It’s time for the first Urban Fantasy Author’s update in 2022, and I’m excited to start this year by revealing the cover and the title of the next installment of the Shadow Enforcer series. I am still editing The Shadow Curse, but if everything goes as planned, I hope to have it in your hands either by the end of January or at the beginning of February.
So, here’s what’s new in the Fire Salamander World.
What am I currently working on?
This month is all about Damian and Cole, and as always, I try to multitask. Yes, I am busy with editing The Shadow Curse, but I am also working on the research for the sixth book of the Shadow Enforcer series. It’s partially completed, and the information I gathered gave me enough material to outline the plot. However, I am sure before I start writing the prologue, I’ll have to do additional research work to make sure I have all the facts right. Local library, here I come. 😉
Ask The Author
Question: What are the three Fantasy tropes you like?
Answer: That is a great question. I hear the discussions about Fantasy/Urban Fantasy tropes, likes, dislikes and clichés all the time. But it’s truly a matter of personal preferences and taste, and I don’t think there is right or wrong when it comes to that. So, here goes… I know some of the tropes I like could be considered clichés, but what can I tell you? I still like them. 😊 1. Dragons... I can't help it. I like dragons, no matter how they're presented--evil and devious or wise and helpful. Come to think of it, I love all mythological creatures. In the Fire Salamander Chronicles, I have a little wyvern Mishka, who steals the show (according to my readers), and a few other mythological creatures. In The Shadow Enforcer, there is Zhulik, a friendly gargoyle, who always stands by Damian's side. 2. Medieval settings. Even though I write Urban Fantasy, Kendral--the World of Magic--has medieval settings, and I love throwing the characters who live in Kendral into our modern world to see how they handle it. 3. Mentor Character. Love this one. In my novels, I have a few of them. Most notable are Mrak Delar and Kal in the Fire Salamander Chronicles, and Magnus in the Shadow Enforcer Series.
If you have a question, please email it to me, and I'll be happy to answer it in my next newsletter.
What am I watching?
Last month, I finished watching Netflix’s Witcher. I loved the first season of the show, and the second one didn’t disappoint. Interestingly, in this season, Netflix introduced a new monster - the Leshen. While it is a popular monster in the video game, it doesn't play a big role in the books. Andrzej Sapkowski uses quite a few characters from Slavic lore to create his monsters, and the Leshen, or rather Leshy, is one of them.
I am not sure Netflix made it look like the Leshy from Slavic mythology, but just like everything in Slavic lore, different sources describe him differently. So, who is to say that Netflix didn't get it right?
If you'd like to know more about the Leshy in Slavic mythology, you can read about him here.
With the fifth book of the series coming out soon, now is the best time to jump into the world of the Shadow Enforcer, where ancient gods of different pantheons walk among unsuspecting humans, magic is real, and anything is possible. The first four books of the series are available on Amazon, FREE with Kindle Unlimited.
Thank you all so much for your continued support.
Happy reading!
N.M. Thorn