A Knot of Trolls

By J.M. Ney-Grimm

In the North-lands, spellcasters who reach too boldly for power transform into trolls - grotesque villains wielding a potent magic and destined for madness.

A KNOT OF TROLLS features seven of these evildoers - each pursuing a unique design for troubling their neighbors - and the ordinary youths confronting them.

"The Troll's Belt" stars motherless Brys Arnsson, challenged as much by his own deceit as by his troll foe.

"Crossing the Naiad" presents shepherd girl Kimmer with a dangerous tragedy from the ancient past.

"Skies of Navarys" follows two friends with a vehement difference. Their contested decision must decide the fate of many.

In "Resonant Bronze" Paitra and his brother struggle to claim appropriate guilt – neither too much nor too little – and thereby defeat a troll warlord.

"Rainbow's Lodestone" offers the spirit of the rainbow a chance to learn that the smallest places birth freedom.

"Star-drake" stalks a pitiless troll-herald to a defeat - or is it a victory? - utterly unforeseen.

And in "Perilous Chance" young Clary needs a miracle. But her miracle - when it comes - sports razor-sharp talons, world-shaking power, and a troll-witch to guard its sleep.

Seven tales of the North-lands balance destiny and hope against catastrophe.

PRAISE FOR J.M. NEY-GRIMM

"It's no secret...that I have favourite writers. J.M. Ney-Grimm is one of them, and with good reason-her writing style is unique, and engrossing." - James J. Parsons, Speaking to the Eyes review

"...Ney-Grimm paints a vivid, lush picture worthy of the Peter Jackson treatment." D.J. Gelner, reader review

"...the world depicted is magical, but the people are very real." - Mary Anna Dunn, Smashwords review

"Her work compares favorably with Robin McKinley and Patricia McKillip ...I'm really pleased to have discovered her!" - Mira, reader review

EXCERPT FROM A KNOT OF TROLLS

She was eleven, and she was hurt.

Her leg lay under her, knee throbbing. Her arm ached, the broken bone within sickening in its pain.

But worst of all, worst of all, a vast shadow loomed above her, dark wings spanning distances too great for the grotto enclosing them, razor-sharp talons sparking with the spitting blue fire of a strange power.

"No, please, no," she whispered.

How had it come to this? Her day had started so ordinarily, getting breakfast for herself and her sister, because Mama could not. She cast her thoughts desperately back to the morning.

I'm there. Not here. I'm there.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J.M. Ney-Grimm lives with her husband and children in Virginia, just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She's learning about permaculture gardening and debunking popular myths about food. The rest of the time she reads Robin McKinley, Diana Wynne Jones, and Lois McMaster Bujold, plays boardgames like Settlers of Catan, rears her twins, and writes stories set in her troll-infested North-lands.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.M. Ney-Grimm
• Release date: Feb 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311301024

J.M. Ney-Grimm

J.M. Ney-Grimm lives with her husband and children in Virginia, just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She's learning about permaculture gardening and debunking popular myths about food. The rest of the time she reads Robin McKinley, Diana Wynne Jones, and Lois McMaster Bujold, plays boardgames like Settlers of Catan, rears her twins, and writes stories set in her troll-infested North-lands. Look for her novels and novellas at your favorite bookstore—online or on Main Street.