Master of Restless Shadows
Author: Ginn Hale
Publisher: Blind Eye Books
Release Date: October 8, 2019
Series: The Cadeleonian series, Volume 5
Genre: Epic/High Fantasy, Romance, LGBTQ
Snippet:
“But here in the capital there are so many petty bullies who throw minor titles around that it grows tiresome and ridiculous. Particularly when all one desires is to engage in an honest conversation. Men known to each other by their given names can say what they like and tell one another when their thinking is right and when it’s utter bullsh*t. But give one of the two the title of prince and the other the rank of footman and all that is lost.”
“Yours is an interesting argument, Lord Vediya, but one inherently flawed by your lordly perspective. In the case of your footman and his prince I would suspect that honest conversation would be whatever the prince decided it is, regardless of how the footman addresses him. It’s a conceit of the prince’s that his footman would be so easily fooled into forgetting which of the two of them can have the other hanged for his familiarity.”
Lord Vediya’s expression turned playful and he leaned even closer in toward Narsi. The very faint perfume of rose oil drifted from him.
“I will concede that point. But let us suppose,” Lord Vediya suggested, “that the prince has arrived disguised as a common man and struck up a conversation with a footman in a tavern.”
“Then the prince has already engaged in deceit and once again there is not an honest exchange by both parties.” Narsi leaned in as well.
“What then if the prince has lived in exile as a common man for a decade?”
“Then I would say that he’s gone to a great deal of trouble just to chat up a footman,” Narsi replied.
“Ha! As witty as you are winsome, aren’t you?” Lord Vediya eyed him with a much too overt expression of appreciation. And Narsi knew at once that no desire lay behind it, only the wish to fluster him.
“Befuddling me with flattery still won’t win you the argument, my lord.”
Lord Vediya laughed again, but this time it wasn’t the practiced display of a courtier. A genuine snort escaped Lord Vediya. Narsi felt relieved knowing at least that had not been stripped from Lord Vediya over the years.
“Very well, I concede the debate. However, I still insist that you call me Atreau.”
About the Book:
Freshly graduated Master Physician Narsi Lif-Tahm has left his home in Anacleto and journeyed to the imposing royal capitol of Cieloalta intent upon keeping the youthful oath he made to a troubled writer. But in the decade since Narsi gave his pledge, Atreau Vediya, has grown from an anonymous delinquent to a man renowned for penning bawdy operas and engaging in scandalous affairs.
What Narsi―and most of the larger world―cannot know is the secret role Atreau plays as spymaster for the Duke of Rauma.
After the Cadeleonian royal bishop launches an unprovoked attack against the witches in neighboring Labara, Atreau will require every resource he can lay his hands upon to avert a war. A physician is exactly what he needs. But with a relentless assassin hunting the city and ancient magic waking, Atreau fears that his actions could cost more than his own honor. The price of peace could be his friends’ lives.
Purchase links:
Amazon : Blind Eye Books : Smashwords
About the Author:
Ginn Hale lives with her lovely wife in the Pacific Northwest. She spends the many cloudy days observing plants and fungi. She whiles away the rainy evenings writing fantasy and science-fiction featuring LGBTQ protagonists. Her first novel, Wicked Gentlemen, won the Spectrum Award for best novel. She is also a Lambda Literary Award finalist and Rainbow Award winner.
Her most recent publications include the Lord of the White Hell, Champion of the Scarlet Wolf and The Rifter Trilogy: The Shattered Gates, The Holy Road, His Sacred Bones.
Author contact links:
Ginn can be reached through her website: www.ginnhale.com as well as on Facebook and Twitter. Her Instagram account, however, is largely a collection of botanical photos…so, be warned.