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The Demon Dagger: Sometimes the Balance of Light and Dark Can Get a Little Gray
She may have birthed him, but helping this lovestruck demon find his match comes with humanity-threatening trust issues…Sera Parker longs to live like a mortal in her beloved hometown of Leesburg. So the returned fire goddess is looking forward to a few quiet decades with her archangel lover, putting cosmic conflict behind her. But her anticipated tranquility shatters when her son, the King of the Underworld, shows up with an impossible matchmaking plea.
Reluctantly agreeing to help her lovesick offspring, Sera embarks on a quest through time to persuade his voluptuous beauty to take the immortal’s hand, returning to her former homestead on Mount Olympus in ancient Greece and finally seeking the help of Uncas, Mohegan leader of the Wolf People in 1636. But if the fiery defender of the Earth plane makes a single misstep, the massive consequences will open a door to an enemy in the shadows who could claim destructive power over all humankind.
A beautifully told story of demi-gods, angels, magic, and mystery set against a sumptuous backdrop of time travel and Native American lore, The Demon Dagger is the intoxicating second book in the Angels & Elementals metaphysical fantasy series. If you like complex heroines, compassionate bad boys, and intricately crafted worlds built on myth, then you’ll love Susan Butler Colwell’s adventure-packed tale.
Foreword by Don Côqayohômuwôk ChapmanLike all readers, I am genuinely awestruck when presented with the opportunity to experience a truly inventive imagination. One that is richly inspired by history, culture, wit and then channeled into highly entertaining story craft. The ability for an author to fuse and infuse all these elements through multiple storylines, timelines, and cultural paradigms in such a compelling and engaging manner is profoundly entertaining for all readers. This is precisely the literary experience readers of all ages enjoy when delving into the universes created and embellished by Susan Butler Colwell’s fanciful storytelling talents.
Several months back, Susan reached out to me as she was starting to formulate the historical and cultural aspects of the exciting and dynamic follow-up fantasy novel to her first wonderful work, The Summerlands—the first novel in her Angels & Elementals series. She wanted to both pay tribute to and utilize Native American historical and cultural lore and characters into the essential elements of her second novel Demon Dagger. Susan was aware of my being a member of the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut. She knew I have spent most of my professional career directly engaged in Indian Affairs. So, she knew I would have plenty of reference resources for her early research phase as she began developing her next literary effort.
Drawing from the thirteen or so Native American historical and cultural reference books I loaned her and the numerous conversations we shared as she formulated this next effort, Susan crafted multiple storylines paying tribute to and honoring Indian Country, Native leaders, and tribal cultural ways. And she has done so entertainingly and engagingly, achieving that “page-turner” effect that readers seek. Once you dig in, you will not want to stop.
I am particularly honored as Susan has drawn elements from my own tribal affiliation and tribal historical background to name and enrich her characters, the numerous plots, and time periods. She has reflected her deep respect and passion for the people of my tribal history, our cultural ways, and the strong leadership traits we know from our tribal teaching.
Reluctantly agreeing to help her lovesick offspring, Sera embarks on a quest through time to persuade his voluptuous beauty to take the immortal’s hand, returning to her former homestead on Mount Olympus in ancient Greece and finally seeking the help of Uncas, Mohegan leader of the Wolf People in 1636. But if the fiery defender of the Earth plane makes a single misstep, the massive consequences will open a door to an enemy in the shadows who could claim destructive power over all humankind.
A beautifully told story of demi-gods, angels, magic, and mystery set against a sumptuous backdrop of time travel and Native American lore, The Demon Dagger is the intoxicating second book in the Angels & Elementals metaphysical fantasy series. If you like complex heroines, compassionate bad boys, and intricately crafted worlds built on myth, then you’ll love Susan Butler Colwell’s adventure-packed tale.
Foreword by Don Côqayohômuwôk ChapmanLike all readers, I am genuinely awestruck when presented with the opportunity to experience a truly inventive imagination. One that is richly inspired by history, culture, wit and then channeled into highly entertaining story craft. The ability for an author to fuse and infuse all these elements through multiple storylines, timelines, and cultural paradigms in such a compelling and engaging manner is profoundly entertaining for all readers. This is precisely the literary experience readers of all ages enjoy when delving into the universes created and embellished by Susan Butler Colwell’s fanciful storytelling talents.
Several months back, Susan reached out to me as she was starting to formulate the historical and cultural aspects of the exciting and dynamic follow-up fantasy novel to her first wonderful work, The Summerlands—the first novel in her Angels & Elementals series. She wanted to both pay tribute to and utilize Native American historical and cultural lore and characters into the essential elements of her second novel Demon Dagger. Susan was aware of my being a member of the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut. She knew I have spent most of my professional career directly engaged in Indian Affairs. So, she knew I would have plenty of reference resources for her early research phase as she began developing her next literary effort.
Drawing from the thirteen or so Native American historical and cultural reference books I loaned her and the numerous conversations we shared as she formulated this next effort, Susan crafted multiple storylines paying tribute to and honoring Indian Country, Native leaders, and tribal cultural ways. And she has done so entertainingly and engagingly, achieving that “page-turner” effect that readers seek. Once you dig in, you will not want to stop.
I am particularly honored as Susan has drawn elements from my own tribal affiliation and tribal historical background to name and enrich her characters, the numerous plots, and time periods. She has reflected her deep respect and passion for the people of my tribal history, our cultural ways, and the strong leadership traits we know from our tribal teaching.
428 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2021
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Susan Butler Colwell
3 books31 followersHello there!
Thank you so much for checking out my author page on Goodreads!
I've been a writer for a very long time, try three-plus decades. Most of that time was spent writing marketing copy, advertisements, radio copy, and travel articles. Easy Peasy. Give me a topic and I'll whip something out no problem.
However, when I decided to write a novel, I had no idea what to write about. I thought and thought until my brain began to hurt. Finally, I gave up and focused on introspection through meditation.
But that pesky thought of writing a novel cropped up in my mind-clearing moments, and as the gurus advised, I pushed it away--like put it on an imaginary log and sent it floating down my imaginary river.
One Saturday morning, I awoke from a dead sleep with The Summerlands playing as a movie in my head. I shot up, grabbed some coffee (okay, a lot of coffee), and began typing.
My husband, Cerphe (a cool radio guy who's interviewed countless cool people) says he's never seen anyone type so fast in his life. He was kind enough to throw me snacks and power walk out of the room as I typed out that first draft.
I’ve heard of songwriters “downloading” entire songs from the collective, the ethereal stream of information that rides the in-between spaces, the dark matter of the universe. I remember thinking how cool that was and wondering what that would be like.
Singer-songwriter Tom Waits says that when an idea for a song comes out of the blue like that, his job is to do what it takes to get it down. If he’s driving, he pulls over. If he’s sleeping, he jumps up and scribbles it down. If he doesn’t react right away, the song goes on to someone else…like Tom Petty, maybe. (Goodness, I miss Tom Petty. He’s mentioned in the book and yes, I cried when I wrote that scene.)
Chris Martin of Coldplay (who Cerphe has also interviewed because my hubby is insanely cool) has a similar theory. I’ve heard him say, “You know, wherever songs come from,” and “I don’t write songs, I receive them.” Those are just two of the soundbites he uses to sanely describe content received in a mystical way. But I notice he usually looks up or waves a hand at the ceiling when he says it. Uh, huh, Chris Martin, I see you…
Taking part in this phenomenon is one of the most remarkable experiences of my life, and I will be forever grateful.
If you check out The Summerlands, my debut novel, or the recently published The Demon Dagger, please let me know what you think. And keep in touch. I’d love to hear from you!
Happy Reading,
Susan
Thank you so much for checking out my author page on Goodreads!
I've been a writer for a very long time, try three-plus decades. Most of that time was spent writing marketing copy, advertisements, radio copy, and travel articles. Easy Peasy. Give me a topic and I'll whip something out no problem.
However, when I decided to write a novel, I had no idea what to write about. I thought and thought until my brain began to hurt. Finally, I gave up and focused on introspection through meditation.
But that pesky thought of writing a novel cropped up in my mind-clearing moments, and as the gurus advised, I pushed it away--like put it on an imaginary log and sent it floating down my imaginary river.
One Saturday morning, I awoke from a dead sleep with The Summerlands playing as a movie in my head. I shot up, grabbed some coffee (okay, a lot of coffee), and began typing.
My husband, Cerphe (a cool radio guy who's interviewed countless cool people) says he's never seen anyone type so fast in his life. He was kind enough to throw me snacks and power walk out of the room as I typed out that first draft.
I’ve heard of songwriters “downloading” entire songs from the collective, the ethereal stream of information that rides the in-between spaces, the dark matter of the universe. I remember thinking how cool that was and wondering what that would be like.
Singer-songwriter Tom Waits says that when an idea for a song comes out of the blue like that, his job is to do what it takes to get it down. If he’s driving, he pulls over. If he’s sleeping, he jumps up and scribbles it down. If he doesn’t react right away, the song goes on to someone else…like Tom Petty, maybe. (Goodness, I miss Tom Petty. He’s mentioned in the book and yes, I cried when I wrote that scene.)
Chris Martin of Coldplay (who Cerphe has also interviewed because my hubby is insanely cool) has a similar theory. I’ve heard him say, “You know, wherever songs come from,” and “I don’t write songs, I receive them.” Those are just two of the soundbites he uses to sanely describe content received in a mystical way. But I notice he usually looks up or waves a hand at the ceiling when he says it. Uh, huh, Chris Martin, I see you…
Taking part in this phenomenon is one of the most remarkable experiences of my life, and I will be forever grateful.
If you check out The Summerlands, my debut novel, or the recently published The Demon Dagger, please let me know what you think. And keep in touch. I’d love to hear from you!
Happy Reading,
Susan
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 24, 2021
There’s a lot to enjoy
This is an interesting story. There’s a lot to take in. It’s a romance. It’s an action adventure and fantasy story. There are elementals and angels and archangels. This is a crazy story that involves time travel and alternate universe. All that in one book. It’s ambitious. There are some good parts here. I think I would have liked the chapters to be unnamed as it seemed the author was trying too hard at times to caption the action in clever phrases. There are a bunch of characters and occasionally I got lost in all the characters and movement. Interesting story and read.
This is an interesting story. There’s a lot to take in. It’s a romance. It’s an action adventure and fantasy story. There are elementals and angels and archangels. This is a crazy story that involves time travel and alternate universe. All that in one book. It’s ambitious. There are some good parts here. I think I would have liked the chapters to be unnamed as it seemed the author was trying too hard at times to caption the action in clever phrases. There are a bunch of characters and occasionally I got lost in all the characters and movement. Interesting story and read.
October 27, 2021
Vonnegut with a supernatural twist! Susan Butler Colwell gifts us with her ability to project her excellent imagination, and very unique sense of humor, into The Demon Dagger. Many of the scenes in the book reminded me of Vonnegut books I’d read and so thoroughly enjoyed years ago. A lively take on archangels and elementals in human form was fun to envision and the otherworldly explanations of things and events in actual history was even better. The book flows smoothly, totally enjoyable to read. I hope that reading Book 2 first, doesn’t take away from Book 1, which I’ll be reading next. Great read!
August 1, 2021
What an imaginative story.
This romantic tale was richly imagined. The characters were well- developed. The world building was impressive. I loved the story, and even liked the villains. Well done!
This romantic tale was richly imagined. The characters were well- developed. The world building was impressive. I loved the story, and even liked the villains. Well done!
July 24, 2021
Well written
I liked this story a lot and I thought it was well written, I would definitely recommend these books to more people. I’m glad it was free on Kindle.
I liked this story a lot and I thought it was well written, I would definitely recommend these books to more people. I’m glad it was free on Kindle.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews