Character Interviews,  Fantasy

Lyerra Ahdia from The Rose Hunter by @ciaragold #RLFblog #fantasy

Interview with Lyerra Ahdia

This interview is designed for your hero or heroine to tell
readers about himself or herself.
Tell us about
yourself, please.
I was born in the human realm in 1251 AD but shortly after
taken to Alfheim Haven. I never knew my mother but the other elfin witches
whispered of her betrayal. My aunt took care of me in the beginning but fled
when madness claimed her good senses and I was sent to live at the Castle
Hamingjur where I honed my magick. Some would call me privileged in that
respect as I had the ear of the Keeper himself until he met the human who would
become his one true love. I hold no grudges and never did especially after
meeting my own human.
Authors call what you
want but cannot have “the conflict” — what is yours?
Ah. The conflict. I desperately needed to feel whole again
but the change toyed with my emotions and stripped me of magick at the worst
possible times. My greatest gift is the ability to heal, to absorb another’s
pain and sickness but my affliction rendered me useless to those who needed me
most. That is, it did until the human came into my life.  
What can you not do (but
need to do) during this story?
I need to feel in control of my destiny. I was sent into the
human realm to redeem my family’s name. My mother had stolen the Rose of Amondeir,
and I’d been charged with its safe return to Alfheim Haven, but the change made
the journey more difficult. Toad spores. I needed my powers to see the mission
to completion, but the infernal change made me vulnerable and beholding to a
human. 
What inner doubt
causes you the most difficulty?
I sincerely doubt my ability to find the Rose. The jewel has
been lost to us for well over 500 human years. 
The only clue I have is a Templar Knight’s tunic and a medallion my
mother bequeathed me.
In the story world
your author created, explain what it is you fear most and why.
Everything I’ve ever known about myself unraveled the day I
met Lucian Willshire.  An elfin witch
should feel no desire for a human and yet…what I fear most is losing who I am,
of becoming someone or something different. Unfortunately, Lucian holds the key
to seeing me overcome my ailment.
Tell us about your
significant other, that person who makes living worthwhile.
From the very beginning, Lucian has set my world on edge. When
the change fell upon me, he alone restored my magick with just a touch. I could
not make the journey without his help and while he did so grudgingly, I
discovered that behind his sometimes gruff manner, hides a man dedicated to his
convictions, a man driven to effect change for a society bent on turning a
blind eye to the poor and destitute. He became more than a means to an end and
each day I fall more in love. Did you know? I gave up my world to be with him
and I have no regrets.
What would that
person say about you?
Oh goodness. He will say I’m stubborn to a fault and
determined. I took a risk to follow him into the human realm so he’ll say I’m
no coward and yet, he’ll also say he understands my motivation, my need to help
my world thrive by returning the Rose to its rightful place.
What is your family
like?
They’re all witches. Well, not entirely. My extended family
includes trolls, gnomes, faeries and meddlesome pixies. I am blessed with a
rather enchanted family.
What special skills
do you rely on?
All elfin witches need faery dust to levitate so while it’s
useful, it’s not my most valued skill. My most valued skill is my ability to
heal, but I can also make you see something that’s not there. A most useful
gift when trying to hide something in plain sight, wouldn’t you agree?
If someone from your
past showed up, who would you NOT want it to be, and why?
The only enemy that comes to mind is Edward Chauss, the late
Duke of Somerton. A very nasty man who let greed get in the way of true
happiness. Did you know, he actually kidnapped me in hopes of securing
possession of Beletania’s Diary? He meant me great harm and all because with
the diary he’d have access to an endless supply of gold. No, I would not want
to see him ever again. The mere thought causes my heart to race with
trepidation. Toad spores, but let’s do talk about something more pleasant.
Why are you happy (or
not happy) with the way your story ended?
I could not be happier. I found my soul mate and love has a
way of making insurmountable problems seem small and petty.

About the Author

Ciara wrote her
first “under the bed” book at twenty. Another fifteen years passed before she
bravely attempted another, but she’s been happily writing ever since. A true
Renaissance woman, when she’s not penning lively stories, she’s reading,
sewing, painting, camping, sailing or dancing. A recent empty nester, she and
her soul mate currently live on a modest plot of land surrounded by trees, a
pond, an array of wildlife and seven barn kitties. .
What was your biggest
challenge in writing this book?
Time. I began this story shortly after writing The Keeper of
Moon Haven. The project took well over five years to complete. Part of the
reason had to do with research and finding the answer to my own questions on
where the Rose could be hidden and why.
Why did you choose
this character for the interview today?
Lyerra has always had a special place in my heart. Her path
wasn’t easy, but I felt she had the more interesting storyline of the two main
characters. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Lucian’s character as well, but Lyerra
is more playful, more willing to divulge secrets about herself that Lucian
would have been.
When writing the
book, what did you discover about this character that surprised you?
Her resilience and her ability to change and grow. She started
out as a rather shallow creature in The Keeper of Moon Haven but when she got
her own story, I discovered how much more there was to her character.
Are any sequels
planned for this book?
Yes. I’ve already started two in fact but again, I write
slow so who knows when I’ll have either done. The first is her parent’s story
and this will take a lot of research. I am excited about the project but don’t
expect it will go very fast. The other is set in 1878 and I’ve yet to figure
out which characters from The Rose Hunter will make an appearance. The main
character for this one is a leprechaun.
What genre(s) would
you like to write that you haven’t tried yet?
Maybe steampunk. I’ve written fantasy paranormal, sci fi
futuristic, historical western, time travel and suspense though to be quite
honest my favorite to write are the ones with paranormal elements.  
What would your
readers be surprised to learn about you?
That I spent three years as a dental assistant before going
back for a teaching degree in art. This is my thirtieth year teaching high
school art.
Why should readers
who haven’t picked up one of your books before give this one a try?
The Rose Hunter is more than a romance. The Rose Hunter is a
magical journey, a fairytale for adults. Readers will be charmed by a
meddlesome pixie, intrigued by the mystery of the Rose and delighted by the
love story that unfolds.
Is there anything
you’d like to say to your readers?
Thank you for taking the journey with me, for allowing me to
entertain you with my wild imagination.
Please tell us about
your latest book.
Lucian Willshire is
plagued by thoughts of a fey world and the disappearance of his aunt some
nineteen years past, but when his friend drags him back to Hamingjur Castle, he
stumbles into Alfheim Haven once more where mystical beings become more than a
distant memory.
Lyerra Ahdia is baffled
by the sudden emotional changes she’s experiencing until she discovers she’s
the only witch to suffer “the change” since her mother stole the Rose, a
special talisman with the power to perpetuate life among those in her coven.
Tasked with finding and bringing the Rose home, she begs Lucian’s help in
navigating the human realm. Against his better judgement, he agrees.
            Though
neither set out to find anything except the Rose, fate has other plans. Will
love be more elusive than hunting the Rose?

About the Book

Title The Rose Hunter
Genre  Victorian
Fantasy Romance
Author Ciara Gold
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

Buy This Book

Champagne
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Website  www.ciaragold.com
Amazon Author Page http://goo.gl/oTWhDG

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