Ann Bakshis – författare

A warning not heeded is the deadliest poison of all. The seer has shown Honora her cards, and foretold the future that awaits. Despite the ominous reading, Honora can't bring herself to backdown. Not with the chance to reclaim her powers so close at hand. However, the tarot cards don't caution her alone. A path has been revealed that allows both Evander and Lycus to prevent the tragedy to come. The lessons aren't learned by any until a priceless death shakes all but one.

Katarina Whylde takes pride in her work as an assassin, and relishes that moment when the last breath of life escapes her victims. What she doesn't know is why. Still, as a member of the Najem—a group of hired thieves and killers—she's taught not to question such things. All of that changes when the Forum sends her on a special assignment that awakens memories of a past she'd long forgotten. Now, Kat finds herself second-guessing the intentions of the very organization she swore allegiance to. Can Kat unravel the web of lies and betrayal tightening around her and uncover the truth of her origins? Or will the next bounty claimed be for her head?

What lengths is someone willing to go to for power? How many lives need to be destroyed or ruined to gain the highest level of control possible? Will a simple colony takeover be the answer, or do you need to hold an entire nation hostage? These are the questions everyone should be asking themselves when selecting a new premier, but no one believes someone could be that corrupt or harmful.Hannah Barnes is just like everyone else her age, planning for a future filled with happiness and success. The approaching selection should just be like all the others: the elders will secretly vote for the next premier to govern over the colony of Navarre and there isn't anything the colony can say about it. It's a process that's been going on for generations yet, somehow, this one feels different. The two candidates vying for the job have built their platforms on fear, lies, and intimidation, which everyone seems to be buying.Hannah just wants this whole selection to be over with so life can return to normal. She never thought such an easy decision would turn her world into chaos, heartache, and betrayal of the deepest kind.

A fortunate turn of events has Evander seeing his desires finally being fulfilled, but at a great cost to his wife Honora. Her only wish now is to flee the realm, but that can't happen until the gate into the lost kingdom of Toorkuns has been unlocked. The moment it is, all the creatures in Reynes will have their full powers restored, and balance of rule will shift to the dark magic beings.But neither she nor Evander have the nine medallions required to unlock the gate, and there's very few opportunities available to obtain them without suspicion. Lies will be told, truths unraveled, and deals made that no husband should ever agree to.Honora plans on reopening the gate… no matter what.

The prophecy failed; now what? Michael's dead, the kerk has fallen, and Aven has been sent to the Dryad Forest with Zander. Their relationship may have been irrefutably damaged because of his constant lying and trickery. Her father, Delphi, isn't any better. Aven is forced to master her magical skills by using a device called the Gehenna Sphere, an instrument only one other person has ever defeated and it's been known to warp minds.But that's not the only thing Aven is focused on. Comoros is falling into the hands of the Ligotas – exactly what she was trying to prevent. They aren't the only monsters gaining ground. With the Ligotas no longer manning the underworld, a door has been opened to allow its other residents free range, causing chaos she must contain.

The Litarian Battles are the only thing ever televised. No other shows are transmitted into the Outer Limits. Max has never had an interest in watching, much to the surprise of everyone else around her. She doesn't see the point of watching contestants battle when no one is ever injured or killed, and all for the opportunity to live in the utopian city of Icarian.Things change when she is selected to be a participant. She is sent to the main city of Tarsus where The Litarian Battles are held, Max is subjected to bodily mutilation, life or death battles, and psychological manipulation. And she begins to think there's more going on than just a chance to live in Icarian.  She soon realizes that the real battle isn't displayed on television, but behind the scenes. Max is caught between a conflict that may lead to war and rip her society in half. She has to walk a thin line, make sacrifices, and kill friends just to get at the truth and determine who will win the ultimate war.

Another kingdom has fallen. One that had been ruled by a cruel, callous man.Geron was never considered a desirable kingdom by anyone in Reynes, but now that it has no ruler the whores, bastards, and criminals who call that land home begin to spread their poison, infiltrating the other kingdoms with their depravity.Seven kingdoms now remain of the original nine, but only six meet at a royal gathering to determine Geron's fate and the safety of the realm. Honora finds herself unprepared for the aftermath of her brother Lycus actions, as she's pulled into a dispute forged by the ruling kings and queens vying for control over the home she shared with him.Evander sees this gathering as a perfect opportunity to collect the medallions he needs, but he'll have to be very persuasive in liberating them from their owners without divulging his true identity, or intentions.

Twins born at a time when such an event hasn't been seen in centuries. Some fear them, others revel in their arrival, but no one is prepared for the chaos they will bring to the region. Only, this isn't the first time the pair has caused such disaster. They've been around for centuries, a period of twelve cycles in time with their generation. No one remembers their previous existence except those who are sworn to guard the twins through the thirteenth and final cycle. Evolution has been waiting for this point in time, the precise moment when everything aligns with the prophecy foretold by the ancients at the beginning. But there's a catch…Creatures from the underworld want the region for themselves, and to destroy the ancients along with their prophecy. An attempt had been tried before and failed. However, now the creatures know what they did wrong, and see the birth of the twins as a means to undo everything the ancients have done. The twins are now endangered by everyone they meet. Will they be able to make the prophecy come true? Their lives, and humanity, depend on it.

Treachery can lie in the heart of any man, from our worst enemy to our most beloved friend. Some choose to ignore it, while others work on defeating it no matter the cost—and the cost is always high. However, the Righteous Man believes he can alter the course of his life to one of redemption and justice instead of servitude and pain by using deceit and sedition.But, he would be wrong.For Honora, it's something she's seen in her previous life as the Shadows in the form of Macarius, Dolos, and Dermont. Now it takes the shape of someone she trusts… someone she loves. The betrayal awaiting her is like no other.For the Righteous Man deceives all… none more than himself.

Wars cause more damage than solve problems. But what do you do if your enemy is immortal? Embattled leaders make the rash decision to decimate their own world to send a creature called the Arliss back to his den in the Fomorian Plateau. The consequences of their actions leave the surface of the world uninhabitable and their citizens more vulnerable than ever. Darker horrors await the survivors of the apocalypse, driving one right into the arms of the Arliss. And he's determined to make a return to the living world and exact his vengeance upon those who tried to kill him.

Righteousness comes at a price and now payment is due.Following the death of her horrid husband, Evander, Honora prayed she would finally be free. However Evander's master, Dolos, has returned and seeks to claim the Shadows for himself. More than ever, Honora is determined to protect her child by escaping those eager to control them both. Yet as painful sins from the past are revealed, those Honora hold dear are forced to relive their worst crimes. Caster's attempt on his beloved's life. Lycus' lust driving him the brink of madness. In light of these ugly truths, Honora must decide if these tragedies are worth risking everything for.The epic conclusion has arrived in Moment of Reckoning. The breathtaking finale to the Nine Kingdoms Series written by Ann Bakshis.

Realms rise and fall like the sun, and Reynes is no different. When the chaos finally settles after a fight for control, nine kingdoms emerge, each responsible for diverse races of dark magic creatures forged by a plague that swept over the land. Dermont the Wise, a sorcerer and master of light magic, bound and destroyed this curse, then sealed off the realm from the rest of the world to protect it, thus severing the powers to all magical beings who called Reynes home.Centuries have passed and stories of the plague have now become myth, spoken about only in whispers or dismissed as fantasy. The remnants left behind still exist, but without their abilities the creatures in these kingdoms are stuck living mortal lives and attempting to blend in with the world around them.It isn't until the fall of the kingdom of Drouviel that anyone begins to take notice of the truths hidden in the lies that have been told over the centuries. The key to unlocking the realm and restoring the dark creatures' powers has been buried in plain sight, but none of the rulers want these horrid beings returning to their former glory as they believe such an action would destroy the realm, placing everyone, mortal and magical, in grave danger.That is until a young man sets his sights on overthrowing the current rulers in the eight remaining kingdoms to obtain the keys to unlocking the true fate of Reynes and its inhabitants. Some are willing to aid him in his endeavor, while others fear he'll reawaken the fierce being that almost gained unconquerable power the last time—a creature known as the Shadows.

The past should remain in the past, but it has a nasty habit of shoving its way to the surface. No matter what Aven does a life stolen from her keeps roaring back, bringing with it nothing but torment and heartache. She refuses, however, to let the past define who she is now, and even celebrates a joyous occasion to finally bring happiness to her chaotic life. But the merriment is short-lived when the Ancients, along with the Guardians, try to dictate the course of her new-found freedom. Will more sacrifices need to be made, and at what cost? Should Aven ignore history, or let it repeat itself until it ultimately consumes her?

Old enemies have become new allies. But at what cost?Trea wasn't expecting there would be more of her kind: additional Antaeans the High Rulers didn't know about. But where did they come from?  As Trea tries to settle into her new surroundings, violence erupts around her. A new threat is discovered, one that could not only destroy her new home, but those she has grown to care about. Should Trea stay out of the war and let events unfold, or does she need to become the Antaean she was designed to be?