Undawnted Interviews Chris Barili, Day Three of the WordCrafter Shadow Blade Book Blog Tour

Interview with Author Chris Barili
 

What makes this book (Shadow Blade) a story that impelled you to write it?

I developed Shadow Blade based on an exercise in a class on researching for fiction during my MFA studies at Western State Colorado University. The professor gave us an in-class assignment to take a word commonly used in our chosen genre and do ten minutes of research on it. I chose “Assassin,” and the history of that word was so interesting that when I left class that day, I knew I would be writing it as a possible thesis. It has everything a fantasy story needs. There’s adventure, romance, deception, heroics, and of course, at the center of it all, magic.

The original “assassins” were a small sect of muslim fundamentalists controlling portions of northern Persia during the crusades. They were said to have been addicted to hashish, which their leader used to make them invulnerable, and to keep them absolutely loyal. My immediate thought was, “what if they (the Denari Lai) weren’t addicted to a drug, but to magic? What if that power came from their god, Nishi,but was doled out by their leader, the Chargh Lai, and used to not only make them successful, but to spy on them, control them, and ultimately, if they disobeyed too much, to end them? The very next question that came to me was, “What if one such assassin is sent to kill a princess, but falls in love with her and has to battle with his faith to determine his future?

So you have this dynamic where magic is like a drug that is used to control Denari Lai, and suddenly one of those assassins finds something so powerful that it threatens his devotion to his God. What’s stronger for him, the love of his God, or his love for the princess. 

 

Which, if any, of the characters do you identify with the most?

That’s a tough one. I think I’d have to say perhaps Captain Marwan Bauti—the man vowed to protect Princess Makari. He knows something is wrong, that Ashai is a threat, but no one will listen to him.

 

What is it about the magic genre that attracts you to write it?

The fantasy genre has always attracted me for a couple of reasons. First, it tends to draw a pretty straight line between good and evil, which I think we’ve lost the ability to do in our world today. And secondly, just about anything is possible in the fantasy genre, meaning all kinds of exciting things can happen.

Is Book 2 of the series on the way? How many books of the series do
you plan on publishing?

Shadow Blade is currently plotted out to be a trilogy. I am about halfway done the rough draft of book two (untitled), but I am working on the next Hell’s Marshal book at this time, so it’ll be a bit before book two is out.

 

What themes resonate with this story, yourself, and your readers?

If I start sounding off what themes are in this story, it’s likely to act as a spoiler for how it ends. So on this one, I’ll plead the Fifth.

 

Chris "Stealth" Barili

Website: Authorchrisbarili.ink

Buy Shadow Blade here:

https://books2read.com/Shadow-Blade

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Support Great Artists 

Read Shadow Blade by Chris Barili: 

books2read.com/ShadowBladeDenariLai

 

 Buy your copy today! 

 

 

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About the Book

Ashai Larish is an assassin from the brutal Denari Lai order. Religious zealots, Denari Lai are kept loyal through an addiction to the same magic that makes them unstoppable. They have become the primary weapon for the nation of Nishi'iti, and in a hundred years, they have never failed.

Until now. Ashai must kill Pushtani King Abadas Damar and his daughter/heir, Makari. He infiltrates the king's inner circle, putting him in the perfect place to strike, with only Captain Bauti of the Royal Guard at all suspicious of Ashai's intent.

Except Ashai has fallen for Makari and cannot complete the hit. When a second Denari Lai kills the King, Ashai finds himself fighting for Makari's life instead of taking it. To make matters worse, the order cuts him off from his magic, leaving him weakened and in withdrawal. Meanwhile, far north in the Pushtani mines that border Nishi'iti, a slave named Pachat learns that his love, a hand slave to Makari, died at the hands of a Denari Lai assassin. His grief ignites a slave rebellion, and Pachat becomes the unwilling leader of the revolt. Urged on by Nishi'iti guerrillas, the rebellion sweeps across the borderlands, threatening to erupt into all-out war. Yet all Pachat wants is to avenge his beloved's death by killing the assassin, so he walks away from the rebellion to seek when it needs him most.

As Pachat makes off for the capital of Dar Tallus, Ashai is forced to rely on that city's organized crime gang to hide from the second assassin, and from Bauti's guards. Despite his best efforts to hide it, Makari discovers Ashai's true identity, and suddenly, he finds himself without her love, without his faith, and without the Denari Lai. At rock bottom, he doubts he can do anything but cause more damage.

Can Ashai kill the second assassin and win back Makari's love? Will Pachat gain the revenge he so lustily seeks?

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*Give Away*

If you follow the tour and leave a comment at each stop to let us know you were there or share your thoughts about the book, you can win a free copy of Shadow Blade. We’re giving away three digital copies of the book, and one lucky winner will receive a print copy of the book signed by author Chris Barili. Each stop you comment on earns you an entry into the random drawing, and the winners will be announced on Writing to be Read in the “WordCrafter News” post on July 27.

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Tour Schedule

Monday, July 21: Writing to be Read- Book Trailer
Tuesday, July 22: Robbie's Inspiration - Guest post
Wednesday July 23: Undawnted - Interview with Chris Barili
Thursday, July 24: Roberta Writes - Reading Excerpt from Baiting the Hook, narrated by Jeff Bowles
Friday, July 25: Writing to be Read - Live appearance by Chris Barili

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Feed the Artist Inside

Need more Asian-inspired artistry? Enjoy dramatic readings and music: 

 

Shadow Blade narrated by DL Mullan

Kabuki album 

 

Saint Trilogy Book Cover Art Revealed

The Saint trilogy had a makeover!

The Saint trilogy chronicles the journey of Eavenlee Lewis as she navigates the streets of New Orleans in search of self-discovery. Along the way, she encounters Girard Algernon, who introduces her to the world of Saints and the depths of true evil.

Eavenlee's compassionate acts and heroism catches the eye of Cardinal Randolph, a member of the ancient, blasphemous sect known as the Order of the Pure. As Eavenlee grapples with her new-found powers, she is faced with pivotal moments at her plantation, the Saintuary. There, she and Girard confront the forces of heaven and hell in an epic showdown between good versus evil.

In the final climatic battle, Eavenlee's abilities are pitted against the combined forces of a religious faction and demonic legion.

Will Eavenlee and Girard be able to save Saintuary and the world, let alone survive?

Discover this action-adventure-romantic book series in our Summer Time Seasonal Reads: 

• Saint in the Big Easy
• Saint in Communion
• Saint in the Devil You Know 

Join Undawnted in celebrating the hero within. 

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Support Great Artists 

 

Buy your copies of the Saint Trilogy and become a follow the adventures of Eavenlee and Girard as they fight against evil in its various forms.

 

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A writer at heart, Undawnted's own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, Ms. Mullan has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. Ms. Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. As an independent publisher, she produces her own book cover designs as well as maintains her own websites. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet.

Currently, she has embarked on writing her multi-book Legacy Universe, Supernatural Superhero Series.

For news and updates, subscribe to the Undawntable Newsletter. 

 

 

Undawnted Presents: A WordCrafter Blog Tour, My Backyard Friends, Meet Heather Hummingbird & Review of "Heather Hummingbird"

Introduction

Heather Hummingbird is a busy little hummingbird bird who earns the nickname Hyperactive Heather which her forest friends have given her. She’s constantly on the move, gathering insects and nectar, chasing bees, or migrating from her winter to her summer home and back. But she always finds time to help out her friends, even when her help is only grudgingly accepted.

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Mini-Interview with Heather Hummingbird
[Interview with Heather Hummingbird]

Forgive me if I don’t perch for very long. You see hummingbirds have lots of energy, so if I zip away suddenly, don’t worry. I’ll be right back. I’ll just be working up energy that is building up, like this .Zwippp.

Ziiing.

Were you afraid to speak to an eagle?

Well, no. I’d seen Ethan around the forest. He’s a big bird, but he’s a fledgling. I might even be older than him, so I wasn’t scared of him. Zwiiiipp.

Ziiiiiing. I couldn’t help but notice his curious behavior and when I realized I could help him, I did.
 

How did it feel to make a friend?

Well, I was glad to have him as a friend that autumn, when I couldn’t fly south on my own. That’s for sure.
 

How did it feel when you had to part with your new friend?

The trip south was a long one, and I felt really close to Ethan by the time we arrived. I knew he had to go back to the forest he knew, but it was sad watching him go. But I didn’t let it keep me down because I knew I’d see him again the next spring, and I did. Zwiiip.

Ziiiing

Thanks for having me here today, but I need to go find some flowers to recharge. You’d be amazed by how much nectar is required to keep up this pace. Bye. Zwiiiiip Zwing.

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My Review

My Backyard Friends, Heather Hummingbird edition, is a cute read for adults and children alike. Heather goes on her own adventure as she zips around the landscape. She meets other animals to be her friends.

Beautiful and insightful, this book guides readers on a path toward wisdom only found with a wildness full of backyard friends. 

Be sure to Pre-Order your copy below.

