Those of you who follow my Facebook author page and/or New Dawn Publishing’s Facebook or Instagram may have seen that the cover for my new book, The Amber Owl, will be revealed very soon. I hope readers will love it as much as I do: it really captures the spirit of the story. After the cover reveal, reviewers will be able to request ARCs (advance reading copies.) To do that, you’ll need to fill in a form that will be available on the publisher’s page. Pre-orders will also be available from that date.
New Dawn’s books are published in Australia. They offer international shipping from their website.
The Amber Owl will be published in late February 2025. I’m likely to be attending some events in Australia and perhaps New Zealand next year to help promote the book, which is the first novel in the Heartwood duology. I’m looking forward to catching up with some readers! Meanwhile I continue to work hard on Book 2.
Here’s the story synopsis (from the back cover):
Stasya lives in an isolated farming village on the edge of the mysterious Heartwood Forest with her unusual dog for company. Thought odd by the locals, she is tolerated for her rare gift with animals. Engaging with her fellow humans is difficult, with one exception: goatherd Lukas, who shares her love of storytelling.
The peace of Heartwood is shattered when a group of soldiers descends, under orders from the Ruler of the Northlands. Their mission: to hack a path through the forest and find the fabled treasure said to lie deep within.
When Stasya raises her voice in protest she is removed from her beloved home and transported to court – a different world. Word of her special skills has reached the Ruler’s ears, and Lady Elisabeta has a job for her. But Stasya will not break her vow to protect the forest, even under the most appalling threat.
Secrets abound; dangers lie everywhere; and it is hard to tell friend from foe. As Stasya and her band of unlikely allies embark on a perilous mission, it becomes apparent that uncanny forces may indeed be involved. Maybe the old tales of the Hermit are true.
