When sixteen year old Emily Talbot joins the boys' orchard battle, she only expects that her sword play will earn her a little more respect. But after leading her team to victory and winning the coveted Mac horn, strange things start happening; things that only belong in legends or fairy tales. Through a string of unexpected encounters Emily realizes that the ancient prophesies are coming true - which means the secret power connecting all living things has been awakened by the One. With little warning, Emily, her family and friends are swept into a race to find and protect the secret power before it falls into evil hands. The Reluctant Beacon is a coming of age story about a sixteen year old girl who comes to terms with her faith and heroic destiny as she discovers the secret interconnectedness of all living things, experiences first love and finds the courage to stand against evil. It is book 1 of the Turlan Tales.