Interview+Giveaway: Divided Fates by Stephanie M. Allen

Interview with Stephanie M. Allen, author of fantasy novel Divided Fates

Ten days after the battle in the north, the world of Erez has been thrown into turmoil.

Princess Isemay awakens – injured and weak –  in a strange village. Branded an outcast because of her mixed heritage but forced to stay against her will, she must choose to conform to the sha’nidow way of life or face the consequences. When a mysterious stranger arrives with a heartbreaking message, Isemay’s hope abandons her to a fate far more destructive than she was prepared for.

Princess Alena finds herself the queen of the northern kingdom – powerful, adored, alone. Fighting inner demons of darkness, she travels south to visit her brother, now the king of Neilos. But fate will not allow her to find peace, and she must decide whether she will side with those she loves or the one who holds ultimate power.

Niri Flesh-cleaver, granddaughter to the elusive Choshech and heir to the nashech throne, has everything she could want – and yet her heart yearns for more. Torn between her mother’s orders and a forbidden love, she quickly realizes she cannot have both. Driven by brokenness, she will seek to destroy the one person she blames for Choshech’s demise – and find that perhaps her heart was the better guide all along.

Three women. Three separate journeys. One path to find that fate will divide even the closest of bonds.

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Excerpt from Divided Fates

Niri bellowed her rage as she slammed onto the training field, her knuckles cracking into the ground, scattering the thralls asunder with the force of her landing. She stood and faced them, along with the elders, her eyes blazing with the heat of her hatred. She would use that hatred, oh yes. She would thwart it to her advantage. Jordan Allemand would die before her. She would watch his broken body bleed out over the blade of her labrys before a fortnight had passed. “Winged thralls that bear my mark, you are summoned.”

She strode across the ground, her tail flicking with adrenaline, knowing her thralls would obey without question. When she led them some distance away, she turned.

Seven of her thrall slaves took a knee before her, their wings folded neatly against their spines. “What is your bidding?” they murmured as one.

Niri spread her wings, allowing the wind to lift her a few feet above the ground. “Choshech commands.”

“And we obey.”

“We fly to the southwest to avenge his curse. We find Jordan Allemand as he searches for his lost future queen.” She parted her perfect rosebud lips, her triangular fangs bared in a snarl. “There he will meet his end.”

An Interview with Stephanie M. Allen

–What inspired you to become a writer?

I became a writer because I’ve always had stories in my head. I’m one of those people that likes to live in my imagination. Even as a little girl, I would spend time writing stories. I was a fan-fiction queen when I was in high school. I loved writing stories about my celebrity crushes or characters from my favorite books. This particular story, however, would not leave me alone for years. I was driving home one day from college and I had a very clear picture of twin sisters in my head. They were separated across a country and both of them had gone through really difficult things. They would not leave me alone. It was almost like they were begging me to write their story. So I did. The first version of this story was written in 2002. Since then, it’s evolved to the version that my readers enjoy today!

-If you could visit your book’s world for a day, what one thing would you do?

Call me boring, but I would want to spend a day with my favorite king, Jordan. He’s a benevolent ruler who cares deeply about his people and those he loves. I would love to become a part of his inner circle in that one day! I bet I could talk him into riding horses throughout the kingdom, too. That would be fantastic!

-It’s two in the morning. What does your protagonist reveal in confidence? (Don’t worry, we won’t tell.)

Hmm. If I were talking to Isemay, she would probably reveal how much she adores her love. She would also tell me all the things she wants to do once they’re married, I’m sure. It would probably become a gushing session and honestly, I’d be all about it. If I were talking to Alena, she would most likely want to talk about queenly matters. I’d probably be bored because truthfully, I don’t relate to her as much as I relate to Isemay. I sort of think of Alena as the older sister who I would love and fear at the same time. She would expect a lot of me, but it would be very clear that she loves me too.

-Which of your characters would you go out for drinks with?

I would go out with Savant for sure. He would encourage me to drink too much, but it would be a good time. Although, he’d probably be able to manipulate me in some way too so…that would be a little dicey. However, whenever I picture Savant, I definitely see Henry Cavill in my head so that would make everything worth it!

-You’re in a tavern, and a dwarf challenges you to a duel. What do you do?

Laugh…and probably die. I’m decent with a bow and arrow. I’ve been trained to use one, though I’ve only ever shot stationary targets. However, a sword? I’d get my butt kicked.

-Is there a genre you could never write? Which and why?

Definitely. I could never write horror. It’s a genre I don’t read, nor do I even watch horror movies. They scare me too much and I would probably scare myself writing it. The other genre I’d have trouble with is mystery. While I love the Sherlock series with Benedict Cumberbatch, my brain doesn’t really work in that way.

About Stephanie M. Allen

Stephanie M. Allen graduated from California Baptist University in 2009 with a B.A. in English and a desire to share her imaginative stories with the world. She loves to write fantasy, particularly centered around young adults. Aside from writing, Stephanie loves to read, ride horses, and sing. She currently lives in Wyoming with her husband and two children.

Find her online:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Goodreads
• Instagram
• Amazon Author Page

Giveaway

Stephanie will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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