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Mudflat #1
Tyrant Trouble
Claire flees from a Seattle crook to an Otherworld barbarian tyrant. Not a whole lot of improvement there. One threatens with a gun, the other swings a broadsword.
This novel won the EPPIE for Best Fantasy of the Year.
This novel won the EPPIE for Best Fantasy of the Year.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
60 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Phoebe Matthews
79 books37 followersPhoebe lives in the Pacific Northwest, the location of her three urban fantasy series. Her novels have been published by Avon, Dark Quest, Dell, Holt, Putnam and others. There is a complete list of her titles at http.//phoebematthews.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 22, 2014
Holy crap, that was awesome!!
Stayed up too late reading - check
Interesting plot - check
Fascinating characters - check
LOL Moments - check
Adorableness - check
A Grumpy Old Dog - check!!
Gonna spend way too much money on the sequels - ... Check >.<
Stayed up too late reading - check
Interesting plot - check
Fascinating characters - check
LOL Moments - check
Adorableness - check
A Grumpy Old Dog - check!!
Gonna spend way too much money on the sequels - ... Check >.<
May 28, 2013
Enjoyed the book but there is no ending. To continue the story, the reader has to go on to the next book.
August 23, 2017
This story is in the first person, and it is told from Claire's (Stargazer) point of view. Claire has an unusual gift and a knack for getting in and out of trouble. Her way of thinking is a little strange, but eventually the story grabs you. Claire is on the run for her life from a con man and winds up in a place concealed from the world by magic. The people who live there live back in the barbarian days according to Claire. She gets captured by their prince, and this where the story grabbed me. Their are really funny strange moments because Claire doesn't get how these people think, but she tries to adlib to try and stay alive, because people keeping talking about her losing her head. All the characters in this book are way out there, Nance - the screaming temple keeper, Tarvik - the bratty prince, Kovak the Slayer - the over scarred ruler , Lor - the stable master and loyal friend to Nance, the Thunder Magician, Ober - the prince's betrothed mother-in-law, Alakar - the princes betrothed. Note, if I had a betrothed and mother-in-law like these, heads would have been flying. Anyway, the book is a fun read and I look forward to the next book in the series.
July 10, 2020
Claire seems to always pick the wrong type of guy. Since she was good at reading astrological charts, they only wanted to use her for their gain. Hiding from the latest creep, she somehow crosses a dimension into a world of barbaric kings and wizardry.
This was an interesting read to say the least. The story was well-written and the characters believable. Although there was no ending, I didn’t mind because the continuing story left me wanting more.
This was an interesting read to say the least. The story was well-written and the characters believable. Although there was no ending, I didn’t mind because the continuing story left me wanting more.
May 21, 2017
I find it difficult to critique writers, now that I'm more familiar with the writing process.
I will say that this book had an intriguing plot, enough to keep me scrolling. The writing in the first few pages felt slightly sloppy but it strengthened out.
A good story about world's beyond our own will always gain my attention. Throw in some romance and I'm hooked.
I will say that this book had an intriguing plot, enough to keep me scrolling. The writing in the first few pages felt slightly sloppy but it strengthened out.
A good story about world's beyond our own will always gain my attention. Throw in some romance and I'm hooked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2019
A really good magical romance
Claire slips into another world accidentally and finds herself taking the role of a temple priestess in a feudal setting. Also, magic works, and so does Claire's astrology hobby!
This book is a great little ripper, and I am going straight on into Book 2.
Claire slips into another world accidentally and finds herself taking the role of a temple priestess in a feudal setting. Also, magic works, and so does Claire's astrology hobby!
This book is a great little ripper, and I am going straight on into Book 2.
June 14, 2017
Ill have to read the next one to find out.Different take on universe gates.
Really enjoyed this book. I wondered what the Prince would do when he found her gone. I guess I will have to read the next one to find out.
Really enjoyed this book. I wondered what the Prince would do when he found her gone. I guess I will have to read the next one to find out.
October 27, 2017
A good read
The title was deceptive was not sure what to expect. Crossing an invisible barrier from Seattle to an ancient barbaric alternative realm. The story was different and kept my interest as there were so many twists and turns. Well done.
The title was deceptive was not sure what to expect. Crossing an invisible barrier from Seattle to an ancient barbaric alternative realm. The story was different and kept my interest as there were so many twists and turns. Well done.
December 18, 2017
A fun read that may leave you wishing for a walk in a stream.
Phone Matthews did a great job of blending what is with what might be coexisting right next door. She left me questioning myself as to which reality I would truly like. Well worth your time.
Phone Matthews did a great job of blending what is with what might be coexisting right next door. She left me questioning myself as to which reality I would truly like. Well worth your time.
