Amanda Hocking's Blog - Posts Tagged "trylle"
Frostfire Quotes & Other Info
It's just over two months until Frostfire comes out on January 6, 2015, and I am getting crazy excited. So I thought a fun thing to do would be once a week until the book comes out, I'll post one of my favorite quotes from the book. So here's the first one:
This is definitely one of my favorite quotes, because Bryn doesn't mess around.
If you're as excited for Frostfire to come out as I am (and I am very excited) here are some other fun things you can do until the release:
Check out the excerpt from Frostfire posted at Wattpad
Enter to win a copy of Frostfire
Listen to the soundtrack for Frostfire
Read troll facts and other info about the Kanin Chronicles at WorldofAmandaHocking.com
Join the Trylle re-read at Goodreads (they just started on Torn today)
Visit the blog I did where I answer FAQs about Frostfire
Preorder Frostfire in ebook or paperback
Stay tuned to my blog, Facebook, or Twitter for my updates and sneak peeks on Frostfire
This is definitely one of my favorite quotes, because Bryn doesn't mess around.
If you're as excited for Frostfire to come out as I am (and I am very excited) here are some other fun things you can do until the release:
Check out the excerpt from Frostfire posted at Wattpad
Enter to win a copy of Frostfire
Listen to the soundtrack for Frostfire
Read troll facts and other info about the Kanin Chronicles at WorldofAmandaHocking.com
Join the Trylle re-read at Goodreads (they just started on Torn today)
Visit the blog I did where I answer FAQs about Frostfire
Preorder Frostfire in ebook or paperback
Stay tuned to my blog, Facebook, or Twitter for my updates and sneak peeks on Frostfire
Pinning & Winning
So, as I mentioned in an earlier blog, I've been working on Pinterest boards. I have a few boards up there, for things I enjoy like books, movies, tattoo ideas, travelling, etc. You can follow me over at www.pinterest.com/aehocking
But I also have Frostfire board where I posted inspiration pics from the book. It has a lot of cool stuff over there, like character inspiration, wardrobe ideas, locales, and even music. Honestly, it was so much fun to make. (As many of you may know, Pinterest can be super addictive).
If you love Pinterest or you're just excited about Frostfire , check out the board.
Follow Amanda's board Frostfire on Pinterest.
But I also have Frostfire board where I posted inspiration pics from the book. It has a lot of cool stuff over there, like character inspiration, wardrobe ideas, locales, and even music. Honestly, it was so much fun to make. (As many of you may know, Pinterest can be super addictive).
If you love Pinterest or you're just excited about Frostfire , check out the board.
Follow Amanda's board Frostfire on Pinterest.
It's Frostfire Day!
Frostfire
is finally here!!! Some people have found copies of Frostfire in bookstores, but today is the first official day that
Frostfire
is released into the wild ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audio form. Here's a just few places where you can order your copy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes
For those of you that haven't heard of Frostfire , here's the description:
The first book in the new trilogy the Kanin Chronicles is set in the world of the Trylle. Hidden deep in the heart of a snow-covered wilderness lies the secret kingdom of the Kanin—a magical realm as beautiful as it is treacherous... Bryn Aven is an outcast among the Kanin, the most powerful of the troll tribes. Set apart by her heritage and her past, Bryn is a tracker who’s determined to become a respected part of her world. She has just one goal: become a member of the elite guard to protect the royalty. She’s not going to let anything stand in her way, not even a forbidden romance with her commander, Ridley Dresden. But all her plans for the future are put on hold when Konstantin—a fallen hero who she once loved—appears to be up to something dangerous...
Also, fun fact: the second book of the Kanin Chronicles - Ice Kissed - will be in May 2015 and the final book in the trilogy - Crystal Kingdom - will be out August 2015, so there's hardly any wait time at all between books.
