The Empress' Journey (Tikl the First of Nehel) Epic Fantasy by Joseph Kopel ➱ Book Tour with Guest Post and giveaway
What is your stance?
The Empress’ Journey
Tikl The First of Nehel Book 1
by Joseph Kopel
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Amid turmoil and despair, a new hope arises as a young
empress.
The Gesha obliterated the once thriving but
ailing Kingdom of Aranka, triggering an imbalance in Sankaris.
Epidemics, wars, pollution, and madness plague the land as the
protagonists pursue for answers.
A glimmer of faith
spreads throughout the maimed world as the Promise. Her rise to power
brings a much-needed balance, ensuring a fresh start and the dawning
of a new era.
Will she unravel the mysteries behind these
afflictions and restore the balance to Sankaris?
Join this
captivating tale of humanity, resilience, determination, and the
search for truths in a world gripped by darkness.
The Promise has to accept her stance.
"I am just a small girl with all the burden of an empire."
Beings of pure evilness.
"I had an encounter with a wraith of nightmarish malevolence!"
Tests of loyalty.
"Do not ya see, indeed, the Promise is with this knight?"
The
Gesha (Prologue)
So many
stories about the Gesha spread throughout Sankaris. Unfolded in different
accounts, but the same culmination.
Though
restricted to half a continent, the influence reached all over the world.
None of
the four moons were visible that night as dark clouds gathered over the ailing
Kingdom of Aranka.
A realm so
cursed by the plague and the sudden death of two monarchs in a short time.
The
thunderstorm came afterward.
A massive
roar echoed from the clouds, even in distant places on three continents.
The sound
was too bizarre to be a rumble of thunder.
The
blazing white lightning impossible to see fell to the ground somewhere in
Aranka. A burning reverberation resonated, shrieking.
The
powerful earthquake trembled the underground.
Twisted
and massive, rapid winds danced along with the fire. It lasted a moment in time
but seemed an eternity.
Then,
void. Silence, darkness. Without a trace, the clouds vanished, unveiling the
night sky with the imposing moons of No Sak and No Nunn.
By the
morning, when the sun arose, Aranka was no more.
Nothing.
All
existence of a realm gone.
Life
became dead. Sand only sand. Desert.
A kingdom
obliterated.
Everyone
knew the morning sensed strange.
A severed
balance immutably maimed Sankaris.
Excerpt
from: Kopel, Joseph. The Empress' Journey: Tikl the First of Nehel (pp. 7-8).
Joseph Kopel. Kindle Edition.
“I have a
feeling there is more you wish to reveal. Have you forgotten?” she said with a
fixed stare. “What is my life stance?”
“Aye,
Lakia,” he smiled with apprehension. “You were born as the Promise of the
Jyistereerk, an empress entrusted with bringing balance to this ill world.”
The girl,
feeling a sense of tranquility, turned her gaze towards the majestic Karekall
Mountains. She understood what dwelt beyond the formidable mountains and knew
her purpose. Still, an essence of chilling mystery hid behind.
Excerpt
from: Kopel, Joseph. The Empress' Journey: Tikl the First of Nehel (p. 203).
Joseph Kopel. Kindle Edition.
His eyes
wetted, and he was about to cease on his purpose when a light wind crashed on
his face. He sensed her and turned to glance to the left.
Juni found
her.
Lakia
stood under a cherry blossom tree of white flowers. She was immobile and
covered by the cloak’s hood and with boyish clothes.
The wind,
her wind, made the loosened flower’s tiny petals descend on her like a
snowfall. Her hazel eyes stared at him inexpressively.
Juni
rushed and halted when he had her before him. His breath was fast that he could
barely speak. “Please! Forgive me! I should not have called you a sorcerer!”
gasped, with a regretful and sad face. “You are more than that!”
Can you, for those who do not
know already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
As a kid I always loved stories,
either way, books, movies, TV shows, comics, or whatever there is a story, and
as a kid from the 70’s a good story always amazed me. And that included a
peeking among the books from my grandfather’s library, on the last floor of his
apartment.
My grandfather had his
collection of thousands of books. Indeed, I am not making up by saying he had
thousands of volumes, half of his room he called “office” had walls covered by
bookcases and volumes. I could find any genre, fiction and non-fiction, encyclopedias,
and manuals, as well as those written by famous authors I still remember in my
head—Dickens, Wild, Christie, Dumas, Hugo, Verne, Fuentes, Paz. However, my
eyes got tempted by two titles in particular— “The Andromeda Strain” by Michael
Crichton and “Martian Chronicles” by Ray Bradbury.
The blend of Sci-Fi with
thriller, suspense, terror, and a bit of worldbuilding attracted me, inspired
by those authors I took the choice to start writing at the age. Many writers
made up stories, and I wanted to make one.
Since then, I have never stopped
writing.
As I grew up, I discovered the
works of Asimov, H.G. Wells, Heinlen and others. Through my school I learned
about Latin American writers such as Juan Rulfo and Gabriel Garcia Marquez,
inspiring me into the Magic Realism. There were other authors as Stephen
King that also introduced me to the written language of horror.
