QSFer Andrew Q. Gordon has a new MM Fantasy story out, prequel to The Last Grand Master, and the only way to get it is to buy the latest book in the series, Child of Night and Day:. More about A Mother’s Love, from the author:
An integral part of the Champion of the Gods story is the losses Farrell suffered early in the war, especially his mother.
In First Love, I used the prequel to explore Farrell’s relationship with his mother and how much he loved her. First Love also tried in a small way to show the dynamics between Farrell and Heminaltose. Although he had a deep respect for his former teacher, their relationship was never warm and nurturing.
With this prequel, I wanted to show the reader more of that defining moment in Farrell’s life when his mother dies defending the city and how she forced him to leave when he wanted to stay. The events of A Mother’s Love take place about a year after First Love and about ten years before “The Last Grand Master”.
Purchase Child of Night and Day:
The instructions for getting this free story are in the front section of the book.
Part of the Champion of the Gods series:
Excerpt
“TWO SECONDS. All he’d needed was two extra seconds.
Farrell put his hands on his knees to catch his breath. He’d hesitated for two seconds and his chance evaporated. They’d never get another opportunity. Meglar had come to fight Heminaltose and Queen Zenora. No one expected an unknown—if untested—grand master to join the fight.
But Farrell hesitated, and someone had spotted him taking aim at Meglar. He’d easily repelled their assault, but then Meglar had taken notice of him. How could even he hurl that much energy?
Meglar’s counterspell had hit him like a sledgehammer and sent him sailing off the wall. Luckily his shields held or he’d be dead. His mother screamed like he had been killed, but Farrell kept his wits enough to fly himself to the ground.
Farrell’s ears rang and the edges of his shirt—where the fabric had touched his shield—smoldered from the heat. The amount of energy needed to make that happen defied explanation.”
“Farrell?” Zenora floated down.
“Mother, what are you doing?” Farrell looked past her to see his master and the lesser wizards holding off the attack. “Master Heminaltose needs you.”
“I….” She glanced up and bit her lip. “Are you hurt?”
“No.” Yes. He’d failed. “Let’s go.”
“No!” She grabbed his arm. “We’re evacuating. We can’t win.”
“Of course we can.” Farrell didn’t feel as confident as he tried to sound. “I’ll do better this time.”
“He has too much power. Our attempts to drain it have been unsuccessful, and we can’t match him.” Zenora shook her head and scanned the courtyard. “We need to retreat and buy time. I’ve already given the order.”
“Mother… he can’t win. I won’t let him.”
She cupped his face with her free hand. “He won’t, but today is not our day.”
Author Bio
Andrew Q. Gordon wrote his first story back when yellow legal pads, ball point pens were common and a Smith Corona correctable typewriter was considered high tech. Adapting to the times, he now writes with a shiny new MacBook that he sets on the same desk as his manual typewriter and vintage adding machine.
Long a fan of super heroes, wizards and sports, Andrew’s works include high fantasy, paranormal spirits, magic as well as contemporary fiction. He is still trying to find the perfect story that will include all his favorites under one cover.
He currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his husband, their young daughter and dog. In addition to dodging some very self-important D.C. ‘insiders’, Andrew uses his commute to catch up on his reading. When not working or writing, he enjoys soccer, high fantasy, baseball and occasionally sleeping.
THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE: http://andrewqgordon.com/