Today I’m welcoming Rival Gates, author of Mandrean Revenge. Thank you for stopping by, Rival!

All about Rival . . .

Rival Gates has lived extensively in both Canada and the United States. He currently resides in Nebraska, USA. The son of an editor and English teacher, he began planning his series during his teen years. The Sapphire Chronicles took shape in his mind and manifested themselves into the first book in the series, Quest for the Red Sapphire. It was released in 2013 and caught the attention of readers. The following year, The Sapphire Crucible was published feeding the appetite of the growing number of fans of the series. “Crucible” answered many questions and raised others. Now the newest installment of the chronicles is out in Mandrean Revenge where Gates takes us once again back into the fray.

1.  How did your life as a writer begin?

I began by entering essay contests in grammar school and writing the scripts for all the class plays.  Writing was something I always enjoyed doing.

2.  What makes you feel inspired to write?

Reading inspires me as does absolute silence when I can just let my imagination wander.

3.  How did you come with the idea for your current story?

After making the first two books I decided to have Lord Mandrean live through his fight with Linvin.  Then I thought, If I was Lord Mandrean I would want some payback.  How could I hurt Linvin the most?  The story just came together from there.

4.  Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline, or are you more of a seat of your pants type of a writer?

I definitely outline and storyboard my book before I write it.  Then all the details are worked out and I don’t have to worry about leaving a part out of the story.

5.  What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

My favorite scene is the part where Necromancer visits Mandrean in the bath.  Necromancer can’t refuse his orders but he can insult him.  For Mandrean’s part, he can order Necromancer around but cannot do anything about his attitude.  It makes for a hilarious scene.  You have two evil people who hate one another trying to belittle the other.

6.  What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I can’t have any sound around me at all when I’m writing.  There can be no distractions or I will lose the flow.

7.  What is your usual writing routine?

I sit down and read over the last few pages I wrote.  That gets me in the writing mood.  Then I check the outline to see what I need to touch on.  Everything lines up in my head and I start writing.

8.  What is the highest goal that you desire to meet as an author?

I want to reach the best seller’s list.

9.  Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

J. K. Rowling.  She turned her dream into something amazing that the whole world could appreciate.

10.  What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Find yourself a good beta-reader.  This is a person who will read your work and look for inconsistencies in the story and other errors.  They have to be hard on you or they won’t catch mistakes your readers might.  It makes all the difference in the world.

11.  What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I would really like to read the entire series by David Eddings.  I read “Pawn of Prophecy” about a year ago and have wanted to read the rest of the series.  He was a great writer and I love his style.

12.  How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?

Writing is how I spend my free time.  I have an office dedicated to my writing and I closeout the outside world so I can create an imaginary one of my own.

13.  Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

Meet Jonathon Rhys-Davies in person.

14.  Tell us three fun facts about yourself.

I still like some cartoons.  I believe Doritos should be a food group.  I yell at the T.V. during football games as though they can hear me and will do what I say.

15.  What do you have in store next for your readers?

I don’t want to give anything away but the next book is called “Repercussions Abound” and basically that whole mega-happy ending thing doesn’t happen for anyone.  Everyone loses in some way.  It’s a brutal climax to this part of the story but a necessary one.

16.  Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers?

I purposely wrote a shorter book this time out to see what the response would be.  We will wait and see if people prefer the long ones or the shorter one.

Mandrean Revenge

It has been more than 2 years since Linvin Grithinshield returned from his life altering quest with the Red Sapphire as his prize. Apart from surviving the regular assassination attempts he thought life had returned to normal. Far to the north in the Mandrean Empire, however, trouble was festering. In spite of Linvin’s best efforts, Lord Mandrean the 13^th survived their confrontation and has been plotting his reprisal. With his empire on the verge of revolt he needs a show of force to display his dominance. Dispatching Linvin in front of his subjects would fill that role most handsomely. With the help of his evil Necromancer, Mandrean kidnaps Linvin’s Uncle Anvar. The elderly elf is the closest family Linvin has remaining and has been a father figure to him for much of his life. The emperor promises to release Anvar only after Linvin has surrendered himself for execution. Though Mandrean’s word has slight credibility, Linvin is given a terrible decision to make. With little choice Linvin sees no other option but to set out for the empire. He cannot delay as Anvar’s life will expire at the first frost of fall. That will become more troubling by the obstacles he faces along the way. Can Linvin reach the empire in time to sacrifice himself in Anvar’s place? Will Lord Mandrean kill them both? Or maybe, just maybe, Linvin can pull another miracle and save them both. One way or another, blood will be shed.

Excerpt

A scribe sat in the alcove to record the events of the meeting.
“The first order of business,” he recited, “is the Lord of
Diplomacy’s report.”
A well-dressed gentleman came forward from the crowd. “My
liege,” he stated with a bow, “there is disturbing news about the
Unclaimed Territory. With neither Sartan nor the empire legally
permitted to introduce combat units into the disputed region, a
potentially volatile trend has emerged. Settlers from the Kingdoms
of Romadon, Rador, Valia and even the empire have begun settling
in the fertile region with little to be done about it. Now that you
have withdrawn our forces from the region, we have no leverage in
the zone.”
“How is that a concern to the empire?” Mandrean inquired
while accepting a drink from a servant.
“Sire,” stated the lord, “our informants tell us that Valia for
certain and perhaps each of the others has secretly promised
protection to the settlers as an enticement to move there.”
Mandrean had heard every word but was, after all, a man of
slow wit. Realizing that the significance of the information was
indeed lost on his master, the lord elaborated.
“Do you not see the implications for us, Sire? If that prairie is
settled and these nations provide protection, it is an underhanded
method of claiming the territory. Once the farmers are in place,
these kings need but only claim that there is a danger to their
people and send armies to protect them. They would appear to the
world to be innocent lambs but are in fact preying wolves. We
would be forced to either accept their annexation of the region or
fight three powers. The issue must be scrutinized.”
Mandrean grew agitated when the issue was brought into
perspective. “That land should have been ours years ago,” he
insisted. “Are you sure of your facts?”
The lord shuffled his papers and looked away. “We are certain
that the settlers are squatting and that they are doing so in
increasing numbers. As for the support guaranteed by the other
factions, we have one spy’s report from Valia and no others.”
“So this threat is little more than speculation at this time, is it
not?”
The lord became less at ease. “Sire, I truly believe that my
concerns are valid on this matter.”
“Fine. Then find out how correct they are, and report back to
me with something more definite. I am not inclined to mobilize our
forces without good reason.”
Snickering was heard from the gallery after the statement. The
sound set the emperor into a tizzy.
“Who laughed?” he yelled. No one spoke. The hall was silent.
“If I find that fool, he will be dead.” Still, no one spoke.
Seeing that his point was made, Mandrean returned his attention
to is Lord of Diplomacy. “What else have you?”
“Your regional commanders have been briefed on the other
matters, and they will address them in their reports.”
“Then waste no more of my time talking,” Mandrean told him.
The lord returned to his seat.

Book Buy Links

Purchase “Quest for the Red Sapphire”

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1npYd0S

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1mSIAkT

Purchase “The Sapphire Crucible”

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1lGfOVN

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1n8o0yN

Purchase “Mandrean Revenge”

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1L9c76S

Barnes & Noble : http://bit.ly/1QYOL2y

Connect with Rival

Web Site: http://www.rivalgates.com/

Blog: http://www.rivalgates.com/blog

http://rivalgates.tumblr.com/

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1qqrjiB

Twitter: RivalGates1

Released April 10, 2014

Captured! In ”Sapphire Crucible” (Book 2 of the Sapphire Chronicles) Linvin Grithinshield and his party find themselves prisoners on the maniacal Lord Mandrean and his Necromancer. The Emperor has a surprise for Linvin. He knows where the Red Sapphire is! In order to attain it he needs Linvin’s help. With his family as hostages he has no choice but to help. Now they must find a way to escape, find the Red Sapphire and make it home alive. Along the way they must fight ever-growing odds of survival.

Connect with Rival Gates

Read my past interview with Rival here and learn more about book 1 in this epic series: https://elizabethmckenna.com/2014/03/05/meet-author-rival-gates/

Today I’m welcoming Rival Gates, author of Quest for the Red Sapphire. Thank you for stopping by, Rival!

All about Rival . . .

I was born in Port Huron, MI and was the youngest of four surviving children. At the age of five my Father took a position as a magazine editor in Toronto, Ontario Canada. We moved to a large city just outside Toronto called Mississauga. The different cultures and demographics to which I was exposed formed many of the ideas for my story.

When I was thirteen, my Father’s declining health forced him out of work and our family struggled. It was at that time that I decided to channel my negative energy into a constructive purpose. I set out to write a short story about a magical gem called the Red Sapphire. My brothers teased me that such a stone was simply a ruby. That irony was part of the attraction for me. After all, who would be writing about a Red Sapphire? Years went by and we moved down to my Father’s home town of Harrow, Ontario on the shores of Lake Erie. It was a drastic change from city life and I found myself retreating more and more into my ever growing story. By age fifteen I had a two-hundred page hand written manuscript.

Advancing from high school to college at Michigan State University there was little time for writing and the project sat in a drawer in my parent’s home. In spite of my lack of attention to writing, every night I would fall asleep working out details of the book and the series to follow.

I met a wonderful woman at Michigan State who agreed after graduation to become my wife. As we started our family I began a career in retail management and sales. For over twenty years I excelled in the field and even incorporated some of my knowledge into the book. I hold my position in the greatest esteem.

