Wednesday 13 March 2013

BTS Tours: Prophecy of the Flame by Lynn Hardy


Title: Prophecy Of The Flame
Author: Lynn Hardy
Publisher: Resilient Publishing
Length: 393 Pages
Sub-Genres: Fantasy

Blurb:

Five strangers are yanked from this world and thrust into a land of sorcery as they are granted the looks and abilities of the people they were playing. The Crusaders of the Light struggle to form a cohesive band as they blend twentieth century technology with the supernatural powers of this new world, fighting to liberate the kingdom of Cuthburan from the evil horde threatening humanity.

Battle is also waged within Reba, an ordinary housewife who has become the most powerful mage on the planet. She struggles to remain true to her wedding vows as she is drawn against her will to the arms of Prince Alexandros.

~ * ~

Excerpt:

Winter’s harsh embrace grips the undulating hills in an unforgiving embrace. Whispering, “Sight,” I scan the open vista. If the enemy is out there, they’re hidden beyond even magical sight.
“Charles, would you please take point?”
The ebony warrior quickly complies with my request.
“If you’re ready, Your Highness. It will be as it was when we worked on your brother. Just relax.” I take down my hood. Turning to the prince, I extend my left hand.
Prince Szames hesitates. My heightened mage senses pick up a prolonged inhalation. Assuming he is having second thoughts about working with magic, I expound, “A physical connection makes borrowing energy easier. Once I finish the incantation, we will walk. We need to make a full circle of the city before I can complete the spell.”
Seconds after our hands meet, I get a glimpse into the emotions at which I have, until now, mostly guessed. The fleeting sensation of sensual arousal disappears like lotion on scaly skin. I dismiss the insight as irrelevant, concentrating on the task at hand.
Prince Szames gives a nod, indicating his readiness to proceed. I close my eyes. Securing the connection, I combine our powers. With the world sealed away along with my vision, I begin the most powerful spell I have ever contemplated.

“As I walk the path of this magnificent wall,
Following in my wake, I leave a magic hall.
Power flows through this corridor unseen,
Awaiting my instruction. My idea is so keen.

On my command power will spread,
Forming a dome far over our heads.
Far underground magic will go,
Spreading thin but impregnably so.

A force field you’ll form, surrounding this city,
To keep it safe from malevolent entities.
If to this kingdom you pose a dire threat,
Touch this field and vaporized you will get.

Their energy you’ll capture for your power.
You will guard us well through our darkest hour.”

