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The author, famous for his acclaimed cozy fantasy novels, just released his latest book in the set. Called Brigands and Breadknives, the tale centers on Fern the ratkin while she starts a typical adventure story subsequent to abandoning her thriving bookshop.

A Change from Cozy Themes

Unlike the prior stories in the series, that focused on establishing a business, Brigands & Breadknives delves into the idea of letting down friends and family. Baldree commented that the novel is focused on grasping to say no that you value.

"This story is concerning understanding to disappoint people who you care about, and understanding to say no," he noted. "I am creating a new project. Could fans be disappointed? Is it important? Do I have to do my own path to me, even if it may alienate someone?"

Own Experiences Informing the Plot

The writer explained that his own challenges have always shaped his books. Before, he had a career in video game design, co-creating projects like Torchlight game and Rebel Galaxy game. His decision to abandon that career to narrate audio stories led to the protagonist Viv's new path in the first book.

"I realized while writing the debut story that as you write a narrative, you inevitably infuse a personal elements into it," Baldree commented. "And when other people connect with that, there's a wonderful experience of connection."

Increased Interest of Comfort Fantasy

In the words of Travis Baldree, the rise of cozy fantasy has increased in recent years, to some extent due to a longing for escapism and personal bonds after the recent health crisis.

"The world appears a slightly in turmoil, and I feel through the stories we enjoy, many people prefer an experience that actually just feels OK," the author noted. "During the pandemic, Game of Thrones was released, and I felt, 'I enjoy Game of Thrones, but I am not interested in watching my favorite characters meet grim fates.'"

Exploring Varied Journeys

Although Viv found her joyful resolution in Legends and Lattes, Travis Baldree believed he should not take that away from her by sending her out from the business. Following Fern offered him the opportunity to examine someone taking the different route—walking away from a comfortable existence to embark on an adventure.

"It's not true that the only way for challenges are to settle down and open a small business," Baldree said. "Everybody's distinct, and furthermore, we're individual at distinct times in our life. The solution that worked for me 10 years ago fails for me currently."

Expanding the World

Differing from the earlier novels, which were located in small towns, Brigands & Breadknives features a journey that permitted the author to expand his imaginary realm avoiding lengthy explanations. The quest with the elf warrior and her sentient blade Nigel includes violent fowl, terrible monsters, ethical soldiers, and a remarkably peaceful sanctuary devoted to worshiping a cosmic deity.

Next Endeavors

Regarding his upcoming book, the author is moving even further afield with a LitRPG novel tentatively titled Four Bastards and a Baby.

"I've gone through many game-lit stories, and at this point I have developed thoughts about what I desire in one," he explained. "I want deeper characters. I prefer a conclusion. Numerous such stories want to avoid change, and I reject that."

Future Stories

For fans of the world of Legends & Lattes, the author has written a collection of short stories involving stories about the Thimble the ratkin and Viv's companion Tandri, which will be issued in an future collection. He also expects he'll return to the setting to grapple with his journey writing his latest novel, which is significantly longer and more narrative-focused than his previous books.

"I plan to write a story about developing a difficult project that was really, really challenging for you to do," the author explains.