world gets bigger!ALLEGIANCE SWORN
A Novel of the Light Blade, Book 3
Berkley Sensation
Excerpt
"The third outing in Griffin’s rousing Light Blade series provides readers with a breathtakingly strong and dedicated heroine willing to fight and sacrifice for her people. Griffin keeps the tension running high as the world she created heads ever closer to war. This is a series that is definitely improving with age!"
4 Stars~~Romantic Times Magazine
"It’s very rare for book to have such a phenomenal world where it engrosses me so completely that I am taken away by it. Hands-down, the world alone is amazing."
5 Stars~~Riverina Romantics
"A fantastic continuation of a story that has well and truly captured my heart."
5 Stars~~My Book Chatter
VENGEANCE BORN
A Novel of the Light Blade, Book 1
"Peopled with intriguing characters, the world of Vengeance Born is unique and filled with compelling mystery. I'm looking forward to seeing where Kylie Griffin takes that world next."
~~Nalini Singh, NYTimes best-selling author
Enter a bold new series, the Light Blade, where a longstanding war between the demon and human realms rages. Promising new talent Griffin’s characters face danger and hidden secrets that threaten to change the world as they know it. A terrific debut!
~~RT Magazine
ALLIANCE FORMED
AREK: Daily. I don’t think I’ve missed more than a dozen
days of training since I was ten years old. Na’Reish demons are physically
bigger and stronger than a human so you can’t afford to slack off. Before I
complete my final journey I intend on taking out as many of bastards as
possible, so it’s my duty to be the best warrior I can be.
AREK: My first thought? (soft chuckle) Strong. Imhara’s
an incredibly driven woman when she sets her mind on something. If anything
gets in the way, she adapts. You only have to look at the decisions she’s made
to help her Clan survive to appreciate her courage and determination. Those
qualities were some of the first things I came to respect in her, even when I
thought she was the enemy.
AREK: (blue gaze turns inward a moment and mouth pulls
downward) A few months ago Na’Reish slavers attacked and razed a small
crofters’ settlement near the border. Several villagers were taken. I was part
of a patrol sent to rescue them. But it turned out the raiding party wasn’t
alone and I ended up captured in the melee. One of the farmers, a young man
called Yenass, knew I’d be killed on sight if the Na’Reish saw me in my armor
and wearing my Lady’s amulet. The Na’Reish had set their Vorc loose to track us
down. Yenass told me I was of no use to them dead, so he traded clothes with me
just before the Vorc attacked…(eyes close briefly)…he sacrificed his life for
mine so that I could try and help the other crofters when the time was right.
AREK: A strong, fire-tempered sword. Nothing beats a
well-made blade. The weight, the length, the sound it makes as it cuts through
the air…a deadly weapon in the right hands.
AREK:(shares a look with the other two warriors. Kalan
smiles. Varian’s mouth flattens, his brow creases.) Umm, you sure like to ask
the hard questions, Angi. I’m going to have to think about that one…anyone else
want to answer this first?
AREK: (grunts) The Kaal Clan aside, why would I want to
avoid fighting demons, Angi? They prey on us. They want to enslave or kill
those we love. We kill them. Simple.
AREK: That’s easy. Sex. Give me a bed, a willing woman,
preferably Imhara…
KYLIE'S GOTTA ANSWER: Oh, yes. Just
something small, believe it or not. Funny how a tiny detail can be the biggest
gaff out. Originally, when writing the series and casting secondary characters,
I decided on the names Zarian and Vaune for two Na’Chi warriors. I eventually
swapped the initial letters around to make Varian and Zaune, but in all three
books I’ve managed to mix their names up constantly. A pain in the butt when
you have to go back and Find & Change each instance and make sure every
single one is found. Nothing worse than getting a character’s name wrong!!!
one signed copy of ALLEGIANCE SWORN or VENGEANCE
BORN (winners’ choice) to a blog commenter (International book giveaway)
A Novel of the Light Blade, Book 2
"...does a stellar job envisioning her world and its compelling protagonists. Well worth your time!"
~~RT Magazine
"A battle scarred, noble hero and a valiant heroine caught in a war of deep prejudice make for a powerfully affecting read."
~~Bookaholics Romance Club
"He had a hard life of abuse and condemnation and yet he was a man worthy of love. Is there anything better than that?..."
~~All About Romance
FIND OUT ALL ABOUT KYLIE
in her 2 previous
GLIAS interviews.
