C. J. Brightley – författare

When a fairy king grants a human wish, there's more at stake than dreams.Claire Delaney has a good life, despite her adolescent angst. But she wants more. In a moment of frustration, she wishes to be "e;the hero."e;What she actually wants is to be the center of attention, but what she gets is a terrifying Fae king demanding that she rescue an imprisoned fairy, facing fantastical dangers and hardships she could not have imagined.Yet the dreams--and the rescue--are only the beginning of her journey. She is at the center of the king's audacious gamble to end the war that has raged in Faerie for half a century.

Noblebright fantasy is fantasy with a thread of hope even in the darkest hour, with characters who strive to do the right thing, even when it costs them everything.In this exciting collection of noblebright fantasy, fresh new fantasy voices and award-winning authors explore grief and hope, sacrifice and heroism. Rediscover the best aspect of classic fantasy - the noblebright ideals that made heroes heroic, even when the world grew dark around them.Wizards, princesses, peasants, schoolchildren, griffins, and the song of the stars shine brightly in these wide-ranging tales of possibility, courage, and hope.This anthology features stories from:JA Andrews, Gustavo Bondoni, Christopher Bunn, M.C. Dwyer, Yvonne Eliot, Francesca Forrest, Chloe Garner, Corrie Garrett, Joanna Hoyt, Cate Isert, Glenn James, Jim Johnson, Ville Meriläinen, A. K. R. Scott, Sherwood Smith, and John Taloni.

Shards of lives, shards of a broken heart, shards of broken pottery or glass, shards of myth and memory... each author in this exciting collection of fantasy has interpreted the theme in a different way. Focused on noblebright fantasy, this anthology includes stories that edge toward grimbright and nobledark, exploring themes of despair tempered by hope and brokenness tempered by redemption.This anthology features stories from:B. Morris Allen, J.E. Bates, Jade Black, Gustavo Bondoni, Bokerah Brumley, Stephen Case, R. K. Duncan, M.C. Dwyer, Chloe Garner, Kelly A. Harmon, Pete Alex Harris, Ben Howels, Tom Jolly, Brandon M. Lindsay, Alice Loweecey, Jason J. McCuiston, Alex McGilvery, Ville Meriläinen, Jennifer R. Povey, Holly Lyn Walrath, Pat Woods, and Richard Zwicker.Edited by Robert McCowen and C. J. Brightley.

A Scarlet Pimpernel Reimagining with Fairies and MagicThe Fair Folk are stealing children.One man is stealing them back.When Miss Lilybeth Rose Hathaway and her family arrive in Ardmond for the season, Lily can't help but be charmed by wealthy, popular Theo Overton's lovely manners and genuine affection. The Hathaways are soon elevated far beyond what they might have imagined, and like everyone else, they are captivated by rumors of the national hero known as the Wraith, who is saving human children from the terrors of the Fair Court.The arrival of the Special Envoy of the Fair Court tasked with capturing the Wraith frightens everyone. But the Wraith is far too clever to be captured… until the stakes become personal.The Wraith and the Rose is a delightful reimagining of The Scarlet Pimpernel in a Regency-inspired setting with dangerous Fair Folk and a love worth dying for.Book 1 of a complete duology.

The Wraith saved the Fair Lands.Now he must save Fair hearts.When Lord Fenton Selby is accosted at his own back door by Miss Crocus Firethorn, a beautiful Fair maiden looking for the Wraith's young ally Juniper, he's torn as to whether to trust her any more than she trusts him. His charm and kindness quickly win her affection, until she finds out Fenton has known her cousin Juniper's whereabouts all the time.Now Fenton must find a way to regain her trust, while a cunning new enemy, terrifying monsters, and risky bargains with several Fair lords all threaten their futures and their lives. It will take both Fenton and the Wraith to soften Fair hearts before they all come to ruin.The Shield and the Thorn is the final book of the completed duology The Wraith.

