Q&A With K. L. Bone

 
 
Q1) Tell us about your book
 
Tales of the Black Rose Guard is a dark fantasy/dark romance series.It  focuses primarily on a pair of protagonists named Mara and Edward, who have a forbidden love story which spans 1,200 years in an alternative fantasy version of Europe.
 
Mara is a faerie princess who decides to surrender her title in order to join the royal guard and become a knight. Trained by the immortal captains of the royal guard, Mara is a sword-wielding protégée who captures not only the loyalty of the men surrounding her, but also the heart of Edward, the royal captain of the guard. However, their love is forbidden by Mara’s aunt, the faerie court’s wicked queen, who will do anything to prevent them from being happy together.
 
When Mara’s cousin is murdered, Mara takes the vow of the ‘Black Rose’, an ancient oath to track down her cousin’s killer, and see the death avenged.
 
 
Q2) Why did you focus on myths/legends from that particular region?
 
The story is based on a blend of Irish faerie mythology and the legend of Tristan and Isolde. I am a doctoral student in Ireland, working on a PhD in creative writing with a focus on Irish mythology.  Living in the area and studying the history of various Irish myths heavily inspired the setting for Black Rose to take place in a faerie court.
 
Tristan and Isolde is the tale of a knight of Cornwall who fell in love with an Irish princess. However, the princess was destined to marry another, Tristan’s uncle, King Mark. The marriage of Isolde and Mark would end a war between their kingdoms. Yet the love of Tristan and Isolde endured in spite of the fact the two could never actually be together. Tristan actually journeys to Camelot and becomes a knight in King Arthur’s court.
 
When Tristan and Isolde died, they were buried separately. And, according to one version of the myth, a vine and rose grew from the lover’s graves. The end of this had an impact not only on the Black Rose series’ title, but also on the idea of lovers being connected through roses. In Tales of the Black Rose Guard, roses are enchanted and, through drinking the blood of their chosen heirs, grant Mara and Edward the power to find their way back to each other, even in the darkest moments they endure.
 
 
Q3) Who is your favorite mythical figure?
 
I would probably say if not Tristan and Isolde, then Lancelot and Guinevere (I have a black and white kitten named Guinevere). I love their tragic love story which endures in spite of all which works to tear them apart.
 
I love stories of chivalrous knights torn between duty and the calling of their own hearts. And the idea that mortality and honor are not always the same.
 
Q4) If you could choose to hang out with one mythical God, who would it be and why?
 
I would actually switch myths for this one! I’d probably have to say Athena from Greek mythology. As a goddess of both war and wisdom, I’d love to spend a day simply learning from her and hearing stories of ancient Greece. I’m a huge fan of stories of the Trojan War specifically, so would love to ask her a few questions about Helen of Troy, Prince Hector, and of course, Achilles! 
 
 
Q5) Do you plan on writing similar books in the future?
 
I am actually working on book 7 in the Tales of the Black Rose series with an expected 2022 release! The first six books are currently available and the series should be 9 novels when finished!
 
I also have a novel titled Shattered Moonlight, a co-write with Erin McFadden, which also features Irish mythology. It’s a fairytale retelling of red riding hood which features legends about the Hawthorne tree. In Ireland, Hawthorne trees are also known as faerie trees, and are considered a bridge between the human realm and Tir Na Nog. The Irish goddess Danu plays a part in the novel. McFadden and I are currently working on a sequel, Fractured Moonlight, which also has an expected 2022 release date.
 
 
 
 
K.L. Bone bio & author links:
 
K.L. Bone is a USA Today bestselling author of dark fantasy and paranormal romance. Her works include the bestselling Black Rose Guard dark fantasy series. The bestselling Flames of Kalleen paranormal romance series. The Rise of the Temple Gods fantasy series. And a stand-alone science fiction novel, The Indoctrination and numerous novellas.
 
Bone has a master’s degree in modern literary cultures and is working toward her PhD in creative writing. She wrote her first short story at the age of fifteen and grew up with an equally great love of both classical literature and speculative fiction. Bone has spent the last few years as a bit of a world traveler, living in California, London, and most recently, Belfast. When not immersed in words, of her own creation or studies, you’ll find her traveling to mythical sites that have inspired storytellers for generations.
 
Follow her: 
 
On Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/klboneauthor

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/kl_bone

On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/K.L.-Bone/e/B00EKEDIS8/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

On Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7793751.K_L_Bone

On Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/k-l-bone