Legend of the Iron Flower Box Set (Books 1-4)
Page 100
Other Works
Iron Champion - Nearly indestructible heroine Rose gets a letter from a foreign king inviting her to discuss opening a new branch of the center for magical study she helps run. Upon arriving in his kingdom of Terlon, she learns that his true motive is to request her aid against invaders from a larger country. Though annoyed by his deception, her compassion does not allow her to turn a blind eye to the suffering of his people and she agrees to help. Following unfavorable developments in the war, Rose finds more and more responsibilities being heaped upon her shoulders. A bitter dispute breaks out over the leadership of Terlon with her caught in the middle, and a battle with the enemy nation's war god looms near. But even that might not be the most daunting trouble fate has planned for her. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FGJFHVW/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
Iron Melting - Wracked with anxiety over a dread prophecy concerning her children and guilt for the men she has killed to protect them, weary heroine Rose decides to take a break by visiting her mother with her family. But ill fortune strikes again as she and her husband Finn encounter The Lost, an organization of people who have lost everything and wish to balance the scales of fairness by making everyone suffer as they have. When they learn The Lost serve the same destructive force their children are foretold to revive, it looks like they may have to face a reckoning earlier than expected. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H16B2AS/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
Iron Clash - With the ultimate weapon in hand, treacherous prince Victor gathers allies from around the world to join him in his bid for Kayland. As civil war looms, Rose races against time to stop Victor's power from growing out of hand and save her country. Foes old and new gather under his banner, forming the fearful coalition of the Tri-Principality. But when Victor using another guise calls forth the last survivors of an ancient civilization, will his deception force Rose and friends to exterminate an entire race? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IGUTHL4/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
Iron Seeds - Rose thought she had saved her children from a dread prophecy by destroying the evil they were foretold to revive. Her kids grown, the family now adventures together in search of lost knowledge. But when the wheels of destiny turn again and a dark fate looms over the twins once more, they all must face the most powerful enemies yet. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MBNANWO/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
Saving Fate -The adopted son of an earl, Mark fears he will never live up to his father's expectations. But when he learns his mother is a famous warrior who once saved their country from barbarian invasion, he sets out to meet her and become more than the underachiever he no longer wants to be. Joined by wild and brazen warrior princess Ann, Mark travels through barbarian lands and cursed wastes while ever hounded by the minions of an evil duke who plans to kidnap him to control his father. Will timid Mark find the strength to survive endless mercenaries, demonic shrubs, an awkward romance with the more experienced Ann, and the duke's conniving son who just happens to be named Marcus? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BC17YDW/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
Blood of Kings - Illegitimate Mildred "Mildy" Pendragon wants just one thing: To prove to Camelot that she's as much a warrior as her daddy, King Arthur. With her cowardly Greek squire Ares and metrosexual best friend Lance at her side, she strives to prove her legendary bloodline through knightly deeds. But no matter what she does or who she beats, she cannot seem to win over chivalric society. On quest to save the fey from destruction by an evil mage, Mildy meets the mother she has never known and learns the bitter truth of her incestuous birth. She continues to fight for good despite her disillusionment, but accidentally kills Arthur's favorite knight and makes a bitter enemy of her father. Can she defy fate and save her family from imploding, or is the saga of the Pendragons destined to end in tragedy? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EAXFMK6/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
Lost from Legend - After losing his memory, Jack had moved on and started a family with the woman who saved his life. But when his former love finds him at his humble inn and reveals Jack was once a warrior king, he remembers her place in his heart. For all he adores his wife, he is hard pressed to reject the powerful queen who loves him. Urged to take back his throne and longing to complete his memory, Jack visits his homeland. There, he battles an elusive mage with ambitions to take the crown while his wife is terrorized by a ghostly stalker seeking revenge. But as he struggles to defend his loved ones from these mysterious foes, the mistakes of his own past may be prove to be his undoing. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HNTX01C/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
The Red Rider - After killing the werewolf that took her grandmother's life, a young girl is outcast from her village over the perceived taint from contact with the lycanthrope. A decade later she is the famous Red Rider, slayer of hundreds of werewolves. When she learns of a new breed of more intelligent lupines, her skills are put to the ultimate test, and even the help of other warriors such as overweight knight Herbert and cage fighting champion Evie may not be enough to overcome the rising threat. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JBTNXUA/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
Fists Against Fear - When financially struggling mixed martial arts fighter Jason accepts an illegal underground bout out of desperation, he meets his match in a mysterious iron-fisted young woman named Cheryl. They find each other to be kindred souls, and strike up a fast friendship. But after Jason learns of Cheryl's history of battling dark creatures and it comes back to haunt her, the two of them must stand together against supernatural evil. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KK41O2O/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
Raiders of the Dry Coast - Julius knows nobody wants to be friends with the bodyguard of an insane wizard. Having served Zog all his life, he wonders if there can be more for him than being the lonely companion to someone who views him as little more than a helpful pet. He finally quits after his master drags him off to hellish worlds full of slimy tentacles in search of power over life and death. Julius comes home alone, only to discover Zog's magic has dried up the sea on which the surrounding countries depend. Outlawed by the world, he cuts a deal with a king to help restore stability to the realm in exchange for amnesty. He hires brawling adventurers Claudia and Leon, and the three endure blistering dust storms and desert heat while battling monsters and displaced pirates to bring peace to the coast. After one of them pushes themselves beyond reasonable limits to save his life, Julius learns to open his heart to the carefree young wanderers who become his first real friends. But when a spectre of his past comes back to haunt him, Julius' new friendships and conscience will be tested against that which even he fears. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OW7MXB6/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
GLORIOUS - Ever since she glimpsed Virgil the Champion as a little girl, Gloria knew he was the only one for her. She spends her life dreaming of him, drawing his adventures and trying to teach others to "walk the path of champions." When she gets a chance to watch him fight in a tournament, she eagerly does so only to see him lose to the best warrior in the kingdom. Unable to accept this, Gloria vows to avenge his honor by learning his style in order to defeat his opponent. And so the delusional fangirl begins an unpredictable journey that will change her life, and the world... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TXE253Y/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
The Blackbird's Song - Henry and Andrew are members of the Society for Conserving Artifacts, which seeks to save the relics of ancient civilization from the Last Church which deems them evil. When their efforts anger the church and they find themselves in over their heads, they are saved by Blackbird, a feral girl with superhuman fighting prowess. As the SCA's conflict with the church explodes into all-out war, her abilities become their only hope of breaking the tyrannical institution's hold over the continent. But when the truth behind the church's actions comes out, Blackbird and her new friends' resolve will face its toughest test. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XXEJKCO/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
The Brazen Blade - When her sickly brother is unable to attend military school as planned, young noblewoman Kathryn goes in his place. She impresses instructors and peers alike with her sword skills, and gains no
toriety among them along with the nickname Kath the Blade. When one of her new friends is targeted by mysterious assassins and flees the school, she decides to follow in order to protect him. But even confident Kath is little prepared for the monsters, mercenaries, assassins, and scheming masterminds who stand in their way. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0172VJZT6/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
Hammer Out A Future - In a world devastated by magical war, mercenaries Lars and Allen search for a way to heal the head injury Allen suffered during the conflict that destroyed most of civilization. On a job they meet Cart-Dragger, a warrior with a giant hammer whose deeds have made her a living legend. After she saves them from one of the God Soldiers, elemental giants once used as living weapons, they join forces with her to help rebuild her city. When the remnants of the empire that started the war attempt to rise again and take back control of the monstrous legions they once commanded, it falls to Cart-Dragger and friends to stop them. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018Q5MAAI/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
Hammer Out A Path - After stopping the remnants of the Red Empire from reclaiming the world, legendary warrior duchess Cart-Dragger and her new allies finally make significant progress in the restoration of her city. When she expands her horizons and tries to mediate a conflict between two neighboring cities, she arrives just in time for one of them to be attacked by a sea monster army of unknown origin. Amidst ominous whispers of "the race of evil," Cart-Dragger must figure out whether old enemies are at it again or if the world faces a frightening new threat. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4EVQZP/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
First of Spears - Young prince Theo of Egrent longs for a way out of his impending arranged marriage with a boring earl's daughter. His life is changed by the arrival of Claire, a foreign diplomat and warrior known as the First of Spears who comes bearing demands from her liege. They swiftly fall for each other, but the power struggle between their kingdoms threatens to drive a wedge between them. As a third nation aided by a dark sorcerer seeks to invade Egrent and a mysterious new champion appears purporting to defend it, the pair must overcome all odds if they are to be together at last. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CKSBZOO/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
Tales of the Gothic Warrior Omnibus - 5 action-packed tales for the price of 3! The first four Tales of the Gothic Warrior stories and their prequel, Gothic Genesis, bundled together at a 40% discount. If complete believability is a must, this series might not be for you... but if you like the sound of an awesome female brawler standing toe to toe with huge men and monsters in brutal fistfights on sheer toughness and badassery, maybe it is. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DMDSOEG/?tag=bilthestaarts-20
Also check out my short stories here! http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_1?rh=n:133140011,k:billy+wong+short+story&keywords=billy+wong+short+story&ie=UTF8&qid=1424913116
Sample of next in the Iron Flower series, Iron Champion
Farewells were always tough. Rose could sense her husband's anxiety as she kissed her twin babies goodbye in the war-trophy-filled room that served for their bedchamber inside the tower. Though their appearance might seem harsh, the otherwise bare stone walls gave her a feeling of safety by reminding her of a fortress. "What's wrong?" she asked. But in her heart, she already knew what his answer would be.
Finn's wide face bore an expected frown of worry. "I don't want you to go. Come on, Rose, you've only been home for a few months. Are you going to leave your kids again so soon?"
The female warrior-mage, though she didn't think of herself as much of a mage being so new to it, laughed her deep, rich laugh. She put on her shirt, covering up the numerous scars on her trunk from wounds that would've killed anyone else. She was the Iron Flower after all, the freakishly resilient greatest warrior of their nation, and he the strongest man in Kayland. "It's only for a short while; after all, I'm just going there to check the place out. I mean, it's spring! Time for new beginnings."
They had received a letter from King Gregor of Terlon indicating his interest in establishing a branch of the Center for Magical Study—the institution created by Rose, Finn, and their scholar friend Derrick after rediscovering the lost art of spellcasting together—in his nation. Running his massive hand through her mane of fluffy dark hair, Finn said, "But there's a war going on there."
"Yeah, that's why I was hesitant about opening a branch there. But you and Derrick were so enthusiastic about our first overseas invitation—even if it's a relatively small sea—that you insisted we give it a chance. You outvoted me two to one, remember?"
"That was before I really thought about it. Should I take it back?"
Rose shrugged her huge shoulders. "I'm not really that against going. It'll be fun to see a new place. But if you don't want me to go..."
Finn sighed. "I would like to give this a chance. But why does it have to just be you who goes? I could come with you."
"Derrick is busy starting things up out west in Dunwal," she reminded him, "so you need to stay to teach the advanced classes. We won't have enough people to fill teaching roles in new branches, if you don't get more mages up to par. Besides, he did request me in particular and one of the parents should be home for our kids, right?"
He nodded, though she knew he wasn't thrilled about the notion of being the stay-home dad. "Don't involve yourself in the war, okay Rose?"
She grinned. "I'll try. Gregor did say he had it in hand, though."
"I'm going to be lonely around here without you. Come back soon."
The big woman hugged her much larger—yet no stronger—husband, then shared a long kiss with him. "Take care, Finn. Give our Jacob and Amber enough love for the both of us."
He reluctantly let Rose go, saying when he finally released her, "Make sure you come back for them." Why did he worry so? She was just going to talk to the king.
Now she noticed her son Jacob looking glum. Though there was no way the nearly two year old could know she wouldn't be back for a while, for a moment Rose considered canceling her trip. She did spend too little time raising her children. Instead, she assured everyone—including herself—one last time that she'd be back soon. And she left to catch her ship.
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Julian stared at his older brother Regis, who continued to brush his long brown hair. It was as if the large-windowed palace chamber overlooking bright gardens made the mammoth warrior king think himself instead a beautiful princess. Both brothers were tall, dark-complexioned men in their early forties, but Regis' arrogant bearing and enormous frame contrasted sharply with Julian's soft-spoken demeanor and lean athleticism. While Regis held the title of Emperor in the vast kingdom of Fanteia of the rolling hills and boundless harvest, anyone in the know considered Julian just as important. Being High Cleric of the war god Deathend, he could easily hold his own in any conflict with his more outwardly warlike sibling.
"Brother! Shouldn't you be more concerned about what I just told you?! The greatest seer on the continent just prophesized the coming downfall of our god!"
Regis did not pause in his grooming. "You mean your god. I care not for your Deathend. What has he done for me? Everything I have, I took through my own strength and wits. Just as Terlon will fall by my hand."
"Deathend gives us the good fortune in war which has brought us here!" How could his brother be such an ungrateful blasphemer, when he'd gained so much thanks to the war god's favor? Sometimes Julian feared that Deathend would withdraw his help from Fanteia for Regis' lack of faith, and hence bring about the great nation's fall. His nation.
It was Julian, after all, who had found the means through which he spoke regularly to Deathend, the deity's helmet that rested comfortingly in his room. And while Regis presided over Fanteia's earthly affairs, his brother led the nation's faith and kept the god ever in their minds. Deathend always assured him Fanteia was as much his own land as the brothers', and that he'd never allow it to fail while he reigned in heaven. Now, that reign was threatened.
Regis gave an exasperated sigh. "Well, tell me what this prophecy says. I'm sure we have the re
sources to stop whoever plots the overthrow of our religion. If nothing else, that would be quite a blow to our people's morale, and I don't need that when I'm about to finish conquering this continent."
Julian wasn't sure his brother would quickly grasp the meaning of the prophecy's exact words, so he paraphrased. "A young man born here in Fanteia, who bears a flaming axe on his neck, will soon realize his destiny and free the land of the war god's grasp. Something close to that."
Regis' eyes narrowed. "The war god's grasp? I'd like to think it only means the same thing you do, but could also take it to mean our hold over the empire. And that would be very undesirable. But we have little to worry about, so long as we keep an eye out for what is happening in our country and crush any dangerous uprisings we see with the utmost haste. Though it would be reassuring if we can just find and kill this axe-boy."
Typical of his brother, to think everything could be solved by brute force. In this case, Julian agreed with him. If the destined one was dead, he'd be hardly a threat. "I'm glad you care, one way or another. I'll have my faithful try to find this young man of the axe, as I assume your soldiers will. The more quickly this threat is gone, the better."
"No need to thank me," Regis said with a haughty look. "I wouldn't let anything threaten the glory of my Fanteia. Now if you'll excuse me, I have guests to meet."
Before he could leave, Julian suggested, "Maybe you ought to join your army now, so we can finish off Terlon before having to deal with trouble on two fronts?" Regis had retired from the battlefield, leaving his subordinates to do all the work of conquering Terlon since he viewed the northern nation's warriors as too weak to be worthy of his time. They, however, had proven more than capable of stymieing the army without him.