TARNISHED
Erica Rose Eberhart
GENRE: Fantasy
BLURB:
In the struggling city of Braewick, a determined 20-year-old gate guard named Ailith MacCree longs for a chance at financial stability and adventure. Little does she know, her wish is about to come true. She accepts a mission from Princess Greer that promises both: escort Princess Caitriona to the Endless Mountains to meet the enigmatic hermit for a great financial reward. Ailith jumps at the opportunity and bids goodbye to all she's ever known. But as they journey together, Ailith discovers that Caitriona holds a dangerous secret-she possesses powerful magic in a kingdom where magic is outlawed.
Ailith and Caitriona face mysterious attacks and supernatural challenges. But as they delve deeper into the treacherous landscape, Ailith learns of Caitriona's tragic past and the dark curse that threatens her very existence.
With rebellion brewing in Braewick, and the oppressive king hot on their trail, Ailith must not only navigate her growing feelings for Caitriona, but also fight against relentless foes. As they race against time to stop the curse, Ailith and Caitriona uncover shocking truths about their kingdom, their families, and themselves.
Will their burgeoning romance survive the trials ahead? Can they break the curse and save their homeland from tyranny? Join Ailith and Caitriona on a thrilling quest filled with magic, danger, and heart-pounding adventure. Fans of high-stakes fantasy will not want to miss this epic tale.
Excerpt:
Pushing the thought away, ignoring her hands and how they both frightened and fascinated her, she attempted to move Ailith. An arrow stuck out from the guard’s left arm muscle and her shirt rapidly turned red from the graze on her side.
It was the fall from the horse that worried Caitriona most. Ailith moaned beneath Caitriona’s urging to get her to her feet, her head rolled backwards, her brown eyes dark with dilated pupils. “Ailith, I’ve got you. Just walk when I do. That’s right, one foot after another.”
As she stumbled forward, pulling Ailith along, Caitriona looked at the ring of fire that guarded them and to the sky where the smoke rose. More crows flashed overhead, flying ever north, and Caitriona turned her sights in that direction, willing the flames with her mind to spread outward and release the earth to create a pathway for them.
As the fire bowed and stepped backward, listening dutifully to its maker, Caitriona shifted Ailith’s weight against her and found no inkling of surprise that the flames were so easily persuaded—this magic fire of her own making. She allowed the blaze to follow behind as a heated entourage and moved northward with her guard held tight against her side.
To the men beyond the flames, unable to tame the fire no matter their method, they saw the princess moving forward with the determined step of a queen wearing a crown of smoke.
Pros and Cons of Writing in my Genre
I always knew I would be a fantasy writer. Fantasy is a genre that I'm most comfortable with, one that I have read the most of, and something that comes more easily for me than any other genre. There's such a broad world to create in fantasy and you can truly do anything. I feel that is the greatest attribute to writing fantasy. You can do what you please. The con? You have to back it up. There has to to be a justifiable reason why certain things exist and if you do not explain it, then your story loses strength. In Tarnished magic is a feared thing. Ok, why? Because it's been outlawed by the royal family for two generations, nearly three. Well why did they outlaw it? No one knows--but you can't just let that reason sit. Surely someone knows and I have to support that through my writing and display those kings as cruel, hateful men who are afraid of what they can't understand. This may not be the exact reason that magic was outlawed, but it's an agreeable excuse that is acceptable not only for the characters but for the readers alike.
I adore that I can stretch reality and create new worlds through fantasy (there is a pro once more), but ensuring it all makes sense and there aren't many gaping holes can be the con. The amount of notes I've taken about the world of Visennore is lengthy and detailed and much of it doesn't even appear in the novel. Still I have it set aside to ensure while drafting all three books that I remained consistent with the world and its rules. For someone who likes to take notes and create histories, writing fantasy is the place to be. For others who struggle with notes and details such as this, it could be a con. All in all, it depends on the author and what they enjoy. I'm one of those people who love creating lush details and having history written down behind the scenes, so it works for me.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Erica Rose Eberhart grew up in the Catskills region and spent many formative years in both Eastern Pennsylvania and Northern Virginia. She now resides with her family and cat in the Finger Lakes region of New York. A technical editor by trade, she has a Master’s degree in English and Creative Writing. Erica has written stories since she was able to write sentences and has found comfort in fantasy her entire life, whether by consuming fantastical stories or creating her own. Beside the comfort of books, Erica adores nature walks, crocheting, embroidery, cats, baking and autumn. You can follow her many adventures on social media @ericaroseeberhart. Tarnished is her first published novel.
Connect with Erica Rose Eberhart
Website ~ Instagram ~ TikTok ~ Goodreads ~ Threads ~ Bluesky
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6 comments:
Thank you for hosting today.
I like the excerpt. Thanks for sharing.
I liked the excerpt.
Fun excerpt. Like the background of why you like to write fantasy books.
This looks like a very good book and I look forward to reading it.
Very intriguing book cover!
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