Welcome to Shannon Muir’s Infinite House of Books!
DISCLAIMER: This content has been provided to INFINITE HOUSE OF BOOKS by Bewitching Book Tours. No compensation was received. This information required by the Federal Trade Commission.
What initially got you interested in writing?
Story telling has always been a part of who I am. I wrote my first story when I was in grade school, based on a dream I had. I loved creative writing in middle school and high school, and even wanted to be a novelist, but practical considerations and other interests led me to a career in the sciences instead.
How did you decide to make the move into being a published author?
I started writing my first fantasy novel, Eolyn, in autumn of 2006. Like all my other creative writing endeavors, it began as a hobby. But as I worked toward completing the story, I began to wonder if the novel might appeal to more people than just me. So, I started sharing it with friends and family. When their response came back positive, I started taking chapters to writers groups. The critiques I received from other writers really helped me refine the novel. I grew in confidence as an author and eventually submitted the manuscript for publication. I signed my first contract with a small press, Hadley Rille Books, in 2010.
What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?
I want them to be immersed in an extraordinary adventure. I want them to see how love can carry us through the darkest of times and to witness the extraordinary strength of women in war and peace.
What do you find most rewarding about writing?
It’s the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure! I always have an idea of where my stories are going, but the details often surprise me. I love it when my characters make a choice I wasn’t expecting! There’s never a dull moment when I’m writing. It’s always a lot of fun.
What do you find most challenging about writing?
Publishing. It’s kind of a necessary evil; we publish because as writers, we want our stories to be read. But after having been on the market for years, I’m still not convinced I like publishing all that much. There’ve just been too many times when the onerous tasks of publishing and marketing have sapped the joy out of my journey as a writer.
What advice would you give to people want to enter the field?
Think hard about why you are doing this. Perfecting the art and craft of storytelling should be at the heart of your intentions. Everything else is unimportant. If you are doing this to make money or be famous, you will be disappointed. Write for the love of writing, and your stories will always carry their own reward.
What ways can readers connect with you?
I love to have visitors at my web site! You can contact me there and also interact with me via my on-line journal at krgastreich.com. I am also on Twitter, @EolynChronicles, and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Eolyn-110814625640244/
Eolyn’s veins. She stood. Akmael rose with her.
my Lord King. I will not be subject to this cat-and-mouse game. If you do not
trust me, if you do not believe me, then say so.”
heart, Eolyn, but your heart has led you to ill-advised decisions in the past.
For this reason, I am not always inclined to trust your judgment.”
the Gods! I am not the confused and frightened girl I was when my brother took
up arms against you.”
must understand the dilemma you have put me in.”
have put you in?”
Ghemena’s plan and did not inform me, you were party to treason. If you did not
know, then your authority over the magas is uncertain. Either way, the magas must
remain bound and imprisoned until this conflict is resolved.”
and stepped away.
had put it so bluntly.
lived in peace in Moisehén for more than a decade.” Her voice shook, and her
hands were clenched at her sides. “You cannot let the action of one woman—”
The blatantly treasonous act of three women, all devoted students of yours.
They have brought war upon us, Eolyn. Who knows how many others among your
followers support them?”
in my service have done nothing to merit suspicion.”
suspicion.” Akmael hesitated at her stricken look. He let go a slow breath and
softened his tone. “There is a history here that we have not yet overcome,
Eolyn. You, of all people, must understand that. Too many of our subjects still
remember the war against my father.”
that followed?” she shot back.
that tore this kingdom apart,” he conceded. “Right or wrong, the magas were
left with the blame. There are many who fear your power, Eolyn. They fear the
ambitions of all women of magic. We must manage this situation carefully, to
protect you and your daughters. To see that justice is done.”
to my magas on your orders was not just.”
measure. Nothing more.”
me your word—” Eolyn’s voice broke. She sensed doors closing all around her.
Was there nothing he would allow? No small concession she could demand? “At
least promise me that none of my daughters will be mistreated during their
confinement.”
not be…That they will not be subject to the techniques once used by Tzeremond
and his mages.”
washed over Akmael’s features. He smiled and shook his head. “Come, Eolyn. The
situation is not that grim. I assure you the days of Tzeremond will not return.
We are at a momentary impasse to be endured until we determine whether this web
of treachery ends with Ghemena or begins with her. If found innocent, your
magas will be restored to their former positions. If any of them harbor
treasonous hearts, it is better we find out now before further damage is done.”
though she found little comfort in his reassurance.
rooms of the East Tower prepared for you,” Akmael said.
would not be pleased,” he hastened to add, “but I do this for your own
protection.”
wards more powerful than those of the East Tower. You will stay there and the
children with you.”
me? The woman you love, your Queen?”
not be bound. You will be permitted visitors, and you will be allowed to leave
the confines of the tower during daylight hours, but always in my company or in
the company of guards appointed by me.”
this of me.”
her gently by the shoulders. “Do not close your eyes to the delicacy of our
position. Half the court speculates it was your command that led Ghemena to
deliver Eliasara to Roenfyn.”
would never—”
that my daughter has been stolen from me, wonder what is next in the minds of
those who plot to bring down my house and reign. Will they attempt to kill my
son? Will they try to take away my Queen? Because those two things would
destroy me, Eolyn. Me and all the futures I have imagined.”
Akmael in disbelief. A ghostly cry echoed through her heart, the forgotten
lament of a woman betrayed.
began, isn’t it?” she whispered. “The confinement of your mother began just
like this.”
wanted only to protect her, but he never allowed her to leave. In the end it
made no difference. Kaie penetrated the wards and slew her. You remember,
Akmael. You were there.”
me up in that place!”
left alone as my mother was. Not tonight, not in any night to come.”
his lips to her forehead. He took the chain that suspended the Silver Web and
lifted the jewel gently over Eolyn’s head. As he held the amulet in the palm of
his hand, its delicate crystals glittered in the afternoon light.
be used to penetrate the wards,” he said.
to know.” He set the silver chain around his own neck, slipping the amulet
beneath his tunic. “I promise you, Eolyn, I will be with you in every moment I
can.”
way into the East Tower while leaving me with no way out. At night you would
use your mother’s magic to come as a thief, a surreptitious lover, not openly
as my king and husband. Why?”
the door that separated them from the courtiers outside. “Because they must
believe that my judgment is free from the influence of desire and love, free
from any spells a High Maga might cast.”
if they believe a maga can control the decisions of men! If we had such power,
I assure you this world would be a very different sort of place.”
