Poisoned Past

Lord Jester LarkPresident Rohn Evan's term is in its summer hours, and the war seems far away. Lord Jester Lark's greatest concern involves finding more time to spend with his lover and their adopted daughter.Then the ships come. A massive fleet opens fire on Perida Bay, and an ambush lies in wait as Lark races home by starlight.VeraiHe's a long way from jeweled, cultured Saphir, among scarred soldiers and rough-handed fishermen who mutter about him being a jester's plaything. But he loves Mark, perhaps too much to leave.Then the ships come. Verai gathers up little Ellen and rushes to meet his beloved in the safety of the court's protective custody cells.Mark never arrives.The Church must uphold the law. The nobility must be honorable, fair, virtuous. The jesters help nobles survive a dangerous and duplicitous world by dealing with problems in ways that their masters can't – at least, not in good conscience. That's the way it's supposed to work, anyway. But the longer Mark wears a jester's mask, the less he trusts the nobility and the Church. Perhaps rightfully so, because when he's ambushed, it's not a jester that wants to take his freedom. It's a creature of royal blood, bred into something inhuman, and it wants his loyalty, his voice, and his soul. As for the Church: It intends to cage him forever.In addition to reviewing books professionally, I've read well over 3,000 novels just for fun. The sad part is that I can't remember most of them, not because I have a lousy memory but rather because the plots are so similar and the characters so mundane that they all blur together. Fortunately there are a few standout stories that remain unforgettable. This is one of them! Well, to be honest, just about anything from E.M. Prazeman falls into that stellar category. Her world-building, characterization, plots, and pacing are first rate, original, and categorically well worth reading. Enough said; ignore my blatherings and buy the book. You won't be disappointed. - Lawrence Kane, ForeWord Magazine EM Prazeman is, of course, a pseudonym.The person behind the Mask Trilogy is a Czech refugee from the '68 invasion living in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, indulging an ancestral love for writing, painting and gardening.EM has studied mathematics and engineering, judo and karate, and isn't a bad shot. But can't throw knives worth a damn. In this followup series to The Lord Jester's Legacy, Lord Jester Lark attempts to end the devastating war begun by his mentor's vast intrigue.

Lord Jester LarkPresident Rohn Evan's term is in its summer hours, and the war seems far away. Lord Jester Lark's greatest concern involves finding more time to spend with his lover and their adopted daughter.Then the ships come. A massive fleet opens fire on Perida Bay, and an ambush lies in wait as Lark races home by starlight.VeraiHe's a long way from jeweled, cultured Saphir, among scarred soldiers and rough-handed fishermen who mutter about him being a jester's plaything. But he loves Mark, perhaps too much to leave.Then the ships come. Verai gathers up little Ellen and rushes to meet his beloved in the safety of the court's protective custody cells. Mark never arrives.The Church must uphold the law. The nobility must be honorable, fair, virtuous. The jesters help nobles survive a dangerous and duplicitous world by dealing with problems in ways that their masters can't – at least, not in good conscience. That's the way it's supposed to work, anyway. But the longer Mark wears a jester's mask, the less he trusts the nobility and the Church. Perhaps rightfully so, because when he's ambushed, it's not a jester that wants to take his freedom. It's a creature of royal blood, bred into something inhuman, and it wants his loyalty, his voice, and his soul. As for the Church: It intends to cage him forever. In addition to reviewing books professionally, I've read well over 3,000 novels just for fun. The sad part is that I can't remember most of them, not because I have a lousy memory but rather because the plots are so similar and the characters so mundane that they all blur together. Fortunately there are a few standout stories that remain unforgettable. This is one of them! Well, to be honest, just about anything from E.M. Prazeman falls into that stellar category. Her world-building, characterization, plots, and pacing are first rate, original, and categorically well worth reading. Enough said; ignore my blatherings and buy the book. You won't be disappointed. - Lawrence Kane, ForeWord Magazine

Lord Jester Lark is desperate to escape Cathret before the forces arrayed against him find and claim him. He's surrounded by danger, but the worst of it comes from within himself and those who are trying to save him.The Duchess Gzem Kelleisen searches for her missing son while delivering messages across battlelines. Her work becomes even more dangerous when she attracts the attention of a man who once knew her, who loves her.When Lark and Gzem's paths cross, it will change the course of their futures forever. EM Prazeman is, of course, a pseudonym.The person behind the Mask Trilogy is a Czech refugee from the '68 invasion living in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, indulging an ancestral love for writing, painting and gardening.EM has studied mathematics and engineering, judo and karate, and isn't a bad shot. But can't throw knives worth a damn. In this followup series to The Lord Jester's Legacy, Lord Jester Lark attempts to end the devastating war begun by his mentor's vast intrigue.

Every mile brings Lord Jester Lark closer to Cathret's battlelines, and almost certain recapture. Every moment risks discovery by enemy sacred beings, and enslavement to the Trokellestrai. But Lark's greatest fear is that what's left of him will never find the love that haunts his hopes, a love that may no longer wait for him on the islands he yearns to call home once again.The final book to the twin trilogies The Lord Jester's Legacy and The Poisoned Past. EM Prazeman is, of course, a pseudonym.The person behind the Mask Trilogy is a Czech refugee from the '68 invasion living in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, indulging an ancestral love for writing, painting and gardening.EM has studied mathematics and engineering, judo and karate, and isn't a bad shot. But can't throw knives worth a damn. In this followup series to The Lord Jester's Legacy, Lord Jester Lark attempts to end the devastating war begun by his mentor's vast intrigue.