Most of the great influences on my life and writing have been science, science fiction, and fantasy. I've been the quintessential "geek" since I was very little. But there was one set of books which were tremendously important to me and my family, the story of a world that seemed both familiar and alien, told through the eyes of a child who was roughly my age when they were first read to me: the "Little House" books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. (ONLY the books; the less said of the TV show, the better) Laura grew [ Continue reading... ]
On My Shelves: Prince of Bryanae
September 4, 2012 By 25 Comments
Prince of Bryanae is a self-published novel that does everything right. It starts by having a fast-moving, well-written story as its core and reason for being, but in addition the author, Jeff Getzin, has gone those extra miles that, sadly, few self-published authors seem to realize are necessary; he has obviously had professionals provide him with editing and layout as well as a well-done cover painting, and the result is a fully professional novel that can sit proudly next to anything the big houses produce. I will admit [ Continue reading... ]
On My Shelves: Terry Brooks’ _Shannara_
August 13, 2012 By 6 Comments
In 1976, I first entered the world of the Lord of the Rings, and my hunger for epic fantasy was suddenly insatiable. In 1977, I saw this huge book with a group of people – human, elven, and dwarf, I thought – around a sword in a stone. A book titled The Sword of Shannara. I immediately grabbed it up – the first of many purchases Mr. Terry Brooks would convince me to make – and took it home. There were obvious similarities to The Lord of the Rings – many of them quite deliberate. But there was a great deal that was [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising: Chapter 27
August 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Let's check in and see what our other heroes were up to... ----- SourceURL:file:///Macintosh%20HD/Original%20Writing/Kyrie/Phoenix%20RTF.rtf Chapter 27. The door to the meeting room crashed open, rebounding from the wall and being caught again by the massive scaled arm that had flung it wide. Poplock was the first to speak, as Tobimar found himself momentarily speechless at King Toron's fearsome snarl of anger. "Oh. Bad news again." The casual tone breached the [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising Chapter 26
August 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Well, Phoenix had succeeded... but not everyone had survived... ----- Chapter 26. "Good travels to you, ayr-kin," Tinna said quietly, as she lit the apex point of the Five-Fire under Kimsha's body, the point to the East and the rising sun. "May the One and the Four receive you well, and forgive you the missteps along the path and the misfortunes that led you to this end. Chromaias, receive Kimsha of Waycross in your House of the Five Ways; as he wished, so we have done." Kimsha's [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising Chapter 25
August 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
This will be the last week of snippets, since the eARC is out. Next week I'll be back to doing more regular posts. Our heroine had travelled quite a ways... ---- Chapter 25. Kyri looked up at the looming mountains ahead of her. It wasn't the first mountain range she'd seen since leaving Zarathanton, but it was by far the most forbidding she'd ever faced. Of course, she admitted to herself, that might just be because I know what it is. Now, for the first time [ Continue reading... ]
eARC of Phoenix Rising is Now Available!!
August 3, 2012 By 2 Comments
Anyone who just can't wait to get to the end? Well, go here and buy the electronic Advance Reader's Copy of Phoenix Rising! For those unaware, an eARC is a near-finished version of the book (missing only last-minute galley proof edits, such as I'm working on now). It does include the cover image, maps, etc. that would be in the final printed version. And yes, it's expensive for an eBook. You're paying the premium to look at it before anyone else can. If you want the cheap version, you have to wait until November. :) [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising: Chapter 24
August 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
And now they had to deal with what had happened... Chapter 24. Tobimar staggered as he placed yet another gasping body – a child, no more than ten in human terms, with delicately pointed ears and long silvery hair smeared with blood – on the altar. I can't fall now. We aren't even near done. He called on his meditations, the training Khoros had given him, released the reserves of his soul. Strength flowed back into his body, clarity to his thoughts. There'll be a price for that, later… [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising Chapter 23
August 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Well, Tobimar and Poplock had found a problem with their interview... ----- Chapter 23. "My thanks, and those of the city, again, Tobimar," Toron said, sinking into one of the massive split-backed Sauran chairs with the air of one who knows he will soon be forced to rise, and relished the moment of stillness. Poplock hung on a bit tighter as Tobimar gave an embarrassed wave and shrug. "We've just done what anyone would have," the young Human protested. "If only it [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising: Chapter 22
July 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
So Kyri was about to set out with a new, mysterious travelling companion... ----- Chapter 22. "Shadestriding," the wizard said, standing on the Great Road, "is a delicate business indeed. For this reason, it is vastly preferred that the one who strides the shades of reality be followed and assisted by those who can watch for the inevitable hazards and both warn of them, and – at least for a time – deal with them." The head tilted, showing that he was looking at her to verify [ Continue reading... ]
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