FANTASY ROMANCE AUTHOR
SPOTLIGHT ON:
Helen C. Johannes
CONNECT WITH HELEN C. JOHANENES
All About Helen C. Johannes
Helen C. Johannes writes award-winning fantasy romance inspired by the fairy tales she grew up reading and the amazing historical places she’s visited in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Germany. She writes tales of adventure and romance in fully realized worlds sprung from pure imagination and a lifelong interest in history, culture, and literature. Warriors on horseback, women who refuse to sit idly at home, and passion that cannot be denied or outrun—that’s what readers will find in her books.
Lord of Druemarwin
Release Date:
December 18, 2019
Publisher:
The Wild Rose Press
Cover Design:
Rae Monet
Give Us The Scoop
Okay, lovely lady, we're doing an interview with you in a little bit, but until then, let's interview one of your characters from your Lord of Druemarwin book. Who did you choose for this interview?
For this interview, I chose Lady Raell.
How would people physically describe you?
Pale Tolemak skin, a few freckles, honey-gold hair usually worn in a long braid, taller than average. Lady Vyenne says my build is unladylike, but then she’s ne’er trained with swords. She might also say that “among my kind” I could be considered attractive.
What’s your backstory? Where did you come from?
‘Twas not my choice to be born a lady, nor to be born last and the only girl, or to lose a mother so early, but my father, Lord Tylus, indulged me when I wished to learn swordplay alongside my brothers. They, demons all, ensured I paid with bruises for each lesson. I know how to be a proper lady when ‘tis necessary, but I’d much rather practice swordplay. Tolemak is frequently at war, and women are always suffering at the hands of men. I’ll not be a victim.
What do you think of Helen C. Johannes? Did he/she portray you accurately?
Aye, she introduced me in THE PRINCE OF VAL-FEYRIDGE, book 1 in the Crown of Tolem series, afore she gave me my own book in LORD OF DRUEMARWIN, book 2. She gave me my sense of mischief, which my beloved so sorely needs in his life, my headstrong tendency to take the bit between my teeth (I admit to being a tad spoiled), and my passionate nature. She shows me as I am, not always thinking afore I act, sometimes speaking too bluntly, and always challenging boundaries as I follow my heart.
What is the most inspirational thing you’ve ever done in your life?
Decide to marry a man not of my culture, pull up my roots to join him in his world, and dare to bring the best of my heritage into balance with the best of his.
What do you do for fun?
I try to behave according to my position but, betwixt you and me, shocking certain people can be oh-so-satisfying. (There’s that streak of mischief!) Give me a good debate; men aren’t the only ones with opinions. Anything physical suits me; I don’t like being idle.
What did you think the first time you saw Lord Naed?
My father sent me to tend to his wound. I’d been told to look for a D’nalian with a bit of copper in his hair. ‘Tis unusual, you see, hair so fiery, so I was curious but not prepared to in any way like him, however much he’d done to save the folk. Among my people D’nalians are not known or respected for their warrior skills. But when he turned, all soot-covered and blood-streaked, my heart pinged for all the misery I saw in those rare green eyes.
What was your second thought?
Oh. My. I saw his heart there in that moment, how he cared so deeply for all those he thought he’d failed, how alone he was among strangers to whom he’d given his all, when in truth he was to be our rallying voice.
What is your biggest fear?
That Naed will reject me when he learns of my warrior skills. His womenfolk do not go about armed.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
My father’s first lesson of swordplay: “Use whatever’s to hand or to foot.”
Lord of Druemarwin
Blurb & Excerpt
Lady Raell can fight, ride, and argue politics as well as her brothers. Only being mistress of her father’s household keeps her in skirts. In Naed, the new Lord of Druemarwin, she has found devotion, a kindred spirit, and a marriage promise. But when a forgotten and unwanted betrothal comes to light, she has no choice but to run.
Amidst sweeping revolution, Naed must rally his people, fend off assassination attempts, and fight against claims he’s a traitor. Then he discovers everything about his lineage and family is a lie. And his beloved belongs to another.
