Welcome to our new members! I’m A.R. Grimes, an indie author of fantasy. If you love reading books and learning new things, then you’re in the “write” place. Ha ha. Okay, moving on …
In honor of mothers and “mother-figures” everywhere, I wish to share a snippet from Wyldling Snare. The main protagonist, Enoch Northward, is not your typical orphan from a fantasy series. He grew up in a loving home nurtured by guardians concerned with his best interests. One woman in his community, Verbena, he calls his “little mother.” Although she wasn’t the woman who gave birth to him, Verbena was still a “little bit mama” to Enoch in that he saw her filling that role in his life. The scene that follows depicts Enoch being quite thoroughly mothered (smothered? Ha!) by several women in the Lilac Grove community.
In the kitchen, women lay waiting in ambush like soot panthers. Verbena Fourtier, the doctor’s assistant, and Marilla Mulgrove, the housekeeper, jumped up from the tea-table to pounce on Enoch the moment he came through the door. The head cook, Nancy Tellyson, was only a step behind them.
Tears streamed from red-rimmed eyes as the housekeeper clasped his face between her hands. “Praise Yshua, you’re alive! You’ve been gone all day; we’ve been so worried. The troops are in an uproar, and the seneschal’s still out looking for you. Land sakes! You must be starving, Enoch. I’ll have Nancy whip up something—”
“He’s too old for that, Marilla,” Verbena said, tugging on the other woman’s arm. “And call him ‘sir’; he’s the master, now.” But the brightness in her eyes and trembling in her gentle voice betrayed her concern.
“Nonsense. He’ll always be our little dartling jay—”
His cheeks burning under her palms, Enoch blurted, “Yes, Mrs. Mulgrove. Food would be appreciated. Thank you.”
Mrs. Mulgrove turned to issue orders, but Nancy already danced around the kitchen gathering ingredients to prepare something suitable for a baron-knight’s dinner.
“Bread and cheese is fine,” he called to her, but doubtless she ignored him. The other two women fussed over him, making him sit at the table despite his protests.
Enoch smoothed a scowl from his forehead. What good was it being a baron-knight if nobody listened to you? He’d wager Sir Rick never needed to put up with this.
Verbena prepared his tea while Mrs. Mulgrove rattled on concerning the woes that could have befallen “her dartling jay” and how glad she was—praise Yshua again and again—he’d come home safe and unscathed. Beige cheeks darkening, Verbena tried to hush the other woman. She stirred in a splash of cream and a generous dollop of lavender honey and handed him the teacup.
Enoch sipped; the tea tasted bittersweet. The honey jar was stamped with the Pines family mark.
What would Janet think of your efforts to find her today?
He wanted to swallow his guilt with the tea, but it burned like gall in his throat. He cleared his throat. “No, Mrs. Mulgrove,” he interjected, striving for the calm, measured tone of authority Sir Rick used. The old baron-knight never had trouble quelling the garrulous housekeeper. “Everything was fine. I didn’t encounter any bandits, evil sorcerers, or sinkhole sands in the Darkenwood Forest. No lykharim or soot panthers from beyond the Veil, either. There wasn’t even any itchweed.”
Hungry or not, he needed to get away from them. Enoch took another sip, then set his cup on the saucer with a clink. “Now, ladies, if you’d please excuse me, there are important matters I must attend to—” And then, his stomach decided to growl.
Mrs. Mulgrove adopted a no-nonsense look. “Dartling—excuse me—Sir Enoch, best you eat something and then take yourself to bed. Verbena, don’t you agree it’s best?” Nodding, the other woman looked into her tea with a wry smile. “Yes,” Mrs. Mulgrove continued, “I’ll have Sylvie bring a tray up to you for supper, once Nancy—ah! Never mind, here it is.” Nancy slid a steaming plate in front of Enoch and, smiling apologetically, handed him a napkin.
“And then,” the housekeeper continued, “you should get some shut-eye. Almighty willing, things will look brighter in the morning.” Her tone softened, and she patted his hand. “They always do.”
Enoch managed a smile. Oh, please, Lord Yshua, let her shut up so I can eat in peace.
Mrs. Mulgrove opened her mouth to launch into another stream of platitudes, but Verbena cleared her throat. “Marilla, dear,” she said, touching her wrist. “Before he retires, I must assess our baron-knight’s health. If you could please grant us some privacy?”
“Oh, dearie me, yes,” the housekeeper replied. “I just remembered; Sylvie needs to be trained to clean the baths. If you will excuse me, Dart—I mean, Sir Enoch?”
Enoch nodded. “Good night, Mrs. Mulgrove. And good night,” he added to the cook, who stood awaiting further orders. She bobbed a curtsy and left through the servants’ door. He held his breath until Mrs. Mulgrove curtsied and then bustled out the swinging doors leading into the Manor’s dining hall.
Verbena raised a hand to cover her grin. “Go on, dear, eat. My ‘assessment’ can wait; I’ll not come between a hungry adolescent and his food.”
Enoch breathed a brief prayer of thanksgiving and tucked into his meal—a warm pastry crust filled with onions, sausage bits, scrambled eggs, and cream cheese. One of Sally’s cream cheeses? He envisioned her round face, lit up with an expectant smile as he sampled her hard work from the dairy. His grip tightened on his fork.
I didn’t find the maidens three. I must try harder tomorrow.
Tears filled his eyes and spilled over, dripping off his nose. Salt to season the crumbs left on his plate. Furiously, he wiped his face with the napkin, and then pulled it away to look at it more closely. There, in one corner, the weaver had stitched her symbol. A cart’s wheel.
Becky wove the linen for these napkins. Lil’ Becky Rosa, with yellow roses in her hair, her dark eyes shining in the torchlight. Dancing. Would she still believe Enoch resembled King Gideon if she saw him now?
Enoch shuddered; the napkin crumpled in his hand.
I will find you, Becky—I promise!
A warm hand rubbed his shoulder. Verbena’s low voice said, “It’s all right.” She put an arm around him. Turning, he buried his face in her apron smocking, and inhaled sharply. His nose filled with the sharp scent of healing herbs.
Despite the tea he’d drunk, his throat felt scratchy and tight. “Oh, little mother,” he choked out.
Verbena’s arms drew him close, but they seemed smaller and frailer than when he was younger. He clung to her anyway.
“It’s all right,” she crooned. “Everything will be all right.”
Lakefly Writers Conference
Last weekend I attended my second Lakefly Writers Conference in Oshkosh, WI alongside my four friends in the Sun Prairie Writers Group – Gail, Jennifer, Mike, and Dennis. Jennifer rode up with me. We stopped at Hughes Home Maid Chocolates, Ltd where I bought 2 pounds of chocolates that will add 10 pounds to my hips. But it’s worth it. If you ever happen to visit Oshkosh, I highly recommend Hughes.
I attended sessions lead by award-winning writers and authors: T.K Sheffield, Kristin Tenor, Kate Penndorf, Wendy Wimmer, and Nickolas Butler. A panel of local librarians gave guidance to indie authors looking to connect with libraries. Tammy Borden, author of Waltraud, gave a very moving keynote speech about her experience publishing her mother’s story and the importance of story-telling.
Much of what I learned in the sessions reinforced what I already knew. It was also a great networking opportunity and I met and kibbitzed with other writers. This year I did not sell my books at the book fair. However, I did buy or trade with authors who did have tables set up.
On a whim, I signed up for a free one-on-one with an Author Stylist, Rebekah Bryan, of “Bedecked by Bek.” No, she didn’t do my hair, but she did help me figure out ways to promote my “brand” as an author. Bek put together a Pinterest board of outfits and gave suggestions for accessories. She even took me shopping at the local outlet mall! It was a lot of fun and I found clothes I could wear at events that capture the vibe and voice of the Wyldling Dream series.
On Friday night the library hosted an open mic and many people read either poetry or prose. Conscious of the 3 minute time limit, I read a flash fiction piece I wrote called “Boon of the Star God.” Jennifer read a flash fiction piece as well.
During lunch on Saturday the winners of the writing contest were announced. Gail won first place and Jennifer won second place in the short story contest! I’m so proud of them; they’re both great writers. I enjoy reading and critiquing their work. You can read their award-winning stories, and those of others, on the Lakefly Writers Conference website.
Even though my short story wasn’t chosen, I was grateful to win one of the door prizes in the raffle drawing. Nick Chiarkas gave me an extra raffle ticket and I like to think he helped me to win.
What’s Ahead?
May 17: I’ll be at the Maker’s Market in Sun Prairie. Look for Huckleberry Rahr Author. We’re sharing a space.
May 25: Come check out the Kenosha Book Festival – Chapter 2, hosted by Studio Moonfall.
May 28: Stray Kids World Tour – DominATE! at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA. Sorry; I’ll be too busy dancing and whooping it up with my friend, Sarah, and other Stays to sell any books.
June: Trip to Florida.
July: Trip to Okinawa.
August 25: I’ll be at the Kenosha Book Festival – Chapter 5, hosted by Studio Moonfall.
Need A Wholesome and Engaging Fantasy Series? Look No Further!
Wyldling Snare
Book One of the Wyldling Dream Series
Available in paperback wherever books are sold! Also available in e-book format on Amazon. Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited.
Apprentice knight Enoch Northward isn’t ready to lead. But when he returns home to find his mentor dead and the heir-apparent missing, he knows he must rise to the challenge.
But the horrifying truth of his guardian’s death and disappearance of his friends leaves the grieving knight with no time to mourn. In search of answers, he ventures into the forbidden forest. There he discovers a portal leading to another world – and a girl who shares his faith and dreams.
The realm hangs in the balance as a mysterious enemy schemes to destroy it, but not all peril comes from the outside. Enoch himself harbors a secret that could destroy all he loves…
Wyldling Trials
Book Two of the Wyldling Dream Series
Available in paperback wherever books are sold! Also available in e-book format on Amazon. Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited.
High school honors student Annabelle Leigh Wells believed she was equipped for a visit to another world. Unfortunately, reading fantasy novels failed to prepare her for a real-life adventure.
When she travels through a wormhole to the perilous world of Tehara, Annabelle discovers that her dreamscape-brother—the Baron-Knight, Enoch Northward—has been kidnapped. Eager to rescue Enoch from scheming nehmwights, Annabelle embarks on a journey with seasoned warriors, determined to prove to Commander Storm that she is a capable member of the team and not just a “weak womanchild” to be left behind.
However, something has broken her dreamscape connection with Enoch, and a shadowy menace stalks her dreams while she searches for him. As Annabelle trains to protect her mind and body, strange things begin happening whenever she’s around water. Desperate to serve what she sees as her God-given purpose, Annabelle realizes she must master the power awakening inside her. But will it prove a lifesaver for her and her companions – or destroy all hope of completing her quest?
If you enjoy portal fantasy and adventure, then you’ll love Wyldling Trials, the second installment of the Wyldling Dream series – a coming of age story with underlying themes of faith, friendship, and found family.
Wyldling Armor
Book Three of the Wyldling Dream Series
Available in paperback wherever books are sold! Also available in e-book format on Amazon. Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited.
When Toad opened his eyes, the world was in flames …
No sooner has Sir Thomas escaped the curse that turned him into a toad than he discovers that Annabelle, the water wyldling he is sworn to protect, and a gravely wounded Raeden have disappeared through an unanticipated opening of a waystone.
Not knowing where they went or if they are safe, Sir Thomas burns with the shame of his failure and with the growing – and uncontrolled – powers of his fire wyld. How can he take time to face his inner demons while Annabelle is missing and Enoch is in the hands of the enemy?
Annabelle and Raeden face their own hardships on the island of the gwerindawr. Raeden, an ancestral enemy of the gwerindawr, is their prisoner awaiting execution. Annabelle is bound by a prophecy demanding her service to her hosts. She wants nothing more than to return to her quest to save her heart-brother, Enoch, but the gwerindawr king has other plans.
Drawing on training, faith, and the love they bear for their friends, Sir Thomas and Annabelle navigate the dangers of Tehara and the dreamscape, trying to reunite and rescue Enoch before the entire world falls into war.
If you enjoy portal fantasy, sword & sorcery, and fantasy adventure, then you’ll love Wyldling Armor, the third installment of the Wyldling Dream series – a coming of age story with underlying themes of faith, friendship, and found family.
Looking for Books on KU?
Kindle Unlimited First-in-Series Reads
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Warning: this promotion is not billed as “clean” and includes a real mixed bag of genres, including romance of varying levels of spice.
Disclaimer: I have not had time to read all these books, so I cannot vouch for quality or content. In the case you are dissatisfied, please don’t send the Brute Squad after me.
Obligatory Cat Raeden Photo
See ya next month for more book recs, shenanigans, and maybe even a cat photo.
Cycle of Tehara 