Young adults out in the new world would understand. Freedom. The one word that my tongue has not tasted. Even one voyage out into the sea for one year would be enough. But the dreams that you have achieved are just that in my world. Dreams.

When the rich but carefree Lysander Knox runs from his home and father, he angrily flees to the beautiful city of Venice. Before long, he is forced to find work to support himself, and find a job working in a strange little cafe, "Name of the Queen", run by an eccentric girl that everyone calls Time. When he accidentally stumbles across something he didn't believe existed, he is shoved into a world of grinning monsters, soulless humans, and people without shadows. But when everything he's came to love becomes endangered, Lysander is forced to take a stand against the creatures, and prevent the upcoming apocalypse.

Sam is the most promising swordsman among this year’s crop of Paladin trainees...and knows it. Brash, cocky, and unbeatable with a sword (well, almost), Sam is the kingdom of Thule’s best hope against the violence wrought by demons. The only problem is that Sam is really Lady Samantha, daughter of the seventeenth Duke of Haywood, and if her father has his way, she’ll be marrying a Paladin, not becoming one. But Sam has never held much interest in playing damsel-in-distress, and so she rescues herself from a lifetime of boredom and matrimonial drudgery. Pity that Tristan Lyons, the Paladin assigned to train her, is none other than the hero of her childhood. He hasn’t recognized her as Lady Samantha--yet-- but if he does, he’ll take away her sword and send her packing. Sam is not the only trainee hiding secrets: Braeden is a half-demon with a dark past that might be unforgivable. Sam, Braeden and Tristan set out for the western coast, charged with rooting out an infestation of demons that has made the West unlivable. As they travel, they uncover a deep-seated corruption of power that threatens to derail everything they stand for. Rebellion stirs, led by a rival faction of warriors who tempt Sam to join them with an irresistible offer. A war between men is coming, and Sam must pick a side. Will saving the kingdom cost her life -- or just her heart? Reminiscent of Mulan, but with a medieval fantasy twist, Paladin is a tale of adventure, action, and romance.