WillieD | Profile | LibraryThing

I noticed you have a copy of "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown. I just posted a video review of the book. You can find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-MX17gUx...

I'd like to hear your opinion on the book, perhaps in the form of a video response or a private message on here.

posted by Jundt at 3:20 pm (EST) on Nov 8, 2009

Hey Willie D - wonderful to hear your family is so happy! May that continue, and even, get more wonderful with the years. Our marriage has, it does definitely happen.

I wimped on the Jordan series at about a bit into book 4. Lucky there is a writer willing to take this on - many readers are beside themselves wanting the ending.

I don't know why there was such confusion on the release date - it is to be next year! I am on the ending of the manuscript, right now.

Nice to see you reading Ray.

I am taking a break from Gemmel and catching up on a Robin Hobb title, some works by Elizabeth Bear (trying her out) and I've got Sherwood Smith's Treason's Shore and a pile of other stuff TBR - not getting to much of it, due to the narrow focus with the writing. I am into the finishing sequence, and it is tidying itself up into a good zap, very nicely, though first book in a new arc - that sort generally can be a bear, as they set the stage for the Real shove, coming. I've only two more after this to totally finish out the series.

Great to hear from you!

posted by JannyWurts at 2:49 pm (EST) on Nov 8, 2009

Congrats on your new baby! Hope she and the mom are doing great and the rest of you are adjusting well.

posted by suslyn at 8:58 am (EST) on Oct 22, 2009

Hi Willie D -

The book is 'tentatively' scheduled for November 2010 - the date listed for now is totally (?) berserk. I am JUST finishing the last stage of the draft. It was never "delayed" - even the next year date is too far out to bank on for certain (publishers rearrange schedules that far out all the time.)

No problems, here, with the writing - starts of arcs are meticulous work. You won't be disappointed!

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter!!!! Can't think of a better reason to put off reading - the books will be there when the night feedings etc calm down. I imagine you are very tired. I'll look for the picture of her!

I am just finishing the last of the Rigante books by Gemmell, and liking it a lot more than the first 3. I'll be done soon - but writing/life has been intense. It's our 20th anniversary today!

Great hearing from you!

posted by JannyWurts at 3:37 pm (EST) on Oct 21, 2009

Hello Willie, thank you for adding me in your interesting libraries. Not enough time in the day to read all there is to read! I do like your library, you seem to enjoy the same sort of books I do.
Happy reading!
Liliane

posted by Calimera at 11:16 am (EST) on Sep 6, 2009

Hey - great to hear from you!
Doesn't time fly - I can imagine the excitement, with the baby coming so soon. I hope your wife is thriving.

Nice to see you enjoying Ray's work - quite a lot of books, at this stage.

I understand most of the Jordan fans are quite happy that Sanderson is the one picked to finish the series - for me, I read only about the first three, so I have no hot opinion one way or the other. I've read two of Sanderson's books, and they are very workmanlike, it should be a good fit.

I am entering into the last stage of the draft for Initiate's Trial - which should see it finished before year's end, easily. That would put it as a next year's title, but no promises until the publisher actually has the finished manuscript and can finalize the schedule.

The N. American release is underway, meantime, so the books can use all the buzz they can get. To Ride Hell's Chasm is this month's title, so I can hope folks notice, and maybe even, a new reader may happen into the group discussion for that title that occurred long before the book was widely available.

We are both well and having a fine summer.
I've had a couple of discussion group reads in the Fantasy Book Club on GoodReads - one for Mistwraith just finishing, and another just voted in for the October read in a smaller group called Beyond Reality. It's not got as nice a format as LT, but there is a lot more book discussion, at least for fantasy titles.

That's my news - great to hear from you!

posted by JannyWurts at 6:24 pm (EST) on Aug 8, 2009

Wow, I was just thinking about writing to you, wondering how you had been - did the job situation straighten out then? It's nice to see you so very content.

I have not read everything Ray has produced, but have generally kept up with his titles, we do talk and are friends. Of all he has done lately, I liked his trilogy, beginning with Talon of the Silver Hawk...it starts in a completely new place, and though it does use characters from past books, and reveal that they have been up to very different agendas (Nakor and Pug, et al), I didn't feel lost jumping in there. Of course if you are a completist and want all things in order, you'd want to read in order.

Of all his other books, I have long loved Faerie Tale - a complete departure, but in my opinion one of his strongest efforts.

I've also looked at a few of his Midkemian collaborations - some of those are decent.

I've been writing, of course, surviving the huge renovation in this study (done at last) playing pipes a lot, and enjoying an emerald green Florida summer, hot but beautiful. Not much read that I've been wild about, though I keep picking up new titles and hoping...Cherryh's Conspirator was lovely, of my recent reads. I found a copy of David Gemmell's Swords of Night and Day - that's on the TBR pile, though I didn't read the volumes after Legend...need I?

Nice to hear your son and wife are thriving! Great to hear from you.

There is a July discussion of Mistwraith going on if you are a member of one of the other book sites.

posted by JannyWurts at 3:21 pm (EST) on Jul 5, 2009

Hi Willie -

I'll ask Ray about that atlas, and try also to let you know next time he goes over for a signing.

Delighted to hear you enjoyed your return trip to Daughter.

I must say, I've done two signings in Dublin and NOTHING beats your hospitality to visiting authors! I hope one day to be back. Just for the Guiness, if nothing else! What they sell us here doesn't travel well - and they boil it to take down the alcohol content - so it tastes vile and burned! Nothing like what you have in Dublin...

posted by JannyWurts at 4:24 pm (EST) on May 6, 2009

Hi - so nice to hear from you! Sorry your computer is pffft! I hope a break comes your way.

Nice to see you've discovered Feist, too - I wasn't aware there was a book on his stuff - I can ask, if you want. We talk regularly - and he never mentioned the project. Doesn't mean, though, that it didn't exist. There were some computer games...I presume you have found the Crydee website?

I am keeping fine, thanks. Writing, yes, the next volume is getting along - just a few months work to finish the first draft, I can hope! It is, quite, keeping the test readers on their toes.

Other than that, I've been buried busy. A huge certification exam for piping (passed!) a lot of band practice - fund raiser concert and prep for competition next month. Also, I've set up to go out to the biggest US amateur competion, again - and that takes enormous practice and effort. Also, I've been helping out with foal watch at the nearby Arabian farm - six babies born in 2 weeks. If you want an eyeful of gorgeous horses, check out the website for Hawk's Flight Farm.

We are having a nasty drought - hope we get rain soon! Our pond has NEVER been dry, before, and it's down to a muddy puddle.

posted by JannyWurts at 4:59 pm (EST) on May 3, 2009

I can't recommend historical fiction because I don't tend to enjoy it much but you might like the Istavalta Trilogy by Sarah Zettel - I was pointed to it by Janny! Else there's quite good crop of austrailian fantasy writers becoming popular in the UK at the moment. Trudi Canavan has a couple of interesting trilogies, and Karren Miller writes some amazingly fun characters, even if the conclusion to her latest series was a bit below par.

posted by reading_fox at 9:15 am (EST) on Apr 8, 2009

I found a copy of Legend, today, at the Goodwill book store...picked it up to re-read at some point, and thought of you as I did so.

posted by JannyWurts at 6:28 pm (EST) on Mar 25, 2009

Tremendous! I can imagine the excitement - sometimes our towns riot, when teams win - in a good way, of course - so I can imagine the rollicking celebraton. Much applause!

posted by JannyWurts at 12:53 pm (EST) on Mar 24, 2009

Who's winning? ;)

posted by JannyWurts at 2:16 pm (EST) on Mar 22, 2009

Hey WillieD - I'd LOVE to get back to Ireland! Did a tour there, twice, years ago...may the books do so well it happens again...or may the pipe band do it, soonest.

I can imagine the buzz on the rugby - wow, may your team win!

Rorschach is 17 years old!!! So he long predates the Watchmen character. Once upon a time, nobody could spell his name...now, it's a cinch. Used to give the vets FITS.

I am not sure I'd enjoy seeing the movie - I tend to dream way way too vividly, and the stuff in the film is reported to be very graphic. I'd possibly be reliving it for several weeks...the better it's done, the more I get the aftershock. Did you find it had a high cringe/shock impact? I did watch Dark Knight, and it was a great story, but the impact of that psycho about did me in.

posted by JannyWurts at 5:30 pm (EST) on Mar 18, 2009

Hey Willie!

Wow, you made my day! Get ready - because it's a straight rollercoaster ride, non stop, faster and wilder, through Stormed Fortress. I am well and truly excited for you (and yes, NOTHING will be predictable, HATE THAT! grin)

Yes, the writing on Initiate's Trial is going splendidly - it's stoked for the straight shot to the ending, now, at nearly six hundred pages, manuscript - and tight, too. The test reads are all gawping that the pace really didn't let up, even though it's the start of a new arc...yes, I'm pleased like crazy.

It is so nice to see a new reader take the series in order, end to end - the complexity doubtless plays better that way.

I imagined your family life and job situation are filling your time quite nicely!

Besides writing, I've also been immersed in music - our pipe band won first place, at their second competition - everyone happy all around. You could see a pix of them at cospb.com (City of Sarasota Pipe Band) I'm in the front, middle left. They've got some pretty fun clips of the music - if you dig into the site, find the concert at the Irish Rover - one of the clips, Carnival Reel, is a calypso reel, played with bagpipes and the local high school steel drum band! Pretty wild stuff. We are out again, this weekend, too. There's this ambition, see, to take the band to Scotland summer after next....Canada and the N. American championships this year, and Scotland next...if we go over, I will certainly travel a bit.

posted by JannyWurts at 5:46 pm (EST) on Mar 4, 2009

Hi WillieD -

No need to be concerned about life before computer correspondence. I am writing a novel, and check in while I plot plan, take a pause to come up for air and inspiration...or before going out side for some R & R. Family can be involving, and that is quite the way it should be!

As my old friend would tell you, Congratulations and Nice Shooting! (grin). I wish you all the joy with the new one to come, and a fascinating name search, too.

I am not familiar with The Watchmen, though I have seen quite a bit of talk. We will probably check out the movie. My husband used to be into comics - Batman is his favorite. He is probably familiar with this one, in a passing way. I know some of the books grabbed him more than others.

No, I haven't picked up the last of the Troy books, yet. I do my book shopping in a real world store, not by computer order. (I like to browse, love the smell and the adventure of thumbing through the real pages). I don't travel often downtown for this pleasure - it's a two or three time a year indulgence...or a library stop. My TBR pile is slimmer, but not down to the bottom yet. Never fear, I will get there! I have to see how he handles the finish - the way the threads of the legend were tied up. I have to meter my reading time carefully - or I find myself too entranced to write! And write I must, since I have the last 3 books to fulfill - one of them at the past halfway tipping point now, yay!

I am glad your job is holding out. I will wish the best for you - yes, it does seem many are caught, and the trick is to use the challenge, and not fall into the despondency - a hard thing, to stand up after a hard knock. But nothing conquers like the human spirit. I have never believed it's the job of the government to make it right - that's for people to do. Where I get fussed, is when people are trying, and the gov. doesn't seem to want to get out of the way. We have finally got a change, here, and I do hope it takes effect for the good. One thing already - on the news - the "ban" was lifted on stem cell research (it's been explained to me by research scientists, that stem cells occur in the umbilical cords, tossed OUT, as afterbirth - not necessary to use foetuses...but all got dumped with the bath water, on that count) - anyway - the cool news: one person was CURED of HIV. The disease was completely gone! So not every thing is dooming. Many will see hope from this - at least I hope so!

On Traitor's Knot, I had said the books would be there when you were ready - it is so cool to know you are "bursting!" And the fun part: expect the pace to pick up big time, and keep right on picking up to the end of the arc. This is the payoff on quite a number of building threads - and everything will start to converge.

posted by JannyWurts at 5:05 pm (EST) on Feb 13, 2009

Hi WillieD -

I finished the second Troy book - very sad story. Seems a bit of the stamp of this author - he creates amazing characters, and most often, they betray themselves by their own humanity into becoming their dark side. I am astonished at how he made some of the well worn bits of legend over again into something unpredictably fresh.

Sort of like David Drake's crackpot Arthurian - the old legend in SUCH a different guise, it's quite a twist.

I will probably go out and buy the last book in the three - you may not be able to tell who wrote what, because, many wives of writers are also their editors behind the scenes....it would be a joy if this were admissible. I know Daniel Mannix never wrote another book, after Jule died. And a loss that was, too. I can see how that might happen - but I've got a wonderful marriage that Doesn't hover over my pages. My husband only looks at the books long after finish...so really, I'm amusing myself in the drafting.

I will, of course, look forward to hearing how you react to the last two volumes in Alliance of Light, once you get to them. It will be quite interesting, as you read them all pretty much in a short timespan, unlike many of my longtime older readers, who got them in bits, as I was writing. This could be really fun, with the whole sequence re-issuing in May over here. To see new readers take in all of that planning in one sweep could become awesome! The break point between Alliance of Light and the following arc (two books) Sword of the Canon is a good place to pause. And you won't have too long, since I am past halfway on the draft of Initiate's Trial.

I will say this about Kate Elliott's Spirit Gate - she really got into detailing her world and its workings, far more than many.

Did you ever read Jennifer Roberson's Sword Dancer/Tiger and Del series? If you haven't, I'd think it'd be a natural, after your enjoyment of Gemmell and Lindsey Davis. The books move very fast, have delightful characters, and some interesting interrelationships.

posted by JannyWurts at 3:38 pm (EST) on Jan 30, 2009

Hey - Just finished David Gemmell's first Troy book - you were right, he did a good one. Some lovely insights and varied viewpoints, and a great cast of characters. Guess I'll be plunging on in to the sequel.

posted by JannyWurts at 9:25 pm (EST) on Jan 27, 2009

hey just saw your note on Janny's sight. I haven't read the crown series by elliot, but I have read Jaran by her which is one of my favs. I actually don't like the sequels even half as much but Jaran, I loved. Tribal culture, battle strategy... and yet still scifi.

posted by suslyn at 10:16 am (EST) on Jan 15, 2009

Hi WillieD - no, I haven't read Elliott's Crown of Stars series. I read a bit of her Jaran series...can't recall the titles. Someone on my chat recommended this, so I thought to give her another go. Spirit Gate is "book I of her Crossroads series" with no mention of how many volumes it could involve.

posted by JannyWurts at 8:31 pm (EST) on Jan 13, 2009

Hi - great to hear back from you - if you were going to take a pause point, Peril's Gate is the best spot. The ending of Traitor's Knot flows straight into Stormed Fortress, and you will find, starting the next, that the pace picks up tremendously and will reach relentless...and all the little details you thought were of no consequence in Fugitive Prince just come back with a bang like fireworks. Enjoy!

And don't worry overly - you still have lots of other books after the series- not in print, so they'll have to be searched, but still available with a bit of persistence.

I read all of the Lindsey Davis in a year - and am awaiting the next one eagerly - quite fun stuff, I just love her humor and atmosphere. She really has people's foibles down to a T.

Right now I'm giving Spirit Gate by Kate Eliott a try. She's really worked out her world well - so far anyway.

posted by JannyWurts at 11:30 am (EST) on Jan 12, 2009

Hey, I'm behind on my replies, but thought of you when I saw this:

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/WEBSITE/...

Cheers
Susan

posted by suslyn at 9:50 pm (EST) on Jan 8, 2009

I am looking forward to more time to read, silly season being in full swing, and the workload, continuous.

I hope, fervently, that your job stays safely with you - this whole readjustment is no fun at all. I can hope that things will turn around with a few bad practices eliminated. And I keep on, doing my best not to drop into the gloom with the doomsayers. I wish I had seen the laugh you describe. We are (now) watching the same, repeat insanity with regard to intransigent automobile manufacturers - who for years did as they did, and are STILL lobbying the government in Florida to prevent regs. to make cars that conserve gas...while with the other hand, begging cash from DC to stay afloat. Amazing world, such a variety! That's about the kindest thing I can think of to say.

I will be thinking of you and your family, imagining you happy and secure.

What a delight you are enjoying Peril's Gate. Made my day, truly! This volume is the "tipping point" of Alliance of Light, all will converge with increasing speed, Traitor's Knot through Stormed Fortress. Have fun!

