Author Interview with The Ruby Cradle Author James L. Hill

Welcome to the author interview with James L. Hill as he shares with us about his book – The Ruby Cradle (Gemstone Series Book 2)!

Blurb

It is the turn of the nineteenth century. The industrial age has begun. Steam powered ships has taken over the oceans. Factories are going up across Europe and America. There is a resurgence of activity in the castles in the mountains and when the Crimean War breaks out Zabella is sent to her grandmother, Rehema to learn about the dragons.
Rehema mentally transcends the girl to the First Split (1000 A.D.), the wars her mother, Apollonia, fought to destroy the dragons as they had spread across Asia, Africa, and Europe. It began as they built castles and started controlling men with gold. The dragons led the Romans, Egyptians, and Chinese empires over the centuries. The dragons turn Molytans into Ogres as their generals that lead huge armies and protect them when their powers wane at night.
New dragons come to power in Europe and now threaten the balance of power in the world. The world of dragons is one of total destruction. They take over an area and cause wars until the world is in ruins. The dragons can’t be killed but can be drained of power causing them to turn into ruby-like stones. Only a dragon can consume another dragon, increasing its power.
Apollonia becomes a sorceress and can retain her power for years out of water with the help of her sisters. She raises a champion in France to battle the dragons’ growing threat of England’s Vargrerot and Russia’s Deyhezas. After destroying a Castle in the Alps and capturing its dragon in the Ruby Cradle, Napoli, the Dragon Killer, confronts the English at the Battle of Hastings. Apollonia returns to the sea and spawns two more mermaids. Afterwards she returns to the world of men to continue the hundred year war and is burned at the stake as Joan of Arc.
Zabella knows she must prepare men to fight and destroy the dragons before the world is at war once more. She knows dragons can be killed.

Ready to learn more about The Ruby Cradle and the author behind it? Keep reading for our interview with author James L. Hill!

Author Hill, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with Scribbles about your book, The Ruby Cradle!

Q: The Ruby Cradle is a sweeping fantasy novel that spans across multiple time periods. What was the decision making process behind this?

Author Hill: Giving the mermaids have an extremely long lifespan means I could explore multiple eras in history and interweave their stories with history.

Absolutely makes sense! Also that makes a great premise for a novel and series since you have such long-lived characters, there is much that they will be able to bear witness to and time to learn from any mistakes made.

Q: In The Ruby Cradle author Hill, you have mermaids being truly extraordinary creatures. Most readers will think of them as “underwater creatures” but in your book you have them being a “nemesis” of the dragons. What was the inspiration for utilizing these characters, the mermaids specifically, the way that you do?

Author Hill: The dragons came in as an afterthought in The Emerald Lady. I needed a creature that could both aid and enemy (either; become the enemy of the mermaids or antagonize the mermaids) of the mermaids. Dragons were perfect as fire and water are opposite elemental forces. In my mythology both of these characters are shape-shifters. While the dragon, once reaching that state remain as dragons, the mermaids are able to change into other creatures at will. They appear as women to humans which is their closest natural counterpart.

That is absolutely fascinating in how you came up with the idea for the nemesis for the mermaids. The multiple levels that you give these creatures and characters really makes this story multi-faceted in quite a unique way.

Q: Early in your book, you state “The young dragons learned that they could not be killed” we found this tidbit of information fascinating. Why did you decide to make dragons so hard to bring down?

Author Hill: The mythology is that humans have the shortest lifespan, making them the most prolific breeders. Next are the mermaids who live a thousand years but only reproduce every hundred years after reaching adulthood. Molytans are beings of immense energy and eternal. Once the Molytans transform into dragons they become indestructible. Being eternal and indestructible would corrupt them, making them the perfect villain.

Wow! That makes so much sense to utilize the dragons in that way! Eternity is definitely a long time to exist in a world, so it does make a lot of sense to have them become the villains of this series.

Q: As we read The Ruby Cradle curiosity drove us as to how the title would tie into the storyline itself. When it does, it’s truly a fascinating revelation. How did you come up with the idea for the ruby cradle in connection to the dragons?

Author Hill: As the dragons lose power, they become inanimate and shrink. Rubies have an inner fire when you look at them. It made sense that the dragons would become ruby-like as their power waned. And it keeps the theme of the Gemstone Series going. First book was The Emerald Lady.

Great explanation for the title! It definitely fits the story, and the series overall!

Q: One of the most surprising elements of The Ruby Cradle is how you make it into a story within a story. Was it your intention to sweep readers away into the story, and have them forget the original storyline that we started out reading until you bring us back full circle?

