Aaaand it’s available, in e-book as well as in paperback format. Now what can you expect?
As I already told you, it features a flawless, relentless hero. The story is set in a country known as the Joined Realm, which consists of three parts – the Mountains, the Woodlands, and the Planes. The human races inhabiting those parts are distinguishable by the color of their hair and skin. Mountain folk range from white as chalk, through various nuances of gray, to black as obsidian. People from the Woodlands come in mottled greens and browns, and Planes people in shades of green. If their bloods are mingled… well, you’ll see.
The main character is a Mountain man called Ash, named for the tree, because that’s what he is – a Tree, one of the Realm’s elite soldiers, and also the Prince’s Man, guard and guardian of the King’s firstborn son and heir. A prankster at heart, Ash is as quick to smile as he is willing to fight and die for his convictions and the people he’s sworn to protect. His story touches upon such issues as loyalty and trust, freedom versus safety, and the questioning of lifelong beliefs. The main theme, though, is hope and the things we’re willing to do to maintain it.
Here’s a snippet, to lure you in…
He quickly washed and put his breeches on. The door opened again as he was fumbling for his shirt.
“His Highness wishes to see you,” a different servant informed him, and upon taking in the scene before him added, “Right away, I’m afraid.”
“Coming,” Ash said, pulling the shirt over his head.
Hurriedly adding his tabard and sword belt, he ran after the servant. His boots were standing outside his door. He grabbed them, shoved first his right, then his left foot in, then froze.
“You can’t be serious,” he growled. Expelling one deep breath, he directed his attention at the two Trees guarding the Prince’s chambers.
“Be so kind as to let Corporal Birch know that I will kill him as soon as I can spare the time,” he told them, his voice as calm and polite as he could muster.
Both men bowed, their expressions perfectly blank.
His gait a little stiff, Ash walked into the Prince’s salon. His left boot squelched with every step he took.
Prince Caradan lounged on a settee, an opulent breakfast spread out on a low table before him. He snapped his fingers at the valet fussing over him, and at the silent guard in the corner. “I wish to be alone with my Man.”
Both men nodded, and removed themselves.
The Prince pointed at the floor next to the table. “Sit,” he commanded. “I have no intention of straining my neck just to speak to you.”
“Of course, my Prince.”
Ash crossed the short distance, but before he could lower himself to the carpet, the Prince held up a hand.
“What is this noise?” he inquired.
Ash hesitated. “From the feeling of it, I would guess oatmeal, Your Highness.”
“Oatmeal? In your boots?”
“Only the left one, Your Highness.”
“Is this a joke?”
“The practical kind, Your Highness.”
Curious now? Go here if you want more. I hope you’ll enjoy reading the book as much as I did writing it.
Angelika Rust 
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