Interview with Heather Frost for Royal Spy
Hi beautiful bookish people!
Today, I am participating in the Royal Spy blog tour organised by author Heather Frost. This is the second instalment in her series and I beyond ecstatic to share the interview with you.
Royal Spy (Fate of Eyrinthia #2)
Release Date: May 20th 2021
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Synopsis:
A DECOY recruited to be a spy.
A PRINCE compelled to become an assassin.
A SERJAH pressured by an unwanted crown.
A WORLD covered in shadows.
Mere months ago, Clare was just a kitchen maid. Now, she is a decoy for Princess Serene and a novice spy, caught in the royal family's web of secrets. While journeying to Mortise to finalize the princess’s betrothal to Serjah Desfan, Clare lives for the stolen moments she has with Bennick, the bodyguard who is quickly claiming her heart. But when a notorious assassin is hired to kill her, Clare’s life and the alliance hang in the balance.
In Ryden, Grayson prepares to leave for Mortise with his brother, Liam. Their orders are to ignite a war between their enemies, and Grayson has been tasked with assassinating Princess Serene. It may cost his soul, but he is ready to comply, as long as he gets something in return: freedom for Mia, the girl he loves. But the more time he spends with his brother, the more he begins to wonder if Liam is what Grayson wishes he had the courage to be . . . a traitor.
Desfan feels trapped. By his disapproving council, his impending marriage to a stranger, and the imminent arrival of enemy princes who may not want the peace they profess. When a dangerous drug threatens his people, Desfan jumps at the chance to rely on his swords instead of politics. But his investigation uncovers more than he bargained for--a plot that may destroy Mortise from within.
Eyrinthia hovers on the edge of war. Spies. Rebels. Traitors. All must choose a side.
Can you briefly describe the FATE OF ERYNTHIA series, its characters and what’s happening in ROYAL SPY?
The series starts with Clare Ellington, a kitchen maid who is in the wrong place at the wrong time and is blackmailed into becoming the princess’s decoy. Bennick, her bodyguard, is there to keep her safe, but Clare has had some close calls, and she’s been pulled into some twisted plots and court politics. She’s also fallen hard for her guard. In Royal Spy, Clare is on her way to Mortise, a neighboring kingdom, where she is to solidify the princess’s betrothal to Desfan, a prince with plenty of troubles of his own. Meanwhile, on the fringes we have Prince Grayson, the youngest Kaelin prince. He’s been raised by evil parents who want to conquer all the kingdoms of Eyrinthia, and all Grayson wants to do is keep Mia, the girl he loves, safe. But he’s forced to go to Mortise and assassinate a certain princess . . .
Basically, if you love romance, twisty plots, layered characters, suspense balanced with humor, and a vast world to explore, you’ll love this series!
Could you describe the 2nd book with emojis?
🙂😍😘😲😬🥺️😵😉😆🤗❤️️😦🤔🤯😱😭
How did the story for the 2nd novel occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?
This story really just unfolded naturally from the first book. The characters knew where they needed to go, and I just went along for the ride. I spent a lot of time revising and polishing to make sure the pacing was spot-on, and I’m thrilled with how it turned out.
If you could choose one song to describe ROYAL SPY, which one would it be?
It’s hard to pick just one when you have multiple POVs going on, haha! But I think a song that captures Clare and Bennick in this book is Tenerife Sea, by Ed Sheeran.
What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?
I’m going to recommend a cozy corner seat (so you won’t worry about people sneaking up on you during those suspenseful moments!) and maybe have a glass of strawberry lemonade, because Royal Spy is a wild ride that includes sweetness as well as an exciting bite!
Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish ROYAL SPY?
You could totally check out my other series, Seers. It's a YA paranormal romance, about a girl who can see auras as well as guardians and demons, immortal beings who are locked in an eternal battle--and both sides want her. (Patrick is an Irish hottie, so, swoon!)
If you’re looking for other books that have a similar feel to Royal Decoy, I would suggest Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson, as well as the spin-off, Dance of Thieves. Many readers have compared Royal Decoy to Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes and Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, so you could check those out as well!
What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book/a second novel?
When it comes to a sequel, I think there’s some anxiety, because you’re worried it won’t live up to the first one. What if it falls flat? What if readers don’t like the direction the story takes? What if they get bored with the characters? It can be hard to shut out those worries and just focus on the story the characters need to tell. But I am very proud of Royal Spy, and I think readers will be delighted with it!
What’s next for you?
I’m working on book three, as well as some other projects I hope to share soon :)
Heather Frost writes mostly YA fiction and has a soft spot for tortured characters, breath-stealing romance, and happy endings. She is the author of the Seers trilogy. She has a BS in Creative Writing and a minor in Folklore, which means she got to read fairy tales and ghost stories and call it homework.
When she’s not writing, Heather likes to read, travel, and hold Lord of the Rings movie marathons. She owns two typewriters, sings in the car, and dreams of living in a castle someday. She currently lives in a beautiful valley surrounded by towering mountains in the wilds of Utah.
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