Book excerpt: The first book in the multiple award-winning Bennington series. The Shadow Queen guarantees magic, mayhem, and adventure, making it an exciting read for fantasy enthusiasts of all ages. With its rich world-building and compelling characters, K. Stan Tinos invites readers to explore a realm where ordinary lives intersect with extraordinary destinies Introducing Ronnie Trudeau, a woman whose life is filled with ritual disappointments and frustrations, rendering it meaningless. However, her existence takes an unexpected turn when she is offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: the chance to acquire a magical kingdom. But there's a catch—one she will learn the hard way. The realm of Bennington is an authentic magical that lies in ruins, its elders refuse to pledge to a new ruler. The townsfolk are filled with hopelessness and despair, mythical creatures ravage the land, a powerful sorceress plots to destroy the entire realm, and the mighty Dark Shar vows to kill anyone who dares to ascend the throne. Will Ronnie sacrifice everything she has built in her current life to become Queen of a dying realm with increasingly daunting challenges that no one could hope to survive? The answers lie within the pages of this epic fantasy.