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Last month I received a number of excellent responses to my thoughts in the newsletter about giving spoilers to readers so that they won't get anxiety about what's going to happen to the characters in the book. There was also one negative response. Maybe I'll elaborate on that in the newsletter I'm doing for this month. I had also promised to address the hollow promises of fortune cookies. You'll have to sign up for the letter to discover what I have to say about those things.

In the meantime, I recently had occasion to contemplate the tribute we pay to our dead. 

I traveled with my dad to Afton Wyoming for the funeral of his sister. She was the oldest child of his siblings. Three other siblings had preceded her in death. I've observed that the longer I'm around, the more people I know who have crossed the river into eternity.

 In fact, today I learned that one of my friends from high school died from a heart attack within the last few days. Earlier today, I participated in some on-line indexing which included entering information from death certificates. Most of the names I indexed today were born in the 1890s or early 1900s and died in 1975 in Wisconsin. Only one of them died before age 40. So I've had cause lately to contemplate the fuzzy edge of mortality.

Anyway, at my aunt's service, a nice slide show of her with her children, grandchildren, and great grand children played during the viewing. During the funeral itself, family and friends shared memories and personal experiences about her. A son-in-law and a granddaughter each sang musical numbers. It was all very touching, a fitting tribute.

Why do we do it? Why do we solemnize the passing with ceremony and remembrance? There may be many reasons, and I can't bear the burden of trying to imagine all of them. I can contemplate a few. In most cases, we have an attachment and love for our deceased friends and kin. Our love doesn't end because their physical presence has passed away. A funeral is a final formal expression of love and attachment shared with family, friends, and the deceased--a song of parting with hope that our sentiments can transcend the mortal coil to rise with our loved ones--a symbol of our sorrow with an assertion that we remain bound by the cords of the heart and soul.

We are to some extent what our forebears have made us. We honor the family ties and bonds of friendship. We especially recognize our debt to their struggles and trials. In many cases we have tasted of the sweet because they bit off the bitter. We fortify our remembrance with ceremony to honor their accomplishments, to celebrate their lives and the difficulties they have overcome, to accept the responsibility to transmit our memories of them to our posterity. 

 Author Interview 

with Claudia Klein

Author of The Heir and The Crown

Note that I have interjected a comments and questions (in parentheses and in italics) throughout the body of Claudia's interview. She may post responses in the comments, or send me her responses in an email and I will supplement them into the interview later).

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

I’m currently working on the sequel to my debut novel, The Heir.  The sequel will be out in 6 months and it’s called The Crown.

(It has taken me some time to work through the author interviews. Claudia sent me this interview in November 2020. Is The Crown available yet? If so, send me the cover pic with a brief description and I'll add it to the interview.)

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

I wanted to write a book where the bad guy wins. That’s why one of the main characters, Prince Thomas isn’t the best of characters. But I discovered during the writing of The Heir that I can’t write a story where the bad guy wins. So Prince Thomas actually turns out to be the good guy in the end.

(That's great, Claudia. I don't think the bad guys should ever win -- except temporarily - why do you think you can't let the bad guy win?).

Do you write in more than one genre?

I started out writing real world stories when I was 10 and wrote those for a few years. Then I switched to writing fantasy sometime in high school and have stuck with that ever since. I have had a dystopian in the works for about 2 years now though, so we’ll see where that goes.

(I'm just about to start writing a dystopian novel. I would love to hear from you about anything you've learned in the process of writing in the genre.)

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

I’ve been told that the dialogue is really well written. But I think the main thing that sets my writing apart is that it’s completely clean high fantasy, even though there’s romance in everything I write. No bad language and no adult scenes. There is killing, but I’ve always been a blood and gore type person.

(I commend your choice of keeping things clean. I prefer books without the profanity and vulgarity which is becoming more and more prevalent. I keep my books clean as well.)

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

Probably that none of my characters are super talkative, like myself.

(And yet, your answer is so brief, laconic, even)

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

I’m a military wife and I’m a stay at home mom to my 2 year old daughter. When I’m not working on my author business, I’m working on my network marketing business or my crochet and yarn spinning business. I’m a really good cook and recently started a Youtube channel. Right now the channel is under my name, but it’ll eventually be under Cooking with Clauds.

