Having finished Truth in Flames, book 5 in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire Series, I'm doing research for book 6 in the series. This book:

Victory or Death: The Battles of Trenton and Princeton by Mark Maloy

came along at exactly the right time. In fact, I had planned to work on a stand alone novel before moving on to book 6. However, the exciting story of the battles of Trenton and Princeton, along with the other key events I have planned for book 6, have got me itching to do the next book in the series before I do the unrelated stand alone.

Maloy's book is an excellent telling of the circumstances and events. I highly recommend it. The book also includes a tour of the modern sites, which wasn't very useful for me. The rest of the information was presented in a mean and lean fashion that kept me reading and highlighting. I'm sure that there are more complete accounts with greater detail, but Maloy's book perfectly suited my purposes.

As for Truth in Flames -- look for it in December. I must say that it is fabulous. I loved the ending, and so did the skirmish team. I've made the edits recommended by my skirmishers. I will make another deep dive into it to check for lingering typos, repetitive word use, and continuity issues. A cover is the next order of business. Someone I know is working on one, but if they are delayed, I may take matters into my own hands again.

I'm also working on a short story which is set in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire universe.

_________________

In other news, I finished Heinlein's Time for the Stars, and Leiber's Swords Against Deviltry. I gave my opinions of those in my newsletter. You can sign up for the newsletter here.

The first book in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire Series, Threading the Rude Eye, is only 99 cents. Get started on the series here.

 

Interview with Jennifer Tempest

Author of The Cardinal War

Please tell me a little about your current work in progress.

 My current book in progress is the second book to take place in the Empire of Frythiel. The first being The Cardinal War that was published September 2021. The book I am currently working on has the working title of The Lake Dispute but I have not decided if that will be the final title or not. It is not a direct sequel as majority of the characters are new, but it does take place in the same Empire as I mentioned and there is at least one reoccurring character and references to events in The Cardinal War as this second book takes place a few years later. The Lake Dispute follows a young woman name Reilynn as she goes from a simple day to day life working with her brother for the good of Strongwater, to finding mystery at every turn involving the two Manors of Strongwater as well as her brother Artair and her best friend Mariel.

 

Where did you get the idea for this book or series?

For The Cardinal War, I had read a book where the characters had wings and I knew my story had to have the same. Otherwise, I just had ideas spring up as I wrote. For example, I created four manors and suddenly the idea of the cardinal points of the compass was born. I do take inspiration from books I read in terms of setting as well as settings from my boyfriends Dungeon and Dragon campaigns we have done together. I don’t think I could pinpoint what inspired The Lake Dispute, I simply was working on creating consistent world building for the Frythiel Empire and I was strongly drawn to Strongwater. The main characters do have inspirations from people in my life though. As I was creating this world building document I had tons of ideas for other stories I could create and share with the world.

 

Do you write in more than one genre?

 I have written other stories that were general fiction but majority of my works, either planned to be published or not, are in the Fantasy genre.

 

Tell me about something that you believe makes your writing unique or worthy of attention.

Although my story is classified as Fantasy and it certainly warrants it with its winged characters and ability of flight, I would consider it lighter Fantasy which draws in those who are intimidated by epic fantasy novels. I also believe every character has a story to tell, not just the main characters and I plan to create my world with stand alone novels or potentially a duology or two to expand upon the world as well as let every character shine that I believe needs to.

 

Is there anything about your personal history or personality that manifests strongly in your writing?

I love a good mystery/problem solving and I think that shows in both The Cardinal War and will show in my future works as well. Mystery is the main plot point of The Lake Dispute, and while not necessarily the same as a typical murder mystery style book, I think I bring in mystery elements and try to keep the intrigue high.

 

What else would be helpful for readers to know about you?

On my website, I have monthly blogs where you can learn more about the world I have created as well as information about me. For more random knowledge, I love Escape Rooms (have completed almost 80 rooms) and love playing board games (we have over 200 games at home). I also have a big orange cat named Jerry that is my comfort while writing and reading.

 

Excluding your own work, what underrated author or book would you recommend that more people read? Why?

Recently I have had the joy of reading Fantasy books from two authors; JMD Reid and Connie Reed. After reading the first of both series I was hooked and immediately sought out the rest in the series. For JMD Reid, specifically the Foundation of Courage arc, the world just sucked me in and I fell in love with the main characters as well as the ones who are introduced throughout. The characters are dynamic and constantly learning about themselves and each other. Fantastic Read and I can’t wait to read the rest in the series. As for Connie Reed, her series beginning with In Over Her Head focuses on one main character who has no idea what her past is and is thrust into choosing what side she is on in battle right from the start which shapes the rest of her journey. The characters she meets along her journey have such charm and I found I could not put the books down. I also learnt recently that her covers are painted by herself which just adds a whole new level to them.

 

Which of your books do you most highly recommend? Why?

Well I would have to recommend The Cardinal War. Not just because it is currently the only one out but I think it provides a fantastic base into the Empire of Frythiel, especially as the city of Mordale is the largest city in the Empire and it introduces great plot and characters.

Which break, event, decision, or fortuitous circumstance has helped you or your writing career the most?

I would say there are two main events/circumstances for my writing career. The first being in Grade 3, so when I was approximately 8 years old when my teacher had us write two short stories with pictures and she had them coil bound when completed. We had the opportunity to review each others work and even had help from student teachers from the University. I still have these stories, which are both Fantasy based of course, and they definitely inspired me to start writing.

The second even would be COVID. I had finished writing The Cardinal War about 8 years ago but was afraid to publish until 2021. I had the time to go back and review the story with fresh eyes and knew I had to publish this story. I did the research into publishing, went through the steps of editing, cover creation and then just went for it. I published in September 2021 and while COVID restricted the launch I could have, I was still able to do an outdoor release party and I have enjoyed every minute of the journey.

 

What question do you wish you would get asked more often?

I would say, being asked more about my future writing plans in terms of who I plan to write about, what cities, etc. I love world building and want to be able to share that with more people.

 

Do you have a catch-phrase or quote that you like? What is it? And why do you choose it?

My favorite quote would be “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?” Marianne Williamson. I love this quote because I think it inspires me to be who I am without judgement or fear of being myself. It is part of what spurred me to publish.

__________________________

Thanks to Jennifer for participating.

I'm still in the editing process of book 5 in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series. Look for it in December. I had planned to do a stand alone novel before writing book six, but the research for book 6 has me thinking that I want to write it now rather than 6 months from now.

Between editing stretches, I'm writing a short story set in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire universe.

 AAR of Wreck at the Ruins

Sing, O Muse, of the race among the ruins, when the princess fled from her crashed flyer to fall insensible as she hid from the green men of Mars. Rehearse for us the exploits of those noble red warriors of Melihum as they spilled their blood over the golden ochre of the dead city where the princess lay. Tell their names and the weapons they bore. Describe the mighty foe and lament the warriors they laid low.

The warriors were true and brave. Nantos Nan (NN), veteran of many battles and sound in mind and deed, did lead them. He bore the bright sword given him by the Jeddak of Melihum, with his short sword and pistol he faced the enemy. He had with him Han Tadron (HT1), who slew many green enemies in his day and wore a warriors metal. Dav Ravo (DR) of the straight-shooting pistol and gleaming sword came to make his name known. Mardos Tors (MT) the fearless and valiant completed their number, bearing his gleaming blade and shortsword with a shooting weapon on his hip. Han Tadron the second (HT2) had lagged behind, but joined the warriors when Han Tadron was slain.

Their foes were arrayed in the metal of warriors slain, and casting long shadows--for they were three times the height of a man--their four arms were quick with sword and pistol. First came Vak Voka (VV), renowned among the green Zarhoons for his prowess and cruelty. He was the one who had fired the shot that disabled the princess' flyer. At his side marched Bak Badja (BB), the bold attacker. 

Tell us who drew first blood? It was the green man Bak Badja who drew first blood. His radium pistol shot true, taking Han Tadron at the base of throat, in the little divot where the clavicles join the sternum. The exploding shell left him no chance at life and his blood first stained the ochre moss.

Nantos Nan took aim to repay BB for the deadly shot but his bullet exploded against the wall upon which the ancients had written, "Nutritional Facts."

BB, unfazed by NN's shot, returned fire to graze NN's shoulder and caused him to take shelter behind the wall. Vak Voka looked also for the princess. In a ruin with pink upon the walls, he found a trap which dropped him to the pits. He spent many long efforts in trying to escape from the trap.

Sing, O Muse, of Dav Ravos's fate. Tell how he hurried in his search. He thrust his golden helm within a ruin's walls only to meet a great pale simian. DR, swift of hand and mind, drew his pistol and fired in surprise. His bullet went true, but the white monster shrugged off the wound and came on the attack.

The pale brute of savage will and brutal power struck him a blow that crushed one shoulder. DR fled from the ruin with the speed of the zephyr but the angry ape bounded after, bent on pounding the intruder into dust. NN and HT2 traded shots with BB. The fierce fire drove the green man into an ornately decorated building, but not before he had wounded NN once more. Inside, BB found the unconscious princess. He threw her over a shoulder and ran out, knowing that the Melihum warriors would not dare to fire for fear of injuring the princess.

HT2, a flame of chaste and loyal passion burning in his heart for the princess, rushed to BB as though on a chariot of the gods. With sword drawn he engaged the verdant giant.

BB released the insensible princess and raised his flashing blades. His steel clove HT2's shoulder, the blade cutting down into the upper ribs. HT2 dropped to his knees, and BB pulled the sword from the wound, which gushed with the warrior's fresh dark blood. Although not slain, HT2 fell to the side, blackest night enveloping his consciousness. BB lifted the princess from the ochre moss as MT drew near.

But what of DR and his unlucky fate? He turned to fight the mighty ape, and dealt it another wound, his quick blade darting between the beast's four deadly arms. The wound did not stay the white simian. With thews rippling like an angry sea, the pale ape crashed a massive paw against DR's golden helm. The brave warrior fell, not dead, but unable to move.

 How did MT bring honor to his name? The valiant warrior MT was set upon by VV, mightiest of the two green men, and who had finally escaped the pit. MT gave as good as he got, wounding the green man and taking a small hurt of his own. When he saw that BB had taken up the princess again, he broke away from VV and leaped the wall to rush upon BB like a banth defending its kill. MT brought up his best trick of swordplay to drive his blade through BB's dark heart. At last, the life fluid of a green man dampened the golden ochre not far from HT2's unconscious form.

How did MT meet his end? VV bounded over the wall in a single stride, like a nimble thoat clearing a low fence. The cruel green man struck from behind. MT turned to meet the attack. NN, twice wounded by BB's bullets, surged forward to aid MT and to rescue his princess.

MT had exhausted all of his tricks of swordplay, and NN, slowed by his wounds, could but watch as VV's whirling blades cut down his comrade. MT dropped upon the ochre yet wet with BB's warm blood. As the warrior expired, he rolled to place his body between VV and the princess. 

Did DR recover from the blow that sent him low, with darkness closing in? DR could not escape his fate. Clobbered to the turf by the hand of the pale ape, DR's living body could not respond to his danger. The white simian dragged the miserable man back to his lair to feast upon the human flesh.

What of NN? Did he succeed in saving the princess? O how the sorrow of Melihum was magnified on that day. NN, last of the Melihum warriors still treading upon the ochre, sprang forward as VV took up the beautiful princess. Cover your ears and steel your hearts for the sad end draws near. Without even lowering the princess once more, VV parried NN's desperate blow, and drove his sword through the red man's core. Weep, Melihum, weep for sorrow and remorse. The cruel VV carried away the princess to shriek beneath the tortures that would make the green men laugh with delight.

_________

Was the play test fabulous? Indeed it was. Combat, shooting, movement, etc went tremendously well. I believe it's time to move on to a scenario from the Kru War. I doubt that Homer will be joining us for that report.

 

Once more it is Rescue from the Hangman's Noose as I test another variant of my skirmish game rules. More than skirmish rules, really, they have the mechanics to transition into table top rpg.

Four musketeers attempt to save a friend from the hangman's noose. Andre, D'Hubert, Arnaud, and Paul sneak into the square as the grim ceremony is set to begin. A drummer beats the solemn prelude and the musketeers linger out of sight at the edges of the square. Five of the Cardinal's Guard watch the crowd for the would-be rescuers. (I've dispensed with the crowd for my purposes today).

The musketeers are spotted immediately by an alert guardsman. The guards are under the command of Lt. Joubert. His four men are Rousseau, Colbert, Jarnac, and Joussac.

Hearing the guards shout a warning about the musketeers, Paul runs in from the shadows of the auberge to take Joussac, who is waiting for the hangman and prisoner to emerge from the cells, and runs him through. (The green markers denote hidden items the musketeers can use but which were not significant factors to play as the circumstances developed). D'Hubert has come around the other side of the auberge.

Meanwhile (not pictured), Arnaud rushed the guard Rousseau. They exchanged blood samples and Arnaud retreated to check the depth of his wound.

Joussac's death cry attracts the attention of the lightly-wounded Rousseau. The guard's rush toward the hangman and prisoner is interrupted by D'Hubert. Paul charges the hangman and introduces the pommel of his sword to the hangman's skull. The hangman is completely floored by the encounter. (The hangman is played by a cowboy sheriff figure, and the condemned is played by another cowboy figure).

In his rush to delay the guards from hindering Paul's rescue attempt, Andre leaps upon the table, only to have the unstable furniture tilt as his feet come down upon the edge. The table tips to spill Andre to the ground. Fortunately for him, the guards are focused on the the prisoner and are unable to take advantage of his temporary vulnerability.

Arnaud discovers that his wound is, in fact, but a flesh wound, and he launches himself at the guard Jarnac. In a brief flash of steel accompanied by remarks about lineal irregularities, Jarnac falls with a mortal wound.

Joubert, seeing the hangman down and a musketeer about to seize the prisoner, realizes that desperate measures are required. He raises his pistol and fires at Paul.  A puff of smoke rises from the flintlock and the ball smashes against the stone of the prison wall. Joubert follows the shot by rushing Paul.

Paul begins his escape with the prisoner before Joubert can stop him. D'Hubert measures swords with Rousseau. The latter comes up lacking, with the result that he measures his length upon the square. The musketeers have slain a third guard. 

 Even with three of their number stretched upon stones, the two remaining guards keep their heads. Before Paul can escape with the prisoner, Colbert fires his pistol at Paul. Although his lead message doesn't strike the rescuer, Paul does leap for cover, abandoning the prisoner.

The guards find both courage and will. Joubert sprints in to grab the prisoner and drag him back to the hangman, who has regained his senses. They have a resurgence of hope--which D'Hubert punctures, along with Colbert's innards. The badly wounded guard drops to the cobblestones with a bellyache that obliterates his ability to take part in any further festivities.

Joubert and the hangman don't get far with the prisoner. Paul breaks from cover to engage Joubert in a vigorous philosophical discussion with an emphasis on being or not being and the utility of cold steel in providing an answer to the query. Joubert becomes converted to Paul's point of view, first falling as the argument penetrates his flesh, and then fleeing with the burden of his new found wisdom.

With Joubert converted and Colbert stewing in his own juices, no guards remain to impede the rescue. 

Overall, it was a great game. I was surprised that the musketeers took only a single wound while killing three guards, putting one hors de combat, and having the fifth flee the field. Andre never even got into the fight (if you don't count his duel with the table). As usual, I like the changes I've made to the system. I'll have to see how it goes with more advanced scenarios. I anticipate the Rescue in the Ruins next. As far as this scenario goes, it could be made more interesting with the addition of replacement guards entering on the next change of initiative after the death of any guard. Adjusting the random starting positions of the musketeers so that none of them enter so close to the prison might be a simpler alternative.