Excerpt Sunday – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I

Welcome to Excerpt Sunday.

Here you’ll find teasers from a variety of authors – just a taste of what’s in their books….

All (c) belongs to the original authors.

Excerpt from the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I (c) A. L. Butcher

The Archmage rested: dozing, replenishing, and dreaming. Archos had spent an active day and night studying and trying to finish the spell he was creating. Even with his Power, something had unsettled him, so he had given up and gone to rest. As he dozed in a chair in what he called his “workshop,” the Mirror he owned began to sing. Pulled from his sleep, he rose and walked to it. “What is it that you disturb me at such an hour?” he murmured. The Mirror’s song began to wail the strange, haunting song of the Arcane Realms. Touching the edges of the Enchanted Silver frame, he watched as the Mirror shimmered, and the mists cleared.

Archos watched as the view of the chamber in the ruins flickered into view. The image was weak, so he channelled some magic into the Mirror, and Archos saw the other Mirror in the tower and a glimpse of something red as the image flickered out. “Damn you,” he muttered, “must be a weak one.”

Concentrating, he channelled another small bolt of magic into his own Mirror. These artefacts had many uses, if a mage knew the correct spell, one of which included finding other such Mirrors. It was almost as though they spoke to one another, communicated in the Arcane Realm. They fed on magic, although Archos was not sure if “fed” was the correct term. Demanded, needed, or desired were perhaps more accurate. His Mirror could be fickle, but it was old. It had cost him a good deal some years ago, but he smiled as he caressed the silver. He saw the image flicker back up and as it did so, a bolt of magic, of pain, of Power, and of the most intense desire shot down his arm and right across him. Suddenly his head spun, for just a moment, and the Power made him drop gasping to his knees.

“Gods, what was that? Such Power! That cannot have been from the other Mirror!”

He had never felt such intensity as the Power of the woman who called to him across the vast Magical Realms. Breathlessly, he gripped the edges, surprised and deeply intrigued. As he pulled himself back to his feet, Archos saw her: the flame-haired elf woman touching the Mirror in the ruins. He watched as she ran her fingers down the glass and murmured something. Again, he cursed that he had never been able to get the thing to transmit sound. Archos gazed, transfixed, at the beautiful young mage. She could not be more than twenty-five summers, although with elves, it was hard to tell. It had taken him years to learn Mirror magic, yet before him stood this young mage activating an old, dying Mirror.

The image faded, and he snapped at the Mirror, “Show me. Do not play games.”

The mists swirled, and he tried to reach through the unyielding magical fog. “Damn you, so be it!” Archos continued, glaring at the Mirror.

Book info:

The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book I

In a dark world where magic is illegal, and elves are enslaved a young elven sorceress runs for her life from the house of her evil Keeper. Pursued by his men and the corrupt Order of Witch-Hunters she must find sanctuary. As the slavers roll across the lands stealing elves from what remains of their ancestral home the Witch-Hunters turn a blind eye to the tragedy and a story of power, love and a terrible revenge unfolds.

18 rated.

https://www.books2read.com/Lightbeyondstorm1

The World of Erana – The People -Part I

The fantasy world of Erana – which features in my Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles series, and the Tales of Erana is a complex world. Magic is illegal – but magic doesn’t know that and it doesn’t care. Mages are illegal, adepts are illegal but still magical people exist, mainly in hiding or unaware that’s what makes them a little faster, a little more talented, a better healer, a craftier thief or whatever. The Order of Witch-Hunters hate magic and seek to divide and rule.

But who are the people of Erana?

Races:

Humans – humans are the predominant race and the shortest-lived. Most humans are not magical if they are pure-blood humans, but it’s not unheard of. They come in many colours – the mainland people are largely pale-skinned but in the Far Isles and some of the Northern areas the people are dark-skinned, and the people who dwell in the Emerald Valley are dark-haired, olive-skinned folk.

Witch-Hunters are all human (or at least look human).

‘Passer’ humans – they have in their ancestry Elven or Trollish blood. It can be several generations back. They look human, but often these are the folk with a bit of magic. If they know of their elven ancestor most would keep it quiet.

Elves – Legally all elves are the property of humans – slaves. They have no rights in law and any elf who moves around must have papers from the human who owns them.

The Forest Elves dwell in the Shimmering Forest, their ancestral home. Much of it is remote, mysterious and unexplored by humans. Many elves are magical to a degree, but at a cost. The elves were once the predominant and most powerful race, but wars and the feared Plague decimated them – spreading to the human and Trollish lands and bringing much death. The elves are still blamed for the Plague and humans are wary.

There are a few Elven towns and villages within the Shimmering Forest, but for the most part the once-great civilisation is gone. Technically even Forest Elves are slaves – and periodically the Slaver raid the Forest, or the Witch-Hunters purge any elven settlements.

Hunters and traders (where they can be) the Forest elves live precariously on what the Shimmering Forest has to offer – with a little light agriculture where the land permits it.

City Elves – these folk live among the humans, either having been born there or having been captured and sold by slavers. Within the larger towns and cities, they are forced to dwell in the poorest area – the Enclave. Some elves live in the homes of their masters and many are harshly treated.

Elven women are considered attractive and are often taken (mostly against their will) to be Kepts to rich men. Male elves too – are taken to work in the brothels, and elves of both sexes usually end up with the hard, dangerous jobs – mining, physical work in the quarries, servants in the houses of the rich humans doing….whatever the human wants.

Half-Elves – legally with the same rights as elves (i.e none) half-elves are the offspring of an elven (or half elven) parent and usually a human parent. They are taller and stockier than elves but generally have pointed ears, an angular face and the wider set eyes of their elven heritage.

Trolls – The Trollkind live in the mountains and hills, and generally avoid humans. They are large, with curved horns on their heads and the male warriors have hard dermal plates on their bodies. Their skin colour ranges from black through to red, grey, even blue now and then, and often similar to the land around their home. They have long, curly hair and pointed ears.

A warrior race they are the only matrilineal race. Their rulers are always women – Shaman – powerful, wise women renowned for their ability to tell fortunes, and the future. The male warriors – called Hirik – are shapeshifters – able to transform into wolves or bears. They are a spiritual people – they honour the gods and respect for their patron god or goddess is very important.

Outsiders see them as strange, rather barbarian as the are often tribal wars, but kin is very important – and alliances can span decades and mountain ranges.

Most humans would never have seen a troll in the flesh.

In a dark world beset by tyranny and lies can love and magic entwined bring freedom? Dark adult fantasy with sizzling sorcery, romance and revenge.

The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book I

In a world of forbidden magic, slavery and lies a group of outlaws seek a legend. Facing monsters, Witch-Hunters, hardship and unwelcome truths they must find what has been lost, and discover who they are.

Dare you follow?

The Shining Citadel – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book II

Mirandra Var must prove her worth to rule and find the deadly mystery within the StolenTower. If she succeeds, she will become the leader of her tribe. If she fails, there will be no tribe to lead.

The Stolen Tower – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book III

All the books are available as ebooks, paperback, large print paperback, hardcover and audiobooks.

Cover Reveal – The Stolen Tower – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book III #Fantasy

What stalks the land cannot be but is.

Where magic is outlawed a troll Shaman calls from her deathbed to her heiress, Mirandra Var, daughter of the storm. Mirandra vows to find her missing kin, sort friend from foe, and claim the dangerous secrets guarded by unthinkable creatures. If she succeeds, she will become the leader of her tribe. If she fails, there will be no tribe to lead.

#Fantasy #Darkfantasy

Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/StolenTower

The Shining Citadel – Cover Reveal #Fantasy

2022 is a new year, so to celebrate I have updated the covers for my novels.

The Shining Citadel

Who rules in this game of intrigue where magic is forbidden, and elves enslaved? Journey where beliefs shatter like glass, truth is unwelcome, and monsters from ancient times abound: share the romance and revenge, magic and passion, and the wages of greed in a world of darkest fantasy.

(18 rated)

Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/ShiningCitadel

Excerpt – The Stolen Tower – A. L. Butcher

Excerpt – The Stolen Tower – The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book III (C) A. L. Butcher

“So, you are the Heart of the Mountain. What can you show me, I wonder?” Kherak muttered, pulling her thoughts back to the task in hand. She settled back in her armchair with the crimson embroidered and beaded Shamanic Shawl across her shoulders. The item was old, far older than the Shaman herself, and imbued with magic, for it had passed down from Shaman to Shaman, and each woman had added to it. To all appearances it was simply the shawl of an old woman, but there was nothing simple about the garment. It was a symbol of status, an heirloom with much Power and, of course, it kept her warm.

A pearlescent glow rose in the Opal, which hovered above the Circle adorning the table. Colours shifted and, as she placed the Heart of the Mountain over the large stone, the red and black pattern began to move, swirling like a whirlpool. “I am Kherak Var, Shaman, as my kin have been before me. Show me your secrets; guide me in seeking my kin.”

This was strong and wild magic, flowing in a torrent which was close to sweeping the ailing woman away with its force. Suddenly a voice rumbled around, timbre low like thunder, drawing her in and making the old Shaman tingle in ways she had not experienced for many years. The language was strange, ancient and arcane, the very language of the earth. Such words Kherak had seldom heard; the sound held Power, the very essence of magic and rose like a song. She had not expected this, even with all her foretelling. Peering into the depths of the Opal, the images swirled like mist on the mountain and the shifting vision would not yield further. “You will reveal, my eyesight fades but my Sight is clear. You will reveal to me, as is my right and my Power.”

The humming Opal whined with a painful shrill, and tired Kherak fought the errant vision to do her bidding. The Shaman’s Focus shifted— partly in the Realm of Dreams and partly remaining in the mundane world. In Astral Sight the Opal loomed large and bright, a globe of dancing images woven in mist; before her rose a peak of reddish stone, run through with black veins arising from a lake of greenish water, and high in the peak an arch looked out across the lake, weathered but dark and foreboding. As she watched, the lake filled with blood, and screams echoed in her head. As quickly as it had appeared Kherak saw the half-dream flicker away to be replaced by a high-roofed chamber of rock, lit with crystal, and in the centre a red and black stone statue, circled by molten rock, runes glowing like fire about it. The strange words roared as the rolling of waves against stone, echoing in the Realm of Dreams as it did in her parlour, rattling the shelves from which items tumbled. Then the vision was gone.

Links/synopsis

The Stolen Tower – the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles – Book III

What stalks the land cannot be but is.

Where magic is outlawed a troll Shaman calls from her deathbed to her heiress, Mirandra Var, daughter of the storm. Mirandra vows to find her missing kin, sort friend from foe, and claim the dangerous secrets guarded by unthinkable creatures. If she succeeds she will become the leader of her tribe. If she fails, there will be no tribe to lead.

Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/StolenTower

The Light Beyond the Storm #Fantasy #Excerpt

Welcome to a little excerpt from The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book I

Excerpt 1 – Dii

Dii walked through the day, stopping only to refill her water-skin from a spring. The day had turned out to be overcast and the air was heavy with the tension of a storm hanging over the land. Heavyset big-horned sheep populated the surrounding countryside; hardy and excellent providers of meat, cheese and wool that was surprisingly soft to have come from such tough, belligerent beasts. Trees covered the land to the east, not quite fertile enough for grain or barley but ideal for the orchards and forests that provided for these lands. As she walked, the hills began to roll steeper. The horizon boded storm clouds and any canny folk, Witch or not, could foresee the storm approaching. Every mile she walked was further from her Keeper’s land.

As evening approached, the road forked, and the rain began to fall in huge, cold drops that chilled the blood and saturated a person to the skin. She was aware some mages could control the weather, calling and dismissing storms and remaining dry in the rain. Dii, however, was young and inexperienced, and did not know such useful spells. She hesitated, unsure; she could try to camp, although she had little food remaining in her bag and knew her tent would not protect her from a storm or high winds. She had passed a farmhouse some way back and contemplated returning to shelter in the barn, yet she did not wish to be caught stealing apples or eggs and, not knowing the sympathies of the farm folk, she was reluctant to beg for food. The other choice was the elf could risk the village she could see on the horizon, which would provide her at least with a hot meal, a warm fire and a bed more comfortable than a hayloft or bedroll. Being a healer, Dii knew the risks of such weather, and of prolonged exposure to cold and damp. She knew also the danger of one such as her seeking accommodation, but at this moment, she was too cold and wet to care; weather such as this could kill. It was worth the risk for a night or two. Hopefully, if she was cautious, the village should be safe enough.

The storm began to rumble and roll, the symphony of the gods beginning to boil like a cauldron. Quickening her pace, the young elf hoped no other souls were out in the storm. Looking around she saw the pear, apple and plum orchards to the east of the village. Much of the fruit had gone but a few trees still bore laden branches amongst the brown and red leaves. The storm would bring death for some of them and possibly ruin the last fruiting for the rest. Resisting the temptation to fill her pockets with the fruit, she simply plucked a couple of the juiciest ones to quiet her rumbling belly.

Dii smiled sadly when she remembered her foster mother’s fruit pie. Dii had learned much from Malana, not just some of her magical training, unofficially of course as that was forbidden. Malana was the best cook and best herbalist in the area and although she was the lord’s mistress, she was also a midwife. Often the villagers appealed to her when the other midwives had failed or were unavailable. A few times, Dii had been given permission to attend, escorted of course. The first time she had marvelled at the sight of new life arriving in such a fashion, the joy, the pain, often the blood. She had watched and then assisted, pleased to be able to help with bringing new life into the light. She remembered Joset had not been pleased she had attended, feeling it unsuitable for her, but Malana had somehow persuaded him. Perhaps it had simply been another use of her skills for which she would receive payment to fill the lord’s coffers. The ability to be an excellent cook and a well-trained herbalist, not to mention his favourite bed warmer, were solid reasons why Joset kept her foster mother around. Nasty and manipulative he may be, foolish he was not. Dii knew to her cost that he would not waste a good source of income and entertainment. Malana also believed herself, as a bound concubine and Kept, to be in no position to be elsewhere. In her way, she loved him, although Dii had never understood why. Perhaps he had once been a different man; as a mage, Malana would have been bound in the prison beyond the Enclave, unless she was very clever or very lucky. A mage would be bound with the feared Shackles: cruel, draining of magic and often fatal. Standing at the fork of the road, Dii was afraid and unsure, then a rumble of thunder reminded her of why she must risk her new-found freedom, and perhaps her life.

Adult rated #fantasy (contains violence and sexy scenes). Universal Link – ebook, audiobook, hardback, audiobook, large print.

https://www.books2read.com/Lightbeyondstorm1

The Shining Citadel – Hardback edition

In a dark world where magic is illegal and elves live as slaves, a desperate elf and her human companion seek aid from the mysterious sorcerer, Archos and his lady, the sorceress Dii’Athella. Hoping to unearth the secrets of the Shining Citadel, lost for centuries in the mists of magic and time, they begin a dangerous and arduous journey. Could these secrets change the lives of an oppressed people or will such information bring about a worse fate? Yet all is not as it first appears for the corrupt Order of Witch-Hunters watch from afar and one man’s obsession leads to a deadly trap. Avarice and betrayal are everywhere; who can be trusted? Creatures long thought dead rise in the darkness, and forgotten magic burns with a bitter flame. Who makes the rules in this game of intrigue and lies? Shattered beliefs and unwelcome truths abound in an adventure filled with magic, passion, greed and revenge. An adult dark fantasy/fantasy romance. 18+ rating – contains scenes of both sex and violence. Extra warning – contains elves!

Hardback https://amzn.to/3B5lPEM

Signed copies – Poll

I’m contemplating offering signed copies of my print books (including large print). Possibly with merchandise. Payment would be through paypal. Postage would be dependent on the timescale you wanted the book and where you lived but I could give you an amount at the time of enquiry. Please complete the poll above – it’s only worth doing this if enough people are interested.

Vote here

https://app.crowdsignal.com/polls/10912844

The Light Beyond the Storm – Large Print Edition

The Third Edition Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles Book I is now available in Large Print format – currently on Amazon only – but should aggregate to the Barnes and Noble online store in a few weeks.

18 rated. Amazon, Audible, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and more on the link below.

In a dark world beset by tyranny and lies can love and magic entwined bring freedom? A dark adult fantasy with sizzling sorcery, romance and revenge.

Amazon.Com Large print

Amazon UK large print