Mercerian Tales: Into the Forge

Paul J Bennett

Oct 2022 · Paul J Bennett

About this ebook

What does it take to rule?

Kasri Ironheart's future as the Vard of Ironcliff looms over her every waking moment. Her father wants her to forge with a Dwarf of the highest standing, but her heart has other plans.

Herdwin Steelarms' future was sealed the day he left the smith's guild in Stonecastle. After decades honing his skills in Wincaster, he was content to remain a bachelor until she came along.

To prove his worth, they must now travel east to the city of his birth to make amends. But all is not as it seems, for an unknown enemy lurks on the eastern reaches of the Dwarven lands.

Can Herdwin and Kasri stop this menace before it conquers the Dwarven people?

Mercerian Tales: Into the Forge explores the complex nature of Dwarven society and its grip on its people. This book is best read between books ten and eleven of the Heir to the Crown series.

Get ready for the trip of a lifetime when you crack open your copy of Into the Forge!

New to the series? Meet Gerald Matheson, the steadfast warrior in Servant of the Crown, Heir to the Crown: Book One, available in eBook, Audiobook, and Paperback.

Books by Paul J Bennett

 

Heir to the Crown Series:

Battle at the River - Prequel

Servant of the Crown

Sword of the Crown

Mercerian Tales: Stories of the Past

Heart of the Crown

Shadow of the Crown

Mercerian Tales: The Call of Magic

Fate of the Crown

Burden of the Crown

Mercerian Tales: The Making of a Man

Defender of the Crown

Fury of the Crown

Mercerian Tales: Honour Thy Ancestors

War of the Crown

Triumph of the Crown

Mercerian Tales: Into the Forge

Guardian of the Crown

Enemy of the Crown

 

The Frozen Flame Series:

Awakening - Prequels

Ashes

Embers

Flames

Inferno

Maelstrom

Vortex

Torrent

 

Power Ascending Series:

Tempered Steel - Prequel

Temple Knight

Warrior Knight

Temple Captain

Warrior Lord

Temple Commander

 

The Chronicles of Cyric:

Into the Maelstrom - Prequel

A Midwinter Murder

The Beast of Brunhausen

A Plague in Zeiderbruch

What readers say about Paul J Bennett’s books:

★★★★★ -"Fantastic Fantasy!"

★★★★★ -"Epic Battle Scenes!

★★★★★ -"I’m hooked on this series!"

★★★★★ -"Exciting Sword and Sorcery."

★★★★★ -"Outstanding work of fantasy."

★★★★★ -"Another excellent book series!!"

★★★★★ -"I just could not stop reading them."

★★★★★ -"This author has a way to tell stories.”

★★★★★ -"Easy to follow, but difficult to put down.”

★★★★★ -"Wow! Best book I’ve read in a LONG time!"

★★★★★ -"Thoroughly absorbing, exciting, and mystical."

★★★★★ -"A real fantasy that that springs off the pages.”

★★★★★ -"I love the strong and smart female characters.”

★★★★★ -"Give this a read... you will end up hooked as I did.”

★★★★★ -"If you like fantasy fiction, then this is a must-read!"

★★★★★ -"Each character fits snugly into the wildly, active plot.”

★★★★★ -"This story gripped me and kept me turning the pages."

★★★★★ -"This jaw-dropping continuation is well worth the read.”

★★★★★ -"Action, Intrigue, Adventure, Romance and some twists!"

★★★★★ -"I love the book, had me on edge, could not put it down!"

★★★★★ -"Full of suspense, intrigue and action throughout the story."

★★★★★ -"The imagination and detail of this epic tale is mesmerizing.”

★★★★★ -"This story will take you through every emotion that you have.”

★★★★★ -"The tale is full of twists and turns and never-ending possibilities.”

★★★★★ -"The characters you love in the books come to life in such a fabulous way."

★★★★★ -"The tale flows effortlessly along, blending action, and heartwarming scenes."

Ratings and reviews

This is a brilliant read. Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start. Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable. Great drama and romance with wonderful world building. Can't wait to read what the author brings out next. Recommend reading. I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

Another fabulous Mercerian Tale from Paul J Bennett. Exploring the new relationship that built between two dwarves, Kasri and Herdwin during the war, their story continues in this tale, as they find their place in their new reality. Kasri is the daughter of the King and Herdwin is not a guildmember. Will their love survive this seemingly unequal pairing? Will Kasri get the approval of the King? I love the way Paul explores his characters in separate tales/spin offs from the main series.

Absolutely excellent, another book that mr bennet has taken us on herdwin and kasris life journey. I really enjoyed being part of it.

About the author

Paul J Bennett (b. 1961) emigrated from England to Canada in 1967. His father served in the British Royal Navy, and his mother worked for the BBC in London. He followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1983. He is married to Carol Bennett, and has three daughters who are all creative in their own right.

Paul’s interest in writing started in his teen years when he discovered the roleplaying game ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. What attracted him to this new hobby was the creativity it required; the need to create realms, worlds and adventures that pull the gamers into his stories.

In his 30’s, Paul started to dabble in creating his own roleplaying system, using the Peninsular War in Portugal as his backdrop. His regular gaming group were willing victims, er, participants in helping to playtest the new system. A few years later he took his roleplaying system and added additional settings; including Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, World War II, and the all-important Fantasy Realm.

The beginnings of his first book ‘Servant to the Crown’ originated three years ago when he began a new fantasy campaign. For the world of Merceria, he ran his adventures like a TV show; with seasons that each had twelve episodes, and an overarching plot. After the campaign ended, he was inspired to sit down to write his first novel; he knew all the characters, what they had to accomplish, what needed to happen to move the plot along.

Paul has mapped out an entire series entitled ‘Heir to the Crown’ in the World of Merceria and is looking forward to sharing all the books with his readers over the next few years.