The Fell (The Naetan Lance Saga Book 1) by Lyndsey Harper
After the brutal death of his mentor, Leer
Boxwell's only desire is vengeance. However, his belief that the murderer is
the mythical Grimbarror has made him the laughing stock of the Vale. When Leer
witnesses the beast steal away the princess in an unexpected attack on the
royal city, he volunteers to hunt the creature. Battling self-doubt and
ridicule, while struggling to control a mysterious power within that he does
not fully understand, Leer must decide whether his convictions are worth the
sacrifice the Fell demands.
The Fell is available at Amazon
Excerpt:
A hush fell over the inn; the fiddle
music screeched to an abrupt halt.
Bilby’s eyes narrowed. “What did
you say?” he asked.
“I said,” Leer repeated, “I wish to know
everything you know about the Grimbarror.”
Callous laughter exploded through
the men and few barmaids present, ripples of mockery piercing Leer’s ears.
“You well-washed loon,” Bilby cackled,
slapping his knee through his amusement. “You wish to hear fairy tales, is that
it?”
Leer’s jaw flexed as he clamped his
molars together. “I seek the truth.”
“Hah!” Bilby screeched. “Would you like
a cup of warm milk to go with your bedtime story, Boy?”
Leer squeezed his eyes shut briefly,
trying to push away the reverberating voices around him. “Are you, or are you
not, the Marcus Bilby that Finnigan Lance spoke of?” he demanded. “The one
whose life he saved?”
Another wave of eerie silence fell over
the inn. Bilby leaned in, gripping the table with white knuckles. “What name
did you say?” he asked.
“Finnigan Lance,” Leer enunciated.
“Curse you for speaking that name,”
Bilby snarled, spitting on the ground.
“Cheating scoundrel, he was,” a man
bellowed from the rear of the crowd.
“Nothin’ but a drink bloated
habbersnitch.” another agreed.
“You’d better have good reason for
speaking that name in this place, Boy,” Bilby warned, leaning forward.
“He wasn’t a
cheat,” Leer snapped. “You peddled furs with him. You worked with him, and he
saved your life from insurgents. And I do believe you owe him a favor.”
A murmur trickled through the crowd,
sending Bilby into visible panic as his peers reacted to the revelation.
“And what?” Bilby retorted with a scoff.
“Lance has come back from the dead to claim it?”
Leer’s jaw flexed. Finnigan’s death was
still fresh in his mind; it had not been long since he found his bloodied,
mauled corpse. “Nay. You’ll pay your debt to him through answering my
questions.”
Bilby’s eyes narrowed. “And just
who are you to lay claim to any
favors?”
Leer
held his gaze. “His son.”
Please tell us your name and a little bit about yourself.
Hi! My name is Lyndsey Harper, and I write dark fantasy. I love stories with magic and grit. I’m a wife, a mom, and I work in a theatre when I’m not writing.
How old were you when you started writing? When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I have been writing ever since I can remember. It started with a newsletter I wrote each month for my next-door neighbor about my pet rabbit, and then turned into poetry, fan fiction, songs, and eventually original work. I didn’t always want to write, though, despite my natural inclination toward it. My mother saw my future in writing well before I did. When I was younger, writing wasn’t glamorous enough for me. I thought it would be a boring career choice. Can you imagine, writing as a boring occupation? (LOL) It wasn’t really until high school that I embraced writing fully.
What would you say motivates you to keep writing?
The first is my daughter. Plenty of times, she’s actually a writing “hindrance,” so to speak. Still, my writing as an adult started full-swing when she was first born, and I keep going to show her that she, too, can achieve her dreams with hard work. Secondly, the characters themselves keep me going. If it’s not a character I’m familiar with that’s bugging me, it’s a new one waiting to be written. There are people in my head, and they won’t be quiet. ;) The last thing is caffeine – caffeine most definitely motivates me.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
What are you currently reading (or what is the last book you read)? C.S. Lewis is a long-time favorite. I adore his work. I love Dan Brown’s writing style and his pacing. Right now, I’ve got quite a few books started. “Unclaimed” by Laurie Wetzel, “Crimson Bayou” by Alizabeth Lynn, and “The Shadow Revolution” by Clay and Susan Griffith.
What is the title of your current work in progress of the most recent manuscript you’ve completed?
My debut novel is entitled, “The Fell.” It’s the first installment of The Naetan Lance Saga.
What is your novel’s genre? Would you say there is a sub-genre? What makes yours different than other books in the same genre?
My book falls into the dark fantasy genre, with a sword and sorcery feel to it. I think what sets “The Fell” apart is how it uses concepts from dystopian and sci-fi works and weaves it into a medieval fantasy setting. And that’s pretty much all I can say without spoiling it. ;)
What inspired the current or most recent story you’ve completed?
There were a few inspiration sources for “The Fell,” namely “The X-Files” for its grit and mystery, and the conflict of defining truth. I also drew inspiration from “Star Wars,” and ancient Greek tragedies for character interactions, some themes, and backgrounds. I looked a lot to Scandinavian and Nordic geographies and cultural elements while writing, and that is reflected a lot in the story.
