"Two, actually three, wonderful stories."
Late in the evening, the storyteller is sitting by his fire
wishing he had some food. He's joined by a old, gray
wizard, who offers food in exchange for a tale. So they
each agree to tell one story around the campfire enjoying
food and drink. The wizard begins with A VARLET'S BOND. In the land of the
Glacia, the wizard's council has met and decided to have a
younger man than Thrixsall lead them. So they vote on it
and the new suzerain elected is Lawgoch. The first thing
Lawgoch decides is that the Kingdom of Glacia needs a
younger man ruling it as well since there have been
problems on the Glacian border and Caradoc is now an old
man. Caradoc agrees to step down in favor of his eldest son
Zavend Preece. So a royal messenger is sent to bring Zavend
home from his latest dig. Zavend has an interest in things
of the past and is always off on some dig or other
collecting artifacts. At the same time, another royal
messenger is sent to bring Vitus, the younger son, home. As
the younger son, Vitus—aka Varlet—knew he would not inherit
the throne and after becoming bored with the tournaments
and a dissolute lifestyle, won an inn gambling and has run
it ever since. Well Vitus has no intentions of leaving his
inn for any length of time, so he asks Captain Praxis to
watch it for him. Since he knows Praxis—a Badger who won
her freedom from the mines and is now a bounty hunter for
the crown—has tender feelings for Zavend, he instead has
her take him to the palace and leaves the inn in one of her
partner's hands. Vitus and Praxis arrive at the palace
before Zavend and they learn that not only is Zavend to
take the throne, but a lifemate as well. When Waniands
marry, it is for life. When odd things begin happening to and around Zavend, they
know something is amiss and must figure out what it could
be before Zavend takes his lifemate and the crown. When the wizard ends his tale, the storyteller ponders for
a few minutes and then begins the tale of SUMMERSONG.
Summersong is the gateway between the world of Faery and
the world of man. The Far-Mura have always served as
guardians of Summersong and maintained the peace for a long
time. Until the day they were all killed. Both sides blame
the other for the deaths of the Far-Mura and the last heir
to Summersong is Myree. When her father weds Nadina, Myree
escapes to a hidden garden and begs for help, since she
knows Nadina wants Summersong for her own. The last thing
Myree expects is to be heard by anyone, much less a
handsome Prince of the Faery, who promises to help her.
When he promises to come back in the spring, Myree gives
him a ring as a token of her promise to him. Connair
creates two amulets from two leaves, which he imbues with
magic and gives one to Myree and keeps the other. With
these tokens, they will know the other is safe. Now that it's time for Myree for wed, Prince Connair's suit
is denied by Nadina. Connair must try to find out what is
going on in Summersong and who is behind Nadina. TWICE UPON AN EVENTIDE is two wonderful fantasy tales. Both
authors, Shannah Biondine and Sheri L. McGathy, have done
wonderfully at bringing these stories to life. While
reading them, I was taken back to the time when I sat upon
my mother's lap as she read fairytales to me, for this is
exactly what they remind me of—one of the old fairytales by
the Brothers Grimm. The plots are exciting, the characters
all remain true to themselves, and the stories themselves
enchanted me. If you love fantasy as much as I do, complete
with morals, pick this book up. You won't be sorry you did.
Reviewed by Chere Gruver
Posted June 7, 2008
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Award-winning fantasy authors Shannah Biondine and Sheri L. McGathy team up again, delivering twice the mystical adventure in this enthralling duet, Twice Upon an Eventide. Here are faraway worlds of danger and intrigue, where dark mirrors hold strange and dark secrets. A Varlet's Bond by Shannah Biondine
Captain Praxis, wyvern rider, former slave turned royal reeve and bounty hunter, has never forgotten her brief partnership with Prince Zavend of Glacia. Years have passed and now find Praxis a wealthy woman and sometime comrade of Zavend's disreputable brother, Vitus. A twist of fate draws all three back to the heart of Glacia, where an evil is spreading across the land. Can anyone or any sworn oath be trusted? Will Praxis find her heart soaring higher than a wyvern or crushed once and for all? Summersong by Sheri L. McGathy
Summersong, a magical border Keep created to maintain the fragile peace between Man and Faery, has lost its glory, its grandeur, and its loyal guardians. The land is dark, filled with turmoil. Yet, one bright glimmer of hope still exists. Long ago, Myree, daughter of a proud nobleman, made a childish vow of undying love in a secluded garden to an equally as young Connair. Now grown, both have not forgotten their pledges. When Myree is abducted into a realm of shadows, Connair risks everything in his quest to save her and recover the heart of Summersong. Genre: Fantasy/SF - Medieval
eBook Length: 179 Pages
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