All the novels center around the two main characters of Eskkar & Trella, and are as realistic as the author could make them. No magic stones, no interfering gods, no superhuman heroes or conflicts. Only real people struggling to survive in a hostile and changing environment. Lots of battle strategy, tactics, and military planning.
Dawn of Empire (483 pages, 2006) is the first novel
in the Eskkar Saga, published in the USA, Canada,
and the UK.
Eskkar, an outcast barbarian warrior, and Trella the young slave girl join forces to build the first walled village. At the same time, they must stop a barbarian invasion and protect themselves from assassination. To survive, Eskkar must train peaceful villagers in the art of war. If they succeed, they will be taking mankind’s first steps on the road to civilization and empire.
Empire Rising (465 pages, 2007)
Continues the story of the struggles to save mankind’s first walled city. Eskkar leaves his newly founded city to rid the countryside of bands of muraders. He encounters Lani, a woman captured by bandits. Soon he is wasting his days while his new city of Akkad is captured by enemies. Eskkar’s pregnant wife is forced to kneel at the feet of her new master, and suddenly her husband must find a way to free his city and save his wife and new-born son.
Quest for Honour (646 pages, 2010). Please Note: also published in the UK under the title ”Conflict of Empires.” They are, however, the same book.
The rise of rival 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 Akkad from a Sumerian invasion. New tactics, training, weapons, and battle strategy will be put to the test against a much larger force of brutal Sumerian soldiers.
Eskkar & Trella – The Beginnings (659 pages, 2011)
Tells the stories of the early years of Eskkar and Trella, before they meet in Akkad. His family murdered in a blood feud, Eskkar flees his clan to save his life. As he grows from boy to man, heis forced to live among his hereditary enemies, and each day brings a new challenge merely to survive. Trella, too, finds her wealthy family destroyed, and she must use all her wits if she is to escape a lifetime of slavery.
Finally, Battle for Empire & Clash of of Empires end the cycle of Eskkar and Trella’s achievements. In many ways, these last two novels could be considered one book, since the action contained is continuous.
Battle for Empire (470 pages)
More than thirteen years have passed since the Sumerian War. But now a vastly more powerful foreign invader threatens the entire Land Between the Rivers. Eskkar and Trella must overcome this new conqueror. They must also find a way to win back their rebellious son, Sargon, who banished from Akkad. Now his wild and dangerous behavior threatens not only his parents’ rule but even his future kingdom.
Clash of of Empires (480 pages)
The final clash between two mighty empires. Akkad and the Land Between the Rivers are about to be overrun by a far more numerous and dangerous invader, the Elamite Empire. Eskkar, Trella, and their son, Sargon, must find a way to defeat the overwhelming might of this empire from the east, or the Land Between the Rivers will be captured and enslaved, and their fledgling city-state destroyed.
All are available in print and Kindle editions at Amazon.com
Two short stories featuring Eskkar and Bracca –
Rogue Warriors 1 & 2: (Kindle editions only)
These stories recall Eskkar’s younger and wilder days, when he and a Sumerian thief named Bracca wandered the Land Between the Rivers. Fast-talking, hard-drinking Bracca is as dangerous a fighter as Eskkar. Both survive by selling their swords as mercenaries when possible, or turning into thieves when necessary. They travel from one adventure to the next, almost always pursued by some angry group of villagers seeking to regain their property.
Rogue Warriors – 1 In this adventure, Eskkar is reunited with Iltani, his first love, a girl he saved from bandits while still a boy. Now he has to fight to protect her once again, this time from land-hungry murderers who want her farm. Soon Eskkar & Bracca are involved in a fight for their lives to save a woman and her family. About 40 pages in length.
Rogue Warriors – 2 In this escapade, Eskkar and Bracca have their horses stolen by bandits. They decide to chase after the thieves, and soon discover that the brigands are far more numerous and cunning than the two companions expected. This time they will have to out-think and outfight the bandits just to stay alive. About 40 pages in length