Series: Nereth Trilogy
Genre: Young Adult, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Historical, Medieval
Publisher: Indie
Publication date: March 1, 2016
Genre: Young Adult, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Historical, Medieval
Publisher: Indie
Publication date: March 1, 2016
Dark times are upon the land of Nereth. Centuries have passed since the rightful heir to the throne was banished. The people are losing hope in ancient legend, which foretells of one who will rise up, overthrow the evil king and queen, and restore peace. Like all others in Nereth, Edlyn has suffered greatly. Orphaned as a child, Edlyn grew up as the serf of a drunken lord. Now a spirited seventeen-year-old, Edlyn works to buy her freedom while fighting off the unwanted advances of Sheriff Hurst. One morning, Edlyn discovers a young man hiding in the stable. He is fleeing from Sheriff Hurst and inflicted with a sword wound that will surely be fatal without her help. In a split-second decision, Edlyn conceals the young man from Sheriff Hurst and begins nursing him back to health. As the young man’s strength returns, Edlyn learns that his name is Maddock, and she is stunned to find that he has come from the mysterious land to the north. Maddock soon comes to Edlyn’s aid, rescuing her from Sheriff Hurst. Suddenly declared outlaws, both Edlyn and Maddock must escape for their lives to enchanted Ravenshire Forest and then the desolate mountains beyond. As their adventure unfolds, Edlyn and Maddock discover that their meeting may have been more than chance, for their lives prove bound by a fate that neither of them could possibly have imagined.
About the Author
TJ Amberson hails from the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her husband and nutty cocker spaniel. Her most recent novels include The Kingdom of Nereth, The Council of Nereth, Fusion, and Love at Lakewood Med. When she’s not writing, TJ can probably be found enjoying a hot chocolate, pretending to know how to garden, riding her bike, playing the piano, or surfing the Internet for cheap plane tickets.
With a love of writing in multiple genres, TJ Amberson strives to provide well-written, age-appropriate, and original novels for tweens, teens, and new adults.
Author Interview
1) How did you determine the setting for your book? Was it someplace that you had visited, pictures you'd seen, a flash of something that may or may not have been?
The concept and setting for THE KINGDOM OF NERETH started when, out of nowhere, the opening scene began playing through my mind. I saw a medieval farm. It was sunrise. A young woman—strong and intelligent—who was dressed in a medieval dress and had a long braid hanging down her back, was carrying water toward the barn. The visual impact of that scene struck me so much that I immediately began writing a story around it.
2) If you could live as any of your characters which one (or two) would you be? And why this one?
Tough question! Ultimately, of all of the characters in THE KINGDOM OF NERETH, I would choose to live as Maddock. He has such keen senses, survival skills, and athleticism that he has an upper hand in the unpredictable world of Nereth. But it would also be fun to be one of the Langerlen - either Ailith or Kegan - since these forest creatures have almost supernatural powers.
3) What two authors (1 from the past and one from the present) would like to spend the weekend with and how would you spend it?
From the past, I would choose to spend the weekend with Shakespeare. It would be awesome to find out definitively whether or not all of the works that are attributed to the playwright were indeed written by one person. I would spend the weekend hopefully playing a role in one of his productions!
From the present, I can't decide! Someone like Amanda Flower, perhaps, who manages to publish a huge number of books every year! And they're all fun and well-written. I would love to watch someone like that for a few days and get a sense of her writing process.
4) What is your all-time favorite book that you want others to read and love as much as you do?
LES MISERABLES by Victor Hugo.
5) What is the one question you wish was asked during an interview and how would you answer it?
For THE KINGDOM OF NERETH, I love when people ask me to name my favorite character from the novel. I have to say Peyton. In fact, he's one of the favorite characters that I have ever written. Why? Because I didn't plan to write him. He walked himself into a scene and insisted upon staying there. His slightly gruff demeanor, his bravery, his discrete and minimal display of emotion...he brought such a great dynamic to the story that I can't imagine the book without him. I'm forever glad he showed up!
Snippet
Edlyn noticed the blood-stained tear in Maddock’s dirty shirt. “You are hurt, sir.”
Covering his abdomen with one hand, Maddock took a step toward the stable door. “I will leave. I…”
Maddock trailed off when the chickens outside suddenly began clucking loudly. Edlyn jumped at the unexpected clamor, over which she heard the sound of horses approaching fast. After another glance at the young man, Edlyn rushed by him, opened the stable door, and looked out. Six men on horseback were galloping across the meadow toward the stable. Five of the riders had swords drawn, and the rider in front held a flag aloft—a flag, Edlyn realized with a shudder, which bore the symbol of the infamous Sheriff Hurst.
Edlyn slowly turned to Maddock. “I presume this is about you.”
Maddock did not respond. Wincing, he reached out with one arm to brace himself against the wall while keeping his other hand pressed on his abdomen.
“I could be imprisoned for helping a fugitive, or killed,” Edlyn went on frankly, shutting the stable door. “It depends on what you have done.”
Maddock found his voice, “I will not put you in danger.”
He made another move to leave but swayed and began to fall. Edlyn lunged forward, catching Maddock in her arms. Staggering under the weight of his limp body, she lowered him to the dirt. From the sounds outside, Edlyn knew that the riders were nearly upon them. She also saw that Maddock’s breathing was growing shallow and the life in his dark eyes fading. He would not escape those who hunted him. For one moment, Edlyn hesitated, looking between Maddock and the stable door. Then she spoke upward, as if to the sky:
“This young man might be an outlaw, but may the spirits of Ravenshire Forest curse me for eternity if I ever help Sheriff Hurst.”
Covering his abdomen with one hand, Maddock took a step toward the stable door. “I will leave. I…”
Maddock trailed off when the chickens outside suddenly began clucking loudly. Edlyn jumped at the unexpected clamor, over which she heard the sound of horses approaching fast. After another glance at the young man, Edlyn rushed by him, opened the stable door, and looked out. Six men on horseback were galloping across the meadow toward the stable. Five of the riders had swords drawn, and the rider in front held a flag aloft—a flag, Edlyn realized with a shudder, which bore the symbol of the infamous Sheriff Hurst.
Edlyn slowly turned to Maddock. “I presume this is about you.”
Maddock did not respond. Wincing, he reached out with one arm to brace himself against the wall while keeping his other hand pressed on his abdomen.
“I could be imprisoned for helping a fugitive, or killed,” Edlyn went on frankly, shutting the stable door. “It depends on what you have done.”
Maddock found his voice, “I will not put you in danger.”
He made another move to leave but swayed and began to fall. Edlyn lunged forward, catching Maddock in her arms. Staggering under the weight of his limp body, she lowered him to the dirt. From the sounds outside, Edlyn knew that the riders were nearly upon them. She also saw that Maddock’s breathing was growing shallow and the life in his dark eyes fading. He would not escape those who hunted him. For one moment, Edlyn hesitated, looking between Maddock and the stable door. Then she spoke upward, as if to the sky:
“This young man might be an outlaw, but may the spirits of Ravenshire Forest curse me for eternity if I ever help Sheriff Hurst.”
Giveaway
Enter the giveaway HERE.
Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.
Tour Schedule
November 5- Wishful Endings | Why Not Because I Said So
November 6- Emily Yager | Paulettes Papers
November 7- cherylbbookblog
November 8-Edits & Reviews by Leslie
November 9- Tell Tale Book Reviews
November 10- Blooming with Books
November 6- Emily Yager | Paulettes Papers
November 7- cherylbbookblog
November 8-Edits & Reviews by Leslie
November 9- Tell Tale Book Reviews
November 10- Blooming with Books
