HELLO THERE, MARVA DASEF, AND WELCOME BACK.

It really is nice to have you back, Marva.

I see you have your new novel to tell us about.

As you know, I have read it, and I can't say enough nice things about it. I'm a fan who hasn't missed reading any of your books. I love your imagination, the adventures and characters you conjure up. And I disagree on one item. This is not just for YA, I think readers of all ages will enjoy your novels. I certainly did.

So, my dear, settle back into that comfy chair and tell us all about your new one.

Hi back at ya, Lorrie. I think we're each other's biggest fans. Or at least loyal followers. I've answered some of the questions you've put to me in the form of a dialog. So here it goes.

Faizah’s Destiny begins as a story about an old man’s kidnapping and ends with a battle to save the world from Armageddon. Just the usual stuff.

(Lorrie) Where did the concept for the book (or books) come about?

(Marva) Another book, of course. I wanted to write a book about the eagle nesting site in Oregon’s Klamath Wildlife Preserves. The story had four main characters, all of them in the outcast category at their school. I wrote that book, a contemporary teen adventure set in the real world.

Then it occurred to me the same general plot could be set in a fantasy world. Why not, eh? The eagle becomes a simurgh, the teens are middle-eastern, the old man is a retired park ranger. But I added the elements of Persian gods and demons. The Mars-like god of war, Dev, becomes the villain in the plot and, being a god, he has to be far more badass than the eagle poachers in the original book. Anyway, in my study of Persian mythology, I came up with the additional characters and a storyline using the myth of the Simurgh.

(Lorrie) How long did it take you to finish, from concept to final product?

(Marva) Since I wrote two books instead of one, it took twice as long. How long was it? I really have no idea. Let’s say a year and call it good.

(Lorrie) What do you do for fun other than writing?

(Marva) Who said writing was fun? My husband and I just got back from a European trip covering six countries. We’re looking forward to more travel in the future, so I’d call that our main source of fun. Otherwise, having our granddaughters come to visit (only a couple of times a year, alas) is the most fun thing we both love.

(Lorrie) If you could time travel (accompanying Doctor Who in the Tardis, of course) to any point in history, when/where would it be and why?

(Marva) Hm. Good question. I’ve written two books based in the ancient middle-east, so I’d go with a grand tour of the pre-Islamic middle-east. I’d like to hear the storytellers in the market, shop for flying rugs, and ride flying horses. That’s not exactly real history, but I’d love to think it was.

(Lorrie) Here are some random questions. Answer briefly.

• Do you secretly want to write another genre, but don't think you can do it?
  I have written Science Fiction, but mostly space opera. I wish I had the education to write hard science fiction. I love to read it.

• Plotter or pantser?
  Plotter with pantsing going on throughout the process. I’m always being left with my pants down.

• Favorite movie of all time?
  Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s got everything I love: history, fantasy, adventure, laughs, Harrison Ford. What’s not to like?

(Lorrie) Ahem. Seems like you’re falling apart here. How about an excerpt to tantalize the readers?

(Marva) Breathes sigh of relief at not answering anymore questions. You bet!

Excerpt

Once more the two sides came together with a rending crash. Once more, weapons rose and fell. And once more, Menog and monsters died. Faizah fired as fast as she could draw her bow. No need to aim now, the press of slashing, clawing creatures was too thick. Her quiver never ran out of arrows.

Dev raised his hands, and more creatures appeared, clambering down the cliffs to join the battle. Slowly, the line of Menog lost ground, forced back by the ever-growing horde.

Faizah began to despair as the Menog line was pushed back. Then, she heard the clash of horses’ hooves on stone behind her. She whirled, bow drawn, ready to let fly at this new threat, when she realized the lead rider was none other than Master Wafai. Three raiders followed close behind him, and she turned her bow toward the first man.

Wafai shouted, “No, Faizah! These are friends!”

“Master Wafai! Thank the heavens you’re here! Bahaar and Parvaiz are under a spell. They’re fighting against the Menog.”

