Interview with Linnea Tanner, Author of Skull’s Vengeance

What’s the story behind the story? What impressed you to write down Skull’s Vengeance?

The legacy of warrior queens in historical Britain and in Irish mythology impressed the first protagonist, Catrin, within the Curse of Clansmen and Kings collection. I used to be fascinated with the historic account of Boudicca, a Celtic warrior queen who united the Britons in a insurrection in opposition to the Romans in AD 61 and virtually expelled them. Roman historians describe her as a robust druidess who sacrificed some of her victims to the conflict goddess, Andraste.

I used to be additionally fascinated with the legacy of Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) who was recognized for his tragic love story with Cleopatra and their subsequent downfall. Mark Antony’s son, Iullus from one other marriage, rose politically within the imperial court docket of Augustus Caesar. Tragically, Iullus was pressured to fall on his sword after being accused of treason for having an affair with the emperor’s solely daughter, Julia. Iullus’s son, Lucius Antonius, voluntarily exiled in Gaul (modern-day France) to keep away from the identical destiny.

Very little is thought about Lucius Antonius. Some historians surmise that he might need been the daddy or grandfather of the well-known Roman common, Marcus Antonius Primus. The tragic legacy of Mark Antony and his descendants impressed me to create Marcellus, the son of Lucius Antonius. One of the burning questions I needed to reply is how Lucius would react if his son fell in love with a robust overseas queen in Britannia and went down the identical tragic pathway as his forefathers.

One of the fantastical components in “Skull’s Vengeance” is impressed by the Celtic perception that the soul resides within the head. The druids thought-about the human head to be the temple of the soul. As with so many facets of the Celtic warrior’s life, taking an opponent’s head in battle, ideally in single fight, had a mystical significance. To possess the enemy’s head was to own his soul. The idea that magical powers will be summoned from souls entrapped in every of their skulls is explored in “Skull’s Vengeance.” Catrin’s half-brother, a shapeshifter and druid, makes use of darkish forces from the skulls of members of the family he has killed to destroy enemies on the battlefield.

If you needed to decide theme songs for the principle characters of Skull’s Vengeance, what would they be?

“I am Woman,” by Helen Reddy.

What’s your favourite style to learn? Is it the identical as your favourite style to write down?

I take pleasure in studying historic fiction, historic romance, historic fantasy, and epic fantasy. These genres are the identical as I write.

What books are in your TBR pile proper now?

The books on the high of my TBR pile embody: “Minotaur’s Lair” (Servant of the Gods Book 3) by Luciana Cavallaro; “Death in the Triangle,” by John Podlaski; “Son of Anger: A fast-paced Viking Saga filled with action and adventure” (Ormstunga Saga Book 1) by Donovan Cook; “The Fortune Keeper” by Deborah Swift; “Caledon” by Virginia Crow; “A Hussar’s Promise,” by Griffin Brady; and “Yossel’s Journey” by Kathryn Lasky.

What scene in your e book was your favourite to write down?

One of my favourite scenes to write down was from the attitude of Catrin’s evil half-brother, King Marrock. The chapter is entitled, “A Grandfather’s Revenge,” and it foreshadows the powers of Catrin’s useless father whose soul is entrapped in his severed cranium. The scene reveals one other facet of Marrock as a loyal father. As he reveals his sons the household skulls from which he summons his darkish powers, he’s distracted by rumbling outdoors the chamber and leaves them to research. Lightning strikes throughout him and the fortress he has constructed. When Marrock returns to the chamber to assemble his sons, he finds that his father’s cranium is lacking alongside with his sons.

Do you could have any quirky writing habits? (fortunate mugs, cats on laps, and many others.)

I write all first drafts in longhand.

Do you could have a motto, quote, or philosophy you reside by?

“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.”—Nelson Mandela

If you may select one factor for readers to recollect after studying your e book, what wouldn’t it be?

You have the facility to grab your dream as your future.