The Cost of Power: Crucible
About this ebook
As Ruby Barkley Martiniere and her husband Gabe settle into leadership roles within the Martiniere Family and the Martiniere Group, they face escalating challenges, both personal and professional.
Ruby learns that there is much, much more to life as a Martiniere than she expected. Greater responsibility accompanies increased power and privilege, especially as she is asked to become the replacement for a secret, crucial role tied to the Family’s patron spirit that may threaten her relationship with Gabe. Yet her acceptance of this role will help keep Gabe and their son Eddie safe, not just from the Family’s ancient foes, the Braun family, but digital thought clones and supernatural enemies.
Gabe grows more powerful within the Family and the Group as he faces multiple challenges. He learns about the hidden recent history of the Family and the truth behind his conception. As he builds a stronger relationship with his estranged father and reestablishes a connection with an old friend and ally, he fears that Ruby may become more of a Martiniere than he is. His supernatural and digital allies warn him not to betray Ruby.
Then everything blows up. Gabe’s anger brings about that very betrayal he was warned against. He and Ruby face an ordeal that threatens not just the survival of the Family but the survival of their relationship.
Will they emerge from this testing stronger…or will they fall apart?
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About the author
Joyce Reynolds-Ward has been called “the best writer I’ve never heard of” by one reviewer. She has published over 32 books that include themes of high-stakes family, corporate, and political conflict, digital sapience, personal agency, realistic strong women, and (whenever possible) horses, frequently in Pacific Northwest settings.
She is the author of six speculative fiction series: The Netwalk Sequence, Goddess's Honor, The Martiniere Legacy Quartet, The People of the Martiniere Legacy, The Martiniere Multiverse, and The Cost of Power as well as standalones Vision of Alliance, Federation Cowboy, Beating the Apocalypse, Klone's Stronghold: Reeni and Alien Savvy.
Joyce is a Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off Semifinalist, a Writers of the Future SemiFinalist, and an Anthology Builder Finalist. She is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, co-chair of SFWA’s Independent Author Committee, and a member of Soroptimists International.
