"A legendary contemporary fantasy novella"
The great Lady has woken the spinner Cadwyn from a thousand
year sleep as a stone to spin the life thread of an
emerging life that will be important to Fae and mankind
alike. The child, Abhainn, is to be the last of the Asrae -
the Fae of All waters. The Asrae had been cursed when Abhainn's ancestor Afon,
destracted by her human lover, failed to take her place in
the Circle at the Great Gathering. The mortal man, Blaen of
Craighmor lost his lover and his King that night. Afon had
become one with the water, and without Blaen by his side
King Arthur had perished in battle. In his anger and grief
Blaen strikes the sacred alter stone breaking off a piece
vowing that Fae magic would never blind him or his kin from
that day forward. The rift between the Fae and mortals had
begun. Mortals had lost their belief in the Faery world and
Avalon saw mortal men no more until.... So intent on keeping the spark of this vital life alive,
Cadwyn had woven a piece of her own apron into the thread
binding stone and water, strengthening the young life. She
failed to notice the end of the moon water thread touching
the life thread of a human male, spanning the great gap in
the life web between the two worlds. Michael Craig is on a quest to find the maker of fine
thread which had been delivered to his family's textile
business. The thread is in great demand and he must acquire
more or the business will fold. The source of the thread is
shrouded in mystery until he finds a label leading him to
the misty isle of Inisghriann and Abhainn. Michael, Blaen's
kin, retains no memory of being shipwrecked there as a
child and has lost his belief in fairytales, but Abhainn
remembers. Dark forces among the Fae threaten to depose the great
Lady, to do so they must prevent Abhainn from taking her
rightful place in the Great Circle on the Isle of Avalon at
the next Gathering. The fate of human and Fae kind alike
is riding on the shoulders the small Fae woman. When
Michael saves Abhainn's life with an accidental kiss, his
fate is bound to hers. If Abhainn can overcome her fear of
the water, can Michael overcome his disbelief, to become
the knight he was born to become? This tale was a real page turner. The story was so
engrossing that it could easily stand alone, but this
reviewer has no doubt that it will sell the anthology as
well. This fantasy was well worth losing sleep over. If you
enjoy fantasy, legend, and star-crossed romance you are
sure to enjoy Abhainn's Kiss. Note: This story will be rereleased in print
as part of the IN THE GLOAMING
anthology later in 2007.
Anne Cain is
the cover artist.
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted February 28, 2007
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