Welcome to Irongarde, a dusty city in the middle of nothing, where the tumbleweeds are lively and monsters lurk just beyond the train station. Through a heavy crowd, smoke, and kicked up sand, two brother's spot each other from across the platform. Boone and Welborn Larokson have not seen each other in a couple of years and well, they lead very different lives. Between the Cattle Spurs and Bad Company, who has time to catch up? Cattle Boone Larokson is one of the only Paladin's in town. A good man, hard working, pays his fair share, and does what he can for this two horse town where he met his best friend. Jacobus is a clumsy fool, but he's Boone's clumsy fool who has just broken his leg ten ways to Sunday. Problem is Jacobus is supposed to help his older sister, Willamina Jones, push the last part of their cattle to the stronghold. It's imperative for this town and their families ranch that this push goes off without a hitch. And Willamina is rightfully pissed when she finds Jacobus limping home with his tail between his legs. Boone offers to take his place. What's the harm? It's not like he's been secretly in love with the hot-headed, stubborn enriyes of a woman since the day he met her. But after one unfortunate event happens after another, it's come to their attention someone is trying to sabotage them. They'll have to work together, and not kill each other long enough, to get 300 angry moos to the stronghold. Bad Company: Welborn is a cleric to the All Seer, the deity of curiosity and knowledge. His devotion is so great that when the opportunity to help open a temple in the city of Irongarde arrives, he can't say no. Reuniting with his brother Boone seems promising, but Welborn's plans quickly go wrong. Train heists, bandits, and a mysterious veiled woman pique Welborn's interest. With Bad Company at her side, Miss Eaves is a woman who is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. She doesn't need him to help search for the missing High Cleric—Welborn's superior. Yet, Welborn can't help but chase his curiosity—and Miss Eaves—into the wild. The Searing Wastelands, a scorching desert with long days, short nights, and dangerous creatures roaming… this is fine.
Authors
Azalea Crowley is a cozy horror/romance author, aka a serial monster masher who can’t stick to a single genre while writing a story. Her stories do have a theme of being cozy and sweet despite the dark humor and the whole monsters-eating-people thing. Oh, and they are also autistic, queer, and intersectional. Since the start of her career, she’s been accused of being an actual vampire. A slanderous lie, Azalea’s aversion to sunlight is only situational and she only occasionally bites people who put themselves near her face. You can find her lurking on social media behind an avatar of pink, black, and red. If you liked her books, you are welcome to initiate combat. If you loved her books, she’ll give you a head start and let you choose your weapon of choice.
