VBT: Eolyn by Karin Rita Gastreich

Eolyn

by Karin Rita Gastreich

THE BOOK IS FREE DURING THE TOUR DATES: April 21 & 22

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GENRE: Fantasy

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BLURB:

In a land ravaged by civil war, the Mage King Kedehen initiates a ruthless purge of the magas. Eolyn, last daughter of the magas and sole heiress to their forbidden craft, seeks refuge in the South Woods.

When she meets the mysterious Akmael, heir to the throne of this violent realm, she embarks on a path of hope, seduction, betrayal, and war. Desire draws Eolyn toward Akmael’s dark embrace, but fate binds her to Corey of East Selen, a cunning mage whose ambition challenges the limits of love and loyalty.

Can she trust either man?

Hunted in a realm of powerful wizards and brutal deceptions, Eolyn must find her own path to freedom or she will burn on the pyre.

"Vigorously told deceptions and battle scenes, with a romantic thread." -Publishers Weekly

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Excerpt Two:

The Hunt for Eolyn

Eolyn lunged at Akmael, hand raised to strike him. He caught her wrist in a vice-like grip that gave pause to her fury.

In the silence that followed, Akmael measured the heat under Eolyn’s skin, the rhythm of her pulse, the condensation of her breath against the cool night air.

“Eolyn.” He did not bother to hide the note of surprised hope in his voice. “Are you jealous?”

She wrenched free of his hold. “Your magic is a disgrace! You have allowed your abilities to be twisted to foul ends. Dragon did not grant us these powers to invoke fear or take advantage of those weaker than ourselves. And our festivals are meant to celebrate the heritage of Moisehén, not to reinforce your authority, much less your sexual prowess.”

“That may be the case, but your question about the third night of Bel-Aethne…It did not arise out of concern for the proper interpretation and practice of magic. Did it?”

Eolyn cheeks flushed, but she lifted her chin. “There is no place for jealousy in a maga’s heart.”

Akmael did not let her finish. He caught her lips in his. In an instant the spark granted to them as adolescents was reignited. Akmael wrapped his arms around her, inhaling her honey and wood aroma, intertwining his fingers in her silky hair, exploring every delicate contour of her face and throat. The force of his passion pushed her back against the raw trunk of a large tree. His hands traveled insatiable over the landscape of her body, at once familiar and new.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Karin Rita Gastreich writes stories of ordinary women and the extraordinary paths they choose. She lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where she is part of the biology faculty at Avila University. An ecologist by vocation, Karin has wandered forests and wildlands for over twenty years. Her past times include camping, hiking, music, and flamenco dance. In addition to The Silver Web trilogy, Karin has published short stories in World Jumping, Zahir, Adventures for the Average Woman, and 69 Flavors of Paranoia. She is a recipient of the Spring 2011 Andrews Forest Writer’s Residency.

Website: http://krgastreich.com

Twitter: @EolynChronicles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eolyn-110814625640244/

THE BOOK IS FREE DURING THE TOUR DATES: April 21 & 22

Purchase link for EOLYN: http://www.amazon.com/Eolyn-Silver-Web-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01B8F4G50/

Interview with Karin Rita Gastreich

As a kid did you write or make up stories?

Oh, yes. The first story I remember writing was based on a dream I had when I was a little girl. I was walking with two friends in a medieval town. As the clock struck noon, everyone began to disappear, shutting themselves up in shops and homes. We soon realized that at midday, a dark and terrible knight came riding through the village, and woe to anyone caught in his path. Panicked, we began to look for hiding places of our own. I became separated from my friends. Just as the terrible knight came galloping around the corner, I found a cellar and slipped inside. He came after me. I crouched in the shadows, terrified of making any noise as he searched around me. And then…

Mom woke me up, because I had to go to school. Aaaaargh!

I was very upset because I really wanted to know the end to my dream. So that day, I drew scenes from the dream (maybe I was too young to write?) and set the pictures by my bed in hopes of picking up the story where I’d left off. Of course, that didn’t work. So, I wrote my own ending, and I’ve been writing ever since.

Where does most of your Character inspiration come from?

Everywhere. People I meet. People I see on the streets. Characters in movies or other books. Celebrities. My own imagination. A good character can pop up at any moment, often in the most unexpected of places.

Do some qualities of your characters come from real people?

While it’s fair to say that many of my characters are inspired by real people, in the writing of a story, every character assumes his or her own personality in the end. By the time I finish a novel, my characters bear little resemblance to who or what first inspired them.

What was the inspiration for your book?

Eolyn had many sources of inspiration, but at heart was my desire to write an epic fantasy in which women played complex and meaningful roles. Coupled with this, I also wanted a woman protagonist who could be strong, even triumphant, without wielding a sword.

What is your favorite spot to write?

Once a year I go to Virginia Beach with a group of women friends who are also writers. That is hands down my favorite place to write.

What advice would you give budding writers?

Enjoy the journey. The best part of writing is writing, and sharing your stories.  If you always remember this, and keep it at the center of your goals and experience, you will find success as a writer.

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Karin will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway