Wednesday, August 7, 2019

New Release — Einar of Vindemiatrix by Michael E. Gonzales

When King Thurban the Great is murdered at the hand of his younger brother, very few of his loyal knights survive. Sir Einar, one of the fiercest knights of King Thurban’s realm, has lost his entire family in the carnage. Giving up on a life of his own, he chooses to travel and teach others the principles of chivalry. For those who believe in a knightly code, he will also show them the deadly way to wield a sword in battle—including Ascella, a young woman who convinces him she is an apt student.

Though many years have passed since Einar’s painful losses and King Thurban the Great’s murder, the knight finds a way to avenge his honorable liege—but he cannot do it alone. To return Vindemiatrix to the rightful heir and restore the holdings to their former glory, he needs magic—the most powerful magic he can find.

With the help of a powerful witch, a dragon, an army of centaurs, and beautiful Ascella, Einar is determined to find a way to make things right once more in the land he loved. But he’s never fought an enemy so prepared to hold Vindemiatrix in its powerful grip—and this is a battle to the death. Can he risk losing everything he holds dear a second time?

EXCERPT

     Thurban laid his bloody hand upon Einherjar’s shoulder, and glancing about at his ruined castle, and the burnt lands surrounding it, he exhaled slowly, and lamented, “The end of my reign is in sight, the end of Vindemiatrix.” The king beckoned to his generals, and with their aid, withdrew to the throne room to make final preparations.
     Sir Einherjar remained on the last wall of the castle’s inner defenses. The hated enemy threw themselves upon them yet again.
     “Look hither!” a voice shouted. Einherjar saw the man, among the many atop the wall, pointing to the north. Turning, he beheld a sight more terrible than an enraged dragon. The keep was ablaze, its windows belched black smoke.
     “The women and children!” someone screamed.
     Murfrid, standing near, turned to Einherjar, “I’m sorry for you, Sir Knight, I truly am.”
Einherjar stood transfixed, his mind wrapped in pain, disbelieving his own eyes. His breath, and his heart frozen―

     

12 comments:

  1. Mike, I really, really, REALLY enjoyed this story! Very different, and boy, the twists and turns just kept on coming. Congratulations on your release of EINAR OF VINDEMIATRIX!

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    1. Thank you Cheryl. This is one of my favorite stories and not my last adventure in the lands of Fantasy.

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  2. I personally not a fan of fantasy but after reading your Unborn Galaxy series I'm looking forward to getting a copy myself.
    "Cry 'Havoc'!, and let slip the dragons' of war."

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  3. Many congratulations on your new book. I'm loving that cover.

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    1. Thank you, can't take any credit for the cover, I proposed a 1930s looking thing. This one is getting a lot of positive remarks.

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  4. Congratulations! I don't write fantasy, but do enjoy a good fantasy read once in a while and this one sounds like it's sure to be a good one. Wishing you much success with this new release.

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    1. Many thanks, Beverly. I hope you give Vindemiatrix a try, might just make a fantasy reader of you, eh?

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  5. Hey! I am a fantasy lover and this sounds like an exciting read. It must be if Cheryl really, really, Really likes it. Ha! Congradulations and best of luck.

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    1. I know, right? I hope you'll enjoy it. I tried to bring several emotions to the pages.

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  6. I so admire writers who create fantasy worlds. This books looks like a winner. How heartbreaking it is for the hero to lose everything. Congratulations on your book release and Livia, as usual, made an amazing cover.

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  7. Thank you, and I have to agree, that cover really POPS!

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