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Posts Tagged ‘Jareth First Lord’

It’s a wet and rainy Thursday here, so I thought I would share one of my worlds with you. I don’t know how much you know about this series, so come with me and learn more!

Esperance was settle from Earth after it was discovered by the Seekers looking for habitable worlds to colonize. These individuals had psychic abilities that allowed them to explore the universe without leaving Earth.

At first everything was great. The world was lush, in a British Isles sort of way, with a lot of highland type environments in the more temperate regions. Earth supplied them with whatever they couldn’t yet produce on their own, while they got established. But when those shipments suddenly stopped, the young colony was at a loss. Not only could they not repair equipment which broke down, when a new virus swept through, they had no medicines to fight it. Over half the colony perished.

Those left were scattered and developed an “every man for himself” attitude, taking even more of a toll on their civilization, or what was left of it. But during their years on Esperance, descendants of the Seekers who had come with them had continued to develop their abilities. To safe the settlers fro themselves, they used those abilities to force a rule of law back onto their society. Dividing into clans, each family with the abilities or Talents to hold their clan together gave their name to their clan.

A few centuries later we come to Clan Brannach, ruled by the latest in the lineage, Jareth, the First Lord of the clan. The neighboring clan is Clan Belfort, which is where our story begins.

JARETH, FIRST LORD Book 1

Jareth is a young ruler, widowed and with no heir as his wife died in childbirth. It has been two years, but he’s not sure he’s ready to seek another woman to be his First Lady. On top of this, thieving parties from Clan Belfort have been stealing from his storehouses. As harsh as the winter is, his people will be seriously short of food and grains if it isn’t stopped. Though he has communicated with the other First Lord, he has heard nothing. It seems the only way to settle it is to make a trip through the ice and snow to demand restitution in person.

Viviane is a young widow in Clan Belfort. Though her family begs her to come back home, she has gotten used to being independent. But without a means of support, once the stock in her late husband’s shop is gone, she needs another option. She had never considered it would come from another clan.

As part of the restitution and penalties, Jareth demands his rights under an old law–the right of Choosing. He can clam up to 10% of the women of marriageable age to take back to his clan. When the women are gathered, one catches his eye. Then and there he decides she will be his First Lady, if he can win her heart. But she has a secret which threatens to throw their clans into armed conflict.

Meet me in Clan Brannach!

VIVIANE, FIRST LADY Book 2

Picking up the story from book 1, Viviane begins to settle in to the routine in Jareth’s house. But these new abilities she seems to be developing have worried Jareth. Once tested for Talents, both Jareth and his head instructor agree. She must begin training at once before all those abilities get out of hand. She never asked for these Talents and doesn’t want the. But it seems once they appear there is no going back.

The headaches are monstrous and the medicine to tame their is horrible, but her companion, Annie does her best to sympathize with her. At least she and Jareth are doing well together. And all those Talents tend to lead to some exciting times behind closed doors! Between his Talents as First Lord and her surprise Talents, tings heat up rather quickly.

Unfortunately they have to go back to her home clan for her brother’s trial for treason, which is where trouble raises its head. In anger, she uses her Talents to lash out at her brother when he attempts to influence her through his mental abilities. Realizing what she’s done, she disappears fight in front of Jareth’s eyes, meaning she has even more Talents to worry him. Now if he can just find her…

MORGAN–The Pixie and the Green Man Book 3

When Jareth went to Clan Belfort to confront the First Lord there in Book 1, Morgan volunteered to go to Clan Brannach and leave her homeland. From an abusive background where it seemed every man in her life had hurt her in one way or another, she hoped for a fresh start. But shortly after the move she is attacked on her daily rounds and very nearly raped, saved only by two young men who heard her cries. She was offered another jog in a market, where she wouldn’t have to be anywhere alone. The couple who owned the store were older and quite protective.

One day a young man came in to buy something for a snack. She remembered him from her previous ordeal. He had come to her rescue several months previous. He introduced himself, asked for he items he wanted, and threw a mischievous smile her way on parting. Soon his visits became daily as did his invitations for coffee of tea.

Finally, Mrs. Kennoway, her employer, asked why she never accepted his invitations, to which she answered she couldn’t. Fear of men wouldn’t let her go, even across the street. But James came up with a solution. He brought coffee and scones over to the market, along with a cafe table and chairs from in front and invited her to sit down for tea.

Come with me as these two navigate the perilous waters of romance on this fantastic world. Be prepared for magical abilities, spirit guides, and a bit of folklore!

TOO MANY TALENTS Book 4

After her traumatic experience at her brother’s trial, Viviane wants to banish her Talents. Maybe if she doesn’t train them they’ll just go away. Even with Jareth and her instructors explaining why it won’t work, she trains reluctantly feeling that the less she trains them the less danger they will present.

Unfortunately her trainers are right. After a few accidents involving her Talents she relents.Digging deep, she finally agrees to give it her all, even when frustrations get her down, leading to a bizarre game of tag in the snow and the weirdest chess game ever.

Meanwhile, in her home clan, Belfort, her nephew, Connell, is beginning to train his Talents as he steps in as heir to the ruling house. He doesn’t understand why Talents are necessary and he doesn’t like the headaches he gets during training. When his grandfather, the First Lord, suggests he reach out to his Aunt Viviane telepathically, he is amazed. How could they communicate from so far away?

His Aunt Viv was one of his favorite people. But her husband, First Lord Jareth, scared him half to death. The man had never been cruel or harsh toward him. He had tried to reach out and speak with Connell. It was just the incredible amount of energy swirling around him, which seemed scarcely contained at times.

Connell also has difficulties controlling his Talents. And when on of his old friends from home hurts a young girl who is his friend, his anger and need to talk to someone who might understand unexpectedly lands him in Jareth’s front hall. He had no idea how he’d arrived there and was even less certain about how to get home.

Come join the fun and games on Esperance. Another book is in progress, so catch up on the series before its release.

I hope this gives you a little overview of my world Esperance. It’s a great place to visit and dream about Talents and magic.

Happy reading!

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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I know. I’m a pushover, but I’ve decided to extend the offer on Jareth, First Lord through Monday.

So now you don’t have an excuse!

Go on over to Book Funnel and find the link to your favorite retailer.

Set on a rustic world lost to Earth centuries before, Esperance has developed a clan system, each clan ruled by a First Lord with psychic abilities. Jareth is the current ruler of Clan Brannach. A young widower, he has no heir, but has really had no interest in finding a new lady since his wife died in childbirth. But when he sees Viviane, he knows she’s the one.

Viviane is the daughter of the neighboring First Lord, but she would love to break all ties to the ruling house. The pomp and circumstance are too tiring and frustrating for her. Recently widowed, she is faced with having to go back home until Jareth comes riding in to take her back to his clan. Somehow she neglected to tell him she’s the clan leader’s daughter…

Can Jareth win the heart of this lady before he starts a clan war?

Find out in Jareth, First Lord!

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That’s right!

From now through tomorrow night you can download a copy of Jareth, First Lord for FREE!

If you’ve been wanting to give my writing a read, now is the time to try it. Book 1 from the Esperance Series is now free to download from BookFunnel!

A paranormal fantasy romance set on a different world where paranormal abilities abound, meet Jareth, the First Lord of Clan Brannach. In a dispute between his clan and a neighbor, he invokes an ancient penalty–The Choosing. And when he makes his choice, he can’t take his eyes off of the raven haired beauty with sapphire eyes.

Viviane is the daughter of a First Lord, but eschews all the trappings of the ruling house. But when her husband dies, she’s left with scarcely enough to make do. Of course, being included in The Choosing and taken to a new clan wasn’t part of her plan. And she has hidden the fact her father is the clan ruler from this dark and mysterious lord.

So, can Jareth win his lady’s heart before he starts a clan war?

Read the book and find out!

Where can you get it?

At Book Funnel you can download a copy for FREE!

Come with me to Esperance!

And as always…

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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That’s right! I’m having a book sale!

Have you been waiting for a sale to try the Esperance Series?

Now’s the time.

All e-books on sale in the series for only $0.99 each through Nov. 12.

Use code TX55S at checkout!

So come with me and visit Esperance this weekend! The fare is quite affordable.

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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Yes, Too Many Talents should be out later this month. Book 4 from the Esperance Series, it continues where Viviane, First Lady left off. It picks up just after Jareth and Viviane return from her brother’s trial in Clan Belfort.

Viviane’s training has not progressed well since returning from her brother’s trial. Her instructor and husband feel it’s because she’s resisting training due to an unfortunate incident in the court. But the more she resists, the more often her Talents get out of hand, causing episodes almost every day.

What will it take for her to finally step up and be the multi-talented First Lady she was born to be?

Back in Clan Belfort, her nephew, Connell, struggles with the concept of Talents. Why should he need these weird abilities to rule the clan when the time comes? And why must he leave his old friends behind and move to his grandfather’s home to train? But when old friends, jealous of his change of status, decide to harm his little friend, Nellie, his abilities take over and save her from harm.

Maybe this is his turning point. And maybe he should talk with his Aunt Viviane.

Watch for Too Many Talents, Esperance Book 4

Now, how about an excerpt?

“Viviane, Duncan is worried about you and has me worried, too.”  

“Worried? Whatever for?” she asked.

“I know how you feel about your Talents, but hiding from them isn’t the answer. And neither is running away and pretending they don’t exist. Duncan and I feel the loss of control you are experiencing is coming from something besides the porting aspect of your Talents.”

“I don’t know what you mean, Jareth,” she answered sharply.

 â€śYes, you do, Viviane. Since we’ve been home you’ve been resisting your Talents, and fighting them, especially during training. They will win in the end. In the meantime your control will get worse and worse, until it is manifesting more unpredictably, even when you’re not working with it. With the strengths you have, you will hurt someone, while trying to deny your heritage.”

“But Jareth…”

“Your Talents have to be trained,” he stated emphatically. “There is no escape from it. You have to let go of your fears and put your entire will into your training. It’s the only way to gain control before you do irreparable harm.”

“I don’t want these Talents, Jareth! I never have! Why won’t they go away and leave me alone?”

Now, from Connell in Clan Belfort.

At ten years old, he has been chosen to train as heir to the clan in Carl’s place, which requires him moving to his grandfather and first lord’s home, away from his friends, and for now, his family.

Why does he need Talents to rule the clan anyway? He doesn’t see the point in all this training and the headaches.

But when his old friends come down for the Gather, their jealousy makes them lash out in the one way they know will hurt Connell–by picking on his friend Nellie. As they restrain him and try to hurt her, his Talents come to the rescue, making him think about all those things he’d heard and now how they might apply in real life.

Here’s an excerpt from Belfort.

With a huge sigh, Connell took a deep breath, let it out, and dropped down into his mental working state. Focusing on the little box on the bench, he tried to reach out and nudge it to the end of the table. Instead of scooting to the end of the table, it rolled over twice and refused to budge another inch.

Coming back to his conscious level, he shrugged his shoulders in aggravation and looked up at Master Olivier.

“Well, at least you didn’t slam it into the wall. But why did you roll it instead of slide it?”

“I have no idea, sir.”

“Maybe we should work on something else for a while. Go get a drink of water, stretch out for a minute, and come back. We’ll work on your telepathy and see if we can narrow down your focus.”

By the end of the day’s session, Connell had a tremendous headache, and he was aggravated and frustrated with his progress. What was he missing? Master Olivier told him it would all come together soon, but what if it didn’t? His whole family and clan were counting on him, and he couldn’t even move a box from one end of the table to the other.

Watch for Too Many Talents! I’ll keep you posted!

To get the first three books in the series, go to Amazon or Smashwords!

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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The three book series, Esperance, will soon be joined by a fourth book–Too Many Talents.

How about a little background?

The world I call Esperance was settled during a very disturbed time on Earth. People with a particular remote viewing ability sought new worlds to colonize, as it seemed Earth might not survive. On this new world, these individuals, called Seekers, also helped discover minerals for mining concerns, new food which could be used by the new settlers, and many other things.

As the colony would take time to become self-sufficient, Earth subsidized them with shipments of necessities they couldn’t manufacture yet. Machine parts, medicines and the like were at the top of the list.

Until the shipments stopped coming. The colony struggled to keep going until a mutated virus wiped out over half of the colony. Without the medicines from Earth, they were at the mercy of nature. Many skills were lost, machines broke down with no way to repair them, and the remaining settlers descended into chaos, each man for himself in a bid to survive.

After several decades of this confusion, a few among them developed Talents–psychic abilities such as telepathy, teleportation, telekinesis, and a host of others. Using these new abilities, they got together to impose the rule of law to save what was left of their world.

Dividing the world into clans, each named after one of the original talented men, the colony slowly began to revive. New Talents, which took the place of mechanism and medicines, began to emerge among the people. Some had abilities relating to wood and the forest. Others for various sorts of metal or stone. And those who could heal using energy became the new medical professionals among them, while the herbalists researched various plants to add to the mix. Some had very minor abilities, others became masters in their field.

Until we come down to the time of Jareth and Viviane, several hundred years after the end of the confusion.

Viviane has Talents she should never have developed. Though she has struggled for control, an unfortunate outburst of temper at her brother’s trial nearly takes a life. Now terrified of her abilities, she begins to resist her training, which only makes the outbursts of uncontrolled Talent more frequent. Jareth and her instructor struggle for a way to make her understand how important her training is, as her uncontrolled manifestations of Talent become a daily concern.

Follow her continuing story in Too Many Talents.

We are also introduced to her nephew, Connell.

When the original heir of Viviane’s home clan, Belfort, turns traitor, another heir must be found. He should be of the family line, and still able to access his Talents. The only one who fits the bill is Connell, her sister’s son.

Connell, who is only ten and a half, isn’t sure why he needs Talents to be a ruler. After all, what could go wrong which would require it? And why does he have to come live with his grandparents for this training? But when his friends from home come to the clan center for the Gather, he learns a lesson about jealousy, friendship, and Talent he won’t forget soon.

He also learns how helpful it is to keep control of his thoughts, when he accidentally finds himself in Jareth and Viviane’s study, unannounced and quite confused, after letting his temper get out of control.

Watch for Too Many Talents, coming soon!

Haven’t read the first books in the series?

Go to Amazon or Smashwords for your copies today!

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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Yes, here it is the last Friday of February. Wasn’t it just the first of February a few days ago?

Of course, I’m sure the crazy weather around here hasn’t helped much. Just last week we had one night where the temperatures dipped down into the 20’s. Last night? Mid-60’s. My body can’t adjust to this.

But enough of the weather. Let’s talk books!

Here’s something to put on your calendar!

Read an eBook Week is coming to Smashwords March 6! And that means a whole lot of books will be on sale!

What’s not to like about that?

But it only lasts for a week, so make sure to head over there early.

Yes, all my books will be in the sale, from Gambler’s Folly, Esperance, and Master of the Fleet! If you haven’t tried my books yet, or if you need to add to one of the series, now would be a good time.

I’ll remind you and post a link to the sale as soon as it is available, so keep an eye out for it. I don’t know about you, but I love book sales.

But to continue what I started last week…

Where did I get the idea…

…for Jareth, First Lord?

This book began as a dream which kept repeating, night after night. Not the beginning, but partway through what became the second chapter. Just the one scene. And every time I would wake up and go back to sleep, it would come back.

Finally, to get it out of my head, I sat down and wrote out the scene that was on repeat in my brain, only to have it pick another scene with the same cast of characters, at some other point in the book.

In order to get a little sleep, I sat down and tried to piece together how these characters came to be where they were in the first scene. Why would they find themselves in this situation? And where would they go from there?

And Jareth, First Lord was born, followed by the continuation of the story in Viviane, First Lady.

The third book in the series is inset into the story flow. Morgan is a character introduced in the first book. I loved her character and wanted to explore who she was and why she had come to Clan Brannach.

The story will continue in the fourth book of the series, which will be out later this year–Too Many Talents.

But what started the whole thing? Let me give you an excerpt!

JARETH, FIRST LORD

In the gray light of dawn one week after the postings,
the women for The Choosing gathered on the parade grounds
of the Belfort estate, nervous and frightened.
Striding up to the podium, First Lord Jareth addressed the
crowd. “Custom dictates older daughters marry first. With this
in mind, I will accept volunteers. Some of you who are
younger, with long waits ahead, may wish to try your chances
in Clan Brannach. Once the volunteers are accepted, we will
choose from those left to make up the tithe.”


While his men recorded the names of the girls who came
forward, Jareth once again felt the strange spider on his brain
which he’d sensed in the village. Searching the group before
him, he was drawn to cascades of black curls shimmering in
the soft morning light. About twenty feet away, she was
comforting others with a touch or quick hug. Her concern
impressed him. As she turned to face him, her dazzling blue
eyes captivated his heart.


Regaining his senses, he threaded his way through the
crowd. As he drew closer her eyes sparkled like the blue
waters of a mountain stream in the sun. Lush dark lashes
framed them in perfect contrast to her smooth, creamy skin.
Her mouth was a small rosebud begging to be kissed. She
appeared to him as a fairy princess come to life. Expecting
fear or anger as he approached, all he saw was inner strength
shining through sadness. He cultivated his imposing presence,
but she rose tall and met his gaze.


“Good morning, miss. What is your name?”

Don’t forget the book sale March 6!

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

...to Share the Romance…

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Yes, all the books from my Esperance Series are on sale this weekend! If you’re like me, you love a book sale. I have several series I’ve started I need to finish. Since they’re all several books long, I wait for a sale to stock up.

And you can do the same!

Just go to Smashwords and check it out. All three books in the current series are on sale for only $0.99 each! Full length novels you can sit back and get into.

So if you’re looking for a place to get away, Esperance may be what you’re looking for–a place from an earlier time, ruled by psychic lords, and normal, everyday people with maybe a touch of Talent to make life a little easier for them.

Book1–Jareth First Lord

Book 2–Viviane, First Lady

Book 3–Morgan–The Pixie and the Green Man

Get one or get all at this special weekend price.

And watch for the next one in the series later this year:

Too Many Talents, Book 4.

I’ll let you know when it is available!

And as always,

Don’t Forget…

...to Share the Romance…

Read Full Post »

…to a world full of mischief, magic, and romance.

Come to Esperance!

You won’t need a passport or airline tickets. No need for a Covid test. All you need is a comfy chair, something delightful to drink, and maybe a fireplace.

And of course, a book. Or an e-book. Either way, it won’t cost much. But such a world you’ll find.

Discovered by the seekers when Earth began to expand into the universe, the colony was just getting on its feet when tragedy struck. They were cut off from their home world without warning while facing a pandemic which was wiping out the population.

After weathering this time of trouble, the survivors fell into a world of chaos and confusion. It became a world of every man for himself and damn the consequences.

Out of this tribulation, people with special abilities emerged. Descendants of the seekers who had come with them, they developed strong psychic abilities. Eventually they were able to enforce the rule of law back onto the population and divided the lands into clans. Each clan was ruled by one of these psychically talented First Lords.

Our first story begins several hundred years after this time of confusion, in Clan Brannach, which is ruled by First Lord Jareth. A widowed ruler with no heir, he has no heart for finding another wife, until he meets Viviane from a neighboring clan.

But will he win her heart before the two of them start a clan war?

The story continues in Book 2, where we learn more about Talents and the problems they can cause.

Book 3 is inset into the main story line, following the tale of another girl from the neighboring clan, of her struggles, and of finding the possibility of love. With a little more psychic magic involved, there are some surprises along the way.

So, beginning with Jareth, First Lord, continuing with Viviane, First Lady, and moving on to Morgan–The Pixie and the Green Man, the wonders of this world unfold. Next up will be Too Many Talents, continuing Viviane’s story and bringing in Connell, of Clan Belfort, the new heir to the clan.

All these books are available on Amazon, Smashwords, and most major booksellers.

So take a break. Take a vacation. Come with me to a simpler, more magical time and place.

Come to Esperance.

And as always…

Don’t Forget…

…to Share the Romance…

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Have you read the books in my Esperance Series?

What is Esperance?

Settled by pioneers from Earth, the planet was far from being self-sufficient when they lost contact with Earth, and with the supplies they needed to continue building their world. Without the medicines from Earth, the population was devastated when a pandemic hit, leaving less than half the people of the original settlements.

With society now in total chaos and anarchy, it was every man for himself until a few people with unusual psychic abilities were able to force their will on the population and bring law and order back to their world. These men became the original First Lords.

Dividing the remaining population into clans, the First Lords gave their names to the clans, gradually rebuilding a successful society on their world. While it was far from what they’d had when Earth was subsidizing them, this frontier world, they had food, shelter, and a sense of direction.

As the population grew, so did these unusual Talents. Only the First Lords had the multiple Talents needed to rule their clans, but others developed abilities related to their work, or for healing and nurturing.

The first book in the series, Jareth, First Lord, is about one of these Talented men and the woman he hopes to win. Set a couple centuries after the Age of Confusion, his clan is well established and prosperous. Two years previously, he had lost his wife in childbirth, losing the baby as well. He knew he had to remarry, but was surprised when he found the woman of his dreams in another clan with which he had a dispute.

Book two, Viviane, First Lady, continues their story and tells of Viviane’s struggle to learn how to control Talents she has suddenly developed before they cause any more trouble. While having psychic abilities seems like it would be a great deal of fun, learning to control them, instead of having them control you, can be a trick.

Book 3, Morgan, tells of a young woman who came to Brannach during the Choosing. She had determined to live her life alone, after being abused by nearly every man she’s known in her life. When James begins to show her attention, she isn’t sure what to think. As for James, his family has a couple Talents which can make people nervous. As his attraction grows for Morgan, so does his anxiety about sharing his secret with her.

Watch for new books in the future!

Esperance. A world full of mischief, magic, and romance.

Come with me and visit this amazing world.

And as always,

Don’t Forget to…

…Share the Romance…

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