and work side-by-side with them.”

“You’re a misguided fool.” Brandan sneered. “If you believe that by exiling me, you are saving yourself from evil—think again. You may have peace and rest comfortably for a short while, but don’t assume I won’t find a way to come back and destroy you.” He stepped up to the thrones and leaned forward, placing a hand on each. The guards on either side of the king stepped forward to stop him. Joachim raised his hand signaling them to stop.

Brandan glared at the guard and muttered, “Freisen!” The man froze where he stood.

Brandan turned back to his brother and sister-in-law. “No, Joa. This is not over and what I did to your guard is nothing compared to the evils you will suffer by my hand.”

While he was speaking, Rupert chanted a binding spell. Matthias came forward and placed his sword tip to Brandan’s back.

The king put his good hand on his brother’s shoulders and pushed him upright as he stood. “You have done enough! Matthias, escort him to Master Rupert’s tower.”

As the prince was escorted from the room, Joa slumped back into his throne. It was done, he thought as remorse washed over him. A tear crawled down his cheek as Maeve squeezed his hand.

Contact Christina:

Website: www.weigandchris.com

Blog: http://www.weigandchris.com/blog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caweigand

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CAWeigand

Wattpad Page: http://www.wattpad.com/myworks

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Christina-Weigand/e/B003TXOXXA

Video Trailer Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIkNu78-BME

Buy Links:

MuseItUp Bookstore: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/museitup/fantasy/christian-fantasy/sanctuary-of-the-nine-dragons-detail

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IA4UWK6

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1118475269

Hannah Meredith, Song of the Nightpiper, #Fantasy, #Magic, #Suspense

I’d like to welcome Hannah Meredith, author of Song of the Nightpiper, to my blog today.

RW:        What’s your most embarrassing experience?

HM:     I’ve worn glasses since I was a child. Without correction, I see only different colored blurs. But when I entered high school, I decided “being seen” was more important than “seeing.” I wanted to look as alluring as a chunky fifteen-year-old could, so wore my glasses only for classwork. This led to much awkwardness. Every morning I greeted a little boy waiting for his bus, only to discover, weeks later, it was a child-shaped sign holding a School Zone placard. I sat on a girl who was wearing a flowered dress and sitting in a floral upholstered chair. Of course, if she’d been more animated, she would have been safe. But it was when I couldn’t find my date at a school dance—every boy there seemed to have on the same blue-shirt, khaki-pants combination—that I gave up on vanity and put my glasses back on.

RW:        If you were stranded on a tropical island, who would it be with? You can choose any living, deceased or mythical figure.

HM:       My husband! Yeah, this sounds like a cop-out, but the man I married fifty years ago would be my choice. He’s the kindest, most interesting, most understanding man I have ever met. He “gets” me. He makes me laugh. And I suspect together we could figure out how to get off that island.

RW:     What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?

HM:        Travel! I’m infected with wanderlust and simply must know what is on the far side of the hill. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit all fifty states and to travel to six of the seven continents. Sorry, Antarctica is not on my list—too cold. But all the different people and places get my imagination working. And my creativity is exercised figuring out how to do all this on the cheap. 😊

RW:       Tell us about your latest book. Where do your story ideas usually come from?

HM:      My latest solo novel is Song of the Nightpiper, a fantasy romance with a quasi-medieval setting. Although this is a departure from my usual, straight historical romance novels, the characters of Faulk and Anlin arrived in my head fully formed and I couldn’t resist writing their tale.

Most of my story ideas just pop into my mind in this manner, most often when I’m doing some necessary but mindless task like vacuuming or folding laundry. I clearly envision characters involved in a specific situation—in the case of Nightpiper, this was in the middle of the tournament that starts the book—and then I expand from there by asking a series of “what if” questions. I suspect I have primed the pump by a lifetime of reading and imagining,

RW:        What kind of research do you do for a book?

HM:      Probably way too much. 😊 I have an inquisitive mind that wants to know everything my characters know, even if most of this will never appear in a book. The internet has made all this information easily retrievable, although I still like to use period books. For instance, I used my antique copy of Paterson’s Roads (a Regency era travel guide) to carefully trace the journeys of both main characters to “the house by the sea” in Home for Christmas which appears in Christmas Revels IV. I know what they saw, where they could have stopped, etc. But none of this minutia appears to bore the reader silly.

RW:   Those are all the questions I have for you. Thank you for speaking to me.

HM:    You’re very welcome. It was a pleasure.

SONG OF THE NIGHTPIPER

The Plot

Magic is disappearing from Fallucia and Rennic. Each country blames the other and hoards what power remains.

In a world where only Magical Talent is prized, Lady Anlin and Sir Faulk lack any ability—yet their unlikely alliance will reshape nations and challenge long-held beliefs.

Although she’s finally free, years of enslavement in Rennic forged Anlin’s iron will. She is determined to rescue the half-Rennish son who was taken from her. But to do so, she needs one thing—a champion.

Faulk is a landless knight whose life has stripped him of all illusions. But he still harbors two impossible dreams—to have a fief of his own and to find someone to love who will love him in return.

His fighting skills have given him the first of these dreams. The journey into a hostile land with Anlin may give him the second.

An Excerpt:

The two men met with a tremendous clash of metal. The surrounding crowd quieted. It breathed in and out like a great beast in time with the laboring combatants.

Sir Charl logically kept pressing the advantage of his greater reach, making the smaller man move back. Then the green-clothed knight appeared to stumble, and Sir Charl lunged. Anlin, like most of the spectators, gasped. This must be the end.

But the smaller man deftly sidestepped the blow and returned with his own stoke, low and across the legs. Even with the swords padded, the stroke must have been punishing. Sir Charl’s knees buckled and he crumpled to the ground. The green knight moved to a dominant position over his opponent and the referee called an end to the match.

The spectators broke into a frenzy of cheering. Anlin remained frozen in place. This, then, was the man who would have command of her body until the day she died. Cold uncertainty leached into her bones. Then she reminded herself this could only happen if this warrior agreed to bend to her will. She felt her shoulders relax as the man approached. She yet had control of the pieces in play.

HANNAH MEREDITH

Bio

Hannah Meredith has a BA and MA in English from Southern Methodist University. For over a dozen years, she taught at the high school and university level. Then she discovered more people wanted houses than grammar and switched to a career in real estate. She remained a successful real estate broker for the next thirty years.

After retiring, she returned to her love of words and began writing. Under another name, she initially wrote award-winning short fiction for many of the major science fiction and fantasy magazines. Now as Hannah Meredith, she writes primarily historical romance. She has five individual books available, as well as a novella in each of the four Christmas Revels anthologies.

As an historical romance author, Hannah has found her niche. She loves the history. She loves the HEA. She’s always been a storyteller, and these are the stories she was meant to tell.

Book Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074JY6QL5

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1127258459

Contact Hannah At:

Website: http://www.hannahmeredith.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HannahMeredithAuthor

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Hannah-Meredith/e/B00E5FZLG4