Virtual Book Tour Dates: 3/5/14
- 3/19/14
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Blurb:
A Dark sorcerer is Awakened
from eight hundred years of ensorcelled slumber, unleashing an
ancient and terrible scourge upon the land as he uses his malevolent
powers to enslave a continent and create an empire built on blood
magic and death.
Across the Luminous Sea in
Calderia, a crown prince grows to manhood, unaware that he carries
within him a seed of divine power that must now be Awakened, if his
people have any hope of surviving the evil sorcerer’s coming
invasion of his homeland.
But to do so, the human prince
must help forge an alliance with other warring nations, including his
blood enemies, the Elves, and their warrior princess who wants him
dead. Somehow, these sworn foes must join forces, gathering other
companions as they undertake a perilous journey to find a hidden
talisman, solve an age-old mystery,
and save their world
from oblivion.
Excerpt:
Killian
moved forward to the edge of the clearing, then turned and looked at
Ellianthia, holding out his hand. After some hesitation, she inhaled
deeply and walked over to his side, raising her hand tentatively to
press her palm to his. The Elfin princess looked up at him, his
flame-red hair gleaming in the sun, his blue eyes clear and bright with
excitement. What kind of power did this human possess, that he could so
easily enter this sacred place, this Elfin sanctuary where even
Mellisandria, an ancient Wise One, trod lightly? She gripped his hand
more tightly, wondering what might happen if she let go.
They
walked directly to the mound, hearing no sound save that of their own
footsteps, the pounding of their hearts, and the rustle of the grass as
they brushed against it in their passing. When they reached the mass of
tangled vines and stood before the Stone, he felt humbled by its
megalithic size and grandeur. The surface visible beneath the branches
and the blossoms appeared smooth and flawless, with no sign of
weathering, as if time had stood still for ages here in this place of
power.
Killian
did not know what he was meant to do next, but he felt drawn to walk
around the Stone while it waited for him to unlock its mystery. Still
leading Ellianthia by the hand, he had paced perhaps a quarter of the
way around its base before he found that same palm-sized circle that he
had seen in his vision, positioned partway up the side of the monolith.
Knowing instinctively that this was what he had been seeking, he raised
his hand toward the circle and looked at Mellisandria for final
confirmation that he should proceed.
“It is your destiny,” she said, nodding once. With that, he stepped forward and placed his palm flat upon the circle.
At the
instant of his touch, a brilliant flash of golden light erupted from the
circle, encasing the Calderian prince and the Elfin princess. Then
several gasps arose from the observers, Ellianthia’s loudest and nearest
of all, for Killian’s eyes were two luminous orbs glowing with divine
presence, as if the gods themselves had entered his body and now looked
out through their Avatar upon the awestruck mortals gathered there. In
that moment, any lingering doubts that he was indeed the chosen vessel
of the deities vanished from the minds of all who had witnessed it.
Almost
immediately thereafter came a deep rumbling that shook the ground and
rattled the lofty branches of the trees around them. A strong gale
sprang up, whipping hair and clothing about, and making them blink from
the force blowing against their faces. The deep vibration seemed to be
emanating from within the Stone itself as, before their wind-stung eyes,
a vertical crack appeared in that flawless gray surface.
Soon, the
crack became a narrow crevice running down from top to bottom, then
widened steadily into a rift that grumbled and creaked with every inch
of movement, cleaving the granite and snapping the vines that covered
it. Then two stone doors, each some five feet in width, pivoted as if
on hinges and swung outward, revealing a dark, mysterious opening into
the monolith.
Killian
glanced at Ellianthia, who was staring back at him with the same
expression of shock written on the faces of the other Elves and humans
waiting behind them on the edge of the clearing. Though the glow in his
eyes had dimmed, he was undeniably the prophecy fulfilled, for all
could see that the “One who will come to split the stone” stood before
them. She tried to pull her hand away, but he shook his head slightly
and pointed toward the opened doors, knowing that their presence was
required there. Gathering his courage, he led her inside.
Buy Links:
Author
Bio:
I was
raised on the East Coast, enduring the freezing winters and loving
New York pizza by the slice, the kind you fold in half and start
eating with the hot melted cheese dripping down into your mouth. Now
a psychologist, I live here in the California sun with my wife and
daughter, and assorted pets. I don't regret leaving the cold weather
behind, but I do still miss the pizza.
I have
been enamored with science fiction/fantasy since I was (as my
southern grandmother used to say) "knee-high to a grasshopper."
Thank the gods for ebooks, because I ran out of room to store my
collection many moons ago. I enjoy reading, RPG’s, canning
homegrown preserves, old time radio, more reading, and Scottish
Highland Games (middle name is McMaster). I actually had a kilt of my
clan tartan made, and I've been promising myself to learn how to play
"Scotland the Brave" on the bagpipes. Perhaps one day…
Connect With The Author:
Giveaway:
Author David M. Echeandia is giving away two $20 Amazon or Barnes &
Noble Gift Cards (winner’s choice) to two lucky winners!
The giveaway runs 3/5/14 – 3/20/14 (Midnight Eastern Time).
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