Susan Royal is with us today sharing her new book, Xander's Tangled Web and she's convinced Xander himself to come along and give us his thoughts on his story.
After
a late night visit to Battington’s marketplace, Princess Mena has vanished
without a trace. Merchants are frantic when King Leander calls for a curfew and
postpones the spring festival. Certain former constable Xander is the man for
the job, the mayor hires him to investigate,
hoping he can solve the mystery in a hurry so things can go back to normal.
Xander’s
not so sure that’s possible. Romance is involved, and folks who are normally
very sensible seem to lose all reason. In addition to sorting out truths,
half-truths and outright lies, he must deal with gypsies, an attempted robbery
and an incompetent constable before he can solve the mystery.
Welcome Susan and Xander!
Thanks, Larynn. I
am interviewing Xander, my main character from Xander’s Tangled Web. He reminds
me of Peter Falk’s character in the series Columbo, because while he seems a
little simple, he’s really a deep thinker.
Character:
Xander
Book:
Xander’s Tangled Web
Genre:
Fantasy, mystery
Tell
us a bit about yourself, Xander. Where do you come from?
My
wife, Suse, and I are both descended from a race of little people called
Mipins. She’s a pretty little thing, but I’m not much to look at, that’s for
sure. Honestly, I don’t know what she sees in me. I tend to squint a lot when
I’m pondering over things and my eyebrows come together. She says it makes me
look like there’s a woolly caterpillar crossing my forehead.
I grew up in a
sleepy little township by the name of Battington. Located in Seren Valley in
the Kingdom of Regal, it’s bordered on three sides by the Heliotrope Mountains
and to the south by the Azure Sea. It boasts fine buildings of red or blue brick and streets paved with
smooth stones and large old willow trees grace the walkways on either side.
As
pretty as it is, it’s best known for its marketplace. People came from far
and wide to shop for the merchandise offered. Sellers of exotic spices and
exquisite cloth do business in booths next to apothecaries and goldsmiths. Food
courts offer tasty delights like funnel cakes or hot sausage on a stick while
actors’ troupes entertain with impromptu performances.
I’m
a people person, and the people there are warm and friendly. Most of them,
anyway. They tend to poke their noses into other people’s business and gossip,
but that’s the way of small towns. Not much goes on here, so they have to have
something to talk about.
What
do you do for a living?
For the past year I’ve been trying my hand
at farming. Without much success I might add. Before that I was constable for
the township of Battington, a job I dearly loved. That is until Cymon, the
mayor, and I had some differences which led to a parting of the ways. That’s
how I got into farming…and found out it wasn’t for me.
A few days ago I rode into town for
supplies, and along came Cymon with an offer I couldn’t refuse. It’s only temporary,
but he wants me to investigate Princess Mena’s disappearance. At double my
former wages. With any luck I should be able to locate her, collect my wages
along with the reward, and be home before harvest. Easy peasy…
Favourite
food and drink?
I’m
fond of ale, particularly the ale at Ardley’s tavern. And it’s a good thing,
because the food he offers is enough to turn even the strongest man’s stomach. Then
again I’m biased. When it comes to cooking, no one can hold a candle to my
Suse. She could boil shoe leather and it would taste like roast. A good thing
too. She hasn’t had much to work with lately.
I
gather you are currently seeking a member of royalty.
Aye,
I’ve been hired to investigate Princess Mena’s disappearance. She vanished
without a trace from the Marketplace a few nights ago. The whole town is in an
uproar. King Leander has called for an early curfew and there is talk about
postponing the Spring Festival.
Battington’s
marketplace seems an unlikely place for a princess to be hanging about. What
was she doing there?
My
thoughts exactly. According to everyone
I’ve spoken to, she went to see Mercury, the apothecary. And not just for some
ordinary, run of the mill spell, either. I’ve been told she wanted a love
potion. That complicates things. And if that isn’t enough, the gypsies are back
in town.
Do
you think they have anything to do with her disappearance?
When
Emil’s bunch is in the vicinity, they tend to get the blame for any sign of
trouble. While they’re no doubt responsible for things like freshly baked pies
vanishing from the windowsill, a missing chicken or clothing off the line,
they’re generally harmless. They are a secretive bunch, though.
When
you’re not out investigating, what do you like to do to relax?
I’ve always loved making rounds, seeing Battington’s
streets are safe and secure for its inhabitants. It’s especially nice on a
crisp night with the moon shining down out of a clear sky, its light bright
enough to cast shadows. Either that or spending time with Suse. That’s when I’m
happiest.
Like I said, Battington is my home. And I
love it here. Guess it’s obvious.
