** Parsival must take up his sword once more… “Captivating…” – Associated Press ** The hero Parsival finds himself thrown back into a world of bloody fights, turmoil and war. Amidst all this destruction, he and many others continue their search for the illusive myth of the Grail for its magical and holy powers, which will turn the tide of war. In this second installment of Richard Monaco’s expertly written series, Parsival must do battle with the evil Clinschor, who ultimately threatens destruction and terror for the world. Will Parsival succeed on his quest to defeat this formidable enemy to all mankind? And will the war – and the Grail – slip further from his grasp? Richard Monaco provides a fascinating interpretation of one of the oldest legends in English history. Set in the early medieval period, following the Arthurian tales, Monaco’s fantasy world is deeply rich and gripping. The Grail War is a thrilling fantasy epic told in the high tradition of Arthurian literature. It is the second book in the Saga of Parsival series. ** Praise for Richard Monaco: “Captivating…” – Associated Press “Epic scope … abounds in the trappings of Arthurian romance…” – * Los Angeles Sunday Times* “Monaco’s dialogue and meditations are often salty and fresh … a restless, strenuous rumination on civilization’s death and resurrection…” – Kirkus Reviews “Worth waiting for. Often bawdy and raw, this sequel will please fans of Arthurian tales.” – Publishers Weekly “Monaco recreates the taste, touch, smell and sound of the knightly world in reality, not romance … he succeeds brilliantly…” – Library Journal “Monaco presents dark, tormented tales … not for the weak-hearted.” – Fantasy Newsletter “Richard Monaco has created an unusual slant on the Arthurian Legend. Horror and bloodshed mingle with a soft, imaginative romanticism making an instant classic.” – Salisbury Times “… unbelievably talented … a literary miracle…” – Drogin Book Column “… offers a worthy inclusion in the enduring and ever-expanding Arthurian literature.” – King Features Syndicate** Richard Monaco wrote the best-selling Parsival novels, 1977-2012, two of which were Pulitzer finalists. In addition he wrote over a dozen other books, plays, and screenplays. Monaco studied musical composition at Columbia, edited a national student newspaper and a poetry magazine, and had a radio talk show based on his textbook The Logic of Poetry. In 1979 he co-founded a NYC literary agency and the online journal, Grand Central Review, in 2015. Venture Press is a science fiction and fantasy imprint of Endeavour Press, the UK’s leading independent digital publisher. We are committed to the discovery and rediscovery of immensely talented authors in the SFF genre, and continue to push boundaries in search of great literature. Join us as we venture across universes and unknown landscapes – past, present and future. Sign up to our newsletter: http://bit.ly/1LUVI4n Follow us on Twitter @venture_press Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1NnFow7 **

The Lost Years Part II – Parsival returns in this gripping fantasy novel, a continuation of his saga. Parsival is tired and disillusioned. A member of King Arthur’s round table, he has decided to leave and puruse his own journey. However, the elusive Grail quest still haunts his dreams. He is jaded, an older, more cynical knight. As Parsival quests, his family is in turmoil. Now, unwillingly, he must take up his old mission once more. The search for the Grail continues, and in ways he could never have anticipated… Waylaid by a team that is internally being torn in different directions, the quest for the Grail brings magic and mayhem to Parsival’s life. Morgan le Fay becomes a questing companion as Parsival discovers there may be more inside him than he could have ever believed. Parsival and company must escape numerous captors, save his family that have become pawns in the treacherous game, and prevent the forces of evil that would use the Grail for world domination. Blood and Dreams is the second instalment of the Lost Years series, which comes some time after The Quest for Avalon and before The Grail War. A rip-roaring tale perfect for any fan of the Arthurian legend, Blood and Dreams is a story full of adventure and learning what matters most. ** Praise for Richard Monaco: “Captivating…” – Associated Press “Epic scope … abounds in the trappings of Arthurian romance…” – * Los Angeles Sunday Times* “Monaco’s dialogue and meditations are often salty and fresh … a restless, strenuous rumination on civilization’s death and resurrection…” – Kirkus Reviews “Worth waiting for. Often bawdy and raw, this sequel will please fans of Arthurian tales.” – Publishers Weekly “Monaco recreates the taste, touch, smell and sound of the knightly world in reality, not romance … he succeeds brilliantly…” – Library Journal “Monaco presents dark, tormented tales … not for the weak-hearted.” – Fantasy Newsletter “Richard Monaco has created an unusual slant on the Arthurian Legend. Horror and bloodshed mingle with a soft, imaginative romanticism making an instant classic.” – Salisbury Times “… unbelievably talented … a literary miracle…” – Drogin Book Column “… offers a worthy inclusion in the enduring and ever-expanding Arthurian literature.” – King Features Syndicate** Richard Monaco wrote the best-selling Parsival novels, 1977-2012, two of which were Pulitzer finalists. In addition he wrote over a dozen other books, plays, and screenplays. Monaco studied musical composition at Columbia, edited a national student newspaper and a poetry magazine, and had a radio talk show based on his textbook The Logic of Poetry. In 1979 he co-founded a NYC literary agency and the online journal, Grand Central Review, in 2015. **

