I discovered Sharon Rose with her sci-fi book, Diverse Similarity. I fell in love with this space opera. It had all the elements I love about sci-fi–spaceships, aliens, new planets, race against time to not blow up the ship, and intrigue. Yet, when I finished reading, I felt like I did when I’d read missionary biographies. It was so unique and different. When book two came out, I was sure to snatch it up, and proclaimed my love for Sharon Rose’s books. I even stumbled upon Agents of Rivelt, and loved it, even though, about a third of the way through, I read the subtitle: A Science Fiction Novel in Short Stories. The episodic feeling I had now made sense! It was like I was a kid again watching Buck Rogers in the 25th Century where each chapter was one episode. Needless to say, when I discovered Sharon Rose was writing fantasy, I wanted in on it.

Castle in the Wilde

The series has a novella, and books 1-2 available for purchase and book 3 available for pre-order–yes, they’re all on my kindle waiting for me to read. Hm, that might be what I’ll do while in the doctor’s office today. Oh, and book 1 is on sale. Just like Diverse Similarity, Sharon Rose weaves conflicted cultures into a unique tale.

Mysterious tales surround an abandoned castle. Are they summoning Tristan to adventure, or warning him of death?

A foreign usurper. A lady who longs for freedom. Secrets more dangerous than beasts.

She loves her kingdom…and the foreign usurper they hate. How can she choose between them?

His family was abased, and their castle destroyed. Now a hint of the king’s favor marks him for murder.

Each line is the tagline of this series from prequel to book 3. They definitely draw me in! What about you?

Blurb for A Castle Contended

Beth finally understands. The despised foreigners are not what she believed. Nor is her noble role just a burdensome restraint. It also carries authority—and the obligation to use it wisely. Which might be more of a restraint than the proposed marriage she is evading. Now all she needs to do is convince an entire kingdom to respect the people they hate.

Before she can even try, unraveling deceptions rock her land. A duchess mysteriously dies. Atrocities in Tower Woods come to light. The governing assembly is being manipulated. The cry of Beth’s heart is the last thing anyone cares about. As for loving a despicable foreigner—intolerable!

Tristan would do anything to help Beth, but his foreign hands are tied. The only thing he can do, must do, is kill the enormous vixicats that terrorize the Wilde—beasts that have proven invincible for over a century. If he conquers them, he invites a siege to his castle. What is worse? Starving or becoming a vixicat’s meal?

How can Beth forge her newfound scrap of authority into a tool that is both subtle and powerful enough to return justice to her land? Especially when succeeding could turn the foreigner she loves into an enemy.

A Castle Contended is the second novel in the Castle in the Wilde trilogy. If you enjoy a story where wit and hope confront lies and hate, come and explore this fantastical world with medieval undertones and conflicted cultures.   

About the author: Sharon Rose

Sharon Rose started writing when she was seven years old. Okay, My Life as a Flying Squirrel may have had a couple spelling errors, but her classmates loved it.

Plenty of life has happened since that first story, and she’s come to realize the things that fascinate her. People. Communication. Culture. Personality. Viewpoints. Beliefs. Anything that makes each of us beautifully unique. Small wonder that her art spills out in story form. 

It was only a matter of time before she just had to share her stories. She publishes fantasy and science fiction because they allow vast spaces to explore. Her stories weave cultures and characters, who are more than they seem to be, into adventures with mystery, romance, and hope.

When she’s not writing or reading, she may be traveling, enjoying gardens, or searching for unique coffee shops with her husband. They live in Minnesota, USA, famed for its mosquitoes—uh, she means 10,000 lakes and vibrant seasons.

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Well, I’m off to go dive into a new world. Who’s joining me?