Wow! Your adventures sound exciting, Xander. Thank you Susan for bringing Xander along to tell us about your book.
Here's an excerpt from Xander's Tangled Web
“Out of my face, you mangy beastie!”
The rumbling bass voice came out of
nowhere. Xander jumped like he’d been scalded. Up at first light and on the
road soon after, he’d dozed off and allowed Quep’s reins to go slack. The
shaggy little pony wandered over to the side of the road for tender shoots of
grass growing there.
“Look at you, riding along with your nose
stuck up in the air like royalty.”
Xander squinted in the direction of the
voice and spied a man dressed in
raggedy brown homespun
who blended with the landscape like a toad on moss.
Arms crossed and lips pinched together
tightly together, the man stared back at him.
“Sorry, Frawl.” Xander yanked on Quep’s
reins. “You’re out bright and early. Are you on your way to Battington?”
“Aye, I have
pressing business.”
“Is that so?” Xander couldn’t begin to
imagine what kind. It was a well-known fact that his second cousin once removed
avoided anything remotely connected
with work.
The other man fished in his pocket and
brought out copper coins. “Where d’ye think? I’m on me way to Battington to
spend an afternoon at Ardley’s tavern. What about you?”
“I’m
going to town as well, to pick up supplies and catch up on all the latest.”
Frawl flashed a
grin. “Since we’re both headed in the same direction, how
about you let me
ride along? I can fill you in on all the tittle-tattle.”
Xander ground his teeth. So much for a
nice, quiet trip. “Sure. Come on.”
As big around as he was tall, Frawl
grunted and strained a bit before he
managed to climb
astride the pony. “You heard the latest?”
Xander shook his head. “Reckon not. I
haven’t been to market in a fortnight. Suse and I live so far out we never get
any news, unless a bird happens to fly by and share.”
“Unless a bird…?” It took a moment or two,
but Frawl finally realized Xander was joking. After he stopped laughing, he
pulled out a checkered rag, wiped his eyes and blew his nose. “You do have a
quick wit.”
“Well, are you going to tell me or not?”
Xander was less inclined to believe hearsay than most, but he did have a
weakness for listening.
“Aye, I’ll begin at the beginning.” Frawl
chuckled and rubbed his hands
together. “Of
late, some of the royalty has been frequenting the market more often than
normal. Not, as you might believe, for fresh blue milk or a rare piece of fairy
silk, though I have been told the merchant in the big corner stall with all the
fancy notions has some in his possession so fine he swears the cloth will
float…”
“Get to the point, will you?”
“Pardon, I digress.” Frawl cleared his
throat. “Now, where was I? Oh yes. It turns out it wasn’t just any royalty, but
one of old King Leander’s daughters. Princess Mena herself. Anyways, word went round
she was after a good apothecary. Reason being, she wanted to purchase a spell.”
Here's a little about Susan
Born in west Texas and raised in south
Texas, Susan shares a 100-year-old farmhouse in a small east Texas town with a
ghost who harmonizes with her son when he plays guitar. She is a mother of
three and grandmother of six unique and special children. Her family is rich
with characters, both past and present. Susan’s grandmother shared stories of
living on a farm in Oklahoma Territory and working as a telephone operator in
the early 20th century. She learned all about growing up in the
depression from her father and experienced being a teenager during WWII through
her mother’s eyes.
Susan loves taking her readers through all
kinds of adventures. So far, she’s written two books in her It’s About Time
series, Not Long Ago and From Now On, and is working on book
three. They are time travel adventures about two people who fall in love
despite the fact they come from very different worlds. In My Own Shadow is a
Fantasy adventure/romance. Xander’s
Tangled Web is a YA fantasy with romance. Look for her books at
MuseItUp/Amazon/B&N.
Want to know more? Visit
susanaroyal.wordpress.com for a peek inside this writer’s mind and see what
she’s up to. You never know what new world she’s going to visit next.
Connect with Susan or find her books here:
Susan A. Royal
Xander’s Tangled Web
(fantasy, mystery)
Book trailer
Book trailer
http://susanaroyal.com
All
books available at MuseItUp, Amazon, B&N, Goodreads
Thanks for having me today! See you again Friday, 7/27/18 on my blog!
ReplyDeleteIt was my pleasure, Susan! I look forward to seeing you again on Friday!
DeleteMaybe I'm just hungry because the marketplace sounds like somewhere I'd like to spent time!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Ann. A market is one of my favorite places to visit. Maybe that's why I write about them so often!
ReplyDeleteYou had me at Peter Falk....I love Colombo!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Linda! All through the story, I kept picturing him with that frown on his face and everyone's surprise when he figured out the mystery!
ReplyDelete