Interview with Lasden

Hi, Lasden, it’s so good to have you here with me. For the sake of my readers who can’t actually be here with us, could you describe where we are and why you’re here?

“Good afternoon, madam.” Lasden gestures to the barren rocky plain around us. “We’re in the area formerly known as Malorn’s Western Wilderness. Unfortunately, this area no longer belongs to the kingdom of Malorn. For reasons I don’t fully understand, King Korram recently handed the land over to the bandits who have been robbing and plundering in this area for generations. The residents had to relocate, and we soldiers were told at the time that no more troops would be deployed here. However, after King Korram’s unfortunate death last week, his High Council felt it was important to guard against the Alasians who might be tempted to cross through what we now call Bandit Territory and invade Malorn. Their king was visiting at the time, you see, and he was apparently killed as well. As you can imagine, they’ve been quite upset. Rumor has it that we might end up with a war on our hands.” Lasden glances at the cluster of soldiers sitting in the shade of some boulders not far away. “My platoon and I are on our way to the Telleck River that forms the border. But as long as we’re taking a break for lunch, I’m happy to answer your questions.”

Are you familiar with this area? Have you been here before?

“Yes, quite often. The bandits come out of hiding every few months and harass the farmers or travellers passing through, and then someone sends a message to the capital to let us know, and soldiers are deployed to drive them away. I always volunteer when there’s a choice.” He points to the low mountains to the west. “I’ve heard they have a network of hidden caves over there where they live when they aren’t raiding farms and robbing travelers, but we don’t pursue them that far. We teach them a lesson, and then those who survive flee back to their base and lie low for a few more months.” He shrugs. “Who knows? Maybe King Korram thought that giving them the land would keep them from harming our people anymore. I suppose we’ll see if it works, or if they end up crossing the Grenn River and causing trouble for our people there. In any case, I can’t imagine the bandits are happy that thousands of soldiers have been crossing and camping in the land they were told no one could enter again without their permission.” He casts me a worried glance. “We haven’t spotted any yet today, but if you’re traveling alone, you’ll want to be very careful.”

Can you describe yourself, so my readers could recognize you if they passed you in Malorn?

Lasden indicates the black and red uniform he’s wearing. “To recognize me, your readers should look first for my Malornian army uniform. If they’re anywhere near the Malornian-Alasian border, though, they’ll likely see quite a lot of soldiers, so they can narrow it down by checking for these white stripes on my sleeves that indicate my current rank, corporal. Beyond that, I’m of average height and build, as you can see, with dark hair that I keep short.”

You’ve had a rough time. Can you give my readers a bit of background about your activity in the Malornian army?

Lasden lowers his gaze and sighs. “To be honest, I was hoping you wouldn’t bring that up. But if I must, I’ll tell you what happened. My career in the military started off quite well. I worked hard and proved myself capable, and about five and a half years ago I attained the rank of lieutenant. Shortly after that, Regent Rampus invaded Alasia, and my company was among the first to be sent across the border. We were chosen to attack the palace where their royal family lived.” Lasden gazes into the distance, his eyes full of pain.  “It was a terrible mistake. I knew all along Rampus was wrong. Except for a few minor border quarrels decades back, the Alasians never did us any harm. But Rampus had his eye on the Malorn’s throne, and conquering Alasia was part of his plan to expand his power.” He sighs again. “I should have just refused to be part of it, but soldiers don’t do that. We follow orders, no matter what. So I did. And not a day has passed that I haven’t regretted it. I can’t forget the faces of those I killed, and I wish I had died, myself, before I lifted my blade against so many innocent people.” He clears his throat roughly.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Lasden brightens a little. “It came right after that. I made the right choice later on, at least. A few weeks into the occupation of Alasia, I was sent back to Malorn to recover from an injury sustained in a later skirmish. While I was there, I served as an aide to – well, to a high-ranking officer your readers probably wouldn’t know. I was attending him in a meeting with Regent Rampus and other officers, when I heard I was to return to Alasia to continue what we’d begun. I did what I should have done at the beginning, and told the regent to his face that what he was doing was wrong and I wouldn’t be a part of it any longer.” Lasden chuckles. “That took more courage than anything else I’ve ever had to do. I thought Rampus would kill me for it, and by the look on his face, he wanted to. But he found a better way to get back at me.” Lasden looks away again, shame on his face. “He demoted me all the way back down to private and forced me to return to Alasia anyway. He couldn’t force me to fight, though, which nearly got me killed more than once. But I never drew my sword against an Alasian again.”

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Lasden frowns. “I don’t think that exists in this life. I doubt it will for me, anyway, because people still hold my choice against me. I haven’t had a commanding officer since the Invasion who didn’t look down on me, no matter how well I’ve tried to serve my kingdom since King Korram took the throne. That’s why, even after more than five years, not to mention all my years of experience before the Invasion, I’ve still only just been able to work my way back up to corporal.” He sighs. “I suppose happiness would involve finding some way to make up for what I did, though I can’t imagine what that could ever be. Peace and security in Malorn would be nice, too. As I mentioned, King Korram was killed in suspicious circumstances a week or so ago, and – call me disloyal if you like – it’s hard to believe that the new king, Heggen, has the kingdom’s best interests in mind any more than Rampus ever did. I’d also be happier if nobody knew or cared about my past. And if my father was proud of me for my accomplishments – or just for who I am.” He laughs bitterly. “As if that could ever happen.”

