By JoEllen Conger

The Future King is an adult saga of bringing up a mischievous upstart to take on the responsibilities of becoming the High King of all Brightland. It is the continuing King Arthur-like adventures of the ‘Queen Of Candelore’ and her efforts to rule all of Brightland in her king’s stead.

What They Are Saying About The Future King

“A stellar pre-medieval story from an outstanding author.”

Penelope West –

Ethan’s Flight – Whiskey Creek Press

“Most of the detail is so authentic for the 5^th/ Century that I kept forgetting it was a Fantasy.”

Gabriel Timar –

Novgorod Diary – Wings ePress

Prince Anthony II is only a baby but a child destined, at fifteen, to become King Anthony II, Darkdragon to all Brightland. He is The Future King. He’ll have all the riches, the pomp and circumstance, the responsibilities while he’s in training, but his most important assets are the loving people surrounding him. His own Mamah, Lady Elaine; the regent of the realm, High Queen Gwyndalin; Gwyn’s royal companion, Prince Laurance of Mann Island; and the mysterious Gallagher of Cornrow who becomes Anthony’s own royal companion.

The Future King is a rich and detailed saga not only about a young boy growing up to become king, but about Gwyndalin and Laurance’s undying love for each other. A love they can’t acknowledge even though her husband and Anthony’s father, King Anthony I, has died.

When Gwyn and Laurance discover that their love child did not die at birth as they’d believed, they set out to find him. A young man, Gallagher, arrives at court, and they recognize him by his amazing turquoise eyes, so like Laurance’s own. The queen and her companion befriend Gallagher without telling him who he really is. Their coupling had been sanctioned by Anthony I because he’d been wounded in battle and needed an heir, but the appearance of a child older than the younger Prince Anthony could be a danger to the kingdom.

The Future King details Anthony’s training, but doesn’t lag in the story telling. Life isn’t all rosy. There are dangers, murder attempts, battles, but always humor, friendship, loyalty with love as the linchpin. This is life. Bad things happen. Good things happen. It’s all in balance.

I invite you to get comfy and enter the exciting and imaginative 5^th Century world of JoEllen Conger. The Future King is a good, old-fashioned historical fantasy saga. A wonderfully creative, re-imagined Camelot continued on from Conger’s Queen of Candelore, the first story of King Anthony I, his love for Queen Gwyndalin, their love for Prince Laurance, and his love for the royal couple. It’s as stirring and convoluted, but much more satisfying than the Camelot story. Read it. You’ll see what I mean.

Jane Leopold Quinn

‘‘The Future King’ by JoEllen Conger is a masterpiece. I was riveted to my chair and couldn’t seem to turn the pages fast enough in my constant quest to find out what was happening next. This is a beautiful novel about relationships mainly between Queen Gwyndalin and Prince Laurance, and Anthony II and Gallagher.

I was caught up in the love and warmth that abounded throughout this well-written book. I couldn’t seem to get enough of the affection between the Queen and her Prince, as well as the developing friendship between Anthony, being groomed to be the High King Darkdragon of Brightland, and his Royal Companion. Gallagher, the lovechild of Gwyndalin and Laurance, was their son, who they thought had died.

The sweet romance between Princess Bodicca and Prince Anthony will have you enthralled and remind everyone of their first love. These beautiful stories were mesmerizing and contrasted sharply with the invasion and war scenes. The battle scenes were vivid, very real, and drilled home the stark reality of the many people who die defending who and what they love. Loyalty is a key theme in this book for it is a necessary quality needed to survive. Also, being an animal lover, I adored young Anthony and his escapades, as well as the devotion of their dogs, Bran and Macha. The character’s relationships with their animals were also fascinating, fun and heartwarming.

Ms. Conger has definitely penned a winner. It is a beautiful escape for the reader into the lives of long-ago. I highly recommend ‘The Future King’ and look forward to more novels by this great author.

Suzanne Hurley

JoEllen Conger’s THE FUTURE KING is a highly entertaining yet thought provoking tale. The exceptionally well developed, living and breathing characters, although pure Arthurian captivate the reader. It is high-class entertainment even if the reader might miss the message and the unique philosophy of the author.

Gabriel Timar

Novgorod diary, Air Mogadishu etc. –

Wings ePress Inc.

In “THE FUTURE KING” JoEllen Conger has created an Arthurian-like world laced with details and intricate characters. High Queen Gwyndalin is named regent of the land after her husband dies and is charged with raising the King’s son, Anthony, heir to the throne, even though Anthony is not of her blood. Putting her own life on hold, Gwyndalin competently assumes her responsibilities and embraces the rascally heir, amid turbulent Viking raids, vengeful Christians, and relentless attacks from other kingdoms, only to find that her own bastard child had been spirited away at his birth to avert scandal.

The story flows easily and reads quickly. Characters are well detailed and endearing. The world of Gwyndalin is convincingly painted and one in which you become totally immersed. On your next free afternoon take out this book and enjoy the enchanting world of Brightland.

William H, Russeth

Author “Fires of Belenus