Hello everyone and welcome to my stop on the Escapist Book Co. virtual book tour for Dan Fitzgerald’s Romantic Fantasy novel The Delve! Today, I am excited to help kickoff the tour by sharing an interview with one of the main characters of the book, Yglind!
You can find our interview below, along with all of the info about the book, the author, and links to purchase a copy of The Delve for yourself! Also, be sure to take a look at the schedule here or at the top of the post and follow along to see the stops from our other awesome hosts!
Book Information:
The Delve by Dan Fitzgerald
Series: The Time Before Trio #1
Genre: Spicy Romantic Dungeon Fantasy
Intended Age Group: Adult
Pages: 275
Published: February 1, 2023
Publisher: Self Published
Blurb:
The sword wants what it wants.
The Deepfold mine has gone dark on the eve of war. Without its supply of brightstone, the Maer’s technological advantage over the humans will evaporate. A rising knight named Yglind has earned his Forever Blade and been sent on a quest to uncover the cause of the blackout. Joined by his trusted squire Ardo and a prickly mage named Aene, Yglind hopes to cement his legacy and the Maer’s chance at victory in the coming war.
Inside the Deepfold, they are plunged into a world of bloodshed and chaos. Unknown foes have slaughtered many of the miners, and a gruesome dragon stalks the dark tunnels. While taking refuge in the mine’s impregnable keep, Yglind and Ardo seek solace in each other’s arms and the courage to face the cruel forces arrayed against them.
With their civilization hanging in the balance, they strike out against the invaders as their quest hurtles toward its bloody end.
The Delve is a fast-paced spicy romantic fantasy, the first in the Time Before trio of linked standalones, set 2,000 years before the Maer Cycle trilogy and the Weirdwater Confluence duology. The series are independent and can be read in any order.
Author’s note: this book contains explicit, consensual sex scenes, violence, gore, and death, and is not intended for readers under the age of eighteen.
See Also:
Crossed Swords • The Fucking Humans™️ • D&D x Pornhub
Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Delve-Time-Before-Book-ebook/dp/B0BQ5VJ79G
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62980497-the-delve
Character Q&A
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Yglind Torl, grandson of General Frieda Torl, who led the Maer in the war against the Timon long before I was born. There has been little chance at glory since then, and this Delve is a rare opportunity to earn renown for the Torl name and my ticket to the Time to Come.
What music do you listen to?
Music is a frivolous endeavor, although I do enjoy a good drinking song now and again.
What are 3 items you can’t live without?
My Forever Blade and matching armor and shield. Not only are they the finest armaments in all of Maerdom, I look like a right God of war wearing them.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what is one thing you’d like to have with you?
If we’re talking physical objects only, my Forever Blade will always be at my side. But I’d give that up to keep Ardo, who holds my heart in his hands.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Cowardice. What good is life if you’re not willing to risk it?
What do you do in your free time?
Eat, drink, train, and fuck. Mostly the latter.
What makes you want to get out of bed in the morning?
Ardo always wakes up before me, and I pretend to be asleep until he kisses me and brings me my morning tea.
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Always look your best and you’ll be your best. I know it seems superficial, but how you carry yourself matters, to you and to those around you.
What do you carry in your bag?
Ardo carries most of my things when I’m out and about: my whetstone, food, drink, etc. I’m not one for things.
What’s your favorite animal?
The frasti, a fierce carnivore that’s now grown rare throughout the Silver Hills due to its deliciousness. Even I would hesitate to challenge a frasti for its kill.
What do you think about Aene?
By law and by logic, a Delve must include a knight, a squire, and a mage. Aene is an ornery creature, but I respect the fact that she stands up to me. I can’t deny her skill with her gauntlet, and truth be told, she’s braver than some knights I have known.
Do you have favorite saying?
I said it above, but it bears repeating: Always look your best and you’ll be your best. Aene mocked me for getting Maerscaped before the Delve, but when I feel beautiful, I become unstoppable. And as long as I take care of myself, I know I’m one of the most beautiful Maer in the Silver Hills, so nothing can stop me.
What is your favorite holiday?
Solstice, of course, because after the feasting comes the all-knight fucking. Did I misspell that? Oops. 😏
If you could go anywhere in the continent of Gheil, where would you go and why?
I’ve always wanted to lead a crusade deep into human territory, all the way to Wells, where I’d stand atop their famous clocktower and plant the Maer flag to strike despair into their skinfucker hearts.
What do you do to relax?
Ardo takes care of most of my needs, though I do like to play the field a bit. There are too many beautiful Maer in the world to limit myself to just one, but there’s only one Maer allowed into my heart. Sometimes a simple meal with Ardo is the best moment of my day.
What is your favorite food?
Frasti, though I only eat it on high holidays. Besides that, a spicy goat soup with honeycomb fungus is hard to beat. The texture of the fungus holds in the juices so they explode in your mouth.
What is your favorite season?
I love the brutality of winter, the feel of frost on my beard, and the delight of a hot bath and hotter sex once I’ve come in from the cold.
How would you define happiness?
A good fight, followed by a better fuck.
What are you passionate about?
Besides the carnal pleasures, I am quite fond of history, and I enjoy my part in making it. And the only thing that comes close to a good fuck is looking down on my vanquished opponent after a hard-fought battle in the arena.
How do you feel about your government?
Its job is to let people live their lives, which sometimes means defending them against their enemies. The Maer High Council sometimes takes a strange view of defense, to the peril of all.
If you could change one thing about the Maer empire, what would it be?
Their hubris. They think they are strong enough to take the fight to the humans and win, but provoking the Realm is the biggest mistake I’ve seen in my lifetime. They breed like cliff rats, and their magics are said to be treacherous and powerful.
What’s your biggest secret?
I am an open book! Ardo would probably tell you that I’m a softie at heart, but that’s between the two of us, isn’t it?
What do you hate?
Skinfuckers. Or should I say, humans. In addition to being hideously hairless, they have only cruelty in their hearts.
What’s your biggest fear?
Why would I fear anything? Have you seen me fight?
What do you think your best quality is?
It’s very difficult to choose between my physical beauty, my courage, my skill at arms, and my humility. Probably the latter.
How would you describe the world you live in?
A mountain paradise, threatened by the stupidity of our leaders.
About the Author
I am a fantasy and romance author living in Washington, DC with my wife, twin boys, and two cats. When I am not writing, I might be gardening, doing yoga, cooking, or listening to French music.
I write fantasy in part because the state of the world demands an escape, but also because fantasy provides another lens through which to view what we are living now. Part mirror, part magnifying glass, part prism.
I write romance because we need more love in the world, and sometimes we need to know things will work out in the end. My first published romance will be Wings so Soft, coming in summer 2023.
What you will find in my books: Mystery. Darkness. Wonder. Action. Romance. Otherness examined and deconstructed. Queer and straight characters living and fighting side by side. Imaginary creatures and magic with a realistic touch.
What you won’t find: Extreme violence. Sexual assault. Unquestioned sexism or discrimination. Evil races. Irredeemable villains. Predestined heroes. An ancient darkness that threatens to overspread the land.
Interested? Check out The Maer Cycle trilogy (character-driven non-epic fantasy) or The Weirdwater Confluence duology (romantic fantasy with meditation magic).
Author Website: https://www.danfitzwrites.com/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/danfitzwrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanFitzWrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danfitzwrites/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20592778.Dan_Fitzgerald
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dan-Fitzgerald/author/B0999QVRTG
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