Hey Clan!
Today marks the end of our official Tale of the Clans book cover reveals. While Lord of Vengeance left you questioning everything, Stone of Division will open you up to the wider world of Viking-era Ireland.
If you missed the previous posts on books 3 and 4, you can catch up at Stone of Division Cover Reveal and Lord of Vengeance Unveiled.
Now, for the epic final cover…
The Setting for Stone of Division
In Stone of Division our heroic cast returns to Cashel. But by now, you’re well aware they’re not prone to linger.
With the destabilizing of their world, new divisions come to light and with those a need to travel north to Meath, Dublin, and the famed Hill of Tara.
Book 4 transitions from the years 968-969 AD, taking readers into the High King of Ireland’s realm and venturing among the Dublin Norse who oppose him.
The Cast of Stone of Division
Nessa
Finally wed to Gideon, Nessa hopes to put their troubled past behind them and forge a new life together. Yet her choice to spy with Brendan riddles her with guilt. If Gideon or the Dal Cais learn of her treacherous acts what will become of her marriage?
Gideon mac Davan
Despite the travails of recovery from torture, Gideon sees promise in a future for him and Nessa. Slowly, his sacrifices for the clan produce reconciliation in his divided family. Still, there are divisions that lie beneath the surface.
Charged with the mission to hunt down his traitorous brother-in-law, Gideon is conflicted over where his true loyalties should reside. True to form, betrayal is never far from his clan.
Brendan mac Gara
Vengeance against his uncle still out of grasp, Brendan chooses to throw his lot with the Dal Cais to accomplish his goal. But their means of testing him presses Brendan to the brink.
How can he betray his closest friend? Still more, sacrifice his mother and the woman he’s come to love?
Svava
Coming to grips with the reality that her lost family still lives, Svava struggles to connect with her estranged brother and sister. They cannot accept her love of the foreigners who raised her, nor her denial of her old life with them.
Even now they seek to separate her from Maureen and Brendan, the very ones who rescued her from a fate worse than death. Harder still, Brendan seems set to deny the mutual affection growing between them. Can their mission to Meath provide her the means to break through his defenses and turn his heart on the right path? Or will their forbidden love cost the mission and more?
The Theme of Stone of Division
While Stone of Division still deals in part with some of the themes continually running through all the books in the Tale of the Clans series, its shining focus settles on those “rock bottom” moments that cause us to question our true foundation.
Everyone faces it at some point in their life. The defining moment where you come to the end of yourself and you have to ask what you truly believe.
Falls like these lead to utter brokenness.
But in brokenness refining takes place.
When you hit “rock bottom” you’re ultimately left with two choices: give up, or assess your true foundation.
If Christ is your true foundation, then there’s hope in brokenness because it inevitably leads to healing. He paves the path for true redemption. With that comes forgiveness and hope.
This isn't the End!
Indeed, Stone of Division marks the end of the first four books in the Tale of the Clans series. But there are more to come.
We’re not even halfway through, friends. This is just the tip of the spear. Your support will help plow a path for the rest of the series to flourish.
One of the biggest ways you can assist in the future of this series apart from buying and reading the books, is to help spread word about Tale of the Clans.
Don’t forget to share this post!
Then get ready! Submissions are about to open for the Clan Launch Team. We want you to be a part of this exciting adventure filled with fun, prizes, and the chance to get more than just a sneak peek into Tale of the Clans.
For more information, join the Clan and prepare to gather Hearthside for further instructions.
Melissa, I believe readers will be caught up in the world you’ve invested in. In the last few days, I’ve drafted a post showcasing your “edgy historical fiction.” I found a thistle brooch from the 9th-10th century period and copied your own text from your website, defining it and linking directly to your home page. May publish it? Would you want to see it first?
Ooh! That sounds wonderful! I’d love to see it if you don’t mind sharing.
Of course I will share! Will do this before publishing the post.
Melissa, to let you see the post before publication I must add you as part of my blog team, as an editor or contributor. That’s okay with me. I could do this from now through the launch period.
I will need your user name to mail an invitation.
If you are referring to my WordPress username, then you should be able to find me at M.N. Stroh or @melissastroh. But you know, you don’t have to add me as an editor or contributor to show me your blog post. Do you know how to take a screenshot? If you go into your blog post and enter preview mode, then you can take a screenshot of the post and email that image to me. If you are on a PC/Windows computer, then all you need to do is press the Windows key (it looks like the Microsoft Windows symbol) and the Print Screen key at the same time. This will cause your computer to take a snapshot of your screen and save the image either in your downloads file or a Screenshot file. If you are on a Mac, then to take a screenshot you just need to push three buttons at the same time: Shift, Command, 3. I have a PC, so I don’t know exactly how it works on a Mac, but according to Google, after you press those three buttons, a little thumbnail of your image should pop up for you to edit as you choose, or it will save the image to your desktop.
Will try to do this today. Thank you!
Melissa, a writer of historical fiction – Ailish Sinclair – liked your post on edgy historical fiction.
Awesome!
Well written, Melissa! I’m amazed at your polished style perfect for this kind of piece – an invitation to read; amazed at the complexity and fire of your series.
Thank you, Maria! That you see my stories in that light is very cool to hear. I know you’re aware, that we writers invest so much of ourselves in our work. I believe firmly that if the story resonates with me then there’s a good chance it will resonate with readers. I pour as much as I can into the story and the characters so readers can feel invested too.