While I rewrote the story several times on my computer, I did not attempt to publish it until the longest supporter of my writing, my Mother, became terminally ill. She told me the last time I saw her how proud she was of the story I had created and made me promise to publish it and share it with the world. With the loving support of my wife, our three children and the help of the good people at Alpha Wolf Publishing, I am fulfilling that promise.

When my Father (ever the editor) read the book, he told me how proud he was and that somewhere he knew my Mother was equally proud. I present to you the first part of the saga which is my life’s work, Quest for the Red Sapphire. May it bring you as much joy to read as it has brought me to write.

1. Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline, or are you more of a seat of your pants type of a writer?

Seat of your pants is fun and works great when I write something short like one of my blogs.  When I work on a book, however, I lay out the order of events and then choose dialog and action in a sequence to take me from point A to B and then C etc.  It is time consuming but I don’t miss details that way.

2. What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

I love the second goblin fight.  Linvin (The protagonist) must use his skill at strategy to win the battle.  The entire party contributes to the win rather than just one individual shouldering the burden.

3. What is the highest goal that you desire to meet as an author? 

I want my books to be in print, read and enjoyed long after I have passed from this earth.  Such a feet brings a form of immortality few will ever have.

4. What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Pick a topic or genre that you have a great interest in that will never fade.  Writing is very demanding of your time and attention.  If you don’t absolutely love what you are doing, you will grow tired of it and be unsuccessful.

5. Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

Sometime before I die I would like to see my books made into movies.

6. Tell us three fun facts about yourself.

I am a former chess champion.  I could get a sunburn inside on a cloudy day.  Rain and snow make me want to write.

7. What do you have in store next for your readers? 

The sequel to Quest for the Red Sapphire called Sapphire Crucible will be out in 2014.  After reading the first book, everyone I have spoken with is yearning to find out what happens next.

Quest for the Red Sapphire

At a young age Linvin Grithinshield was sent to the far away Kingdom of Valia to be trained as a warrior, leader and general.  In his mid-twenties Linvin has reached the rank of Supreme Commander of all Valian Forces.  The rank is still new when he receives word that his father is missing and he must return to his home in the Kingdom of Sartan to run the family business.  The joy of his homecoming is short-lived as Linvin’s mother is murdered and Linvin’s true destiny is revealed.  He has been chosen to be the next Master of the Red Sapphire.  The gem is said to give world-altering magic to its master.  Now it seems someone else of great power wants the gem and is willing to kill anyone in order to attain it.  Linvin must flee for his life and search for the stone.  His wise uncle Anvar who has more secrets than hairs in his beard comes along but knows they need more help.  With assassins and mercenaries everywhere they turn to Linvin’s antagonistic fraternal twin cousins Bander and Rander.  Friction within the party rears its head frequently and Linvin discovers he must learn to control himself in all situations if he hopes to win the Red Sapphire.  Battles rage with giant wolves, bandits, goblins and even a dragon but somehow the small band must persevere and succeed before their murderous competitor finds the Red Sapphire and claims it for their own.

Excerpt

Linvin was still. He closed his eyes and tried to put aside the events of the day. At last he spoke, “My life makes no sense to me. There I was, growing up with my parents and then out of nowhere my father tells me, ‘I must send you away, son. You are destined for something greater than the life I can provide. The greatness in your future lies down a separate road than I must travel. To prepare for that, I must send you to the greatest teacher you could have, Sedemihcra.’”

“‘You will be trained to be a soldier, a commander and a leader of men. He will also train you to use your mind to solve problems that force alone cannot solve. He will set you on the right path. When the time is right and your training is complete, I will send for you to return home.’”

“I asked him what was at the end of my path. He had such passion in his voice as he told me, ‘One day you will make an unrivaled difference in the lives of others. The weak, the helpless, the oppressed; all will one-day look to you as their champion. They will be counting on you. I will be counting on you.’”

“‘To send you away is the hardest thing I have ever done. Your mother is against this but the time has come for you to begin your training. There is so much at stake, son. You will have the chance to stand up to tyranny, oppression and all the evils of the world. That task will fall to you alone. You can rise to the challenge or turn your back. If you do turn away though, millions of people will suffer. Terrible storms are on the horizon. You are the only shelter the people will have. So you see my son, that is why you must go.’”

Anvar sat his stein on the rail and began to pace. “Your parents agonized over the decision and your mother was indeed set against the entire idea, but in the end, your father would not defer. He sent you away because he knew that you needed training.”

Linvin finished his ale and refilled the great vessel. “I had many years to ponder those words as I grew up in Valia. It never made sense to me but I had to trust my father’s judgment.”

“So here I am at last, summoned home to fulfill my destiny. As it turns out, I am destined to be a merchant or politician and marry some cold, greedy woman who comes from the right family. I will settle down, make more money and be a proper member of society.” Linvin’s tone had been sarcastic and his movements, grandiose.

He approached Anvar in a combination of frustration and anger. “So, dear uncle, best friend of Dirk Grithinshield, is this the life for which my father sent me to be trained?”

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