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Success In Life Is A Team Effort

Michael Sauls Author Interview

The King’s Bloodhound: Bald Foot Curse Book 2 is an intriguing fantasy novel. Why was it important for you to write this book?

The first novel, The Bald Foot Curse (TBFC), ended on a cliffhanger. The Sheriff caught some of the minor villains, but the Baron got away. My protagonist, Rinad, was still grieving the loss of his best friend, Spencer, and Squire Stroud went missing. I felt I needed to continue Rinad’s story to give closure and satisfy fans from the first novel.

Rinad struggles to overcome his own self-doubts and value in order to help his kingdom. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

Being a forgiving person was one idea that drove this story. Another is not letting others define who you are because that is something one should do themselves. Rinad experienced some traumatic events in his youth and in TBFC. As an adult, he learns to let go of old grudges, face his grief, and ultimately find his self-confidence. 

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

Faith has always been a foundational part of Rinad’s story. He has to rely on his friends, his deity, and his employer to succeed. He isn’t super powerful, but he is talented, resourceful, and surrounded by friends. But the main focus of this story was that Rinad needed to learn to have faith in himself. I think it is an important message that people need to hear. We aren’t alone in the world. We all need one another and sometimes a little help from a higher power makes all the difference. Success in life is a team effort.

Where does the next book in the series take the characters?

Underground. Rinad’s next story is going to be an effort to break up the human/Demi human trafficking ring that is powering the evil Farin empire. Stroud will be back as a knight this time using his particular talent to help stop the smugglers in route. Rinad as a lifelong woodsman will be dealing with a different problem. Exploring the mines beneath Farin is not his cup of tea. And we will learn more about Rinad’s people, a whole tribe of halflings with bald feet.

Author Links: Website

In this fantasy, Rinad, a halfling tracker, must overcome his self-doubts to save a kingdom from upheaval. Sheriff Ridgemont takes on Rinad as a royal huntsman after the halfling demonstrates excellent tracking skills. As the sheriff investigates the misdeeds of Baron Castaro, it becomes more apparent the shadow of evil spreads across the kingdom. It will take all the combined efforts of Rinad, his allies, and a little divine intervention to defeat the evil baron.

The King’s Bloodhound

The King’s Bloodhound by Michael Sauls chronicles the escapades of Rinad, a cursed halfling blessed with remarkable tracking skills who is recently appointed as the King’s huntsman. Despite his abilities, Rinad is burdened with self-doubt and fear of failure, which hinder his performance as he navigates his way through a series of challenges to prove his worth. This captivating novel follows Rinad and his allies’ quest to foil the malevolent forces threatening their kingdom. As evil spreads and the misdeeds of Baron Castaro grow, the huntsmen will have to rely on each other and some divine intervention to defeat the darkness that is spreading.

Author Michael Sauls is a gifted wordsmith, and his prowess with language permeates the novel, manifesting in vivid descriptions and savory prose. The character introductions are particularly striking, as Sauls masterfully delineates their physical features, personalities, and even their fragrances. Even though there is an abundance of characters that may seem overwhelming at times, every character is endowed with a rich inner life, enabling readers to form deeper connections with them.

The world-building is robust and imbued with vitality, while the dialogue is straightforward and engaging. The world-building is detailed and intriguing, making readers eager to explore every corner of the kingdom. Sauls’ writing is not for the faint of heart, as he unflinchingly portrays the brutal action scenes and unforgettable plot twists that stay with readers long after they finish the book.

The King’s Bloodhound is a gripping dark fantasy with compelling characters and thrilling action. Sauls’ writing is masterful, and the story he weaves is engaging and satisfying. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting adventure in a vividly imagined world.

Pages: 323 | ASIN : B0BYRL2VHP

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