Ask Jack and Sebastian

 

Jack and Sebastian have volunteered their time to answer your questions about the book, their lives, or whatever else you might be curious about. Leave your questions in the comments or submit your questions on Instagram 

The post with their answers will be going up Friday!

SWEET VENDETTA BLUES Release Tour!

 

Join in on the official Release Tour for Sweet Vendetta Blues!

Schedule

Monday Sep 26^th

Tour Intro here at Character Purgatory (this post!)

IG Spotlight @nickichapelwayauthor

 

Tuesday Sep 27^th

^{Release Day!}

 Review at The Bluestocking Biblio Buttery

 IG Spotlight at @deborahocarroll

Jack and Sebastian Q&A Opens on IG @modern_bard67 And here on Character Purgatory

 

Wednesday Sep 28^th

IG Spotlight at @sarah.taleweaver

IG Spotlight at @brshutt

Ebook Giveaway starts at @onemorechap

 

Thursday Sep 29^th

Review at @justme.jaiden

Blog Post: "Designing a Character" Here at Character Purgatory

 

Friday Sep 30^th

Author and Character Interview at Dreams and Dragons

Guest Post at Bluestocking Biblio Buttery

Review at @mannyroborovski

(Each spotlight will have a different excerpt from the book, so make sure to check them all out!)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It’s been eight years since Jack left his life in the mafia. Eight years since his adopted father was murdered. Eight years since his own brother shot him in revenge and he had to go into hiding, nothing but a dead man.

 

When the past comes back to haunt him in the worst way possible, Jack is forced to leave his new life as a homicide detective to flee his faceless enemy, leaving a dead partner in his wake. But the bodies keep piling up and Jack can no longer avoid his past when he finds out that all of the deaths turn out to be connected to one person—The Don of Rosa Nera.

 

Things get even more complicated when his brother shows up out of the blue, leading his own investigation with information that their adopted father, Paccioretti, had gathered before his death. Despite their turbulent past, Jack and Sebastian decide it’s in their best interests to join forces and fight against the enemy who took so much away from them.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Add Sweet Vendetta Blues on Goodreads

Purchase Links: 

 

Kindle: 

Smashwords

Paperback

Sweet Vendetta Blues Hardcover Preorder Link

Prequel Backstories

 

Also don't forget to also check out the hardcover special edition preorder of The New Emperor's Concerto!

Concerto Hardcover Preorder Link

Swag is up for grabs! Any copy you buy qualifies! If you buy a paperback or ebook, just fill out the claim form and you will receive your swag around mid to late October (hardcover preorders come with the swag already) US or International

I am also going to be holding a live book signing and Q&A on my Instagram live when I get the hardcovers from the preorders in, so if you'd like the chance to have me personally sign and book or bookplate for you, make sure to get a copy now! I will be announcing the actual date as soon as I have a better idea of when the hardcovers will arrive. But it will probably be sometime during mid to late October.

I hope you'll check out the rest of the tour! Stop by daily and make sure to check out all the posts!

COME MARCHING HOME Blog Tour!

 

Welcome to the blog tour for Come Marching Home! I'm very excited to share this book with you and finally, tomorrow (Tuesday Oct 13th) it will be out!

Official Schedule

October 12^th (Monday)

Excerpt/Highlight at Sadie's Spotlight

Review at The Labyrinth 

 

October 13^th (Tuesday)

*Release Day*

*Live Art and Q&A livestream with Hazel (Feat. Claire Banschbach) on Instagram 8:30 PM EST*

Excerpt/highlight at E. Paige Burks' Blog

Excerpt/highlight at Worlds of Fiction

 

October 14^th (Wednesday)

Author interview/character interview at Haunting Ghost Town

 

October 15^th (Thursday)

Review at Rose Print Publishing

Interview at The Labyrinth 

 

October 16^th (Friday)

Excerpt/highlight at Not Unworthy 

Excerpt/highlight at The Page Dreamer 

Excerpt/highlight on M. H. Elrich's Instagram

 

Title: Come Marching Home

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis: After being away for over a year, Alfonse Keller has returned from the trenches on Teuton’s western front, fighting in the war that’s broken out against the Steppes. He should feel relieved now that’s he’s back in his own village in the care of his brother Ernst, but he’s not. It seems like nothing has changed except for him, like he’s a traveler from a different world.

 

When Alfonse left to join the army, he was a natural magician making a name for himself, but after a tragic incident resulting in the death of his friend, and his own crippling injury, he no longer has the ability to use magic. 

 

Suffering from constant nightmares and revisited trauma, Alfonse can’t get the trenches out of his head. Ernst tries to help, but he doesn’t really understand either. How can he, when Alfonse doesn’t really understand himself? He feels like a phantom, standing on the outskirts of a life he’ll never live again. 

 

As Ernst tries to do everything he can for his brother, he can’t help but feel like Alfonse is slipping away, that maybe part of him never left the trenches at all. But how can he save his brother when Alf refuses to let anyone in?

Add to your Goodreads shelf

Want This Swag Pack? Order the book before the end of the month!

 

What's in it?

A bookmark with the lovely cover art by C.B. Cook

A Sticker with adorable chibi art by H.S.J. Williams

A playlist curated by myself to listen to while you read the book

And if you buy the paperback, you'll also get a signed bookplate!

How to get your goodies:

Simply buy the book in any format before the end of October

Email proof of purchase to sirwilliamssquire@gmail.com

And I will have your goodie pack in the mail :)

Kindle

Smashwords (other ebook formats)

Paperback 

 

** I will be doing a live art-stream and Q&A on Instagram (@modern_bard67) with Claire Banschbach (@cmbanschbach) on Tuesday night (October 13^th) to celebrate the release! Join us for randomness while I try to draw and answer questions at the same time.

Giveaway!

Put your name in for this giveaway! 2 people will be winning a signed copy + swag pack!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An Interview with Lysander and Flynn

The Bentley pulls up at the radio station and Sinclair gets out to open the door. Sir Lysander the Righteous Man and Oliver Flynn step out of the back and enter the station where they are directed to the recording room. 

            There is tea on the table, waiting for them as they take their seats. The Interviewer comes in and sits down across from them, pouring her own cup of tea as she sets a stack of papers down on the table.

            “Is everyone ready?” she asks.

            “Of course,” Flynn smiles as he plucks his cup from the table. “Thank you so much for inviting us today.”
            “Oh, it’s our pleasure, I’m sure everyone is looking forward to hearing what you have to say.” The Interviewer turns to the man in the sound booth. “We’re ready to go on.”

            He nods and does a count down.

            The Interviewer smiles. “Hello, London, we’re live here today with Sir Lysander, the King’s Righteous man and Oliver Ha—”

            “Ah, I prefer to go by Flynn, miss.”
            “Oh, of course, I apologize,” the Interviewer says, a bit flustered. “As you know we’re here today to talk a little about this book of yours.”

            Flynn smiles as Lysander gives a longsuffering look. “Ah, yes, well, as you know, it is my first publication, but I quite enjoyed the process of writing it.”

            “I think the question everyone wants to know is, whether it’s all true?” the Interviewer asks.

            Flynn grins and touches his nose. “Everything, of course.”

            “Aside from some poetic license,” Lysander adds.

            “Some small cases of poetic license—as all good writers know is necessary,” Flynn corrects.

            “Well, poetic license or not, it is certainly an astounding story,” the Interviewer sips her tea. “Quite revealing.”

            “You’d be surprised what I didn’t allow him to put in,” Lysander says. “National security and all that.”

            Flynn sighs and leans back in his chair. “Yes, I did have to omit a couple things, but I think the story itself survived as is.”

            “And everyone here highly encourages those to read it as a lost tale of our recent history,” the Interviewer says as she takes up the sheets of paper again. “We have a few questions people have written in with.”

            “Perfect! Ask away!” Flynn says, picking up his tea.

            The Interviewer glances at the paper. “These are from Deborah: “What is your favorite kind of music?”

            “I used to like Classical,” Lysander says blandly. “Now I’m a little weary of it.”

            “I like 2000s rock, and 1980s music is good too,” Flynn says. “And Lysander does keep soundtracks to his favorite movies. Lots of Star Wars…”

            Lysander shrugs. “That is true. I do like soundtrack music.”

            “How about your favorite animal?”

            “Oh, cats, definitely,” Flynn says. “They are the best companions. And a cat’s purring is scientifically proven to reduce anxiety. Can you get better than that? What about you, Lysander?”

            “I like dolphins, actually.”

            “They’re psychopaths,” Flynn comments.

            “You could say the same about cats.”

            “Cats can be sociopathic, there’s a difference, and it’s really only an act—they’re still high-functioning.” He folds his arms across his chest. “But whatever. Strong, silent types and their dolphin obsession…”

            “How about your idea of a perfect day?” the Interviewer cuts in, seeing that this could get out of hand quickly.

            “Well, I am usually quite content relaxing in my flat—with my cat—a good book, and a cup of hot, dark tea. Nothing quite like that,” Flynn smiles.

            “Well,” Lysander adds, “I suppose my idea of a perfect day would be one where I didn’t have to worry about anything and actually could relax. I might even pick up a book myself.”

            “But you can’t curl up with a dolphin,” Flynn comments.

            “I regret saying anything about the dolphins,” Lysander growls.

            The Interviewer flips her page. “These questions are from Sarah: First of all is what are the best and worst things about each other?”

            “Oh, here we go,” Lysander says, looking like he’s battening down the hatches. 

            Flynn grins and sips his tea. “Well, obviously, Lysander’s personality is the worst thing about him. Since he can never show what he’s feeling—except anger, he’s very good at that. But if he’ll promise never to repeat that I said this ever again, I have to admit that he’s very loyal.”

            Lysander smirks slightly and takes a drink of his own tea. “Flynn is annoying to a fault, but he’s good at what he does, and, dare I say it, smarter than me—on occasion.”

            “Well, don’t act like the compliments are being dragged out of you on the rack or anything,” Flynn scoffs, but also smiles like a pleased cat.

            “On a similar topic, who do you think has the best hair?” the Interviewers asks.

            “Oh, me of course, I actually do something with it,” Flynn instantly jumps in.

            “You don’t do anything with it, look at it,” Lysander accuses. “It’s a complete mess.”

            “It’s strategically rakish—that’s what the ladies like,” Flynn protests. 

            “It’s strategically ridiculous, is what it is.”

            “You’re just mad because I don’t have to spent fifteen minutes to get it to look like anything but a rats’ nest in the morning.”

            “I do not take that long with my hair…”

            The Interviewer sighs and signals for a commercial break.

***

Back on air, things have settled down. Sinclair brings more tea and the interview continues.

            “Another question we for you is possibly even more controversial than the hair,” the Interviewer says almost hesitantly. “But we at the station are curious: who is your favorite Doctor?”

            “Ah!” Flynn smiles. “A good question!”

            “Well, I like Ten,” Lysander says. “Though the show did pick up again with Twenty-Two, I’ll admit that.”

            “Ugh, how basic,” Flynn scoffs. “First the obvious choice and then modern Doctor Who? No, I do like both Ten and Eleven, but I have to go classic. Four is my favorite. Frankly anything but Thirteen.”

            “Well, I think most people can agree there,” Lysander shrugs. 

            “We have time for one more question before we go,” the Interviewer says. “What is next for you two?”
            “I’m doing what I have always done,” Lysander says with a shrug. “Keeping my country safe, serving my king.”
            “And I’m essentially doing what I’ve always done too, more or less,” Flynn says. “Just…different application.”

            The Interviewer smiles and folds her hands in front of her. “Thank you for agreeing to the interview today. I hope our listeners will take the time to read your book.”

            “Of course, we enjoyed being here,” Flynn smiles. “At least I did.”

            Lysander nods in agreement.

            “One thing before you go,” the Interviewer asks, reaching down to her side. “Could you sign my copy of the book?”

            Flynn grins and Lysanders sighs, running a hand over his face. 

            “Of course, my dear,” Flynn tells her and accepts the pen Sinclair instantly offers. “Anyone else?”

            The interview concludes and Sir Lysander and Flynn leave to go back to duty as the sun shines down on London and its protectors. 

            

Links

 Add Concerto on Goodreads

 Goodreads Author Page

Get a Copy of Concerto

 Kindle

 Paperback

 Smashwords

It's also the final day to get a free copy of "The Butler's Story" and to enter the giveaway!

Lysander and Flynn's Bizarre Concerto (Character Art!)

So...I've kind of gotten obsessed lately with the anime/manga JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, and I really love the art style of it because it's more comic book-esque than a lot of anime, so I recently started to try out that style for myself, which I've been having so much fun with I decided to do my own characters in the same style ^_^  (If you're not familiar with JoJo, it's kind of known for it's over the top poses. I didn't go all out, but we still have some dramatic action shots going on here XD)

So I hope you enjoy these pictures and the time-lapse video I did of myself drawing Lysander

Flynn (Eidolon) 

 Sinclair

Lysander

(Sorry for the quality of this video, I don't have a tripod for my phone so I had to set it on a stack of books which didn't work out very well XD)

The New Emperor's Concerto as Gifs

And now I present The New Emperor's Concerto as gifs:

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And if that peaked your interest, grab a copy HERE!

THE NEW EMPEROR'S CONCERTO Blog Tour

It's time for the official blog tour for my newest book, The New Emperor's Concerto! I've got a lot of fun stuff lined up for this week, and I hope you will all join in on it, including the Instagram photo challenge, and the live Q&A I will be doing on Thursday with Claire Banschbach (who is also touring with her new book, Winter Spell, this week!)

Follow the official schedule to see what's going on:

Monday 4/20

Tour Intro- Here at Character Purgatory

Book Spotlight at Claire Banschbach's blog

Tuesday 4/21

The New Emperor's Concerto as Gifs- Here at Character Purgatory

Book Spotlight & Author Interview at Not Unworthy

Book Spotlight at The World of the Writer

Wednesday 4/22

Book Review at The Page Dreamer

Author Interview at M. H. Elrich's blog

Thursday 4/23

Lysander and Flynn's Bizarre Concerto (an art post)-Here at Character Purgatory
Book Review at Worlds of Fiction

Book Spotlight at E. E. Rawls Blog

Author Interview at The Labyrinth

Instagram Live Q&A with Claire B. at 8:30 pm EST

Friday 4/24

An interview with Lysander and Flynn- Here at Character Purgatory
Book Spotlight at The Labyrinth

Author Interview at Worlds of Fiction

Book Spotlight at E. Paige Burks's blog

Don't forget to join in on the Instagram Photo Challenge!

Post your photos for the prompts with #ConcertoPhotoChallenge and enter to win these prizes:

One person will get a signed paperback and swag pack, and another will get an ebook copy and swag pack!

(Swag pack includes two bookmarks an, art print, and a letter from the author)

And don't forget to tune in to the live Q&A I will be doing with Claire Banschbach where we talk about our new releases!

The Butler's Story a prequel short story, is also free this week! So grab a copy HERE

You can also enter a giveaway for the same prizes as I'm giving away for the photo challenge. One person will receive a signed copy and swag pack and the another will receive an ebook and swag pack.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Links

 Add Concerto on Goodreads

 Goodreads Author Page

Find me on Twitter

 Find me on Instagram

Get a Copy of Concerto

 Kindle

 Paperback

 Smashwords

If you subscribe to me on Ko-fi this month you will get to read an exclusive sneak preview of the next book in the Concerto series, Requiem in Red as well as view past exclusive subscriber content.

Check it out HERE

Tour Stop and Interview with C. M. Banschbach (Author of Oath of the Outcast)

It's finally here! So guys, I've been so excited for this book to come out since I beta read an early version and it is seriously one of my most anticipated releases of the year. This book has literally all the things I love in it, Angsty, anti-heroes with anger management issues, but who love their little brothers. Little brothers who never lose faith in their angsty anger driven older bros. Snark, outlaw bands, rediculously creepy cults, and evil baddies. And just a truckload of mangst.

But we don't have to wait anymore! Oath of the Outcast is finally out officially today, and I'm so excited to share the release with you for the blog tour!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Synopsis

A lost brother.
An unwilling outlaw.
A rising enemy.
An unusual alliance.

Years ago, Rhys MacDuffy was brutally cut off from his clan, stripped of his name and inheritance, and banished to the remote Dragon Keep. Perched high above the Shang Pass in the land of Alsaya, he assumed the mantle of the Mountain Baron, serving out his sentence as the overseer of the worst outlaws and outcasts.

But one day he receives a desperate message from the clan who disowned him: MacDuffy’s Seer—his beloved brother—has been taken by their enemies.

With his band of Mountain Brigands and an unwelcome sidekick, Rhys leaves his mountain stronghold to find and rescue his brother. The tide of war is rising amongst the Clans of Alsaya, fueled by the magic-wielding sect of Druids who seek to unleash a dark force the world has long forgotten.

Can the bond of blood run deeper than banishment?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And now I'd like to invite Claire on for an interview where she talks a little about her book:

What was your main inspiration for writing “Oath of the Outcast”?

A morning of driving in foggy weather actually, and my over active imagination that gave the scene of a broody, angry guy riding down a foggy mountainside. I was so distracted the rest of the day at work as the main bits of the story all came together! 

Ah, the life of a writer; so many distractions and inspirations all the time!

Okay, so tell us a little about Rhys MacDuffy and the Cairns.

Rhys MacDuffy was exiled from his clan over seven years ago after being accused of assassinating the last living heir to the throne. He’s been living up in the Cardic Mountains since where he’s established a pretty fearsome reputation as the Mountain Baron along with his band of Cairns. The Cairns are all outlaws/outcasts like him, as well as criminals of many varieties. They all came to swear an oath of service to him and are extremely loyal. They’re basically criminals with little slivers of gold in their hearts. I love them all. Haha! 

You have to love the outlaws who are, deep down, good guys, maybe sometimes even the goodest!

So when and how did the MacDuffy Brothers come into being?

Rhys pretty much leapt full formed into my head that day driving in the fog. It didn’t take long for Sean, his younger brother, to appear after that. Once I figured out that this mysterious, broody guy with a massive chip on his shoulder would do anything for his little brother he hasn’t seen for seven years, this story took over my head and heart! 

Who was your favorite and least favorite character to write?

Favorite? All of them? Haha! Rhys is probably my most favorite, since he’s such an extra ball of snark and drama. But they were all so easy to write! The hardest scenes were probably writing Lord Adam as one of the villains, and trying to really flesh out his character and motivations since he kept surprising me! 

Villains are always the ones who give the most trouble, both to the writers and our poor heroes ;-)

What’s your favorite to write: Actual siblings, brothers in arms, (or both?)

Ooh! Tough question since I love doing both! Siblings maybe a little more? I have multiple siblings, so I love being able to showcase the variety of sibling relationships. 

Can you give us a teaser about what might be next for the MacDuffy brothers and their comrades?

Book 2 is coming next summer. It’s full of more non-stop action, creepy druids, evil plots to capture Sean again, Rhys frantically stabbing people to try and protect Sean, the Cairns running after Rhys and also stabbing people, Alan MacDuffy trolling Rhys every chance he gets, and villains being so over Rhys interfering with their plots and plans! 

Sounds exciting! And will definitely give us all something to look forward to!

Any writing projects in the works?

My current project is book 3 of my YA/MG Faeries of Myrnius fantasy series. It’s headed to the editor next month and is all about found family, embracing your strengths, accepting who you are, excuses for me to have caribou and other arctic creatures, and snowy adventures. After that, I’m not sure what’s next! I have a few projects I’m thinking about starting, but nothing definitive yet. Helpful, I know. ;) 

Sounds like a fun addition to the series!

So, can you share some of your favorite books, movies and music you have read, watched, and listened to so far this year?

Avengers: Endgame, Aladdin are def top movies! 

Books – Echo North by Joana Ruth Myer, To Best the Boys by Mary Weber, Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine, and Shard and Shield by Laura VanArendonk Baugh! 

Music – not sure! I listen to a ton of music, so it’s hard to narrow it down. But I’ve for sure had the Aladdin OST on repeat recently. (I’m a little obsessed with the live action remake!) 

And a bonus: Three books you would recommend to people who like “Oath of the Outcast” (Or if one enjoyed these three books they should definitely try “Oath of the Outcast”)

I’d say if you like non-magical fantasy adventure you’d love it, but I compare it to the Riyria books by Michael J. Sullivan, with the feel of Stephen Lawhead, and the sibling relationships similar to Supernatural (not a book specifically, but there you go!) 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

About the Author

C.M. Banschbach is a native Texan and would make an excellent Hobbit if she weren’t so tall. She’s a pizza addict, a multi-faceted fangirl, and a firm believer in being authentic—even if it means acting like a dork sometimes! When not writing fantasy stories packed full of adventure and snark, she works as a pediatric physical therapist where she happily embraces the fact that she never actually has to grow up.

She also writesYA/MG fantasy-adventure as Claire M. Banschbach.

Facebook

IG/Twitter: @cmbanschbach 

 Website

Goodreads

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

There's a giveaway! Eneter for Awesome Prizes! (Open internationally!) 

2 ebooks, 

1 paperback, 

1 combo pack of a bookmark and a map postcard! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Purchase Links

Amazon

 Crosshair Press

Barnes & Noble

 Goodreads

  Newsletter sign up for a free prequel short story

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Follow the Tour!

And also just for fun, I made a fan playlist for Claire so enjoy a listen while you read your copy of Oath of the Outcast

Playlist Link