About Emma C Buenen
I always loved reading, especially books of daring, courage and adventure. Stories set in mysterious and ancient lands were my favourites.
Horses were my other passion and I spent many an hour riding through the lovely Australian bush, seeing wallabies, kangaroos and even the occasional koala.
Fast forward to today, I relive those moments out in nature and my love for the exciting stories of the past by writing in the genre of Young Adult set in ancient and medieval past.
Other stuff I’ve done includes living in Ukraine, studying in Paris, getting married and moving to the beautiful coast of Queensland.
I enjoy keeping up with my readers through my monthly bulletin and social media platforms which can be found on my website – emmabuenen.com
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- Agata, Princess of Iberia
Poised to join the order of her beloved Abbess, timid Princess Agata longs to hide from her father’s court of corruption to live a peaceful life in the convent. These dreams are shattered when warriors of the Marauder people attack. Agata escapes sword and fire and flees into the wilderness with a concubine’s son and a half-wild black hound. Marauders spread across Iberia searching for the missing princess and the female survivors look to a reluctant Agata to lead them. As winter snows approach, Agata believes her struggle for survival depends on finding food, shelter and escaping the Marauder warlord, - Rule of the Earthborn (Sambeth Primordial Book Three)
Rule of the Earthborn Time is running out… Warring clans are difficult to unite but Sambeth must persuade them to join forces to protect the city of Aresisia, the last bastion of freedom from the rule of the Earthborn and their deadly angelic father. Putting off the chance to live among her mother’s people Sambeth experiences hostility and suspicion from the Noeshiri people – the people whom she has vowed to help for both her beloved Sem’s sake and for the preservation of human kind against the angelic hybrids – the Earthborn. The Fallen One sends his terrifying son, Altor, - Fear of the Earthborn (Sambeth Primordial Book Two)
Fear of the EarthbornIn the talons of the panther… Journeying through the Endless Forest with Sem and the faithful Agnor, Sambeth is desperate to reach the city of Aresisia where Sem’s people are. They will know if her friend, Rija, survived the Earthborn attack on the hidden fortress. Panthers lurk in the forest as well as a people who worship the Panther spirit. They believe Sambeth is chosen by the Panther and seek her life. Suffering in their hands, Sambeth must think quickly or she will end up as a sacrifice to their god and never reach her destination. Links - RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Twenty-Seven)
Decide He will show him the way he should choose. Psalm 25:12 “How long do we have before Pip tires?” Sem asked, his breath tickling her ear. “With me, he can fly three, maybe three and half hours at a quick pace,” Sambeth replied and tugged a strand if her hair as she thought, “I don’t know how long he can go with the two of us. I’d try an hour and a half and see how he goes.” “We need to head north,” he said. Sambeth nodded and he noticed the shimerith adjust his direction. The shimerith was flying - RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Twenty-Six)A People With No Home He led his people through the wilderness. Psalm 136:16 The secret exit came out miles from Tetrahin. Once outside the tunnel, Noesh paused and surveyed the strained group around him. There are too many of us, he thought despairingly. The mothers with young children worried him the most. They would find any journey, whether it be to Aresisia or Arca, taxing, frightening and dangerous. One approached him, her young face pale under its already pale skin. A baby peeped over her shoulder through the thick mane of red hair. Three others clustered around her legs,
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Twenty-Five)Far Away From Here Take your journey into the wilderness Deuteronomy 8:40 “Which way is Aresisia?” Sambeth called over her shoulder. The sun was rising higher in the sky now. The air was dense and rich. The light shone pinkish across the sky. Sem glanced at the sun and twisted back to look at the direction of Tetrahin, falling further and further behind them. “Look!” Sambeth cried. Sem followed the direction of her arm and spotted a familiar greyish-brindle shape slipping through the trees and out into an open stretch. “Agnor!” Sambeth flinched at the loud bellow blasting next to her ear
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Twenty-Four)Rija & Amis The day of their calamity is at hand. Deuteronomy 32:35 Rija watched Noesh giving his orders with calm efficiency. I wonder what he is going to do about Sem. Looking at him, so smoothly organising the evacuation of an entire people, she could believe his missing son was the furthest thing from his mind. He turned his face and his deep set eyes caught hers. For a second, she saw it, raw emotion held back by an iron will. His mouth hardened and once more he was the superb leader, saving them all. ‘Please let Sem have found her,‘
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Twenty-Three)Altor …they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living (the Nephilim). Ezekiel 32:27 Altor strode over the bloodstained field. A deathly hush hung over the broken and battered bodies strewn about. ‘Cark…cark..caaaaark…’a solitary crow hopped nearby. Altor snarled at it, daring it to come closer. The crow hopped closer again. It cocked its jet black head to one side and fastened a shrewd, milky eye on Altor. I’m not afraid of you, it seemed to say. Altor’s expression changed. A frisson, like a chill, started at the nape of his neck, tingling down his spine.
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Twenty-Two)The Enemy Comes At the noise of the tumult the people shall flee. Isaiah 33:3 T’ajar met Noesh at the door of the dining hall. “Thank goodness you’ve come!” she rushed unto his arms. She looked so stressed that he paused. Gripping her upper arms, he held her away searching her face. “Sem told me about Sambeth’s dream and Ajalon’s gracious reception of it.” She flipped her hand to the dining room behind her. “It did sound overly dramatic,” she confessed, “I couldn’t help but agree with Ajalon.” She was thrown when her husband failed to echo her sentiment. Dropping her
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Twenty-One)Shaken But Alive I have escaped by the skin of my teeth. Job 19:20 For a long time Sambeth was too shocked to speak. “You escaped the Fallen One again,” Sem wrapped his arms tightly around her, “are you okay?” “I think so.” She relived the moment when Proximus’s gaze drilled into her own, seeking and plumbing the depths of her soul. Was it her imagination, or did the cold angelic eyes search her face? Did he seek to find some resemblance to his own? Her fingers were nerveless and her grip on Pip’s fur had loosened when the Fallen One tore
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Twenty)What Amis Saw I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came. Job 3:26 Unseen by the war band or the riders on the shimerith, Amis watched from among the trees. “Sem,” Amis whispered to himself. It was Sem on that creature. In his mind’s eye he saw the plummeting figures of Sambeth and Rija hit the waters of the lagoon and replayed Sem’s efforts to revive the unconscious girl. A great fear rose in his chest. If Sem fell, there was no water beneath and no rescuers standing by. The men sidled
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Nineteen)Attack My adversary sharpens his gaze on me Job 16:9 Warm, golden pinkish sunlight washed over them. Below the forest stretched out blanketed in ethereal mists. Beautiful, old trees, thickly clad in knobbly bark and velvet mosses tangled with vines rushed past. Sem glimpsed mysterious valleys and hidden glens. On grassy knolls herds of wild horses and deer fled, startled at the flying shadow of the shimerith. Further along they spotted a lone, sword-beaked samata skimming along. The two humans held their breath but it took one look at Pip and changed course off to the north. Sem tried to take it
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Eighteen)Sem & Sambeth Let us stand together. Isaiah 50:8 When Sambeth stepped out, a thick moisture shrouded the forest. The sun, climbing higher, sent golden fingers shining through the silver mist. Every branch and leaf, every blade of tall grass glimmered with crystal droplets in a breathtaking display of nature’s glory. Sambeth delighted in the hushed beauty around her. Rapidly, she scanned the forest. A gentle breeze brushed her cheek. It was heavy with floral scents and the fresh, earthy smell of the forest. No danger here. Birds twittered, fluttering here and there peacefully. There were no flocks screaming and shrieking
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Seventeen)Strange Dreams Then you scare me with dreams and terrify me with visions Job 7:14 The darkness pressed in on her, smothering her face, choking her. In the forest night, she was alone. Faces appeared out of the gloom; frightening, cruel, merciless. Dark, twisted forms gathered around her. Muted sounds reached her ears. They were whispering, chanting, casting their spells. She struggled and turned but they had her fast. They pulled at her clothes, tugged at her hair. A branch trapped her foot and she went down. The demons swarmed and covered her completely. She screamed. “Sambeth!” Something worried at
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Sixteen)Tension in the Night Yea, in the night will they come to slay thee. Nehemiah 6:10 Sambeth checked the door again. The third time in just one hour. Each time she had to step over the enormous bulk of the hound, Agnor. He wouldn’t move but an ear twitched and the tip of his tail made a swishing sound in the dark. Although she strained her eyes and ears there was nothing but silence in the corridor. “Just sleep, Sambeth,” Rija called from the other bed. Her voice was clear, unshrouded by sleep and Sambeth knew she also lay staring into the dark, “no one will
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Fifteen)Altor’s Rage Nephilim were upon the earth in those days. Genesis 6:4 “Where did he go?” Altor roared, biting his lip in frustration. Ittai observed the bunching of Altor’s jaw muscles and the darkening tinge of red across the blue eyes, unmistakeable signs of the Earth-Born’s gathering rage. Ittai glanced at the points around the room. His people were near if Altor attacked. “We are sure he’s left the city, Lord,” Ittai replied, his exterior calm. In reality he was furious. It had come as a shock, that his men, among his most skilled, had lost track of a weakened
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Fourteen)Tetrahin Betrayed A dire vision is declared to me: The traitor still betrays, and the destroyer still destroys. Isaiah 21:2 Consciousness slowly returned. Amis sat up in a rush. Still the same dark prison cell surrounded him. He groaned. This was the third day of his captivity. His back and shoulders ached from lying on the stone floor. A cold sweat of terror broke out on his forehead. He knit his brows together, thinking hard, trying again to remember something to give him a clue as to why he’d been imprisoned. Who was that stranger? Amis groaned again, slapping his
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Thirteen)Amis In Trouble Men of bloodshed lie in wait for me. Psalm 59:2,3 Amis sat wearily at the Inn. The food was good. The wine was better. The aches of the long journey into Arca were slowly subsiding, his wounded pride easing. It had meant a lot to him that Sem had come to talk before he left Tetrahin. His merchants had been successful in their trading. The fabrics woven by the Bashani people were excellent. The satisfying weight of his concealed money bag pressed heavily against his side. And yet Amis could not shake the uneasy feeling deep in
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Twelve)Proximus …angels who did not keep their proper domain. Jude 1:6 Proximus skimmed along the tree tops. Although he could not see the shimerith ahead he sensed the recent disturbance of its passage through the air. Shimerith were fast but they had to rest eventually. He would follow it at leisure. He must remember to extract from the girls the secret of their control over the animal before he dispatched the rescuer and handed the dark haired beauty over to his besotted son. The beautiful blue of the great sea shimmered beneath him. The many-hued green of the forest stretched
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Eleven)Trouble Stirs Yet man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward. Job 5:7 After dinner Sambeth sat quietly in the library by herself. The interrogation was finally over. She and Rija had answered question after question about the Sacrifice in the forest, what Sambeth was doing there, how they escaped from both Proximus and Altor and finally, many questions about the shimerith. In the end Sambeth pushed her meal back only half eaten, her face pale and strained. “All I want is to get as far away from Arca as possible,” she said faintly, “I cannot answer anymore.”
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Ten)Queen Norea The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. Proverbs 12:10 Rija broke off her warning gaze and wrenched open the door. Sem stood there hand raised just about to knock again. His eyes widened. He looked first at Rija then at Sambeth then back again, dropping his hand. “Good evening, ladies,” he said formally, “I’m looking for a pair of drowned river rats my mother left here to dry out!” It was impossible not to smile. Rija held out her hand and he brought it lightly to his lips. “My lady,” his voice was light but Sambeth noticed
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Nine)Ajalon & Jaffith Behold how good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity. Psalm 133:1 The library was quiet and still and empty of people. Only the crackling of a large, cheerful fire broke the stillness. Bookshelves lined the walls all the way to the ceiling. Comfortable chairs and low couches with pillows and colourful rugs thrown over them were arranged facing the fireplace. A great brindle hound slumbered peacefully on the hearthrug. Noesh and T’ajar dropped down, side by side, on the couch closest to the fire. The sleepy dog opened his eyes, yawned and
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Eight)Noesh But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:8 The chamber was blissfully quiet. Noesh sat contemplating a small model of a boat sitting before him on the solid oak table. He was confident Sem could handle their latest design but he was out when the water beasts were most active and he was alone with Amis. Noesh pulled at his beard. This was the first visit from his sister-in-law, Queen Norea, since the Arcans had spurned his warning to consider their corrupt way of living. Norea, a powerful leader in her own right, had stood
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Seven)Bethe & Queen NoreaHatred stirreth up strife.Proverbs 10:12 Sambeth recognised the girl, Bethe, standing there. With her was another, older woman, richly dressed and hard-faced. Sambeth’s stomach roiled. The new woman stared at Sambeth with hostile eyes and Sambeth was gripped by the power of her presence.“I think my son was mistaken,” the stranger’s voice held a sneer. She gestured to Bethe, who put the tray on the table, “you couldn’t possibly be the one who rode a shimerith!”Her voice dropped to a hush over the final word.She stepped closer to Sambeth, peering through the dirt and grit, trying to
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Six)The Noeshiri To whom I gave the wilderness for a home. Job 39:6 “This goes through our cool rooms and on to the kitchens,” Sem said stepping through the door. Amis brushed past them, his elbow bumping Sambeth. His eyes scorched hers as he passed by and she shivered at the warning in their depths. Her attention dropped back to Sem, waiting for them to follow. He noticed the tremble of Sambeth’s fingers and turned to watch the disappearing figure of his cousin. She followed his glance and colour rushed into her cheeks. Her fingers twitched. She longed to be
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Five)The Hidden Fortress Be a hiding place to them from the destroyer. Isaiah 16:4 Amis took the lead, walking to a small stream near them that fed into the lagoon. It was a pretty and shallow stream gurgling over a stony bed. Without hesitation, he waded straight in, Rija close behind him with Sem and a wobbling Sambeth bringing up the rear. The water barely reached Sambeth’s knees. With the lagoon behind them they headed upstream. Their feet left no trace or scent on the stream’s rocky bed. “How are you feeling?” Sem asked. “Better since bringing up that lagoon
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Four)Amis With a furious man you shall not go. Proverbs 22:24b “This is Amis,” Rija began, lifting a pale, slender hand in the direction of the hostile one. His face was expressionless but his eyes were hard as he stared openly, first at her and then at Rija. The bitter, metallic taste of impotent rage pooled at the back of her throat. Another scene rose before her eyes; the vaulted room, the clustered throng that bayed for blood, her mother, surrounded on all sides by just such eyes and the emotion on her mother’s face when she signalled for Sambeth
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Three)Sem Noah was perfect in his generations. These are the generations; Genesis 6:9 & 10:1 “Amis, take hold of the sail rope and don’t let go.” Sem gritted his teeth and hefted the cross-bolt higher. It was a heavy weapon to hold one-handed but it was the only weapon effective enough to protect them. If that masark decided to leave off devouring their haul of fish, trapped helplessly in the silken ropes of the net and turn on them, the cross-bolt was their best chance. “Hang onto it,” he growled to his tall cousin, “I’m going to cut the rope.”
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter Two)Rija The sons of God saw the daughters of men were fair…and they took them. Genesis 6 Sambeth slipped out from her hiding place and stole right up behind Rija. Quieter than a zephyr, she breathed, “Follow me.” She didn’t wait to see if the girl followed but slid behind a thick tree and ran easily into the green gloom of the forest. The girl, after a quick, startled glance, darted after her gliding through the undergrowth. Sambeth could hear that she was light on her feet. Even with the flowing length of scarlet dress bunched up and flung over
- RISE of the EARTHBORN (Chapter One)There are whispers handed down from old, That ancient legends are truth-told; Yet hidden away in myth and tale, For a scoffer’s word to ne’er unveil. Sambeth There were giants in the earth in those days and the earth was filled with violence through them. Genesis 6 Sambeth lay motionless, listening. The soft grass cushioned her aching body. A blood red sun shone through her eyelids. She was slick with sweat, her limbs heavy but she mustn’t sleep. Not here where creatures roamed, untamed and increasingly savage. Hiding among the trees. The same towering canopy filtered the pulsing light. It