A Gatekeeper is born – but first he must die. Thor’s descendants carry a terrible burden. Do you love Amanda Carlson, Rachel Medhurst, and C. Gockel? Then you’ll love Forged in Blood and Lightning because this is Norse gods as you’ve never seen them before. -- Hey, I’m Theo Clemensen. On my twenty-first birthday, my genetic destiny warped me into the living embodiment of the world’s Magic. Now my survival alone stands between life itself and Ragnarok – the fated end of the world. Revealing my true identity is to court my own death and my family’s destruction. So it’s probably not the best time to befriend a vampire and piss off a dark coven of Italian witches. Then there’s Ava, the rainbow-haired musician I’d sell my soul for – but it seems the man responsible for my mother’s death has claimed her for himself. Whatever the risk, this is my only chance to leave my family’s fortress and live the life I’ve always craved. Before our enemies catch up with us. It’s time to show the world what a descendant of Thor can really do. -- Forged in Blood and Lightning is S.A. Ashdown's debut that will blow what you thought you knew about magic out of the Well of Urd… Buy today and discover what readers are raving about! Available on Kindle, paperback, & hardback. Author Q&A What inspired you to write Forged in Blood and Lightning? I’ve loved vampire fiction since my early teens (thanks, Anne Rice!), and anything involving witches and other magical or supernatural creatures before that. I wanted to bring my love of the English countryside, Norse mythology and Italian folk traditions into a contemporary setting. It’s a story for new adults, but young adults and older people will enjoy it too – anyone who’d like to read a new twist on witchcraft and the origins of vampires. Who’s your favourite character? Ultimately, there’s a reason I chose Theo Clemensen to narrate his story; he’s been hidden away his whole life, and so he’s innocent of the world. He wears his heart on his sleeve and feels his grief deeply, but he’s a natural optimist who gets things done – even though his inexperience causes him to mess up. It’s his coming-of-age tale. What’s the meaning behind the title? When Theo becomes the Gatekeeper, his soul is literally fused to an ancient power that co-habits his body. This melting together is the ‘forged’ part. The lightning refers to Theo’s ancestral link to Thor, God of Thunder, and ‘blood’ relates to Lorenzo Angelucci’s simultaneous transformation from human to vampire. Together, this unlikely pair may just change the world. **Review **What readers are saying about Forged in Blood and Lightning: ★★★★★ "This is a magnificent book, as is the author's writing." - Ira Myriam, Book Blogger ★★★★★ "I really enjoyed this book. It seems to have everything you could possibly want, laughter, tears, murder, rebirth, witches, warlocks, vampires and elves." - Eleanor Chown, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ "OMG I LOVED IT! I liked it so much I read it all in one night." - Patti D, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ "I could almost reach out and touch or immerse myself in the scenery. I loved this book. So well written. So beautifully descriptive." - Alison Springer, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ "An amazing fast paced tale that delves into Norse mythology in a whole new way." - Andrea Laws, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ "Witches, vampires, elves, Norse gods and magic have been seamlessly woven together to create an epic fantasy." - Josephine Sanderson, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ What a fantastic book. A great coming to age novel. Love how the author created great characters and loved the flow of the novel. A must read to all. - Ann Lewis, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ "Loved this book. Loved the style, the writing, it was magical. It was amazingly put together the turns in the plot. Everyone who loves fantasy books should read this." - Nichole, Amazon Reviewer**

Theo Clemensen, warlock and Gatekeeper to the Nine Realms, finds himself in charge of an unruly coven of Tuscan witches while facing a trial that will alter the lives of Pneuma everywhere. Menelaus Knight, Guardian of the Praetoriani – and the Clemensens’ sworn enemy – discovers his hallowed institution is keeping dark and deadly secrets. Despite their bitter past, they are forced to work together to prevent Ragnarok at the hands of an ancient evil. Can they put aside their differences or will their ghosts come to haunt mankind? Time for Theo to decide whether to raise the Hordes of Hel to fight the dark heart of the Praetoriani, even if it means choosing between his friends, family, and the survival of the Nine Realms. **