Author Hill: Yes, that was exactly what I had in mind, to tell two stories in one. It was a way of writing a prequel and a sequel at the same time. The two stories are complete and compelling, drawing in the reader without their awareness.

Well, job well done author Hill! Because it 100% works and we’re sure that our fellow readers will definitely enjoy it!

Q: What was your inspiration for the dragons? We found it absolutely fascinating that in The Ruby Cradle, dragons aren’t “born” they are “made” in a truly unique way.

Author Hill: I took it from the Bible and the idea of falling angels. The Molytans are neither good nor bad. They serve a purpose in the world that is necessary, but as dragons they become pure evil. The need for power changes them completely.

Huh! You took inspiration from the Bible and angels?! Wow! We would never have guessed that! But when we apply it in our minds…it makes The Ruby Cradle even more fascinating because it’s done in such a unique way.

Q: How did you decide on which prominent figures of history to weave into The Ruby Cradle?

Author Hill: The story take place at the nexus of major eras. I pick the people who had the most influence as history changed from the Roman era to the age of castles to the Middle Ages and the age of kingdoms.

Okay! That definitely makes a lot of sense. Especially in light of the fact that these names are sure to be ones that most readers recognize.

***Potential Spoiler Alert***

Q: We’re curious about the Molytans. The ones that are known to exist in the story are taken by one of the dragons later on in The Ruby Cradle. Were those Molytans the very last? Or are there some who have managed to avoid detection by the dragons?

Author Hill: They are the last ones. Once a Molytan is transformed into a dragon there is no going back.

(a) Is there a finite amount of Molytans? Or can more be produced/created?

Author Hill: There is a finite number of Molytans. They do not reproduce.

Interesting! So that means that when the dragons are extinguished…if they ever are…that that will be the end of them. Which means that the world will be safe from the threat of dragons and the evil that they wield.

Q: Throughout The Ruby Cradle you have a collective of ruthless dragons, each dragon has quite the unique name. So, we’re curious – do the dragon’s names have any specific meaning to them? Or are they just unique names that you came up with that stood out to you as dragon names?

Author Hill: The dragon’s name is somewhat dependent on the area they are from. But they are made up by me.

So, we’re getting a mix of creative license and location they are found in the story. Well, definitely makes for some interesting and unique names for sure!

Q: This is the first book that we’ve read in your The Gemstone series, so we’re curious…what was your inspiration to create this unique fantasy world that encompasses The Ruby Cradle?

Author Hill: I wanted to create a world where myth is a forgotten history. Humans having such a short lifespan will forget what happened in the past and it will become myth. Mermaids living so much longer will maintain that history but only interact with humans when necessary. The dragons’ re-emergence makes it necessary for the three beings to again engage with each other.

Wow! It’s like when history is altered and the truth lost! Fascinating! That really elevates the storyline, and for readers who haven’t read The Ruby Cradle yet, this interview might be a good jump-off point for them!

Q: We note that you say at the end of The Ruby Cradle that The Gemstone series will be a three-part historical fantasy, but if the story/characters continue to speak to you their story…will you continue the series?

Author Hill: No, I have a very satisfying conclusion to the series. It will take us into the modern era. Big things will take place.

Okay! That makes a lot of sense. It’s also good to know and something to really look forward to when the third book is available!

Q: What was the thought process behind the ending of this book?! We were so engrossed in the story, and then BAM! It’s the end. We literally howled, “Wait! What!?! Nooo!” LOL!

Author Hill: The same way Zabella was dropped into the past, you are ricocheted back to the present. Her present, so you know she has a mission to go on to save the world.

Well, it is definitely a shock to the senses, but a good one! It will absolutely engross readers and have them eager for more.

Q: Ehecatl is the oldest dragon in The Ruby Cradle. Would you ever consider writing a novella at the very least detailing Ehecatl’s story?

Author Hill: Ehecatl’s story is told in The Emerald Lady.

Oh! Okay! Well, there you go! If you haven’t read The Emerald Lady fellow readers, then we highly recommend checking it out to get the full story!

Q: What or who inspired you to become a writer?

Author Hill: I have multiple inspirations from Stan Lee to Stephen King. Edgar Allen Poe was also a great influence on me.

Sounds like you’ve been inspired by some of the greats in literary history!

Q: Is there a particular character in The Ruby Cradle that you felt most drawn to as you wrote? What we mean by that is a character whose storyline/story just had to be told and needed to be the focus of the story itself.