How do you come up with your character names and geographic location / business names?
Naming comes from a combination of research and browsing. I pick names that speak to me, either for what they remind me of, or for what they mean. About 90% of the time, I used a slightly different method for naming the creatures in my story: I would look at what animal or insect was the closest to what I saw in my mind, and see the number of syllables each name had. Then, I would base the new name off of a characteristic of the “real” animal or insect, using however many syllables I had. If I didn’t apply that method, then the names derived from just a characteristic, or from completely unrelated “nonsensical” words that stuck with me for whatever odd reason. For locations, I based a lot of the geography off Scandinavian and Nordic landscapes, so I played with consonant and vowel arrangements often seen in those areas.
Interview with Lyndsey Harper
Please tell us your name and a little bit about yourself.
Hi! My name is Lyndsey Harper, and I write dark fantasy. I love stories with magic and grit. I’m a wife, a mom, and I work in a theatre when I’m not writing.
How old were you when you started writing? When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I have been writing ever since I can remember. It started with a newsletter I wrote each month for my next-door neighbor about my pet rabbit, and then turned into poetry, fan fiction, songs, and eventually original work. I didn’t always want to write, though, despite my natural inclination toward it. My mother saw my future in writing well before I did. When I was younger, writing wasn’t glamorous enough for me. I thought it would be a boring career choice. Can you imagine, writing as a boring occupation? (LOL) It wasn’t really until high school that I embraced writing fully.
What would you say motivates you to keep writing?
The first is my daughter. Plenty of times, she’s actually a writing “hindrance,” so to speak. Still, my writing as an adult started full-swing when she was first born, and I keep going to show her that she, too, can achieve her dreams with hard work. Secondly, the characters themselves keep me going. If it’s not a character I’m familiar with that’s bugging me, it’s a new one waiting to be written. There are people in my head, and they won’t be quiet. ;) The last thing is caffeine – caffeine most definitely motivates me.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
What are you currently reading (or what is the last book you read)? C.S. Lewis is a long-time favorite. I adore his work. I love Dan Brown’s writing style and his pacing. Right now, I’ve got quite a few books started. “Unclaimed” by Laurie Wetzel, “Crimson Bayou” by Alizabeth Lynn, and “The Shadow Revolution” by Clay and Susan Griffith.
What is the title of your current work in progress of the most recent manuscript you’ve completed?
My debut novel is entitled, “The Fell.” It’s the first installment of The Naetan Lance Saga.
What is your novel’s genre? Would you say there is a sub-genre? What makes yours different than other books in the same genre?
My book falls into the dark fantasy genre, with a sword and sorcery feel to it. I think what sets “The Fell” apart is how it uses concepts from dystopian and sci-fi works and weaves it into a medieval fantasy setting. And that’s pretty much all I can say without spoiling it. ;)
What inspired the current or most recent story you’ve completed?
There were a few inspiration sources for “The Fell,” namely “The X-Files” for its grit and mystery, and the conflict of defining truth. I also drew inspiration from “Star Wars,” and ancient Greek tragedies for character interactions, some themes, and backgrounds. I looked a lot to Scandinavian and Nordic geographies and cultural elements while writing, and that is reflected a lot in the story.
How do you come up with your character names and geographic location / business names?
Naming comes from a combination of research and browsing. I pick names that speak to me, either for what they remind me of, or for what they mean. About 90% of the time, I used a slightly different method for naming the creatures in my story: I would look at what animal or insect was the closest to what I saw in my mind, and see the number of syllables each name had. Then, I would base the new name off of a characteristic of the “real” animal or insect, using however many syllables I had. If I didn’t apply that method, then the names derived from just a characteristic, or from completely unrelated “nonsensical” words that stuck with me for whatever odd reason. For locations, I based a lot of the geography off Scandinavian and Nordic landscapes, so I played with consonant and vowel arrangements often seen in those areas.
What is the quirkiest thing you do or have ever done when writing?
I have had my husband stand in and move through physical motions with me, especially for a battle scene. It really helps to make sure the movements are realistic. I also read dialogue aloud a lot, which is a little embarrassing.
I have had my husband stand in and move through physical motions with me, especially for a battle scene. It really helps to make sure the movements are realistic. I also read dialogue aloud a lot, which is a little embarrassing.
Author Bio:
Lyndsey is a brilliant author you’ve likely never heard of, Superwife, and award-winning mother living life in leggings in the expensive and overcrowded state of New Jersey. She is fluent in Spanglish and Sarcasm and enjoys watching Arrow, Supernatural, Psych, and The X-Files repeatedly. You can find her either in the grocery store buying laundry detergent, Tylenol, and cat litter, hovering near her Keurig coffee brewer, or shaking her fist at the heavens in front of her computer. Occasionally, you may spot her on the beach or out shopping (when she actually has money to spare). However, you should avoid approaching her at such times as she is likely enjoying a rare moment of relaxation and can become moody if interrupted. If you decide to engage her during any one of these activities, approach with caution and a sizable cup of Starbucks in hand to avoid any ill effects.
You can find her on:
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