Sara M. Drake's Blog

Rogue’s Curse: Rogue Prophet Book One

By Jason Beymer

Reviewed by: Sara M. Drake

I sift through a number of indie pubbed authors looking for something new to read. When I find ones I enjoy, I want to share them. Here’s a new one for all of you.

Description: 2000 years after the rapture, the talisman responsible returns. The original owner seeks it but the stone has chosen a rogue as its companion. Doban, the rogue, must outwit his pursuers and trust the woman he once betrayed. This book eludes my ability for an easy description. It took me two chapters to decide the humor was intentional (hey, I’m slow sometimes).
Overall assessment: The book sucked me in despite my better judgment. The humor kept my smiling and the plot kept me guessing. This is one of the books that I am ashamed to admit I enjoyed.

World-building: The idea intrigued me. It’s a medieval (mostly) world with bits of technology and bits of magic. It’s as politically incorrect as possible, with parts guaranteed to be offensive to just about everyone. But it’s one of those situations where you giggle even as you wince. The world building is uneven, with many things left unexplained.

Characters: Doban is unlikable but so amusing I kept reading anyway. All the characters lack depth but they do so in the best traditions of humor and satire. The secondary characters, also unlikable, sparkle with exaggerated characteristics. Despite not liking a single character, I kept reading—mostly because I kept chuckling.

Plot and pacing: Fast paced, action and humor on every page. Horrible humor. Juvenile humor. The type of humor that I rarely enjoy. Yet, I couldn’t help my amusement. The characters dodge death or maiming time after time and get little chance to stop and breath. Mr. Beymer makes fun of every stereotype of traditional fantasy and plays on old-school sword and sorcery tropes.

Editing: Solid. There are some typos and grammar errors but not many. Within the (admittedly poor) current standards for the publishing industry.

Warnings: Vulgarity, sex (not deeply detailed), and violence

Final thoughts: If you’re looking for something funny and don’t get offended easily, then give this one a try.

Sometimes, we have to take a moment to reflect. It's too cold for me to go ponder by a lake, so I'll ponder at my keyboard.

As readers, what do we do when authors behave badly? Do we stop reading their works? Does it depend on the type of bad behavior? Do we separate the work from the artist?

In the world before the internet, we knew little about the authors we read most. Even the “superstars” of the writing world were ignored by mainstream media. So, the only way we learned about the people who wrote the books we loved would be through formal interviews or fan rumor mills. That’s changed in the modern era. As fans, how do we change with that?
At the end of the day, there is no right answer. Each reader will have to decide for themselves how they will react to the details they learn about authors and react according to their own beliefs. However, I wanted to open an honest discussion and share some of my own thoughts.

First, what about religious belief? I remember the fans’ horror when Anne Rice announced she had returned to the Catholic Church. There’s been controversy amongst fans in recent years about LDS author Orson Scott Card and Brandon Sanderson. Do we stop reading authors because their religious views do not match our own? Do we stop buying books when an author makes religious based statements that we find offensive? Do we track where the money goes to determine if book purchases go to support causes we dislike? Do we embrace diversity and read them anyway?

Second, what about bad behavior? We live in a world where no hero withstands close scrutiny. If we look in-depth at anyone’s life, they all make mistakes. Which bad behaviors should we censor? As a reader, should their behaviors change our choice of books?

Third, what about criminal behavior? If an author engages in criminal acts, what do we, as consumers do? I think it becomes harder when we discover bad information about authors we’ve read (and enjoyed) for years. After all, books affect us—some more than others. So, as a longtime fan of Marion Zimmer Bradley, how do I react to the accusations of child sexual abuse? Horrified. Obviously. But knowing that now cannot change the years I spent reading and re-reading her work. What do I do now?

The relationship between reader and writer has changed drastically over the past two decades. If I do an internet search on any of my favorite authors, I can discover details about their political views, religious affiliations, personal life (and scandals), and so much more. I might be a bit old-school. I find I don’t like having this much information available to me. I don’t want to know. Why? Once I know information about the author, it changes how I read their books. Instead of reading for enjoyment, I’m reading to look for glimpses of the person behind the words. I’m psychologically analyzing the text.

I’ve always been torn about the relationship between the artist and their work. For some forms of art (music and books particularly), an author’s personal darkness and flaws probably lead to more powerful art. Both forms of art rely on touching deep emotional responses in the audience and a person who’s never struggled, never suffered is less likely to create work with emotional intensity.

If I only read the works of authors who think like me, believe like me, or behave like me, am I limiting my view of the world to works that reinforce my own opinions? Am I making myself smaller? Will I get contaminated by these works? But if I do read these works, am I supporting bad behavior? Worse, does it make me a bad person if I read their work?

I have no answers. Only questions.

If Crows Know Best: Mage of Merced Volume I

By Aimee L. Gross

Reviewed by: Sara M. Drake

I sift through a number of indie pubbed authors looking for something new to read. When I find ones I enjoy, I want to share them. Here’s a new one for all of you.

Yes, the cover is kinda bad, but it does grow on you.

Description: Judian may only be a teanager, but when his father and older brother go off to war he must take on a man’s responsibility—take care of the farm and his family. The distant farmstead finds itself in the center of the war zone and Judian must learn to master the powers budding within him if he’s going to survive.

Overall assessment: I found myself sucked in from the first page. I loved this book.

World-building: The familiar medieval based landscape of fantasy allowed the author to jump into the story and build the rest of the world over time. Ms. Gross did a fantastic job letting the reader know what they needed without paragraphs of explanation. I enjoyed the magic connection with animals—yes, I have a thing for animals. I would have enjoyed more details about how magic worked but that’s because I am a geek. Those details weren’t required for the story nor could they have been added without slowing the pace.

Characters: Judian delighted me as a protagonist. He was resourceful, dedicated, and made smart decisions (I am not a fan of having the protagonist do stupid stuff just to keep a book exciting). I had a hard time keeping in mind he was a male, though. It’s challenging for a female author to write a male POV character and keep it real. Men have the same problem writing women. Overall, Ms. Gross did a really good job, it was just the first couple of pages that took left me confused. Since it was written first person POV, it might have been easier on me if Judian’s gender were introduced right away. Since I didn’t have any problems after the first chapter, it could just be I was slow on the uptake. The supporting characters each had strong personalities and it was easy to keep them straight.

Plot and pacing: I found this to be a page turner. I loved the build-up and the way the plot worked. I get burnt out with coming of age tells but it worked great within the plot. The political background offered a solid element to the plot without taking it over. I thought a few of the problems were resolved too easily but that did not detract from my enjoyment of the story.

Editing: Solid. There are some typos and grammar errors but not many. Within the (admittedly poor) current standards for the publishing industry.

Final thoughts: I recommend this for any reader of fantasy.

The Murder Prophet


The Murder Prophet: A Magica Incognita Novel

By Sherry D. Ramsey

Reviewed by: Sara M. Drake

I sift through a number of indie pubbed authors looking for something new to read. When I find ones I enjoy, I want to share them. Here’s a new one for all of you.

Description: Kit Stablefield is a detective with a secret and a crush on a guy she knows only online, in a future where magic is a part of everyday life. But when millionaire Aleshu Coro walks into the offices of Darcko and Sadatake with a message from the Murder Prophet and fourteen days to live, everything changes.

Suddenly Kit is questioning the decisions of her past, trying to find out if the man she loves is, in fact, a man, and hunting for a murderer and a mysterious seer. With her eighty-six-year-old grandmother insisting on helping out, and a sentient goose who simply won’t stop pestering her to watch his “killer” video game moves, Kit has more than her hands full as she races against the clock to prevent Coro’s murder…and possibly her own.

Overall assessment: The writing meets industry standards across the board. The overall book offers light escapism set in a unique world. I recommend this one to those who enjoy stories of magic and virtual worlds. The blend of science-fiction and fantasy elements works well.

World-building: Ms. Ramsey presents a fun new world. Combining a bit of science fiction, focused on virtual reality on the net and a new world of magic (sentient animals and powers), this book offers something delightfully new. I loved the sentient animals! Ms. Ramsey used one or two info-dumps but they weren’t so long they were a problem and the information provided crucial background. Personally, I think there are times when a short info dump works better than trying to show background. However, if any info dump at all puts you off, be warned.

Characters: The main character had spunk and a sense of humor. Some of the supporting characters had strong three dimensional personalities (especially the goose). One weakness in the overall book, too many supporting characters and not enough time to get to know them.

Plot and pacing: This isn’t a nail biter, action packed sort of story. The overall plot fits more into a mystery-suspense category as they try to discover who’s behind the murders. The clues and tension build slowly. The romance moves slow as well with but in a satisfying way. If you’re looking for incredible tension, this isn’t the book for you.
Editing: Solid. There are some typos and grammar errors but not many. Within the (admittedly poor) current standards for the publishing industry.

Warnings: None. No sex, profanity, or disturbing content

Final thoughts: I’d enjoy reading more books in this world.

Interested? Click here to find it now!

For Family Heir, I wanted a female narrator and knew I wanted her to be Troy’s ex-wife. Yes, Troy emerged as a full-fledged character before I had a lead in mind. I wrote the bar scene first, while trying to work out the characters. I had this strong mental image of Kelley sitting in a cowboy bar and Troy’s entrance.

