Fantasy
Date Published: February 1, 2014
When Princess Rhea’s actions inadvertently condemn two innocent knights to death, she wakes to the hard reality that not even nobility is above the law. All her attempts to remedy the situation only complicate it, however, until she finds herself a fugitive in her own kingdom, having dragged her best friend into the trouble, as well. Their only hope for pardon? To accompany Sir Paladin and Sir Zephen in their sentence:
Slay, or be slain by, the Dragons of Sama-Ael-Fen.
Travelling incognito, they meet with more malicious Phoenixes than could be coincidental, discover the mysterious disappearance of numerous citizens, and come face to face with a reawakened evil power. With the kingdom oblivious to the connection of these dangers, it’s up to Rhea and her outlaw companions to stop the rising threat and redeem their names – if they can survive their quest.
Excerpt:
Shouting
and confusion suddenly rose up from within the castle, and Julen, almost losing
his footing once more, scrambled for a better hold on the window bars. He faced
into the wind as it shoved him against the tower, the loud cry ringing off the
walls of the castle once again, and his jaw dropped. A flashing, red thing was speeding
through the air towards the castle. Its enormous wings created the gale
that had suddenly burst out, followed by waves of heat. Julen couldn’t move,
clinging to the tower in horror as the Dragon swept low over the castle.
(from Chapter Twenty-Two)
When Princess Rhea’s actions inadvertently condemn two innocent knights to death, she wakes to the hard reality that not even nobility is above the law. All her attempts to remedy the situation only complicate it, however, until she finds herself a fugitive in her own kingdom, having dragged her best friend into the trouble, as well. Their only hope for pardon? To accompany Sir Paladin and Sir Zephen in their sentence:
Slay, or be slain by, the Dragons of Sama-Ael-Fen.
Excerpt:
Shouting
and confusion suddenly rose up from within the castle, and Julen, almost losing
his footing once more, scrambled for a better hold on the window bars. He faced
into the wind as it shoved him against the tower, the loud cry ringing off the
walls of the castle once again, and his jaw dropped. A flashing, red thing was speeding
through the air towards the castle. Its enormous wings created the gale
that had suddenly burst out, followed by waves of heat. Julen couldn’t move,
clinging to the tower in horror as the Dragon swept low over the castle.
Valkdrava…
the rumors are true, then!
All
the brown-tinted trees far below shook and creaked, leaves scattering thick on
the blast of wind. The power of the Dragon’s wingbeats pushed Julen from his
window ledge, and he tumbled down, landing miraculously on the castle wall
fifteen feet below. Bursts of light exploded in his view, and he couldn’t
breathe, but then larger, fiercer, and redder flashes rent the air above him,
and the voice of Vanna crying out his name stirred him. Somehow he found
himself on his feet, swaying like a reed in the wind, and yet clutching his
drawn hunting knife in his fist. The Valkdrava banked on the sweltering wind of
its own creation, sending hay from the stack by the stable, torn pennants, and
loosened tiles swirling through the air. Opening its mouth, it sent a stream of
fire onto the wooden structures inside the bailey. The terrified shrieks and
cries of the horses and other livestock in the buildings filled the air, and
the shouting and screams of people joined the din as the Dragon swooped down
again and again, each time sending fire into yet another spot within the
castle. Within moments, Julen found himself surrounded by flames on the walls,
with no way of getting down into the bailey and helping.
A
troop of guards and soldiers burst from the armory and raced towards the
Dragon, which had just perched on top of the great hall’s roof with a
splintering of large glass windows and an avalanche of carved stone and tiles.
The Dragon gave one look at the advance, and within seconds, all that remained
of the soldiers lay piled in ashes and twisted metal in the courtyard. Then the
Dragon, after grinding in the roof of the great hall like a kitchen maid kneads
dough, turned and fixed its livid eyes on Julen.
(from Chapter Twenty-Two)
VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR - April 16 - May 15
Stacia Joy has always loved to tell stories and invent fictional lands and characters. But she never considered becoming a writer herself until age thirteen, when, inspired by a pretend play she invented with a friend, she wrote the first draft of Becoming the Chateran. The story has since expanded into what will become The Chateran Series. Stacia Joy also writes in several other genres, including steampunk and paranormal/science fiction, and occasionally writes poems about buffalo.
Wanting to be able to show others what her imagined universe looks like, Stacia Joy taught herself to draw by studying the work of illustrators like Alphonse Mucha, Arthur Rackham, Kate Seredy, and Jan Brett. She also received training in illustration and graphic design at Madison Area Technical College, and plans to become a full-fledged freelance illustrator before long.
When not immersed in writing or art, Stacia Joy spends her time playing the piano and folk harp, composing music, Irish dancing, singing at the top of her lungs, and learning new things. She also enjoys helping with children's ministry at her church, and currently resides in the Madison, Wisconsin area with a kitten named Lord Peter Whimsey.
Website: https://sjaisling.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SJAislingAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SJAisling
Blog: https://sjaisling.com
BUY LINKS
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I like the blurb the best.
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