Spotlight & Giveaway: The Shadow Princess by Sawyer Bennett

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Sawyer Bennett to HJ!

Hi Sawyer and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, The Shadow Princess!

 
Hey, readers!!
 

Tell us about the book with this fun little challenge using the title of the book:

Ooooh, I only ever get this question for the *really* long titles! Hahaha!! Let’s see what I can do here….

This book
Has a little of
Everything…

Suspense
Heart
Adventure
Death
Ominous
Witchy

Perfidy
Ring
Insecurity
Naked times (Hahaha!! It’s true, but I was really stretching by this point!)
Culpability
Emotion
Secrets
Sexy

Please share the opening lines of this book:

The Garden of the Gods crackled with magic as Bastien Dunne entered it, leaving behind the clang of swords and the hissing of attack spells. His own powers—normally humming on a low frequency—sparked hot as he stepped foot into the circle before settling again. As innate to him as his own heartbeat, the warrior caste magic passed down through his bloodline was something he often took for granted.

Please tell us a little about the characters in your book.

Thalia Clairmont is heir to the throne following the death of her parents. She was stripped of her memories and sent away for her protection, but now, seven years later, Bastien Dunne has returned to collect her. She needs to help them reclaim her throne, but when she finds out that Bastien, the love of her life and former fiancé is the one who stripped her of her memories, she is NOT a happy princess. Thalia is strong, feisty, passionate, and ready to kick some ass–starting with Bastien.

Bastien gave up more than Thalia knows, and as a result he is cold and distant, but loyal to Thalia and the kingdom.

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

• I always enjoy writing, but I L-O-V-E writing in these fantastical worlds. Being able to create these dimensions and characters feeds my soul.
• If you’re a fan of The Chronicles of the Stone Veil series, you’ll see a couple of familiar faces in this story…with more to come!!
• I’ve had a love of strictly romance readers really fall for The Chronicles of the Stone Veil series, and this one is a complete standalone.
• You would *not* believe that amount of notes I need to do for these books. And all too often my assistant and I have to sit and brainstorm how to make all the aspects of the world fit together. Plot holes aren’t just an old wives’ tale! 😉

What first attracts your Hero to the Heroine and vice versa?

This is a second chance romance, so the relationship was established when they were young adults. They were friends for years prior to their romantic relationship taking flight, so the connection between the two of them runs deep and long.

The First Kiss…

Ahhh, the second first kiss. Years after the first and a lifetime of changes have passed and their relationship has been damaged, perhaps irreparably. This kiss occurs in a fit of anger and jealousy. The best kind, am I right? 😉

Bastien’s eyes glow with his rage. Trick of the light, I’m sure.
“You are the most frustratingly annoying woman I have ever met,” he grits out. By the tone of his voice, it feels as if he wants to strangle me.
Instead, he moves both hands to my face and crushes his mouth to mine.
My head spins from the power behind his punishing kiss, but I meet it eagerly. It’s what I’ve been waiting for, and hope flares bright within.
At last… he’s admitting to having feelings for me.
I wrap my arms around his neck and open my mouth to give him full access.
Bastien claims me hungrily, branding me. He walks me backward and with just a few steps, he has me flat against a wall. Without breaking the kiss, I’m lifted in the air with his hands under my ass, and I wrap my legs around his waist.
Thank the gods for this dress and the long slit in its skirt.

If your book was optioned for a movie, what scene would you use for the audition of the main characters and why?

Definitely when Thalia regains her memories and realizes the betrayal she suffered at the hands of the one person who swore to love her forever.

Without even thinking, I launch off the couch and round the coffee table. I cock my right arm back and slap Bastien as hard as I can across his left cheek. It makes a resounding and satisfying crack, rocking his head to the side.
“You son of a bitch,” I snarl through gritted teeth, attempting to slap him again, but his arms band tightly around me.
I struggle mightily, but he’s too big and strong. I attempt some kicks, a knee to his nuts, but he turns his body away and holds tight until I wear myself out.
“Let me go,” I seethe, writhing left and right.

If your hero had a sexy-times play list, what song(s) would have to be on it?

Hmmm…I’m not sure Bastien would have one, given the circumstances. But I am pretty certain when Thalia and Bastien first reunite, her theme song would be U + Ur Hand.

If you could have given your characters one piece of advice before the opening pages of the book, what – would it be and why?

Every story has two sides. Make sure you know all the facts before you jump to conclusions.

What are you currently working on? What are your up-coming releases?*

I am so excited to announce there is more coming in The Chronicles of the Stone Veil! The next book will be The Midnight Realm, releasing January 3, 2023. I’m also hard at work to bring you more hockey hotness in the Pittsburgh Titans series. And look for a new series coming late 2023 following the end of Jameson Force Security this September with the release of Code Name: Omega.
 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: Signed paperback of The Shadow Princess. US only.

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: What is your favorite thing about reading fantasy/paranormal?

 
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Excerpt from The Shadow Princess:

“Cousin o’ mine,” I hear from behind me and turn to see Archer jogging to catch up. He’s been living at the military dorms during his stay in Clairmont.
I accept a kiss on the cheek from him as he falls in beside me.
“Listen,” Archer says as he reaches over and grabs the muffin out of my hand. He breaks it in half and gives me a portion back. “You’ve been working so hard since you’ve been home, I think you should take tomorrow off and go fishing with me.”
He stuffs the muffin in his mouth while I consider his offer. “I don’t know… I mean, there’s so much to do—”
Archer loops an arm over my shoulders, shaking his head as he chews and swallows his bite. “I won’t take no for an answer. You need some fun, Thalia. Just for a couple hours, and the stream is no more than a few miles from here. Well within the cloak.”
“King would love to go for a ride,” I muse out loud. I’ve completely ignored him since we arrived, although Bastien assures me he’s been exercising him. A few hours surely wouldn’t hurt. “Okay… I’m in. Tomorrow morning?”
“I’ll meet you at the stables at dawn,” he says, beaming brightly. “Early bird gets the worm.”
“You mean fish,” I correct him.
“I mean worm,” he says, hand flashing out to steal the rest of my muffin. “We’ll then use the worm to catch the fish.”
I laugh, and he winks at me before jogging off toward the training fields. He’s not a member of the army, but he loves to train with them, and he’s quite good with a sword.
Bastien offers a curt nod as I approach and turns to walk up the steps to the hall in a clear effort to avoid me.
“Bastien… wait a minute,” I call out.
He faces me, that mask of indifference in place. Which is fine. I’ve learned to school mine the same way.
Throwing my thumb over my shoulder in the direction I just came from, I say, “I was talking to Archer, and he invited me to go fishing tomorrow morning. I wanted to let you know as I won’t be here.”
Bastien shakes his head. “Not a good idea.”
He starts to turn away from me again, and without thought, I grab his arm. Grunting with annoyance, he looks down at where I’m holding him before bringing his eyes back to my face.
I don’t let go. “I’m sorry, but it seems you might have thought I was asking your permission. I wasn’t. I’m telling you, I’m going fishing with Archer tomorrow morning. Post whatever guards you want… hell, come yourself if you’re worried about it, but I’m going.”
“It’s unsafe for you to be away from town,” he replies, pulling his arm away.
“I’ll still be well within the boundary of the cloak,” I say firmly, noting that Kieran is watching us with interest. “And again, I’m not asking permission.”
Bastien’s eyes glitter as he steps toward me. Dipping his head, his voice rumbles low. “I could lock you up.”
My smile is saccharine. “I could have you executed for treason for sending me to the First Dimension. But I won’t. I’m merely telling you I’m going fishing. Deal with it.”
Kieran snorts, glancing away as he shakes with pent-up laughter.
Locking his jaw, Bastien gives me a mocking bow. “As you wish, Your Highness.”

Excerpts. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

Living an idyllic life in Wyoming, Thalia Clairmont is completely unaware that her world is about to be turned upside down. Step into the next dimension with The Shadow Princess, the newest story in The Chronicles of the Stone Veil series from New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett.

My name is Thalia Clairmont and I am heir to the throne of Vyronas. A title that was unknown to me after the love of my life, Bastien Dunne, had me stripped of my memories and sent me through the veil into another dimension. He maintains it was for my protection after my parents were killed and our kingdom was overthrown, but I see it as a betrayal.

Overwhelmed by my feelings of both love and anger for Bastien, I quickly understand that things aren’t what they once were. Vyronas is at war and an evil sorceress has claimed my throne by casting her blood magic to subjugate my people. With my memories returned, I realize Bastien isn’t the man I once loved and has instead become a distant, hardened warrior whose heart is as cold as ice.

My magic alone cannot defeat the blood sorcery, so I delve into the deepest shadows to find a way to regain control of my kingdom. Can I defeat evil without succumbing to the darkness? And will Bastien and I be able to reclaim the love we once shared? I am the Shadow Princess and it’s time for me to reclaim my throne.

The Shadow Princess is a standalone second chance romance with a fantastical flourish within The Chronicles of the Stone Veil series.
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Meet the Author:

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).
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