AEL Data Services

Captive Spirits is being featured this week at AEL Data Services  https://www.facebook.com/aeldata
Go there, scroll down just a little way and see what these talented artists did to feature my book. I am totally amazed. 

In their own words:
AEL Data is an IT and ITES company specialized in ePublishing, Mobile apps development, ebooks development, Digitization and eLearning. We are the preferred vendor for most of Europe's biggest educational institutions, libraries and Government bodies.

Go to https://www.facebook.com/aeldata like the page and take a look at AEL Data Services.

Queen Alexis Volcum

On my last post I introduced you to Alexis Zentar Princess of Iskaria. I had so many views I thought I would tell a little more about Alexis. Alexis is my favorite character in Captive Spirits. In fact, she is the one that inspired the title, Captive Spirits.  I hope you enjoy the preview below. 

 Alexis’ father, Romney Zentar was the only Region Head pompous enough to call himself King. The other Region Heads allowed it as long as he did not encroach into their territory. That was just a little back story I didn’t mention before. I did talked about how, before she became Queen Alexis Volcum, Alexis was well known for her beauty and gentleness.

This time I want to introduce you to Queen Alexis of Aztar. She accepted her arranged marriage to Si Volcum.  Before she met her intended she was nervous and apprehensive. After all, Si Volcum was a legend in his own right. He had fought and won many battles in defense of his homeland, Region Elderwood. Si Volcum was a fierce opponent and feared by all his enemies. He was also known for his fairness.

When Alexis and Si were married it did not take long them to fall in love. She was secure in his ability to care for her and their children while maintaining the peace that their union had helped to bring about.  Si found that Alexis beauty and gentleness was what he had missed in his life. He loved his wife and his children more than life itself.

Then, on a day of celebration, Si and their son Lyon disappear.  All of Aztar believe them to be dead. All, that is, except Alexis. Alexis has access to some knowledge that convinces her that her husband is alive. She immediately sends out search parties.

Then something happens. Alexis is found unconscious in her garden. She is alive, but will not awaken. Her brother steps in and claims closest kin and therefore allowed to stand in her place until she awakes, or it becomes obvious she will never waken.

But Alexis does awake. After weeks of sleeping she opens her eyes to a world she does not know, a child she does not remember and a man that calls himself her brother and warns her of a deadly danger to her and her daughter. Worse than all of this, she learns she is Queen in a kingdom at war. 

All Alexis has is her intuition, and her instincts are strong. When she first sees Cordea she sees a beautiful girl of about 13 turns. Her hair is fair and her eyes a beautiful aqua. Cordea runs to her, throws her arm about her and calls her mother. Alexis does not need to be convinced that in her arms is where this child belongs. Though the sight of the child brings no recollection, the fell of Cordea in her arms is all it takes for Alexis to know this is the child of her body. Alexis knows from that point she will risk all to keep her child safe. A man enters the room and is called Uncle Ranuff by Cordea. Alexis instincts again tell her to trust this man as her brother.

Though the gentle Alexis awakes to a strange world of wars and espionage her instincts serve her well. Alexis becomes a Queen no one expects. Alexis becomes a Queen worthy of respect. She rules the kingdom with wisdom and strength. Always in the forefront of her thoughts is Cordea and keeping her safe. Alexis knows that at some point she will have to make decisions that will exact a high price for Cordea’s safety. Like her husband, she will not falter.  She will pay the price.

Alexis Volcum

In my book, Captive Spirits, I do not give the back story for Alexis Zentar or tell how she came to be Queen. So I will do that now.

                                      Alexis Zentar was born to one of the most influential houses of Aztar.

Aztar was once a beautiful world filled with great forest, rolling fields coastal marshlands and a mountain range that provided a safe passage between Regions. Aztar is now a world at war. The war, before Si became King, lasted longer than even the old ones could remember. The land, as if affected by the evil that grips the minds and spirits of the people, was slowly becoming barren.

Alexis' father, while on a trip to explore the Northern Region for fertile land, came across an ancient castle. His suspicion that it was the lost Castle Museth was confirmed when he entered and found a riches of lost script form the Holy Book, Zemeria. The book contained a prophecy so magnificent and so full of promise that King Romney Zentar from the Region Iskaria had no difficulty in proclaiming it was meant for his very own family. He returned and called a meeting of all the Great Houses of Aztar. It was plain to see that a King had to be chosen and that his own gentle and loving daughter would be the mother of the prophesied Deliverer.

Alex, well known for her beauty and gentleness, was at first taken back and frightened to imagine her father would give her in marriage to a man she had never met. The fact that her betroth was the newly elected King only frightened her more. As time grew closer, and she heard stories of her husband to be, her fears lessen. In fact she became intrigued by the stories and began to look forward to their meeting.

When she first saw her new husband her heart flutter with excitement. He was imposingly large. His hands were hard and strong, yet as gently as a soft caress as he lifted her from her carriage. His eyes were dark brown and she fancied she could see straight through to his soul. She liked what she saw. She held her heart close, not wanting to be fooled by pretty words and softly spoken sentiments. To her surprise, there were no pretty words or overly studied speeches. He spoke to her as if she were his equal. He made her feel strong and brave and special. It did not take long for him to win her heart.

As the years passed their love grew and a daughter and a son was born. Alexis had never known such love or happiness. She thanked Father Creator for the blessings he bestowed on her and prayed her children would choose the teachings of the Zemeria over the magic of the Priests.

Her happiness came to an abrupt halt when she awoke to a world she did not know, a child she did not remember a brother that warned her of a dark mystic danger and...she was Queen of a Kingdom on the verge of war.   

King Si Volcum

 Captive Spirits is my newest to be released Fantasy.  It is a story of the Legends of Aztar.  Of all my characters, Si Volcum is my favorite.

The population of Aztar elected Si to be their King. Their world had been in a state of bloody war for a very long time. Their children are being abducted and most people feel they are being killed. Others believe they are held captive somewhere.

The story starts with Si and his young son, Lyon being captured and forced to travel through the caverns to some unknown destination. Si believes he is becoming ill because of the horrific headaches he is suffering. He knows if he is to save his son, he must do something, and soon. Here is an excerpt :

Time moved slowly as the King was led through the caverns. He opened his shirt and cradled Lyon against his skin in an attempt to keep the child warm. There was little food allowed the captives, so Si fed as much of his own portion to Lyon as the child would eat. Each time they were allowed to sleep, Si would rest his back to the cold stone with his knees pulled up, Lyon tucked close to his chest and enfolded warmly in his arms. Still the child would squirm fitfully and call out to his mother in his sleep.
Si held his sleeping son and thought about their captors. It was clear now the three men were hired by someone to steal Lyon away. The only reason he was left alive was to make the transport of the child easier. He realized it was also important that the child arrive well and healthy to the ones behind this abduction.
He prayed to Boc that Alexis and Cordea were safe. He rubbed the sudden painful throb in his temple.  Perhaps the abductors were only after Lyon, but why? I swear I will see the three of you dead.

The pain in his head intensified. I can’t be sick. Not now. Why the Boc am I having these mind dulling head pains now?  Think, what was it Radsnu told me? I must think of something less disturbing, something pleasant? I have to get this pain under control.

Images of the world outside drifted through his mind. He saw tiny flowers in a multitude of colors carpeting the mountainside leaning down from his castle home. He saw Alexis, her fine black hair flowing back from her face as she played with her children in the sunshine. He could see Cordea, small and gentle like her mother, and Lyon’s joyful energy.

Oh, Alexis, do you know by now that we are gone? What are they telling you?  How are you holding up, my love? The pain returned.

To hell with pretty thoughts. He gritted his teeth and turned his gaze to his captors.