Or visit KYLIE'S WORLD.
THE LIGHT BLADE HEROES
ANGI: How often to
you train for battle?
AREK: Daily. I don’t think I’ve missed more than a dozen
days of training since I was ten years old. Na’Reish demons are physically
bigger and stronger than a human so you can’t afford to slack off. Before I
complete my final journey I intend on taking out as many of bastards as
possible, so it’s my duty to be the best warrior I can be.
VARIAN: Training? (arching of one eyebrow) I wouldn’t say
my scouts and I trained, not until we came to Sacred Lake. In Na’Reish
territory it was more like we learned fast how to fight or we died. Survival is
a great motivator when demons and humans want to kill you on sight. Now we’re
living at Sacred Lake, and part of the Light Blade patrols, we train with the
humans every day.
KALAN: (wry twisting of lips) More often than I like, my
duties as the Chosen tend to interfere…there are always Blade Council meetings
to attend, delegations and Guild representatives asking you to visit them,
patrol reports to read…but I try to make it a point of visiting the training
fields every day, even if it’s only for a half hour session.
ANGI: What’s your
first thought when seeing the woman you love?
AREK: My first thought? (soft chuckle) Strong. Imhara’s
an incredibly driven woman when she sets her mind on something. If anything
gets in the way, she adapts. You only have to look at the decisions she’s made
to help her Clan survive to appreciate her courage and determination. Those
qualities were some of the first things I came to respect in her, even when I
thought she was the enemy.
VARIAN: (quiet grunt) How amazing it is to be her mate. I
mean, I’m not the easiest man to live with. Kymora will tell you I can be
surly, stubborn, uncommunicative…(lips twitch then briefly twist in a wry
upwards motion)…and that’s on a good day.
Nor am I the most desirable warrior she could have chosen… (thumb
traces a jagged scar running from the corner of his eye to his jaw)…but
whenever she senses me nearby and turns in my direction, I see the most joyous,
heart-warming smile shape her lips…and I know it’s just for me. For me…(shakes
head)…I’m Lady blessed…
KALAN: Just how lucky I am to be loved by Annika (tender
smile curves lips) and how I intend
spending the rest of my life letting her know how much that love is returned.
ANGI: Can you tell
us about a true hero you’ve met?
AREK: (blue gaze turns inward a moment and mouth pulls
downward) A few months ago Na’Reish slavers attacked and razed a small
crofters’ settlement near the border. Several villagers were taken. I was part
of a patrol sent to rescue them. But it turned out the raiding party wasn’t
alone and I ended up captured in the melee. One of the farmers, a young man
called Yenass, knew I’d be killed on sight if the Na’Reish saw me in my armor
and wearing my Lady’s amulet. The Na’Reish had set their Vorc loose to track us
down. Yenass told me I was of no use to them dead, so he traded clothes with me
just before the Vorc attacked…(eyes close briefly)…he sacrificed his life for
mine so that I could try and help the other crofters when the time was right.
VARIAN: I doubt she’d agree with me, but Hesia, the human
slave who helped the Na’Chi survive, is a true hero. For twenty years she
smuggled half-blood children born to human slaves outside the Gannec Fortress.
She risked her life every time she brought us food and supplies. She also
taught us to dream of a better life and gave us the courage to reach for it
when the time came.
KALAN: Commander Yevni, the Light Blade’s Master of Arms.
He’s been the head of the Light Blade training program for the last thirty
years. Every warrior who passes through the ranks, and survive each patrol, owe
their lives to his knowledge, dedication and skill.
ANGI: What’s your
favorite weapon of choice?
AREK: A strong, fire-tempered sword. Nothing beats a
well-made blade. The weight, the length, the sound it makes as it cuts through
the air…a deadly weapon in the right hands.
VARIAN: When you’ve spent most of your life hiding from
your enemies, combat tends to be up close and personal. Vicious in nature. So I
prefer a dagger. Time is crucial. Cutting an intruders throat from behind with
a sword is unwieldy. A dagger is quiet. Swift. (Gives a wicked grin.) Much more
efficient.
KALAN: I have to agree with Arek. Light Blades are physically
outmatched in strength and size against the Na’Reish so we’re taught to use our
Gift through a sword. We can project energy through any blade – a rare few,
like Arek, can direct it through flesh to flesh contact – but we need every
advantage the sword can give us in a battle against them.
