Author: Carol Holland March
Book: Kalong
Series: The Dreamwalkers of Larreta, Book #3 (Series should be read in order)
Page/Word Count: 238 pages, 70K words
Categories: Fantasy/Paranormal/Sci-Fi, Gay Romance
Release Date: November 5, 2017
Publisher: Ellysian Press
Cover Artist: Joseph Murphy
Buy Links:
Blurb:
The gripping conclusion to The Dreamwalkers of Larreta trilogy.
Leo has found the source of the deadly time rifts threatening Larreta. His new life with Jesse is unfolding when a rift pierces Larreta and seizes him. Leo finds himself on the dark planet Kālong.
No one has ever left Kālong, but Leo must return to Jesse. He sets out to find Kālong’s ruler and teams up with Ballan, a Horse That Once Flew, to escape the dying world.
On Larreta, Jesse grieves for Leo. Refusing to believe his lover is dead, he begins the Call of Grief. Joined by other dreamwalkers, Jesse’s Call reaches across time and space for Leo, but the cost is high and his energy wanes.
On Kālong, Leo learns the truth that has kept him from Jesse for so long. When the mysterious being who causes the time rifts informs Leo that Jesse is calling him, Leo returns the Call, although the effort may end his life.
Searching for each other, the dreamwalkers of Larreta find themselves facing a door that hides the key to ancient mysteries. All they have to do is open it.
Excerpt:
Nara shimmered silver. “We must go.”
“We have time.”
“Perhaps not,” Nara said.
Leo faced her. “What do you mean?”
“We must return to Jesse. He called for you longer than any dreamwalker has ever called and in all that time, he did not speak or drink or rest. His life force ebbs.”
Leo sensed fear in Nara. Her lights had paled. “He’s in danger?”
“He may be.”
Ananta lowered her head to his level. “When the Mentors arrived on Kālong, I ceased to breathe on the passageway. It collapsed, as you did. When you ceased your call, your consort could not maintain his focus. Now nothing connects our worlds.”
Leo clenched his teeth. “I am sick and tired of being played. Tell me the truth, snake. Are the dreamwalkers you stole from Larreta still here?”
Ananta swung her head over his, causing a breeze to form. “I secreted them away so you would not be distracted.”
Leo swallowed. “You must release them now.”
“If Nara does as I ask.”
“What is that?”
“I have a desire only she can fulfill. If she complies, I will recreate the portal. Your beloved lives, dreamwalker, but he grows weak. I feel him through the connection I placed in his field when you found me with your time passage.”
Nara’s lights flashed. “That connection remains. Will you use it to harm him?”
“You were wise not to tamper with it, Mentor,” Ananta said. “The dreamwalker on Larreta has served his purpose, but if you fulfill my desire, I need not harm him or you. If you fulfill my desire, I will use my connection with him to focus the direction of your return passage.”
“Will you allow all of us to go?”
“All who wish to leave may.”
Leo stepped closer to the snake. “Bring me the dreamwalkers you have secreted. After I see that my friends are alive and well, you tell Nara what you want.”
Ananta lowered her head to the grass. “You push your luck, human.”
If she loosed her forked tongue, it would skewer him as effectively as her fangs. Leo swallowed. “Your world was lost. You’ve manipulated us into the position you wanted, but if we don’t go back, you’ll stay lost. The ruler will decimate your world again and your efforts will be for nothing.”
Ananta’s yellow eyes never wavered from Leo. “You are braver than I thought.” She turned and slithered along the ground toward the highest hill that bounded the meadow.
“I understand, Nara.” Leo’s breath came in gasps. “All of this – the rifts, the portals closing, Jesse and Sara coming at exactly the right time, my bargain with you, everything – it all fits together because it’s one thing. I’m here because I love Jesse. Because I’ve always loved him. But I am here. I brought you here. If we’re going back, we’re all going.”
He hoped he was right.
I’m coming, Jesse. I love you and I’m coming back, but I can’t leave the others behind.
About Carol Holland March:
Carol Holland March lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, one of the last places where the veil between the worlds is visible. She writes about the intersection of dreams, reality, and time, and, of course, love. She has published short fiction in various magazines and anthologies. Her books are published by Ellysian Press and Fireborn Publishing.
Interview with Carol Holland March:
- As an author myself, I know inspiration can strike at the most inopportune moments (like in the shower, when you don’t have anything to write with!). So, what was the inspiration behind The Tyro? The idea for The Tyro, and the whole Dreamwalkers trilogy, came to me when I lived in California and was driving through Big Sur, one of the most beautiful places on earth, in my opinion. In my mind, I saw an image of a woman living in one of those huge houses on the cliffs and being unhappy because her world was so perfect. She was waiting for someone she hadn’t seen in a long time. it occurred to me that it was a parallel world and she had landed there because she walked through a portal from earth. The person she waited for had to come from earth and he was late. That was the seed. Even though that scene did not make it into The Tyro, I never gave up the idea of people living in a “perfect” world but still longing for what they don’t have.
- There’s a big leap a writer takes from putting words down on paper for the love of it and actually publishing those words for public scrutiny. What was that journey like for you? Long and difficult. Lacking confidence (in more than just my writing), it took a long time to finish the book. After I did, it was too long. Then I realized I hadn’t paid enough attention to its structure. I rewrote it several times, learning tons about craft, and myself, along the way. Meanwhile, I had started to publish short stories, so that helped in the confidence department. After I found a small press publisher, the book changed more to accommodate the publisher’s ideas. It seemed to go on forever, but I learned a huge amount, most notably that planning a novel is a better approach than pantsing, for me anyway.
- What would one piece of advice you give an aspiring writer? If you really want to publish, keep writing, keep learning, don’t compare yourself to anyone else, and realize it’s a process. Most of what impedes us is our inner critic, so tell it to go take a hike.
- What do you think makes a good story? A memorable character with an insoluble problem, a strong narrative voice, and a satisfying resolution. Genre doesn’t matter to me as much as a character with heart.
- Do you have any strange writing habits or rituals? Strange? Is it strange to walk around my chair three times, light a candle, inhale the smoke of white sage, and call on the spirits of the ancient Muses to come to my aid?
- What can readers expect from you next? I’m working on an historical fantasy novel set in ancient Sumer. One of the characters is the first female author in history, Enheduanna. Having learned my lessons the hard way, I am using Lisa Cron’s approach and developing the interior arc of my POV character along with the plot, so I don’t get sidetracked and end up rewriting quite so much. I have high hopes.
5 Fun Quickies
- Least favorite endearment: Sweetie
- You’re auditioning for a singing competition, what’s your song: I am Woman
- If you were ice cream, what flavor would you be: Rocky Road
- Sleep with your socks on or off: Off, always off.
- Ask for permission or ask for forgiveness: Permission. I’ve learned not to overstep others’ boundaries since I don’t like them trespassing on mine.
Where to find Carol Holland March:
