Welcome J W BACCARO

We are so excited to have back Jason - he's so much fun!!!  His books are intense and you can read our reviews on his Guardian of the Seventh Realm series.  We are also lucky to have a giveaway - for 1 lucky commenter you will receive a SIGNED set of paperbacks for all 4 books!!!!! A second commenter will receive a PDF set of all 4 books.  AND a third commenter will also receive a PDF set of all 4 books!!!!  That's 3 winners - - - Comment up - we'll be selecting winners the night of Dec 15th and the winners will be announced on the tour host's site - http://thewytchsmirror.blogspot.com/ on December 16th

About the Author
J.W. Baccaro has written the epic fantasy series ‘Guardian of the
Seventh Realm. Home is in upstate New York with his wife Melissa. When
he is not creating fabulous cities such as Loreladia, he is creating
music with his band. Jason spends his time with literature, gardening,
the wonders of nature, the mysteries of space, and time with his
family.
Contact J.W. Baccaro: jwbaccaro@yahoo.com

Guardian of the Seventh Realm
http://www.guardianoftheseventhrealm.com/

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Follow Jason's Blog  http://prophecyoftheguardian.blogspot.com/


Hello Jennifer and Amy at Seduced By Books. I’m very pleased to be on your Blog once again. Thank you for the time.

If any of your followers have seen me before, then they already know the basics of my Epic Fantasy series “Guardian of the Seventh Realm.” If not, just follow the link below and it will take you to the interview Jennifer had given me back in August 2011:

http://networkedblogs.com/lr3ad/

Today, I’d like to talk about the “violence theme” in my series, something many people love and comment on in my writing. Those who know me are dumbfounded because they call me a “teddy bear” in everyday life, and yet my stories are full of decapitating heads, broken bones and good guys being stomped into the ground by the boots of my sexy Dark Queen Talvenya. *smiles*

For starters, I have to say that I'm happy people are seeing the “darkness” in this story. I admit it is very dark, a tale of brutality, and even some perverse sections involving the Dark Queen Talvenya. There are many reasons why I had written it like that. First, I didn't wish to write a “candy-coated” adversary. When I get involved into a tale of good verses evil, I want to feel “afraid” of the dark—to a certain extant. If I don't feel threatened by the adversary or his or her minions, I gradually lose interest in the conflict, and soon enough the story.

Second, for me, the violence in my series—especially book two “Siege of Darkness,” is a reflection of how cruel mankind can sometimes be, and even the “red in tooth in claw” of Mother Nature herself. Sure, nature is beautiful; I mean, one of my favorite simple pleasures in life is to gaze at a blue summer sky filled with mammoth-sized white clouds (which still remind me of marshmallow fluff!), as a warm breeze blows against you, carrying with it the delightful smells of summer, or the gorgeous lilacs and majestic peonies with their immaculate scents. I swear I could get lost for hours with my face stuffed in a lilac bush or a peonies flower...I just have to watch out for the bumble bees and ants! Darn things! And let’s not forget those adorable little fawns walking with their mother. They often cross our yard—a doe with her two fawns, the little ones following her lead, strolling down the grassy slope, by-passing the apple trees and wandering into the wilderness. Yes, very beautiful indeed, and yet, what goes on every night within that wilderness when the coyotes awaken is far from beautiful, but that is the way of this world, beautiful at times, but also very dark.

”Guardian of the Seventh Realm” is also a reflection of the trials in life that we all face, unless you are one of the blessed ones who have never tasted darkness or even seen it...but that is a rarity. The main protagonist of my stories, Darshun Luthais, learns the hard way by facing this darkness, brutality and death. For him, it was necessary to experience the evils of the world and suffer before he could truly come to terms with what he was born to be, the Guardian of the Seventh Realm. I can parallel this to my own life as well. I would not be where I am now had I not faced my own demons, trials and hardships, and to a certain extant, conquered them. It is an unfortunate suffering many of us have to go through in life, but a “fortunate blessing” once the tribulation is over. And though I often felt alone, as Darshun sometimes feels, there would always be someone there to lift me up with a helping hand, as there always is for Darshun.

And so, as more fans of fantasy enter the “Seventh Realm” I have created, I hope they will continue to enjoy the journey I have paved for them, and feel as though you are traveling alongside Darshun and our other heroes as part of the quest. And maybe, just maybe, when Darshun gets out of line, give him a good kick in the arse! It will do him well, the cocky Nasharin he can sometimes be. *laughs*

Once last thing: besides the violence, I’m really pleased that people are seeing and feeling the courage, loyalty and romantic elements of the stories. Calm down fans of hot and steamy romance—it’s not an erotica, but there is a strong kiss of romance in it between a small number of characters, and also a bit of Dark Erotica. Fun, fun! :)

Thank you again, Jennifer and Amy.

PART ONE: Prophecy of the Guardian
by J.W. Baccaro
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
EBook formats ISBN: 978-1-60313-913-7
Print format ISBN: 978-1-61160-024-7

The Second Great War between the Light and the Dark has begun, and
Abaddon the Demon Lordis searching for the four ancient Wizard
Crystals of the Elements. Once the Crystals arein his hands, and
corrupted to evil, he will destroy the forces of Light upon the
earth,and transform the world into eternal darkness.

But Darshun Luthais, one of the last Nasharin warriors, along with a
few companions, sets out on a quest to find the Crystals first. Along
the journey they encounter giant six-legged serpents, the ruthless
Cullach, and other entities of darkness; yet the most challenging
obstacle is Darshun's constant struggle against temptations of evil,
and his vow to hold to the faith of all who are calling him the
Guardian—the prophesied warrior who will bring down the Demon Lord.

PART TWO: Siege of Darkness
by J W Baccaro
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
EBook formats ISBN: 978-1-60313-981-6
Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1-60313-981-6

Tragedy strikes Zithel, and the city of monks goes up in flames. The
Earth-Wizard Mazarian has disappeared, and the army of Asgoth has
taken back the Wizard Crystals of the Elements, ready to deliver them
into the hands of their master: the Demon Lord Abaddon, where they
will be corrupted and used against the very elements they were created
to protect, deforming the world to a blackened void. As Darshun
Luthais—the
chosen Guardian of earth—emerges from the mystical Shajin Island,
having completed his training, ready to combat the forces of evil, he
not only finds himself in the center of this chaos, but is also torn
in different directions. Part of him longs to obey the wisdom of the
Elders by relocating the crystals and fleeing Asgoth, while his
Nasharin nature thirsts for battle, eager to take on the many trials
that stand in his way, keeping him from what he desires most,
challenging Abaddon, the ultimate terror.


PART THREE: The Coming of the Light
by J W Baccaro
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
EBook formats ISBN: 978-1-60313-985-4
Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1-61160-269-2

The Wizard Crystals of the Elements have fallen into the hands of
Abaddon, forever corrupted and transformed to evil. Abaddon now
patiently waits in his northern kingdom for the coming of
Saruinkai—the evening when the spirits of Darkness rule the night, and
when he will unleash the Crystals' horrific powers against their own
elements and sweep destruction across the earth. The Light's hope now
lies in the young Nasharin warrior Darshun Luthais—the chosen
Guardian, for he alone carries the power to stop Abaddon's black
sorcery and end the war once and for all. But to do so he must cross
over into Abaddon’s kingdom, and that means destroying the one who
guards the border, a Fallen Angelic Throne, the secret to Asgoth's
three hundred year Rule and invincibility.
Led by the elvish lord Caelestias, Darshun and his companions must
seek out and destroy the Throne, encounter a Witch, and a horde of
other vile creatures, only to stir up the entirety of Asgoth, coming
face to face with them, a battle that will determine the fate of the
world.

PART FOUR: The Sword of Righteousness
by J.W. Baccaro
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy

The Dark King Tanarokai...his ever-bitter Queen, and their ‘three
hundred year undefeated army of death’ never thought they’d see the
day when Asgoth would come crashing down by the hands of the Light.
The time draws near when the Light may hold the final victory, but
little as they know, the horrors and tribulations are just beginning,
and fate is not always fair and balanced.

Guardian of the Seventh Realm Book Four: The Sword of Righteousness is
another “chapter” in the Second Great War of the Seventh Realm.

Darshun Luthais—Nasharin warrior and chosen Guardian of earth,
continues his journey across the arctic land of Syngothra, seeking to
destroy Abaddon's Unholy Altar of Power, and bring the Second Great
War to an end.  But when a new and deadly sorcerer working for Abaddon
discovers his plan, he sets up a trap for Darshun and his five
companions, a colossal army of darkness lying in wait among the frozen
elements, ready to unleash its fury once the intruders are in sight.

Now it is up to King Loreus—ruler of Loreladia to unify the scattered
races of Light, and charge into Syngothra before the trap is sprung.
For Loreus wields the Golden Sword of Purity, a weapon forged long ago
by the Five Holy Races, before darkness had separated them.  With
little time to spare, the Loreladian King must stop the Elves from
another civil war, gain their trust and then encounter the Centaurs of
Cestmir, a pious Matriarchy and self-righteous race, where if they do
not remember the Sword, they may prove to be more of an enemy than
Abaddon.


Thank you Cynthia for hosting and putting this together!!
Visit The Wytch's Mirror
http://thewytchsmirror.blogspot.com/

INTERVIEW - J W Baccaro - Author of Guardian of the Seventh Realm

SBB: Welcome Author J W Baccaro – author of the Guardian of the Seventh Realm series. We are so excited to have you on the heels of your Book 3 release for the series – The Coming of the Light

JWB: Thank you very much for this opportunity, Jennifer.

SBB: So for those of our followers that have not yet heard of you, can you tell us about yourself?

JWB: Well, to be blunt, I’ve never been much of a handy man. I mean, for goodness sakes, my dear wife blows me out of the water when it comes to repairing a broken household item, changing the oil in our car, or understanding all of these modern day electronics. Ever since I was a little boy, my field has always been creativity. Nothing else really interested me like creating a story, or building a tree fort, or writing a piece of music. Ha! I can remember playing with my He-Man, Transformer, and Thundercat toys--role playing for hours by myself as if I were filming a movie. The older I got, the more serious I became in creativity and soon enough began my first real novel which has turned into an epic fantasy series of five installments. I’m also a guitarist and songwriter and I play in a heavy metal band called Rigor Hill. We hold that old-school Metallica/Megadeth/Iron Maiden sound that nobody does anymore, and hopefully we will go somewhere with it.
I’m also an animal lover and I am a very social person.

SBB: Ok, those were some of my favorite cartoons growing up, and I always played G I Joe with my brother. We have some of those silly interview questions we have to ask - What’s your favorite color? What’s your favorite Holiday? From Amy (being the baker that she is) what’s your favorite dessert? Boxers or Briefs? Bitten or the Biter? (No offense, but the world’s gotta know)

JWB: My Favorite color is blue; my favorite holiday is Easter--in addition to Halloween, and my favorite desert by far is apple crisp with cinnamon whip cream. MMmmmmmmm!!!!!!
Boxers or Briefs? Unless it’s going to be 95 degrees out, I always go commando.
I like to bite, but…I LOVE being bitten!!!

SBB: *smiles* Love it! Cinnamon whip cream, hmm, I gotta get Amy to try to make that I host a huge Easter Egg Hunt every year with a bunch of my kids friends.

What are some of your favorite books and/or authors

JWB:  Like many, I love ”The Hobbit” and “The Return of the King” by J.R.R Tolkien. I’m also a big fan of C.S. Lewis and Susan Cooper; at least these are the authors I grew up on. Now-a-days I’m much more into Dark Erotica and Urban Fantasy novels like “Vampire Mistress” from Joey W. Hill and “Nightwalker” by Jocelynn Drake. But I have to say, Tolkien started it all for me.

SBB: Classic must read authors, Tolkien and Lewis. Joey W Hill is on my list now because of you.

NOW, Mr J.W.Baccaro, knowing your character Talvenya, do you have a Dominatrix fetish?

JWB: *Whispers* …yes! :D
I’ll admit it, I have a Dominatrix fetish, and although in everyday life I'm usually a middle ground kind of guy, and make more than half of the decisions in my marriage (by my wife’s choice, ironically), I really love it whenever my wife takes charge--in more ways than just the “bedroom.” It’s like a release, to just let everything go, every worry and concern, and to just focus on that beautiful feminine entity standing before, taking control, but... back onto Talvenya. *laugh*

Like all of us, I have a dark side, and chose to reveal Talvenya as that dark side--of course I would never commit the horrors she does, but that's the beauty of writing fantasy, it's yours to play around with, yours to create, speculate, and a pathway to let out certain feelings that haunt your spirit without ever acting upon them.

Originally, I never intended on Talvenya becoming such a rich character. As you read on to books three, four and five I think you’ll agree that she is probably the most well-developed character (besides Darshun) I’ve created. She was, and still is, that evil feminine demon in my head, and she was supposed to die in book three "The Coming of the Light.” But like the typical male that I am, I fell in love with my Dark Goddess and lacked the heart to kill her off, not yet, at least.

One final mention on Talvenya: To me, the interesting thing about her is that she is not a Dominatrix or an Alpha Female because it sexually arouses her (well, not as much as you'd think), she instead, likes to control and manipulate others because of the tragedy that had befallen her when she was a little girl. What happened to poor little Tal changed her heart forever, and deep down, she hates what she has become. You witness these feelings in her in book three. I really want to say one more thing, but I don't think I can without giving away any spoilers. Perhaps once the fifth book comes out I could do that, I could announce what
Talvenya actually represents to myself (besides a sexy high-heeled boot wearing powerhouse wielding a sword), and what she represents to the human race.

SBB: Awesome, I’ve only just started Book 3, Talvenya is such a complex character. What is your reason for putting so much of you in Dar (Darshun)?

JWB: Jennifer, out of everyone who knows me and has read my books, you are the first person to come out and say that, or perhaps see it! Yes, I modeled myself after Darshun for many reasons. For starters, putting yourself in your own fantasy novel is one heck of a wild ride, a “writer’s high,” you might say. A few other reasons:

Putting aside Darshun’s cocky attitude (hey, he’s too much of a bad arse warrior not to be), like me, he is a kindred spirit. You will notice whenever an animal dies, or a loved one, or whenever he’s faced with a heavy burden, he silently weeps. The first time you see this is in chapter two of “Prophecy of the Guardian.” Killing the elk tore his heart out, but he knew it had to have been done. His adoptive father Mirabel witnesses this side of him and if caught off guard, for Nasharin Warriors are the deadliest warriors on the planet, feared by the Dark and hated by the Light. They’re unafraid of death, and will do whatever it takes to accomplish their
objective, even if it means collateral damage. And yet, here you have little Darshun, weeping over an elk? That was the first sign that something was different about him compared to any other Nasharin.

And also like me, Darshun often feels heavy burdened because of his deep attachment to creation. To him, loving so richly is both a blessing and a curse, because it hurts all the more when you lose that special someone in your life in any way, shape or form; not only in death, but also in betrayal, mockery, or anything of the like.

And lastly, like me, he is a happy-go-lucky kind of a guy and even a bit of an airhead at times. He adores challenges, pushes himself to new limits, and never accepts defeat. No matter how terrible the dark seems to overshadow him, he still finds a way to push forward, and as if “the Fates” are lending some aid, there always seems to be someone there to give him a helping hand.

SBB: Leave it to me to call you out, haha. How many of your characters are based on real people in your life?

JWB: To a certain extent, 4. Darshun=myself, Kelarin=my wife, and Nayland and Caelestias are quite similar to a couple of dear friends of mine.

SBB: Which is the one you would want most – song writing or being an author?

JWB: No contest, an author! Of course writing is not as thrilling as playing live and having people cheering for you, along with all of the other attention that comes with being in a band, still, writing is much more relaxed, and there’s just something about putting a large portion of your heart into a book and allowing others to read it, almost like they’re looking into your soul, so to speak.

SBB: Tell us about your writing plans – What’s next?

JWB: I have four other books in mind that have to do with the world I’ve created, along with some of the characters, but I’m taking a break from fantasy, and especially violence; as you know, there is so much of it in my series. It’s a war, after all. So this September I’m going to begin my first Dark Erotica/Urban Fantasy novel. I hope to have it completed by late spring 2012.

SBB: We’re so glad you came over, we want everyone to check out the books. This series is intense and full of so much of you. I have enjoyed books 1 and 2 already. – now you mentioned you wanted to do a giveaway – you still up for it?

JWB: Of course! I will give 10 people pdf versions of my first three books. In other words, each person shall receive a pdf version of “Prophecy of the Guardian,” “Siege of Darkness,” and my brand new book “The Coming of the Light.” Just let me know who these 10 people are and I will be more than happy to send the books their way.

Thank you so much for the interview, Jennifer, it was a pleasure.

SBB: YOU’RE THE BEST! Ok followers, we hope you enjoyed our time with “Mr Baccaro” – we sure did. He’s been kind enough to give us the books, now here’s what you have to do to earn them. It’s not too hard, but since we have a quite a few to give away we want to make sure we do it right

1. You have to leave your email address in a comment below (if you are nervous about it, email us direct at seducedbybooks@gmail.com)
2. You should be a follower of our blog
3. Please ‘like’ J W Baccaro author page on facebook
4. For additional points/chances, like our page on facebook (Seduced by Books) and share this post on your social networks (leave the links in your comment)

See not too hard - We’ll give you until Friday (Aug 12th) and we’ll announce the winners by Sunday Aug 14th)



















Our reviews of Book 1 and Book 2

Siege of Darkness by J W Baccaro

Tragedy strikes Zithel, and the city of monks goes up in flames. The Earth-Wizard Mazarian has disappeared, and the army of Asgoth has taken back the Wizard Crystals of the Elements, ready to deliver them into the hands of their master: the Demon Lord Abaddon, where they will be corrupted and used against the very elements they were created to protect, deforming the world to a blackened void. As Darshun Luthais—the chosen Guardian of earth—emerges from the mystical Shajin Island, having completed his training, ready to combat the forces of evil, he not only finds himself in the center of this chaos, but is also torn in different directions. Part of him longs to obey the wisdom of the Elders by relocating the crystals and fleeing Asgoth, while his Nasharin nature thirsts for battle, eager to take on the many trials that stand in his way, keeping him from what he desires most, challenging Abaddon, the ultimate terror. (courtesy of amazon)

Siege of Darkness is book 2 in the Guardian of the Seventh Realm series.  Jason Baccaro writes this series like an old pro.  


Powerful read - mega battles as Darshun struggles to fight being taken over by the Dark...Dar is a cocky warrior, but as much as he is cocky, he's smart and calculating, and a little lucky.  Returning to find things not as they were, he's captured.  Held captive with a new friend, Kelarin (part Elf), Dar learns more about his past and his biological father.  There's a reason Dar has been picked as Guardian, and as much as he fights the title, he kicks ass in combat.  We're in a war - prepare to be defeated!   Dar and his crew against the Demon lord and his gang...I'm betting on Dar.   

Baccaro keeps the action enthralling and purposeful.  As Dar grows the story is morphing right along with him.  There's no over done descriptions in this series.  I'm looking forward to Book 3 (The Coming of the Light) - I've seen the cover art (gorgeous), and know that Kelarin has to play a major role. Bring it on!


4 Slices

Prophecy of the Guardian by J W Baccaro

"The Second Great War between the Light and the Dark has begun, and Abaddon the Demon Lord is searching for the four ancient Wizard Crystals of the Elements. Once the crystals are in his hands, and corrupted to evil, he will destroy the forces of Light upon the earth, and transform the world into eternal darkness.

But Darshun Luthais, one of the last Nasharin warriors, along with a few companions, set out on a quest to find the crystals first. Along the journey they encounter giant six-legged serpents, the ruthless Cullach, and other entities of darkness; yet the most challenging obstacle is Darshun's constant struggle against temptations of evil, and his vow to hold to the faith of all who are calling him the Guardian - the prophesied warrior who will bring down the Demon Lord." (courtesy of prophecyoftheguardian website)

Impressive debut fantasy series will keep you on the edge of your seat!  

Tons of action, great plot, gripping writing style.  Baccaro steps in to the fantasy/sci fi world and will hopefully go to the top!  As Baccaro sets up the world between Humans and Nasharins and their enemy's the Cullach he doesn't overdo the details.  You picture exactly what you need to, and it's not pages of boredom.  As soon as you open the book you're in the world, he brings in the backstory as you go along, tossing fights and suspense in between.  Well done!

I loved that this book covers the span of a little less than 20 years as we watch Darshun (Dar) grow.  Baccaro sets up Dar where you can relate to him and at the same time want to smack a little sense into him. :)  Dar's got great potential as a warrior and as a character I loved him.  (Seth and Mirabel too!  yeah, really like them LOL - ladies if you are looking for this to be a romance from a lot of the other stuff we read, that's not the deal, but you won't be disappointed because it's a great read. and I can appreciate the leading men *winks*) 

As the battles unfold, Baccaro keeps the story going with the suspense of the prophecy.  He tosses in a twist at the end of the book that had me screaming at Dar.  I loved the cliffhanger as you drop off at the end.   Book 2 - Seige of Darkness (also out at amazon) is in my hands already - I've got to see where Dar is going!

4 slices