Lord Willowvale's icy heart has begun to thaw, but it will take a fiery Fair maiden to melt him.It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single fairy in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.Lord Ash Willowvale is wealthy and eligible, albeit famously disagreeable, but he is hardly looking for a wife, and the Fair maiden who catches his eye certainly wasn't hoping to. She is merely doing her job as bodyguard for the Fair ambassador, who has been imprisoned in Aricht.When Lord Willowvale is tasked with extricating the Fair delegation, his difficulties are only beginning. His task seems impossible, his past is deeply offensive to the Fair maiden he quickly grows to respect, and his own guilt threatens to crush him.Friendship broke down his prejudice; will love break his legendary pride? Will he ever be able to tell the lovely maiden who captured his heart how ardently he admires and loves her?A clean, noblebright fantasy Pride and Prejudice reimagining in the world of The Wraith. Come for the Jane Austen+magic feel, stay for the redemption arc!

When retired Erdemen army officer Kemen Sendoa helped the young prince Hakan Ithel reclaim his throne, he thought he was happy. He had shaped the future of his beloved country and earned a place of honor and respect.In the shelter of the palace, he finds peace and the promise of a life he'd only imagined. Yet his own choices, and brewing border troubles, may force him to make a final sacrifice.A tale of love, honor, and forgiveness, A Cold Wind follows The King's Sword in the Erdemen Honor series.

Retired soldier Kemen Sendoa lost everything in the skirmish that nearly killed him.Except his honor.Now he wants nothing more than to be left alone. Yet when he finds the young prince Hakan fleeing assassins, he reluctantly takes the role of mentor and guardian. Keeping the prince alive is challenging enough. Making him a man is harder.As usurper Vidar tightens his grip on power, Kemen must decide whether, and how, to help the pampered boy regain his throne.Invasion looms, and Kemen's decisions will shape the fate of two nations. Between Vidar's treachery and the threat of war, time is running out. When honor and friendship collide, will Kemen be able to save the nation he loves?The King's Sword is the character-driven introduction to the world of Erdemen Honor, a noblebright epic fantasy series by C. J. Brightley. Fans of Elizabeth Moon, Robin McKinley, and Robin Hobb will love this adventure of honor and friendship.Dive into the world of Erdemen Honor. Pick up your copy today!

History student Aria Forsyth's studies lead her to dangerous questions about the Empire's origins. A mysterious man named Owen, impervious to the winter cold, further unravels the safety of the world she thought she knew. At first, Aria believes Owen is human. He says he's not. What if they're both wrong?A moment's compassion draws her into a conflict between human and inhuman, natural and supernatural, and she begins to discover the secrets of the Empire, the Fae, and what it means to be human.

A boy learns heroes still exist.This is a short story set in the world of the series Erdemen Honor. It stands alone but also is a prequel/introduction to an upcoming novel and takes place several generations after The King's Sword. It is approximately 6300 words.

Young Hannah receives an interesting letter. Is her pen pal a fairy prince or a prankster? How long will he write to her, and what will change as a result of his letters?He offers her a wish. Can he really grant a wish? What will she wish, and what will she offer him in return?

Back in the Erdemen royal palace, Kemen begins training Elathlo, the young Tarvil heir. His own life and love are finally peaceful. Elathlo, however, is terrified of Kemen and his future on the tundra, making him the perfect target to pressure in a plot against Hakan. Because of a boy's fear and a traitor's anger, Kemen may lose everything he loves.Elathlo must face his fears and defy the traditions of his people if he hopes to be the leader his people need.

