Spotlight: Reign of Clans and Gods, by Ashley Merdalo

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reign of clans & gods

Reign of Clans and Gods
by Ashley Merdalo
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 370
Publisher: Lake Country Press & Review
Format: eBook

What’s more dangerous in the world of politics, love or war?

On the island of Eiram, there were once four clans.

Four clans, four rings–now there are three…

Twenty years ago, invaders attacked Eiram, staking claim to a section of territory and massacring the people that lived along those bluffs, The only remnants of that clan are the few who hold on to the black iron rings of the Clan o’ Cliffs. Survivors have since assimilated into their new homes, taking rings from their adopted regions: gold of the Mountain Clan, wintry silver of the Forest Clan, and the deep copper of the Clan Amongst the Rivers.

For now, there is peace…

Gifted with the power of foresight, Willa is a portal to the gods, her days and nights are filled with prophecies and omens. Since the age of two, she has been trapped in an engagement arranged to maintain the balance of power across class. Facing a loveless marriage, Willa struggles to reconcile the idea of the benevolent gods with her own bleak future–until she meets Dempsey on the night of Beltane, and they encounter evidence of the land’s dwindling magic.

Heir to the Clan Amongst the Rivers, Dempsey is everything Willa’s fiánce isn’t. His shameless flirtations make her feel alive, and Willa can’t help but feel drawn to the taste of freedom his power of storms gives her. Together, they realize the invaders are moving in again, threatening the stability of the clans and the existence of the gods. It’s up to Willa to step into her birthright and unite the clans if they’re going to stand a chance at preventing conquest.

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About the Author:

Ashley MerdaloAshley is obsessed with storytelling: written, on the screen, or word of mouth. Daydreaming in the middle of the pandemic about her time abroad in Cork, Ireland led to her first attempt at a manuscript. This passion project resulted in her debut novel Reign of Clans and Gods publishing November 22, 2022. 

A student of history and political science, telling the dramatics of government and power calls her name. When not with her laptop, you can find Ashley wrangling her dog or re-watching her favorite TV series. Ashley resides in Arlington, Virginia with her boyfriend, but also calls Boston and Southern California home.

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Spotlight & Excerpt – Last Fables: Fraudewolf, by J.M. Congdon

OFFICIAL COVER Illustrated Edition [Digital] (2) copy

Last Fables: Fraudewolf
Illustrated Volume One
by J.M. Congdon (Author), Ivan Griscenko (Illustrator), Alex Savoie-Laflamme (Illustrator)
Genre: Epic, High Fantasy, Romance, Mystery

Over a century ago, a hero single-handedly brought an end to an age of horrors and monsters, and the world has mostly recovered from the devastation since. But the world once again is threatened by darkness. In the realms of carnivores and herbivores, a female jackrabbit has spent ten years in search of a wolf, seeking to be taught what he fears above all else.

Amazon


Excerpt:

The hare stalked the wolf.

His trail had grown alternately warm and cold over the years, his passage never anything more than whispers. Rumors filled Eni’s ears and journal, mutterings heard only when the nights grew long and cups grew empty, but they were enough. They had brought her to Ctesiphon, where the air felt almost galvanic with potential, and to a small tavern where she knew the other patrons felt the same.

The voices of mammals were just a little too loud, a little too cheery, with a desperate edge to every word that passed from one set of lips to another. All conversation stopped as the door banged open, an ash-choked wind blowing in grit and making the lanterns hung from the rafters overhead sway drunkenly. The floorboards vibrated with the passage of a massive bull making his way to the bar, the mournful breeze dying in an instant as a waitress slammed the door shut.

Mammals began talking again as the bull sat down heavily, wordlessly ordering a beer, and for a moment Eni could almost tell herself she was imagining the heavy atmosphere.

Almost.

Just outside the inn’s cozy confines Ctesiphon was dying by inches, the stench of burning crops impossible to banish no matter how many sweet-smelling herbs dangled from the smoke-blackened rafters. The Blight was implacable, an enemy that couldn’t be fought by any normal means, but Eni wasn’t searching for someone normal.


About the Author:

J.M. Congdon is a simple passionate storyteller and illustrator, on a journey to create countless creations alongside other amazing artists and writers.

 

 

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