Kalen has escaped from Morinvale, but at a heavy price. Blind and crippled, the best hope for his people is for him to choose a new Rift King, forfeiting his life in the process. With his failure to broker peace between Kelsh and Danar, war is inevitable. For the first time in a thousand years, the Rift prepares to ride into battle.
Choosing his successor is only the beginning of Kalen’s troubles: his Guardians have turned against the Code and Covenant. Instead of securing the Ascension of a new Rift King, they’re doing everything in their power to ensure Kalen’s survival, even if it means the destruction of the Six Kingdoms.
To make matters worse, the skreed conjured in Morinvale aren’t just growing stronger. They’re breeding, and they aren’t picky about what—or who—they’ll eat.
EXCERPT
Kalen’s rage flared, fueled by the First’s fury. “That’s one thing I’d like to do before I die,” he snarled.
“What?”
“I’d like to kill every last one of those Blood Priests and stick their heads on spikes.”
“How barbaric.”
“I wouldn’t want to poison the poor nibblers with their filth.”
“How kind of you. Won’t you save a few for us?”
Kalen snorted. “The offer’s open. If you want to be the Rift King, you’ve my blessings without question. Then you can do whatever you want to the Blood Priests.”
“Kalen,” Maiten growled.
“I’m blind and crippled. I’m in no position to stop an assassin. That’s just the truth. I might be good, but I’m not that good. I don’t know of anyone who is. You understand, don’t you?”
“How can you be so calm about this? You’re talking about your own death!”
Kalen sighed. It used to scare him, and that fear had driven him to do anything necessary to survive. The years had, like the wind on stone, worn him down. “I told you, Maiten. You’re one of my oldest friends, you know that. You’ve known it from the beginning of my reign. I’m tired. It used to frighten me. Sometimes, it still does. You know what they say about Rift Kings.”
“People say a lot of things about the Rift Kings. That doesn’t mean any of it is true, Your Majesty.”
“The Rift Kings aren’t served out of love. They never were. They never will be. It’s always out of fear. There’s a reason for that our—there’s a reason our voices aren’t heard among the songs of the ancestors. What’s left?”
Maiten was quiet for a long time before he said, “You’re different.”
Shaking his head while laughing, Kalen replied, “No, I’m not.”
About the Author
RJ Blain suffers from a Moleskine journal obsession, a pen fixation, and a terrible tendency to pun without warning.
When she isn’t playing pretend, she likes to think she’s a cartographer and a sumi-e painter. In reality, she herds cats and a husband, and obeys the commands of the Ghost of Tsu Dhi, the great warrior fish.
In her spare time, she daydreams about being a spy. Should that fail, her contingency plan involves tying her best of enemies to spinning wheels and quoting James Bond villains until she is satisfied.
Comment to win an autographed copy of Dragon of the Stars, tons of bookmarks & postcards, and a $20.00 iTunes gift card. Visit big, Alex, or a list of the participants. (Open through April 11 – winner announced April 13 at Alex’s blog.)
The future is set for Lt. Commander Aden Pendar, poised to secure his own command and marriage to the queen’s daughter. But when the Alliance declares war on their world, Aden finds his plans in disarray and told he won’t make captain. One chance remains–the Dragon. Lost many years prior, the legendary ship’s unique weapon is Hyrath’s only hope. Can Aden find the Dragon, save his people, and prove he’s capable of commanding his own ship?
Greetings readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors and welcome to The ToiBox of Words. I’m your host Toi Thomas, author of Eternal Curse, and today I have a treat to share. A while back, I had the pleasure to interview a wonderful author named, Diamond Ryan. A good time was truly had by all, and here’s how it went down.
Toi Thomas:Hi thereDiamond! It’s so awesome to have you here at the ToiBox Blog. I’m excited to learn more about you and your work.
Diamond: Hi Toi. Happy to be here.
Toi Thomas:So tell me, who is Diamond Ryan?
Diamond: I am a previously published author. Red Stick Diaries is my seventh. My writing career began in my early years of high school, but it would be many years later before becoming published.
Toi Thomas: I think most writers start out pretty early; I know I did. For me though, I never knew I wanted to become an author. Seems like you knew back then.
Toi Thomas: Well before we dive into your special message today, let’s get to know you, the person inside the author.
Toi Thomas:Who is so you and why?
Kitt as Catwoman in Batman, Wikipedia
Diamond: Many people have compared my looks to the beautiful and talented Eartha Kitt, whom I am a huge fan of. In my youth, I wondered how someone could see any familiarity, and thought it was a bad thing to be compared to someone older. It is only through living have I learned the appreciation for her talent and the legacy she leaves behind.
Toi Thomas: When I was younger I didn’t like being compared to other people either, but it’s what we as humans do. We compare. Our minds look back through our database of knowledge to help us understand the things around us. Sorry for the nerd rant. I like being compared now, just to see what people come up with…Oh and I do see a resemblance.
Toi Thomas:What makes you geek out?
Diamond: Learning new things. I love research and development and expressing myself through art.