August 10, 2018
Lost in Time
This is a very enjoyable story. The characters are funny, well defined and really enjoyable. The story has a nice easy flow with an artistic flare. This story will give you a laugh, with a few hours do escape and leave you with a smile and a WOW.
This is a very enjoyable story. The characters are funny, well defined and really enjoyable. The story has a nice easy flow with an artistic flare. This story will give you a laugh, with a few hours do escape and leave you with a smile and a WOW.
December 30, 2018
I enjoyed a real change of pace for me! Read this a while ago but illness kept me from concentrating. Am feeling better, and wanted to thank the Author for a fun time. Will try her other Mudflat book.
January 18, 2019
Took me awhile to get into this book, but then I realized she was in another world. Then I started to enjoy the book. In this book there is a lot of action, danger, and killing. Was a little upset it was a cliff hanger.
September 17, 2023
I thought that this was a pretty good read. I liked the pace, the story engaged me, and it ended up being quite the page turner. I liked the imagined world that the author had put together. The story does have a resolution, but also sets up nicely for part 2 in the series.
October 23, 2018
Very nice read.
July 31, 2021
most entertaining book I have read in a while. I was hooked from the first page. only a bit disappointed the ending was a cliff hanger. Now I have to find book 2 before I burst from suspense.
February 23, 2009
We begin in Mudflat, Washington where our heroine, Claire, is hiding behind a dumpster in a Seattle alley. Claire is an astrologer who has occasional jobs and a wonderful sense of herself. She is being followed by Darrel Decko who wants her to make star charts for the races, sports games, etc. so that he and his friends (not nice friends, by the way) can become rich. He is very persistent and she is not about to do what he wants.
Claire takes off camping with some friends to avoid Darrell. This is not one of her better ideas since although camping sounds good, Claire is not an outdoors person and she quickly becomes bored with her friends and the whole camping game. She takes off on a search for COFFEE, a shower and a motel. Her sense of direction leaves a lot to be desired and she immediately becomes totally lost. She is wandering around in a stream when a good-looking guy comes up behind her with a knife.
He is dressed somewhat like a barbarian and Claire figures she has wandered into either a Renaissance Faire or Shakespeare Fest. Wrong. Totally wrong. She has actually gone back in time to a land of Tarvik (the knife guy) and his father Korvat. Tarvik tosses her onto his horse (Claire HATES horses!) and takes her to his camp where he finds her food and shelter. The next day he travels back to his home with his guards and Claire in tow.
Claire, now known as Stargazer in Tarvik's time , becomes involved in a palace plot, a Barbarian hunk who is infatuated with her, too many horses to her liking and a wing-riding priestess. In the end, she does what she must.
______________________________________________________________
SUMMARY: .
Claire, a very independent astrologer-temporary employee and vegetarian is on the run from some unsavory characters and heads right into chaos in another time. She leaves her house in care of the troll living in her basement and goes off in search of peace and quiet. What she finds is anything but. She meets an very ugly roler, his hunky son, a priestess who flys and a stable hand ful lof knowledge who may not be exactly what he seems. Since this is the first of a series I can't wait to see what Claire and her band of barbarians are up to next!
This may be one of the most unique book titles I have ever run across. What is Tarbaby? You'll just have to read it and see! Good ending.
Claire takes off camping with some friends to avoid Darrell. This is not one of her better ideas since although camping sounds good, Claire is not an outdoors person and she quickly becomes bored with her friends and the whole camping game. She takes off on a search for COFFEE, a shower and a motel. Her sense of direction leaves a lot to be desired and she immediately becomes totally lost. She is wandering around in a stream when a good-looking guy comes up behind her with a knife.
He is dressed somewhat like a barbarian and Claire figures she has wandered into either a Renaissance Faire or Shakespeare Fest. Wrong. Totally wrong. She has actually gone back in time to a land of Tarvik (the knife guy) and his father Korvat. Tarvik tosses her onto his horse (Claire HATES horses!) and takes her to his camp where he finds her food and shelter. The next day he travels back to his home with his guards and Claire in tow.
Claire, now known as Stargazer in Tarvik's time , becomes involved in a palace plot, a Barbarian hunk who is infatuated with her, too many horses to her liking and a wing-riding priestess. In the end, she does what she must.
______________________________________________________________
SUMMARY: .
Claire, a very independent astrologer-temporary employee and vegetarian is on the run from some unsavory characters and heads right into chaos in another time. She leaves her house in care of the troll living in her basement and goes off in search of peace and quiet. What she finds is anything but. She meets an very ugly roler, his hunky son, a priestess who flys and a stable hand ful lof knowledge who may not be exactly what he seems. Since this is the first of a series I can't wait to see what Claire and her band of barbarians are up to next!
