The King's SwordErdemen Honor #1
by C.J. Brightley
A disillusioned soldier. A spoiled, untried prince. A coup that threatens the country they both love. When retired soldier Kemen finds the young prince Hakan fleeing an attempted assassination, he reluctantly takes the role of mentor and guardian. Keeping the prince alive is challenging enough. Making him a man is harder. As usurper Vidar tightens his grip on power, Kemen wrestles with questions of duty and honor. What if the prince isn't the best ruler after all? Invasion looms, and Kemen's decisions will shape the fate of a nation. What will he sacrifice for friendship and honor?
Paperback, 314 pages
Published
June 26th 2013
by Egia LLC
About the Author
C. J. Brightley lives outside Washington, D.C., with her husband and their two young children. When she's not busy writing, she teaches karate, bakes too many desserts, and makes jewelry. She loves to connect with readers!
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590994.C_J_Brightley
C. J. Brightley lives outside Washington, D.C., with her husband and their two young children. When she's not busy writing, she teaches karate, bakes too many desserts, and makes jewelry. She loves to connect with readers!
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590994.C_J_Brightley
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CJBrightley
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cjbrightley
Website: http://www.cjbrightley.com/
Q & A with C.J. Brightley
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your main characters?
A: Kemen was a soldier who excelled in nearly every aspect of military life. Yet after an injury, he was retired (against his own wishes) and is now adrift in civilian society.
Hakan is the crown prince; he’s a bit spoiled and more than a little intimidated by
Kemen. Kemen wants to do what is best for the country, and he isn’t entirely sure Hakan would be the best choice as ruler. Kemen narrates, and one of my favorite aspects of the story is the difference between Kemen’s thoughts, his wry sense of humor and his analysis of the other characters, and what he actually says out loud.
A: Kemen was a soldier who excelled in nearly every aspect of military life. Yet after an injury, he was retired (against his own wishes) and is now adrift in civilian society.
Hakan is the crown prince; he’s a bit spoiled and more than a little intimidated by
Kemen. Kemen wants to do what is best for the country, and he isn’t entirely sure Hakan would be the best choice as ruler. Kemen narrates, and one of my favorite aspects of the story is the difference between Kemen’s thoughts, his wry sense of humor and his analysis of the other characters, and what he actually says out loud.
Q: How long have you been writing, and when did you first consider yourself an author?
A: I’ve been writing since elementary school (I’m not going to admit how long that’s
been!), but The King’s Sword is my first published work. I have four books out now and another coming out in the next month. Yet I still feel surprised when I think of the word “author” as applying to me! I’m a martial artist as well. Being an author is a lot like being a black belt. It seems so out of reach for so long… it acquires this almost mythical status. Yet you just keep working and working, and eventually you look back and realize “Oh. I’m here. I did it.” But you’re not done. Earning your black belt is like finally learning enough to know how to study martial arts seriously; you are now a no-kidding student of karate. Being an author is the same. I’ve published books, but there is so much more I can learn about writing! I’m not “there” yet, and I don’t think I ever will be. There is always more to learn and more room to grow.
A: I’ve been writing since elementary school (I’m not going to admit how long that’s
been!), but The King’s Sword is my first published work. I have four books out now and another coming out in the next month. Yet I still feel surprised when I think of the word “author” as applying to me! I’m a martial artist as well. Being an author is a lot like being a black belt. It seems so out of reach for so long… it acquires this almost mythical status. Yet you just keep working and working, and eventually you look back and realize “Oh. I’m here. I did it.” But you’re not done. Earning your black belt is like finally learning enough to know how to study martial arts seriously; you are now a no-kidding student of karate. Being an author is the same. I’ve published books, but there is so much more I can learn about writing! I’m not “there” yet, and I don’t think I ever will be. There is always more to learn and more room to grow.
Q: What is the best advice you have been given?
A: To keep writing. Keep practicing. Keep learning. Don’t be afraid to fail. So many times writer’s block is fear of failure - fear of the words not being right, not being beautiful, not being what we imagine they should be. But much of the magic of writing happens during editing, and you can’t edit what isn’t written yet. Don’t be afraid of that first draft being awful, because it probably will be… and that’s fine! At least you have something to work with once that first draft is done.
A: To keep writing. Keep practicing. Keep learning. Don’t be afraid to fail. So many times writer’s block is fear of failure - fear of the words not being right, not being beautiful, not being what we imagine they should be. But much of the magic of writing happens during editing, and you can’t edit what isn’t written yet. Don’t be afraid of that first draft being awful, because it probably will be… and that’s fine! At least you have something to work with once that first draft is done.
Q: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Everything. A veterinarian, a sword fighter, a black belt, a hero, a writer, a princess, a marine biologist, a mom, an explorer, a chemist, a spy.
A: Everything. A veterinarian, a sword fighter, a black belt, a hero, a writer, a princess, a marine biologist, a mom, an explorer, a chemist, a spy.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A: Oh, what a hard question! Probably my top two choices (I can’t decide!) would be New Zealand or Great Britain. I would take thousands of photos for writing inspiration and soak up the atmosphere and history.
A: Oh, what a hard question! Probably my top two choices (I can’t decide!) would be New Zealand or Great Britain. I would take thousands of photos for writing inspiration and soak up the atmosphere and history.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
A: Super speed. I’m a terrible procrastinator, and I’m always behind on something. If it would help me write faster, all the better!
A: Super speed. I’m a terrible procrastinator, and I’m always behind on something. If it would help me write faster, all the better!
Q: Which do you prefer: hard/paperbacks or ebooks?
A: I prefer paperbacks but I read more ebooks now. I’m a stay at home mom of two little children. I read in stolen moments while cooking dinner, while folding laundry, etc. I read mostly on my phone because it’s easiest to carry around.
A: I prefer paperbacks but I read more ebooks now. I’m a stay at home mom of two little children. I read in stolen moments while cooking dinner, while folding laundry, etc. I read mostly on my phone because it’s easiest to carry around.
Q: What book are you reading now?
A: I’m reading Green by Ted Dekker, A Story of Grace by Phil Metzger, Law of the Wolf by S. A. Hunt, and Sand of Bone by Blair MacGregor.
A: I’m reading Green by Ted Dekker, A Story of Grace by Phil Metzger, Law of the Wolf by S. A. Hunt, and Sand of Bone by Blair MacGregor.
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