Leipzig (the never-ending battle) continues.

In a nutshell (which is a strange place for a massive battle), the French artillery has demonstrated itself to be the most effective arm on the battlefield. No matter how bad the odds, the French guns almost always prevailed. 

 

Around 1400 or so, the Allies brought up another corps of soldiers, artillery and cavalry in the center. They had to throw the troops already occupying the space forward to pound the French defenses. The early attacks met with little success and cost the Allies more casualties than they caused. Nevertheless, the constant attacks began to take a toll on the French center.

At the same time on the Allied right, Russian cuirassiers (unpainted gray horsemen) charged the French positions behind the forward town. The charges were repulsed and the heavy cavalry suffered from the artillery fire both behind the town and along the hill. The artillery bombarding the town had the wrong size shot or the gunners were spending their time playing cards; the bombardment continued to be ineffective.

The Allies kept pounding the center with combined attacks by artillery, heavy cavalry, and infantry. The two batteries of French Guard artillery and a brigade of infantry held and held. The Allied artillery finally pushed back the infantry. A Russian infantry attack further weakened the position. Finally, Austrian cuirassiers took the guns. A second squadron of the Austrian cuirassiers charged the brigade French infantry.

The Austrian heavies smashed into the fatigued infantry, and destroyed them.

French cuirassiers counter-attacked.

The French horse caught the disordered Austrians cuirassiers (cleverly disguised as Scots Greys in the photo) and sabered them into oblivion.

On the Allied left, the Prussian artillery utterly failed to hurt the French in the town on the riverbank. The Prussian Infantry launched several attacks behind the artillery fire, hurting only themselves in the process. The Russian Cossacks (unpainted reddish-brown horseman in the picture) charged the French right. They damaged the French, but the stubborn French infantry with attached artillery turned the attacks. Polish hussars counter-attacked and eliminated one squadron of cossacks, but the Polish leader was took a mortal wound in the fray--or maybe it was in the heart, or the head; the game doesn't provide that kind of detail.

The Allied advance, driven by the fresh troops coming in, continued in the center. The remnants of Russian infantry advanced on the Allied right with an eye to assaulting the French left. The artillery and infantry at the lower right have had been attempting to drive the French from the town for hours. The infantry retreats under fire before they can reach the walls. The Allies have been stymied on both flanks, making costly progress in the center. The French have started edging their reserves forward to plug attempt to stop the flood when the Allies break through.

 

The Battle of Leipzig Continues

After a hiatus of several months, the battle resumes. From 12:30 to 1:30, Allied reinforcements arrived. Russian guns, infantry, and cavalry hurried into battle. The Allies sought to attack and overwhelm the French center with the fresh troops and guns, while threatening on the left and right with the worn troops who had been fighting since morning. On the Allied left, the French repulsed the Prussian infantry attack on Crostewitz.

Russian artillery galloped onto the field. They quickly moved forward and unlimbered. The horse artillery fired but couldn't find the range. The heavy guns unlimbered but could not fire before the French guns opened up, damaging them and forcing them to limber and pull back. 

Russian infantry stormed toward the French center. They were met with withering fire from two batteries of Guard Artillery and French infantry. The Russian division had to fall back with heavy losses.

To the right, a Russian infantry brigade assaulted a French infantry brigade and drove them back. Both brigades suffered tremendous casualties. The Allies followed up that success by throwing three waves of Guard cuirassiers at the French infantry and artillery still at the base of the hill. The French turned back the first two waves. The third wave of horse and steel overwhelmed the defenders, breaking the formation and destroying the infantry and the guns.

The pair of red squares with Xs in the middle mark the location of the clash of cuirassiers and infantry with artillery. The cavalry withdrew after their victory rather than brave the French guns on the hill. The other square with the X marks the location of French infantry brigade before it was driven back by the Russian infantry. The X with the circle marks the location where that same Russian infantry disintegrated under French artillery fire. Farther to the right, Allied artillery fired ineffectively against the French troops in the town. The Russian infantry had yet to work up the courage to again assault the town after the terrible fighting there during the morning.

