Seventeen years ago, when the stars were right once again, the Old Ones returned to Earth to parcel out its lands amongst themselves. Some of the ruling Lords and Ladies are benevolent, providing for their humans so their lands would prosper. Some are simply aloof and govern their realms with indifference. Others, however, have grown twisted. Demented.

Sick.

The Lord of the Lake deeply adores all his Dark Mothers, but he has developed a particular fascination with his next bride-to-be. The rising adolescent, Hope, is such a promising young female, bright and spirited. What beautiful offspring she will provide him! Zung'Reth's keen anticipation of the courtship is palpable among his many acolytes, but it is especially significant to Charity...Hope's older sister, and five years a Dark Mother.

In this shared experience, five separate voices cry out into the cosmos to tell their woeful tales. Come explore the depths of love, passion, hope, and hopelessness as the saga plays out in this bleak, dying corner of Ronald Linson's Patchwork Lands.

"To Be a Dark Mother" is an anthology published by Mannison Press, LLC with stories by Ronald Linson, Deidre J Owen, Benjamin Michael Greene, Tim Mendees, and E. L. Giles.

CONTENT WARNING: The stories in this collection contain cosmic horror-style violence, gore, murder, strong language, and implied sexual assault. Discretion is advised.