ANGI: What’s your favorite “love”
word?
AREK:(shares a look with the other two warriors. Kalan
smiles. Varian’s mouth flattens, his brow creases.) Umm, you sure like to ask
the hard questions, Angi. I’m going to have to think about that one…anyone else
want to answer this first?
KALAN: (snorting a laugh) Arek, you can’t be at a loss
for words. I distinctly remember one young lady you charmed with “love” words
at The Traveller Rest that night we broke curfew to wander the Night Markets.
AREK: (eyebrows raise) Lady’s Breath, Kalan, that was over fifteen years
ago! How can you remember that particular night so clearly?
KALAN: (grinning) You were both headed upstairs to
“chat” in her room within ten minutes of meeting. I was in awe of that feat and
am still wondering just what you said to her to convince her so quickly.
AREK: A gentleman never gossips…(here
he levels a narrow-eyed look at Kalan)…and Imhara better not hear about that
night, or any other night we spent wandering the Night Markets, my friend.
She’s staked her claim on me and I’d rather not spend the rest of my life
chained to her bed.
VARIAN: (blinks and stares at both men) She has shackles
attached to her bed?
KALAN:(bursting into laughter) Hasn’t Arek ever told
you how he and Imhara first met? (The Na’Chi shakes his head.) He woke bound
hand and foot to her bed…
AREK:(interrupting in a dry tone of voice) And you
call yourself my best friend? (Glances to the Na’Chi) Varian, I’ll fill you in
later. Angi, I think we’d better move onto the next question. Please.
ANGI: Who is the last Na’Reish demon
you'd like to tangle with?
AREK: (grunts) The Kaal Clan aside, why would I want to
avoid fighting demons, Angi? They prey on us. They want to enslave or kill
those we love. We kill them. Simple.
VARIAN: Succinct answer but well put, Arek. Kalan?
KALAN: (grimacing) Savyr.
The demon king. He’s one power-hungry bastard. Ambitious. Cunning.
AREK: Cruel, too. (hands fist, gaze grows cold)
VARIAN: (when Angi looks puzzled by Arek’s icy response)
Savyr raped his mother.
AREK: To avenge his son’s death at the hands of my
grandfather. (mouth tightens) Savyr kidnapped my mother and raped her until she
fell pregnant with Annika.
KALAN: Annika is my wife, and Arek’s half-sister.
AREK: Savyr physically and mentally abused Annika all
her life, until she escaped him by coming here.
KALAN: While I’d cross blades with Savyr if I had to,
he’s one I’d think twice about challenging. He hasn’t been Na’Rei for nearly
thirty years without surviving more than a few assassination attempts or
emerging victorious from several leadership challenges.
VARIAN: His ledger of offences will be repaid. (Voice
deepens with lethal promise) One day.
KALAN & AREK: (grimly together) Lady willing.
ANGI: What is your biggest vice?
AREK: That’s easy. Sex. Give me a bed, a willing woman,
preferably Imhara…
VARIAN: (dead-pan) Chains?
AREK: (wry grin) Again, I’m too much of a gentleman to
kiss and tell, but she sure makes bed time interesting, Na’Chi.
KALAN: (chuckling and shaking his head at Arek’s
response) I think I’ll stick to safer ground and go for a hot bath. It’s something
Annika and I have in common.
VARIAN: Sweet-treasures. Kymora introduced me to the
honey-filled pastries last Summer’s End Festival. They melt in your mouth and I
can’t stop at just one.
ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: Has anything
"tripped you up" while writing in the LIGHT BLADE world?
KYLIE'S GOTTA ANSWER: Oh, yes. Just
something small, believe it or not. Funny how a tiny detail can be the biggest
gaff out. Originally, when writing the series and casting secondary characters,
I decided on the names Zarian and Vaune for two Na’Chi warriors. I eventually
swapped the initial letters around to make Varian and Zaune, but in all three
books I’ve managed to mix their names up constantly. A pain in the butt when
you have to go back and Find & Change each instance and make sure every
single one is found. Nothing worse than getting a character’s name wrong!!!
FINDING KYLIE
KYLIE IS GIVING AWAY
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AREK, VARIAN, KALAN & KYLIE WANT TO KNOW: Is there a weapon you'd like to learn to use? why? Or if you already have learned to use one, which one and why? Have you mastered a martial art and what attracted you to learn it?
