Novels
The Cindra Corrina Chronicles
The Gold Cat’s Daughter
The kingdom of Calilon is facing a civil war, and a political marriage is the last hope for peace. That duty falls to Lady Cindra Corrina, the young daughter of Count Casselvane. But Lady Cindra receives a shock on her birthday, learning that her future husband is not what she expected. Distraught and defiant, she slips from the castle for an adventure in the city. She gets far more than she bargained for, saving a young life from a monstrous killer. Her adventurous stunt has now drawn the attention of a local wizard, a dark and ancient evil, and most importantly, a handsome young knight in her father’s service. The fate of the kingdom hinges on Lady Cindra’s approaching wedding day, a day she finds herself more and more desperate to avoid…
Review from ‘The Nameless Zine’
“Want an adventure? Read Gold Cat’s Daughter” – Amazon review
The following is a letter reprinted with permission and gratitude:
“Dear Mark,
I won your 3 books at the Gilbert library event and I didn’t know what a real treasure it was. I had planned to read the books and pass them on to an elementary school however I will probably selfishly keep them for a while and reread them. I am anxious for the book 4 to come out.
Your characters were engaging and the story line brilliant. During the time I read the books in my personal life I both had an operation to have a pacemaker and I climbed up part of the Great Wall of China. Your character of Cindra partly inspired me to succeed. I am an adult so I can imagine how it would affect preteens. I will lend (not give) the books out to my friends who both like fantasy and teach gifted kids. Thanks again for your generous gift. Let me know when I can buy book 4 and hopefully 5.
Sincerely, Nan”
The Gallant Riders
Civil war threatens the realm, and the marriage of Lady Cindra Corrina to a foreign power was Calilon’s last hope for peace and stability. But the enemies of peace have struck first, and her ship never reached that foreign shore. Saved by sacrifice, magic, and luck, Cindra has survived. Now, the good will of a family of Galindri nomads is the only thing keeping her safe from harm. Even as her friends face perils of their own, Cindra must decide whether to live the free life of a wanderer, or return to the world of duty and intrigue from which she came.
Click here for Galindri words and phrases with audio
“5 stars because I did not want to put the book down.” – Amazon review
“This is a really fun series and I recommend reading them all.” – Amazon review
“Edge of your seat! Great story lines and truly intriguing.” – Amazon review
The Way of the Hart
Lady Cindra Corrina and Sir Jaron Dunlorden, her father’s banished knight, have been reunited by fate and bonded by friendship and love. Now they must return home to Portshia, and find a way to hide her from her enemies. Cindra will become “Dillan DePort” and train as Sir Jaron’s squire in the Daerbrik Fighting School. Aided by headmaster Sir Cord Freekirk, and Gavadaire LuVestra, a flamboyant warrior from overseas, she will learn to face her fears and become an asset to House Corrina. But strange visitors bring even stranger revelations, which will alter the lives of Cindra and her friends forever.
“The writer brings each character a full life of their own.” – Amazon review
“Five stars because, like all of Mark Rude’s books this one tells a great story, is well written, and fun to read.” – Amazon review
“Still good stuff, can’t wait for the next one.” – Amazon review
The Black Eagle
Cindra Corrina has spent two years in the Daerbrik Fighting School, training in the combat style of armored knights. She has proven herself to her classmates and her teachers, and has gained confidence she never imagined. But all of her achievements are based on a lie; the lie that she is a young man named Dillan DePort. Now her deception is catching up to her, and the arrival of her Royal Cousin and his new army have brought imminent civil war to her doorstep. Cindra must now face her greatest enemy yet: the politics and culture in which she was raised. While Cindra faces the consequences of her actions, and the Dissenter Houses finalize their treasonous plans, the forces of chaos move the Dark Heart closer to its final, chosen victim.
“This is the kind of book that I would be reading under the covers, flashlight in hand.” – Amazon review
Into the Shadowood
Lady Cindra Corrina, the only female knight in the kingdom, has set off on her first quest. She is to escort a young prince to his father, the elven lord of the Shadowood, and plead for the aid of his people. But they are joined by unwelcomed guests, and an ancient evil that does not want the elder elves to return and will do anything to stop them.
Back home in Portshia, as Sir Jaron Dunlorden and the king’s army prepare to march to war, the arch wizard Ildric Finnael searches for the missing god Tavenji and begins to unravel the depths of the enemy’s plans. However, those plans have already come to dreadful fruition. As Cindra faces the darkest parts of her inner self in the forest, the bearer of the Dark Heart confronts the unholy power that will shape his destiny and doom all of creation.
Devon, the Demon Duck from Hell
See what prestigious reviewers at the Afterlife Times have to say about Devon, the Demon Duck From Hell!
“Villainous!” – William Shakespeare
“Blasphemous!” – Pope John Paul II
“Senseless!” – Jane Austen
“Duck!” – John F. Kennedy
The economy is in poor shape everywhere, especially in Hell, where once-valuable human souls are now a dime a dozen. But some clever demons have found a way to traffic in a rarer commodity, namely other demons. When Devon, a ‘literary demon,’ gets trapped in the body of a duck by a dubious spell, it looks like his goose is cooked. But one human in the sleepy mountain town of Bueller, Arizona can understand his wise-quacking. Burning bunnies, a slippery snake, and other fiendish foes stand in their way, but Devon and Annie, a plucky Goth who chose the wrong tattoo for the back of her neck, must find a way to save their souls before Hell can claim them both.
“A great story that’s fun to read. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a lighthearted read and ready for a laugh.” – Amazon review
“I want the story to grab me and not let go until the book is done….and this one did.” – Amazon review
Review from ‘The Nameless Zine’