Shadow of the Crown: An Epic Fantasy Novel

Paul J Bennett

Jan 2019 · Heir to the Crown Book 4 · Paul J Bennett

About this ebook

Treachery! Treason! Trolls!

Fooled into thinking they are returning heroes, the entourage's royal welcome is cut short when they mysteriously collapse; all but Nikki, the one nobody trusted.

Lady Nicole Arendale's past is shrouded in mystery, but it's slowly unravelling as secrets long buried are exposed, threatening everyone's future. Never one to rely on anyone's help, she has no choice but to return to her previous life if she has any hope of saving them.

Set on a path she neither expected nor wanted, they are running for their lives, searching for a safe haven in the midst of the coming storm. She could simply slip into the night, but something keeps her with them, yearning for a glimmer of hope.

Driven to see this adventure through to the end, she must now choose; her future or theirs?

Shadow of the Crown is the fourth book in the Heir to the Crown fantasy series. If you like epic battle scenes, mythical races, and a captivating story, then you will love Paul J Bennett's tale of a rogue who turns the tables.

Pick up your copy of Shadow of the Crown, and prepare for a day of reading!

New to the series? Meet Gerald Matheson, the steadfast warrior in ‘Heir to the Crown: Book One, Servant of the Crown’, available in eBook, audio & 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

The Frozen Flame Series:

Awakening - Prequels

Ashes

Embers

Flames

Inferno

Maelstrom

Vortex

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 are saying about Paul J Bennett’s books:

★★★★★ -"Fantastic Fantasy!"

★★★★★ -"Epic Battle Scenes!

★★★★★ -"I’m hooked on this series!"

★★★★★ -"Exciting Sword and Sorcery"

★★★★★ -"Fabulously written, loved it."

★★★★★ -"Outstanding work of fantasy"

★★★★★ -"The most amazing adventure"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ratings and reviews

On the return of Princess Anna of Merceria a banquet was given by her brother King Henry honoring her return. Lady Nicole Arendale's had been released from her services the Princess. She got to noticing as the princesses entourage started passing out she pretended to pass out also, hands gripped her arms preparing to lift her as they were informed that she was one of Valmar's. Lady Penelope Cromwell commanded that they be taken to the dungeons and housed individually. They were all to be executed as traders to the country. They were to be tortured to death. Lady Nicole was awakened given some money and sent on her way. To find out who survives and what they do you have to read the book's it's a very good book and well written there is no sexual encounters in the book but there is violence should be aware of this before you read. It is a good book...

Incredible story.I was lucky enough to receive an arc copy of "Shadow of the crown" and once again I was transported to Mercia. Once again Paul j Bennett has brought these beloved characters through another fantastic story of friendship, honour and dastardly plots. If you only read one book this year make it "Shadow of the crown".

Great character development continues into the 4th installment of this series. Twisty plot lines, great battle scenes.....I am sorry that I now have to wait for the next episode to come out.

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 (D & D). 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 land 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 lands of Merceria and is looking forward to sharing all the books with his readers over the next few years.