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Fantasy Romance

Recommended reading sequence: Predestined, Fey Born, and White Fells.  These books are based on the myths of ancient Ireland.

Book Description

Predestined

     In an ancient realm of magic, love has a destiny of its own . . .

    Abandoned at birth on the shores of a sacred loch, Bryna never knew her family or true heritage.  She exists as a slave in the fortress of a Roman invader, her only friend an ancient, blind Druidess, Derina.  Her life is bleak and without hope.  And then Derina tells her she must rescue the prisoner in the dungeon.

    Tynan lies naked, chained to a cold, stone slab, both body and mind tortured by the Sorcerer, evil ally of the Roman lord.  The Sorcerer's purpose?  To discover if this one, at last, might by the Dark Chieftain, the fulfiller of prophecy.

    Even deeper in the dungeon, trapped by magical enchantment, are the faeries.  They await their liberator, the one who has been prophesied.

     And the Dark Chieftain awaits a destiny of his own . . . mating with the territorial goddess . . . a union that will set the land, and many lives, aright.

    First, however, he must gain his freedom and find her.

     And Bryna is on her way to the dungeon . . .

Excerpt

Predestined

Chapter 1 

Drumanagh, Eire 

Kindred, ruins of a faery fortress

---

He felt sluggish and gray, locked in a cold oblivion not of his making. Drugged eyelids crusted open, struggling for focus. Shadows lingered beyond the candlelight in the crumbling tomb of the ancient faery fort. 

Tynan shifted cramping muscles. Iron manacles dug into the raw flesh of his wrists and ankles. Painfully, he lifted his head and surveyed his surroundings. He lay on his back on a sacrificial altar of stone, naked and chained, an offering to the otherworld gods, he supposed, his mind still foggy. They had extended his arms above his head and spread his legs apart; leaving him vulnerable.

His head fell back with a heavy thud. He wished he could wake up from this dark dream.

“Doona fight so; let the drug release you.”

He startled at the soft lilting voice, so out of place here. A small figure came into view and Tynan blinked to bring the hooded shape into focus. 

“Where am I?” he asked. His voice sounded rusty to his own ears. 

“They brought you to the lower tombs of Castle Kindred.” The figure moved to stand near his hip, an obscure form carefully crafted to hide the identity of the woman within.

“How do you feel?” she asked.

He felt blurred and queer inside. His body ached in places it had never ached before. The last thing he remembered, dusk had fallen while he bathed in the woodland stream. Low ceiling and stone walls surrounded him now. The damp air attested to the nearness of Eire's wind-swept sea. Black candles burned low in stone crevices, oblivious to the moisture that would extinguish their flames forever. 

A movement on the floor caught his attention. He lifted his head. “Aile Niurin,” he muttered. Hell Fire. Red beady eyes blinked brazenly back at him before scurrying beneath soiled straw. 

“They are only rats looking for food. They will not harm you, warrior. If you feel you can, drink this.” She held a flask out to him. “There is little time before they return.”

Tynan tried to see the face behind the enticing voice, but the hood’s drape hid all features. 

“Who comes?” he asked.

Small hands held a silver flask out to him.

“What is in it?” he asked, leery of any offering.

“Water and a crushed apple.”

He frowned with indecision, not trusting but needing nonetheless.

“It is safe, warrior,” she reassured. “I prepared it myself before coming here.” She took a sip from the flask to prove it.

He nodded, too thirsty to argue and opened his mouth. 

She supported the back of his head. Fingers buried in his hair, shifting the black length so it spilled down the stone at his shoulder. 

“Slowly, warrior.”

The flask touched his cracked lips. Tiny beads of apple slid down his raw throat. The unexpected tartness of the fruit quickly revived him, his mind finally clearing. When finished drinking, he pulled away.

The hooded figure just stood there, watching him, a slight tilt to her head. The scent of lavender teased his nostrils. “Let me see you.”

She shook her head and took a small step back. “ ’Tis safer not to see my face. If my Roman master found out I ventured to the tombs, he'd order me flayed.”

“You are a slave, then?” Tynan could not hide his surprise. 

“Aye, to the Roman Centurion that holds this ancient place.”

“Do Roman centurions allow their slaves free reign?”

“I am trustworthy and given freedom as long as I remain within my master's boundaries.”

