Date Published: March 9, 2021
Publisher: Ink & Magick
What is the price of justice?
As a ward of the Lacklands, Robyn Loxley has lived a privileged life. Even now, in 1942, when another war ravages the world and people on the home front must do without, her adopted family is not affected by the rations and shortages.
That’s not to say she hasn’t been affected by the war personally. As Robyn hits yet another roadblock in her quest to see her best friend Will, trapped in a Japanese-American concentration camp, she stumbles onto the people of Sherwood.
With dark truths revealed about the Lacklands and what really goes on in Midshire, Robyn must answer what justice means to her and what she’s willing to do to exact it.
Robyn and the merry band get an update in this dieselpunk sci-fi adventure.
"The Treason of Robyn Hood has suspense, drama, humor, romance, and action, all jam-packed in a tightly paced novel full of intrigue...I enjoyed it immensely and will highly recommend it to fans of fantasy and adventure. "
—Readers' Favorite®
"Connoisseurs of urban fantasy and offbeat romance will find this novel both a fun and fulfilling read. The clever characterizations and skillful melding of fantasy, adventure, and romance put a spotlight on sisterly devotion, oddball alliances, social conscience, and the human ability to rise above broken hearts and broken lives. "
—The US Review of Books
Interview with D. Lieber
For those interested in exploring the subject or theme of your book, where should they start?
I always try to explore deeper themes in all of my books. But The Treason of Robyn Hood is by far the most literary in that regard. I don’t want to influence the analysis too much before you get the chance to read it. The most obvious questions are what is justice? When is it okay to step out of the confines of the law to see that justice is served? Is it okay to do that at all? What happens when the authorities abuse their power or turn a blind eye to others who abuse their power?
How did you become involved with the subject or theme of your book?
Oh, you are digging deep here… I used to write for a public relations office in a military organization. As every young professional, I started out all bright-eyed and optimistic. But I soon learned that my job was to manipulate the truth, to write propaganda (as one of my superiors once said to me). That didn’t sit very well with me, and I eventually quit my job. I started writing The Treason of Robyn Hood not long after (though most of the ideas were pretty well established before I left my position). In some ways, The Treason of Robyn Hood was a book of healing for me. I had to get it out in order for me to heal.
What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
I wanted a lot from this book. It’s a really long list. As with all my books, I really want to make people think. I want readers to ask questions. Maybe they come away with a different conclusion than the one I presented, but thinking critically is always good for everyone involved. Upfront, I wanted to highlight what had been done to Japanese-Americans during WWII. I felt that horrifying chapter in American history is too often overlooked. I had no idea that something all too similar would crop up in present day while I was writing. On a lighter note, I wanted to write a dieselpunk book, just because. I don’t need a better reason than that. I also always loved Robin Hood stories. He was my favorite folk hero growing up (probably still is while I’m thinking about it). So why not take all those things and wrap them up together?
Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Thank you! I still blush to think I have fans. All this really is for you. I mean, I would still write even if I didn’t share my work. But I go through the whole publishing process purely for your enjoyment. So thanks for your support. I always love it when I get emails from people who say they like my work, or when someone approaches me at a convention. There’s no better feeling than to know I brought you enjoyment. And a very special thanks to The Avid Reader. You have picked up every single book I’ve ever put out. I always smile to see you on my tour list.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
So many things! Usually, I answer that my favorite part of writing a book is when it’s over. But for The Treason of Robyn Hood, I loved just how it all came together. I loved reimagining long beloved characters. I especially loved working with my illustrator to bring you my special illustrated edition. I had a great time meshing history with folktales with all the fun of dieselpunk.
Can you tell us a little bit about your next books or what you have planned for the future?
Absolutely! My readers will be so glad to hear that I am finally writing sequels to my earlier books! The Assassin’s Legacy (which is a spin-off to The Exiled Otherkin) is already through beta and will be in editing soon. I also just finished Intended Strangers (which is the sequel to Intended Bondmates). AND I hope to be starting book three of the Intended Fates series soon. Thank you for your patience. I know you’ve all been waiting quite a while.
