Today I’m happy to be a part of the blog tour for Rachel Rossano’s newest book, The King of Anavrea. I always enjoy reading character interviews because it lets me get a feel for the characters before I read their story and sometimes the interviews compel me to move their story from “maybe” to “must have now!” 🙂 So I’m very excited to introduce Ireic.
Welcome, Ireic. Can you give us a little background about yourself for those who have not read your brother’s story?
I am Ireic Theodoric, King of Anavrea. My older half-brother, Trahern, was removed from the line to the throne by my father shortly before father died, making me heir. I tried to convince Trahern to take the crown, but he refused. I can’t say I blame him.
You were a reluctant Crown Prince in The Crown of Anavrea and now you are a reluctant king. Can you tell us some of the ways you have grown to accept this burden of leadership?
I am a military man. From a young age I trained with the army. Leading campaigns, marching, taking and giving orders, and the structure of the military life was a far cry from politics and governing a nation. Politicians don’t take orders well. Thankfully Trahern has made himself available to teach me how to manage them. However, even though I am learning the right strategies, I struggle not to give into the impulse to be more direct. Reason and logic seem like superior tactics compared to lies and fancy speeches. It will become second nature someday, I suppose. Someone has to rule.
Can you tell us a little about your bride? What makes your relationship a challenge? How does she surprise you?
Lirth Parnan is the only daughter of the King of Sardmara. I signed a treaty with her father that included our marriage as a show of good faith. Only after I signed did I learn that she had spent the previous five years in captivity. When I rescued her, I discovered further reason to regret my new alliance. You see, Lirth is blind. I don’t mind so much as my advising council does. They have a problem with anyone with imperfections being part of Anavrean nobility. They take great exception to Trahern’s wife because she was a slave before he married her. Imagine what they had to say about Lirth.
Other than my problems with the council, the relationship aspect of marriage hasn’t been too challenging. Lirth is a beautiful woman. She constantly surprises me with her strength and grace. For a woman who cannot see, she is very perceptive. She does suffer from nightmares. Remnant memories of her kidnapping will wake her in the middle of the night frequently. Also, she is a follower of a god she refers to as the Kurios. I have been in contact with an esteemed teacher of the Kurios’ way. He sent me a book to read. I am hoping it will give me further insight into my wife’s faith. Her belief in this being seems to be the only thing holding her together at times. One can’t help admiring something that powerful. I need all the help I can get at this point.
In The Crown of Anavrea, we learned that you and your brother did not have a close relationship growing up due to familial tension. Will we be seeing Trahern again?
Yes, I am sure you will. We spent a great deal of time together before he gave me his final answer about whether or not he would take the throne. We found we liked each other. I am a frequent guest at their home just over the border in Braulyn, much to my personal guard’s chagrin. Despite refusing the crown, Trahern remains supportive of my efforts to rule well. He knows I need help. I foster hope that our children will be able to grow up together, reclaiming a bit of what was lost during our childhood.
Can you give us any hints on what might surprise us the most about your story?
I am not sure. Many parts of my own story surprise me. I am king, aren’t I? I am a bit concerned about the rebellion part of the tagline. I can’t see how that is going to resolve into a happy ending.
A reluctant king, a blind queen, and a marriage that sparked a rebellion…
Ireic Theodoric, King of Anavrea, constantly battles with his council over who will run the country. When the council insists on a treaty with Sardmara, he agrees. However, the treaty quickly becomes an arranged marriage. Ireic offers up himself for the sake of Anavrea. But after he signs, no princess appears.
Lirth Parnan, only daughter of the king of Sardmara, survives alone in a cold, damp tower room. Baron Tor kidnapped her in an attempt to control her father. No one came to claim her. She suspects her father considers her flawed beyond use in his political games. After five years of waiting, her hope of rescue wanes with her health.
After Ireic fights his way into Lirth’s tower, he realizes the depths of her father’s deception. Instead of being an answer to his problems, Lirth creates new ones. The council will not accept her as queen, but Ireic has sworn an oath that he will marry her. His choice could cost him his throne, perhaps his life.
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0FVMK8
Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/480731
View the Book Trailer at http://youtu.be/gsbTU8hv3QE
Rachel Rossano is a happily married mother of three children. She spends her days teaching, mothering, and keeping the chaos at bay. After the little ones are in bed, she immerses herself in the fantasy worlds of her books. Tales of romance, adventure, and virtue set in a medieval fantasy world are her preference, but she also writes speculative fantasy and a bit of science fiction.
Rachel Rossano loves to interact with readers.
Blog ~ http://rachel-rossano.blogspot.com/
Twitter ~ http://twitter.com/RachelRossano
Facebook ~ http://www.facebook.com/RachelRossanoRambles
YouTube ~ http://www.youtube.com/anavrea
GoodReads ~ http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1430209.Rachel_Rossano
Elle’s desperate to find her kidnapped brother. She teams up with the winged warriors from the dimension of Fiori to save him, but JJ isn’t the only one in danger. What will Elle sacrifice to bring her brother home? Can she fulfill the ancient prophecy and restore the magic of the Bronze Pendant?
Kimberly A. Rogers 