Rituals & Runes is the PERFECT escape to worlds filled with paranormal, romance, urban fantasy, and more! And you can get a sneak peek into one of the stories exclusive to the box set, The Mark.
Check out this author's interview with A.L. Kessler to find out about
her contribution!
Author: A.L. Kessler
Title: The Mark
R & R: How does the magic within the story create a
powerful world that will entice your readers?
A.L.: The magic in The Mark is a
little more free-flowing than what is typically seen in a UF world. Because the
story is shorter, I opted not to make hard and fast rules for the magic system
and just let it flow with the story. This allows each character to use their
magic in a way that’s more suited to their personality and is more of an energy
from the person.
R & R: Incredible! I think the readers will really
love to see how you do that.
What aspects of your FMC
make her resilient and powerful?
A.L.: Zada has to overcome a
failure that she thinks she made in her pass while trying to stop a short term
of peace from ending because of a traitor. She’s powerful in her own right with
magic, of course, but she’s also smart and quick. She doesn’t let the opinion
or persuasions of others to keep her from finding the truth.
R & R: It’s wonderful to see a powerful, persuasive
heroine and I think she’ll really connect with the readers.
Is your story going to
continue into a series?
A.L.: As of right now, it won’t
be. It does pretty well as a standalone.
R & R: Never say never. The readers might demand
more!
What’s your favorite
aspect of your story?
A.L.: I love the family-like
interactions between Zada and her group and Verick and his spymaster. There’s a
lot of fun banter between the characters.
R & R: Fantastic. I think a little humor adds so
much to a story.
What books do you have
coming out that are not involved in the anthology?
A.L. My most recently release
is the 13th and last book in my Here Witchy Witchy series, Rise and
Fall. It’ concludes the adventures of Abigail Collins, a witch that solves
paranormal crimes.
R & R: I’m sure writing the last book in a series is
bittersweet and one the readers will enjoy!
Do you have any habits
before you sit down to write a book?
A.L. I have to have a cup of
something to drink (typically coffee) before I start writing. It just gives me
something to do with my hands during the minutes I have to think.
R & R: I think it’s so enjoyable to readers to learn
about the different rituals authors have.
When did you begin
writing?
A.L. I’ve always crafted
stories of some sort as I grew up. I actually started completing written
stories in sixth grade and it was Sophomore year of high school that I decided
I wanted to be an author.
R & R: Goodness, that is truly a remarkable feat and
one to treasure.
Do you prefer Chocolate
Truffles or Twizzlers?
A.L.: Truffles! Chocolate all
the way!
R
& R: A chocolate lover. I’m certain
many readers can relate. Thank you so much for giving us a little insight into
the world of A.L. Kessler!
Blurb:
The Mark
Zada Maddock became a demon hunter
after the destruction of her family, but after a near-fatal mistake in her last
battle, has spent two years away from her team. Now, she’s reluctant to return
home and face the attack threatening an already uneasy truce. Her team is
charged with hunting down the demon responsible for the attack. Only one
problem….
Verick never expected to mate with
a witch, but there was her mark on his skin. She and her team are out to
destroy him. He needs to prove he was not behind the demon attack. Chaos lurks
around every corner and time is running out to find the truth and stop another
war between the witches and demons.
Excerpt:
A
smirked pulled up at the corner of his mouth. “How did you
survive that night?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking
about. Get out of here.” She held her hand up and swirling purple magic
gathered in her hands. “You aren’t welcomed here.”
He
took a step forward, wanting to wipe that look of hate and anger off her face.
Smooth her brow so she no longer looked so tortured. He hadn’t
expected to bring up that night, but after seeing her. He wanted to know.
“I saw the sword they stabbed you
with, pinned you to a wall after saving a child.”
She
shook her head and backed up. “Your king pinned me and my own
leader left met to die.” She twirled the dagger in her hand. “Leave.”
That
wasn’t how it went down, but he could see that no amount of
arguing was going to help right now. There was only one thing here that she
understood right now. She was back in her territory and he could see her need
to defend it in her eyes.
“Make me.” He growled out with a
smirk.
And
that got a smile out of her. She launched herself off the steps and threw her
hand up, casting purple magic toward him.
Verick
dodged out of the way and called his own magic to his hand. A swirled of black
sat above his palm and he raised a brow. “That all you’ve got, little witch?”
She
tapped her foot and the ground shook beneath him, a crack opening up between
his legs. The sound of it echoed down the street and he knew it was only a
moment before her friends would come out to investigate.
He
rushed toward her, catching her off guard in her inebriate state. He curved his
hand over the back of head, cradling it in his palm. He met her gaze.
“Next time, little witch, fight me
sober.” And then he did something he hadn’t actually been planning on. He press
his lips to hers.
For
a moment, she pressed her lips back to him and then a sharp pain went through
his stomach.
He
glanced down at the dagger in his side, she pulled it out and laughed.
“Sober or not, I still drew blood.”
She flicked her wrist casting the blood off her dagger and then stepped back.
The
blow wasn’t deadly, but it hurt like hell. He laughed at her and then
wrapped shadows around him to take him back home.
Author Bio:
A.L. Kessler is known
for her Here Witchy Witchy series. She lives in beautiful Colorado with her
family. She dwells in her basement where she can be bribed with coffee or
chocolate to leave.
Website and social media
links:
https://www.facebook.com/alkesslerauthor
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/a-l-kessler
https://www.goodreads.com/alkessler
Get more magical &
paranormal-themed stories like this in Rituals & Runes!
Universal: https://books2read.com/rituals
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3oz9aGJ
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