About the Book
Title: The Laird of Duncairn
Author: Craig Comer
Genre: Gaslamp Fantasy
The year is 1882 Scotland, and the auld alliance
betwixt king and fey has long been forgotten. Men of science, backed by barons
of industry, push the boundaries of technology. When Sir Walter Conrad
discovers a new energy source, one that could topple nations and revolutionize
society, the race to dominate its ownership begins. But the excavation and use
of this energy source will have dire consequences for both humans and fey. For
an ancient enemy stirs, awakened by Sir Walter’s discovery.
Outcast half-fey Effie of Glen Coe is the Empire’s
only hope at averting the oncoming disaster. Effie finds herself embroiled in
the conflict, investigating the eldritch evil spreading throughout the
Highlands. As she struggles against the greed of mighty lords and to escape the
clutches of the queen’s minions, her comfortable world is shattered. Racing to
thwart the growing menace, she realizes the only thing that can save them all
is a truce no one wants.
AUTHOR BIO:
Craig Comer
is the author of the gaslamp fantasy novel THE LAIRD OF DUNCAIRN and co-author
of the mosaic fantasy novel THE ROADS TO BALDAIRN MOTTE. His shorter works have
appeared in several anthologies, including BARDIC TALES AND SAGE ADVICE and
PULP EMPIRE VOLUME IV. Craig earned a Master’s Degree in Writing from the
University of Southern California. He enjoys tramping across countries in his
spare time, preferably those strewn with pubs and castles.
LINKS:
Book Excerpts
EXCERPT #1
“What
regiment are these soldiers from?” asked Effie. “They don’t appear Scottish.”
Murray’s
lips twitched, almost in a grin. “Does it make a difference to you?” She tried
to think of a response, but her tongue tied. He couldn’t contain his mirth. “I
believe you already know the answer. You strike me as a rather intelligent
woman.”
“Don’t
let your general hear you say that.”
“The
intelligent part, or the use of the word woman?”
Both, she thought. She was woman enough
in most men’s eyes, yet her blood was different, and that kept her from ever
truly being human. At least in the eyes of people like Edmund Glover and Sir
Walter Conrad. And Murray. That thought shouldn’t bother her any more than the
others, but it did.
“Newcastle,
then,” she said.
“Northumberland
Hussars brought up to quell the fey disturbances,” Murray confirmed.
She
smirked. The volunteer cavalry unit was well-known for putting down
overly-ambitious unions of miners and fishermen. In 1831, it had even fired on
its own countrymen. “To protect the interests of the Hostmen, you mean. It is
their money that drives this sudden interest in the Highlands, isn’t it? For
centuries they have been nothing but barons of the coal trade. Why do they now
back a man like Sir Walter Conrad?”
Murray
blinked, an expression of surprise crossing his face. “Surely you’ve heard the
chatter in the coffeehouses? Coal has had its day. Its supremacy won’t last
forever, and the Hostmen want to keep their true monopoly, that on energy.
Money and energy drive the world, and there isn’t one without the other
nearby.”
“So they
fund research into alternatives.”
“And work
against other sources they can’t dominate.” He raised an eyebrow. “Namely,
stardust.”
The
insinuation was clear—the fey were a problem the Hostmen could not control. The
hatred of her entire race boiled down to a handful of men who wanted their
heirs to live as opulently as they had. A flare of rage swept through her so
intense it brought tears to her eyes.
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