Terror. Callousness. Denial. Rebellion. How the four teenage children of leaders in the duchy and the neighboring empire of Hanaobi choose to adapt to their nefarious parents' whims is a matter of survival. Rohesia, daughter of the duke, spends her days hunting "outsiders," fugitives who've snuck onto her father's island duchy. That she lives when even children who resemble her are subject to death hardens her heart to tackle the task. Fastello is the son of the "king" of the raiders who steal from the rich and share with the poor. When aristocrats die in the raids, Fastello questions what his peoples' increasingly wicked methods of survival have cost them. An orphan raised by a convent of mothers, Cateline can think of no higher aim in life than to serve her religion, even if it means turning a blind eye to the suffering of other orphans under the mothers' care. Kojiro, new heir to the Hanaobi empire, must avenge his people against the "barbarians" who live in the duchy, terrified the empress, his own mother, might rather see him die than succeed. When the paths of these four young adults cross, they must rely on one another for survival--but the love of even a malevolent guardian is hard to leave behind. FALL FAR FROM THE TREE is now available in paperback and e-book from Patchwork Press: https://books2read.com/fallfarfromthetree

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.

In the once lost kingdom of Iceria, treaties of the Elvenkind with old enemies form. But as they arise, an old prophet's silly stories start to come true. Lilia, the princess of Iceria, embarks on a journey of adventure, fantasy, and romance. Glen finds that an orphan can't become a prince after all, and wonders where his loyalties lie--his race and love, or the kind family that took him in. Deaths, heartbreak, falling alliances, and broken promises touch this bittersweet, tragic but beautiful love story.

Have you ever wondered about anything? Daydreamed, fantasized? It might sound like such a boring little business, but if you never try to open up to all the possibilities....well, you'll be left behind. Because everything is connected. You are, too, though it's hard when you can't even stop to think. This world and other worlds--it all holds a deeper thought. Come on. The Land of Wonders isn't going to wait for you. My name is Alice. P.S. This is being heavily rewritten as a novel, so read the chapter A New Wonder for details before you decide to continue.

Sixteen-year-old Sawyer Satoya-Sabinsky has it all. He's a genius in the wizarding chant language Silversong and the most popular boy in Willard Academy, a prestigious school for aristocratic wizards. He can afford to hex idiots out of his way and choose the prettiest girls. When winds of change sweep over Willard and non-aristocratic students are admitted to study there, Sawyer refuses to accept it. He arranges a resistance movement, but his arrogance rapidly gains him enemies, none more dangerous than the Paraforce, a wizarding terrorist organization whose fighters use Shadowsong, a terrifying chant language that Silversong can't block, no matter how good you are at it. And the Paraforce might not even be Sawyer's greatest challenge - it might be Mia, an eccentric, crippled girl, who poses uncomfortable questions and kindles that aching secret Sawyer thought he had buried forever.

COMPLETE #1 in Fantasy #1 in Adventure #1 in Historical Fiction ---------- Sometimes, believing helps us to see truth. Other times, we need a little evidence to believe. But there is truth behind everything; every false manoeuvre, ever little lie...a small piece of truth is hidden. Just like truth is wound into legends too. Growing up best friend to the future King, Arabelle never really thought her life could go wrong. Whenever she wanted something, or needed something, she would get it. Then she lost her father at a young age and Arabelle was forced into a world of dresses, balls, and lies. Being a tomboy, Arabelle would have rather been out on her horse doing archery practice with her brothers. When Arabelle gets curious and sneaks into a forbidden area of the castle, she discovers a deadly secret: her bloodline is sacred, dating back to a legend surrounded by the one thing she knows not to be true. Unsure what to do, she gets caught up in a series of events that lead to her being hidden and whisked away from the only familiar place she knew. After making some unlikely allies, Arabelle sets off on a journey to find the legend of the last dragon egg. Fate has something big in store for her; will she be able to withstand the pressure of it all?There is one thing Arabelle needs to learn to survive this new place... Some things are more than a legend. ---------- © Isabella Espe 2013 - 2019 This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. This work is unedited. Your patience and leniency towards any grammatical or spelling errors is requested while you read this story. This story was written in 2013, and the author knows there are a lot of errors in this work. Thank you for understanding. ---------- Credit to @Abyss-of-Crazy for the cover!