Crimson Sun:
Book 1 of the Eyes of Fate
We have all read a story of the naive village boy who leaves home and rises up to learn the way of the sword, get the girl, save the world, and become a hero. But what if he had these things from the start? How will he act when one by one, all of it is taken from him as war seeps into his country?
Enter my first novel and part 1 in the Eyes of Fate Trilogy which is now completely FREE on Amazon. Set off on the adventure without hesitation and may Fate keep you ever in His hands…
FROM THE BACK COVER:
A long-lasting treaty is shattered. The horns of war echo from the eastern shores. A conflict is triggered that will determine the outcome of all life in the Hidden Lands. None can know the will of Fate. His watchful eye governs the flow of history and the sister blades He crafted triggers the rise and fall of nations.
Caleb Rambrant is the son of the famed hero of the west, the man who slew the dark sage. As captain in the forces of Tritus, his duty is to defend the homeland from the onslaught of Talgoth, the rising kingdom led by the Lioness – the merciless Queen Tamara.
Joined by a blacksmith’s daughter, hex-casting wardens, and a mysterious shape shifter from across the sea, Caleb sets off on a quest of retribution for the wrongs done to his country…but forces more hostile than foreign steel await them on the road.
The struggle of power kindled by the sister blades begins a new cycle…and Fate is watching.
BEHIND THE SCENES:
I wanted to write since I was very young but until late 2010 had only dabbled in freewriting and short stories. Once I determined to really give it an honest shot, what began as a basic outline quickly grew into a much larger concept that would span three books. I hesitated at the idea of committing to such a large project as my first foray but ultimately decided to go for it. At its core, the trilogy would be based on three central ideas: First, that ‘fate’ was an actual deity the characters would have to defy. Can choices truly alter a set course of destiny? Second, that there would be no ‘villains’. That is to say that by the end of the total story arc, the line between good and evil would be dissolved and both the protagonists and antagonists would have clear and relatable motives for their actions. And third, I wanted to deliver a story that could convey the atmosphere and scope of massive fantasy sagas like the Wheel of Time but in a quicker, more accessible way. Whether I achieved something to that effect is entirely up to you.
After a 5 year personal quest to learn the craft of fiction writing, then write, revise and rewrite, my first novel was born. I truly hope it provides you with the same sense of adventure it brought me while writing it…with a little less blood, sweat and tears!
TRIVIA:
- I committed to finish the first draft of Crimson Sun by the end of 2011. My computer conveniently broke down mere hours before midnight so I was forced to finish on my mother-in-law’s ancient computer in a sewing closet. I finished the draft twenty minutes before midnight.
- There are several hidden references to my favorite band, Metallica along with other 80’s metal bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. Can you spot some of them?
- The character Palson was never in the original story concept and was created on the spot to introduce another main antagonist. In earlier drafts he was cowardly and weak but as you know if you’ve read the book, he turned out to be quite different and even central to the story!
- I got the idea for the ‘City of Fire’ while driving home from work one evening. I was blinded by the setting sun’s reflection on large houses built against the side of the Rocky Mountains on the east side of the Salt Lake Valley. The light was so blinding, it nearly caused me to crash.