The Book
One hundred
years of peace and prosperity. War changes everything.
On the world
of Zaria, Elves, magic and mythical beasts coexist beside rifles and railroads.
The futures of two nations hang in the balance as rebels and revolutionaries
trade gunfire with loyalists and tyrants.
Eadric
Garrard was raised to believe that as the rightful King of Ansgar, his loyal
nobles and fearful subjects answered to his every whim, no matter the cost or
consequence. His decision to send his troops thousands of miles away will test
that fear, and loyalty.
Raedan Clyve
was ordinary until an Elven ritual involving a griffin’s heart turned him into
something more. Twenty years later, he still struggles with the magics that
rage through his body. His mentor holds him back from his full potential and he
faces pressure to find a suitable wife and father an heir.
Hadrian Clyve
has picked up where his father left off and works to expand his family’s
influence amongst the Ansgari nobility. His aggressive negotiation of alliances
and shrewd choice of marriage agreements has earned him respect, and
resentment. When his King calls his troops to arms, Hadrian has other things in
mind.
After a
century of scheming and decades of preparation, Magnus Jarmann is ready to
bring his family’s plans to fruition by launching a war of independence that
will free his people and return his country to its rightful place among the
nations of Zaria. The King’s call to arms creates an opportunity that Magnus
cannot afford to miss.
In a war,
little is held back; in a revolution, nothing is safe.
An Excerpt
The crackle
of musket fire drifted up from the trenches; only a few quick shots at first,
but quickly followed by full volleys. Flashes of light marked the battle in the
trenches and Raedan listened carefully for the command to push his troops
forward. He glanced behind him quickly.
The color
guard stood resolute, the banners of Arndell and the North Griffin Cliffs at
the front of the formation. A half-company of infantry had been assigned to
protect the flags should they come under attack.
Wounded
began to drift back out of the trenches. Some retreated under their own power;
others were carried between two of their fellows. Raedan tried to count the men
fleeing the battle, but quickly lost count.
Finally,
the trumpets sounded again, ordering him forward.
“How's it
look in there?” he asked a retreating officer. The man wore the gaudy orange of
Sea Watch and the stripes of a captain. He had taken a round through his
shoulder and was supporting a corporal that had taken a shot to the leg.
“The
artillery did a job on them,” the captain said. “But they've still got some
fight left.”
“All right,
men! Let's take it to them!” Raedan started toward the trenches at the double
time and his men started to trot after him.
The
earthworks twisted and zagged one way and another, slowly leading the infantry
closer to the fortress that loomed large above. The sun had finally set and
flares were exploding high overhead.
The Giveaway
Joshua will be awarding .mobi copies of his short stories (details
available at www.gunpowderfantasy.com/products) to one commenter at every stop. Grand Prize for one
random commentor and host with the most comments: The Chesian Wars collection
(all published 3 short stories and an additional prelude short story exclusive
to the collection).
Joshua
Johnson is the author of "Gunpowder Fantasy" The Cerberus Rebellion
(due to release in early July) and the creator of the Griffins & Gunpowder
universe. When he isn't working or spending time with his family, he writes
novels, short stories and novellas.
He currently
lives in Northern Illinois with his wife and young son.
Website:
www.gunpowderfantasy.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/authorjkjohnson



Thank you for hosting Joshua today!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the excerpt.
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Thanks for hosting The Cerberus Rebellion!
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