DEVNEY PERRY is the author of over 50 romance novels, many of which have been set in her home state of Montana. Shield of Sparrows is Devney’s first foray into the highly popular realm of romantasy and is an enemies-to-lovers and action-packed story filled with legends and monsters.
AKINA HANSEN writes.
Devney Perry was born and raised among the wild mountains, foothills and plains of Montana, USA. The sprawling and mystical landscape of Montana is in the west of America and is home to Yellowstone National Park, wildlife, ranchers, mining, the Rocky Mountains and Native American tribes.
Evidently, it’s a region brimming with natural beauty and history. In a 2017 interview with Sophie, a Belgian blogger, Devney shared how her childhood was in turn shaped and defined by the great outdoors.
‘My younger brother and I played outside constantly during the summers, and I was always in command of whatever game we had invented. We built a lot of forts and rode our bikes everywhere. In the winter, we spent as many weekends on the ski hill as we could.’
It’s no wonder then that Montana has been a great source of inspiration for her with many of her popular and bestselling romance and suspense series being set in her home state. To name a few, these series include: ‘Jamison Valley’, ‘Larke Cove’, ‘Calamity Montana’ and ‘The Edens’.
In an interview with Publishers Weekly she said, ‘When I started writing, I couldn’t think of a better place to set my stories than at home. There’s so much to love about Montana, from the rugged landscapes to the small towns and the tight-knit communities. It will always be an inspiration for me, and I hope that my stories inspire readers to visit the state that will always hold my heart.’
Notably, however, Devney didn’t get the writing bug until later in life. In fact, as a young woman writing wasn’t something that she had ever dreamed of let alone thought of as a full-time profession. Instead, she aspired to become a doctor. But like many of us, she was figuring things out. In college, she ultimately changed her course from pre-med to economics and eventually landed a job in the tech industry. And after nearly a decade of working in the industry, she quit to spend more time at home with her family.
It was not long after this that Devney found herself staring at a computer screen, hands at the keyboard. When asked by fellow author J Lynn Bailey what exactly compelled her to start writing, Devney gave a frank answer: ‘Honestly? I was bored. That, and going a little crazy at home with my kids. I’d just quit a very demanding job and had my youngest son. I was reading a book a day – or more – and it just wasn’t cutting my need for a mental challenge. So, I opened up a Word doc and started writing away.’
Nine months later, her debut novel, The Coppersmith Farmhouse (2017) was published. Almost a decade on and she is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and #1 Amazon bestselling author of more than 50 romance novels, achieving further commercial success when she blew up on #BookTok. Devney has since amassed a dedicated following of readers who have enabled her to succeed as a hybrid author – publishing both traditionally and independently.
‘I’ve been incredibly lucky to find my dream job thanks to indie publishing. It’s given me the chance to learn a craft and run a business. I truly love every part of this career, from writing to marketing and publishing and all the tasks in between. The romance market seems to be ever changing, and with those changes come challenges. But I find so much joy in the constant learning that I get to do every day as an indie author’, she told Publishers Weekly.
Fans of Devney will be quick to agree that the author has played a crucial role in renewing interest in the romance genre with her beloved and extensive back catalogue filled with the highs and lows of small-town Montana romances.
But now Devney has joined the ranks of writers such as Rebecca Yarros and Sarah J Maas with her new novel Shield of Sparrows, an enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, action-packed romantasy. But make no mistake, Devney makes it clear to fans on social media that at the heart of this novel is a love story.
‘Shield of Sparrows is 1000 per cent a romance, first and foremost. So, no need to be an experienced fantasy reader. It’s longer than my small-town contemporary books and there’s a bit more action, but it’s still a Devney Perry book with a big romance and lots of feels.
‘There’s a lot of me in this book. A lot of special characters and names and elements that I have been saving for years for just the right story. It’s the longest book I’ve ever written and absolutely my favourite.’
In the spirit of all good romantasy stories, Shield of Sparrows is filled with deadly monsters, political intrigue, blood, lust and magic.
The story unfolds through the perspective of Odessa, a princess of Quentis, whose life is upended when she is forced into a marriage with Prince Zavier Wolfe of Turah. In this fantasy world, monsters roam the land and wreak havoc and death across the realm. To ensure safety and peace, a treaty is enforced with binding magic and requires a daughter be given to another kingdom each generation. This in turn guarantees a barter of resources, weapons and security.
But when Odessa is sent off to spy on the Turans by her father, she begins to question his intentions and her loyalties. This is further compounded by her undeniable pull towards a man called the Guardian, a fearless monster hunter and the prince’s right-hand man.
As the story progresses, Odessa learns that there is a deadly disease afflicting monsters and turning them rabid. In the face of such horrors, she gradually regains her voice, identity and autonomy. And what begins as a hellish mission, becomes one of self-discovery, friendship and all-consuming love.
‘I’ve had the incredible opportunity to write stories over the past nine years, and while I love them all, this book holds a special place in my heart.’
While this will be new terrain for some fans of Devney, they have evidently rallied behind her newest venture. Shield of Sparrows launched with a six-figure initial print run, echoing the likes of Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing. To top it off, a film adaptation for this book has already been announced and in development at Amazon MGM studios with Derek Kolstad (John Wick) on board to write the script.
In another post online, Devney shared the news: ‘Shield of Sparrows is going to be a movie! This book has been a dream come true, and I cannot wait for it to be out in the world on Tuesday. And eventually, on the big screen! This is so incredibly surreal, and I am beyond grateful to Amazon/MGM and the absolute legend Derek Kolstad for this opportunity! … And to you, my darling readers. A while ago, I said I was going to ask you to become romantasy readers, and you have exceeded my wildest expectations.’
Shield of Sparrows is an exciting new edition to the romantasy sphere that continues to grow in popularity and sales. This book is the first in a three-book series with the second already in the works and with an expected release early next year.
‘I’m not ready to talk about book two yet. But I’m working on it right now, and as my preteen children say … let me cook.’
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Devney Perry® is a #1 New York Times, USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of over 50 romance novels. She was born and raised in Montana and now lives in Washington with her husband and two sons.
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