Patricia Hamill

I like reading and writing books, crocheting, running, and practicing karate.

I'm also into science (fact and fiction) and love movies and stories that feature it. Doctor Who, Star Wars, Star Trek (still playing on BBC America!), The Expanse, The Walking Dead, I love to watch all of these, though they're just some of the things I watch.

Check out my blog, I read too much!, and also the blog at Puretextuality.com to which I contribute. My favorite genres in books are sci-fi, fantasy, and humorous nonsense in various forms, but I do branch out.

As for what I write, I can't be pinned down to a single genre. My first book, The Golden Ship, I wrote with and for my mom. My sci-fi trilogy, Shadows of Valor, will always be my favorite because it's exactly the sort of thing I like to read: boy leaves home, discovers superpower, meets girl, saves the day.

To get out of my comfort zone and to cure my tendency to hide in the other room when The Walking Dead came on, I wrote a zombie book, Fearless. It's not nearly as gory as The Walking Dead, but it's got a lot of me in it. I think it's the most emotionally gripping, grown up book I've written so far.

The Freeze, my foray into pure YA-post apocalyptic was a lot of fun to write. There's a bit of danger and romance, but it doesn't get too deep. Just a fun story to tell, and hopefully fun to read as well.

As such an avid reader of fantasy, it actually took me rather long to get around to trying my hand at writing one. I wrote Avalee and the Dragon with the full intent at making it a girl defeats dragon fantasy. It turned into a surprise romance for everyone involved, including me. Anyway, good stuff.

All that being said, I love connecting with readers and other authors. Feel free to send me a note on Goodreads or my Facebook page.

Website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6567751.Patricia_Hamill
Twitter: @patriciahamill2
Facebook: Facebook profile
Blog: https://patriciahamill.blogspot.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Patricia-Hamill/e/B009DVDEXW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

adventure    apocalypse    clean    climate change    dragon    fantasy    fantasy powers supernatural ya military    first love    journal    love    magic    military    new ice age    paranormal    postapocalyptic future world    powers    psy powers    psychic gifts    sci fi    strong female character    survival    telekenisis    ya    young adult    zombies   

• Train to Nowhere on July 07, 2013
  
  Outstanding! Train to Nowhere is YA Dystopian at its finest. The story opens with Garland "venting his frustration" in a performance with his partner, Little Byte. The theme: Outside, anywhere outside! The euphoria is short lived, however, when reality snaps him into post-performance depression. His friends, especially the librarian Dos and Little Byte, try to cheer him up. But rumors that his already claustrophobic world will soon shrink even further fill his mind, for Garland is an Orphan, illegally born and fated to live out his entire life on one of the Orphan trains, never to see the sky, feel the wind on his face, or know true freedom. Sure, he can pull them up on the view screen in his room, but it will always be VR (virtual reality). Most Orphans are content with their lot, but Garland remembers a time when he wasn't on the train: sunshine through a window, a blue quilt, a companion. Unlike the others, Garland remembers the outside. The games, the diversions, and the "jobs" given orphans to placate them are not enough when freedom is all he desires. Then, he learns that his friend Dos has a plan to escape. Meanwhile, another musician, this one Landed, looks over his domain in utter triumph. Having clawed over his colleagues through guile and deceit, Hedge stands ready to advance in the ranks of the illustrious Golden Performers Guild. Nothing and no one can stand in his way, especially if he has anything to do about it. The story is riveting, the three castes (Orphan, Landed and Nomad) are fully developed and intriguing, and Admin is terrifying. Admin cares, or does it? The question haunts Garland throughout his adventures and misadventures. Fundamental beliefs about security vs. freedom are explored. Garland's quest to find where he belongs and who he really is under all the programming keeps you guessing until the very end. Enemies, both internal and external, challenge him at every turn. I loved this book and have to rate it a solid five stars. If I could rate it higher, I wouldn't hesitate to do so. The quirky lingo of the Orphans, the character names derived from old computer terms, the sinister enemies and the unique caste culture hooked me from the start and kept me entranced until the utterly satisfying end. I would recommend this book to lovers of ya dystopian books, like Hunger Games or Moon Dwellers, as well as sci fi fans who are looking for something different (no spaceships, but the train is pretty close). I am grateful to have received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
  
• The Prophecy of Tara on July 09, 2013
  
  Action-packed fantasy... The Prophecy of Tara is a story of prophecy, epic battles and magic. Tara was raised by monks and has trained her entire life in preparation for her role in an ancient prophecy. Protected by lizard skin armor (magical in nature) and by her superior warrior skills, she still discovers she cannot complete her quest alone. As luck may have it, she attracts attention and assistance from several equally yet diversely skilled people along the way: Reed, a spaceman with a laser sword; Luggo, a northern warrior giant; Steph, a burly blacksmith with a secret; and Tianna, a roguish magician's assistant. The wizard Duphrene and his involuntarily shapeshifting companion Sistera eagerly await the arrival of Tara but are unable to assist for fear of interfering with the prophecy. Besides the heroes, the villains are equally memorable and at times despicable. The evil power is formless in itself, but hides and grows in power within the hearts of a family. They send agents and mercenaries to intercept and destroy Tara and her companions, lending Tara's journey the feel of a constant battle for survival, though the various fights aren't necessary connected. As in other R.L. Kiser books, not all of the villains are what they seem. It's always interesting to see how things play out. My only caution is that this book should be limited to adult readers due to some seriously explicit passages reminiscent of the depredations of the Mord Sith in Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series. The battles are also graphically described and gory. Overall, I really liked this book, though I can only make it through one or two battle scenes in a single sitting (probably why it took me a while to read the story). The characters are charismatic and their banter is humorous. I enjoyed the magical elements and the hints at a greater history. I recommend this book to adult fantasy lovers who don't mind quite a bit of battle gore and some sexually explicit content. I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
  
• Exile-A SciFi Adventure on July 10, 2013
  
  Genius star man crash lands on Earth in 1600's Japan. Exile is really two complete stories in one, although it isn't broken down that way in the table of contents. Part I: Exile begins as Kendrick surveys his new home. Having narrowly escaped the empire who destroyed his own civilization, he's picked an out of the way, undeveloped world where he hopes they won't follow. But his arrival does not go unnoticed. A local lawman, or Shukido, investigates the "meteor" landing site and discovers him. Kendrick becomes friends with these surprisingly civilized natives and proves himself to them early on by helping them deter an invasion force from a local warlord. A rebellious daughter of the local shipbuilder catches his eye and the two hit it off. But Kendrick worries that those he has come to love will suffer for it when his ship's sensors detect a drone entering Earth's atmosphere. Will it find him? If it does, will he be able to protect his new friends and their way of life from the soulless soldiers of the empire? Part II: The second story in the book begins several years later after Kendrick is well settled into his new life. An idle conversation turns into a bet when Kendrick's father-in-law, remembering his youth, bets that his smaller racing boat can beat Kendrick's larger one in a race down the coast and through a particularly nasty stretch of water. Despite reservations, Kendrick agrees. When the race turns sour, Kendrick and Doiyoko find themselves shipwrecked and have to find their way back to Honashi village by foot. When they run into bandits and a mysterious young woman, things get interesting. I liked this book, but was surprised when the first part completely wrapped up midway through the book, and the second part picked up years later. Each part is well-developed and researched. Being from an advanced race (and likely a genius), Kendrick is able to recreate many of the technological advancements his hosts have yet to develop, much to their amazement. In addition to the detailed descriptions of how these things are done, the author effectively and humorously shows how communication between Kendrick and his friends progresses from hand signals and facial expressions all the way to speaking their language. I found the characters to be interesting and well-developed and the world to be vividly described and believable. And, of course, the battle scenes are fast-paced and bloody, using both weapons of the time and the futuristic weapons brought by Kendrick and his enemies to good effect. The author has a knack for bringing you into the battle. In an almost mystical way, Kendrick also befriends a tiger. I enjoyed the comical interactions between the two and how the tiger intimidates enemies, but I had to force myself to disregard that real tigers are not likely to act like house cats or befriend humans so readily. Maybe it's something about Kendrick's alien DNA that allows the connection. On another note, I feel the overwhelming awesomeness of the main character, the unlikely friendship with the tiger, and a few parts that were hard to follow (especially those that cataloged technological builds in detail) kept me from fully enjoying the story and rating it higher, but for the most part I liked it. Overall, this is a entertaining book on many levels. Those who enjoy reading about real-life and and science fiction technology will enjoy the technical parts. Those who like laser fights and battles between uneven forces where the underdog must overcome long odds will enjoy the battles. Those who like strong women who overcome social barriers and can hold their own will enjoy Doiyoko, Kendrick's love interest. Those who enjoy a little mystical and technological awesomeness in their main character will love Kendrick. And, finally, those who enjoy humorous situations and camaraderie will find more than a sufficient dose in this book to satisfy their funny bones. Note: I received a free copy of this book for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
  
• Chicago Chase on July 10, 2013
  
  Great escapes, ambushes, avalanches and more. Chicaco Chase, sequel to Educated Injun, is a wild west adventure that moves along at a good pace. I enjoyed the banter between Hawk and Merle, as I did in the first book, and the new character, Pike, kept me laughing the whole time. In this installment, the Judge sends Hawk and Merle after Pearson who is wanted for killing two men. As they come close to catching him, they find that he also has a hand in cattle rustling. Seems like a typical old west tale at first, but then things get interesting when hints of stolen gold, savage Kiowa indians and smarmy army men with their own secrets come into the picture. Add to that the cat and mouse chases, battle royales in moving trains and shoot outs with outlaws and indians and it's quite a wild ride. On the downside, I got lost a few times here and there where something happens and then something that happened before that is added afterwards. Also, some of the earlier chapters seem a bit rushed, especially with descriptions of dialog in place of actual dialog. A bummer because R.L.'s dialog and comical character interactions are the highlight of his stories. Luckily, everything picks right up when the team reaches Chicago and everything I love about his writing begins to shine through. Overall, I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to folks who love a good western, a good chase or mischeivous characters with a lot of personality (gotta love how Hawk always manages to snag one or more of the Judge's cigars). Note: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
  
• The Twelve Tablets on July 10, 2013
  
  I enjoyed The Twelve Tablets by R.L. Kiser. The crystal warrior, Darian, returns to the deep desert with his father in tow when a strange disturbance in the world tells him it's time to resolve the mystery of the twelve tablets once and for all. They soon reach the Crossroads, a nearly permanent tent city in the deep desert, where Darian's friend Rashim reveals that not all is well. Instead of Rashim having become Shiek, his cousin Achmed the Terrible has taken that title for himself. Worried that they'll be followed to the goddess Narine's elusive temple and its tempting riches, Darian and Rashim are in luck with Aweil of the Dance (Tarina the Crystal Warrior) and her constant companion Prince Abdul arrive and volunteer to provide a distraction, allowing Rashim, the scholarly Mahmud and of course Darian and his father Dorian to escape unnoticed. Despite the harsh nature of the desert, the small group soon finds the third tablet, all that stands between them and access to the chamber of The Twelve Tablets. But when they finally reach the tablets, they are in for a surprise, for not only do they release the benevolent Lady Mist, but also her dark counterpart the Evil She (or Dark Witch). From there the action takes off and both Crystal Warriors and their desert friends must fight to save the world from the escaped evil that threatens to engulf the entire world under its foul shadow. What I most enjoy about this story is the ability of the author to draw one into the minds of his characters, even those who happen to be on the "wrong" side of the battle. Additionally, the banter is natural and entertaining, the characters are complex and dynamic, and the battles are epic and exciting. On that note, few authors are able to narrate a battle with such skill that they can keep me from skimming through them, but R.L. Kiser is one of them.
  
• The Last Battle on July 10, 2013
  
  Excellent story. I devoured this book in a day and a half. If you've read Crystal Fire, you'll recognize many of the characters in The Last Battle as their younger, less scarred selves. And yes, this is the last battle referenced in that work. Norsemen armies are gathering under the malevolent eye of the evil witch, Thisrena, but after generations of peace and prosperity, the leaders of Crystal City find themselves struggling to prepare their undermanned defenses for the imminent invasion. In the City, Tarina, Macon and Rowan kick the training of the newest recruits into high gear, shifting much of that effort into a dangerous plan that may be all that stands between the Crystal and the northern hordes. In the desert, young but talented Darian falls in with fellow Crystal Warrior Tyros, when they find themselves fighting over the same horse after receiving their separate urgent recalls to Crystal City. Darian has an interesting backstory, one that becomes important in the next Tale of the Crystal, The Twelve Tablets. The cammaraderie between these two is natural and humorous. In the North, Glynnis, a former healer in the service of the Crystal, sets out for Crystal City with his own goals in mind. On the way, he meets and joins Reynos, a spy who is returning to Crystal City to report on the movements of the Northern Army. Will Crystal City's defenders turn back the hordes? Will Glynnis succeed in his diabolical plans? Will the nameless Evil strike a fatal blow against The Crystal? Overall, I enjoyed the banter between the various characters, the insight into the hierarchy of the Crystal City, and, of course, the intrigue behind the battle between the forces of good and evil. Well done!
  
