Rose Trewin is on the run. Pursued by memories of her father, she runs from city to city, seeking normalcy. But Rose can’t escape her past, or the magic running through her veins, the magic that allows her to slip through the shadows unnoticed. The magic her father once used to mold her into a mercenary sent to destroy his enemies.
Now her magic is growing and changing, becoming something new and untamable. Rose is unable to rest. Wolves wrapped in fog follow her relentlessly along the countryside. Desperate, she uses her magic to escape, but the shadows are pushing her towards the center of a conspiracy.
Now, her country teeters on the brink of a civil war as a Lord Governor gathers power against the king. An enemy, with magic similar to her own, emerges in the chaos of political intrigue.
Faced with a country at war and a king brought to his knees, Rose must accept who she is and harness her powers in order to save her country and herself.
Hello book lovers! Today is a day where I will be writing another author spotlight for a well-accomplished author whose work I have loved. As you know book lovers I love learning about authors and the inspiration behind their work, it fascinates me and adds to the depth of the book because the reader will be able to better understand it. That is how the author spotlights were created because I soon discovered that you lovely readers ALSO love learning about author’s, so I am excited to tell you a little bit more about author Natalie Johanson whose book Shadow’s Voice from beginning to end. I personally would recommend this book to all of those that love fantasy but really the book can be read by anybody as it is flawlessly written and highly enjoyable. With today’s author spotlight, a biography of the author and an interview between me and Natalie Johanson will be shared, and I hope that you book lovers enjoy reading it! To kick this off here is an author bio about the wonderful Natalie Johanson!
Natalie Johanson grew up and lives in the valley of Salt Lake City surrounded by the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Her days are spent trying to herd her two cats, Holmes and Watson. Natalie’s summers are spent camping with her wife or doing obstacle races with her best friend. She usually spends her winters hiding from the snow. This is the first of what will hopefully become a trilogy, but sometimes the characters do what they want.
Now, how wonderful does Natalie Johanson sound?! Natalie Johanson is a truly exceptional writer and I hope that you lovely readers have a read of the author’s work because you will not regret it! Please see below an interview between me and the author and I hope that you enjoy Natalie Johanson’s answers to my questions, they are incredible and provide some great advice too!
Thank you for joining us today at Red Headed Book Lover! Please tell us more about yourself
I grew up and live in the amazing Rocky Mountains. I’ve spent countless summers camping and fishing (being chased by a bear and the occasional moose) ever since I could walk. My days are spent trying to corral my two long haired blue Russian cats, Holmes and Watson. We adopted them about a year ago. They’re 7(ish) year old litter brothers and are vocal goobers.
Could you please tell us readers about your book and what inspired you to write your book?
I was reading this amazing book when I was younger and the main character didn’t get together with the king like I thought she should have. So, I started writing my own book with the ending it should have. Over the years, starting over and re writing it, and a weird dream about shadows that talked and had red eyes, the beginnings of Shadow’s Voice was born. I’m still reading the book series that started it all. If the author gods take pity on me I hope there will be another one soon!
What would your advice be for aspiring writers?
Read everything and write what you want. And write for you, not for the money. Unless you’re JK Rowling or Tolkien or one of the other greats… if you write for the money you’ll end up hating writing. Write the story you want to read.
In your opinion, what is the most important thing about a book?
Realistic characters. Lead characters with some flaws. Good guys with a motive you understand and ALMOST sympathize with them. No one is simply an evil person or simply the good guy. Humans are gray areas to the extreme. Write characters that realize that.
What is your writing process like?
lol! A mess.
I do a lot of sprint writing, usually on the weekends where I have the time to write for several hours. I have a general outline in my head that I write toward but mostly I’m flying by the seat of my pants. It’s much easier to write everything and edit it out later than end up needing to do more once you’ve reached the editing stages.
I write my first draft on a typewriter (*excited squeeeee*) now that I finally have a beautiful vintage one. Then it gets edited, and typed into my laptop once I’m satisfied with it.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I usually research things as they come up. Since my writing is fictional I don’t have to do a ton of research before I begin. I end up researching a lot of random things, like recently I was researching fencing and swordplay techniques.
Do you have a set schedule for writing, or do you only write when you feel inspired?
I write when I have time. It I’m lucky that also happens to be when I’m feeling inspired. lol. I wish I had the time and schedule to write whenever I felt like it, but alas…
Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors?
I love to read. I wish I had more time (sensing a theme…) My all time favorite author and the one that started it all is Kristen Britain. Debrah Harkness has popped up recently as an author I’m interested in. I love Anne McCaffrey from the Dragonriders of Pern. Karen Chance and Sarah J. Maas, Michelle Sagara… So many favorites!
Lastly, when can we readers expect to read more wonderful books from you?
Hopefully (cross fingers) I will have the second book finished this fall, edited and sent of to my publisher by turn of the year. Hopefully. If the author gods like me.
Its official book lovers, I am obsessed with Natalie Johanson! If you have liked what you have read about the author and are interested in learning more, then please do have a browse of the links below and be sure to have a read of the preview too! You will not regret it.
Goodbye for now book lovers,