Do you have a most treasured possession?

“Not really. I travel a lot with the army, so there’s not much point in accumulating possessions.”

I’ve noticed that loyalty is important to you, but sometimes that doesn’t look like what people expect. What is loyalty to you, and who or what are you loyal to, and why?

“I believe doing what’s right is more important than following orders. So while I’m loyal to my kingdom, it will never again be at the expense of my conscience. I was loyal to King Korram, because from what I saw of his leadership, he did his best to always do right by Malorn and even by our neighbors in Alasia. I’m loyal to my commanding officers, but if they order me to do something I know is wrong again, I won’t follow orders. I just can’t.” He shrugs, resigned. “I realize that means I’m not a good soldier, but I believe being a good person is more important.”

Do you have a hero? If so, who and why?

“I always admired King Korram, even though he was younger than me. When he was just a boy and Regent Rampus wanted him dead, he trekked into the Impassable Mountains and managed to survive there for months. Somehow he convinced the Mountain Folk – a tribe of uneducated savages who were always raiding farms and villages in the foothills – not only to help him, but to accept him as one of them. Thanks to his mediation, the Mountain Folk almost never cause any trouble these days. And he actually managed to bring back an entire army of them to help him stand against Rampus and his men – and they succeeded.” Lasden shakes his head in wonder. “All this from a seventeen-year-old boy. He took the throne not long after that, and as young as he was, I daresay he ruled the kingdom at least as well as his father ever did, for the few years he was king.” He sighs. “I always wished I could meet him in person. It’s such a shame about his death. I have a feeling someone in the government was behind it, but who knows if we’ll ever find out for certain.”

Information about King of Malorn

Blurb

    Life as the king’s younger sister should be exciting.

   Not for Princess Kalendria. She’s sick of the dissent and of constantly having her family undermined by those who think they could rule Malorn better than King Korram.

   Hoping to lighten the mood in the palace, Kalendria plans a ball to celebrate her seventeenth birthday. It doesn’t hurt that their handsome Alasian ally King Jaymin has promised to attend, and she’s been waiting for him to notice her for as long as she can remember.

   But unfriendly forces have their own party plans. When Kalendria, Korram, and Jaymin barely survive an assassination attempt, their only recourse is to flee into the wilderness. Tracked by unknown assassins, they must figure out whom they can trust and who is behind the plot. Can Kalendria help her brother reclaim his throne – oh, and catch Jaymin’s attention while she’s at it – before they are all killed and war destroys both kingdoms?

About the Series

King of Malorn is book 5 in the Annals of Alasia. But don’t worry if you haven’t read the others; it will still make sense on its own. 

Each of the first four books can stand on its own as well. They each deal with events surrounding the same major political incident: the invasion of the kingdom of Alasia by the neighboring kingdom of Malorn (as Lasden refered to). This whole idea was foreign to me, but I really love it. It’s so fun to see different points of view. 

Book 1

Prince of Alasia begins on the night of the Invasion and describes what happens to twelve-year-old Prince Jaymin after he is forced to flee for his life. 

Book 2

In the Enemy’s Service features a girl as the protagonist and tells the story of those who were not able to escape from the Alasian palace when the enemy invaded. (And this is where Lasden does what he’s most proud of.)

Book 3

Prince of Malorn begins several months earlier and focuses on the Malornian perspective of the events leading up to the Invasion. (It shares the part of why Lasden looks up to King Korram.)

Book 4

The Nameless Soldier shows how a young Alasian soldier lives through the Invasion but then has to survive and make a name for himself in enemy-occupied Alasia. 

In each of the books, main characters from the others make brief appearances and interact with each other at the point where the timeframes and settings overlap. 

Annie Douglass Lima also has a short ebook of “interviews” that she conducted with the characters in the other three books. Annals of Alasia: The Collected Interviews is not available on Amazon, but she sends a free copy to anyone who signs up for her mailing list (to receive updates when she releases new books or occasionally offers them for free). I’m definitely heading there right now. Don’t know how I missed it before!

Where to find King of Malorn and the rest of the series

In honor of its release, King of Malorn is free today through Thursday the 11th. Quick go grab your copy! Books 1-3 are only $.99. That means you can pick up all five books for only $5.96! If I didn’t all ready have them, I’d go snatch them up.

About the Author

Annie Douglass Lima considers herself fortunate to have traveled in twenty different countries and lived in four of them. A fifth-grade teacher in her “other” life, she loves reading to her students and sparking their imaginations. Her books include science fiction, fantasy, YA action and adventure novels, a puppet script, anthologies of her students’ poetry, and Bible verse coloring and activity books. When she isn’t teaching or writing, Annie can often be found sipping spiced chai or pomegranate green tea in exotic locations, some of which exist in this world.

The Book:

I know, if you’ve been following me for any length of time, you’ve heard about To Save a Race. However, there are those who’ve not heard; so I’ll share anyway.

The Setting:

“Noise filled the city. Vendors hawked their wares, while rumbling motorcars competed with horse drawn carriages for room on the narrow streets. People rushed along the sidewalks, anxious to finish their business and be home before the sun’s protective light faded. A tall, muscular man moved gracefully among them all, swinging his cane as he walked. His dark hair soaked up the sunlight while his ebony eyes took in his surroundings with an easy nonchalance. A stray noise caught his attention and he spotted a disheveled man backed up against a brick wall. Two burly men advanced on the smaller one, their quarry’s green eyes darting like a hart caught in the cross hairs of the hunter.”

Nubbikford isn’t the safest place for the average citizen to wander, especially at night, but like most cities, it has its own pleasant places.

“A cough brought her out of her reflections, quickly followed by another that wracked her body. The smell of coal, oil and dust filled the air. Arianna didn’t have to look up to know they were passing the factories. Nubbikford boasted two main industries: canvas and automobiles. The buildings faced each other across the crowded thoroughfare, and seemed to compete to see who could belch the most noxious fumes into the atmosphere. Arianna felt sorry for the workers who endured the foul smells day in and day out. She knew many of them were Tantulians and had no say in their situations. She’d never met one, but any time she’d complained about chores, Uncle Marcos had always told her to be thankful she wasn’t a Tantulian. She shifted in her seat.

Kenden smoothly turned a corner. “It’s not much further. We’ll be there shortly.”

Arianna smiled her thanks and peered ahead, waiting for that first glimpse. She hadn’t been to the castle often, but occasionally Uncle Marcos had taken her with him when she was little. She remembered the thrill that would soar through her as they rounded the curve and the castle loomed at the top of the hill.”

The Synopsis:

When Duke Callon divorces his wife and decides on an uncanny way of choosing his next duchess, Arianna’s left with little choice. Faced with the intricacies of politics, Arianna struggles to find her place. Just as she thinks she has her footing, a decree, issued with the blessing of her husband, calls for the extermination of her entire race.

A young innocent girl, a capricious duke, and a decree that will change everything. What will it take to save a race?

Follow along in this one of a kind Steampunk Biblical retelling of an Old Testament classic by Kandi J Wyatt.

The Store:

Where can you get your own copy of To Save a Race? At your favorite retailer.

Get your copy here

The Giveaway:

With the steampunk vibe of the book, I wanted to find something that would go along with that. So, I contacted a local artist I know who does wonderful jewelry and asked if she had anything already made. Although she didn’t have anything ready, she eagerly went to her workshop and made up four necklaces for me to choose from. The butterfly caught my attention right away.

First and Second Place:

For first and second place, I’m giving away ebook copies of To Save a Race. I have mobi which is what Kindle uses, epub–perfect for iTunes–and pdf for those who just use the computer.

Grand prize:

This gorgeous steampunk butterfly was handmade by Shawn Tempesta artist at Second Street Gallery and Art by the Sea Gallery and Studio both in Bandon, Oregon. The necklace itself contains watch body and parts, Swarovski crystals, and a brass chain which adjusts to 20, 21 and 23 inches. If that wasn’t enough, I’m also adding in a paperback copy of To Save a Race. The total value is $60.

How to Enter:

There are multiple ways you can enter to win, most of them being through the internet. However, those who are local have the opportunity to earn two entries by coming to Langlois Public Library on Wednesday, March 28 at 6:00 pm for my book reading. Use the rafflecopter below to enter online; also, notice that some of those options can be repeated every day.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to share this with your friends and family, and if you have younger children who love to read or who love to be read to, be sure to check out the Dragon Courage series or Journey from Skioria.

Birth is something that binds people together. Women especially relate to birthing stories, but even farmers tell the story of the birth of their cow, horse, sheep, pig or other animal. The beginning of life awes even the most sedate person. It is no different with a book.

In late February, I sent my manuscript, Dragon’s Future, to Booktrope to be reviewed for publishing. It was a nerve-wracking experience. I didn’t even tell my husband or any of my family members that I had done it until I heard back from Booktrope! Then when I heard, I had the two to three weeks of deciding if I wanted to follow through with this decision. I couldn’t believe it had been accepted. The mayhem of social media, blogging, editing, proofing, and cover designing has filled up the last five and a half months, but now it is finally time! The moment is upon us. The due date is only six days away. Unlike my natural births that I had, this one will happen on the day scheduled, at least for the eBook. The print copy may be more like my natural births of not sure exactly when after the due date I will get to hold the baby in my hands. I can’t wait! I am so ready and excited to see it and to know that my baby is here. However, just like my children, I will then hand my baby into the world to make its own way. I look forward to hearing your feedback–good and bad, but hopefully mostly good.

As an expectant mother, please forgive any emotional outbursts that I have in the next week or so. Expect my Twitter account to be filled with comments about the book or the Facebook party (come join, there currently is a contest for whoever invites the most people). My Facebook page may be filled with dragon related links or photos and words about the book. Believe me, the excitement will wear off, just like the newness of a baby wears off with sleepless nights. Until then, allow me to exult and rejoice in the life of a new birth.