Hi everyone. Today I am featuring Colin Darney's series "The Chronicles of the Troop." Check out his guest post below and his book details to find out why you should start this series today. Make sure to read to the bottom of this post for a special giveaway you could win. Happy reading :).
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Magic is feared. The truth is forgotten. But the silence – it still remembers.
What genre or type of story inspires you most when reading or writing?
Fantasy stories inspire me most when writing. Believable characters, "real" situations in a fantastical world, etc. Story's about people who "win", improving themselves/finding love/finding sucess/what have you, those are the one's that grip me. Especially when they get those things against all odds or struggling uphill to get them.
Are there any real-life experiences that directly influenced Resthaven, Silverlake, or The Book of Ghaan?
A lot of the interpersonal relationships I've either experienced myself or witnessed. The humor and joking around comes from my time in the army and friends. Bar and tavern scenes come from places I've drank in and experienced first hand. The trauma and aftermath comes from my time in a level 1 ER/Trauma center.
What are you most proud of as an author so far?
Actually doing it. Writing stories that other people read and are interested in. Having people interact with me, tell me my fantasy's are great or touched them some how. Hearing people say they couldn't put it down. It's uplifting.
What do readers most often tell you about your work (e.g., “I loved the world,” “The characters felt real,” etc.)?
That the world comes to life for them. Some people are just enthralled by the characters, others by the story itself, but the most common is how much people enjoyed the detailed plot and realism they experience as they read the series.
If someone bumped into you at a fantasy convention, what kind of impression would you want to leave?
Just a normal guy. I don't put on airs, I drive a normal car, live a normal life, have the same concerns everyone else has. I'm friendly, approachable, and have no problems answering questions and talking to anybody.
Is there any quirky or unexpected detail about you people are surprised by?
MY favorite 'hobby' is taking hikes int he wilderness, exploring places I've never been before, being 'one' with nature - all of which leads me to convey the 'experience' when I write. I used to be into horseback riding which taught me sometimes you just have to go with the flow and stay on. Downhill skiing was full of excitement, wind blasting in your face as you figuratively race. Blacksmithing taught me you can turn a lump of something ugly into an object of beauty. Camping taught me to accept what is and drive on. Online gaming taught me you can be whatever you want in whatever realm you find yourself in.
Would you prefer to gently mention your books or boldly champion them in your bio?
A mix between the two. I definitely want attention for my story, but I don't want to come across as a used car salesman
What’s the current status of The Book of Ghaan, Part Two — are you mid-edit, drafting, or preparing for release?
Part two is mid-edit with its planned release this summer. I'm about half way through, then it will be off to professional readers.
Do you want your author brand to feel more wise veteran fantasy crafter, more passionate newcomer with surprising talent, or something else?
Definitely a passionate newcomer, not too high on himself, with surprising talent.
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ResthavenThe Chronicles of the Troop Book 1by: Colin DarneyGenre: Epic Fantasy
Add to your TBR List!
Check out Reviews and Recommendations!
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BLURB:
A divine war once shattered the world. Now, it begins anew—unnoticed, and bathed in blood.
Tommy is the son of a fisherman in a quiet lakeside village, where nothing truly dangerous has happened in generations. But when monstrous warriors descend from the woods, slaughtering everything he’s ever known, Tommy is thrown into a world of violence, prophecy, and secrets his father spent a lifetime hiding.
Fleeing across the inland sea, the survivors carry more than trauma—some carry buried power. Among them, an elven woman with a hidden past, a dwarf whose grief burns hotter than his forge, and a boy who isn’t just a boy – he’s something more. As rumors of more attacks spread and refugees flock to safe havens, it becomes clear the ondilaan are not just raiding.
They’re hunting.
But why?
As Tommy struggles to survive, love, and grow into the man the world might need, forces far older than any kingdom turn their gaze toward him. And the hidden power is watching.
Resthaven is the first entry in The Chronicles of the Troop, an epic fantasy saga that blends brutal war, divine judgment, and philosophical weight with real human stakes.
A note to readers: Violence through fantasy combat, Minor swearing, Adult themes, No sex.
Purchase your Copy Today!
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SilverlakeThe Chronicles of the Troop Book 2
Add to your TBR List!
Check out Reviews and Recommendations!
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BLURB:
The troop survived Resthaven. But survival was just the beginning.
Donnor leads his ragtag force of villagers, conscripts, and outsiders deeper into the southern reaches of the Serensea. Their mission: find and defend the last remaining settlements from the ondilaan. But the enemy has changed—and so has the troop.
As Tommy comes into his own as both a mage and a chronicler, he wrestles with the burden of power, the scars of war, and the discovery of a lineage that shakes his identity. Beside him, Arisaylia’s magic deepens beyond her control, while Donnor is haunted by a loss he cannot afford to repeat.
In the villages, foothills, and the ruined fields of the south, the troop finds not only battles—but betrayals, hard choices, and the truths that threaten everything they thought they understood.
Silverlake is the second book in The Chronicles of the Troop, a philosophical epic fantasy saga blending tactical war, elven lore, deep character bonds, and the high stakes of ancient memory … for readers who crave stories where victory costs something real.
A note to readers: Violence through fantasy combat, minor swearing, adult themes.
Purchase your Copy Today!
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WindyspringThe Chronicles of the Troop Book 3
Add to your TBR List!
Check out Reviews and Recommendations!
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BLURB:
The enemy grows bolder. Allies grow silent. And the gods remain lost. The troop is scattered, wounded, and shaken by betrayal from within and without. What began as a mission to protect the southern villages of the Serensea now threatens to unravel the fragile balance between kingdoms, clans, and divine history. As Tommy's power blooms into something ancient—and dangerous—Arisaylia confronts truths about the elves that could fracture her people forever. Donnor, haunted by war and his family's fate, must hold together what remains of their fragile alliance before the flames of conflict spread beyond control. Meanwhile, far from the troop's journey, in the Endless Plains power stirs. Civilizations long dormant move once more, as kingdoms make secret pacts and old races return to claim what was once theirs. Windyspring is the third volume of The Chronicles of the Troop, a sweeping epic of war, memory, and magic—where loyalty is tested, identities unravel, and the true cost of power begins to reveal itself.
A note to readers: Violence through fantasy combat, minor swearing, adult themes.
Purchase your Copy Today!
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Harper's CreekThe Chronicles of the Troop Book 4
Add to your TBR List!
Check out Reviews and Recommendations!
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BLURB:
The dead have been buried. Silence is broken. And secrets refuse to stay where they lay.
As the troop pushes east toward Harper’s Creek, the weight of their survival in Windyspring lingers—along with a growing fear of what lies ahead. Tommy’s power evolves beyond even the elves’ understanding, and Arisaylia begins to question whether the path she and her son will walk was ever theirs to choose.
Back in Redtail Hold, Sella finds herself drawn into a role far greater—and more dangerous—than her songs alone. Her rising influence in the eyes of the elves threatens the balance of the Hold, and the line between duty and desire grows thinner and thinner.
But war isn’t fought only with weapons. As old alliances fray and ancient eyes turn towards the Serensea, both soldier and singer must decide who and what they are—before the tide of history swallows them before their new fate is born.
Harper’s Creek is Book Four of The Chronicles of the Troop, where fantasy meets philosophy, and where battles of the heart are as perilous to everyone involved as those of sword and hidden sorcery.
A note to readers: Fantasy combat, minor swearing, adult themes.
Purchase your Copy Today!
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Colin Darney
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In a world where gods are silent and magic is feared, Colin Darney writes stories about people who still fight forward. A veteran, trauma nurse, and lifelong student of human resilience, Colin’s fantasy series—The Chronicles of the Troop and the follow-up The Book of Ghaan—explore what it means to survive, to love, and to hold on to hope when the world says you shouldn’t.
Known for gritty realism, emotionally layered characters, and the kind of dialogue you'd actual-ly hear in a bar full of off-duty soldiers, Colin blends classic epic fantasy with raw, lived experi-ence. His readers often say the world feels real, the characters feel familiar—and that once they start reading, they can’t put it down.
The Book of Ghaan, Part Two is currently in editing, with release planned for summer 2025.
Follow Colin at the Following Links:
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Enter to Win:
$30 Amazon Gift Card
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Next Stop on the Tour:
June 20th
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What genre or type of story inspires you most when reading or writing?
Fantasy stories inspire me most when writing. Believable characters, "real" situations in a fantastical world, etc. Story's about people who "win", improving themselves/finding love/finding sucess/what have you, those are the one's that grip me. Especially when they get those things against all odds or struggling uphill to get them.
Are there any real-life experiences that directly influenced Resthaven, Silverlake, or The Book of Ghaan?
A lot of the interpersonal relationships I've either experienced myself or witnessed. The humor and joking around comes from my time in the army and friends. Bar and tavern scenes come from places I've drank in and experienced first hand. The trauma and aftermath comes from my time in a level 1 ER/Trauma center.
What are you most proud of as an author so far?
Actually doing it. Writing stories that other people read and are interested in. Having people interact with me, tell me my fantasy's are great or touched them some how. Hearing people say they couldn't put it down. It's uplifting.
What do readers most often tell you about your work (e.g., “I loved the world,” “The characters felt real,” etc.)?
That the world comes to life for them. Some people are just enthralled by the characters, others by the story itself, but the most common is how much people enjoyed the detailed plot and realism they experience as they read the series.
If someone bumped into you at a fantasy convention, what kind of impression would you want to leave?
Just a normal guy. I don't put on airs, I drive a normal car, live a normal life, have the same concerns everyone else has. I'm friendly, approachable, and have no problems answering questions and talking to anybody.
Is there any quirky or unexpected detail about you people are surprised by?
MY favorite 'hobby' is taking hikes int he wilderness, exploring places I've never been before, being 'one' with nature - all of which leads me to convey the 'experience' when I write. I used to be into horseback riding which taught me sometimes you just have to go with the flow and stay on. Downhill skiing was full of excitement, wind blasting in your face as you figuratively race. Blacksmithing taught me you can turn a lump of something ugly into an object of beauty. Camping taught me to accept what is and drive on. Online gaming taught me you can be whatever you want in whatever realm you find yourself in.
Would you prefer to gently mention your books or boldly champion them in your bio?
A mix between the two. I definitely want attention for my story, but I don't want to come across as a used car salesman
What’s the current status of The Book of Ghaan, Part Two — are you mid-edit, drafting, or preparing for release?
Part two is mid-edit with its planned release this summer. I'm about half way through, then it will be off to professional readers.
Do you want your author brand to feel more wise veteran fantasy crafter, more passionate newcomer with surprising talent, or something else?
Definitely a passionate newcomer, not too high on himself, with surprising talent.
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Resthaven
The Chronicles of the Troop Book 1
by: Colin Darney
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Add to your TBR List!
Check out Reviews and Recommendations!
BLURB:
A divine war once shattered the world. Now, it begins anew—unnoticed, and bathed in blood.
Tommy is the son of a fisherman in a quiet lakeside village, where nothing truly dangerous has happened in generations. But when monstrous warriors descend from the woods, slaughtering everything he’s ever known, Tommy is thrown into a world of violence, prophecy, and secrets his father spent a lifetime hiding.
Fleeing across the inland sea, the survivors carry more than trauma—some carry buried power. Among them, an elven woman with a hidden past, a dwarf whose grief burns hotter than his forge, and a boy who isn’t just a boy – he’s something more. As rumors of more attacks spread and refugees flock to safe havens, it becomes clear the ondilaan are not just raiding.
They’re hunting.
But why?
As Tommy struggles to survive, love, and grow into the man the world might need, forces far older than any kingdom turn their gaze toward him. And the hidden power is watching.
Resthaven is the first entry in The Chronicles of the Troop, an epic fantasy saga that blends brutal war, divine judgment, and philosophical weight with real human stakes.
A note to readers: Violence through fantasy combat, Minor swearing, Adult themes, No sex.
Purchase your Copy Today!
****
.png)
Silverlake
The Chronicles of the Troop Book 2
Add to your TBR List!
Check out Reviews and Recommendations!
BLURB:
The troop survived Resthaven. But survival was just the beginning.
Donnor leads his ragtag force of villagers, conscripts, and outsiders deeper into the southern reaches of the Serensea. Their mission: find and defend the last remaining settlements from the ondilaan. But the enemy has changed—and so has the troop.
As Tommy comes into his own as both a mage and a chronicler, he wrestles with the burden of power, the scars of war, and the discovery of a lineage that shakes his identity. Beside him, Arisaylia’s magic deepens beyond her control, while Donnor is haunted by a loss he cannot afford to repeat.
In the villages, foothills, and the ruined fields of the south, the troop finds not only battles—but betrayals, hard choices, and the truths that threaten everything they thought they understood.
Silverlake is the second book in The Chronicles of the Troop, a philosophical epic fantasy saga blending tactical war, elven lore, deep character bonds, and the high stakes of ancient memory … for readers who crave stories where victory costs something real.
A note to readers: Violence through fantasy combat, minor swearing, adult themes.
Purchase your Copy Today!
****
.png)
The Chronicles of the Troop Book 3
Add to your TBR List!
Check out Reviews and Recommendations!
BLURB:
The enemy grows bolder. Allies grow silent. And the gods remain lost.
The troop is scattered, wounded, and shaken by betrayal from within and without. What began as a mission to protect the southern villages of the Serensea now threatens to unravel the fragile balance between kingdoms, clans, and divine history.
As Tommy's power blooms into something ancient—and dangerous—Arisaylia confronts truths about the elves that could fracture her people forever. Donnor, haunted by war and his family's fate, must hold together what remains of their fragile alliance before the flames of conflict spread beyond control.
Meanwhile, far from the troop's journey, in the Endless Plains power stirs. Civilizations long dormant move once more, as kingdoms make secret pacts and old races return to claim what was once theirs.
Windyspring is the third volume of The Chronicles of the Troop, a sweeping epic of war, memory, and magic—where loyalty is tested, identities unravel, and the true cost of power begins to reveal itself.
A note to readers: Violence through fantasy combat, minor swearing, adult themes.
Purchase your Copy Today!
****
.png)
Harper's Creek
The Chronicles of the Troop Book 4
Add to your TBR List!
Check out Reviews and Recommendations!
BLURB:
The dead have been buried. Silence is broken. And secrets refuse to stay where they lay.
As the troop pushes east toward Harper’s Creek, the weight of their survival in Windyspring lingers—along with a growing fear of what lies ahead. Tommy’s power evolves beyond even the elves’ understanding, and Arisaylia begins to question whether the path she and her son will walk was ever theirs to choose.
Back in Redtail Hold, Sella finds herself drawn into a role far greater—and more dangerous—than her songs alone. Her rising influence in the eyes of the elves threatens the balance of the Hold, and the line between duty and desire grows thinner and thinner.
But war isn’t fought only with weapons. As old alliances fray and ancient eyes turn towards the Serensea, both soldier and singer must decide who and what they are—before the tide of history swallows them before their new fate is born.
Harper’s Creek is Book Four of The Chronicles of the Troop, where fantasy meets philosophy, and where battles of the heart are as perilous to everyone involved as those of sword and hidden sorcery.
A note to readers: Fantasy combat, minor swearing, adult themes.
Purchase your Copy Today!
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Colin Darney
In a world where gods are silent and magic is feared, Colin Darney writes stories about people who still fight forward. A veteran, trauma nurse, and lifelong student of human resilience, Colin’s fantasy series—The Chronicles of the Troop and the follow-up The Book of Ghaan—explore what it means to survive, to love, and to hold on to hope when the world says you shouldn’t.
Known for gritty realism, emotionally layered characters, and the kind of dialogue you'd actual-ly hear in a bar full of off-duty soldiers, Colin blends classic epic fantasy with raw, lived experi-ence. His readers often say the world feels real, the characters feel familiar—and that once they start reading, they can’t put it down.
The Book of Ghaan, Part Two is currently in editing, with release planned for summer 2025.
Follow Colin at the Following Links:
****
Enter to Win:
$30 Amazon Gift Card
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Next Stop on the Tour:
June 20th
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