With Bonded Crowns kickstarter going live this month (expected to launch Sept 28), I decided to share a snippet from the book. We’re looking at Shawnahur as he’s a young man called to the chief’s home to play to help soothe the man’s tempers. Carda is Rian’s son and the battlefield hero to Shawn and other young men. Even those in the army will do anything for Carda.

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‘Twasn’t until Shawn had played through nearly every melody he’d composed that the chieftain finally slumped back into his chair and regarded his son with a clearer visage.

“Carda, what do you recommend?”

“Your plan was a good one. When the rains cease, the clans will come together again and witness your valor, and you’ll see again just how much the chiefs of Muintir regard you. ‘Tis a time of waiting—all we can do.”

Rian pulled at his beard. “But how long until the rains end? I wish they’d just dry up forever! I’ve not been right since they started.”

“Nay, Father, you’re fine. You just need to rest.”

“How am I supposed to rest with this constant buzzing? ‘Tis like a fly’s stuck in my mind. Can’t think straight or even see straight.”

“Hush, ‘tis—”

“Don’t ‘hush’ me, boiwith!”

Carda flinched as if slapped and abruptly turned on his heel toward the door. Shawnahur wanted to shrink away from the conflict, but he continued playing, his fingers remembering the tune he’d created the first time he’d played for the duene: Rian’s Song.

“Carda, don’t leave,” Rian pled. “Stay, boiwith. You’re my son.”

“I won’t leave, Father.” The warrior leaned against the wall, looking unfazed.

Shawnahur envied the way the young man could recover his composure so easily. Whatever Carda did, he seemed to be comfortable, whether that was on the battlefield as his brothers had attested to, or what Shawnahur had seen of the man here in his own home.

You can have that as well, heart of my hearts.

How?

Learn to be confident in who you are—who we are together.

Warmth trickled through his arm, and the silver light glowed on his hand.

Not now!

It dimmed, but he didn’t have anything to fear. Carda had set his attention solely on his father, and Rian was concerned only with the clan leaders’ lack of attention. The flute found a melancholy tune, and Shawnahur wondered what he’d feel if Father suddenly lost all sense of propriety and raved like a fox with maddening sickness.

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What do you think? How would you feel in Shawn’s shoes? I know I’d be wanting to run. I avoid conflict like the plague! 

If you want more snippets, you can find them on the following page.

I’ve started to describe Kickstarter as a GoFundMe page that pays back those who fund it. You choose your tier of rewards and then if the goal is met, everyone gets their rewards, and the Indie author gets some money. 

If the goal is met and there’s still time left, then you see stretch goals put into effect. These are extra rewards that everyone gets if a specific goal is met–either x amount of money or a specific number of backers. 

What are rewards? Well, that depends. In the case of Bonded Crowns you’ll get your choice of ebook, paperback, or hardback. Then the stretch goals will be things like cut scenes, coloring pages, upgraded art–colored map instead of black and white, or a specific map of Shawn’s travels. Those who back will be voting on what gets added.

I’ve created a video to show you what Bonded Crowns is all about.