Who was this woman? I needed someone strong enough to hunt werewolves and vampires yet loving enough to see past Troy’s silences. I rejected any background that followed the logic that trauma caused a woman to embrace a more violent path. I served in the Air Force and the women I served with did not become military members due to some dark path. We found our way into uniform for a much broader set of reasons. I wanted my lady Hunter motivated by a higher set of principles and view her path as natural.

So she had to be the scion of the Hunter family. In my very early ideas for Troy, I’d envisioned him as the son of one of the families but that idea did not survive for long. Instead, Kelley took that place and developed a strong sense of herself as a defender of the weak (including Troy). He had that mothering instinct that drives both a need to take care of people but also to protect them. It explained both her job and her relationship with Troy.

I wanted unhealthy dynamics between the two of them. They loved each other but both had become too dependent on each other. Troy needed to be pushed away from Kelley to learn to navigate the world without Kelley as protector and translator. On the other hand, what did Kelley need?

She lacked a real sense of who she was and I developed the plot of Family Heir to drag her into a deeper understanding of the woman within. It becomes a tale of two people learning who they are after losing the relationships of childhood that had defined them. Kelley holds so much love and compassion but it’s often at odds with her determination to protect. Those two strong parts pull her toward different futures. I think most of us have stood at the crossroads in our lives when we must choose between two equally valid future paths (careers, relationships, etc). The decisions tear us apart when both options appeal to aspects of us but not all of us.

Throw in a dash of anger and I had a character capable of leading the way into a strange new world.

Crying for the World



Irish lullaby, Written by: Unknown

Oh, my child, you cry so many tears,
Seems like you've been crying for the world;
Oh, my child, your world so full of fears,
Seems like you've been crying for the world.

I to bare you, I to raise you,
Oh, give me strength to do it right;
I to adore you, be a refuge for you,
Oh give me strength to do it right.

Hush, my child and lay you down to sleep,
Seems like you've been crying for the world;
Hush, my child your tears that burn so deep,
Seems like you've been crying for the world.

I will protect you, guard you and guide you,
Oh give me strength to do it right;
I will love you, more than I have to,
Oh give me strength to do it right.
Oh, my child, I only wish I could,
Suffer all the trials in your place;
Oh, my child, you know I truly would,
Take on all the evils you will face.

I will protect you, guard you and guide you,
Oh give me strength to do it right;
I will love you, more than I have to,
Oh give me strength.

Otherworldly Personal Ads

Male Seeking Female

45-year-old male seeking 18-50 year-old female. I seek a love that will last forever; I am not interested in a casual relationship.

I hope to eat meet a charming young lady. My last girlfriend died suddenly, leaving me hungry for another meal relationship. I know I have much to learn about making it last, but I am working to improve my technique. Perhaps you can be the one to teach me?

I prefer women with big brains intelligence. I have dined on with professors, lawyers, and even a physicist. I enjoy conversations with my meal—the wittier the better. In a previous life, I taught Shakespeare at the local university, imbuing me with a deep love of sparkling discussions. Do you enjoy a sonnet with your wine?

I have been unlucky in love. I found love once—found myself bitten smitten—and promised until death do us part. Little did I know that death did not offer the final parting; no, only the death of love. For as Shakespeare wrote: “"love is a familiar; love is a devil: there is no evil angel but love." I learned that the hard way.

I now crave a taste of human flesh, that which I once was, a taste of life itself. I exist because it is all I know to do, seeking that which would give meaning to me once more. I dine on the essence of existence, enjoying that spark which draws each to a new day. Will you share your essence with me?

These days, I prefer to travel. I never had a chance to see the world when I was alive a college professor. Now, I have discovered the joys of roaming the earth, seeking sustenance for my mind and body. Humanity rejected me and now I seek companionship where I can find it. Do you have time to spend with a lost soul?

Broken and beaten, I might be. Yet, I look still for love in all the impossible places. I try to fight my desires, my needs for the taste touch of flesh. I seek only a woman willing to risk it all for that moment of understanding when two souls meet in a glance. Do you have the courage to risk it all for a chance at love?

I heard that women are attracted to personality, not looks. Yet, I find ladies turn away at the sight of me. I long for the one who will not judge me by looks, and I promise not to judge in return. I have a skin problem—I tend to shed body parts skin easily. I also have a slightly unpleasant body odor but have found an excellent cologne which takes care of the problem. On the plus side—I am active and thin. Thanks to my limited diet, I maintain my waistline. Are you open-minded enough to chance a meeting?

If interested, please respond to Ben Human at Zombie Apartments, Room 206.

Excerpt from "Telling Tales" (estimated release date 2015). Can you name the tunes?

A new sound began to fill the chamber, music like nothing any of them had ever heard before. The sound of voices singing in Ancient American to a background of instruments none had heard reached out and entranced the workers on the site. All sounds stopped as everyone listened, each finding the music compelling in their own ways. The rhythms spoke directly to their emotions.

