A bitter uprising in Ireland is taking place and two siblings are tossed in the battle, facing death, believing in love, and hoping in magic. 

1920 found Ireland at the peak of tensions that had been building for centuries. Famine, tyranny, and strife robbed the Irish of their homes, their lives, and their country. Four years after the Easter Rising, the pressure became so great, that the southern Irish took up arms against the British and fought for a free nation.

Following an ambush at the Upton Rail Station in 1921 Ireland, British troops burn Ailis' home to the ground and arrest her fiancé, Liam, for murder. She and her younger brother Paddy flee to an enchanted glen. Lured by a haunting song, Paddy is abducted by forest folk. Perilous obstacles, and a questionable stranger, hinder Ailis' attempts to find her brother or free her fiance until her only hope for survival rests on the magic of the Fae.

Thread of a Spider was one of my favorite stories to write. One which I dug deep into the history of Ireland, from the reading of Paddy's Lament, to several books written by the original Irish Volunteer leaders such as Tom Barry and his book Guerilla Days in Ireland. 

These men put up a remarkable fight for freedom, and sacrificed their lives to make Ireland a better place. I have nothing but respect for them and part of what I found astonishing was their love for their legends. I found it fascinating that the young men in training were called Fianna named after a body of Irish legends known as the 'Fianna Cycle' or 'Fenian Cycle'. 

 I used the myths that they hold dear to help tell the story of their fortitude, their integrity, their honor, and their love for family and friends. 

Why Thread of a Spider? What is the significance of that title? 

Thread of a Spider is a haunting song the Fae sing throughout the story that tell of a lost magic cloth of periwinkle that the Fairy queen must find, and that somehow is tied to the war the Volunteers are fighting.

Thread of a spider,
Weaving of ties,
Cloak for the human,
Whose service will rise.
Babes in the cradle, and lads in the woods
‘Tis Fianna we’re seeking with periwinkle
 
Thread of a spider,
Weaving of ties,
Cloak for the piper,
A pickpocket’s lies.
It’s off with my head or drown in the well
Should I not find the cloak of periwinkle.
 
Thread of a spider
Weaving of ties
Cloak for Fianna
And all those who fly
A life of enchantment with ne’er a sprinkle
A life with the Fae folk and Periwinkle. 

Specs

• 6 X 9

• About 264 Pages

• Leather hardcover with silver stamping

• Silver foil textured dust jacket

• Artwork by Les of Austria

• Printed in the USA

"Thread of a Spider is an absorbing story that smoothly combines key elements from both history and fantasy. Author D. L. Gardner (also a fellow contributor at Amazing Stories) has created a magical little world filled with courage and charm set in an unlikely stage of war and terror." 

- Amazing Stories Magazine

"In this magical YA historical fantasy, Ailis and Paddy Kilpatrick, brother and sister, are caught up in the 1920's Irish war for independence. People they love and know are dying, suffering, fighting, and starving. Against all odds and with a little help from the Fae, faery folk, the war might yet be won and the British driven back across the sea."

 "Wow, I just went to Ireland. The sights, the sounds, the smells were all around me and I felt like I could actually reach out and touch the things described in each scene. DL Gardner's writing is so vivid you are there with the characters, running, hiding, fighting and weeping. Thread of a Spider is such an amazing story, I had book depression when it ended. I wanted to go back to Ireland and spend more time with these wonderful characters and roam in this amazing country. "

Read the first chapter.

$5 eBook
Are you a digital reader? Pick up the eBook send to your through BookFunnel. Same fascinating story!

$25 The eBook and the award winning Audio Book narrated by Lee Brophy

Independent release of the award winning audio book narrated by Irish comedian and actor Lee Brophy. Winner of the  AudioBook Choice Award 2018, Lee, with his pure Irish accent brings the story to life. 

Listen to chapter 1 of Thread of a Spider narrated by Lee Brophy.

$30 A paperback of Thread of a Spider signed by the author.

$75 The special edition real leather hardcover of Thread of a Spider, wrapped in a beautiful silver foil dust jacket with the original cover art. 
This cover was created by myself, local modeling talent, and my cover artist Les T. 

$130 Hardcover Bundle

This hardcover bundle gets your name in the acknowledgments, limited edition, signed and numbered with a personalized note from the author, the audiobook, the eBook, the special edition bookmark.

$250 Hardcover Dedication Bundle.
You will be featured in this special dedication page. One only. This hardcover bundle gets your name in the acknowledgments, limited edition, signed and numbered with a personalized note from the author, the audiobook, the eBook, the special edition bookmark.

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