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Let's Discuss: Rube Jynn

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Actor I would choose:  Chris Evans - though I'm tempted to use him for Talon.

Chris has strong masculine features and proved he can do more than play an arrogant punk (human torch) when he took the Captain America role.

In my Chest of Souls Epic Fantasy, Rube Jynn is a hard-working young man whose life ambition is to learn. Raised among farmers with high standards and astounding work ethic, he is loyal and fiercely protective of friends and family.


With that said, he  has deep emotional conflict.  His father, a Ryke (birds) Master, remarried and his stepmother can't stand him.  He leaves to work the farms in Lander.  Leaving home is okay with Rube because if there is one thing he never wants to do, it's inherit and take care of the family Ryke business.

Rube's strengths are knowledge and loyalty.  Of all the men that become Talon's "Elite" Rube is taken the farthest out of his comfort zone (he's never had to fight) and once he is taken prisoner he has to adapt to a brutal environment that life hasn't prepared him for.





Up in Flames - Final COS prequel (5)

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My 18th book and the final prequel to COS Fantasy.  


 From the first time he saw her, Vael wanted Revaya.
For twenty thousand years, she’s refused him.

To add insult to injury, she married a human, though that can’t last forever.

He knows their elements, his fire and her air combined, would be unbeatable. 

Everyone knows it, except Veya.

He’s tired of waiting and is implementing a new plan.

He will eliminate her distractions.

He murdered her friend and Teris is in ruins.

According to Mayhem, the next step is to remove her will and enslave her.

The plan is going to work, unless…




*Amazon eBook price:  $2.99 *


Artist:  Mates Laurentiu.   http://mateslaurentiu.deviantart.com/



*Note from the author*


Originally, Up in Flames was the ending of Book 4.  
When Winds of Change started to edge closer to 400 pages, I knew I had to make a decision.  
It was a hard one to make because I didn’t want to write this as a separate book.
Why, you ask?

Simple answer:  I don’t like Vael.   
Never have, never will (Go Ammon!) 
Climbing into his head wasn't fun.
With that said, I do feel sorry for him (yeah, yeah, I know…doing a Veya here). 
Also, I was informed the story wasn't finished or fair (drat Jaydren and his 'fair' ideology!) 
At least, the story wasn't finished until the obsessed flicker was doused (Thanks for trying, Soline). 

So, you will have to  Stay Tuned  to hear the rest of the story.  
In case you  missed it, this is a big hint.

ABOUT THE COVER:
Note the constellation, 3 Sisters, in the background.
Though it's very subtle, there are also faces in the flames with a larger one off to the left.
To find out why, you can read the book.


**Here are two comic strips about the 5**  
The first you should probably wait to read until you finish Up in Flames or it might spoil some things for you.  
The second can be understood if you've at least read the first two books**
Links:




Sequels to COS?

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Fans asked (less than 24 hours after I released the final prequel to COS) if there will be more.

The short answer:  Stay Tuned.

I am currently working on an urban fantasy with my oldest daughter called House of Cards.  To get a look at some of the characters and get a 'feel' for the series, go here:  http://stravenlite.deviantart.com/art/Taps-and-Friends-at-Beach-468363132

The first book will be released later this year.   It is geared for ages 9+ and has been a real learning experience.  My family has always been involved in my books (since I eat/drink/sleep the worlds I create) but this has been the most fun I can have without being twins...and the hardest thing I've had to do.

There are four books planned, but the amount of information two of us can output is staggering, so it is likely to expand the way COS did.  Which means I will take at least a year off.

For fans of the COS series, I plan to write the sequels in this sequence (Naturally, things could change):

1)  Sundara - Queen of the Ammonites
This is Wyn and Japh's story with all your favorite characters (who survived) from COS 1-9 AND the prequels.  Writing this book was a no-brainer.  I wanted to tie up the burning question:  What happened to the blister known as Vael?  If you didn't know he was still alive, please re-read the series.

2) Sons of Thunder
Continuing where Sundara left off and setting up the rest of the books

3) Return to Shara
The title is self-explanatory - the Ancients (minus Vael ) will return to Shara to confront their past and take care of unfinished business.  

4) With Wings and Talon
This had to be written to fully explain harpies and how Revaya and Pax do among them.

5) Ties that Bind
The big wrap-up scene - probably.

Yes, I have some of them planned and bits written down, but try to be patient.  You never know what bits and pieces of other books may pop up and out, so as I mentioned above, Stay Tuned....and thanks.

New Cover for First Prequel: 5 Power Rising

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Artist:  Mates Laurentiu
Length:  450 pages
Ebook:  http://www.amazon.com/Five-Power-Rising-Fantasy-Prequel-ebook/dp/B00DB65U8W
I've wanted to get a new cover for this book for quite some time.  The first cover just didn't do Ammon justice.  Once I had the final of the prequels finished, I realized the original cover wasn't the same format and figured Ammon should have his mug on the front cover.

The animal on his shoulder is called a Shee - this one is Spar, the first ever made (and proud of it!).

Cost:  $2.99 

Lets Discuss: Ammon

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Ammon is the star of the first book in the prequels, Five the Power Rising.

If I were to choose an actor today to play him, it would be Chris Hemsworth - only with auburn hair.

At the beginning of the book, Ammon is 27 thousand years old - young for Sharians.  In Shara, people have lived as long as a million years.

He is 8 feet tall - the tallest of his family.  If you've read the Chest of Souls main series, Tasut and Talon are some of his grandsons - which explains their great height, though neither achieved Ammon's full stature.


In this book, Ammon is the wayward son of the Master of Rozan Steading - and heir to the title. He is not known as the brightest apple in the bunch (he is one of 10 children Aaron and Sera had), but is known for following his 'gut' instinct and having a big heart - which is what is needed at Rozan Steading.

