By 1918, Europe had spent over four years embroiled in the Great War. This terrible war to end all wars had consumed an endless stream of men—all shot, gassed, or obliterated by artillery in the trenches. Dieter, a German farmer, has no idea how his sons met their fate. He knows only that they are dead, and his wife, Gerda, refuses to accept it.
After he brings home a golden bird, still miraculously alive after being rescued from an iron box, Gerda declares she will go find the truth about their third son, Karl, whose body was never found. In a desperate attempt to keep his wife home, Dieter volunteers to search instead.
The bird guides Dieter safely to the front, but once they reach the battleground, they find only chaos. Exploding shells pepper the muddy ground as far as the eye can see. The fighting is so savage and constant that many bodies are never recovered for burial.
As his chances of finding his son’s grave tumble from slim to none, Dieter becomes trapped on the battlefield. It seems likely he will share his sons’ fate.
But the bird has other plans…
***
Praise for The Golden Key:
“The Golden Key, by Cathleen Townsend, is a historical novelette that blends the harsh realities of war with a touch of magic and a heaping dose of heart.” Stacie Eirech, author of Space to Dream
“Not what I expected. It was so much more.” Aisha Howard
“Amidst the hopelessness of war are miracles if you know how to look for them.” Jacqui Murray, author of Born in a Treacherous Time
***
The Golden Key is available at all major retailers:
Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Key-Cathleen-Townsend-ebook/dp/B07D9YK27H/.
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Golden-Key-Cathleen-Townsend-ebook/dp/B07D9YK27H/.
Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/Golden-Key-Cathleen-Townsend-ebook/dp/B07D9YK27H/.
Amazon Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Golden-Key-Cathleen-Townsend-ebook/dp/B07D9YK27H/.
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/832690.
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-golden-key-cathleen-townsend/1128809945?ean=2940155270829
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-golden-key-18
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-golden-key/id1392782315?mt=11
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cathleen_Townsend_The_Golden_Key?id=drsYEAAAQBAJ
***
Bonus: Building the World of The Golden Key
***
Happy reading. 🙂
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Avid writer and reader of Faerie tales and noblebright fantasy.
Cathleen Townsend 
Good luck with this 💜💜
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Thanks so much, willow. I’m really proud of this one. 🙂
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💜😀well done 💜
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congratulations.
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Thanks, Jina. It’s quite a production, putting out a book, even a short one like a novelette. But I’m gradually getting better at this whole publishing gig. 🙂
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practice makes it better?
but it’s so daunting, and time consuming… and at the end, isn’t it rewarding as well?
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Lovely cover and fantastic blurb, Cathleen! 🙂 Sharing… xo
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Thank you so much, Bette. Glad you like the blurb. This November is the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, and that moved me. That’s the real heart of my story–why people went out there and put their lives on the line, both the good reasons and the bad.
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Woo hoo! Congrats! Love the cover~ 😀
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Thanks, JM. This was definitely the easiest cover I’ve ever done with Deranged Doctor–only one draft. I keep hoping this means I’m actually getting better at this writing gig. 🙂
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Downloaded a copy and looking forward to a great read, Cathleen! 🙂 xo
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Thanks so much, Bette. It’s not the same era as your books, but it is an early twentieth century historical. Hope that works okay. 🙂
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Congratulations!!!
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Thanks so much, Ann. I’m really proud of this one. 🙂
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Congratulations! Great cover and blurb!
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Thanks, Southpaw. It’s such a hopeful moment, isn’t it? Anything could happen. 🙂
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This novelle sounds lovely, Cathleen.
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Thanks, Robbie. I think it’s one you could relate to–the real core of the book is a parent’s love for their child. 🙂
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Congratulations!
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Thanks so much! So much work to get to this point–now I have to market it. 🙂
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I am always ready to help with marketing.
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Thanks! 🙂
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I think you like this novelette because you know it’s so good. Deep emotions, an intense story, and a bit of magic. 🙂 Congrats, Cathleen.
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And the cover is fabulous!
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Other than choosing the image, that one was all Deranged Doctor. That part was nice. I barely worked that cover at all.
And thanks again for all your help. Your beta read was incredible, and I want you to know I truly appreciate it. 🙂
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The Golden Key sounds like a great adventure-quest story, and the cover is gorgeous. Congratulations on this one and may it see all success.
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Thanks, Sharon. It’s incredibly cheering to be cheered. 🙂
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Congratulations, Cathleen. World War I is one of my favorite historical eras, because it really set the stage for the events of the twentieth century. So excited to see how that setting inspired you!
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Thanks, Sean. WWI has always astounded me with its sheer brutality. There was a media blackout on the thing, since all the governments concluded that if their citizens really knew what was happening at the front, they would never allow their sons and husbands to be sent there.
It seemed a fitting counterpart to the trope of evil swallowing the world. 🙂
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And if I’m not mistaken, Tolkien fought in the Great War, which undoubtedly influenced his fiction, something that I know has served as a creative inspiration for you. Full circle, huh?
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Most of the best things seem to work that way, I think. 🙂
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Huge congratulations to you, Cathleen! Love the cover and the book looks intriguing 😊
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Sorry I missed this! A very belated thanks, Terri. ❤
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