But it’s more than mirroring our world, it’s more so our innate longing for what once was. And so there are ten ways fantasy reflects what our hearts long for. Because of this, I also describe them as ten reasons why Christians should read fantasy.

I know, that can be controversial. But I’ll line out those reasons later. Meanwhile, I posted the question of how fantasy mirrors the real world.

Genres that Mirror the Real World

As I look at fantasy genres, there’s at least one that mirrors our longing for another world. C. S. Lewis and many others, including me, write Portal Fantasy.

Portal fantasy is where the characters go from our world into a fantasy world. But how does this mirror our longing? Listen as this facebook creator explains Aslan.

Did you hear what he said? Find me in your world. Portal fantasy is a longing for the world we were originally created for. A world that can be ours again at the end.

The Door Within by Wayne Thomas Batson not only is portal fantasy, but shows the ending of what could be–adventures with God, not sitting on clouds playing harps.

Characters that Mirror our Longing

The hero is a longing for something more as well. Think about it. We want someone to come in and rescue us!

I once heard a speaker describe it as “Bog Theology.” It’s the time in your life when you’re in the middle of a bog–think mile long and wide where you’re sinking into it. Kind of like the Fire Swamp in The Princess Bride. There are dangers and you’re sinking wanting out.

Bog Theology says that instead of God sending you a helicopter to get you out, he comes alongside you and walks with you through it.

How many fantasy heroes do that. We walk with them through their journey, but in so doing, they walk beside us, helping us through our real-life struggles.

If this sounds like something you want to know more about, follow the series. Next up will be a series of posts with two reasons each of why Christians should read fantasy. It’s the same idea. This longing for a place to call your own that resonates within us with fantasy.

The Wrinkle in Time sisters were prominently seated up front with Meg and Wallace Charles beside them. They’d been a help when our water had been turned off for over twelve hours this week. Whereas Brom and Dalmir had walked to the creek and hauled water to various houses.

Gandalf came around the corner. “We’re all set, Kandi. You’re sure I can’t light fireworks to celebrate our newest award member?”

“No!” I realized it came out too harsh when those in the back row turned to look at us. “No,” I repeated quieter.

“Very well, then.” He grimaced, but the twinkle in his eye told me he hadn’t completely set the idea aside.

I strode toward the windows, nodding to Alden and then gaping as a man with white hair and a long beard took a seat.

“Dumbledore?”

He nodded a greeting.

When had he arrived? Beside him sat a prim rabbit who was knitting. Mentally shaking my head, I continued to the front, making sure to not worry about where people would stay after the party. At least most of them were accustomed to camping out. I had a large yard they could use.

Once at the front, I cleared my throat. “Please, take your seats. We are about to begin.”

There was the rustling of people adjusting and the scraping of chairs along the wood floor. Trying not to be nervous, I glanced about. The room was filled with characters from books I’d read and some I’d not even heard of! I knew my to-be-read list was going to grow by leaps and bounds.

With only the noise of traffic to interrupt me, I opened the ceremony. “Welcome to the 2026 Silmaril Awards for Wisest Counselor.”

Meg squirmed in the front seat, and Mrs. Who (or was it Which) patted her on the knee.

I raised my hand to Gandalf and took my seat in the front row beside my husband. Gandalf seemed to glide to the front, his long beard ruffling to the side. At least his wizard’s hat didn’t hit the ceiling. With a gleam in his eye, he turned to the gathering.

“As our esteemed hostest has said, we are here to honor the Wisest Counselor in all of fantasy literature. This year, as always, the votes are close and by even being nominated, you have risen to the top of the best. But know, whether you are here as a guest or nominee, by virtue of your place in your story, you are important to those in your party. No hero ever made it to the end without the help of their counselor. Never forget that.”

He allowed the silence to drag on, and in that space, a motorcycle zoomed by, its engine reving. A chuckle rose to counter it. Gandalf pulled out a scroll.

“In fifth place…” He cleared his throat. “Athelas from The City Between.”

Polite applause filled the room. Although I hadn’t known Athelas for long, I was sorry he hadn’t won. But that might have been due to his love for my Langlois Fog tea.

When he had taken his seat, Gandalf squinted and read, “In fourth place is Dalmir from The Turrim Archive.”

My heart sank as I applauded and hooted. I’d so wanted Dalmir to win. After all he’d gone through with Grayden and the others, he deserved a silmaril.

“In third place…” Gandalf cocked his head and then nodded. “Ah, yes, The Magus from The Queen’s Thief.”

He’d been the one who’d suggested where we could find tea in my own backyard. I’d been grateful for his suggestions. I was sorry to see he hadn’t placed higher, but that left two favorites for the top contenders.

Gandalf glanced about the room, allowing silence to fall before he said, “In second place is Rendar from Moonscript.”

Loud cheering erupted, and I almost jumped to my feet.

My husband placed a hand on me. “Easy, Kandi. We can’t show favorites.”

But I couldn’t help it. After all, when the kids were younger, we’d had ferrets named Durza and Arya, and when my last series had come out, I’d sent Christopher Paolini a proof copy to ask for an endorsement. Instead, I received a nice letter saying he was working on a project–a project that ended up neck and neck in amazon ratings with my series as it released.

Gandalf raised his hands. “And as you have surmised, the winner of Wisest Counselor for 2026 is Brom from The Inheritance Cycle.”

This time, the cheering was so loud, I hid an ear in my shoulder. It didn’t really help.

Brom made his way to the front. As he arrived, a host of sparkles floated down on him. I looked to Gandalf and he winked at me. It wasn’t fireworks, but it worked for what we needed.

As Gandalf settled the Silmaril on Brom, I snapped a photo to send to my oldest son who still had a copy of The Inheritance Cycle sitting on his bookshelf.

“I am told, there is a feast prepared outside for all to enjoy,” Gandalf said. “And until next year’s Silmaril Awards, may you share wisdom wherever you go.”

Don’t miss the rest of the awards

Most Devoted Couple – T P Sarah at Light and Shadows
Most Epic Heroine – C. O. Bonham
Most Faithful Friend – Mackenzie K. Writes
Most Nefarious Villain – Janelle Leanne Schmidt
Strangest Character – E. E. Rawls
Most Magnificent Dragon – Rachel A. Greco
Most Epic Hero – DJ Edwards
Silver Tongue – S. L. Dooley
Most Rakish Rogue – Grace T

The previous week

Last week this time, we arrived home late. We’d been in the hospital for my husband’s urgent (not emergent) gallbladder surgery. While there we’d managed to pick up Professor Kirke, and then somehow ended up with enough room in the Prius to bring him back as well as a Costco run (which included my husband’s pain killers.) When we arrived, a man who looked much like my husband greeted us, helping bring in supplies. As he set down a box, I saw a mark on his hand. He quickly hid it, but I cocked my head.

“Brom?”

“At your service.” He turned to see my husband carrying the other box. “Let me get that for you.”

“I’ve got it,” my husband said as he set it on the island.

I shook my head this was going to be a long week.

At least my guests allowed us to sleep in, but by Sundy afternoon I came downstairs to find a man standing, looking slightly lost.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

“Is this where wisest counselors are gathering? I’m accustomed to inter-worlds travel, but this is a first for me.”

I chuckled. “You and me both. Welcome. I’m Kandi, your hostess. Care for a cup of…” I paused remembering I hadn’t ordered any more loose-leaf tea yet. “Coffee?”

“I… I’m not sure. I suppose I could try it.”

With something to do, I continued to make my newest guest feel at home.

Monday afternoon, three women escorted my husband in from the garage.

“I told you I could do it.” The woman adjusted her pink stole which was knotted around an overcoat; she was definitely overdressed for the warm September day.

“I never doubted you,” a plump woman with thick spectacles said.

The third ignored the other two and patted my husband’s arm. “I do believe he overdid it. We arrived just in time.”

“What were you doing now?” I asked my husband.

He shrugged, looking quite tired. “Only grinding shearing tool.”

I shook my head. “If you take him upstairs, he can show you to your rooms. And thank you, Mrs. Which. Or are you Mrs. Who?”

The three just smiled as my husband led them upstairs.

My home, although spacious, was starting to feel crowded. Gandalf, the two professors, and Brom had the third floor, and the three sisters now occupied the room across from mine. We couldn’t take many more guests.

Tuesday, went smoothly. As we walked the block to the photography studio, I was impressed with how well my husband could keep up. His healing was coming along. Before we made it the block to the studio, a man in a threadbare cloak approached us. Since we’d been known to wander the area in our own medieval garb, this didn’t surprise us. But it was his piercing blue eyes and long white beard that caught my attention.

“Is that a broadsword?” my husband asked the man, who glanced down.

“This?” He placed a hand on the hilt.

“Uh, yeah?”

The man shrugged and nodded. “Obviously, the world is not as I thought.”

I couldn’t hide a smirk.

“Yes, young lady?” The man glared at me with eyes full of knowledge and wisdom.

“Excuse me,” I said with a slight inclination of my head. “You may be another one of my guests. Are you purchance Dalmir of Turrim?”

A wary look crossed his aged face.

“It’s all right,” I soothed. “You’ve been called for the Silmaril Awards, and I’m your hostest. We’ll take you to our home.”

He muttered something into his beard, and I couldn’t help lean over and whisper, “Can I see the orb? It’s perfectly safe here.”

“Nothing is perfectly safe,” he grumbled, and I let it be.

By Friday, all was well. My guests were settling in, but I’d still not refreshed my tea stock. When Rendar refused coffee, but wished something hot to drink, I was at a loss.

There was a knock on the door.

“Good day, kind lady,” the gentleman said. “I hear you need tea. I may be of assistance. Let’s take a walk through your garden. There may be plants you need.”

“Why…” I don’t know why it threw me for a loop, but I finally found my voice. “Thank you. And you are?”

With a bow and a flourish, he said, “I am known as The Magus.”

Saturday’s happenings

Our walk wasn’t as successful as my tea-drinking guests would’ve wanted. There was a limited supply of spearmint and plantain leaves, but that was it. That evening, my final guest arrived. He’d have to share a room with The Magus, for I had no more beds available. But he, too, was a tea drinker.

As I stood in my kitchen wondering if I should leave my guests to their own devices while I went into town for the parade, my final guest, joined me, his hands wrapped around a mug. He hadn’t done anything but sip at what little tea I had, his eyes gazing into my soul as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.

Yet the more I watched him, the more I feared. Of all my guests, he seemed to be the one who would know a hundred ways to kill a person–and had discussed them at length with my husband over a mug of tea. Despite the fact that I believed he could kill me faster than a blink, I was still drawn to him like that cool uncle that everyone doesn’t understand but wants to be around.

It was at that moment that I realized what I needed to do.

“I’ll be right back!” I ran upstairs, grabbed my purse and returned. Athelas hadn’t moved, still holding his mug of tea. “I’ll go into town and bring back tea from Teas, Tinctures, and Tonics. Then you’ll have a good cup of tea.”

“Thank you,” he said with nod and turned back into the living room where Gandalf was discussing The Disaster of the Gladden Fields with the professors. “Why would you expend such a force of men when a single assassin would work?”

“You know nothing of orcs, sir,” Gandalf’s voice rose, and I second guessed myself.

Before I could chicken out, my husband joined me. I prayed our house would be left standing, and all our guests in one piece and unharmed when we returned.

Wisest Counselor 2026

Brom (Inheritance Cycle)
Athelas (The City Between)
Rendar (Moonscript)
The Magus (The Queen’s Thief)
Dalmir (The Turrim Archive)

Other Categories

Most Devoted Couple – T P Sarah at Light and Shadows
Most Epic Heroine – C. O. Bonham
Most Faithful Friend – Mackenzie K. Writes
Most Nefarious Villain – Janelle Leanne Schmidt
Strangest Character – E. E. Rawls
Most Magnificent Dragon – Rachel A. Greco
Most Epic Hero – DJ Edwards
Silver Tongue – S. L. Dooley
Most Rakish Rogue – Grace T

Where to Vote

What are the Silmarils:

The Silmaril Awards are all about celebrating fantasy fiction. But whereas most awards go to authors or books, these awards go to the characters themselves!

Started in 2016, these awards are a four week online celebration of all that’s best in fantasy literature. There are several awards in various categories given every year. The characters who receive them have to be from books generally considered to be in the fantasy genre. And a given character cannot receive an award more than once. These are lifetime awards.

Also, as Tolkien is, for us, the gold standard of fantasy, his characters are not eligible to be nominated. That’s because they’ll be the ones presenting the awards in this cross-dimensional online ceremony. 

