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.

A MODERN MEDIEVAL FANTASY #3 in Fantasy |Book 1 of the Fifth Daughter Trilogy| When darkness arises and the world of Fantasy is in danger of being destroyed, the Dragon Riders are the first to show up. Fire and fang, sword and shaft, meet the enemy head on and the wars don't end until the enemy is disbanded. It's not a pretty business, but it must be done to secure the lives of every creature within Fantasy. There are two Rider schools - over thousands of Riders and dragons - and Smoke Green is one of them, no matter how much she dislikes the idea and the heights. Her fate has been chosen, even if she doesn't want it. With a vacant father, a mother who has too many secrets, four older sisters, an older brother, and a three minute older, annoying twin brother, Smoke isn't expected to be much more than a hometown girl of Folklore; who will get a boring desk job and never leave home. But then the Sage of the Burrows proclaims her a Dragon Rider and a Fifth Daughter and Smoke's life changes stories - literally. Moving from Folklore to Legend, Smoke is taught that fears can be conquered and villains do have a hunger for power. She also learns she might just have the power this villain is after. She makes friends: Something she didn't know she could do, she finds her dragon: Someone she didn't know even existed, and she learns her past: Something she didn't know was so complicated. But when rebellions begin to break out across the globe; the world of Fantasy is once again put in danger and the Dragon Riders might not be able to save their home this time around. Especially, when the enemy is from one of their own royal families; once thought incinerated, and his accomplice might just be Smoke's long thought dead father. In this first book of the Fifth Daughter Trilogy, J.J. wants you to forget everything you think you know of mythology and open your mind to a new kind of fantasy. Started: 03.25.15 Restarted: 11.29.16 Completed: 03.01.17