Toi Thomas: I too enjoy learning new things as long as it’s not something being forced on me. I’m not really an artistically talented person, but do I enjoy torturing canvases with my paint brush. I have a feeling that you are not only artistically talented, but probably master multiple mediums.
Toi Thomas:What was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?
Diamond: I didn’t have a single favorite… but I loved reading the leather bound Reader’s Digest short stories. Those tales, took me places.
Toi Thomas: My dad loves Reader’s Digest, and he used to read them too me as a kid.
Toi Thomas:In terms of interviews, whose brain are you just itching to scratch?
Diamond: I would love to sit down with Morgan Freeman, I am and have been impressed with his mind.
Toi Thomas: Good answer. I’m sure Morgan Freeman would have some good stories and lessons to share.
Toi Thomas: Now that we know a little more about you, the person, let’s learn about you, the author, and dive into your special message.
Toi Thomas:So whacha got for me today?
Diamond: RED STICK DIARIES is a 5 book miniseries about the near death escapes of a heroine, and the political struggles of surviving within the confines of the law… when those serving the law are the most guilty.
Toi Thomas: Oh, a miniseries. That’s cool. I guess it would be like reading a serial all at once or a graphic novel, without the pictures of course.
Toi Thomas:So who’s starring is this 2 dimensional script read ofRed Stick Diaries?
Diamond: The main characters are one female heroine of determined strengths, and a male counterpart who seeks his own meted out revenge and justice and the chaos that ensues at the loss of that power and control.
Toi Thomas: One woman and one man- I have a feeling this will be love hate relationship.
Toi Thomas:What’s so special about this story that’s going to reel in the readers?
Diamond: This is a fictional story… based on a true experience. One in which familiar realities turn dark and gruesome right before your eyes. The most frightening reality discovered within is, that all you believed could be shattered with the realization that we all are vulnerable. And at any given time… could become the next victims.
Toi Thomas: Honing in on universal truths is harder than people might realize, but you’ve captured one. Everyone is vulnerable to some degree, which is something anyone can relation to. Well done.
Toi Thomas:Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?
Diamond: I write from a spiritual place within. Moved to moods of the characters, and I divest myself within them.
Toi Thomas: Well, so you’re an emotional writer. I’m afraid I’m a bit technical until the story’s complete. Then I look back and see what’s there. I like that you let the characters take control. I bet it makes for quite a bit of drama.
Toi Thomas:What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?
Wikipedia
Diamond: Terry McMillian, Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes… to name a few. I love the fact that they write with such poetic freedoms and honesty.
Toi Thomas:I enjoy getting caught up words that take me to far off lands and tell magical stories, but sometimes you need a serving of realism. These authors make even the harshest reality bearable and poetic.
Toi Thomas: Now this is where the questions get a little kooky; are you ready?
Diamond: YISI! Yeah, I said it.
Toi Thomas:If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Wikipedia
Diamond: Actually… Red Stick Diaries… when it becomes one! [laughs]. Hmm, great question… the rest of my life? Shawshank Redemption. But my list goes on from there.
Toi Thomas: Yeah, that’s a good one; so hard to turn away from…Hey, you could ask Morgan Freeman about his experience on the set of this film. 😉
Toi Thomas:When the soundtrack of your life is playing in your head, what songs express your glee and what songs bring out your rage?
Diamond: Glee: Waiting On The World To Change by John Meyer.
Rage: ….I’ll have to get back with you on that… I don’t really have one. But it saddens me every time I re-visit a song I wrote for 911. “The Day The Angels Cried”
Toi Thomas: Of course you write songs too. I bet “The Day The Angels Cried” is a lovely, if not meaningful song.
Toi Thomas: Let’s play zombie urban survivor. What 3 things do you need to survive a black-out in Central Park the day zombies attack?
Diamond: Vin Diesel, The Roc, and… LLCool J … I just figure they’ll always be prepared.
*The latter to repopulate the world, you know in case we’re the last two survivors. [chuckles].
Toi Thomas: Hmm, well I think you covered that one.
Toi Thomas:What’s the most fun experience you’ve ever had, to date?
Diamond: Asking the captain if I could relieve the helm of a USS Destroyer…and he let me! #nonenlisted!
Toi Thomas:That’s pretty cool, though I don’t think I could it. Just the idea of having all that power and responsibility for even a second would be too much. My fear; your fun.
Toi Thomas: Last question of the day; here we go.
Toi Thomas:Not that you can see into the future, but in your opinion, what does the future hold?
Diamond: I believe as much as I desire. I expect to continue writing books and leaving deep impressions in the sand for future generations.
Toi Thomas: What a positive outlook to have. I wish you all the best.
Toi Thomas:Thank you so much Diamond for spending time with me today.
Diamond: You’re welcome. It was fun.
Okay readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. For more fromDiamond Ryan, check out these great links:
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RJ Blain suffers from a Moleskine journal obsession, a pen fixation, and a terrible tendency to pun without warning.
Diamond: RED STICK DIARIES is a 5 book miniseries about the near death escapes of a heroine, and the political struggles of surviving within the confines of the law… when those serving the law are the most guilty.