Author Hill: The dragon, Vargrerot, is the character that held the most interesting story. He suffered a terrible defeat at the claws of Deyhezas. And wants nothing more than to make Apollonia pay for his lost wings. Losing his wings is the worst thing that can happen to a dragon.

We can wholeheartedly agree with that! As we read about Vargrerot in The Ruby Cradle, we were curious as to where his story would go after his injuries, but it is quite the revenge story when it circles back to him for sure!

Q: Author Hill you fly through a number of time periods and eras in The Ruby Cradle, if you could…what would be a time period/era that you would time travel to if you could?

Author Hill: I think the Roman empire would be great to visit. I would have to be a senator or someone high up. Those guys really knew how to party.

The Roman empire? Sounds like a good choice to us! A lot of development was going on in that time period, and if you were someone high up, you definitely benefited! So we can definitely understand why you’d want to be in a position of privilege and power!

Q: Once The Gemstone series is complete what are you looking at writing next? Will the next book be part of a series? Or will it be a standalone?

Author Hill: I am working on a horror novel called The House of Sun and Shadow. It will take place in the post Napoleonic Era. This will be my first horror novel. It will be at least a two-book series.

Oooh! A horror novel?! Sounds fascinating! Definitely going to have to keep our eyes peeled for that upcoming duology for sure!

Q: Author Hill, as a multi-genre writer, what genre do you enjoy writing the most? Why?

Author Hill: I started as a sci-fi writer and really love the genre. You can do so much in it and there are rules that ground the story in reality. I have been away from that genre for a while now, but I am working on a couple of storylines.

So, it sounds like you favor sci-fi over other genres. While you haven’t written in that genre for a minute it sounds like you are working on your return. So it will be interesting to see what you’ve been working on when the time comes.

Q: Author Hill, if you could recommend a book for readers to pick up after reading The Ruby Cradle, what would you encourage them to read next?

Author Hill: If they haven’t read The Emerald Lady, they should. If they want something more hardcore Killer With A Heart is the first book of the Killer Series. It will keep you up at night.

Definitely putting it on our #tbrshelf!! We absolutely need to catch up on the full story and get all the backstory on the various characters in The Gemstones Series!!

Q: The next book in The Gemstone series is the Diamond Warrior. Do you have an expected release date yet for that book so that readers can mark their calendars for it?

I am thinking, summertime. But I am also a publisher, and other people’s books often take precedence over my work. There are also changes in the Diamond Warrior that I am working in but that shouldn’t delay things.

Sounds like we have a general time period to look forward to fellow readers!! So be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Diamond Warrior, book 3 in the Gemstone Series, to debut this summer! If you haven’t read The Emerald Lady or The Ruby Cradle you have plenty of time to grab a copy and dive in.

Q: Is there anything that you’d like to share with our readers before you go?

Author Hill: I just released a collection of short stories called The Moth and Other Tantalizing Tales. It covers about thirty years of my writing life and features multiple genres. So far I am getting great reviews.

Alright fellow readers! There is something for everyone! Want an adult thriller that will leave you sleepless in your quest for more? Then The Killer Series is for you. Want something more scifi? Author Hill has got you covered with Pegasus: A Journey to New Eden. Fantasy more up your alley? Then there is The Gemstone Series, but be sure you start with the The Emerald Lady! LOL! Enjoy short stories? Then The Moth and Other Tantalizing Tales is what you’ll want.

Author James L. Hill we appreciate you taking the time to share with us here at Scribbles and our readers about your book, The Ruby Cradle. We look forward to reading more of your work in the future! Thank you so much for your time today!

We enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to read and review The Ruby Cradle and you can check out the review here.

About the Author:

James L Hill, a.k.a. J L Hill, is a native New Yorker from the South Bronx, Fort Apache, of the turbulent 60’s.

He earned a degree in computer programming, his other love. A multi-genre author, his experiences seasoned his novels and the worlds he imagined.

James started RockHill Publishing LLC to publish his own work and give others access to the literary world.

The four-part adult urban crime series, The Killer Series, is complete. Killer With A Heart, Killer With Three Heads, Killer With Black Blood
have all received five-star reviews. Killer With Ice Eyes, the final chapter of the boys from the Bronx, is available now.

He is currently working on a three-part historical fantasy Gemstone Series; The Emerald Lady
is in publication to rave reviews. The Ruby Cradle and the third book, The Diamond Warrior, is coming soon.

Then there’s the psychological dystopian science fiction thriller, Pegasus: A Journey To New Eden for your reading pleasure.