‘A fascinating portrait of the women who helped make a dynasty’ The Times ‘Bewitching’ Woman & Home ‘Evocative’ Woman’s Weekly

Fantasy-roman.

A matchless warrior is pitted against a near-God in the second epic installment of the Raven’s Blade series. It has long been our lot in life, brother, to do what others can’t. Vaelin Al Sorna was known across the realm as the greatest of warriors, but he thought battles were behind him. He was wrong. Prophecy and rumor led him across the sea to find a woman he once loved, and drew him into a war waged by the Darkblade, a man who believes himself a god—and one who has gathered a fanatical army that threatens all of the known world. After a costly defeat by the Darkblade, Vaelin’s forces are shattered, while the self-proclaimed immortal and his army continue their terrible march. But during the clash, Vaelin regained some of the dark magic that once gave him unrivaled skill in battle. And though the fight he has been drawn into seems near unwinnable, the song that drives him now desires the blood of his enemy above all else…

Walt discovers a manuscript hidden in the false bottom of a cabinet Maggie bought at a craft fair. The manuscript, written by a woman named Lenore, tells the tragic story of a life filled with abuse, incest, and finally --- murder. Drawn in by the story, Walt becomes entangled with members of the family whose lives mirror characters in many of Edgar Allen Poe's gothic novels. Accompanying Walt on this curious journey is a Raven that guides Walt through the terrifying and often dangerous encounters with this family whose lives are filled with tragedy and remorse. Will Walt prevail or will he succumb to the evil curse that has plagued this troubled family for four generations?

"In The Solitude of Ravens Masahisa Fukase's work can be deemd to have reached its supreme height; it can also be said to have fallen to its greatest depth ... If we attempted to peek any further into the abyss of solitude revealed ... we would probably end up being abstracted in to a side-sweeping storm or else into a flock of ravens covering the sky."--Akira Hasegawa

In the aftermath of Ireland's battle with her ancient enemies, Queen Isolde orders her cousin, smuggler Duncan O'Malley, to assume the throne of fairy as King Finvara. He's a fish out of water when it comes to nurturing the alliance between Ireland's mortal and fairy peoples. And the queen wants him to wed the daughter of Ireland's enemy, the king of Icelandic shadow elves, to help keep the peace. But the Irish think of the elves as goblins, and Finvara refuses. Elven princess Koli, affronted by the king's rejection--along with his decision to bring her to court as little more than a captive--vows vengeance. Shortly after her arrival, she uncovers a plot that would bring swift satisfaction. A dark and powerful fairy lord, Far Dorocha, wants to take Finvara's crown and lead both the fairy and elven people to war against the Irish. And he wants Koli to help him. It's the perfect setup for revenge, but Koli soon discovers that Finvara's not the haughty lord she believed him to be. And as she navigates treacherous waters inside the court, she gets glimpses of the magic and passion that have been slumbering inside her. She must choose a side in the new battle for Ireland--will it be the fearsome father she has served for nearly a century, or the fairy king who has helped awaken her to herself?