ABOUT THE BOOKS
Son of the Northern Realm’s Defender, raised among the dwarfs of Ordumair, Meredoch was anticipated to succeed his father. Some whispered he would bring the longed-for peace between Ordumair and their ancient foe, Ecthelowall. All of that changes when Ordumair’s Thane is killed and Meredoch and his family are exiled. From prestige to poverty, the young boy must chart a new course.
As the years pass and the idol that was his father’s legacy tarnishes, his past threatens to resurface. An artifact of immeasurable worth to Ordumair is found and if recovered by the cruel Elder Ulster it means disaster for those Meredoch cares about. Battling creatures he believed only myths and racing Ulster’s minions to the prize, Meredoch must face the truth of his place in the world and claim his right of succession.
Publisher: Expanse Books
Release Date: November 10, 2020
Jason is an expert at running from his past. But when it catches up, he finds himself hiding in a peculiar inn listening to a tale from centuries past.
The story is Anargen’s, a teen who is pulled from all he loves to follow his oaths of loyalty to the fabled King of the Realms. Together with his mentor, Cinaed, he rides north on a special quest to mediate peace talks between ancient foes—the men of Ecthelowall and the dwarfs of Ordumair. Nothing goes as planned. Many on both sides of the dispute despise Anargen’s Order. Worse, an arcane evil has returned to the North. This “Grey Scourge” seeks to ruin the peace talks and ensure a lost treasure held by the dwarfs is never found by those for whom it is meant.
As Anargen’s story unfolds, Jason begins to wonder whether it is truly just a fable. He soon finds himself drawn into the conflict Anargen faced. A battle which has shaped and can destroy his world.
Publisher: Expanse Books
Release Date: June 24, 2020
EXCERPT FROM SUCCESSION
The reprieve was short-lived. Meredoch shifted along the lattice as the Ord rushed over. A second later, the halberd smashed through the lattice an inch from Meredoch’s arm. It disappeared through the lattice and reappeared just over his head.
Meredoch couldn’t always see the Ord, but the Ord didn’t even have to see Meredoch to skewer him. This would never work. Meredoch let go and leaned back just as the halberd jammed through the vines, missing a direct hit to his chest by less than a breath’s space. He watched a pair of blue blooms plummet down the crevice.
Over the sound of the blade sliding back through the ruined sections of lattice and sundered vines, he heard a whisper.” Oh…” Meredoch moaned. He dared not say, “No,” though he desperately wanted to.
Taking in a breath, Meredoch let go.
He wanted to scream in terror. The sudden jerk made his stomach feel like it was going to land in his throat. He was falling faster than he expected. Those blooms he’d seen drifting so slowly downward were deceptive. Dread hit hard, making his head fuzzy.
A second later, the last piece of lattice passed in front of his face. His fingers grabbed for a hold with ravenous hunger. But his left hand couldn’t find purchase and bounced off. His right hand’s fingers grazed the lattice. There were only a couple of inches left.
With a worse jerk than the initial drop, he hooked his fingers into the last rows. Pain jolted up Meredoch’s arm, and he almost lost hold. Grinding his teeth, he hung there, hoping his grip wouldn’t give.
Reaching up with his left hand, Meredoch grasped for a better hold. As soon as he put weight on that section of trellis, it tore away. Heart-hammering, he listened as the faint crack of wood hitting the stone hundreds of feet below disturbed the quiet.
His fingers burned. He knew his hand wouldn’t last long. Looking down, he swallowed hard. He’d have to risk a swing to the next floor. There was at least a chance he’d survive that drop.
EXCERPT FROM THE GATHERING DARK
This time Tengrath took a swing with his short sword, a kindness as his axe in the other hand could have made contact, and bellowed, “Fool! Hold your place or do me the courtesy of feeding yourself to those beasts farther away.”
There was no time to bicker. Anargen side-stepped the little fire spit of an Ord and plunged his Spiritsword forward. This forced the beast ahead of him to shift out of the way.
Anargen was a blur. The teen felt himself move faster than he understood possible. He made the distance seemingly in three strides where scores were required. Reaching the keep just in time, he grabbed Iaegon by the arm and spun the young Ord back and away from the door. “No,” he ordered.
Iaegon looked bewildered more than anything and couldn’t quite form a response. A howl from all too close wrenched Anargen’s attention elsewhere. His original foe, flanked by two newly arrived beasts, was stalking towards them. At his back, Anargen also heard the doors to the keep swing shut, and a loud thump indicated the door had been barred from inside.
“Cowards,” Iaegon muttered. “I tried to tell —”
“Run, now,” Anargen cut him off and shoved the Ord away. He had just enough time to leap off the keep’s dais himself as one monster crashed head first into the doors and almost battered them down.
Grasping the lad’s wrist, Anargen sprinted for the entry to the Fortress. Once more he ran faster than any time in his life but not nearly as fast as he had alone. Whether because of Iaegon’s added weight or something else, he knew he was only just keeping ahead of the werebeasts.
Caeserus and Terrillian were the last of the rearguard and already at the bottom of the stairs leading to the doors of the Fortress. They waved and shouted something Anargen couldn’t hear.
Three steps from the top stair, Anargen heard a whisper, more like a shout. He slung Iaegon forward to the stairs, spun and jabbed his Spiritsword forward. The werebeast crashed into Anargen like a boulder coming down the mountainside, and Anargen for a brief second was flying off his feet, his whole world formed of the beast’s fur and snow and the fire burning away at both. Then he crashed to the ground, and he felt the weight of the thing smashing him harder into the stones than he thought possible. Briefly the world lost focus. He bounced once, twice, and then skittered to a stop, pinned under the monster.
Lying there, only half-conscious, Anargen blinked, trying to see around him. To keep alert. His life depended on it and though he knew it, he didn’t think he could get up. Pain radiated all over. Holding on to consciousness felt like he was trying to wade through neck-deep mud. How long would it be till the monsters were on him?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brett Armstrong has been exploring other worlds as a writer since age nine. Years later, he still writes, but now invites others along on his excursions. He’s shown readers haunting, deep historical fiction (Destitutio Quod Remissio), scary-real dystopian sci-fi (Day Moon and Veiled Sun), and dark, sweeping epic fantasy (Quest of Fire). Every story is a journey of discovery and an attempt to be a brush in the Master Artist’s hand. Through dark, despair, light, joy, and everything in between, the end is always meant to leave his fellow literary explorers with wonder and hope. Always busy with a new story, he also enjoys drawing, gardening, and spending time with his wife and son.
GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a story inspired prize package including:
• One copy of The Gathering Dark and Succession (Winner’s choice print or e-book)
Custom signed bookplates for each if print chosen
• One copy of Wardrobes, Wizards, and Halflings: A Faith in Fiction Devotional (Winner’s choice print or e-book)
• Two pieces of book swag (winner’s choice from bookswag pics)
• Flash Drive with Digital print of previously unreleased The Gathering Dark artwork, MP4 of Quest of Fire’s theme music “Lament for Father” and Digital poster “The Making of Wirgerd” describing the visual and story development of Succession’s monstrous villain!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 26, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on November 2, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
TOUR SCHEDULE
Wow! Epic! Thank you for sharing. Love discovering new books and authors.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! - JustRead Tours
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing about Quest of Fire!
ReplyDeleteBrett is a new author for me. This series sounds like one not to miss. Thank you for sharing.
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