Merlyn’s Raven
By Rose Vanden Eynden
Soul Mate Publishing
Short Blurb
For a young
woman, falling in love is the ultimate magic. But what if the object of her
affection is Merlyn, destined to be King Arthur’s legendary advisor? Can
Gwendydd work her own magic to capture the heart of the world’s most powerful
enchanter, or will her desire destroy her and the people she loves most?
Back Cover Blurb
Falling in love
is the ultimate magic. For Gwendydd, a young woman in 5th century
Wales, it seems an unobtainable fantasy. She dreads the day her chieftain
grandfather will marry her off to increase his allies among the warring tribes
of Britain. When she meets the mysterious and handsome druid apprentice
Myrddin, Gwendydd realizes just how difficult falling in love can be. The ire
of her disapproving grandfather is not her only obstacle. Myrddin’s clairvoyant
visions of a king who will unify the battling tribes and bring peace to the
land become a dangerous obsession that threatens to obliterate their union. Can
Gwendydd support her beloved, the man destined to become the world’s most
powerful enchanter, King Arthur’s legendary Merlyn? Or will her devotion
destroy her and everything she holds dear?
About the Author:
Rose Vanden Eynden has always
believed in magic, which probably explains how she is able to be a writer as
well as a wife, mother, medium, massage therapist, minister, and instructor.
She resides in a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, twin teenaged
sons, and a dachshund named after Rudyard Kipling. In her spare (!) time, she
enjoys performing in live theatre, watching films, reading, and walking in the
woods. An avid believer in a balanced life, she meditates and eats chocolate
daily.
Light Journey Enterprises
www.vandeneynden.biz
Read Rose's blog, STANDING BETWEEN THE WORLDS www.vandeneynden.biz/blog
Rose's books, available at all major bookstores:
SO YOU WANT TO BE A MEDIUM? A DOWN TO EARTH GUIDE
METATRON: INVOKING THE ANGEL OF GOD'S PRESENCE
ASK A MEDIUM: ANSWERS TO YOUR
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SPIRIT WORLD
Do you Twitter? Follow
Rose: http://twitter.com/RoseofAvalon
Rose on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RoseVandenEyndenOfficial
Look for Rose's first novel,
MERLYN'S RAVEN, coming April 17, 2012 from Soul Mate Publishing.
Merlyn’s Raven
Excerpt
By Rose Vanden Eynden
It was nearly impossible to face Myrddin the next
day. When I brought the meal to the druid quarters, he tried to draw me out
with jokes and questions, but my short responses and melancholy looks
eventually silenced him. Blaise seemed oblivious to it all and, after eating a
light meal, retired to the comfort of his private chamber. I walked to the
drying table and took up the pestle, throwing a weed I couldn’t recognize into
the mortar and grinding it without thought.
I felt Myrddin watching me, his bewilderment
palpable in the air, but I did not dare glance his way. I feared collapsing
into tears or, worse, confessing my undying love to his great embarrassment. He
would know about Lot soon enough, but how could I hide my distress from him
without telling him my true feelings? Tears stung my eyes as I pounded the
herbs until a hand stayed mine.
“Gwendydd, stop. You’ll shatter the poor mortar, and
then what shall we do?”
His tone was light, and it made me angry. I tore my
arm away and heaved the pestle across the room. It sprayed dried leaves in an
arc across the table as it flew before striking the wall with a sharp ring. “I
cannot bear you making fun of me today, Myrddin.”
“I was not making fun. I was trying to distract you
from whatever poisons your thoughts.” He reached to touch my shoulder, but I
darted away, keeping my face turned askance. I knew if I looked into his eyes,
I would lose any control that I had. “Come, what is it?”
I sighed. Sooner or later, he would hear anyway, and
had I not told him the truth in all? “My grandfather has found a husband for
me. He comes now from Lothian, to be here at Christmastime.”
“I see.” A long pause followed.
Eternal moments later, I could bear it no longer. I
whirled towards him, my anger stoked again. “Is that all you can say?”
Myrddin spread his hands in a gesture of
acquiescence. “What do you want me to say?”
“You know how unhappy this makes me. How much I hate
that I have no say in this, that I must instead be the dutiful granddaughter
made into the obedient wife. How can you stand by and watch me suffer?”
“Do you expect me to stop it?” He cocked his head to
one side, scowling. “You are the only one who can control your life, Gwendydd.
Have you learned nothing in these last months I’ve been instructing you?”
“But that’s a lie!” I shouted. “It’s a lie that I
have control. Is that not what magick is, mastery over circumstance? How can I
control anything when I am not even the mistress of my own life?”
He took a step toward me, his voice firm. “Of course
you have control. It is hard to see now, but there are things you can do. You
always have a choice.”
“You’re wrong. I’ve been given no choice here, and
it hurts more than you can possibly understand.” I stalked to the door of the
chamber and threw it open, trying to check the shaking in my hands so that he
would not see my weakness. “I believe our lessons are at an end.”
He frowned. “What do you mean? This does not need to
change—“
“Yes, it does. The purpose of these lessons was to
make me more attractive to a suitor. Now that Grandfather has promised me to
Lord Lot, there is no need for me to study further.” I looked him in the eye,
all my tears dried in the wake of my fury. “I thank you, Lord Merlyn, for your
guidance. I know that what I have learned will make me a better wife.” I spit
out the last word, spun on my heel, and dashed from his sight before he could
protest. I headed straight for my chambers and did not emerge until the next
morning, promising myself I would cry no more. I was empty inside.
The cover grabbed me right away. I don't see much romance in 1st person POV, and look forward to reading this one.
ReplyDelete