The Gatekeeper (Otherworld Series #1)
Author: J.A. Templeton
Find “The Gatekeeper”: Amazon | Author Page
Ever since I can remember, I’ve had strange dreams that always came true, and experienced terrifying powers that set me apart from everyone else.
It’s not until my eighteenth birthday do I begin to understand what those dreams mean. When my grandfather is attacked and left for dead, I am thrust into the Otherworld—a medieval-like land of beautiful immortals with amazing gifts. One of these immortals has stolen the key between the realms, and it is up to me, Brynne Davies, the next gatekeeper, to reach the key before the power struggle that exists in the Otherworld occurs on earth.
Complicating my task are the members of the Royal House of Parthas, especially the king’s brother, the handsome Murdoc, Warlord of the king’s army, and then there’s the charming Fae prince who seems to always be one step ahead of me.
Time is running out for me to find the key and close the door. If I don’t, the world I left will never be the same…because of me.
The Gatekeeper (Otherworld series, #1) is a New Adult Fantasy/Paranormal Romance.
~Excerpt~
The chamber wasn’t large, or maybe it was the tall, muscular man standing before the fireplace that made the space feel smaller than it actually was. His powerful back was to me, the shoulders broad, making a V to a narrow waist. His dark, almost black hair was cut short on the sides, but the top was long—an edgy faux hawk that no one else would be able to pull off, but I thought was incredibly sexy on this very masculine warrior.
The guard motioned me farther into the room. He cleared his throat loudly. “The visitor is here, my lord.”
I refrained from rolling my eyes. As if he didn’t hear us enter.
I took a baby step into the room. Now was not the time to lose my cool.
“You may go, Egan,” the warlord said with the same brogue I’d heard since meeting Kai.
The warlord turned and looked at me, and my mouth went dry.
Murdoc had razor-sharp cheekbones and piercing ice-blue eyes framed by ridiculously long lashes. He wore a silver torque about his neck and one on each wrist, and slender hoops hung from his earlobes. He also had full-sleeve tattoos, similar to the man who had led me here. A charcoal-colored tunic hugged his wide chest, and expensive-looking leather pants fit perfectly against solid thighs and laced at the crotch. I forced my gaze back to his, trying to ignore the heat racing up my neck to my cheeks.
Okay, the warlord of Parthas was hot. More rugged than Kai in many ways and yet oddly similar, especially through the eyes. Before I had time to ask if the two were related, he approached me, his gaze shifting over me once again, taking everything in with a glance.
It was all I could do not to take a step back for each one he took forward. But I thought of Pops and stayed completely still, steadying my nerves for what was to come. A good plan, but I panicked and dropped into an exaggerated curtsy, at the same time I heard a ripping sound.
I instantly straightened. A seam had given under the strain. This was not the time for a wardrobe malfunction.
His brows lifted to his hairline, but I didn’t miss a beat and pretended I couldn’t feel a slight draft on my backside. “Good day, my lord.”
He stopped inches from me, giving me just enough room to stand up straight. Unfortunately, he stood so close I had to bend my head back to look at him.
“My brother tells me you journey from the coast lands.”
“Brothers?” I said with a smile. “You two look alike. I mean, not exactly of course, but there is a very strong resemblance. Do you have other siblings?”
Oh my God, I was rambling. I bit the inside of my lip to keep from saying anything else.
His brow furrowed as he watched me in silence. As the seconds ticked away, he relaxed his stance. I wish I could say the same for myself. He made me nervous and I had the feeling he could see right through me.
“Aye, I do.”
It was obvious he wasn’t about to cough up any more information.
“What is your name?” he asked, a dark brow lifting nearly to his hairline.
This warlord had perfected the art of intimidation. I was terrified. “Brynne…McCane.”
He stared at the talisman at my neck, and for a heart-stopping second I thought he might yank it off. I hoped Art was right and it shielded my thoughts from immortals, because I would hate to have him know what I was thinking.
His gaze shifted back to mine. “May I call you Brynne?”
“Aye.”
“What brings you to Parthas, Brynne? What is it exactly that you are wanting?”
~About the Author~
I wrote my first young adult novel over ten years ago, and took a slight detour from writing YA to publish nineteen adult romances. Now, I’m following my heart and writing in the genre I’ve been passionate about for so long, and about characters who don’t exactly fit into any specific box.
Aside from writing and reading, I’m obsessed with history, love research, traveling, and riding motorcycles with my hubby, my first and only love, who stole my heart when I was fourteen and he was eighteen (yes, he robbed the cradle). I am also a medium, which gives me a unique perspective when writing about the paranormal and characters like Riley, who can see, hear, and feel spirits.
I’m passionate about books, and I’ll never tire of writing love stories.
