If Crows Know Best (Mage of Merced)

What young boy believes he can protect his family from an invading army? One who is learning magic as fast as he can... In the span of one day, Judian goes from the burden of farm chores to a crushing responsibility for the lives of his family. With his father and brother gone to war, he must keep the others safe and evade the enemy. If only he can trust the guides which appear, seemingly unbidden, he may succeed. Yet, he has so much to learn, and so little time. He struggles to keep to the fringes of the conflict, but the magic he discovers draws him deeper, toward the truth of the war. Mages from a distant land are driving the enemy forces. To what end? Follow Judian as he comes of age in a world of portents and spellcasting. Though life as a farm boy left him longing for more adventure, he must be careful with his wishes during the fateful year he becomes a man.

Author Aimee L. Gross grew up in the Midwest, where stories captivated her from the instant she learned to read. She often wishes for a time machine to go back and read some of her favorite books again for another "first" time. Since no time machine exists yet, she tries to write the kind of books that others will love so much they will wish for a time machine, too.