Richard Monaco has taken a slice of the Arthurian legend and created a thoroughly modern-minded re-imagining of the classic tale. Colorful medieval settings blend with a hard-edged look at human foibles and a romantic story of love and loss is narrated with a lean, contemporary sensibility to form a new, but still ageless, adventure that anyone can enjoy.  **

The Lost Years – Parsival returns in this gripping fantasy novel, a continuation of his saga. Gawain, face ruined by an encounter with a roving band, has teamed up with a religious fanatic to pursue the Holy Grail. John the Fanatic wants it to bring about prophesy and save his people. Parsival has returned home to his family, but things are not how they used to be. Parsival and his wife Layla have fallen out of love and his son Lohengrin despises him for being an absent and imperfect Father. When knights of Arthur’s court and Gawain in company of John the Fanatic come calling, he is faced with a troubling dilemma: whether to restore his family bonds, or fulfil his duty to the king. But Arthur needs Parsival. Morgana, the dark and powerful sorceress, has hatched several power plots across the land, challenging Arthur’s rule. She must be stopped. Avalon needs the Knights of the Round Table. Lost Years: Quest for Avalon is a gripping fantasy novel, set between the events of Parsival and The Grail War. Here, Richard Monaco yet again crafts perfectly flawed characters and weaves multiple storylines into overlapping journeys of discovery. ** Praise for Richard Monaco: “Captivating…” – Associated Press “Epic scope … abounds in the trappings of Arthurian romance…” – * Los Angeles Sunday Times* “Monaco’s dialogue and meditations are often salty and fresh … a restless, strenuous rumination on civilization’s death and resurrection…” – Kirkus Reviews “Worth waiting for. Often bawdy and raw, this sequel will please fans of Arthurian tales.” – Publishers Weekly “Monaco recreates the taste, touch, smell and sound of the knightly world in reality, not romance … he succeeds brilliantly…” – Library Journal “Monaco presents dark, tormented tales … not for the weak-hearted.” – Fantasy Newsletter “Richard Monaco has created an unusual slant on the Arthurian Legend. Horror and bloodshed mingle with a soft, imaginative romanticism making an instant classic.” – Salisbury Times “… unbelievably talented … a literary miracle…” – Drogin Book Column “… offers a worthy inclusion in the enduring and ever-expanding Arthurian literature.” – King Features Syndicate** Richard Monaco wrote the best-selling Parsival novels, 1977-2012, two of which were Pulitzer finalists. In addition he wrote over a dozen other books, plays, and screenplays. Monaco studied musical composition at Columbia, edited a national student newspaper and a poetry magazine, and had a radio talk show based on his textbook The Logic of Poetry. In 1979 he co-founded a NYC literary agency and the online journal, Grand Central Review, in 2015. Venture Press is a science fiction and fantasy imprint of Endeavour Press, the UK’s leading independent digital publisher. We are committed to the discovery and rediscovery of immensely talented authors in the SFF genre, and continue to push boundaries in search of great literature. Join us as we venture across universes and unknown landscapes – past, present and future. Sign up to our newsletter: http://bit.ly/1LUVI4n Follow us on Twitter @venture_press Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1NnFow7 **