The Contending: Book Two of the Saga of the Dragon Born

By Cynthia Joyce Clay

Trapped between the monster and a deadly drop down the cliffs into a turbulent sea, Burta will die unless the poets of Allsongs unite their magical talent to carve on the instant a staircase up the face of the cliff for her escape. As she waits for death or rescue, Burta vows to continue her arms training for the day when she can contend for the Allsongs' heirship. Having been second to Princess Royal of Allsongs, Tristab -airta, Princess Burta wants to be liege lady to the Princess Royal. "Tristab -airta is peerless in magical Talent, and a really nice lass. I'll earn Tristab -airta's friendship, because no matter what I did to her, she has always tried to be a friend to me." Nevertheless, Burta unwisely keeps a secret close to her heart that will break Tristab -airta's heart at the worst possible moment.

"This imaginative saga held me captive until I could finish reading it. Clay is a word stylist, giving the story a unique flavor. She uses some words in unusual ways, suitable to the alternate, magical civilization she has imagined. The story includes royalty that can turn into dragons; young contenders for the heirship that are talented in various forms of magic; a light joyful touch of innuendo to the sexual awareness of the characters, except for the evil exploiting king; magically controlled weather, as curse or blessing; communication through singing bowls - (I love singing bowls ); and a religious cult that ensnares the gullible. Bits of our modern life seep in, as if by accident, but that just means there's universality to Clay's epically fun story." Pamela M

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1546953965
• ISBN13: 9781546953968
• Release Date: November 2017
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 332 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"