Wafai pulled his horse to a stop beside Faizah. Standing in the stirrups, he looked across the battle lines to where Parvaiz and Bahaar drove the hordes of Dev’s creatures against the Menog. The magician closed his eyes, raised his hands, and began to murmur.

Faizah shot a quick glance up at Dev, who seemed not to notice them. The war god was engrossed in the battle below. She turned back to Wafai, wondering what he would do. Faizah had no illusions about Master Wafai’s abilities. She knew combat spells would be beyond him. Suddenly, she had an idea.

“Master Wafai! A clarifying spell! Cast a clarifying spell!”

His concentration broken, the magician looked at her with a puzzled frown. Then he grinned. “Clever girl!” he shouted. Turning back to the battle, he chanted the spell.

A gentle wind blew from Wafai, clearing the air where it passed. As the spell moved over the Menog, they backed up a step, pulling Harib along behind their shield wall. It was a simple thing, the clarity spell, easy to cast and known by every village magician. It was used to rid the air of dust after a sandstorm. The spell not only cleared the air, it also dispelled illusions and restored clouded minds. Master Wafai sent the spell out over the battlefield toward Bahaar and Parvaiz.

As the spell washed over the two boys, they froze. Faizah ran forward and pushed between two Menog warriors to confront them. “Look at me!” she commanded, grabbing each boy by the front of his tunic. “Now!”

The boys stared at her, eyes unfocused. Parvaiz slowly raised his scimitar to strike. Faizah didn’t flinch but stared hard at Bahaar, willing him to respond to her. Bahaar began to tremble. His eyes widened, and he reached out and grabbed Parvaiz’s arm before the sword could fall.

“Stop fighting! Dev has tricked you! Stop fighting now!” she shouted, hoping she was getting through to Parvaiz but concentrating on Bahaar. She hoped their long friendship would make him more likely to pay attention to what she said.

The two boys looked around with dazed eyes. Their swords fell to their sides. Without the two humans to direct them, Dev’s monsters milled about aimlessly. Many of them wandered off to the cracks in the cliff that spawned them.

On the cliff above them, Dev roared his anger as he realized what was happening. He raised his sword and swept it over the battlefield, gesturing with a clawed hand at his forces below. He was too late. The god of war and destruction howled with impotent rage as his army crept away. The two humans he had counted on to carry forward the battle were standing still, halted by that meddlesome girl.

* * *

FAIZAH'S DESTINY

The gods are at war and only a farmer’s daughter can save the world from Armageddon.

MuseItUp (all ebook formats): http://tinyurl.com/faizahsdestiny

Also available at Amazon, B&N, Nook, and other on-line stores. Check my blog for an on-going link list of buy sites.

Blurb:

The village magician has gone missing. His four pupils think he has left a clue to his whereabouts in the Magicalis Bestialis--the book of magical creatures. They must seek the help of the elusive Simurgh, the mythical birds who know all the secrets of the universe.

However, this is not an easy camping trip into the mountains. Spirits, gods, and demons confront the four friends, who are not aware they’re being set up by otherworldly forces for a much larger task.

A farmer’s daughter, Faizah is chosen to lead the humans in the battle. She must persuade a slave, an orphan, and a rich merchant’s son to join in the battle on the side of good. Although divided by Dev, the evil god of war, the teens must band together to find the Simurgh, rescue their teacher, and stave off Armageddon.

Bio:

Marva Dasef lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two ungrateful cats. Retired from thirty-five years in the software industry, she has now turned her energies to writing fiction and finds it a much more satisfying occupation. Marva has published more than forty stories in a number of on-line and print magazines, with several included in Best of anthologies. She has several published books, including six since 2011 with MuseItUp Publishing.

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/mdasefMarva/home

Blog: http://mgddasef.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/MarvaDasef

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/?tab=wX#107073845875601488093/posts

Twitter Handle: @Gurina

Book Trailers: http://www.youtube.com/user/MarvaDasef/videos

Ha, ha, that was fun. Let's do this again real soon.
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