E.P. Clark

Love First Lessons or The Bear and the Nightingale? Try both books of this award-winning epic fantasy adventure in one omnibus edition! “A bold beginning to a series that explores gender, empathy, and the frozen north”--Kirkus “A riveting saga”—Midwest Book Review Women rule in Zem’. Krasnoslava Tsarinovna is the second-most powerful woman in Zem’. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have a lot of power. Krasnoslava (Slava to her friends, if she had any) is the younger sister to the Empress of Zem’. She lives in luxury in her sister’s kremlin, eats at her sister’s rich feasts, and sits on her sister’s council. She has everything any woman could want—except respect. Instead, she is the bearer of her family’s double-edged gifts of clairvoyance and empathy. Knowing what other people feel about you is difficult at the best of times. In the Imperial court, it’s torture. When an adventurer comes asking for Imperial support to explore the Midnight Land, the far North where the sun never rises all winter, Slava is so desperate to leave the kremlin that she asks to come with her. To her surprise, her request is granted. Slava’s journey is supposed to take her to the very edge of Zem’ and the Known World, and maybe help her learn more about her gifts. But as she travels North, she finds herself drawn into the center of a plot that could bring down her family. Slava would do anything to protect her family—except what the gods call upon her to do. Everyone has always considered Slava a coward. Will she learn to become a hero in order to save the people she loves?

Complete Omnibus Edition

The Midnight Land

Blood binds spirit and flesh. Love binds souls—or burns them to ash. Dasha’s mission of peace has taken a decidedly warlike turn. On the run from the Rutsi, she ends up in the village of Taikakylä, where magic flows strongly between sea, sky, and stone. But with the Rutsi determined to capture Taikakylä and Dasha herself, there’s no refuge to be found there. Instead, Dasha and her new allies find themselves taking desperate flight in an enspelled ship. It seems they have no weapon but speed—until Dasha’s spirit-bond with her dead lover gives her the promise of hitherto unimagined abilities. Spirit bonds are dangerous things, though. As Dasha’s magical powers grow, so does the danger that she will lose herself. Can Dasha learn to embrace her true gifts of magic, and even if she does, will it be enough? All gifts have their price, and Dasha’s may be higher than she is willing to pay. But with the fate of three peoples on her shoulders, she may not have a choice. The final installment in The Singing Shore trilogy, Spirit and Flame combines adventure, transcendent spiritual exploration, and spicy romance. An uplifting fusion of ecofiction and epic fantasy set in a magical Northern European landscape, The Singing Shore is perfect for fans of The Bear and the Nightingale, The Wolf and the Woodsman, The Priory of the Orange Tree, or anyone who loves subversive, female-centered fantasy. Reading order for The Zemnian Series: The Zemnian Series: Slava’s Story The Midnight Land I: The Flight The Midnight Land II: The Gift The Zemnian Series: Dasha’s Story The Breathing Sea I: Burning The Breathing Sea II: Drowning The Singing Shore I: Sea and Song The Singing Shore II: Sky and Stone The Singing Shore III: Spirit and Flame The Zemnian Series: Valya’s Story The Dreaming Land I: The Challenge The Dreaming Land II: The Journey The Dreaming Land III: The Sacrifice

Spirit and Flame

The Singing Shore III

Some change the world. Some break it. If you loved the Kushiel series or The Priory of the Orange Tree, try this sweeping epic starring a bisexual warrior princess with a taste for dominance! Valya has won permission to hunt down the slave traders defiling her land and stealing its children. Now begins the most difficult part of her mission: she and her companions must find the perpetrators of this crime, and rescue their victims. But as Valya will discover, the roots of the evil go deep. And saving Zemnian children from death or a life of degrading servitude is not Valya’s only concern. She still must win the heart and hand of the son of her worst enemy, and unite the steppe with the rest of the country at a time when the succession and the very life of the Tsarina hangs in the balance. And then there is the question of her daughter’s magical gifts—and, it may be, her own. Like her foremothers, Valya is about to discover that gifts of power are as much a curse as a blessing, and can be a danger not just to the wielder, but to everyone around her. Valya wants to save her homeland, but if she’s not careful, she might end up tearing it apart. With discussion questions at the end. Reading order of the Zemnian Series: The Zemnian Series: Slava’s Story The Midnight Land I: The Flight The Midnight Land II: The Gift The Zemnian Series: Dasha’s Story The Breathing Sea I: Burning The Breathing Sea II: Drowning The Zemnian Series: Valya’s Story The Dreaming Land I: The Challenge The Dreaming Land II: The Journey The Dreaming Land III: The Sacrifice