An orgasmic sigh escapes through my clenched teeth. I fight to remain erect. My body feels as light as a feather, as if I could walk on air right off the side of the battlement. Magic coils about me.
I force the power to pool below me. Magic spills around my feet. The flow steadies. I ease my eyes open. A dull throb settles in the back of my skull. Prince Szames gives an inquiring gaze. I nod. We begin to stroll along the wall, following Charles, leaving a trail of magic behind us like Hänsel and Gretel and their trail of hope. I pray this endeavor turns out better than their bread crumbs.
The magic continues to stream behind as I pictured in my mind. I focus my concentration on the pathway of the magic, intent on stabilizing the flow. Accessing the small reservoir of green energy, I ease the shrunken membranes in my head. There. . . now I should have a little more freedom of thought.
Looking to my right, quite a bit of the countryside is visible. Stark as it is, the beauty touches my soul. Before me is the most striking winterscape I have ever seen. More than a dozen shades of brown interweave into a majestic pattern.Is it the scenery, magesight, or the world we are on?
Smiling, I turn to Prince Szames. “If all your land is this fair, then your kingdom is rich beyond words.”
With an unconscious smile, Prince Szames’s voice is a mere whisper. “This is but a pale shadow in comparison to the sight of her crowned in full glory. Castle Eldrich is known for its beauty throughout the world, but spring is the season for which she is famous. The knolls shimmer with colors so vibrant, you would think the hills have gowned themselves with gemstones.”
“Why, Prince Szames, I didn’t know the soul of a poet could inhabit the body of a warrior. Or do all the men in this kingdom possess a natural affinity for words that let them speak with tongues of silver?” A little flirting often loosens the tongue better than wine.
Pouty lips curve downward. His brow furrows, showing the honesty of his puzzlement. “I am afraid you have mistaken me, perhaps for my brother? I have never been one to manipulate words for a flattering effect. I speak of what my heart sees in an honest fashion. I know of no other way. Perhaps the company I keep has inspired my heart to communicate more intimately with my mind.”
“Then your heart sees beauty where others might not, and you speak of it in a fashion that makes me long to share your sight.” Touché and en garde. The battle begins. “If it is my company that inspires you to speak with such passion, then we must keep company more often. A heart filled with such as yours is wasted if it is not shared.”
Prince Szames’s cheeks brighten with my compliment. I discern a surge of arousal from the warrior, but it disappears as I try to pinpoint it.
Please don’t tell me I’ve made this movie star of a man blush with a little compliment. Surely being tall, blond, and hunky he gets constant attention. Hmm, maybe I should take it easy with the flattery until I learn a little more about this place. Here women might flirt to let men know they are ready to hit the sack. Denying a princely proposition may cause more trouble than the information is worth.
The smile he sports is dopier than ever. “It will be my pleasure to accompany you whenever you are in need of an escort. As I have said before, rank does have some privilege. It will be an honor to guide you through this world.”
Yes, I will definitely have to watch the flirting. “Your Highness, I thank you for your offer. I will keep it in mind. I have a feeling I will be in need of a guide. Your world differs from mine in more ways than I can count.” My lips curve to reassure him while I provide a way out. “However, I don’t wish to monopolize your time by adding more demands to your schedule of duties.”
“Please, call me Szames, as my friends do when the situation does not demand otherwise. Milady Archmage Reba, I would like to count you among my friends.” His deep voice holds warmth and thoughtfulness I dare not take at face value since I can’t sense what he is feeling.
“Then I insist you call me Reba.” My thin lips nearly disappear as my smile broadens.
“Reba, you tell me your world is greatly different from mine. In my youth, when I had a greater amount of time to call my own, I loved to study history and science.” Szames’s eyes light up. “Other lands across the dimensional planes were not suitable material for a prince, so my father always held, but I must admit they fascinate me far more than any topic this world holds. Perhaps we could exchange information about our worlds. I will provide you with a guide through mine, while you provide me the forbidden knowledge I long to study.”
“Szames, you have yourself a deal. An exchange of information it is.” Oooh, careful now. Is he more than a dumb jock, an over-muscled football player? Could he have brains behind all that brawn? I shake my head in denial of the bothersome thoughts. Yeah, right! He’s just outmaneuvered me on the field of flirtation. He’s a playboy philanderer, not a genius in disguise.
In the distance two guards stare at the horizon. Hearing Merithin and Charles approach, they turn and salute, as the others have done, ending with heads up and eyes straight. As Charles passes, they glance in our direction. When the wind brings a startled whisper to my ear, I wish once again I had taken a look in that mirror with my hood down. It seems my looks make a profound impression even from a distance. The sentries snap to attention again as they recognize my escort.
The silence expands as we stroll along, hand in hand. I haven’t been for a walk holding any man’s hand but Kyle’s for so long. I’d forgotten how small, how delicate a big guy makes you feel.
Kyle is five foot eleven and not too big. Lord knows, being five-eight, I don’t feel petite often. Szames’s hand is so huge. . . Yep, now I remember this feeling from high school. It used to intimidate me, feeling so small. But now I don’t feel intimidated at all, even though the man outranks me as well as towers over me. It must be the tremendous store of magical power. Now size doesn’t matter. . . A chuckle escapes me at the unintended pun. Thank God I have Kyle and I don’t have to worry about that crap any more.
“It sounds like that much fun, this exchange of information?” Szames interrupts my wandering mind. “Reba, you are an unusual woman.”
I hesitate to correct his misconception. “I’ll take that as a compliment. . . I think.”
“I assure you I mean it with complete admiration.” Szames returns my smile.
Any male model would kill for a smile like that, goofy as it is. What am I thinking! I don’t have time for this. Turning my thoughts within, I check the progressive flow of magic. Everything looks good.


Buy Links:



EM: Welcome to My World, Lynn. It is lovely to have you here today :-)

1. What is your favourite genre to read? To write? And why?

I love to read fantasy and science fiction. Both of these genres tackle new worlds with some amazing new concepts. I strongly believe that a dash of romance, or a bit more, makes every story better. I write in those genres as well.


2. Who is your favourite author? Fave book? And why?

That is a totally unfair question. How can I pick just one? Melanie Rawn’s first series was called The Dragon Prince. This fantasy series has quite a bit of steam and the end of each book had me crying so hard that I couldn’t read through the tears!

L.E. Modesitt Jr. is another favorite. Even as a starving college student I would buy the next book in his Recluse series as soon as it came out. Terry Brooks is in that same category!

3. In your opinion what is the hardest part of the writing process?

Now that I have two kids, it’s finding the time. But for my past books I would say it is the research. I hate research!

4. In your opinion what is the best part of the writing process?

I love creating new worlds.

5. Tell us about one of the most favourable scene you have written.

I had the most fun with this scene:

“Ahh!” I fly from the saddle, flipping through the air like a pancake, landing solidly on my buttocks. Thanks to the paladin spell, I manage not to break anything.

