The Sentinel’s Alliance

As the island of Kalaya and its people recover from civil war, a new threat surfaces. Invaders from the island of Elkena hunt the seas, butchering those who possess magic. Their scar-faced captain seeks the Fire Mage who it has been foretold will kill him and Tei and her people are in his warpath.

Tei and a band of Kalayans travel to Stone Haven, the home of their new allies, planning to restore magic to the dead island. But the Stone Haven Council have abhorred magic since their people were massacred by Elkenan invaders twenty years before. Commander Farrell must persuade his people to accept magic again, but his plans expose them to their biggest fear and he risks leading Tei and her people into danger, and jeopardising the safety of both their islands.

Under Farrell’s guidance treaties are forged, but is the newly formed Silent Sea Alliance enough to defeat the invaders and stop their bloodthirsty quest to destroy magic forever?

Author Q&A

Hi Suzanne,

Q1: What inspired you to write The Sentinel’s Alliance?

The idea for this book series, Silent Sea Chronicles, came about a long time ago. Growing up, I was always concerned with how man was destroying the world and its precious resources and wildlife. That idea morphed into a magical island dying because of man’s disregard and the people losing their connection with their home

Q2: Who would you want to play the main characters in your book if your novel was optioned for tv / film?

I normally get stuck on these types of questions, but today I’ve been hit by inspiration. I looked at those actors and actresses who maybe looking for their next big show after Game of Thrones finished and thought they would be perfect to feature in the Silent Sea Chronicles star studded cast!

Tei – Sophie Turner (played Sansa Stark)

Brogan – Kit Harington (played Jon Snow)

Farrell – Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (played Jamie Lannister)

Callisa – Emilia Clarke (played Daenerys Targaryen)

Jaconn – David Bradley (played Walder Frey)

Kelbrin – Stephen Dillane (played Stannis Baratheon)

Of all of them, I think Emilia Clarke was born to play Callisa.

Q3: How many rejections did you get before you got a publishing deal?

I sent Visions of Zarua to a few agents and got rejected before realising the book wasn’t the best it could be. I rewrote the novel with a dual time and at that point decided to publish it myself. Two years later, a Czech publisher contacted me and wanted to publish the book, so I was delighted to accept their offer. That would never have happened without me self-publishing. I do like the idea of being a hybrid author, so I might send my next book to agents and see what happens.

Q4: How did you deal with them when you started out?

The best way to deal with rejection is to have a list and when one rejection comes back, send the piece of work out to the next person on the list. That way there is always something happening, and that one rejection is not the end of the world.

Q5: Which authors inspired you to write?

David Gemmell inspired me to write fantasy. I loved his characters and the way he made everyone matter in the story no matter how small their part. Making that connection with the reader is something he’s made me want to strive for.

Robin Hobb’s world building is amazing and so is G. R. R. Martin’s.

Q6: What are your writing routines?

I don’t have a set routine, it’s more like juggling. This year I’ve had several projects on the go at once, so I have to slot in the most urgent jobs first. I’ve been writing and editing book 3 – The Sentinel’s Alliance, working on edits to an audiobook for Visions of Zarua with my very talented narrator, Guy Barnes, I’ve been working on chapters of a new book that I recently pitched to agents at a writing festival. Plus I am a member of 3 different writing groups which meet and critique each other’s work every 4 to 6 weeks. There is never a moment I’m not busy with something!

Q7: If you could go back to when you first started writing what one piece advice would you give yourself

Just get on with it. Don’t wait for the right time, anytime can be the right time to write. Pick up a pen, open your notebook and see what happens.

Q8: What would you say to someone who wants to write?

Go for it.

It’s important to meet other writers so things like adult education classes can be great – that’s how I met my writing friends and beta readers. Also it’s good to learn the craft by entering short story competitions where you receive a critique. They can be a very helpful way to learn how to improve your writing.

Q9: If you weren’t writing what would you be doing?

Not writing! I can’t imagine that! I would be doing some rubbish job I hate and I would probably be a very unhappy person to be around. If I break from writing for even just a few days, I’m sure I get withdrawal symptoms

Q10: Tell me something about yourself your readers might not know?

I used to be terrified of flying, but now I love the idea of visiting other countries and wish I had more time and money to explore the world and its histories.

Thank You Suzanne

Suzanne lives in Middlesex, England with her hugely encouraging husband and two children.

She wrote her first novel at the age of twelve. She discovered the fantasy genre in her late teens and has never looked back. Giving up work to raise a family gave her the impetus to take her attempts at novel writing beyond the first draft, and she is lucky enough to have a husband who supports her dream – even if he does occasionally hint that she might think about getting a proper job one day.

Suzanne loves gardening and has a Hebe (shrub) fetish. She enjoys cooking with ingredients from the garden, and regularly feeds unsuspecting guests vegetable-based cakes.

She collects books, loves going for walks and picnics with the children and sharing with them her love of nature and photography.

Suzanne is interested in history and enjoys wandering around castles. But most of all she likes to escape with a great film, or soak in a hot bubble bath with an ice cream and a book.

Suzanne Rogerson @Rogersonsm