As part of the Tristan blog tour
Welcome to Jennie Lynn Roberts who has written Tristan, a fantasy romance novel. I asked Jennie Lynn:
“What attracts you as a writer to the fantasy genre? How do you begin world-building at the start of a series?”
I’ve loved fantasy since I was young, starting with CS Lewis and Tolkien, and moving on to Robin Hobb and Neil Gaiman. Then, as an adult, I found myself reading more and more romance. I love the way that characters and their relationships develop, and the hopefulness that is in the heart of the romance genre. Combining the two gives me everything I love in a book; escapism, adventure, suspense, strong heroines and heroes, as well as gorgeous new worlds to live in for a little while. I love to immerse myself in a fantasy world, with its own rules and dangers, but where the emotions—pain, grief, hope, love—are very human.
Another aspect of fantasy that I really like is the external antagonist (evil king, demon, vampire, or whoever), for the story’s main couple to fight against. There has to be some angst as their relationship develops, of course, but there are also opportunities for the hero and heroine to stand together and support each other.
When I’m developing my own worlds, I start with the characters, with their strengths and weaknesses and their unique, mystical abilities, and then the world develops around them. I’ve spent a huge amount of time thinking about the kind of world that would result in a culture of people that have wings, and another with inner beasts that cover them in scales when they’re threatened. Who else might live in that world? Would they all live side by side peacefully or would there be division by culture? How would those abilities pass down to children? What happens if a person’s childhood means that they lose touch with their beast? It’s exciting to imagine it all.
The world of the Hawks is constantly growing and developing… I’m up to seventeen pages of typed notes on the world history and character backgrounds, as well as hundreds of pages of research (names of different pieces of armor, colors that are considered unlucky at weddings, military terms… etc.) that I keep to hand for reference.
Ultimately, I adore books where I can really fall in love with the characters. I am utterly in love with Tristan and Nim, and they wouldn’t be who they are if Tristan didn’t have an inner beast, and if Nim didn’t have wings.
Tristan
Jennie Lynn Roberts
(The Hawks, #1)
Publication date: February 22nd 2021
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
His redemption might be her downfall…
Tristan has nothing left to lose. His best friend’s betrayal cost him everything. Now, he’s going to take it back. All he has to do to get the Hawks reinstated to their rightful position at the palace is track down the traitor’s younger sister and turn her over for execution. But Nim’s not the girl Tristan left behind years ago; she’s a stubborn, loyal, beautiful woman, and he can’t stop himself from wanting her.
Nim fled with nothing when the king’s favorite came for her. All she has left is the conviction that her brother is innocent—and her determination to free him. She’ll do anything…even if it means convincing Tristan to help her. But the man he’s become is a far cry from the boy she fell in love with so long ago. He’s formidably stern and deeply untrusting. She’ll just have to hope he still has a heart under that battle-scarred exterior.
When love and duty collide, will Tristan follow his orders or follow his heart?
Tristan, book 1 in The Hawks series, is a sexy, steamy, adult fantasy romance full of swords, shifters (kind of), and tons of action. But fair warning: This book is intended only for readers who love slow burn romance, fast-paced adventure, soul mates and found family—and characters who curse when they fight for survival. If that’s you, happy reading.
Author Bio:
Jennie Lynn Roberts believes that every strong, kickass heroine should have control of her own story, a swoony hero to support her at every turn, and a guaranteed happily ever after. Because that doesn’t always happen in real life, she began creating her own worlds that work just the way they should. And she hasn’t looked back since.
Jennie would rather be writing than doing anything else—except for spending time with her gorgeous family, of course. But when she isn’t building vibrant new worlds, she can be found nattering with friends, baking up a storm, or strolling in the woods around her home in England.
If you want to talk books, romance, movies, reluctant heroes, or just about anything else with Jennie, feel free to contact her atwww.jennielynnroberts.com. But be prepared to settle in for a long chat if you bring up shifters, vampires, Star Wars, or The Princess Bride….
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Thanks for being on the tour! 🙂
nice cover
It is, isn’t it? 🙂