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Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Friday, March 6, 2020

they have to win! Gifts of Fire and Ice (The Firenight Prophecies #1) by Darren Boeck

Gifts of Fire and Ice is book one of the FireNight Prophecies. It brings the Fire Empire into focus just as it is starting to unravel. Noble Bloodlines seek to weaken the emperor's grasp, pulling in Valinet, Serg, and even the emperor's own children. They must play every hand they have to win. 

Description:

Published: March 2nd, 2020

The Gift of Fire to Save Us... 
The Gift of Fire to Awaken Us... 

Valinet is a gifter. She's good with fire magic, but little does she know she is one of the most powerful gifters of the empire. Torn between the life she knows and one that she does not, Valinet and her brother Serg, must decide if they will brave the dangers of the Middle Desert to seek protection in Windfall. 

With their lives turned upside down, they must find their own path within the empire. Pushed apart by fate, they struggle to stay connected to one another, while noble Bloodlines seek their own ambitions. Are the Bloodlines seeking Valinet? Will they seek to employ her or try to take her power? Can serg keep himself out of the watchful eyes of the Bloodlines? 

Gifts of Fire and Ice is book one of the FireNight Prophecies. It brings the Fire Empire into focus just as it is starting to unravel. Noble Bloodlines seek to weaken the emperor's grasp, pulling in Valinet, Serg, and even the emperor's own children. They must play every hand they have to win. 

EXCERPT

Regel tested the shackles on his wrists while they walked. There didn’t seem to be any way to get them off without the key. He knew which guard had the key, the one with the old, white scar on his left cheek. But how was he going to overpower a half dozen guards and get the keys before more guards came? He needed the other two men to work with him, but that seemed to be a lost hope.

“Where are you taking us?” Regel asked the guards.

“We are taking you out to get some exercise,” responded the guard nearest him. One of the other guards snickered softly, apparently finding it amusing.

“You know,” said Regel, “I don’t feel like exercise today. Could I perhaps go back to my cell, and we can do this in the morning?”

“Sorry, captain’s orders. We are to take you three out to the courtyard to let you get some sun and exercise,” stated the same guard.

“Yeah, you guys have been locked up too long,” spoke a second guard. “It will do you some good to get some exercise. Maybe stretch a little and loosen a little tension in your necks.”
Two of the guards snickered at that statement. Well, he wasn’t stupid. Regel knew what they meant to do to them in the courtyard. It was time to look for any opening, and maybe he would have to scream for help.

The guards marched them down the long hall and through two sets of doors before they came to an archway leading out into a small courtyard. Two of the guards moved ahead of the others and entered first. The other four pushed them along from behind. They hastily stepped out into the sunshine. It was more of a back alley than an open courtyard.

Without wasting any time, two of the men grabbed Jemen first and stood him near the wall. The guard who must be in charge spoke. “You have been charged with being a user of ice magic. You have been found guilty and are hereby sentenced to death. Do you have any last words, icer?”

Jemen looked at the guards and then at his surroundings, but just hung his head in defeat. The two guards forced him to his knees, and a third guard stepped forward. Regel scanned the situation. Ok, three of them were occupied with Jemen. Another guard held his shackles, and a fifth held Foster’s. The guard who seemed to be in charge stood off to the side. This might be his only chance, he thought.
The two guards holding Jemen leaned him forward while the third guard drew out his short sword. Just as he swung the blade over his head to gain momentum, Regel whirled around and brought his arms up to the guard holding his shackles….

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About the author:
Darren Boeck is an avid reader of both science fiction and fantasy novels. Having spent decades reading them, he finally decided to put pen to paper (or keyboard to word processor) and wrote his own. With a Master's degree in Cyber Security and way too many hours behind the glow of a computer screen, he has taken a leap from the logic of the computer realm into a realm of YA fantasy. When not working on this current series, he can be found navigating life with his wife, four daughters, and two dogs. 

Author's Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

39 comments:

Betul E. said...

This sounds really good, and I love the cover.

CJ said...

Looks like an interesting read.... Thanks for sharing the excerpt with all of us! :)

Darren Boeck said...

Betul,

Thanks for taking a look. I would love to heear your feedback once you have read it.

Darren Boeck said...

CJ,

Thank you for taking a look at it. I hope you can find the time to read it and I would enjoy discussing the book anytime.

tetewa said...

I'd like to read this one!

Darren Boeck said...

tetewa,

I do hope you will take the time to read it. I'd love to hear what you think.

Jennifer L. said...

I like the cover. And the book sounds really good.

Darren Boeck said...

Jennifer,

Thank you for looking at my book. I would be excited to hear your feedback after you have read it.

abfantom said...

I like the cover. It has very nice artwork.

abfantom at yahoo dot com

billwinsbig said...

My daughter would enjoy this book

SexyBrat said...

Looks like a pre-teen book.

Anonymous said...

This sounds really awesome! Thanks for the opportunity to win.

Darren Boeck said...

abfantom,

Thank you, the artwork really helps to bring the book alive.

Darren Boeck said...

billwinsbig,

I hope your daughter will take the time to read it. I'm always interested in feedback.

Darren Boeck said...

SexyBrat,

The book is YA Epic Fantasy. Not pre-teen really, more teen to adult, coming of age. Meaning my target audience is YA/Adult.

Darren Boeck said...

Sandy,

Thanks for taking the time to look at it and I look forward to feedback once you read it.

clc408 said...

Thank you for sharing the excerpt. It sounds like an interesting story.

Christina Gould said...

The FireNight Prophecies sounds like a fun series. Thanks for the giveaway!

Darren Boeck said...

clc408,

Thank you for taking a look at my book. I would love your feedback after reading it.

Darren Boeck said...

Christina,

I hope you will take the time to read it and good luck with the giveaway.

tatertot374 said...

I really like the cover. Great job! Thank you!

Darren Boeck said...

tatertot374,

Thank you, I have been getting a lot of positive feedback on the cover. I feel it is a perfect fit.

EclecticZebra said...

I like the title and the artwork seems to fit perfectly. Oldest 'big kid' would love this! I don't have the time to read too often, and say I can't get past a food label but this I would read as well. no19034770@yahooDOTcom

Darren Boeck said...

EclecticZebra,

Thank you for your opinion on the title and artwork. I'm sorry that you don't find the time to read too often, but hope that your oldest 'big kid' does find the time. If they like YA/Adult Epic Fantasy, this should be a good fit.

Darren Boeck said...

If anyone picks up my ebook anytime between today and April 30th, I will be donating all royalties to the WHO-COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.

Find other authors doing the same in a group we just started:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2557500247795922/

Yipperbear said...

Interesting.

Darren Boeck said...

Thank you Yipperbear, I hope you will find time to read it. I would love your feedback.

tiago rosado said...

What do you think of the book or the cover?

its a cool cover,its seems a good medieval design

THX

Danielle said...

Sounds amazing!

Darren Boeck said...

tiago,
Thanks for asking. I love the cover. As for the book, I think anyone picking it up will find it to be a really good read. Reviews have been great.

Darren Boeck said...

Danielle,

My book is worth picking up and reading. It's always tough with a new author, but I am sure you will be presently surprised.

Anna Josefin Bergman said...

Sounds good.

Darren Boeck said...

Thanks Anna, I think it is and would love to hear your feedback after reading it :)

freakdujour said...

Intriguing cover- I like it!

Darren Boeck said...

Thank you freakdujour. The book itself is pretty good too :)

yellowlabs said...

I like the book cover and this sounds like an interesting read!

Darren Boeck said...

Thank you yellowlabs, I appreciate you taking a look. Let me know what you think of the book after you read it :).

Sand said...

Looks like a great cover!

Darren Boeck said...

Thank you Sand, I hope you will give the book a read as well.