King's Artesan Blog Tour

Welcome! Welcome! Today on the blog I have a terrific book feature: KING'S ARTESAN by Cas Peace and an interview with her. This is the final book in the Artesans of Albia Trilogy. Cas is not only a terrific writer she is a wonderful person, an animal advocate, a song writer, and a freelance editor--not to mention one of my closest confidants. I think a lot of herself goes into her books. If you haven't had the chance to read them I highly recommend them. You will find yourself falling in love with characters and escaping to the world of Albia in your mind. Cas has written a truly magical series. Guess what? This book might be the end of the trilogy but its only the third book in the saga to come. Cas has six more books about the world of the Artesans in the works with her publisher, Rhemalda. I had had chance to interview Cas and I know you will love the replies she gives.

Also check out the GIVEAWAY at the bottom of this post. 
You could win ALL 3 of Cas' books in eBook format!!

The Interview:

Thank you so much Cas for being on my blog!

Cas Peace: Before I start, I would like to thank my wonderful friend Mikey Brooks for once again allowing me to be featured on his blog. Good friends are rare and precious in this world, and Mikey is one of the best. He’s also a great writer in his own right – be sure to check out his books!

Thank you, Cas!! You are too sweet. So, what can we look forward to in King's Artesan?

Cas Peace: In King’s Artesan, the reader learns much more about the Staff and its importance. Both Robin and Sonten are desperate to get their hands on it, and this leads to some damaging conflict. The outcome of their race to possess it has far-reaching consequences, some of them tragic. But the major revelation in King’s Artesan is the identity of - insert doom-laden, doo - do, doo- do, Jaws-type music - The Baron! His plans hinge upon possession of the Staff, and the reader learns more about what his ultimate goal is.  Has that whetted your appetite?

Yes, it has!! Who is your favorite character and why?

Cas Peace: This is a really tough question because I don’t really have a favorite. It would be easy to say Sullyan, simply because I invested so much time and effort into her, but I think I actually empathize more with Taran. Having said that, I absolutely love Bull. In my mind, he’s everyone’s favorite uncle. He’s loving, capable, fallible, funny, and the one person you could completely rely on without ever having to ask. He’d walk to the ends of the earth for those he loves, and I think this is a quality we need more and more in our lives.

This is a long series, what helps you keep the story going?

Cas Peace: The story kept itself going! The more I wrote, the more driven I became to find its conclusion. The Artesans series was one of those plots that revealed more of itself as time went on. I originally thought I was only writing until the end of King’s Artesan. But when I got there, I realized there was a huge amount more to tell. At the conclusion of the next trilogy, Circle of Conspiracy, I really thought I’d wrapped everything up. But it seemed the characters hadn’t finished with me, and a whole new trilogy, Master of Malice, was born. And I’m not even sure I’m done with it now!

Who is your least favorite character?

Cas Peace: My least favorite character of the whole series is one the reader hasn’t met yet. Her name is Seline, and she’s the daughter of King Elias. She appears very briefly in the Circle trilogy, but her real contribution comes in Malice. I won’t spoil anything, but she causes real problems! But if we’re talking about the Artesans trilogy, then I guess my least favorite has to be Parren. He’s a real slime ball and the sort of person I simply despise. He was great fun to write, though!

When can readers expect the next installment in the triple trilogy?

Cas Peace: I am still in talks with Rhemalda Publishing concerning Circle of Conspiracy, the next Artesans trilogy. If all goes well, the books should be available during 2014. We have discussed publishing the entire trilogy during that year, rather than one book a year, and I think it’s a good idea. However, nothing is decided yet. Watch this space!

You write songs that accompany your books. Can you share the lyrics to the song you wrote for King's Artesan, and share a link to listen?

Cas Peace: I do love writing songs to accompany my books. And in the editing process for King’s Artesan, I got the chance to write the song that features throughout the entire triple-trilogy series. This might sound really odd, but although this particular song is mentioned in pretty much every book, I had never actually written the words. However, when I was asked by Rhemalda’s editor, Diane, to alter some of the scenes at the end of King’s Artesan, I realized that the song could be used to wonderful effect. And this necessitated me writing the words. Normally when I write a song, I already have words in mind. They usually suggest themselves. In the case of this song though, it only existed as emotions, as a concept. I had shied away from writing words to it because I doubted I could capture that concept. Rewriting those scenes, however, proved to be the catalyst that freed the concept and brought it to life. Indeed, it proved essential to the story, and key to the resolution of the scenes. Who would have thought? So although I found the rewrite hard work, and it resulted in the ebook file being late for publication (my apologies to anyone waiting!) I am incredibly grateful to Diane for providing the impetus. The song is called Morgan’s Song (All That We Are) and it will eventually be available as a free download (like all my songs) from my website, www.caspeace.com. For now, though, here is a temporary link to where you can hear or download it: http://goo.gl/Nb4lC0

 Morgan's Song:
All That We Are

Earth speaks in tones of soil, wood and stone

An echo that runs through all that we are.

