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Of Myths and Portals: Arlan's Pledge Book One: A Portal Fantasy Romance
A warrior fighting his destiny.
A woman desperately seeking hers.
A magic portal that joins them both.
Arlan, warrior son of the High King, lives in Dál Gaedhle, a world of warriors, magic and recently reawakened dragons.
He is certain to become the war chief of his clan.
Destiny seems to ignore Arlan’s desire to forge his own path in life.
Adopted as a baby and orphaned as a young adult, Scottish librarian, Rhiannon, is now adrift after losing her job due to economic cuts and lives a second-rate life, feeling more out of place than ever in our world.
Destiny seems to ignore Rhiannon’s dream to find her true purpose.
When Arlan bursts into her world through a portal, an awesome warrior on his war horse and brandishing weapons, he turns her existence up-side-down.
With his world on the brink of war, and Rhiannon challenging his attitudes, Arlan struggles to choose between his growing feelings for Rhiannon and his responsibilities to his people.
Rhiannon doesn’t want Arlan to leave. He understands her on a level no one else ever has.
But is her desire to fight beside him in his world even possible?
Will destiny be on their side?
‘Everything about this novel is captivating, from the world-building all the way to the enticingly romantic love story that readers feel is unfolding directly in front of them… This novel makes readers want to hold on to the world and clutch every page until the end, simply because it’s that good.’
Austen Grace InD’tale Magazine 4 ½ star review
The Arlan’s Pledge Book One (manuscript) achieved Finalist in 2021 OZMA Fantasy Fiction Awards CIBAs (Chanticleer International Book Awards)
“Beautifully crafted, full of rich setting descriptions, tension that caught my attention and kept it, and characters that leapt off the page. This author is a skilled storyteller.”
—Melody Quinn. Ink & Insights Competition Master Category Judge 2021
This novel contains fight scenes and some supernatural elements.
Other novels in The World of Dál
An Assassin’s Tale.
This series is written in British English.
A woman desperately seeking hers.
A magic portal that joins them both.
Arlan, warrior son of the High King, lives in Dál Gaedhle, a world of warriors, magic and recently reawakened dragons.
He is certain to become the war chief of his clan.
Destiny seems to ignore Arlan’s desire to forge his own path in life.
Adopted as a baby and orphaned as a young adult, Scottish librarian, Rhiannon, is now adrift after losing her job due to economic cuts and lives a second-rate life, feeling more out of place than ever in our world.
Destiny seems to ignore Rhiannon’s dream to find her true purpose.
When Arlan bursts into her world through a portal, an awesome warrior on his war horse and brandishing weapons, he turns her existence up-side-down.
With his world on the brink of war, and Rhiannon challenging his attitudes, Arlan struggles to choose between his growing feelings for Rhiannon and his responsibilities to his people.
Rhiannon doesn’t want Arlan to leave. He understands her on a level no one else ever has.
But is her desire to fight beside him in his world even possible?
Will destiny be on their side?
‘Everything about this novel is captivating, from the world-building all the way to the enticingly romantic love story that readers feel is unfolding directly in front of them… This novel makes readers want to hold on to the world and clutch every page until the end, simply because it’s that good.’
Austen Grace InD’tale Magazine 4 ½ star review
The Arlan’s Pledge Book One (manuscript) achieved Finalist in 2021 OZMA Fantasy Fiction Awards CIBAs (Chanticleer International Book Awards)
“Beautifully crafted, full of rich setting descriptions, tension that caught my attention and kept it, and characters that leapt off the page. This author is a skilled storyteller.”
—Melody Quinn. Ink & Insights Competition Master Category Judge 2021
This novel contains fight scenes and some supernatural elements.
Other novels in The World of Dál
An Assassin’s Tale.
This series is written in British English.
- GenresFantasy
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2022
10 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Jenn Lees
16 books155 followers Award winning author Jenn Lees latest release, Of Warriors and Sages: Arlan's Pledge Book Two achieved Semi-Finalist in the OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction 2023 (Chanticleer International Book Awards).
Of Myths And Portals: Arlan's Pledge Book One achieved First Place Award (Gold) in The BookFest Fall 2024 Fiction-Romance-Fantasy, Second Place Award (Silver) in The BookFest fall 2024 Fiction-Fantasy-Magic, Myths and Legends, and Fiction-Christian-Fantasy.
The Crossing: Arlan’s Pledge Book 1, (Re-released as Of Myths and Portals) achieved Finalist in the OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction (previous draft manuscript) CIBA 2021 (Chanticleer International Book Awards).
Restoring Time (Book 4 of the Community Chronicles Series) achieved Finalist in the CYGNUS Awards for Science Fiction 2021 CIBA.
An Ink & Insights Competition judge says of Arlan's Pledge:
‘Beautifully crafted, full of rich setting descriptions, tension that caught my attention and kept it, and characters that leapt off the page. This author is a skilled storyteller.’ (Melody Quinn. Ink & Insights 2021 Competition Master Category Judge)
Retired nurse, Jenn has travelled extensively and lived on three continents.
Scotland remains her source of inspiration.
Jenn loves walking through a forest and climbing a mountain to experience the view.
Her only disappointment in life is that time travel is not possible... apparently.
Of Myths And Portals: Arlan's Pledge Book One achieved First Place Award (Gold) in The BookFest Fall 2024 Fiction-Romance-Fantasy, Second Place Award (Silver) in The BookFest fall 2024 Fiction-Fantasy-Magic, Myths and Legends, and Fiction-Christian-Fantasy.
The Crossing: Arlan’s Pledge Book 1, (Re-released as Of Myths and Portals) achieved Finalist in the OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction (previous draft manuscript) CIBA 2021 (Chanticleer International Book Awards).
Restoring Time (Book 4 of the Community Chronicles Series) achieved Finalist in the CYGNUS Awards for Science Fiction 2021 CIBA.
An Ink & Insights Competition judge says of Arlan's Pledge:
‘Beautifully crafted, full of rich setting descriptions, tension that caught my attention and kept it, and characters that leapt off the page. This author is a skilled storyteller.’ (Melody Quinn. Ink & Insights 2021 Competition Master Category Judge)
Retired nurse, Jenn has travelled extensively and lived on three continents.
Scotland remains her source of inspiration.
Jenn loves walking through a forest and climbing a mountain to experience the view.
Her only disappointment in life is that time travel is not possible... apparently.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 27, 2024
Dál Cruinne is a land of warriors, mages and dragons, connected to our world through well-hidden portals which occasionally let a traveller pass. As happens to Arlan, second son of the high sovereign of Dál Gaedhle, thrown into modern Scotland mid-battle just in time to meet Rhiannon as she fights off a creep. Brought together by chance - or destiny - Arlan and Rhiannon will need to work out how to get Arlan back where he is needed to save his world from a terrible fate, and what that will mean for their future.
Of Myths and Portals is a well-built clean romance fantasy, combining classic elements of the genre with time travel and reflections on war, peace and finding one's way. The worldbuilding is rich and well constructed, giving Dál Cruinne a medieval Scotland feel while incorporating the fantastical elements. It is also interesting to see the modern world seen through Arlan's eyes, though he seems to adapt to it awfully quickly avoiding the "fish out of water" effect. Though off to a rocky start, the budding romance between him and Rhiannon is sweet and believable, adding an extra layer to the story.
What I struggled with slightly from a style point of view was the alternating between Rhiannon's POV in the first person and Arlan's POV in the third person, which often felt unnecessary as both character's thoughts and feelings were presented all the same by a seemingly omniscient narrator, which rendered the occasional sudden switch to first-person narration somewhat confusing.
Still, this is a captivating read and after that ending I'm really glad to already have the second book ready to start!
I received an advance review copy of this book for free from the author via Reedsy Discovery. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
For more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
Of Myths and Portals is a well-built clean romance fantasy, combining classic elements of the genre with time travel and reflections on war, peace and finding one's way. The worldbuilding is rich and well constructed, giving Dál Cruinne a medieval Scotland feel while incorporating the fantastical elements. It is also interesting to see the modern world seen through Arlan's eyes, though he seems to adapt to it awfully quickly avoiding the "fish out of water" effect. Though off to a rocky start, the budding romance between him and Rhiannon is sweet and believable, adding an extra layer to the story.
What I struggled with slightly from a style point of view was the alternating between Rhiannon's POV in the first person and Arlan's POV in the third person, which often felt unnecessary as both character's thoughts and feelings were presented all the same by a seemingly omniscient narrator, which rendered the occasional sudden switch to first-person narration somewhat confusing.
Still, this is a captivating read and after that ending I'm really glad to already have the second book ready to start!
I received an advance review copy of this book for free from the author via Reedsy Discovery. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
For more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
January 11, 2023
For the lovers of all things Scottish, time travel and romance (we all love that), The Crossing by Jenn Lees has it catered for. With a fast moving storyline, Arlen's story unfolds with excitement, tragedy and loss but like the true strong man he is, he never gives up. So if you feel like letting yourself take an escape to the wonderful lands of Scotland, imaging those magnificent accents that Jenn captures so well, take a dive into Arlen's Pledge Book One and enjoy.
May 17, 2023
Though this book tells a compelling story, I found it confusing that the title references Arlan—the prince who travels through the portal—but his story is told in third person POV while Rhiannon’s segments in Perth, Scotland, are written in first person. To my mind, this made her the main character, not Arlan. The switching from third person to first person struck me as unnecessary. Just my opinion, but I would have been less thrown off if both were kept in third person POV.
The language here is beautiful, the descriptors thoughtful and well-crafted if perhaps a bit too overdone and thus, slowing the plot development. The characters are rounded and believable. They drew me into their developing relationship securing continued reading.
I appreciated the care taken to introduce each chapter using quotes from the history of Dal Cruinne, Arlan’s world. This is a well-written, clean romance with a wonderful fantasy feel. The Portal elements were limited and believable. The dragon appropriately terrifying and the enemies truly chilling. The whole story leads to an ending just begging the reader to continue. I plan to read more by this author.
The language here is beautiful, the descriptors thoughtful and well-crafted if perhaps a bit too overdone and thus, slowing the plot development. The characters are rounded and believable. They drew me into their developing relationship securing continued reading.
I appreciated the care taken to introduce each chapter using quotes from the history of Dal Cruinne, Arlan’s world. This is a well-written, clean romance with a wonderful fantasy feel. The Portal elements were limited and believable. The dragon appropriately terrifying and the enemies truly chilling. The whole story leads to an ending just begging the reader to continue. I plan to read more by this author.
September 16, 2024
Magic, portals, slow build romance and dragons
I love dragons. A great story that gave me a good feel for the characters and the setting. This story bounces between some different times as well as different places. I did really like the primary characters and felt a connection to them. There is a lot going on in this world building story where evil must be stopped. Arlan, who is from a different place does a good job showing us how he deals with it. There is a war coming and Arlan figures out what he must do, but will his people believe him. A great build to this story including the evil Ciaran. This is an ongoing story and we are left with more to come after the end of this book one. I enjoyed and recommend to read. I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.
I love dragons. A great story that gave me a good feel for the characters and the setting. This story bounces between some different times as well as different places. I did really like the primary characters and felt a connection to them. There is a lot going on in this world building story where evil must be stopped. Arlan, who is from a different place does a good job showing us how he deals with it. There is a war coming and Arlan figures out what he must do, but will his people believe him. A great build to this story including the evil Ciaran. This is an ongoing story and we are left with more to come after the end of this book one. I enjoyed and recommend to read. I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.
September 16, 2024
Magic, portals, slow build romance and dragons
I love dragons. A great story that gave me a good feel for the characters and the setting. This story bounces between some different times as well as different places. I did really like the primary characters and felt a connection to them. There is a lot going on in this world building story where evil must be stopped. Arlan, who is from a different place does a good job showing us how he deals with it. There is a war coming and Arlan figures out what he must do, but will his people believe him. A great build to this story including the evil Ciaran. This is an ongoing story and we are left with more to come after the end of this book one. I enjoyed and recommend to read. I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.
I love dragons. A great story that gave me a good feel for the characters and the setting. This story bounces between some different times as well as different places. I did really like the primary characters and felt a connection to them. There is a lot going on in this world building story where evil must be stopped. Arlan, who is from a different place does a good job showing us how he deals with it. There is a war coming and Arlan figures out what he must do, but will his people believe him. A great build to this story including the evil Ciaran. This is an ongoing story and we are left with more to come after the end of this book one. I enjoyed and recommend to read. I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews