New Release in epic fantasy

 

Amazon Paperback https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSTYY9LM

ISBN: 9798339009474

Kindle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSTFW3BQ

.99 for a limited time. Regular price is 3.99.

Unravel the threads of fate.

It is written in blood.

One of Her kind will betray Her.

In a world where mortals are at the whims of the capricious gods, a prophecy foretells treachery committed by one of their own, leading to the inevitable downfall of the once-mighty Titans. The Great Goddess Rhea, seeking retribution, dispatches Her vengeance goddess, Becuille, to the land of Hatti. She is charged with the daunting task of uncovering the origins of star metal, a substance fatal to the old gods, and finding the enigmatic Destroyer.

Disguised as a human slave in the royal palace, Becuille finds herself entwined with her master, Prince Callileon, plunging both into a treacherous world of power-hungry gods, formidable magic, and widespread betrayal. As tension mounts and loyalties are tested, Becuille faces an impossible choice between duty to her goddess and the stirrings of forbidden love for Callileon.

Warning: Of Gods and Vengeance is a Greek tragedy featuring star-crossed lovers set in an era where slavery and human and animal sacrifice were commonplace.

Excerpt:

Dazed by the relentless, blinding sun, she stumbled and fell. Laughter erupted from the crowd. Becuille pulled herself up and brushed dirt from her knees as best she could with shackled wrists.

The slave trader cast her a lewd grin, raking his kohl-lined gaze over her body. He stroked her bare thigh. “She is a bit clumsy, but this maiden is skilled in the arts of love and augury. Her skin is on the fair side, but she is worth the high price I ask for her. She comes from the mysterious island in the Aegean called Crete. Just look at how flawless her skin is, and her ripe breasts are like succulent apples.”

People had exclaimed awe when he’d mentioned she was from Crete. He tugged her tunic down, revealing one of her breasts to the mostly male audience.

His skin smelled foul like rotten fish. She pulled her chin up, recoiling from his dirty touch.

For her ears only, he whispered as he covered her exposed breast, “I have to sell you to the palace as your mistress wished. They only want the best.”

Wincing at his terrible breath, she stood still and allowed him to play his part. This was a new experience for her and already she despised slave traders and how they treated their merchandise. This one had been overpaid for his services, but it was important that she be sold into the palace. She gave him a hard look, certain the greedy Egyptian had raised the price for her to make himself even richer in silver shekels.

“Do not let her shyness fool you. Though her maidenhead is ruined, she has more important skills, and she is still young and nubile.” He leered at her, and she suppressed the urge to strike him. “She is truly a rare gem in the bedchamber, and she is an augur who can speak many languages. Her talents do not end there for she has the singing voice of a goddess, most enchanting. Thirty shekels and she is yours.”

The slave trader moved on to another of his prized slaves, a young Nubian man with skin as black as a moonless night. Selling his wares, the Egyptian continued addressing the crowd in the blistering heat.

Becuille turned her attention to a tall young man wearing a clean white, gold-trimmed tunic who watched her with intense blue eyes. His combed hair gleamed like shimmering wheat in the blazing sun. He wore a barbaric close-cropped beard and mustache, but his facial hair gave him a masculinity that strangely intrigued her. Royalty swirled around him like the brightly colored feathers of a cuckoo. He stood much taller than the men she was accustomed to on the island, and with his golden hair, muscular arms and thighs, he resembled an invincible sun god.

So, this is the land of the Hatti, brutal invaders of the lands of the Great Goddess. Hmm. This tall man did not seem brutal. She returned his penetrating stare, forgetting that a slave should always keep her gaze lowered in submission.

“Do my eyes deceive me or do I see a striking maiden with the untamed spirit of a spring mare?” He spoke in the strange Egyptian tongue. Grasping her chained hands, he forced her closer to him.

His sheathed sword brushed against her thigh, causing a curious quiver in her lower regions. If she could break her shackles, she would have pulled away from him. The feelings he roused frightened her. Were unbridled emotions always present inside mortals? She felt a sudden twinge of pity for them.

He continued to look intently at her, compressing his mouth, as if awaiting her response.

She realized he was testing her. “Your eyes do not deceive you. This spring mare will not be so easy to tame,” she whispered, answering him in the Egyptian tongue.

He stood so close to her she could smell his manly perfume of wood smoke, leather, and spices. She caught a whiff of sandalwood, which further aroused her. Biting her lower lip to quell her unwanted emotions, she reminded herself why she came here as a slave to this sweltering land.

His eyes burned into hers, glinting with arrogance. “Hmm, we shall see about that.”

“I am a freeborn woman, lord,” she said, unable to hide her sneer.

Her anger rose unchecked, and she forgot her place here as a humble slave. His insolent nature intensified her ire as well as her lust.

“These chains indicate otherwise.” He stepped back, his chin and shoulders lifted in a show of superiority. “I will take this one,” he said to the slave trader, speaking again in his own language and handing him a bulging, jingling bag.

The Egyptian untied the leather bag and inspected the silver shekels.

“After a long bath, she will be presentable to the House of Suppiluliuma,” the golden-haired man said.

Seething inside, Becuille tried to ignore his insolent comment, keeping her eyes lowered and away from his penetrating, and she was certain, mocking gaze. Was he still testing her? Did he want her to forget she was a slave and lash out at him? His peculiar behavior puzzled her. She kept her gaze lowered, hoping he would be her first connection to finding Celmis. So far the plan was working. She was on her way to the royal palace. A small triumph on this frustrating day.

 

Of Ravens and Wolves: new historical fantasy romance release #99cents

 

Buy now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW19RCPH

Also in KU and Print

Magic demands its price.

In the sequel to Of Water and Dragons, Nemu and Ambiorix must fight to survive in the wild lands of the Caitt in northern Caledonia where they have sought refuge after Ambiorix’s desertion from the Roman army. Another more sinister danger also stalks them, a result of Nemu’s dark magic. Their idyllic world is about to be shattered, and their relationship tested.

**************************************************************************

Excerpt:

Crows flew into the air from a nearby tree in a sudden rush of fluttering black wings.

Ambiorix froze. His soldier instinct warned him that something or someone had startled them. He picked up the sword that he always kept near him from the flat rock and turned around, gripping the smooth ivory handle with the confidence of a seasoned warrior.

Eerie silence descended on the forest. The day had been dark and gray, the clouds heavy with winter rain or snow. As night closed in, the shadows deepened, crawling like creeping black vines across the forest floor. He saw nothing unusual and hurried back toward the cave to make sure Nemu was safe.

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Review:

“Heckart’s work offers beautiful poetic descriptions rich in detail. Reading this book is a sensual pleasure. It is especially a joy to read about the idyllic agrarian lifestyle and the sense of people’s connection to the land, to the tribe, and to the spirit world. The richness of detail in descriptions create a powerful aura that positively fills this world.”

Reviewed by Snapdragon at the Long and the Short of It

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www.kelleyheckart.com

Mixing History with Fantasy—The Story Behind Of Water and Dragons by Kelley Heckart

Of Water and Dragons started out as a fantasy romance. Later, I decided to turn it into a historical fantasy romance. I chose Roman Britain as the setting and referenced real historical accounts.

One problem I had was that Romans wrote all of the historical references. The Celts were an oral society, so I had nothing in writing from them to use as a reference. Of course the Romans made themselves look good. They called the Celts barbarians, but archaeological evidence doesn’t support this claim.

The Celts lived with the land, and they were fierce warriors. Like the Romans, they worshipped many gods and goddesses. They even invented chain mail and were superior iron workers. Soap was another Celtic invention. Their druids were a priestly caste of doctors, lawyers, astronomers, story keepers, and political advisors. Not barbarian traits in my opinion.

The one weakness they had, however, was inter-tribal fighting. They were no match for Rome’s legions because they refused to join together to fight the one true enemy. This would be their downfall, at least in Briton and most of the world. In what is now called Scotland, Rome was unable to defeat the Celtic tribes there. Possibly because the rougher terrain made it easy for native warriors to ambush a marching army.

I did my research and found a major battle fought in Caledonia (now Scotland) between the Roman legions and the Celts. The Battle of Mons Graupius took place in 83 or 84 AD, but the exact location is a mystery. I set the battle near the Grampian Mountains, one of the possible locations. Though the Roman army was outnumbered, they managed to defeat the Celts and sent them scattering into the forests.

This is how my hero, a Roman soldier, meets the heroine, a half-Fae, half human who lives in the thick woodlands of the Grampian Mountains. She has a dark past involving Roman legions and shies away from human contact, but she decides to help this wounded Roman soldier. He has been taught that the Celtic tribes are barbaric and deserve to be conquered. She opens his eyes. Still, many obstacles stand in the way of any kind of relationship developing between them.

Roman Britain thrived until the Roman legions pulled out in about 383 AD. Despite the way Rome conquered and ruled over the Celtic tribes, they did bring law and order to the land. They brought advanced engineering to Briton like heated bathhouses and sanitation through aqueducts that provided clean water and added drains to keep the streets clean. I wanted to show the differences between how Romans and Roman Celts lived versus the free tribes of Caledonia.

Another historical account I touched on was the disappearance of the Ninth Legion in Caledonia. They virtually disappeared from Rome’s accounts, possibly because having one of their greatest legions defeated by barbaric tribes was a huge disgrace for Rome. Nobody knows what really happened. It’s possible they were transferred to another country to fight for Rome, but as there are no records to verify this, it’s up for debate. My creative version involves dragon magic. Who’s to say it wasn’t druid or Fae magic that made the Ninth Legion disappear?

By mixing history with fantasy, I was able to create a love story that touches on the realities of life in Roman Britain and in the wild lands of Caledonia while also integrating the magic of these people who lived with the land and believed every living creature and everything in nature had a soul. To them the trees were just as alive with pulsing energy as the living creatures with blood and oxygen rushing through their bodies. Beyond the safety of their campfires, the Celts believed there lived unknown beings capable of unbelievable powers, some benevolent, some not. This was a time of magic. Anything was possible.

 

Website: https://www.kelleyheckart.com

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/kelleyheckart

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYB1FGL8

 

 

 

 

History knows him as Aedan the Treacherous, Cat's Curse #PNR #Historical #MFRWSTEAM

New Release! Do you like romance, intrigue, and star-crossed love? A mixture of history and Celtic mythology, Cat’s Curse is an ancient Scotland paranormal romance based on a real Irish king known as Aedan the Treacherous in the Welsh court. Warning: Iron-willed enchantresses, hunky sword-wielding warriors, some violence and steamy sex, more than a little blood-drinking, a complicated love triangle, and lots of passion.

He’s a cursed, exiled Irish prince. She’s a succubus with lost memories. Destiny brought them together. Their dark secrets will tear them apart.

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y6BYMGN

Steamy excerpt:

Cardea climbed on top of him and brushed her naked body along his shaft in a slow, sensual cat-like crawl. His muscles caressed her skin, and she wanted him more than she’d ever wanted another.

“Ye desire to ride the horse.” He chuckled, low and soft. “I thought as much.”

She slid onto him, his length eliciting tremors throughout, the passion and bloodlust building to great heights. The hard lines of his face softened, and his eyes brightened to a joyful blue different from the tormented darkness always present there. He cupped her breasts in his large hands, teasing her nipples to peaks. A blissful shiver rushed from her nipples to her sex.

“I enjoy the view from here.” He grinned at her.

She glided up and down on his hard, sleek shaft, circling her hips to find the point of pleasure. Pleasing shocks coursed through her pelvis, the orgasm cresting. She used her inner muscles to squeeze his length, eliciting a groan from him. It filled her with a sense of power to have such a hold on him if only for a short time.

Aedan’s breathing grew ragged with exertion as his orgasm closed in.

She bent against his chest and found the bulging vein in his neck. Her breasts pressed against his muscled chest in a pleasing crush, their hearts beating as one. The blood pumped in his vein, loud and hypnotic, demanding she drink. She licked his neck, savored the saltiness of his skin, and lost her hold on her emotions. Overpowered by the bloodlust, Cardea’s eyeteeth lengthened with both desire and hunger. Her lower body trembled, giving her the sensation of teetering on the edge of an abyss.

“Cardea,” he whispered in a ragged voice, grasped her hips, and pushed himself deeper within her, his entire length pressing to her core.

Aedan’s body quaked and rocked beneath her, his deep penetration inducing moans and shudders from her. Groaning, he exploded his seed inside of her in a powerful pent-up surge.

His potent orgasm sent her over the edge. She sank her fangs into his neck and drank his warm blood. Overcome with multiple orgasms, she plummeted into the blissful abyss. His life force flowed into her, exhilarating and intimate, linking them together. Just as she reached the bottom of the chasm, she experienced the sensation of being lifted by dark wings, hovering above the clouds in the land of the moon and stars.

Fire engulfed her body, rendering her powerless as if the brilliant sun were about to turn her into ash. His blood tasted sweeter than any she’d ever swallowed. She forgot about everything else, and she could not stop drinking his blood.

“Cardea?” He resisted, and then his struggles weakened.

A sudden clear thought rang inside her head, and she pulled herself away. He lay still, and panic quickened her pulse.

“Aedan? Oh no. Wake up, Aedan!” She shook him hard until he let out a soft groan.

Cardea woke as if from a daze. “What have I done?” she cried.

He’d think she was an animal for feeding on him, and she could not endure the disgusted look he would surely cast upon her.

Before he could recover his senses, she waved her hand over his face. “You will not remember. Sleep now,” she said, speaking in the sorcerers’ tongue, the language of the Romans.

Using her first and second finger, she touched the two holes in his neck and healed them with her magic.

A realization hit her. She’d done more than just touch him and he was still human. Something else troubled her about their dark embrace. A strange feeling had flowed into her mind when she had taken his blood from him.

 *

 https://www.kelleyheckart.com/

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Book Review of Apprentice: The Last Witch of Rome: Book One by Rhett Gervais

 

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089FCCP9Y?notRedirectToSDP=1&ref_=dbs_mng_calw_0&storeType=ebooks

5 Stars.

A mixture of history and magic led by a strong female.

After her people are betrayed by Rome, Vesper has lost everything, and she must make a dark deal in order to survive certain death in the gladiator ring.

Narcissus is a hardened gladiator and doctore. He’s never met anyone like Vesper.

More than a corrupt emperor rules Rome. Something terrible is slaughtering innocent people. Vesper is at the center of this evil. Only she can stop it, but she needs to understand her inherited powers as a djambe.

I love that Vesper is a strong female. There is a blossoming romance between her and the bearlike Celt Narcissus, which I enjoyed, but I wouldn’t label this story a romance. The fight scenes are intense and stunning. African magic used against the backdrop of Rome weaves a special kind of concoction. This is an exciting and mystical action-packed story led by a badass female. There are some threads that weren’t fully tied up, but I’m sure this is because this is an ongoing series, and those threads will be dealt with later on. This is a series that should be read in order. Highly recommended if you like historical fantasy set in ancient Rome. I look forward to reading the next book.

 

 

 

 

Book review: Magnar (The Wolves of Clan Sutherland Book 1) by Mary Morgan

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Magnar-Wolves-Clan-Sutherland-Book-ebook/dp/B08DCDYT4S/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=magnar&qid=1607478998&sr=8-2

An enjoyable mix of history, magic, and steamy romance.

There was a lot I liked about this book. I loved the two main characters. I liked that Magnar wasn't perfect and struggled with his baser side, his wolf. I really liked that Elspeth was strong and wasn't a damsel in distress. From the first page, I was drawn into the story by the author's skillful way of capturing the historical setting. I loved the mix of history and magic, though I wouldn't really call this a shifter story. The wolf shifting was part of the tale, but this was more of a story about growing love between two very different people. I did enjoy the interactions between these two character, especially how she challenged him. The passionate love scenes set this romance on fire. Oh my.

What I wanted to see more of was conflict between the two characters. It seemed a little too easy for Elspeth to accept Magnar's heathen beliefs and fall in love with him after their arranged marriage. I guess I just wanted to see her struggle with this a little more. Other than that, this was a near-perfect read. I'd give it a 4.5 if I could. I look forward to more from this author. Highly recommended!

Passion and betrayal in ancient Greece, The Bear Goddess #MFRWsteam

Welcome to the MFRW steamy blog hop. Enjoy!

 

Kindle buy link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P74X0WY

Trade Paperback Buy Link on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Goddess-Book-Arcadia/dp/1502982684/ref=asap_B002BMOQ3C_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415503605&sr=1-7

Do you like Greek myths with a twist?

Callisto is the nymph who betrayed Artemis. This is her story.

Callisto, the daughter of the great Arcadian King Lycaon and the nymph Maia, has taken a sacred vow of purity, forsaking all others for Artemis, and attains the revered position of Bear Goddess among the nymphs. When she meets Kasin, a follower of Zeus and her sworn enemy, her life is shattered.

Kasin is a centaur prince and one of few who can take human shape. Despite having sworn allegiance to Zeus, he saves the life of one of Artemis’s nymphs. He is torn between his love for Callisto and his duty to his people and his god.

When their secret, forbidden connection is exposed, and they make their escape, danger and betrayal follow Kasin and Callisto. To survive, they must evade a god obsessed with having Callisto for himself, as well as others who also want to keep them apart. With a devastating war looming between the centaurs and the nymphs, Callisto must make a difficult choice. To prevent bloodshed and to save an innocent life, she must die.

Excerpt (Rated R)

Despite looking frightened at first, she had given her consent and now she willingly arched her hips to meet Kasin’s thrusts and drive him deeper. Her tightness engulfed him in a warm, soft, heaven-like place. She was like a precious stone only just discovered and polished to a beautiful sheen, untouched by any other man. Her clean, floral scent spoke of her purity and drove his desire.

He stopped himself from ravishing her. He didn’t want to hurt or frighten her, but she surprised him by writhing and capturing him deeper inside of her. Her nails raked against his back in fierce abandon and he let out a satisfying groan. Smiling, he enjoyed the pleasant shiver her boldness produced. She was not as delicate as a flower. In the throes of coupling, she possessed the fierceness of a centauride along with the tenderness he craved in a mate.

Letting go of his hesitation, he took her with passion and force, surrendering to the throes of lovemaking. He delighted in taking her innocence, producing in him a sense of power, and strangely, he had a twinge of affection for her because she trusted him with something so precious to her.

Her body shuddered in the final throes of rutting, her quivers gently milking him, releasing his pent-up lust. Twin tremors racked their bodies. His groans and her strangled cries mingled as one unbridled, passionate sound.

He held her close even after the final shudder had subsided. Gods, he had never experienced such lovemaking. And he had never bedded a virgin. The sense that she belonged to him tightened around him and wouldn’t let go.

Her flushed look of passion turned into a troubled look. “What have I done?” She eased out from under him. “I do not know what kind of enchantment came over me.”

“Do you regret our coupling because I worship Zeus?” He tried to keep the anger out of his voice.

“No.” She sat with her knees drawn up to her chest. “I have taken a vow to serve only Artemis.”

“You seemed to enjoy what I was doing to you.” He savored her scent lingering on his skin, an intoxicating scent that tightened around his loins like an alluring ribbon of mist. He wanted more of her, but he hesitated to reveal his true feelings for her until he knew of her feelings.

“It does not matter. It cannot happen again.”

He shook his head. “How can you deny yourself pleasure?”

“Because the penalty for breaking my vow is death.” Tears glistened in her eyes.

He sat up. Part of him felt some guilt for being party to her disgrace.

“I am no longer worthy of my goddess.” She lowered her head.

He cupped her chin in his hand, compelled to take the risk and reveal a small part of his feelings. “You are worthy to me.” Gazing at her, he conveyed the warmth in his heart with his eyes.

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Kelley Heckart

Otherworldly tales steeped in myth, magic & romance.

https://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

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Book Review: Warlord by Miriam Newman

https://www.amazon.com/Warlord-Miriam-Newman-ebook/dp/B088P8N6TB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2NWWFI4EQK978&dchild=1&keywords=warlord+by+miriam+newman&qid=1592700762&s=books&sprefix=warlord%2Caps%2C215&sr=1-1

I gave this 5 stars on Amazon. Beautifully written and compelling

I have been a fan of Ms. Newman's stories for a while, and this one doesn't disappoint. Ganina has been sold by her warlord father to a man old enough to be her grandfather and when he dies, his other wives want to kill the younger, prettier wife. Senec, son of the deceased chieftain, claims her as his. I felt for Ganina because she never gets to make her own choices, but she learns to be a survivor, so she isn't weak. Senec is a complicated character. He is a warlord and doesn't show emotions, but his actions speak for him. Ms. Newman's words are magical, and her storytelling is captivating. Highly recommended!

Monday Musings: The Crow Maiden--Revenge themes in books and movies

Revenge is one of the oldest themes in literature. It’s a huge part of Beowulf when Grendel’s mother decides to seek vengeance against the Danes for killing her son. Then Beowulf kills her in revenge. Shakespeare’s Hamlet also has a revenge theme.

Nothing gets readers’ hearts pounding harder than a good revenge story, especially when a nasty villain is getting just what he deserves. I found a list of the 7 best revenge stories in literature:

1. The Iliad by Homer. This is one of my favorite reads, one that is filled with revenge. Menelaus raises the entire Greek army to get revenge on Paris for stealing his wife, Helen. Achilles gets revenge on Hector for killing his cousin. Even the gods are involved.

2. Carrie by Stephen King. I read this one a long time ago. What’s better than getting revenge on all those nasty kids at high school that tormented you?

3. Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

4. True Grit by Charles Portis. Gotta love the spunk of the teenage girl seeking vengeance for her father’s death.

5. The Princess Bride by William Goldman. “My name in Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” Enough said.

6. Sin City: The Hard Goodbye by Frank Miller. I’m not familiar with this one, but it sounds like a great revenge story.

7. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumos. This might be one of the best planned retaliations of all time. Edmund Dantes was so patient. Maybe this is where “the best things come to those who wait” came from?

To see the full list: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/the-7-best-revenge-stories-in-literature/

The Crow Maiden has a revenge theme with a twist. Nahla to Balin: “We are bound by revenge. What good can come of it?” 

Excerpt (PG-13)

She rummaged through the chest. “You have a comb in here and a mirror and a razor.”

Rolling her eyes, she set those items to the side and continued searching inside the chest. Nahla removed a wide belt made with gold plates as he put on the tunic then strapped on the belt. She stood in front of him holding the razor.

He eyed it with suspicion. “What are you planning to do with that?”

“Trim your beard.” She gestured for him to sit again.

He rubbed the thick hair that had sprouted on his usually clean-shaven face. “I am quite pleased with my beard.”

She put her hands on her hips. “I know how you Hellenes feel about your beards, but you look like the wild goat man who lived in the forest near the temple. He thought the goats talked back to him.”

He peered at her through slitted eyes.

“Sit.” She challenged him with a determined set to her mouth.

“Do not shave it all the way off.” He gave her a hard, warning scowl and sat on the edge of his bed. “I will have you know that I had adopted the Cretan custom of shaving.”

“It is not such a terrible custom. I prefer a man’s face clean and not hidden beneath thick, wiry hair.”

“Do you now? It is my face, and I have grown fond of my thick, wiry hair, but I will allow you to trim it.” He turned a wary glance on the razor. “Only trim it.”

She impatiently raised a delicate brow. “If you continue to halt me, I might decide the entire beard needs to be gone.” She reached down and pulled her dress up to gather the shavings. “Hold my dress like this.”

Sending her a defiant stare, he took hold of her dress. He sat still as she started the first cut. If she shaved off the whole beard, he could grow another, but he didn’t care for a woman telling him what to do.

She stood so close he smelled her flowery scent and felt the warmth emanating from her. His gaze rested on her bare calves, smooth and flawless. He averted his eyes only to discover her breasts close to his face while she worked on his beard. Unable to get the image of her bare, pert, brown-tipped breasts out of his mind, he closed his eyes so she wouldn’t know his carnal thoughts. She hovered in front of him, carefully clipping his beard. Her sweet, natural, womanly perfume was intoxicating.

“There, that should do it.” She lowered the razor.

He opened his eyes and ran his hand along his jawline. She had left a layer of stubble. She held on to her dress and stepped back to admire her work. He wished he could read her mind to know what she truly thought of him.

For a moment, the hardness in her eyes softened, and then she smiled. “I approve of the trimmed beard. Now you look like someone with noble blood.” She backed toward the opening to get rid of his hair shavings. “Shall we eat now? I am starving.”

Her smile brightened her green eyes. His heart thundered inside his chest. This strange woman who had come into his life had him spellbound. His gut tightened. How could a beautiful, passionate woman like Nahla ever desire a defeated, crippled king? The only reason she was here with him was to gain her freedom from Aramon.

Forcing away his unhappy thoughts, he stood and limped toward the food shelf to grab the bread basket. He’d have his revenge soon. Once he was free of her, he could finally move on with his life.

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Kindle Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N1ZBAF1

Trade Paperback Buy Link on amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1541140613/

Blurb

The Crow Maiden

Book 3: The Arcadia Series

(The Crow Maiden is a standalone story in the Arcadia Series)

She betrayed her goddess for him…

He betrayed her.

Plotting her revenge is her only solace. Until now.

Nahla is the Crow Maiden, an Arcadian, and once a priestess of Artemis. Now she is a captive, a being who lives in the shadows until her vile master the sorcerer-king Aramon summons her. Another releases her from the Shadowlands, and while he might be the champion she has waited for, the gods must be playing a cruel joke. Her champion is crippled.

An Achaean lord who once ruled a great city, Balin is a broken man. He has lost everything—his kingdom and his family. Revenge consumes him. Although wary of the mysterious, cold-eyed female who appears and claims he summoned her, she may be his only hope to exact vengeance on the king who ruined him, the same man Nahla seeks to destroy.

They are bound by revenge, and soon, both learn they are bound by much more, but the secrets she hides might tear them apart and ruin their only opportunity for vengeance—and their chance to love again.

“Ms. Heckart draws the reader into the pages and enchants them with her words.”

Karen McGill, Coffee Time Romance

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Multi-published author Kelley Heckart lives in Arizona with her musician husband, dog and a number of backyard “pets.” Her stories reflect her passion for ancient and medieval time periods, storytelling and the supernatural. Inspired by the ancient Celts, her tales are filled with fierce warriors, bold women, otherworldly creatures, magic, and romance. When not writing, she works as a freelance editor and practices target archery. She can be found online at http://www.kelleyheckart.com/

To sign up for my newsletter and receive special notices like new book releases and giveaways only for my subscribers: http://kelleyheckart.com/Contact_Kelley_Page.html

Kelley Heckart

Otherworldly tales steeped in myth, magic & romance.

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Monday Musings: The Crow Maiden--The healing power of the mind

In The Crow Maiden, Nahla is tasked with helping the broken hero heal his terrible leg wound that lamed him. In order to do this she also has to help him heal his mental wounds, the guilt and shame he suffers from not being able to protect his family and his people, but Balin has to want to heal.

When she finds him, he is using wine to suppress his pain, and he is living alone in a cave, an angry, ruined man. Nahla has to push him to be strong, something that causes friction between them at first. I could have had her use magic to heal him, but that would have been way too easy. It had to be a challenge for both of them. Plus, Artemis wanted her to work hard to heal the champion as part of her penance or her wrongdoing.

The mind is very powerful. It can make you strong or it can destroy you. I can attest from personal experience that the mind plays a very important role in healing. Perhaps that’s why I wanted to write a story with a wounded character. I had to overcome my own medical scare that almost left me disabled. If I hadn’t pushed hard to get better, I doubt I would have. I still struggle daily with it. Staying positive is the best way to fight it.

Excerpt (PG-13)

Nahla refused to give in. She crossed her arms, her stance firm.

“No more wine and now you are forcing me to have a bath? What does a bath have to do with our alliance?” His scowl deepened.

“Have you smelled yourself lately? I cannot stand to be around you.” She waved her hand to push away the foul odors of stale wine and sweat coming from his body. Somewhere, she hoped, beneath his slovenly, unpleasant manner lurked a warrior and a champion.

He looked down at his rumpled, dirty clothes and wrinkled his nose. “A bath is, perhaps, an excellent idea.”

It was no surprise that his cave home lacked a bathtub. “Is there a river or lake nearby?”

“Yes. Having you bound to me has been highly unpleasant so far,” he grumbled. He grabbed a blanket from a long, flat ledge cut into the wall a few steps from the fire and seized his axe on the way out of the cave.

“I am not here for your pleasure.”

She followed him. A craggy hill greeted her. Yellow and purple orchids sprouted from the cracks of the frowning rock face, lending it beauty. Clusters of scrub grass, bushes, purple hyacinths, and red poppies filled the area in front of the cave.

She was uncertain how her bond to him worked. It seemed that being with Balin was her new waiting place until Aramon summoned her. This was an improvement from the Shadowlands, but this man had some unpleasant habits she hoped to break to turn him into a true champion, one worthy enough to wield Artemis’s great weapon.

He was the one chosen, but she had not seen Aramon’s death, not yet. His death would come at the hand of the one who wielded the goddess’s weapon and that person must be Balin, since she was bound to him.

He turned right and limped down a path lined with tall, sentry-like cypress and thick-needled pine trees that covered the steep-sided gorge in dark green colors that enhanced the bright colors of the orchids, hyacinths, and poppies and deepened the blue of the sky. Fragrant flowers and pine filled the air with wondrous perfume.

The beauty of her surroundings embraced her as she descended the path into the gorge, her step growing lighter. The tranquil greenery and the colorful flowers sparkled in the blend of shadows and light. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the forest and spread warmth through her body. She had the urge to remove her cloak and bask in the sun. Aramon kept her inside his bedchamber unless he sent her on some unpleasant task. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been outside, free to enjoy the sunshine and do as she pleased. Being trapped between the worlds in the Shadowlands was like looking through a doorway, one she longed to step through out into the vibrant world, but her magical bond to Aramon wouldn’t allow her to cross the threshold.

The sound of running water filled the air along with birdsong. She caught herself smiling, something she had rarely done since her captivity. Having this experience of freedom made her more determined to get what she wanted.

The path reached the bottom of the gorge and opened to a small waterfall cascading down the craggy wall into a blue-green pond surrounded by vivid layers of lush plants and poplar trees, sprinkled with vibrant-colored flowers that twinkled like yellow, purple, and blue starlight. Farther down, the pond flowed into a large river lined by white and black poplars. The pale trunks and white twigs gleamed among the dark brown trunks and brown twigs. In the slight breeze, the dark green-gray leaves of the white poplar with a woolly snowy underside flashed among the shiny green leaves of the black. She couldn’t take her eyes off the beautiful sight.

“Are you going to watch me bathe or join me?”

She turned toward Balin. He sat on a rock, bare-chested, his impish grin revealing rows of even white teeth. The playful sparkle in his eyes was oddly appealing, much different from the anger she’d seen in them more than once since their meeting.

“Neither.” Though the pond did look inviting. His muscular chest and arms took her by surprise. Given his condition, she had expected him to be flabby.

“Perhaps next time then.” He struggled to remove his leggings.

“Perhaps.” She fought back the urge to assist him. She wouldn’t coddle him, and he wouldn’t want that either.

Naked, he limped toward the pond. She stared at him with her mouth open. Aramon had a firm, strong body, but Balin had the body of a god, tall and golden. His disheveled appearance hid a muscular warrior’s body. He would have been perfect if not for his damaged left leg. A large, ugly, jagged scar marred the back of his thigh and ended below his knee. It was the kind of injury made by a long iron sword, the terrible slashing weapon used by Aramon’s army.

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Blurb

The Crow Maiden

Book 3: The Arcadia Series

(The Crow Maiden is a standalone story in the Arcadia Series)

She betrayed her goddess for him…

He betrayed her.

Plotting her revenge is her only solace. Until now.

Nahla is the Crow Maiden, an Arcadian, and once a priestess of Artemis. Now she is a captive, a being who lives in the shadows until her vile master the sorcerer-king Aramon summons her. Another releases her from the Shadowlands, and while he might be the champion she has waited for, the gods must be playing a cruel joke. Her champion is crippled.

An Achaean lord who once ruled a great city, Balin is a broken man. He has lost everything—his kingdom and his family. Revenge consumes him. Although wary of the mysterious, cold-eyed female who appears and claims he summoned her, she may be his only hope to exact vengeance on the king who ruined him, the same man Nahla seeks to destroy.

They are bound by revenge, and soon, both learn they are bound by much more, but the secrets she hides might tear them apart and ruin their only opportunity for vengeance—and their chance to love again.

“Ms. Heckart draws the reader into the pages and enchants them with her words.”

Karen McGill, Coffee Time Romance

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Multi-published author Kelley Heckart lives in Arizona with her musician husband, dog and a number of backyard “pets.” Her stories reflect her passion for ancient and medieval time periods, storytelling and the supernatural. Inspired by the ancient Celts, her tales are filled with fierce warriors, bold women, otherworldly creatures, magic, and romance. When not writing, she works as a freelance editor and practices target archery. She can be found online at http://www.kelleyheckart.com/

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Kelley Heckart

Otherworldly tales steeped in myth, magic & romance.

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