Beyond the Reflection's Edge-a book review

Last year I had the privilige of pre-reading Bryan Davis's first novel to be published by Zondervan. Beyond the Reflection's Edge was a non-stop action ride from start to finish. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. I don't usually finish books in a day, but this one I did.

Imaginative in a unique way, this young adult novel blends fantasy with science fiction. Parallel dimensions, extra-sinister villains, a mirror that shows things and people that aren't there, a violin that plays voices instead of music (but only for one girl to hear) and an underlying romance make this a memorable and enjoyable read that begs you not to put it down.

This latest of Bryan Davis's books packs a punch equal to his Dragons In Our Midst series and introduces a new hero and heroine so successfully that it completely won me over.

"The Little Children Come" Accepted for Publication

Long Story Short, the e-zine, has accepted another of my short stories for publication. This one is titled "The Little Children Come" and will appear in the e-zine's June issue. This story was my first purely allegorical piece of fiction. It deals with faith . . . particularly the innocent faith of a little child that comes to know Christ. I will post again when this story becomes available.

Neil & Laura Warner

Laura and Neil, I love you both

& I pray God will bless you in the years to come

Congratulations to Neil and Laura on their marriage. Saturday's ceremony and the following reception were both beautiful and many tears of happiness were shed. I am not ashamed to admit I shed some of my own when I danced with my sister. I'm going to post a couple pictures here and put them and others on the wedding blog. Keep in mind that, because I was in the wedding party, these pictures do not cover the ceremony.

"Beowulf" a book Review

Ah, finally another book to add to my list of favorites. It's not a new release, in fact it is quite old . . . the sort of literature that is very old indeed.

Enter "Beowulf" a classic that I should have read years ago. The mighty warrior who sails across the sea to confront a monster, the famed Grendel. Upon slaying the creature, Beowulf and his company feast with the king and the people who feared Grendel's nightly visits. But they rejoice to soon. Not long after killing the beast, Beowulf discovers that the creature's mother is out for revenge. He goes after her and, to the relief of those awaiting release from these monsters, he slays her as well.

The hero's victory over Grendel and Grendel's mother, earn him high esteem in the sight of his king and his people, upon his return to his homeland. And the story tells how he eventually was named king of his homeland and fought and won many battles in his people's defense. His life at last ends when he confronts a dragon.

Here is a quote from Beowulf, one that shows where the heart of literature used to be and is, I believe, the place to which it must return:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

So Hrothgar's men lived happy in his hall

Till the monster stirred, that demon, that fiend,

Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild

Marshes, and made his home in a hell

Not hell but earth. He was spawned in that slime,

Conceived by a pair of those monsters born

Of Cain, murderous creatures banished

By God, punished forever for the crime

Of Abel's death. The Almighty drove

Those demons out, and their exile was bitter,

Shut away from men; they split

Into a thousand forms of evil--spirits

And fiends,Goblins, monsters, giants,

A brood forever opposing the Lord's

Will, and again and again defeated.

Not that I believe the interpretation of Scripture that is represented in these verses, is accurate. But the fact that the literature recognizes the order of creation and the Orderer of creation . . . is something I appreciate.

Now I must finish Homer's The Iliad. I read it many years ago, but I think it was an abridged version. The Iliad is, also, a wonderful piece of literature. I've read Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress at least five times . . . excellent reading . . . and I'm working my way through it again.

Published Works now Available

The day has arrived, my faithful readers, to point your browsers to MindFlights Magazine and to Long Story Short. To the upper right in my blog, you will see two more works added to the 'published' list.

First there is an interview with author Bryan Davis, which I believe you will find very interesting. The link will bring you straight to the interview.

Second, and this is the one I am most excited about, Long Story Short just published "Moses and the Lamb." This story tells what happens when a little lamb witnesses its young master commit a sin, and decides to offer itself to Moses as a sacrifice. This is the second speculative fiction piece of mine, to be published. Unfortunately I couldn't link directly to the story, so the link at the upper right will bring you to the ezine. Just click on the 'fiction' tab when you reach the ezine, it will display a list of the recently published stories. Mine is near the top.

I hope you will all check out these published pieces and, of course, comment here with your thoughts!

"Specter" the bookmark

At last, the "Specter" bookmark is finished. There will be more artwork in the near future. I have already begun discussing a poster-size (high-resolution) image that I'd like done for the book cover, but I have not decided if I will have her collaborate with Jennifer Miller, or have her do the whole thing.

Also, artwork for the Sword of the Dragon website is on the agenda.

Vacation's End

After a lot of driving (a total of approximately 50 hours) I am back home in good old Connecticut. I had a wonderful vacation, albeit a rather busy one, what with the wedding and all. Below is a picture of Stone Mountain in GA. It was the first time I've seen this Confederate monument and a memorable moment.

After viewing this gargantuan piece of artwork, it was time for me to climb the mountain. See the tiny man to the upper left in the photo below . . .?
Believe me, the climb was not as easy as it looks!

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I want to post a congratulations, here, to my friend, Nathaniel. He and Eden, his southern belle, are now happily married and, I think, back in CT.

Anyways, I am back in CT. On Monday, April 7th, two works of mine will be published. One is an interview with Bryan Davis for MindFlights Magazine, and the other is "Moses and the Lamb" a short story to appear in Long Story Short, the ezine where my previous story "The Woodland King" was published.

I now have to get into a routine again before I start working at the Frito Lay factory. The job itself is not something I'm looking forward to, but the money will go a long way in helping me to pursue my writing.

A Breather

With the wedding behind me and most of the driving, I'm veging out in Lexington, NC. Since I don't have wireless access, I will be unable to add photos to this post, but when I return home in a couple of days I will be doing so. I have a couple nice pictures of Stone Mountain in GA, and Amber Hill emailed me the finallized "Specter" bookmark illustration. Many of you already know that my car broke down prior to leaving CT. Brian was generous, lending his car for my use on this trip. So, automotive repairs are at the top of my priority list when I get home. I am also going to quit the camera shop and work at the Frito Lay factory for a while. It's not my favorite idea, but I can use the money for car repairs, and for another illustration for my book (which I have begun discussing with Amber.) The rest is going to pay off a loan, and to build my savings. During that time I will continue writing for ReminderNews. Also, April 19th is my sister Laura's wedding. 2008 is looking like an interesting year. Please pray that I will be full of creative energy to continue my writing while holding a full-time, and a part-time job. I need to finish edits on "Swords of the Six" so that I can get back to writing the sequel.