Livli's Gift

With centuries-old tradition and an impassioned traditionalist against her, can a champion of family ties save her menfolk from exile?

Livli dreads losing her father, brothers—and her unborn son. The men and women of her people dwell apart, gathering together only on rare fête-days, but the young healer longs to see her kin more often. When the arrival of a grievously injured outlander galvanizes a traditional lodge-sister to urge returning to the old ways of greater isolation, Livli fears forfeiting even these treasured visits.

Vowing to see her father and brothers whenever she wishes and to keep her baby, whether girl or boy, Livli asks her friends to speak out. But while they persuade as many as will listen, and she tackles the lodge-mother, her foe doubles down, demanding that men be banned entirely from the lodge. And Livli is stunned to learn that a surprising number desire this strong measure.

Unless Livli convinces her lodge-sisters that generous interludes with fathers, brothers, and sons offer essential wellbeing for all, their menfolk risk banishment forever.

Livli's Gift is the engrossing second book in the relationship-focused Kaunis Clan Saga, a fantasy trilogy. If you enjoy insightful tales told with engaging intimacy, you'll love J.M. Ney-Grimm's absorbing novel.

Buy Livli's Gift to cherish family today!

Kaunis Clan Saga

The Hammarleeding people dwell in high mountain valleys. They wield a tribal magic born of dance and song and the flow of sacred waters.
 

Ritual and tradition anchor Hammarleeding culture. While uplifting and beautiful, their rites underpin many thou-shalt-nots.

From Sarvet's Wanderyar to Winter Glory, one woman—or one man—challenges the shibboleths that threaten her—or his—particular bright dream.

Sarvet's Wanderyar (1) 
Crossing the Naiad (1.5)
Livli's Gift (2) 
Winter Glory (3) 

Each installment presents a unique protagonist from a fresh generation of the family.

Praise for Livli's Gift 

"…fascinating and insightful…" — P. Saternye

"I started reading and couldn't put it down. I love the world and the characters..." — Diane Riggins 

Excerpt from Livli's Gift 

Livli rerolled the scroll carefully, returned it to its pigeonhole, and sighed. The whisper of her breath sounded loud in the quiet space, as had the crackle of the brittle parchment and the faint click of the closing cabinet door.

The tale of The Princess and the Griffon did not have the reference she was looking for. Neither had The Lindworm's Eyrie nor Triton's Egg. 

"Why am I bothering," she murmured. "It's a wild gos chase."

But she knew why she was bothering. She really, really wanted the information in whatever tale it was.

"I wish I could remember."

But she couldn't remember.

Of course, she could ask her birth-mother. Sarvet would undoubtedly reel off an entire list of the folktales she'd told her children at bedtime. But I don't want her to know . . . what I'm thinking about right now. 

Livli sighed again.