How long have you been writing?
Novels? Since 2015. Anything? Since middle school. I started writing poetry, dabbled in short stories, and then dove right into novels.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in The Treason of Robyn Hood?
I tried my best to include all the classic Robin Hood characters, even if they were reimagined.
Robyn Loxley works at an American steel mill as a machine repairperson during WWII. Her parents died when she was very young, and she and her sister were taken in by a friend of her father’s. Robyn is usually playful and fun-loving. She loves to play little pranks on those around her, and she’s unbeatable at darts. She doesn’t much like being associated with the wealth and privilege of her adoptive family and has a habit of going by just Robyn to hide that association. Since her best friend Will was taken to a Japanese-American concentration camp, she had been trying everything she can think of to see him.
Marian Loxley is Robyn’s older sister. She is a photographer, and her surrogate mother has big hopes for her to marry someone that would benefit the family. She is very close with her sister, and quite protective of her as well.
The Lacklands are the family that took the girls in when they were children. They are the primary antagonists of the story. John Lackland is trying to take over the family’s shady enterprises while his brother Richard is away at war. John is constantly trying to please his mother Eleanor, who sees John as the weak man he truly is.
Guy Gisbourne is the Lacklands’ enforcer. He is a very intense person who has been hardened by a long life of misfortune. He sees Robyn as the pinnacle of everything good and honest. In his mind, he can be redeemed if Robyn will only accept him.
Alaric Nottingham is a detective from Pittsburgh who came all the way to California to take down the Lacklands. He is strait-laced and incorruptible, despite all the pressure from his superiors. When Robyn meets him, she sees him as sombre and a little mysterious.
Little Jon (along with Tuck) is the de facto leader of Sherwood (a run-down neighborhood that has long since been forgotten). He has a big heart and has the habit of taking in people who need his help.
Tucker Fry (or Tuck) is a nineteen-year-old woman who co-leads Sherwood. Her ready smiles hide a deeper knowledge that others call magic. Referred to as a witch, all of the magick she does is real, not the fantastical stuff of films. From tarot reading to just know how to care for plants, Tuck brings invaluable knowledge to Sherwood. And the people trust her implicitly (well…most of them).
Will Sukaretto (or Will Scarlet as he is usually known) is Robyn’s best friend from childhood. He is a very warm person who values honesty. He and his family (as well as many others) are imprisoned in a concentration camp.
As with all Robin Hood stories, there is a huge cast. And these are but a few of the “merry men” readers will meet along the way.
If you could spend the day with one of the characters from The Treason of Robyn Hood who would it be? Please tell us why you chose this particular character, where you would go and what you would do.
That’s a tough one… I guess I would probably choose Will. As far as Robin Hood characters go, he was always one of my favorites. To me, only Guy Gisbourne is on par as far as interesting goes. But…hanging out with Guy in real life wouldn’t likely be a picnic. What kind of trouble would I be in if we were in the same place? And he isn’t so nice to people who aren’t Robyn. But Will is warm and optimistic despite all the things that have happened to him and his family. As to what we would do, I wouldn’t even care. Maybe I would have him teach me how to use a bow. But just taking a walk and talking with him would be good enough for me.
About the Author
D. Lieber has a wanderlust that would make a butterfly envious. When she isn’t planning her next physical adventure, she’s recklessly jumping from one fictional world to another. Her love of reading led her to earn a Bachelor’s in English from Wright State University.
Beyond her skeptic and slightly pessimistic mind, Lieber wants to believe. She has been many places—from Canada to England, France to Italy, Germany to Russia—believing that a better world comes from putting a face on “other.” She is a romantic idealist at heart, always fighting to keep her feet on the ground and her head in the clouds.
Lieber lives in Wisconsin with her husband (John) and cats (Yin and Nox).
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1 comments:
It's great to be back! Thanks again for having me.
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