THE PRINCE OF VAL-FEYRIDGE by Helen C. Johannes

 

Today welcome Author Helen C. Johannes to Notes From a Romantic’s Heart to talk about her new book, The Prince of Val-Feyridge from The Wild Rose Press. But first, a few nosey questions!

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Is your book based on real-life experience or a figment of your imagination?

I write fantasy romance in a medieval-type setting. Therefore, everything I write is a figment of my imagination. However, all of it is rooted in a lifetime of reading, studying, traveling, teaching, and living in various places and through various experiences. My warriors spring from a love of history and experience as a military brat. My broken kingdom is inspired by the real-life divisions I see in countries around the world, past and present. When you’re always the stranger in a new school or workplace, you see and experience prejudice from the outside, which is vastly different from growing up alongside it. I gave each of my lead characters an opportunity to be the stranger. That way they could learn to look beyond their preconceived notions about “the other” and discover each other’s basic humanity. A warrior and a healer are about as opposite as one can get, but love can grow out of respect, trust and a shared sense of honor.

 

Do you like to read in the genre in which you write? Or are you adventurous?

My go-to books-to-read combine romance and suspense in any time period or genre. That race-against-the-clock combined with the sizzle of unexpected or inconvenient love is catnip to me. Hence, my Goodreads booklist hits everything from rom-com chick-lit to sci-fi mystery to middle grade fantasy to old-school classical mystery with a few literary giants in between: Krentz, Tolkien, Riordan, JK Rowling, N Roberts, Christie, Sayers, Penny, Shakespeare, SE Phillips, M Wells, D Jones, to name a few.

 

If you listen to music while you write, what are the top three songs on your playlist?

Since words interfere with my concentration, I listen to primary instrumentals or Celtic music. My go-to musicians are Enya and Loreena McKinnett. I also have the soundtracks to Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean on my playlist. Something rousing for the action scenes.

 

About the Book

She’s all wrong for Prince Arn, this lowborn healer who keeps meddling in his march to conquer her homeland. If only she hadn’t helped him, and he hadn’t kissed her, he could stop looking for her everywhere, hoping to find her…again.

Prince Arn has a destiny—an ancient throne—but he’s not waiting for fate to deliver when he can act now, before his enemies organize against him. The healer Aerid longs for her barely remembered homeland. Marked out by her gift and her unusual looks, she insists she is no witch.

The swordsman Naed hopes to honorably defend his uncle’s holding, but he harbors a secret fascination for the exotic healer. Prince Arn’s campaign against Aerid’s homeland throws them into a triangle of forbidden love, betrayal, and heartbreak. Only when they realize love is blood-kin to friendship, and neither is possible without risk, can they forge a new alliance and restore a kingdom.

The book is on sale for 99¢ at Amazon ~ B&N (Nook) ~ Google Books

Read an Excerpt

“Tell me, witch, and tell me true—does Krenin know who you are or who you pretend to be?”

The question itself startled Aerid, not its harshness, for she had expected that. Twisting her head, she caught a glimpse of eyes like coals in a face dark and set.

“I—I think not, m’lord. ‘Twas dark and—”

“Then you’ll do nothing to enlighten him. Hear?”

She heard him clearly despite water-song and hoof splashes. She understood, too, what underlay his warning. He wanted no one to know that he, the exalted and invincible Prince of Val-Feyridge, had been tricked—trapped—into sparing the life of an Adanak—and a woman!—only to cover the fact he and all his army had been duped into believing—for weeks!—that she was a boy, and a D’nalian. Oh, he had chosen well the moment for his question, Aerid thought, a rush of indignation beating back her shivers.

“Aye, m’lord, ‘tis safe with me, your secret.”

 

Meet the Author

Helen C. Johannes writes award-winning fantasy romance inspired by the fairy tales she grew up reading and the amazing historical places she’s visited in England, Ireland, Scotland and Germany.

She writes tales of adventure and romance in fully realized worlds sprung from pure imagination and a lifelong interest in history, culture, and literature. Warriors on horseback, women who refuse to sit idly at home, and passion that cannot be denied or outrun—that’s what readers will find in her books.

Helen's Blog ~ Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Goodreads

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The end of another wonderful week of authors, books, giveaways and fun! Please come back again next week for read, write, and repeat!

Nancy