The stories of this soon-to-be trilogy are steeped in history ( Scots, Norse, and English – what a trio they make!), clashing religions and cultures, vivid imagery and resplendent landscapes (most that I’ve visited). 'Magic! Well, a mystical people of Ancients who have abilities to harness the earth’s elements of Fire, Water, and Wind. Why should we read A Hundred Breaths and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique? But…though water heals and gives life, death also travels by water. Water is my heroine’s conduit for her Healing power, so the churning, vibrant, life-giving water on the cover is a perfect symbol for her special ability. I delved into research of the Norse and was very eager to have a ship on the cover. I prefer to leave the image of the protagonists up to the reader (though I have my own vision in my mind!). 'I’m visually-inspired and I love a cover that reflects the mood and setting of a book.

Can you tell us about your cover for A Hundred Breaths - why you chose that concept and who the artist is. They do say the villain has to come from somewhere…Joking aside, I try to make well-rounded characters with flaws and strengths I’ve either experienced, read about, or have been inspired by.' The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. We’ll leave that mystery up to my readers. I weave a bit of my own personality (the good, bad, and the ugly…) into all my characters. For my first book, that was a woman yearning to learn more from a mother she lost to death too soon, which parallels my own life. 'Some of my best ideas are based on real-life experiences. And thus, A Hundred Breaths was born.' How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

It turns out that 1263 was a pivotal year for the Norse and Scots…a final battle to end all battles.Īfter creating Deirdre’s mystical Feeler ability in A Hundred Kisses, I knew that this was an inherited trait, and her mother should also have a gift.

However, Deirdre’s parents’ story spoke to me (those pesky characters like to get in my head. I wrote the first book ( A Hundred Kisses) with no intention of going beyond that unique story. I’m also writing the third book to make this into a trilogy. 'My first book inspired this book, the prequel. What was the inspiration for A Hundred Breaths?

A Hundred Kisses by Jean M. Grant