Good Morning,
I'm about as worn out as a football loving granmother can get so without any further ado, please welcome new-to-me author, W.D. Kilpack III with his book, Crown Prince: Book One of New Blood!
Take it away Sir...
Thank You, Pamela.
When I decided to start writing what would later become the New Blood Saga, it was because I was having a recurring dream that would have me in tears when I woke. It persisted for months, and I finally realized that I needed to write it. The problem was that the dream didn't tell me enough about characters. I was in the dream, taking direct part in it, so one character was me — literally — which was not helpful. So, I had to go elsewhere to flesh out the characters. When I was an undergrad studying philosophy, I was fascinated by Socrates. One of the things that really got me was when he would go into a trancelike state, then emerge with new answers to questions, something profound. He called it being seized by the Daemon of Philosophy. I decided then that I would one day have a character in a book that somehow embodied some facet of Socrates, if not many facets. That character became Natharr. He has something similar in his makeup, when he is seized by the Daemon of Sight, coming out of his trancelike states with visions of the future. Also like Socrates, he is a soldier of great renown, and has some other very Socratic qualities. So that gave me another aspect of a starting point: a character and an event for the story to head toward. It needed a setting. Again, the dream did not tell me enough. The dream was all about the emotions involved, the relationships involved, the tangled skeins of fate. As it turns out, about that time, I had been experimenting with drawing maps on my computer, rather than by hand (I love maps, I collect them and I've drawn hundreds of them), and I have one that I felt good about. So that became the third piece to the puzzle, and it was enough for me to start writing, because there was enough history in creating the map for me to start.
Pretty quickly, I realized that I wouldn't be able to achieve the same level of emotional impact, the relationships, the tangled skeins of fate, in just one book, so I thought I would write a trilogy. That gave me more freedom and I got writing, reading to my wife every night (she called them her bedtime stories), leaving her mad at me every night when I had to say, "And that's where I'm at," or "And that's all I've got." And that's also when she started telling me that I rushed things in certain situations (she has a degree in psychology), or that she didn't think that a particular character would react the way I wrote it (particularly if it was a woman), and I would make revisions until she thought it was more realistic. Through that process and just writing and making use of my supplemental research to create a rich world full of history and mythology and pantheons of Gods and mysteries, I realized that even three books would not be enough to do all that and build to the point in the dream where the same gravitas would be present enough to have the same punch … and I do mean punch. So I gave myself permission to make it six books, but no more! The writing continued, the research, the bedtime stories, then I was in book six, and my wife asked me, "Why does it feel like you're rushing?" I answered, "Because this is book six." She said, "So?" I said, "It has to end in book six." She asked, "Why?" I answered, "Because I only gave myself permission for this to be six books." She asked, "What if I gave you permission for it to be longer than six books?" So it’s an eight-book series … if I don’t pull a Tadd Williams (he wrote a four-book trilogy).
BLURB: The future of Mankind relies on the Guardian of Maarihk.
Will his Sight be true? Or will his impure Firstblood prove the ruin of us all?
Natharr is Guardian of Maarihk, one of a long line of protectors dating back to the Firstborn Age, before the Aa Conquest. Natharr's is an ancient role, rooted in his Firstblood, giving him Sight to see what is yet to be. He adheres to his sacred duties even in the centuries since the Firstborn were forced to the brink of extinction by the Aa.
Natharr still stands guard over all men, Aa or Firstborn, Seeing what will come to pass, deciding what is unavoidable and what is not. He spends decades planning how to save the life of the newborn Crown Prince Vikari so he may one day reclaim the throne of the land where Mankind was created, back in the time when the Olde Gods still walked.
EXCERPT: "You!" Neils gasped, incredulous, his voice breaking. "Anyone but you!"
"Your disappointment will not last long." Natharr struck, sword starting high, then altering course to slash almost straight down, each motion mechanical, automatic from years of training. Neils made to parry the high stroke, then followed the downstroke, partially blocking it. Natharr's point sliced through the edge of the captain's thigh, pushing down the metal plate that had been intended to protect it, spilling bright red on the hardwood floor. The captain's eyes widened as his leg sagged, no longer able to support his weight. Natharr's sword whipped back up, then stabbed straight toward the other's throat, efficient as a striking adder. Neils twisted at the shoulders and snatched at the blade with his free hand while he fell, his leg buckling under him. His grip on Natharr's sword blade held, his arm trembling while his skin paled. Red ran in a thick rivulet from his hand down the blood gutters on either side of the blade.
"Why …?" Neils scarcely whispered, staring up at Natharr. A tendril of bloody blond hair peeled away from his brow and fell away. "Gods have mercy on you, Guardian. Your Sight is true — I hope you have read it rightly."
Natharr did not so much as blink as he yanked back on his sword, and two of the blond man's fingers fell to the floor, blood spurting into the air. At the same moment, Neils lunged forward, yelling, "Valane!" Natharr twisted at the waist, evading the stab meant for his heart, and sunk his own sword point into the side of the captain's neck. There was a pained cry — a woman's voice — from behind him. Neils toppled toward the ground, sword clanging as his dead fingers released it. The fresh corpse's weight pulled at the Guardian's sword until he lifted the pommel and the body thumped heavily to the hardwood.
Natharr lifted his newly bloodied blade, face neutral, then he blinked, cold expression melting away as he turned. Darshelle was there, back bowed forward and arms clenched protectively over the baby. A wide slash across her back ran from one shoulder blade to the other. Red already rolled down from the cut in thick rivulets, brightly soaking her white shirt. Had she not turned to the side to cover the baby with her body, she and Vikari both probably would have been run through.
"Natharr …" she said, voice weak, and stumbled forward a step. "Natharr …?"
Voices rose all around them. He was not sure if all had gone silent to watch the Guardian of Maarihk fight the captain of the guard to the death, or if he simply had not heard them when enveloped in the melee. "Demons of Chaos!" he roared, catching her elbow and dragging her forward. "Stupid woman! I told you to go!"
"I — I tried —"
"You did not try!" he yelled, kicking the door to the kitchens so hard that it came free of its hinges — then he understood. Two bearded men were there with bloodied axes. Two of Valane's soldiers were there, as well, on their knees. Their bowed heads rose as Natharr entered and the axemen lifted their weapons.
"Lord Natharr!" the two men gasped, seeing the blood on his sword. The relief in their voices was a physical blow.
"I tried," Darshelle repeated, but her voice was weak.
Natharr glanced at her. Her skin, normally dusky to the point of being the color of copper, was much more pale. His emerald gaze returned to the men he had surprised. The axemen were afraid, both stepping backward. Valane's men were smiling, despite blood soaking one's sleeve and smearing half the other's face.
Natharr crossed the kitchen in two steps, dragging Darshelle with him, threw open the door to the cellar and was through. He bolted the door and headed down the stairs before anyone even raised a cry of alarm. He wanted to take the steps two or three at a time, but Darshelle was fighting him, both because she could not see, and because she was weakening. He could tell by the way her resistance declined with each step.
"You killed him — her — them both!" she finally managed, then lost her footing. She screamed, but Natharr kept her on her feet with his free hand.
As if in response, he heard a cry of pain above and a wild voice crying, "Nathaaaaar!"
Get Your Copy of Crown Prince: Book One of New Blood at AMAZON.
W.D. Kilpack III, MPC, PSMC, is an award-winning author specializing in epic fantasy and military science fiction, renowned for his emotionally intense storytelling and richly detailed mythic worlds. His acclaimed New Blood Saga, Native American sci-fi novella Pale Face, and Battle Calm Cycle trilogy have garnered 68 international awards, including prestigious honors such as Book of the Year and the International Impact Book Award. Kilpack’s writing is characterized by vivid world-building, complex characters, and themes that explore duty, fate, and sacrifice. His work seamlessly blends mythic depth with gripping military sci-fi action, appealing to readers who crave both emotional resonance and thrilling narratives
Beyond his literary achievements, Kilpack brings a diverse professional background that enriches his storytelling, including being a former college professor, writing coach, world-ranked athlete, and editor with a background in journalism, philosophy and communication. He has experience in screenwriting, film production, and professional media work. All of this contributes to the cinematic quality of his narratives.
Readers praise Kilpack for his ability to create unforgettable characters and immersive worlds that stay with them long after the last page. His stories have been endorsed by critics and fans alike, cementing his reputation as a leading voice in contemporary speculative fiction. For those new to his work, the New Blood Saga offers a compelling entry point, weaving together epic battles, intricate politics, and profound emotional stakes.
Kilpack holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Westminster University, where he double-majored in communication and philosophy and completed the Honors Program. He later earned a Master of Professional Communication with a writing emphasis. As a high-performing athlete, he qualified to represent the USA in Greco-Roman wrestling. He is happily married to his high-school sweetheart and helped raise five children and five step-children.
Find and Follow Kilpack via the following links...
Official Web Site: http://www.kilpack.net
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/W.D.-Kilpack-III/e/B07TT3RQYT
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wdkilpack/
TwitterX: https://twitter.com/WDKilpack
Pinterist: https://www.pinterest.com/WDKilpackIII/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@wdkilpack
Thank YOU, So much WD! We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with your books!
Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight, Friends and that you'll check back weekly - in fact you'll WANT to check back next week as I have something special for you!
Until then, Happy Reading.
PamT