• Crystal Fire on July 10, 2013
  
  This is a good story, full of magic and some very surprising characters and twists. The Crystal is under attack and the call to action is sent out to the widely scattered crystal warriors, who took themselves to the far corners of the world after their traumatic victory at The Last Battle. Rowan, the first recalled to Crystal City, drops everything when he learns his love, the Lady Ariel, desperately needs his help. The second warrior, Macon, wakes from a self-induced alcoholic haze when his crystal amulet lures him into the hold of a ship heading towards the City. And Tarina, going by the stage name Awiel, bids farewell to the handsome Arrat, master of the traveling band of entertainers with whom she performs as a dancer, when her own crystal beckons. Each warrior is swept up into his or her own adventure in their quest to save the Crystal, and the action rarely stops especially when they all finally cross paths with each other. Charming and mysterious characters, magical creatures, and not-so-perfect foes make this a fun read.
  
• Educated Injun on July 10, 2013
  
  Educated Injun is an energetic, action-adventure set in the Old West. The main character, Merle, finds himself in trouble when he takes on a job that's too good to be true and ends up on the bad side of some cattle rustlers. He soon teams up with Hawk, an indian marshall, who helps him out of the bind in exchange for his assistance in going after the guy behind not only the rustling, but also smuggling and other nefarious deeds. I most enjoyed the fast paced, action driven storyline and the tongue-in-cheek banter between Merle and Hawk (and between Hawk and the judge that put him through college). Besides that, I got a kick out of Merle's nemesis, a certain shoulder cannon with, well, a kick. In summary, Educated Injun is action-packed, funny, clever, and entertaining.
  
• The Awful Tale of the Minnesota Diarrhea Ghost on Oct. 20, 2013
  
  Silly little story where grandpa tells his two grandsons all about the origins of the diarrhea ghost. I found it to be funny, and it left a smile on my face. Can you imagine? A ghost whose presence gives you diarrhea. I bet the Ghost Hunters wouldn't want to take on that one. :-) Looks like it's perpetually free on Smashwords. Worth picking up for those who like an incredibly short, humorous read.
  
• Beyond The Fence on Oct. 20, 2013
  
  Mmm, gives me chills. This incredibly short offering is well-written and spooky. I found it for free on Smashwords. I can't really say much more or I'll spoil it. I recommend this to folks who like a quick scare. I added it to Goodreads, but couldn't get the cover pic to stick.
  
• The Kinshield Legacy on Nov. 16, 2013
  
  One of those books that make me want to read everything from the author. Let me start by saying I picked this book up mostly because it was free and because I needed a book title with a K for the A-Z reading challenge I'm playing along with this year. That being said, I was surprised to be drawn in immediately. The hero is Gavin Kinshield, a bounty hunter or lawman for hire, who finds himself drawn to solving the Kings Runes. This is not something he desires. Instead, the runes and their solutions haunt him constantly, annoying him until he has no cure but solving another one. All this you get in the first chapter or so. After that, Gavin's character gets even more interesting. At first glance he's nothing one would consider kingly material, but the author slowly reveals there is more to him in a way that draws you in. Another interesting character is the main female lead, a warrior called Daia, who has an interesting ability, a noble past, and a conflicted present. She finds herself alternately disgusted and impressed by him, an interesting thing in itself, and the banter between Daia and Gavin is both natural and amusing. She is also a member of an elite group of women called the Viragon Sisterhood, which battles otherwordly creatures called beyonders and hire out as protectors. This brings in another aspect I enjoyed, the portrayal of women as strong and capable. But their prowess and strength are not enough to protect them from the evil sorcerer who seeks the rune solver for his own nefarious purpose, and they are caught up in the ever more intricate web that threatens not only Gavin, but also the entire country, for Brodas Ravenkind as king would be worse than no king at all. As the evil villain, Brodas is both despicable and powerful, scary and charismatic. Certain chapters are told from his perspective, which reveals just how awful he truly is. I loved it! Another thing I loved about this book was the history that is revealed as the story progresses. Gavin's personal history and the Kinshield legacy, for which the book is named, are fascinating and are built slowly to allow the reader a chance to guess at what more there may be. But it is not only Gavin with a noteworthy past, Daia, Brodas, a young warrior woman Brawna, and the Farthans, Artlet and Risen Stronghammer, have their own stories to tell, all of which lead to a satisfyingly rich cast of characters with believable motivations. As for the quality of the book itself, Kinshield Legacy is smoothly told and well-edited. It's a well polished product that I feel confident recommending to others. Overall, I loved this book and feel it is worth reading again. I highly recommend it to folks who love adventure, fantasy, and a complex (but not overwhelming) plot. The story is just the right size, the writing is solid, and the experience is worth repeating. I want to read the next books in the series, though the print copies run a little high for my taste. Still, as stories I'll likely re-read, the investment in paper may be worth it. Plus, I want my husband to read them, and he's not fond of e-readers. I'll probably read them all in ebook before getting the print copies.
  
• Young Annabelle (Y.A Series Book 1) on Nov. 30, 2013
  
  I have to admit that I really liked this book. The story follows Annabelle, a slightly (very slightly in my opinion) overweight young girl whose self-image is under constant attack by her mother's obsession over thinning her down for her senior year. Wearing only a size ten, her mother buys her cloths that are too small for her as incentive for her to lose weight, makes her wear a calorie tracking wristwatch, and makes her eat horribly unsatisfying foods in tiny quantities. Besides that, Annabelle's younger siblings are often brought in by their mother to gang up on Annabelle over her weight, making them disrespect their older sister and making Annabelle feel alone in a family who views her as less than worthy of their love and acceptance. Already downtrodden, Annabelle finds herself in a thankless job selling lemonade at a country club. But that's when things get interesting. She meets a rather rude, but very hot boy named James who turns her life upside down. Her insecurities make her doubt everything he says, especially when he tells her she's beautiful, and she comes off pretty harsh at times. On the other hand, he's pretty self-absorbed and single minded, often coming off as a jerk. Still, throughout the whole thing, I found myself rooting for Annabelle and James. His compliments and kinder moments seem to draw Annabelle out from the dark cloud her family has cast over her. As for Annabelle, she's a complex girl, and I totally get why she has so much trouble believing that James really likes her. I can't help but cringe when she lashes out at him, sometimes deserved, but not always. Overall, I found Annabelle to be a relatable, insecure girl. Her rollercoaster of feelings, her struggle to please her parents, and her first encounters with a handsome boy who happens to like her are realistically portrayed if, at times, hard to take. I empathized with her and rooted for her, and even rooted for James, who had some good things going for him, too. The story is well-layed out and well-written, though I did notice some errors sprinkled throughout, mostly words that sound like the right ones, but as spelled, don't mean what the author likely intended. The opening of the story starts at the end, not the end of this book, as I had expected, but likely the end of the series, or maybe even some way into the next book. The end leaves off at a cliffhanger kind of suddenly, and while it sets the stage for the next book, I would have liked some more resolution in this one. Overall, I really liked Young Annabelle and would recommend it to fans of realistic, contemporary YA who enjoy reading about first loves, crazy parents, and troubled teens struggling to find themselves. Although the author requested a review for this book earlier in the year, I found my copy on Smashwords during a free promotion.
  
