Warriors in the Mist: A Medieval Dark Fantasy [Paperback]

Susan D. Kalior (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 5, 2007

Medieval Dark Fantasy: An epic romance is featured in this masterfully written novel that takes place in the mystical, magical Dark Ages. Kamara Lania is a pacifistic priestess whose goal is to unite the realm with the divine love. Meanwhile, a violent self-serving warlord, Kayenté Ketola, is acquiring dominion of the realm on his journey to become King. They are both thwarted by a supernatural being "The Cold One" who is consuming the world because good and evil in their extremes, always fall. Mystical interplay, characteristic of Shakespeare, throws the Priestess and the Warlord into a harrowing and complicated, even comical transformation where they each must become more like the other to save the world. This novel impassions the heart, unleashes laughter and pumps adrenaline. The plot erupts with mysticism, magic, and romance as the mystery unravels with unpredictable twists and turns in the spirit of Hitchcock, while richly exposing the psychology of the human struggle, highlighted by entanglements with supernatural beings. This novel promises to entertain and to lighten the darkest most secret corners of the hidden self, while imparting wisdom needed in today's world.

Excerpt:

She crawled carefully through dancing feet, under clanking swords, and a rain of blood. She heard whisking and whipping, thumps and thuds, grunts and groans, curses, prayers, and the blasting beat of a thousand hearts, the world yet spinning round and round.

She prayed the warriors would be too engaged in battle to bother with her. Her gown kept catching under her knees, pulling the neck down around her shoulders. Metal feet slammed down around her. Something wet poured over her neck and dripped down her skin curving around her throat. It smelled like blood. However, everything reeked of blood. She kept moving, forbidding tears, wishing she'd drank a second glass of wine, for the elixir seemed to distance her somewhat from the horrors she normally felt.

Ahead, on the outskirts of the battle, she glimpsed a lone oak tree ahead of her, looming there, a live thing, like a mother bidding her to come and fall upon her breast.

Thinking only of the tree, the tree, the beautiful tree, she found herself more quickly there. She dropped her shoulder against the fragrant bark, and curled into a tight ball, very still, afraid to move, lest a knife come flying at her, the way Kayenté had once told her it could.

Her eyes were closed, but the image of swords and bludgeoned bodies flashed erratically in her mind. This battle was like the one in her nightmare: warriors, swords, arrows, blood; and she curled against a tree in a dirty white gown, trembling. Would The Cold One appear next?

Her arm was snatched. Someone pulled her forward so swiftly, she felt like a shooting star. Her vision blurred, so fast they did run. When they stopped, she fell to her hands and knees in the thick foliage, panting hard with burning lungs. Someone stood next to her. Would she now behold The Cold One? What was, was; and what was to be, was to be. She could not change it, so she sat back on her knees and looked up to see dust covered leather pants, and a sword dripping blood. Raising her eyes further, she saw Kayenté's face. It was Kayenté who towered over her!

Her hand flew to her heart. "You aren't The Cold One."

He squatted, resting the sword over his knees. "I don't know about that."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susan D. Kalior has an M.A in Education in Counseling/Human Relations and Behavior, and a B.S.degree in Sociology. Susan has extensive experience in psychological counseling, metaphysical exploration, facilitating self discovery workshops, public speaking, and aiding in the psycho-spiritual healing of many. All manuscripts are filled with social psychological insight, and psycho-spiritual wisdom.

Product Details

• Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: Blue Wing Publications, Workshops, and Lectures (July 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979566312
• ISBN-13: 978-0979566318
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #554,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in Washington State, raised in Phoenix, AZ, and currently reside in Oregon. My first profession was a psychotherapist (individual, marriage, and family counseling) treating those suffering from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, post traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, sexual abuse, family violence, and severe mental illness. I employed therapies such as communication skill building, relaxation training, systematic desensitization, bioenergetics, and psychodrama. I have also facilitated stress management, parenting, and self-discovery workshops that have aided in the psycho-spiritual healing of many. Education and training include an M.A. in Ed. in Counseling/Human Relations and Behavior (NAU), a B.S. in Sociology (ASU), and ten powerful months of psychological and metaphysical training in a Tibetan community. I've been a social activist from time to time (very hard) in educational matters, for women, and for Native Americans. Sometimes a woman's got to do what a woman's got to do!

I have two grown children, a son and a daughter, now in college pursuing their dreams (my daughter is an author too), while I happily live out the second half of my life, doing what I love: teaching self-discovery workshops, writing, and meditating.

With a background in college theater, my experience as a psychotherapist, and my profound interest in freeing the individual from unsavory sociological influence, I write entertaining and sometimes educational books that facilitate personal growth and transformation. I enjoy mixing it up by writing in various genres blending psychology, philosophy, fantasy, dark fantasy, romance, and even horror. I have been writing for twenty-five years, and I plan to write until I die. Writers block? Huh, what's that?

My interests (aside from writing) are facilitating self-discovery workshops, composing songs, singing, meditating to classical music, metaphysical realms, philosophical exploration, deep meaningful conversations, playing in the ocean and rain and snow, walking through tall forests, sitting under the stars, (I am so not a party girl), traveling to foreign countries, genealogy, history, quantum physics, and cats. I have four lovely felines (yes, I am the cat lady). I love fairy tales, going outside the box, and reading between the lines. I strive to see what is often missed, and to not miss what can't be seen. There is such a life out there, and in there--beyond all perception! So I close my eyes, feel my inner rhythm, and jump off the cliff of convention. And when I land, though I might be quaking in my boots, I gather my courage and go exploring.

Through travel, study, and work, I've gained a rich awareness of cultural differences among people and their psychosocial struggles. I have discovered that oppression often results from the unexamined adoption of outside perceptions. The healing always has been in the individual's stamina to expel out-side perceptions of self and and constructively exert one's unique core being into the world. I am driven to facilitate expanded awareness that people may separate who they are from who they are told to be. Embracing personal power by loving our unique selves in our weaknesses and strengths, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or for worse . . . forever--is a key to joyous living.

My motto is: Trust your story. Live the Mystery.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting, sexy, romantic!!, March 18, 2011

By 

ArtisticInAZ (Tempe, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Warriors in the Mist: A Medieval Dark Fantasy (Paperback)

I found this to be a book with depth, a thinking person's book. I loved that the author took me into the characters minds and delved into the depth of their personal thoughts, feelings, doubts, fears, hopes and dreams. Incredibly romantic, wildly fascinating and exciting; I was on the "edge of my seat" during many parts of this book. I truly did not know which direction the plot would take which made it all the more interesting to read.

I am surprised at the negative reviews written about this book. It seems to me that the people who wrote them were just looking for light fluff to read. This book is not light; it will challenge your way of thinking and seeing the world.

I highly recommend it.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and Mystical, April 24, 2011

By 

Sarah H. Nevin (Astoria, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Warriors in the Mist: A Medieval Dark Fantasy (Paperback)

This was a beautiful mystical story full of adventure and romance. I really enjoyed it. I love all the books by Susan Kalior and I can't wait for future books! I would recommend this book to anyone.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book., September 4, 2007

By 

Stephen R. Roethle - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Warriors in the Mist: A Medieval Dark Fantasy (Paperback)

This is an exciting, entertaining, and most enlightening epic story that =
takes place in the Dark Ages. I couldn't put it down. It is completely =
enthralling, lots of love, war, magic, and mystery. I laughed and cried, =
and was deeply touched by the layers of plot woven together culminating =
into a striking symphonic end. I recommend this book for those aching to =
read something they will never forget.