GOD OF VENGEANCE: free series cycle
starter for Chronicles of the Great Peninsula
He has pledged himself to the god of death. He doesn't realize what that
means.
As Adrian delves into the mystery of his young tutor Fenton, he is
drawn into a feud between his family's village and a rival village
where Adrian has friends and relatives. Now that Adrian has reached
the age of sixteen, he is old enough to take part in the feud.
When the feud turns deadly, Adrian must choose between the ideals of
his tutor and the orders of his father. The choice seems simple at
first. But Adrian does not yet realize that the god to whom Adrian has
pledged his service has his own plans. . . .
THE THREE LANDS: a Chronicles of the Great
Peninsula series
He vowed himself to his god. Now the god is growing impatient . . .
The Three Lands is a historical speculative fiction series on
friendship, romance, and betrayal in times of war and peace. The
series is inspired by conflicts between nations during the final years
of the Roman Empire.
Table of contents to the Three Lands
titles below.
Few events are more thrilling in a young man's life than a blood feud
between two villages. Or so Adrian thought.
Torn between affection toward his traditional-minded father and
worship of his peace-loving, heretical priest, Adrian finds himself
caught between two incompatible visions of his duty to the gods. Then
the Jackal God sends Adrian a message that will disrupt his world and
send him fleeing to a new and perilous life.
OMNIBUS
183,000 words.
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VOLUME CONTENTS
1 | God of Vengeance. He has
pledged himself to the god of death. He doesn't realize what that
means.
2 | The Sword. There comes a time when
you learn that your best is not enough.
3 | God of Mercy. Soldiers have
rules of their own. These soldiers have higher rules.
4 | The Bird. Learning the customs of a
new place can be hard. Particularly when your guide goes astray.
5 | God of Judgment. High danger
means a gamble for high stakes.
6 | The Final Balance. Even the
gods cannot foresee all consequences of a kept promise.
Side story | Wildfire. He was a
loyal servant of the god. But even loyal servants have their limits.
Side story | Famine or Feast.
He knows that friendship is a fundamental custom of all mankind. Or so
he thinks, until his closest friend discovers a mysterious journal.
Side story | Season
of Dangerous Peace. His village is dead, his baron broken beyond
mending. Now, as the year reaches the season of peace, the baron's
heir must decide whether to keep his family hidden, safe from the
blood feud that is ravaging their kingdom, or to enter danger in quest
of a higher goal.
Death
Mask
For eighteen years, he has survived in an army unit where few
soldiers live more than two or three years. Now he finds himself in
circumstances where his life is a living hell. Will the soldier who
defied death find that life is too great a challenge?
Soldiers, spies, slaves, rebels, assassins, gods, and men who set out
to break him . . . The Lieutenant of the Border Mountain Patrol will
learn that his greatest test is himself.
Novel and side stories (196,000 words):
Novel only (147,000 words):
VOLUME CONTENTS
1 | Acknowledgment Whistle.
"When I was nine years old, my father told me that a man's life is
determined by fate, and that any attempt to escape that fate can only
result in a twisted spirit."
2 | Probable Danger Whistle.
"I knew, of course, that the chances of our meeting again were next to
nothing, but stranger events had happened in my life, strengthening my
belief in fate."
3 | Immediate Danger Whistle.
"I reflected that this was one fate I had not expected."
4 | End of Hunt Whistles: Alive,
Dead, and Lost. "'Somehow our fates must be bound together.'"
Side story | Light and
Love. In a world where two people who love each other
must enter into the role of antagonists, what will preserve their
love?
¶ Upcoming. To receive notice of
new releases, subscribe to my blog
or newsletter. To receive all my new
releases for a monthly fee, subscribe to one of my subscription
services. See also the progress
report on upcoming fiction in this series.
Side story | The Fire Before.
The god's fire is fierce, but not as fierce as the god's wrath if you
turn away.
Side story | Hidden Blade.
His father is a dull farmer. His mother is a dull farmer's wife. He
seems destined for a similarly dull life. But then a stranger appears
in their village, and suddenly the talk is of soldiers and spies and
secrets and gods. Will he be able to break free of his father's legacy
and make a bold dash to a life of his own?
Blood Vow
He has taken a blood vow to the Jackal God to bring freedom to his
land by killing Koretia's greatest enemy. But what will he do when the
enemy becomes his friend?
Thrust into exile and pain, young Andrew has no choice but to accept
the friendship of the very person he had vowed to kill. When he
returns with his friend to his homeland fifteen years later, though,
he finds himself in a land of conflicting loyalties . . . where a
vengeful god awaits him.
Novel and side stories (144,000 words):
Novel only (121,000 words):
VOLUME CONTENTS
1 | The Gods' Land. "I had come to
tell him, in the cheerful manner boys have, that our world was about
to be destroyed."
2 | Land of the Chara. "'If I
were to take him, in three months you would find him thinking and
acting like a civilized Emorian. If you know how to discipline a
slave, as I do, such transformations are accomplished with ease.'"
3 | The Look of the Chara. "'You
have not been raped or killed or enslaved, or watched as your city was
destroyed on the orders of the Chara.'"
4 | Land of the Jackal. "'I
hope that you do not allow this visit to confuse your carefully
acquired Emorian sensibilities as to the proper definition of
loyalty.'"
5 | The Eyes of the Jackal.
"'The only way in which to bring peace is to find this Koretian
rebel-leader and kill him.'"
6 | The God's Land. "'If you cannot
serve me, then you must be my captive.'"
Side story | Re-creation: gift
for a slave. What can you give a slave who, by law, can own
nothing?
Side story | The Night the Moon
Turned Pink. "Everyone knew that the Moon was the women's
goddess, but nobody thought about what that meant."
Side story | Free-man's
Blade. Free-men are the backbone of Emor: the men who run and
protect the empire. But when a young servant finds himself
unexpectedly vaulted into manhood, he must decide how he will use his
power, and who will pay the price of his decision.
Law of Vengeance
For over twenty years, Lord Carle has told the heir to the Emorian
throne that vengeance is only the other side of mercy, and that
disobedience and treachery should never be forgiven. Finally it seems
that his message has been received. Which makes it all the more
unfortunate that Carle should have chosen this moment to break the
law.
As war threatens and the foundations of his life crumble, his only
hope for rescue lies with a man who has every reason to hate Carle.
¶ Honor: Honorable Mention, One Perfect Score
category, in the Rainbow
Awards
2012.
Novel (152,158 words):
VOLUME CONTENTS
1 | Introduction of Terms.
"For many years, I have wished to make a memoir of my life to pass on
to future generations of Emorians who desire to learn what it means to
have complete dedication to the Chara and his law. This is not to be
the memoir I intended, but I find the time passing slowly here in the
Chara's dungeon . . ."
2 | Description. "One does not
immediately accuse an ambassador of crimes. I let my sword-hand fall,
but I kept the sword at my side . . ."
3 | Justification. "'You may
leave your sword with me. The Chara prefers that those who are
summoned to his judgment arrive unarmed.'"
4 | Cases. "Three months after the
Koretian Ambassador came to the palace, I was bidden to the Chara's
quarters and arrived there to find the Chara pacing back and forth
against the hearth, his eyes cold with rage."
5 | Sentences. "It was a darkness I
could not escape from, a darkness that ate all sound and light, a
darkness that filled my lungs and heart so that I could not breathe
and I could not feel pain or any other sensation. I knew that I had
brought this darkness down upon myself . . ."
6 | Sacrifice. "What I could give him
now was small in comparison to what he had given me."
Breached Boundaries
The boundaries of rank declare that Serva can be a princess or she
can be a slave. But for the baseborn daughter of the King of Daxis,
life is not that simple.
Forced to be a tool in a battle waged by her land's unstable King and
his dangerously devious heir, Serva cannot even find refuge among her
fellow slaves. Instead, she secretly explores the hidden portions of
the palace. In this way, she meets an imprisoned spy who is scheduled
for execution.
But when a simmering war bubbles to the surface, Serva must choose
where her loyalties lie. She must also solve the mystery of the spy's
past, and of her own future.
Novel and side stories (312,000 words):
Novel only (246,000 words):
VOLUME CONTENTS
1 | Adversaries. "Lying on my
stomach in the passage, I held my breath. Knowing the man who spoke, I
had no doubts as to what he was suggesting."
2 | Challenge. "What kept me back was
the knowledge that the Song Spirit had sent my father her command, and
in some manner my father was about to disobey it."
3 | Stakes. "It hammered through the air
like a battering ram, it gathered energy like a fist about to strike,
and then it swooped past me in the form of grey-uniformed soldiers."
4 | Battle. "'The Prince wants you,'
declared the sublieutenant."
5 | Settlement. "In silent
agreement, we turned and fled through the first open door."
6 | Surrender. "'For a woman who
spends most of her time listening to other people talk,' he said, 'you
have a special talent for always saying the right thing.'"
Side story | Guise. Daxis is the
land of bards and of truths too painful to be faced. When a man in the
guise of a Koretian trader visits Daxis for his own purposes, he is
confronted with memories of a battle from the past, as well as a
challenge for his future.
Side story | Stillness.
If he stays still enough, they will come.
Side story | The Strong Twin.
Spontaneous choices can have long consequences, if you're a slave.
Side story | Wild-Berry Wine.
"They say that Koretian wild-berry wine is an acquired taste."
Side story | In the Spirit.
Prince Richard has a high office in the army, a ruler who trusts him,
and a loyal subordinate. He also has a murderer who is likely to kill
him one of these days. Amidst the many uncertainties of his life, can
Richard count on love, or will that become yet another treachery?
Side story | Law-Lover.
Being the Army and Palace Records of Carle son of Verne.
Side story | Three in One.
"The longer we remained 'married,' the harder it became for me to
think of him as simply a friend."
Empty
Dagger Hand
Dolan is a quiet young man who spends his days working as a scribe.
So why does he have a dagger hidden within his clothing?
When Dolan's hidden life turns to disaster, he must make his way
through a warring world of many enemies and few allies. Figuring out
which men are his allies will take time, and not much time is left.
As an empire crumbles and civilization is threatened, Dolan must use
all his wits to survive, for only he can bring to safety the greatest
treasure in the Three Lands.
OMNIBUS
156,000 words.
VOLUME CONTENTS
1 | The End. Suddenly, everything
is different.
2 | Sea of Storms. A new
life may be a short life, without protection.
3 | Landfall. An unknown
shore presents unknown problems.
4 | Snowfall. Can a young
man of peace find a role within an army?
5 | Intent. The greatest
mystery in the Great Peninsula is this: Who is the notorious
Lieutenant of the Home Division Patrol?
6 | Foothills. Dark times
require drastic measures.
7 | Lone. A lone man must change
the course of war . . . or so it seems.
8 | Break. The path to honor is
often far from clear.
9 | The Beginning. The end
is near. The stakes are high. His commander isn't listening.
¶ Currently serializing.
Side story | Ambitious.
A tatter-clothed lad on the battle-practice ground delivers a dilemma
to a subcaptain on the rise.
Side story | Unwanted.
When a young man seeks to change his life from the horrible pattern he
appears destined to follow, he discovers that a god-man sees more than
mortal men do.
Side story | The New Guard.
An interview for honorable work goes awry for Fyfe when danger
descends upon the Land of Koretia. Now Koretia faces its worst crisis
in decades. Amidst the mayhem, who is likely to care about the
struggles of a despised ditch-digger?
Side story | Alms. When a reformed
lawbreaker impulsively sets out to help an old colleague, he sees
danger ahead for his spirit. He does not yet realize that his very
spirit lies in peril, depending on the choice he is about to make.
Side story | Bard of Pain.
In the battle-weary lands of the Great Peninsula, only one fate is
worse than being taken prisoner by the Lieutenant: being taken
prisoner if you are the Lieutenant.
¶ Temporarily removed due to major spoilers
to Empty Dagger Hand. To receive
notice of new releases, subscribe to my blog
or newsletter. To receive all my new
releases for a monthly fee, subscribe to one of my subscription
services. See also the progress
report on upcoming fiction in this series.
Side story | The Night Watch. They are the elite unit
of the Northern Army, and their power is growing. But what they need
is more than power: they need wisdom.
¶ Upcoming. To
receive notice of new releases, subscribe to my blog
or newsletter. To receive all my new
releases for a monthly fee, subscribe to one of my subscription
services. See also the progress
report on upcoming fiction in this series.
The
Long Night
"'The sun set so long ago on the Great Peninsula that none of us can
remember what it is like to walk in true daylight,' he said.
'I'm only sorry that I will not live long enough to see the
dawn.' And then he beckoned me closer to whisper into my ear the
secret that might one day cause the sun to rise again."
¶ Upcoming. To
receive notice of new releases, subscribe to my blog
or newsletter. To receive all my new
releases for a monthly fee, subscribe to one of my subscription
services. See also the progress
report on upcoming fiction in this series.
Side story | Mystery. Three days
ago he faced death by fire. Now he faces a bigger challenge.
¶ Temporarily removed due to major spoilers to The
Long Night. To receive notice of new releases,
subscribe to my blog or newsletter.
To receive all my new releases for a monthly fee, subscribe to
one of my subscription services.
See also the progress report on
upcoming fiction in this series.
CROSSING WORLDS: a Chronicles of the
Great Peninsula series
Sometimes people travel to new places. Sometimes they don't plan to.
Crossing Worlds is a historical speculative fiction series
about what happens when different worlds cross in their timelines.
The series is part of the Chronicles
of the Great Peninsula cycle.
Table of contents to the Crossing
Worlds titles below.
A
Visitor's Guide to the Three Lands
Are you considering visiting the Great Peninsula? Are you in need of
a guide? This guidebook by the internationally famous Ambassador of
the God's Land will introduce you to the charming quirks (and deadly
dangers) of the Three Lands of the Great Peninsula.
VOLUME CONTENTS
1 | Deadly Introductions.
How to introduce yourself to inhabitants of the Great Peninsula,
without being killed.
2 | Tempestuous Tours.
A whirlwind tour of the sites in the Three Lands that are most steeped
in history, culture, and the occasional pickpocket.
¶ Currently serializing at
my blog and newsletter. To receive the latest chapters, subscribe to the blog, its feeds,
or the newsletter.
Side story | The
Visitor. When a journey goes askew, a traveller must orient
himself to his new circumstances. Unfortunately, someone wants to help
him.
THE THOUSAND NATIONS: a Chronicles of
the Great Peninsula series
In a shattered world of warriors and barbarisms, only the deepest
ties of friendship and romance can protect them. That, and a god they
may not be able to trust.
The Thousand Nations is a historical speculative fiction
series about what happens after the fall of a civilization. The series
is inspired by conflicts between nations during the Dark Ages.
The series is part of the Chronicles
of the Great Peninsula cycle.
Table of contents to the Thousand
Nations titles below.
The
Motley Crew
When a young man named Dolan flees from the north, he finds danger on
all sides. The Northern Army wants him back. The Empire of Emor wants
him dead. His native homeland of Koretia may not want him at all. And
his only protection is a man with motives that are mysterious and
possibly deadly.
To remain alive, Dolan must forge alliances, cement friendships,
break and heal a killer, and seek a lost god. Most of all, he must
decide what his goal is and how high a price he is willing to pay to
achieve that goal.
¶ Upcoming. To receive notice of new
releases, subscribe to my blog or
newsletter. To receive all my new
releases for a monthly fee, subscribe to one of my subscription
services. See also the progress
report on upcoming fiction in this series.