If you've already finished Frostfire , or you just want to find out more about the world of the Trylle and the Kanin, here's some other fun things you can check out:
Read about the characters of Frostfire at Wattpad
Check out the inspiration board for Frostfire at Pinterest
Listen to the soundtrack for Frostfire
Watch the pronunciation guide and intro video for Frostfire
Find out more tribes and other troll facts at World of Amanda Hocking
For the post few weeks, I've been posting teaser quotes from Frostfire , and I thought since today's the pub day, I would finish the post with a few of my favorites ;)
For those of you that haven't heard of Frostfire , here's the description:
The first book in the new trilogy the Kanin Chronicles is set in the world of the Trylle. Hidden deep in the heart of a snow-covered wilderness lies the secret kingdom of the Kanin—a magical realm as beautiful as it is treacherous... Bryn Aven is an outcast among the Kanin, the most powerful of the troll tribes. Set apart by her heritage and her past, Bryn is a tracker who’s determined to become a respected part of her world. She has just one goal: become a member of the elite guard to protect the royalty. She’s not going to let anything stand in her way, not even a forbidden romance with her commander, Ridley Dresden. But all her plans for the future are put on hold when Konstantin—a fallen hero who she once loved—appears to be up to something dangerous...
Also, fun fact: the second book of the Kanin Chronicles - Ice Kissed - will be in May 2015 and the final book in the trilogy - Crystal Kingdom - will be out August 2015, so there's hardly any wait time at all between books.
If you've already finished Frostfire , or you just want to find out more about the world of the Trylle and the Kanin, here's some other fun things you can check out:
Read about the characters of Frostfire at Wattpad
Check out the inspiration board for Frostfire at Pinterest
Listen to the soundtrack for Frostfire
Watch the pronunciation guide and intro video for Frostfire
Find out more tribes and other troll facts at World of Amanda Hocking
For the post few weeks, I've been posting teaser quotes from Frostfire , and I thought since today's the pub day, I would finish the post with a few of my favorites ;)
Happy Birthday!
As many of you may know, many of my main characters share a birthday with one of my best friends, Valerie. I can't remember exactly when it started or why (other than the fact that I think Valerie is super neat), but it's something that I've started to incorporate in all my books. Like how basketball players sometimes have special socks they wear, or they have rituals they do before each game.
That makes today - January 9th - the birthday of Harper from Watersong, Wendy from the Trylle Trilogy, Remy from the Hollows, Alice from My Blood Approves, and now Bryn from the Kanin Chronicles.
With most of my books, I've tried to use a floating timeline - meaning it's always present day, regardless of when the book was written. So even though today is Harper's birthday, she hasn't really aged, because I haven't grounded her with a birth year.
I started out trying to use that same approach with the Kanin Chronicles, but eventually I realized that since past events effect so much of the present day, and there's discussions about previous royalty and history that, I felt like I had to ground it in a timeline. In doing so, I had to ground the history of the Trylle in a timeline too.
For perspective, the Trylle series takes place between October 2009-January 2010. (These dates aren't specifically mentioned in the Trylle series, but the beginning of Frostfire does set the date of the end of Ascend in that time). The Kanin Chronicles, meanwhile, takes place in 2014, aside from the prologue in Frostfire.
That means that unlike many other of my characters, Wendy and Bryn have actual birth dates, with years. Wendy was born January 9, 1992, and Bryn was born January 9, 1995.
Another thing that separates the Kanin Chronicles from some of my other series is that the characters are a bit older. The three main female leads - Bryn Aven, Tilda Moller, and Ember Holmes - are all relatively young. Bryn is nineteen,Tilda is twenty (though I don't if ever specifically mention her age in the book - I think she's simply alluded to as being roughly the same age/grade as Bryn), and Ember is sixteen turning seventeen at the outset of Frostfire.
It's more the supporting cast that's a bit older than normal, particularly the Kanin King and Queen, Bryn's love interest Ridley Dresden (27), and her nemesis Konstantin Black (29). The reason I decided to make them a bit older is two-fold.
One, I thought they're characters needed to be older to have accomplished the things that they have. It would be unrealistic for Ridley to be in charge of all the trackers at the age of twenty, or Konstantin to have risen up the ranks of the guard as a teenager. I also thought that given Bryn's age, experience, and maturity, it would be reasonable and acceptable for her to be attracted to someone several years older than her.
Two, I wanted the book to be a bit more mature than the Trylle series. Not exactly New Adult, but more like a bridge between Young Adult and New Adult (which I know is really splitting hairs at this point). And even though Ridley is a bit older, I still think he's definitely a young adult - he's still figuring who he is and what he wants out of life. In fact, even though Bryn is younger than him, she has a better grasp on both those concepts (or at least she thinks she does at the beginning of the series.)
Ultimately, I think the main characters in the Kanin series are figuring out who they are, what matters the most to the them, and what right and wrong mean to them - and how far they'll go to make things right. And I think that despite their various ages, these are things that most young adults are struggling with (and many older adults too).
The great things about these concepts is that they're so fluid - who Bryn thinks she is and what matters and even what she thinks right and wrong are on page one of the first book is going to be so much different than what she thinks on the final page of the series.
But that's all part of growing up. So with that, I want to wish Valerie and Bryn a very happy birthday. :)
That makes today - January 9th - the birthday of Harper from Watersong, Wendy from the Trylle Trilogy, Remy from the Hollows, Alice from My Blood Approves, and now Bryn from the Kanin Chronicles.
With most of my books, I've tried to use a floating timeline - meaning it's always present day, regardless of when the book was written. So even though today is Harper's birthday, she hasn't really aged, because I haven't grounded her with a birth year.
I started out trying to use that same approach with the Kanin Chronicles, but eventually I realized that since past events effect so much of the present day, and there's discussions about previous royalty and history that, I felt like I had to ground it in a timeline. In doing so, I had to ground the history of the Trylle in a timeline too.
For perspective, the Trylle series takes place between October 2009-January 2010. (These dates aren't specifically mentioned in the Trylle series, but the beginning of Frostfire does set the date of the end of Ascend in that time). The Kanin Chronicles, meanwhile, takes place in 2014, aside from the prologue in Frostfire.
That means that unlike many other of my characters, Wendy and Bryn have actual birth dates, with years. Wendy was born January 9, 1992, and Bryn was born January 9, 1995.
Another thing that separates the Kanin Chronicles from some of my other series is that the characters are a bit older. The three main female leads - Bryn Aven, Tilda Moller, and Ember Holmes - are all relatively young. Bryn is nineteen,Tilda is twenty (though I don't if ever specifically mention her age in the book - I think she's simply alluded to as being roughly the same age/grade as Bryn), and Ember is sixteen turning seventeen at the outset of Frostfire.
It's more the supporting cast that's a bit older than normal, particularly the Kanin King and Queen, Bryn's love interest Ridley Dresden (27), and her nemesis Konstantin Black (29). The reason I decided to make them a bit older is two-fold.
One, I thought they're characters needed to be older to have accomplished the things that they have. It would be unrealistic for Ridley to be in charge of all the trackers at the age of twenty, or Konstantin to have risen up the ranks of the guard as a teenager. I also thought that given Bryn's age, experience, and maturity, it would be reasonable and acceptable for her to be attracted to someone several years older than her.
Two, I wanted the book to be a bit more mature than the Trylle series. Not exactly New Adult, but more like a bridge between Young Adult and New Adult (which I know is really splitting hairs at this point). And even though Ridley is a bit older, I still think he's definitely a young adult - he's still figuring who he is and what he wants out of life. In fact, even though Bryn is younger than him, she has a better grasp on both those concepts (or at least she thinks she does at the beginning of the series.)
Ultimately, I think the main characters in the Kanin series are figuring out who they are, what matters the most to the them, and what right and wrong mean to them - and how far they'll go to make things right. And I think that despite their various ages, these are things that most young adults are struggling with (and many older adults too).
The great things about these concepts is that they're so fluid - who Bryn thinks she is and what matters and even what she thinks right and wrong are on page one of the first book is going to be so much different than what she thinks on the final page of the series.
But that's all part of growing up. So with that, I want to wish Valerie and Bryn a very happy birthday. :)
Words & Histories
One thing that's great about the internet is the ability to create bonus content for readers who want to know more, and especially with a world as extensive as in the Kanin Chronicles and the Trylle series, there's so much more I could go on and on about. (Believe me when I say I spent an insane amount of time developing histories and lineages and back stories that were never even referenced in the books).
For those of you that can't wait for Ice Kissed or even if you haven't picked up Frostfire yet, here's some more content from the Kanin Chronicles.
At WorldofAmandaHocking.com, there's the a new pronunciation guide that just posted today. I did make a video a little while (which you can watch: here), but this one is written phonetically, and it covers words and names from the entire trilogy. Don't worry, though - there's no spoilers for Ice Kissed or Crystal Kingdom . You can read it: here.
I also wrote brief rundown of the five troll tribes from the Kanin Chronicles and Trylle series. In one of the books in the Kanin Chronicles, Bryn is reading from a Tracker Handbook, and in the back, it contains a quick overview of each of the tribes. It's so that in case a tracker runs into a member of another tribe while out in the human world following changelings, they know a few things about them and how to interact with them.
So I wrote the overview for the series, but it was too lengthy and unnecessary to include in the actual series. But I still think it might interesting to readers who wanted to know more about the tribes and read an excerpt from the Tracker Handbook. You can read about the tribes: here. (There are spoilers for those who haven't read the Trylle series yet).
Royalty plays an important roles in the series, and I have facts about the current royalty of the five tribes posted at WoAH. You can read about the Kings and Queens: here. (Again, there are spoilers who haven't read the Trylle series yet).
For a more intimate look at Frostfire , I have posted character info at Wattpad. It gives a good introduction to the major and some of the minor characters in the series. You read more about the characters: here.
And of course, there is my favorite - the soundtracks for Frostfire and Ice Kissed are both up now. You can listen to the Frostfire soundtrack: here, and the Ice Kissed soundtrack: here. As far as bonus content goes, I do probably have the most fun making the soundtracks, but really, all of this was fun for me, and I hope that it's fun for you too.
For those of you that can't wait for Ice Kissed or even if you haven't picked up Frostfire yet, here's some more content from the Kanin Chronicles.
At WorldofAmandaHocking.com, there's the a new pronunciation guide that just posted today. I did make a video a little while (which you can watch: here), but this one is written phonetically, and it covers words and names from the entire trilogy. Don't worry, though - there's no spoilers for Ice Kissed or Crystal Kingdom . You can read it: here.
I also wrote brief rundown of the five troll tribes from the Kanin Chronicles and Trylle series. In one of the books in the Kanin Chronicles, Bryn is reading from a Tracker Handbook, and in the back, it contains a quick overview of each of the tribes. It's so that in case a tracker runs into a member of another tribe while out in the human world following changelings, they know a few things about them and how to interact with them.
So I wrote the overview for the series, but it was too lengthy and unnecessary to include in the actual series. But I still think it might interesting to readers who wanted to know more about the tribes and read an excerpt from the Tracker Handbook. You can read about the tribes: here. (There are spoilers for those who haven't read the Trylle series yet).
Royalty plays an important roles in the series, and I have facts about the current royalty of the five tribes posted at WoAH. You can read about the Kings and Queens: here. (Again, there are spoilers who haven't read the Trylle series yet).
For a more intimate look at Frostfire , I have posted character info at Wattpad. It gives a good introduction to the major and some of the minor characters in the series. You read more about the characters: here.
And of course, there is my favorite - the soundtracks for Frostfire and Ice Kissed are both up now. You can listen to the Frostfire soundtrack: here, and the Ice Kissed soundtrack: here. As far as bonus content goes, I do probably have the most fun making the soundtracks, but really, all of this was fun for me, and I hope that it's fun for you too.
A Rose By Any Other Name
Over the weekend, I was cleaning my office and reorganizing my notes. (When it comes to writing, I am an obsessive note taker.)
While I was going through my things, I came across my brainstorming sheet for titles of the Kanin Chronicles.
I knew right away that the series would be called The Kanin Chronicles, but naming the individual books took quite some time actually.
When I initially pitched the series to my publisher in early 2013, the books were called First Oath (which would become Frostfire ), Dark Marrow (which would become Ice Kissed), and Last Bastion (which would become Crystal Kingdom ).
