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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I ALWAYS have a lot of thank-yous at the end of a book, but for this one, I want to particularly thank my editing team. The structure of this book, the level of planning of the four linked novellas, and the sheer amount of time and organization it took to put everything together in a story that spans roughly seven hundred years was truly a huge project. They all deserve medals and probably some wine. Maybe chocolate. Definitely a promise that I’ll never write this kind of book again. (I promise I’ll never write this kind of book again.)
Lora Gasway, my developmental editor, was a champion of sorting through my rambles and brainstorms, as well as being the voice of reason who convinced me that this weird book could actually work. If it didn’t, it’s probably because I didn’t take her advice somehow. (Sorry.)
Anne Victory, my copy editor, is not only a master of sorting through my blatant comma abuse, but is also ridiculously understanding about my last-minute panic attacks about scheduling. She truly had to juggle for this job, and I appreciate every effortless catch on her part.
Like Anne, my proofreader, Linda, has extremely keen eyes and her attention to detail is unmatched. In a fantasy world with jargon and universe-specific language, she has managed to keep track of the proper usage and punctuation for completely made-up words. (I’ll start working on the medals.)
Marketta Gray, my continuity beta reader and Irin Chronicles expert, was essential for checking universe-specific detail on a book that overlapped not one, but three previous books. I owe her an enormous debt of gratitude for her thoroughness. Also, some chocolate might be good too.
I do a lot of research for the Irin books, scattered among subjects as disparate as Eastern European medieval weaponry, North African martial arts, and early Scandinavian agriculture. But for this book, I want to give special thanks to Sigurd Towrie, the author of Orkneyjar.com, a website that was especially helpful during the research of the first part of The Staff and the Blade. I wish I had been able to visit Orkney before I wrote this book, but reading Towrie’s site was a virtual visit I greatly appreciated and a starting point for researching this fascinating place.
Thanks also to Cat Bowen, my expert on all things Slavic. And beer. And gin. There’s probably not enough food and drink in this book, but that’s my fault.
As always, an enormous debt of gratitude to my assistant, Genevieve, and her organizational abilities which allow me to do the writing I need to do and not worry about the things that will completely sidetrack me. Thanks to my family and friends, who put up with a very cranky Elizabeth for many, many months on this one.
And finally, a deep and abiding thanks to my readers who make all this possible.
ELIZABETH HUNTER IS a contemporary fantasy, paranormal romance, and paranormal mystery writer. She is a graduate of the University of Houston Honors College and a former English teacher. She once substitute taught a kindergarten class but decided that middle school was far less frightening. Thankfully, people now pay her to write books and eighth graders everywhere rejoice.
She currently lives in Central California with her son, two dogs, many plants, and a sadly empty fish tank. She is the author of the Elemental Mysteries and Elemental World series, the Cambio Springs series, the Irin Chronicles, and other works of fiction.
The Irin Chronicles
The Scribe
The Singer
The Secret
On a Clear Winter Night (short story)
The Staff and the Blade
The Elemental Mysteries Series
A Hidden Fire
This Same Earth
The Force of Wind
A Fall of Water
Lost Letters & Christmas Lights
The Elemental World Series
Building From Ashes
Waterlocked
Blood and Sand
The Bronze Blade
Beneath a Waning Moon
The Elemental Legacy Series
Shadows and Gold
Imitation and Alchemy
The Cambio Springs Series
Shifting Dreams
Long Ride Home (short story)
Desert Bound
Five Mornings (short story)
Waking Hearts
Contemporary Romance
The Genius and the Muse
THE STAFF AND THE BLADE
Copyright © 2016
Elizabeth Hunter
ISBN: 9781941674086
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Cover artist: Damonza
Developmental Editor: Lora Gasway
Copy Editor: Anne Victory
Proofreader: Linda at Victory Editing
Formatter: Elizabeth Hunter
This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it or it was not purchased for your use only, please delete it and purchase your own copy from an authorized retailer. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Elizabeth Hunter
PO Box 8085
Visalia, CA 93290
U.S.A.
For more information about the author or her work, please visit:
ElizabethHunterWrites.com