The Missing Shield Series

In a realm on the brink of chaos, one guard must walk a dark path to protect her royal friend from a deadly foe…   Solancei Calverhana, handmaiden and childhood friend of Princess Iambre, is not just any ordinary servant. A highly skilled soldier, she is also Iambre's sworn secret Shield, duty-bound to protect the princess in exchange for her own life if needs be.   And that's just fine. After all - despite the recent fallouts - Solancei considers her and Iambre's friendship worth dying for, and she is ready. Except for what comes next! Because when danger strikes, it's from a most unexpected direction.   Suddenly swept from Iambre's side when an illegal duel drops her into darkness, Solancei must now somehow balance her own survival and the protection of her friend with no other weapons to defend them than her wits and The State of Veranto, a mystic skill that she has had little recent success in controlling and may yet prove her undoing.   Trapped by a hateful, cold foe masquerading to the world as an ally, can Solancei walk the perilous tightrope of mental games and physical hazards to escape and warn Iambre of the betrayal coming from the shadows? Or will she break and become the very thing that could destroy the princess?   Time is precious, and not just for Solancei and Iambre.    Beyond the Realms of Dallancea lies the Void – the prison that binds the mad gods from returning to unleash chaos upon the world of the living.   The Guardians and the Veils are all that stand between the gods and a ruinous future, but with the new millennium approaches new opportunities. The Guardians, no longer immortal or all-powerful, are at odds and their circle ripe with dissent…   ***   A fantasy quest set to span 9 realms, this is an unusual dark/epic story with deep character perspectives, immersive world-building, and a lyrical feel – perfect if you are looking for something with a unique twist and prefer long, layered fantasy reads. MA/NA contents. Please also note that due to the serial format of this series each episode will end on a cliff hanger. *** "This is the first instalment of a complex and intriguing high fantasy story, and it does a fantastic job of introducing the characters. Orphaned at only 7 years, the aristocratic Solancei was taken into the home of her uncle and aunt, the rulers of the 7 Kingdoms. She wasn't expected to be just a playmate for their only child, Princess Iambre, however. Solancei, now grown up, is Iambre's secret life shield. Entering an illegal backstreet prize fight in order to sharpen her skills, Solancei discovers her opponent is more dangerous than she could imagine. Meanwhile, the threat of mad gods and twisted magic has awoken the world's Guardians from a long sleep. They want to find the evildoers and repair the damage to the Veils that protect humanity. If only they could actually agree on how to do it... The short chapters, engaging characters and whiff of political intrigue make for a page-turning tale. I've already downloaded the next episode on my Kindle and can't wait to read it." 5-star review from Amazon.co.uk

Princess Iambre of Ostravah is everything a royal heiress should be; she is the one everyone wants to be, or be with. Everyone, that is, except Iambre herself! Dark thoughts rule her life for she has a secret that her heart is not keen to let go of and it has made her an impossible version of herself – something that her friend and bodyguard, Solancei, knows only too well and has done her utmost to cover and deflect.   However, as Solancei disappears under mysterious circumstances during their visit to the main seat of a dubious ally, Iambre is suddenly left with bigger issues than her own rebellious heart or what to wear for the next banquet. Fears for her friend's life unfounded, nevertheless Iambre senses something rotten at play - but without concrete evidence, could she simply be deluding herself into seeing things that are not there?   Elsewhere, Malandar - jaded Spell-Weaver and Commander of the once-all-powerful Guardians who protect the Veils of Time against an ancient, mad enemy – has awoken to a world that still bears the now 1000 year–old scars from the betrayal of a fellow Guardian.   Magic lies sundered and useless, the ancient astrolabe designed to restore the Veils is missing, and so are the twins who hold the power to wield it, and with the Veils now fading, Malandar must travel like a mere mortal in effort to find the twins before the enemies of Chaos.   But in Ostravah, nothing is what it was. Danger stirs and darkness is gathering. With the future of Life itself at stake, Malandar knows he cannot afford even a single misstep - for should the Veils fail, so will the world see the return of the war that once cost him everything. Though odds of success may seem poor, yet one thing exists that could help turn the tides: a weapon of magic so powerful that it could destroy everything unless harnessed, but dare he seek it out? And has he even the luxury of choice when forced to ponder the alternative? Facing dark decisions, Malandar has little idea that fate is about to change his existence once again; nor does Iambre realise how deep she'll soon have to dig into her reserves of fortitude as her world slowly spins her on a journey of danger, discovery and truth.   As the story weaves and thickens, meanwhile, Solancei awakens and finds herself imprisoned in a dark dungeon. Seemingly caught somewhere between nightmare and reality, she has yet to discover that her trials have just begun in a game of smoke and mirrors that could cost her everything - including her own life, and Iambre's…   A deeply visual, character-driven read - in 'Unexpected Bargain' continues a sweeping, epic series that explores the limits of friendship and duty, romance and darkness. Come along on a quest across nine realms; discover the concept, unravel the lyrical prose; whatever your preference - this missing person's story is inspired by multiple genres, and is underpinned by superb world building, deep intrigue, and surprisingly gritty events.   Suitable for MA/NA  Please note that due to the serial format, each episode ends on a cliff hanger.  

Facing an unpredictable foe whose obscure demands could potentially threaten everything she holds dear, life-shield Solancei Calverhana's desperate circumstances seem to take yet another turn for the worse.   As she fights back, a bold escape attempt leads her only deeper into trouble as she loses her way within the bowels of an old dungeon where an unexpected, but harrowing discovery awaits. It leads her to the fearful conclusion that the nightmare-tales she and the rest of Ostravah believe to be little more than 'horrors of imagination', may in fact be based on terrifying fact and truth after all.   However, what is the truth?   The things that crawl from the fires and hunt by the shadows of night can surely not be real, can they? In fact, though a frightening concept to consider, can she actually trust what her eyes and mind show? Or is the State of Veranto spinning illusions out of her exhaustion and her extended abuse of the mind-link?   Neither possibility appeals, but now physically and mentally haunted and hunted through the maze of abandoned stone tunnels, the more pressing question is: how long she can elude capture? And should she even try?   As Solancei's choices rapidly dwindle, she is pushed by oaths and conscience not to give up, but as her mind seems that of someone else and as she learns more about the man who rules Zanzier, will she manage to stay head above water, or will she drown in the wave of madness that appears to surround and sweep her along?   Never a Gods fearing person - nevertheless, now might be a good time for Solancei to pray for a change in luck...   *** 5.0 out of 5 stars - Amazon Review "Incredible" Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2020 - Verified Purchase   "Excellent world building. Elegant prose and in-depth characters. I love that the author included a summary of the past books, absolutely perfect for the reader to rehash what has already happened in the series. The story was riveting, one of those books where you're turning page after page well into the wee hours of morning. Great series."   ***   Suitable for MA/NA Please note that due to the serial format, the book will end on a cliff hanger.   

In the realm of Ostravah, magic lies broken and forgotten. Now, with the approaching millennium, an ancient strife that has spanned aeons will soon rekindle because the capricious Gods never rest - and they want their dues... The debilitating uncertainties continue… Solancei, Duchess of Ivanor and secret life shield of Iambre Actarione, is certain of one thing only: that her present situation cannot possibly get any stranger.  However, when her jackal fight tormentor drags an unhinged prisoner before her, she is forced to bend her neck to the Gods' overwhelmingly bad sense of humour, for not only does the ranting madman seem to know her, he also insists on calling her Mistress, and moves to protect her. Though she may not live to see sunlight again, Solancei still knows she cannot let this seemingly innocent man suffer either. Yet, will she manage to save this mad prisoner from his intended fate or is her unpredictable captor simply toying with them both? And what does he actually want? Playing a dangerous game to keep her true identity hidden, she is forced to wonder if she too will become a mad, abused substance addict like the other prisoner - or if the Gods might for once show mercy and favour her?  Regardless of Gods or men, as Solancei counts her own fleeting odds, she is certain of the repercussions to Iambre, should she falter - and so for duty and love, she must prevail no matter the cost to herself. Likewise mired, a victim of her own unsettling circumstances, Princess Iambre of Ostravah is heart sore from the binding promise finally made to her true love, Captain Metavo. Solancei's continued absence wreak havoc with her thoughts, and feeling the need to do the 'right thing' has suddenly very little to do with what's proper and everything to do with following a gut instinct that tells her she must act to help her missing Shield or else lose her forever.  But how can she make a move when she is watched wherever she goes and remains surrounded by Zanzier's sycophantic nobles? Her ungraceful host conducts himself like a bore and threatens her patience, but worst of all he inspires aversion and suspicions of the worst kind, something that leaves her ever wary of his agenda. Meanwhile, Zanzierian Lord Simarovien Zulavi pursue plans of his own. An uneasy alliance with a noble 'loon' from Tuxama Lake promises to produce the results he has long been striving for, but when a trial to test an old set of supposed-magical stones proves successful, Zulavi should perhaps be wondering if there is more to the ramblings of his bookish scholar-ally than meets the eyes? Tan'Xaviar is peculiar and turns Zulavi's guts, but an ally is an ally.  At least, for now…

In the realm of Ostravah, magic lies broken and forgotten. Now, with the approaching millennium, an ancient strife that has spanned aeons will soon rekindle because the capricious Gods never rest - and they want their dues... Dark revelations are afoot… Having witnessed first-hand, the terrible merciless hunger of the Knights Commander Simarovien Zulavi's Demonai 'pets' – Solancei, Shield and childhood friend of Ostravahn Crown Princess Iambre, cannot seem to escape this unpredictable man's clutches. A fellow prisoner's strange words continue to haunt her whilst her Link to the State of Veranto remains her only hope to survive the pressures placed upon her, but within her core, the Veranto seems to have taken on a peculiar life of its own – something that she has never experienced before. Solancei knows it could be a natural development of her abilities or it could be the detrimental side-effects of her sustained abuse of the Link, but even fearing an eventual lash back, she cannot surrender to Zulavi. Within her an icy light beckons, offering the notions of protection, but can she trust this fey, unknown side of the Veranto enough to give herself over? And despite her circumstances, should she? Zulavi is playing a strange game she cannot second guess, but as he prepares to torture the desired information from her, she fears herself out of luck. Caught in the middle of an impossible set of choices, Solancei knows her health and entire future will be forfeit, but Oaths spoken and signed should never be broken, nor should the sanctity of friendship – and particularly not as an accidental revelation of Zulavi's designs reveals a plot that could undo all and everything she holds dear. Meanwhile, First Guardian Malandar Denarlin ponders the limits placed upon him. With the Ostravahn magic torn and broken, certain conclusions merit that he can take only one avenue to protect the ever-elusive Twins, the Tarvia and the Alscara, but can this be done? A sudden unexpected breakthrough in the search for the sundered Astrolabe lightens the day, however, with every Guardian sheltering private agendas, such news may not serve to help their shaky unity. The Upper Circle consists of those chosen by the Maker Alérathnar, but how deep does the truth of their oaths hold the remaining nine avatars in place if the Maker Himself is now sleeping or worse? To Malandar it seems there are several hard choices to be made – and even harder times ahead…  

From The Final Card… "Her Ladyship is rumoured to be well-loved, you know; the realm would be in uproar. Is one princess really worth that much to you?" "Oh invaluable," he replied lightly, "Though not for the reasons you'd think. Indeed the fact that she is popular is but a helpful coincidence that will see me solidify the link between old and new. The people will like that because the people like her and what she represents. And as for war…? Well, wars come and go – don't they? Some bloody, some of paper and pen and words, some more subtle. You might be uneducated in these matters, but one could argue that we are already at war: at war with the Senate; at war with these modern traditions that we try to hold dear, yet secretly know to be worth nothing as it is but a set of shambles upheld to gloss over what goes on behind those damned Etruian gossamer curtains! The bribes, the corruption, the underhanded distribution of power, the impotent Crown, the 'stale' Senate? "Progress has turned stagnant and War is in the very air we breathe. War - and the absolute need to remember the ideals we once revered! Come it as it may, I will restore us to The Golden Age! Come as it may, Iambre Actarione will wear my marriage torque! I have support and I intend to use it. My claim will be realised and the rest is but a formality." ***** To bring warning to her mentor, Solancei must dig deep one final time, but the necessary skill involved in this exercise is not for the fainthearted, nor the untrained. As Zulavi prepares to rip the answers to his questions from her, in the end even Solancei could not have guessed the depth to which he is prepared to go as she pits herself against his will. But Knight's Commander Zulavi is not a man anyone thwarts. Can Solancei stop his plans in time? Or will he successfully break her before she has a chance to use the State of Veranto to seek the necessary, but forbidden, knowledge now hidden in past memories? Whilst Guardian Malandar faces his own demons, Solancei prepares to sacrifice her all to protect her beloved friend, Iambre. One way other another, either she or Zulavi will stand the victor in this crooked race, and Solancei is nothing if not true to her oaths and to her heart. NB. This book contains adult scenes that some readers could find upsetting.