And wishing you and yours a fine holiday and Christmas, if I don't see a note from you before then.

posted by JannyWurts at 9:04 pm (EST) on Dec 19, 2008

By the way, my fav Cherryh is The Cuckoo's Egg followed by the Foreigner series. My husband like's the pictures on the latter -- LOL

I remember you mentioned Simon Scarrow -- I only have one of his but I liked it very much, even if it was book 2. I too have Gemmel, but prefer his straight fantasy to the historically based stuff.

Gorgeous kid!

posted by suslyn at 5:42 pm (EST) on Dec 11, 2008

Book haul, yesterday. Huge book haul. I couldn't get the fourth and last of the Rigante series, it wasn't on the shelf, but I bobbed for the first two in the Troy trilogy by Gemmel, which were. I'll let you know how I like them, when I can snatch for some reading time, again.

posted by JannyWurts at 4:59 pm (EST) on Dec 11, 2008

Hey Willie --

You don't know me, but I've followed your comments to Janny and something you wrote caught my eye and made me look closer. I agree wholeheartedly that a book about the worlds as you described, or Janny called a travelogue, would be fantastic! What fun that would be. The Simarillon and Jordans WOT are just no fun for me, even though I bought both. I'm a map fiend and could really enjoy owning something like -- maybe even as a coffee table book. I think this idea is worth pursuing!!

posted by suslyn at 12:11 pm (EST) on Dec 11, 2008

Hi WillieD!

Welcome back - yes, I'd wondered, and you were missed. Glad to hear your computer's back up and running again.

Carolyn Cherryh - yes, she's wonderful. She has a bit of a maverick style, which I love (though some don't). Her story telling - exemplary.

She does absolutely the best world building and alien culture stuff going, and at political intrigue, bar none, she's tops.

And she does both SF and Fantasy.

For a "Gemmel" like adventure (but a bit more subtlely done) her series about Vanye and Morgaine (starts with Gate of Ivrel) is a superb adventure/sf mix with some great twists. That's her early work.

Later fantasy, Fortress in the Eye of Time - don't be in a hurry with this one, it develops slower, but it's got some whopping good concepts and great characters - more in line of wizard wars/magic mixes with political and religious tension between factions.

SF - she's done both long series about strained relations between humans and alien races, forced in tight circumstances to co exist - series beginning with Foreigner (slow start, great series!) to space merchanting stories that read more like adventure (Rimrunners) to Disaster Hits after a rebellion/government takeover, and all factions are hitting on a space station (extreme limited resource, no military) - so the socio-political disaster and how it impacts the people involved (Downbelow Station) - to TRULY alien worlds, with humans existing in them (barely) (Cloud's Rider) to High Fantasy at its very very best (Tree of Swords and Jewels). She's a don't miss read, for me, and quite prolific, and keeps her themes varied and fresh. It's all in deciding where to start, with her work....I've sort of followed her from her beginnings, and her book list by now is very long. If you indicate what kind of story you want, I could perhaps clue you where to begin.

Ah, Peril's Gate - that is the tipping point story for this arc, and in many ways, the entire series....have a fun ride! It really picks up the pace, after this volume, as all the threads begin to converge after Peril's Gate's climactic scene...a lot in store! All that stuff you thought was just window dressing - isn't. The wallop is gonna turn your hat inside out, as you realize exactly how the books that built this arc start to fit together.

posted by JannyWurts at 11:57 am (EST) on Dec 10, 2008

Hi WillieD!

Welcome back - yes, I'd wondered, and you were missed. Glad to hear your computer's back up and running again.

Carolyn Cherryh - yes, she's wonderful. She has a bit of a maverick style, which I love (though some don't). Her story telling - exemplary.

She does absolutely the best world building and alien culture stuff going, and at political intrigue, bar none, she's tops.

And she does both SF and Fantasy.

For a "Gemmel" like adventure (but a bit more subtlely done) her series about Vanye and Morgaine (starts with Gate of Ivrel) is a superb adventure/sf mix with some great twists. That's her early work.

Later fantasy, Fortress in the Eye of Time - don't be in a hurry with this one, it develops slower, but it's got some whopping good concepts and great characters - more in line of wizard wars/magic mixes with political and religious tension between factions.

SF - she's done both long series about strained relations between humans and alien races, forced in tight circumstances to co exist - series beginning with Foreigner (slow start, great series!) to space merchanting stories that read more like adventure (Rimrunners) to Disaster Hits after a rebellion/government takeover, and all factions are hitting on a space station (extreme limited resource, no military) - so the socio-political disaster and how it impacts the people involved (Downbelow Station) - to TRULY alien worlds, with humans existing in them (barely) (Cloud's Rider) to High Fantasy at its very very best (Tree of Swords and Jewels). She's a don't miss read, for me, and quite prolific, and keeps her themes varied and fresh. It's all in deciding where to start, with her work....I've sort of followed her from her beginnings, and her book list by now is very long. If you indicate what kind of story you want, I could perhaps clue you where to begin.

Ah, Peril's Gate - that is the tipping point story for this arc, and in many ways, the entire series....have a fun ride! It really picks up the pace, after this volume, as all the threads begin to converge after Peril's Gate's climactic scene...a lot in store! All that stuff you thought was just window dressing - isn't. The wallop is gonna turn your hat inside out, as you realize exactly how the books that built this arc start to fit together.

posted by JannyWurts at 11:54 am (EST) on Dec 10, 2008

Hi WillieD!

Welcome back - yes, I'd wondered, and you were missed. Glad to hear your computer's back up and running again.

Carolyn Cherryh - yes, she's wonderful. She has a bit of a maverick style, which I love (though some don't). Her story telling - exemplary.

She does absolutely the best world building and alien culture stuff going, and at political intrigue, bar none, she's tops.

And she does both SF and Fantasy.

For a "Gemmel" like adventure (but a bit more subtlely done) her series about Vanye and Morgaine (starts with Gate of Ivrel) is a superb adventure/sf mix with some great twists. That's her early work.

Later fantasy, Fortress in the Eye of Time - don't be in a hurry with this one, it develops slower, but it's got some whopping good concepts and great characters - more in line of wizard wars/magic mixes with political and religious tension between factions.

SF - she's done both long series about strained relations between humans and alien races, forced in tight circumstances to co exist - series beginning with Foreigner (slow start, great series!) to space merchanting stories that read more like adventure (Rimrunners) to Disaster Hits after a rebellion/government takeover, and all factions are hitting on a space station (extreme limited resource, no military) - so the socio-political disaster and how it impacts the people involved (Downbelow Station) - to TRULY alien worlds, with humans existing in them (barely) (Cloud's Rider) to High Fantasy at its very very best (Tree of Swords and Jewels). She's a don't miss read, for me, and quite prolific, and keeps her themes varied and fresh. It's all in deciding where to start, with her work....I've sort of followed her from her beginnings, and her book list by now is very long. If you indicate what kind of story you want, I could perhaps clue you where to begin.

Ah, Peril's Gate - that is the tipping point story for this arc, and in many ways, the entire series....have a fun ride! It really picks up the pace, after this volume, as all the threads begin to converge after Peril's Gate's climactic scene...a lot in store! All that stuff you thought was just window dressing - isn't. The wallop is gonna turn your hat inside out, as you realize exactly how the books that built this arc start to fit together.

posted by JannyWurts at 11:53 am (EST) on Dec 10, 2008

Hi WillieD!

Welcome back - yes, I'd wondered, and you were missed. Glad to hear your computer's back up and running again.

Carolyn Cherryh - yes, she's wonderful. She has a bit of a maverick style, which I love (though some don't). Her story telling - exemplary.

She does absolutely the best world building and alien culture stuff going, and at political intrigue, bar none, she's tops.

And she does both SF and Fantasy.

For a "Gemmel" like adventure (but a bit more subtlely done) her series about Vanye and Morgaine (starts with Gate of Ivrel) is a superb adventure/sf mix with some great twists. That's her early work.

Later fantasy, Fortress in the Eye of Time - don't be in a hurry with this one, it develops slower, but it's got some whopping good concepts and great characters - more in line of wizard wars/magic mixes with political and religious tension between factions.