The Prussians targeted Crostewitz on the bank of the river with three batteries and pushed a brigade forward to attack in the confusion. The artillery fire failed to do any damage and didn't cause enough confusion to prevent the young guard troops in the town from driving away the Prussian infantry before the assault could build momentum. On the other hand, the French young guard artillery zeroed-in on the Prussian guns and eliminated two of the three batteries. The two boxes with Xs in them mark the location where the Prussian guns were destroyed. They had taken heavy losses in earlier counter-battery fire, so a successful barrage on each finished the destruction.

More Allied guns, infantry and horse are on their way. The French dice have been pretty terrible, turning initiative back to the Allies almost as soon as the French received it. Fortunately, the fire from the French artillery has more than compensated for the initiative problem. In addition the French are already in position, so the plentiful reaction opportunities they get have been adequate for the defense.

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The Shrinking Zone is still only 99 cents! Click the link at the top of the page. I've cunningly disguised it with the label: "The Shrinking Zone."

 

Time traveling with Rachel McAdams was the theme for the week--at least as far as movies go. Two movies blipped onto my radar recently: The Time Traveler's Wife and About Time. 

In both films, Rachel McAdams plays the object of the time traveler's affections.

In The Time Traveler's Wife,

the time traveler has no control over when and where he is taken. He is taken to significant times in his or his wife's life. He actually meets her when she is a child. Although that's the first time she meets him, it is not the first time he meets her--because her life progresses in linear fashion, while his jumps about in time. In addition to the complete lack of control over when, and when, his leaps about time also pull him without purse, scrip, or clothing. It's a very touching film. The lack of control and the spotty knowledge of the future add to the emotional impact. Eric Bana plays the time traveler. 

I give it 5 out of 5 time warps.

In About Time,

which I watched with the magic filters of vidangel, McAdams' character doesn't know about the time traveler's ability. The time traveler, played by Domnhall Gleeson, can travel backwards to any specific time in his life (and back again). The male members of the family have this ability. He father tells him about it on his 17th birthday. (But I never noticed that the uncle did any time travel). He sets to work immediately using the ability to help get a girlfriend. Because he can control the when, and the when, he is able to go back and repeat experiences with the knowledge of how to improve them. With the stuff taken out that gave it an R rating (via vidangel) it is fabulous. It does seem to break, or at least bend, some of its own rules and leaves one with many of the usual questions about time traveling possibilities--but I was happy to set that aside. The movie is funny as well as thought-provoking and deeply poignant. The message at the end is actually obvious and trite, but the journey to that point makes the message resonate--but it would still be cool to be able to do the whole time travel thing.

I give it 5 out of 5 flux capacitors.

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On the Leipzig front, a turn or two was all I got in this week, and nothing worth discussing developed. the French remain cautious and haven't yet succeeded in taking Auenhayn. 

I won 5 autographed books in a drawing and the first one has already arrived: DJ Butler's In the Palace of Shadow and Joy. I started reading it in the middle of the night a couple nights ago when I couldn't sleep -- and it did the trick. No. Seriously, I'm enjoying it. Those you who read this blog regularly will remember that I got to have lunch with Mr. Butler in Provo last year. I've previously read and reviewed his book The Wilding Probate  on this blog and which I recommended as a five-star fun read. I'm looking forward to getting the rest of my random drawing autographed booty.

 

I'm a winner! It's official. On an unrelated note, I just learned I won a drawing for five signed books in one of Dave Butler's give-away deals with Mike Kupari, Patrick Chiles, and J.L. Curtis -- I believe that only makes 4, so perhaps I've missed someone. Anyway, I'm stoked to get my autographed copies. For those of you with bilingual abilities, let me say, Color moi completement steauked.

Yesterday's mission was to water the yard. Long story. I won't go into it.

I did get a couple more chapters written on my dystopian thriller which I've tentatively titled The Shrinking Zone, but it has nothing to do with laundry. In that story, I'm about to loose the next group of complications. The first set of troubles haven't been solved, but it is often the case in life that new troubles arise while old issues continue to fester--plus (#writing tip!) it makes for a better read when the problems come faster than the solutions. If you haven't got a little "out of the frying pan and into the fire" going on then you don't know your hobbits from you giblets, or, to put it another way, your adhesive tension is slipping. (I hereby claim credit for the term "adhesive tension" in the context of writing and demand a hat tip whenever it is used). What is adhesive tension? It is the continuing unresolved conflict, or series of conflicts, that make the reader stick with the story to discover what happens next.

The battle of Leipzig continues. I don't remember what turn I've completed, but the Allies on the field are crumbling. Technically, Schwartz's force has broken, but with the massive force of reinforcements approaching, I've elected to get creative and interpret "broken" in this instance as a restriction against attacking. Schwartz's onboard troops may only act defensively. This allowed them to make a slow withdrawal and batter the French with their artillery in the process. However, the Allies have paid a heavy price, including the loss of more of their artillery along with the village of Crostewitz. The deadly Old Guard batteries took some damage in the artillery duel, but they made wrecks of the opposition. The French are threatening Auenhayn and the eggshell remnant of the Allied left flank is not likely to hold it for much longer. The Allied right near Liebertwolkwitz still possesses several undamaged artillery batteries, and an infantry division which has recovered from most of its earlier damage.

.

 

Author Interview with

Thomas K. Davis 

Author of The Versatile Layer Series

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

I’m currently editing the final novel in my Versatile Layer series. It’s been a long road to get here but it was worth it.

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

I was just daydreaming at work most days and the story started to play out in my head. Character conversations. A space colony with an Art-deco aesthetic. The conflicts started to take shape. Before I knew it, I had to start jotting down notes. Eventually I had the first chapter of the Versatile Layer saga. I just had to figure out how to write a book.

Do you write in more than one genre?

I’ve only worked on my 9-book series thus far. Which is a Sci-Fi/Fantasy story. I have an idea for a comedic action book about vampires that I’m ironing out at the moment.

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

My dialog flows very naturally. I pride myself on it. I’m a student of films and TV. So, when you read my work it’s like a movie playing out in your head.

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

I think my sense of humor and love of music really comes through in my writing. Which is funny because I wrote a Sci-Fi/Fantasy series. But it’s important to have moments of levity and joy in your work.

My love of music really inspired how I wrote book 6 of Versatile Layer: Traitor. In that novel, one of my characters (Agatha Park) is a huge punk fan. So, the soundtrack of the book is all of the punk songs I was listening to at the time. I actually list the song titles in the chapters so you can put the music on and read along with it. It’s a novel with an OST.

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

I’ve always been a huge Sci-Fi fan. I loved shows like Farscape, Battlestar Galactica, and films like Blade Runner 2049 and Valerian- City of a Thousand Planets. Media like this has influenced my own work. I write fiction that has meaning but knows when to not take itself too seriously.

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

I'd recommend "The Rose" by Paul Alleva. It’s a really mind bending sci-fi vampire read.

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

Wow. First book that pops into my head when asked is The Daughters of Death: Versatile layer book 4. It’s a turning point in the series with lots of action and character development. It focuses mainly on a character named Edith Fafnir. She’s a badass military sniper with a bionic left eye and a complicated past. It’s a hell of a ride and the characters are never the same afterwards. So many storylines come to a head in the story but I was careful to write it in a way that’s inviting to newcomers. You can drop into any of the Versatile Layer books and get your footing rather quickly. But the story is more rewarding if you start from the beginning.

 

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

I’ve presented at 3 conventions so far. The biggest convention was the IABX (Independent Authors Book Experience). It was a great experience. I picked up a few fans in the process and met some really great authors. Presenting at that convention really helped me to develop my sales pitch. It taught me to summarize what the series is and how to best hook a potential reader. With Covid happening, I started to set up at local outside markets to sell my books. I’ve gotten some good results that way. I’m better at pitching my work in person than I am online.

