June has been moving quickly, folding itself into the height of summer, and I find myself once again between reading and writing even more than I intended. Ecaden continues to take shape in the background of it all, quietly and persistently, blossoming into many stories I await to share with you all.
The most exciting thing for this newsletter is the cover reveal for the second book of Ecaden's Crown: The Dragon's War.
Full Cover Reveal
Thanks to my wonderful artist, Asuraid, the cover of the second book has come to fruition.
Agapetus bears draconic traits here—yet the question remains: why...?
Especially when even the faintest mark of a dragon, of the goddess Elnor herself, is considered a sin.
Advance Reader Copies Now Open
For those eager to return to Ecaden before release, ARC applications are now open for The Dragon's War.
Advance Reader Copies will be distributed on August 15th ahead of the book's September 30th release.
If you'd like an opportunity to read early and provide an honest review, applications can be submitted below.
In the time that has passed, here is what has happened in the world of Ecaden:
Alonsico, brother of Agapetus, learns Agapetus is now regarded as a traitor.
Under Colst’s renewed authority as head priest, he is overworked and distanced from his wife and newborn son
Within the temple, silence spreads as priests and attendants grow weary, leaving him increasingly isolated among those he once trusted
And a small excerpt, written in ink:
“
Everyone, but those two pawns were here.
And that was okay.
For now.
Eventually, they would get back his son … and what was it, Sullivan? Right, probably.
His son’s genetics were strong, and a salvation was only a tool used for the perfection of genetics. Nothing more.
It couldn’t go wrong.
It had to.
It needed to.
He smashed his head once more into the wall, golden blood staining the white color.
And then, silence.
He was going to make it perfect.
From the Archives
The marriage, many generations past, between the goddess Elnor and Vrotox was never a happy one. Elnor had been misled regarding the guest list, and Vrotox’s sister—invited to the wedding—became a persistent source of discomfort and conflict between them.
When Elnor fell pregnant, she believed she had nothing more to fear.
Penned Recommendations
The recommendation for this dispatch is Baldur’s Gate 3, for those who enjoy games, story-rich worlds, or both. If you’re a fan of Dungeons & Dragons, love stories shaped by meaningful choices and lasting consequences, or enjoy spending far too long perfecting character builds, this is an easy recommendation.
And yes ... I do, in fact, like Astarion.
Beyond the Church Walls
A collection of free reader magnets and featured indie stories from fellow authors. Each is available to explore, download, or enjoy at your own pace.
This time around, we have two fantasy stories from fellow indie authors: The Curse, a dark tale of ancient horrors and catastrophic consequences, and The Maverick Aesir, a Norse-inspired epic of fallen gods, destiny, and blood-soaked ambition.
Curious about a book? Click its title to learn more.
In a forgotten mountain valley, three choices ignite catastrophe: a boy’s spite, a careless curse, and a forbidden book opened in ignorance. Each act pushes the village closer to ruin.
Beneath the valley lies an ancient darkness that has waited since the dawn of the world, while something older still watches from the sky, guiding events toward a terrible end.
Before Sigurd the Dragon-slayer became legend, a fallen god walked among mortals. Cast from Asgard and stripped of immortality, a rogue god is forced into a brutal world of steel, sorcery, and blood. Power, vengeance, and destiny collide as war brews across the North, where every choice carries a price and no victory comes without sacrifice.
Dark, mythic fantasy inspired by Norse legend, tracing the bloodline that would one day shake the world.
Step into new worlds for free—discover fantasy reader magnets, exclusive stories, and hidden gems from indie authors.
Until Next Time
Over the coming month, I'll be preparing ARC copies and putting the finishing touches on The Dragon's War. As the dispatch settles into a monthly rhythm, I look forward to returning on July 30th with more news, stories, and fragments from Ecaden.
For future readers of my books; those interested in new releases and promotional material can sign up. Newsletters are made public a month after their release.
