Blog Tour: SHIELD AND SCEPTER

Shield and Scepter

by K. M. Warfield

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GENRE:   Fantasy

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BLURB:

An ancient relic. Two solitary quests. A chance to prove one’s worth.
After an intense battle against the malicious Goddess, Lolc Aon, and freeing the Fallen citizens of Byd Cudd, Jinaari and Thia are presented with new challenges while in the public eye.  Even though Thia has been granted nearly unlimited healing power through the God Keroys, many still doubt her because of her Fallen lineage. Jinaari does his best to support her, but his lessons are cut short after his sister is kidnapped.
Faced with life altering obstacles, will Jinaari keep his vow to protect Thia even from afar? Can Thia learn to trust herself and win over the public? Or will it be too late?

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Excerpt One:

Jinaari looked at his friend, “You and Pan kept all three of us alive, brought us back here. That’s plenty.”

Adam shrugged. “I know that’s what you needed us to do. It doesn’t feel like enough, though. You two do all the heavy lifting while we barely make a dent.”

“Stop that,” he stared at the warlock. “I couldn’t have gotten her away from Lolc Aon alone. Not in one piece. You kept that spider from getting her, too.”

“After I led her into the nest in the first place,” he grumbled.

“Hey, I told everyone to check the wall and she ended up falling into a pit because of it. That doesn’t matter. We’re a team. You and Caelynn know what to do so well that I don’t have to tell you. I trust it’s going to happen, and it does. Thia’s learned a lot since she first came to us. She trusts you and me. I don’t worry about anyone else dying because I know she won’t let it happen. She’s too damn stubborn.”

The blonde man nodded. “You’re right.”

“Of course I’m right,” Jinaari said as he sat back. “I’m glad you finally admit it.”

“You’re also arrogant, insufferable, and demanding,” Thia’s voice made him twist in his chair.

Caelynn stood next to her. The blue tint of her skin had faded. It wasn’t gone, but it wasn’t as prevalent as when they’d first come back. The bard’s face was tired, but happy. 

“Everything okay?” he asked.

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Interview:

Tell us about your book? How did it get started?

I’m a gaming nerd. LOL. I’ve played Dungeons and Dragons for decades now. Have a group of friends that I play with regularly. Several years ago, we started a campaign that went over 3 years. We moved it online briefly when the pandemic hit, but all of us prefer to play in person. When that campaign ended, I wasn’t ready to let go of the characters. That’s how the first book in the series started. Got it written, realized a week or so later that Thia’s story wasn’t over yet and started book 2.

How do you create your characters?

There’s some major characters, and a few minor, who are remnants of the game. All characters got changes because of the plot, how the world of Avoch developed, but the core personality of what my friends played is still there. 

As to some of the other characters, and the villains, those are ones that I felt either needed to support Thia and Jinaari, or ones that would truly challenge them.


Where do you write? Is there something you need in order to write (music, drinks?)

I’ve got a home office that’s my den of creativity. The walls are covered with art, family photos, and things that inspire me in some way. I’ve got a bookcase full of Star Wars figures and lightsabers…. the Lego sets are everywhere! It’s eclectic and chaotic but every single thing in here has a purpose or story behind why it’s in here. 

Music is a must. I can’t write in silence. Last time I got a new keyboard, I selected one that was noisy simply because I love to hear the clackity-clack of the keys.


How do you get your ideas for writing?

A lot comes from gaming. I run our current campaign, plus play in another one. The improv…the teamwork…the problem solving is fodder for my imagination. Sometimes it’s other places. It could be a small comment made at work that sparks an idea. Or a dream that simply won’t leave my head when I wake up. 

People talk about inspiration like it’s some sort of divine thing that strikes rarely. I’ve found it’s everywhere. It’s going into a store because you’re wasting time before an appointment and finding a throw blanket that you didn’t know you needed. It’s catching a patch of steam rising from a puddle in the street. It’s seeing a ring of mushrooms in the grass and wondering if you dare enter to look for fairies. It’s in the laughter of friends that are your chosen family. Or a cat curling up on your chest, purring, because they know you had a bad day. Our lives are so busy any more that we forget to see the magic in the small things.

What do you like to read?
Fantasy, for the most part. I have an absolutely horrible habit of picking up other author voices. If I read someone whose work is heavy in puns, for example, I start inserting them where they don’t need to be in my own wip. Anymore, I simply have to read only when I’m not working on something of my own.

What would your advice to be for authors or aspiring in regards to writing?

Do not expect to make money for at least a decade. Do expect to make revisions and changes. Don’t be a diva – no one in publishing will want to work with you. Do be polite and professional. No draft is perfect on the first pass. There’s going to be typos and things you want to switch around even after it’s been published. If you have to, sit on your hands and resist the urge. You need to let readers decide if it’s good over making constant revisions (or asking for them).

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Born in the late 1960’s, K. M. has lived most of her live in the Pacific NW. While she’s always been creative, she didn’t turn towards writing until 2008. Writing under the pen name of KateMarie Collins, she released several titles. In 2019, the decision was made to forge a new path with her books. The Heroes of Avoch series, along with a new pen name, is the end result.

When she’s not writing, she loves playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends, watching movies, and cuddling up with her cat. K. M. resides with her family in what she likes to refer to as ‘Seattle Suburbia’.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kmwarfieldbooks

Twitter: @KMWarfieldbooks

Website: https://kmwarfield.com/

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Shield-Scepter-Heroes-Avoch-Book-ebook/dp/B0CGMQ94VH/

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

K. M. Warfield will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway