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A Magnificent Ride
Eminent Mage follows Mage Everand as he tries to complete his mission and be with Lamiya, but the universe seems set against that happening. What was the initial idea behind this series, and how did that transform as you were writing each novel?
The initial idea was to give Everand a deceptively simple mission and have him fall in love on the way. By halfway through chapter two of book one, when he was dropped into the river and almost run over by Lamiya steering her dragon boat, I knew he was in far more serious strife than I was thinking. Then the villain revealed himself to be half-mage Malach — son of Everand’s former Guild mentor, whose death he still felt guilty about — and I knew we truly had ‘game on’ and for me as the author there was a magnificent ride coming.
All I can say is I am glad I was working on book three before book one was ready to be published or I’d have been caught out plot-wise. This cast of characters is such an inventive bunch, and their energy and courage know no bounds. And, of course, dragons will be dragons… Akachi’s true underlying agenda almost caught me off-guard, but what she suddenly revealed was a brilliant plot development.
The series gained layers of complexity and far greater emotional depth than I envisaged at the outset, but I rolled with the characters, trusted their insights and judgement, and I’m so glad I did. I definitely feel that I grew as a writer, needing to subtly juggle so many strands and the intricacies of the relationships. On the way I also had great support and valuable feedback from my beta readers, romance novel competition judges and then my editors. A big thank you to all of them. I hope they enjoyed working on the story.
Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?
Yes, and some. All of the characters developed so many layers I was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up. But I love it when they do that, it’s part of what makes writing such fun — setting off with a plan but not knowing exactly how things will unfold. I never cease to be amazed how my characters grasp tendrils of connections and ideas I have subconsciously planted and then weave them into something magical. The way Everand managed to derive the threads of his past with his master Mage Mantiss and the duplicity of his beloved Guild absolutely astounded me. And Lamiya … what can I say? She stood right up and made herself as powerful and important as Everand and even bossed the dragons and mages around! Go, girl!
The half-mage Malach was told to ‘create chaos’ in book three and he surpassed my wildest dreams. Each time I thought he was finished he’d come up with just one more twist. As did the river dragon Akachi — I thought I was writing the wedding scene as the finale when she dropped the unification of the six peoples’ scene on me and threatened to eat Mage Mantiss! However, I believe the series is stronger for their contributions, and I hope readers think so too.
Hollywood is knocking, and they want to make your series into a movie. Who do you cast as the leads?
I only wish! Although several readers have commented on my highly visual writing style and said they thought the series would make an outstanding movie or limited series. Just think how a movie could help showcase the sport of dragon boating, which is exciting and fun to watch.
If I were going for some of my all-time favourites, I’d say Viggo Mortensen for Mage Everand, with a kind of starlight-blond Aragorn look, and Sandra Bullock as the adorable, feisty Lamiya.
If I were going for up-and-coming actors with an Australian connection, I’d ask for Liam Hemsworth for Mage Everand and Sarah Snook for sassy Lamiya. Both would be awesome. If anyone happens to know them, please whisper the idea in their ear!
Now that The Mage and the Bird Caller series is complete, what projects are you working on for your fans to look forward to?
For 2024 I’m working on two standalone novels.
The first is a contemporary romance titled Paddle.Live.Love. This is set in the stunning area I live in on the south coast of Australia. Hayley, only 34, dumped by her partner and adrift after all her treatment for breast cancer feels like she needs a second chance at life and, well, everything. She decides to recuperate by the sea for three months and rents an apartment in Narooma, where she accidentally comes across the local dragon boat club, with the handsome but somewhat intense sweep Justin. Of Chinese descent, Justin has much to prove to his highly successful business migrant parents and is under pressure to find a wife, before they find one for him. Both have significant challenges to overcome to allow their love to blossom.
The other is another fantasy-romance set in Riversea, the fourth river province in Ossilis that we didn’t see much of. The loyal, bold, smart and now bereft Lazuli, Lamiya’s right-hand pacer, needs to find his own love now Lamiya is spoken for. How better than on a mission to Riversea, where drama rapidly unfolds commencing with the body of a dead sea serpent washing up on the beach. Who killed it and why? Is Ossilis under threat? I won’t reveal who the love interest might be … other than to say readers of the trilogy have met her.
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The stunning conclusion to Mage Everand’s mission — the fast-paced twists will have readers gasping at every turn. All Everand wants to do is finish the mission so he can be left in peace with the delectable Lamiya. How hard can it be? But
Everand and Lamiya face the rampant half-mage Malach, the might of the Mages’ Guild, a ruthless Mage Pelamis seeking power and, the biggest threat of all, the ancient and furious red dragon Akachi.
Bound to an epic and fraught new task, Everand must recover the magnificent stone of power, the Staropal, from his Mages’ Guild and return it to the fearsome red dragon. A past wrong would be righted, but to do so he must betray the Guild and his beloved master, the ailing Mage Mantiss. With her province and people threatened, Lamiya’s determination and mystical abilities magnify until she is a force even mages should not reckon with.
With the feisty, sassy Lamiya beside him every step of the way, Everand tackles the impossible. Supported by a team of loyal paddlers, they set out to make paddling history and lay the foundation for a new Ossilis.
Paddles up for some choppy water!
Eminent Mage, Book 3 of The Mage and the Bird Caller Trilogy
Eminent Mage, the third volume of The Mage and the Bird Caller Trilogy by Kaaren Sutcliffe, offers a riveting continuation of the beloved series. This installment escalates the thrilling journey of Everand and Lamiya, whose missions become fraught with increasing peril and complexity. As the Guild’s leadership stands on the brink of upheaval, Everand confronts a tumultuous allegiance to Mage Mantiss and contemplates the repercussions of a potential power shift to the enigmatic Mage Pelamis. Simultaneously, Lamiya faces her burgeoning power and responsibility, grappling with the arduous task of safeguarding her love in the midst of chaos.
Sutcliffe navigates readers through the labyrinthine and exciting world of Ossilis, where our protagonists’ bond is tested under the weight of immense pressure. They are compelled to confront the loyalties of their allies and the daunting choices that lie ahead, revealing the intricate layers of the Guild and a power structure that threatens not just their union but the fate of the dragons and the broader populace.
This novel is very satisfying with its compelling story that blends fantasy and romance. Sutcliffe’s narrative seamlessly intertwines the complexities of the characters with the tenderness of their relationship, showcasing their individual aspirations and strengths. The evolution of both character and plot is laudable, maintaining a high caliber of engagement and continuity throughout the series. Readers will find themselves ensnared by the urgent and exhilarating pace of the narrative, where the fervor of Lamiya and Everand’s love, combined with the looming dangers to their world, crafts a storyline that is electrifying from inception to conclusion.
Eminent Mage is a stellar fusion of romantic fervor and fantastical adventure, populated with intricately developed characters. It stands as a testament to Sutcliffe’s imaginative prowess and storytelling finesse.
Pages: 440 | ASIN : B0CRQH4753
Who Is The Real Fugitive?
Fugitive Mage follows two lovers that are torn apart and their struggle to return to one another while learning about themselves and their abilities. Where did the idea for this novel come from, and how did it develop over time?
My initial vision was to have Mage Everand sent on a simple mission, where he’d discover a whole different world, realise his journey was far more complex than he’d imagined, and lose his heart along the way.
Lamiya and her dragon boat exploded into chapter two of book one, and the mission went awry from that instant! Mage Everand and Lamiya are very different characters, from entirely different cultures, so their overwhelming attraction was always going to present several challenges, let alone being forbidden under Guild Law.
The idea for the torn-apart struggle aspect, really, was in unravelling Mage Everand’s analytical, closed-off mage persona. Through the actions he’s forced to take, his foundation sense of identity is brought into question, along with his loyalties, beliefs, and trust in not only his Guild but his long-term master. His literal being pulled and translocated between two different worlds, led to the two lovers being separated over and over — which upped the romance stakes as well as Everand’s journey arc.
Lamiya began as an effervescent, gorgeous and skilled boat captain, but a woman who was grieving for her lost parents with little sense of her future and not realising how much she is admired by others. She surprised me with the layers, abilities and depths she gained, rising to really challenge Everand in book three. For this I thank my manuscript assessor (Dr Liz Monument), who made some constructive comments about the role of the dragons — and the beasts then entwined themselves around Lamiya and her destiny.
Your characters are wonderfully emotive and relatable. Were you able to use anything from your own life to inform their character development?
Thank you! One of my creative writing teachers once said that our characters always bear facets of ourselves … and I do know where Everand gets his moralistic sense of fairness from, as well as his over-thinking, planning mind. My parents (a composer and a social worker) brought me up to consider the consequences of my decisions and actions, and taught me to think through all the options. While it’s great to have standards for oneself, it can also lead to self-doubt and a struggle to define one’s identity when a conflict develops between our righteous standards and what the heart wants to do. Everand struggles with this throughout all three books. Fortunately, he’s as dogged as me! Yes, I’m a persistent Taurean.
Lamiya and her loyal team definitely represent the paddlers I’ve met with their strength, enthusiasm and energy. She also has to redefine herself and come to terms with an end identity that is way beyond anything she anticipated, despite her ability to see future visions. She too is an all-in or nothing kind of woman.
What occurs with Mage Mantiss, Everand’s master and Head of the Guild, is perhaps a reflection of my experiences with the fragile link between wellbeing and our sense of identity, and how the mind and the body are so connected. Mantiss becomes overwhelmed by his past actions and believes he is dying. I drew upon my feelings post diagnosis with breast cancer, going from being a competitive feeling-invincible marathon runner to a survivor acutely aware of her mortality, to portray how this affects his mindset and the decisions he then takes.
To me, the characters are the best thing in a story, and their emotional journey is what will always engage me most. Mine, bless them, ended up being far more layered than I anticipated, but I am so enjoying travelling with them toward end points they can all be mighty proud of.
I felt that there were a lot of great twists and turns throughout the novel. Did you plan this before writing the novel, or did the twists develop organically writing?
I tend to start out with a writer’s question to be explored, and an overall roadmap. In this series: how far can you push someone before they compromise their integrity?
I knew Everand would be sent on a complex mission, that he’d lose his heart and have to redefine himself once he found out his master and precious Mages’ Guild were not what he’d thought, and he’d been deceived and manipulated.
I also knew the antagonist, Malach, would be multi-dimensional and elusive. I suspected he’d be the son of Mage Beetal, the complex antagonist in my first fantasy-romance series, who was Everand’s mentor at the Guild.
An organic twist I didn’t anticipate was the depth of emotional response from Everand and his earnest desire to save Malach! I hadn’t guessed how guilty he felt about his former mentor’s death and that he’d see saving Malach as a chance for redemption — for both the rogue half-mage and himself. As soon as this guilt kicked in, we were away with sooo many twists and turns, which continue throughout book three. I know I’m biased, but I love the ambiguity in the title of Fugitive Mage. Who is the real fugitive?
When will book 3 be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Eminent Mage, on track for release in early November 2023, pushes up the pace and tension yet again. So much happens! So many life-or-death decisions, including whether Everand will die for Lamiya …
In book 3 the river dragons wade their way in, adding the biggest plot twists of all. Akachi, the imperial dragon, sets Everand and Lamiya a nigh impossible task, with the future of the provinces riding on their success.
Malach, the half-mage, is like the wild card in the pack, wreaking havoc wherever he can, with Everand nobly trying to deflect him and Lamiya driving her own destiny like the feisty dragon boat captain she is. Who will be left standing? With or without their magical powers and abilities? Can Everand come to terms with the past actions of his Guild and master, Mage Mantiss?
All of Ossilis is poised for a new beginning, but only if the river dragons are appeased and the mage and the bird caller can fulfill their destinies.
Author Links: GoodReads | Smashwords | Website | Book Trailer
A simple mission … with twists and meanders that capture his heart and divert his destiny.
Just when Mage Everand thought his mission was concluded and he could follow his heart to be with Lamiya, she is kidnapped. He must save Lamiya — and fi nd out exactly who the rogue half-mage is. Forced to continue Malach’s training in magic, Everand is confronted by his past actions as the apprentice to Malach’s father.
Unexpectedly, the Guild mages forcibly translocate him home! Obliged to report on his mission, he reluctantly reveals the existence and identity of the half-mage. Appalled at the Guild’s verdict for Malach, Everand fi nds himself pitted against his master Mage Mantiss, the Head of the Guild.
Fugitive Mage
Following their success in the provincial dragon boat races, Mage Everand and Lamiya find themselves firmly and irrevocably in love. As they continue their journey together, it is clear that their paths are deeply intertwined. Although they just want some time to be together, events seem to separate the two of them again and again, from kidnapping to old loyalties. With the mages of his homeland expecting his return and a half-mage wreaking havoc in the provinces, Everand must choose his allegiance and deal with the consequences of being torn between multiple worlds. Meanwhile, Lamiya’s power grows, and she learns more about her destiny as more than just a caller of birds.
Fugitive Mage by Kaaren Sutcliffe is an action-packed story of escape, subterfuge, and romance. The characters are all likable and complex, with their own varying motivations. The reader can also feel sympathy toward those who had bad intentions in the past. In a marvelous feat of character development, those who were initially framed as enemies become allies or those in need of protection. The landscape is full of magic, lore, and river dragons while staying intensely human and relatable. Throughout all of this, Sutcliffe is able to create an atmospheric setting in which to continue with the second book of the series.
Overall, Fugitive Mage by Kaaren Sutcliffe is an engaging and entertaining read which is fast-paced and packed full of exciting events and plot twists without being overwhelming. The content is well-written and delightful to read. Moreover, the storyline is always accompanied by a light-hearted touch, even when the events themselves get serious. I would highly recommend Fugitive Mage for those looking for an action-packed fantasy that constantly keeps the reader on their toes.
Pages: 428 | ASIN : B0BY6QV6SV
Twisted and Anything-But-Simple
Undercover Mage follows a young spy mage on a secret mission who meets up with interesting characters and finds romance while trying to save the provinces. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Mage Everand was a key character in my first fantasy with romance series, The Saga of the Ambitious Mage. Initially aloof and cold, he started to thaw when he saved the life of a warrior woman who inadvertently fell into his world. Even though he largely saved the day, the woman chose the other guy and went back to her home world.
For ages, I’ve been troubled about starting Everand on such an epic character arc and then leaving him hanging. In this new series, through his twisted and anything-but-simple mission, he has further chances to evolve, and a second chance at love. Lamiya, boat team captain and mystical bird caller, explodes into his existence, literally almost running him over with her dragon boat! On top of this, doing what he does best, sleuthing, he progressively uncovers a barrage of lies and deception surrounding the foundation of his beloved Mages’ Guild.
Through working on reports to do with the Murray Darling Basin, I became interested in the concept of a massive river travelling through several provinces and how this might influence relations between the peoples. Add to this my fascination with the Chinese mythology underpinning dragon boat racing, and of course there is an irate river dragon that needs to be appeased. They just have to find him first.
Everand is an interesting and complex character that happens to be a spy enhancing his identity further. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I’m fascinated by why people do things, how they make decisions, and how the consequences of those decisions ripple out to affect others. Everand, despite being a loner, strives to do what is right. He tends to be a bit black and white, so he’s greatly conflicted when what he thinks he should do doesn’t align with what others, particularly his master, the Head of the Guild, want him to do. In this series he’s tested by one life-changing decision after another, the stakes higher each time.
The guilt he feels about not being able to save his assigned Guild mentor on his previous mission is thrown in his face when he uncovers his mentor’s son, a forbidden half-mage, loose in the river provinces. Another second chance: can he save his mentor’s son? But doing so would see him disobey direct orders … thank goodness he has Lamiya to ground him when he struggles.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Good question! I confess, what started as a relatively simple mission with the idea of continuing to explore the themes of self-identity, doing what is right, and being open to love, kept gaining in complexity as the plot unfolded. Even I felt like sitting Everand down and saying, “Seriously? You want to add another layer?”
Somehow, I ended up with a whole layer of deep deception about the foundation of the Guild and its relationship with water dragons, which in turn brought to light the complexity of Everand’s relationship with his master, Mage Mantiss, who has been a surrogate father to him since he was twelve.
Lamiya is an awesome foil for Everand as she evolves into her own spiritual being, which leads to some interesting considerations of how we define power, ability and magic. Their undeniable attraction allows me to look at love, working together … and sacrifice.
On a lighter level, an aspect I definitely wanted to expose was the history, rigour, discipline, awesome training and camaraderie associated with dragon boat paddling. I’ve been a keen paddler since 2018 and am totally impressed by, and loving, the sport. I’m not aware of other novels in English that feature dragon boating. The paddling generates some wonderful moments of humour, and some hopefully highly original scenes. Paddles up!
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
In Fugitive Mage, the dynamic between Everand and Malach, the half-mage, comes to a head pretty quickly. To quote Lamiya: How did she come to be snared between two mages; one she loved and one she feared. Malach is the wild card in the series, totally unreliable and unpredictable, with Everand trying his hardest to redeem him … We also see Mage Mantiss failing in mind and body, introducing the potential for chaos in the Guild with the rapid rise of the ruthless Mage Pelamis.
Lamiya, bless her, decides to call the dragon in her lake in Riverplain, and enter Akachi — the original, superior river dragon with a massive grudge to bear. The ultimate plot twist arrives as Lamiya worries whether she called the dragon, or did the dragon call her?
Everand and Lamiya are fortunate they have loyal paddlers as friends to help them navigate the increasingly turbulent waters.
With so many moving parts, I’m told it’s a fast-paced read. The first beta reader read book two in one sitting and the editor told me she didn’t want it to end! Lucky there’s still Eminent Mage to come (September 2023) as Everand and Lamiya both have a way to go to complete their journey arcs and find a sure way to be with each other. Let alone save the dragons, the provinces and the Guild.
Author Links: Amazon | Website
A grumpy river dragon withholds rain. Their crops wilting in unrelenting sunlight, the provinces plan a festival of dragon boat races to appease the dragon.
But someone doesn’t agree … As the incidents of sabotage mount, Riverfall sends a desperate messenger to the aloof Mages’ Guild, hidden behind its deadly warded wall.
Mage Everand, a spy, is astounded when his master sends him to Riverfall to find out what’s going on.
The catch? ‘Under no circumstances, none whatsoever, reveal your identity.’
The undercover mission unfolds with layer upon layer of intrigue, until Everand starts to question everything he believes.
The alluring boatwoman, Lamiya, insists on helping him, making it increasingly difficult to conceal his purpose – and retain control of his heart.
Everand faces an irate dragon, a rogue half-mage and, worst of all, a legacy of treachery and secrets underpinning the foundation of his beloved Guild.
Can he save the provinces and make things right without sacrificing his soul and sense of self?
Undercover Mage
It has not rained for many seasons in the peaceful village of Riverfall. As a result, the people desperately need water for their crops and population to survive. As a result, the people of Riverfall hold a festival of dragon boat races with other neighboring provinces to honor the river dragon responsible for bringing the rain. However, it seems that someone is intent on sabotaging these events.
Undercover Mage by Kaaren Sutcliffe follows the journey of the brave mage Everand, who is sent to Riverfall under cover of an innocent traveler. During his journey, he is tasked with uncovering the mystery of the strange events taking place in the village and ensuring the safe running of the festival. However, when he arrives, he is soon endeared by the welcoming and hardworking people of Riverfall, as well as an alluring boatwoman called Lamiya.
Sutcliffe creates an immersive fantasy world that keeps the reader wanting to discover more. The plot is compelling and suspenseful, with many twists and turns along the way. There is a powerful romance starting to build, and readers will be wondering how this will impact the storyline. Skillfully, the author can weave together peaceful scenes of life in Riverfall with vivid and action-packed events, such as the impressive dragon boat races. The best part of the novel is the characters, which are fully fleshed out and easy to empathize with. Throughout the journey, the reader roots for these heroes all the way.
Undercover Mage by Kaaren Sutcliffe is a gripping fantasy novel that takes readers on a thrilling adventure and gives them a captivating romance to follow. The author captures the reader’s attention throughout with well-written prose and an enthralling story. I would highly recommend Undercover Mage to readers who enjoy fantasy adventure novels full of magic, both in the literal and metaphorical sense, and a dynamic romance that fits into the story without overwhelming it.
Pages: 420 | ISBN : 1922792519
LITERARY TITAN 