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Fun Facts About Hummingbirds

• Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly forward, backward, sideways and upside-down. They are also the only birds that can hover in mid-air.
• They have the highest metabolism of any bird species. They consume twice their weight each day.
• Hummingbirds can beat their wings 70 times per second, and 200 times per second when diving. The males do elaborate aerial acrobats during the mating seasons to attract the females, traveling high up into the air and looping around to dive back down toward the ground, making a high-pitched whistling.
• Some species of hummingbirds migrate up to 2,000 miles twice a year.
• Their hearts can beat up to 1,260 times per minute.
• Hummingbirds migrate great distances from their summer to winter homes and back, up to 3000 miles each trip, 6000 miles per year.
• Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, averaging 8.5 cm long and weigh between 2.5–20 grams.
• Hummingbirds have forked tongues and have tiny hairs on the tips of their tongues to help lap up nectar.
• “On most hummingbirds, the coloring of the feathers does not come from pigmentation, but instead from prism-like cells within the top layer of feathers.
• The colors you see depend on the angle of the light when it hits the feathers.
• When hummingbird feathers reflect light, which make the gorget (throat patch) look like it’s glittering from certain angles, but at other angles will make the feathers look dull.” (Southwest Audobon. “Fun Facts About Hummingbirds”. 
• https://southwest.audubon.org/conservation/fun-facts-about-hummingbirds)
• When they are low on energy and no food source is available, hummingbirds go into a torpor state to conserve their reserves.

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Support Great Artists 

Order My Backyard Friends books here:

Heather Hummingbird Makes a New Friend (Ages 3-5): https://books2read.com/u/471vzj

Timothy Turtle Discovers Jellybeans (Ages 3-5): https://books2read.com/u/3LL5K7

Charlie Chickadee Gets a New Home (Ages 6-8): https://books2read.com/u/md2YLO

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About Kaye Lynne Booth

Kaye Lynne Booth is a freelance writer, editor, multi-genre author and independent publisher. She holds dual MFA in Creative Writing – Genre Fiction and Screenwriting, and an M.A. in Publishing. To earn her publishing degree, she worked under the mentoring of International Bestselling author, Kevin J. Anderson on the Gilded Glass: Twisted Myths & Shattered Fairy Tales editorial team from Western State Colorado University and WordFire Press and she compiled and edited Weird Tales: The Best of the Early Years 1926-27, under Jonathan Maberry.

 

About Robbie Cheadle

South African author and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated sixteen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

Find out more about Robbie Cheadle on her blog here: https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/

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Undawnted's DL Mullan can be booked for your online Blog Tour, Book Event, Book Review (w/ARC), Interview, Writing Conference, or Genre Convention. Ms. Mullan has years of experience in public speaking, readings, presentations, events, and tours.

Book a quality author and presenter with Undawnted: Bookings online form. 

Rounding Out Spring Dreams 2023 with Legends and Lore

This season, Undawnted has added a few new embellishments to our Spring Dreams lineup.

With combining our seasons with the Hero's Journey, we are tailoring each quarter with a different motif:

Spring Dreams brings science fiction, fantasy, and legends/folklore to life! It is Act I of the Hero's Journey: Beginning of the Adventure. Answer this Call to Action, and become the characters and be your own hero with Undawnted.

This definition will give our audience the action and adventure that comes with swashbuckling hero's such as Robin Hood, of our ground-breaking Hode series. Undawnted brings legends and folklore alive.

After a long, cold winter, readers want to jump into the warm weather, and have their trusted fan favorites to guide them onto their first steps of their journey. Undawnted has also curated future projects to help with our Spring Dreams. Anything to help shed our winter coats and cabin fever.

Additions to our schedule include:

• Metamorphose 
• Seasons change, we have to change with them.
  
• Stonehenge
• An ancient monument that ripples through time is full of lore.
• Whiskey Jack
• A humorous take about Jackalope with an addiction problem.

What is on your list of Spring Dreams? 

Undawnted's unique take on the seasons and our combination of creative writing, the Hero's journey, and so much more! 

Let the energy guide you to Be Your Own Hero! 

 

*****

A writer at heart, Undawnted's own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Ms. Mullan decided to showcase her literary talents by publishing collections of her poems. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art.

Ms. Mullan has a number of poems published in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. She produces her own book cover designs for herself and others. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet. 

Currently, she is embarking on a successful prose career. Join our community of creators... become a Fearless Phile.

Be a part of Undawnted's growing community!  

Join A Novelist Idea on Undawnted's Private Substack.  

 

 

The Hero's Journey: First Day of Summer (Solstice) is Your Call to Adventure

Today is the longest day of the calendar year (14 hours and 22 minutes in the Sonoran Desert) and on the cyclical hero's journey, the Summer Solstice is the threshold into a wider world.  

Summer is about energy and movement. We are energized by the sun's power, heat, and majesty- our mere mortal's Supernatural Aid. We are thrust into action: pool activities, sports, and whatever we can do to soak up all that Vitamin D. 

We go from the Known World into an Unknown World. Summer is where our adventures lie away from work and school with vacations and hiking. Summer Solstice on June 21st this year is the day our new Call to Adventure begins. 

