Virtual Book Tour: Scales and Stingers by K. M. Warfield

 

Guest Post

Discuss the world you've created for the book.

Thank you, Momma Says, for letting me stop by today!

Avoch is, in a number of ways, ye olde typical medieval fantasy realm. Almost.

Are there cars? Nope. You travel by foot, horse, or wagon/carriage.

It's a kingdom, currently ruled by a Queen. There are several larger cities controlled by other nobility. You've got seven Gods, all of which take a somewhat active position in the world. Those Gods were the original protectors of the realm. The ones who stopped the separate nations from killing each other endlessly and united under a single banner.

Most of them, anyway. Lolc Aon had a falling out with her fellow Deities and took her people underground. They became known as the Fallen, and feared by those still on the surface. The other Gods told their followers to leave their sister's realm alone, in hopes that the rage Lolc Aon had for them wouldn't destroy the world.

It didn't work that well.

When we start the book, there's been trade delegations going between the cities of Almair and Bydd Cudd. It's a cool but politically necessary exchange. The human delegates do their best to not anger their hosts and end up as slaves. The Fallen are outgrowing the confines of their world, though. They're looking for a way to rise up and take over the surface. To do this, they have to increase their numbers. Which includes raids on the surface to take humans as laborers.

Because of this, most humans don't like the Fallen much. For the most part, they look the same as anyone else. Their eyes, however, vary in color. Most are orange or red. A few, those of a priestess that Lolc Aon favors, however, have pale lilac eyes. This one feature makes it almost impossible for any Fallen to walk the surface and not be recognized as part of the race.

The odd thing about this is the elves. There's not many left by the time the story begins, and they've integrated well into the society. There are no pointy ears or such. Rather, they have colorful hair. Think cotton candy pink. golden blonde, seafoam green. They're just as easy to pick out. But, because the Goddess they follow is not Lolc Aon, they move about without a care.

Doesn't seem fair, does it? That you're measured by a physical characteristic that you can't control as to whether or not you're of good character or someone to be shunned?

Maybe, just maybe, Thia and her companions will be able to change that.

Thia Bransdottir is shunned for being half Fallen, a race feared by many. She tries to disguise her lineage, but her lilac eyes make it impossible. When her Father is killed, she is taken to the cloister to be a servant of her faith. Jinaari Althir is sworn to protect Thia from the disgraced half of her heritage. Under his holy vows, he must keep others from killing her for their prejudice and using her for her power. He must succeed, there is no room for failure. Trust for someone like Thia is difficult.

Jinaari may say he is there to protect her, but can he truly do his best when he knows she is of the Fallen? Will Thia stay safe in order to fulfill her purpose or is she fated to die for her origins?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Scales-Stingers-action-adventure-fantasy-ebook/dp/B0BNXR4K9C/ref=sr_1_1

Excerpt

Thia let out a scream as an arm circled her waist, lifting her off the ground momentarily. Her hood fell back, her pale blonde hair blowing in the stiff wind. “Consorting with the Fallen now, Althir? I didn’t think you were this kind of ‘honorable’.” A male voice sounded in her ear.

She twisted her body, struggling to free herself. Whoever held her tightened his grip, forcing her closer to him.

“Let her go, Alesso. This is bigger than any grudge you have. The Gods are involved.” Thia snapped her head up at Jinaari’s voice. His sword was out, his eyes looking at her captor. 

Thia’s heart hammered in her chest as fear set in. “Where were the Gods when my family was taken, Althir? Maybe this witch knows how to find them. I won’t know until I ask.” Alesso’s body shifted as he changed his stance.

“She’s part of my task, Alesso. You were there when it was given to me. Put revenge aside long enough to obey Garret’s will.”

What did Father Phillip teach me? After one of the acolytes tried to grab me that first week after Papa died? Pushing down her fear, Thia slammed her foot onto Alesso’s. He screamed in surprise; his arm relaxing. Breaking free, she ran toward the captain. The captain gestured toward her as the sound of swords meeting rang out. She stopped as she got to him, turning to see Jinaari and Alesso fighting.

Born in the late 1960's, K. M. has lived most of her live in the Pacific NW. While she's always been creative, she didn't turn towards writing until 2008. Writing under the pen name of KateMarie Collins, she released several titles. In 2019, the decision was made to forge a new path with her books. The Heroes of Avoch series, along with a new pen name, is the end result.

When she's not writing, she loves playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends, watching movies, and cuddling up with her cat. K. M. resides with her family in what she likes to refer to as 'Seattle Suburbia'.

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

Twitter: @KMWarfieldbooks

Website: https://kmwarfield.com/

Giveaway

K. M. Warfield will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner.

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