Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

The Harrowbethian Saga

     This is a six-book, young adult, fictional series that tells the story of Queen Eena of Harrowbeth. Though the tale begins on the planet Earth, it does not remain grounded in one, small area of the universe. There are diverse characters introduced along Eena's journey, each with a unique personality, culture, and background. Travel to new worlds as you share in the adventures of a young queen and her companions. Learn a bit of original mythology. Fret over life and love decisions. Treat your imagination to unexpected twists and turns! 

     Below are summaries of each book that makes up this fun saga. Start here, and prepare for some enjoyable days of reading...


The Harrowbethian Saga (6 books)


Series Summary:

After an unplanned trip to the doctor’s office, Sevenah Williams discovers that her ancestry is anything but human. This shocking news puts her on a course to find out the truth about her parents and a tragic past that placed her in hiding at a very young age. Eventually, she takes on her birth name, Eena, and accepts her birthright as the only living heir to the throne of Harrowbeth.

Eena soon learns that this privilege comes with a price, beginning with the painful process of being physically joined to an heirloom necklace known as the dragon’s soul. From that point on, Queen Eena slowly uncovers powers granted her by the necklace, giving her the ability to manipulate energy—a gift that comes in handy when she faces enemies who wish to see her royal line eliminated.

Eena must fight with new friends at her side including Derian, the captain of the Kemeniroc; Kira, a Mishmorat with might and spunk; Shanks and his crew of giant Viiduns; and Ian, her best friend and sworn protector. Her greatest challenges, however, turn out to be personal: learning to love, to trust, and to handle adult problems as a teenager.


_______________


Book 1 - Eena, The Dawn and Rescue
Book Summary: Sevenah Williams lives a quiet farm life until she stumbles upon a mysterious past and learns she is heir to the throne of Harrowbeth. She is the last living of royal blood able to don a peculiar and enchanted heirloom necklace. Given the new name, Eena, she sets off for a new home—a world plagued by civil war—only to discover that her enemies and allies are near impossible to distinguish.



Book 2 - Eena, The Return of a Queen


Book Summary: The young queen of Harrowbeth, has been saved from the clutches of her enemy, only to fear prophetic nightmares of being captured again. A red-eyed dragon haunts her dreams frequently, portending doom within his fortune-telling gaze. It is Derian and Ian's job to keep the beast's grim visions from coming true.Joined by their allies—a large and warring race called the Viiduns—Captain Derian and his militia escort their queen across the galaxy toward home. An unexpected detour takes them to an advanced world where a quirky king might possess the power to rid them of their enemy for good. But is trusting the promise of a stranger a risk worth taking? It will require Eena to face her worst nightmare alone.



Book 3 - Eena, The Curse of Wanyaka Cave


Book Summary: Captain Derian and his crew have successfully returned the young Queen Eena to her home in Harrowbeth. Their enemy of over a decade has been defeated. The world awaits healing as peace once again settles over the land. Unfortunately for those closest to Eena, this much-deserved rest proves short-lived.Deep within Lacsar Forest inside the black walls of Wanyaka Cave, a childhood ghost story has become reality. A more powerful and enduring enemy lures the young queen to where two immortal sisters await in confines, having been imprisoned there for generations. These evil sisters and their brother, along with a dragon forced to do their bidding, combine efforts to manipulate Eena into helping them accrue a means of escape. Though she tries to refuse her assistance, every move she makes only seems to worsen her predicament. She fears losing Derian's trust, Ian's friendship, and possibly someone's life.



Book 4 - Eena, The Two Sisters


Book Summary: Queen Eena sees her world crumbling, chiefly the lives of those she loves most. Affected by a compassionate heart, she tries to console one man who mourns for a lost love while endeavoring to assure another she does indeed plan to marry him... someday. But emotions are sensitive and doubts strong, especially when provoked by the lying tongue of an immortal scoundrel.All the while the young queen continues to search for a way to defeat two devious, indestructible sisters who seem capable of manipulating outcomes regardless of Eena's attempts to thwart them. The closer she gets to fulfilling the final demands of these witches, the more it appears only one way exists to save herself and her world—by agreeing to join the enemy. But would that make her a hero or the ultimate traitor?



