An Oath Sworn.
A Struggle Engaged.
A Sacrifice Required.
When Mara, a trained Oathtaker, is drawn by the scent of the Select to battle underworld beasts summoned by the powers of evil to destroy the guardians of life, she swears a life oath for the protection of her charge.
Armed with a unique weapon and her attendant magic, and with the assistance of her Oathtaker cohorts, two ancients, and a spymaster, Mara seeks safety for her charge from one who would end Oosa’s rightful line of rule, and from assassins who endeavor to bring ruin to the land.
As Mara puzzles to decipher ancient prophecy concerning her charge, as she is haunted with memories of her own past failings, she discovers the price her oath will exact.
To renounce her word would be treasonous; to fail, ruinous; to persevere, tortuous.
Abiding by an oath requires sacrifice.
Multi-award-winning author Patricia Reding leads a double life. By day, she practices law. By night, she reads, reviews a wide variety of works, and writes fantasy. She lives on an island on the Mississippi with her husband and youngest daughter (her son and oldest daughter having already flown the nest), and Flynn Rider (an English Cream Golden Retriever). From there she seeks to create a world in which she can be in two places at once.
Oathtaker: The Oathtaker Series, Vol. One, won a GOLD medal in the Literary Classics Int'l Book Award Contest, also won an award in the Readers' Favorite Int'l Book Award Contest, and was named a Finalist in the Beverly Hills Book Award Contest. In addition, WindDancer Films has asked to take a look at it . . .
Select: The Oathtaker Series, Vol. Two, won a SILVER medal in the Literary Classics Int'l Book Award Contest and earned a Finalist award in the Readers' Favorite Int'l Book Awards Contest.
Ephemeral and Fleeting: The Oathtaker Series, Vol. 3, won a SILVER medal in the 2017 Literary Classics International Book Award Contest.
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I didn't know much about the Oathtaker story before I started writing--but I did know that members of the Select would exhibit unique traits. In my early religious training, I was taught that prayer rises up, like a sweet smell to the throne of God. I also learned that praise does much the same. I put those thoughts together, deciding I'd include a group of people called the Select. When each of the Select earns the Good One's (also called Ehyeh) (God's) favor, he would begin to emit his or her own unique and exquisite fragrance. In my mind, it is like their constant "prayer" rising upwards. It was fun to play with this idea, as I ascribed to each of the members of the Select, one of my favorite fragrances. The person described here, who readers will meet later, has the scent of Herve Leger, by Herve Leger. If you've never experienced it . . . you should!
Book Excerpt
Oathtaker
Notwithstanding the pervading foul odor, the Oathtaker could make out, now and again, the same sweet scent she’d noticed earlier. It reminded her of an exotic combination of jasmine, sandalwood and heliotrope. She wondered if it could be the fragrance of one of the Select. Although trained for their protection, she’d never encountered one of Ehyeh’s chosen, each of whom, after reaching the age of accountability and having found the Good One’s favor, began to emanate his own unique and exquisite aroma. As the scent made for an easy trail to follow, it left the Select open and vulnerable to pursuers.
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