Book of Payne Series by R.P. Dunwater

The Ashes of Winter is the prequel to the Book of Payne dark fantasy series. It features powerful Priestesses with nature-inspired magic, sweet sapphic romance, two Gods on the brink of war, and a friendship put to the ultimate test. The young Alma Payne is next in line to lead her people as their High Priestess of Ebroth. It’s an intimidating responsibility, being the only link between the mortal realm and her God, but she finds it easier to navigate with her best friend by her side... moreThe Ashes of Winter is the prequel to the Book of Payne dark fantasy series. It features powerful Priestesses with nature-inspired magic, sweet sapphic romance, two Gods on the brink of war, and a friendship put to the ultimate test. The young Alma Payne is next in line to lead her people as their High Priestess of Ebroth. It’s an intimidating responsibility, being the only link between the mortal realm and her God, but she finds it easier to navigate with her best friend by her side. Celia Throckmorton, the future High Priestess of the goddess Dienna, is always there for Alma when she needs her most. Alma is certain nothing could ever break them apart. But when a fire breaks out in the sacred wilds of Ebroth’s people, it’s immediately clear that it was no accident. The people of Dienna have outgrown their borders, and need to make room for more villages. This betrayal marks the first fracture in the delicate balance of peace, and Alma’s once picturesque life quickly begins to splinter. Furious, Ebroth turns on his sister Dienna. And unfortunately for Alma, the only weapons the warring gods possess are Their own beloved creations. Can Alma’s relationship with Celia withstand the wrathful back-and-forth of Ebroth and Dienna, or will it too be reduced to ashes in the devastation of the last winter? less

All Eleanor Payne wants is to live her life in peace. But a war between the gods has cracked the world in two, and the Payne family pledged to the losing side. The village of Blackridge has labeled them traitors. They’ve fallen far from grace and lost nearly everything. With her mother desperate to convert to preserve the little they have left and her great-grandmother forbidding it, Eleanor has no choice but to pick a side. But she would rather starve than surrender... moreAll Eleanor Payne wants is to live her life in peace. But a war between the gods has cracked the world in two, and the Payne family pledged to the losing side. The village of Blackridge has labeled them traitors. They’ve fallen far from grace and lost nearly everything. With her mother desperate to convert to preserve the little they have left and her great-grandmother forbidding it, Eleanor has no choice but to pick a side. But she would rather starve than surrender. On the hunt for another path, Eleanor uncovers powerful secrets that the Payne matriarchs buried in their past. And a condemning truth about the dark history of Blackridge. The more she uncovers, the more desperate the village becomes to silence her. But Eleanor has come too far to turn back now. And when faced with the dangerous consequences of digging too deep, she unlocks a terrifying power within herself. One that will make Blackridge wish they hadn’t pushed her so far. less

A Vision of Ruin is the second installment in the Book of Payne series. It's a dark fantasy novel featuring a clairvoyant female lead, a fresh take on angels and demons, queer found family, and a world in chaos. Mariela Rossi’s only desire was to be a supportive wife to Eleanor Payne, High Priestess of Ebroth. But when Eleanor’s rash actions at the Harvest Festival incite the wrath of the High Priestesses of Dienna, Mariela finds herself pushed into the spotlight... moreA Vision of Ruin is the second installment in the Book of Payne series. It's a dark fantasy novel featuring a clairvoyant female lead, a fresh take on angels and demons, queer found family, and a world in chaos. Mariela Rossi’s only desire was to be a supportive wife to Eleanor Payne, High Priestess of Ebroth. But when Eleanor’s rash actions at the Harvest Festival incite the wrath of the High Priestesses of Dienna, Mariela finds herself pushed into the spotlight. Left behind, Mariela must lead the survivors of Blackridge in picking up the broken pieces of their village, all while learning to navigate new clairvoyant powers of her own. Just as it seems the village is on the mend, a terrifying vision foretells the new horror that will befall Blackridge. And there’s only one way to prevent it from coming. Mariela must put an end to Eleanor’s reign of destruction. But will stopping her wife be enough, or are the people of Ebroth now trapped in a war they have no hope of winning? less