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

What is the bit of the writing process that gets your writery brain grinning?

I love when the story starts to evolve in ways that I didn’t initially plan for. I introduce a character near the end of book 6 just because I need to initiate an action sequence. By book 7 that character has a name and relationships. By book 8 that character is super important to the story and I don’t know how I would’ve advanced towards my endgame without them. I didn’t plan for that character but they became essential. But that’s my process. I have my beginning and my end but the middle fills out as I write. If fact (I say in fact a lot), I always write the first and last chapters at the same time. Then I jump around to different chapters between.

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

The aliens in my story are called the Arez. They’re a tribal, tall, red skinned, Amazonian warrior race. They’re kinda like afro-futuristic alien elves. Anyway, they have a phrase in their culture. “I poured all of my strength into you.” It’s normally used by a parent or a teacher (master) to express that the student has excelled at their training. It’s something that I wrote without giving it much thought. But as the story progressed, the phrase got used on several occasions. It just fit and made sense for this alien culture.

Another quote from the series that I really love comes from one of the two main characters, Captain Jake Takeda. He’s a soldier who (while he’s a decent guy) fights really dirty on the battlefield. In book 2: The Glass Runner, he’s educating a young soldier on what it really takes to survive and win in battle.

“Battles are an exercise in deception. You sell your opponent on a story. You get him to agree to a set of rules. Then you break those rules. There’s no honor on the battlefield. There’s only the mission.” This quote is Jake’s key to survival. He controls the fight by setting up the expectations of how the battle will play out. Then he operates outside of those boundaries that he established. If he tells you, “let’s duel honorably with swords.” Then he’s going to end the fight with a gun. 

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Thanks to Thomas for participating. Those are some groovy book covers he has. I'm also glad to know that I'm not the only one who introduces characters for one purpose, only to have them develop beyond that purpose into someone integral to the story. That makes me think of the character Joan in my novel Smoke, and Lieutenant Roberts in The Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series. Smoke would have been only half a story without Joan. If you've read Threading the Rude Eye (the first book in the series), you probably didn't realize that Lt. Roberts was going to be a throw-away character who would disappear after the first couple chapters--perhaps a redshirt--but I couldn't let him go. Things developed and he grew into a great character whose importance grows with each book in the series.

But enough about books. The deafening roar of artillery fire, the call of the bugle, the thunder of pounding hooves, the rattle of musketry, and the beat of the drum to the pas de charge continues with turn 6 of the battle of Leipzig. 

Turn 6 saw the French retake both Markleberg on the Allied left and Wachau in the center. On the Allied right, the cannon once more pounded Liebertwolkwitz. Russian infantry followed as the smoke cleared. The French brigade holding the town didn't escape from the town as a cohesive unit. 

Even though the Allied artillery pummeled the French pretty hard, the outlook from that side of the field is not bright. A number of batteries have been reduced to the brink of elimination. The Prussian infantry on the left will have to be very lucky to hold Crostewitz and Auenhayn--from which they started the battle. They paid more than they could afford to take Markleberg and Wachau. The center is held by the fatigued cossack division. A coordinated French attack there could drive through to Guldengossa. The one hope the Allies have is to hold Liebertwolkwitz--until 12:30, which is more than two hours away. Technically, the Allied army is one unit away from breaking. They need the Riders of Rohan, the Winged Hussars, or a flight of A-10 Warthogs to save their bacon, but the fire's hot and the bacon is already sizzling.

Here's a view across the field from Markleberg, Crostewitz, and Auenhayn in foreground to Liebertwolkwitzat the far end. The remains of the Alied left are gathered around Auenhayn and Crostewitz. 

The Allies will be lucky to last another hour.

 

The battle of Leipzig continues. 

The French lost a squadron of light cavalry when the horsemen charged a band of disorganized cossacks only to be intercepted by some fresh Russian cavalry. The Russians eliminated the French and carried through into more French horse, but were turned away.

