Dawn

Upon losing his wife, an ex-adventurer must contend with politics, monsters, and fatherhood, in the first book of a moving and imaginative fantasy series.
Not much daunts Rakta Velbrun. He has immigrated from Rusk to the Certillian Empire, traveled the realm battling unspeakable creatures with his adventuring guild, and faced off against the Warlock King himself. But when his wife, Lydia, passes away in childbirth, leaving him the sole caretaker of their three infant children, he finds himself in unfamiliar territory.
Rakta is certain of one thing: he'll do whatever it takes to protect Daka, Dalton, and Natakia from danger . . . even accept the lordship?rife with power plays, dirty deals, and dangerous secrets?his late wife's conniving family has offered him. To both keep his children safe and prevent his new domain from becoming a pawn in courtly games, he'll need to rekindle old alliances, forge new treaties, and combat strange enemies.
But the greatest challenge Rakta must face will come from somewhere far closer to home than he could've ever imagined . . .