This page is dedicated to my current literary offerings, all of which are courtesy KDP (Kindle Direct Press).

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Westfal

Book 1 — Grail of Culloden — The High-King is dead, and passage of time has swept away the last remnants of his authority. Gone too is the ability to control the powerful anti-magical barrier, the Mordwahl, a prison for the powerful and evil Forsaken. Centuries later, as the Mordwahl begins to collapse, the immortal Caretakers compel an ex-shadow warrior (Gall) to rebuild the barrier using the artifacts used to create it, including the Grail of Culloden, the cup rumored to heal even death. But, Faline, imprisoned for centuries behind the Mordwahl by Gall, and a practitioner of the darkest magical arts, has escaped to wreak vengeance and establish herself as High-Queen. She has captured the country of Drachnor, and will soon invade Bretagne. But she is dying from ‘the quickening,’ as her body rapidly ages, a consequence of her long imprisonment. To heal herself, she must gain possession of the Grail. Gall must prevent this, and thwart her ambitions in Bretagne, as well as those of the Grand Council, whose goal is to rule all of Westfal. To assist him, Gall gains the trust of the young Queen of Bretagne (Britta) whose memory walking talents he needs to stop Faline and to find Larah, the young Druid destined to retrieve the Grail. Larah is joined by an unlikely ally, the half-elf assassin Riasean. In the Citadel of the Crescent Moon, Gall, Faline, and Larah will collide to determine who will control the future of the Westfal.

Book 2 — Dragon Heartstone is the second installment of the Westfal series, continuing the epic adventure that began in “Grail of Culloden.”

Recently healed but without her dark arts ability, Faline has survived to find herself hunted by Riasean, a relentless half-elf assassin. Meanwhile, Gall journeys southward seeking help for Larah, who remains deeply traumatized by her ordeal at the Citadel of the Crescent Moon. His plans are interrupted when urgent news from Bretagne demands his attention. Leaving Larah in the trusted care of Vig and Alric (Britta’s father), Gall and Britta ride for Bretagne to confront the chaos he inadvertently created.

Unknown to our heroes, greater threats loom. Dathon, backed by the powerful Grand Council of Magi and allied with the Brotherhood of Assassins, returns seeking vengeance. Their target? King Alric’s throne. As these shadows gather, Faline’s army from Drachnor marches toward Bretagne, tightening the noose around the troubled kingdom.

Princess Rachel Adventures — Princess Rachel ventures forth to deal with dragons, witches, fairies and the infamous “Shadow Monster.” Along the way she is “assisted” by Oscar (The Wonder Pig), and her friend the (usually) clueless Wizard Tim.

The stories in this volume are:

• Smoke in the Valley — Princess Rachel must chase a dragon out of the valley, with the help of the always hapless Wizard Tim.
• Goblin Surprise — Oscar (Rachel’s pet pig) gets mistaken for a unicorn by two goblins, who are determined to get him to grant their wish. After a lot of confusion, and rejected wishes, someone does get what they deserve.
• Cat Claws — The master bug trapper, Princess Rachel gets trapped herself and has to figure out a way to not be eaten by a cat.
• Fairy Trouble — Rachel makes a promise to help a fairy in return for some skates, but then Rachel doesn’t follow through, and she suffers the consequences.
• Rachel and the Witch — Uh, oh. Rachel ends up in the stew pot of a witch. How is she going to save herself now?
• The Shadow Monster — While hiking with mom, dad and Tim, the Shadow Monster captures Mom and Dad, and it is left to Rachel and Tim to save them. But when the monster gets Tim too, who will save Rachel?

Short Story Offerings

Big Boy’s War — In 1946, near the Italian city of Trieste, a young US Army Lieutenant fights one more war, with a cantankerous ex-German artillery horse, Big Boy.

Escaping the Strip — Headlights probe the fabric of evening as the V8’s purr and the tires grind upon the pavement. The signal clicks and flashes in rhythm to the beat on the radio. Spin the wheel, and slip through the parking lot. Wave at friends sprawled across their chariots, arms draped around other equally lonely misfits. Emptiness lures them to sit under neon lights, staring into faces profiled in shadow, touching lips and caressing with light fingertips. Cigarettes puncture the cool night air with a sizzle, and whoosh, the nicotine tamps down fear. Those flying solo watch with anticipation and suppressed jealousy.

Around the drive-through. Not tonight, no cash, barely enough for the gas. Clearasil and sweat compete with loneliness and desperation.

Once again, the golden arches. Another right, around the drive-through. Left onto Main St., back the way came. Constant motion, but no progress. Rats on the exercise wheel. Just enough freedom to maintain the illusion but not enough for escape.