The Guild of the Cowry Catchers Series by Abigail Hilton

Among the querulous island kingdoms of Wefrivain, the only unifying power is religion – a wyvern cult ruled by an eccentric High Priestess. The system is under attack by a gang of pirates called the Guild of the Cowry Catchers who prey on Temple treasure ships. The Temple Police charged with eradicating this menace keep disappearing. Enter Gerard, a young prince, exiled from his small kingdom for rashly marrying the court minstrel... moreAmong the querulous island kingdoms of Wefrivain, the only unifying power is religion – a wyvern cult ruled by an eccentric High Priestess. The system is under attack by a gang of pirates called the Guild of the Cowry Catchers who prey on Temple treasure ships. The Temple Police charged with eradicating this menace keep disappearing. Enter Gerard, a young prince, exiled from his small kingdom for rashly marrying the court minstrel. He has been chosen by the High Priestess as the new captain of Police. Gerard is smart, honorable, and a little naive. To break the pirate ring, he must cooperate with a wily, amoral colleague, who has already tried to kill him twice. As Gerard struggles to protect his talented wife, obey his seductive employer, and forge a complicated friendship with his dangerous co-worker, he becomes increasingly aware that the pirates have a legitimate quarrel with the wyverns. Dark secrets lurk in the Temple dungeons, and solving them will cost Gerard far more than his honor. less

Captain of the Temple Police is not an easy job. Gerard wasn't expecting it to be easy…but he also didn't expect to have to fight off the Priestess's overtures at every turn. While he isn't against killing, torture seems dishonorable, and a visit to the dungeons leaves Gerard feeling more than a little sympathy for the pirates he's been ordered to capture. Nevertheless, if he's to protect his gentle, talented wife, Gerard must do his job and eliminate the anti-wyvern pirates... moreCaptain of the Temple Police is not an easy job. Gerard wasn't expecting it to be easy…but he also didn't expect to have to fight off the Priestess's overtures at every turn. While he isn't against killing, torture seems dishonorable, and a visit to the dungeons leaves Gerard feeling more than a little sympathy for the pirates he's been ordered to capture. Nevertheless, if he's to protect his gentle, talented wife, Gerard must do his job and eliminate the anti-wyvern pirates. He's made a valuable friend and ally in the wily Admiral of the Temple Sea Watch. Together, they track down the charismatic pirate leader, Gwain, who agrees to meet with them. However, Gwain's chosen site for for their parley is a dangerous island gamepark where the stakes are high, and everyone is prey. This is the illustrated version of the second book in the Cowry Catchers series. less

THEY LOST EVERYTHING THAT DEFINED THEM. EXCEPT EACH OTHER. Gerard Holovar, Captain of the Temple Police, was only trying to do the right thing when he spared the life of a pirate. He gambled. And he lost. Now, mired in grief and choking on despair, he stumbles through days of slave labor, mourning his loved ones and trying to understand where he went wrong. His life as a prince and Captain of Police becomes a hazy memory... moreTHEY LOST EVERYTHING THAT DEFINED THEM. EXCEPT EACH OTHER. Gerard Holovar, Captain of the Temple Police, was only trying to do the right thing when he spared the life of a pirate. He gambled. And he lost. Now, mired in grief and choking on despair, he stumbles through days of slave labor, mourning his loved ones and trying to understand where he went wrong. His life as a prince and Captain of Police becomes a hazy memory. When Gerard’s luck finally changes, he emerges from the slave deck of a ship--free, but numb and scarred. He plans to leave Wefrivain, believing that everything he knew and loved is dead. Gerard may have let go of his past, but his past hasn’t quite let go of him. While struggling to survive as an escaped slave in the wilderness of the Lawless Lands, Gerard finds a friend in even more desperate straits--a friend who betrayed him, a friend he thought was dead. Gerard realizes that, while he could not save everyone, he may be able to save one person. And perhaps here, in the ashes of their lives, there may still be time for second chances. Ashes is the third book in the Guild of the Cowry Catchers series. The books are: Embers Flames Ashes Out of the Ashes Shores Beyond the World This 60,000-word book is DRM-free and carefully formatted. It includes 5 character portraits, 17 full-page illustrations, and 2 versions of the map (one optimized for color and one for black and white). Cowry Catchers looks beautiful on a black-and-white viewer, but you can also open this eBook on a color screen and view the illustrations in their full glory. less

A forbidden book. A pirate prince. An idea whose time has come. **ILLUSTRATED VERSION** Gerard and Silveo have made peace with their pasts...or so they think. They've joined the pirates they once hunted and are prepared to leave Wefrivain in quest for a new life. However, an unexpected cry for help brings them unwillingly back into home waters. The fauns of Maijha Minor are in trouble, and helping them seems like the right thing to do... moreA forbidden book. A pirate prince. An idea whose time has come. **ILLUSTRATED VERSION** Gerard and Silveo have made peace with their pasts...or so they think. They've joined the pirates they once hunted and are prepared to leave Wefrivain in quest for a new life. However, an unexpected cry for help brings them unwillingly back into home waters. The fauns of Maijha Minor are in trouble, and helping them seems like the right thing to do. To succeed, they must circulate Gwain's forbidden book, which tells the truth about the wyvern gods. Gwain himself has already given up the task as hopeless, but Silveo has other ideas. Together, they will get into more trouble than anyone thought possible. Out of the Ashes is the fourth book in the Cowry Catchers 5-part series. The books are: Embers Flames Ashes Out of the Ashes Shores Beyond the World Warning: This is an illustrated series for grown-ups. It includes beautiful, whimsical artwork, because adults deserve pretty pictures, too. However, the explicit elements of the story escalate as the series progresses. There are sexual scenes and situations in these books, as well as types of violence not usually found in children's books. These books are not intended for children or young teens. This 64,000-word book is DRM-free and carefully formatted. It includes 11 character portraits, 19 full-page illustrations, and 2 versions of the map. Cowry Catchers looks beautiful on a black-and-white viewer, but you can also open this eBook on a color screen to view the illustrations at their best. less

They did a terrible thing. They’ve returned to make it right. The price will be high. **ILLUSTRATED VERSION** Chaos is sweeping the islands of Wefrivain—slave revolts, attacks on temples, and questions about the true nature of the wyvern gods. The catalyst is a single book called The Guild of the Cowry Catchers. The authors are a band of pirates. Gerard and his friends are not content to merely spread unrest... moreThey did a terrible thing. They’ve returned to make it right. The price will be high. **ILLUSTRATED VERSION** Chaos is sweeping the islands of Wefrivain—slave revolts, attacks on temples, and questions about the true nature of the wyvern gods. The catalyst is a single book called The Guild of the Cowry Catchers. The authors are a band of pirates. Gerard and his friends are not content to merely spread unrest. They’re determined to free the fauns of Maijha Minor, who are scheduled to be sold or slaughtered. This is a situation that Gerard, Silveo, and Gwain created, and they want to make it right. However, things are not as they seem on the deadly island game park. Priestess Morchella is pulling strings, and the fauns may want their own brand of revenge. Gerard lost everything last time he stepped onto Maijha Minor. If he’s not careful, the same could happen again. Shores Beyond the World is the fifth and final book in the Guild of the Cowry Catchers series. The books are: Embers Flames Ashes Out of the Ashes Shores Beyond the World Warning: This is an illustrated series for grown-ups. It includes beautiful, whimsical artwork, because adults deserve pretty pictures, too. However, the explicit elements of the story escalate as the series progresses. There are sexual scenes and situations in these books, as well as types of violence not usually found in children's books. These books are not intended for children or young teens. This 70,000-word novel is DRM-free and carefully formatted. It includes 13 character portraits, 16 full-page illustrations, and 2 versions of the map. Cowry Catchers looks beautiful on a black-and-white viewer, but you can also open this eBook on a color screen to view the illustrations at their best. less