Author Interview: Hazel West

Hello again!

This week is coming to an end, but it’s not the end of celebrations and book releases. I’m excited to be privy to a new science fiction story that definitely looks like my cup of tea 😀 I also was able to interview the lovely Hazel West, the author of the aforementioned book.

So, on to the questions!

What inspired you to write The New Emperor’s Concerto?

Concerto was inspired by a few different things. First of all, I’d always wanted to write a story with a hero and a villain who have to work together. It was originally supposed to involve super powers, because I have grown disenchanted with superhero stories, and wanted to write my own, but eventually decided I really didn’t. So instead my boys are just very good at their jobs instead of having super powers. I think that this book was inspired by quite a few things, really; a bit of Good Omens, (which you will definitely see is no secret if you read it) and maybe a little Fullmetal Alchemist as well, which is what I was watching at the time. 

I love Fullmetal Alchemist! *Squeals in excitement at the idea of a book remotely inspired by that one*

Based on the name of the book, I assume you are musical! What’s your favorite instrument? What do you play?

I do have a bit of musical ability. I consider myself a folk musician and as such, play a lot of different things. I’ve done fiddle, penny whistle, piano, and also guitar. I mostly play folk music too, which I think is a lot of fun.

Folk music is so much fun! I feel like it has a very authentic sound.

If you had to pick a favorite character from your book, who would it be 
and why?

Flynn (Eidolon) is definitely my favorite. I love all three of my main boys in this book, but Flynn especially. He’s very good at what he does, which makes his dangerous, but he’s also a very simple man in that he is perfectly happy with a few good books, some tea, and his cat.

I can relate to this…

What’s your favorite coffeeshop and typical coffee order?

Well, I’m kind of hooked on Starbuck’s cold brew now because finally someone has made dark iced coffee, which is a miracle. But I also love my private owned local coffee shop, and they’re always changing up the menu so I usually get something different. My favorite so far was a snickerdoodle latte.

Did you just say snickerdoodle latte? Where is this shop so that I can drink it? Although I don’t think Florida would be kind to my curly hair…

I see you have many books available. What started your writing journey?

I think I have always really liked telling stories, but started actually writing them down around the time I was ten or so and wrote stories about my pets. After that it was a lot of Redwall fanfiction, and eventually, in high school, I started getting into historical fiction, which were some of the first books I actually finished and published. I haven’t really stopped writing for years, and I don’t really know what I would do if I did!

I totally agree with this. I love writing and don’t think I’ll ever stop! Redwall was one of my favorite books as a child as well.

On to the Books!

Synopsis

The year is 2228 and the world is on the cusp of World War Four. London is rife with anarchists and secret plots. It looks like dark days are coming for the British Empire. Darker than any that have been seen for decades.

But luckily England has some help.

Sir Lysander is the King’s Righteous Man-and all that entails. He’s the king’s right hand, and a red one at that, the man who stands in the shadows and does what needs to be done for the protection of his country. 

Eidolon is a phantom, the anarchist group Apophis’s top retrieval expert. They need something, he gets it, no matter the consequence. Even though he’d secretly prefer to be in his flat with his cat and a good book.

They’ve been butting heads for a while, but in times like these loyalties are known to change and right now, any help is good help. They just didn’t count on being the only thing standing between England and the start of the next world war.

Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/New-Emperors-Concerto-Hazel-West-ebook/dp/B086644XXK/