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Songs of the Earth

by Lexi Ander

Songs of the Earth - Lexi Ander - Sumeria's Sons
Editions:Kindle - Second Edition: $ 4.99
Pages: 166

Thrust into the role of Prince of the Lycans, Tristan strives to find his footing in a life suddenly rife with secrets and lies—and danger. Betrayed by a Goddess meant to safeguard him, desperate to protect his consort and their growing tribe, he can only prepare for the worst and struggle to hope.

And then the worst comes to kill them...

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Excerpt:

I sat on my horse, Dancing Socks, in the middle of the river that cut through my property, the chill of the water numbing my legs. We were stuck, trapped between two creatures of myth and a Goddess of the Lycan race. Behind me, six of my warriors in the fearsome Lupe battle form braced to protect me.

I was in deep, deep shit. For the life of me, I couldn’t see a way out. Two Shirdals―lion-eagles also known as gryphons―one in front of me and one behind, effectively cut off any escape. Socks and I couldn’t outrun these Sumerian creatures of myth. But they were the least of my problems. What held my full attention was the woman standing before me on the water’s edge.

The Goddess Ki, clothed in a long, flowing gauzy dress, wearing a crown of ram’s horns, with a bow and quiver of arrows over her left shoulder and a cudgel hanging from her waist. She held a lion cub’s leash while regarding me with a stern, assessing gaze.

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“Tristan Javed Ksathra Janick, Prince of the Enkidu, do you know who I am?”

How could I, or any Lycan, not know her? Regardless of what had happened today, I’d believed there was a solution. There was always a way out as long as I continued to breathe—but this, her, I couldn’t fight and win.

“You are the Goddess Ki, consort of Enki, Lady Life, mother of all living things, Nourisher of Kings. I greet you, Goddess. Do with me as you will.”

From across the water, Ki smiled a very white smile. “Come to me, Tristan. We have much to discuss,” she commanded.

I nudged Socks with my knees and she reluctantly finished crossing the stream, nervously tossing her head and rolling her eyes at the Shirdal. Once out of the water, I guided her a safe distance to the side and dismounted, removing her wet saddle and blanket. Her muscles twitched as she held still for me.

For a moment, I leaned my forehead on Socks’s shoulder. She reached around and nibbled at my hair. Not a half hour ago, I had left the ranch to go for a ride. The morning had offered many revelations with an accumulation of events that changed the course of my life.

After breaking the bond with my Twin Flame, Theo Sullivan, I hadn’t expected to find happiness or to fall in love with my best friend, but I had. Last night we made love, and it had been the best night of my life. This morning I’d awakened to find out I was born of royal blood, and Ushna was my chosen consort. Before I could begin to grasp what that even meant, Caspian MacCuill—one of the Magi—and a group of Lycan warriors invaded my home and attempted to kidnap Ushna and blackmail our friend, Gregori Borchetta, which led to Ushna being shot while trying to protect me.

All I had wanted was an hour. One single, measly hour to gather my thoughts and figure out what the hell we needed to do next. Instead, I sat trapped with no way to escape. The only course of action left to me was to save as many lives as possible. No mortal defied a Goddess and lived. If only I knew what I’d done to draw her attention.

Reluctantly, I straightened, petting Socks’s velvety nose before I removed her bridle. Giving her a smack on the rump, I sent her away. With luck, she’d return home safely and not be eaten.

Ready for whatever fate awaited me at the hands of a Goddess who hadn’t walked the Earth in a very, very long time, I turned to Ki and waited. It couldn’t be taken as good fortune that she was here now.

“Why so gloomy, Tristan? Do you think so poorly of me that you expect to be struck down by my hand?” Ki asked, head tilted to the side as she stared with almond-shaped black eyes.

One Shirdal lay at her feet, allowing Ki to scratch the feathers between its ears. The picture presented seemed surreal, two things that shouldn’t exist in this modern world of skyscrapers, automobiles, space shuttles, and nuclear bombs. Yes, I kept an altar in my room where I left burnt offerings to the Warrior Goddess Anat and Shamash, God of Justice. Believing in the Gods and Goddesses didn’t mean one would manifest into my world and actually speak to me.

“I don’t wish to offend, Goddess. It’s… well… this has been a very unusual day. Right now, I’m assuming the worst because I cannot fathom why you are here—speaking to me.”

She gave me another toothy smile and glanced across the water to the Lupes harassing the other Shirdal. “Please call your warriors to you, Tristan. The Shirdals meant you no harm. They were only playing.”

I barely withheld an ugly snort. Playing with me? I could imagine them playing as they tossed me about with their sharp beaks. Without a word, I lifted a hand to the Lupes and they entered the water, intent upon me as they crossed in a straight line.

COLLAPSE
Reviews:Carissa on Love Bytes Reviews wrote:

"I’m not sure if I should be kicking myself that I never bothered to read this series before, or if I should be glad that I waited till these new editions came out for me to enjoy them."

Pixie on MM Good Book Reviews wrote:

"This story is wonderful, it flows brilliantly and it pulls you in, making you turn the next page wanting more of this incredible series… it leaves you hungering for more, making you wish it was longer. It is filled with descriptions that take you there… makes you envisage that you are standing there as the enemy charge towards you, has your heart pounding along with Tristan’s as he fights the urge to make Ushna his in every way and makes your throat tight as Tristan realises that his life is changed forever. God damn but I love this series… so unique and refreshing; I really can’t wait for the next book."

PizzyGirl on Prism Book Alliance wrote:

"I am really enjoying this series. It is so rich and full of new things to learn. I love the way the author interjects history lessons into the plot as it moves forward. The lore unfolds as it is needed and the reader gets to learn right along with the main characters. And those characters are well done. The plot is interesting and fast paced. More than interesting really, it is captivating. There is so much world building and excitement. I love not knowing what is going to happen next. I am totally invested in the outcome and need to know that everything works out in the end."

on Eyes On Books:

"This series is an exquisite ride for me. I love Sumerian gods and the myths around Gilgamesh! I still have vivid memories of our Universal Literature teacher recounting the adventures of this legendary character back in high school. So when that is used to power a shifter story, adding paranormal romance elements to it, I’m hooked."

Serena on Rainbow Book Reviews wrote:

"This series started as an epic fantasy/paranormal drama, and continues to progress into the arena of inventive, new worlds with their own rules. I thoroughly enjoyed all of this second story! If you like ancient legends brought to life in a modern way, if you enjoy tales with a mix of devious and delightful twists and turns, and if you're ready to suffer and triumph along with the main characters, then by all means, go and buy this book! Again, I cannot wait for the next sequel!"

KindleRomance on The Romance Reviews wrote:

"I really enjoy reading this series. It's such a wonderful mix of sweet romance and interesting world-building. With Lycan shifters, gods, goddesses, and unknown creatures, there's never a dull moment."


About the Author

Lexi has always been an avid reader, and at a young age started reading (secretly) her mother’s romances (the ones she was told not to touch). She was the only teenager she knew of who would be grounded from reading. Later, with a pencil and a note book, she wrote her own stories and shared them with friends because she loved to see their reactions. A Texas transplant, Lexi now kicks her boots up in the Midwest with her Yankee husband and her eighty-pound puppies named after vacuum cleaners.