It is my honour to be spotlighting Time Marked Warlock by Shami Stowall.

Shami Stovall is a multi-award-winning author of fantasy and science fiction. I have previously spotlighted her book Academy Arcanist. You can read my interview with Shami about this book here: Blog Tour – Academy Arcanist by Shami Stovall.

Before writing full-time, she taught history and criminal law at the college level, and loved every second.

When she’s not reading fascinating articles and books about ancient China or the Byzantine Empire, Stovall can be found playing way too many video games, especially RPGs and tactics simulators.

Time Marked Warlock is am urban fantasy of 402 pages and is released in June 2024. Here is the blurb:

Blurb

Adair Finch is the most powerful warlock in the world, and one of the best private investigators for hire. He has dealt with corporate vampires, murderous werewolves, and even fae royalty. Everything was perfect until he lost one case—the case where he also lost his brother.

So Finch retired. From magic. From PI work. From everything.

Bree Blackstone, a twelve-year-old witch, doesn’t know or care about any of that except Finch’s reputation. In the middle of the night, she bangs on Finch’s door. Her mother has been murdered, and now the assassin is after Bree as well.

Reluctantly, Finch agrees to help, only to discover something sinister has been brewing in town while he ignored the world… He’ll need to dust off all his old skills and magic before it’s too late.

My stop on the blog tour will take the form of another author interview, this time about Time Marked Warlock.

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Tell us a little about Time Marked Warlock and your inspiration to write this book. 

First off, I’d like to gush. Time-Marked Warlock is getting a full-cast audiobook production! Soundbooth Theatre is putting together an amazing team to bring life to the whole book, and it’s one of the greatest things ever.

But to more accurately answer your question, Time-Marked Warlock started because I love the trope “grumpy one, sunshine one” which is basically when a grumpy character is forced to work with someone who is blazingly optimistic and happy.

Adair Finch, the warlock, is jaded and sarcastic, but Bree, the young witch, loves life. They’re also joined by Kull, the mischief spirit, which is a more comical character.

 So, this might be one of the first instances of “grumpy one, and TWO sunshine ones,” which is a lot of fun.

Why are book awards important to you?

It’s always so humbling and amazing whenever someone enjoys my work. I’m so very lucky to have this opportunity, and it really makes everything seem bright and wonderful to know there are readers out there enjoying my stories.

I think I was born to be a storyteller. Ever since my time as a DM in Dungeon and Dragons, I’ve derived a lot of pleasure from crafting stories and building engaging characters. The fact that other people think I’m good at it just fills me with joy.

How do you manage to be so prolific with your writing?

I love writing. It isn’t a chore. It isn’t something I “just have to get through.” I do it every day because it’s a delight and fills my soul with nourishment, just the same as a hamburger chases away gnawing hunger.

What risks have you taken with your writing that have paid off?

 I quit my job to write full time. I also started a business (Capital Station Books) and both have paid off for me in spades. I knew they were risks, but if you don’t bet on yourself, who will?

What is your favourite childhood book and why?

My favourite childhood book is Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. It’s about a young woman who is deserted on an island. She had her brother, but after he’s killed by wolves, she’s all alone.

It was the first book that really blew my mind. I had never thought about living on an island alone, and I devoured the book multiple times just thinking about all the crazy things that could happen.

My favourite part is when the main character kills the wolf that killed her brother, but then later goes on to adopt its pups.

Is there anything else you would like to tell readers about Time Marked Warlock and the Adair Finch series?

The book involves people healing from trauma. Adair Finch lost his brother, and he basically gave up on life, but when Bree enters the picture, he learns to get back on the horse, so to speak.

I love stories about healing. And not only does Finch heal, but Bree does, too. Her mother was killed, and Finch helps he move past that terrible moment in her life.

Also, please look out for the crazy release of the full-cast audiobook, and the brand-new cover done by Chris McGarth (the man who does the Dresden Files covers).

I’m so excited for it all!

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If you want to contact her, you can do so at the following locations: Website: https://sastovallauthor.com, Twitter: @gameoverstation, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAStovall, Email: s.adelle.s@gmail.com

The best place to buy Time Marked Warlock is on Amazon, when it releases August 2024.

You can read reviews on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210597012-time-marked-warlock