Did you know that CARA Members are a multi-talented group? Come by the Creator table to meet other members and learn more about their passions outside of working hours.
Inspired by theories about portals to other worlds and Saskatchewan's natural wonders, such as the Mystery Rocks outside of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Karen began writing The Darach Tales series to highlight amazing places to visit in her province.
The Dagger of Urachadh: Attack from the Underworld, the first in the Darach Tales series, is a story about a young Saskatchewan girl named Golden, who has a strange birthmark on her arm, and finds a magical amulet and a strange incantation in her recently deceased grandfather’s study. As a result, she is magically transported back in time into a fantastical alternate version of Saskatchewan in the 1500s. After a long trek across the prairies, Golden is rescued by a kind young Celtic boy, Button, and learns that the Darach tribe, which has five clans (Mountain, Forest, Bog, Hill and River), is facing a deadly attack from the forces of darkness at Samhain, when the veil between the earth and the underworld is the thinnest. This onslaught started after the evil and greedy Randahar from the Mountain Clan knowingly disturbed a portal to the underworld. The Mountain clan is hated and persecuted as a result - and Golden's mysterious birthmark turns out to actually be the mark of the Mountain Clan!
After Golden confides in Button that she is from a different time, they set out together to find the Ancient Wizard whom they hope can help her return home. During their journey, a benevolent god visits Golden and tells her she needs to find the Dagger of Urachadh, which will guarantee victory against the evil marauders if wielded by the Great Protector. With the help of Button and his two friends, Naed the Wise and Robert the Historian, and some magical stones, Golden has everything that she needs to set out on her quest.
The Deadly Intruder: A Kingdom in Terror, the second in the Darach Tales series, continues the story of Golden, as she heads back to the Darach kingdom to meet up with her dear friend and partner in adventure, Button. Golden is happy to be back, enjoying tranquil days helping him on his farm, but soon finds out that not all is well in the Darach realm. The previous year’s war with the Ivarians left many people struggling and destitute, and Golden finds her heart breaking at the sight of the poor children on the streets of Raon and the surrounding villages. So many great warriors died in the Great Battle and their estates, now abandoned and in ruins, previously provided food, lodging, and wages for dozens of families. As a result, many children had no place to go and were forced into the streets to look for work or beg for food. At Button’s suggestion, Golden uses her sewing talents to help the poor and needy children in Raon and the neighbouring areas by sewing them tunics.
What’s more, there have been a series of vicious and bloody killings by an unknown assailant, leaving the locals in a state of peril. Left alone, Golden is attacked by an enormous creature, half man, half beast. She is protected by her amulet and survives. Golden and Button are commissioned by Prince Pedr, prince of the Mountain Clan to investigate the killings in the Hills clan territory, along with their trusted companions Naed the Wise and Robert the Historian. They must do whatever it takes to figure out what monster, earthly or otherworldly, is attacking and killing these innocent Darach citizens.
Buy your copy today from Friesen Press, Amazon.ca or any online bookstore. https://www.darachtales.com/
Eric Lamiot une formation en biochimie alimentaire, avec une expérience dans ce domaine tant académique qu’industrielle. Depuis 15 ans, il travaille en administration de la recherche. Depuis 3 ans, il est conseiller en partenariats et valorisation à L’Institut National de Recherche Scientifique à Québec, avec un mandat de courtier en innovation. Depuis tout jeune, il ramasse les roches qu’il trouve belles. A force d’en accumuler, il en a fait son projet de retraite (planifié pour 2031). Lors de la pandémie, a développé sa compagnie en ligne (MinEric). Il a aussi appris à transformer ces roches en magnifiques pendentifs.
Eric Lamiot trained in food biochemistry, with experience in this field, both academic and industrial. For 15 years, he has worked in research administration. For 3 years, he has been an advisor in partnerships and development at the National Institute of Scientific Research in Quebec-city, with a mandate as an innovation broker. Since he was very young, he has collected rocks that he finds beautiful. By accumulating more, he made it his retirement plan (planned for 2031). During the pandemic, he developed his company online (MinEric). He also learned how to transform these rocks into beautiful pendants.