Book 5 - Eena, The Tempter's Snare


Book Summary: It is the queen’s eighteenth birthday, and all of Moccobatra is eagerly prepared to participate in a world-wide celebration. Mallawum ballgames; multicultural song and dance; bartering booths filled with books, trinkets, clothing, and other treasures; children’s games; delectable banquets—these are but a few things in store for the party. Within the year, the young queen of Harrowbeth will be married as tradition dictates. Her husband will then become the rightful king of Harrowbeth, and together they will rule the land as Shen and Sha.With a sure promise of happiness for Eena predicted by Arden’s Vision, it seems nothing can go wrong. But not everyone is happy with her choice of a suitor, especially when respectable men more fitted for the calling of king anxiously wait in line. Pressures mount and are added upon by disturbing dreams that seem beyond the average nightmare. Are these dreams merely a reflection of regrets? Or are they messages that require Queen Eena’s serious attention?



Book 6 - Eena, The Companionship of the Dragon's Soul



Book Summary: The young queen of Harrowbeth is determined to set things right, but doing so means breaking a few big rules. Joined by a select group of Harrowbethian militiamen, as well as a handful of Viidun warriors and a few spunky Mishmorat sisters, Queen Eena sets off for Laradine—the home world of the immortals.There in the land of Tribanees, with the support of her traveling companionship, she intends to confront the immortal governing body and convince them to undo a terrible wrong. But persuading immortals to concern themselves with the troubles of temporary beings may prove to be a futile waste of time. Things get carried away, plans are drastically altered, and before long Eena starts to wonder how many wrongs it will take to finally set things right.








The Harrowbethian Saga by Richelle E. Goodrich Copyright 2012 - 2019



Friday, March 15, 2019

10 Things You Want to Know About Book VI

     The sixth and final book in the Harrowbethian Saga is available for pre-order. Eena, The Companionship of the Dragon's Soul is the big finish to Eena's adventures. Here are ten things you want to know about the book:

1. Eena sets out on a daring rescue mission.

2. She is joined by an unusual companionship made up of Harrowbethian militiamen, a few Viidun warriors, and her spunky Mishmorat sisters.

3. There is a very competitive gotchit game that pits heated rivals against each other.

4. There are ghosts involved.

5. And indomitable immortals.

6. Dragons too.

7. Eena learns the secret to safely peering into a Mishmorat mirror.

8. King Wennergren makes a surprise appearance.

9. Eena meets the infamous mother of Edgarmetheus.

10. There is more than one baby secret.


What are you waiting for?
Read the first five books in the Harrowbethian Saga before book 6 is released:

Book 1
Book 2




Book 3
Book 4

Book 5







Thursday, February 28, 2019

A Sneak Peek at What's Inside: Eena, The Companionship of the Dragon's Soul

       The final book in the Harrowbethian SagaEena, The Companionship of the Dragon's Soulwill be released on April 26th, 2019. The book is up for pre-order right now at Amazon and Smashwords. To wet your whistle while you wait, I'm posting a few excerpts from the book. Don't worry, no spoilers here. Enjoy your reading!




__________________________________________________________

“Compassion only plagues those with hearts, much like a field of thorns only troubles those who bleed.”
__________________________________________________________

“You will want to stand close by, but don’t touch it. Just allow your hands to hover. Pretend an atmosphere of acidic gas exists between you and the gemstone, and if you get too close, the acid will eat the flesh off your fingers.”

“That won’t actually happen, will it?”

“No, Amora. I’m just warning you not to touch it.”

“Why? What if I do?”

“The enchantment will fail.”

“From a simple touch?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because.”

“Because why?”

Edgar groaned a sound of annoyance. “Because if you touch it, the stone will suck out your living essence in the most painful manner possible and consume your flesh before turning your bones to powder.”

Her face twisted up imagining the agony of such a death. The worst part was that being immortal, she would somehow survive it.

“You’re lying,” she quickly decided.

“Am I?”

“You just said the flesh won't be eaten off my fingers.”

“If you don’t believe me when I tell you not to touch it, feel free to test the outcome of such folly for yourself.”

“I think I’d rather not.”

“A wise choice. Shall we move on?”

__________________________________________________________


“To offer your life in defense of another is a valiant, honorable way to die.”

__________________________________________________________


“It doesn’t ever change. Does the sun not set in your dreams?”

Eena grinned at his profile, remembering the first time Ian had noticed the same peculiarity. “No. It never sets.” She watched his brow wrinkle as he wondered at the view.

“What good is a stagnant sunset?”

Eena looked at the auburn lights. The question made her think for a moment. “Well, it’s always exactly what I want it to be, right between day and night.”

“But I thought the beauty of a sunset was watching it change, marveling at the shift in colors as they intensify and then eventually fade.”

“All that leaves you with is darkness,” she muttered.

He turned to look at her. “You’re afraid of the dark?”

She shook her head. “I’m afraid of what happens in the dark.”

A look of concern questioned her meaning.

     “Nightmares,” she explained. “And solitude. And loneliness. The dark is where monsters come to life and people feel the need to leave you. Life is never secure in the dark. You never see things clearly in the dark.”

__________________________________________________________


(You look the same.)

(I’m not using it yet.)

(Don’t you think a test run would be a good idea?)

She nodded. (Probably.)

Her eyelids closed as she concentrated on a mental image of the person she wished to impersonate. Her desire was to appear exactly as the immortal leader, Pallador. Calling on the powers of the dragon’s blood, she willed its enchantment alive. It was Ian’s astounded whisper that told her the charm was working.

“Whoa!”

Opening her eyes she fully expected to see Ian staring at the shining gems on the dragon's blood. Instead, he was staring at her with a look that was more or less disgusted.

(That’s really you?) he asked, looking her up and down as though she had turned into some sort of lizard creature.

(Yes, why? What’s wrong with me?) Her gaze dropped to check for herself. All she observed was her tawny dress pulled in at the waist by Edgar’s hideous, glowing belt. She glanced at one arm and then the other, both sleeved in the same billowed silk. Her fingers flailed, still the same short, slender digits.

(Oh crud,) she breathed. (It’s not working.)

(Oh, it’s working alright,) Ian disagreed.

Eena glanced up to find him grinning with real amusement.

(You’re a dead ringer for the guy. Ghost robe, bug eyes, bony fingers, in need of a serious haircut. Exactly like him.)

(Really?)

(Really.)

(Cool,) she breathed and then added, (That’s not very nice how you described him.)

(It’s accurate.)

_______________________________________________________


Shanks snickered with delight. “It’s the end result that matters, doll. Only the victor walks away with his head intact. Every soldier on this ship knows that as well.”

Eena glared hard at the smirking giant. “Oh, and one more thing. Kira really hates you.”

Shanks broke out in such a fit of laughter that even Kode found it contagious. Niki smacked her boyfriend on the back of the head for being insensitive.

(Kira did not say that,) Ian groaned critically.

(So what? It’s true,) Eena grumbled. (I hate him too.)

(I don’t know why you let the guy get under your skin. Who cares what he thinks? You have nothing to prove to him.)

Eena glared harder at the laughing Viidun as she thought about what bothered her most. It was the way Shanks acted, as if he considered himself superior to everyone. The thug was always bossing people around, snubbing their opinions, surpassing others at even the most trivial accomplishments. But the worst thing was that he honestly saw himself as invincible.

(The guy is full of himself, so what? Just let it roll off your back.)

If only simple advice were as simple to carry out.
_______________________________________________________


She covered her mouth while her promised one slipped back into the rock he now considered his eternal tomb.

Pallador took possession of the scarlet gem and returned it to its dark hiding place. Eena couldn’t move. She stood frozen, facing the wall of mirrors, staring at a pathetic image that mourned in endless repeated reflections. This would be her agonizing eternity if she agreed to stay in Tribanees. This would be her hell—seeing her beloved day after day after day, unable to feel his touch or know his physical affections. This was no blessing in tragedy. Cursed be the immortal that believed time was more precious than love. Her answer to Pallador’s offer was an irrefutable and definitive no.


__________________________________________________________


“What secrets?” Eena blurted out.

Kira answered the question by defensively listing them out on her fingers. “How about the fact that Derian was coming for you in a few short days, or the fact that Gemdorin was forcing you to search for some magic gem we were all unaware existed. How about the knowledge of your unusual powers that you stupidly used to infect the Ghengats, which was also a secret you kept to yourself until it was discovered by Gemdorin, making it too late for us to do anything about preventing you from being beaten half to death! You hide things as if you think your abilities are so superior to what the rest of us can possibly contribute!”

Eena shook her head adamantly. “That’s not what I think…”

“It’s how you behave. It’s how you come across to everyone. Your selfish actions speak a helluva lot louder than your hollow words or your foolish intentions.”

The young queen felt a rise of tears burn her eyes. “My intentions are not foolish. All I ever meant to do was protect those around me.”

“By keeping us in the dark? That’s not protection, girl. That’s neglect.”

Eena sniffled as fresh waterworks ran down her cheeks. Her face twisted up, confused. “People get hurt when they’re involved in my problems.”

“In our problems.”

“No! My problems!” she insisted.

Kira threw up her arms. “There you go being all selfish again!”

Eena sucked in a ragged breath, almost crying out the next question. “How do you figure that’s being selfish? I’m trying to keep everyone safe!”

“And what did I just get through telling you about that idiotic notion?”

Eena looked up at the ceiling. She raised her palms in frustration as she bawled. “I don’t know what else to do! What do you want from me?”

Kira stepped forward and knelt in front of her tortured sister. Her hand rested gently on Eena’s knee as the Mishmorat’s gruff countenance melted. A softer, kinder voice answered the desperate question.

     “We want you to understand that the world doesn’t rest on your shoulders. You’re only responsible for a small portion of what happens daily on Moccobatra. Life isn’t dependent upon you alone, Sha Eena. It’s dependent upon all of us. We’re a team. We work together doing our own part. We need you to be part of our team, not a single entity existing on your own.”

__________________________________________________________


Kira pointed to each surrounding Mishmorat as she went on. “You are part of our sisterhood, girl, which means for life. We rely on you, and we need you to rely on us. We’re sisters, trusting in each other always. If I don’t know what’s happening in your life, there’s no way I can help. And if I can’t help, then I’m of no value. Don’t do that to me.

__________________________________________________________


“Brazen it out! Throw away the scabbard! Grit your teeth, buckle down, and die with your boots on! Or in other words, be determined and resolved until you accomplish the thing you set out to accomplish.”

__________________________________________________________








Saturday, February 23, 2019

Pre-Order The Final Book in the Harrowbethian Saga

I did it!
With an ample amount of sweat and tears and precious muse-moments, I created an entire epic saga, taking it from those first few written words typed out during the days before a Christmas long-past to a six-book adventure that was only twelve years in the making. That is a LOT of invested time and energy. But oh, how I have fallen in love with the completed work! I am well-pleased with the solid ending. One perk of writing your own stories is getting to create the endings of your choice.

Eena, The Companionship of the Dragon's Soul is book number six in the Harrowbethian Saga. It is the culminating chapters of Queen Eena's fantastical, heroic, and romantic adventure. It might surprise you how things wrap up. I won't give away too much of what happens, though A LOT happens. It will make you smile and cry and roll your eyes and hopefully laugh in the right spots. I dare you not to daydream about the story when responsibilities force you to put the book down.

Where can you get a copy? Right now it is available for pre-order on Amazon or Smashwords. The ebook and paperback versions will be released on April 26th, 2019--a fitting date because the very first book in the Harrowbethian Saga was published on April 26th, 2012. And, to make it more special, that is my sister's birthday.

This adventure has been a joy for me to write. It is a tremendous accomplishment to finally, after twelve years, bring the Harrowbethian Saga to an end. I hope you will love this crazy story as much as I have loved writing my daydream to life. As always, happy reading!


The sixth book in the Harrowbethian Saga and  
the grand finale to Sha Eena's story:

The young queen of Harrowbeth is determined to set things right, but doing so means breaking a few big rules. Joined by a select group of Harrowbethian militiamen, as well as a handful of Viidun warriors and a few spunky Mishmorat sisters, Queen Eena sets off for Laradine—the home world of the immortals.

There in the land of Tribanees, with the support of her traveling companionship, she intends to confront the immortal governing body and convince them to undo a terrible wrong. But persuading immortals to concern themselves with the troubles of temporary beings may prove to be a futile waste of time. Things get carried away, plans are drastically altered, and before long Eena starts to wonder how many wrongs it will take to finally set things right.




