Please join me in welcoming fantasy romance author, Mysti Parker to Illusions of Intimacy. I had the chance to interview her about her new release, Serenya's Song.
First of all, thank you Marsha for having
me here on your lovely blog!
Glad to have you visit today, Mysti!
About your book, Serenya’s Song, how
do the various types of elves differ in your world of Tallenmere? The main
character, Serenya Crowe, is a half-elf commoner, and Jayden Ravenwing, the
ex-secret agent who is new to town, is a wood-elf. How are they different? Are
there other types?
I'm so glad you
asked about elves, as they are my focus in the first three books. Prepare for
me to be long-winded. Ok, deep breath.....
There are
three types of pure elves on Tallenmere (so far). High-elves are the goddess
Innessa's pride and joy. Tall and usually pale-skinned, they hail from the
province and capital city of Leogard, founded by their king, Leopold Vaeloria.
Their hair and eye color varies. Most, especially those of high rank, are
imbued with Innessa's spark of magic at birth or while young. Whether they
choose to make use of it or not as a mage, wizard, or healer, is up to them,
though highly encouraged. Caliphany in A Ranger's Tale, for instance, is
a wizard specializing in fire and expected to follow in her father's footsteps
as head of the Mage Academy.
High-elves are
known to look down on wood-elves as inferior, though they both claim Innessa as
their creator. Wood-elves are shorter, often reaching only to the shoulders of
a high-elf. They have darker, olive-toned complexions, but vary widely in hair
and eye color. Fewer wood-elves are blessed with magic, and the ones who are
tend to be limited in their abilities, yet can finely hone a few skills over
time, like Jayden demonstrates quite well in A Ranger's Tale and Serenya's Song
with his concealment spell.
Dark-elves are
thought to be the dark god, Tyr's creation. They inhabit their ancient city of
Mortyr in the land of Tryonia. They have skin of dark blue, eyes ranging from
glassy blue to violet, and hair in shades of white or purple. Though known for
their practice of dark arts such as necromancy, the dark-elves of Mortyr keep
to themselves and do not interfere with the outside world. Unfortunately, many
of them have been forced into the city and service of Ironhaven, ruled by the
sadistic human Emperor Sarvonn. High-elf King Leopold will stop at nothing to
bring him down. This animosity will help propel the series as it progresses.
Half-elves, as the
name would imply, are half-elf, half-something else, usually human. All pure
elves can live to be 1,000 years old, and not a day over, barring death from
injury of disease. Half-elves also enjoy long lives, but not quite so long as
pure elves.
What
is the other half of Serenya’s heritage? Is her commoner blood human? If being
a half-elf gives her a lower standing, how did she come to marry Sebastion, The
Earl of Summerwind?
In Serenya's
case, her mother was a wood-elf commoner, and her father is presumed to be
human, but no one knows who he is. Her marriage to Sebastian Crowe is tricky.
But, sit back, children, and let me tell you a story. Six years before Jayden
arrived in Summerwind, the Earl walked into Douglas Barnaby's (Serenya's
stepfather's) tavern, The Wasted Witch, and offered to pay off his debts in exhange
for her hand. Serenya felt obligated to Douglas her whole life for raising her
by himself after her mother died in childbirth. Plus, she was only twenty-one
and smitten by this handsome human who seemed so sincere. What a stroke of luck
for the common daughter of a tavern-owner to be wooed by Summerwind's most
eligible bachelor! Little did she know her marriage wouldn't be a fairy
tale.
Serenya
has some unusual characteristics, being able to interpret dreams and having a
birth defect that forces her to wear gloves. The community seems to put her
down because of these. Why? Can you describe these unusual traits more?
Actually, several townspeople have utilized Serenya's dream
interpretation ability over the years to figure out their own strange dreams.
Many times, it's come in handy, like when she interpreted a teacher's dream and
prevented a fire in the local school. She listens to the dream as described,
closes her eyes, and lets her mind unravel the symbols into actual images.
Sometimes, those images are quite vivid to the point where she physically feels
what's going on.
Some of those same people are the ones who whisper about her
birth defect and unknown history. I wanted to portray what often happens in
small town society, especially if someone moves in who's "not from around
here". No matter how long it's been since moving, sometimes it's hard to
get fully accepted in a new town. So, it makes sense, doesn't it, that one
minute, they'd be using her ability, and the next minute, spreading gossip
about her.
