A quest to find a lost prince. A duke goes to war to be made a king. A young man and woman discover love in a season of strife. A woman of arcane power exceeds her own expectations, to the damnation of them all. Years ago, Brian, heir to the High Throne of the Pentarchy, on a private mission, left home and headed north into the Tarrant Mountains. He never returned, yet was never declared dead. Now, with no legitimate heir to take the high throne, civil war is brewing within the Houses. Taking the initiative, Hollin, Head of House Langstraad, declares her intention to go in search of the errant prince. For Hollin, betrothed by her family to Brian when she was a child, possesses a ring which is attuned to the prince which she proposes to use as an arcane compass to find him. With misgivings, the regent and ruling council agree to the quest, but stipulate that, if she fails to find the prince, she must agree to return and marry a candidate of their choice to be crowned king. Far from home, family or friends, Hollin must use her own gifts and abilities to track down the one man who might be capable of preventing a war that will tear the Pentarchy apart. Can one woman prevent the fall of night? For time is running out and, as deeds of valor tangle with those of deceit, it is the many shifting facets of magic, in all its guises, that may soon determine the ultimate fate of the realm. Where will the lust for power lead the unscrupulous - or the unwary? ..".once the game has been set in motion it will go on whether you will or no." Evocative and atmospheric, The Pentacle War: Book One - Hearts in Cups is an epic fantasy novel with a captivating and courageous woman at its heart. It is a tale of adventure, intrigue, deception and magic, driven by its characters; all of them ensnared within the politics of power.