The human condition is about achieving our own personal goals in the Hero's Journey of the story of our lives. What tests, trials, and temptations have you overcome? Are still overcoming? 

That is your story. The story of the individual. The individual is the ultimate minority. No one else has a story like yours.

So we honor this cycle in our oral traditions and written histories. We also write about the Hero's Journey in our poetry and novels. Creative writing has become the vehicle for which we celebrate our growth as a person from childhood to adulthood.

Join Undawnted this season: Summer Time in our Special Engagements as well as Seasonal Reads program to explore the initiation into the Hero's Journey.

Have a great and wonderful journey.
 

 

 

Saint's Arrival in July

As a part of Undawnted's Summer Time reading program, Saint will be available on July 27, 2018.

This novelette combines adventure and supernatural elements for a unique story you will find nowhere else.

So buy your copy as soon as the book comes out!

To read more, visit Saint's dedicated book page here on Undawnted.

Have a great and wonderful day! 

 

 

*****

Update: The Saint trilogy is available online as an eBook from many fine retailers: Saint. 

 

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A writer at heart, Undawnted's own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, Ms. Mullan has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. Ms. Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. As an independent publisher, she produces her own book cover designs as well as maintains her own websites. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet.

Currently, she has embarked on writing her multi-book Legacy Universe, Supernatural Superhero Series.

With her education and experience in writing, DL Mullan shares her knowledge via her newsletters. If you too want to become an Undawntable, then subscribe to one of her newsletters on Substack.

Imagination, unleashed. 

Updated Synopsis for Nocturnal Redemption

I have been creating promotional pieces for my various publications. Since I want to release Nocturnal Redemption as soon as the novel is ready, I revised the old synopsis in lieu of a more accurate teaser. 

If you would like to read about this paranormal adventure/romance, then please visit the dedicated page for Nocturnal Redemption. 

The promos will be added to the page once the novel has been published. 

Have a great and wonderful day! 

Just Leaving It Hanging

A fellow writer had brought up the subject of using cliffhangers for novel endings. 

My response was to use cliffhangers if you are going to answer the question in the next book of a series, but if you only write one book, then make sure to resolve everything by the end. 

My stories are not long as a full length novel. I write shorter novels, but not less complex ones. 

I make sure there are subplots and character developments. In the end the stories are completed and the reader feels they have taken a journey with my protagonists. Yet, to spur on interest for the next book, I give a little taste of what is to come... with a cliffhanger in some, but not all cases. 

Someone reacted indignant to this use of cliffhangers as disrespect to readers and to yourself as a writer. I do not agree. If you have everything pretty much sewn up and there is a last minute act or realization, then the reader can decide if the next book will be for them or not. 

I am upfront that I am writing a book series, not a stand along book. So the reader has to expect something to cross over into the next story line. Or why would it be a book series? 

So In the Name of Blood had the main character, Riley Austen, have an epiphany at the end of the book... to be carried on in Book II. Will this series go to Book III? I am letting the characters decide. Many times the characters also decide the end of the novel. Riley sure did. That ending even surprised me!

With Nocturnal Redemption, I can go either way: a clear cut ending or a cliffhanger... 

As writers, should we not tease our readers a bit? 

Have a great and wonderful day! 

Paranormal Romance for the Election Hangover

This national election cycle left me dreadfully dreary. Votes are still being counted. In order to cure my election hangover of too much television news, brightly lit electoral college maps, and a host of very unhappy commentators on CBS and PBS, I began to edit and write. 

I have been working on getting two different types of paranormal romance novels ready for publication. Romance is a bit of a stretch since I am not a romance type writer. I write for plot and character, not to be provocative. 

We will go by the Merriam Webster definition of romance:

a medieval tale based on legend, chivalric love and adventure, or the supernatural (2) :  a prose narrative treating imaginary characters involved in events remote in time or place and usually heroic, adventurous, or mysterious (3) :  a love story especially in the form of a novel

That better suits the way I write: for love. I will leave the reader to fill in all the blanks!

How about you?

Have a great and wonderful day! 

In the Name of Blood Trial by Fire Ending

Want something to get you into the mood... for Halloween? 

In the Name of Blood is still available for free until 11:59pm on Halloween! Action, suspense... of a crime drama. So it's not your typical vampire novel.

Riley needs a life makeover but when she crosses into the supernatural, she realizes her boring life may not have been so terrible after all.

Have a fright filled night!

Knight's Way Crossing Added

I found an archived story: Knight's Way Crossing.

Kaitlin Lane has a problem. Everything about her is fake. Her name is borrowed. Her life belongs to someone else. The one gift that is hers is to speak to the dead.

Don't get excited; she's not. 

If you would like to read more about this upcoming release in 2019, visit the Knight's Way Crossing page here on Undawnted!

Have a great and wonderful day.