Featuring a diverse cast of elves, knights, dragons and more, this richly detailed narrative tells the story of Cedric, a boy whose birth under two symbols signifies magical powers so strong they must be restrained by a counterbalancing spell. But when his powers break free at the tender age of seven, disaster strikes, and Cedric finds himself the victim of his own poorly understood abilities. Newly alone in the world, Cedric travels with a small group of friends on a path to become a valiant knight. But there's trouble ahead when the band encounters a grisly and disastrous discovery: members of the venerable Knights' Council have been murdered.

Now, Cedric and his group travel into the dark unknown -- where they encounter mighty dragons, powerful magicians, mysterious elves and a whole cast of dastardly characters, both living and, in one case, soon to be revived -- as they seek to restore balance to the world. Will Cedric stand united with his friends? Or will he rather fall in defeat to the evil that has been awakened in the land of Sargoria?

United We Stand, now available through the author's Web site at www.outskirtspress.com/unitedwestand, is not just a gripping ride-along as a band of heroes seeks out justice; it's also the story of one how one man can be tested as he seeks out the right path in life, and of the importance one's relationships play along the way. Barandela wields his pen deftly as he creates a surprisingly believable -- if fantastical -- world filled with awe-inspiring characters.

Availability: Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Amazon, barnesandnoble.com and Outskirts Press

About the Author:
First-time novelist Jeremy Barandela developed a love for the fantasy genre when he began devouring the Harry Potter and Inheritance series. Eventually, he decided to stop merely worshiping J.K. Rowling and Christopher Paolini, those series' respective authors, and rather emulate them by crafting the outline for what became United We Stand. The book is the first of a planned five-part series. Barandela lives in Euless with his family, and is currently writing the second installment.