“Your master's boundaries do not include the tombs.”

“Nay.”

“Yet, you are here.”

“Aye.” She nodded slowly, no doubt wondering where these questions were leading.

He had but one focus lately. “Do you know where the Roman Centurion is holding the faeries?”

The hooded figure stiffened and shook her head. “I doona know anything about that.”

Tynan wasn't sure if he believed her.

She turned to the back corridor where voices could be heard.

“They come, warrior. I must leave.”

She walked around the altar, and Tynan grabbed a piece of coarse gray cloak. “Who comes?” he demanded.

“The Sorcerer and his minions. They search for the Dark Chieftain of Prophecy.”

The woman tugged on her cloak. “Please release me, warrior. If you live, I will find a way to help you.”

If I live? He had no intention of dying. Tynan released her. “Hide yourself.”

 Slipping the silver flask within the folds of her robe, she became part of the darkness, silent and gone as the moments from which she had come. He wondered briefly if he would ever see her again, ever gaze upon her features, but then pushed those thoughts quickly aside for the air became foul with the smell of garlic and sweat. 

“The dark sovereign has awakened.”

Tynan peered into the shadows trying to locate the owner of the male voice. One thing felt certain, his captors knew his name. Tynan meant dark sovereign among his people.

“Are you the Dark Chieftain of Prophecy?” an older man's voice inquired with a touch of excitement. 

“Are you the Sorcerer?” Tynan countered instead. A cloaked man came to stand at his head, face hidden by the drape of the hood. Does everyone wear hooded robes and cloaks here? 

“I have gone by many names in this life: Yn Drogh Spyrryd, Evil One, Dark Druid, but Sorcerer is the name I answer to now. Do you answer to the name of Dark Chieftain?”

Lord Tynan, the Dark Chieftain of the Tuatha Dé Dananns, calmed, for his captors did not know whom they held. In his mind, images of purple light and elfin faces flashed and swirled. The imprisoned faeries had become aware of his presence from within the sacred walls of the ancient faery fort. 

“Silence will only cause you pain, warrior. I have brought many men down to the tombs to be tested. All have died.” 

Calloused fingers grazed his temple and Tynan turned away, gripping the manacles. 

 “Your eyes are faery marked with the color of amethyst, warrior. It is a sure sign of the fey heritage in your blood. Mayhap, my search is finally over.” 

Author's Notes

Predestined

While researching on the Internet a few years back, I stumbled across an article in British Archaeology, no.14, May 1996 regarding the Roman occupation of Ancient Ireland. It immediately caught my interest since at the time; Rome was reputed as never having invaded Ancient Ireland.

Here is an excerpt:

“In May 1996, British Archaeology reported on disputed findings of a Roman fortress in the coastal site of Drumanagh, Ireland. Richard Warner, Keeper of Archaeology and Ethnography at the Ulster Museum writes, “... In short, early medieval Ireland has all the appearance of being, culturally, an heir to the Roman world of which we are supposedly to believe, it was never a part.”

I had found the article at British Archaeology site - click here to go to the article. 

I printed out the article and saved it. Later that night, I dreamt of a black-haired chieftain battling the Roman invaders within an ancient faery fort.  All my books start off as dreams and I never know where they will lead. 

I realized this book was not going to wait for me to write it at some future date. Tynan and Bryna wanted their story told now and so I began my research into the faery faith of Ancient Ireland and over the next few months, Predestined took form.  

Reviews

Predestined

Here's what the reviewers and readers are saying....

" If you like a complex story that is not simple to sum up in a few, pithy words, then you will revel in this one. Fans of Moran Llewlyn or Eric Flint's early work will surely find this to be a most welcome addition to their TBR list. What is particularly fascinating is the fact that rather than focusing on one aspect of the fey world, the entire panoply of fairies is brought into play, making for an interesting exploration."

~ Amanda Killgore, Eternal Night

Eternal Night

"I was so involved with Predestined that I read it in like half a day... I just couldn't put it down for anything!!!!! 

 Please keep making such GREAT books!!!" 

~ Dawn, reader

"From its hushed and beautiful opening sentence to its intensely romantic conclusion, Predestined fulfills its promise of love and fate, and hope against darkness. R Garland Gray is a lyric star on the rise."

~ Mary Beth Bass, romance author

  www.marybethbass.com

When Destiny and Desire Collide!

 "...I definitely recommend PREDESTINED as a fantastic fantasy read! "

~ Mindy Lobaugh, The Best Reviews

   http://pnr.thebestreviews.com/review31805. 

"Ms. Gray excels at taking a fascinating prophecy and energizing it with dynamics of different mystical cultures and beliefs. I definitely recommend PREDESTINED as a fantastic fantasy read!" 

~ Cynthia Eckert, Paranormal Romance Reviews 

http://pnr.thebestreviews.com/review32420

Thank you for writing such a great book.  I took it with me when I went to Florida on vacation and could NOT put it down.  The need to know what happened next consumed me.  Keep up the good work.  

~ Mary Lou Grisanti, reader

A must read for all!

  "...Compelling and magical, PREDESTINED by R. Garland Gray is an intriguing blend of romance and fantasy. Myth and destiny collide in a tale of love, hope, and enchantment as two people play out their fates together, while at the same time try to overcome the obstacles that face them, real and supernatural. Even chained and bloody, Tynan gives off an animal magnetism, and the power that he emits is undeniable, showing the strength of his character, both physical and mental. He understands destiny, and is determined to right the wrongs of his father by fulfilling his prophecy. And whereas Tynan has complete faith in the way his life is supposed to be, Bryna is more reluctant to accept her own fate, and constantly struggles against it. Secondary characters all have their own agendas, be they fey or mortal, good or evil, and all are tied to the success, or failure, of Tynan and Bryna's mystic journey.   A spellbinding love story that captures the attention from the very beginning, PREDESTINED by R. Garland Gray is a must read for all! "

~ Courtney Michelle, Romance Reviews Today

www.romrevtoday.com 

"R. Garland Gray writes Mythical Magic that you can sink your teeth into.  I, for one, as a reader look forward to another banquet!"       

 ~  Anne Elizabeth, romance author

www.anneelizabeth.net 

5 Hearts from the Romance Studio! - Rated:  Excellent

"...R. Garland Gray created a charming, magical world. Her descriptions are evocative, and the entire book is permeated with sensuality..."

~ Kitty Cullen, The Romance Studio

www.theromancestudio.com 

"Sensual and scintillating, PREDESTINED is a magical journey where love walks with honor as prophecy leads the way." 

 ~ Sharon Horton, romance author

www.sharonhorton.com 

Five Stars All The Way!!

"...Ms. Gray is an exceptional author and one that paints a vivid picture with her words. The reader won't be able to help but be drawn into her magical world, nor will they be able to help falling a little in love with Tynan themselves..."

~ K. Ahlers,  Independent Reviewer 

Romance Junkies: 4 Blue Ribbon Review

PREDESTINED by R. Garland Gray is a wonderful and exciting mix of legend, the paranormal and adventure.  Tynan and Bryna are dynamic lead characters that bring the story to life and have the reader totally involved and cheering them on throughout their many trials. 

 I was completely captured from the beginning and was delighted to be taken by surprise at a few of the unexpected twists reveled throughout the story. When I reached the last page of this book I felt that I had been to the magical land of the faeries and was lucky enough to have had a glimpse of a true and unselfish love.

~ Char, Romance Junkies

  www.romancejunkies.com

http://www.romancejunkies.com/artman/publish/article_3478.shtml

Four Stars! - Compelling,  Page Turner

"This is a powerful and magical tale of moonbeams, pixies and love. Readers who enjoy fantasy will want to put this on top of their to-be-read pile. SENSUAL."

~ Romantic Times BOOKclub magazine

"Hope wars with fear.  Honor wars with love. ...  This is a good book."   

 ~ Affaire de Coeur magazine   "Bringing you 25-years of honest reviews"

Rated a 10!

"...PREDESTINED is a terrific Ancient Britannia romantic fantasy that grips the audience...  R. Garland Gray provides a colorful historical tale that will elate fans..."

~ H. Klausner, Independent Reviewer 

If you enjoyed Tynan's and Bryna's story in Predestined, you may want to take a look at Fey Born, the second book in the faery faith series.  Keegan has his hands full with Lana.

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Copyright © 2006, 2007, 2008  R. Garland Gray.  All rights reserved. The books listed herein are the property of R. Garland Gray and may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the author.  Chapters listed may not be the final version of the book.