The Dragonslayer Series

Resa Nelson’s 4-book Dragonslayer series:

Thanks to author Resa Nelson for sending us this wonderful interview with Taddeo from her Dragonslayer series
 

Synopsis for The Dragonslayer’s Sword (Book 1)

For Astrid, a blacksmith who makes swords for dragonslayers, the emergence of a strange gemstone from her body sets in motion a chain of events that threaten to destroy her life. Her happiness is shattered when her lover--the dragonslayer--disappears without a trace, and the life that she knows and loves implodes without warning.
Astrid lives in a world of shapeshifters whose thoughts have the power to change not only themselves but others. Everything Astrid knows to be true is called into question when she learns the truth about her past and the mysterious family from which she was separated as a child.
Reality turns inside out as Astrid gradually learns the truth about the people she loves as well as those she disdains. With the fate of dragons, ghosts, and slaves in foreign lands resting on her shoulders, Astrid faces the challenge of deciding who she is and how she will stand up inside her own skin. Will she withdraw and hide from the world that has disappointed her so much...or will she rise to lead others to freedom and peace?

Synopsis for The Iron Maiden (Book 2)

Astrid is reluctant to travel the winter route beyond the Northlands, even though it’s
her duty. She’d rather stay home in her village, surrounded by friends and neighbors. Ignoring the bonds of tradition, she decides to spend the cold winter months in the warmth of her blacksmithing shop. Why should she leave the comfort of her cottage to serve and protect foreigners who might raid and harm her native Northlands?
Everything changes when a traveling merchant steals Starlight, the first dragonslayer’s sword Astrid forged and her last link to her sweetheart DiStephan. Having no time to alert her friends, Astrid races in pursuit of the merchant, determined to reclaim Starlight as her own and return home in time for dinner. Instead, her quest leads her to new lands, unexpected friendships with foreigners, and a harrowing encounter with the damage done by the followers of a new god that considers women as nothing more than servants to men. All the while, she must be ready to face any dragon traveling the winter route.
In Book 2 of the Dragonslayer series, Astrid must learn that deciding who she is isn’t a decision she can make just once. It’s a decision she must make every day.

Synopsis for The Stone of Darkness (Book 3)

In Book 3 of the Dragonslayer series, Astrid accepts her duty and follows the winter route--until she's bitten by a dragon. Everyone knows dragon bites are poisonous and deadly, so she reluctantly accepts her impending death. In a twist of fate, she survives. Desperate for an explanation, Astrid believes she has somehow been protected by the black stone she keeps with her at all times, a stone that emerged from the sole of her foot a year ago.

Determined to find out what the stone is and what kind of powers it possesses, Astrid begins a journey that leads her to alchemists and an army of men under the rule of the powerful warrior, Mandulane, the acting lord of the Krystr army. Mandulane's mission is to spread the word of the new god Krystr, which preaches the evil intent of women and the danger they pose to all men, who are entitled to dominate the world. Rumors about this new god and army have spread, but Astrid is the first Northlander to encounter them.

Soon, she stumbles upon a secret of a far-reaching and mind-numbing plot that will impact the entire world. Astrid must find a way to spread the news of this threat and protect her people and everyone else at risk. She's convinced the answer lies inside the Stone of Darkness, and she must find a way to understand the stone and the powers she's convinced it must hold before it's too late.

Synopsis for The Dragon’s Egg (Book 4)

In the fourth and final book of the Dragonslayer series, Mandulane’s army is poised to
attack the Northlands in the name of a powerful god, but in truth Mandulane is using the act of spreading this new faith as a way to disguise his own personal greed and hunger for power.
Astrid has succeeded in warning her beloved country of imminent danger, and the Northlanders scramble to set up a clever defense, never realizing a spy in their midst is poised to take critical information directly to Mandulane.
After sacrificing herself in order to set her brother Drageen free for the sake of protecting the Northlands, Astrid finds herself controlled by the stone of light. Although it forces her path of destiny, Astrid learns she must make one final choice about who she wants to be.
Most important of all, her new sweetheart Trep encounters a dragon that entrusts him with the care of a dragon’s egg. Trep embraces a dangerous journey and accepts the duty of protecting the unhatched dragon, knowing that its safety could impact the fate of the entire world.

Interview with Taddeo, a dragon in the Dragonslayer Series

Q:  Thank you for joining us today.  You look like a man, but is it true that you’re actually a dragon?

Taddeo:  That is correct.  As a true dragon, I can decide to appear as a man or I can decide to appear as a dragon.  At this moment, I choose to appear as a man.  You might call me a shapeshifter.

Q:  The world you live in is full of dragons.  Are all dragons like you?

Taddeo:  The world may be full of dragons, but there are fewer dragons now than in the past.  And most dragons are not like me.  They are overgrown lizards.  The mortals have a legend that says dragons were once small lizards that became overly impressed with themselves and grew enormous so that they could  live up to the way they perceived themselves.  Perhaps the legend is true.

Q:  Are the overgrown lizards shapeshifters, too?

Taddeo:  No, they are simple animals.  Extremely dangerous, but simple.  They live to eat and are in constant search of food.  They eat crops that mortals grow, as well as mortals themselves.  It is no wonder that dragonslayers have such great importance.  You might be surprised to know that I have befriended more than one dragonslayer.  Because of the importance of true dragons, a special bond exists between dragons and dragonslayers.

Q:  Does that mean that dragonslayers kill overgrown lizards but they don’t kill true dragons?

Taddeo:  That is correct.  True dragons are here for very specific reasons, and if we reveal information about ourselves then our purpose is ruined.  Therefore, I can say little else about our nature.

Q:  One of the first people you meet is Astrid, who’s a blacksmith – and she makes swords and other weapons for dragonslayers!  You had your own reasons for wanting to meet her.  Did anything about her surprise you?

Taddeo:  Yes.  Astrid is the most important mortal to me for many reasons.  I needed her to achieve my own wishes, and yet I couldn’t help but feel sorry for what I had done.  I decided to help her, and during this time I came to know her and become quite fond of her.  She has surprised me many times because of the decisions she makes and how she comes to make them.  She is quite an unusual mortal, and it is my great pleasure to know her despite the fact that we have had many ups and downs.

Q:  You also have a unique friendship with Astrid’s sweetheart DiStephan, who is a dragonslayer.  How would you describe that friendship?

Taddeo:  Our friendship has been very eventful in many different ways.  It became necessary to confide in DiStephan to acquire his help, and he understands things about true dragons that are kept secret from all other mortals, including Astrid.  I realize this has been difficult for him, especially when I have taken action that would horrify or revolt other mortals.  Because DiStephan has a deep understanding of who we are and our purpose, he knows sacrifices must be made for the greater good.  But some of those sacrifices have been very painful and difficult for him to witness.

Q:  Some readers might see you as a hero while others see you as a villain.  And some might see you as both!  How do you see yourself?

Taddeo:  I see myself as a dragon.  Like any living creature, I must do whatever is necessary to survive.  In the end, you will understand why this is important not only to myself but to all others.  When you know what I know, you may still struggle to define me as a hero or villain, but you will know why I have done everything I have done and why my actions and decisions have been so important.

 

About the Author

Resa Nelson’s first novel, The Dragonslayer’s Sword, was nominated for the Nebula Award and was also a Finalist for the EPPIE Award. This medieval fantasy novel is based on a short story first published in the premiere issue of Science Fiction Age magazine and ranked 2nd in that magazine's first Readers Top Ten Poll. The Dragonslayer's Sword is Book 1 in her 4-book Dragonslayer series, which also includes The Iron Maiden (Book 2), The Stone of Darkness (Book 3), and The Dragon’s Egg (Book 4).
Resa's standalone novel, Our Lady of the Absolute, is a fantasy/mystery/thriller about a modern-day society based on ancient Egypt. Midwest Book Review gave this book a 5-star review, calling it "a riveting fantasy, very highly recommended."
She has been selling fiction professionally since 1988. She is a longtime member of SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America) and is a graduate of the Clarion SF Workshop. Resa was also the TV/Movie Columnist for Realms of Fantasy magazine for 13 years and was a contributor to SCI FI magazine. She has sold over 200 articles to magazines in the United States and the United Kingdom.


Resa lives in Massachusetts. Visit her website here.


Resa Nelson’s links:

Free “mini” ebook of Dragonslayer short stories
GoodReads giveaway
Facebook page
Twitter: @ResaNelson
Email: ContactResa@aol.com
Ebooks ($4.99 each) are available directly from Mundania Press (get a 10% discount at checkout with the coupon code MP10)
Paperbacks are available from Mundania Press(get a 10% discount at checkout with the coupon code MP10), Amazon, and Barnes&Noble