Last time I posted about the new Chronicles of Alburnium series, we met the main characters of Blood and Water- book one. 

Today, I want to share some about the opposition team. In the Grimm's Fairytale of the Maiden Without Hands, there is a wizard, in some version, or sorcerer, in others, while a few even call him Satan. Which fits, really.

This wizard follows the young maiden hero all through the story, trying to make her life miserable. Doesn't that sound familiar? 

Anyway, I decided to use the term interchangeably and crated a master wizard who belongs to a group of rebel wizards that call themselves The Brethren Order. Wizards, in this story, are for the most part a mix of human and creature, though that is not always the case. These half-breed races have special powers and some use them for good, while others use them for their own personal gain. 

This is the group we will meet in the first story: Blood and Water. 

​First, let's meet Fajer the Conjurer. 

If you missed meeting our heroes, check out this post.

​It all started with a Miller's daughter.

The Maiden Without Hands is about the daughter of a Miller family who was inadvertently traded to a Wizard for a pile of gold. 

The girl in the story has a gentle, patient heart. So, first I needed to find the perfect name and ended up with Kardia who is a Sano, or healing mender. This means she can heal by touch, a gift that's very rare and highly sought after by the Wizarding community.

​Kardia comes from the tiny hamlet of Goia that's located on the far outreaches of the Rodonal Province. Goia has been forgotten and left abandoned. A prime target for a wizard seeking a way in to overtake the Province. 

​It's those left on the outside that are often the ones the enemy picks off first. 

For those of us who have a tendency to sweep unpleasantness under the carpet, or shove the uglies of our life in a closet, I have a few thoughts on this matter.

A matter, I'm guilty of myself. 

Because, pushing the bad, sinful, hurtful things aside makes living life easier.

Doesn't it?

I'm not so sure. 

I recently did a exclusive release of a prequel short story to introduce my new series, The Chronicles of Alburnium.  Veiled Blossom introduces Miltie during her trip to Aloblase with her new husband, Tarlton.

As I've shared before, The Lionhearted Province is the first three books that are a retelling of the Maiden Without Hands. While I wrote Blood and Water, Miltie's early story began taking shape. And when I came across another Grimm's fairytale called the Riddle Tale, well, something clicked. 

If you've not claimed your copy, it's not too late. I'm offering it for free to all of my reader friends. If you're looking for a short, feel-good read, go grab your copy of Veiled Blossom. 

Coming June 30th... the first in my three book Lionhearted Province tales-- Blood and Water will release.
Until then... enjoy this little sample. 
​And please, come back here and let me know what you thought. 

It seemed like I was at odds with everyone. Arguments flew back and forth daily. I felt discontent and disappointed in myself. And I felt the distance between me and God growing like an opening chasm.

My heart had taken a beating. It didn't feel dead, though. But rather prickly.
Don't get too close or you might get poked too.
My greatest desire was to simply be left alone.
And sometimes, the trials of daily life leaves our ground dry and our heart full of thorns. It does mine.
​