The Traitor's Ruin, the sequel to The Traitor's Kiss, has arrived! ???? To celebrate the release of this highly anticipated, swoony sequel, we've asked Erin Beaty to answer some questions about her book.

What makes Sage fierce?
Sage is always ready to fight for what she believes in and is very protective of those she loves. She's also strong for those who are hurting.

If you could give Sage one piece of advice, what would it be?
In this book? Girl, you need to pay attention to the stress you put Alex under. You are the ultimate conflict for him. Be sensitive to it and back down sometimes for his sake.

What's the strangest or most interesting thing you learned while researching The Traitor's Circle series?
My husband's firewall stopped me from doing too much internet research on how to make moonshine, which was funny, but frustrating. For this third book, I looked at a lot of pre-industrial damming systems and how alkalinity of soil affects certain grain crops. I'm sure that sounds boring, but it was all pretty neat to me, even if some of that ends up getting cut.

It's probably a little more interesting to know what I didn't have to research . . . like how and where to stab people. I promise I'm not bloodthirsty; I've just taken lots of self-defense and anatomy classes in my life.

If you'd met Sage when you were a teen, would you have been friends?
Probably. We would have nerded out on lots of things together like history and science and also fighting skills. Both of us also kind of exist on the outside of everything but don't mind.

What's one fun fact most people don't know about you?
I was a flag twirler in high school. Lamé and sequins and spandex all the way, baby!

What's your favorite part of being an author?
I love waking up to fan mail that came at 3:00 a.m. after someone had just stayed up finishing my book. And my teenagers actually think I'm cool. They carry my books around and read them in public.

What's the most challenging part of being an author?
Much as I like actual roller coasters, the emotional highs and lows of publishing are not fun. Well, the highs are great, but I'd gladly subdue them a little if it smoothed out the ride in general. It's also not fun to realize you've messed something up. On the other hand, you can always fix it and do better next time. Revising always feels overwhelming, too. 

Which three fictional characters would make up your team of spies?
I want Inej from Six of Crows to climb high things, Grace Mae from A Madness So Discreet for observation and memory, and Sage of course, for optimism, putting clues together, and making plans. 

Describe your book in three words.
Betrayal, forgiveness, and fire.

The Traitor's Ruin by Erin Beaty

After proving her worth in book one as a deft spy and strategic matchmaker, Sage Fowler is now comfortably positioned in high society as the royal tutor. When she’s called upon to teach his majesty’s soldiers how to read and write, she jumps at the chance to serve her kingdom of Demora—and to be reunited with her fiancé, Captain Alex Quinn. 

During a skirmish, Sage and Alex are separated. She watches him die before he can deliver important military intel—or so she thinks. She escapes from the enemy and makes an unlikely alliance with a mysterious soldier from a third nation. As Sage tries to rally their support against a common foe, the important political alliance is plagued by secrets and betrayal. 

Can Sage complete Alex’s mission and save her kingdom once more?

Start reading now.