Much later, closer to my 30
years old, my half-brother led me into the Medieval Fantasy with “The Lord of
the Rings” by J.R. Tolkien, from there I have immersed myself in other works
from Suzanne Collins, R.R. Martin and World of Warcraft’s Christie Golden.
Apart from a brief slump, I will
still write today. But until recently I have decided to
publish—self-publishing—because I believe it was time that my wide selection of
characters, I have created in forty years had to go out from the hiding and
become known and public. I could not stand having them buried, wishing to share
them with my readers and, at least, put a smile on their faces because in any
way they could identify with them, to inspire them in their lives.
What is something unique/quirky
about you?
In the past I used to smoke—I
know, not a good habit—and always had cigarette in my hand while typing. Since
I quit smoking eleven years ago, I suck flavored lollipops or bite gums. Even I
steal from my kids’ Halloween candies to get a lollipop and focus on my
writing.
Also, sometimes I eat baby food
just for pleasure, though I have not done it for a long time. I need my wife’s
permission for it.
Tell us something really
interesting that happened to you.
My love for writing drove me to
work for a small newspaper at a small city in Mexico. I was a news reporter. I
covered politics, social realities, crime, and even local sports, I had my own
column. It was an interesting time I experienced, but that was not the kind of
writing I wished, fiction was my stuff, not harsh realities I had to witness
everyday as part of my job. Covering crimes and injustices can really suck your
soul, and it’s something I don’t wish to no one.
What are some of your pet
peeves?
My kids do not listen to me when
I teach them the proper ways to do chores—rest assured I love my kids!
Distraction when I am focused on something, especially writing. When someone
talks to me with their mouth covered as I have hearing loss unable to read
them.
Where were you born/grew up at?
I was born in Mexico City from a
Mexican English teacher and an American Marine from New York, giving me the
chance to learn and master two languages. I grew up in that city until my
eighteen years old, and moved a lot, first to Northern and Central Mexico, then
Florida, Puerto Rico and lastly Missouri where I live since 2007.
My childhood in Mexico City is
an unforgettable one, as I had lived in the city’s Golden Era as I was born
just four years after the Olympic Games and two years after its first World
Cup. The colors and the unique culture that Mexico offered from the seventies
to the late eighties were parts that complemented my childhood and most of my
teen years. Unfortunately, I had to move away even against my will for many
reasons.
However, moving and traveling to
other cities also allowed me to enjoy more about the Mexican culture, met many
people and had some opportunities.
If you knew you’d die tomorrow,
how would you spend your last day?
In the company of my family,
nothing else.
Who is your hero and why?
John F Kennedy. He favored the
human rights along with his brother Robert and Martin Luther King. He did not
achieve what he intended with the equality and took decades, but he started an
openness to other races. He also averted another world war.
What are you passionate about
these days?
My family and my pets.
How do you unwind and relax?
Watching some sports I like,
especially baseball.
How do you find time to write as
a parent?
It is still hard to find time
for myself and my books. The only available times I have are from around 8 to
10 in the morning, as my three kids leave for school before my usual chores or
job, and from 10 to 12 in the night as they are sleeping while I await my wife
from work.
Describe yourself in 5 words or
less.
Caring, emphatic, loyal,
believer, observant.
When did you consider yourself a
writer?
Since the moment I began writing
stories, at the age of 10. Anybody who writes is a writer, no need to publish
or make stories public.
Do you have a favorite movie?
I love movies and favorites are
so many that I can’t decide which one I like the most, I guess I don’t have a
favorite. But I can mention the most
memorable ones. The Fifth Element is to me like a drug that takes me
inside a world between the fantasy and sci-fi, Sophie’s Choice is
something that can break the heart, The Neverending Story is a beautiful
film that even gave me inspiration to write. I am only mentioning the ones that
come to my mind.
Which of your novels can you
imagine being made into a movie?
From all my novels, published
and unpublished, this, “The Empress’ Journey.” There is a reason why I decided
to start—or restart—my career in the self-publishing by choosing that specific
novel.
What literary pilgrimages have
you gone on?
I have not done it, but the
closest thing to a pilgrimage was Eureka Spring in Arkansas, a place that
helped me to give ideas for my book. Also, the Renaissance Festival in Kansas
City.
As a writer, what would you
choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
Ram. It is my zodiac sign, and I
identify myself as a ram in my style.
Joseph Kopel is an imaginative author who has transitioned from Sci-Fi to Space Opera and now ventures into the realm of Fantasy with his debut in the genre.
What began as a hobby has grown into thirty-five years of writing. Being bilingual, he switched between English and Spanish. The greatest influences on him were the Latin American literature in Mexico City's libraries and the most famous American Sci-Fi authors.
When he is out of any fantastic realm to be in the world of reality, he enjoys his time with his wife, three kids, and his two pets.
Currently, he lives in Northwest Missouri, in a small peaceful country town of only 250 people.
Facebook * TikTok * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$20 Amazon giftcard – 1 winner,
Signed Original First Edition of The Empress’ Journey – 5 winners!
Thanks by hosting me - JK
ReplyDeleteThe cover looks great. Sounds like a good story.
ReplyDelete