General Information

Series: Blood of Kings Trilogy

Genre: YA medieval fantasy

Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

Book One: By Darkness Hid

One line: A squire and a maiden discover their ability to communicate with the minds of others.

Back cover: Achan has been a slave all his life. He is consigned to the kitchens of a lord and forced to swallow a foul potion every day. When an enigmatic knight offers to train Achan for the Kingsguard, he readily accepts. But his new skills with the sword do not prepare him for the battle raging between the voices in his head.

Vrell Sparrow is not who she seems. She masquerades as a boy to avoid capture by the powerful forces that seek to exploit her. But Vrell feels called to help a young squire who recently discovered his bloodvoicing gift, even if doing so requires her to work with those who could destroy her.

While Achan learns to use his new ability, Vrell struggles to shut hers down. All the voices strive to learn Achan and Vrell’s true identities—and a different kind of voice is calling them both.

Book Two: To Darkness Fled

One line: Chased by an evil prince, Achan, Vrell, and the Kingsguard knights flee into Darkness.

Back cover: They have no choice. Chased by an evil prince, Achan, Vrell, and the Kingsguard knights flee into Darkness. They head north, for Tsaftown andIceIsland, where they must free an army that can help them fight for Er’Rets.

Darkness sickens Vrell. How long can she keep her secret without being caught? Achan already suspects her of lying. If she is not careful, he will suspect her of treason as well. She hopes he will let his suspicions go until they reach her home.

Achan wanted freedom, but this new journey has bound him more than ever. Sir Gavin’s claims are so far-fetched. First, that there might only be one God, and second, that this God chose Achan to push back Darkness, the magnificent curse of Er’Rets. Him. Achan. Barely a man himself.

Each setback Darkness brings seems minor compared to the one choice only Achan can make. What will he choose?

Book Three: From Darkness Won

One line: Achan and Vrell seek out their place in the coming war to push back Darkness for good.

Back cover: Achan steps into his role as Crown Prince and prepares for war. But war against whom? Could Esek still be alive? Has Lord Nathak taken Esek’s place? Or is the mysterious Hadad the true enemy Achan must confront?

Vrell has her own agenda of serving Prince Oren as a healer, but when she is stormed and lost to the Veil, Achan does all he can to bring her back. His conversations with her are strange, though, as if she has no memory of who he is.

In a land consumed by Darkness, the fate of Er’Rets hangs in the balance as Achan endeavors to take the throne and end the reign of Darkness.

Fun things you can use

Book Trailers:

By Darkness Hid:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uACoWzhiyB4[/youtube]

To Darkness Fled:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfMBqEkB1lE[/youtube]

From Darkness Won:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaKhK28NQF8&feature=plcp[/youtube]

Link to Jill’s Podcasts

By Darkness Hid: http://jillwilliamson.com/podcasts/by-darkness-hid-book-1/

To Darkness Fled: http://jillwilliamson.com/podcasts/to-darkness-fled-book-2/

Explore Er’Rets Map: http://jillwilliamson.com/explore-errets/

How they got published:

I wasn’t trying to get published when I submitted my first chapter of my fantasy novel to Jeff Gerke at the 2008 Oregon Christian Writers’ Summer Coaching Conference. Marcher Lord Press’ submission guidelines were clear: no young adult novels.

I’d met Jeff at the 2007 Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s conference and used his editorial services on a different novel. When I saw he was at OCW, I submitted my manuscript to him hoping to glean wisdom. I was surprised when he wanted to meet with me. I was even more surprised when he wanted to read the full.

“Why does it have to be YA?” he asked.

As soon as I got home, I looked over the book and sent it off. A few months later I got an email from Jeff that said: “Do you happen to be by a phone right now so that I can call you?”

And that was the beginning of a new adventure.