Rituals & Runes Author Feature Posted on September 28, 2022 | by C.D. Gorri Rituals & Runes is the PERFECT escape to worlds filled with paranormal, romance, urban fantasy, and more! And you can get a sneak peek into one of the stories exclusive to the box set, The Mark. Check out this author’s interview with A.L. Kessler to find out about her contribution! Author: A.L. Kessler Title: The Mark R & R: How does the magic within the story create a powerful world that will entice your readers? A.L.: The magic in The Mark is a little more free-flowing than what is typically seen in a UF world. Because the story is shorter, I opted not to make hard and fast rules for the magic system and just let it flow with the story. This allows each character to use their magic in a way that’s more suited to their personality and is more of an energy from the person. R & R: Incredible! I think the readers will really love to see how you do that. What aspects of your FMC make her resilient and powerful? A.L.: Zada has to overcome a failure that she thinks she made in her pass while trying to stop a short term of peace from ending because of a traitor. She’s powerful in her own right with magic, of course, but she’s also smart and quick. She doesn’t let the opinion or persuasions of others to keep her from finding the truth. R & R: It’s wonderful to see a powerful, persuasive heroine and I think she’ll really connect with the readers. Is your story going to continue into a series? A.L.: As of right now, it won’t be. It does pretty well as a standalone. R & R: Never say never. The readers might demand more! What’s your favorite aspect of your story? A.L.: I love the family-like interactions between Zada and her group and Verick and his spymaster. There’s a lot of fun banter between the characters. R & R: Fantastic. I think a little humor adds so much to a story. What books do you have coming out that are not involved in the anthology? A.L. My most recently release is the 13th and last book in my Here Witchy Witchy series, Rise and Fall. It’ concludes the adventures of Abigail Collins, a witch that solves paranormal crimes. R & R: I’m sure writing the last book in a series is bittersweet and one the readers will enjoy! Do you have any habits before you sit down to write a book? A.L. I have to have a cup of something to drink (typically coffee) before I start writing. It just gives me something to do with my hands during the minutes I have to think. R & R: I think it’s so enjoyable to readers to learn about the different rituals authors have. When did you begin writing? A.L. I’ve always crafted stories of some sort as I grew up. I actually started completing written stories in sixth grade and it was Sophomore year of high school that I decided I wanted to be an author. R & R: Goodness, that is truly a remarkable feat and one to treasure. Do you prefer Chocolate Truffles or Twizzlers? A.L.: Truffles! Chocolate all the way! R & R: A chocolate lover. I’m certain many readers can relate. Thank you so much for giving us a little insight into the world of A.L. Kessler! Blurb: The Mark Zada Maddock became a demon hunter after the destruction of her family, but after a near-fatal mistake in her last battle, has spent two years away from her team. Now, she’s reluctant to return home and face the attack threatening an already uneasy truce. Her team is charged with hunting down the demon responsible for the attack. Only one problem…. Verick never expected to mate with a witch, but there was her mark on his skin. She and her team are out to destroy him. He needs to prove he was not behind the demon attack. Chaos lurks around every corner and time is running out to find the truth and stop another war between the witches and demons. Excerpt: A smirked pulled up at the corner of his mouth. “How did you survive that night?” “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Get out of here.” She held her hand up and swirling purple magic gathered in her hands. “You aren’t welcomed here.” He took a step forward, wanting to wipe that look of hate and anger off her face. Smooth her brow so she no longer looked so tortured. He hadn’t expected to bring up that night, but after seeing her. He wanted to know. “I saw the sword they stabbed you with, pinned you to a wall after saving a child.” She shook her head and backed up. “Your king pinned me and my own leader left met to die.” She twirled the dagger in her hand. “Leave.” That wasn’t how it went down, but he could see that no amount of arguing was going to help right now. There was only one thing here that she understood right now. She was back in her territory and he could see her need to defend it in her eyes. “Make me.” He growled out with a smirk. And that got a smile out of her. She launched herself off the steps and threw her hand up, casting purple magic toward him. Verick dodged out of the way and called his own magic to his hand. A swirled of black sat above his palm and he raised a brow. “That all you’ve got, little witch?” She tapped her foot and the ground shook beneath him, a crack opening up between his legs. The sound of it echoed down the street and he knew it was only a moment before her friends would come out to investigate. He rushed toward her, catching her off guard in her inebriate state. He curved his hand over the back of head, cradling it in his palm. He met her gaze. “Next time, little witch, fight me sober.” And then he did something he hadn’t actually been planning on. He press his lips to hers. For a moment, she pressed her lips back to him and then a sharp pain went through his stomach. He glanced down at the dagger in his side, she pulled it out and laughed. “Sober or not, I still drew blood.” She flicked her wrist casting the blood off her dagger and then stepped back. The blow wasn’t deadly, but it hurt like hell. He laughed at her and then wrapped shadows around him to take him back home. Author Bio: A.L. Kessler is known for her Here Witchy Witchy series. She lives in beautiful Colorado with her family. She dwells in her basement where she can be bribed with coffee or chocolate to leave. Website and social media links: www.amylkesser.com https://www.facebook.com/alkesslerauthor https://www.bookbub.com/profile/a-l-kessler https://www.goodreads.com/alkesslerGet more magical & paranormal-themed stories like this in Rituals & Runes! Universal: https://books2read.com/rituals Amazon: https://amzn.to/3oz9aGJ