This may be one of the most unique book titles I have ever run across. What is Tarbaby? You'll just have to read it and see! Good ending.
January 6, 2011
3.75 out of 5. Imagine what it would be like to go on a camping trip in the American Northwest, and find yourself in a society that is more like that of the 12th century than the 21st century. So it was for the heroine of this story. A citizen of Seattle now finds herself a captive of a young man who calls himself a prince and whose father is known as "The Slayer." Because she so closely resembles "The Daughter" or a goddess whose father is the Sun God--probably another wandering hiker/biker/camper of several decades past--she is declared a priestess of "The Daughter" and thus her life is spared. It is a strange story which allows the reader to see an ancient culture through the eyes of a contemporary woman. Not really a romance story of sorts although there is an undercurrent of attraction between Prince Tarvik and Claire the astrologer--who gives her name as "Stargazer" to the prince. An interesting read and one that is quite enjoyable.
December 5, 2008
The story features Claire who is an astrologer, and Tarvik, the Garnet Prince. Needless to say, Claire being from modern times suffers from some culture shock, as did the other characters in the story. It twists merrily along through Claire’s trials and tribulations of being cast into another dimension of this world - kind of a magical pocket of space where this particular land exists...
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books for the review of Tarbaby Trouble in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books for the review of Tarbaby Trouble in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.
July 12, 2008
I don't normally enjoy reading ebooks---mostly because I don't have a reader and I can't cuddle up with my laptop as easily as I can with an actual book. However, Mudflat 1: Tarbaby Trouble is really good, and should be available in print in January, so I thought my friends on Goodreads ought to know about it. I reviewed the book for paranormalromance.org, and the review is posted here:
Tarbaby review
Seriously, don't be turned off by the odd title or the fact that it's an electronic book; this was really a fun read!
Tarbaby review
Seriously, don't be turned off by the odd title or the fact that it's an electronic book; this was really a fun read!
September 28, 2016
I was very pleased with how this author transitioned our main character into a whole new realm. Everything came to life so vividly as Claire struggled to stay alive. Her particular brand of 'magic' served her well in the role thrust upon her. It was very easy to feel the growing pains the two main characters were going through. Absolutely enjoyed every page of this book and gladly took the journey of page flipping to see what conclusion faces Claire and Tarik. As with all great books, I do find myself wondering what book two contains!
October 15, 2016
Claire has a boyfriend who was all nice until she refused to make a chart that would get him winners in gambles. Her home is in Mudflat which has magic unlike other places in her city. To stay alive she is going camping and hide from her boyfriend. But something happens and the people she meets are not your everyday people. She thinks they do reenactments. Eventually when she sees nothing that looks like home and the food is strange, she realizes that this is their everyday life. Will she be able to go back home or will she be stuck in this land forever?
June 26, 2016
I thought this book was great. Only problem I had with it was too much inner dialog. I realize Claire was trapped in another world and had only herself to console with. But It took me awhile to read this book due to it.
The characters where excellent I loved them even the villains. Tarvik you either loved him or hated him I think and I loved him. without going into spoilers he is who is because of how he was raised.
the world building was easy to understand and imagine
The characters where excellent I loved them even the villains. Tarvik you either loved him or hated him I think and I loved him. without going into spoilers he is who is because of how he was raised.
the world building was easy to understand and imagine
July 29, 2008
Phoebe is my BFF and I read this in the early stages. i'm so happy that the Mudflat series is now available. It's a fun mix of sword-and-sorcery meets urban fantasy, with a kick-ass modern heroine and an incredibly cute barbarian hero (think Heath Ledger in Roar).
September 15, 2011
Go along with Claire to another world. Love being in Claire's head.
August 12, 2016
Surprisingly good. I will probably buy the next one in the series, just to see what happens with Tarvik in the modern world. Should be interesting.
September 12, 2015
Very good!!
I really liked this book. The characters were very well drawn and wholly believable. Will definitely read another book by the same author.
I really liked this book. The characters were very well drawn and wholly believable. Will definitely read another book by the same author.
May 19, 2016
Cute book
Very interesting and fun to read. City girl meets barbarian. What a culture shock. Just do yourself a favor and don't walk in the middle of a stream.
Very interesting and fun to read. City girl meets barbarian. What a culture shock. Just do yourself a favor and don't walk in the middle of a stream.
May 10, 2017
Tyrant Trouble
At first I wasn't sure about this book. But as I kept reading, I liked it. I had to read the whole book. So glad I bought this book.
At first I wasn't sure about this book. But as I kept reading, I liked it. I had to read the whole book. So glad I bought this book.
November 21, 2016
Got this as a free book. First time for this author. Like the series, different. How do you get into another time and place just crossing a stream.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews