Author Interview – Crystal D. Grant
Guide to categories: Author Interview – an interview with an author
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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Shadowcast by Crystal D. Grant, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Shadowcast
Series: The Gateway Trilogy
Author: Crystal D. Grant
Publisher: Quill and Flame Publishing
Release Date: September 20, 2023
Genre: Fantasy Romance (Clean)
He has known nothing but darkness for years. Now it’s time to let it consume him.
After witnessing the brutal death of his brother at the hands of the Steward Knights, Mason Grey turns to vengeance. Using his Gifts to read and control the minds of others, he climbs the ranks of the Dark Army, determined to earn the coveted Shadowstone-a powerful tool against the light-wielding Stewards. But when he is wounded in battle, he finds himself recovering in the home of a chatty peasant girl…without the use of his Gifts. Even worse, the girl mistakes him for one of the Stewards he despises.
Seria Gayle longs to be seen as more than the town washerwoman. When she finds an injured Steward in the woods, she welcomes the chance to use her healing skills and hopes it will earn her some respect. But as she nurses the sullen stranger back to health, she discovers he is nothing like the knights she has long admired.
When Mason’s true identity is revealed, Seria is devastated and humiliated. But she is offered a chance at redemption by the very prince that Mason hates. Now Mason struggles between two choices: accept the Shadowstone to avenge his brother or pursue this newfound light in the form of a peasant girl. With time running out and war looming, will Mason and Seria defy their own convictions for a chance at love or stand against one another like they’ve sworn to do?
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop
About the Author – Crystal D. Grant
Crystal D. Grant is a daydreamer who adores freshly-baked cookies and anything with fur or feathers. During the day, she strives to instill a love of books and learning within her young students. As a hearing-impaired, home-school graduate, she found her voice in writing and has had multiple short stories and poems published. When she’s not reading or writing stories that sweep her away to another time and place, she watches classic movies and TV shows that do the same. Or she works on jigsaw puzzles. Crystal currently resides in smalltown Missouri, where she is always looking for space for another scented candle.
Connect with Crystal by visiting crystalgrantauthor.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
An Author Interview with Crystal Grant
When did you first know you wanted to be an author?
I honestly can’t remember the moment I knew. I always loved stories and wrote them from a very young age. I know that reading Anne of Green Gables as a teen really impacted me, so maybe that’s when I knew.
When you are not writing, what other hats do you wear? What do you do for fun?
I am a kindergarten/first grade teacher by day! I also do occasional editing jobs for Twenty Hills Publishing. For fun, I love to read (of course!), do jigsaw puzzles, and watch old TV and movie classics.
What is your favorite genre to read? What about that genre draws you?
I love fantasy, with all its high stakes, noble heroes, and epic
What is your favorite thing about this time of year? This time of year my focus turns to fall, which is my FAVORITE season. I love the smells and the colors of nature. There’s just something about it all that calms my spirit.
What historical figure do you admire and why?
Corrie ten Boom. That lady went through such a horrible ordeal and managed to hold on to her faith. She was so selfless throughout her life, from aiding the Jews when it meant risking her life to forgiving the Nazi guards who had made her life so miserable. That’s an example we can learn from.
How does your faith play out in your writing?
I can’t help but write themes of faith, redemption, light, and salvation—even when writing fantasy. They’re at the core of my life, so they somehow always manage to show up in my stories. I love the allegory of our own spiritual battles that can be found in fantasy stories. While fantasy stories may include dragons and sword fighting and royalty, underneath it all is a supernatural battle of good vs. evil.
As a former K-12 school librarian(and since this blog is geared toward school librarians) I have to ask – what is your favorite children’s book?
I started reading chapter books at a young age, so my favorite children’s book are the Little House on the Prairie and Chronicles of Narnia series.
Young Author’s Days were an important part of my work as a school librarian. What advice would you give to a child or teen who wants to be a writer?
Keep writing and keep reading! Don’t give up on the dream, but be willing to work toward it. It won’t just fall on your lap. It will require time, effort, and finances. But if it’s something you’re really passionate about, it will be worth it. And most of all, give that dream to God and let Him be the one to guide you. His timing may not be your timing, but it is perfect.
Thank you so much for taking your time to be part of this interview. We love learning more about authors.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will win a signed copy of Shadowcast, book swag, and exclusive color art from the book!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 18, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 25, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Read more Author Interview posts.
What a great interview! Loved hearing about books that impacted you and about how your faith influences your writing. Can’t wait to read Shadowcast! 🙂
I enjoyed the interview. Thank you for hosting.
thanks for sharing the interview! I enjoyed learning more about Crystal 🙂
It is always so fun to read their responses to the questions.
Thank you for the interview! I enjoyed answering them!
I loved your answers.
This book looks good! Thanks for the interview!