Author Spotlight: Helen C. Johannes

Helen C. Johannes writes award-winning fantasy inspired by the fairy tales she grew up reading and the amazing historical places she’s visited in England, Ireland, Scotland and Germany. Multi-published, 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 adult books. Fast-paced, fanciful, family-friendly fun inspired by her own children is the hallmark of her children’s books.

 

 

 

A little bit about Author Helen C. Johannes…

I’ve been writing as long as I can remember, with my first ‘published work’ a poem in 3^rd grade. As a child, fairy tales and stories in my head entertained me through thousands of miles of cross-country car trips when my military family moved from base to base. They poured out onto paper as horse stories, fan fiction, poems, and short stories—until I discovered epic fantasy in THE LORD OF THE RINGS. My first published novel, THE PRINCE OF VAL-FEYRIDGE, was loosely inspired by the summer of following Frodo and company through Middle Earth as well as the fairy tales I’d grown up loving. Since then, I’ve published articles on writing, short stories, poems, and novels.

 

This is Author Helen C. Johannes’ writing and publication journey in her own words…

Inspiration to start writing…

My earliest inspiration has to be the book of fairy tales I received when I was in grade school. That and Disney movies primed me for my later introduction to Arthurian Legend and a deep fascination for castles and anything medieval. The library has always been my first and best friend in all my moves and adventurous fiction my go-to read. Consequently, my preferred genre to write in is fantasy. I love to bring characters to life in a world created out of pure imagination but based on places I’ve visited and cultures I’ve experienced.

 

Lord of Druemarwin Blurb

Love. Honor. Family. Which do you choose?

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.

Helen’s favourite scene from Lord of Druemarwin…

Now Raell could focus on Naed, how he stood alone in the torchlight, armed and battle ready, his very stillness daring his enemies to come at him again, to take another shot now he knew who they were. His profile had gone flint hard, brows low, gaze intent on what lay ahead. He’d given his orders, sent his men off to their tasks, left the most dangerous one for himself, of course.

It was why she loved him. Daft, daft man! And why he made her so blindingly furious!

She shoved her helm onto her head, snagged some hair, and winced. Bloody hell! Her eyes stung, but she was not going to cry.

Nor was she going to be pushed aside, left behind—forgotten even!—like some proper D’nalian female. “Go to your father, hah!” Her father could take care of himself, and so could she. The one who needed protecting was the selfless idiot determined to face death alone.

Drawing her sleeve knife, she sliced off her skirt above the knees. Not exactly a tunic to cover her breeches, but now she had freedom to move and full access to all the blades about her person.

Their wedding ring was on her finger and she damned well intended to keep it there.

 

 

Helen’s works…

THE PRINCE OF VAL-FEYRIDGE, Crown of Tolem #1, An enemies-to-lovers epic romantasy quest

LORD OF DRUEMARWIN, Crown of Tolem #2, A Princess-and-the-Pea romantasy with lovers united against all odds

BLOODSTONE, A Beauty-and-the-Beast romantasy

FREDERICK FLY-CATCHER, A middle grade children’s fantasy

THE DIS’ASTER FAMILY’S HALLOWEEN, A children’s picture book

 

Connect with Author Helen C. Johannes

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031965.Helen_C_Johannes

Blog: https://helencjohannes.blogspot.com/

Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/Helen-C-Johannes/e/B003JJDQWS/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/helen-c-johannes

Contact email: helen.c.johannes@gmail.com

Brave Men, Bold Women, Hearts in Search of Home