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A Welcome from Sam Barone

This is my web site, dedicated to the Eskkar Saga.  Historical fiction set in the early Bronze Age, these stories and adventures follow the lives of Eskkar, Trella, and all those other men and women struggling to build the world’s first empire.

Please visit my Guest Book. I look forward to your comments and suggestions, and you may enjoy your fellow readers’ remarks.  As the author is playing at web master, I would also appreciate your input on my site. Please email the author with questions or comments at: barone@sambarone.com. Remember to include the name of the book in the subject, and please, no attachments.

Available now! - Battle For Empire - Kindle & NOOK editions.

In Dawn of Empire, Eskkar the warrior and Trella the slave girl come together in a mighty struggle to survive a barbarian invasion and build mankind’s first walled city. Fifteen years have passed, and under Trella’s guidance, Akkad has become the most prosperous and powerful city in the Land Between the Rivers.

Now Eskkar and Trella face new menaces to their growing empire – an invasion from the north, the return of the hostile steppes horsemen, and their rebellious son, Sargon, who threatens to destroy everything his parents have worked so hard to create.

Eskkar must confront his former clan in a battle that only one side can survive. Meanwhile, his son Sargon, instead of preparing for his role as heir to the throne, falls deeper into idleness and disrepute. In desperation, his parents banish Sargon, sending him to the barbarian warriors of the steppes to learn honor or die. But even as he dreams of taking power from his parents, Sargon encounters Tashanella, the beautiful and gifted daughter of the clan’s chief. She shows Sargon a different path to the future. When he is suddenly thrust into battle, Sargon discovers that he must learn the way of the warrior not only to survive, but to save Tashanella’s life, and the city of Akkad.

As Eskkar and Trella deal with the northern invasion, Bracca, Eskkar’s companion from the old days, risks his life to bring warning of yet another danger. The mighty Elamite Empire, the near mythical land beyond the mountains, has cast its eyes on the riches of the Land Between the Rivers. The Elamites must expand to survive, and they, too, plan to invade the Land Between the Rivers and reduce its people to slavery.

Eskkar and Trella must find some way to defeat this vastly superior force, not of untrained barbarian hordes, but skilled soldiers led by experienced conquerors. All of Eskkar’s battle skills will be put to the test. And Sargon becomes the reluctant warrior who holds the key not only to Akkad salvation, but to his parents’ survival.

Book I  - Eskkar & Trella - The Beginning - (659 pages) Available now at Amazon.com in Kindle and print editions! Follow Eskkar’s struggles to survive as he grows from a boy to a warrior, and read the story of Trella’s misfortunes.

Book II  - Dawn of Empire - (483 pages) Eskkar and Trella’s rise to power, the building of the great wall to defend against a barbarian invasion, and the first steps on the road to civilization and empire.

Book III - Empire Rising - (465 pages) – Continues the story of the struggles to save mankind’s first walled city. Eskkar’s city of Akkad is captured by enemies within the city, and his pregnant wife is forced to kneel at the feet of her new master. Eskkar returns to save his city, new-born son, and his only love.

Book IV - Quest For Honour / Conflict of Empires - (618 pages) – The rise of city states in the Land Between The Rivers brings a new enemy and threat to the city of Akkad.  Eskkar and Trella must build the world’s first professional army in a desperate effort to save their city from a Sumerian invasion. Available in UK as Conflict of Empires / Quest For Honour.

Book V  - Battle for Empire - (New) available November 2012 (Kindle). More than thirteen years have passed since the war with the Sumerians. Now a vastly more powerful foreign invader threatens the entire Land Between The Rivers. Eskkar, Trella, and the city of Akkad must overcome this new conqueror. At the same time, they must find a way to win back their rebellious son Sargon, whose wild and dangerous behavior threatens his parents’ rule and even his future kingdom.

Book VI  - Clash of Empires - available Summer 2013. The final clash between two mighty empires. Akkad and the Land Between the Rivers is about to be overrun by a vastly superior invader. Can Eskkar, Trella and their son, Sargon, find a way to defeat the overwhelming might of the Elamite Empire?

Interested in the backgrounds, my personal thoughts, historical facts, and actual excerpts from any of the  stories? Follow the links to learn more . . . including the prolog and first chapter of Eskkar & Trella - The Beginning, about Eskkar’s journey from boy to wandering mercenary as he travels the Land Between the Rivers, always struggling to stay alive.

Winner 2010 Literary Contest 
Arizona Authors Association 
First Prize - Published Fiction

UK Century’s dramatic cover

UK Century cover

Two years after Empire Rising, Eskkar and Trella build the world’s first professional army in a desperate effort to save their city.

View Sam’s International Book Covers

Author at a private book signing

Please email the author with questions or comments at: barone@sambarone.com. Remember to include the name of the book in the subject line, and please, no attachments.