Its presence and power sustain on their own

But your love gives life meaning, your heart is my home.

Water’s music gives birth to the soul

Its essence surrounds us, feeds all that we are

The hard rain, wild sea, the softness of snow,

Run deep within us, as Love itself flows.

Fire of the sun pours warmth through the leaves

Life’s cradle of heat gives us all that we are

Light for our eyes and the life that we see,

Kindling true friendship, your love kindles me.

Air with a soft sigh, or raging with force,

Filling the spaces of all that we are.

Tempests and zephyrs, the clouds upon their course,

Its voice sings so sweetly when Love is the source.

Now Spirit rise up and join all these as one

The core of our being, of all that we are

The source of all loving, the heart’s labours done

When two spirits join, when two souls sing one song.

I want to take you on a brief journey of 
The Artesan of Albia series to entice you to read them.

Cas starts us with the book KING'S ENVOY: Taran Elijah's quest for knowledge uncovers a plot that threatens the world. In Albia, the fourth realm, the precious Artesan gift is dying. Although born to the craft, Taran is struggling to achieve his potential. Against his friends' advice, he embarks on a foolhardy plan to acquire the teaching he craves. Alone, he crosses into Andaryon, the fifth realm, but instead of finding a mentor, he stumbles upon a treacherous plot. In the wake of Taran's actions, Albia suffers a series of vicious raids. Major Sullyan of the High King's forces is sent to oppose them. But a dark and treacherous force is moving through the realms and both Taran and Sullyan will feel its power. Their craft, the lives of their friends, the very existence of their realm are under threat unless they expose and oppose the evil. This book ends on a cliff hanger that will make you want to read the next.

KING'S CHAMPION: After surviving brutal torture and escaping from Lord Rykan’s dungeons, Major Sullyan is trapped in Andaryon, too injured to cross the Veils. Slowly dying and determined to find some purpose in the shattered remains of her life, she travels to the Andaryan capitol to offer the Hierarch her sword and Artesan gifts in the fight against Rykan and his vast army. Because women hold no power in Andaryon, Sullyan is met with prejudice, hostility, and suspicion.
Before she can seek vengeance on the field of battle, she must prove herself to the Hierarch’s generals. Finding support from the unlikeliest sources, Sullyan sets a plan into motion to defeat Lord Rykan and end his bid for the throne. The fate of two realms depends on her success, but her strength is fading fast and time is running out.

A now to introduce KING'S ARTESAN: Unable to purge herself of the poison that is slowly killing her, Major Sullyan remains trapped in Andaryon. The only thing that can save her is the Staff, which still lies buried in Taran’s cellar. Robin Tamsen sets out on a desperate quest to recover the artifact, but the enemy is two steps ahead of him. Sonten knows where the Staff is, and he will stop at nothing to get it back. If he does, Sullyan’s life will be forfeit and no Artesan will be safe. 

The race for the Staff has begun.

I am excited to read this book! If you like to read epic fantasy you will LOVE this series. It is creative and magical. But you dont have to take my word for it. See what others are saying about the books:

"A wonderfully written, unique story that truly stands out."
Mark Mayfield, former Editor-in-Chief, House Beautiful Magazine, New York

"Beautifully crafted, a joy to read."

Fantasy author Raven Dane.

"Thrilling, imaginative and a great read."
Fred Le Grand, The Cyclist.

"Amazing fantasy, this book is so good! A great sense of world building, the Artesan connection grows stronger and more fascinating with each character. A premium effort from a confident writer, someone who knows fantasy and its readers well. King's Envoy is a great read!"
Gerry Dailey, avid reader and reviewer.

About Cas Peace:

As well as her love of horses, Cas is mad about dogs, especially Lurchers. She enjoys dog agility training and currently owns two rescue Lurchers, Milly and Milo. Milly has already had some success in the agility ring, and Milo will begin competing in late 2011. Cas loves country walks, working in stained glass and folk singing. She has also written a nonfiction book, "For the Love of Daisy," which tells the life story of her beautiful Dalmatian. Find her at her website: http://www.caspeace.com or at: http://rhemalda.com/explore/rhemalda-authors/item/cas-peace

Where to find the Books:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17925222-king-s-artesan
http://shop.rhemalda.com/product/kings-artesan.html
http://rhemalda.com/
https://www.facebook.com/cas.peace
https://www.facebook.com/RhemaldaPublishing

 

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