Nominations are submitted on the websites of each of the presenters for that year. Anyone can submit a nomination and you can second (and third and fourth, etc.) any number of nominations besides your own.

After the nomination period (lasting one week), the five characters receiving the most nominations will make it onto the ballot and you’ll have one week to vote. After the votes are tallied, the winners will be announced, one per day, over the final two weeks of the awards.

Who to look for

Since each year, the different bloggers host different categories, you’ll find last year’s Most Faithful Friend on my blog.

This year, I get to hang out with none other than all the wisest counselors! That means that Gandalf and who knows who else will be hanging out in my 1880’s old stagecoach home. Maybe we can pretend it’s a castle?

But how does it work? I’m glad you asked. Starting September 7, you’ll be leaving comments on my blogs as well as others to nominate your favorite characters.

Rules for nominations:

Characters must be fantasy characters from books. This means no sci-fi, no contemporary, AND no webcomics, graphic novels, movies, and so on. If the story was a book first, but then got its own webcomic, graphic novel, characters from said story are eligible, but otherwise, sadly, they are not permitted. If there’s a book which might be seen as sci-fi, contemporary, or something else non-fantasy but you think has enough fantasy elements to count (for instance, The Lunar Chronicles, for the sake of the Silmaril Awards, count as fantasy, though they are rather sci-fi-y), make your case in the comments, and we will certainly consider it. 

Tolkien’s and Lewis’s characters are not allowed. Given that, in the awards ceremony at the end of the month, one of Tolkien’s characters (and potentially a few of Lewis’s) will be presenting this award, you really don’t want the conflict of interest that might result from the presenting characters being nominated for the award. Especially if they don’t win the final vote. It can get ugly, y’all. 

An author may not nominate (or second) his or her own characters. It’s just undignified and unprofessional, guys. Don’t do it. However, you of course may send your hyped-up readers to nominate and/or second your characters. (Winning a Silmaril would be really good publicity, just saying.)

Rule-breakers are sent immediately over to Rachel A. Greco, who’s hosting the dragons this year, to be eaten. Look, I don’t make the rules, I just enforce them. If you don’t want to follow these rules, prepare to be a dragon’s lunch. And vice versa–if you don’t want to be a dragon’s lunch, prepare to follow the rules. 

Former Wise Counselor Winners

Silmarils are a one-time thing, so a character may only win a category once. Here are the characters who have already won this award:

-Helmer (The Green Ember)
-Queen Irene (Princess and the Goblin)
-Nia (The Wingfeather Saga)
-Merlin (Arthurian Legends)
-Puddleglum (The Chronicles of Narnia)
-Halt (Ranger’s Apprentice)
-Remus Lupin (Harry Potter)
-Professor Kirke (The Chronicles of Narnia)
-Professor Hamilton (Dragons in Our Midst)
-Aslan (The Chronicles of Narnia)

Well, I’d best get to cleaning. We have enough room in this place, but my guest will expect some cleanliness. Let’s see how well this year’s Silmaril Awards go. Who knows, I may meet a new friend, or get to spend time with an old one. Who do you want to see win?

Founders

Two stories. 
Two books. 
Two families. 
Without courage neither will have a legacy to leave to the next generation. What heritage will you leave for your family?

Two stories:
What happens if you have dragons and an ice sea? What if a young man is out for revenge–against dragons?
What happens when a sliver of your moon comes careening toward the planet? What will it take for a family to survive?

Two books:
Things Passed Down
Things Left Behind

Two families:
Giorgi Ioseb’s son is the last of clan Kori. He’s determined to fulfill his papa’s dying wish.
Wendel Vogt’s dad handed him the family ring as the sliver of the moon had entered their planet’s atmosphere. With it comes a responsibility to the family and to stand for what Dad stood for.

Courage:
Giorgi will need courage to go against his very nature to achieve the revenge he longs for.
Wendel will need courage to face a world tilted off its axis.

The Special Editions

Since both stories take place at oposite ends of the planet, I’ve used that to influence the color choice. Things Passed Down will be blue to represent the cold north, while Things Left Behind is orange for the sun. Things Passed Down has snowflakes in silver foil. Things Left Behind has the watch Wendel’s dad gives him in gold foil. The silver and gold will continue with faux metalic sprayed edges.

Inside will have special art for chapter headers. I’m still finalizing who and what that will look like.

How to Pre-order

Normally, to pre-order books, you go to retailers, pay them, wait until release day and then the ebook miraculously ends up on your device. I’ve started to change that up. Instead of the impersonal route of ebook only pre-order, I’ve started to use Kickstarter. This enables those who pre-order to receive the ebooks months before the book is available in stores and usually there’s something special about even the ebooks that don’t end up on regular stores.

Besides early special ebooks, this also enables special art to be commissioned. For Paskal’s Hope in Four Stars over Ardatz: Journeys duology, we have two character sketches added to the chapter art already in the paperback and hardback that won’t be available in retail stores.

Kickstarter enables the author and reader to connect through reader polls of what they want in the book, stretch goals, and direct messaging.

To sum up, Kickstarter is great because:

• you receive ebooks ahead of others
• you receive special edition ebooks
• you receive special edition paperbacks or hardbacks (yes, both physical and ebook)
• you get to vote in what makes the special edition ‘special’
• you have direct access to the author
• you get swag (either digital or physical)
• you get both books of the duology at once if you wish instead of waiting (for this and future Kickstarters for me)

If that sounds like something you want to be a part of, then follow the Kickstarter to get an email notification when it launches (early September is the plan.)

What is Kickstarter?

You’ve heard of gofundme. Think of Kickstarter as a gofundme with perks! The gaming community has used Kickstarter for years. The indie-published book industry has just recently hopped on board.

This crowdunding option, enables the reader to have direct access to the author. The messsage feature works well, and many times the author has the reader interact with them through polls.

Since Kickstarter has been around for years, they’ve figured out the ins and outs of how to vet projects, provide secure payment options, etc.

How Kickstarter works

The project will be live for 23 days. During that time, you have the opportunity of pledging and encouraging your friends to pledge and back the project. If it funds, and only if it funds, you’ll pay what you pledged and get your rewards.

Reward tiers allow you to choose how much you wish to receive and how much you wish to support a project.

If the project funds early, then stretch goals are implemented–these are things that brings more value to your product and the project. For books, it’s often character art, maps, special art to include in the book, bookmarks, stickers, deleted scenes, extra short stories, etc. The more people who back, the higher the project goes and the more perks everyone gets!

When the project ends, late pledges can be in effect. (I’ve set mine to last until I make a final order of books.) This means there will still be people who can get the perks, even if they were late to the party.

A week after the project ends, Kickstarter uses Stripe to charge your credit card. Then if your card has changed since you pledged, Kickstarter, and often the author, will reach out to get that fixed. I just supported one Kickstarter where those errored cards made the difference in what art we would receive in our books! I was so excited to hear it got figured out and everyone still was able to have that stretch goal.

Kristjan’s Rise as a Kickstarter

I learned a lot from Bonded Crowns as a Kickstarter, and that helps you out.

You’ll be choosing from several options.

The first level is “back because you want to”–you can add some extra change to support it without receiving anything or add more to your pledge because you believe in it.

Then there are ebook options–from Uprooted to Kristjan’s Rise months before it’ll be available on outlets.

Physical product: Every physical product comes with an ebook as well. You’ll have your choice of paperback or hardback or sparkly hardback. Let me explain.

Both paperback and hardback will come with chapter art headings. These look really nice in the proof paperback I’ve received. There are two different images–one for Geirfinnur (the dad) and one for Kristjan’s point of view.

In hardback, you’ll have two choices–regular and shiny sparkly. The regular one has a dust jacket with the cover on it, and on the book, just Kristjan and his thinking spot.

The Sparkly Hardback special edition:

Let’s work our way from the outside in. There is a gold-foiled dust jacket–the title and author name in gold foil. When you turn the book to the side, you’ll see the gold-colored sprayed edges. When you open it, you’ll see leather-look endpages. If you take off the dust jacket, you’ll understand why the endpages are leather-like. This cover is as if you’re opening a leather tome like Kristjan would have in the library. There is gold foil on the metal corner pieces. And then each chapter has the art.

Stretch Goals

Once we reach our goal of $500 pledged, we’ll be working toward art that will be placed in each book. There are a lot of art-worthy scenes in this story, and Moonpix Art is already working on pieces for the game that will go along with Kristjan’s Rise.

This scene is of the original founders of Storeheltur.

Besides art, there are many deleted scenes. My editor was even sad to see these go! So, I’ll be offering those up.

There are also songs in the story and as those who followed Bonded Crowns knows songs can be fun to have digitally, but can also take a long time to produce. This time, I already have the songs composed and written down for musicians to play. I’ve spoken with a harpist and she has access to two different studios and has recorded before.

So as you can see, these books, besides being available months before the rest of the world gets access, have the potential to be unique and an interactive experience.

Now What?

How do you get your own special edition? Hop over to the Kickstarter and click follow (or make a pledge) depending on when you see this. It will only be available from May 13-June 5. A few tiers will be available after that.

Did you hear about the game? I’ll have more information later about that, but think Settlers of Catan meets Ticket to Ride meets Arkham. You’ll become one of the Ancients, the original settlers of Storeheltur, and help them create Storeheltur in under 30 days. Each round is one day, so the clock is ticking.

In the meantime, follow the kickstarter to get in on the special edition. It won’t be availble until November otherwise, and the sparkly hardback won’t be availble until next year sometime! And then only on my website.

Do you love worlds where there are high stakes? Worlds where cultures clash and people have to figure out how to get along? Where love is gentle and comes along slowly?

Then you’ll love Sharon Rose. Whether she’s writing stories in space or a medieval world, she brings all of that together in a masterful story.

Arts of Substance

This unique world has three gifts: Formers, Weavers, and Streamers.

Formers can sense and move the ground. They polish stones, excavate, and build.

Weavers move the wind and can control the weather patterns.

Streamers control the waters.

The gifts are given based not on the person but what Creo deems best for the world, and if someone acts in defiance to him, their gift can be taken away! In a world where status is held based on your gift, that’s not something people are willing to chance.

Book 1: To Form a Passage

The first book introduces us to Dirklan, an underground province that is expanding and bringing ore to the rest of the kingdom until there’s a collapse and the province is cut off from above. Their will to survive is challenged, and politics come to the fore as they seek a passage to reach the world above.

Book 2: To Weave the Wind

Set several generations after the first book, To Weave the Wind gives us a glimpse of the world outside Dirklan and then the problems that have resulted from years of isolation below.

An ambassador is sent from above to Dirklan province, but this ambassador is the daughter of the king and queen. Her gifting has always been valued, and she’s grown up knowing that she’s needed below.

When she arrives, though, she discovers she’s not what the people of Dirklan think she is. They want a streamer to open the waterways that bring in supplies, but she’s a weaver of the wind. What need can there be for wind in an underground world?

To make matters worse, all the eligible bachelors are vying for her hand in marriage. Thankfully, her father gave instructions to the governor of Dirklan that she’s capable of making her own decision.

As the passage that brings food in worsens and political scheming rises, the ambassador and the governor’s son work together with their unique giftings to bring unwanted but much needed help to the province.

Review of To Weave the Wind

Sharon Rose did it again! A story that brings to light the problems that can form when we don’t see things from different perspectives. The age-old struggle of thinking our way is right without bothering to discover that there are other ways of thinking.

Her use of the giftings is masterfully woven to show that each person is unique even if they have the same type of gift–each gift is manifested in a unique way. The whole idea of gifts resonates throughout the story shedding light on our own world.

A must read for those who love fantasy worlds with a touch of realism, characters to love, and books that transport you while they encourage you.

Today, we’re focusing on the first two trilogies: Bright Lands and Battle Lines

Bright Lands

The first trilogy starts off with eighteen-year-old Hest. All he wants to do is work with horses. They’re much easier to get along with than people–especially girls. He can talk to horses, understands what they’re saying, and knows how to care for them. People? Not so much. Maybe because he was orphaned eight years ago. Whatever it is, he prefers the comfort of the stables.

But…

There’s always that little word. My dad always used to say watch what happens after the word but. It’s always important.

But when a wonderous stallion visits his stable, Hest is introduced to a warrior. This warrior demands Hest comes with him and hands coins to the innkeeper. Hest thinks he’s been sold as a slave!

Meanwhile, the warrior starts teaching Hest some of his language while they travel south toward the land of the sun. By the time they reach the capital of Hest’s country, Hest gets up enough gumption to ask about slavery. The warrior is shocked to say the least. He explains that the money was the cost of an apprentice and he wanted Hest as a squire. When Hest agrees to this, his real adventures begin.

Going in front of kings.

Meeting a beautiful (and spirited) princess.

Saving a baby dragon!

That last one sends Hest on a journey he never expected–to be a king!

Wait! What? The kid who isn’t good with people is supposed to be king? That won’t work. And you’re right. Hest tries his best, but between his bond with the dragon, his longing for his homeland, and the struggles of a new marriage, being king is least of his worries. Unfortunately, several different groups take advantage of this and threaten the royal family as well as the kingdom.

Battle Lines

The second trilogy focuses on the girls in Hest’s life.

Siobhan

We’ve seen everything from Hest’s point of view up until now. Grown to love him and understand him, but now we get to see Siobhan.

We’ve met this feisty princess earlier, but now we dive into her thoughts, emotions, and determination. We see the grit she’s made of, as well as how she’s been spoiled as a princess.

She wants her relationship with her husband to be perfect, but there’s someone else in her husband’s life–a dragon–and she’s jealous! Jealousy is a bad bed partner.

The tension builds, but maybe a baby will make everything better. For a bit, but kids also add more stress to a relationship.

Add in PTSD, to postpartum depression and Siobhan is ripe for fear to control her. Then when her greatest fears come true and she’s again abducted by her enemies, she has to learn how to face fear.

Facing fear isn’t a one time action, though. Even as Siobhan takes action to never be weak again, she’s still learning how to grieve and how to manage her fears.

A new threat to her kingdom steps up to join forces with her old enemies, and she must face the ultimate decision in battle.

Mairead

And what about that little girl, Mairead? (pronounced Marr-ed)

We’ve seen here as a baby, as a little girl running around the Rittider training ground, and training horses. (Yes, she has her da’s love of the creatures.)

Now, we watch her in grief as she takes on the crown. Her faithful captain of the royal guard is there for her, and she has a journal from the original dragon king to guide her.

But…

(There’s that word again.)

By the time she’s sixteen, almost seventeen, a neighboring country extends a treaty proposal with a marriage proposal. Mairead’s not ready for marriage, but she’s curious about this right of passage.

After convincing her council to at least allow the prince to visit, she finds the prince is more than meets the eye. Although plagued with a disease that causes constant pain in his joints and muscles, he also is a mage. Mairead is interested in this since she’s starting to see and feel strange things whenever she thinks of the dragons of her country’s past.

What will be the cost of her decisions? How will she tame this wild energy within her?

Although, the first two trilogies are finally published, there’s still one more story in Four Stars over Ardatz: Sovereigns–Bonded Crowns. This is the original dragon king’s story. Look for it in 2024 with a Kickstarter launch. (Look for the Kickstarter project in spring of 2024, or follow my blog and newsletter to get updates.)

Action

The series Four Stars over Ardatz: Sovereigns has been touted for its action-packed pages. Resolved is no different. The action starts with tension between the queen and her council and moves to rumors of war which Siobhan tries to stop.

Coming of Age

If you thought Siobhan grew in Determined, she really comes into her own in Resolved. Before she was a spoiled princess learning about marriage. Now, she’s queen and a single parent to a ten-year-old. She’s doing her best to keep her daughter and her kingdom safe.

Clean Romance

The sanctity of marriage has always been at the top of my values. Therefore, it was with trepidation that I allowed my characters to speak to me and act on their hearts. What followed was a clean romance that doesn’t defy any boundaries, but may result in some interesting conversations down the road between characters.

Epic Fantasy

What’s more epic than the peace of multiple nations? The Navwood have been a pain in Siobhan’s side since she was a teen. Since they can’t do much on their own, they look for allies—like they did with the Aeguskey in Uprooted. This time they find a neighboring kingdom to help along with a jiddee’adar (mage).

Addicting Series

Many have said this is an addicting series. All I can say is find out for yourself. Pick up Uprooted and see what you think.

Found Family

This theme has woven its way throughout every single book. From Hest and Sydur to Hest and Siobhan, and now Mairead is seeking a da that’ll be there for her. Find out who’ll step up and fill those shoes.

Worldbuilding

As I build a world, I want to create it in such a way that I can enjoy living in it over the course of writing the book(s). Ardatz is no different. For over a year, I brainstormed with family members and even a scientist to be sure that it was plausible. I didn’t want to live with sci-fi, but some of the stories that may live in Ardatz may very well be more science fantasy if not science fiction!

As a result, Ardatz is a world you can want to live in.

Lovable Characters

From the beginning, readers have loved Hest. Siobhan and Mairead, Kyeth, Gareth, and Faolan are sure to become fan favorites as well.

Good vs Evil

This age-old battle has filled fantasy for centuries. The jiddee’adar vs sanyalee express that in Resolved, but also the question of war. Good being the country at peace and evil being the country that invades for no other reason than they can.

Amazing Rallying Cries

You know the scene. The one where Theoden rallies the Roharrim. Or the one where Aragorn and Legolas argue in Helm’s Deep with the men looking on. Both are rallying cries that stir your hearts. According to my editor, Siobhan has just the right rallying cry for her Rittider and army.

Mages

In Ardatz, mages are known as jiddee’adar. They follow Jeeah’s guidance and have been given power from the various elements on Ardatz that flows through their blood. Sanyalee either are jiddee’adar that have turned against Jeeah, or they’re normal people who use stones and other focusing items and force the power to themselves.

Out of all of Four Stars over Ardatz: Sovereigns books, Resolved sees Lugh and Conry fighting together. The sanyalee that they face is one that originally was a jiddee’adar but has turned his back on Jeeah.

Explores an Age-Old Question

Why do bad things happen to good people is a question that has troubled philosophers and still bothers everyday people. I didn’t go about writing a treatise on why bad things happen to good people, but it flowed in story format and then was tempered through the events of 2020 when Determined and Resolved were written. As you read, you’ll see the hope and the reason behind why bad things happen to Siobhan and, hopefully, see why they may happen to you.

So, here are 12 reasons why you should pre-order Resolved? What are you waiting for? Haven’t started the series yet? No problem. As I told my email readers, you still have time to pick up Uprooted and read through. Resolved releases on July 11. Grab your summer reads now and get caught up.

Sales

The first way we celebrate is with discounts. Who doesn’t like that? Uprooted and Determined are on sale for 99 cents for this week. If you haven’t nabbed them, now’s the time.

Why you should purchase it?

Do you like books that keep you turning the pages? Books that are addicting? Those that have hope despite the darkness around them? Do you like series where the books keep getting better and better? These are what readers are saying about this best-selling series–Four Stars over Ardatz: Sovereigns.

If you like dragons, clean romance, fantasy, and action, you’re bound to enjoy this series.

First chapter

The preview at the end of Exalted isn’t from the first chapter. My editor and I debated about what to add as the preview and decided to show a bit more of the action instead. So, the first chapter has yet to be seen. Hop on over to read it and get a glimpse of the story.

What’s all the hub-bub?

According to one reviewer, “The tension never lets up. There are threats around every corner, and that includes in [Siobhan’s] own castle.”

Another reviewer said, “I liked how we see Siobhan’s POV more in this novel, and she has her own resilience.”

A third reviewer commented, “Determined is a good mix of action, suspense, heartbreak and romance. The story is a bit more dark than the previous books but just as good.”

“Another amazing story.”

What it’s about

When your nightmares waken, where do you find rest?

Eighteen-year-old Siobhan had lived a sheltered life until the Navwood attacked and a dragon bonded with her betrothed. Living with the remnant terrors of two abductions has left its mark, and that cut is getting deeper as she tries to adapt to life as a queen, a wife, and a mother.

Her husband is more interested in spending time with his dragon than being with her—or fulfilling his duties as king. Siobhan’s jealousy over their bond feeds her fear of the draconic features that come and go with his emotions, and the dragon’s silver around his eyes is a constant reminder that he’s not wholly hers—or ever will be.

But when the Navwood send a kidnapper to steal their daughter, Hest marches to battle, leaving his family under the protection of a palace guard. Unfortunately, the dangers of war are closer to home than either of them realized, and to save herself and her family, Siobhan will have to find new courage in the face of a waking nightmare.

When Hest returns, it’ll take all her strength to face the pressures from the court—let alone the changes war has wrought on her husband. Can their own bond survive both the pressures of a kingdom and the fears they both carry?

Where to get your copy

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