We chat with author H. M. Long about Red Tempest Brother, which sees the epic naval fantasy trilogy conclude, as Sam, Mary and Benedict play a deadly game of war and espionage on the high-seas. Perfect for fans of pirate-infested waters, magical bestiaries and battling empires!
Hi, Hannah! Welcome back! How has the past year been since we last spoke?
Hey there! Thanks so much for having me back again. The past year has been a bit of a blur, I’ll be honest. Lots of cuddles with my son, lots of learning, and lots of writing. Aaaaand very little sleep. I feel like I blinked between Black Tide Son’s release and now – here at Red Tempest Brother’s entrance into the world!
Red Tempest Brother is the final installment in your Winter Sea trilogy and it’s out July 8th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Benedict finally finds his compass.
For those who haven’t picked up the series, what can readers expect?
Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, lots of original creatures and lore, cinematic action and immersive atmosphere, very slow burn romance, and an antihero you never expected to love.
And for those who have, what’s to come in the final installment?
In Red Tempest Brother, we sail into new waters: the Mereish South Isles. Every island has its own feel, and laws, to a certain extent. Or lack thereof. This gives Red Tempest a bit of an episodic nature as our characters race from island to island, uncovering more of this rich seafaring world, meeting new enemies and allies and racing to secure the future of the Winter Sea. There are adventures to be had, some kisses to steal, banter and moral quandries, and the shadow of an old enemy.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring one last time?
Any interaction between Benedict and Charles. Dare I call it friendship? Bromance?
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
My greatest challenges to writing this book were all connected to becoming a mother, and I don’t just mean being busy and sleepless. I mean the rewiring of my mind, and relearning, in a sense, how to write within those new parameters. It was a massive shift, one which I’m sure other parents and caregivers can deeply relate to.
My family are the ones that made this book happen. They freed me up to work and heal and focus. I know this book (and Entwined, which I also wrote during this past year) would not have been without them.
How did you celebrate wrapping up your trilogy?
Something quiet, for sure, perhaps a nice dinner out with my husband. But I definitely had a bit of a moment unboxing my author copies and putting them next to my other books. It’s an incredible feeling, seeing them all together.
What’s next for you?
Entwined! My Gilded Age-inspired fantasy with a dash of romance is coming out March 2026. Three sorcerous sisters join the race to reclaim a stolen magical artifact in a city on the brink of civil war. This is a little Mask of Mirrors, a little Indiana Jones, a little Miss Scarlet, and, for those who know the reference, more than a little Adele Blanc Sec.
Entwined is the first book in a duology, with the second book coming March 2027. July 2027 I also have Ashmarked, a standalone epic fantasy set in a world controlled by necromancers, which I’m very much looking forward to!
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
THE RAVEN SCHOLAR. I mean, I’ve read other books this year, but The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson absolutely took the prize. Fantasy, mystery, incredible characters. If you haven’t read it, toss your TBR out the window and just skip right on up to this.
Looking ahead I can’t wait for Sarah Mughal Rana’s Dawn of the Firebird. I’ve been eyeing Sarah’s posts about this book for a long, long time and I’m excited to finally read it!