Serenya's birth defect is described in the prologue,
which chronicles her horrific birth. Here's a tiny snippet of that scene:
Douglas stared at the baby’s hand, unsure if the sight
before him was some optical illusion. Sharp points a half-inch long tipped
each finger. Claws? Was that common for a wood-elf baby? Was it dead?
Serenya’s Song
Tallenmere
Book Two
by
Mysti Parker
Blurb:
In
the fantasy world of Tallenmere, no one ever said love was easy...
Serenya Crowe may be a half-elf commoner, but she's no ordinary woman. With the ability to interpret dreams, and a birth defect that forces her to wear gloves, she’s endured small-town gossip and the cruelty of her husband, Sebastian, The Earl of Summerwind. All she's ever wanted is to live a quiet life and raise a family. When she meets the new stranger in town, her world and her heart, are turned upside down.
Wood-elf Jayden Ravenwing is an ex-secret agent who wants nothing more than to forget matters of the heart. He left the bustle of Leogard and his failed marriage to make a fresh start in Summerwind. He never planned to fall in love again, especially with the enchanting Serenya Crowe.
When a strange portal opens on the Crowe property at the edge of town, Jayden is thrown into an investigation, knowing that if he fails, Serenya and everyone in Summerwind may die.
Together, he and Serenya must overcome an ancient evil, and their own inner demons, to save Summerwind and find the love they've always dreamed of.
Serenya Crowe may be a half-elf commoner, but she's no ordinary woman. With the ability to interpret dreams, and a birth defect that forces her to wear gloves, she’s endured small-town gossip and the cruelty of her husband, Sebastian, The Earl of Summerwind. All she's ever wanted is to live a quiet life and raise a family. When she meets the new stranger in town, her world and her heart, are turned upside down.
Wood-elf Jayden Ravenwing is an ex-secret agent who wants nothing more than to forget matters of the heart. He left the bustle of Leogard and his failed marriage to make a fresh start in Summerwind. He never planned to fall in love again, especially with the enchanting Serenya Crowe.
When a strange portal opens on the Crowe property at the edge of town, Jayden is thrown into an investigation, knowing that if he fails, Serenya and everyone in Summerwind may die.
Together, he and Serenya must overcome an ancient evil, and their own inner demons, to save Summerwind and find the love they've always dreamed of.
Author
Bio:
Mysti Parker is a full time
wife, mother of three, and a writer. Her first novel, A Ranger’s Tale was
published in January, 2011 by Melange Books, and is the first in a fantasy
romance series. Mysti reviews speculative fiction for SQ Magazine and is the
proud writer of Unwritten, a blog voted #3 for eCollegeFinder’s
Top Writing Blogs award.
Links:
Twitter: @MystiParker
10 comments:
Thanks so much for hosting me, Marsha!
Mysti my dear,
Its been fascinating, not to mention illuminating joining you on your blog tour.
Thank you,
Jack
Love your interviews, Mysti. This one was no exception. I have always loved Elves, since reading about Middle Earth. Thanks for the chance to get to know your a little better! :)
Mysti, I've enjoyed your blog tour. I've learned more about you and what makes your characters tick.
Your vivid imagination and writing style will take you far.(Prediction from my all-seeing eye)
I'm proud to be your friend.
Mysti - you are amazing as always!! Sorry to see this tour end, I have been learning so much about you and your books!!
-Amy Eye
I love that you know every little detail about the world you've created. You rock!
Thanks so much everyone, especially all those who've followed my tour so faithfully. I hope I can return the favors to you. If you need, just ask! *hugs* to you all :)
Mysti, it was great to be a part of your tour. Your book sounds fascinating!
Mysti - this blog tour has left me with a sense of having journeyed with you to many, many locations - a virtual vacation! I delighted in the presentation today, learning all the details about the elf hierarchy.
Thanks Marsha--If you get the chance to read my series, I'd love to know what you think, and vise versa. I've been really curious about yours--such beautiful covers!
And Judy--that's what I was hoping for. I'm glad you've enjoyed it. I certainly did!
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