It actually took me a very long time to come up with those names, but I wasn't completely in love with them. My editor Rose suggested changing them because they sounded more like high-fantasy titles, and since my books aren't high-fantasy, it didn't really suit them.
So the two of us spent a great deal of time trying to come with names. I always think it's interesting to hear what books and movies were almost called, so I thought I'd share with you some of the possible titles.
Book 1 - White Rabbit
Book 2 - Blue Blood
Book 3 - Black Heart or Black Knight
Book 1 - A Rabbit So White
Book 2 - A Heart So Blue
Book 3 - A Throne So Black
Book 1 - A Promise in White
Book 2 - A Betrayal in Blue
Book 3 - A Heart in Black
I was really going with colors there for a while. But then I also just threw singular names, the way I had with the Trylle and Watersong series.
Book 1 - Dynasty (which really is too 1980s soap opera to have ever worked)
Book 2 - Throne
Book 3 - Empire
And eventually, I just had words written down that weren't attached to any particular book:
Trothe
Liege
Betrayal
Treachery
Sedition
Covenant
Chicanery
Branded
Eventually, after much deliberation, we finally decided on Frostfire, Ice Kissed, and Crystal Kingdom, and I do think they fit the series best. What do you think? Do you have favorites?
While I was going through my things, I came across my brainstorming sheet for titles of the Kanin Chronicles.
I knew right away that the series would be called The Kanin Chronicles, but naming the individual books took quite some time actually.
When I initially pitched the series to my publisher in early 2013, the books were called First Oath (which would become Frostfire ), Dark Marrow (which would become Ice Kissed), and Last Bastion (which would become Crystal Kingdom ).
It actually took me a very long time to come up with those names, but I wasn't completely in love with them. My editor Rose suggested changing them because they sounded more like high-fantasy titles, and since my books aren't high-fantasy, it didn't really suit them.
So the two of us spent a great deal of time trying to come with names. I always think it's interesting to hear what books and movies were almost called, so I thought I'd share with you some of the possible titles.
Book 1 - White Rabbit
Book 2 - Blue Blood
Book 3 - Black Heart or Black Knight
Book 1 - A Rabbit So White
Book 2 - A Heart So Blue
Book 3 - A Throne So Black
Book 1 - A Promise in White
Book 2 - A Betrayal in Blue
Book 3 - A Heart in Black
I was really going with colors there for a while. But then I also just threw singular names, the way I had with the Trylle and Watersong series.
Book 1 - Dynasty (which really is too 1980s soap opera to have ever worked)
Book 2 - Throne
Book 3 - Empire
And eventually, I just had words written down that weren't attached to any particular book:
Trothe
Liege
Betrayal
Treachery
Sedition
Covenant
Chicanery
Branded
Eventually, after much deliberation, we finally decided on Frostfire, Ice Kissed, and Crystal Kingdom, and I do think they fit the series best. What do you think? Do you have favorites?
Ice Kissed Info
I haven't been blogging as much lately, but that's because I've been busy working on some fun/exciting stuff that I will hopefully begin sharing with you next week. But I'll talk more about that when it's ready.
For now, I'm just here to tell you some good news about Ice Kissed .
According to the countdown on my phone, it's only 55 days until Ice Kissed is out. It's been available for preorder in paperback and hardcover for awhile, but for some reason, ebooks aren't up for preorder until closer to the release date.
Apparently, it is now close enough to the release date, and Ice Kissed is now available for preorder for the Kindle and the Nook. (It's not up at iBooks yet, but I'm sure it will be soon). You can preorder it for the Kindle: here and for the Nook: here.
If you'er not familiar with Ice Kissed, here's more info. Ice Kissed is the second book the Kanin Chronicles, with the first book Frostfire already out. It's a spinoff the Trylle series, and you can check out this blog: here for commonly asked questions on the Kanin Chronicles.
The second book in the new trilogy set in the world of the Trylle will be out May 5, 2015
Bryn Aven refuses to give up on her dream of serving the Kanin kingdom she loves. It's a dream that brings her to a whole new realm…the glittering palace of the Skojare.
