The Black Elf of Seaward Isle ~ Review with Excerpt

The Black Elf of Seaward Isle
The Seaward Isle Saga 1
By Joni Parker

At 4 years of age Lady Alexin is unique.  Her parents have just been murdered and she is being transported to a safe haven.  But when she and her protectors are attacked she displays a unique ability which saves their lives.

Five years later Alex finds herself embarking on a new adventure one that will take her far from what she knows.  Adopted by a Scinthian Scout, an Amazon who trains her in the ways of the Amazon warriors.  At the same time she learns about dwarves and their language from her adoptive mother's traveling companion. This knowledge will aid her when four years later she is returned to her home in Nyla.

Pirates are terrorizing the coastal regions of Seaward and warriors are needed - Alex's skills not only make her a logical choice in-spite of her youth but result in her being a soldier and a trainer.

When the evil that chased her from her home and family suddenly reappears Alex must draw on her unique skills to again save the life of the man that saved her as a child.  Alex's unique heritage Human, Water Elf, and Titan has made her different than anyone the Seaward Isle has ever known other than her Titan grandfather.

The Black Elf of Seaward Isle will delight fans of fantasy and those who like threads of mythology running throughout their stories.  This is a world that is a mix of the modern with the past in a hidden isle that shouldn't exist and doesn't as far as those who don't live there are concerned.

I was provided a copy of this book by the author through PUYB in exchange for my honest review and tour participation.

*Please note that this book may contain subject/language that may be offensive to some readers (PG+). The sneak peek that online retailers offer will not show these scenes.

About the Author:

Joni Parker was born in Chicago, Illinois, but left the windy city at an early age when her family moved to Japan. Upon return to the United States, her family moved to Phoenix, Arizona where she graduated from Camelback High School and began college. However within months, Joni quit college and joined the Navy where she became a Photographer’s Mate. After 3 years in the Navy, she returned to college and got married. She got a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and an MBA before she returned to the Navy. As a Commissioned Officer, Joni attended the US Army Command and General Staff College, completing a Master of Military Arts and Sciences Degree. She retired from the Navy with over 22 years of service and spent several years traveling the United States in a motorhome with her husband. When he died unexpectedly, Joni returned to work for the federal government in a civil service job. Five years ago, she started writing and retired once more to devote more time to her new passion. She currently lives in Texas.

Her latest fantasy books are The Black Elf of Seaward Isle, Tangled Omens and
Blood Mission.

For More Information
• Visit Joni Parker’s website.
• Connect with Joni on Facebook and Twitter.
• Find out more about Joni at Goodreads.
• Contact Joni.

About the Book:
Title: The Black Elf of Seaward Isle
Author: Joni Parker
Publisher: Village Green Press, LLC
Pages: 330
Genre: Fantasy/Action Adventure
Format: Paperback/Kindle

On the mysterious Seaward Isle, Alex, the young daughter of Count Dumwalt,
escapes Wizard Mylar’s attack on her father’s fortress with the help of two
men, Hamlin and Tyrone, who take her to her brother in the village of Nyla.
Disguised as a boy to stay at the Sword Academy with her brother, she learns of
the death of her parents and vows to avenge their deaths. At the same time,
a witch on the far side of the island predicts the rise of the Black Elf, the only
person with the power to kill a wizard.

Meanwhile, Alex’s stay at the academy is cut short when the headmistress
arranges her adoption by a Scinthian Scout, an Amazon warrior and her Dwarf
companion. When her adoptive mother is killed in a pirate attack, Alex returns
home to Nyla where Tyrone, now the Governor, takes her in as his ward as he
accepts a cadre of Scinthian soldiers for training to restore their decimated
Army. Since Alex can speak their language, she becomes a training liaison,
leading to her selection as an elite soldier and assassin known as a tracker.
Her first mission succeeds beyond all expectations and results in her selection
as a training officer for the Scinthians, still involved in an extensive training
program.

Upon assignment to a remote border outpost, Alex discovers evidence of foul
play—eight missing soldiers. As she attempts to uncover the mystery, she
meets with resistance and skepticism, but she leads a mission to save them.
As she basks in her glory, the wizard shows up to seek revenge on Governor
Tyrone, forcing Alex to intervene.

For More Information
• The Black Elf of Seaward Isle is available at Amazon.
• Pick up your copy at Barnes and Noble.
• Watch the book trailer at YouTube.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

Book Excerpt:

They arrived at the Governor's house and were shown to his large parlor. When
the Governor appeared, they saluted him, and he, in turn, saluted back. He
wrapped his arms around Alex and gave her a big warm hug.

"How are you, Alex?"

"I'm doing well, Governor. It's good to see you. You're looking well."

"I am well. Have you seen your brother recently?"

"Not recently. A few months ago, he challenged me to a sword match,
and when I beat him fairly, he accused me of cheating. He told me that I
wasn't his sister anymore, and he wished I had never returned."

Tyrone was dismayed by this news. "Well, I shall speak to him and
explain that he can't disown his own sister, even if she beats him at swords.
Now, for the business at hand, Alex, I want you to accompany me on a trip
next month. We'll go to Agana and visit Agamon, the King, and his brother,
Pashamon, in Pashkina. This will be an official visit where we'll represent the
Kingdom of Northeast Forest and our King, Lord Ellsworth. You'll be listed as
my thirteen-year-old ward, Lady Alexin."

"I'm fourteen," Alex said.

"When did that happen?" He stared at her.

"At the spring solstice a few weeks ago."

"Well, happy birthday. You should have said something. At any rate,
this will provide you an opportunity to visit another land, but you'll also aid me
as a secretary. I'll need help in recording the visit, keeping the itinerary, and
so on. In addition, you'll aid with security. Major Dano will be my security
advisor. I believe he's a friend of Major Jonnbo's. True, Major?"

"Yes, Governor." He bowed his head slightly. "I know him well."

"Major Dano is expecting you, and he'll explain the trip in greater detail.

Alex glanced at Colonel Penser in distress. "Can Mistress Penser help me
with the right clothes to wear?"

"Let's meet with Major Dano to find out what you'll need." The Colonel
chuckled.

Alex was flattered that the Governor would take her on such an
important mission. What she didn't know was that he had been planning this
for several months. The King had ordered him to visit Agana to assess pirate
activity in the south. Governor Tyrone had expressed his confidence that
Agamon had the city of Agana under control, but didn't know anything about
Pashamon or Pashkina. The King had strongly recommended that he take his
wife with him to socialize with the women and find out what they knew. The
Governor saw no reason to marry someone just for the sake of this trip, so he
told Colonel Penser to prepare Alex instead. She was almost ready.