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The Missing Shield #4
Running the Gauntlet
Adult Epic Fantasy
The debilitating uncertainties continue…
Solancei, Duchess of Ivanor and secret life shield of Iambre Actarione, is certain of one thing only: that her present situation cannot possibly get any stranger. However, when her jackal fight tormentor introduces her to an unhinged substance addict and long-term prisoner who not only seems to know her, but insists on calling her Mistress, and moves to protect her, she is forced to bend her neck to the Gods’ overwhelmingly bad sense of humour. She may not live to see sunlight again, but no matter the costs, she cannot let this seemingly innocent man suffer either. Yet, will she manage to save the mad prisoner from his intended fate or is her unpredictable captor simply toying with them both?
Playing a dangerous game to keep her true name hidden, is her own life already forfeit? Will she too become a mad, abused addict, or will the Gods for once favour her? Solancei knows her own fleeting odds, but for Iambre she must prevail.
Mired, likewise a victim of her own unsettling circumstances, Princess Iambre of Ostravah is heart sore from the binding promise finally made to her true love, Captain Metavo, but Solancei’s continued absence wreak havoc with her mind. Feeling the need to do the ‘right thing’, this time her virtuous view has little to do with what’s proper and everything to do with following a gut instinct that tells her she must act to help her missing Shield. But how can she make a move when she is surrounded by Zanzier’s sycophantic nobles and a host whose conduct threatens her patience and inspires aversion and suspicions of the worst kind?
Smiles fading, old fears re-surface, to rekindle near-forgotten, debilitating insecurities that could damage her health, Iambre now makes an uncomfortable personal discovery that may affect the future if only she dares embrace it.
Meanwhile, Zanzierian Lord Simarovien Zulavi has plans of his own for the future. An uneasy alliance with a noble loon from Tuxama Lake promises to produce the results he has long been striving for but when a trial to test an old bizarre set of supposed-magical stones proves successful, Zulavi should perhaps be wondering if there is more to the ramblings of his bookish scholar ally than meets the eyes. Tan’Xaviar of Tuxama Lake is peculiar and turns Zulavi’s guts, but an ally is an ally.
At least, for now…
The debilitating uncertainties continue…
Solancei, Duchess of Ivanor and secret life shield of Iambre Actarione, is certain of one thing only: that her present situation cannot possibly get any stranger. However, when her jackal fight tormentor introduces her to an unhinged substance addict and long-term prisoner who not only seems to know her, but insists on calling her Mistress, and moves to protect her, she is forced to bend her neck to the Gods’ overwhelmingly bad sense of humour. She may not live to see sunlight again, but no matter the costs, she cannot let this seemingly innocent man suffer either. Yet, will she manage to save the mad prisoner from his intended fate or is her unpredictable captor simply toying with them both?
Playing a dangerous game to keep her true name hidden, is her own life already forfeit? Will she too become a mad, abused addict, or will the Gods for once favour her? Solancei knows her own fleeting odds, but for Iambre she must prevail.
Mired, likewise a victim of her own unsettling circumstances, Princess Iambre of Ostravah is heart sore from the binding promise finally made to her true love, Captain Metavo, but Solancei’s continued absence wreak havoc with her mind. Feeling the need to do the ‘right thing’, this time her virtuous view has little to do with what’s proper and everything to do with following a gut instinct that tells her she must act to help her missing Shield. But how can she make a move when she is surrounded by Zanzier’s sycophantic nobles and a host whose conduct threatens her patience and inspires aversion and suspicions of the worst kind?
Smiles fading, old fears re-surface, to rekindle near-forgotten, debilitating insecurities that could damage her health, Iambre now makes an uncomfortable personal discovery that may affect the future if only she dares embrace it.
Meanwhile, Zanzierian Lord Simarovien Zulavi has plans of his own for the future. An uneasy alliance with a noble loon from Tuxama Lake promises to produce the results he has long been striving for but when a trial to test an old bizarre set of supposed-magical stones proves successful, Zulavi should perhaps be wondering if there is more to the ramblings of his bookish scholar ally than meets the eyes. Tan’Xaviar of Tuxama Lake is peculiar and turns Zulavi’s guts, but an ally is an ally.
At least, for now…
200 pages, ebook
Published June 1, 2018
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 12, 2018
I may have skipped ahead a bit in this series however, the beginning chapter gave me what I needed to know. That leaves me in a pickle. I want to go back and read books 2 and 3 but I also want to continue forward.
From what I have read so far this series gets stronger as it goes along. "Lucky, lucky day, take my pain away!"
I like the cross-outs in the memoirs. It added a nice touch.
5/5 stars for this one!
From what I have read so far this series gets stronger as it goes along. "Lucky, lucky day, take my pain away!"
I like the cross-outs in the memoirs. It added a nice touch.
5/5 stars for this one!
December 23, 2019
This was a great continuation of 'The Missing Shield' series. The first chunk of the book primarily focuses on Solancei, in which I thought perhaps the whole book would narrow in on this character. But as I kept reading, other favorite characters were brought back in to continue their storylines as well, which I was excited to see. There is more tension in this book compared to one or two of the earlier books (I don't want to post any spoilers), which kept me excited to see where the overall story is heading. Looking forward to seeing what lies ahead in the next installment!
December 28, 2018
I enjoyed the continuing story of the Missing Shield with Running the Gauntlet. Episode 4. With each book, I've grow closer to the characters and am more invested in what's happening to them - and more worried for their safety. Three story lines run through the book, each one interesting and able to hold my attention, and each one having dangerous implications for the characters well-being. Solancei's memories of what happened to her parents is scary and riveting and Princess Iambre has all kinds of ongoing problems. The mysterious and heartbreaking Angemar raises many new questions while Simaro is just as despicable as ever. Nefer's story is equally intriguing. The plot and descriptions and intricately woven and will keep you reading if you like complex plots.
November 9, 2019
"The Missing Shield" is a gripping story of love, death, duty and magic. It's delivered in instalments, and is easy to follow, because each begins with a summary of the story so far. This episode, like all the others, features nail-biting tension and ends on an exciting cliffhanger.
In "Running The Gauntlet", Lord Simaro is toying with his new prisoner, hoping to break beautiful Solancei as he has with other women who have had the temerity to challenge him. Solancei hasn't admitted her true identity, however, so he doesn't know she's accompanied Princess Iambre on her state visit to his stronghold in Zanzier. Iambre, for her part, is both worried about Solancei's disappearance and uneasy in Simaro's company. His pleasantries leave her cold, but she just can't understand why she dislikes him so much...
In "Running The Gauntlet", Lord Simaro is toying with his new prisoner, hoping to break beautiful Solancei as he has with other women who have had the temerity to challenge him. Solancei hasn't admitted her true identity, however, so he doesn't know she's accompanied Princess Iambre on her state visit to his stronghold in Zanzier. Iambre, for her part, is both worried about Solancei's disappearance and uneasy in Simaro's company. His pleasantries leave her cold, but she just can't understand why she dislikes him so much...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews