No Kingdom for Abel

In Barrow, Alaska’s frozen abyss, Jim Bristol nurses whiskey and wounds, a ghost of the boy who once believed in love. Raised on latchkey solitude and feminist promises of equality, he clung to dreams of devotion—only to be judged by cold calculations, not by the warmth of his heart. His wife, Freya, ruled their home with an iron hand, wielding dominion that slowly hollowed him. At sixty-two, he flees to the tundra, searching for answers in the snow—or perhaps in the jaws of a waiting beast.

The Burrow, a bar humming with life, offers him unexpected salvation: Allison’s quiet resilience, Erik’s steady hand, Lilly’s fierce spark. They remind him that love is survival, not surrender. Haunted by Lydia’s wild kisses and Kate’s fleeting warmth, he unravels the past, chasing the moment his light went out. As Barrow’s brutal winter closes in, Jim must confront his shadow self—or be swallowed by the darkness that has stalked him all his life.

Upon seeing her, Jim felt the stirrings of frisson ripple through him—an exquisite thrill that defied language. He knew, even with oceans as ink and the sky as his canvas, he could never truly capture the ineffable beauty that held him spellbound. Jim thought, 'She's a gypsy witch.’

A haunting, poetic tale of love’s betrayal and the soul’s reckoning, No Kingdom for Abel is a journey into the heart’s most unforgiving terrain.

Velvet Page Books would like to offer its sincerest apologies. Title: Unavailable Completion Date: To Be Announced. This work is currently in development, unfolding page by page as its themes and narrative take shape. While the title remains undisclosed and the completion date awaits finalization, the creative process is actively underway. Expect a story woven with depth, emotion, and striking imagery—one that challenges, captivates, and lingers in the mind long after the last word is read. Stay tuned for updates as the journey from concept to completion continues.