Starlight Bender by Sofia Nedic

 

Starlight Bender 

by Sofia Nedic

 

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GENRE: Fantasy

 

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BLURB:

 

Imani Stone has a secret—she possesses an ancestral power to bend starlight.

 

Having grown up in the lush, magical hills surrounding the ancient city of Lumenor, she is no stranger to star-gazing, potion-making, or tarot-reading. However, in the time of civil war in her city, Imani must hide her power to avoid being recruited by the queen’s legions or killed by the ruthless rebels. But everything changes once the city learns of an incoming army of warriors threatening to destroy Lumenor and steal their starlight crystal. Imani is met with a choice—remain in hiding and help her family or risk everything and join the queen’s legions.

 

But does she have what it takes to be a legionnaire?

Can she help save Lumenor, or will she be the cause of its demise?

 

 

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EXCERPT:

 

 

“I knew I would find you here,” I said, crawling my way towards the edge of the rooftop.

 

Tain was alone, sitting under the cloudy night skies that hid all three moons from us. “Now that you’ve seen the ugly side of being a legionnaire, I hope you don’t regret joining us.”

 

I cackled. “Are you kidding? I wish someone would have warned me to bring the herb crisps! Jokes aside, it is natural for friends to fight sometimes. Especially in our circumstances.”

 

Tain paused to think, brushing a silver strand away from his face. The scent of leather in his hand was rich and all-consuming. “Lazzor is like a brother to me, but I agree with Raina, though not with her delivery. We can’t afford the luxury of mercy these days.”

 

“To kill or not to kill,” I said, grazing my palm over the jagged stone surface. “It won’t get easier, will it?”

 

Tain shook his head solemnly, glaring at the distant darkness that was the Ashen Desert. Eerie and pitch black, the desert surrounded Lumenor like an inescapable void.

 

“Anything I can do to cheer you up?” I asked.

 

His fine features molded into a thinking face. “You can go back to your chamber and put on the most colorful items of clothing you own.”

 

“Come again?” I tossed my braid over my shoulder, turning to face him. His nose floated inches away from mine. “I know you live in the palace when you are not on duty, but I am no court fool.”

 

He chuckled, and I inhaled the scent of mint on his breath. “I don’t take you for one, but now that you said it…”

 

I elbowed him gently, and we both laughed.

 

“Meet me at the salon in fifteen minutes,” he said. “It is time you meet the bard.”

 

I squinted. “Who?” 

 

“You’ll see.”

 

It turned out the bard was him. 

 

 

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Sofia Nedic is a Slavic immigrant living in Austin, Texas with her husband and pup. She is a tech and fantasy nerd, and an avid enjoyer of ancient history, spirituality, and alchemy. When she is not working or crafting stories, she is exploring nature, reading books, visualizing her daydreams through AI art, or immersing herself in tarot and astrology.

 

Sofia visualizes the scenes and characters from her stories with AI art on her Instagram @starlight_bender.

 

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Starlight-Bender-Archives-Book-ebook/dp/B0C9V599K3/ref=sr_1_1

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

 

Sofia Nedic will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

Enter here:

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4741

Follow the tour: 

https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2023/10/excerpt-tour-starlight-bender-by-sofia.html