Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book? When did it come out? Where can we get it?
My latest book is my debut novel and it
was released in May this year. It has been launched as an e-book on Amazon and Smashwords
and is in paperback on Amazon and CreateSpace. The story is an historical
fantasy re-telling of the life of King David with a fair helping of magic,
intrigue and drama.
Is there anything that
prompted your latest book? Something that inspired you?
The main idea which inspired the story
is my personal frustration with the lack of tolerance towards all
understandings of faith. Although the story tells an old biblical tale, it uses
fiction to highlight different spiritual understandings from many perspectives.
I thought the novel would be a great way to show so many varying yet similar
ideas of faith. There are so many similarities, if we are willing to look for
them.
So, when did you know you wanted to write? Or has it always been a pastime of yours?
I used to write poetry as a teenager. My
teacher encouraged me, but I didn’t really write very much else creatively
until about seven years ago. I just suddenly decided I wanted to write a book.
At first, I considered some sort of self-help book, but quickly decided I
wasn’t really comfortable telling other people how to fix their lives. Instead
I started on this historical fantasy and the subject of King David just seemed
right. Now I am a compulsive writer with a number of blogs and the sequel to
Destiny of Kings already over half written.
Do you have any favorite authors?I love reading heroic or historical fantasy and my favourite author would have to be David Gemmell. I loved the way he always found the grey areas that blended good and evil. His stories are quick paced and suck you in from the very first chapter.
Do you write in a specific place? Time of day?
I am a mum and wife and run a number of
small businesses so I squeeze my writing in-between other work. I write in my
living room or on my deck, but I don’t like to be away from other activity.
Background noise actually makes me feel relaxed. I usually write after dark,
but not always. I am not an early morning person that is for sure.
So, are there any words you'd like to impart to fellow writers? Any advice?
Write to be read, but most of all write
for you. Work hard and be proactive in your marketing, but don’t get so caught
up in it that you don’t have time to write. Have faith in yourself, but always
listen to others, even if you don’t believe everything they tell you there is
always something new to learn.
Thank you for stopping by, Fiona! :)
Readers, here is the blurb for Destiny of Kings.
The King is going slowly mad, bewitched by the dark
magic and seductive powers of the Egyptian Princess Jezebel.
Martinez, the King’s general, must choose between the
life of a young shepherd boy who is like the son he never had or the man who is
his King and lifelong friend.
The One True God has shared a prophecy with the old
seer Samuel, while the little Holy man Narayana claims the Universe has called
him out of meditation to restore balance.
Francesca, the Priestess carries the burden of
responsibility until her faith is rocked, her heart opened and her resolve
challenged.
Here is an excerpt.
It had been a long time since he had enjoyed the splendor of his soft
bed and the refinements of his status, including his beautiful palace. Just as
his mind was drifting to beauty, Jezebel walked into the tent and radiated her
usual elegance and astonishing beauty for all to see. Seasoned soldiers would
blush in her presence, a response shared by the King himself. She had been his
mistress for only a matter of months, but there was nothing he would not do to
please her. He had begged her to marry him however she had refused, saying she
would not be one of many. As his mistress she would not be lost in his tribe of
wives which numbered in the hundreds now. Even though she had only been his
lover for such a short time, without her constant presence he would slip into
terrible dark moods. It made no sense at all as an anointed leader of his
nation. He did not expect to experience such depressing moments. He often
meditated to try and overcome the moods and to reach out in communion with his
God, but lately he felt God had abandoned him. The mad old seer had visited only
a month ago, tracking Saul down on his way to meet the Philistine army on this
very battlefield. He had raved on crazily, saying Saul had offended God by not
obeying his commands. He had recently returned from a successful campaign
against the Amorites and had taken their King and some choice livestock. What
had he done wrong? He had killed every man, woman and child as the prophet had
requested, all except their King. Martinez had asked him to spare the women and
children, claiming God could not possibly wish them dead, however Samuel had
been very clear. The King he had taken as a prisoner was to be a reminder to
everyone just how great the power of his reign was. He had commissioned a
statue of himself to be erected in honor of the victory in the main gathering
area just outside his palace. Saul had even set aside some of the best
livestock to be a holy sacrifice to the Lord for the great victory.
The old man had been indignant, 'The
Lord does not want your sacrifices He wants your obedience. You were told to
kill every living thing, including the livestock. The Lord has chosen another
to take your place as we speak. If you cannot lead the people as God intended,
then you will not lead them at all.'
It did not matter. The old man was past his days of prophecy. The Lord
would be pleased with his victories and the lack of his presence was simply due
to the workload and the stress of his reign. Besides, the absence of God’s
presence was tolerable with Jezebel at his side. When she was with him, everything
else faded into oblivion. He realized he was, at that very moment, lost in the
wonder of her body. He needed to tear his eyes from her curves and back to his
officers. He scolded himself for allowing the distraction. It was difficult to
return to the matters at hand, her ample bosom and cleavage beckoned to him. He
was a mature man, why she warmed his groin so much left him puzzled. He decided
that later he would take her to his bed and the puzzlement would matter not, it
would cease to exist.
Martinez felt the familiar chill down his spine which always accompanied
Jezebel. The rest of the officers had that usual lap dog look on their faces
which she invariably inspired. The King had lost all sense of time once again.
Ever since she had arrived at the palace accompanied by merchants and visiting
officials of Egypt, Martinez had felt uneasy. She never covered her womanly
shape as was customary in Israeli culture. Instead she flaunted her body,
wearing costumes which left very little to the imagination. It was common among
the Egyptian people to paint the bodies of royal women with ornate patterns so
that it could be seen if anyone had touched them. At the same time, they wore
no other garments except tight-fitting, or sheer see-through clothing. This
seemed bizarre to Martinez. To display a woman almost naked except for paint
and then kill any man who touches her. It was a pointless exercise. It was only
a matter of time before some poor fool died. It was human nature for men to
lust after a woman’s body. Jezebel was related to Egyptian royalty and so
probably believed that what she wore was more than enough covering. Thankfully
she never wandered out amongst the men. If she did Martinez would have had a
rebellion on his hands. Most of his men had not had the pleasure of a woman for
months.
Author Bio
I am a multiple small business owner,
married for 26 years and have two boys, 14 and 22. I grew up in regional South
Australia and still enjoy my space. I now live in Queensland where I kite-surf
and Stand up Paddle surf for fun; Australia has some awesome beaches. I love
writing so much that I have a number of blogs and along with writing fiction, I
also run a small business consulting blog where I share loads of free tips for
small business owners. One day I will write that self-help book, but it will be
about small business development, not how to raise your kids or anything like
that.
I have studied community development,
theology and I am still trying to finish a communications degree in my spare
time. It always amazes me how fate offers us all the tools we need to do what
we were always meant to do.
Author Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FionaTarr
Book:
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