Author Interview: Sara Flower

Today I would like to welcome Sara Flower, author of BY THE SWORD. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I'm a twenty-something Canadian author who drinks too much tea and has a passion for fashion.


Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
I started writing stories when I was five. I think what inspired me then, as well as now, was seeing interesting movies and books –I felt this huge drive to create stories with unique characters of my own.


How long did it take you to write By the Sword?
It took me three months to write the first draft of By the Sword – and then another two years to polish it.


While writing, how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
I had to go back a couple of times with By the Sword, especially near the ending. With my other stories, it also takes a couple of edits to get the plot exactly how I (Well, actually, often times the characters) want it.


You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
The young adult section.


How many books in a month do you tend to read?
I try to read at least one book every month.


In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
Great question! Well, I would have to say Helen from the book When Heaven Weeps by Ted Dekker. She is a bright person and just wants to be loved, but she also suffers with an addiction and keeps having relapses. The story takes place in the 60’s and she’s something of a hippie. I’m really drawn to her whenever I go back to the story.


State 5 random facts about yourself.

~I am fitness nut.
~I can’t leave the house without black eyeliner.
~My favourite films are war movies.
~I wish I lived in the country.
~And I didn’t start drinking coffee until this year.


What is your favorite Genre?
A tie between fantasy and thrillers.


What are you currently reading?
The Hunger Games!


What is the best book you've read?
When Heaven Weeps


Any new projects coming up?
Yes. I am almost finished a supernatural thriller novel, coming out this summer. And I have another fantasy book in the rough draft stage.


Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it. And why readers should pick it up?

Talya, a seventeen-year-old knight, and Jalarn, a prodigy general of the expanding Malinorian Empire, first meet when the imperial army invades Talya's country. After a brutal defeat, Talya has to flee along with the other survivors to their sister nation of Sanctus. Sanctus declares war on the empire.
In the meantime, being a military general is not enough for Jalarn. He seeks to become a master of the dark arts. Talya is not happy when she finds out from a respected visiting prophet that she is not to fight in the war, but God has called her on a mission to the dangerous Hunter Forest. The journey turns out to be more than she bargained for, especially when she runs into Jalarn again - and it turns out he is not the monster she originally thought.
Readers who love strong female leads and adventurous tales set in a fantastical land will enjoy By the Sword.

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Book Promo:

Genre: Fantasy, Young-adult
Publisher: Violet Sword Publishing
Ebook
Pages: 240

Book Description:
Seventeen-year-old Talya's main goal is to bring down the Malinorian Empire. And Jalarn, the empire's prodigy general, is at the top of her list of enemies to kill. Not only has Jalarn murdered Talya's king, he's almost killed her. Twice.
But things don't go as Talya planned when a visiting prophet sends her on a mission to the highly feared Hunter Forest. It is there that she must gain the allegiance of the forest's inhabitants before Jalarn and his men do.
Then, memories of a haunting vision resurface when Talya comes face to face with Jalarn. She makes a rash decision that sends her down a path she never imagined she would follow.

Purchase book on Amazon


Excerpt:
Jalarn could sense that the sword maiden was in the forest. The feeling had intensified after he had finished his meal. He left his men to their games and walked through the dark forest in search of her. She was most likely there to sway the giants’ allegiance before he got to them – the fool. It would be the last time that she would get in his way. She would not escape him this time.
“Show me where she is, lord. I will not fail to kill her for you this time.”
Jalarn’s eyes adjusted to the dimly lit woods. He would find her. He would not sleep until her blood soaked the ground.
He came to a clearing. No sign of her. He backed up and went the other way. He found one set of human tracks. They were definitely not a giant’s. He followed them. It had to be her foot prints. No one would choose to enter that place alone unless they were crazy or forced to.
Why had she come to Hunter Forest by herself? She was asking for death being in the same forest as him. Like a hungry predator stalking his prey, Jalarn knew that he would soon kill her. And then he could finally forget about her.


About the Author:

Sara is a twenty-something Canadian who has enjoyed writing stories since kindergarten. She likes good music & inspiring films, which fuel her creativity. She also happens to be something of a fitness nut and fashion is her passion.

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