SF - she's done both long series about strained relations between humans and alien races, forced in tight circumstances to co exist - series beginning with Foreigner (slow start, great series!) to space merchanting stories that read more like adventure (Rimrunners) to Disaster Hits after a rebellion/government takeover, and all factions are hitting on a space station (extreme limited resource, no military) - so the socio-political disaster and how it impacts the people involved (Downbelow Station) - to TRULY alien worlds, with humans existing in them (barely) (Cloud's Rider) to High Fantasy at its very very best (Tree of Swords and Jewels). She's a don't miss read, for me, and quite prolific, and keeps her themes varied and fresh. It's all in deciding where to start, with her work....I've sort of followed her from her beginnings, and her book list by now is very long. If you indicate what kind of story you want, I could perhaps clue you where to begin.

Ah, Peril's Gate - that is the tipping point story for this arc, and in many ways, the entire series....have a fun ride! It really picks up the pace, after this volume, as all the threads begin to converge after Peril's Gate's climactic scene...a lot in store! All that stuff you thought was just window dressing - isn't. The wallop is gonna turn your hat inside out, as you realize exactly how the books that built this arc start to fit together.

posted by JannyWurts at 11:50 am (EST) on Dec 10, 2008

Hi WillieD!

Welcome back - yes, I'd wondered, and you were missed. Glad to hear your computer's back up and running again.

Carolyn Cherryh - yes, she's wonderful. She has a bit of a maverick style, which I love (though some don't). Her story telling - exemplary.

She does absolutely the best world building and alien culture stuff going, and at political intrigue, bar none, she's tops.

And she does both SF and Fantasy.

For a "Gemmel" like adventure (but a bit more subtlely done) her series about Vanye and Morgaine (starts with Gate of Ivrel) is a superb adventure/sf mix with some great twists. That's her early work.

Later fantasy, Fortress in the Eye of Time - don't be in a hurry with this one, it develops slower, but it's got some whopping good concepts and great characters - more in line of wizard wars/magic mixes with political and religious tension between factions.

SF - she's done both long series about strained relations between humans and alien races, forced in tight circumstances to co exist - series beginning with Foreigner (slow start, great series!) to space merchanting stories that read more like adventure (Rimrunners) to Disaster Hits after a rebellion/government takeover, and all factions are hitting on a space station (extreme limited resource, no military) - so the socio-political disaster and how it impacts the people involved (Downbelow Station) - to TRULY alien worlds, with humans existing in them (barely) (Cloud's Rider) to High Fantasy at its very very best (Tree of Swords and Jewels). She's a don't miss read, for me, and quite prolific, and keeps her themes varied and fresh. It's all in deciding where to start, with her work....I've sort of followed her from her beginnings, and her book list by now is very long. If you indicate what kind of story you want, I could perhaps clue you where to begin.

Ah, Peril's Gate - that is the tipping point story for this arc, and in many ways, the entire series....have a fun ride! It really picks up the pace, after this volume, as all the threads begin to converge after Peril's Gate's climactic scene...a lot in store! All that stuff you thought was just window dressing - isn't. The wallop is gonna turn your hat inside out, as you realize exactly how the books that built this arc start to fit together.

posted by JannyWurts at 11:36 am (EST) on Dec 10, 2008

Hi WillieD!

Welcome back - yes, I'd wondered, and you were missed. Glad to hear your computer's back up and running again.

Carolyn Cherryh - yes, she's wonderful. She has a bit of a maverick style, which I love (though some don't). Her story telling - exemplary.

She does absolutely the best world building and alien culture stuff going, and at political intrigue, bar none, she's tops.

And she does both SF and Fantasy.

For a "Gemmel" like adventure (but a bit more subtlely done) her series about Vanye and Morgaine (starts with Gate of Ivrel) is a superb adventure/sf mix with some great twists. That's her early work.

Later fantasy, Fortress in the Eye of Time - don't be in a hurry with this one, it develops slower, but it's got some whopping good concepts and great characters - more in line of wizard wars/magic mixes with political and religious tension between factions.

SF - she's done both long series about strained relations between humans and alien races, forced in tight circumstances to co exist - series beginning with Foreigner (slow start, great series!) to space merchanting stories that read more like adventure (Rimrunners) to Disaster Hits after a rebellion/government takeover, and all factions are hitting on a space station (extreme limited resource, no military) - so the socio-political disaster and how it impacts the people involved (Downbelow Station) - to TRULY alien worlds, with humans existing in them (barely) (Cloud's Rider) to High Fantasy at its very very best (Tree of Swords and Jewels). She's a don't miss read, for me, and quite prolific, and keeps her themes varied and fresh. It's all in deciding where to start, with her work....I've sort of followed her from her beginnings, and her book list by now is very long. If you indicate what kind of story you want, I could perhaps clue you where to begin.

Ah, Peril's Gate - that is the tipping point story for this arc, and in many ways, the entire series....have a fun ride! It really picks up the pace, after this volume, as all the threads begin to converge after Peril's Gate's climactic scene...a lot in store! All that stuff you thought was just window dressing - isn't. The wallop is gonna turn your hat inside out, as you realize exactly how the books that built this arc start to fit together.

posted by JannyWurts at 11:35 am (EST) on Dec 10, 2008

Hi WillieD!

Welcome back - yes, I'd wondered, and you were missed. Glad to hear your computer's back up and running again.

Carolyn Cherryh - yes, she's wonderful. She has a bit of a maverick style, which I love (though some don't). Her story telling - exemplary.

She does absolutely the best world building and alien culture stuff going, and at political intrigue, bar none, she's tops.

And she does both SF and Fantasy.

For a "Gemmel" like adventure (but a bit more subtlely done) her series about Vanye and Morgaine (starts with Gate of Ivrel) is a superb adventure/sf mix with some great twists. That's her early work.

Later fantasy, Fortress in the Eye of Time - don't be in a hurry with this one, it develops slower, but it's got some whopping good concepts and great characters - more in line of wizard wars/magic mixes with political and religious tension between factions.

SF - she's done both long series about strained relations between humans and alien races, forced in tight circumstances to co exist - series beginning with Foreigner (slow start, great series!) to space merchanting stories that read more like adventure (Rimrunners) to Disaster Hits after a rebellion/government takeover, and all factions are hitting on a space station (extreme limited resource, no military) - so the socio-political disaster and how it impacts the people involved (Downbelow Station) - to TRULY alien worlds, with humans existing in them (barely) (Cloud's Rider) to High Fantasy at its very very best (Tree of Swords and Jewels). She's a don't miss read, for me, and quite prolific, and keeps her themes varied and fresh. It's all in deciding where to start, with her work....I've sort of followed her from her beginnings, and her book list by now is very long. If you indicate what kind of story you want, I could perhaps clue you where to begin.

Ah, Peril's Gate - that is the tipping point story for this arc, and in many ways, the entire series....have a fun ride! It really picks up the pace, after this volume, as all the threads begin to converge after Peril's Gate's climactic scene...a lot in store! All that stuff you thought was just window dressing - isn't. The wallop is gonna turn your hat inside out, as you realize exactly how the books that built this arc start to fit together.

posted by JannyWurts at 11:31 am (EST) on Dec 10, 2008

Hi WillieD!

Welcome back - yes, I'd wondered, and you were missed. Glad to hear your computer's back up and running again.

Carolyn Cherryh - yes, she's wonderful. She has a bit of a maverick style, which I love (though some don't). Her story telling - exemplary.

She does absolutely the best world building and alien culture stuff going, and at political intrigue, bar none, she's tops.

And she does both SF and Fantasy.

For a "Gemmel" like adventure (but a bit more subtlely done) her series about Vanye and Morgaine (starts with Gate of Ivrel) is a superb adventure/sf mix with some great twists. That's her early work.

Later fantasy, Fortress in the Eye of Time - don't be in a hurry with this one, it develops slower, but it's got some whopping good concepts and great characters - more in line of wizard wars/magic mixes with political and religious tension between factions.

SF - she's done both long series about strained relations between humans and alien races, forced in tight circumstances to co exist - series beginning with Foreigner (slow start, great series!) to space merchanting stories that read more like adventure (Rimrunners) to Disaster Hits after a rebellion/government takeover, and all factions are hitting on a space station (extreme limited resource, no military) - so the socio-political disaster and how it impacts the people involved (Downbelow Station) - to TRULY alien worlds, with humans existing in them (barely) (Cloud's Rider) to High Fantasy at its very very best (Tree of Swords and Jewels). She's a don't miss read, for me, and quite prolific, and keeps her themes varied and fresh. It's all in deciding where to start, with her work....I've sort of followed her from her beginnings, and her book list by now is very long. If you indicate what kind of story you want, I could perhaps clue you where to begin.

