A Winter’s Writing Odyssey: Duke Rhime of the Spire is coming!

The holidays brought frigid winds and biting cold here in the Boston area—a perfect excuse to stay indoors and write. With two weeks off from work, I turned my time into a creative marathon. By Christmas, I had completed editing Destiny of the Daystar (available now!) well ahead of its January 7th release. That left me with an unexpected gift: a massive block of free time.

I embarked on a new writing project in the Lucardian universe at the start of December. This story takes us back 300 years, before the events of the Absolution of the Morning Star series, to the tumultuous Five Kingdoms period. It follows the enigmatic Duke Rhime Battenborne of Eldenspire, a figure whose name echoes through my other works. But instead of centering on Rhime, I decided to tell the story through Evaline Lysena, a second daughter of a struggling noble house who finds herself bound to the Duke. This decision gave the narrative an intimate, character-driven focus, with Evaline taking center stage.

From December 20th to January 5th, the snow fell, the coffee flowed, and the words poured out. I experienced a writer’s bliss like never before, averaging over 3,000 words a day. Some days, I hit 10,000. Duke Rhime of the Spire now sits at 87,219 words, with only five chapters left to write. If the weather keeps up, I might finish this weekend!

This story is set in the dark castle of Eldenspire. Unlike my previous works, it narrows its focus to a few key characters, primarily Evaline, as she navigates her new life alongside the mysterious Duke Rhime. The castle looms as a physical and emotional force in the narrative, its dark history woven into the lives of those who dwell within.

Evaline’s journey is one of survival and transformation. She arrives at Eldenspire under the weight of duty, but her story quickly becomes a search for truth. As she uncovers the mysteries surrounding her new husband and the powerful, otherworldly presence within the castle walls, Evaline is forced to confront dangers far older and darker than she could have imagined. Her resilience and spirit are tested in ways that reshape her—and the realm itself.

Unlike the sprawling epic Absolution of the Morning Star, this tale is more intimate and gothic, atmospheric. It is still a dark fantasy, but with strong romantic undertones, it explores love, power, and the cost of survival.

Rich with intrigue, complex characters, and the moody, windswept setting of Eldenspire, Duke Rhime of the Spire is the foundation of a new trilogy (unexpected, but I have so much more story to tell). While it is steeped in Lucardia’s lore, it stands as a compelling entry point for new readers and an exciting deep dive into Lucardian history for longtime fans.

The snow and cold allowed me to bring Evaline’s harrowing journey to life this holiday season. Whether you’re eager to uncover the roots of Lucardia’s history or simply ready to lose yourself in a tale of love, mystery, and transformation, Duke Rhime of the Spire will not disappoint.

Get ready to enter the spire…