Encircled ~ an anthology from the Ever Afters
Experience six of the world’s most beloved stories in a whole new light! From historical to futuristic, these retellings will take you to an enchanted forest, a cursed castle, and far beyond. Venture to unknown lands on a quest to save a prince, a kingdom, or maybe even a planet. Encircled has something to offer every fan of fairy tales, both classic and re-imagined.
Featuring my science fiction short story, “Beyond the Stars, Past the Moons,” based on the Norwegian fairy tale, East of the Sun, West of the Moon.
Astrid makes the mistake of landing on a derelict moon base above a planet with a corrosive atmosphere. Inside the base lives Milos, a lonely young man who always wears his space suit and a reflective helmet. The base seems familiar, like from a memory or dream. But Milos is keeping secrets from her. And why won’t he show her his face?
Milos waits for the one destined to break his curse. When Astrid arrives, he realizes she’s everything he’s dreamt about for the last five hundred years. Can she save him before the sorceress who imprisoned him wakes up and destroys them both?
TITLE: The Two Queens of Kyrie Winner in the YA category of ACFW’s 2015 First Impressions contest and the 2016 Genesis contest.
GENRE: YA Fantasy
WORD COUNT: 90,000 words
STATUS: Submitting to literary agents
BLURB:
Tirzah didn’t plan to commit treason. But when a bracelet awakens forbidden magic within her, she realizes Samara, her sister and newly-crowned queen of Kyrie, is unable to resist the wickedness consuming their country. An evil Celestial creature, who offers power in exchange for human blood, schemes to possess Samara, and the hostile nation to the north invades Kyrie.
Desperate, Tirzah consults the Nal, a prophet of the neglected, ancient religion who charges her to lead her people back to the Unseen One, the true God. She rallies those dissatisfied with Samara’s decisions and fights against the enemy bent on conquering Kyrie.
Tirzah must develop her emerging talents, defeat the encroaching army, and overthrow the Celestial cult before her sister and the kingdom are destroyed.
Because peril is upon Kyrie. And only one queen can rule.
EXCERPT:
“This was Mama’s.” Tirzah dropped the bag into the chest and sat on the bed again, the bracelet in one hand. “I remember her wearing it.”
“It’s yours now,” her father said.
“What about Samara?” Such a treasure belonged to the future queen, not Tirzah. She brushed her fingers over the facets of the bracelet’s blue stone. A curious tingle streaked up her thumb like sparks jumping from iron and flint struck together. Mesmerized, she tilted the bracelet until the jewel caught the light with a brilliant blue flash.
Tirzah.
The whispered voice startled her, and energy crackled through the air. Tirzah’s hair lifted off her scalp, and a shiver traveled down her spine.
She slid the bracelet onto her wrist.
TITLE: “The Stone Veil”
GENRE: Fantasy Flash Fiction
WORD COUNT: 694 words
STATUS: Published in Havok magazine. Read here.
EXCERPT: One by one, each sister kisses my veil-clad cheek with the barest touch of lips to lace before hurrying back in line.
My sisters with their golden curls. Flawless skin. Limpid blue eyes. Then there’s me—I choke back the sob tearing at my throat. I won’t let them see me cry. Already I’ve been forced to give up everything. For their safety. For the kingdom’s sake. So I straighten my shoulders, tilt my chin to a haughty angle, and give them the merest nod as I pass by.
jebraunclifford.com 