The Daemonhold Curse

Okay -- its time to tell us about that hunky hero in your book.

The book is The Daemonhold Curse

What's his name?
Lord Erique Shoutte is the hero of a series of novels; the latest of which is The Daemonhold Curse” from ePress-Online.com

Why did you pick that name?
Its an ironic choice actually. He is a priest of a religion that must be sung, and at one point in his life, he is attacked by bandits who cut his throat, leaving him unable to speak in anything but a hoarse whisper. It automatically speaks to a certain poignancy.

Give us a brief description of how he looks.
Lunit sees him this way: He stood a muscular two meters tall with his black hair close cropped, save for the war lock that hung down his back. His mustache and goatee were trimmed neatly and completed a frame to a sun browned handsome face that was neither hard nor soft but capable of both degrees. His eyes, intense grey reflectors of his deepest thoughts, were focused into the sullen eyes of his opponent.
Then suddenly, without warning, Lunit's lover smiled. It was an inner motivated smile that revealed near perfect teeth, a myriad of laugh lines that softened his eyes from slate to twilight, and the soul of a small boy who, when he enjoyed a moment, did so completely and without reserve. As a young man he had long black hair to his waist, but by his mid forties elects for the above look.

Is there anything unusual about his appearance?
When he was ordained in his religion, the Kova, he received three separate diamond shaped brands in the center of his chest at the conclusion of each of the three phases of his training. Later, after the attack on him, he wears a jagged scar across his throat that is often described as looking like a ghastly necklace.

Who does he love?
He has two great loves in his life (besides his religion)—Myrran Yar San, whom he marries and who is killed in his arms when he receives his scar, and in his middle age, the singer Lunit.

Why?
Why does anyone love? Myrran is his young passionate companion, smart and funny. aLunit is a tough yet sensitive woman of the world.

Does this person love him?
Both love him passionately, Myrran enough to give her life for him and Lunit enough to give up her singing voice so he can sing his religion again. (how that happens is in the book ‘Tales of a Warrior Priest story: The Gift of Song)

Tell us about his family.
He is the first son of a Highland noble family with a younger brother and sister, both of whom he doesn’t get along with. His father dies when he is young and he is more influenced by an uncle who is a priest. He gives up his noble life, including his title as The Shoutte of Shoutte when he enters the priesthood.

Are they important to him?
Not really since he leaves home so early.

Where is he from?
The Highlands of the country of Umbria on the world of Altiva.

Does his hometown affect his behavior, thoughts and attitude?
Yes and no. He is, of course, of the country, but he spends his years from fifteen to twenty five at the Academy Kova and that influences him more.

What does he want out of life?
To make a difference in a positive way in the world. A real hero in a very classic sense, he is truly motivated by a desire to do good. He’d better be, because he really believes in his religion and is trained as a healer.

What's his biggest secret?
A real fear that he isn’t doing enough—I think all devout people have that inner fear.

Did you write more than one story about him?
I’ve written some thirty stories about him, short stories,, novellas and novel length ( Death at Dragonthroat, Tales of a Warrior Priest, the Daemonhold Curse) that deal with him from age fifteen to in his eighties. Three of the books are out, one is on the way, and a lot more in my head waiting in line to come out…

How would he describe you?
He probably would find me not committed enough to life or disciplined enough. I know he’d make me do more sit ups than I’m willing to do on my own time…

It was wonderful to meet him. Thank you for bringing him to meet us.

Available in September - www.epress-online.com