Today I am promoting C.S. Wachter’s newest book, Lander’s Legacy! This is the second part of her YA Urban Fantasy duology, and I absolutely loved the first one, so I’m looking forward to this one. I also loved her Seven Words series, and you can check out an interview about that here.
Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Landers-Choice-Stone-Sovereigns-Book-ebook/dp/B08LQNNGTP
I absolutely loved Lander’s Legacy and can’t wait to read Lander’s Choice. What things can you tell us about the sequel that aren’t too spoilery?
If you read Lander’s Legacy, you know it ends with him entering the Vortex, the tornado-like natural force that transports people to the Core. When they arrive at the Core, things are very different from what Desma and Castor remember. The political structure has changed. After releasing a devastating virus, the men Hunt left behind when he returned to the Surface sixteen years ago have taken control and are ruling the Core. Though the Core dwellers have always lived in peace, they are now divided into three groups—Stone Sovereigns, Gifted, and Ungifted—and the air is heavy with rebellion.
Though political upheaval threatens, the beauty of the Core is undeniable. Three major caverns, each with its own unique properties, light, and feel make up the bulk of the Core. Imagine morning without sunrise. During Mist Rise, the Core equivalent of morning, moisture and energy come center stage rather than the level of light which never changes in the Core. Enjoy this excerpt.
* * *
By now the rest of the travelers had gathered on the level. Becky looked back the way they had come. The shimmering beauty spread out before them took her breath away. The hair on Becky’s arms rose and a tingle worked its way up her spine as energy filled the air, reminding her of the time a bolt of lightning had struck near where she stood on her grandparents front porch watching a summer storm.
The glowing lights of the city twinkled like living flames as a translucent, blue mist rose. But it didn’t just rise from the ground, it drifted down from the dome far above, like sparkling sapphires, light as dandelion down. Becky sucked in a breath. This must be what it would be like to live in a snow globe with glitter snow. Magical. Spellbinding.
Lander stepped to Becky’s side, warm and familiar, his focus locked on the swirling curtains of mist. “Wow! This is incredible.”
“That’s for sure.” Michael’s voice sounded over Becky’s shoulder.
“It’s . . . enchanting . . . like we’re in some kind of fairy tale,” Becky whispered as a scent similar to rain hitting hot pavement permeated the air.
“It is Mist Rise.” Dena spoke so soft only Becky, Lander, and Michael could hear. “It happens every day . . . day . . . dura in Corish. It was misrisdura, but Chancellor Morrison forbids us to use the Corish. We speak Surface words now.”
“Mis-ris-dura. That’s musical. It seems to fit the beauty of this moment better than Mist Rise . . . though Mist Rise isn’t bad.” Becky couldn’t look away. As the mist continued to tumble up and down the two motions came together, swirling faster, thickening. As if burdened by its own weight the ephemeral dew began drifting downward again, covering everything in a layer of shimmering blue-green droplets.
Warm, soft moisture dripped onto Becky’s face and she looked down to see her hands covered with the glistening liquid spheres. The soft hush of millions of tiny drops falling on stone whispered in her ears.
All too soon it was over. Becky pulled in a deep breath and released it with a sigh, already missing the transient beauty.
* * *
I love this description so much!!!!!
After writing the Seven Words series, what inspired you to try something a little different and do a modern day YA fantasy?
I didn’t set out to write something ‘different’, but the question came to me: what if other families escaped Noah’s flood by finding shelter in the earth? This first question birthed other questions. If over time, they worked their way to a hollow core, what would they be like? Different DNA? Still living to 800 or 900 years old? And, what if exposure to the energies in the Core gave them special abilities? And, finally, what if this ancient civilization was discovered? The whole idea of creating another world at the center of the earth excited me. And once I set the stage for this in Lander’s Legacy, Lander’s Choice gave me free rein to explore the Core as this alternate world.
Once the questions stirred within me, I knew the feel of this series would not be as dark as the beginning of The Seven Words (I mean, there was demonic activity in The Seven Words.) The series would still be centered around a young male protagonist with a secondary female counterpart, but it would be lighter and more along the lines of YA fantasy.
About how many books can we expect in the Lander series?
I knew early on that the series would be a two book series (a duology) and that the first book would take place on the Surface while the second book would take place within the Core. At this point, I have no plans to continue this story line, but that may change. I am currently starting a new series and so my focus is there.
Who is your favorite character from the Lander series? (I promise I won’t tell Rayne!)
Like any parent my characters are all precious to me. Each one has his or her own personality and it is nearly impossible to single one out. Having said that, I think I developed a special bond with Shahan. When I began writing Lander’s Choice, I had no special plans for him, but his character grew along with the story in ways I didn’t expect. But then, I need to acknowledge Lander’s kindness, Becky’s strength, and Michael’s attitude.
Will you ever revisit the Seven Words series or do you think it is done?
Though I don’t foresee it at this time, one never knows. I try to let the Lord lead me in every step along the way. So far, he’s led me to write Rayne’s journey in The Seven Words and Lander’s experiences in Stone Sovereigns. I’ve also been blessed to have several flash fiction pieces published in Havok. And, every year for Christmas, I write a short story for friends and family. Perhaps someday I will publish them.) Perhaps someday I’ll revisit the worlds of Ochen.
Do you read in the genre you write? If not, what genre do you read in? If so, what are your recommended reads?
I read in my genre but also across genres. I read every chance I get. In non-fiction I’m currently reading The Christian Imagination edited by Leland Ryken. This is not a quick, easy read, but I highly recommend it for any Christian. Though I’m not a fan of zombie apocalypse, I was unexpectedly impressed by The Brother’s Creed series by Joshua Chadd. There is a fair amount of blood and swearing, but he drew me into the characters so much I cried at the end. As with so many, The Lord of the Rings has been a go-to book of mine since middle school. And, I love The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. I have to stop here because I could go on. I would recommend reading books by indie authors. Though there are some that are rough, most are well done and worthy of reading. Because I am Indie published, I read a lot of Indie authors. I do have to put in a plug for … no … no. I must stop myself. I truly could go on and on.
I saw that you’re working on a completely different project than Lander or Seven Words. What can you tell us about it?
A quick couple words. (These may change as the story progresses, but I think what I’ve listed here should remain.)
Shadow Shifters. Shoulder dragons. Shape shifters. Elves. Kings. A love story. And a quest.
Current first paragraph. I hope it tweaks your interest.
“Keagan. Come.” King Nettlespore waved his son forward as he descended the shadow-wreathed steps from where his throne sat in darkness. Raised braziers set on either side of the wide stairs flickered with anemic light. Struggling to combat the gloom, they achieved nothing more than to fill the air with oily smoke. “I have a most important task for you.”
Umm yes, all of that tweaks my interest! Thank you for the interview, C.S.!
C. S. Wachter lives in rural Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, with her husband Joe, one German Shepherd, and three cats. She and Joe have been married for more than forty years and have three sons, one grandson and one granddaughter.
Ms. Wachter earned her degree in Performing Arts and English Education from Rowan University in 1975. She compares developing a character’s perspective to preparing for an acting role. As a life-long lover of books, she has read and enjoyed a variety of genres. However, after reading J. R. R. Tolkien in middle school her favorite has been, and remains to this day, Fantasy with a Christian perspective.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cswachter/
Website: https://cswachter.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17719497.C_S_Wachter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ch.ris8443
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CSWachter1
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/C.-S.-Wachter/e/B079Y2R2PJ/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1545059479&sr=1-2-ent