Although the French artillery generally bested that of the Allies, cossacks did take out that forward battery which had stymied them on the previous turn. The rest of the cossack division launched a series of charges against the French infantry which had been behind the artillery unit--and were all turned away--although Napoleon had to use one of his special re-rolls to keep the brigade from going down beneath the cossack lances. French artillery eliminated one of those cossack units before it could get out of range during its retreat.

The Russian soldiers drove the French from Wachau after fierce fighting. The French troops in Liebertwolkwitz took damage from Allied artillery but still turned away assaults by both brigades of Helfrich's division. 

The Allies really made progress. After the seizure of Markleberg and Wachau, Prussian dragoons mounted a brave charge against French foot in line and demolished the French unit. The Allied artillery that had been driven back has surged forward once more.

Unfortunately for the Allies, the French Young Guard, most of the cavalry, and the deadly Guard artillery have joined the battle. Although the Allies have bloodied Napoleon's nose, they have taken a lot of damage so far. Their own reinforcements won't arrive for a few hours.

View from the Allied position toward Liebertwolkwitz.

View from the Allied position to Wachau--now occupied by Russian infantry.

View from the west flank at the river's edge to Markleberg--now occupied by Prussian troops. Wachau is visible near the top of the picture.

A little Leipzig

 

The battle of Leipzig continues with four turns completed. The Allies lost two more artillery units. One to a daring charge by Polish cavalry, another to counter-battery fire. On the Allied left, they drove the Poles out of Markleberg but could not press an attack on the right against Liebertwolkwitz with anything other than artillery fire as the Allied infantry was too disorganized to advance. The cossacks made a series of charges against a forward French battery in the center, but could not carry the position.

 Interview with Madilynn Dale

Author of The Fae Shifters Series

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

I am currently working on a new series that will feature a strong female main character. She has a spunky personality and discovers that she isn’t a normal wolf shifter, but a hell hound shifter.

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

The idea for this book series came from a dream I had one night, and I have mixed in a bit of flare to enrich the story.

Do you write in more than one genre?

Yes, my books could fit into three or four different genres including fantasy, romance, paranormal, and adventure.

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

My books feature strong female characters or women who use their voice. I feel like they empower others who are scared to step up and share their thoughts or stand up for themselves. I also include strong ties to family and friends who are as close as family to show that there is always someone in your corner.

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

Yes, I feel like my personality leaks over into the main characters a bit. She makes friends easy and fights for those she loves.

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

I am an avid reader myself and love to talk books. I read a wide variety of books. I’m also a horse lover, outdoorsy, and a mom. I have rescue pets and I’m working on a small container garden.

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

Anything by Ivy Asher. Her work is amazing. C. L. Schneider has some amazing stories as well, specifically her Nite Fire series.

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

Releasing Her Power Within, Fae Shifters 1, because you meet Liz who is a strong, dedicated woman who seeks a change in pace only to be thrown into a world of magic. She discovers family she never knew existed while trying to keep all she holds dear safe. She turns into a near indestructible being in the end.

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

Last summer I decided to cut ties with things that were holding me back from furthering my dream. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the best thing I have done for my writing career. Things seemed to really take off after that and are continuing to push me forward. There was a lot of emotional turmoil during the transition period, but I stuck with my decision.

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

Why do I write, is one that isn’t asked a lot. I write to express myself, share my personal thoughts, create a world of my own for others to enjoy as well as myself, and to create a lasting impression on readers who enjoy my work. I have always enjoyed losing myself in a good world with fun and creative storylines and now I get to create that for others.

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

It is what it is, is something I find myself saying a lot. Things aren’t always in our control and there is nothing we can do about it other than have faith that the outcome will be beneficial or teach us a lesson.

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Thanks to Madilynn for participating in the interview. I thought it a coincidence that she mentioned hell hounds because I've just been writing about something I call demon dogs in the dystopian thriller I'm doing. My demon dogs are similar in many ways to hell hounds, except there's nothing supernatural about demon dogs. I had an interesting breakthrough on that novel this week. I was having some issues about how to put somethings together to make the plot more complex. After a bit of reflection (but no mirror was involved) I consulted with William, an expert on the subject who never rebuffs my entreaties. He mutely directed me to several of his works, and I came away with the plot complications I need to take the story to a higher level. 

Finally, the battle of Leipzig continues. I've only completed three turns (because writing and almost everything else gets priority over wargaming). The Allies lost another battery when they had command troubles which allowed the French to unload on them with scattered artillery fire. The French also turned back another attack on Crostewitz by Klux's 9th brigade. The numerous Allied artillery was able to inflict some damage on the French guns and infantry, but the Allies proved entirely unable to mount attacks on Liebertwolkwitz and the center. 

I've got some ideas on Tolkien's use of Rohan and Gondor and some potential meaning or symbolism there, but I think I'll save those for the newsletter -- you can sign up for it here.

 

Author Interview with

Brand J Alexander

Author of The Tears of Hatsunae Series

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

 I am currently writing book 3 of my Tears of Hatsunae series, Tears of the Fallen. The story up to this point has revolved around Asahn’s efforts to protect his people, which for the most part, he has accomplished. But the larger threats outside of his homeland await. The Order of Light, which has hunted his tribe, is still out there, and the world of Elerea is still dying from a mysterious illness. To solve these problems, Asahn will have to leave his people and his homeland and venture out into the wider world. The danger and challenges will grow as he explores unfamiliar lands and cultures, all while traveling into the heart osf the enemy’s capital. 

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

 The series concept began while I was receiving chemo for stage 4 cancer. That life-altering event pushed me to finally achieve my goal of becoming an author. So while I sat there through infusion for eight months, I thought about the universe I would create when I recovered.

A large part of the series focuses on religion and the way it is used and manipulated by different people for different reasons, even when the gods themselves are dead. I focus a lot on different forms of faith and belief that people hold throughout life, even down to the images we hold of our parents as children.

Because one of the main debates among religions is the story of creation, I purposefully wrote the genesis of my universe into the beginning of the book. A factual account to stand against belief. That prologue was designed while I sat in the hospital hooked up to the chemo, though I didn’t write a word of it until a year after.

The story was meant as more than the prologue for this book, however. It was also designed to be the beginning of a larger story within which all my other stories exist. All of the worlds within my fantasy universe arise from the same moment of creation, and I wrote it into my first full-length novel.   

Do you write in more than one genre?

I mostly write epic fantasy. However, I do have a series that I consider dark fantasy, which exists outside of my literary universe. Every year, I design and build a Halloween yard haunt called Ravenfell Manor. Ravenfell Chronicles: Origins is a dark fantasy series that explores the origins of the family behind the haunt and how Ravenfell Manor came to be. It is more of a collection of spooky ghost stories with a dark fantasy twist, so it is a bit different than my normal material.   

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

I love the history and worldbuilding of fantasy novels. My early inspirations for

writing began with Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time. His depiction of cultures and history helped to solidify the kind of worlds and stories I wanted to create. I am not sure if that makes me unique, but it is a facet of my writing style.

Readers have told me that my writing draws them in and makes them feel like they are actually there, living through the experiences of my characters. A few have told me that I have a way of drawing emotions from the words that make them feel them viscerally. I have had multiple readers tell me that several parts of the Tears of Hatsunae series brought them to tears.

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

I was a country boy growing up. I absolutely love the natural world around me, and I think that passion makes its way into my descriptions of the worlds and environments in my stories. I was never very athletic. I was more of a book nerd. So I think that tends to make itself into my stories as well. Intellect and cunning tend to be the solution more than strength and brute force.

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

I am not sure if it is helpful, but perhaps it is a bit insightful. I became disabled in my mid-20s with a debilitating pain condition. I have adapted to be functional for the most part since, although with a lot of limitations. Due to that, a lot of my adventures nowadays take place within the stories and worlds I create. I make them as realistic as possible because I tend to live through them. 