 (Cool! what recipe should I try - or ask my wife to try?)

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

I really liked Ember and Stone by Megan O’Russel. I’m not sure how widely known she is, but her book was really good high fantasy with a strong female lead, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

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

The Heir, because right now it’s my only published book. But keep a lookout for my Endorlothorien trilogy coming out in a few years.

 

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

Definitely learning about self publishing on KDP. If someone hadn’t told me about that option I’d probably still be looking for a way to publish.

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

About my writing or anything in general? Because I wish people would ask me how many states I’ve lived in. I’ve lived in 13 and some of them twice and I’m not even 30 yet. About writing I wish people would ask if I need any help marketing, haha. Because I do.

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

I have 2:

Never, never, never give up. -Winston Churchill

The best if yet to come- Robert Browning

I like the first one because I’m stubborn and don’t give up easily. And the second one because the best is yet to come. Unless you make a really bad life decision your life will only get better.

___________________________

Thanks to Claudia for participating in the interview.

In case I haven't mentioned it, after reading his Wendigo, which I loved, I did read Algernon Blackwood's The Willows. In short, I didn't care for it. I have acquired his Three John Silence Stories which features a paranormal detective. I haven't had a chance to read it as I dived into another book which has a popular following...and it fell flat for me. I cast it into the DNF pile. I won't mention anymore about that unless I decide to go back and extract the N from that description. I'm currently reading Zane Gray's The Rainbow Trail. At first, I enjoyed the picturesque descriptions, but I have grown weary of them. I'm a firm believer that the plot and characters should carry the story with scenic descriptions as an infrequent treat. I'm pretty sure I'll finish this book, but if something doesn't happen soon (I'm over 60% through the book), I may set it aside at least temporarily.

As for books with interesting characters and lots of action, Promise of Carnage and Flame is getting closer to release. I need a final proof read and then it will go up. I want to publish it in the 5x8 format rather than the 6x9 format. It was an unfortunate accident that the first book in the series, Threading the Rude Eye was published in 6x9. I went back last week and re-formatted Threading the Rude Eye for 5x8 and corrected some small errors that had sneaked by the original proofing. Unfortunately, when I tried to upload the new format, KDP wouldn't let me. Once the book as been published, the format can't be changed. That's when I remembered why I had also published the next two books in the 6x9 format. Oh well. I don't care, the print version of Promise of Carnage and Flame is going up in the 5x8 format.

Interview with

D. William Landsborough

Author of  Shadow's Advent series

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

I quite literally just finished up the final revisions on my second book, Revelations, and sent it out to my copyeditor. It’s the sequel to my debut novel, Archangel, and the second of six books in my Shadow’s Advent series. In Archangel, the angel Uriel descends to an Earth that is now ruled by demons. It’s been ten years since the war between Heaven and Hell began, and Hell lost.

After establishing a foothold in Archangel, Revelations takes place right where its predecessor ended. Uriel, his half-demon friend Shandra, and a host of other angels try to capitalize on their victory by marching an army towards the demon prince, Abaddon.

The books are very much dark fantasy and Revelations in particular has a lot of action scenes. One thing I wanted to really push in Revelations, considering this is a series about angels and demons, is questioning and doubting of faith. That’s the main theme behind Revelations and most of Shadow’s Advent, but I can’t say too much without some potential spoilers!

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

I wasn’t raised religiously, but I always found religion fascinating. There is so much lore, research and writing when it comes to the characters—angels, demons, half-demons, etc.—of religions. And I’ve always enjoyed a good vs. evil story, so I asked myself what would happen if evil won and we picked that up ten years later? How different would the world look? How would the characters of these angels change after being trapped on a demon-run Earth for a decade?

Do you write in more than one genre?

I don’t have books out in more than one genre, but I definitely write in more than one. While Shadow’s Advent is a dark fantasy series, I also write a series of short stories called Nightshade. Those are urban fantasy stories about a woman who hunts monsters for a living, but she herself is a monster that can’t die. The real issue is that no one knows exactly what she is, so it pushes her away from those that normally hunt things like her. Right now, Nightshade is being released for my patrons on Patreon.

I’m also planning a non-Shadow’s Advent book for next year. It will be a near-future climate sci-fi and, true to my dark fantasy background, will be pretty bleak (but hopefully ultimately inspiring). I’m also in the very, very early stages of planning a horror novel!

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

I think every story is worthy of attention if it’s a story that entertains you. If it manages to suck you in, make your heart race and make you feel strong emotions (positive and negative), then it’s worthwhile. When I write, that kind of entertaining is exactly what I aim to do.

In some of the feedback I got for Revelations, I had a beta reader tell me they were so shaken by a character’s death that they had to put the book down for a little bit. It’s that kind of reaction, that powerful feeling, that I really hope to convey through my writing.

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

Aside from inspiration drawn from devouring books, shows, movies, etc. since I was young, I can’t say much. I know a lot of people say that art comes from pain, and I know some of the best literary works do. I’m fortunate enough to not have some kind of severe trauma or lifechanging event in my past that influences what I write.

I think it’s my personality though, that desire to make people feel good, to laugh or get taken away to a different place (especially with all that’s going on) that influences my writing.

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

I’m a huge nerd. If you follow me on social or meet me in real life, prepare to be cooler than me.

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

I am a huge Adam Nevill fan. I know he’s gaining popularity here in North America more and more—my favourite book of his, The Ritual, was turned into a movie on Netflix—but he has some genuinely creepy stuff. Sometimes his level of detail is too much for my taste, but his books never fail to give me nightmares.

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

Well right now I have to say Archangel, Book One of Shadow’s Advent. Come December, I would say Revelations... but you have to read Archangel before you can read that!

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

Archangel had been a backburner project for me for years. I would ebb and flow when it came to working on it. Then, in August of 2018, I decided to quit my bank job and go back to school for marketing and communications. This decision was purely driven by a mental health crisis and a genuine unhappiness with my job, so I took the risk and quit it, relying on freelancing and savings (and student loans) to get me through a one-year program. During that time, I also decided that making a jump into what I really wanted to do meant getting Archangel out there.

If I hadn’t left my job at the bank, if I hadn’t chosen to go after what I really wanted, I don’t know if Archangel would have ever come out or if I would be on the verge of releasing my second book.

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

I wish people would ask more about independent publishing (aka self-publishing). There is still a stigma attached to indie authors, one that stops people from even picking up a book if it isn’t from a big publisher. And I get that mindset, and I understand the pros and cons to both sides. But indie authors are essentially (and for tax reasons, usually) their own business. They are entrepreneurs. And if you ask any of us about the process of being an indie author, the enthusiasm will be overwhelming!

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

It’s not a catch-phrase or a quote I can attribute to any person in particular, but I always tell people “don’t be embarrassed about your dreams.”

 

It might sound silly reading that out loud, but there are so many people who are embarrassed to admit they want to be a writer, a painter, a musician, or anything that channels your passion. Hell, I used to be one of those people. Archangel, when I was writing it, was only known to a few people who I knew wouldn’t judge me. But, looking back, what would I be judged for?

I absolutely love how many of my friends, family or even strangers have approached me since Archangel’s release to tell me how they want to write a story they’ve been thinking of or how they want to try their hand at photography or making music. I tell them to go for it. It might just be on weekends or in the evenings at first, but you can do it.

So don’t be embarrassed for pursuing something your love. Don’t be embarrassed if you stumble and definitely hold your head up high if you persevere. Embrace those dreams and make them a reality.

_________________________

Thanks to William for participating in the interview.

In my own writing, I'm making some minor typographical corrections to Threading the Rude Eye and preparing to give Promise of Carnage and Flame the final review before it hits the big river store in ebook with the paperback to follow.

As part of my self-reward for completing Promise of Carnage and Flame, I got these:

I also had a battle of Vauchamps. Here's a picture of French cuirassiers about to destroy a Prussian infantry brigade. The picture summarizes a lot of things:

For anyone who cares, I use the Song of Drums and Shakos Large Battles rules -- upscaled for real battles that involve corps and armies -- with basing from Age of Eagles (except, using the 1/72 scale figures, I only get two infantry per base, and one cavalry figure per base. Also, my infantry brigades consist of four bases, and my cavalry brigades of two bases--because I want to play big battles, but I don't want to go bankrupt buying figures, and I don't want to re-base ever again. You may notice some figures aren't painted and I haven't fancified the bases. We'll see if that every happens. I did write an after action report for the battle, but I've found a different rendition of the same battle that I want to try--and I messed up the initial setup when I played on this first one. The short version of the report is that that the Prussians held off the French quite well (perhaps because I had placed more Prussians on the board than had actually arrived historically at the start time) until the French cavalry arrived on the flank and smote them hip and thigh, fetlock and forelock. The Prussian heavy cavalry had a great chance to destroy a French infantry brigade, but the French foot soldiers held, which allowed some French cavalry to catch the Prussian heavies in a weakened state, demolishing the Prussian horse brigade as a fighting unit. I played after the Prussians had reached the break point to see how well Blucher would do in getting his troops away from the pursuit. The Prussian general salvaged some, but it was a rather bad day for Marschall Vorwarts.

I did get some great responses from readers of my latest newsletter. If you want to know what provoked the most feedback that I've had so far, you'll have to sign up for my newsletter here.

 

Promise of Carnage and Flame is written. 27 chapters and 90K plus words. I have celebrated the completion of this this stage of the process by rewarding myself with some miniatures and recreating the battle of Vauchamps as I re-learn the Drums and Shakos Large Battles Rules. I'll post a battle report later.

I don't have a cool cover completed for the new book yet, but here's this, which is completely unrelated:

I've also got a couple short stories battling in my head. They will be the next items I write, and fairly soon, before I get to my stand-alone dystopian thriller novel--and then on to book 5 in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series--I already have about 15K words done for book 5. I'm contemplating some new beasts which will appear in the series, and I think they will also go in one of my short stories, as I will set the short story within the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire world.

My newsletter should be coming out this week. If you haven't signed up yet, here's the link to do so.

One thing this edition of the newsletter will address is the question of spoilers as requested by someone on a fb group to which I used to belong. I have pretty firm opinions on the matter as it was presented, but I won't get into that here.

I'm currently reading Larry Correia's Monster Hunter International, and I should post a review when I've completed it--the book is currently free here. I'm also about to finish a story by Algernon Blackwood. It's the first of his works that I've read, as far as I know. I can see that I'll have to explore more of his stories.

In the meantime, I may contemplate the story behind this:

 (Originally published 3-7-21 then censored then supposedly restored but only shows as a draft - now attempting put it back)

Have I been ill? Affirmative. How ill have I been? I've been so ill that I did no writing or editing all week long. Was it the commie-rona? Could be. I've lost most of my sense of taste and all of my sense of smell, but I have refused to succumb to the insidious disease.

While I've accomplished very little, apart from finally finishing a couple books book, Ferling's Independence: The Struggle to Set America Free, as part of my research for what will be book 5 in my Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series, I did fit in a viewing of the 1950 production of Cyrano de Bergerac, one of my favorite movies ever. I think any list of my top ten movies has to include Cyrano de Bergerac and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Of course there are more, but those two leap to mind.

As for Ferling's book:

I have nothing but unadulterated praise. In fact, I may have made multiple highlights per page. I may have made so many highlights that my highlights will be useless to me. It has more details and background on individuals and events surrounding the Second Continental Congress and the debate for independence than I'll ever be able to use. It is exactly the thing for which I had been searching but had been unable to find. It set me back $9.99, and was well worth it. I will probably share some Fun Facts about some of those details in future posts. Some of the most inspiring things I read were actually from the supporters of the colonies in Parliament from the debates on how to handle the colonists' demands and pursuit of the conflict. It was all super good. 

Reading this book helped me decide that what I wanted to accomplish next in my Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series would best be achieved in book 5 rather than book 4. Book 4, Promise of Carnage and Flame, was originally going to cover the independence issue, but it veered in an unanticipated and completely awesome direction. The main story, along with Antonio and Rip's adventure, will continue to book 5, while the stories involving the dragon hunters and another character provide the culminating excitement for book 4. Unfortunately, I have a stand alone book to write before I get to book 5. My modern dystopian adventure has to be told before it becomes reality rather than speculation. Additionally, I have at least one short story to write to submit for an anthology, so I may not get book 5 out before the end of the year.

***

Jose Ferrer won an Oscar for his portrayal of Cyrano de Bergerac in the movie directed by Michael Gordon.

I don't think anyone else can touch the role the way he did--not Gerard Depardieu, and certainly not Steve Martin. Brian Hooker's translation of Edmond Rostand's play is a masterpiece. Ferrer wears Cyrano, not like a mere suit of clothes and a white plume, but to the depths of his soul. He causes us to completely forget about Cyrano's nose, no matter how much he talks about it, by opening Cyrano's psyche to us. Can any man watch Ferrer's portrayal of Cyrano without saying to himself at some level, "That's me. I am Cyrano!"? I know can't, but maybe my stubborn pride and independent streak run beyond natural prudence.

Mala Powers plays Roxanne. She reminds me of Virginia Mayo. She does a fine portrayal of Roxanne, but all the other characters in the play are merely supporting cast for Cyrano.

I have the play in French--from when my French class read it in college--but after watching the movie, I picked up Hooker's English translation for free on Amazon. It is eminently quotable--and I imagine more opportunities to use the English rather than French version. I would love to do this play at our local theater and take a stab at playing Cyrano myself.

***

Finally, I also saw Hunt for the Wilderpeople. I allowed Sam Neill to lure me into watching the show. I wasn't disappointed. I expect the film isn't for everyone. I don't think my wife cared for it. I found it laugh-out-loud funny in a few instances. My favorite lines that I can remember were:

"Leave me alone."

and

"Are you going to manslaughter him?"

I suggest you watch it before cancel culture discovers it and lobbies to have it cast into the bonfire of good things you're not allowed to see because it offends one of their peculiar anxieties or fails to send the proper political message.

 Author Interview with

C.L. Gaber

Author of The Ascenders Saga

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

 Thank you so much Stanley! I’m the author of the Ascenders Saga. I’m currently doing final edits for Book Five, which will come out in March, 2021. The sage is about 17-year-old Walker Callaghan who is in a car crash in Chicago. She wakes up in a much nicer house and finds out she has to attend a swanky private Academy for high school now. At school the next day, the music teacher is Kurt “who used to have this band,” the drama teacher is Robin and Dr. King insists he’s just a humble former principal from Detroit who was gunned down in a school shooting.

Walker finds out that she died last night and has been sent to an in-between realm for those who died young. The rules? There aren’t any. No SATs. No homework either. You must attend The Academy: High School for the Recently Departed, but you’re there to learn what you need before you ascend.

The only real rule is you can’t go back and check on your former life. Walker falls hard for tat-covered bad-boy Daniel Reid who is in charge of his sisters (ages 12 and 14) and brother (16). They died together in a plane crash, but are missing their youngest brother Bobby (6). Daniel insists he will return to the living realm to find the little boy at the site of their plane crash. Bobby is an earth-bound spirit – waiting forever at the site of his death.

Walker and Daniel must find the portal back to life and then deal with soul destroying demons who are waiting upon their return.

Ascenders is an adventure of an after-lifetime.

Book Five comes out in Feb. 2021!

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

 I know it sounds impossibly, but I’m a journalist who covers film. I was on assignment in LA and had a dream that played out like a movie in my mind. I did know enough to get up at three in the morning and write the first chapter, plus sketch out the story.

Do you write in more than one genre?

I did do a teen detective novel several years ago, but found I love epic fantasy. I love creating rules for new worlds with hopefully relatable characters in them.

 

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

I’m a film journalist for the New York Times wire, a job I’ve done for 30 years. It mostly consists of interviewing A list stars and writing interviews/profiles of them when new films are coming out.

There are many dead celeb teachers….Heath, Kurt, Alan, Robin, Steve, Carrie, Walter, Liz, Janis, Amy ….. in the Ascenders world. The words they say about life are from my interviews over the years.

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

Well, Walker, my protagonist, is from Chicago like me. She dies one night in this one spot where in reality deer cross the highway all night long. All you see if the glow of their eyes in the headlights of your car. Really creepy. God forbid they jump out at the cars…people are killed all the time and cars are destroyed as well as gorgeous animals.

Walker is a student journalist who dreams of working for the New York Times one day – totally me.

Her superpower is asking a lot of questions like all journalists do.

She’s also super not-athletic – me, me, me. But she has to find scary demons despite it all. (I’ll leave that to her.)

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

I grew up in Chicago, went to school in Arizona and now live in Nevada. I love my hometown, but feel really grounded and free in the west. I like wide open spaces, which is a topic in Ascenders 5. Otherwise, I’d have 20 dogs, but in reality have two of the best: Georgie and Auggie.

 

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

What a great question – I always say Stephen King and I’m going to say it here. I think the poetic beauty of his writing is underrated because he writes horror. I love his non-scary work best of all including his book about JFK’s assassination. Some of my friends don’t read King thinking it’s just horror writing. Not true. By a long-shot.

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

I’d love for people to read the first Ascenders book. I’m just really proud of how it came out and love the characters. It was as exciting for me to complete book five recently as it was to finish book one. I love playing in this afterlife world.

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

As a journalist, my biggest break on the same day was being hired by both the New York Times wire and the Chicago Sun Times to be their film writer. Both have been amazing over many years and have resulted in so many inspirational interviews with film and TV A-listers.

As an author, I believe independently publishing Ascenders and learning that world before I did it was a huge break. I love working on the covers with amazing artists and the inside design, too.

Of course, my biggest break of all was having a wonderful Dad who always told me I was  a writer and read my work in a serious way. He was the only father around who said not to get “a real job” and work on my writing. Thanks, Dad.

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

I wish I’d get asked….What moment since 2015 when the first Ascenders book was published touched you the deepest.

I’ll never forget being asked to Outlander.com to sell books. Two women approached my booth and both were crying. One said, “Go talk to her. You really need to talk to her.” The second woman had some trouble finding the words and finally said, “I just wanted to meet you because my son was a victim in one of the recent school shootings. I’d like to think he’s in a lovely place like The Midst in Ascenders.”

It only took seconds before she was crying and I was crying.

Just knowing your book meant something to someone else is beyond.

 

Do you have a catch-phrase or quote that you like? What is it? And why do you choose it? Yes, my tat-covered, bad boy Daniel Reid often tells his love Walker Callaghan to “Embrace the Vole.” It means to embrace great risk in order to find great rewards. One of my amazing Ascenders fans actually sent me a handmade quilt with the words Embrace the Vole on it. It’s the coolest thing EVER.

I love to speak with readers. Please reach out at CLGaber@yahoo.com

Thank you for this interview!!

____________________________________

Thanks to C.L. for participating. The Ascenders Saga sounds intriguing--not your run-of-the-mill fantasy. This is the first time I know of that anyone has named Stephen King as an underrated author. I guess we travel in different circles.

I'm about 18 chapters into my editing of Promise of Carnage and Flame, book 4 in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series. It's an exciting story and I love it. However it's not the story I set out to tell. I had two major breaks with the original loose outline. They both work back into the plan in a super-fantastic way, but...it's complicated. I still want to tell the story I wanted to tell. The diversions were 40-60K work detours as I got into them and developed them. I'm already in the 100K word neighborhood, and I don't want to give short shrift to some important elements in my original story. There were a couple of nice breaking points after some climactic events in the mid-20's chapters, and the original ending now makes a separate story. I think I want to develop that separate story in more detail and expand Lucette's role in some key events.

The Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series is sort of Last of the Mohicans meets The Patriot, and Star Wars. It's an action-packed alternate-history fantasy set during the American Revolutionary War. The fantasy elements include dragons, magic, and other dangerous creatures. 

(This post was originally published Feb 28, 2021, but cancel culture squeaked about it -- I have no idea why -- so it was censored then uncensored but now only shows as a draft, so I'm putting it back up).

