Three things I learned while writing from Henrietta's Point of View by Beth Barany

6/14/2014

Joining me today is Beth Barany, YA fantasy author, who is celebrating her novel's first birthday. She's got insights from her main character, Henrietta!

Three things I learned while writing from Henrietta's Point of View

Always sleep with your weapons nearby. How this translates into daily life is to always have a pen nearby, since as a writer, that's my weapon.
Eat well, especially while on uncertain journeys. Henrietta has a very good point about this one, so I always eat well when traveling, so I can handle unexpected things, like she does. But my unexpected things aren't as dangerous as hers are.
Adjusting to a magical object isn't easy. Henrietta is so right about this one. Of course she is. But I'll have to defer to her experience, as I'm not carrying a dragon stone, like she is.

ABOUT THE BOOK
A new story of young adult epic fantasy adventure by award-winning author, Beth Barany.
Book 2 in the Five Kingdom series of the continuing adventures of Henrietta The Dragon Slayer.

What if everyone you loved was threatened by a force you couldn't see or fight?

Henrietta the legendary dragon slayer wants to return to her village for a heroes’ welcome. But an unknown sorcerer rides after her and her Dragon Stone and aims to destroy everyone she cares about. Can she claim her newfound powers sparked by the Dragon Stone and keep her loved ones safe, or will the sorcerer destroy everyone and everything she loves?

Beth Barany writes magical tales of romance and adventure to transport readers to new worlds where anything is possible.

Henrietta and the Dragon Stone (The Five Kingdoms, Book 2) by Beth Barany

Print Length: 290 pages
Publisher and date published: Firewolf Books, Jan. 31, 2014
ASIN: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I54CZII
Genre: young adult fantasy/epic fantasy
Format: Digital and print

Excerpt of Henrietta and the Dragon Stone (Book 2 of the Five Kingdom series)

CHAPTER ONE: IN HIS GRASP

The Dracontias, dra-con-ti-as, emphasis on the second syllable, is the most powerful gem in all the Five Kingdoms, and more powerful than all the other so-called Kingdom Stones. This one and only Dragon Stone unifies the kingdoms and empowers its user. But beware its one fatal flaw.
—from the Fire Wizards Compendium

Early Winter New Moon (Mitte Moon), Oro Islands, One of the Five Kingdoms

King Singfan sucked in a breath, stretched the crossbow, and held it steady, tracking the beast.

Time was of the essence. If he didn’t kill this dragon and obtain the Dragon Stone on the great dragon’s forehead, he’d have to start all over again. Unthinkable. Impossible.

He had to renew this king’s body during this night, while the stars were aligned just so, and the moon hung below the horizon.

The girl Dragon Slayer, that Henrietta, was performing exactly as he’d expected. She’d taken the proffered reward and given him the secret dragon lore, confirming what he needed to know. She crouched nearby, ready to do his bidding.

King Singfan breathed out, steadying his aim, and smiled.

Inside of him, Bjirn Eyvindir smiled, too, at Singfan’s glee. Hidden to everyone, Eyvindir had occupied the body of King Singfan for seventy-five years, a long king’s rule—longer than anyone on the Oro Islands could remember. If they did remember the length of King Singfan’s reign, Eyvindir by King Singfan’s hand had made sure they didn’t remember for long, and didn’t remember anything ever again.

King Singfan had given him free reign to run his magic through the man and control his every move. The man was his best and most perfect servant. Eyvindir wasn’t going to end the arrangement anytime soon. He’d planned this renewal too long for the moment to go awry.

The dragon hovered above the enormous cave floor about to settle, its scales flickering and iridescent in the torchlight. King Singfan held his breath, steadying his strong stance and perfect aim. He readied the powerful crossbow.

Before he could loose the arrow, Henrietta yelled “You can’t!” and shoved him to the hard-packed ground.
The dragon slayer pinned his arms against his torso with her legs, heavy on his chest. He struggled beneath her weight.

“How dare you!” he snarled. “We had an agreement.”

How had she slipped past his guard?

With every second that ticked by, he felt his power draining from him like water down the drain, no doubt shifting his appearance. But his voice held strong and loud. He gathered courage in that. There was still time to kill the dragon and obtain the Dragon Stone.
“I can’t let you!” she shouted, glaring down at him.

***
What Readers are Saying about Henrietta and the Dragon Stone (Book 2)
“Five star heroine -- Ambushes, magic, dragon stones, and mystery, Henrietta is a wonderful role model as a heroine.” – Chris on Amazon.com

“A story full of magic and adventure -- I couldn't stop reading this book. Beth has written a compulsive page-turner. Vibrant action and adventure and magic that does not strain credibility. And great dialogue to boot.” – Rohi Shetty

“Fun page turner! -- Henrietta and the Dragon Stone is a real page turner and is apt to please anyone who loves young adult fantasy or adventure novels. Beth Barany is an award-winning novelist and really knows how to keep a reader's interest and keep the plot racing along! It's so good to have a female protagonist that's not a wimp or a horrible role model for young women.” – “customerlovingit” on Amazon.com

Book 1 of the Five Kingdoms, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer was the 2012 Grand Prize winner at the California Fiction Writers Book Contest and the 2011 Finalist at the Hollywood Book Festival.

Reader reviews of the award-winning young adult fantasy, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, Book 1 in the Five Kingdoms series

“As far as young adult fantasies go, Henrietta, The Dragon Slayer is a good read that I think any age, teen to adult, would enjoy. I only hope a sequel is in the works!” --LunaMoth

“The witty dialogue and good story line makes this book hard to put down. I really could not stop reading it and was really tired the next day. It's also very satisfying to read about a girl heroine fighting the good fight.” --Jeri

“Beth, best known for strong heroines in her stories, this story is no exception. It is a tale of righteousness and overcoming adversity including magic.” --Robert Mendak "RJ"

“The book is a beautiful story about friendship, a heroine, and a quest to kill a dragon. Who wouldn't be excited? The entire concept sounded interesting and I was not at all disappointed.” --Brittany, from Goodreads

“Beth Barany has made a world where unlikely friendships rule and being a friend means more than you can know.” --Tami, from Goodreads

Where to find Henrietta and the Dragon Stone (Book 2)

Amazon | Smashwords | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | More at Beth Barany'S website here.

Special Blog Tour Giveaway

I’ll be giving away 1 (one) signed copy of Henrietta and the Dragon Stone (Book 2) and 1 (one) signed copy of Henrietta the Dragon Slayer (Book 1). I’ll mail you a copy anywhere in the world.

I’m also giving away 1 (one) e-book copy of Henrietta and the Dragon Stone at each blog tour stop. Just post a comment about what you always take with you on an adventure to enter the e-book giveaway. Winners will be picked in five days from posting.

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