About the Book:
What do you do when you’re tormented by someone else’s memories?
For seventeen years, Maia, a promising acolyte of the Goddess of Light, has hidden her abnormality to manifest flames over her skin. But after she performs in the temple’s Summer Solstice ceremony, the Emperor’s mysterious envoy, Lord Quei, approaches to say he knows about her secret abilities. Even worse, Quei threatens to have her executed as a demon unless she joins him on a quest to recover lost coins, claiming they contain memories of their past lives on a distant, far more advanced world.
To avoid a death sentence, Maia must turn her back on her principles and resort to deceit and thievery. The truth might explain the strange wisps of memories that haunt her dreams. But it could also destroy her beliefs about the Goddess she reveres, the nature of the world she lives in, and her own identity.
FIRE DANCE is a gripping blend of science fiction, fantasy, romance and adventure that will resonate with fans of The Last Lumenian by S.G. Blaise and those who crave the enchanting combination of magic, mystery, and unlikely friendships found in Runelight by J.A. Andrews.
Dive into this mesmerizing world and embark on an unforgettable journey today!
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Author Interview:
1: Tell us a little about yourself and what got you in to writing?
As far back as I remember, I’ve created stories in my head—initially with characters and settings taken from my favourite TV series. I suppose nowadays that would count as fan fiction though at the time I didn’t know the term. The first such stories go back to when I was around nine years old and were based on an old British series called Arthur of the Britons.
It was a small step from there to actually start writing. I’ve always been drawn to stories set in the distant past or in the future so it was natural for me to choose to write SFF.
2: Do you have a favourite time and place where you write?
If I were to choose, it would be first thing in the morning in the peace and quiet of my bedroom, especially on my bed with my laptop on my knees, but unfortunately this is not always possible, so I’ve got used to writing wherever I can and whenever I have the time.
3: Where do your ideas come from?
Anything could trigger an idea. My first series (The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy) was triggered by what was probably a dream. I have a very vivid memory of my grandfather showing a four- or five-year-old me three-inch-high statuettes of dwarf-like figures, but my family is convinced these statuettes don’t exist. Years later, the scene is still vivid in my mind, and it led to my wondering why someone would have a memory of something that others say never happened.
The idea for my latest series, the Fire Dance Chronicles, came from a short Urban Fantasy story I wrote about a shape-shifting girl who is phoenix-like in the sense that she returns as a baby without knowing who she was in previous life-cycles. That idea triggered a wholly different story, set in an ancient Rome-like setting where I explore the complicated relationships that would occur if people return as a baby, for example, one’s children would be older than you. And what would one’s relationship with former husbands / loved ones from other cycles be like?
4: Do you have a plan in your head of where the story is going before you start writing or do you let it carry you along as you go?
I always start with a plan so I do have an idea how the story should develop. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, as soon as I begin to write, characters take on a life of their own and dictate their own path, which often leads to the final version of the story turning out rather differently from what I had initially planned.
5: What genre are your books and what drew you to that genre?
My short stories range from magical realism to sci-fi fantasy. As for my novels: The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy is epic fantasy, while the Fire Dance Chronicles is sci-fi fantasy.
6: What dream cast would you like to see playing the characters in your latest book?
Oh, great question, though I’ve never thought about it… Jenna Ortega would make a great Maia, the protagonist of Fire Dance. As for the two male main characters… I’m not sure – perhaps Nicholas Hoult as 18-year-old Ryse and Keanu Reeves as 50-something Quei.
7: Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors?
Reading has always been my passion. I don’t really have favourite authors, though I’ll read anything written by Robin Hobb and Kristen Britain and of course Tolkien. As you’ve realized, I read mostly fantasy, especially epic fantasy.
8: What book/s are you reading at present?
The latest novel of my ex-crit partner – J.A Andrews’ Runelight.
9: What is your favourite book and why?
Just one? I love all Tolkien’s work, as well as Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy. I love a book that immerses the reader into a unique world plus has charismatic characters and a fast-paced plot. On a different note, I am fascinated by writers who skillfully manipulate readers’ expectations or use words creatively. One such book is Anthony Burgess’s controversial novel: Clockwork Orange.
10: What advice would you give for someone thinking about becoming a writer?
Write. Write. Write. Then revise, get feedback from other writers and revise again.
11: What are the best Social Media Sites for people to find out about you and your work?
The best way is to subscribe to my twice-monthly newsletter: https://carolinesciriha.substack.com
But I’m active on most social media sites:
Website: https://carolinesciriha.wordpress.com
Facebook: Caroline Sciriha and Writing Fantasy https://m.facebook.com/p/Caroline-Sciriha-and-Writing-Fantasy-100066653328657/
Instagram and TikTok: @carolinesciriha
About the Author:
Caroline Sciriha lives in Malta. She writes fiction, especially fantasy, whenever she’s not reading, grading papers or creating pottery pieces with air-dry clay. The sea, and life on an island, feature in many of her stories including the epic fantasy series The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy (2023) and the sci-fi fantasy series the Fire Dance Chronicles (2024).
You can find her online on Facebook as Caroline Sciriha and Writing Fantasy, as well as on Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok.
To keep in touch and receive free short stories, news and information about all things fantasy you can subscribe to her Substack newsletter: Caroline’s Fantasy Worlds.