When I set out to craft this tale, I knew Tiatha would take center stage. But rather than simply showcasing another showing her power, I wanted to explore the world she now moves through, the shifter’s territory. While I’ve hinted at this being a land teeming with both primal energy and political fractures, it’s been mostly unexplored. Now it’s time to step into that world and see it through Tiatha’s eyes. Despite being among allies, how secure Tiatha is amidst these unstable neighbors? What unspoken tensions simmer beneath the surface? These were the questions I hadn’t yet explored, and they offered a rich well of inspiration...

First, I’d like to apologize for both the delay in the releasing of this month’s genre poll and by extension writing this first story. That said, as soon as I posted the results, I started thinking about the first story for my patrons, an action/adventure tale. Despite the immediate jump into the work, there was nothing but an empty void as I thought about what I wanted to write about. However, failure to write these stories is unacceptable to me. As a result, I grabbed a set of story cubes and gave them a toss. Once all nine of the fantasy inspired set were staring up at me, it took me a few minutes to find three cubes that tickled my fancy. The results were an imp or a goblin, a hooded woman, and a pair of winged shoes. And in that singular moment, a scene flooded through my mind...

As the initial shots of the first morning are winding to a close, I’m happy to share another view of the diminutive tree and a shot of the morning fog. While I captured some shots of the colorful clouds, none of those shots turned out well once they were converted into a watercolor painting. However, I’m constantly looking for those kinds of shots. One day I’ll get an amazing result with those kinds of images...

Having received a cryptic warning about a hidden bomb, the police are running out of time. As the time ticks away, the threat of utter devastation intensifies. Enter Detective Graves, who’s no stranger to high pressure moments or investigations. Somewhere in the shadows of his city, a deadly countdown has begun, and one wrong move could mean disaster for everyone. With the weight of an entire city on his shoulders, will this stoic detective uncover the truth before it’s too late? Or will the clock hit zero and devastate the city? This frantic search is more than a case. It’s a race against time. The danger is real. The choices are impossible. And the cost of failure is unthinkable...

Has anything ever completely consumed your time? If you aren’t single-minded, do you know anyone who is? Either way, I can’t speak for those reading this, but I’ll admit my work, whether my day job or writing, has consumed me a few times. That said, people wonder what you’re doing, especially if what you’re working on is a secret, or at least unknown. I speak from experience. When other team members are pulled aside for private conversations, my imagination inevitably fills in the blanks...

Fresh off the heels of the events from the second book, I dove straight into the third. As always, I’ll do my best to avoid spoilers. Mordecai, having just dealt with the embers of the last conflict, now faces a new threat that could consume him if he falters. There are a handful of plotlines running through the novel. However, I’m going to focus on the primary pair of actions...

After capturing a pair of images of such a magnificat tree, preserving its moment of beauty, I resumed walking about the Airbnb. Provided you keep your eyes open, you’ll be able to find beauty hidden away in nature, no matter where you are or what the season is. While there were plenty of trees surrounding the house, there were a few other sights that captured my mind and compelled me to preserve those moments...

A rogue wizard flees under the cover of night, his magic crackling through the air as the Council’s relentless hunter closes in. Every spell is a desperate gamble, every moment a heartbeat between escape and capture. But this isn’t just a chase—it’s a battle of wits, power, and will. Set to a spirited blues riff, this narrated story brings magic and rhythm together in a way that will keep you on edge. As the tension builds and the music drives the momentum, one question remains: Will the rogue break free, or will the hunter enforce the Council’s will?..

When a trusted friend gave me a copy of Wizard’s First Rule, I wasn’t expecting much from the book. Truth be told, I didn’t expect I’d ever complete the novel. At the time, I was more obsessed with TV shows than books. Yet because of who recommended the book, I put forth an effort. Long story short, by the time I reached the book’s climax, nothing was going to get between me and the end of the story...

My world of Morven has been a delightful blank canvas for me to flex my imagination. Either by utilizing traditional fantasy creatures, my own creations, or some combination of the two. That said, one of the more intriguing creature types was my shifters. These are individuals who have dual forms, a human shape and a specific animal shape. While that ability is hardly unique, I’ve enjoyed the limitation that I’ve placed on these beings. Despite having some leeway in the minutia of the transformations, such as the shape of claws, the type/color of fur, or other cosmetic differences, a shifter is locked into a singular animal construct. Put simply, a bear shifter can either wear their human skin or their bear (of any type) skin...

Toward the end of October back in 2023, I was on a trip to Mathews, Virginia with for a much needed getaway. However, instead of booking a hotel, I secured an Airbnb. For those who haven’t used this service yet, I highly recommend using it whenever you’re planning a trip. Once settled into the house, I grabbed my camera and started taking some pictures of the surrounding landscapes...

In Downpour, Amelia stands alone on a quiet hill as the first raindrops begin to fall, a rare moment of peace in a world filled with danger. The storm’s touch revitalizes her, washing away years of struggle and exhaustion. The rain brings a sense of rebirth, but that brief serenity is shattered when a group of ruthless brigands appear, intent on causing trouble.

As the rain intensifies, the stakes rise. Amelia must confront the looming threat of these merciless outlaws, but what can a solitary woman do against the group? The storm isn’t simply a force of nature. It’s a harbinger of something much darker looming over the encounter...

When I completed Who’s Leading and Repeated Pattern finished, I turned my attention to the last story for my patrons, a thriller. Just like with this month’s mystery, I didn’t know what kind of story I wanted to tell. Aside from rediscovering Detective Ryan Graves with a recent release of Eloquent Tales & Blues, I needed some inspiration. Unfortunately, as with the mystery, ChatGPT failed to give me anything solid to use as a starting point. However, with a little extra thought, I developed a seed for this tale. I planted it in the depths of my mind and gave it room to grow. And after a little time, the tale began taking shape...

With a renewed effort to keep up with my serial flash fiction on Wattpad, I focused on the next installment to the Mounting Tensions. In Check In, I highlighted the recent interaction between Rylan and his dear friend and confidant, Darvin. While they were talking about recent events in their intelligence gathering mission, more departures were upcoming. With those additional flights on deck, I skipped some of the more menial and mundane days to highlight the second pilot and his journey...

I’d forgotten that I’d reviewed this story before. However, after reading that review, I had a completely different take on the story. So if you’d like to read my original review click here, otherwise join me as we explore the first Farscape story post the Peacekeeper Wars. The dreams and desires of Rygel are finally explored. From the first time we’re introduced to the miniature prisoner, he’s constantly talking about reclaiming his throne. Despite the constant talk, there was never a move toward bringing the former ruler back to his rule. However, that all changed in this initial new storyline for diehard fans of this fantastic show...