I'm thrilled to introduce Courtney Lillard, a talented author hailing from Appleton, Wisconsin. Growing up as the middle child in a family of five, Courtney developed a deep appreciation for the arts through her involvement in music and theater. This creative foundation paved the way for her passion for storytelling. She earned her B.A. in Communications from Quincy University in 2015 and later obtained an M.A. in Communication Studies from Western Illinois University in 2018.
Courtney's literary journey led her to create the captivating Dark Angel series, which includes titles like The Shadow's Grasp, The Puppet's Blight, The Angel's Descent, The Demon's Curse, and The Mage's Oath. Her stories are known for their rich fantasy elements and compelling characters, drawing readers into intricate worlds of magic and adventure.
When she's not crafting her next novel, Courtney enjoys reading fantasy and classic literature, cooking, playing video games, and relaxing by the pool. She also has a fondness for puzzles, though her cat often adds an extra challenge by knocking the pieces off the table.
To explore more of Courtney's work and stay updated on her latest projects, visit her official website and follow her on Amazon.
DCU or MCU?
MCU
Reboots – a great idea or a lack of creativity?
I am personally not a fan of reboots. However, reimagining stories can spark creativity.
A book that pleasantly surprised you?
Jurassic Park. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do because of how dense (in my opinion) the writing can be sometimes, but that just adds to Crichton’s style.
Coffee, tea, or cacao?
I am a tea drinker when the weather’s cool. Otherwise, just water for me.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I always knew I wanted to publish a book as it was an item on my bucket list ever since high school. When I started writing bits and pieces in college, I learned I enjoyed entertaining others and found writing to be the best form for me.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
My inspiration comes from various places, but I attribute most of my ideas to dreams I remember and expand on scenes in my head through music. Certain songs or pieces set the mood, helping me shape what type of moment I am looking for. This process reminds me of a play where scenes include various elements like dialogue, staging, setting, and more.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
I began writing The Dark Angel series in 2018 after I graduated with my M.A. and when I had a lot of free time to explore the story. The first four books came into fruition before I decided to publish The Shadow’s Grasp in 2021 through a local publisher. Throughout the next three years, I learned more about self-publishing and marketing in order to continue growing as an author.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I always say I never have enough time in the day because I have many hobbies and a full-time job. I enjoy puzzles, video games, working in the yard, and cooking. I am also a board member of a local cat rescue and volunteer at the humane society in town.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
It’s not a positive surprise, but I learned how independent authors are when it comes to the entire process. Whether traditionally published or self-published, the author is responsible for getting their book in readers’ hands, and most readers are unaware of what authors produce. This is because they rarely explore what is available other than what is in their bookstores or raved about by influencers. Just remember, a lot of effort went into the books you read that aren’t by the big-named authors who got their lucky break.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I am currently working on writing the sixth and final book in The Dark Angel series, which has five books published. Out of these five, I would say my favorite has always been The Puppet’s Blight because of the unique story structure compared to the others in the series.
Do you have any suggestions to help someone become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Absolutely! My main piece of advice is to always write for yourself first and foremost. There’s a market for everything, but remember why you want to write. If it’s to make money, plenty of people mastered that technique; if it’s to tell a story and share it with the world, then you should stick with your vision.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
I believe my weakness as a writer is world building in a timely manner. My main focus is always on the character and how to develop them as the story goes. This often leaves exploring the world to follow as the characters learn about it. I like to think that’s my style and take pride in it, but for future works that require a sooner explanation of the world, I’d like to become better at that.
Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?
All it takes to be a writer is to “put words on paper,” so to speak. Everybody feels things and experiences the world differently; that makes us all unique. We all have a story to tell, and if someone does not feel comfortable writing because they don’t know how to express themselves in their writing, plenty of authors offer classes or post videos online. The resources are out there to assist.
What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
My favorite author who I feel is underappreciated in modern writing is Mercedes Lackey. Her Heralds of Valdemar series and worldbuilding structure is unique and is just a fun read for the sake of telling various stories in a single world.
Are you traditionally or self published? Or both? Do you feel there are advantages to one over the other?
I am self-published and definitely believe there are advantages to both. I chose this route without fully comprehending both, but I do not regret it as I had much to learn about publishing and put together in my series. I advise anybody interested in becoming an author to do their research and find what benefits them most
What do you have coming next?
I am currently writing the sixth and final book in The Dark Angel series, which will release in early 2025 (hopefully). I also have a follow-up project started and hope to complete writing that next year as well.
Website and Social Media Information:
Facebook: Author Courtney Lillard
Instagram: @courtney_lillard_author
Tik Tok: @courtney_lillard_author
Excerpt from THE SHADOW'S GRASP:
The angel didn’t seem to have even broken a sweat while Coura stood panting. She removed her bloodied hand from where it rested on her left bicep, certain the stranger sliced through at least a quarter of her arm, and braced herself for another attack when the two quieted.
“In that case, we shall continue until you do remember,” the female concluded before charging once more.
Here she comes!
Again, Coura raised her sword to meet the other’s blow for blow; however, this time, the strikes came slower yet with additional strength behind them. It worked to her opponent’s advantage since her speed began decreasing far too soon. She guarded against the strikes without worrying too much about them landing, but the force behind each pushed her back.
I just…need to keep…going…
The fear that retreated minutes ago started creeping up on her as her mental fortitude chipped away. Somehow, Coura was able to stop the woman’s blade during a vertical slice and hold the metal above her head, keeping the angel still. Her opponent savored the pause by leaning closer until their faces almost touched.
“Last chance,” the angel cooed.
With a grunt, Coura shoved the other’s weapon to the side and stepped backward to prepare a horizontal swipe at the female’s exposed mid-section. To her utter disbelief, she lost her balance.
What’s going on?
As her foot moved, it hit an above-ground root belonging to the nearest tree, causing her to stumble and slam her back against the trunk directly behind her. Then, it became too late to escape. She had been caught off guard, and her sword lowered as she fell. This gave her opponent the perfect opening.
Instead of striking with the blade, the angel rushed forward, reached across the space, and grabbed Coura by the throat, pressing her against the tree. In the next instant, Coura let go of her weapon in an attempt to claw herself free with both hands until the stranger dug the sharp fingernails into her skin. She felt a trickle of warm blood drip down her shirt before stars blotted her vision.
“How about now?” her opponent pressed in the sweet voice. “Will you answer our questions?”
“I…don’t know…” was all Coura managed to spit out. After that, her body stopped responding, and the grip on her throat tightened.
“Fine, have it your way.”
That’s it then. She’s going to choke me to death. I can’t…
“Elsa, hurry up!” Coura heard the second angel yell, though she couldn’t see him through the dazzling stars.
Just when she felt about ready to lose consciousness, a sharp pain in her chest made her body scream, then the pressure on her throat released. She tried gasping for air only to find herself coughing up blood in the process. After, her sight returned enough for her to glance down in horror at the blade sticking out from the middle of her chest.
Coura’s opponent spun around to return to where her partner and Will waited a second later. The female angel had pinned her to the trunk with the sword, letting her bleed out while knowing she couldn’t free herself nor produce a sound.
Her body ached from the sensation and her pity for Will, for how she hadn’t been able to rescue him. How…could I…
Both hands weakly tugging on the hilt of the weapon before finally dropping to her sides. The strength in her neck went next, so she hung her head, which forced her to stare at the pool of blood forming like a shadow along the base of the tree. She closed her eyes to hide the sight and wheezed while she fought a losing battle to stay alive.
Somewhere in the night, the voices continued as though nothing had happened.
*
Coura found herself floating amid a gray space, looking at the emptiness above. She didn’t see a ground in this place, nor clouds, nor anything distinguishable. She also couldn’t feel pain, so she relaxed and closed her eyes in a content manner. Her mind seemed at peace, but she couldn’t remember what brought her there.
After a moment, she sensed another presence. Her body curled into a sitting position in order to face a shadow standing at eye level with her.
“So, you’re finally here,” said a feminine voice teeming with delight.
“Where are we?” Coura asked while glancing around. For some reason, she wasn’t afraid of the figure.
“This is your chi-alve.”
“Chi-alve?”
The shadow nodded. “It translates to ‘soul space.’ All creatures have one. It’s the center of your being where your consciousness resides, though you should only be able to enter through a meditation of sorts.”
“Why am I here?” she asked next against a fear penetrating her relaxed mentality.
Although the shadow had no mouth to frown, Coura could hear its disapproval. “Because you are weak. You allowed yourself to lose, thus sacrificing your body and forcing your soul to recoil as a last resort. Most mortals experience this before they die.”
“I’m going to die?”
The figure shook its head. “Not as long as you allow me to help you.”
At the mention of death, Coura wished to be saved so badly her chest ached, yet she wondered why this other person stood in her soul space. “Who are you?”
“I can’t tell you now, but you must decide. Will you die or let me bring your body back from destruction?”
***
If Will had been scared before, he felt petrified once he witnessed what the female angel did. He understood Coura didn’t stand a chance against a Yeluthian’s speed and strength, and he let her fight. I should have told them about Byron. I should have tried to run. At least I would be doing something other than sit here uselessly.
Tears streamed down his cheeks through eyes glued to Coura’s limp body as it hung from a tree trunk. Somewhere in the recesses of his sane frame of mind, he was grateful it remained too dark for him to see her in detail, or else he would vomit.
“It really is a shame she did not possess much stamina,” Elsa commented as she strolled over to rejoin them. “Not many humans can hold their own for that long. I was beginning to think she would be entertaining.”
“It is a shame humans are not tougher beings,” her companion added to echo her disappointment.
After hearing their insults, Will’s temper slipped. “Shut up.”
Both angels turned to stare at him.
“Oh, now he talks!” the female exclaimed while shaking her head.
“I said, shut up!”
Will squeezed his eyes closed as he became unable to bear their presence. He wanted to scream and crawl to Coura’s side until the hiss of a sword being drawn had his eyes shooting open and darting to Devan. A moment later, the metal tip of the blade touched Will’s throat. His anger melted away, leaving him gazing at the pair, who lost all hint of amusement.
“Now then, enough of that. Dawn will be upon us in a couple hours, so I would rather not drag this out. If you do not tell us where the mage is, you shall share the same fate as your friend. Actually, it will be worse since I like to keep my enemies alive much longer than Elsa.”
Will swallowed despite his mouth and throat going dry, but no sound came from lips, which worked in an attempt to form words. He prayed again before realizing his death would be imminent because beneath the fear, weakness, and pain, his commitment to Byron remained. He refused to sacrifice his freedom for Byron’s life, not for the life of anyone dear to him.
Anyone except Coura…
He looked up into the handsome face and hoped to convey his resolve. It must have worked, for the angel appeared confused at first, then resigned.
“Pathetic,” the being mumbled and raised his sword.
A sort of contentment settled over Will in that moment, as if accepting his fate brought satisfaction during his final breaths. He shut his eyes and prayed one last time for his death to not be in vain.
Seconds ticked by, extending what he expected to be a brief execution. When he opened his eyes, he found both angels’ attention elsewhere. They appeared to study the tree where Coura hung with an air of suspicion. Suddenly, the female charged toward it while lightning sparked around her fists to illuminate the area.
“Elsa, wait!” her partner cried and reached for her to display how the unexpected action startled him.
Will couldn’t understand what bothered the two until the lightning brightened the farthest part of the clearing. Then, his jaw dropped. Coura’s hands were not only on the hilt of the sword in her body, but the blade steadily slid out of her chest.
It can’t be… She already lost so much blood. How could she survive an injury like that, let alone have the strength to keep going?
With a sickening gush audible even at a distance, the weapon came free. Coura stumbled a bit yet somehow managed to stay on her feet. Will gasped as she did so and was shocked to find the air so humid he barely felt like he breathed in any at all.
What’s happening? It’s the middle of the night, so why is the air this heavy. Unless this is magic. Could the change be caused by the angel’s lightning?
Will doubted that, which made him anxious. At the moment, he felt more concerned with the figure rushing at Coura who wielded a spell as lethal as a weapon and poised it to strike. He tried yelling a warning to his friend, but his voice broke on her name. The shout became lost in the crackling bolts anyway, leaving him to look on as the angel reached her.
What none of them had seen yet, or were expecting, was Coura’s magic. The angel’s lightning struck a wall of glittering, violet energy and produced a sound similar to metal scraping against metal. Will covered his ears as the sheer blockage of the female angel’s magic pushed her backward. Then, she lost control of the rest of her lightning, sending sparks and bolts shooting around the area. Thankfully, none came close to her companion or Will, but one landed on the canopy of a nearby tree to set the wood on fire. Within a frightening amount of time, the fallen branches transferred their flames to two other trees, illuminating their space in an eerie, red-and-orange glow.
I need to get out of here, Will acknowledged in a panic as smoke rose around them. This may be my only chance.
Still, he wouldn’t abandon Coura. Without a glance at the angels, he scrambled to his feet, turned on his heel, and sprinted as fast as he could into the bushes behind. Once hidden, he ducked behind the widest trunk he could find, and from there, he saw the entire clearing just fine, wasn’t in the way, and could easily retreat.
The shield in front of his friend dispersed to catch his eye, allowing him to spot a shadow behind her back solidifying in the dim lighting.
Those kind of look like wings…
He squinted against the still-rising smoke in order to make her figure out better, and when she stepped closer, Will’s heart stopped. A pair of wings definitely rested behind her, except they were colored black. Unlike the angels’ feathers, which appeared soft to touch, these prickled with what he thought to be disdain.
Elsa snarled before unleashing another blast of lightning. It reached Coura, but she sidestepped just as the bolt would have struck her, causing it to crash into the tree behind her instead. Three more times, the angel fired her spells; each instance, Coura dodged with ease while creeping forward. When the female began retracing her steps with the obvious intent to reach her companion, Will caught a glint in the firelight and realized his friend held the other’s blade, still covered with her own blood.
“Who are you?” the male shouted, startling Will. He attempted to draw her attention, but she remained fixated on his partner. When he addressed her again and received the same lack of response, he decided to draw his sword.
As it slid halfway out of its scabbard, Coura struck.
Elsa glanced at her companion in shock for a second when he yelled. When she faced forward, Coura leapt into the air, spread the dark wings like an aviary predator, and pounced with new speed. The angel’s hands rose too late to do much except try to block the weapon, except she didn’t use her weapon first. With her left hand, she seized the female’s forearm and yanked it downward before her opponent knew what she intended to do. Only then did Coura bring the blade up to the angel’s exposed throat and slice, cutting off a scream.
Will instinctively looked away and focused on his breathing so as to not faint at the sight of the blonde head rolling on the ground. Still, he forced himself to continue watching sooner than he would have liked in order to catch what happened next.
The remaining angel screamed his companion’s name, mourning the loss of what Will believed to be a deeply personal relationship. Coura finally faced him, and indirectly Will, after, as if the death meant nothing. Although she appeared the same, her presence terrified him. The unnatural wings loomed over the rest of her body in a menacing manner, and her clothes had been ripped in multiple places with only scarlet showing underneath. Her dark, unbound hair waved in the slight breeze, which blew the smoke away, though the sapphire eyes that always seemed so bright had dulled into quite the opposite.
As she stared at her next target, Will admitted he’d grown more horrified than earlier. He had never in all his life heard of a human using wings, let alone ones not colored white. Coura’s seemed to be the same size and shape as the angels’, but their demeanor changed. Instead of the peaceful, divine nature the stories described, which had been what Will thought of when he first encountered the pair without knowing them, the black wings and Coura’s appearance seemed wicked, wrong, and wholly evil in his eyes.
A demon. That’s the opposite of an angel. Has she been possessed? Is she even human anymore? What happens to a person when they can’t control their actions?
Will’s knowledge about demons and their work never amounted to much since it wasn’t a popular topic of conversation, and for good reason. In fact, in most towns he regularly frequented, bringing up demons led to either punishments or curses upon your descendants.
He wondered if the remaining angel reached the same conclusion because he stood unmoving while Coura stalked toward him with the blade hanging at her side, letting what fresh blood coated it soak into ground.
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