The Journey

The Dreaming Land II

Dasha is a gift from the gods. Only she’s not very gifted. Bronze Medal, Epic Fantasy, Readers' Favorite Book Awards 2018. Finalist, Golden Book Awards 2018. Official Selection, E-Book Fantasy, New Apple Book Awards 2018. Second Place, Epic Fantasy, Virtual FantasyCon 2017. Eighteen years ago, Dasha’s mother made a bargain with the gods. She would bear a gods-touched child, one who would stand on the threshold between the worlds, human and divine. Dasha is that child, now almost ready to become a woman, and one day take her mother’s place as Empress of all of Zem’. But Dasha is shy, lonely, and one of the least magically inclined girls in the Known World. Instead she has fits and uncontrollable visions. When she sets off with her father on her first journey away from her home kremlin, she hopes she will finally find someone who can help her come into her powers. But those whom she finds only want to use her instead. What will it take for her to unlock the abilities hidden within her, and take up her proper place in the world? The sequel to the award-winning novel The Midnight Land, The Breathing Sea returns to the land of Zem’, where animals speak, trees walk, and women rule. Filled with allusions to Russian history, literature, and fairy tales, this subversive combination of satire and high fantasy will appeal to fans of Deathless and The Bear and the Nightingale. With discussion questions at the end. Reading order for the Zemnian Series: The Zemnian Series: Slava’s Story The Midnight Land I: The Flight The Midnight Land II: The Gift The Zemnian Series: Dasha’s Story The Breathing Sea I: Burning The Breathing Sea II: Drowning The Zemnian Series: Valya’s Story The Dreaming Land I: The Challenge The Dreaming Land II: The Journey The Dreaming Land III: The Sacrifice

Burning

The Breathing Sea I

“A passionate coming-of-age story.”—Kirkus Reviews Finalist, Indies Today Book Awards All magical gifts are wild. The seer’s gift is the wildest of all. Dasha, Tsarinovna of all of Zem’, was expected to have great magical gifts. Why else would the gods have arranged her conception? But instead of anything useful, Dasha’s gifts first manifested themselves as visions of terror and destruction. Then, just when it seemed she might be gaining some control over them, they abandoned her entirely. That’s unfortunate, because Dasha could really use some guidance right now. She’s volunteered to be her people’s envoy to the Rutsi, their warlike neighbors to the West. Dasha wants to make peace with the Rutsi, but the only way they want to make peace with her is by conquest—or marriage. Dasha leaves behind her home and everything she knows on a dangerous journey to treat with the Rutsi. As she travels through a new land, she discovers new powers, new dangers, and the oldest magic of all—love. Dasha’s gift is wild, but she’s about to find out that the heart is wilder still. Her exploration of forbidden passion and forbidden magic might be the key that unlocks all her untapped promise as the strongest sorceress of her generation—or it could be the weapon that destroys her and everything she cares about. A high fantasy saga that combines spiritual exploration with a touch of spicy romance, The Singing Shore I: Sea and Song is the first installment in the trilogy sequel to the award-winning miniseries The Breathing Sea. If you loved the Winternight trilogy, The Wolf and the Woodsman, and the Kushiel series, or you just want to immerse yourself in some subversive, snarky epic fantasy set in a matriarchal, Slavic-inspired world, come visit the land of Zem’! Reading order for The Zemnian Series: The Zemnian Series: Slava’s Story The Midnight Land I: The Flight The Midnight Land II: The Gift The Zemnian Series: Dasha’s Story The Breathing Sea I: Burning The Breathing Sea II: Drowning The Singing Shore I: Sea and Song The Singing Shore II: Sky and Stone (forthcoming) The Singing Shore III: Spirit and Flame (forthcoming) The Zemnian Series: Valya’s Story The Dreaming Land I: The Challenge The Dreaming Land II: The Journey The Dreaming Land III: The Sacrifice

Sea and Song

The Singing Shore I

Shadow is strong. Is courage stronger? It’s been four years since Giacomo, bodyguard to Prince Luca of Fiori, followed his charge down into the shadowy world of forbidden magic. When Luca disappears once again, Giaco must cast aside his disbelief and delve into the world of fortune-telling and shadow-walking in order to find Luca and bring him back to safety. And beyond that, he must face up to his own worst fears. Everyone considers Giaco to be a hero, but he is about to learn the true meaning of heroism. More than his own life depends on it. Set in a magical world inspired by Renaissance Florence, this fantasy thriller will appeal to fans of dark and historical fantasy, as well as paranormal and occult suspense. This is the second book in the Giaco & Luca series, but can be read as a standalone.

A Renaissance Fantasy Thriller

Half a Dream

Few men walk into shadow. Fewer walk out. Giaco, famed battle hero turned bodyguard, is a Reborn man. He believes in reason, harmony, and intellect, and leaves magic for the foolish and superstitious. But when his charge, young Prince Luca, is stolen away, Giaco must set off on a search that will cause him to question everything he believes. The Rebirth is changing the face of La Città dei Fiori, but the old ways still hold sway, especially in the dark places of the city. In order to get Luca back, Giaco will have to undergo a different kind of Rebirth—one of fear and shadow. Set in a fantasy version of Renaissance Florence, The Shadowy Man combines magic and mystery in a fast-paced story of suspense that will appeal to fans of dark and historical fantasy, as well as occult and paranormal thrillers. It is the first book in the Giaco & Luca series but can be read as a standalone.

The Shadowy Man

The shadows are speaking. Can their riddle be unraveled? Eleven years ago, Royal bodyguard Giacomo da Prado first followed young Prince Luca into the shadows. Plunged against his will into a world of illicit magic, Giaco has tried to hold onto the rationality of a Reborn man, even as he walks the line between the two worlds. But now, called upon to serve as Prince Luca’s bodyguard once again, Giaco has to face all his worst fears. Luca has disappeared into the shadows—and Giaco’s beloved wife, the famed card-reader Amanda, is in danger of being pulled after him. Can Giaco overcome his training and his innate distaste of dark magic in order to save the two people he loves the most? Set in a magical version of Renaissance Florence, The City of Shadows will appeal to fans of paranormal and occult suspense, as well as dark and historical fantasy. It is Book 3 in the Giaco & Luca Series, but can be read as a standalone.

The City of Shadows

Valya is a hero. Her people need a healer. Love the Kushiel series or The Priory of the Orange Tree? Try this sweeping epic starring a bisexual warrior princess with a taste for dominance! This omnibus edition contains the complete trilogy in one volume. Nine years ago, Valya left Krasnograd in disgrace. Now the Tsarina has called her back. Troublesome rumors are afoot, and someone must investigate them. Who better than the Tsarina’s hotheaded, rebellious heir? Valya would like to leave her scandal-ridden past behind her. That might not be an option, though. As part of her plan to heal the rifts within her court, the Tsarina has ordered Valya to make a marriage alliance—with the son of the woman she hates most in the world. To do her duty, Valya may have to swallow her scruples and take up the mantle of dangerous seductress once again. And then there are bigger problems. Valya has uncovered an underground slave trading business, operating right in the heart of Zem’, but her sister princesses refuse to believe her. To cleanse her beloved land of the corruption threatening it, Valya must go on a dangerous journey—one that will reveal not only the truth of the slave trade, but that of the magic Valya carries within her. Valya must heal her family, her land, and her people. She may destroy herself in the attempt. The final installment in the Zemnian Series, this subversive fantasy trilogy returns to the land of Zem’, where trees walk, animals talk, and women rule. With discussion questions at the end.

