If I Knew Then What I Know Now About Writing
When I first started writing Garden of Thorns, I was unagented and still trying to sludge my way through the query pile. I loved the first novel and spent a good year getting it ready to be queried and then polishing it even further so it could go on submission.
Through all of that, I had no idea if it would find a home or ever even see the light of day. I’d always hoped it would be a series but since I didn’t know if it would be published, I was a little lax about actually planning what the next two books would look like. I knew a few key points I wanted to hit but I had no idea of the larger picture. Luckily, by the time I got to revisions with my editor, I had taken the time to come up with a better idea for how I saw the story going and was able to add some foreshadowing in for the next two books in the series.
Had I really thought it through then, I would definitely have given more consideration to the series as a whole. Now, when I am putting together a novel idea that I know will be a series, I take the time to write out a synopsis of the overarching plot of the series. It doesn’t need to be in-depth, just a few pages, but it will help so much in crafting that first book with foreshadowing and make the series feel intentional.
Roots of Ruin (Garden of Thorns #3)
by Amber Mitchell
Publication Date: August 16, 2021
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Goodreads
Series
They did the impossible, but their problems are far from over…
After freeing the Delmarion empire, Rose and Rayce must go to Varsha, the desert home Rose fled when she was a child—the country she’s meant to rule.
Rayce is the new emperor of Delmar, Varsha’s longtime enemy, but that won’t stop him from assisting the girl he loves. Armed with the brute force of Rayce’s military, Rose sets out to free her people from the oppressive rule of the usurper king who killed her father.
But even if they win, how can she be queen to her homeland and in love with the man ruling its bitter enemy? With her loyalties split between heart and crown, Rose must find a way to do the impossible again…unite two kingdoms at war, or sacrifice half of herself to save the other.
Purchase Links:
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0893V16W7?tag=entangpublis-20&name=Roots%20of%20Ruin
- https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0893V16W7?tag=entangpublis-20&name=Roots%20of%20Ruin
- https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0893V16W7?tag=entangpublis-20&name=Roots%20of%20Ruin
- https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0893V16W7?tag=entangpublis-20&name=Roots%20of%20Ruin
- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/9781649370020?name=Roots%20of%20Ruin
- https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781649370020?name=Roots%20of%20Ruin
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=9781649370020&name=Roots%20of%20Ruin
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amber Mitchell was born and raised in a small town in Florida. After briefly escaping small town life by attending the University of South Florida where she earned her degree in Creative Writing, she decided to ditch traffic jams and move back to her hometown. There she writes Young Adult novels, usually with a bit of magic in them, rolls D20s with her friends on Thursday nights and enjoys hanging out with her husband and four cats. Her other job involves crafting cardstock in to 3D art and has allowed her to travel all over the US vending at comic conventions which has only increased her love for fantasy and fandoms. She is represented by Nikki Terpilowski of Holloway Literature
Giveaway Details:
- One (1) winner will win a $15 Amazon gift card
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES
After seven grueling years of captivity in the Garden—a burlesque troupe of slave girls—sixteen-year-old Rose finds an opportunity to escape during a performance for the emperor. But the hostage she randomly chose from the crowd to aid her isn’t one of the emperor’s men—not anymore. He’s the former heir to the throne, who is now leading a rebellion against it.
Rayce is a wanted man and dangerously charismatic, the worst person for Rose to get involved with, no matter what his smile promises. But he assumes Rose’s attempt to take him hostage is part of a plot to crush the rebellion, so he takes her as his hostage. Now Rose must prove where her loyalties lie, and she offers Rayce a deal—if he helps her rescue the other girls, she’ll tell him all the Garden’s secrets.
Except the one secret she’s kept for seven years that she’ll take to her grave if she must.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30118749-garden-of-thorns
Like flowers denied water, people are wilting under the emperor’s tyranny.
Rose will not rest until the Gardener is dead. But there are bigger battles to fight, and Rayce—leader of the rebellion and the only man Rose has ever loved—believes their best chance at winning the war is to join forces with her sworn enemy.
Saving innocent people is more important than her quest for revenge. But their new ally can’t be trusted—and he knows her darkest secret. One betrayal could leave the war and Rayce’s life hanging in the balance, and Rose will need to make the ultimate sacrifice to save them all.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37904177-war-of-the-wilted
This book sounds good
This sounds like a great read.
this book looks so intriguing
Amber Mitchell is new to me, but I love meeting new authors. Thanks to this blog for the introduction.
Sounds like a wonderful read!
Sounds like a good book.
The book sounds like a very interesting read, and I love the cover.
Love the cover!
Roots of Ruin – the third book in the Garden of Thorns series – sounds like a fascinating read. Many people love it when their favorite books are part of a series so they can read on, and on, and on!
I really like the character name, Rayce
Sounds good. I like the cover.
Hadn’t heard of this series before, looking forward to reading them!
All of the covers are fabulous.
Congrats on the new release! It sounds exciting. Interesting cover too.
Sounds like a great series!
This looks like an intriguing read for sure.
I look forward to reading this!
I love getting to know what things authors can share because as I attempt to dip my toe in the world of writing and sending out to publishers every little detail helps! Thanks for sharing this!
Cool cover
Wow! The story sounds really good! I am also wondering how Rose and Rayce can hold on to their love while ruling their people. Cover art is beautiful.
Interesting cover and series concept.