Divided Fates by Stephanie Allen

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Welcome to It's Raining Books. Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

I have always been drawn to fantasy, ever since I was a little girl. I think it’s the idea of leaving our world and heading to another one. Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis was the first fantasy series I read, and I can’t even tell you how many different places I looked for an entrance to Narnia. My first published series was based on the idea of what would happen if a teenager, rather than a young child, found their way through a portal to another world. Harmony was such a fun series to write for that very reason. Plus, I was able to throw in enemies to lovers, fated mates, dragons, fae, magic, the whole shebang. It was so much fun and will always have a special place in my heart.

What research or world-building is required?

Research depends on what my world is based on. I like to look at cultures and history in order to build portions of my world. For the Dueling Fates trilogy, I did a lot of research on Jewish/Hebrew culture, as well as Viking and Native American cultures. In my case, my brother is like a walking encyclopedia since he’s a history teacher, so I’m able to gain a lot of information from him. He’s studied Vikings extensively, so I was able to glean a lot of knowledge from him. I’ve always been fascinated with Native American culture, so it wasn’t hard for me to research that. For this series, I really focused on Lakota culture since I live in Wyoming and love visiting South Dakota. So though research isn’t necessarily required, I highly recommend it, especially if you want to bring some realism to your fantasy novel and make it more relatable.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

My favorite character in Divided Fates is King Jordan, by far. He is the hero that I wish existed in real life. He’s kind, compassionate, and romantic as hell, though it’s a quiet romance. I think that’s why he’s so special to me. In this day and age, “smut” is the word of the day, or year, especially if you’re on the #BookTok side of TikTok for longer than five minutes. While I’ve definitely read my share of smut (oops, did I just admit that?), I like writing a character that has a few old-fashioned notions. He truly loves his chosen queen, and would go to the ends of the world for her. He will keep himself only for her, and he cherishes her more than anything. So what did I learn from him? Sometimes, it’s okay to be the one that waits for a good thing.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

One of my odd writing quirks is that I don’t outline my books with a pen and paper. I outline my books with music. Every single book I write has its own Spotify playlist. That playlist grows or shrinks as I write each book, and each one has a unique flavor. Divided Fates definitely has a darker theme to it, with most of the tracks being instrumental. Game of Thrones music played a huge role in this particular book. I also love the band Smash Into Pieces, and a few of their songs have flavored this particular book as well.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I am definitely a plotter. Since Divided Fates is the second in a trilogy, I already had a good idea of where I was going with the book. Although, you could almost say that I’m a little mixture of plotter and pantser, because though I have my main points planned out, I often deter course when I’m working on the fine details of a chapter. Sometimes, my characters even take an unexpected detour and I have to frantically write to catch up with them.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

My husband is a tattoo artist and I’m currently sitting at a tattoo convention in Loveland, Colorado. To my right is some flash tattoo art and an iPad ready to be filled with art. However, if I was home, I guarantee that I’d be sitting at my table with one of my bookshelves to the right of me. I always like to write with my books nearby.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

I’m currently working on two different manuscripts. The first is the third and final book in the Dueling Fates trilogy. The working title for this one is Destructive Fates and it will conclude the events that took place in Divided Fates and answer any and all questions the readers have. The second is a new series that I’m developing. It will have a Hades and Persephone inspired story (though loosely). For the first time, I will be writing a morally gray heroine and I’m very excited about it.

Do you have a question for our readers?

Sure thing! What draws you to a particular book? Are you reading it for the fantasy aspect, or are you drawn to certain tropes? For me, I love reading books that have fated mates tropes. It’s a soft spot of mine.

Ten days after the battle in the north, the world of Erez has been thrown into turmoil.

Princess Isemay awakens - injured and weak - in a strange village. Branded an outcast because of her mixed heritage but forced to stay against her will, she must choose to conform to the sha’nidow way of life or face the consequences. When a mysterious stranger arrives with a heartbreaking message, Isemay’s hope abandons her to a fate far more destructive than she was prepared for.

Princess Alena finds herself the queen of the northern kingdom - powerful, adored, alone. Fighting inner demons of darkness, she travels south to visit her brother, now the king of Neilos. But fate will not allow her to find peace, and she must decide whether she will side with those she loves or the one who holds ultimate power.

Niri Flesh-cleaver, granddaughter to the elusive Choshech and heir to the nashech throne, has everything she could want - and yet her heart yearns for more. Torn between her mother’s orders and a forbidden love, she quickly realizes she cannot have both. Driven by brokenness, she will seek to destroy the one person she blames for Choshech’s demise - and find that perhaps her heart was the better guide all along.

Three women. Three separate journeys. One path to find that fate will divide even the closest of bonds.

Read an Excerpt

“Your Majesty, go!” Jeremy shouted as he shoved the king toward his stallion. “We can’t fight what we can’t see.”

Jordan murmured a prayer for Jori and Noam as he gripped Ryoma’s mane and mounted bareback. “Get to a horse!” he ordered as he slammed his heels into his stallion’s ribs. Ryoma shot forward into the night, his ears flat against his skull. Refusing to allow panic to shiver its way into his body, Jordan used his legs to guide his stallion, keeping his hand fisted in the horse’s mane. Echoing hoofbeats came from behind—as well as the flapping of several wings.

“Your Majesty, above you!”

Jordan lay forward against Ryoma’s neck as a shadow passed right where his head had been. “Who are you?” he shouted at the fleeing darkness.

A shrieking roar filled the night as another shadow blew above him.

He squeezed his heels against Ryoma, urging the poor horse to gallop even faster. They were among trees now. He could feel branches whipping him in the face as his stallion fled at a blinding pace. He couldn’t be sure, but it felt as though they were climbing.

He could no longer hear hoofbeats behind him and prayed that Jeremy hadn’t befallen the same fate as the other two men. The trees seemed to be providing some cover for he could no longer hear flapping wings close by. The night was pitch black as they barreled headlong over unfamiliar ground, driving further and further up the mountain.

A roar and a crash sounded from somewhere behind him as Jordan and Ryoma broke through the tree line. He gasped as the moonlight suddenly filled his vision. They were atop a mountain peak, streaking along an open space. He risked a glance behind to see another horse break out of the forest—a riderless horse.

About the Author: Stephanie M. Allen graduated from California Baptist University in 2009 with a B.A. in English and a desire to share her imaginative stories with the world. She loves to write fantasy, particularly centered around young adults. Aside from writing, Stephanie loves to read, ride horses, and sing. She currently lives in Wyoming with her husband and two children.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorStephanieAllen
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/StephMarieAllen
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15844466.Stephanie_M_Allen
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thestephmarieallen
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Stephanie-Allen/e/B01LZGBRKL

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09X9PHJHF/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

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