We’re excited to welcome LJ Andrews for a written interview about her latest romantic fantasy, Broken Souls and Bones. In this gripping tale, a quiet life turns perilous for Lyra Bien when her hidden magic is discovered by Roark Ashwood, the crown’s silent enforcer. Forced into the king’s messenger role, Lyra must navigate a world of danger, power, and growing passion. LJ Andrews shares the inspiration behind the story, what drew her to Lyra and Roark’s dynamic, and what readers can look forward to as the series unfolds.
Broken Souls and Bones introduces us to Lyra Bien, a character with incredible powers but burdened by a life she never wanted. What inspired you to create her as the protagonist?
Lyra, at her heart, is an introvert. I based that on myself a bit. I liked the idea of her knowing she had this power, but those she trusted in her life as a child warned her of what could happen should she be found out. I wanted her to carry a certain amount of fear for her ability, while also being a character who never craved the spotlight or prestige that came from such a thing. It is a character trait that comes into play throughout the series. Her humility becomes a sort of superpower eventually.
Lyra’s silver scars are a unique part of her character. What is the significance of these scars in the context of the world you’ve built, and how do they reflect her journey?
I love to create hints of magic. Since being a melder is rare, I loved the idea of something signifying the ability that was unique. It added another layer to Lyra’s distaste for attention that she either needs to learn how to own her scars or hide them. So, the scars, to me, are a symbol of all veins of magic sort of colliding inside her. Fierce magic leaves its mark, after all.
Roark Ashwood seems like a mysterious character with a dark reputation. How would you describe his evolution throughout the story, and what was your approach to making him more than just the “brooding hero”?
Roark comes across as a big, broody grouch. And he is. But there are so many layers to this man, and I love them all. Especially his gooey marshmallow center. I loved getting to know Roark and peeling back, not only his broody layers, but digging out and finding ways to show readers he is fiercely protective, unapologetically morally gray, and when you own his heart, he will burn it all so you live.
One of the major themes in the book seems to be the tension between power and control. How does Lyra’s struggle with being claimed by the crown play into this larger theme?
Lyra is literally facing her worst fear. Captivity. The tension of belonging to the crown is a struggle, but maybe as a way to protect herself, she fights to see any glimmer of light in the idea of it. But it is in vain, and even if others see her as nothing more than a servant, Lyra has a fire inside her that starts to burn into an inferno as she uncovers secrets of the royal keep she never expected.
The relationship between Lyra and Roark is full of tension and undeniable chemistry. Was it challenging for you to balance their growing connection with the high-stakes plot surrounding them?
These two are nothing but knots of tension from the get-go. I like to think of their chemistry and growing attraction as part of the high stakes surrounding them in the royal keep. They’re forbidden to each other, with consequences for them both should they act on the growing intensity. But I love how when they teeter on that balance of risking it all or walking away, their desires shift and they begin to take an “us against it all” stance. Both so fiercely (maybe a little dangerously) devoted to the new romance between them that it causes new problems and even more stakes they didn’t face before. It’s all connected and hopefully builds an immersive story.
Broken Souls and Bones has an atmosphere full of danger, magic, and political intrigue. How did you go about world-building, especially in the Kingdom of Stonegate?
This has sort of become an inside joke with me and my readers. I world build literally from the basics. I start with smell. I close my eyes, it’s dark, and I guess I need to know what it smells like to get started. Once that’s established, my brain moves to what is around me. Trees? Water? A village? Then I start to place people and other landscapes. Next I add religions, politics, corruption, holidays, food and occupations to keep adding those layers. Now, even before I smell the world, I am building the magic system. That’s how BSAB began. An idea for the magic system. I thought it would be interesting to write a story that gave a spin on how Norse Berserker warriors truly gained their ferocious ability to fight. That was how the melding magic was formed, then the world could be built from there.
Lyra’s quest for freedom is at the heart of the story. Was this theme inspired by any personal experiences or broader concepts you wanted to explore?
I think her desire to live unencumbered stems from that desire in every human being. Most people I’ve met all have this innate desire to be seen, to be accepted, to be free to live as they please. Unfortunately, not everyone does or can. Lyra’s journey was an exploration of my own view of real world struggles, and trying to battle through those issues with Lyra.