The Dreaming Land

Few men walk into shadow. Fewer walk out. Giacomo da Prado is La Città dei Fiori’s most renowned warrior, the hero of the Battle of Cinquevie, the man other soldiers want to be. His fame as a fighter has won him the post of bodyguard to Prince Luca, the youngest member of the dei Fiori royal family. This should be an easy assignment. It isn’t. The Rebirth has gained ascendancy in the dei Fiori kingdom, bringing with it the ideals of harmony and reason. But all movements have their dark side. Shadowy factions are at work within La Città dei Fiori and the rest of the kingdom, and they seek to use Prince Luca to further their ends. And Prince Luca may have a natural affinity for the magic that his family wishes to stamp out. As the struggle grows more intense, Giaco finds himself caught between the two sides—and questioning everything he believes. Giaco is a man of the Rebirth, but those whom he loves most in the world have no choice but to walk in the shadows. If he wants to save them from dangerous magic and the even more dangerous intrigue of the Royal court, Giaco will have to plunge into the dark underworld of augury and incantations. Giaco is a hero, but all heroism has limits. He will have to find something stronger than courage if he and Prince Luca are to survive. Set in a fantasy version of Renaissance Florence, the Giaco & Luca stories combine magic and mystery in fast-paced novellas. This omnibus edition contains the complete trilogy in one volume.

Giaco & Luca Complete Trilogy: A Renaissance Fantasy Thriller

Liz Schriftsteller

Margret A. Treiber

Jason Bougger

Thom Clink

Thaxson Patterson II

Karen Heslop

Though originally meant as a stand-alone anthology, the Bardic Tales and Sage Advice collection has evolved into an annual celebration of speculative fiction. Our tenth installment in the annual anthology features not only the winners from our annual writing competition and Reader's Choice Awards, but also selected stories from previous installments as we look back on where we have been. On behalf of all of the authors that have published with us over the years, we thank all of our readers who have supported our publications. This anthology would not exist without the support and feedback of our readers. In this installment: The Calm Before by Raz Greenberg Karma by Calvin Demmer Confessions of a Postmodern Galatea by Liz Schriftsteller Winter of the Gods by E.P. Clark More Than Blood by Jessica Simms Quiverfull by Josh Pearce The Courtesan of Xanadu Street by Anna Cates The Talking Pen by David Lawrence Technicolor Peace Joy by Margret A. Treiber As I Storm the Keep Alone by Hiroko Talbot Hydromancer by Jason Bougger To Dine with A Demon by Julie Ann Dawson The Super-Man in Black by James Zahardis The Alpha Predator of the Really Huge Woods: A Parody by Thom Clink The Gunslinger with No Hands by Thaxson Patterson II Reflections by Karen Heslop Gho by C. R. Hodges

Bardic Tales and Sage Advice (Volume X)

Many are called. Few answer. Slava thought that the hard part of her journey was over when she escaped giant wolves, angry bandits, and scheming sorcerers to make it to the Lesnograd kremlin. But the apparent safety of this outpost of civilization may be just an illusion. A curse has been let loose, one aimed straight at Slava’s family. Slava has always been a most unlikely hero. Now she must summon up all her courage in order to stop the curse—or perhaps she must, at the gods’ behest, be its bearer. The conclusion to the award-winning The Midnight Land I: The Flight, The Midnight Land II: The Gift continues the epic fantasy tale of one woman’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment against the backdrop of a matriarchal Russian world. High fantasy that is deeply rooted in Russian history, literature, and fairy tales, this subversive story with a satirical edge will appeal to fans of Russian-themed fantasy such as Deathless, Egg and Spoon, and The Bear and the Nightingale, as well as readers of classical Russian literature. Reading order for the Zemnian Series: The Zemnian Series: Slava’s Story The Midnight Land I: The Flight The Midnight Land II: The Gift The Zemnian Series: Dasha’s Story The Breathing Sea I: Burning The Breathing Sea II: Drowning The Zemnian Series: Valya’s Story The Dreaming Land I: The Challenge The Dreaming Land II: The Journey The Dreaming Land III: The Sacrifice

E.P. Clark

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