Awareness returns. I realize what has caused the unexpected softness. Jesse’s aim was right on the money. I am smack-dab in the middle of a mud hole where water has been collecting for some time.

“Just thought you might like to get an up-close look of the land you have sworn to protect,”
he remarks with a very catlike cleaning of his paws.

The tension keeping me wound in knots for the past several octals shatters like an icicle slipping from its perch. I twitter, giggle, then begin laughing hysterically at Jesse’s joke. When Szames finally arrives on Tawny, I am wiping tears from my eyes. Streaking across my delicate, ivory face is the earth I now defend.

In between snickers, Szames says, “Now if that . . . is not just desserts . . . I don’t know what is.”

“Just desserts, huh?”
I break with formality, beseeching his mount uninvited. “Men really don’t understand what having our hormonal drive is like.”

Picking up on more than the spoken words, Tawny gives no warning. A sudden lunge and twist sends her rider soaring into the mud pit.

“Poking fun at a woman’s predicament while in the control of another female isn’t the wisest of moves.” I give Szames an affectionate pat on his cheek, depositing quite a bit of mud. “O, all-knowing prince of the land.”

“A lesson in mud-slinging, is it?” Szames brings up a handful of slime, crowning me with a token of his affection. “Being raised at court, it is a lesson learned early in life.”

With the opening shots fired, the battle begins. I make it my personal goal to see that Szames doesn’t leave the bog with one inch of clean skin. We wrestle and roll in the mire as gleefully as piglets put at play.

“All right, all right, you win!” I holler as Szames threatens to dunk my nose in the murky depths.

“Say ‘uncle,’” Szames holds my face less than an inch from the puddle.

“Uncle . . . uncle already!” As the words of surrender are spoken, the towering soldier releases his hold, falling back on his filth-coated bottom.

Szames chuckles. “I am glad to see your humor restored, else it would have been a long campaign.”

“I was that bad?” I whisper.

“Humph, almost unbearable.” He smiles, easing the blow. “But understandably so.”

“Then it seems I owe you.” Szames is immobilized as I gaze seductively into his eyes, slinking toward the warrior in a sexy crawl. “A rather long-overdue apology.”

Sitting on my knees, I lean into him, eyes closed. As Szames’s eyes ease shut, I bring up muck-filled hands above his head while planting a sisterly peck on his forehead.

“Finally!” I giggle with childish glee. “I got those golden locks!”


I have this clear picture of Reba slinking in a sexy cat crawl through the mud toward Prince Szames....

6. Are you working on anything at the moment?

I’ve been working on Book Three is the series for way too long – as my fans will tell you. I’ve been distracted by writing a screenplay (based on Book One) and more recently, I was given a publishing company.

I had been mentoring several other author, showing them the ropes of self-publishing. I quickly realized that this mentoring was taking a lot of time. I began developing this idea of how a publishing company should be run – a company to help authors instead of just take their money. Unfortunately, with the screenplay, I didn’t have time to develop a company – the necessities authors would need like the ability to get onto book store shelves or get high profile reviews.

A friend of mine was running a local company that had all the assets in place. An emergency family medical situation caused her to have to step away from the company. She gave it to me late last year.

Since then, I’ve been putting the system I had dreamed of into place. We are launching BAM! Publishing in March of 2013. We already have to traditionally published authors, one of which is a bestseller, listed with us.

BAMauthors.com

7. Do you have any current release?

Prophecy of the Flame – Book One, Two and 2.5 (a companion novel.) Book One is free during this tour!

Blurb: 


Five strangers are yanked from this world and thrust into a land of sorcery as they are granted the looks and abilities of the people they were playing. The Crusaders of the Light struggle to form a cohesive band as they blend twentieth century technology with the supernatural powers of this new world, fighting to liberate the kingdom of Cuthburan from the evil horde threatening humanity.

Battle is also waged within Reba, an ordinary housewife who has become the most powerful mage on the planet. She struggles to remain true to her wedding vows as she is drawn against her will to the arms of Prince Alexandros.


~ * ~


About The Author:

Led by a series of dreams and encouraged by friends, Lynn Hardy began the journey to become an author. She stored her work in a computer file labeled “second job.” Writing began as a passion she could not contain and has become much more than she ever expected.

In the Fall of 2010, Prophecy of the Flame – Book One, reached #1 on Amazon kindle, shortly after Book Two in the series released. In the spring of 2011, Lynn released the Full Cast unabridged audio book of Book One. Now both fans and newcomers can hear the book come to life as every character jumps of the page with their own unique voice.

The road has been longer and more complicated than she would have ever guessed –not always smooth, but filled with wonderful surprises. Like most stories, Lynn is sure that her journey has only just begun.


Lynn Online:


EM: Thank you so much for joining me!

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