The idea of being “claimed” by the crown is a strong, almost oppressive force in the book. How did you envision the crown’s control over its subjects, and how does this dynamic affect the characters in your story?
Power can create dangerous greed for more, in books and in real life. I wanted to create a power system where it seems oppressive, but is so convincing at times, you start to wonder if you were wrong. Maybe it is there for the greater good. Until the blindfold falls away. The need for freedom and to break the control of Stonegate is the catalyst for most of the protagonists’ motivations in this book.
You’ve created a world where magic seems both revered and feared. How do you see magic playing a role in shaping the moral dilemmas Lyra faces throughout the book?
To me the magic is as much a character as anyone. Lyra must come to terms with the darkness that surrounds her power, and accept that she might have some of that darkness inside too. She needs to find the courage to keep exploring what her specific magical craft can do. She is the first female to hold this power in centuries in this world, that must mean something. It is a fear and insatiable curiosity for her well into the next book. And it grows—darker, stronger, and more beautiful along the way.
The title Broken Souls and Bones seems to hint at both physical and emotional hardship. Can you talk about how both concepts come into play within the narrative?
This world and magic system is probably my most brutal and gruesome, so there are definitely some moments of physical pain. I’m not always kind to my characters. The magic is chaotic and dangerous. Users of it must take great care not to fall into the dangers of their own power. But there is a lot of heartbreak (and joy) for many of the protagonists. Not only Roark and Lyra, but the side characters too. They all have vulnerabilities and struggles from past events. It is a story about rebuilding trust, finding a home with people you least expect, and learning to love through the dreary.
There’s a clear divide between Lyra’s personal desires and her responsibility to those around her. How does this inner conflict shape her character’s growth and decisions?
Lyra does not give her trust up easily. Naturally her wary nature stems from her past, but she has given trust to a few. When she begins to trust a man she called an enemy it throws her for a loop. However, as her trust in people she once hated grows, so does her trust in herself. Some of the people she comes to meet and love in this book fuel her own fire and give her the courage to push her own limits. She feels torn in this story between her loyalty and the precarious role she must play to keep her loved ones safe, but it is in direct conflict many times with her new rebellious spirit she’s discovering.
Roark’s past plays a significant role in the development of his character. How important was it for you to gradually reveal his backstory, and why is his silence such a defining trait?
I think uncovering Roark’s past in waves for not only him, but the reader, leaves a touch of mystery for our broody Sentry. The more he recalls, the more that’s revealed, his own loyalty begins to shift away from his unshakeable duty into his possessive need to keep Lyra safe. His inability to speak verbally is something he told me was part of him very early on in the development. He is a commander who does not need his voice to lead armies, he does not need to shout to have others tremble next to him. He doesn’t need his voice to make Lyra’s heart race either. I can’t imagine Roark Ashwood any other way. But yes, he does have a tragic backstory and deserves all the hugs. Even though, I doubt he’d allow it.
Without giving away spoilers, there are moments of betrayal and trust in this story. How did you decide which characters would betray or support each other, and what does this reveal about loyalty in the world you’ve created?
Oh there is definitely betrayal, some harsher than others. Some unintentional. Many roles of characters shifted as I was writing. One of my favorite, loyal to the end characters was actually first plotted out as a villain until they told me to stop it and write them correctly (I won’t say who to avoid any hint of a spoiler). I try to follow personality profiles, I try to make it believable that there are some who would be fiercely loyal compared to others who might stab them in the back. All I can say is hang on, if you think you have it figured out, keep reading.
As an author, what message or theme would you like readers to take away after finishing Broken Souls and Bones?
First and foremost I want them to close the book and feel like they’re returning from another world. Secondly, I hope readers take away a story with a message that we all have darkness inside us, we all have flaws, we all make mistakes, but when we find those who will take us at our worst and love us through it, those are the people we need to keep in our corner forever.
Can you give us a hint about what’s to come in the next installment of the series and how Lyra and Roark’s journey will continue to evolve?
Oh, I am so excited for readers to be able to dive into book 2. The magic system evolves so much, as does the physical world. We get to meet more clans, more characters that will be added to our growing found family, and I’ll finish with this, to-date, book 2 has my spiciest scene I’ve ever written. So hold on to that little tid-bit.
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