Duty: a novel of Rhynan

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

 

              Duty: a novel of Rhynan

Author: Rachel Rossano
Genre: Mainstream/Historical/Fantasy
Buy: Amazon

Excerpt:

"The red one is mine," he said. 

I didn’t raise my head although instinct urged me to. Father had called me Red. He said I was born screaming, skin deep red like the beets in the garden and hair fiery like the setting sun. The man who spoke was not my father. 

I glanced at him from beneath my cloak’s hood. Arrogant in his size and superior mass, his eyes picked me out of the writhing mass of captives. Early morning sunlight glinted off plain armor and an unadorned helm, yet the unwashed barbarians treated him with the respect due a commander. 

Duty: a novel of Rhynan

 

Rachel Rossano
Tomas Dyrease, Earl of Irvaine and the village of Wisenvale, owes his good fortune to his king and the recent civil war. When his benefactor demands Tomas marry the cousin of a noble, he obeys.

 

Brielle Solarius struggles to keep her village from starvation under the new Lord Wisten, her cousin. The men rode off to war and never returned. The remaining women and children face a dire winter if they do not find a solution soon. When she learns her cousin sold her into marriage to save his life, she isn’t surprised. However, she is taken aback by Lord Irvaine’s unpolished ways.

Duty: a novel of Rhynan

The Crown of Anavrea

Rachel Rossano

Suddenly an expression of concern replaced his smile. His second hand joined his first, framing her face in a gentle, firm grip.

“What is this?” He ran a thumb across her spit bottom lip. “And this?” She guessed he indicated the remainder of a bruised eye.

“I was distracted by pain when we met, but I do not remember you appearing so beat up.” He frowned. Eve did not know if it was aimed at her or his lack of memory. Either way, something made her tremble.

The Crown of Anavrea

Word and Deed

Rachel Rossano

“My task is not finished.”

Aware of my exposed feet growing numb, I crossed the flagstone path to retrieve my cast off slippers. “What more would Lord Silvaticus seek to learn? Whether or not I am pox-scarred or deformed? I assure you I stand whole and have all my limbs and digits.” I spread my fingers for emphasis. “They are straight and serve me well.”

Bryn Wolfe’s mouth twitched. “Nay, Silvaticus is concerned he should find a blade between his ribs on his wedding night.”

I laughed. “He fears a woman?” 

“He is a cautious man, not prone to impulse.”

Word and Deed

Exchange

Rachel Rossano

“You’re thinner, weaker, more worn, and subdued.” His eyes compared me to a woman I doubted ever existed.

I adjusted my shoulders. “Superficial stuff.”

“True,” he admitted. “But it goes deeper. What can you remember?”

I recoiled. That was one area I refused to share, especially with him, a disconcerting stranger. He represented just the sort I didn’t want to expose myself to. One who would point out the insanity of not remembering anything before his appearance.

“Go away.”

“No.” The rumble of his voice gentled.“Myah, I won’t go away.”

“Who is Myah?” I demanded.

Exchange

The Mercenary's Marriage

Rachel Rossano

“Don't I at least get a thank you?” A deep voice asked from behind her left ear. “It is the least a rescuer should receive for saving a lady's pretty neck.”

“I am not a lady.” Brice pushed again against the stranger's arms. This time they released her, reluctantly. Quickly scrambling for her feet, she stepped away from the man only to find him already on his own feet and watching her warily. Inwardly grimacing, Brice noticed the small gate behind the strange man's right shoulder.

“It is safer in here.”

The Mercenary's Marriage