Lioness
of Kell
by Paul E. Horsman
Release Date: January 30th 2015
Red Rune Books
Summary from Goodreads:Secure in his position as the mighty Prince-warlock’s son, eighteen-year-old Basil is content with his solitary life of study and magic. He has a comfortable set of rooms in his father’s tower, he has his books and scrolls, and he is perfectly happy. Until the Warlockry Council summons him, and their demands sets his whole, safe existence tottering. Scared and unsure, he decides to run, and takes the first ship out of town. On board he meets Yarwan, the handsome midshipman, who awakens feelings he never knew existed.
Maud of the M'Brannoe, at nineteen already a mighty Kell warrioress, is about to graduate as a Lioness, a special duty officer answering to her Queen and no one else. The Prince-warlock asks her to fetch a certain boy from a pirate town, who could be double for his son. On their way back, someone sabotages their airship and the two find themselves marooned in an ill-reputed forest. Together, the young lioness and Jurgis the lookalike run for the coast and a ship home, while finding solace in each other’s arms.
Then the four young people meet, and Basil learns of a spell that might help him. Only the spell’s creator, the infamous Black Warlock, disappeared nearly a century ago. When the four young people decide to go looking for him, they start on a path leading to an old war and unsolved mysteries that will change the world. Or kill them.
A spirited fantasy story of high adventure, sparkling humor and romantic love in an alternate earth setting of tropical islands, pirates, steamships and wyrms, where both magic and early modern technology flourish.
by Paul E. Horsman
Release Date: January 30th 2015
Red Rune Books
Summary from Goodreads:Secure in his position as the mighty Prince-warlock’s son, eighteen-year-old Basil is content with his solitary life of study and magic. He has a comfortable set of rooms in his father’s tower, he has his books and scrolls, and he is perfectly happy. Until the Warlockry Council summons him, and their demands sets his whole, safe existence tottering. Scared and unsure, he decides to run, and takes the first ship out of town. On board he meets Yarwan, the handsome midshipman, who awakens feelings he never knew existed.
Maud of the M'Brannoe, at nineteen already a mighty Kell warrioress, is about to graduate as a Lioness, a special duty officer answering to her Queen and no one else. The Prince-warlock asks her to fetch a certain boy from a pirate town, who could be double for his son. On their way back, someone sabotages their airship and the two find themselves marooned in an ill-reputed forest. Together, the young lioness and Jurgis the lookalike run for the coast and a ship home, while finding solace in each other’s arms.
Then the four young people meet, and Basil learns of a spell that might help him. Only the spell’s creator, the infamous Black Warlock, disappeared nearly a century ago. When the four young people decide to go looking for him, they start on a path leading to an old war and unsolved mysteries that will change the world. Or kill them.
A spirited fantasy story of high adventure, sparkling humor and romantic love in an alternate earth setting of tropical islands, pirates, steamships and wyrms, where both magic and early modern technology flourish.
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Excerpt from CHAPTER 4 - SABOTAGE
It was at the break of dawn, and
raining. The branches of the trees around the clearing were heavy
with water.
Jurgis shivered. ‘Chilly.’
‘You’re afraid,’ Maud said
teasingly.
‘I’m not. When I’m burgling
a house, I am afraid. Now I’m not... at least not yet. Which herbs
do you need?’
‘Kornullia and everline. Won’t
be difficult; they’re common enough. While I’m searching, you
watch my back.’
‘Gladly,’ the boy said. ‘It’s
very pretty.’
Maud’s breathing faltered for a
second as sudden desire exploded in her belly. ‘Don’t say that!’
she snarled.
‘Hey! Don’t be mad, I’m not
Atark! I didn’t mean anything,’ Jurgis said, stepping back. ‘It
was a compliment.’
A deep sigh escaped her, and she
unclenched her hands. ‘It’s all right. You have much to learn
about Kells.’
‘Tell me what I said wrong.’
Maud looked at him; the boy seemed
earnest enough. ‘Another time. It’s rather personal.’ She felt
embarrassed by her feelings and went tight-lipped around the
clearing, searching the high grass and underneath the bushes for the
herbs she needed.
At last, with her hands full of
stems and leaves, she stretched. ‘We’ve got quite a haul and all
fresh. She’ll....’
‘What’s that?’ Jurgis’
puzzled voice interrupted her and she gazed at the sky.
‘I thought I saw a bird,’
Jurgis said.
Maud looked at him. ‘So?’
‘A giant bird. Red-spotted
green. Breathing sparks.’
‘You’re trying to be funny?’
‘Only it isn’t a bird, it’s
a lizard.’ Jurgis waved upward. ‘Gosh, look at those teeth!’
Now Maud saw it, too. A great
winged reptile, child of a salamander and a crocodile. With a tail
easily twice its body length, and four taloned limbs. It grew larger
as it came near, its body undulating as if swimming in the air. The
spots on its green scales were blood red and its toothy mouth smoked
as if fires stoked its flight.
‘Divine Otha! That’s a wyrm!’
Dropping the herbs, Maud put her hands to her mouth and cried,
‘Hallo, the boat! Alarm! Alarm!’
The dirigible’s captain appeared
in the cabin door, and Maud pointed. At that moment, the wyrm dove.
The captain slammed the door closed, but whatever she planned to do,
she didn’t make it. With a roar, the wyrm attacked, spitting
lightning. The balloon’s outer cover wasn’t made to withstand
fire; it crackled and melted, and with an indescribable sound, the
gas compartment burst into flames. Then, while the wyrm climbed
higher for a second dive, the clearing became bright as daytime as
the floatgas in the balloon turned the whole dirigible into a ball of
fire.
Maud lifted up her head and
uttered a cry of bone-chilling rage.
‘Back!’ She felt Jurgis
gripping her biceps, but she couldn’t move.
‘It’s goin’ to crash.’ His
excited voice tugged at the rage that shook her. Deep in her mind, a
small spot of sanity agreed with the thief, and she didn’t resist
as he dragged her into the forest’s edge.
About
the Author
Paul E. Horsman (1952) is a Dutch and International Fantasy Author. Born in the sleepy garden village of Bussum, The Netherlands, he now lives in Roosendaal, a town on the Dutch border with Belgium.
He has been a soldier, salesman, scoutmaster and from 1995 teacher of Dutch as a Second Language to refugees from all over the globe.
Since 2012, he is a full-time writer of epic light fantasy adventures for Y.A. and older. His works have been both trade published in The Netherlands, and self-published internationally.
Paul E. Horsman (1952) is a Dutch and International Fantasy Author. Born in the sleepy garden village of Bussum, The Netherlands, he now lives in Roosendaal, a town on the Dutch border with Belgium.
He has been a soldier, salesman, scoutmaster and from 1995 teacher of Dutch as a Second Language to refugees from all over the globe.
Since 2012, he is a full-time writer of epic light fantasy adventures for Y.A. and older. His works have been both trade published in The Netherlands, and self-published internationally.
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The excerpt was outstanding. Looks like I will enjoy this book too. It truly sounds like one I would love to read!
ReplyDeleteThe excerpt was great, thanks for informing me about this book.
ReplyDelete