Today’s the day! Yes, even on a Monday!
Why these special edition hardbacks now?
I’m so thrilled to share with you about The Chronicles of the Twelve Realms hardbacks. It’s been almost ten years since I started writing this series. In fact, it was the very end of December 2013 that I cried out to God for help. Foster care and all the ups and downs of it had driven me to a dark place where I found myself mired in apathy and retreating from relationship with all the people I love most in the world. I felt so ugly and unlovable.
That December morning, when I prayed fervently for God to help me, to heal the brokenness threatening to undo me, he was faithful and merciful. As I prayed, a reminder drifted into my head. As a believer, I’m an adopted child of God, of the King of kings. As strange as it sounds, in human terms, that kind of makes me a princess who is loved by the most perfect and best father imaginable: God. (my earthly father is pretty darn amazing too! Love you, Dad!).
An image formed in my mind, during those long minutes and pleas, of a princess whose beauty–not just outer beauty, but inner beauty–was stolen by a thief, and it was only by love and sacrifice that it could be restored.
A week went by, and while my heart healed and strengthened, I kept thinking about this story. So I wrote it down. Just a few pages long, but it kept growing…how difficult a journey–with dangers and unknowns, fears and setbacks–it could be to live this life, and the reflection of that in the fictional story building in my mind.
I wrote more, added more, understood more.
I wrote in secret. I didn’t tell my family or anyone until I was done. Three months. 98,000 words later.
And I healed. God grew me through the hard parts of foster care and gave me a heart of more compassion, a smidge more patience, and a strong desire to persevere, especially knowing he is faithful to sustain me and be with me through it all.
So, The Beauty Thief became a book and was soon joined by Captive Hope and The Treasonous, all of which reflect the difficulties of life and the hope too! These books have fantasy, adventure, longing, strong family and broken family relationships, bonds built through adversity, sweet romance, and hope. So much hope.
PAPERBACK and REGULAR HARDBACKS
SPECIAL EDITION HARDBACKS
Onward
There’s more coming! I just need a kick in the pants, and hearing how you enjoy the books definitely gives me a good nudge in the right direction.
Now, aren’t you glad it’s Monday!
The links to buy the books are below, but I thought you might want a short description of each book first.
Series Synopses:
The Beauty Thief (book 1) follows Princess Caityn and her betrothed on a quest against time to restore her inner and outer beauty or forever see her an empty shell of who she once was while the Thief basks in the power stolen from the depths of her soul.
Captive Hope (book 2) is a sea-faring adventure to foreign lands where gentle lady-in-waiting Idra is stolen away by a mercenary and subjected to the dangers of a pirate ship and its heathen crew. Only one pirate seems to have a conscience, and Lady Idra’s very presence prods at it. Back at High Castle, when one beloved knight discovers his love missing, he recruits a band of fellow guardsmen to rescue her or die trying.
The Treasonous (book 3) begins to see the aftermath of the Beauty Thief’s plans and the consequences of what happened across the ocean come colliding together in a hidden plot to overthrow the high crown of the Twelve Realms and destroy Ahmad’s hope of ever winning the woman he loves. Another of the high prince’s most trusted knights is embroiled in the worst of a murderous plot and Lady Idra can’t seem to keep out of the thick of it.
These books are appropriate for young teens, depending on reading level, and on up!
THE SHIPPING TIME ON BOOKS IS CURRENTLY LISTED AS 4-5 WEEKS, so if you’re purchasing these as a Christmas gift, do it sooner than later so you get them in time!
Book Links
I’m not sure where all Amazon has extended distribution, but all three hardbacks are available through Amazon until December 31st.
- The Beauty Thief: https://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Thief-Chronicles-Twelve-Realms/dp/1955193002
- Captive Hope: https://www.amazon.com/Captive-Hope-Chronicles-Twelve-Realms/dp/1955193010
- The Treasonous: https://www.amazon.com/Treasonous-Chronicles-Twelve-Realms/dp/1955193029
Or you can go to a complete list of Rachael’s Books
**choose “hardcover” beside each book cover and title, and you can add to your cart straight from there!**
- Rachael’s Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rachael-Ritchey/author/B00U6GS07I
As I mentioned on Friday, there is a possibility that they will continue to be available after that date for and extended period, but at a slightly higher price.
Do you want book swag? Like a color map of the Twelve Realms? Books marks? Stickers? I am thinking about providing these with proof of purchase, but it’ll just take some time to get them put together! Let me know if this interests you!
New updated map only in the special editions!
If you are not a fan of the Zon but still want to get the books, let me know and we’ll work it out!
Want to help spread the word?
Thank you so much!
If you want to use any special social media images or don’t know what to say and want some help, you can go to this page on my website: https://rachaelritchey.com/CotTR-hardback-special-edition/ and download any of the book graphics and copy any of the text about the books from the bottom of the page that you want!
This is a pretty exciting Monday! Thank you for taking this time with me and I hope you enjoy the Chronicles of the Twelve Realms as much or more than I do!
– Rachael
Please leave a comment, question, or idea! I’d love to chat!