Blood of Azure Series by Jonathan J. Michael

 Please welcome Jonathan J. Michael author of Blood of Azure Series 

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

Blood of Azure Series

by Jonathan J. Michael

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE: Epic Fantasy

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

INTERVIEW:

Do you ever wish you were someone else? Who?

I don’t really wish to be anyone else. Sometimes I imaginewhat it would be like to be somebody else, though. For example, could you imagine being Elon Musk an entrepreneur who sends people to space? What his days must be like… [pondering a billionaire’s lifestyle] Or JK Rowling. To write a series and have it explode into an enterprise. I would be intimidated by my own life if I were either of these people. So, no, I don’t wish to be anyone else. Maybe just a taller version of myself with my own experiences.

 

What did you do on your last birthday?

Am I supposed to remember my last birthday? Haha. It was my 38^th, and I’m pretty sure I stuck to my routine for most of it. Woke up around 5:30am. Wrote or worked on something writing related for an hour and a half, then started the day job. However, I did start on my epic journey of ditching the day job and the writing career to become a dance fighter. I was introduced to Beat Saber on the Oculus VR gaming system. And I’m proud to say my dance fighting skills have improved tremendously.

 

What part of the writing process do you dread?

Keyword: writing. There is such a larger process to publishing a book that most aspiring authors won’t fathom and can only trip and stumble over themselves. That’s my experience in the self-publishing market, anyhow. But if we’re sticking to the writingprocess, the part I dread the most is keeping track of the little details I’ve written. Thus far in my writing journey, I’ve only written epics, and when you’ve exceeded two hundred thousand words in one book, it can be a daunting task to remember were his eyes blue or grey?; did he lose his left hand or right?; or did she learn how to use her magic in chapter 10 or 16?I overcome this by keeping track of little details in a scene list spreadsheet. I keep track of details such as chapter number, chapter description, important interactions, character descriptions, characters mentioned, etc. It’s part of the writing process, but not writing. Just extra work to keep me on track.

 

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

In my experience, writer’s block is nonexistent. Let’s imagine what it would be like, however. To write anything, anything at all, all you must do is think of some words (preferably a complete sentence) and put them on the page. It doesn’t even have to make sense to anyone at first because you’re telling yourself the story, and in turn promoting inspiration as you go. So, I can only imagine, if someone has a case of writer’s block, in reality, it is something more detrimental to their mental health causing the issue. But then again, if a writer isexperiencing something detrimental to their health, writing about it could be the remedy. And a great story at their own expense. For me, though, I’ve never experienced it. I also don’t write a dozen books a year, so maybe when I pick up the pace and need to produce more, faster, this might take effect.

 

Tell us about your latest release.

My latest release is book two in my debut series, Blood of Azure. Being that nobody wants to start with book two, let’s discuss the series as a whole.

Blood of Azure is an epic fantasy with much of the inspiration coming from nature and science. I’ve realized I’m an explorer at heart, and anytime I read an epic fantasy I’m always wanting to guide the characters in different directions to check out the unexplored world. So, I had to make sure my characters treaded through much of the vibrant terrain in the world of Azure where the waters are red, the sky is blue, and the wildlife is both exotic and familiar.

Beyond the physical world, Azure is loaded with culture, religion, a touch of political intrigue, and what I like to believe is a rather unique magic system. There are many epics out there that I haven’t read, but to the best of my knowledge, this is one of a kind. The magic (known as seasonal sciences) is bound to the seasons, as are the people. Race is not determined by physical attributes, but by the season they are born in, which also dictates the magical abilities they wield. Spring-born have the ability to heal; summer the gift of growth; autumn the power of decay; and winter the skill of dormancy.

And what about the characters. I’m afraid I’ve taken the George R.R. Martin approach here with too many. They interchange a bit from book to book. Four protagonists strive to recover Azure’s balance and while the antagonists create obstacles at every level of their adventure. You’ll find many common fantasy tropes, and a few turned upside down: a reluctant hero, a rising champion (self-proclaimed), a lost shadow; a broken disciple; a raging avenger; an impostor mother; and a maniacal vigilante; along with supporting cast.

It's a series that isn’t light for heart, however. There are some graphic scenes and explicit language, in addition to faith and good values. The overarching theme being balance. Four seasons to balance the world. Four sages to balance the life.

BLURB:

 

 

BLURB: SEASON OF SACRIFICE, BOOK 1

 

Courage is for the bold. It is not for Stone McLarin. He’s been in hiding for four seasons after being orphaned by the Taoiseach. He doesn’t care for the heroic antics of avenging his parent’s death or securing his freedom. He only desires one thing—to protect his sister’s life.

 

This proves challenging when his sister, Jaymes, possesses a rivaling power of decay to that of the tyrant ruler’s. She’s a threat to his dominance, and there will be no escaping his shadow.

 

When the Taoiseach manipulates his way into Jaymes’s life and steals her away, Stone has no choice but to follow. He must venture into the heart of the tyrant’s domain and figure out how to penetrate the impenetrable. And if he succeeds there, he will have to slay the most powerful man in Azure.

 

In a world ruled by decay, what chance does life stand?

 

Season of Sacrifice is part one of the Blood of Azure series—an epic fantasy full of grim encounters, heroic adventures, unique magic, and a captivating world to explore.

 

Author’s Note: Contains explicit language and some graphic descriptions.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

EXCERPT:

 

EXCERPT I: SEASON OF SACRIFICE – GOOSE

 

My heart beats heavier. I inhale and, with the back of my hand, brush a drop of sweat that has found its way down my forehead. I know what these tracks be-long to. But why now? Am I projecting my ambitions—to slay a Creature of the Night? I grab a handful of Everweed from the ground and reluctantly head in the direction of the trampled vegetation.

 

My experience with these beasts is nonexistent, but then again, there isn’t another who can claim otherwise. They’re the type of animal man stays far away from, which was the primary reason for choosing this location as a refuge. We chose to risk being mauled by the Creatures of the Night over the public execution we would have inevitably encountered by hiding in a small village. Some would consider us the biggest halfwits in all of Vedora, all of Azure even, for making the decision we made, but I know Harris Martelli personally, and the fact he is capable of persuading a strong-willed and morally sound man like my father to do what he did is far more threatening than any beast living in the wood.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Jonathan J Michael was born and raised in the greater Seattle area in the scenic state of Washington. Jonathan is an advocate of science, nature, and exploration, which has a heavy influence in his debut series, Blood of Azure.

 

When I drive down the freeway, I often want to veer onto the backroads and head for the mountains. When I'm at an evening gathering, I'm eager to step outside and gaze at the stars. When I'm on a ferry, I'm at the guardrail staring into the depths wondering what kind of leviathans lurk below. I'm an explorer, and since I'm not on the next Crew Dragon headed for the ISS, fantasy novels let me have what I seek. I write to explore a world of wonder.

~ Jonathan

 

SOCIAL LINKS

Website: https://jonathanjmichael.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.j.michael.author

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan_j_michael/

 

BUY LINKS

Season of Sacrifice – Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T1XV54W

Season of Suffering – Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NSM62N8

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4139