Ah, Peril's Gate - that is the tipping point story for this arc, and in many ways, the entire series....have a fun ride! It really picks up the pace, after this volume, as all the threads begin to converge after Peril's Gate's climactic scene...a lot in store! All that stuff you thought was just window dressing - isn't. The wallop is gonna turn your hat inside out, as you realize exactly how the books that built this arc start to fit together.

posted by JannyWurts at 11:25 am (EST) on Dec 10, 2008

Yeah think u might be right!! I'll get workin on that - the one I'm readin now is doin my nut in!! :)

posted by TashaDawson at 12:10 pm (EST) on Nov 7, 2008

Hi WillieD -

The calendar I mentioned won't go on sale until summertime, it's for 2010, so you can totally relax. I will have information on the website at the time it goes to market.

Your idea for a "travelogue" fantasy book is totally cool! I think it would be brilliant, and really, think you should not be afraid to PROPOSE THE IDEA. Write up what you'd have, who you'd want to illustrate it, speak to a few of the authors...then propose it to a publisher. It might just fly, you never know. The toughest part: you'd need big names to get the numbers, they'd have to be willing to be reasonable about terms. But I can imagine the book you would have, and I'd love a copy for my shelf!

A lot of writers are not too visually oriented, but a few - Carolyn Cherry being one - have doodles and drawings of their characters and worlds that are quite well done and intriguing.

I will be looking at Gemmel's Troy series in the near future - and will save McCullough for later - this time of year, and the state of the current deadline have me working hard enough that I choose reading that's not too challenging. Later on, the opposite! My mood for reading really fluctuates, depending, and when I'm finalizing a book to finished prose, I don't read at all, only play music so my style line for line won't be inadvertently influenced.

That's pretty cool, about the election. Last time I recall anything similar, (that was not a disaster!) was when a man walked on the moon the first time. Everything, everywhere just stopped for the moment. It was awesome. That does give a light of hope. Now, the work starts!

posted by JannyWurts at 9:57 am (EST) on Nov 6, 2008

Hi WillieD - well, you know, you've made my day! In every way.

That's just thrilling to hear how much you enjoyed Fugitive Prince - and that was the opener for Arc III, just you wait! The calendar has 12 major images, most of them winged creatures and fantasy creatures - all existing art, but among the best I have, and 12 spot illustrations, some very early work sold at conventions to make ends meet, and some little water color stuff that is quite brand new. The calendar company, Tide-mark Press, wanted excerpts from stories - so - there is an excerpt accompanying each of the large images, but no, it's not a close match to anything in Athera. IF the calendar does well, and it could, if the readers support it to any degree - it could perhaps include more book oriented art.

I would be completely wild, and truly, if I ever got the chance to do an art book of Athera - there is more artwork existing than you know! If you visit the website at Paravia, and look in the gallery, there are some of the black and white sketches from my Paravia sketchbook posted...not all, I have to update it. (so much to do!!) The gap in the publishing schedule in the USA, just about to be remedied after nearly seven years - has been hard on visibility. The series needs its friends, just now - recent readers to come in with awareness of it, as all of the titles are in print now, and about to re-release in the USA in the spring. An art book or related calendar could happen, if a wave of enthusiasm builds sufficiently to attract a publisher's interest. This would be necessary - as I cannot write, paint, have a marriage, etc, and try to be production staff, too. Off every weekend to sit behind a table to sell stuff isn't what I'm about. I like my outdoor recreation far too much. And truthfully, writing this fantasy series, to its degree of complexity and original development, is quite a full time job!

I see you've rated Fortune's Favourites as exceptional - is that a novel or a collection? Right now, I am reading historical stuff set in the 1500s, one of my favorite time periods. And hoping to schedule a visit to a nearby history museum that grows sugar cane, has a working mule drawn sugar press, and boils the juice into molasses in a period reenactment festival in January.

It's OK to mention politics! I realized, very clearly, from notes from my readers, everywhere, how tense the world has been over the US elections. I have liked quite a lot of what Obama has to say - his speech was very moving. The moment is very emotional, now - I am pleased his victory was decisive, and I hope people, everywhere, will make the effort to stop the divisiveness and greed that is making such a global hash of all things. I don't recall an election finish being as emotional as this, before, and I see it as a good sign. A younger president won't be hardened, so I hope - we certainly saw much good from Kennedy. Perhaps this man can lead by inspiring, and that kind of positive example is very much needed! I deliberately tuned in to the BBC newscast to see a wider view, and those people dancing in Kenya were quite awesome. If we have at last elected a leader the rest of the world can respect, and who can listen to differences and hold to his strength of values, without polarized distortion and bending the facts to suit - time will tell. The hope of that is precious. If from that a true sense of trust can be forged, we are indeed on the edge of something exciting.

posted by JannyWurts at 11:27 am (EST) on Nov 5, 2008

NOBODY LOVES MEEEEE!!!!!!!!:( :( :(

posted by TashaDawson at 8:34 am (EST) on Oct 30, 2008

Hi -

Delighted to hear you are enjoying Fugitive Prince! It will get tenser...grin.

I, too, am out straight - I've landed a contract for a 2010 art calendar, and production happens right away - getting all the images together, and supporting material - it's a whirlwind in a good way.

At least the books will wait on your schedule! Each of the series does leave you at a stopping point, and the opening moves of most volumes do give you what you need to know - but at an alternate angle, so they don't ever repeat.

I have had no reading time recently - hope that changes soon! I've got the new Julie Czerneda in, and a whole list of Gemmel.

Work is good - some folks don't have any.

posted by JannyWurts at 2:48 pm (EST) on Oct 29, 2008

Hi Willie D -

Keeping well and busy all right! Nearing the halfway point on the next novel's draft, practicing like a maniac for a music concert next Sat, (benefit) and also keeping a horse in training...

I will definitely look up more David Gemmel. It's nice to know the last in the current series I'm reading is the best, and I will look up your tags.

Pratchett is very much one of a kind! I should think the person who invented the phrase "mad dogs and Englishmen" had that sort of wild individuality in mind. Another in that vein - but his own voice - Robert Asprin. Did you ever read any of his Phule's war series? I thought I'd crack ribs!

The place you chose to "break" in the series is a good pause point, for sure!

posted by JannyWurts at 6:50 pm (EST) on Oct 6, 2008

Hi Willie D -

I just finished the 3rd in the Rigante series - I did like Ravenheart the very best of these, so far. Grymauch was such a great character, I cried.
The last of this series was not on the shelf at the bookstore - I'll probably go on and order it, as well as try the Troy series.

Which others of Gemmel's works did you feel were his better ones?

Ah, and did the "shift" in pace hit you, start of Arc III - get ready, it will floor you as it picks up, there is no window dressing. I am pretty excited, actually, because now that the last in Arc III is done, it will be really neat to see reader feedback, from folks who saw the whole series contiguously, with no waiting.

Nights darkening earlier, I hope to do more reading - but a few musical concerts have had me jumping, both the ones attended to admire some astonishing talents, and others requiring (extra practice!)

posted by JannyWurts at 8:33 pm (EST) on Oct 1, 2008

Hi back -

Oh, thanks for telling me the messed up listing is sorted! If not for the gift of your heads up....! Yes, the minute I know something's awry, a quick e mail or two fired off to the right parties can see it straightened out, smart. But if I don't hear - it can so needlessly mess things up. Bless the readers who bother to tell me, it makes all the difference.

When you get the book, I can't wait to see how you like the explosion!

I am deep into the next, at this point, and wow, if I'm having this much fun, it's crazymaking wild to anticipate how the readers will react to the fun, next!

posted by JannyWurts at 2:34 pm (EST) on Sep 24, 2008

No have to buy it all myself he's a bit of an arse if I'm honest!!

posted by TashaDawson at 1:40 pm (EST) on Sep 19, 2008

Hey

I finished the Emperor at the gates yesterday enjoyed it very much for a first novel. I found it easy to read and the clever thing I thought about his writing was how uncomplicated he explained Roman Senate life. Showing how extensive his research must have been. Interesting that his release dates are so quick year after year. Either he had a whole lot wrote before release or its easier to make up fantasy based on fact when the likes of Gemmell and Fiest take longer due to the story line being wholey fictional and having to be made up. What do you think?

Thanks for recommendation though onto book 2 now!

posted by Devourer at 8:17 am (EST) on Sep 19, 2008

Hey Willie

Actually Yeah i have read that Omnibus by Stan Nicholls but for some reason its not entered into my library (D'oh). I enjoyed it very much and its nice to see another fantasy nut like myself on here :D It was exactly the same for me as well with one reading of Legend on a recommendation and I was out for all of his work like a shot.

Ive recently started the Under the Eagle book by Simon Scarrow and was wondering what you though of it?

Any more recommendations would be great :D

Max

posted by maxsumillion at 11:38 am (EST) on Sep 15, 2008

The other six books are all linked with the first three and if possible get better and better a truly astonishing story that weaves layers and layers of magic and at the end left me weeping with exhaustion and emotion. Now that is story telling! xx

posted by Devourer at 8:25 am (EST) on Sep 14, 2008

I loved that book too and obviously you have to be A Druss fan but my favourite story was the Rigante from his earlier works, I think because perhaps I was born in Scotland! To be honest all his works were phenomenal not one ever felt like a bridging book for the next!

posted by Devourer at 8:23 am (EST) on Sep 14, 2008

Have you read Hobb?

posted by Devourer at 8:13 am (EST) on Sep 14, 2008

That was how I read Gemmell all his books in one long fabulous line in order til I got to Lion of Macedon then I had to wait for release dates like everyone else! I lost so so many nights sleep during those months unable to put the books down x

posted by Devourer at 8:11 am (EST) on Sep 14, 2008

I do the very samething...lol im always torn between Magician or Asassins Apprentice as a first but as they both start very similarly small boy lost and alone in the world I often suggest Gemmell too! Although I feel his best work truly started coming from the Lion of Macedon and Dark Prince his mixture of Historicsl fact and myth made the future and sadly final books in my opinion his best works!

posted by Devourer at 8:07 am (EST) on Sep 14, 2008

PS If you can remember as far back as Wrath of a Dark God there is a scene as Nakor is in the Dark palace and he sees a painting of a lesser giving water to a warrior and he spots an emblem under him he thinks he recognises. As does Pug at the Bloodwitches hideout on a Banner is that a blank to be left filled in the next book or did i over look something ?

posted by Devourer at 7:56 am (EST) on Sep 14, 2008

Hi!

I saw that too scared life out of me put me off Lord of Rings til I was a bit older and read it, then obviously my world was changed. Its interesting too see how many other worlds exist because of Tolkiens mastery of turning our own folklore into a Bible for future generations of Authors!

xxxx

posted by Devourer at 7:51 am (EST) on Sep 14, 2008

Hi

Thank you for your prompt messege. I had already looked at Jennys profile as I really really enjoyed the Empire books Mara perhaps being one of my fav characters from all the books! I would be interested too know in what way they write the book together and whos idea was what but she must be bored of hearing those questions so I didnt bug her...lol! Perhaps when I have a comment worthy of a reply I will! Im going to go seek out your suggestions now and if you have an interest I shall report back my reading pleasure too you.

For now happy reading
xxxxx

posted by Devourer at 8:47 pm (EST) on Sep 13, 2008

Hey!

I just joined tonight and as im adding it shows you have read most of the books im adding. I have been overly selective in my reading choice as I am a big fan of Gemmell, Hobb, Pratchett and Fiest. Tried Eddings totally hate his writing style so from what youve seen so far who should I try next just finished wrath of a mad god and need someone to keep me going any suggestions for a fellow fantasy fan?

Laura x

posted by Devourer at 11:08 pm (EST) on Sep 12, 2008

Hi WillieD -

Enjoy the DVD and marathon read.

Know what you mean about too many books in a row, of the Cussler variety. MacDonald doesn't hold up any better, in that way.

Thanks, profoundly, for the heads-up on the mis-listing of Stormed Fortress - this could be an all across the boards problem, and hopefully I can get it corrected - Alliance of Light is the Arc title of the books, Fugitive Prince through Stormed Fortress - I wonder how many folks missed finding it?

Thanks!!

posted by JannyWurts at 9:55 am (EST) on Sep 9, 2008

Hi WillieD -

I read a few Clive Cussler books - way long ago, when when my Dad and I used to exchange reading lists. Of that style, I liked John D. MacDonald the best - and his boat, the Busted Flush. Enjoy your read!

Sigh - I WISH HarperCollins London would "get it" that their website doesn't work very well. Surprising, since R. Murdoch paid so much to acquire internet sites - must be aware of their importance -- ah well. There was apparently a huge overhaul going on all last spring. If that didn't turn the trick, the best thing to do is to let the company know the site's in a heap.

Wish they'd hire my webguy!!!

posted by JannyWurts at 10:14 am (EST) on Sep 6, 2008

Hi WillieD - glad you enjoyed the story - don't EVER presume, where my stories are concerned - they'll come back to bite, though I do not 'resurrect' dead characters...as some do.

Breaking between arcs works very well - Fugitive Prince starts a new sequence, and it will give you all you needed to know of the prior books, but from new angles. You only have a little wait for Stormed Fortress - I think it will be early November, on the shelves in your area.

We just got back from DragonCon - and I'm plunging back into the writing of the new book, which always feels strange after time out and about. Thank goodness the past batch of storms didn't make a mess of things. It can be a crazy time of year, for that.

What are you off to, reading now? I finished the first of the Rigante - a decent enough tale, if predictable. I have seen other nice comments on the Troy series, and surely will have to catch that one up sometime.

posted by JannyWurts at 9:41 am (EST) on Sep 5, 2008

Hi Willie D -

So pleased to hear you enjoyed the ending of Ships of Merior - fortunately for me, each of these huge volumes has a critical crisis at the midpoint of each volume, and that made it easier to handle the forced split. (I really and truly HATE books that don't have definitive endings, resolutions or at least a comfortable stopping point - there's really no excuse for a series book just getting sawn off at random, and it's done a lot.) It was and truly meant as one volume as you will see as Warhost progresses, the entire pace picks up and kicks harder. The REAL ending will change the ground on which the characters make their stances. It's very nice to know, though, that you felt satisfied after the Ships half.

So sorry about Stormed Fortress being out of stock - it was WAY underprinted. The mass market paperback is due out in November - copies may still be found at Galaxy Bookshop in Australia, maybe Blackwells online? I haven't checked lately. But you have a lot of pages to go, yet, before you reach that critical moment - I can hope, if you can't find the book, your wait will be short. I'd change this if I could...but publishers are being VERY cautious with their press runs - new book sales are down all across the boards, and no one wants to take chances. It has caused a shortage in this case. Best way to change that is preorder the paperback...

I have not read Brooks, but I really hope the series is done well. He has a lot of readers, and it would be great to see them happy - not to mention, a successful series could lead to more and others. We do follow (Don and I) most of what gets produced in the field. (If I didn't mention, my husband Don Maitz is a well known SF/Fantasy & pirate artist). Terry Brooks himself is a cool guy. I got to sit next to him in an autographing at DragonCon last year, and he was just wonderful with his readers, there.

posted by JannyWurts at 12:12 pm (EST) on Aug 25, 2008

Hi - We're wet a bit here, too, but it's good because we've had so much drought.

I have never been tempted to do an "author's preferred" edition, as Ray has -- in conversation, he mentioned he had one scene or two that were cut from the original version of Magician that he always regretted - and that was one of the main reasons he wanted to put out a revised edition - to restore what he felt was a loss of continuity.

I have never had a major scene cut out - so I don't share that regret, in that way.

I did reissue my first novel, with restored material - because the way it was originally edited, passages were taken out that made the heroine seem like a hardass b*tch...where she was impulsive and determined, but not ugly that way.

I have adjusted for typos, in reprints, and also corrected extremely minor "mistakes" - mostly little errors in the glossary. Since nobody's asked for an "author's preferred," I never looked back, in that way.

Glad to hear you're enjoying the book! It will really wind up, past halfway point, so perhaps it's easy that you have a wet day.

That Drake/Wagner book is really a fun read...Drake also did a very very twisted Arthurian, that begins with Merlin as quite connivingly mad, drawing patterns in beer on the bar top that go live, and with Lancelot as the bully drill sergeant...and Arthur is NOT the hero, but on a power trip...it's told from the standpoint of two Irish, who want nothing else but to desert.

posted by JannyWurts at 10:15 am (EST) on Aug 16, 2008

Hi Willie D

Tagging books - someday!!! I will get to that. I'd like to enter more books, too...

We just got back from - playing - at a Pirate festival - Don had paintings hung in the museum in the town where it took place. I was the offical piper on the invasion vessel and for the pirate parade - all period. And a visit to an old friend. I've started the Rigante - smooth reading, easy for airplanes. Easily kept my attention, but not too deep.

We are now scrambling to catch back up - I had a screaming short story deadline (within 10 days or less) but I finished up the draft, today. Now it's relax, since I can easily polish up the final and make the cut off date. Then it's back on the novel.

I really hope you enjoy Ships/Warhost - there was a lot of room for FUN in this one...which was meant as one volume, if they hadn't had to split it for size. (It was a 1600 page MANUSCRIPT). Nice you are enjoying Dakar - it gets crazier.

We have such a nice clear day out - I'm going to celebrate the story draft with a ride. Happy Reading.

Speaking of Roman books - did you ever read Killer, by David Drake and Karl Wagner? THAT is one crazy book with an ancient Roman setting! A real gem!!!! Another of my favs in that time period is Search the Seven Hills by Barbara Hambly (formerly titled, in hardback, The Quirinal Hill Affair).

posted by JannyWurts at 4:50 pm (EST) on Aug 11, 2008

Hi back -

Don and I LOVED the new Batman films - we felt - this was the first time Batman was depicted accurately to the comics we both remembered. The first film was totally brilliant - "Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up again." The second - chilling!!!! Gave me nightmares, in fact.

Except for what I felt was a SLIGHT logic flaw at the end...wow.

I am halfway thru that short story deadline...and it is HARD to work, knowing all those good books are stacked up...on your rec, I will probably try the Troy series, after I work down the pile.

Camping!!! Cool stuff, and one of my favorite activities. Hope the weather was with you!

Take care - Janny

posted by JannyWurts at 3:00 pm (EST) on Aug 4, 2008

Hi - well, the bookshop had a lot of Gemmel titles - did he ever get to finish his Troy series (I worried about that!) So I got the first three books in the Rigante series (the fourth was not on shelf, if I like it, I'll order it). When I get into them - fun to talk.

And I got some other books by Cherryh at the public library.

Hope you are having a great day! I get to blow the lid off and explode the plot forward for the next book - and - dig into a short story due pretty quick, so it's work kinda reading for a little.

I keep looking at your kid, and recalling my father, reading us the Mowgli stories and the Jungle Book, by Kipling....I revisited them later (having a NICE old copy, and one of them the very one he read from) and was amazed how dated the prose was...still good stories, but wow, kids today would probably be too sophisticated by TV to handle them.

posted by JannyWurts at 11:32 am (EST) on Aug 1, 2008

I am keeping quite well, thank you!

Actually, this series of mine needs its friends as never before. It never had the huuuuuge hype, or the massive advance of some other "popular" fantasy authors...and the deeper, more adult layers of complexity have made it (?) less readily accessible to the teen set. (Though I do have those, they are not the average kid). So - wherever you order, however you enthuse, your contribution as a person who enjoyed the story will be a great help! (Given little visibility and, at the moment, little to no advertising, it's been an ongoing labor of love, running only on the word of mouth of satisfied readers).

And wait'll you see what's COMING!

I'd say you have picked excellent timing to start with this series, as Stormed Fortress culminates a huge segment of the action - and makes for a perfect! break point. This is not the end of the series, but it culminates a lot of character threads and a huge shift in the dynamics means the next volume will be - different - and begin a fresh stage, winding up toward the finish.

My trip's in two weeks - hah! - if I pick up a David Gemmell title today, let's see if it lasts the wait? I think it may have been Legend I read, so long ago.

Off to commit Bookshop now - have a great day - I'll list what I scored at Green Dragon.

posted by JannyWurts at 2:55 pm (EST) on Jul 31, 2008

Hi - wow, did you give me a happy glow!!! Let me say, Mistwraith is the stage setter - what follows builds and deepens that. It will be really fun to see how you progress, as you have the chance to read through 8 volumes, (if you like) with no wait. So the details as they build up and explode should stay fresh - it could be an experience! Bear in mind that Ships of Merior and Warhost were designed to be one volume. (it got split because of length)

Don and I are going very slowly through the last Potter book - I did mention we got the recorded audiobook? So it requires time when (obviously!) I am not writing...hence, the slow pace. I am often writing...

I did a book tour in Ireland, years back - I think twice...once when we signed Daughter, and again, on release of Ships of Merior. I really LOVED my time there! I'd go back in a heartbeat, you betcha! If the series wins enough readers - hey - our dual wish could come true! I would kick up my heels and hop on that jet so quick, I'd be a blur ...

I read a title by David Gemmel a long time back, and recall it was fun. Lately, I've been stalled for good stuff to read, and was wondering which of his books to pick up. Perhaps you could recommend one - I have a bookshop trip scheduled for tomorrow. (trip coming, and I want plane reading)

I've not got any plans to do another collaboration with Ray - both he and I are pretty tightly scheduled. Doing the Empire series with him was a memorable experience - we are still friends and call up, time to time.

Thank you again for adding the icing to a wonderful day's cake!

posted by JannyWurts at 9:25 pm (EST) on Jul 30, 2008

Interesting, on the Falco book...thanks for the info.

I enjoyed the books tremendously, dunno how much of a collector that makes me, but it's worth knowing the compendium exists.

And - on 300 pages into Curse of the Mistwraith - you made my day! Have a wondrous, wild read...

posted by JannyWurts at 2:50 pm (EST) on Jul 16, 2008

Hi WillieD -

So pleased you're enjoying the Lindsey Davis books - they are wonderfully inventive, and with some delightful parallels to our modernday frustrations...did you get to the one on publishers, yet? Travel agents? Banking business? Made me roar with laughter. She has quite a gift. I have now read them all, but the one which is not a Falco book (haven't been able to find it, yet). For the most part she is very very consistent - and a few are quite over the top, for suspense.

Thanks for your lovely comment on Shadowfane. It's a pet peeve of mine, that if the payoff of a story doesn't top the opening, and build to a crashing good finish, the story wasn't worth writing in the first place. Expect I will follow this through - though in some of the longer books (and series arcs) you may have to build up to it. I promise to eat the covers, and my nastiest shoe, if the payoff doesn't deliver... I hope you enjoy your visit to Athera (Mistwraith).

And one day, I hope I get to write Shadowfane's sequel, Starhope. It is one crazy mix.

I am finally getting to H.P. and the Deathly Hallows, after about half the world has read it.

posted by JannyWurts at 12:31 pm (EST) on Jul 13, 2008

Hi Will, I haven't been logged in at all for the last couple of months. Nice to see another Carlovian (even if I'm only a blow-in)on LT, especially one who shares my interest in fantasy fiction. Slán go fóill. Colm.

posted by seedubya at 5:22 pm (EST) on Jun 25, 2008

Hi Willie D - Hope you have a wonderful read, then!

posted by JannyWurts at 10:10 am (EST) on Jun 14, 2008

Hi WillieD -

The Davis works mesh together very tightly - the timing of one follows the next in close relationship.

How delightful to hear you are targeting the Wars of Light and Shadow. It's one series, but breaks up into five "arcs" - each of which encompasses a phase of the action - while all of them relate in order as one long tale, the shorter phases are demarked.

Curse of the Mistwraith is the "stage setter" - it will initiate the main thrust, and reach a culmination point.

Ships of Merior/Warhost of Vastmark comprise arc II, an were intended to be one book.

Alliance of Light is the third arc - consider these five volumes as ONE STORY. It is completed and wraps up the middle phase, and consists of:

Fugitive Prince
Grand Conspiracy
Peril's Gate
Traitor's Knot
Stormed Fortress

To come, Arc IV, Sword of the Canon, to include Initiate's Trial and Destiny's Conflict
The last arc will be one volume, title to be announced.

You will find this series weaves deeper and more powerfully - that earlier material will recur in more height and depth. So alot of what seems inconsequential will not be....hope the "road map" helps - if you make it to the payoff at Stormed Fortress, guaranteed, it WILL blow your socks off. Enjoy!

posted by JannyWurts at 2:00 pm (EST) on Jun 6, 2008

Hi WillieD!

Yes, I liked Shadows In Bronze very much - I have now read all but the last 3 in Davis's Falco series, and they are all quite top notch. It is DEFINITELY worth reading them in sequence, as she builds on the characters' stories very nicely. Some were more suspenseful than others, but all have that delightfully sharp wit that keeps you coming back for more.

A proof copy - is made in advance of publication, bound in a "soft" binding - (basically it's a bound page proof with no cover art) - that is used for review purposes, to generate interest pre-publication. There are likely to be minor errors in the text, as they are done before proof reading and the author's last check takes place. In the case of my books, any changes are likely to be teensy nitpicks - collectors like them, but the author gets no credit or royalty for such copies, as they are considered publicity. By now, this edition of Grand Conspiracy is out of print in the USA. So - if you have no copy, or like to collect - you're in like Flynn, though if they are charging LOTS - you can get the mass market printing, available in London for cover, or find a used book not at a premium. If you haven't ever read the Light and Shadows series, I do not recommend you start with Grand Conspiracy - this title is mid-stream in a series that rightfully begins with Curse of the Mistwraith (you may know this already?) If you happen not to be familiar with the series yet (my connection is slow and cranky, so no, I did not check your library) I'd be happy to give you the listing of the books in the correct order. That particular proof set for Grand Conspiracy was "lucky" for me - I got a starred review in Publisher's Weekly off that printing.

posted by JannyWurts at 9:23 pm (EST) on Jun 4, 2008

Oh I meant to say historical fiction tag!

And cheers for the IL... :)

K

posted by Severn at 8:16 pm (EST) on Jun 2, 2008

I have a historical fiction if you want to have a look at it for ideas. There's a wide range of books in there...

posted by Severn at 12:51 am (EST) on Jun 2, 2008

Hi,

I am more strictly history/military history, not dipping too much into historical fiction, mostly by happenstance. But here are two authors to try out:

Alfred Duggan (English, d. 1962): A Knight in Armour (his first novel, written in 1952). The story of a young English knight, the second son of a small fief-holder, who seeks his fortune (i.e. a fiefdom in the Holy Land) and remission of sins with the First Crusade. Very well written and seemingly accurate as to period and happenings on the First Crusade up to the capture of Jerusalem; and the ending is pretty unique compared to most historical novels. I have also read his last novel (1962), Behomond (spelling?), one of the Italo-Norman leaders of the Crusade and later Prince of Antioch. Also Lord Geoffrey's Fancy about the Latin kingdoms/holdings in Greece in the mid-13th cent. He began writing very late in his life about one novel per year and died at the relatively young age of about 62. The novels are based on Roman history (late Republic, early Empire), Anglo-Saxon England, and Middle Ages/Crusades. If you search/Google him, amongst the usual dreck, there is an excellent critical review; maybe I can find it and send it on to you. Here it is http://olimu.com/journalism/Texts/Critic...

/thiller author) a very good (and large 900 page) historical novel, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. The story line is the construction of an English cathedral during the end of the reign of Stephen of Blois (and the Anglo-Norman civil war) into the reign of Henry II, the start of the Plantagenet line. Lots of characters inter-twined over several decades. I would also recommned having David Maculay's Cathederal as a visual aid to "seeing" the consruction. There is a Wikeapedia article on the novel.

If you wish to contact me do it through my home e-mail dbg350@sbcglobal.net; this is from work (only 45 days to retirement to early retirement of which 8 are in Tuscany). My librarything (in progress) is under user name "dgrapes".

Del Grapes

posted by dgrapes at 5:21 pm (EST) on May 16, 2008

Actually, yes. Some of them can be quite good. If the reader suits the material and is a good actor, it can be a delight.

My husband and I are apt to listen to them on long trips, or when we are working details into a painting in the art studio.

The reader for the Harry Potter series is quite excellent. He does a different voice for each character and is very gifted.

Audio books are a fall back against boring tasks. I prefer to actually read.

For Don, he reads so very slowly, and as an artist, paints all day long. He enjoys many books that way, he couldn't have time for, otherwise.

posted by JannyWurts at 9:36 pm (EST) on May 12, 2008

Brilliant indeed - so pleased you enjoyed the book! Really good authors are so very rare. I've read ahead in the series, by now - all good stuff! and how wonderful there are so many!

You'd probably enjoy the Hambly book, too. Her handling of characters is very acute, if the outlook is not quite the same brand of wryly cynical humor. It's an intense story, well told. She captured the life and times with the same depth and verve.

posted by JannyWurts at 1:18 pm (EST) on May 3, 2008

Wow - I am most touched you had another read through Stormwarden!
I think you will enjoy The Silver Pigs. I hope you don't have the audio version - my husband rented it, and the reader was not the best match for the tone of the hero, or so we thought. Have fun!

posted by JannyWurts at 10:31 am (EST) on Apr 29, 2008

Hi - I will look out for the McCullough.

I have tried the first of the Scarrow books - competent, workmanlike, and idea based...I am wondering how you will like the Lindsey Davis - she has a zesty tone - more character driven, and sly wit.

posted by JannyWurts at 11:32 am (EST) on Apr 21, 2008

Got the first two in Scarrow's series, the library had them, no problem. I'll give them a try pretty quickly.

No, I have not read that other author you mentioned. Have you time for a bit of a steer?

posted by JannyWurts at 7:25 pm (EST) on Apr 17, 2008

Thank you for the recommendation! I will be sure to check them out.

posted by a_radical_abacus at 7:21 pm (EST) on Apr 17, 2008

Got the first two in Scarrow's series, the library had them, no problem. I'll give them a try pretty quickly.

No, I have not read that other author you mentioned. Have you time for a bit of a steer?

posted by JannyWurts at 7:20 pm (EST) on Apr 17, 2008

I don't mind at all. I'm always honored when someone chooses to add my library to their interesting libraries list.

posted by Irisheyz77 at 6:06 pm (EST) on Apr 17, 2008

Also very good choices. :)

On a side note, I love David Gemmell.

posted by a_radical_abacus at 3:27 am (EST) on Apr 17, 2008

Off to the library today to look up Simon Scarrow, on your rec.

I think you will love The Silver Pigs.

posted by JannyWurts at 11:32 am (EST) on Apr 16, 2008

Hi,

You asked for historical fiction recommendations. Here are a few authors I have enjoyed in that genre:

Bernard Cornwell (Napoleonic Wars, Saxon Novels, U.S. Civil War, Arthurian legends)
Ellis Peters, aka Edith Pargeter (Medieval mysteries, World War II)
C. S. Forester (the Hornblower novels: British Naval History)
Owen Parry (U.S. Civil War)
Patrick O'Brian (British Naval History)
Morgan Llywelyn (Celtic tales, Irish History)
Derek Robinson (20th century Aviation - WWI and WWII)

posted by hashiru at 5:42 pm (EST) on Apr 13, 2008

Hi - thanks for the recommendation! I will chase after it (in my copious spare time, HAH!)

The Hambly mystery is superbly worth chasing down. It was originally published in Hardback, under the title The Quirinal Hill Affair - then in paperback, the title was shifted to Search the Seven Hills. That may help you find a copy. I think it's one of her very best books. I had the paperback, then chased down the hardbound, that's how much of a keeper it is, by my regard. I PROBABLY gave away the duplicate paperback, long since. But if you have no luck in your search, ask, I could dig about and check. Usually when I replace an edition, I give away the old copy to gain the writer a new reader.

posted by JannyWurts at 1:21 pm (EST) on Apr 11, 2008

Hi - cool of you to drop by - and thanks for listing me as a favorite! I notice you like ancient Rome, and wonder if you may have read the mystery by Barbara Hambly, Search the Seven Hills, or are familiar with the mysteries of Lindsey Davis? Good reads, and well researched. Hope to see you about.
And a warm welcome.
Best - Janny Wurts

posted by JannyWurts at 7:14 pm (EST) on Apr 9, 2008

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