It’s been a long six years. Bored with her comfortable, yet friendless job at the Horsemaster’s estate, card-shark Rane seizes the opportunity to wrangle horses for a travelling posse of upper-class people. It’s an easy task. Help the incompetent horsemen and women control their steeds until they’ve completed the political endeavour they set out to achieve, and return with wealth and connections.

Yet all is not as it seems. Rane finds herself rapidly out of her depth and floundering in a world that is not her own, trying to piece together scraps of overheard information. Only when she’s taken on as an apprentice by a sullen, unconventional diplomat does anything begin to make sense - and then, two things become unnervingly clear. The cards tattooed on their bodies are not for decoration. And they are after the Ace of Spades.

About the Book

This story began in late 2013, and has since been known by many names, including the Card Story, Four of Clubs, and the Ace of Spades trilogy. It all started as a fun project that quickly escalated out of hand by the assistance of nosy, yet lovable friends. Over those three years it has seen countless updates, drafts, revisions, and even the start of the second part of the series. One day, the trilogy will be completed, with this story followed by the books Double-Drawand Open Misere. It is, indeed, my most beloved brainchild - although I’m not sure if it’s really from the brain, or from the heart.

The story is set in a land ruled by inexplicable magic that someone, for no particular reason, decided to collect and contain within a deck of 54 playing cards. Obtaining one of these cards gives you power, relative to that card’s ranking. To maintain the potency of their abilities, this was concealed from those considered low in society. And naturally, the cards quickly dominated the power struggles in this land, soon coming to rest as the ruling force.

Rane is a protagonist you will no doubt love, hate, or love to hate. Her companions will also be loved, hated, or loved to be hated. No doubt the story itself will suffer a similar fate. Yet I dearly hope someone will enjoy it as much as I do. Maybe that person will be you.

About Me, the Author

The name’s Elsa Denker. My primary pursuits include reading, writing and horses, as well as playing as many musical instruments as I deem reasonable to play: ie. more than one. I also love animals, and my bucket list includes learning German and visiting Antarctica.

Geek & Sundry Fantasy Contest

As some of you may or may not know, I’m entering this story in the Geek & Sundry Fantasy contest! The contest runs until November 1, 2016. Inkshares will announce the top three entries with the highest unique reader pre-order counts, and will publish all of them.

It has been a long-awaited goal of mine to publish this story! I dearly appreciate each person who helps me reach this goal. All it costs is $10, and, if I’m unsuccessful, that will be refunded.

Fancy a Read?

Start reading A Full House here:

Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4