The Mourning Son is almost here!

Well, as of this post, The Mourning Son, Book 2 of the Absolution of the Morning Star series, will be available tomorrow (2/4/22)! For a limited time, over the following weekend and until Tuesday (2/8/22), Dawn of the Lightbearer will be free for the first time since its release! Don’t miss out!

I started writing The Mourning Son on June 25, 2021, so it took a solid seven months. As a sequel, it didn’t appear on the page as quickly as Dawn of the Lightbearer, but seven months to produce a 500-page book from beginning to end is not too shabby. It came in at just over 145,000 words, which is where I wanted it to be. The last month was a challenge as I set myself a deadline for release and I had a lot of editing to do, but I made it with a day to spare. I’m very excited to offer this next part of the story to the world, and I hope you enjoy the path it’s taking!

The Mourning Son continues the journey of Erikson Gray as he discovers his family’s dark past and learns more about his potential destiny. Erik wakes on the periphery of the vast Llwyn Sanctaidd or Sacred Grove without a memory. He ventures into the ancient forest to discover new friends, enemies both old and new, and the secrets the grove hides. As he struggles through the wildlands, Erik’s sword, Lightbearer takes control and directs him down an unknown path. The Mourning Son gives the reader their first real look at the Lucardian mainland, a tortured and sick land ruled by a failed savior, Emperor Vesper Zuilkaarme, the Uniter. Tensions build as Vespers rule draws closer to its inevitable end and power struggles ensue.

Lucardia and its long history have captivated me, and I think I will continue to explore this world for some time. The Absolution of the Morning Star series should come in at about five or six books, so there is much more in store in this storyline (roughly two years of writing worth), but I envision potential for other series and one-off novels set in this world. Currently swirling in my mind now are the Nyth Cigfran witches and their magic of the flesh, the story of the Great Beholding, the rise and fall of Sathanas the first Uniter, and the travels of Bartholomew and Dirk. Then there are tales of the warring five kingdoms (Lucardia’s dark ages) and the twelve that came after, Vesper’s rise, and what Koen was doing in the three years he was missing. Outside of the main story arc, we have the Guild of White, the Order of Thanatos, the Alchemists of Ignis, the Followers of Eosphorus, and the saga of the Jötunn to explore. I could easily spend my whole life in this world, and perhaps I will! With each book, it gets richer and more exciting!

I hope you enjoy The Morning Son, and if you haven’t checked out Dawn of the Lightbearer, what are you waiting for! As always, if you like them, please leave a review. They help both in sales and encouragement. Now, it’s time to delve into book 3, Noonday in the North, where Erik will meet his maternal grandfather and begin the pilgrimage to reclaim his birthright. Stay tuned!

Cheers!