Writing

Taskmakat

It’s a long way from the northern mountains back to the summer lands — and all the challenges Aras left behind are waiting. Worse, no matter how Aras handles those problems, the summer king’s judgment of his actions is certain to be harsh.

Released from every vow he ever swore to Aras, Ryo could remain among his own people. But he can’t abandon Aras to confront his king alone — especially as the struggle they endured in the land of the shades still haunts them both.

But, as they journey south, Ryo realizes that Aras may be losing control of his sorcery. Even if Ryo can persuade the summer king to judge Aras kindly, that may only be the beginning of the challenges they face. If Aras’ strength of will fails, even Ugaro stubbornness may not be enough to prevent disaster …

Tano

Tano may be in Gara now, but he feels anything but secure.

Born to the inTasiyo, bitter enemies of the inGara, Tano is trying hard to behave perfectly and win acceptance among his new people. But he fears that any misstep might mean the lord of the inGara casts him out. Tano could lose more than his place with his new tribe: he could lose Ryo’s good opinion and encouragement, his tentative new friendships, his younger brother — everything that matters to him.

He would rather die.

Then Vayu inKera, also once inTasiyo, brings Tano an urgent problem, asking for his help. Tano owes Vayu too great a debt to refuse … whatever the cost.

Black Dog Short Stories IV

Four novellas set after the events of Copper Mountain:

Thaddeus puts his own twist on a diplomatic mission.

Tommy finds his introduction to Dimilioc somewhat eventful.

Ethan takes responsibility for working out problems with Sergei Vasiliev and his people.

A simple mission turns anything but simple for Keziah and Justin.

Shines Now, and Heretofore

A long time ago, Kuomat walked into the woods, abandoning his place in the world of men. For years he’s lived as an outlaw, with little to do with ordinary townsfolk. But when Jenna asked him for help in the name of Death’s Lady and of the king of Talasayan, Kuomat chose to involve himself in the affairs of the great.

That did not go unnoticed.

Now Kuomat has one last chance to step out of the forest and return to the world … if he can bring himself to take it.

Suelen

This short novel is set directly after the events of Tuyo.

Following the great battle in the winter country, a handful of surviving Lau, too badly wounded to travel, were left to the care of Ugaro tribesmen.

Surgeon Dedicat Suelen Haras Soyauta, personal physician to the king of the summer country, can’t bear the thought that injured Lau soldiers have been abandoned in the winter country, subject to who knows what barbaric medical practices, perhaps even to neglect or outright abuse. He’s determined to cross the river to care for those soldiers — despite the risk that the Ugaro may condemn, as forbidden sorcery, even magic dedicated to the healing arts.

His act of courage and mercy may change the world.

Keraunani

Esau Karuma never expected to marry — he’s really not the type.

But when he hears about a girl who’s got to get married immediately or else she’ll be crushed under a whole mountain of trouble, Esau doesn’t hesitate to volunteer. He’ll whisk her out of the way of disaster, marry her real quick, get her settled someplace she’ll be comfortable, and that will be that. No reason in the world either of them should be too much of a nuisance to the other.

Given his whole life so far, he should have known that plan might be a little too optimistic …

The Sphere of the Winds

The Long awaited sequel to The Floating Islands

The Floating Islands are under siege.

Trei, Araenè, and their friends saved the Floating Islands once, thwarting the Toulonn Empire’s attempt at conquest. But the Toulonnese haven’t given up, and the same trick certainly won’t work a second time … especially when the Islands unexpectedly lose their special connection to dragon magic.

Then it turns out that Toulonn is not the only, or the worst, enemy the Floating Islands face. As peril grows, Trei, with his connection to Toulonn, and Araenè, with her an unusual style of magic, will need all their strength and resolve if they are to find a way to safeguard the Islands once more.

Tarashana

A year and a half ago, Ryo and Aras defeated their enemy, ending the conflict between the winter country and the summer lands. But with all his important secrets revealed in that struggle, Lord Aras now faces a new challenge in dealing with his own countrymen.

Then a message arrives from Ryo’s people: A woman of the Tarashana has come to them from the starlit lands beyond their northern border. Though she plainly needs their help, she is mute. She cannot explain what happened to her people or describe what enemy drove them from their lands. No Ugaro can speak to her — but Aras might. Will he come, and by his arts help Tarashana and Ugaro understand one another?

As Shadow, A Light

Sometimes the past does not let go.

Tenai is determined that no one will use her to break the fragile peace of her world, even if that means she must support and defend the son of her bitterest enemy. But set against four hundred years of fury and hatred, that determination may not be enough.

Daniel has come to know far more about Tenai’s adversaries than he ever wanted to — more than she knows herself. Forced into unwilling cooperation with these enemies, Daniel must find a way to defy their plans, protect his daughter, and help Tenai overcome the shadows of her past — before it’s too late.

Of Absence, Darkness

Down the rabbit hole, but not to Wonderland.

Daniel never imagined that Tenai’s memories of her earlier life might be absolutely true. But when he and his daughter are swept up in the plots of her enemies and dropped abruptly into a world of dark magic and darker history, Daniel must find a way to aid Tenai against the all-too-real echoes of her past.

Though the hidden schemes of Tenai’s enemies offer peril enough, the worse threat comes from within: if Tenai cannot master the vast rage she still carries, her own fury may shatter her world.