The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal enemy that's been threatening the Kanin, and Bryn is there to help. Being half Skojare herself, it's also a chance for her to learn more about her lost heritage. Her boss Ridley Dresden is overseeing the mission, but as their undeniable attraction heats up, their relationship is about to reach a whole new level--one neither of them is prepared for.
As they delve deeper into the Skojare world, they begin to unravel a long-hidden secret. The dark truth about her own beloved Kanin kingdom is about to come to light, and it'll change her place in it forever…and threaten everyone she loves.
For now, I'm just here to tell you some good news about Ice Kissed .
According to the countdown on my phone, it's only 55 days until Ice Kissed is out. It's been available for preorder in paperback and hardcover for awhile, but for some reason, ebooks aren't up for preorder until closer to the release date.
Apparently, it is now close enough to the release date, and Ice Kissed is now available for preorder for the Kindle and the Nook. (It's not up at iBooks yet, but I'm sure it will be soon). You can preorder it for the Kindle: here and for the Nook: here.
If you'er not familiar with Ice Kissed, here's more info. Ice Kissed is the second book the Kanin Chronicles, with the first book Frostfire already out. It's a spinoff the Trylle series, and you can check out this blog: here for commonly asked questions on the Kanin Chronicles.
The second book in the new trilogy set in the world of the Trylle will be out May 5, 2015
Bryn Aven refuses to give up on her dream of serving the Kanin kingdom she loves. It's a dream that brings her to a whole new realm…the glittering palace of the Skojare.
The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal enemy that's been threatening the Kanin, and Bryn is there to help. Being half Skojare herself, it's also a chance for her to learn more about her lost heritage. Her boss Ridley Dresden is overseeing the mission, but as their undeniable attraction heats up, their relationship is about to reach a whole new level--one neither of them is prepared for.
As they delve deeper into the Skojare world, they begin to unravel a long-hidden secret. The dark truth about her own beloved Kanin kingdom is about to come to light, and it'll change her place in it forever…and threaten everyone she loves.
The Return of Konstantin Black
As you may have seen in yesterday's teaser quote, Konstantin Black returns in Ice Kissed. (Spoiler Alert: If you haven't read
Frostfire
, be aware of potential spoilers in this post).
Kit Harington as Konstantin Black in my dream cast
At the end of Frostfire , Konstantin left Bryn Aven reeling - once again. Growing up, Bryn admired Konstantin deeply. He was an elite member of the Kanin guard, champion of the King's summer games, and a hero to the people. (It also didn't hurt that his steel grey eyes, crooked smile, and unruly black curls made him incredibly handsome). Though she hated to admit it even to herself, Bryn had a very serious crush on him.
Bryn's admiration for Konstantin came crashing to a bitter end when he tried to assassinate her father, and his motives for the seemingly unprovoked attack still elude her. Then, after four years on the run, Konstantin makes a dramatic return in the beginning of Frostfire, hunting down changelings that Bryn has sworn to protect.
Throughout Frostfire, Konstantin makes several startling confessions that lead Bryn to believe that everything is not as it seems with him, but it all ended in a brutal confrontation in the Skojare palace - not with Konstantin, but with Kanin's most hated enemy, Viktor Dålig. And all of that only leaves Bryn angrier and more confused than ever.
As Bryn explains in an excerpt from the upcoming Ice Kissed :
"Viktor Dålig had beaten me, that was true. The sight of him had been like encountering a ghost, and I’d been in shock, so he’d been able to get the best of me. That didn’t mean I hadn’t wanted to stop him, but it had been my fault for letting myself be caught off guard, even for a moment.
But Viktor had wanted to kill me. When he’d smashed my head into the stone, he’d been trying to execute me – I knew that with absolute certainty. But he hadn’t succeeded, and I had a feeling that I had Konstantin Black to thank for being alive.
Run, white rabbit, as fast and far as you can, he’d whispered when I came upon him in the dungeon. Even though he’d been escaping, he’d looked so defeated then – his gray eyes soft and mournful, his entire body sagging, his olive skin going pale beneath the shadow of his beard. Konstantin hadn’t wanted me to get hurt."
Kit Harington as Konstantin Black in my dream cast
At the end of Frostfire , Konstantin left Bryn Aven reeling - once again. Growing up, Bryn admired Konstantin deeply. He was an elite member of the Kanin guard, champion of the King's summer games, and a hero to the people. (It also didn't hurt that his steel grey eyes, crooked smile, and unruly black curls made him incredibly handsome). Though she hated to admit it even to herself, Bryn had a very serious crush on him.
Bryn's admiration for Konstantin came crashing to a bitter end when he tried to assassinate her father, and his motives for the seemingly unprovoked attack still elude her. Then, after four years on the run, Konstantin makes a dramatic return in the beginning of Frostfire, hunting down changelings that Bryn has sworn to protect.
Throughout Frostfire, Konstantin makes several startling confessions that lead Bryn to believe that everything is not as it seems with him, but it all ended in a brutal confrontation in the Skojare palace - not with Konstantin, but with Kanin's most hated enemy, Viktor Dålig. And all of that only leaves Bryn angrier and more confused than ever.
As Bryn explains in an excerpt from the upcoming Ice Kissed :
"Viktor Dålig had beaten me, that was true. The sight of him had been like encountering a ghost, and I’d been in shock, so he’d been able to get the best of me. That didn’t mean I hadn’t wanted to stop him, but it had been my fault for letting myself be caught off guard, even for a moment.
But Viktor had wanted to kill me. When he’d smashed my head into the stone, he’d been trying to execute me – I knew that with absolute certainty. But he hadn’t succeeded, and I had a feeling that I had Konstantin Black to thank for being alive.
Run, white rabbit, as fast and far as you can, he’d whispered when I came upon him in the dungeon. Even though he’d been escaping, he’d looked so defeated then – his gray eyes soft and mournful, his entire body sagging, his olive skin going pale beneath the shadow of his beard. Konstantin hadn’t wanted me to get hurt."
More Giveaways
The big
Frostfire
giveaway is still underway, so you should enter for your chance to win one of five Grand Prize packages and one of fifteen Runnerup Prize packages. (It's called Runnerup, but it's still pretty sweet.) If you want to enter, go: here.
A new giveaway has also started today, this time for the UK Editions of Frostfire and Trylle: The Complete Trilogy . It's open internationally, because I think the UK covers are lovely, so I wanted to give everyone a chance to get their hands on them. If you want to enter, go: here.
I'm going to be adding more giveaways throughout the month, so be sure to keep checking the Giveaways & Contests button on the main page of www.HockingBooks.com
A new giveaway has also started today, this time for the UK Editions of Frostfire and Trylle: The Complete Trilogy . It's open internationally, because I think the UK covers are lovely, so I wanted to give everyone a chance to get their hands on them. If you want to enter, go: here.
I'm going to be adding more giveaways throughout the month, so be sure to keep checking the Giveaways & Contests button on the main page of www.HockingBooks.com
The Heart of Ridley Dresden
As you may have seen in yesterday’s teaser quote, Ridley Dresden seems just as confused about Bryn's feelings for him as she is in Ice Kissed. (Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t read
Frostfire
, be aware of potential spoilers in this post).
Diego Boneta as Ridley Dresden in my dream cast
Ridley has long been one of Bryn's closest friends and allies, believing in her when many others in the Kanin Kingdom refuse to. But it's his position as her boss that makes their growing attraction so dangerous. In Frostfire , Bryn finally admitted to herself how she really feels about Ridley, and after they share a passionate kiss under the aurora borealis, it seems Ridley feels the same way. But both Bryn and Ridley know that if they act on it, it could cost Bryn her chance at becoming a member of the elite guard, the Högdragen.
While Ridley doesn't want to stand in the way of Bryn's dreams, his feelings on the Högdragen are far more complicated. His father was a member of the Hogdragen, and when Ridley was just twelve years old, Viktor Dålig attempted to over the Kanin King and killed Ridley's father in the process. Many people, including Bryn, consider Ridley's father a hero, but as Ridley explained in Frostfire , an honorable death is a subjective thing.
"Ridley shook his head, and when he spoke again, his voice was much lower and calmer. 'You called his death honorable. He died in the hallway of the palace – a hall I have walked down a hundred times since that day. He died in a pool of his own blood, trying to protect a random stranger in a crown, because another man wanted that crown for his own daughter.' He turned to me, his eyes hard and his words heavy. 'He died for nothing.'"
With Viktor Dålig returning at the end of Frostfire with Konstantin Black, Ridley is determined to being justice to the man that murdered his father. In Ice Kissed, Ridley and Bryn will be working close together to discover what exactly Viktor and Konstantin are up to, and despite their best efforts to keep their hearts out of it, they may be forced to face their true feelings for each other once and for all.
An excerpt from Ice Kissed reveals how things begin to heat up:
Ridley glanced up at the night sky, then back at me. “You be careful this time, alright?”
“I will,” I promised him.
Then, since there really wasn’t anything more to say, I gave him a small wave before turning to walk away. I’d only made it four steps before he stopped me.
“Bryn,” he said, and I looked back over my shoulder at him. “Let me walk you home.”
They were five simple words that sounded almost inconsequential, especially since Ridley had walked me home on several occasions. But somehow tonight they felt like so much more. There was a weight to them that had never been there before.
It was in Ridley’s tone, which held a hint of urgency, his voice low but strong enough to carry. In his eyes that burned so intensely, I could almost see the hunger hidden in the darkness.
Finally, I answered him, and I didn’t even know what I would say until the word came out of my mouth. “Okay.”
Diego Boneta as Ridley Dresden in my dream castRidley has long been one of Bryn's closest friends and allies, believing in her when many others in the Kanin Kingdom refuse to. But it's his position as her boss that makes their growing attraction so dangerous. In Frostfire , Bryn finally admitted to herself how she really feels about Ridley, and after they share a passionate kiss under the aurora borealis, it seems Ridley feels the same way. But both Bryn and Ridley know that if they act on it, it could cost Bryn her chance at becoming a member of the elite guard, the Högdragen.
While Ridley doesn't want to stand in the way of Bryn's dreams, his feelings on the Högdragen are far more complicated. His father was a member of the Hogdragen, and when Ridley was just twelve years old, Viktor Dålig attempted to over the Kanin King and killed Ridley's father in the process. Many people, including Bryn, consider Ridley's father a hero, but as Ridley explained in Frostfire , an honorable death is a subjective thing.
"Ridley shook his head, and when he spoke again, his voice was much lower and calmer. 'You called his death honorable. He died in the hallway of the palace – a hall I have walked down a hundred times since that day. He died in a pool of his own blood, trying to protect a random stranger in a crown, because another man wanted that crown for his own daughter.' He turned to me, his eyes hard and his words heavy. 'He died for nothing.'"
With Viktor Dålig returning at the end of Frostfire with Konstantin Black, Ridley is determined to being justice to the man that murdered his father. In Ice Kissed, Ridley and Bryn will be working close together to discover what exactly Viktor and Konstantin are up to, and despite their best efforts to keep their hearts out of it, they may be forced to face their true feelings for each other once and for all.
An excerpt from Ice Kissed reveals how things begin to heat up:
Ridley glanced up at the night sky, then back at me. “You be careful this time, alright?”
“I will,” I promised him.
Then, since there really wasn’t anything more to say, I gave him a small wave before turning to walk away. I’d only made it four steps before he stopped me.
“Bryn,” he said, and I looked back over my shoulder at him. “Let me walk you home.”
They were five simple words that sounded almost inconsequential, especially since Ridley had walked me home on several occasions. But somehow tonight they felt like so much more. There was a weight to them that had never been there before.
It was in Ridley’s tone, which held a hint of urgency, his voice low but strong enough to carry. In his eyes that burned so intensely, I could almost see the hunger hidden in the darkness.
Finally, I answered him, and I didn’t even know what I would say until the word came out of my mouth. “Okay.”
