1–What is the title of your latest release?
2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
When Harlow loses everything, she cheats her way into Thornewood Castle to become an elite warrior, only to realize her entire life might be a lie.
3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I wanted to create lands with specific features, and a queendom with prickly thorns appealed to me.
4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
I so would!!
5–What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Curious, Feisty, Tired.
6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?
Worldbuilding is hard.
7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I skim edit as I go. If I see something, I fix it, then go back and edit the entire thing when it’s finished.
8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Anything pasta related.
9–Describe your writing space/office!
I had an amazing back wall bookshelf built during the pandemic that makes me happy every time I look at it. It’s Sea Serpent blue and I painted the walls a dark, forest green. It’s like a cave, and it’s perfect.
10–Who is an author you admire?
I adore Sarah J. Maas.
11–Is there a book that changed your life?
I primarily read fiction, so I can’t say something has changed my life. However, some books make me think long after I’ve finished.
12–Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be
published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
The first call came in 2013, and I stayed with publishers for a few years before I went indie. The “call” for Blade of Hope came unexpectedly. I’d queried it a few times knowing I might have some difficulty placing it due to some of the story, so I sent one final query out and told myself if I received another rejection, I’d shelve it for a while and come up with a self-publishing plan.
13–What’s your favorite genre to read?
I love all things fantasy. I don’t read full-on romance, but I adore a good romantic thread mixed in with all the action.
14–What’s your favorite movie?
I don’t have one that I gravitate to over and over again, but if Shawshank Redemption is on, I’ll get sucked in and watch the entire thing.
15–What is your favorite season?
Fall!! Leaves, hot cocoa, cool temperatures, sweaters!
16–How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Good food, close friends, or a well-loved book and quiet time.
17–What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
The only time I ever listen to podcasts is when I’m driving long distances, and then it’s always Crime Junkie. Being able to listen to 18 hours straight of murder says something about me, but I don’t want to dive too deep and poke that bear. As far as television? Parks & Rec all the time. Books? All of them.
18–What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Italian and French
19–What do you do when you have free time?
I read, bake, and get involved in ridiculous craft projects I never finish.
20–What can readers expect from you next?
The second and third books in the Virago series. A New Adult Fantasy about five sisters and a family curse. And I’ll continue writing my Cocktails Urban Fantasy series and my Psychic Cozy Mystery series as well. Lots and lots of upcoming things from
BLADE OF HOPE by S.E. Babin
Book of the Virago #1
Treachery rots the Kingdom of Thornwilde from within. A teenage girl may hold the key to its salvation.
Harlow grew up without magic, banned in the kingdom when she was only a child. Spoken of in hushed whispers by her sister, Nova, she knows it exists and knows having it is a death sentence.
When Nova abandons her and her foster parents die of fever, Harlow finds a strange stone and a brief note directing her to find work in the castle. When she arrives, Harlow is thrust into a world of glittering court politics and ruthless machinations.
After unwittingly catching the eye of the future princess, Desminda, and her lethal but loyal guard, Shade, Harlow is invited to train for the Virago—an elite all-female guard tasked with protecting the royal family. She agrees only as a path to find Nova, her only goal to reunite their family.
But things aren’t easy for Harlow. Betrayal and secrets abound, and as she struggles to fit in, a foreign, dangerous power awakes within her. When she meets a strange bard in the market, Harlow’s life is thrown into chaos. She finds out everything she knew about her life might be a lie, and everyone she ever loved might have betrayed her.
When she and Shade uncover a plot to overthrow the queen, they must work together to save the princess and smuggle her from her homeland, leaving the kingdom in the hands of a vicious despot, one who wants to restore magic only to control it.
As they struggle to bring the last royal heir to safety, secrets will unravel, leading Harlow to realize who she really is and what exactly is sleeping in her veins.
Found family, romance, magic, and betrayal collide as she fights her way back to her sister, intent on reclaiming her life. But when the truth is finally revealed, Harlow’s world will never be the same.
Coming of Age | Romance Fantasy [Oliver-Heber Books, On Sale: February 13, 2024, e-Book, / ]
Buy BLADE OF HOPE: Kindle | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
About S.E. Babin
S.E. Babin has had a book in her hands pretty much from the time she could hold things with her hands. Her love of reading turned into a curious exploration to see whether or not she could write her own. Beginning with random, terrible poetry and a slightly popular reimagining of Beowulf’s Grendel in her high school English class, Sheryl spent way too much time in the library, killing any chance of her becoming a cheerleader or anything even remotely cool.
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