The Reviews are in for Knight of Glory by Nicole Zoltack

THE BLURB:
Sir Geoffrey, along with some companions, has been sent away from Arnhem, entrusted by Queen Aislinn for a special mission, and has to leave behind the mysterious lady Celestia. On his journey, he uncovers seeds of a sinister plot, learns a horrible secret, and makes a new friend in exile Jenanna.

Their mission completed, Geoffrey and his companions rush to two different kingdoms to ask for aid. Danger and betrayal lurks around every corner, and even allies have secrets that could prove deadly. Geoffrey's feelings for Celestia grow and wane. After learning some of Celestia's secrets, he begins to have second thoughts about his love for her and is even drawn to Jenanna

Rumors abound that the Speicans have enlisted a mage of their own, to work unspeakable, forbidden magic. The war between Speica and Arnhem has just begun. Will Geoffrey survive the battle to live another day and discover which woman he truly loves?

*****
Coffee Time Romance, Anya
4 CUPS

"From dwarves to kings to mages, this book has almost every fantasy character available. Betrayers, liars, and spies round out the list of characters. The battles are interesting and the search for power is fascinating. The dialogue is good, and the lead up to the next book in the series is well done."

****

Shawna Williams, Author of "No Other" (DB Release, May 2010)
5 STARS (posted on Amazon)
"I loved this book!... Sir Geoffry is the noble night with a vulnerable heart. Jenanna is tough, yet feminine; independent, but lonely. And Celestia turned out to be a complete surprise as to what I had expected. Nope, I'm not gonna give anything more away on that... Thanks Nicole! Can't wait for the next."


Knight of Glory is available on the Desert Breeze Website: http://www.desertbreezepublising.com and on Amazon.com at the Kindle Store.

An Interview with Geoffrey of Siva, from Knight of Glory by Nicole Zoltack

I'm here with Geoffrey of Siva today, a Knight in the Kingdom Arnhem. Geoffery is the main character in Nicole Zoltack latest release, "Knight of Glory."

STEPH: So, Geoffrey, tell us about this woman named Celestia that you've just met. What's she like? Where's she from?

GEOFFERY: *eyes turn dreamy* She's beautiful with long, wavy red hair and the most intriguing eyes. I couldn't tell at first what color they were, green or blue, they're a sparkling aquamarine, the like of which I had never seen before. And her skin! Her complexion is like a soft blush, sweet and rosey.

We shared a few dances but she never did tell me much about herself. She is staying near the market, though, and I can hardly wait to see her again!


STEPH: Tell us a little about the war that's going on between Arnhem and Specians.

GEOFFERY: Vile Speicans! How I hate them! They want nothing better than to kill us all, to run us from oiur homes, to steal our land. Not that long ago, they stole until our land and kidnapped many of our women. *mumbles some horrible curses under his breath that weren't suitable for a lady's hearing*

You see, Speica is a desert land, hardly any crops will go there. Because they cannot grow their own food, they plunder from neighboring villages. Our kingdom and theirs have fought for centuries now, idle battles, and many wars. I fear that this war will be the last one, with only one kingdom remaining to tell the tale.

For truth, I cannot recall why Arnhem and Speica started fighting in the first place, those long years ago.


STEPH: Tell us what your favorite class was as a page and why you enjoyed it so much.

GEOFFREY: I am much pleased that you asked about my favorite class and not my least favorite. *shudders at an ill memory involving a bird and its droppings*

Weaponry. Any time I held a sword, even the wooden ones from being a page, I knew I could not only defend my own honor, but those entrusted in my care. Being a knight means protecting those who cannot protect themselves. And what better way to accomplish that then by being able to defend them with sword and shield?


STEPH: Tell us a little about your home, Siva.

GEOFFREY: Siva is a small town within Arnhem. I only have precious few memories of it, having left there at the age of seven to start my training at the castle.

Siva has fertile land, perfect for farming. Many families there are farmers, a good deal of my childhood friends tilled the land instead of becoming a knight like me. If you are born into a noble family, it is expected that you would become a knight. Even those not of noble blood has a chance to become a knight, should their family be able to afford it. I am a noble and am very glad for that. I do not think that I could work with animals all day and fight the soil to get crops to grow. God's Wounds! That would have been an awful life for me. But I do know that some enjoyed it.


STEPH: Do you have any charities you give to or support?

GEOFFREY: All knights (or should I say all decent and honorable knights) give as much as they can to those in need of charity, whether it is time, coin, or someone to protect them. Right now, it is my duty to help all of Arnhem, not any particular part of it.


STEPH: How did you meet King Caelan? How long have you known him?

GEOFFREY: I've known Caelan since I first went to the palace for a ball. I was nearly five, he was four. When we both realized that we would be training for knighthood around the same time, we became fast friends. For so long, 'twas strange to think of him as the prince, but now he's king and married to Aislinn! *laughs* 'Tis funny how life works itself out sometimes. Long ago, I had fancied AIslinn for myself but that would have been a disaster. I knew those two loved each other before they did. And their love is strong and true. Nothing will make it waver. I can only hope that one day, I share that great love with a wonderful lady.


STEPH: I noticed that the queen affectionately calls you "Bard." Have you written poetry? Is there a poem you like to share with us?

GEOFFREY: *narrows his eyes* She calls me that to torment me! It started back when I fancied her. I might have mentioned something about her eyes, stole a line from one of the bards. Ever since, she calls me that. I know she means it in jest and sometimes it doesn't bother me but other times, it stings. At the time, I had truly cared for her, and she had shoved me aside. 'Friends only,' she said. But I'd wager a silver piece that she started to think about the prince a little more after that.

Knights don't have time to write poetry! Although I have heard that it does make the ladies swoon. Perhaps I could write Celestia a piece. Maybe she would enjoy my efforts, and they wouldn't be in vain as they had been with Aislinn and the others. How does one fall in love? What is love?

For all I know, my idealization of love, my longing for it, my almost desperate need for it, could be why Aislinn calls me bard. One day, if I ever do find love, I will write her a poem. Or a song. Just please, don't tell Aislinn? She'll never let me hear the end of it!


STEPH: Geoffrey, thank you for being here. Good luck on your adventure! (And thank you to Nicole for being in character!) Knight of Glory is available NOW with Desert Breeze.

Featured March Release - Knight of Glory by Nicole Zoltack

THE BLURB:

Sir Geoffrey, along with some companions, has been sent away from Arnhem, entrusted by Queen Aislinn for a special mission, and has to leave behind the mysterious lady Celestia. On his journey, he uncovers seeds of a sinister plot, learns a horrible secret, and makes a new friend in exile Jenanna.

Their mission completed, Geoffrey and his companions rush to two different kingdoms to ask for aid. Danger and betrayal lurks around every corner, and even allies have secrets that could prove deadly. Geoffrey's feelings for Celestia grow and wane. After learning some of Celestia's secrets, he begins to have second thoughts about his love for her and is even drawn to Jenanna

Rumors abound that the Speicans have enlisted a mage of their own, to work unspeakable, forbidden magic. The war between Speica and Arnhem has just begun. Will Geoffrey survive the battle to live another day and discover which woman he truly loves?

********
AN EXCERPT:

One lady stood by herself in the middle of the ballroom. The dancers paraded around her, ignoring her, and she appeared to be in her own world. Geoffrey's feet guided him to her even before he thought about it. "Hello," he said, bowing lowly. He accepted her outstretched hand and brushed his lips against it. A complete gentleman, he released it as soon as his lips touched. To hold her hand any longer, especially without knowing her name, would disgrace her reputation. "My name is Geoffrey of Siva."

"Hello, Geoffrey," the vision of loveliness said. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine." Geoffrey took half a step back and drank in her beauty. Her complexion was unlike any that he had ever seen before, a pale faint blush color.

A single strand of long wavy hair tumbled from her elegant hairdo, and she twirled it around her finger. "I am known as Celestia," she said, her voice light and feathery.

"Well, Celestia, would you care for a dance?" Geoffrey's heart thundered. Is this the first stirrings of love? He found himself drawn to her, unable to tear his gaze away. Reaching out with his hand to hold her, he was shocked when she stepped backward.

"I would rather not."

"Oh." Geoffrey fought back a wave of disappointment and struggled to keep his face from showing his frustration and regret.

********
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nicole Zoltack has been creating stories since before she could even write. She loves to read everything she can get her hands on but fantasy romance holds a special place in her heart.

Nicole publishes under the name Nicolette Zamora for strict romances.

Nicole is happily married to her college sweetheart and has an adorable son. She lives in Pennsylvania where she enjoys the four seasons but wishes that winter would stop cutting into the warm springtime.

Knight of Glory is also available on Amazon.com and All Romance Books

Interview with DB Author, Nicole Zoltack

I'd like to welcome Nicole to the Desert Breeze blog this morning. Nicole has a March release, book 2 in the Arnhem series, "Knight of Glory." It's a very exciting series. Her book, Woman of Honor was a TOP 10 Winner in the 2009 Preditors and Editors poll in the Science Fiction Romance category.

Onto the questions:


#1 - Tell me why Fantasy romance appeals so much to you.

Well, I think to some extent all romances have some elements of fantasy in them. But there’s something about creating a new world, one with magic and mythological creatures, where the men are brave and strong and true and love their ladies as much as they love their knights. Fantasy romance is a way to escape the problems of this world for another one with limitless possibilities.

STEPH: I so agree and that's why fantasy appeals to me as well.


#2 - Knight of Glory is book 2 in the Kingdom of Arnhem series. What inspired the series?

I have always been fascinated by the Middle Ages, and with knights in particular. Throughout my research, I decided to try to find out if there were any female knights, knowing the way that women were treated back then. To my surprise, I uncovered information about an entire order of female knights – the Order of the Hatchet.

This served as the motivation for Aislinn to try to become a knight in “Woman of Honor.” Book I ends with war between the kingdom of Arnhem and Speica. The series will now follow this war, which will be the last in a long line of wars between the two countries.


#3 - How did you come up with the plot for "Knight of Glory." (I'm glad to see Geoffrey get his own book!)

Sir Geoffrey was one of my favorite characters in “Woman of Honor” so it made a great deal of sense for him to be the main character in Book II. From his dreamy, bard-like idealization of love to his big heart, I thought that many readers would love to see more about him, and for him to finally find a woman that he could love. Fortunately and unfortunately (depending on how you look at it), Geoffrey actually finds himself torn between two very different ladies. Both keep secrets from him, even as his uncovers a sinister plot from the Speicans.

Basically, I let Geoffrey tell me the story and I just typed it. The plot just came to me one day.

#4 - I hear "Woman of Honor" did very well in the Preditors and Editors poll. Tell me about it.


“Woman of Honor” finished tied for four in the Preditors and Editors poll for fantasy and science fiction novels in 2009. I was very surprised and extremely pleased that “Woman of Honor” placed so high!



#5 - Cast the book for "Knight of Glory." Who is Geoffery? Celestia?

Let’s see… Geoffrey is blond with grey eyes with a strong, muscular build (of course, he’s a knight after all!). He’s short by today’s standards at 5 foot 6 but that was the average height for a man back in the Middle Ages. If I had to cast Geoffrey, I would say a short, grey-eyed Paul Walker.


STEPH: I LOVE Paul Walker! He's Viktor in my upcoming "Moldavia" Series.

Celestia has long, wavy red hair and aquamarine eyes. A young Kate Walsh.


Jenanna had short mahogany hair and sky blue eyes with some freckles. Not a traditional beauty like Celestia, the best compliment Jenanna could hope for is “fair.” Honestly, I don’t know who to cast as Jenanna!


#6 - Aislinn is the heroine from "Woman of Honor." Is there a little of Aislinn in you?


I would like to think so, although I am no where near as strong as she is, physically or emotionally. But she loves her brothers dearly, just as I love my siblings, and she loves her man fiercely, just as I love my husband. I could never see myself as Queen or as a Lady Knight, so there is a fair amount of Aislinn that is not me at all.

#7 - What's the latest book you read?

I just finished reading Traci E. Hall’s “Love’s Magic,” a paranormal romance set in 1192. It was a fairly good story but there was a lot of head-hopping (which is one of my biggest pet peeves) and several phrases that were not used back then (my biggest pet peeve). It was a good story, if you can overlook so flaws. The romance aspect was well-written although a little frustrating at times, the hero refused to listen to the heroine when she told him that she loved him. Can you say dense? But I received the book for free so I guess I shouldn’t complain too much.


#8 - Do you write other genres? If so, what? What do you find appealing about them?


I write in all kinds of genres, I just haven’t published in them all (yet!). I write YA, fantasy, paranormal, horror, sweet romance (in all different sub-genres), historical. Basically whatever the muse dictates, I write!


I love to read YA, so it’s no wonder that I write it. My ‘baby’ book is one that I started in 6th grade (literally, I wrote some of it during class) which is a fantasy YA novel that I am shopping around to agents.

Fantasy, we already discussed.

Paranormal. This is so close to fantasy but usually deals with today’s world and magical creatures. I have a short story called Beauty is Only Fin Deep that is a paranormal YA romance that will be published later on this year in an anthology called Mertales.


Horror. Maybe I should say dark, rather than horror. I sometimes think I have two muses, because some of my story ideas are just plain dark and nothing like the other stories I write.


Sweet romance, already discussed.

Historical. So far, just medieval but I might branch out and try some other time periods. In fact, one of my short story WIPs is about Atlantis’ destruction.

Thank you so much for interviewing me, Steph, I had a wonderful time!

It was great to have you, Nicole and I look forward to Knight of Glory!