Author Q&A with Carlyle LaBuschagne

Ruith hides many treacherous things that threaten to bring the Kingdom to its knees.
Until the Prince and his beastly curse are released — A Beast So Beautiful by @AuthorCarlyle
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Author Q&A

What are your top 10 favorite books/authors?

Six of crows duology,

A curse so dark and lonely, trilogy

Bone Carier’s Moon

Infernal devices

Twilight Saga

The girl who lived

Game of thrones

The Archers of Avalon by Chelsea Fine

What book do you think everyone should read?

The Archers of Avalon by Chelsea Fine

How long have you been writing?

Since primary school

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?

They come to me as I write – I need characters that create conflict and unpredictably

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?

Well I write speculative fiction , so I pretty much make up my own stuff, creating new worlds is what I do.

Do you see writing as a career?

Absolutely , epically when my kids are out of the house

What do you think about the current publishing market?

It’s a crazy and oversaturated market. And what would work for advertising and getting your book out there today might not work tomorrow. It keeps our creative minds working. The secret is to be persistent and consistent. Acknowledge that your careers success is in the hands of readers and your support groups of many relationships you have built with like-minded author’s bloggers and book fanatics. Treat your readers as if they were your friends – because that is what is lacking with traditional published authors – get intimate, get interactive, offer them insight and exciting book goodies and exclusive content to welcome them to your book family. For indie or small press authors we have free reign and the final say on how we connect with our readers.

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?

My favorite genre at the moment is fantasy/ paranormal fantasy/ romantic mysteries. Dystopian Romance.

Actually I enjoy any story, and I have since grade school. I can get lost in any story that is written well of course.

I read fantasy, dystopian, science fiction,

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?

Well depend where I am , if I am at home – I need them all to shut up.

When I am at a café I get into the book quickly… unless there is some yuppie taking his phone calls on speaker – whats that all about?

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?

I used to have multiple books going at one time. But I have become content with focusing on one book at a time… so that I can totally fall into that world, mood, theme – and be sure to give each book my undivided attention.

Pen or type writer or computer?

Defiantly computer, when I write on the pc the entire book world escapes through my fingers.

Tell us about a favorite character from a book.

I love villains – my favorite was Valentine in the mortal instruments. Why he says with me, is that he was they type of villain where you could understand where he was coming from – but more than that he did not have to freaking to this entire monologue to his intentions.

My second favorite would be Elara from Bone Carier’s moon

What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision?

I absolutely with no doubt knew this was my destiny from a very young age.

A day in the life of the author?

Before covid is was book signings, tv interviews, newspaper and glossy magazine interviews.

International book signings – now it’s a laid back life, time to write, market, kick back to take some me time and get the kids on the right path and even excursive

But that too get’s tiring as that is not why I write. MY routine can change in a moment’s notice

Advice they would give new authors?

Build an author and blogger nework, work on your social media platforms through interacting. Get a newsletter. And edit edit edit.

Describe your writing style.

My style is mostly for a niche market as its very poetic , profound with fast moving sense action and live threatening innuendos

What makes a good story?

Good writing, mystery, action, banter, and life threatening innuendos

What are they currently reading?

A vow so bold and deadly.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I do not really try, I have not really thought about that as Ive never found that to be an issue as yet. I write truthfully. My thoughts, imagination and feelings come from me, and I believe that my readers will see the individuality in my writing as much as every single reader, writer and artist or more so person is unique. Thus I find the readers will find new stories even in retellings of the old. I do what I want and stick to the truth of my vision, because I know the readers will feel the passion.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Do not be so hard on yourself , everything has its turn and everything is just as it should be to set you on your path. The big lesson is that you are deserving of everything that is great in your life, receive it and let go of the old so you have room for the new.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?

No, not really, without sounding feminist– men are big softies, they too have emotions, intense ones at that – the big trick is to remember men have more pride and a whole lot more of ego. But they are also very fierce in protecting the things they love and fighting for it and because of that men have less words and more actions as they don’t internalize and scrutinize their thoughts as much as females do. This is just my opinion. So with that in mind, knowing where my male characters are in their stages of love, loss and hope I can easily ( I Hope) pull off the male character.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

It depends where I am in life. My first book took four weeks and this one took three years from thought to paper, while having other releases on deadline of course.

Do you believe in writer’s block?

I think I have had many different forms of writers block from lack of inspiration to being scared to write past a profound situation in a book because it too close to home. Right up to feeling overwhelmed by a deadline and producing a book full of editorial issues beyond what my level of experience should be experiencing in the English Language.

How I get over it – I give it time, step away and you will know and feel when you are called back. But sometimes all you need is a little push.

A Beast So Beautiful
by Carlyle LaBuschagne
Genre: Dark Fantasy

A darkness falls over the land when the Queen of Rurith dies.
Consumed with grief, King Ivar blames their son, Prince Leif, for her demise, and locks him away in the castle.
The Prince is left in total despair, until a girl, with hair the colour of a red sunset and green eyes shows him mercy.
For six years she visits him in secret, giving him hope where none existed before.
But Ruith hides many treacherous things that threaten to bring the Kingdom to its knees.
Until the Prince and his beastly curse are released.

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A Beast So Beautiful

He whispers into her hair, “I don’t deserve you.” The guilt strains his throat as the words come out husky.

Her gentle, slim fingers stroke the fine lines of his jaw, curling around his beard, and up to brush over the soft of his lips. “Don’t you ever say that, my love.”

He stares up to the ceiling where the reflection of the flames dance over broken beams. “The things I have done.”

Gently and playfully, she tugs on his beard to bring his lips down to hers. The kiss feeding the air into his lungs is light and touches the darkest parts of him, dispelling every negative emotion clouding his mind.

When she releases him, her words settle into the marrow of his bones. “All you have done for your people, for me…” she begins, “All that matters in this brutal world is your intentions, Prince. And your intentions have been only honorable.”

Mischief twinkles in his eyes. “I am inclined to disagree.” He smirks, staring down at her leg wrapped around his waist.

The silence falls between them. They had just committed treason, but neither of them wants it to end just yet. “Avelyn,” he speaks her name, adding, for the first time, “My goddess.” He tastes the endearing term with elation. “I want you to come with me, I have something to show you.” He shifts to slip out from under her.

“The hour is late, my love. I am rather tired. Would you mind,” she says as her lips feather the nape of his neck, “if we put it off until tomorrow?”

He studies her. “You dismiss me so quickly?”

“You know why…” she begins, tears brimming her sultry eyes.

“I will never do anything that puts you or your loved ones in danger. Do you believe that?” Leif gives a sigh.

“Of course, I do. I’ve known you since you were a little brat, since nine years old and to this day, never once have you lost control around me.”

The words feel good too hear. Moments later, as she jumps from the bed, he says to her, “If you trust me, then why do you so easily dismiss this important thing I want to show you?”

Her eyes settle on his, green-lit stars as the flames of the fireplace reflect in them. “I ask of you, my prince, to give me time to savor our night. Can you grant me that speck of happiness?”

Wanting to interject, he sits up, sheets slithering down his flawless chest, he opens his mouth when she adds more forcefully, “I, too, have sacrificed all I have wanted. My happiness, my family…” her voice breaks.

He sighs. “Yes, of course.” He looks down ashamed. “I will give you this night you deserve. It would seem being the acting king has made me a selfish man these days.”

As she moves, the glow from the hearth lights up her skin like the gleam of the moon, and all thought and trouble floats away in the beauty of the redheaded woman who has robbed him of his heart. A terrible thought crosses his mind. It is not enough, everything he has done was for her, and he couldn’t help but feel that it is not enough. As if the words were spoken out loud, Avelyn spins around, undergarments in hand falling to the bed with the creak of wood and the ruffle of sheets.

“I love you.”

His head spins, his heart swells, and his human mind is set adrift in a sea of songs, stars, and the promise of endless nights like these. He watches her with absolute verve as she slips into her dress, her delicate feet settling in her shoes. She turns, grabbing the necklace his father had given her and pulls the clasp to her neck. From over her shoulder, she calls him near to assist her in clasping the necklace in place. When she sits, he shifts forward, feeling heat rise up inside.

The sight of the necklace drives him mad. With delicate fingers, she parts her red curls to expose the soft of her neck and shoulders, dispelling his anger for just a moment. As the big, shiny jewel settles on her chest, his heart hardens. Now more than ever he wants to put his plan into motion. For her, to keep her, to save the ones she loves, he would do it no matter the cost to him anymore.

Standing, she smiles up at him, and exits the room almost silently, taking with her his breath and his heart.

Leif stares at him. “Tell me, is his life in danger? Is my father, your king on his death bed?” He shoots them a look. All three men look confused, he was just told his father is well. “If he seems to be restored and will last the night, I see no reason to disturb him at this late hour.”

Barnett opens his mouth to speak, but Leif clears his throat, lifting his head higher, dark hair falling into his eyes. “Barnett, I do not pretend. I do not lie about my feelings and never have. This you know of me. I am an honest man because my kingdom deserves it. My men deserve it. You have all of me, and I will never fake anything just to avoid conflict. I tell you now, I wish not to go to him tonight. You know what awaits us on his awakening. All I have built,” he corrects himself, “what we have built is about to come crashing down as our king takes his place once more. I need time to grieve what is about to be lost.”

Barnett looks as if he wants to say something but stops when Leif’s lips draw back as if he is about to growl. Leif feels the heat behind his eyes threaten his humanity. He looks down quickly, hoping to stop the transformation. Leif’s knuckles turn white as he struggles to draw his beastly-self back.

Barnett nods and spins away. “As you wish, my prince.”

The screeching sound of his threatening talons resonate through the room. He stands back, slamming the door shut and stares ruthlessly at the four claw marks denting the metal door. Turning his back, Leif rests against the cold steel of the door, his eyes taking in the room in which he’d spent most of his life. There are no windows in the tower. The only source of light is the fireplace he and Barnett had built together the first season of his reign, taking stones from the Great Lake in honor of the gods for giving him his power that won them the battle, and in tribute to their men that had died that day. With a sickening feeling, he wonders if the fireplace would be all he’d ever have left to remind him of his time as acting king.

Carlyle is a USA Today Bestselling, international bestselling and international award winning South African author – with a flair and passion for mixing genres, adding loads of drama to every story she creates. Carlyle has traveled the world with her books in hopes of connecting with all kinds of book loving people, to learn as much as she can from other book cultures with the hopes of bringing the knowledge back to her home country.
Her goal as an author is to touch people’s lives, and help others love their differences and one another by delivering strong messages of faith, love and hope within every outrageous world she writes about.Carlyle uses writing as a healing tool, and that is why she has started her very own writers support event – SAIR Book Festival.
Founder of SAIR Book FestivalCo-Founder of Fire Quill Publishing.Founder of Help build a library in South Africa.

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