Interview Nicole Conway Author of Fledgling
Give a warm welcome to Nicole Conway Author of Fledgling, book one of The Dragonrider Chronicles.
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Nicole and Fledgling along with her other books in the Dragonrider Chronicles! Pssst… Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!
Who is your favorite character of all of the books you’ve written and Why?
Felix Farrow is a character that grew on me quickly. At first brush, he’s just the pretty boy best friend, a noble boy born with a silver spoon in his mouth and an appetite for mischief. But as the series progresses and more of his personality and backstory came through, he became so much more. That roguish, joking demeanor was a mask to a boy yearning for acceptance from his parents, desperate to prove himself, and loyal to the only real friend he’s ever had – Jaevid.
Do you find it easier to write from a male or female point of view? Why?
I almost always gravitate to male narrator. They’ve always been more comfortable for me, and I actually struggle with female narrators sometimes. I’m not sure why that is – I think it might have something to do with being a bit of a “tomboy” myself and also that growing up, my favorite stories had male protagonists, too. I love giving the underdog his shot at being hero, and I love providing good examples of noble heroes for my own son in literature.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I have a pretty busy schedule at home, but I love to spend time playing with my little boy in between work projects. We go on adventures, swimming at the pool, to the zoo, to the local museums, and walks around the neighborhood looking for treasure (also called geocaching). He’s four now, so I have to enjoy these times when it’s still cool to hang with mom while they last. I also like to draw, play video games, read, and go rock climbing!
Tell us a little about Fledgling,The Dragonrider Chronicles
Can one boy stand between two kingdoms at war?
Jaevid Broadfeather has grown up as a wartime refugee, hiding from the world because of his mixed racial heritage. He feels his future is hopeless, until a chance encounter with a wild dragon lands him in Blybrig Academy—a place usually forbidden to anyone but the rich and royal. But Jaevid’s case is special; no dragon has voluntarily chosen a rider in decades, so the proud riders of Blybrig must begrudgingly let him join their brotherhood despite his bloodline. Lieutenant Sile Derrick, a sternly tempered man with a mysterious past, becomes his instructor and immediately takes a peculiar interest in Jaevid’s future.
While struggling through the rigorous physical demands of training, things begin to go awry. Jaevid witnesses the king’s private guards kidnapping Sile in the dead of night. When none of the elder riders are willing to help him, Jaevid begins a dangerous adventure to save his instructor. Everything Jaevid learned at the academy will now be put to the ultimate test.
FLEDGLING is the first book in Nicole Conway’s bestselling quartet THE DRAGONRIDER CHRONICLES. This exciting, dragon-filled world returns in the DRAGONRIDER LEGACY trilogy, which concludes with book 3, LEGEND, on May 7, 2019.
Excerpt
Book One:
Book One:
The dragon
turned and started walking toward me. His large, curled black claws dug into
the dirt floor of the arena, and I couldn’t help but stagger back a few feet as
he crept toward me, chattering loudly all the way.
turned and started walking toward me. His large, curled black claws dug into
the dirt floor of the arena, and I couldn’t help but stagger back a few feet as
he crept toward me, chattering loudly all the way.
His gait was
strange to watch, oddly smooth and feline for the way his body was built. He
stopped right before me, craning his neck to sniff at me again. Then he started
to crouch down. The dragon lowered himself until his belly was flat on the
ground. His huge horned head was low, too, and he looked at me expectantly.
strange to watch, oddly smooth and feline for the way his body was built. He
stopped right before me, craning his neck to sniff at me again. Then he started
to crouch down. The dragon lowered himself until his belly was flat on the
ground. His huge horned head was low, too, and he looked at me expectantly.
Before I could
figure out what I was supposed to do, Sile was right there beside me. “He wants
to seal the bond,” the knight explained as he grabbed me by the waist and
pretty much tossed me up onto the dragon’s back. “Don’t be afraid.”
figure out what I was supposed to do, Sile was right there beside me. “He wants
to seal the bond,” the knight explained as he grabbed me by the waist and
pretty much tossed me up onto the dragon’s back. “Don’t be afraid.”
Easy for him to
say; Sile wasn’t the one straddling the neck of a wild dragon who’d already
proven he had a nasty temper. With my legs slung around the base of the
creature’s neck, sitting between the shoulders of his wing arms, I clung to
anything I could when I felt him start to move. There wasn’t much to grab,
though. His scales were slick, and the little knobby black horns that ran down
his spine to the tip of his tail were cone-shaped and hard to grip. I just had
to lay flat against his neck, my arms as far around him as I could reach, and
hung on for dear life as the dragon stood.
say; Sile wasn’t the one straddling the neck of a wild dragon who’d already
proven he had a nasty temper. With my legs slung around the base of the
creature’s neck, sitting between the shoulders of his wing arms, I clung to
anything I could when I felt him start to move. There wasn’t much to grab,
though. His scales were slick, and the little knobby black horns that ran down
his spine to the tip of his tail were cone-shaped and hard to grip. I just had
to lay flat against his neck, my arms as far around him as I could reach, and
hung on for dear life as the dragon stood.
Sile was
laughing loudly. I saw him smiling up at me as the dragon gave a wide yawn that
showed me just how many of those teeth he had. My heartbeat was skipping and
pounding erratically. My head spun like a top. I was sitting on a dragon. Not
just any dragon, though. This one was mine.
laughing loudly. I saw him smiling up at me as the dragon gave a wide yawn that
showed me just how many of those teeth he had. My heartbeat was skipping and
pounding erratically. My head spun like a top. I was sitting on a dragon. Not
just any dragon, though. This one was mine.
Avian
The Dragonrider Chronicles
Book Two
What kind of power is lurking inside him?
After a year of training to become a dragonrider, Jaevid Broadfeather has been sent home to rest during a three-month interlude. But when he returns to find the king drake has chosen Beckah Derrick as his new rider, Jaevid realizes something big is about to happen. Every fiber of his being is pushed to the breaking point as Jaevid battles through his avian year, preparing for the final graduation test of the battle scenario. But there is more standing in his way than a few pushups and fancy sword moves.
Jaevid must face a new fear as he is tormented by a gruesome nightmare of a mysterious gray elf warrior murdering the royal family of Maldobar. It seems obvious to him that this is some kind of message about how the war started long ago—until Felix assures him the king is very much alive. With his strange powers growing stronger by the day, and that violent dream replaying in his mind every night, Jaevid no longer wonders if he will pass his avian year or not . . . he wonders if he will even survive it. The truth will soon be set loose.
AVIAN is the second book in Nicole Conway’s bestselling quartet THE DRAGONRIDER CHRONICLES. This exciting, dragon-filled world returns in the DRAGONRIDER LEGACY trilogy, which concludes with book 3, LEGEND, on May 7, 2019.
Excerpt
Book Two:
Book Two:
Three mornings a
week, after our laps and drills were finished, I tolerated being teased while
Felix coached me through different line dances and waltzes. Lyon and I refused
to make eye contact as I was forced to hold his hand and, even worse, his hip.
The first time Felix actually got us to stand in a waltz pose together, he
burst into laughter. Lyon snapped. They punched each other for a few minutes,
and I considered leaving the room and walking off the nearest cliff. It seemed
better than having to hold Lyon like that ever again.
week, after our laps and drills were finished, I tolerated being teased while
Felix coached me through different line dances and waltzes. Lyon and I refused
to make eye contact as I was forced to hold his hand and, even worse, his hip.
The first time Felix actually got us to stand in a waltz pose together, he
burst into laughter. Lyon snapped. They punched each other for a few minutes,
and I considered leaving the room and walking off the nearest cliff. It seemed
better than having to hold Lyon like that ever again.
I still had a
shred of dignity left, though. I was learning to dance, and Felix insisted I
was getting better. It gave me some hope that maybe I wouldn’t completely
embarrass myself at the ball.
shred of dignity left, though. I was learning to dance, and Felix insisted I
was getting better. It gave me some hope that maybe I wouldn’t completely
embarrass myself at the ball.
“Lyon dances
like a three legged cow,” he assured me. “So it’ll be easier with a real girl.
They’re much lighter, and more graceful. And a lot less ugly.”
like a three legged cow,” he assured me. “So it’ll be easier with a real girl.
They’re much lighter, and more graceful. And a lot less ugly.”
Lyon cursed
under his breath. “Oh right, well excuse me for not dancing like a girl.” We
only had a few weeks left before the ball, and I knew he was probably just as
ready as I was for this dance class to end.
under his breath. “Oh right, well excuse me for not dancing like a girl.” We
only had a few weeks left before the ball, and I knew he was probably just as
ready as I was for this dance class to end.
“Remember what I
said about greetings and introductions. Confidence. Eye contact. Charm. It’s a
state of mind.” Felix snapped his fingers at Lyon like he was summoning a pet
dog. “Let’s run through it one more time.”
said about greetings and introductions. Confidence. Eye contact. Charm. It’s a
state of mind.” Felix snapped his fingers at Lyon like he was summoning a pet
dog. “Let’s run through it one more time.”
Lyon sputtered a
few more curses as he stomped toward me. I tried to visualize Beckah standing
in his place with her warm smile and deep green eyes. It was nearly impossible,
though. Lyon was definitely a boy. And this was definitely the most
embarrassing thing I’d ever done in my life.
few more curses as he stomped toward me. I tried to visualize Beckah standing
in his place with her warm smile and deep green eyes. It was nearly impossible,
though. Lyon was definitely a boy. And this was definitely the most
embarrassing thing I’d ever done in my life.
As soon as we
had gone through our awkward bows and stepped into an opening dance pose, the
dorm room door to our room burst open. I was holding onto Lyon’s waist and
hand, as usual, and he was pretending to hold up a dress. We both froze, too
stunned to react.
had gone through our awkward bows and stepped into an opening dance pose, the
dorm room door to our room burst open. I was holding onto Lyon’s waist and
hand, as usual, and he was pretending to hold up a dress. We both froze, too
stunned to react.
Jace was
standing in the doorway. He looked at all of us, his brows raised and his
expression completely blank.
standing in the doorway. He looked at all of us, his brows raised and his
expression completely blank.
My last shred of
dignity withered and died. “When you’re finished with…whatever this is, I need
to see the lot of you downstairs to be measured for your formal uniforms.” Jace
managed to say, although he sounded a little hoarse. I could have sworn I saw
him suppressing a smile. “Hurry up.”
dignity withered and died. “When you’re finished with…whatever this is, I need
to see the lot of you downstairs to be measured for your formal uniforms.” Jace
managed to say, although he sounded a little hoarse. I could have sworn I saw
him suppressing a smile. “Hurry up.”
The door shut,
and I died a little inside. Lyon shoved away from me. Judging by the shade of
red his head was turning, he was too angry and embarrassed to speak. I couldn’t
say anything, either.
and I died a little inside. Lyon shoved away from me. Judging by the shade of
red his head was turning, he was too angry and embarrassed to speak. I couldn’t
say anything, either.
The only person who could make a sound was Felix. He was laughing so hard he was choking. He
fell down on the floor, gripping his sides. I had to step over him in order to
get out of the room.
fell down on the floor, gripping his sides. I had to step over him in order to
get out of the room.
Traitor
The Dragonrider Chronicles
Book Three
One kingdom’s traitor will become the world’s last hope.
Can anyone survive Luntharda? No amount of training has prepared Jaevid Broadfeather for the frontlines of battle. Now facing the true horrors of war, with Luntharda looming on the horizon, Jaevid has begun to question everything he thought about his heritage. The only thing keeping him going is his oath to protect his dragonrider brothers. But in an instant, even that slips through Jaevid’s fingers as he steps from the safety of his dragon’s saddle into the depths of his mother’s wild homeland—the kingdom of the gray elves.
Stranded in Luntharda with his partner Lieutenant Jace Rordin, Jaevid must finally confront the demons of his own past as he uncovers the truth about a war that began before he was ever born. Armed with a new appreciation for destiny, and flanked by his trusted friends, Jaevid moves to make the final strike against an enemy that has hidden in plain sight for far too long.
TRAITOR is third book in Nicole Conway’s bestselling quartet THE DRAGONRIDER CHRONICLES. This exciting, dragon-filled world returns in the DRAGONRIDER LEGACY trilogy, which concludes with book 3, LEGEND, on May 7, 2019.
Excerpt
Book Three:
Book Three:
Against the
roaring winds and frozen rain, I saw the shape of someone standing at the top
of that staircase. At first glimpse, it looked like a knight; a petite man clad
in armor that shimmered like obsidian glass and adorned in painted golden
wings, even on the gauntlets and helmet, giving the wearer an angelic
appearance.
roaring winds and frozen rain, I saw the shape of someone standing at the top
of that staircase. At first glimpse, it looked like a knight; a petite man clad
in armor that shimmered like obsidian glass and adorned in painted golden
wings, even on the gauntlets and helmet, giving the wearer an angelic
appearance.
I stretched out
my hand toward the black armored knight, who had started descending the steps.
Once we were both inside, we began working together to push the door closed
again to keep out the cold.
my hand toward the black armored knight, who had started descending the steps.
Once we were both inside, we began working together to push the door closed
again to keep out the cold.
Then she took
off her helmet.
off her helmet.
Beckah’s long
dark hair fell down over her shoulder in a braid. Some of her bangs were
sticking to the moisture on her forehead and the sides of her face, and her
lightly freckled cheeks were flushed from the cold wind. When her bright green
eyes looked up at me in the darkness, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
dark hair fell down over her shoulder in a braid. Some of her bangs were
sticking to the moisture on her forehead and the sides of her face, and her
lightly freckled cheeks were flushed from the cold wind. When her bright green
eyes looked up at me in the darkness, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
I kissed her. It
was a much deeper, more passionate kiss than any we’d ever had before. She put
her arms around my waist and hugged me close, and for a long time we just stood
like that. I couldn’t believe how much I’d missed her in such a short amount of
time. Under all that armor, she was still the simple, beautiful girl I’d eaten
peaches with on the beach in Saltmarsh. She was still the Beckah I loved.
was a much deeper, more passionate kiss than any we’d ever had before. She put
her arms around my waist and hugged me close, and for a long time we just stood
like that. I couldn’t believe how much I’d missed her in such a short amount of
time. Under all that armor, she was still the simple, beautiful girl I’d eaten
peaches with on the beach in Saltmarsh. She was still the Beckah I loved.
Immortal
The Dragonrider Chronicles
The Dragonrider Chronicles
Book Four
Nicole Conway
What began as one boy’s adventure will now end in blood.
Destiny has called.
With Jaevid Broadfeather forever lost to the depths of Luntharda, Felix Farrow struggles to stand on his own. He begins a violent downward spiral which causes him to abandon his post as a dragonrider, hiding in the halls of his family estate. His one hope for redemption lies within the heart of someone from his past—and the very last person he ever wanted to see again.
And now the time has finally come.
Hovrid, who has ruled Maldobar as a tyrannical imposter, is preparing to make a decisive assault against Luntharda that will destroy what remains of the elven race. Only Jaevid, Felix, and their trusted friends are able to stand in his way. They have only one chance to end the war, and only one hope to absolve the curse that threatens to destroy their world. The stage is set. The plan is in motion. What began as one boy’s adventure will now end in blood.
IMMORTAL is final book in Nicole Conway’s bestselling quartet THE DRAGONRIDER CHRONICLES.
Amazon
Excerpt
Book Four:
Book Four:
Group after
group of dragons and their riders continued to land on the platform and file
into the tower. One hundred proud warriors had left to retake the city only a
few days before. Less than forty of us returned.
group of dragons and their riders continued to land on the platform and file
into the tower. One hundred proud warriors had left to retake the city only a
few days before. Less than forty of us returned.
Still, I was
only looking for one.
only looking for one.
“Where is he?
Does anyone see him?!” I shouted at the top of my lungs and shoved my way
through the other dragonriders. I called his name over and over, hoping to spot
him or his blue dragon making their way down the corridor ahead of me. They
must have fallen behind.
Does anyone see him?!” I shouted at the top of my lungs and shoved my way
through the other dragonriders. I called his name over and over, hoping to spot
him or his blue dragon making their way down the corridor ahead of me. They
must have fallen behind.
I searched every
bloodied, war-beaten face that came walking in from the rain. Before I knew it,
I was standing back at the open gateway that led out onto the platform.
bloodied, war-beaten face that came walking in from the rain. Before I knew it,
I was standing back at the open gateway that led out onto the platform.
Jaevid Broadfeather
was nowhere to be found.
was nowhere to be found.
Someone grabbed
my shoulder. A bolt of hope shot through me as I spun around, hoping to see him
standing there.
my shoulder. A bolt of hope shot through me as I spun around, hoping to see him
standing there.
It wasn’t him.
It was my riding
partner, Lieutenant Prax, standing over me like a giant in blood-spattered
battle armor. He was much older than I was and a far more seasoned rider.
That’s why the look on his face absolutely terrified me.
partner, Lieutenant Prax, standing over me like a giant in blood-spattered
battle armor. He was much older than I was and a far more seasoned rider.
That’s why the look on his face absolutely terrified me.
“No one saw him
or Jace depart with us.”
or Jace depart with us.”
I was instantly sick. I couldn’t accept that. Jaevid wouldn’t just roll over and die—not this
easily. We’d made it this far, gone through all of our dragonrider training
together from beginning to end – so I knew he could fight.
easily. We’d made it this far, gone through all of our dragonrider training
together from beginning to end – so I knew he could fight.
This exciting, dragon-filled world returns in the DRAGONRIDER LEGACY trilogy, which concludes with book 3, LEGEND, on May 7, 2019.
About the Author:
NICOLE CONWAY is an author from North Alabama. She graduated from Auburn University in 2012, and has previously worked as a graphic artist. She is happily married with one son.
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with The Dragonrider Chronicles!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged fantasy, Fledgling, Nicole Conway, The Dragonrider Chronicles, YA by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
Neat interview, enjoyed it
Thanks for stopping by!