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

I am not really sure if I read any underrated authors. The first one that comes to mind is Kristen Britain and the Greenrider series. Someone bought the first book for me, and I didn’t think much of it at first. But I fell in love with the story and her writing fairly quickly.

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

I recommend the entire Tears of Hatsunae series. Although, the second in the series, Fall of Tears, is definitely my favorite of the two currently available. The series is a slow build to reach the epic scale. But in Fall of Tears the epic feel reaches a climax.

Rise of Tears is more of Asahn’s preparation for what is to come. Whereas Fall of Tears is where the real focus of the series comes into play. The emotions and consequences are all higher.

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

As grim as it sounds, stage 4 cancer was a huge turning point in my dream to be an author. Robert Jordan’s passing left me with a big fear of dying before ever telling my stories. Then I was diagnosed with cancer, and I realized just how possible that fear was. As soon as I recovered enough to work, I sat down and wrote the first two books in the Tears of Hatsunae series in about a year. That slap of reality drove me to realize my dreams, and I am truly grateful for it.

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

Where can I buy your next book?

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

Not that I can think of. I do say “Ouch!” a lot thanks to my pain condition. Does that count?

As a favorite quote, I do like the beginning lines of the Wheel of Time books. I almost had it stenciled along the walls in my office.

“The Wheel of Time turns, and ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legends fade to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again.” -Robert Jordan

I followed the series for a large part of my life. I would anxiously wait for each new book. So each time I opened a new piece of the story and found those welcoming words, it was like coming home. 

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Thanks to Brand for participating.

An update on the Leipzig battle: After one and half turns, the allies, pursuing a fiercely aggressive strategy, lost two brigades of Prussian infantry while inflicting some damage on the French with infantry attacks and artillery fire. The allies also lost a battery of horse artillery when a squadron of French light cavalry swooped in immediately after the battery had fired, and destroyed it.

 

I haven't done a book review in a while. I keep forgetting. I recently read Bitter Glory by David Swatton.

I came across this one unexpectedly while doing some research for a series I have in mind. I saw that it involved the battle of Marengo 1800 and I had to read it. The Napoleonic wars have been an area of personal interest since I was in jr. high school. I probably have more books related to that subject than any other single topic, excepting only religious topics. I see that the book only has five ratings, so maybe there aren't many of us with in interest in the subject.

The book follows Captain Chauvelle who is an officer in the chasseurs-a-cheval, the light cavalry of the French army. It's a bit like Sharpe's Rifles but with a French light cavalry protagonist instead of British light infantry hero. The protagonist goes over the Alps, gets inside the siege at Genoa, and participates in the battle of Marengo, hitting the high points in the campaign.

There were a few things that annoyed me. This included occasional profanity (at least it was few and far between), the repetitive and disconcerting use of the word "slither," and the over use of the word "clamber." Every time a horse stopped quickly, sliding to a halt, the author described it as "slithering to a stop" or "slithering in the mud." The horses could never just come to a stop, slide, or slip, they could only slither.

More importantly, I liked many things about the book. The characters and backstories were interesting and important to the motivations and plot complications in the novel. The author had studied or researched the era and the particular campaign. The depiction of the historical persons reflected what seems to be know about their personas. The main character had mostly good motivations and I was persuaded to root for him. The book did not lack for action and the author described it in an exciting and easy to follow manner.

I probably expected more than the book meant to give, but I mostly liked what I got. I would read a sequel if there were one.

***

Finally, having finished a couple replays of the battle of Marengo last month, I have started the battle of Wachau, from day one of the larges battle of the Napoleonic era-- Leipzig 1813 has begun. This is the largest part of the battle. I don't have enough tables, space, or miniatures to recreate the whole battle of Leipzig, but can I do this significant part.

Here's the view from the Allies perspective. Almost half of the Allied forces have yet to enter.

Here's the view from the French perspective. All of the French forces are on the map, including a couple brigades of Old Guard, and 6 or 8 brigades of Young Guard.

I expect the French troops to fare poorly in the face of the overwhelming numbers of the Allied artillery, but I may be surprised.