Gate of Souls by Verna McKinnon

Familiars. Magical animal companions of sorcerers. Keepers of spells and secrets. Most important, devoted friends for life. When one such familiar, Mellypip, bonds with the young sorceress Runa, he shares in the wonders of magic. Together, Mellypip and Runa train under the tutelage of Runa’s grandfather, Cathal, and his cantankerous mountain owl familiar, Belwyn. But secrets and spells do not make for good sorcery. Old friends begin to vanish even as enemies from Cathal’s past return, threatening to reveal the truth of Runa’s parents; a truth from which Cathal must protect his granddaughter at any cost. When Cathal is kidnapped, Runa and Mellypip rush against time to save their family and friends from dark sorcery that will not only destroy them, but shatter the Gate of Souls and release demonic creatures of The Otherworld unto the mortal realms.
Available on Amazon

“A wonderful new series!”

Five Star Review on Amazon By PL Powell

Verna McKinnon’s Gate of Souls, A Familiar’s Tale, Book 1 is a must read for any fantasy lover. I received the book on Monday and started it immediately after I got home from work. I was soon immersed in a new and wonderful world that I could not put down until I finished it at 11 pm that night. Ms. McKinnon weaves a delightful tale for all ages. My only problem,……waiting for Book 2.

Gate of Souls starts the story of a young sorceress in training, Runa, and her familiar Mellypip. Runa is tutored by her grandfather, Cathal, as his familiar Belwyn trains Mellypip. Runa’s idyllic life soon takes a turn and we learn the strength of this young sorceress and her familiar when confronted by evil set on destroying their family and friends. With rich characters and wonderful description, it is easy become engrossed in this new world full of magic and intrigue.

I found Gate of Souls to be the most enjoyable book I’ve had the pleasure of reading in quite awhile and I cannot wait for MANY more installments in this series. Ms. McKinnon is destined to be the next great fantasy writer of our generation.

About the Author

Beginnings

Verna McKinnon was born in Omaha, Nebraska. From an early age, she loved everything science fiction and fantasy–the only genres on television that allowed women to be more than an apron baking a pie. Her first heroine was Mrs. Peel from The Avengers.

Discovery

On her own, Verna discovered the love of books, plays, and the classics. At university, she studied theater, developed a love for Shakespeare and the Greek classics, considering them health food for the mind. She graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Inspiration

Verna also revered a host of fantasy and science fiction writers: Ray Bradbury, Robert E. Howard, Tanith Lee, David and Leigh Eddings, J. K. Rowling, Ursula K. LeGuin, and many more.

The Storyteller

Throughout her writing career, Verna has had several short stories published in Aberrant Dreams, Scribal Tales Webzine, Descending Darkness, High Fantasy Online, Chaos Theory-Tales Askew, Aphelion Webzine, Gothic Revue, and Fantasy World Geographic.

Verna hopes to write many more novels and short stories and to be what she has always dreamed: a storyteller worthy of her Celtic heritage.

Today, Verna lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband, author Rick Hipps and two cats, Bridget, and Duncan.

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