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13th Hour

Page 14

by Tammie Painter


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  The Voyage of Heroes: Book Two of the Osteria Chronicles

  In a dangerous game that pits god against god, and family against one another, trust is the deadliest weapon.

  Believing a well-guarded treasure will prove he is rightful leader, Jason, Prince of Illamos Valley, sets out on a perilous quest to obtain it. As his voyage takes him across treacherous waters and into an aggressively fortified kingdom, Jason finds himself combatting the ire of gods and monsters, struggling to control a rebellious crew, and battling against doubts of his own worthiness to be king of the land he is fighting to save.

  But even if he gains the treasure, can Jason recapture the trust of his people, secure his throne, and survive the betrayal of the one person he never expected to turn against him?

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  The Maze of Minos: Book Three of the Osteria Chronicles

  With the gods as your allies, your life, your world, and your sanity have never been in more danger.

  The Maze of Minos is an exhilarating tale of deception and determination, hostile ambition and daring heroism.

  Soon after returning to Athenos to celebrate his father's recent marriage, Theseus learns his homeland must submit to the cruel demands of an unexpected enemy. Goaded by his father’s new wife, Theseus volunteers to defend his land by entering a battle to the death in the pitch black depths of an ancient maze. A battle against a monster of the gods’ creation. A battle no other has survived.

  Aided by the goddess Aphrodite, Theseus stands a stronger chance of triumph than his predecessors, but as ever, the gods’ kindness harbors ulterior motives. His bravery, his sacrifice, his struggle to push his world back from the brink of war only serves to further Aphrodite’s goals. Goals that will destroy the stability of Osteria and anyone who stands in her way.

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  The Bonds of Osteria: Book Four of the Osteria Chronicles

  In a fierce clash for power, titans rise, heroes fall, and the gods find themselves on the brink of destruction.

  The titans gather. The gods plot against one another. And the mortals of Osteria become locked in a battle against nature, monsters, and one other.

  When internal and external struggles push them too far, former heroes prove themselves unable to protect Osteria, and new heroes are forged as the bonds of family, friendship, and marriage are challenged at every turn. But will their valor be enough in a world where even love can lead to war amidst the gods’ battle for supremacy?

  * * *

  Domna, Part One: The Sun God’s Daughter

  As a realm teeters on the verge of rebellion anything is possible, except one woman’s freedom to choose her fate.

  Sofia Domna has her future planned. She will follow in her father’s footsteps and lead the Temple of Apollo. She’ll marry her childhood love, Papinias. She’ll have respect, status, and power.

  So when her father bitterly forces her betrothal to a stranger and orders her from the life she’s always known, Sofia is thrown into a new world where any wrong move could mean her demise.

  Refusing to give up her home, her future, and her love, Sofia immediately plans her escape, but she soon learns exactly how cruel destiny and the people surrounding her new husband can be.

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  Domna, Part Two: The Solon’s Son

  When your destiny has been stolen, it’s up to you to make a new one. But first you have to survive the marriage you’ve been forced into.

  Having been warned by her guard, Macrinus, that her life depends on being faithful to her new husband, Sofia Domna enters the grand city-state of Vancuse to begin her arranged marriage to Sirius Verus. But when she discovers her former lover serves in her new household, Sofia's resolve is tested at every turn.

  When she becomes pregnant, Sofia’s fidelity is immediately questioned even as Sirius’s secrets unravel. Secrets that will turn Sofia’s world on its head.

  With a backdrop of political and marital instability, and Sirius’s once-great status quickly on the decline, can Sofia withstand threats, shame, and temptation to guide her husband to the highest role in the realm?

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  Domna, Part Three: The Centaur’s Gamble

  In a world mired in chaos one wrong word could mean death, but one promise could mean greatness.

  After barely surviving his previous appointment, Sirius claims being forgotten may be the safest place in the violent turbulence of Osterian politics. But Sofia’s ambitions remain steadfast and she refuses to accept the gods have destined her to waste away in obscurity.

  Just as Sirius settles into the peace of a rural life, an old friend offers him the chance to inherit the title of Solon if he’s willing to fight for it. Will Sirius take the chance, or will he opt to stay safe? More importantly, will Sofia let him have a choice in the matter?

  * * *

  Domna, Part Four: The Regent’s Edict

  A fight for power. A battle for loyalty. A plot that could cause it all to crumble.

  Although he’s won the solonship, Sirius soon discovers others are poised to viciously claim the title as their own.

  Catapulted into a world of danger and temptation, Sofia discovers her only chance of survival is to stay one step ahead of her enemies.

  But in Osteria, new perils lurk around every corner and plots don’t always strike down their intended victims as Sofia discovers her ambition may cost her far more than she expected to pay.

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  Domna, Part Five: The Forgotten Heir

  When the Solon ignores an imminent threat, one woman will go to any extreme to save him, protect her son, and ensure the stability of their realm.

  Sirius Verus believes his rule is secure, but when a plot is discovered to overthrow him, he refuses to accept that the person he trusts most is behind it. With an enemy army ready to march on the capital, Sirius’s days as Solon and his family’s lives are numbered.

  Unwilling to let the threat fester, Sofia and Lucius take matters into their own hands, but this vicious retribution leaves Sirius fearful of making Lucius heir.

  From the comfort of the Solonian Palace to the wilds of the Island of Naimo, Part Five of the Domna serial tests the limits of sibling rivalry, family loyalty, and the future of Osteria.

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  Domna, Part Six: The Solon’s Wife

  A life of love or a life of power. A promise to the gods or following your heart’s desire. The choice must be made.

  The Solon is ill. If he dies, Sofia will be forced not only to fight for her son’s right to rule, but will also face making good on a promise she made to the gods long ago. A promise she no longer wishes to fulfill.

  As fate catapults her from joy to sorrow, from hope to despair, and from certainty to doubt, Sofia finds herself trapped between her two strongest desires.

  In this final part of the Domna serial, the struggle for power grows to its deadliest proportions yet and the choices Sofia must make will tear her world apart.

  * * *

  13th Hour: Tales from Light to Midnight

  From light tales of legends and love, to dark stories of ancient beasts and a desperate chef, 13th Hour will delight you, mystify you, and make you cringe.

  13th Hour's seventeen tales tick through questions such as....Can you dream forever? What is it really like to work for the gods? What would you do for love? Or for revenge? Do fabled creatures still stalk the earth? What lurks in paradise? What is your family’s darkest secret? And many more.

  So sit down and unwind your clocks because it's time for the 13th Hour.

  13th Hour: Tales From Light to Midnight

  Copyright © 2012 by Tammie Painter (revised 2019)

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Please respect the law and the rights of the auth
or and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials.

  This book 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 persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  You may contact the author by email at

  Tammie@tammiepainter.com

  Mailing Address

  Black Rabbit Publishing

  P.O. Box 165

  Netarts, Oregon 97143, USA

  Cover Image: Copyright 123rf.com Stock Image #8245342, Artist Igor Goncharenko

 

 

 


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