Defiance
The Priestess Trilogy # 1
By- Melissa Sasina
Genre- Fantasy/Romance
Shiovra has been named High Priestess of the village Tara, but she quickly finds herself hunted by the Milidh, a clan born of war and vengeance. With the safety of Tara at stake, it is decided that she is to seek aid from her betrothed, one she considers the enemy. At her side is Odhrán, a Milidh warrior sworn to protect her and determined to gain her trust. But their journey is fraught with peril and Shiovra learns that darkness lurks in the hearts of her own kin. Steeped in ancient Irish myth, this tale is spun of love, war, and DEFIANCE.
Betrayal
The Priestess Trilogy # 2
By- Melissa Sasina
Genre- Fantasy/ Romance
Shiovra, High Priestess of the village Tara, is set to wed one considered the enemy for the sake of her clan. Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Shiovra decides her fate and faces the truth about Odhrán. Still hunted by both the Milidh clan and her own kin, she learns that not all enemies are quite what they seem. Loyalty is brought into question and power lost within enemy ranks in what shall ultimately lead to one thing: BETRAYAL.
Eclipse
The Priestess Trilogy # 3
By- Melissa Sasina
Genre- Fantasy/ Romance
Tensions escalate between two clans, threatening their fragile peace. On one side stand the Túath, on the other the Milidh. The prize: control of the land of Éire. Yet amidst this brewing conflict, another more dangerous threat looms. The village of Tara is ripped apart, not by war, but by the seed of betrayal as the priestess' own kinswoman, Gráinne, conspires to seize control. Enemies shall become allies and Shiovra is faced with a difficult choice, one that will ultimately engulf her world in an irreversible ECLIPSE.
EXCERPT
From Defiance
She studied him for a moment, not willing to look away lest he turn on her. “Why have you been following me?” Shiovra queried, wanting to hear the words from his own mouth.
“I have been charged with the duty of protecting you until you fulfill the vows of betrothal,” he told her. “You have been named the High Priestess of this village. There are hunters seeking you, charged with your capture. My purpose is to make sure they do not succeed.”
Shiovra crossed her arms, watching his with guarded eyes. “And I am to simply trust you, one of the very Milidh clan who killed my mother?” she questioned, not bothering to hide the bitterness in her voice. Because of Odhrán’s clan, she’d lost her mother and that memory fueled her anger at him. “How am I to know what your true intentions are?”
“It is your choice to trust me or not,” Odhrán said. “Though I may be Milidh, I am sworn to protect you.” He exhaled. “That blade you found,” he continued, making a swift gesture towards the water, “was upon a man I found lurking about. What you were about to do would bring a risk far too great to attempt, even if it was meant to locate the enemy. Forgive me, but I had to stop you.”
Shiovra made no response.
“You were named High Priestess for a reason. You have a duty to protect your people, like I have my duty to protect you. Ailill’s hold is growing, his ranks strengthening,” Odhrán stated coldly. “What shall you do to defend against him?” He paused, watching her intently.
She hesitated.
When she did not respond, Odhrán closed the distance between them. Grabbing her left arm, he studied her honor marks, then her face. Releasing her arm, he gently took hold of Shiovra’s chin and tilted her face so that their eyes met once more. “What shall you do to defend your village against Ailill, or the Milidh, Shiovra Ní Coughlin?”
Her heart took a sudden jump at his actions, her body frozen with an odd mingling of fear and anger. Fear of what his intentions may be, and anger that she could not seem to gain control of her body. When Odhrán leaned closer, Shiovra’s breath caught in her throat. She held his gaze, refusing to look away.
Odhrán frowned as a gust of wind surrounded them, his hand falling from her chin. He looked around them with a hard gaze. “There is a storm coming,” he murmured. “The hunters search for you, priestess, and with the crimson haze of dawn, the battle will be upon us.” He met her eyes once more. “Return to Tara immediately, I will remain here and scout the woods. Should anything happen, I will come.” Turning, he left her to stand alone, disappearing through the trees.
About the Author
Born in 1982 in Cleveland, Ohio, Melissa has always been an avid lover of fantasy. In her youth she would write short stories and add artwork to them. While in high school, she decided to change her career path from graphic art to writing, though she still enjoys drawing up a random picture or two, usually of her characters. During her younger school years, she won a Young Authors Honorable Mention for a short story she had written. She has also won a few Visual Arts awards during her school years and upon graduation from High School, she was given a President’s award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. The first book she began to write seriously for publication was The Priestess. Completed in 2008, the book was separated into a trilogy and published in 2010. After undergoing heavy revisions, the trilogy was re-released beginning in 2012 and completed in 2015. Melissa still lives in Ohio with her husband, son, cat Trinity, and ferret Rope.
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