A nice review of Down in the Dungeon

Checking out my Amazon rankings yesterday I discovered a new review of my roleplaying-game-inspired short story collection Down in the Dungeon. Reader Jack Badelaire had this to say:

"Although this anthology isn't as straight-from-the-gaming-table as I'd first imagined it would be, that's actually a good thing. These are stories inspired by gaming, but not direct copies of gaming sessions, as so many stories of this type often appear to be. The author has done a great job of giving me that nostalgic feeling while at the same time, nothing that strikes me as "only there because D&D mechanics require it". If you're an old-time gamer like myself, give this a try."

He gave it five stars! Awesome!!!

Nice review of Roots Run Deep

Croft Fantasy Book Reviews has done a nice review of my fantasy novel Roots Run Deep. Here's a snippet:

"What attracted me to this story was that it focused on a Goblin character, which was nice for a change. I really liked the descriptive passages of the Kip’s world.  Vibrant scenes that build a dark and realistic world. Kip is a good strong character. She takes the reader through the story and I found her an engaging believable character."

Woohoo! Several reviewers have commented how they liked Kip, a smart-mouthed goblin in a world run by humans. A big part of her appeal, I think, is that's shes an ordinary person who rises to do extraordinary things. She's a small-time thief, mediocre sorceress, and bad gambler who is cornered into a position of having to be the leader of her people.

The reviewer also had this to say: "I did feel the plot shot forward a bit fast at times, this left me feeling a little disorientated."

Hmmm. Yes, this isn't the first time I've heard this. Something to watch out for. A good writer learns from his reviews. 


Well, off to write the All the Gods are Human, Book Three of the Timeless Empire series!

Roots Run Deep gets its third five-star review!

My fantasy novel Roots Run Deep has received its third five-star review. Under the title "Can't We All Just Get Along?" reviewer Antony Chow writes:

"Runs Run Deep is an original story where goblins live in a section of a human kingdom, as despised slaves and servants. Kip Itxaron is a goblin mage who lives in destitute on the Reservation, where goblinkin live.

"Kip's world is turned upside down when she takes on a job helping some humans cross a river and into elven territory. When she discovers that the deposed King Roderick is among the refugees she becomes embroiled in a fight amongst two brothers for control over the human kingdom.

"Putting aside her hatred for humans, Kip is forced to choose the lesser of two evils. That means an alliance with Roderick and help him regain his kingdom. In the process, Kip becomes the General over the goblin army and learns what it means to rule.

"The author sets up two conflicts nicely: the human-goblinkin and the intragoblin. These plots are resolved to my satisfaction and I commend the author on this refreshingly original fantasy novel."

A good review always makes my day!

Down in the Dungeon gets a four-star review!

My latest publication, the short story collection Down in the Dungeon, has received its first review, getting four stars! A.M. Donovan of Night Owl Reviews says:

"This is an enjoyable 50 page collection of short stories by someone who has fond memories of late nights with friends, rolling the dice and using our imaginations. Hey, it worked for Dragon Lance. He reveals a wicked sense of humor while telling stories of battles between good and evil, adventure, skull duggery and daring do. Like with real life, good does not always win, but likewise, sometimes evil does good. Wither to prevent a greater evil (or quite by accident)."

Donovan is right; I did base these tales on teenage memories of fantasy roleplaying, as the back cover blurb attests.

The orcs of Grimwood summon an ancient evil. . .

A mountaineering expedition to retrieve a griffin's egg goes horribly wrong, at least for most of the climbers. . .

A soldier believes his commander is not what he seems. . .

A dungeon door poses a problem for an experienced party of adventurers. . .

A unique trap appears to be inescapable, but for one desperate plan. . .

Here are five tales set in the good old days of fantasy gaming, when friends sat around the kitchen table late into the night rolling dice and sharing adventures. Relive the spirit of the past (or even the present!) with stories of epic combat and base trickery, stories that any adventurer would be proud to tell over a mug of ale at the local tavern. Includes the short story The Trap, co-written with special guest author Tony Rudzki.

Price: $3.99

Word count: 28,427

Available from Writers Exchange Ebooks, Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.