Alone since he cracked his shell, Trelleir longs for companionship. In the new fantasy, Fire and Amulet by Helen Henderson, he learns having a slayer as a friend is dangerous when you’re a dragon.

Helen, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Fire and Amulet.

Fire and Amulet by Helen Henderson

Genre Fantasy, Paranormal

Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG

Trelleir is a true dragon whose magic allows him to take on human form. The last of his kind, he longs for companionship. However, his only friend is not only a human female, but a slayer. Sworn to kill all dragons, including him.

Summoned by the village council, Deneas is sent on a quest to kill any and all dragons, and cannot return without proof of her success. Finding the mythical creature and avoiding its deadly talons and fire are not her only problems. Another slayer follows with orders to kill her. As she retraces her slain mother’s footsteps, Deneas learns the world is not what it seems.

Know the Heroine from Fire and Amulet

Here are some fun questions to help us know your heroine.

It’s late, she’s bored. What does she do?

She takes her weapons into the garden behind the house. Slow twirls with the staff start her practice routine, which then changes to figure eights. Slowly, then building speed, she’ll go through an intricate series of moves. The physical and mental effort not only tones her muscles and builds strenght, it also return body and soul to a calmer state.

What kind of food would she impulse buy if hungry?

Impulse buying is not something Deneas would be familiar with. Most things in her world are made by the village residents and obtained by barter or gifting. Any coins she obtains are confiscated by the head slayer. That said, if she had the opportunity to purchase something other than supplies for the trail, she would add sweet baked treats to the pack or some of the green oblong fruit baked into treats or eaten in segments.

Describe the kind of clothes she prefers to wear.

A tunic that fell below her hips starts her wardrobe. Either short or long pants, depending on what activity she contemplated, is also part of the ensemble. Adding a headcloth completes the usual desert garb for when she goes outside the village wall. Ankle-high eather boots provides protection against the heat of the sand or sharp stones. She made leather sandals to wear around town.

Does she know how to fix things?

Not only did Trelleir impart some of his scholarly knowledge to Deneas, her association with the town blackmiths provided her with skills other than that provided by her survival training. Replacing a wagon wheel or repairing horse tack are among the things she can fix. While it is not in the true definition of fixing something, she is a master at creating fire.

How does she act around children she doesn’t know?

Deneas shows kindness and patience. When she and Trelleir rescued a small child from kidnappers, Deneas worked to reassure the child with a soft tone and kneeling to be at the child’s level. Rest breaks unneeded by the adults were taken to allow the child to rest. In a show of friendship, Deneas made a staff appropriate to the child’s size to use as a walking stick – and as a weapon.

What is she like first thing in the morning?

Used to beginning her day with the dawning, Deneas is mentally alert in the morning. A leonine stretch eases muscles abused by battle or a long night of physical work. Although she has broken her fast with nothing but a bowl of water, a cup of brewed atok leaves does help provide energy for the day.

How does she act around people who don’t know what she is?

Fading into the background and not making herself the center of attention is Deneas’ preferred manner when in a crowd. However, when needed, she will reveal herself as a slayer and take charge of the situation.

How does she handle things when in a “proper” social situation?

Deneas falls back onto habit and the formal responses drilled into her during her slayer training. Even as she stood before the Council of Elders when they sent her out on an impossible quest that was in essence a death sentence, she latched onto her training. Despite the wall of ice around her soul, she uttered the formal response of parting sufficiently well that the elders didn’t criticize her.

Earrings/piercings/tattoos or unadorned skin?

Traders in the caravans that used to pass through Darceth had piercings and tattoos, but not the village residents. Jewelry is a rarity in Deneas’ village. The closest thing she owns is a pair of jeweled hair sticks Trelleir made for her. Little did she know that the red jewels in them were actually dragon tears.

Carriage or horseback?

Caldar, leader of the Council of Elders of Darceth, was so uncooperative that trader caravans refused to stop by the town. This resulted in there being only a few wagons in the village and no carriages. Only three horses constituted Darceth’s herd and Caldar wouldn’t let a mere slayer have one. Reality made the choice for Deneas. Her preferred transportation would have to be on foot.

Thanks for helping us get to know your heroine!

Where to buy Fire and Amulet

Publisher: BWL Publishing
Universal Buy Link https://books2read.com/fire-and-amulet/
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WY87HTP
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fire-and-amulet-helen-henderson/1141304944
iBooks https://books.apple.com/us/book/fire-and-amulet/id1617004561
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/fire-and-amulet
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1142490
Angus Robertson https://www.angusrobertson.com.au/ebooks/fire-and-amulet-helen-henderson/p/9780228620952

Helen Henderson Social Media

Although the author of several local histories, and numerous articles on the topics of American and military history, antiques and collectibles, Hendersons first love is fiction. Her work in the museum and history fields enables a special insight into creating fantasy worlds. The descendent of a coal-miner’s daughter and an aviation flight engineer, her writing reflects the contrasts of her heritage as well as that of her Gemini sign. Her stories cross genres from historical westerns to science fiction and fantasy. In the world of fantasy romance, she is the author of the Dragshi Chronicles and The Windmaster Novels. In her books, she invites you to join her on travels through the stars, or among fantasy worlds of the imagination.
Blog https://helenhenderson-author.blogspot.com/
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/helen-henderson
Twitter https://twitter.com/history2write
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HelenHenderson.author
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/777491.Helen_Henderson
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001HPM2XK