• Finnegan's Quest on Dec. 06, 2013
  
  Full length novel, but reads like a fable. Beautiful language use. Well edited. I love the easy and humorous way this story is told, while still communicating a deeper message. Finnegan's Quest is like Animal Farm, but more entertaining. There's a mystery to solve and Finnegan and Crookshank are well on their way to solving it. Young Finnegan, leaving home for the first time, believes his mother's lessons are just fine for a kit, but he's fully grown now and such things like "don't talk to strangers" and "pay attention" just won't cut it. Nope, he's in the market for a great teacher, a guru who can unlock the mysteries of life and the universe. Someone glorious and strong and impressive. Someone like Duh Fuz, the most fearsome beast of Squiggly Wood. But Spirit has someone else in mind for Finnegan's guru... Crookshank is an old crow with a gimpy leg, compliments of a run in with Duh Fuz in her younger days, but you won't find her complaining. Though it's crooked, occassionally achy and not much good for walking, her leg is in tune with the vibrations of the universe. A useful gift that gives her insight into the world and her fellow critters. And sometimes, if she listens just right, she can tune right into the guiding voice of Spirit. Finnegan and Crookshank as student and teacher are a great duo. Finnegan is naive and optimistic, but is beset on every side by those who would lead him to harm, to self-deprecation, to chain letters, and to get rich quick scams. He becomes the focal point of Squiggly Woods as critters from all walks of life work to convince him that their way is best, that their leader is all-knowing and that only by following can happiness be gained. But luckily for Finnegan, Crookshank is there for him. Her quick wit and timely interventions don't make Finnegan think like her, but they do help him learn to think for himself and recognize when things aren't what they seem to be. The rest of the characters in this tale are equal parts cautionary and entertaining. The city rat who walks with a twitch because it's in. The whirly gigs who twirl until they are dizzy and moan "woe is me" at the results. Buford the bullfrog preacher. Duh Fuz, the terror of the wood. And Dame Squeeze, a ferret who has it all figured out. And I love how even the smallest of characters brings a valuable lesson. I knew I loved this book only a few paragraphs in and though some of the lessons in it are tough or touch on serious issues like religious fanaticism, drug abuse, and predatory marketing, all were delivered in a whimsical and enriching way. The messages and warnings are there, but the storytelling is brilliant and lyrical. As for the quality of the writing, it's excellent. The pacing, the flow, the plot: everything works. The story is obviously well-edited and well-planned. I found only one error in the whole thing, and I was looking for them. I've read best sellers with more than that. Overall, I loved this book. It's one of those books that I know I'll return to many times, worth reading again and again because there will always be some new thing to discover with each retelling. I highly recommend this story to those who enjoy allegory, animal characters, humor, and enrichment. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
  
• Valmont Sharp: Monster Hunter on Dec. 15, 2013
  
  Great story, but needs some polishing. Valmont Sharp: Monster Hunter is an easy read with plenty of excitement, danger, and adventure. I like the idea of the fake, real monster show, hiding true monster hunting behind special effects and showmanship. The young Chris Sharp, Valmont Sharp's son, is the main character, a bit of a surprise since the cover and title seemed to imply that Valmont would be the focus. The other characters are well fleshed out and interesting, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. I thought Chris's friends were cool and enjoyed their chatroom conversations. Valmont's inner circle is equally intriguing, especially the 30-year old suffering from a curse that ages him. And the enemies, ruthless and flawed. I won't go into any details there due to spoilers. Those who are greatly annoyed by errors in a book might want to wait until most of the errors are addressed in a future edition. There are times the book reads like a Mad Libs game with random words in place of the ones the author most likely intended to use. Also, double words and repeated phrases pepper the work. Still, if your human autocorrect is strong and you don't mind putting it to work, I would definitely recommend this story. I really liked this story, though it needs some serious editing and proofreading. I recommend this to folks who love a bit of adventure, battles against mystical forces, and a unique plot, particularly those who don't mind a bit of rough or missing editing.
  
• Adventurer's Honeymoon on Jan. 11, 2014
  
  This is a quick, fun little short story featuring a couple on their honeymoon. It's just long enough to introduce the characters and show off their fighting prowess. It hints at a larger story in which the characters play a major part and is followed by several excerpts, which make up a majority of the ebook content. The fight scene is well written and enjoyable to read. I think other stories by this author might be worth looking in to, but I prefer longer stories. I'd want to read a story that takes a bit longer to get through to get a better feel. Between the time I picked this up and the time I wrote this review, the cover changed. The original cover gave the impression that this would be a comical tale, but I don't think this can be considered a comedy. There were some humorous moments, but it's not the focus I think. Still, the original cover seems to make more sense than the one with the bird on it. The young newlyweds fighting played a much bigger part than the large bird companion that the two can ride.
  
• Roc on Feb. 01, 2014
  
  Fantastic continuation of the Histories of Purga series. Book Two picks up some time after Keiara's transformation at the end of Book One. Rone, along with Asher and Fowler, are working their way up the side of a mountain and fighting a losing battle against the elements. But something tells Rone that he'll find Keiara at the top, so he pushes them to keep moving. Meanwhile, Wilhelm's army of Blak soldiers has tracked down Rone's father, the king of Roanoke. Rone's friends, Darvian and Fiona, fight for him on the Island of Edaeri, and like Rone, they face the very real possibility that they won't make it out alive. Fantasy and science fiction flow together naturally in Purga, complementing and contrasting in interesting ways, one of the characteristics I most enjoy about this series. The Rooks' nanobots can be formed into pretty much anything mechanical and can even be used to mend wounds, but they can't stand up to the insidious force called Blak. The Terraquois people can transform into animals and some can even control the forces of nature, but they too are helpless against the wave of evil that has been gathered against them. But there is hope. A long kept secret passed down through generations of Callers holds the key for destroying Blak and saving Purga from its clutches. This story is jam packed with action, tension, and danger. The characters and the story flow naturally from where Book One: Dragon leaves off and set up for Book Three: Basilisk without leaving you hanging too badly. As in the previous book, the battlefields, the exotic locations, and the people are described with an attention to detail that brings them to life without overdoing it. As or the quality of this book, I say it's excellent. The writing is smooth and well edited. The plot is well-developed and gripping. And the story comes to life in a very satisfying way. I love this book and can't wait for Book Three: Basilisk. Although I usually avoid reading the "next book" excerpts at the end of stories, I found I could not resist reading the one at the end of this one. Looks just as exciting. Anyway, I highly recommend this book and the series in general to fans of sci fi with a touch of fantasy mixed in (or vice versa).
  
• Storyteller on Feb. 16, 2014
  
  Exciting and magical. Storyteller is the first book of the Storyteller series. The hero is Lily Lightfoot, a middleschooler with a not-so-secret ability to tell stories that come true. Rather than getting her ahead and making her well-liked, the disasterous outcomes of some of her stories have made her somewhat of a social outcast, leaving her with only one friend, Peter. The story opens with Lily letting her rivalry with former friend, Heather, get the best of her and retaliating with one of her stories. Now, this plot would be pretty good if this were a story about Lily trying to get a handle on her ability and perhaps earning the peer friendships that it has cost her, but this story is much more than that. When Lily finds a strange book in an abandoned house, she begins to suspect there's more to her history than her Gran is telling her. Soon, she, Peter and Heather find themselves caught up in a struggle for survival against a shapeshifting monster, an evil king, and his minions. This story blew me away. As a middle grade story, it's a success with plenty of social strife and a little innocent romance. But what really gets me is the world building, the fantasy and the adventure. Plus, there is an element of danger that soon builds into quite a gripping story, nothing at all what I expected in the early chapters. The writing is smooth and easy to read without being simplistic. The plot development is solid, and I really enjoy the unique way Lily learns about her mother. The character development is also noteworthy. Each person, friend or foe, is unique and believable. The good guys aren't perfect and the bad guys are scary, but not invincible. Overall I loved this story because it's exciting and reminds me of The Neverending Story. It's one I know I'll read again and again. I recommend this to young and old, anyone who loves fantasy and modern fairy tales. I was lucky enough to win all three books in this series in a contest.
  
• The Quest of Galamar on Feb. 16, 2014
  
  Turning out to be quite a fairy tale. The Quest of Galamar picks up where Storyteller left off. Lily, Peter and Heather are now trapped in the True World, a place torn by the onslaught of Formorian invaders, spirit creatures from another realm that steal the bodies of creatures and people alike, using them until they decay beyond help. And they have Lily's grandmother. As Lily learns more and more of Galamar and his quest to steal the powers of the four portal keepers, it becomes apparent that Lily is following in his footsteps, and not by chance. A prophecy tells of one who will complete his quest and turn back time. Unlike many sequels or middle books, this one doesn't lose steam. If anything the danger and the stakes are even higher. Like the first in the series, The Quest of Galamar is well-written and fresh. There is some kissing, but nothing a middle schooler shouldn't read about, pretty tame. We learn a great deal more about the enemies and history of the fairy tale world the heroes are in, and through it all, there's never a dull moment. I enjoyed how Heather is developed in this story, though I wasn't sure what to think of Jude when he joined the team. My favorite parts of the book were when Lily was reading about Galamar. Strangely enough, these were also the source of my biggest beef with the story. Lily would be interupted by her companions or "real life" right in the middle of a tale and never seemed to get back to the same story. I guess it bugged me because I like to read stories from start to finish, while Lily seems to be a bit of a browser, reading this or that on a whim. But, the snippets we do get of the history of Galamar are quite good, and I was always happy to see another one start, even knowing I probably wouldn't get the whole story. Overall, this is another fine installment in the Storyteller series. Those who liked the style and direction the first book was taking will likely enjoy this one, too. I recommend reading them in order and having all three books in your possession before you start, because you won't want to stop once you get going. I was lucky to have won a copy of all three books in the series in a contest.
  
• The Last Page on Feb. 20, 2014
  
  And they all lived happily ever after... The story picks up right where it left off in book 2. Lily and her companions continue their quest for Galamar's gems, and the Formorians step up their efforts to find and destroy her. Peter's delima, Merab's back story, and the legendary feats of Galamar are also key to the resolution of the story. I don't want to spoil anything, so that's all I'll say about what happens in the book. I think this is an excellent wrap to the series. Things hinted at in the first two books are revealed and resolved in this one. The author did a good job bringing this story to a close in a satisfying way, though a couple things felt like they were resolved a little too perfectly. Some of the details seemed to come out of nowhere, making them less believable. I found myself getting a bit confused as to the order of Galamar's feats. The quests are revealed in bits and pieces when Lily reads about them as she tries to figure out what she and her companions should do in their real-time quest. Since the heroes are not visiting the portals in the order that Galamar did, it makes it hard to keep them straight. I think this started in book 2 and just continued into The Last Page. That being said, I enjoyed the legend and I think it would be fantastic if Galamar's story wound up in its own volume some day. Overall, I really liked this book and felt satisfied at it's conclusion, though the ending seemed a little too perfect and the history gets a little confusing at times. I would recommend this book to those who love fantasy, fairy tales, youthful heroes, and quests. As a series, I loved Storyteller. I highly recommend picking up all three books because you won't want to stop once you get started. The three books read like a single volume, though each one has a climax and partial resolution that leads to the next. The story, while scary in parts, is appropriate for middle-schoolers and would likely keep the interest of young readers. I was lucky to have won a free copy of this series in a contest.
  
• The Horned Scarab on Nov. 05, 2016
  
  The Horned Scarab is a short, private-eye mystery set in a fantasy world. The city of Ghorad-Gha kind of reminded me of Venice, but not quite. Arn and Rohqim are investigative privateers tasked with figuring out why a broken off chunk of statue cost their client’s partner his life. I liked the characters in the story the best, particularly the idea of the sculpted, stone people, Lodee and Rohqim. They’re fascinating. Who shapes them? It’s obvious they can heal, but I’m left curious about just how much stone they are. Anyhow, they’re neat. I also loved Resa. Her plight and her nature are intriguing. There’s some interesting stuff going on in the city, too, with just the right amount of background and world building. Then again, it took me a while to get into the mystery because I was having trouble keeping everything straight. It seemed to be thought out and well-written, a good cadence to the words and some really fantastic descriptions that just blossom to life, but it wasn’t until almost the end that I realized why I was having trouble keeping up with the actual storyline: the transitions. First, there are a lot of them. Also, the scenes seem to jump around like lightning. It’s like you blink and you’re now in someone else’s head or several hours have passed or maybe something’s happening at the same time as the scene you just read, both within the chapters and between them, and unfortunately, it isn’t always clear which of these it is. It’s disorienting. I think a few direct words added to the very beginning of each new scene to orient the reader in time, space, and character would go a long way. So overall, I liked it. It’s a read folks who enjoy fantasy and mystery might enjoy. I’m hoping some of the jumpiness will be sorted in a future edition, but until then, I’d just say read it when you’re fresh so you don’t miss anything. You’ve got to be paying attention. I received the review copy of this book from the author.
  
• Tipped Doubles Scarf on Jan. 05, 2019
  
  This is a short and sweet pattern. The result is a 3D-looking pattern that does, as stated in the description, work very nicely with a variegated yarn. I didn't have the right hook for the gauge (too small), so I added an extra 4 chain to the start to add one more pattern group to the mix. That worked out to just right, about 6 inches wide. I would recommend this to folks who are already comfortable with how to read crochet patterns and who know basic stitches like chain, double crochet, and slip stitch. I think that even beginners, if they have the basics down, would be able to work this project. Also, the result was so thick, even with a regular worsted weight yarn. I think it could be scaled up very nicely to a shawl or even a blanket. I purchased my copy of this book on Smashwords. This is a single crochet pattern, so don't be surprised when the front matter of the ebook takes you to 50%.