 

I've been doing a lot of reading recently. I ripped through John D. Brown's book on creating story ideas that beg to be written. I finished Cedar Sanderson's The East Witch, and I completed Cornwell's The Winter King.  I read a Rafael Sabatina book about a pirate (and I can't remember the name of it). I also started two other books, but I could not finish them. Of these latter two, one told an interesting story, but was so poorly written, continuously jumping from character to character and using the word "felt" in every other sentence, that it finally drove me away. The other was very well written but the lesbian overtones directed me to the exit sometime in the second chapter; it wasn't for me.

Let me begin with the best.

I was reluctant to try this book. I came across it while I looking for a different Cornwell book. I knew it was about the Arthur legend, and, frankly, I've read enough of that sort of thing. A couple years ago I re-read Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, so why did I need to read another version? The book was on sale for next to nothing, so I gave in to the very low level of temptation and purchased it. That was a lucky day for me. I loved this book.

While most accounts of the Arthurian epic that I have read tell a tale of pageantry and knights errant in plate armor, The Winter King clothes the tale in the ashes, mud, and blood of the Britons. The story is told by Derfel who is now a Christian priest, but he was a pagan in this first book of the trilogy. Arthur is a warlord entrusted with protecting Uther's son Mordred. Uther has died. Petty kings, Saxons, druids, Christians, Irish, and more complicate Arthur's task. Nevertheless, all is well--until Arthur meets Guinevere. As always, Cornwell handles the battles magnificently, but I'm more impressed with Cornwell's vision of Arthur and his struggle to adhere to his conflicting oaths and noble code--that is a fundamental feature of the Arthur story. I haven't been able to find the next book either in the library or the used book store, and as much as I want to read the next books in the trilogy, I'm not inclined to fork out $13 or more each for the privilege of reading electronic copies of them.

***

Now I remembered the other book, it was Sabatini's The Sea-Hawk. I actually finished this earlier in the month, but I don't think I've posted any review. 

This book was available at my favorite price - free- although the copy I read did not have any picture on the cover. Most people prefer Captain Blood over The Sea-Hawk, or so I understand. I'm of the opposite opinion. Contrary to the opinion of the ill-informed, Sabatini's novel is not about a wayward Seattle football player. The first part of the book is a little slow. Sir Oliver is in love, but there are complications. Finally, the brother he was protecting betrays him. Oliver survives as a galley slave, and rises in the ranks to become the Basha's right hand pirate man. Nevertheless, all is not well in the Basha's house, and someone is jealous of Oliver's influence there. Meanwhile, back in Cornwall, Sir Oliver has become the prime suspect in the death of his love's brother, and his apparent flight from justice has strengthened the case against him. It's a fun read of romance and revenge. I particularly enjoy Sabatini's telling of the mind games between Sir Oliver and his antagonists.

***

Last but not least, in fact it's east rather than least:

Cedar sent me a copy of this book when I interviewed her a few weeks ago. The East Witch is a tale of an Alaskan woman who is transported to the land of the fae. It's not so much a fairy tale, as a tale of a woman in the land of fairy tales -- Russian and East European fairy tales. It all begins when she releases an elf (or was it a sprite, I can't remember, but he was from the Spruce clan) from a steel trap. The elf transport system goes on the fritz and our heroine encounters Baba Yaga, and soon becomes a murder suspect. I think this will be very popular with the intended audience. It's fast paced and well written. It just doesn't happen to be my particular cup of tea. I gave it 5 stars on goodreads because it is good. Young women, and those interested in the fae or East European fairy tales should love it. I found it exhausting--like I was trapped in the head of a 13 year-old girl--and yet, I'm wondering about reading some of Cedar's other stories.

***

Now for something completely different. Promise of Carnage and Flame had a rough week. I didn't get to write as much as I had intended, but I did finish chapter 29. I did have to move and re-write a couple paragraphs. That almost never happens. Usually the story unfolds without requiring me to juggle the order or to re-write things, but this part was a little fuzzy and writing some following paragraphs helped the earlier stuff better come into focus, and I had to go back and make modifications. I may give a sneak-peek of some excerpts from the book in my next newsletter--which you can sign-up for here:

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