FIRE AND AMULET by Helen B Henderson-Review and Interview

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release March 29, 2022

Trelleir is a true dragon whose magic allows him to take on human form. The last of his kind, he longs for companionship. However, his only friend is not only a human female, but a slayer. Sworn to kill all dragons, including him.

Summoned by the village council, Deneas is sent on a quest to kill any and all dragons, and cannot return without proof of her success. Finding the mythical creature and avoiding its deadly talons and fire are not her only problems. Another slayer follows with orders to kill her. As she retraces her slain mother’s footsteps, she learns the world is not what it seems.

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REVIEW: Deneas is a skilled dragon hunter, so when the council order her to hunt and kill the last dragon, she has no choice.

Trelleir is a dragon (shifter) well actually he’s a dragon that’s shifts into a man (totally different) he’s also the last of his kind. He knew Deneas’s parents, and promised her mother to always look out for her.

This story gives a whole new twist on shifter stories. So I’d say it’s more magic and myth rather than shifter.

It’s also divided into three stories, we have a dragon slayer who’s been sent out to kill Deneas! And Deneas needs to find out what really happened to her parents, and more about the dragons her mother was sworn to kill (and didn’t, her mother was also a slayer before being tried as a witch and killed!)

Written with a very sense of old fashion wordage and tone. It’s slow and sluggish at times, and it does wander around looking a little lost!

I did like the part where Deneas reads her mother’s journal. I’m also interested in finding out if there are any other dragons alive, or is Trelleir really the last of his kind. (Have to admit I cried when he found the nursery empty of hatchlings). It’s not a romance book by any sense of the imagination. No fade to black, no sweet romance, nothing. So if Trelleir wants a mate this book doesn’t give that impression. And the ending…. Well that gave me the feelings of guardianship rather than a grand love!

Left on not really a cliffhanger, but an opening to a series. Which I’m really hoping will happen because I enjoyed the book once I realised there wasn’t going to be any steam.

Copy supplied for review

? Reviewed by Julie B

TRC: Hi Helen and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of FIRE AND AMULET.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

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Helen: Although the author of several local histories and numerous articles on the topics of American and military history, antiques and collectibles, my first love is fiction. My work in the museum and history fields enables a special insight into creating fantasy worlds. The descendent of a coal-miner’s daughter and an aviation flight engineer, my writing reflects the contrasts of my heritage as well as that of my Gemini sign. My stories cross genres from historical westerns to science fiction and fantasy. In the world of romance fantasy (or if you prefer more romance with your action, fantasy romance), I authored the Dragshi Chronicles and The Windmaster Novels. IMPRISONED IN STONE takes a darker look at magic. A special work of love was a collection of short stories and poems dedicated to those in my family who served in the military. HEARTH AND SAND: STORIES FROM THE FRONT LINES AND THE HOMEFRONT presents a continuity of service from the past to today and into the world of tomorrow of those who served on the battle front, and the stories of the loved ones left behind who preserved the homefront.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Helen: For the Old West call to my soul, Louis L’Amor, because he walked the ground he wrote about. His Sackett series has a special place on my bookshelf. For the worlds of fantasy, there is a special love of Anne McCaffrey, especially her Talents Universe series. Barbara Hambly and Katherine Kurtz influenced my writing with their sharing of magic. Lastly, a pair of authors that have been a large part of writing life, but who I have never met in person have earned a special place in the list. Carol McPhee whose romantic suspenses taught romance to share my works with action. And Judy Griffith Gill whose suggestions improved my craft beyond measure.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing this story?

Helen: The most difficult part of the story to write involved Trelleir’s secret. The reader had to be told so they knew his true identity early in the story. My problem came when the secret was revealed. How would Deneas react? Her actions had to be realistic, but the betrayal couldn’t disrupt the desired ending.

TRC:Would you please tell us something about the premise of FIRE AND AMULET?

Helen: Trelleir is a true dragon. Fire and flight are not his only abilities. He can use his magic to take on the shape of a human which is dangerous as dragons and humans don’t always coexist in a peaceful harmony. Trelleir’s family was murdered by slayers. Alone since he cracked his shell, he believed he was the last of his kind and longs for companionship. Even if it is only that of a human female. However, she is a slayer. Sworn to kill all dragons, including him.

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning FIRE AND AMULET?

Helen: Most of the research involved collecting images to help me visualize the settings such as Merlin’s Well below Tintagel Castle for Trelleir’s secret glen. Fingal’s Cave on the Island of Staffa, Scotland served as inspiration for the hatching cave. Plotting the storyline was another matter. As a rule, I am more of a plotter than a pantser. A detailed storyline from start to finish never happens. The creation of scene storyboards of various detail from bullet points to full draft invariably gives way to the characters. At that point the storyboard format shifts into full-fledged draft.

TRC: Is FIRE AND AMULET a stand-alone story line? Or if not, how many books do you have planned for the series?

Helen: The tale of Trelleir and Deneas started out as a short story. It nagged at me until it became a full-length novel. Having recently completed a series, there were no plans to make FIRE AND AMULET anything other than a stand-alone. However, due to reader requests, there is the possibility of another one or two books.

