Guys. If you like airships and dragons and magic and spicy romance, you need to check out the Stones of Terrene series by my good friend and fellow Fayette Press author, RJ Metcalf.
I’ve been a beta reader for this series from the beginning, so it feels like one of my own projects. If you enjoy my books, you’ll love hers.
Void Born is book 2 of the Stones of Terrene series, and it just released! This is my favorite book in the series so far, with political and romantic tensions ramping up and the stakes are through the roof.
If you haven’t read book 1 yet—Renegade Skyfarer—be sure to grab it first. Check out my review for it here.
Renegade Skyfarer (The Stones of Terrene book 1)
Treasure Planet meets Jurassic Park for an addicting steampunk adventure.
More info →
Void Born (The Stones of Terrene book 2)
Tensions collide and the stakes skyrocket in this continuation of The Stones of Terrene.
More info →An interview with the author
So… one of my series-in-progress *cough Emberhawk cough cough* might have something in common with Void Born. Maybe. Or maybe not.
So I had to ask R.J. this question about my favorite element of Void Born. Which might or might not actually have anything to do with the story. *ahem*
Jamie: How do you weave romance through an arranged marriage in fantasy fiction?
RJ: Arranged marriages are trope that I do enjoy. It can be fun and exciting when it’s an arranged marriage where the reader already suspects that the couple are end-game, and we get to watch as the two go from “uugh, I don’t want to marry you” to “hey, we conspired to break this off, and you’re actually kinda cute” and then eventually “okay, don’t you dare leave my side, I actually want to marry you.” I love that slow burn of barely-disguised loathing to eventual partners and more.
Just as equally, I love the arranged marriages where it’s a disastrous, dangerous idea to begin with, and we get to watch the heroine or hero either finagle their way out, flee, or somehow escape the confines of such a binding contract. Then we get to see them become their own person, bold and beautiful and free. There’s an element of danger to this particular theme that sends shivers down my spine while also keeping me hooked as a reader.
And, I’m sure readers may already have suspected this with Renegade Skyfarer, I love when romance doesn’t start with butterflies and happiness. When there’s that friction, the sparks, the snark. Something that starts sharp and ends soft. With the thought of arranged marriages in fiction, I’d say that all the louder. I love when they start with a “there’s no way in heaven or hell will I ever even touch your hand” and then it slowly devolves into a “oh, they looked at me. And now my stomach is fluttery and my palms are sweating and what is going on here?!” Those are moments that make me cackle aloud and prance with my book and laugh some more before I continue reading. Now, I’m not saying that we’ll see arranged marriages in the series, but it is a fun sandbox to play in, and not all arranged marriages end in either of these two scenarios that I’m talking about here. ^_~
Character spotlight: Jade Stohner
Jade is honestly more like me than any of the other characters–and yet she is so not me at the same time. For Renegade Skyfarer, she was the easiest character to write, without question. But in Void Born, she was harder to grasp because of the struggles she’s enduring. In so many ways she makes me think of a butterfly or bird who was free in the first book, and is now caged, looking for a way out. I look forward to when she gets to escape to the skies again.
One of the things I love about Jade is her honesty with herself about everything. If she finds an idea abhorrent or immoral, she doesn’t shy away from saying what it is. Even if an idea isn’t allowed, she’ll consider it and choose accordingly. I admire her determination to not lie to herself, and her determination to not just sit and stagnate when the oil hits the fan.
Jade’s love for life is something beautiful to me. I really hope she encourages readers to appreciate life too.
— R. J.
You’re invited to the Facebook party!
Join me at R.J.’s launch party for Void Born this Friday for some steampunk shenanigans! There’s sure to be giveaways, trivia, and Q&A with the author.
R.J. knows how to do an epic giveaway, y’all. Stop by for your chance at some legit swag.
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