Seer of the Wildwood, Book 1 in the Bonded Realms Series
September 9, 2024, from Edwards and Williams
She might be his prize, but she can see things he can't, like a future together.
Marya Santelyn, pampered daughter of the Merchant's Guild, hides a secret. A power stirs within her, one that could destroy everything she holds dear, or save it. When her ability to see the future becomes too apparent for comfort, the spunky Marya takes matters into her own hands and runs, right into the arms of the enemy.
Tam Randene, warrior of the ancient race that makes the mysterious wildwood their home, never expected one of his tribe's sworn enemies to request his aid to escape her pursuers, but he swiftly recognizes Marya's value. The land of Alyna hasn't had a seer in generations. The man who protects her would have a powerful ally, and the man who wins her heart could well rule all.
Captive among his tribe, Marya begins to learn how to embrace her gift even as she begins to feel far too at home with Tam's rambunctious family. As her visions become increasingly more dire, she and Tam realize that danger is coming to Alyna, danger that will require her people and his to band together to survive. Can she convince her people to listen, or will they tear her from Tam's arms?
Tropes: City girl/country boy, from different worlds, fish out of water, pulled out of your life, forced proximity, spunky heroine, brooding hero, found family, true love
Reviews
- FIVE STARS! "I was hooked on the very first page and practically inhaled the entire story. I simply could not force myself to stop reading. I cannot recommend this story highly enough." Huntress Reviews
- "An enchanting adventure filled with romance, suspense, and a captivating world that will leave you anxiously awaiting the next books in the series. I loved every word of Seer of the Wildwood!" Hott Books
- "Seer of the Wildwood was an adventure from beginning to end. The world building is extensive with characters who have fascinating abilities…The romance was complex and believable." Awarded the GEM for one of the best books of 2024. Kathy's Review Corner
- "I just couldn't put the book down. Well-written and detailed fantasy world, people, cultures, and creatures had me on page one." Inky Quill by Suzie
- "Once you begin this, you won't be able to put this fantasy book down." Cris Hoxie Reviews
A Little Taste
He slowed as they came into the shadows. The trees were thick enough here that little sunlight penetrated. But that meant the undergrowth struggled, leaving the ground bare of all save little caps and mosses. He put a finger to his lips in caution, then eased their way between the trunks, looping back toward the second, deeper pool below the waterfall.
At the edge of the wood, he crouched beside a pinkberry bush, sunlight through the jagged-edged leaves making a pattern of lace on her face. He tipped up his chin toward the creature splashing in the pool. Its dark brown hide was sleek from the water, and drops fell from the branches of its antlers like beads of glass.
"What is it?" she murmured.
The creature's head came up, luminous blue gaze darting around as if trying to spy them. Then it dove, disappearing into the depths.
"Water elk," Tam said, rising. "It will not return until it senses we have gone. I will have to tell Luri's mate, Yul, we spotted it. He is a Water-Kin. If he can approach it, he might be able to capture it."
She rounded on him. "Must you capture or kill everything?"
Tam recoiled from the fire in her eyes. "I kill only what my family needs to survive, and I always thank the Creator for the provision. Yul will not harm the water elk. If he can rope the beast, it will carry him to the other side of the Cauldron, where the liniment plant grows. Body-Kin use its elixir to ease the pain of aging or broken bones. Would you have me allow my grandmother to suffer?"
She puffed out a sigh and looked away. "No, of course not."
He put a finger to her chin and gently brought her gaze back to his. "I am sorry you feel caged here. But you are safest with me."
She raised her brows and regarded him.
He started laughing, lifting his hands in surrender. "Very well. You are safe with me, but it is possible you would be safer with your priests. After all, you would be locked in stone and surrounded by guards all of the time." He waved a hand. "But you'd miss all this!"
A reluctant smile tugged at her lips. "The mountains are lovely, much more so than I had imagined."
"Then you admit there are advantages to living here."
She glanced at the shadows behind them. "Yes, but I cannot forget the danger."
"Nothing will harm you," he assured her, "so long as you are with me."
Connected Books
Seer of the Wildwood is followed by
And learn more about Marya's friend, Princess Lili, in Princess of the Shadows, a special prequel to the Bonded Realms series, available only to newsletter subscribers.