TRC: You write both fiction and non-fiction stories. Which genre do you find more difficult to write and why?

Both genre have their own challenges. Non-fiction requires a lot more research. Each fact needs to be verified and re-verified using primary sources. Another issue with non-fiction is finding suitable images to accompany them. The images must be eye-catching and copyright free.

I write fantasy, so research and facts are not as important since I create the world. I do have to be careful not to include contemporary terms or phrases. When I started writing telling a good story was sufficient. Now readers expect more. A challenge for me is making sure the characters change and develop.

TRC: Believability is an important factor in writing story lines especially stories with a paranormal premise-readers like to think ‘what if?’. How do you keep the story line believable? Where do you think some author’s fail?

Helen: There has to be something in the storyline that resonates with the reader. It could be the character’s backstory or his needs. An other-worldly setting has to have some element of reality so that the reader can suspend belief. Creatures and magic are part of legend. People who can shapeshift would not be unreasonable. A reader may not have experienced a night-time blizzard on the planet Hoth, but they can relate. So when Han Solo saved Luke Skywalker from certain death by using a carcass as shelter it is not unbelievable. As long as the reader relates to the characters and their world, they can remain in the tale. Push things too far, make them too outlandish, and you risk throwing the reader out of the tale. They need some anchor.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Helen: A cover can definitely influence a reader’s selection. While all of the covers created for me by Michelle Lee of Stardust Creations have been great, the eye-catching vibrancy of the FIRE AND AMULET cover grabs attention. If you look closely, you can even see the dragon’s tear.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Helen: A project starts with a few lines of background for the main one or two characters, a working name for them, and the completion of the following statement. “Character wants to achieve XXX because YYY but can’t because ZZZ.” I think I am in control, I have my character and storyboard forms. It works well for a few chapters. Then the characters start to take over and before I know it the road map I had envisioned for their journey is tossed aside for the character’s telling of the story.

TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Helen: I admit I don’t always have music on when writing. Jotting notes in a doctor’s office while waiting for your appointment or typing on a tablet in the wee hours of the morning isn’t conducive to playing tunes. But that doesn’t mean that music is not part of my writing life. Although each book tends to have its own playlist, certain songs trigger a mood or emotion so that the some tunes transfer from book to book. For FIRE AND AMULET, an old standby, Celtic music where the lilting voices, flute and harp send my mind to a fantasy world where magic rules and dragon fly. Music for a quest, hopelessness, and loneliness is conveyed by the haunting piano solo played at the end of each episode of The Incredible Hulk. Perfect for a dragon impersonating a human. Magical horses are inspired by the light aire of “Garryowen.”

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Helen: There are so many misconceptions. I think it is a toss-up as to the biggest. It could be that writing a novel is easy, you just toss words on a page and have a best seller. Watchers of the television series, Castle, could believe that all authors are rich.

TRC: What is something that few, if anyone, know about you?

Helen: Let me think. Most don’t know that I originally wanted to be a pilot and even studied for a pilot’s license. But back then women in the right seat, let alone the captain’s chair, were a rarity so I gave up that dream. I have background in two quite different areas: history and computer science. I’ve participated in archaeological digs and directed a local history museum. Stepping out of my comfort zone was attending historical re-enactments in period costume and riding in a World War II-era jeep as part of a convoy of military vehicles. For the one I wore a long skirt and hid more modern items such as camera and keys in a wicker basket. For the other, I was in olive drab military uniform.

TRC: Who or what influenced your path towards writing?

Helen: My mother and both grandmothers taught me a love of reading. Which evolved into storytelling and the creation of my own tales. Although my writing experience includes non-fiction, journalistic pieces, computer software and technical manuals, fiction was my first love.

TRC:  On what are you currently working?

Helen:  I just completed the A to Z Challenge my blog with each post based on the characters and world of FIRE AND AMULET. At present I’m shifting gears and looking to my next project. Two concepts are fighting for dominance at this time. A futuristic scifi and another volume set in the world of Trelleir and Deneas. It may take an executive decision maker (aka a vintage quarter) to see which story goes next.

TRC :Would you like to add anything else?

Helen: I love to hear from my readers and invite them to join me join on travels through the stars or among fantasy worlds of the imagination.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food Pizza

Favorite Dessert Boston Cream Pie

Favorite TV Show With no time period specified, I won’t consider programs from earlier times in my life, only contemporary shows. And, there are several depending on my mood. NCIS, Hardcore Pawn and Cajun Pawn, Secrets of the Dead and Nova.

Last Movie You Saw The Shadow Riders

Dark or Milk Chocolate Dark, definitely

Secret Celebrity Crush David McCallum in two of his roles, first as Illya Kuryakin then as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard.

Last Vacation Destination It has been so long since I took a real vacation it is hard to remember what the last destination was so I’ll pick one of my favorite spots – a lakeside cabin in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.

Do you have any pets? An “aristocatic” feline with tuxedo markings ruled my home for over 15 years. While I have no pets in residence at the moment, I often visit a husky who have adopted me as one the pack.

Last book you read MURDER AND MINT TEA by Janet Lane Walters

TRC: Thank you Helen for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of FIRE AND AMULET. We wish you all the best.