Virtual Book Tour + #Giveaway: Sellsword’s Oath by Gail Z. Martin @GailZMartin @GoddessFish

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Virtual Book Tour + #Giveaway: Sellsword’s Oath by Gail Z. Martin @GailZMartin @GoddessFish

Sellsword’s Oath

by Gail Z. Martin

GENRE: Fantasy

BLURB:

Buddy flick epic fantasy! The second in the Assassins of Landria series from the award-winning, bestselling author of Scourge: A Novel of Darkhurst and The Chronicles Of The Necromancer books!

Wandering mystic Yefim Makary, known to his followers as the ‘Witch Lord’, disappeared before he could be accused of inciting dissent against King Kristoph. His supporters among the disenchanted aristocrats who weren’t arrested have fled or died by their own hand. The king is happy to put the matter behind him. Yet Burke, the commander of the elite King’s Shadows, doesn’t believe the threat is over, and he assigns his two most troublesome, rule-breaking—and successful—assassins to ferret out the real threat and put a stop to Makary’s plots.

Joel “Ridge” Breckinridge and Garrett “Rett” Kennard rose through the ranks of the Landrian army together, from teenaged conscripts to seasoned fighters. Together, they became the most feared team of assassins in Landria, surviving longer that most in their profession by virtue of excellent fighting skills, legendary bravado, peerless strategy, and an uncanny synchronicity.

As the threads of a new plot come together revealing disloyalty among the priests and generals, Ridge and Rett once again find themselves on the run, hoping they and their allies can figure out the Witch Lord’s latest scheme before it costs them their lives—and the king his throne.

Excerpt:

“Moving along,” he said with a grimace, “there’s the matter of your next assignment. The Witch Lord has disappeared. We know he wasn’t killed or captured, but right now we have no idea where he’s gone. The nobles who supported him have either vanished, committed suicide, or been imprisoned for attempted treason. Some of us believe it’s only a matter of time before the Witch Lord makes another move, but until then, King Kristoph is eager to move on and put the incident behind him.”

Ridge thought the king didn’t want to look weak by dwelling on the attack. Kristoph had narrowly escaped death, and now he needed to show his enemies he was strong enough to take the matter in stride. That didn’t change the reality of Kristoph’s situation, and it presented a complication when it came to protecting him.

“Do you agree?” Rett asked.

Burke looked pained. “I serve the king, which requires doing what he asks and what he needs,” he added in a quiet voice. “So I am authorizing you to keep your ears open, but anything you find out—anything—you bring it to me before you act. Are we clear?”

Ridge and Rett nodded.

“In the meantime, I have a job for you. Those counterfeiters I mentioned before. Treason of a different kind.” He slid a folded paper across the table to Ridge.

“It’s your letter of marque to go after anyone illegally producing the coin of the realm,” Burke said. “We believe there’s a group set up near the border, where they can prey on merchants looking to exchange gold for Landrian currency. Counterfeiting is an act of violence against the king’s treasury and the realm itself. You’ll be passing as traders. Find the people responsible, destroy their forge, and end the threat. As quietly as possible.”

“Yes, sir,” Ridge replied.

“If in the course of your duties you learn more about the Witch Lord and his disciples, I’ll be fascinated to hear about it,” Burke added. “Now, finish your ale and go home. You’ll be leaving in the morning.”

Interview with Gail Z. Martin

What was the hardest scene from your book to write?

A: Fight scenes are always harder because I have to mentally block the action out in my mind as if it were on a stage. That takes more time to work out than a scene with dialogue.

Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?

A: I’ve always loved epic fantasy stories about heroes and knights, kings and sword fights, magic and monsters. Those were the stories I adored as a child and later as a reader, so it was very natural to want to write my own.

If you write in more than one genre, how do you balance them?

A: I also write urban fantasy, and as Morgan Brice, urban fantasy MM paranormal romance. I enjoy switching things up, because it keeps me fresh and keeps me from burning out. I try to alternate what I write so that every series has new books and that I don’t stay away too long from any series. It’s fun!

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

A: The humor and explosions! These books are shorter and more humorous than my other three epic fantasy series, and it was fun experimenting with a different writing style and book structure.

What book that you have read has most influenced your life?

A: Too many to list! I think every book, movie, TV show and experience influences my writing and my life!

Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?

A: I can actually cook a pretty darn good Thanksgiving turkey with stuffing!

Can you tell us something about your book that is not in the summary?

A: I really love the bond of friendship between Ridge and Rett, and between them and their valet/assistant Henri. They have each others’ backs. I also love that Henri has his own mysterious past, which seems to include a lot of knowledge about legal gray areas!

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Gail Z. Martin writes epic fantasy, urban fantasy and steampunk for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, SOL Publishing, Darkwind Press, and Falstaff Books. Recent books include Witch of the Woods, Sellsword’s Oath, Inheritance, and Night Moves. With Larry N. Martin, she is the co-author of the Spells Salt & Steel, Wasteland Marshals, Joe Mack and Jake Desmet series. As Morgan Brice, she writes urban fantasy MM paranormal romance including the Witchbane, Badlands and Treasure Trail series. Recent books include Loose Ends and Unholy.