Author Spotlight - Q&A with Barbara Hodges

STEPH: I don't know much about "The Emerald Dagger." What's it about?

BARBARA: The Emerald Dagger is the second book in my Daradawn Fantasy series. It is high fantasy and a classic good versus evil storyline. In the tale, Dirkk, the dark mage has formed demonic creatures from fairies and mountain wolves. His plan is to use them to destroy Queen Tessa and subjugate all of the kingdom of Daradawn. To do so he must either master or kill the four dragons that live in Daradawn. Aiding Dirkk is Darodah, the demon that lives inside the emerald dagger.

The only thing that stands in the way of Dirkk's desires is Regan Canterville. Regan is a chosen of the Power and the avatar of the Goddess. Marked with a small blue flame upon her shoulder, she is able to speak to all animals in Daradawn, both mortal and magical and has formed a bond with Zara the golden dragon.

But that does her little good when Dirkk's creatures attack and kill one of Zara's children. The dragon will not settle for less than complete destruction of all of the fairies, an act that the others of Daradawn cannot let happen.

The Emerald Dagger has magic, suspense, and a touch of romance, what more does a great read need?

STEPH: Where did you get the inspiration for the story?

BARBARA: I love a great fantasy. I love basset hounds. I wanted both.

STEPH: I understand "The Emerald Dagger" is book 2 in your YA fantasy series, "The Daradawn Series." What was the inspiration for the series?

BARBARA: The series came about because I couldn't find a story out there that had everything I wanted. I wanted magic, romance, dragons and a basset hound. So I wrote my own.

STEPH: How long did it take you to write the story?

BARBARA: The Emerald Dagger appeared quickly, compared to The Blue Flame which I re-wrote five times. Since The Emerald Dagger is part of a series, I already had my created world and my main characters, so I was able to write the book in a year.

STEPH: Did you have to do any research for the story? If so, what kind?

BARBARA: Since I see the time and setting as being medieval I did do some research in castle structure and outlying buildings.

STEPH: Kelsey is one of the heroines of the story. What are her strengths? Weaknesses?



BARBARA: Kelsey loves deep, she also hates deep. She is loyal, but head strong, and will push forward when her emotions are in control, even though her head says to do so is crazy. She is compassionate and caring. With her you are a friend for life, or an enemy until your death.

STEPH: What does Rourk find appealing about Kelsey?

BARBARA: Kelsey is his soul mate. She completes him. The very things she feels are weaknesses in her are the things he loves. Rourk loves her strength, both in body and heart. He loves that she loves so completely. Kelsey does nothing halfway.

STEPH: Do you cast your characters? If so who are Kelsy? Rourk? Peter? Regan?

BARBARA: No I don't cast my characters. I've tried, but could not come up with any out there now to fit the bill.

STEPH: Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one?

BARBARA: Right now I have a Kindle and a Sony tablet that I read on. Before that it was a Sony Reader and before that it was a Rocket. I've been a fan of ebooks for at least 15 years.

STEPH: Fun question: Valentines are in the air. Chocolate, Roses, Cards, or Flowers?

BARBARA: An easy choice, chocolate and a card. I prefer my roses growing on a bush in the back yard.

Amazon.com buy link

http://www.amazon.com/Daradawn-Book-Two-Emerald-ebook/dp/B0073NV36M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328145110&sr=1-1

Desert Breeze buy link

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-258/Daradawn-Book-Two-The/Detail.bok


My Website

http://barbaramhodges.com

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http://barbhodges.blogspot.com/