BOOK RELEASE: The Surrogate Sea by Danielle E. Shipley

Today I am happy to share with everyone

Danielle E Shipley’s, The Surrogate Sea,

the 6th installment in her Wilderhark Tales series.

Danielle has a giveaway and another goodie in store for the launch:

 First up:

Danielle has agreed to write a piece of Flash Fiction for her stop on the tour. 🙂

The Sea’s Judgment

“Waters of land.”

The Moon’s voice fell on the southern seas, otherworldly as his light glinting off their waters, weighty as his pull upon their tides.

“The Great Sea’s time draws near,” he said. “It will not do that she should die with none to take her place. Who among you has a daugher? One born of sea and neighboring sea?”

Seven such daughters came forward, all thrilling at the prospect of so grand a destiny. They rode in the hold of the misty South Wind to the nethermost shore, where waited Aesóryna, the first and greatest Sea.

She looked the daughters of inland waters up and down and deep inside, senses testing at their cores. “My role is vast,” she told them sternly. “My ways are wild. Only the fiercest hearts have a hope of holding my power. Too gentle,” she dismissed one. Another, “Too meek.” A full half, rejected for being too shallow.

At last, she studied the final pair, unsure how best to choose between them, for each seemed the other’s equal in strength.

“Then do not choose,” the South Wind spoke smoothly from his humid haze, “but divide your sea between them.”

The first maiden’s eyes brightened; even half of Aesóryna’s power was far more than that of any inland sea. But the second maid said, scowling, “No! The essence of the Great Sea is not a piece of meat to be shared among sharks! If it is not whole, it is not true. I would sooner have another claim it in full than see it thus diminished.”

Aesóryna smiled at the South Wind. “Thank you, clever Austeryn. Though you cloak this length of shore in fog, you’ve shown me my choice clear.” She turned her gaze onto the indignant sea maiden. “Who are you, child?”

The maid answered, “Neredeth.”

“One name too few. Henceforth, you are Neredeth Aesóryna, heir to my sea.” Her eyes and waters sparkled bright. “For you shall be a great one.”

And we have a GIVEAWAY:

Thank you, Danielle for stopping by the blog today!