Welcome, friend! Today I am chatting with author Dale Griffin about his latest book, The Last Lion of Karkov. Let’s welcome him and learn more about the book!
Get to know the author: Dale Griffin
Welcome Dale! Tell me and my readers a bit about yourself!
I consider myself a traveler and writer as a result. My wife and I tour Europe as much as possible. Not only have our travels led me to writing, but many of our favorite places or moments find their way onto the page.
What inspired you to write this book?
I did not initially set out to write a book. All my life, I’ve used writing as an exercise to relieve stress, usually in the form of short stories. But with this short story, I kept adding on—both to the beginning and to the end—until a short story grew into a fantasy novel. It kept improving each time someone would read it and offer advice. Eventually, I felt it needed to be taken all the way.
How long did it take you to write this book, from the first idea to the last edit?
It took exactly 5 years.
What makes your story unique?
The pace is faster than a typical fantasy novel. I write according to my reading preference. What I don’t like to read is page after page of worldbuilding. I know some people prefer totally unique worlds that must be described in detail, but I like the tempo to stay up so I don’t want to put the book down. One method I use is creating fictional places that are inspired by and very similar to real places, like Paris, so the reader is quickly able to picture the setting.
Who would enjoy reading your book?
Adult and YA readers of fantasy.
What’s something you hope readers would take away from it?
My hope is that readers will remember Jillian and Natalia when they think of awesome female protagonists. As individuals they are dynamic, evolving, and always interesting. But when their astonishing, emotional bond comes across on the page is when the story is at its finest.
Do you have a favourite quote or scene in the book that you find yourself going back to?
A scene that is special to me is one of the final passages that I wrote. Jillian is always putting her sister’s wellbeing before her own needs. As a result of her obsession over Natalia’s protection, she is usually quick to anger and hesitant to trust (much less love) others. In this scene, Jillian is observing a lioness during her escape into the wilderness. This is an obvious parallel because Jillian is nicknamed The Lioness. As Jillian compares herself to the wild beast—reduced to primal needs and desires—far away from troubles and obligations—she realizes that she has finally found happiness. But her happiness only lasts for a moment because she wishes that Natalia could be there, sharing the experience. As soon as she thought of Natalia, she wept, knowing that she must go home and do what must be done for her sister’s sake.
What is something you have learned on your author journey so far?
Outlining is an effective way to reduce inefficiencies. With The Last Lion of Karkov, I did not use this method until organizing some of the final revisions. As a result, many parts were rewritten multiple times. For my current project, I am utilizing an outline to properly evaluate character arcs and plot before composing actual drafts.
What’s the best piece of advice you have received related to writing?
Countless times the developmental editor, Sarah LaPolla, told me to put it on the page. Initially, I was trying to fit within a recommended word count that I had researched for fantasy novels. As a result, I would often refer to something that happened rather than writing it into the story. Sarah encouraged me not to skip over events that impact the plot. This was a crucial leap in the book’s development, and some of the parts that I once intended to skip became some of my favorite chapters.
The Last Lion of Karkov
YA Fantasy Romance, 2023
Raised in Karkov, a military, male-dominant kingdom, twins Natalia and Jillian know nothing but battle. When Jillian emerges as the dominant twin and apparent heir to the throne, Natalia, the softer and more diplomatic sister, ceases her military training. As Natalia prepares to marry the prince of her father’s favored Western ally, Jillian is set to become the first woman Lion of Karkov. But things don’t go as planned when the older generation of warriors values her womb over her sword. Suddenly, the role Jillian has fought for all her life is slipping through her fingers…and she’s not about to let it go without a fight.
At first, Jillian wants to destroy the young male warrior that the older generation favors. But soon, the two begin to fall for each other, and dark secrets behind Karkov’s past come to light. Now, Jillian finds herself in the unthinkable position of defending her former rival…and defying her father. Her defiance inspires a younger generation of warriors, who dub her the Lioness of Karkov.
Furious, her father ousts Jillian and the warriors who swore allegiance to her, setting in motion a chain of events that will disrupt everything he swore to protect. As innocent lands suffer invasion, greedy monarchies fall to revolution, and the wedding of the century threatens to live up to its name, Jillian and Natalia must reckon with the consequences of love and war. When four nations converge on a battlefield, one sister must decide whether to embrace the life she always wanted—or stand up for the destiny that was never meant for her.
Book Excerpt from
The Last Lion of Karkov
Chapter 18
The beginning of Natalia’s personality change could be traced back to her removal from training. The abrupt transition from harshness to gentleness was jarring to her. Jillian was the tether that kept Natalia grounded. During the many months of cold weather, however, when Jillian’s dedication to war preparations turned extreme, Natalia became lonely and attention-seeking.
As Natalia rushed across the threshold of her father’s study, she was already asking, “Can you send someone for Jillian?”
The suddenness of her rude entry surprised the Old Lion, who was pouring spirits from a crystal decanter. It noticeably wasn’t his first drink of the night, and she startled him enough that he spilled the liquor.
Natalia hadn’t finished her complaint and continued before she could be reproached. “If she isn’t training, she’s studying. Everything there is to know about Passan. Maps. Battle plans. Equipment ledgers. When Jillian does come home, she stays up all night reading Sokol’s old journals. Passan Passan Passan. I’m sick of Passan, and the war hasn’t even begun. She doesn’t know I exist anymore.”
His speech was a little slurred when he responded, “Life will never return to the way it was.”
“I don’t need it to,” Natalia squealed. “But when will mine begin?”
“Has it not already?” asked the Old Lion.
“I meant my life in Lucenze.”
“You’re not ready.”
“When will I be ready?”
He wouldn’t look at her.
Natalia asked, “After the war?”
“You’ll have to stay until I pass.”
“Papa!” she whined.
“You think Jillian will care for me when I’m old?”
Natalia snickered at the thought of Jillian’s caring for their father in his old age. “You’re already old, Papa. It’s impossible to deny when it’s in your name.”
The Old Lion was struggling to wipe up the liquor he’d spilled around his assortment of liquor containers.
“I’ll clean it up, Papa.”
With his drink in hand, the Old Lion swayed toward his desk while Natalia tidied the table.
The small table holding her father’s spirits had a white marble top. There were three corked glass bottles and two decanters. Natalia was fascinated with the green decanter, which looked as if it was carved. “Why don’t you drink from the green bottle? It’s prettier.”
“That’s jade from Oriene,” he responded.
“It’s lovely.” Natalia removed the plug from the jade decanter and inhaled the volatile scent before throwing her head back with disgust and shaking her head.
The Old Lion chuckled. “Try some.”
“It smells like it should clean wounds.”
“That’s exactly what it does.” The Old Lion pointed to his head. “Not all wounds are seen.”
Frowning, she asked, “You drink it to forget?”
“The stronger the better.”
“I don’t want you to forget. What if you forget my mother?”
“How could I forget her? I see her every time I look at you.”
Natalia beamed. She loved it when he spoke of her resemblance to her mother and had brought up the subject for that very reason. Her enjoyment faded as she watched the Old Lion fumble through some stationery on his desk. “I’d rather you drink less.”
“There’s much an Old Lion has survived, and nights are filled with reliving.”
“Oh, Papa, your life is not all bad.” Natalia took the glass from his desk simply to keep the Old Lion from drinking more, but then she decided to show him how silly he sounded. Natalia widened her elbows, to appear broader, and imitated his booming voice by shouting, “Thoughts of headless kings will not keep me awake tonight! I will wash them away like a manly man!” When she turned the glass up to take a healthy swig, the liquor had barely reached her tongue before she spewed it from her mouth with a vigorous spray. “Why would anyone . . .?”
The Old Lion roared with laughter.
Natalia spat again, trying to remove the awful taste. “This should not be something you’d drink voluntarily.”
It made Natalia feel good to ease her father’s troubles. She was better for him than the repulsive drink. She sat in his lap and looked over what he was writing. “The spirits are affecting your penmanship. I can’t read most . . .” Natalia became excited when she saw mention of Vestra. “You shouldn’t send something this messy to Vestra. Let me redo it.”
Not long into the dictation, Natalia realized the Old Lion was inviting Vestran envoys to be his guests during the war. The Old Lion explained: “These men are journalists. Artists. People of influence. Jillian will be widely known after her conquests in Passan. Vestra will introduce her to the world.”
Until that moment, Natalia had never been truly jealous of Jillian. She shrieked, “All that way just to make Jillian famous?” Bitter over the thought, Natalia looked to see if the Old Lion was watching what she wrote. When it was clear that he wasn’t, she quickly added mention of the Heir’s beautiful sister, Natalia.
Interested?
Find The Last Lion of Karkov on Goodreads.
Thank you for hanging out with us today. Many thanks to Simone Jung for coordinating this collaboration!
If you are an indie author and would like to do a book excerpt, check out my work with me page for details. Check out other book excerpts here.
Cover Photo on Unsplash
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