Hello folks! It's good to be here, thanks for having me. Today I've brought with me today Rhiannon Liunos, wife of Lavern Liunos and mother of Naliel, one of the main characters of Destined. For those who have read any of my Six Sentence Sundays, you probably know of her.
Rhiannon's character came to life as I was initially writing Destined. Naliel was always designed to be a half-elf, although in the beginning there wasn't much more to know. As The Arcanus Series developed and I continued working on Destined, Rhiannon's personality popped out at me and I genuinely enjoy writing her. So today we'll be doing an interview, I hope you enjoy.
Catriana Sommers: Thanks for coming, Rhiannon. I know you're a busy lady.
Rhiannon Liunos: It's my pleasure.
CS: So, tell us a little about yourself.
RL: Very well. I come from Bavaria, a kingdom that borders Liunos lands to the South and Xenith to the West. My father was brother to the previous king and my mother was a Dukal princess. They met while my father was traveling and she returned to Bavaria with him to marry. I was born shortly after. I grew up rather spoiled and headstrong, and I was very arrogant. A perfect match for my husband. *laughs*
CS: *chuckles* Sounds like you two get along.
RL: Ha! That stubborn bastard loves me like no other, he has the patience of a saint to have put up with me for so long. Lavern, although he tries to pretend, is equally arrogant. Instead of wooing me properly, he used his influence to have us be married - behind my back, mind you - and I went kicking and screaming to Liunos lands. I threw an awful fit for a good year, but he remained confident that we were meant to be together. His patience outlived my anger, but I certainly didn't make it easy for him. *chuckles* I think he rather enjoyed the challenge.
CS: I see. Why don't you tell everyone a bit about your world in general?
RL: Hm...well, the planet is called Meedia. There are five moons, each representative of the Goddesses - Humans don't worship the Moon Goddesses, by the way. There are two major continents, connected by a strip of land that leads to a massive desert, travel is difficult, so any humans you find on the other continent are small colonies and strips of civilization. There are several races, Humans, Vampires, Demons, Elves, and Dragons. Every race except Humans can wield magic, but Humans are the most technologically advanced. We have cars, trains, and airships, powered through steam technology. Elves tend to live secluded areas, Vampires live in enchanted lands that never see the sun, I don't know much about Dragons. Demons, I hear, have another name, but Humans started calling them Demons a few centuries ago when we first encountered them. They like to eat souls or something, I don't remember the details.
CS: Well, if you could use magic, what do you think your element would be?
RL: Fire, most definitely.
CS: *laughs* Alright, what about your family life? How do you feel knowing your two 'sons' are lovers?
RL: Ah, yes. That. Well, to be honest, Sarnaiel isn't really my biological child. During the war between my husband's people and Sarnaiel's kin, the dark elves, he was abandoned at a occupied post we had taken back from them. Lavern made the call to spare Sarnaiel, making the child his responsibility. It didn't matter to me what Sarnaiel looked like, I had wanted children and we had been trying for years with no results. Four years later, Naliel was born and Sarnaiel began behaving differently. At first, I assumed he was merely being a protective big brother, but as the years went by, I knew his feelings were deeper. Although Naliel grew up looking up to Sarnaiel as a brother figure, I don't believe Sarnaiel ever felt that way. I wasn't terribly surprised when Naliel confessed he felt the same.
As for our family life...I was always close to the boys. Lavern's duties as ruler of Liunos lands were constantly taking a toll on his time, so I practically raised them by myself. They're both Mama's Boys, I suppose you could say. I will say this, when we were all together as a family, Lavern made absolutely sure the boys had his undivided attention. Unless the world was ending, he refused to allow any interruptions if he had finally found some time to be with them. I'd like to say we were as close as any family could be, considering our political positions.
CS: How has living in Elven lands and being married to an elf been for you?
