A Time Never Lived

I had a feeling Terri was not going to do this for herself, so I'm going to take advantage of my spot to talk about the most exciting event this month for Heroines of Fantasy:  the release of Terri-Lynne DeFino's new novel A Time Never Lived.

Those of you who are familiar with Terri's work will be delighted to learn that A Time Never Lived takes us back to the same Mediterranean-style world as Finder, a diverse collection of countries and cultures that surround the aptly-named Bloodbane Sea. 

A Time Never Lived takes place several years after Finder, and includes some of the same characters.  It is, however, a stand-alone novel, so you do not need to have read Finder in order enjoy A Time Never Lived.  (Let me just say, however, that if you have not yet read Finder, you are missing out! This is a wonderful novel that should have an honored place on every fantasy reader's shelf.  If you don't have the budget to order a copy on line, try your luck at the Goodreads Giveaway that Hadley Rille Books is sponsoring; the link to register for your chance to win a free signed copy is on the right-hand column.  Or check your local library.  Many public libraries carry this and other Hadley Rille titles, for the free enjoyment of all readers.)

Without going into the specific plots and conflicts of Terri's novels (you can read the blurbs elsewhere), I want to tell you a little bit about what appeals to me about Terri's work.
 

First and foremost, I admire the authenticity of her world.  Cities such as Bosbana, and the regions of Greater Argoa and Therk are entirely imagined, yet come across as very real.  We can easily see ourselves having a cup of tea with her characters, or getting drunk with them (and suffering through the resulting hangover with them), or traveling through the hills, deserts and cities of their world.  We learn to recognize the cultural background of each character by their words and mannerisms, and we understand the challenges, conflicts and injustices they face because it all seems somehow very much a part of our own history. 

Layered over this, we have the trials and tribulations of protagonists who are thoroughly human: talented, creative, flawed, deceptive, proud, insecure, and most of all adventuresome.  In Finder we are given the love story of Ethen, hunter of slaves, and Zihariel, the slave who is hunted.  A Time Never Lived tackles a different kind of love through the devotion of Vic, who embarks on a perilous search for his lost father.  In both cases, the lives of the protagonists are embedded in a community of minor characters whose own desires and personal challenges are woven through the primary conflict, adding even more dimension, color and spice to the novels. 

A Time Never Lived will be launched this weekend at ConQuest, Kansas City's own science fiction and fantasy convention.  If you are in the Kansas City area, you will have multiple opportunities to meet Terri, purchase her books and get her signature.

On Thursday, May 24, Terri will be at Prospero's Bookstore for the event High Adventure with Hadley Rille Books, which will feature eleven authors of science fiction and fantasy from all over the United States. 

Friday, May 25, through Sunday, May 27, Terri will be attending ConQuest itself.  She will be in several panels, including a panel of Hadley Rille authors on Saturday, May 26, at 11am.  Also on May 26, there will be a mass signing with all the con authors at 3pm.  And right after that, at 4pm, we will have the official launch party for A Time Never Lived.

If you can't make it to Kansas City this weekend, there are ways you can join the fun on line.  Hadley Rille Books is sponsoring two giveaways through Goodreads, one for each of Terri's novels.  There are links on the right hand bar that can take you straight to the giveaway pages, where you can learn more about the novels and how to register to win. 

You can also join me, right here on Heroines of Fantasy, in congratulating Terri on the release of her second novel. 

Congratulations, Terri!  WOOT WOOT!  Let the party begin.

posted by Karin Rita Gastreich