Blurb:
Three Moon Summoned women. Ashiera the Seer who controls the winds and sees into the thoughts of others. Dian the Warrior who controls fire and fights with the sword. Egeria the Healer who controls fluids and heals those who are injured. They are joined in their battle by Sieper a sailor who knows the winds, Kobe once sworn to the Lord of Shadows and Jetan a healer of animals. These three vow to help the three women against those sworn to Evil.
Lugal the Cabal reads the winds and thoughts. Sargon the Gladius controls fire and the armies of the Lord of Shadow. Lugal the Cabal has knowledge of herbs and uses them for evil. These three with their cohorts will face the three and three sworn to the Mistress of the Moons.
Editorial Review: Janet Lane Walters has written a story that will take you to another time and place. She gives vivid descriptions of her characters and their role in this story. Ms. Walters has constructed a civilization so real that you will feel its very existence. A place where men rule women as chattel for their sexual needs, and three evil rulers who drain their bodies of their very essence for spells and to gain power. There is betrayal and treachery inside of plots, as each priest plans to rule alone. Ashiera, Egeria, and Dian are bound to the spirits of the ones who came before them. They discover a truth that will astound them, and have them doubting their chosen path. They will experience a love that is forbidden and discover that two stand together better than one. I could feel the emotional struggle between love and destiny, described so passionately by the author. I hope Ms. Walters plans to continue this story. I could feel that this is just the beginning of this tale. Janet Walters book, Moon Bright, Moon Dark will go on my keeper shelf, beside such authors as Charlotte Boyett-Compo and Nancy Gideon. I give this story Five Hearts and recommend it highly. Enjoy!
EXcerpt:
What he had to do
would be difficult. As soon as he reached his father’s stronghold, he would
demand an audience and declare his intention to give up his position as heir
and enter the priesthood. His father had to agree. There were other sons in the
inner court. Since he was her only son, his mother would weep. She would lose
her place as first woman. Still, becoming a champion was a greater challenge
than being a satellite of a father who would live for many years.
A knock startled
him. “Enter,” he said.
A serving woman
dressed in a gauzy chiton bowed her head. Her gown resembled flames, revealing
yet concealing her lush body. “
As he followed her
swaying body down the hall, he repeated the vows he’d taken after he’d drawn
his sword from the elements. “I will take no woman to my bed until I am sworn
to the Lord of Shadows. I will eat no rich food or imbibe fermenti until I can
control my talent. I will wear no fine clothes until I don the silks of the
champions.”
None of his peers
had taken these vows. He had, and he would keep them.
Until recently, he’d
not been tempted to transgress, but during the past few months, the scantily
dressed servants and their musky perfumes had stirred desire. Too often he’d
prayed to move quickly through the ranks and be allowed a woman.
The servant
continued past the door to the hall.
“Rise and join me.”
The Gladius smiled.
“You leave this morning for your father’s stronghold. Is that not so?”
“Yes.”
“What have you
decided?”
“There is no other
choice. My father will have to name another as heir. To deny the gifts given by
the Lord of Shadows would be wrong. To use my talent without proper training
would bring disaster.”
The Gladius saluted
“I’m honored.”
“Your potential is
great, my boy. I’m concerned about this visit you make to your home. Can you
resist the temptations your father will place in your path?”
Sargon smiled. “Well
said. I believe you can resist rich food and strong drink, but I fear you will
be sorely tempted. The women of your father’s inner court are comely and you’re
of an age when the juices flow hot. I’ve watched your gaze follow the serving
women. Heed this warning. To fill a woman’s empty vessel before you’re trained
will sap your talent.”
Light woke her a
second time. Bright sunshine streamed through small windows set high on the
gray stone wall. A woman with brown hair stood beside the cot. Who is she?
Where was this place? If this was a dream, why did the water feel warm and the
cloth rough? The soap smelled of flowers, but the scent was unfamiliar.
She tried to grasp
flickering memories of another time, another place. She caught glimpses of
women in white and heard a wheezing sound. Her eyes opened again.
“Mother, she wakes.”
At first, she had
difficulty making the syllables form words. Slowly she began to understand. A
girl with auburn hair touched her arm.
“Who? Where?” The
words seemed wrong.
“I’m Sammi. This is
the stronghold of Prince Genrai. He’s most anxious that you recover. Who are
you?”
She frowned and
reached for an answer. Two sets of memories collided. “D...Dian. Where’s the
respirator? When will Margo come? Am I well enough for the Olympic trials?”
“What is she talking
about?” The voice belonged to an older woman.
“I don’t know,” the
girl said. “Perhaps those who follow the one I may not name have a secret
language.” She grasped Dian’s hand. “You’re Dian and I’m Sammi. This is Quanta,
my mother and first woman of the prince’s inner court.”
Dian flexed her
fingers and ran her hands along her body. “What have you done to me?”
“You were ill from wound
fever and from a blow to your head. My uncle who is a physician of the
Thamaturg feared you would die. He permitted me to use my small skills on you.”
Dian closed her
eyes. The memories of other times and places were gone. A deep sadness she
couldn’t explain brought tears to her eyes.
“Don’t be afraid,”
Sammi said. “You’ll soon be well.” Her brown eyes glowed. “Mother, may I have
her for my personal attendant? Can she come with me when I leave this court for
the one belonging to the man my father chooses for me?”
“Your father has
other plans for her.” The older woman’s dark eyes glowed with anger. “I don’t
know why he wants her. Genrai prefers women with more flesh.” She shrugged. “No
matter. I’ll send word she’s awake.”
Sammi wrinkled her
nose. “She must have a bath. She smells of illness.”
Quanta laughed. “How
well you know your father. Send for a restorative broth. After she drinks it
have her taken to the baths.”
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4 comments:
Wow - these are both intense, well-written scenes, excellent hooks.
Two great excerpts, Janet!
Wow, intense and well written. Love scenes that makes you feel a part of it. I enjoyed them alot. Got great hooks. Thanks for sharing!
Great scenes. Really enjoyed reading them.
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