Book 1

Asteria's Last Hope

Plagued by a recurring dream, Alimar, at only fourteen, is forced into a quest to fulfill his destiny.  He meets new companions that aid him throughout his journey, which is filled with mystery and adventure.  Despite constant danger, many humorous events take place along the way.  His companions come to believe in his future and trouble is brewing everywhere they turn.  Before long, they become aware that there are those that will do anything to stop them. Join Alimar as he realizes he is

 Asteria’s Last Hope.

Kilian and Alana Kenney are only a few years older than Alimar.  They are leaving the safety of their country home to move to the city and find their future.  They have no idea how their plans will change when they meet Alimar.

 Dorn Deepaxe is a retired fighter whose only daily adventure now is chopping down trees and drinking ale.  He dreams of having a reason to leave his dull existence.  Overhearing a conversation about a boy in danger gives him a reason to hope for some excitement and purpose, but he soon realizes that Alimar is no regular boy.

Griff Borrowmore is a city businessman with a habit of borrowing things.  He ends up in trouble over his questionable business practices and finds himself locked in the local jail.  He overhears a story of a great treasure he wants for himself.  He escapes and finds the treasure, but soon discovers it can’t be borrowed.  In fact, it belongs to Alimar.

That is when they all learn the truth about Alimar.  As a group they continue on to help him on his quest. What none of them realize is that Alimar’s destiny is not the only thing they are working towards.  They will all be rocked by what the future holds for all of them. 

This is the map of Asteria that is shown in book one.  Obviously, part of the Kingdom is hidden from view.  We will post the entire map of the kingdom when book two is closer to coming out. 

Julius Foot, a very well known cartographer in Asteria, has a disclaimer at the bottom of the map.  It reads: 

I will not be held liable for the actual days traveled. The DBH (Distance by Horseback) is based on my travels with my horse.

About the Authors

Mark and Josie McKinney live with their four amazing kids in Anchorage, Alaska.  They love living in the last frontier where they can let their imagination soar even higher than Mt. McKinley.  Much like the kingdom of Asteria, Alaska can be wild and untamed.  When Mark and Josie imagine the rich forests, mountain passes, rugged towns or the dangerous ocean surrounding Asteria, they pull from personal knowledge that can only come from the vast state they live in.  Their children also inspire them to write.  All four are creative and artistic in ways that challenge and inspire Mark and Josie to keep writing. Mark and Josie are currently finishing Alimar’s Quest Book Three.

     Tyler is the oldest and is also the illustrator for the book.  He is a tattoo artist by day.  Mark and Josie are so awed by his talent as an artist that they convinced him to be a part of the project.  Theresa and Cheryl are twins and, though busy with high school and cheerleading, both are writing books of their own.  Johnathan, the youngest, is not only Alimar’s biggest fan, but the creator of all of the original creatures in the books.  He is behind every creature from the massive yegoxen to the nasty nocturnals.  He is also busy writing his own books. 

Watch for the Books

Alimar's Quest Book 1, Asteria's Last Hope will be released in May. 2010.  Book 2, A Kingdom Divided will follow around the new year.   Watch here for updates!

We are working on Alimar's Quest Book 3.  We feel It will be a very exciting chapter in the series.   

Note from the authors:

     We hope you enjoy Alimar’s Quest.  Our characters have come alive for us.  Every page we write is a joy. Look for Book 2, A Kingdom Divided, as it will be coming out by the end of 2010.  We strongly believe that if you enjoy Alimar’s Quest Book 1, Asteria’s Last Hope, you have a lot to look forward to in the next two books of the series.

Thanks for reading,

Mark and Josie McKinney