Thalas a world on the brink of civil war. The Carotian Union a nascent confederation of planets at the edge of destruction. Eliander a prince lost millennia ago to the flow of normal space-time. On a world where both magic and technology function, seven extraordinay souls set out on the Quest of the Lost Prince. Passionate mystics, honest thieves, and a silver-tongued bard with a penchant for instigating barroom brawls: what the Carotian goddess Minissa was thinking when she selected them, she alone knows. Inconceivable dangers await them around every turn on worlds they never knew existed. But such trivialities never deter a band of true heroes...
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Anyone who remembers the TV/singing group "The Monkees" will laugh to hear that my first full novel, completed in 8th grade, was intended as a playful romp of a screenplay for them. Too bad no one had told me about Writer's Market and things like SASEs. Of course, this was their loss. Anyway, this goes to illustrate the point that I've been writing all my life.
I got diverted by a chemistry degree in college and a nursing degree that took me through my master's. However, I'd found an odd niche in that I knew dance very, very well (notice my icon is a ballerina) and was the only person in my area who knew dance AND could write intelligently about it. A detour based on an internship that fell through brought me face to face with some dreams I'd been having about the same place, which turned out to be the magical world of Caros. The characters, the dreams, the plot elements I saw in my dreams --- they simply would not leave me alone. So I took pen to paper and plunged in. The result after lots of material that I hope one day will be of interest to someone (like a publisher) became the series now in print as "Adventurers of the Carotian Union." Amazon carries the two titles in print, "The Chalice of Life" and "Tapestry of Enchantment." #3, "Lamp of Truth," is in editorial, and the whole 8-book series is under contract. This was a big step for my publisher, Dragon Moon, which has done series, but none this long.
What was I doing here? In this case, I am glad that I got the whole series written before I did any serious marketing. As I edited, the characters essaying this massive quest came to have more complex backstories so the story is as much the tale of their spiritual journeys as it is the story of the quest to save the lost prince they're looking for. (Let me skip over the myriad scene cuts and continuity errors that had to go.) But let me also say I had fun writing this series. My world, my rules: I got to take the questors to the elemental planes, to ancient Greece, into the mind of a strong projective telepath whose world (Mobius) includes one-sided buildings, to Mu before it foundered beneath the waves, and to dimensions that are not exactly a part of normal space-time.
A concern for me was that, like many parents, I have a child who reads far beyond his grade level. I wanted a family-friendly series that would keep adults and sophisticated kids involved yet would give them not only action, adventure, and magic in an immersive tale. I wanted the story to steer away from truly "mature" content, especially gratuitous violence (think "Sword of Truth" by Terry Goodkind) so be acceptable fare for teens. I also wanted a firm moral center fleshed out with dark moments in which the characters really do face moral dilemmas as well as mortal combat. And I wanted the resolutions to be clever (the characters have to do as much thinking and working on using their individual powers to solve problems as they do hacking and slashing.) Can you tell I'm an avid adventure gamer? Maybe subconsciously I'm trying to fill in the gap between Zork and the next wave of adventures being created by places like Telltale Games.
Short self-serving promo. I also edit for a small pub called Virtual Tales. As a writer and now an editor, may I point out that if you're looking for truly fresh material, try the smaller, newer houses. We actually edit our materials, accept manuscripts that have fresh ideas (I just finished editing a great one called "Spear of Seth," which involved the Egyptian underworld rather than anything remotely celtic and did a great paranormal mystery called "The Haunting of Melmerby Manor." Both had the combo of things --- humor, a clever twist to the solution, memorable if quirky characters, and just an overall satisfying read. I aim for these in my books, and if even one reader says, "Yes, you did it," it's been worth all the work!
I got diverted by a chemistry degree in college and a nursing degree that took me through my master's. However, I'd found an odd niche in that I knew dance very, very well (notice my icon is a ballerina) and was the only person in my area who knew dance AND could write intelligently about it. A detour based on an internship that fell through brought me face to face with some dreams I'd been having about the same place, which turned out to be the magical world of Caros. The characters, the dreams, the plot elements I saw in my dreams --- they simply would not leave me alone. So I took pen to paper and plunged in. The result after lots of material that I hope one day will be of interest to someone (like a publisher) became the series now in print as "Adventurers of the Carotian Union." Amazon carries the two titles in print, "The Chalice of Life" and "Tapestry of Enchantment." #3, "Lamp of Truth," is in editorial, and the whole 8-book series is under contract. This was a big step for my publisher, Dragon Moon, which has done series, but none this long.
What was I doing here? In this case, I am glad that I got the whole series written before I did any serious marketing. As I edited, the characters essaying this massive quest came to have more complex backstories so the story is as much the tale of their spiritual journeys as it is the story of the quest to save the lost prince they're looking for. (Let me skip over the myriad scene cuts and continuity errors that had to go.) But let me also say I had fun writing this series. My world, my rules: I got to take the questors to the elemental planes, to ancient Greece, into the mind of a strong projective telepath whose world (Mobius) includes one-sided buildings, to Mu before it foundered beneath the waves, and to dimensions that are not exactly a part of normal space-time.
A concern for me was that, like many parents, I have a child who reads far beyond his grade level. I wanted a family-friendly series that would keep adults and sophisticated kids involved yet would give them not only action, adventure, and magic in an immersive tale. I wanted the story to steer away from truly "mature" content, especially gratuitous violence (think "Sword of Truth" by Terry Goodkind) so be acceptable fare for teens. I also wanted a firm moral center fleshed out with dark moments in which the characters really do face moral dilemmas as well as mortal combat. And I wanted the resolutions to be clever (the characters have to do as much thinking and working on using their individual powers to solve problems as they do hacking and slashing.) Can you tell I'm an avid adventure gamer? Maybe subconsciously I'm trying to fill in the gap between Zork and the next wave of adventures being created by places like Telltale Games.
Short self-serving promo. I also edit for a small pub called Virtual Tales. As a writer and now an editor, may I point out that if you're looking for truly fresh material, try the smaller, newer houses. We actually edit our materials, accept manuscripts that have fresh ideas (I just finished editing a great one called "Spear of Seth," which involved the Egyptian underworld rather than anything remotely celtic and did a great paranormal mystery called "The Haunting of Melmerby Manor." Both had the combo of things --- humor, a clever twist to the solution, memorable if quirky characters, and just an overall satisfying read. I aim for these in my books, and if even one reader says, "Yes, you did it," it's been worth all the work!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A captivating adventure,
This review is from: The Chalice of Life (Adventurers of the Carotian Union, Book 1) (Paperback)
I found this book to be a real page turner, an engrossing, imaginative adventure, a fine bit of storytelling. It's set in a universe all its own that is highly developed, many-faceted and internally consistent, with many different cultures and many races of sentient creatures; but somehow none of that gets in the way of the story.It contains elements of many of my favorite movies, books, and TV series: Lord of the Rings (obviously!), Narnia, Star Trek, Star Wars, Dr. Who, Quantum Leap, etc. but all blended seamlessly into a style all its own. This is a great antidote to the hard-edged, doomsday, horrible things happen and then everybody dies sort of nihilism that I often run into. Instead it's filled with heart, compassion, optimism, and humor. It also has more depth that most of the fantasy that I've seen: it has a clear moral center and a rich underpinning of spirituality. Doomed planets, magic portals to different worlds, ancient treasures from ancient ruins, a noble night, a magical bard, a lovable little thief, a giant talking cat, a lost king, a magic talking sword, dragons, sorcerers, spells, laser blasters, magic gems: what's not to like?!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
From a world traveler,
This review is from: The Chalice of Life (Adventurers of the Carotian Union, Book 1) (Paperback)
This book is like a good vintage wine with shades of Narnia, Potter, and the Ring,and even Eragon but with an originality all it's own which makes it extra flavorful with a memorable finish. The characters are quite memorable and keep coming back to visit long after the book is put down. I can't wait to see the movie.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Fantasy,
This review is from: The Chalice of Life (Adventurers of the Carotian Union, Book 1) (Paperback)
WOW! The Chalice of Life is a book for any one who likes inventive fantasy. The author has created new worlds and creatures with a touch of science fiction and deep spiritual exploration. I highly recommend this book. I could have used an appendix that described the characters but by the end the seven crusaders felt like family. Obviously this is a series and I can't wait to read the rest.
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