Hi Chris, Welcome to
Leona’s Chatter. I hear you’re celebrating the one year anniversary of
Sanctuary of Nine Dragons, the third book in your Palace of Twelve Pillars
series. May I ask you a few questions?
How long did it take you
to write all three, from rough draft to publication?
About ten years.
Do you have a favorite
from among the three?
It depends on the day.
Sometimes its Palace of the Three
Crosses: Book Two and other days it is Sanctuary
of Nine Dragons: Book Three
How did you choose your
characters?
It was more like they
chose me. They just kind of evolved from
the young, inexperienced twins in book one to the adults they became by the end
of book three. I never really sat down and said I want this guy for Joachim or
I think he would make a good Brandan. They just showed up and grew as the books
progressed.
Is it hard to juggle a
writing time with family time?
Yes and no. At times I
tend to make it more difficult than it needs to be, because I don’t prioritize
my time accordingly. Three of my children are grown and the fourth is well on
her way at thirteen so it is not as hard to juggle things as it once was, but
there are times when because of my scheduling deficiency that my thirteen year
old doesn’t get enough of my attention. I try and make up for it when I can.
Do
you have a fourth book planned or is this the last one in the series?
Originally
there was not even a plan for three books. The series started out as a stand
alone book.
After it was written I realized that I wanted more and one by one
the books in the Brandan and Joachim trilogy came to be. But there are still a
few teens that were in the first standalone book that kind of got pushed aside
by Brandan and Joachim. They still want to have their story told. So the
possibility of another book in the series certainly exists in the future.
Before
we do the blurb and excerpt, I want to say it’s been a pleasure to meet you,
not only as a fellow MuseItUp author,
but also in Writer’s Village University and F2K. How cool is it that you landed
in my classroom for this session of F2K?
Leona, I think it is totally cool. We have talked before and gotten to know each
other, but to be in the same classroom is pretty exciting. Learning and sharing
with a fellow author is always a good thing.
Book Blurb ~ Joachim banishes Brandan to prison island of Hyogo. His infant son, Prince Airyn disappears from his cradle. A chain of events is set in motion that will pit brother against brother, friend against friend, parents against children as Brandan and Joachim struggle for control of their sanity and their very lives.
With Brandan declared dead and his son missing Joachim sinks into despair and anger, where those close to him fear he may never return.
Is Brandan really dead and if he is, who is manipulating the
Mantion and enemies of Crato?
Can Maeve save her country and her husband from the
tentacles of evil pervading the land?
Excerpt:
Links: Blog: www.weigandchris.com
Excerpt:
Joachim cringed as he thought about what he had to do. The
council had decided. He didn’t agree completely, but in the end, Joachim knew
it was the only way; something had to be done. Maybe Brandan would give him a
reason not to send him away.
King Brandan stomped into the room. “Why, Brother, have you
no throne prepared for your poor, missing brother? I’m hurt. I expected more
from you and my sister-in-law. Maeve, dear, couldn’t you have helped him
prepare better?” He stepped toward her, quickly grabbed her hand, and kissed
it.
Joachim lunged at him, pushing him from the dais. Brandan
staggered then regained his balance and gazed at his brother. “Why such
violence, especially when I am so recently injured?”
Stepping off the dais, Joachim stood eye-to-eye with his
brother. “Enough! You’re no more hurt than I am. And you have no business
touching my wife, or sitting on Crato’s throne.”
Brandan laughed, pushed him aside, and stepped up to claim
his throne. Joachim grabbed his twin's shoulder, spun him around, and punched
him in the mouth.
Rubbing where Joa’s fist had landed, Brandan smirked. “Well,
my brother has finally developed some stones.” He raised his other hand to hit
Joachim.
Matthias stepped forward, sword in hand and grabbed his arm
before he could hit Crato's king. He pulled the king’s brother away, so Joachim
could reclaim his throne.
Jerking himself free, Brandan straightened his tunic. “This
has been fun; but as you seem to be in no mood to visit, I shall take my leave.
Come to me when you’re in a better frame of mind.”
“Stop! You are going nowhere until I say you can.”
Brandan stopped and looked at his brother. “What did you say
to me? Is that how you talk to a fellow king and brother?”
“Yes, it is. As of this morning, you are no longer a king,
and I’m not sure I should even call you brother.”
“Why dearest brother, whatever do you mean?” Brandan asked.
“Ever since we were boys, you have done everything you could
to make trouble. I was always willing to forgive you and hoped you would change
your evil ways. But no more! You have pushed me—pushed this country—too far
this time,” Joa thundered at him.
“What are you
rambling on about?” Brandan sneered and bit a fingernail.
“Brandan, I should sentence you to execution, but there are
two things keeping me from that. First: you are my brother, and I hold onto a
hope, however faint, you can be reformed…”
Brandan chortled. “Not a good bet, brother.”
“Second, I strongly suspect you of making two attempts on my
life. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough
evidence to prove it was you. I punished one innocent man because of the little
evidence we do have. I do not wish to make that mistake a second time.”
Brandan laughed again. “So, if we’re finished here, I’ll be
leaving.”
As I said before, you won’t be going anywhere until I say
so. I may not have what I need to sentence you to death, but after your actions
toward the queen this morning, I have some recourse.”
“What are you talking about? I did nothing she didn't ask
for.”
Maeve rose from her throne. Joa put his hand on her arm to
stop her.
“Brandan, I suggest you remain quiet until I finish.”
“Brother, you do not have the authority to do this. We are
equals.”
“Do you not see the Adept Council before you? We met and
discussed this matter at length... They have given me the authority.”
“This tiresome group of old men?” Brandan laughed. “They
have even less power over me than you do.”
Ignoring Brandan’s comments, the king continued. “First, I
strip you of your title. You are no longer King Brandan but will henceforth be
known simply as Prince Brandan.” He paused and swallowed. He didn’t know if he
could continue. The lump in his throat felt as big as a koali fruit. He
swallowed again. Maeve grasped his hand. Warmth and reassurance enveloped him.
He knew what he had to do.
“When we have finished here, Rupert, Salochin, and Master
Frederick will take you to Rupert’s tower. There, they will strip you of your
magical powers. When they are finished, Matthias and Wilhelm will escort you to
the Port of Wyrzburg, where you will be put on a ship bound for Hyogo, the
prison island. There you will remain for the rest of your life. You are never
to return to Crato or Mahorg. You will live in the mountain abbey with the
monks and work side-by-side with them.”
“You’re a misguided fool.” Brandan sneered. “If you believe
that by exiling me, you are saving yourself from evil—think again. You may have
peace and rest comfortably for a short while, but don’t assume I won’t find a
way to come back and destroy you.” He stepped up to the thrones and leaned
forward, placing a hand on each. The guards on either side of the king stepped
forward to stop him. Joachim raised his hand signaling them to stop.
Brandan glared at the guard and muttered, “Freisen!” The man
froze where he stood.
Brandan turned back to his brother and sister-in-law. “No,
Joa. This is not over and what I did to your guard is nothing compared to the
evils you will suffer by my hand.”
While he was speaking, Rupert chanted a binding spell.
Matthias came forward and placed his sword tip to Brandan’s back.
The king put his good hand on his brother’s shoulders and
pushed him upright as he stood. “You have done enough! Matthias, escort him to
Master Rupert’s tower.”
As the prince was escorted from the room, Joa slumped back
into his throne. It was done, he thought as remorse washed over him. A tear
crawled down his cheek as Maeve squeezed his hand.
Bio:Christina
Weigand’s a writer, wife, and mother of three grown children and a middle
school daughter. She is also Nana to three granddaughters. She lives with her
husband and youngest daughter in Pennsylvania, returning there after a short
sabbatical in Washington. Currently, she’s working on fantasy novels and
inspirational writing. Through her writing, she strives to share the Word of
God and help people young and old to realize the love and mercy He has for
everyone.
When she’s not writing, she’s active in her local Church as
a lector, Bible Study, or with the church theater group, volunteering at her
daughter’s school helping the children develop a love for reading and writing.
Jesus fills her home with love as she shares Him through her writing.
Twitter: @CAWeigand
Facebook: www.facebook.com/caweigand
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/chris_weigand
