Aspatria

by John C Adams

Overview

Forced onto the throne by the death of all her male relatives, eighteen-year-old Dextra must learn to put the people of Aspatria first. Grief at the loss of her family collides with a desperate wish to marry for love rather than merely to build an international strategic alliance.

Gortah van Murkar has ruled his country since the Eirans killed all his older brothers and his father when he was just fourteen years old. Despite many victories since then, he has never completely vanquished this deadly foe. Meeting Dextra offers him the chance to avenge the death of his family and hers.

Aspatria begins an epic fantasy trilogy set in a world inspired by Anglo-Saxon culture and history, in which a young queen and her powerful neighbour must fight for justice for their families and to safeguard their people.

Follow the author on Twitter at @johncadamssf.

A memorable, mind-bending, and emotionally-driven fantasy romance novel, author John C. Adams's novel “Aspatria” is a must-read epic fantasy. The readers will be instantly drawn in by the gritty and brutal war that opens up the novel, and be drawn in as the romance and emotions between Dextra and the men hoping to win her heart play out on the pages, creating engaging and entertaining drama that is impossible to put down.
Author Anthony Avina’s Blog

An immersive reading experience – and impressive world building.
Goodreads Reviewer

Product Details

BN ID:	2940153898940
Publisher:	John C Adams
Publication date:	12/06/2016
Sold by:	Smashwords
Format:	eBook
File size:	762 KB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

I'm a nonbinary author and critic of fantasy and horror. Nonbinary tends to means different things for different people, and every path is valid for that individual and their family. Luckily, mine are incredibly supportive. I use the gender neutral pronouns they/them professionally as John C Adams, but to the kids I'm still 'Mum'. It's a question of what works for you. My decision to be nonbinary is a journey for all of us.

I review for Schlock! Webzine, the British Fantasy Society and Horror Tree, as well as placing reviews and articles across a wide range of blogs and magazines.

I have a Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Writing from Newcastle University. I've been a Contributing Editor for Albedo One Magazine and the Aeon Award since 2016. Before that, I was a Submissions Reader with them.

My debut horror novel, 'Souls for the Master' (Ivy Spires Book One), and its sequel 'Blackacre Rising' (Ivy Spires Book Two) are both here on Smashwords retailers. Likewise, my debut fantasy novel, 'Aspatria' (Gortah van Murkar Book One), and its sequel 'Dagmar of the Northlands' (Gortah van Murkar Book Two), are out now on Smashwords retailers.

Although I write mostly long fiction, since 2015 I have had stories published in anthologies from Horrified Press, Lycan Valley Press, Fantasia Divinity and Jersey Pines Ink. My short stories have also been published in the Horror Zine, Swords & Sorcery, Sirens Call, Blood Moon Rising, Lovecraftiana and various other magazines.

Every emerging writer needs plenty of encouragement right at the start, and entering lots of competitions early on made a real difference to my confidence to press on with writing longer fiction and think about submitting short fiction to magazines and anthologies in due course. In 2012, I was longlisted for the International Aeon Award Short Fiction Contest for 'The Visitors' and again in 2013 for 'We Can Finish Your Baby's Brain For You'. My writing was also recognised by the Enrico Charles Literary Award (runner up in 2012) and by the University of Winchester Writers' Conference in both 2012 and 2013, including a Commendation in the First Three Pages of a Novel category, and other nominations in poetry and short fiction.

I read PPE at Somerville College, and I am a non-practising solicitor. I live in rural Northumberland, UK, and I combine my career as an author and critic with raising my kids and caring for a severely disabled relative. I'm always busy!