Wednesday, 9 December 2020

Living Sacrifice

 


  Rachel Rossano is a happily married mother of three children. She spends her days teaching, mothering, and keeping the chaos at bay. After the little ones are in bed, she immerses herself in the fantasy worlds of her books. Tales of romance, adventure, and virtue set in a medieval fantasy world are her preference, but she also writes speculative fantasy and a bit of science fiction.






Separated, but still joined, they strive for freedom.


Left behind at the sept son’s compound, Zezilia Ilar struggles with the after effects of her prolonged commisceo-link with Hadrian. She devotes herself to caring for the wounded arriving almost daily from the battlefields. Pressed to perform procedures and make decisions far beyond her training, Zez grows in confidence and skill. All the while, she wonders if she'll see Hadrian again, fearing the worst possible news will arrive any day.

Sept Son Hadrian Aleron fights to bring peace to his home nation. Allied with the new high king, he and a small army of Talented struggle to retake the capital city. Elitists, though scattered, continue to pick off the strongest of his men. As he battles the remnants of the commisceo-link and tries to organize the campaign, he begins losing himself to exhaustion. Only a miracle will keep him alive.

  
  


Top Ten List

Rachel Rossano’s Top 10 Things to do in Inside the House (in no particular order)

 

1)    Watching movies with her kids. We have a new tradition of family movie night with the kids. My husband and I have introduced them to classics like It’s a Wonderful Life and Harvey as well as the Marvel movies they have missed until now because they were too young.

2)    Reading books. As an author, I know this isn’t a huge surprise, but it needs to be said. I do love a reading afternoon or evening tucked in bed or snuggled on a couch with a large cup of tea.

3)    Binge watching a previously watched show. Leverage, White Collar, and Castle are all favorites. My kids have gotten hooked on Leverage right along side me. It is fun that they are getting old enough to enjoy the same shows as me.

4)    Designing book covers. It is a bit of cheat because this is one of my jobs, but I do enjoy playing around with images and learning new techniques in my free time, what little I have.

5)    Doing Puzzles. We are just introducing our kids to the old favorite from earlier in our marriage when we didn’t have a TV or a DVD player. I have hopes they will enjoy it as much as my husband and I do.

6)    Cooking. I rarely enjoyed cooking when the kids were very young. However, as the kids have grown to take over other chores, I have been enjoying cooking more and teaching the kids how to cook.

7)    Coloring. I do enjoy coloring with my daughter. We pick up coloring books with pretty designs and color them in with markers and colored pencils.

8)    Writing. Another given for an author, I suppose, but it is still my favorite activity.

9)    Brainstorming writing ideas. I love spending a day chatting with a fellow writing friend as she and I bounce character and plot ideas off of each other. It is so exciting when someone beside yourself is  anticipating the fruition of an idea.

10)                 Making crafts. I haven’t been spending as much time crafting of late, but I do enjoy it. From making bookmarks to crochet, I love making new things, especially when they are useful.



 Character Descriptions

Name – Hadrian Aleron

As the youngest of seven sons, he was given seven names (a cultural tradition): Ilias Durand Fidel Hadrian Krispin Valens Savill Aleron (which mean Jehovah is my God, enduring, faithful, dark one, curly-haired, valiant, from the willow farm, eagle). However, he goes by Hadrian most of the time.

Physical Appearance – Tall, dark brown unruly curls, angular features, and intense dark eyes

Tallest among his siblings, he stands out in many ways. Perhaps it was because of the knowledge that he was going to have to help lead a nation at a young age, but even before he took up the role, he carried an air of purpose and gravity about him.

Hadrian was raised by believing parents to honor, love, and obey the Almighty at all costs. In a nation that worships a goddess, that fidelity could mean persecution and, for a public official, possibly death.

 

Name - Zezilia Ilar

Her parents also followed the tradition of giving a child the same number of names as their placement in the family. More names usually meant more prestige. Her names are Zezilia Septima Calypso Aldyne Dulcia Tulliola Olethea Ilar (which means: gray-eyed, seventh born, she who hides, little winged one, sweet, little quiet one, honest, cheerful). Her parents and friends frequently call her Zez.

Physical Appearance – I envision Gal Godot. She is tall for a young woman, she has a nose a bit too long for beauty according to some, changeable gray eyes, and a thick mane of dark mildly curly hair.

Although she is the youngest of her siblings, all brothers, she holds her own in keeping up with as many of their activities as she can manage to join. Eager to please, she is acutely aware of the fact her parents, especially her father, are deeply disappointed she wasn’t the seventh born son they had hoped to raise. However, she is strong willed and not too remorseful. Instead she focuses on her interests of spending time outdoors and studying.






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