While hiding with Lord Owen, the Fae, and the human resistance, Aria questions everything she thought she understood. What are the Fae? Who is Aria herself?More than refuge, Aria needs answers. Despite the appeal of Dr. Bartok's talk of grace, the Empire's darkness threatens to overwhelm Aria as she wrestles with questions of sin, justice, and love.Colonel Grenidor has his own questions as he makes a new, powerful ally. How much can Edwin really be trusted? And what of the Slavemaster, who Edwin claims is an ally of the vampires opposing the Empire? Colonel Grenidor's research on the vampires has grown increasingly dangerous, with consequences for the Fae, vampires, and the supernatural entities on both sides of the conflict.Following Things Unseen, this second book in A Long-Forgotten Song is a riveting Christian fantasy that explores the depth of sin and the miracle of redemption.

When Edwin reveals his true colors, Colonel Grenidor realizes he has run out of options. The Fae prince Niall offers Grenidor a way out, but defection forces Grenidor to face the repercussions of his actions.Feichin's redemption has rocked the Fae, who struggle to understand El and their own place in creation. Lord Owen, still not recovered, turns to Dr. Bartok for answers. When new information sheds light on Edwin's terrifying plan, both the Fae and humans must decide what obedience and love really mean in a broken world.

A brother and sister play at being heroes, and the game changes their lives.This is a NOVELLA and is about 16,200 words. It stands alone but is set about 12 years after Street Fox and several generations after The King's Sword. It is concurrent with an upcoming novel.

For better or worse, decisions have consequences.Even for a fairy king.

Get all three books in this inspiring noblebright fantasy series now!The King's Sword - Erdemen Honor Book IA disillusioned soldier. A spoiled, untried prince. A coup that threatens the country they love.When retired soldier Kemen finds the young prince Hakan fleeing an attempted assassination, he reluctantly takes the role of mentor and guardian. Keeping the prince alive is challenging enough. Making him a man is harder.As usurper Vidar tightens his grip on power, Kemen wrestles with questions of duty and honor. What if the prince isn't the best ruler after all?Invasion looms, and Kemen's decisions will shape the fate of a nation. What will he sacrifice for friendship and honor?A Cold Wind - Erdemen Honor Book IIHonor's Heir - Erdemen Honor Book IIIPraise for The King's Sword:Beautifully written character studies of the main protagonists - more in-depth & tender understanding than anything I've read in quite some time. Thank goodness the sequels are already written!! Highly recommended. - Amazon Reviewer Lyndy E.This is an excellent start to a fantasy series. It is very reminiscent of Elizabeth Moon's fantasy efforts, with strong characters and just enough description of the towns and countryside that you get a feel for the land without feeling overburdened with overly formal "e;medieval-esque"e; language that bogs down the storytelling in so much high fantasy. I'm looking forward to grabbing the next in the series and, hopefully, continuing the tales of the folks from this book as they set about keeping the realm secure. - Author Elizabeth MaddreyPraise for A Cold Wind:I enjoyed the first book in this series, and, as I predicted, this one is better. I found it emotionally moving more than once, which doesn't happen often. - Author Mike Reeves-McMillanEven more wonderful than the first of the series. Brightley has done it not only again, but even better. These characters truly live, for me... I find myself hoping the series lasts a very long time, indeed! Outstanding. - Amazon Reviewer Lyndy E.I can't believe I read it in one sitting! Yes, it is that good. - Amazon Reviewer Charles J. KravetzPraise for Honor's Heir:Best Read of 2015 - An epic of days gone by or not yet to come. C.J.Brightly has created a world and characters so real that the end of the third book in the trilogy felt like losing good friends. Her imagination knows no bounds. The Erdemen Honor trilogy belongs on every fiction reader's bookshelf, and if you are a writer, you should do it like this. - Amazon Reviewer K.M.C., carpenterFantasy at its finest, something different for those that discover it. - Amazon Reviewer Charles J. Kravetz

When Charlotte meets mysterious Ronan, her comfortable life is upended in a confusion of magic, monsters, and birds. Lots of birds. But Ronan's increasingly ridiculous gifts are the least of her concerns - the spell connecting them is ticking like a bomb, and time is running out.This is a clean standalone fantasy adventure-romance novella/short novel of about 41,000 words.