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Today I am so pleased to have LGBTQ, fantasy romance author Megan Derr with us. Megan is promoting her latest book with a book tour and giveaway, but first, she’s written an exclusive guest post just for you dear readers (and listeners, too!).
Music, Music by Megana Derr
It’s not really a secret that writers rely heavily on music and other media for inspiration and motivation. Art tends toward creative feedback loops. I’ve had songs that inspired entire books, and I’ve had songs that appeared right as I got stuck and provided what I was missing and enabled me to finish a book. They can also alter a character, a scene, and more. I wouldn’t be where I am without the music that kept me company at my computer, at coffee shop tables, on the bus, and all the other places where I wrote or pondered.
When I wrote The Engineered Throne I’d intended (as I so often foolishly do) for it to be a one-off. The only story in my head at the time was for Vellem, and his initial story was meant to include a dam. My entire inspiration for his story was the breaking of a dam. But as the story unfolded, the dam wound up having to go, replaced by a portion of the palace where most of the story takes place.
Readers and music inspired the two books that wound up following, The Painted Crown and The Stolen Court. So here I’ve listed the songs that drove this trilogy. Normally I’d make a Spotify playlist, but I’m not supporting them anymore after recent events. Instead, I’m just linking to youtube videos and everyone can pick their flavor of music site if there’s a song they like. Since I’m Apple, I’ve also linked a playlist there.
Breath of Life by Florence + the Machines
Cut the Cord by Shinedown
State of My Head by Shinedown
One More Night by From the Ash
All Around Me by Flyleaf
The Mountain by Three Days Grace
My Fight by From Ashes to New
Iconic by Ledger
Natural by Imagine Dragon
Now onto the book tour and giveaway!
The Engineered Throne
Unbreakable Soldiers Book 1
by Megan Derr
Genre: LGBTQ Fantasy Romance
Then his brother provides him with an unexpected chance: marriage to a prince of their country’s oldest enemy to help bring about peace once and for all. The marriage promises Vellem not just a fresh start in a new land, but a challenge to his famed skills in building roads and bridges.
But before he can settle into his new life, tragedy strikes, and Vellem isn’t certain he’s up to rebuilding the ruin left in its wake.
The Painted Crown
Unbreakable Soldiers Book 2
About the Book: Prince Istari has spent his life reviled: his parents wish he had never been born, the royal court of Belemere avoids him for fear of angering the king, and everyone else is kept away by his notorious reputation as a deadly sharpshooter. Now a hostage of peace in Tallideth, he is subjected to their hatred as well—even that of Regent Vellem, who once considered him a comrade in arms.
Unexpected solace comes in the form of Lord Teverem, a sad, quiet lord who assumed the title when his brother was killed in the explosion for which Istari’s father is to blame. He is kind and sweet and a sorely needed bright spot in Istari’s life—until Istari meets his family and learns of a dangerous family secret with unexpected ties to Istari’s past, a secret that could drag Tallideth and Belemere right back into war…
The Stolen Court
Unbreakable Soldiers Book 3
About the Book: Bertin is a liar and a thief. Once an orphan on the street stealing purses, his life was forever changed when he saved a boy’s life—and then became that boy to the rest of the world. But one lie always leads to another, and life as a Belemeren spy planted in the Engineer Corp has led him to the role of liaison in Ruemri, a kingdom he helped Ruemri’s enemies steal.
His primary duty is to watch King Sesta, which means he is himself watched by the whole of Ruemri’s royal court. For a man used to being overlooked and ignored, the situation is a living nightmare. That situation is further worsened when he receives word of an unspecified terrible event that is going to take place—and then the last person he expected arrives, bringing Bertin’s past and secrets with him.
About the Author: Megan is a long-time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Win a $20 Amazon giftcard!
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Until next time, may your books be with you!