Thursday, July 12, 2018

Cover Reveal for the FINAL BOOK in the Harrowbethian Saga


had an itch to do things differently with this final book in the Harrowbethian Saga and decided to work backwards by completing the cover before editing the story. I know, I know, it means you still have to wait a few months before the actual book is released, but heynow you have a visual to help your imagination run wild guessing how Queen Eena's adventures will come to an end! That's half the fun about reading a series, isn't it?

Creating this cover was somewhat bittersweet since all the while I knew it was the last one I would illustrate for my very first HUGE writing accomplishment. Who ever thought I would actually write an entire original saga? Not me! However, now that I've scaled that mountain, I'm psyched to try again.

After weeks of contemplating the crazy events that take place in this culminating book, I eventually envisioned the cover I wanted. I chose to showcase Queen Eena elegantly dressed alongside her immortal watch dog, the impish Edgarmetheus. Both characters are dynamic individuals who play vital roles in this book. The background scene is a representation of a new planet you have yet to discover. 

I'm sorry that I can't give a release date for book six entitled, Eena, The Companionship of the Dragon's Soul, but it will be worth the wait! I can tell you that the paperback copy of book fiveEena the Tempter's Snarecontains the very first chapter of book six. You might want to check it out!

NOW...




Without further ado... 





The Final Cover!



Paperback Version Cover


Quote from the book:

“Compassion only plagues those with hearts, much like a field of thorns only troubles those who bleed.”
~ Naradite




E-book Cover




Copyright 2018 Richelle E. Goodrich



Saturday, May 19, 2018

The Harrowbethian Saga―Book V is Out!

Just in case you haven't heard...

                                            ...book 5 in the Harrowbethian Saga is now available on Amazon, Smashwords, iTunes, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and many other online book retailers. Purchase this fun fantasy-romanceEena, The Tempter's Snarein e-book or paperback. 



Bonus: chapter one from book six (the final book in the Harrowbethian Saga) is included in the paperback version!


Following is the first early review posted on Goodreads:

Jackie rated it 5 stars 

"It was amazing!
This 5th book in the Harrowbethian Saga was very compelling to me. It may be my favorite in the series so far. I am a big fan of the Mishmorat, Kira, and she is an important character in this book, as she shares the cover with Eena this time. As always, the book ends with a cliff hanger, leaving you wanting more. I am eager to read the final book, to see what happens in the end...but I am also worried, too. I guess maybe I am not ready for the series to end yet."



Want to know more about the Harrowbethian Saga? Here are summaries for books 1 ― 6. 



Book I - Eena, The Dawn and Rescue: Sevenah Williams lives a quiet farm life until she stumbles upon a mysterious past and learns she is heir to the throne of Harrowbeth. She is the last living of royal blood able to don a peculiar and enchanted heirloom necklace. Given the new name, Eena, she sets off for a new home—a world plagued by civil war—only to discover that her enemies and allies are near impossible to distinguish.



Book II - Eena, The Return of a Queen: An enemy at their heels, a dragon stone portending the queen's demise, and an armada prepared to battle against all odds in hopes of altering the future.




Book III - Eena, The Curse of Wanyaka Cave: Deep within Lacsar Forest inside the black walls of Wanyaka Cave, a childhood ghost story becomes reality. Two evil sisters and their brother, along with a dragon forced to do their bidding, combine efforts to manipulate Queen Eena into freeing them from their eternal prison. And it seems she hasn't the power to resist.



Book IV - Eena, The Two Sisters: Queen Eena sees her world crumbling, chiefly the lives of those she loves most. She must thwart the evil plans of two devious immortal sisters either by defeating them or doing the inconceivable and joining them.




Book V - Eena, The Tempter's Snare: It is the queen's eighteenth birthday, and all of Moccobatra is eagerly prepared to participate in a world-wide celebration. Within the year, the young queen of Harrowbeth will be married as tradition dictates, but not everyone is happy with her choice of a suitor. Pressures mount and are added upon by disturbing dreams that could possibly change the future of Harrowbeth.




