How Do Epic Fantasy Novels Build Long-Term Character Growth?

When the apocalypse came, she lost everything. Starving, hunted, and desperate, she trusted the one man she loved… only for him to betray her in the cruelest way possible. He stole her last supplies to please another woman and left her to die in a sea of the undead. But death wasn’t the end. She woke up days before the world collapsed. After cutting ties with her ungrateful ex and his parasitic family, a mysterious voice awakens in her mind, LUS, a Level-Up System designed to help her survive the coming end. With knowledge of the future and a system guiding her every move, she begins to prepare. She stockpiles resources, builds a base, and learns how to fight back against the horrors that once destroyed her. And when the apocalypse arrives again… she’s ready. But survival isn’t the only thing waiting for her in this new life. A silent killer who watches her like prey. A manipulative genius who wants to unravel her secrets. A gentle protector who sees the girl she hides. And a dangerous man who thrives in chaos. As the world burns and power shifts, they’re all drawn to her, each with their own motives, each with their own darkness. Even her past refuses to stay buried. Because now, the man who once abandoned her is back, broken, desperate, and begging for a second chance. Too bad she has no time for regrets. Not when she’s busy rising to power… and building a kingdom in the ruins of the world.

Rena had never imagined how in only a few years, everything could change. Dealing with horrific heartache at the hands of the human prince, Blaine; and knowing that the whole of the Seven Realms were so very close to the start of a war. Prince Dorian had cut all ties and peace treaties from the other Six Realms. Rena's own father, the king of the Elven Realm, had drastically changed how he ruled his kingdom all because of a new advisor who was as mysterious as he was evil and cunning. Rena only hoped that maybe her older siblings would be able to find love and happiness in whatever romance the Fates had planned for them. Her own love had been destroyed, but how could the Fates be so cruel? What other plans did the Seven have for an Elven princess who still often pined for a human prince when he had cast her aside so easily? And would this Elven princess ever know truly, how much her human prince pined after his lost princess? Could they help their kingdoms stave off a war that could destroy everything?

Aurora, a strong-willed and compassionate princess, is next in line to inherit the throne of the mystical kingdom of Eldrador. However, her parents' sudden passing leaves her with a daunting task: choosing a suitable partner to rule alongside her. According to ancient tradition, the queen must select a group of four noble suitors each representing a different element (earth, water, spirit and the sword which slays), to form a sacred bond and ensure the kingdom's prosperity. Aurora is torn between her duty and her desire for true love. As she navigates the complexities of court politics and magic she finds herself drawn to each of the four suitors, each with their unique personalities and abilities. But she has a childhood crush that she cannot move on from, a shadow walker and highly ranked ninja, Kael StarSeekera who would appear later to defy all that she knows and believes.

“I thought you wanted to sleep, my Queen,” Lorcan whispered. “I changed my mind,” Niamh kissed Lorcan again, deeply, hungrily. “Besides, you owe me a wedding night.” “I stand reminded,” Lorcan bowed his head. Looking up, he grasped Niamh around the waist and turned to lay her beneath him, kissing her passionately. *** Niamh had dutifully fulfilled her obligation to marry King Lorcan of the Elven Realms, only to watch her new husband ride off to battle the very next day. But he was lost in battle, and she was left to face her new role as Queen among haters, admirers, and potential suitors… and a traitor. Despite the challenges she formed new alliances, treaties, and friends, and, once the King was found, they built an unshakable love while facing turmoil. Once free to leave, what choice will she make? Will the love they formed be strong enough to endure more than time? Rising Storm in the Elven Realms is created by Heather Dilts-Baiano, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

* The fourth book in the Love and Other Sorcery Series - Book One, The Mage's Heart, Book Two, The Golden Dragon's Princess, Book Three, Akyran's Folly * Love's Sacrifice Will Make You Stronger Tarragon, the first-born child of Queen Diandreliera of Uyan Taesil and her dragon husband, Aurien, is the child of prophecy in every way. She is beautiful, talented, well-learned, and a master of the sword she was born to wield. She is also as magnificent a golden dragon as her father when in dragon-form. Daethie loves and adores her older sister and envies her for all that Tarragon is and Daethie isn't. Short, small, dark haired, and unable to shift into a dragon, Daethie is fondly known as "the runt of the dragon litter." Whilst her siblings excel at Prince Akyran and Princess Ecaeris' Monster Hunting training, Daethie is a disaster more likely to harm herself than any monster that she encounters. When Prince Akyran brings Aien, the son of a local warlock who is well known for his villainy, to the castle as his hostage, Aien singles out Daethie to befriend, and Daethie falls hard and fast for the enigmatic warlock's son. With the increasing danger of monsters roaming their land, Tarragon leads an expedition to locate the portal that is allowing the creatures to cross from their world, but it is a dangerous, testing journey and one that not all will complete alive. What sacrifice will be made for love and the rescue of their world?

Ancient evils return to the lands of Mundillum. The races of Elves, Men and Dwarves need to put aside old grievances. Their survival depends on it.