RL: Initially, my experience was dreadful. As I said before, my mother hails from the Dukal and all of them are very dark of skin. Even with my dark hair and eyes, many of the elves confused me for a dark elf and were either hostile or panicked by me. I stayed in the main estate for a long time, I felt isolated and put out. For a while, I was very miserable. Nalia, Lavern's youngest daughter and also a half-elf, helped ease my loneliness, and Pavien, Lavern's oldest son, also helped. His family...
CS: Rhiannon? Are you alright?
RL: I...it's nothing. Old memories...fond memories. I'd rather not discuss any more, if you don't mind.
CS: I understand. Well, I think that's enough questions in any case. Thank you for stopping by, Rhiannon, and I hope you all out there enjoyed the interview!
Blurb: Raised together, Sarnaiel and Naliel are as close as brothers could be, until the dark elf Sarnaiel decides he wants them to be something more. Only after he reveals his intentions does he learn of an arranged marriage that stands between them and their happiness. Unable to stand the idea of the one he loves with another, he vanishes, leaving Naliel alone...or so he thought.
But someone has been watching the young half elf from the shadows, and without Sarnaiel's presence he makes his move in the most brutal of ways. Naliel survives, but his mind and body are broken. Sarnaiel returns to pick up the pieces, mending and nurturing and rebuilding their bond, but once again their relationship is thwarted by the birth of Naliel's bride.
Once the source of his greatest joy, Sarnaiel becomes Naliel's torment. For Sarnaiel, when hurt, strikes back twice as hard and viciously. It doesn’t matter who it is. He almost goes too far and through that, finally learns what should be truly important to him. The oath they make that day is what seals their already unbreakable bond, and the two grow older, and wiser, together. For no matter what happens, no matter what they face, even if it's their own kin, they live by their promise:
"It was us from the beginning, and it'll be us until the end."
But someone has been watching the young half elf from the shadows, and without Sarnaiel's presence he makes his move in the most brutal of ways. Naliel survives, but his mind and body are broken. Sarnaiel returns to pick up the pieces, mending and nurturing and rebuilding their bond, but once again their relationship is thwarted by the birth of Naliel's bride.
Once the source of his greatest joy, Sarnaiel becomes Naliel's torment. For Sarnaiel, when hurt, strikes back twice as hard and viciously. It doesn’t matter who it is. He almost goes too far and through that, finally learns what should be truly important to him. The oath they make that day is what seals their already unbreakable bond, and the two grow older, and wiser, together. For no matter what happens, no matter what they face, even if it's their own kin, they live by their promise:
"It was us from the beginning, and it'll be us until the end."
Read on below to find out about another of Catriana's releases and links to her webpages!
Blurb: Salvatore Rizzo has been friends with Darshan Lyang since middle school and has been there for him through thick and thin. From Darshan's coming out, to being forced into a marriage with a woman he didn't love, to the birth of his daughter Sarai. Sal stayed by Dar's side through it all; not just because they're best friends, but also because Sal is deeply in love with him. All these years he's been too afraid of damaging what they have to go further, but this Father's Day, fate is finally intervening.
When Jin Ae, Dar's ex-wife, jumps back into his life to deliver some shattering news, he breaks down, leaving Sal to help pick up the pieces. Little Sarai has her own plans to cheer up Dar, involving a special gift, and a certain 'Uncle' whom she believes is the perfect man for her perfect daddy.
When Jin Ae, Dar's ex-wife, jumps back into his life to deliver some shattering news, he breaks down, leaving Sal to help pick up the pieces. Little Sarai has her own plans to cheer up Dar, involving a special gift, and a certain 'Uncle' whom she believes is the perfect man for her perfect daddy.
Where to find Catriana:
My Website: http://www.catriana.net/
My Blog: http://catrianasmuse.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Catriana_S
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/catriana
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/catriana.sommers
Publishers:
Silver Publishing (Call on Me, Destined): http://www.silverpublishing.info/
Thank you for having me! ♥
ReplyDeleteGood morning! Thanks for the visit and follow on my blog. Glad to have you there. I look forward to exploring your blog. Donna
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