Our Price: AUD$25.95 (USD$)* ISBN: 978-1-921456-14-5 Subject: General Fiction/Historical Publication Date: February 2009

Synopsis
Shamus of the Leaf is set in Ireland around 900 AD, when Viking Norsemen were still raiding into Ireland. Muircheartach of the Ui Niaill clan and his son Domnall Ardmacha are characters from history, while the story of the Leather Cloaks has long been written into legends.

It is from these myths that the tale of Shamus the Blacksmith and his family has evolved.

Joined forever to a goddess not of his own choosing, Shamus is given the task of saving the life of a child, as yet unborn, who would become the greatest warrior ancient Ireland had ever seen, in a quest that will lead Shamus across distant lands and beyond.

About The Author
Kala Ryder was born in England and moved to Australia nearly thirty years ago. She has returned several times, indulging her passion for the monoliths scattered throughout the United Kingdom. She has also travelled to Greece and New Zealand and currently resides south of Perth, Western Australia.

With a background in literature, Kala's interests, besides the written word, include photography, and she currently has a website dedicated to her photos.

Shamus of the Leaf is her first novel.

From The Book
Brigid knelt beside the still form, wrinkling her nose in slight distaste as the smell of bodily functions of death reached her.

"You are indeed a brave man Shamus." She drew a leaf pattern with her finger on his palm and watched with satisfaction as a vein in his wrist bumped erratically back into life. Thoughtfully she wiggled her fingers to give the man the dignity of clean clothes when he awoke. The action was, she thought, somehow fitting.

When Shamus opened his eyes, he found his head cradled in a soft lap and a cool hand smoothed his brow. For a moment he lay still enjoying the ministrations, then he remembered his bargain. Looking upwards he stared into the violet eyes of Brigid the Goddess.

"It didn't work then. I must take more."