Fury of the Crown

Chapter 1

Fury of the Crown was always envisioned as a "middle" book, bridging the storyline from books six and seven to nine and ten. As such, it introduces a number of plot lines, some of which carry over to the next installment. The character roster is slowly growing, but the main storyline concentrates on only a few individuals. If you didn"t see your favourite, don"t worry, they will likely show up in the next book, War of the Crown.

The original outline for this book was quite different from what I ended up with. Part of the reason is I didn"t want the storyline to get bogged down by all the details of a military campaign. Instead, I have focused on the characters and the effect they have on the way events unfold. Yes, there are numerous battles, but at its heart, Fury of the Crown is all about these personalities and the difference they make.

One character that bears watching is Bronwyn. When I first introduced her, she was too easily manipulated, and the story suffered for it. After a discussion with my wife, I realized that she had to have a more assertive personality. It required reworking of the storyline, but I think it was worth it in the end. Of course, Bronwyn"s story isn"t done and will continue in the next book, where she plays a vital role.

My wife, Carol, has been of inestimable value throughout this journey, and I thank her for her contributions. Without her editing and promotion, my books would still be languishing deep in the bowels of online retailers. I should also like to thank Stephanie Bennett, Amanda Bennett, and Christie Kramburger for their support and encouragement, as well as give a shout-out to Brad Aitken, Jeffrey Parker, and Stephen Brown for their inspirational characters.

As ever, my BETA team had done a wonderful job, helping this book in its quest to be reader-ready. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, so thanks to Rachel Deibler, Michael Rhew, Phyllis Simpson, Don Hinckley, James McGinnis, Charles Mohapel, and Debra Reeves.

Last but certainly not least, I must thank you, my loyal readers, who have travelled the world of Merceria with me as I tell these tales. Your feedback on my books has proven to be a great source of inspiration for me.