Welcome to the first ever “Author Spotlight” post! This is going to be a weekly blog post showcasing an indie fantasy author you should definitely check out and read. Today, we’re featuring Author Amber L. Werner and the recently completed Palisade trilogy!
First off, introduce yourself and tell us a bit about you and your books!
Hi, I’m a new indie author from Pennsylvania. I’m a huge fan of Star Wars, Wheel of Time, Doctor Who, and about a dozen other sci-fi/fantasy fandoms. I wrote my first series in a whirlwind of creativity after Covid set off my own personal existential/midlife crisis. It’s called the Palisade Trilogy, and book 3 just released so the whole trilogy is available for binging.
I love that you’ve incorporated animal companions in your Palisade trilogy! Tell us what role these animals play in your work, and if you could have any magical animal companion of your own, what would you choose and why?
Animal companions play a big role in the series. Each of the three main characters has a companion that they can communicate with in their thoughts and share some unique attributes. They were especially fun to write as characters and to watch their personalities grow through the story.
If I could have a companion, I would have to pick my dog Wickit. He’s tiny and fierce (though he has no right to be) kind of how I hope I would be as a heroine in my own fantasy story. Plus, he’s just so stinking cute and I’d love to know what he’s thinking!
What inspired you to write the Palisade trilogy?
When I set out to write a fantasy novel, I knew I wanted it to have dragons. So, I decided to look up myths about them. One of the things I discovered was a mythical creature that was an enemy of dragons. This myth helped shape the creatures in my story who are threatening the world. Without giving away too many spoilers, I loved that these creatures were much smaller than dragons and I wanted to explore that dynamic of a small beast taking on something so huge and powerful as a dragon—and bringing them to the brink of extinction. That idea was the seed that formed the creation on my world and that I based the story around.
What’s something unique about your book and why should readers check it out?
There are two different types of magic in this trilogy, with dangerous costs. If you enjoy learning the rules of magic and watching characters work within those rules and restrictions, you’ll enjoy this story.
Tell us about your favorite character you’ve written about and why?
I don’t know if I can pick a favorite. My book has a large cast, with three main characters and dozens of supporting characters. What I really love is highlighting their relationships with each other and how they interact together to face the challenges I throw at them.
Without giving us any spoilers, what’s your favorite quote or scene from your book and tell us a bit about it?
This quote comes from the moment where Kayda first meets her bondmate. Out of all the characters in this book, she was the one who ached to meet her companion, so it was a really fun scene to write.
“She must be dreaming. This couldn’t be real. She stared into the room, her heart hammering madly. And from the shadows, a creature of myth stared back at her, eyes red as the flame of her candle.”
Where can readers find you?
Check out my website for a FREE ebook prequel novella. You can also find me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
I’ll also be at the annual Flemington Summer Bookfest this year, May 28th. If you live in or around NJ, come see me and don’t forget to check out the Shadows that Bins Us on Amazon!
