Author Name: Killian B. Brewer
Book Name: The Rules of Ever After
Release Date: June 9, 2015
Blurb:
The rules of royal life have governed the kingdoms of Clarameer for thousands of years, but Prince Phillip and Prince Daniel know that these rules don't provide for the happily ever after they seek.
A fateful, sleepless night brings the two young men together and sends them on a quest out into the kingdoms. On their travels, they encounter meddlesome fairies, an ambitious stepmother, disgruntled princesses and vengeful kings as they learn about life, love, friendship and family. Most of all, the two young men must learn how to write their own rules of ever after.
Pages or Words: 256 pages
Categories: Fantasy, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance, Young Adult
Excerpt:
“Phillip, don’t believe all those stories your scribe told you. Magic is not defeated by waiting for someone to come rescue you from it. You have to fight it.” Daniel paused and took a breath before reaching out to take Phillip’s hand again. “I sat around for two years waiting for someone to come along and fix my problems. No one came, and nothing changed. Then I realized that maybe the person I was waiting for was me. So I went out to find my own answers.”
“I’m not you. I don’t even know where to begin.” Phillip sat back on the edge of the bed.
“You begin the way everyone does,” Daniel explained, “one foot in front of the other.”
“I’ve barely been out of this castle. I don’t know what’s out there.”
“Well, you’re in luck. You know someone who does.”
“What? Who?” Phillip cocked his head and stared at Daniel in confusion.
“Me!” Daniel winked and pointed to his chest. “I know what’s out there. I’ve been wandering all over the kingdoms for months now. I’ve studied the maps and the histories. I know how to fight and how to survive.” Daniel stood up. “I’ll come with you,” he continued. “I’ll help you find her, and we’ll bring her down together. We will fix this.”
Daniel could almost see the wheels turn in Phillip’s head as he considered Daniel’s offer. He looked over at his father, then back down at his feet before glancing up to Daniel with a look of tentative hope. “Why would you do that?”
Daniel pondered the question for a moment, unsure of the answer himself. The pain in Phillip’s face touched Daniel’s heart and made him want to bring back the mischievous, laughing man he had met just two nights before. This was not his problem, and he had his own concerns to deal with, but looking at Phillip’s terrified face, he knew he wanted to help. He knew he had to.
“I’m not being completely selfless. I’m still going to be looking for my own answers. But I can help you look, too.” Daniel held his hand out to Phillip. “Come with me. Let’s go get you some food and make a plan.”
“You’re just saying this to get me to eat.”
“No. As I said, I feel responsible. If I hadn’t gotten in that bed—”
“But you did.” Phillip mumbled before turning to look at Daniel with his eyes wide. “And you passed the test. I thought for sure you were the answer—”
“The test? I still don’t understand about this test.”
“Yes. You were the first to spend the night in the bed and be kept awake by the pea under the mattresses. Okay, maybe some of the others could have passed if I hadn’t—”
“Phillip? You think a pea kept me awake?” Daniel stepped back and knitted his brows; he had clearly missed some element of that awful night’s events. Though he was glad to see some sign of activity from Phillip, Daniel was thoroughly confused. “Why was there a pea under—”
“Yes. You passed the test. Maybe it is a sign!” Phillip stood and turned to Daniel; excitement spread across his face. “Maybe you are here to help me.”
Author’s Interview:
Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Killian B. Brewer author of The Rules of Ever After.
Hi Killian, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.
Hey! I’m a Southern boy, raised in the land of peaches and peanuts. I grew up in a tiny little town in a house where we would entertain each other by telling stories. My father can spin a yarn with the best of them. I went to college and earned my degree in English Literature, mostly because of my love of a good story. Of course, like most English majors, I don’t use that degree at all in my day job, but it does come in handy for my writing.
College is actually where I first had the idea for my book, The Rules of Ever After. My master’s thesis was on the tales of the Brothers Grimm. In particular, I was focusing on the common theme of a princess trapped in a tower. I began thinking, what would happen if Prince Charming climbed the tower and found another prince instead. I ended up changing the plot over the years as more and more advances were made in rights for the LGBTQ community, but it is still very much rooted in taking the familiar tropes of fairy tale giving them a twist.
Do you have pictures that you use for your characters? Can you share them with us?
I have sketches of my characters that an old college friend, Clint, made for me to use on my blog. Sketches of the characters play a small role in the story and I thought it would be fun to have that part brought to life. However, I think one of the best elements of a romantic tale is to let the reader project their own romantic ideals on to the characters. Therefore, we kept the sketches vague and had the characters block their faces as if hiding from the tabloids. This allowed me to give a suggestion of character without taking too much away from the reader’s imagination.
What kind of book would you like to write that people would see as a huge departure for you?
I have a reputation in my writing for being light-hearted, funny and eternally optimistic about a happy ending. I think it would be fun to get in touch with some of the darker elements of Southern Gothic storytelling. I grew up with some colorful and strange characters and it might be interesting to explore those sides. But I think people would be surprised to see a less sunny side of my writing.
Have you ever killed a character? Was it traumatic for you? If you haven’t killed one, would you ever consider it?
As I noted in the last question, my stories tend to be happier in nature, so killing off a character doesn’t usually fit into my work. There are deaths in my stories that mostly take place off-stage, so to speak, but for me those deaths are about the lingering effects they have on a character’s life. In The Rules of Ever After, I spent so much time in this world with these characters and grew to love them. I would find it difficult for me to kill one of them when I feel like they all have so much more life to live and story to tell.
Favorite location you’ve ever written about?
Though it isn’t a happy place, I have one that is a personal favorite because of a connection it gave me to my father. I wrote a short story once that was set in the rural South during the Great Depression. I found the research I had to do about it so fascinating. I grew up in that area and felt like I knew it well, but I learned so much about that area in the time of my father’s youth. It was fun to stretch my writing muscles by writing about a place that was so much darker and drearier than my usual settings or the cheery place of my childhood.
What’s your favorite season and favorite activity for that season?
I’m an autumn person. Nothing makes me happier than that first little chill in the air as the leaves begin to change and the days grow shorter. Fall is a time for cozy sweaters and a snuggly blanket on the couch. Also, I’m a huge fan of Halloween and the chance to put on a costume and be a different person for one night. Just like in writing where you put yourself into your characters, Halloween is like writing in 3-D as you try on different characters for one night. Also, who doesn’t love a chance to eat some good food on Thanksgiving!
About the author:
Killian B. Brewer grew up in a family where the best way to be heard was to tell a good story, therefore he developed an early love of storytelling, puns and wordplay. He began writing poetry and short fiction at 15 and continued in college where he earned a BA in English. He does not use this degree in his job in the banking industry.
He currently lives in Georgia with his partner of ten years and their dog. Growing up in the South gave him a funny accent and a love of grits. The Rules of Ever After is his first novel.
Where to find the author:
Publisher: Interlude Press
Cover Artist: BuckeyeGrrl Designs
Tour Dates & Stops: June 9 – 22, 2015
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Rafflecopter Prize: $25 Interlude Press Gift Card. 5 e-copies of ‘The Rules of Ever After’ by Killian B. Brewer
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