Author: Anna del C. Dye
Genre: Young Adult Medieval Romance
Published: February 3, 2017
Book Description:
Small for her age, Princess Nyala is determined to be noticed and someday rule with fairness and valor in Kaloma. All that changes when she looks upon the stars and they predict her accident. After she awakens to a broken body, her father takes to his goblet and she steps into power in her kingdom at sixteen.
Her father said that no man would choose a half-broken princess. Is that how Prince Nicolao sees her after the accident? Her heart is unsure, and out of fear, she keeps him away to avoid a broken heart.
As soon the other kingdoms in the land determine the predicament of the Royal House of Kaloma, they too will prey on her vulnerability to steal her kingdom. She will have to confront new foes or lose it all.
Excerpt:
“The servants have set dinner in the terrace for us,” the prince stated.
“That will be different,” the princess replied. “But it is a wonderful night.”
“I think it is the company that makes it more beautiful,” Briton said. He didn’t want to be left out, and Nicolao felt for him, just a little bit.
Never before had he noticed how long the hall seemed or the brilliant lights that hung from the rafters. That night the path echoed with their joyous voices and their steps. He pointed to the paintings of his forefathers and she commented on their clothes and strange hairdos.
“I would love to see your kingdom someday,” he mentioned. He wanted to stay close and see where his admiration for her would take him in the next few years. He vowed to let his heart decide the matter.
“Oh, this is enchanting, Prince Nicolao,” she sighed and brought him back to the moment.
The servants opened two glass doors and the group stepped onto the terrace.
“Could you please call me just Nicolao?” he asked.
“Did you see the lanterns hanging from the vines?” she asked, ignoring him and he wondered why? ... Did she do it on purpose?
“They seem like stars suspended in the air.” Misty turned slowly to take it all in.
“The fragrance from those flowers is delicate and beautiful,” Nyala stated, and sniffed the air some more.
“I am most pleased that you like them,” the prince said. He wanted her attention and it felt odd to compete with the nightlights and plants for it.
“Like them? We love them!”
After supper, Nicolao invited them for a moonlit walk.
Nyala glanced again at the dark velvety sky and said, “I have never seen so many stars in one place before.”
“Me neither, it is an awesome sight,” her lady-in-waiting added.
“We ordered them,” explained Asher, “the velveteen sky, the diamonds, all suspended in the night, just for you.” He finished with a bow towards Misty. The words fitted the moment and the company and Nicolao wished he would have come up with that thought, but alas, he was outwitted.
“Most thoughtful of you,” Misty giggled.
“I would like to know about the different shapes that the stars form,” Nyala stated. “See that one, it seems to be a pot or something like that.”
“I do see what you mean,” Nicolao responded.
“Do you know what they mean?” she pressed.
“No, but there is someone in the castle who knows about them,” he affirmed. “Briton, could you get Drake, the astrologer, from his tower to come and talk to us about the stars?”
“What is an astrologer?” Nyala asked as Briton left.
“Astrologers are few, and only royalty have one in their employ,” the prince explained. “They claim to understand the stars, travel by them and such. But take warning, their upkeep is high.”
“I see,” she said.
“My Princess, many astrologers are seen as an amusement by many of the people of the court,” Asher cautioned her.
“It is just for fun, my friend,” she patted his arm. “I am dying to see what he tells us.”
“Princess Nyala visits us from the Kingdom of Kaloma,” Prince Nicolao introduced her to the astrologer.
“It is an honor, My Lady,” Drake said and bowed to them. A half-moon pendant hung from his neck over the long, dark blue gown he wore.
“Drake, please tell us, what do you see in the stars?” Nyala asked, hands turned upward.
“Many things, My Lady,” he answered.
“What about the shapes of the stars, Drake? Do they mean anything?”
“Yes, My Princess. They all have names and they are the rulers of everyone’s future,” he answered. He then told them the name of many star clusters; at least what he and the other astrologers called the different groups of stars. His knowledge kept them fascinated for a long while.
“What else do you see in them?” she asked again.
“I see the seasons, the weather and also the future.”
“That is impossible; no one is permitted to know such things.” Nicolao stared at the sage.
“Everyone’s future is written in the stars,” the astrologer insisted. His dark eyes returned the prince’s stare.
“Could you tell me about my future?” Nyala asked.
“Yes, My Lady. Please tell me which day you were born.”
She answered all of his questions. He then opened his star charts and did some calculations on them. When Drake seemed done, he glanced back and forth between the prince and her, his lips and tan face appeared tight.
“What did you find out?” she blurted.
“My Lady is going to be a queen before she turns eighteen,” Drake responded.
“Oh, the laws of our kingdom stipulate that I have to be eighteen to become queen.”
“It is written in the stars,” he pointed at the parchment in his hand.
“What else did you see?” Nicolao insisted, not impressed with his first statement.
“My Lady is coming back to visit us in the spring of her fifteenth birthday,” Drake stated quickly.
“That sounds much better. Will I be alone?” Nyala asked.
“No, My Lady, thy father and this young lady will be with you.”
“Anything more?” she insisted.
“Thy father is going to fall ill and die on your seventeenth birthday, My Princess.”
~~~
Anna was born in the extreme South along some famous beaches. She grew up with four other siblings, being placed in the middle.
Anna moved to the USA to marry her husband, Rodney, and has resided in Utah since then. Her husband, a native of Idaho, met her in her hometown. They fell in love and she came to Utah on Christmas Eve to be married two weeks later. They are the parents of three princes and a princess.
Early on in her life she showed an affinity for sewing and took classes that rewarded her with the opportunities of doing costuming for the cast of four musicals, and for Utah’s own Fantasy Con, which she enjoyed immensely. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Anna lives in Taylorsville, Utah, in a house that is 116 years old.
Some of Anna’s writing recognitions:
Anna received the Editor’s Choice Award from the International Library of Poetry and had her article entitled "A New American Mother" published by Desert Saints Magazine. Her short story entitled "Amerine—Fairy Princess" won an award in the Oquirrh chapter contest and was published by Kalkion Magazine. (Now it is published as an e-book.) Other articles about family and relationship have been published frequently in the MOMS CLUB® of Salt Lake Valley-West.
Anna has published seven books in her Elf series. One won a bronze seal, another first page second place and yet another honorable mention. Her love story was published by Deseret book in the anthology entitled Angels Round About, compiled by July C. Olsen. Another of her articles was included in the book Mother’s Message in a Bottle, edited by Tyler Hayden and published by Ninbus Publishing. Her new series, "A Royal Romance," was published in February, 2015, with the first book being Once Upon Two Kingdoms, which won a first page award. A Kingdom by the Sea, the second book in "A Royal Romance," was published in February, 2016.
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Purchase Link: Kindle
Interesting excerpt from a different genre than I'm used to. Anna's old house in Taylorsville is even older than the one we lived in in Murray, which was finally torn down.
ReplyDeleteWe had running water, but no sewer connection, and an outdoor john.
Really, Oscar? This is an historical house and no one is going to torn it down. It has awesome woodwork in it and many memories. We love it and our kids and grandkids love it too. They will keep it after we are gone. :)
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