Wizard of Ends Blog Tour

 

  Wizard of Ends

A powerful sorceress wants the Queen of Ends dead – revenge for the king’s refusal to hand over his crown. Believing the Land of Ends to be rightfully hers, the sorceress conjures creatures of darkness to hunt the queen. She is not expected to survive the night.

Only the wizard Lashlor Leaflin can protect Queen Narraki Dragonsbane. Except Lashlor believes that anyone who abuses magic will not see the goddess in the afterlife, so he avoids using it – at almost any cost. Torn between his beliefs and loyalty to the throne, Lashlor faces an impossible choice: risk the goddess’ wrath or risk the kingdom and all in it.

Lashlor is certain that a confrontation with such a formidable sorceress will be the death of him, but it soon becomes apparent that he may have no choice but to call on the power he holds within – power he doesn’t believe is strong enough.

 

 

 

 

Wizard of Ends: Dark Creature

Escorted by soldiers of Ends, Lashlor sets out to find an old flame, Rune Arcana, the only person who can help to remove the curse placed on the Queen of Ends. Lashlor believes that Rune currently resides in the Mountains of Eclador. The only trouble is – Rune now despises him and, in all of recorded history, no one has ever returned from these mountains. Rune could refuse his request. She could be dead. Lashlor and his companions could meet the same fate.

If they do not brave the mountains, however, Queen Narraki will remain in the form of a rabid creature of darkness… forever.

Forever is a long time, and King Lanaran fears the Wizard of Ends will not return. Ignoring Lashlor’s advice not to meddle with the curse, the king employs other magic users to attempt to undo the dark magic – with disastrous consequences.

 

Wizard of Ends, Book 3: United Army

King Lanaran Dragonsbane of Ends ventures into the mysterious, unexplored Mountains of Eclador in search of his kidnapped long-time friend and ally, the King of Storher. Not expecting the rescue to be an easy one, the captain of his army, Lashlor Leaflin and Rune Arcana travel with him.

In Lanaran’s absence, a united army rides for Ends.

With the King of Ends away and aid not forthcoming, the looming war seems lost before it’s begun. Ends has no hope of defeating the enemy’s vast numbers. The enemy also appears intent on using magic for this war – something never done by any army in all the known lands.

In a desperate bid to save her kingdom, Queen Narraki Dragonsbane enlists the aid of the magic users of Ends. With their combined power, her kingdom might just stand a chance. It’s a risk, of course. Magic users have let her down before and, already, she defies tradition by not standing back and allowing the temporary Captain of the Army of Ends to take the lead in the pending war. She cannot fail.

Get United Army at Smashwords!

 

Magic in the Real World: Wizard of Ends Companion

Delve into the world of ancient magic, discover ancient magic books and ‘magical’ plants, and learn about how science is magic. A real-world school of wizardry? Yes, it exists! Healing magic in today’s world and modern attempts to use magic? Yes, those are real too. Is your mind a force to be reckoned with? Yes, it seems so!

Are people who believe in magic nuts, or is there something to it? There is evidence that every one of us has the ability to manipulate the energy all around us (scientifically proven energy) – this is what we call magic.

This companion to the Wizard of Ends fantasy adventure series includes eye-opening information about magic in the real world, along with character interviews, a guest post written by the series’ main character, Lashlor Leaflin, insights into the series, its characters and the author, and the first three chapters of Book 1.

Get Wizard of Ends Companion here!

 

Author interview – Vanessa Finaughty

 

What do you do when a new idea jumps out at you while you’re still working on a book? Do you chase the squirrel (aka “UP syndrome”) or do you finish your current project first?

I usually make a note of the idea and then continue with the current project. However, I did break that ‘rule’ last year when I wrote a slasher novel in just a few weeks. I was working on short stories to double the length of some of my compilations, and the slasher was intended to be part of that collection. I realised very quickly that something of that nature really needs to be full length and, since I was inspired and the writing was flowing so easily, I couldn’t make myself stop. I have at least refrained from polishing it yet!

 

Have you been able to incorporate your previous experience in your jobs/education in your writing?

Not in my writing itself, no, but my experience working in the publishing industry has definitely helped me with things like formatting my own books.

 

Do you identify with your main character, or did you create a character that is your opposite?

I think Lashlor’s stubbornness is quite reflective of me! Except, unlike Lashlor, I don’t think I could refrain from using magic if I was a wizard.

 

Describe the book or series in 10 words or less for people just learning about it.

The series is about a wizard who avoids using magic.

 

Is there anything you would like people to take away from your book?

I hope that my books are an escape from the real world, an adventure without consequences, and something to entertain on nights when you can’t sleep.

 

Share some advice for aspiring authors. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Take some time to market your books before publishing. It does make a difference if you have a readership waiting for your next book – and also, from what I understand, pre-orders of books by authors who don’t already have a decent following actually damage visibility on Amazon. To my younger self, I would say: research what’s expected of your genre in the market. For example, my first short story collections were half the length that readers expect something like that to be, which would explain why they weren’t selling that well – no value for money in terms of length. I’m still in the process of fixing that issue in some of my collections.

 

What is your favorite line from your book?

“Swamp muck, you say? I am a sorceress,” Rune said coldly. “Here, let me show you.”

Or

Nothing can stop this magic now that it has begun.

 

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

During the week, I’m pretty tired from work and other responsibilities, so I like to chill in front of the TV with an interesting series, movie or documentary, or just chat with coffee. On weekends, I enjoy braaing or visiting with friends and family, and it’s nice to get out to the beach when the weather allows – I prefer the in between weather when most people still think it’s too cold for the beach, so the beach isn’t too crowded and I don’t have to worry as much about sunburn. I also love spending time with my German shepherd, Riva, and plan to find time to teach her more tricks – my favourite that gets me excited every time is her high five! I also enjoy doing random things like strawberry or cherry picking, and visiting local wildlife sanctuaries, caves and the like.

 

About the author

Vanessa Finaughty is a multi-genre author who has published more than 20 books, including school books published by Oxford University Press Southern Africa. Vanessa grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and still lives there with her husband and their four children (two human and two furry, four-legged).

Vanessa has always been passionate about books, and knew from a young age that she wanted to write them one day. She loves animals, coffee and the smell of wet grass, and hates excessive weather, long queues and liars. Her interests include reading, photography, the supernatural, mythology, aliens and outer space, ancient history, life’s mysteries and martial arts, in which she has five years’ experience in Ki Aikido.

https://vanessafinaughtyfantasybooks.wordpress.com/

 

Although the Wizard of Ends books follow a larger storyline, each book is also readable as a standalone book.

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