When I announced that I’d be writing books four and five of The Twelve Kingdoms, some people asked if that would end the series or if there would be more after that. I want there to be more, and said as much. Then someone quipped that, after all, I’d have eight kingdoms left.
Made me laugh, though that’s not how I’ve thought of the series, with a book for each kingdom. After all, I keep creating more. Those agile with math may have noted that eight kingdoms after book five is thirteen, which is true, because Annfwn is the 13th kingdom.
Then in book three, THE TALON OF THE HAWK, I added yet another kingdom, the foreign land of Dasnaria, where Harlan, our stalwart mercenary hails from. Now that I’m writing book four, THE PAGES OF THE MIND, I’m probably adding yet another. Think tropical islands with dormant volcanoes.
It’s true, though, that as I continue to write in this world, the richness and variety 
of the original twelve kingdoms continues to emerge. In the aftermath of THE TALON OF THE HAWK – don’t worry, I won’t spoil the ending – there’s increasing reports of strange creatures. One of those comes from the north part of the Twelve Kingdoms, which is a wilder place, with the people more scattered. The northern kingdoms keep to themselves more, are less militant and interact less with the southern kingdoms.
In the kingdom of Carienne, there’s very large freshwater lake in the low mountains. Lake Sullivan is so deep that none has ever determined where the bottom might be. At the center, the deep blue water looks nearly black and the lake remains chill even in the hottest summers. Legend has it that a sea monster lives in Lake Sullivan. Certainly there are plenty of fish to keep one fed, along with the communities scattered along the shores of the lake.
Perhaps there will be sightings?
The Twelve Kingdoms, 3
Synopsis: A HEAVY CROWN
Three daughters were born to High King Uorsin, in place of the son he wanted. The youngest, lovely and sweet. The middle, pretty and subtle, with an air of magic. And the eldest, the Heir. A girl grudgingly honed to leadership, not beauty, to bear the sword and honor of the king.
Ursula’s loyalty is as ingrained as her straight warrior’s spine. She protects the peace of the Twelve Kingdoms with sweat and blood, her sisters from threats far and near. And she protects her father to prove her worth. But she never imagined her loyalty would become an open question on palace grounds. That her father would receive her with a foreign witch at one side and a hireling captain at the other—that soldiers would look on her as a woman, not as a warrior. She also never expected to decide the destiny of her sisters, of her people, of the Twelve Kingdoms and the Thirteenth. Not with her father still on the throne and war in the air. But the choice is before her. And the Heir must lead…
JC Nelson
I loved the Mark of the Tala, and I’d like to see the ending.
Jeffe Kennedy
Thanks, JC – always appreciate your support!
blodeuedd
Ohhhh a sea monster, well lake monster, yay
Jeffe Kennedy
Exactly! 🙂
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
I love that and that they’ve developed and shown up as the series was going. Makes for interesting reading 😀 And so many future possibilities 😀
Jeffe Kennedy
Thanks Anna – makes it fun for me, too!
Paula M. @ Her Book Thoughts!
Oh wow, that is a fantastic cover! I have to check out the first book in this series. Great guest post!!! 🙂
Jeffe Kennedy
Thanks so much – I love this cover so hard!!
LilyElement
I don’t think I’ve read any of JKennedy’s work before, but loving the cover and blurb for The Talon of the Hawk!
Jeffe Kennedy
This is my favorite cover so far – thanks for stopping by, Lily!
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
Sounds like some exceptional world building in this series! I’m definitely going to need a map though… 🙂
Jeffe Kennedy
I drew a map! It’s in the front of each book. 🙂
kindlemom1
This series is completely new to me but it sounds great! I enjoyed the guest post. 😀
Jeffe Kennedy
Thanks KindleMom – love the handle! 😉
Ramona
I just read an interview with her somewhere else 🙂 I love her ideas, I must confess. Haven’t started this series, but it sounds excellent. Great post!
Jeffe Kennedy
Thanks Ramona – I’m kind of everywhere lately… Glad you liked the post!
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
I haven’t read this series just yet, but I love worlds that keep expanding and giving us more and more. I might need a map after a while, but I certainly appreciate the effort.
Jeffe Kennedy
Yeah… my editor needed one, too, so he asked me to draw one. 🙂
Mirlou
This series sound good, I love the idea of the story. I’m definitely going to read it.
Jeffe Kennedy
Thanks Mirlou!
Keionda@Keionda Hearts Books
These books. Oh they look so good and I love the awesome plot AND the fact that it’s the telling About all the different kingdoms for each book. yaassss. 🙂 adding them to my Goodreads pile. Is there romance? The most important question hehe
Jeffe Kennedy
Yes to romance! and an HEA in every one. My thing, too.
Mary Preston
This sounds like a fantastic read.
Jeffe Kennedy
Thanks Mary!
bea285
Je ne tente pas ma chance car en plus d’être en anglais, c’est un tome 3. Cela fera le bonheur d’une lecture de la série!
Jeffe Kennedy
Time to try my college French…
Oui, c’est un tome 3 et en anglais. Ma francais ce n’est pas bon. 🙁 Merci! J’ai la plaisure que vous aimez!
(how badly did I do??)
Melliane
non c’est parfait !
Jeffe Kennedy
woo hoo!!!
kimbacaffeinate
I love how these things developed and oooh lake monsters how cool is that.
Jeffe Kennedy
Me too! I have a thing for the Loch Ness Monster. 🙂
ML
Nice to see the global appeal of Jeffe Kennedy!
Jeffe Kennedy
I’m blown away! And ever so delighted! 🙂