“It’s a love song, a women waiting for a missive from her love. She’s begging the missive bearer to wait and give her word, give her a message from him,” Rigg said softly as he translated the words, struggling with a pronunciation different from what he had learned in school. The students appeared to be making their own translations, transfixed by the sounds.
The song ended and another began. This song seemed to be a declaration of love, stating the no geographical features would be large enough to prevent him from reaching the one he cared for if needed. Rita had already pulled out their highest quality recording device, eagerly capturing the sounds for posterity. As the next song ended, Han pushed another button and shortly a new song issued from the machine. This one asked numerous questions including why do jesters fall in love.

“Isn’t this amazing?” Han smiled broadly.

“It’s incredible!” Rigg agreed, bending down to look closer at the machine.

“See here,” Han pointed to the list. “This appears to be a listing of the songs. And this is how you choose the song you wish to listen to.” Han demonstrated his motions and Rigg watched with a sense of wonder as the archaic mechanism moved one of the black disks into position.
“Those black discs, they hold the songs!” Rigg exclaimed, his excitement easily matching Han’s. Han nodded and the two proceeded to look closely at the wiring they could see in the back of the unit. Han had removed the back panel, and the two could easily see the mechanisms running the machine.

“These wires… they seem to be thinner versions of the long cables we saw in the mine,” Han pointed out.

“I think you might be right. Could those cables in the mine be some form of electrical conduit?” Rigg asked, thinking back to what he had seen during their trip to the mine.
“I believe so,” Han said, smiling happily. “They both seem to be copper, which is an excellent electrical conductor.”

“This is it!” Rita said happily, joining the two at the machine. “Proof that the ancient Americans did have a vibrant civilization! Such amazing music could not have sprung from a moribund society. This sound makes you want to smile, laugh, and dance! Just listen to the lyrics. They celebrate life, love, even loss. This one is about listening through a fruit vine to hear tales of the misbehavior of his love.”

Rigg smiled at the sight of his wife’s enthusiasm. She looked radiant as she clearly began writing her next paper in her mind. He stood, inspired by the music, by the need to move, and grabbed her hand. With a flourish, he drew her into a dance among the lost relics of a long dead civilization. Han waited only a moment before seeking out Jade and joining the two instructors in a celebratory dance. Their native assistants took this as permission and began their own dance steps. No two dances followed the same foot work, but each matched the beat coming from the machine.

Do you ever read about archeological finds? I do, I love reading their explanations of what they find. I often wonder how much of modern speculation comes close to the truth. They theorize about what items were used for and what they might have meant to the people who created them long ago.

The case of Minoan Crete offers a great example. Early archeologist looked at the beautiful decorations and speculated about a peaceful society. The idea of the Minoans as a culture of beauty and arts grew in the imagination. More recent discoveries have included evidence of human sacrifices—calling into question the view of their peacefulness.
What other speculations are off base? To take that idea to the next level, what will archeologists of the future make of the remains of our society? If you read the news, we can’t decide today what meaning some of these items have to ourselves. How will future people make it out?

I can imagine these future scientists finding the remains of children toys and puzzling over their significance. Will they conclude they were religious objects? Maybe some future person will pick up a plastic doll and speculate they were used in voodoo like practices. Maybe they will find building blocks and decide they were used to create furniture.
I look around me and wonder what items will survive to be found in some future dig. What will survive us? We build structures that will not likely last more than a hundred years or two. Unlike the ancient civilizations, we do not build with stone which lasts close to forever. Most of the evidence of our lives will return to dust (or at least it’s component particles) over time.

I did some research. Even our plastics disappear in a thousand years or so. Yet, we can go stand in the Coliseum in Rome—built about two thousand years ago. We visit pyramids in Egypt built even further in the past. Scattered throughout the world are remains of civilizations and people that existed so far in the past it’s hard for us to even imagine it.
I suppose it’s a sign we are more environmentally friendly. The Earth will take back all that we have built, to regrow or be built upon by future humans. Yet, there remains something romantic about these amazing survivors from our species’ past, rather building, statue, or coin. I can’t help thinking it sad that what we’ve built will not last. With the prevalence of digital media, will even our written words survive?

Whatever does survive, I imagine reams of academic articles will emerge debating it. For while many things change, somethings—like human nature—remain that same. I wish them luck!

Hi!

So many wonderful reviews and a fun interview out today.

Please drop by Books and Ashes for a very thoughtful review.

Then there's Crazy Four Books with another delightful review.

An interview (one of the more fun ones) can be viewed at Karen's blog

And, my wonderful tour organizer, Candace, has a wonderful review up on her blog today. Visit Candace's Book Blog to read it.

Enjoy and have a wonderful Monday!