Book VI - Eena, The Companionship of the Dragon's Soul: The young queen of Harrowbeth is determined to set things right, but doing so means breaking a few big rules. Joined by a select group of Harrowbethian militiamen, as well as a handful of Viidun warriors and a few spunky Mishmorat sisters, Queen Eena sets off for Laradine--the home world of the immortals. Things get carried away, plans are drastically altered, and before long Eena starts to wonder how many wrongs it will take to finally set things right.





Sunday, April 29, 2018

Meet Gavin, Keykeeper of Dreamland










Gavin is a trustworthy young man with a big responsibility. He is the keykeeper of Dreamland, which means he holds the one and only physical key that opens the gates to his homeland. He is a loyal and busy keykeeper, but like most boys, he is also curious, mischievous, and very interested in fun—especially when it involves sword fighting with notorious pirates or bowling with giant ogres or being swallowed whole by big bad wolves.

Gavin loves his home; he loves his parents, despite their wide and watchful eyes that seem to constantly monitor his performance as keykeeper. But his imagination, which works harder then most, keeps him one step ahead of those who try to cross under, through, or over the gates into his world. He is a clever boy with whom it is a genuine pleasure to dream. 

Read more about Gavin in the following books written by Richelle E. Goodrich:


        


Find these stories on Amazon, Smashwords, iTunes, Kobo, Barnes&Noble

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Cover Reveal! Eena, The Tempter's Snare


One of my favorite things about completing a book is the cover reveal. I'm an extremely visual person, hence my love for art and performance. To sell me on a book, you simply have to attract my eye with the cover. 

Today I am posting my newest cover for my next book in the Harrowbethian Saga—Eena, The Tempter's Snare. The cover shows Kira the Mishmorat and her Harrowbethian friend, the young Queen Eena, inside a secret cave that exists beyond the borders of Harrowbeth. This scene is from book V in the Harrowbethian Saga. It is scheduled to be released next month on April 26th, 2018. 

Front Cover



Back Cover

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Meet Miss Annabelle Fancher


             
Annabelle Fancher is the kindest, sweetest child you will ever meet—that is if you can tolerate her smell. 

      An only child, Anna lives in unpleasant circumstances that do not allow for many soapy baths. She is a pretty girl, but poor. Her homelife is such that she frequently goes without what others take for granted.

The sunlight in her life comes in the form of fairy tales. Anna is a ferocious reader who falls in love with every narrated character she meets. You will be hard-pressed to find a child possessing more vivid imagining skills or more humble personal attributes. Delve into Annabelle's fantasy world, meet her beloved fairy tale friends, and empathize with her real-life struggles in the dramatic novel, Dandelions: The Disappearance of Annabelle Fancher.  Find it on Amazon.


Friday, December 30, 2016

Book Three is Out NOW!

The adventure intensifies!
Read the continuing tale of Queen Eena in this newly-released book three in the Harrowbethian Saga.



Eena, The Curse of Wanyaka Cave
By
Richelle E. Goodrich




Experience greater peril, mystery, romance, adventure and hardship in this third volume of The Harrowbethian Saga. Read the introductory chapters here!




Synopsis:
Captain Derian and his crew have successfully returned the young Queen Eena to her home in Harrowbeth. Gemdorin, their enemy of over a decade, has been defeated. The world awaits healing as peace once again settles over the land. Unfortunately for those closest to Eena, this much-deserved rest proves short-lived.

Deep within Lacsar Forest inside the black walls of Wanyaka Cave, a childhood ghost story has become reality. A more powerful and enduring enemy lures the young queen to where two immortal sisters await in confines, having been imprisoned there for generations. These evil sisters and their brother, along with a dragon forced to do their bidding, combine efforts to manipulate Eena into helping them accrue a means of escape. Though she tries to refuse her assistance, every move she makes only seems to worsen her predicament. She fears losing Derian's trust, Ian's friendship, and possibly someone's life.



Why is it we must
suffer the loss of something so dear
before we realize
what a treasure we had?

Why must the sun be darkened
before we feel
how genuinely impossible it is
to live without its warmth?
Why within the misery of absence
does love grow by such bounds?

Why must life be this way?
It is a strange existence
where such suffering
makes us far better people.

Richelle E. Goodrich, Eena, The Curse of Wanyaka Cave