With lives and a kingdom at stake, Raell and Naed must find a way to protect the innocent and save their love.
Excerpt 1
The wolfhound whined and glanced toward the door.
When liquid, soulful eyes returned to her, Raell’s heart thudded—hard. “He left you, aye? You’ve just found him again and now he’s gone off and left you here alone.” She blew out a breath, wondering how many other hearts Naed had laid to waste in his wake. “I understand. Aye, I do.”
She offered her hand to the dog, who sniffed it delicately. “He doesn’t deserve us, you know. Come. You find him and we’ll tell him that.”
“Raell?” Naed stood framed in the doorway. He looked puzzled, wary.
Her heart leaped, stuttered. He hadn’t expected to see her, hadn’t been seeking her out. Had he heard what she told the dog? No, or he would’ve looked contrite.
Straightening, she said calmly, coolly, as if she had every right to be found in his private chamber, “I thought you’d gone out.”
“Aye, but I forgot—”
“Your dog?” That was waspish, but justified. And she could hardly call it back.
He colored. “My… gloves.”
Her chin shot up and her eyes narrowed. Exchanging a look with the wolfhound, Raell stepped up to the animal’s shoulder. “She loves you, you know. ‘Tis sure, you’re breaking her heart to swoop into her life and then leave her like this.” This anger, this frustration was not at all what she should be feeling to finally be in the same room, alone, with the man she loved, but it fired in her cheeks and shot words out of her mouth. “She’s come all this way to find you and you can’t—”
She didn’t finish. Naed lunged across the room, knocking aside a chair, and seized her face in both hands. Raell caught a glimpse of his eyes, stark and full of need, before his mouth came down on hers and she stopped thinking altogether.
Excerpt 2
The wolfhound whined and glanced toward the door.
When liquid, soulful eyes returned to her, Raell’s heart thudded—hard. “He left you, aye? You’ve just found him again and now he’s gone off and left you here alone.” She blew out a breath, wondering how many other hearts Naed had laid to waste in his wake. “I understand. Aye, I do.”
She offered her hand to the dog, who sniffed it delicately. “He doesn’t deserve us, you know. Come. You find him and we’ll tell him that.”
“Raell?” Naed stood framed in the doorway. He looked puzzled, wary.
Her heart leaped, stuttered. He hadn’t expected to see her, hadn’t been seeking her out. Had he heard what she told the dog? No, or he would’ve looked contrite.
Straightening, she said calmly, coolly, as if she had every right to be found in his private chamber, “I thought you’d gone out.”
“Aye, but I forgot—”
“Your dog?” That was waspish, but justified. And she could hardly call it back.
He colored. “My… gloves.”
Her chin shot up and her eyes narrowed. Exchanging a look with the wolfhound, Raell stepped up to the animal’s shoulder. “She loves you, you know. ‘Tis sure, you’re breaking her heart to swoop into her life and then leave her like this.” This anger, this frustration was not at all what she should be feeling to finally be in the same room, alone, with the man she loved, but it fired in her cheeks and shot words out of her mouth. “She’s come all this way to find you and you can’t—”
She didn’t finish. Naed lunged across the room, knocking aside a chair, and seized her face in both hands. Raell caught a glimpse of his eyes, stark and full of need, before his mouth came down on hers and she stopped thinking altogether.
9 thoughts on “Helen C. Johannes”
Thanks so much, Jeny, for hosting me. It was amazingly easy to talk to you.
Hey Helen, you too! Congratulations on the book! I’m very excited for you!
Love the interview and the excerpt.
Thanks, Jennifer! I enjoyed being here.
Thanks so much for hosting me, Jeny! I enjoyed it.
I love your cover and excerpts, Helen. What exciting books.
Fun character interview and great excerpt!
I agree! Jeny’s doing a fantastic job with these interviews. I definitely love that she started doing videos.
Thank you, Jennifer, for the lovely compliment. And thank you, Jeny, for hosting me and making the process so painless.