When you read of Shara, think of Australia as far as sheer size. Rozan Steading sits on the coast and stretches from north to south.  It's a lot of land to harvest and protect.  Their family home is grown, not built.

Good thing Ammon loves growing things.  He's in charge of enormous trees (think Redwoods/Sequoias) called Family Trees where the names of family are grown into the bark.

Unfortunately, he also enjoys brawling, which he was only too happy to teach to his siblings.  Frankly, he's good at it.

The people with 'talent' in this tale are called "Macshara" or "Macs" for short.  They are elemental (earth, wind, fire, water) and the main reason Ammon carries such a load of attitude.  If he had his way, he would eliminate them for what he perceives is insanity.

To add luster to the tale, Ammon's family has kept a secret about Ammon for millennia.  It is a gift from his golden-eyed mother and not a common one.  His father left out a few details before Ammon is forced to work at the Fortress in Brissa - like who their allies really are and what the enemy really wants and what they will do to get it.

You'll have to read the book to find out what those are.






Reviews: Take the best, leave the rest

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Reviews are something authors and other artists have to live with.

With today's tech-savvy population, this gush of information (good and bad) is going to continue until we lose access to technology.  It could happen - apocalyptic-type scenarios are some of the best sellers.

Hey, I think it's smart to give reviews - good or bad.  I especially like the fact we educate/warn other consumers.  One of the things Amazon offers is for people to click on a button that claims your review has helped them.  I do this a lot when I want to buy something and someone has warned me about the defects whether mechanical or mental....smut or the fact a particular company always seems to have a problem counting to ten and only sends eight of a product.

On the other hand, there is something called 'trolling' which means a person/persons with nothing better to do with their time finds something for sell that's doing well and gives a one star review - usually ranting about the negative aspects of a book/product they've never read/used. The reward for their behavior is to get a rise out of people and the attention that comes with it.




Don't feed their frenzy.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but trolls need to find a different hobby.

I write the best stories I can, but I don't expect every person on the planet to like them.  That would be unrealistic.  Some people will only read non-fiction.  Others only Sci-Fi or only books by LDS authors, etc.

I'm not perfect and my books are not perfect.  I write the stories I'd want to read and I do the best I can with the resources God has blessed me with.  Here's a fact you may not know.  At current editing rates, to get one of my (currently) 18 books professionally edited will take $1200+ that I don't have.  I've been spending the money I make on the same things regular people do:  bills.  Plus, I get the privilege of spending money on awesome covers - one of the biggest selling points of novels.  I seldom get reviews about my  typo-s or broken grammar rules, but every now and then someone better educated than I am, points things out. 

When someone finds a real problem with my work - I make changes (this does not apply to plot points or those who say please don't kill so-and-so, they are my favorite character).  I've made many changes over time - new covers, edits, corrections, etc.  If you read a lot, you will notice type-o's in traditionally published books, newspapers, and at school by teachers.

My advice:  Choose the higher road.  Use respect.  Always take the best of what you can learn in the reviews about your work and leave the trolls behind.  Seek improvement, yes, but don't beat yourself up over the fact you put the apostrophe in the wrong place.     


Let's Discuss: Soline

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Her name(s):  Soline:  Keeper of the Waves, Sea Goddess, Sea Witch, "Sully" (though only one person dares to call her that).

Notable characteristics:  When she is out of the water, her living hair is blue.  When she is under the waves, it is dark brown.  Her eyes are supposed to be as green as apples and the irises float on the bottom of the eye like twin corks.  When she's angry or feeling strong emotion, they are stationary.

Tidbits you may not know:

In the original first-ever story draft, Soline and Ammon fought Revaya and Soline actually killed her.

My daughter came up with the idea of the Ancients.  She had written a story in high school about kick-butt female dragon riders and one of the characters in that story morphed into what years later became Soline.  She suggested I add the Ancients to the story line - the rest is history.

The picture on the left is the one I commissioned of Soline first - and is the 'older' Soline - a good thirteen millennia have passed between the one on the left and the one on the right.  The same artist did both.

Insane Water Mac?

I think losing her sanity was a close call.  There was every bit of a chance for her becoming as nutsy coo-coo ya-ya as Vael.  Those who have read the books know how she avoided total insanity.  Not that she didn't have moments after she left the Fortress....think flood.

I shuddered - often - as I wrote her. Curiously, I found her story so heart wrenching, I grew to respect her and understand her plight.  However, I still do not particularly like her.  In reality, I would steer clear of her like I would a ferocious rabid dog.

Motivation?

In a word?  Ever-changing.  She learned to tolerate her Sea Captain, automatically loved her children (but didn't know how to be a mother or grandmother).  There's also Jaydren, her first true love.  She even cares for a few people - Revaya and Ammon (though she'd never admit it).

Will she go back to Shara?

She has no intention of returning to Shara.  Ever.
Except...
Jaydren is determined to reclaim his father's estate - Stone's Fist and to right ancient wrongs. In the future book, Return to Shara, you'll have to ask yourself if Jaydren's unfathomable love is enough for their marriage to survive.


Music

Music amplifies emotion - whether heaven...or hell.  It's why I'm pretty careful about what I listen to and when I find something 'perfect' or even almost perfect, I like to use it for the emotion it draws out of me.

I look for lyrics and/or tunes that suit the characters/scenes.  This one will be Soline's song for Jaydren in Return to Shara because of the lesson she learned are in the lyrics.


Taylor Swift "This Love" lyrics

Clear blue water, high tide came and brought you in
(J arrived at the Fortress)
And I could go on and on, on and on, and I will (She has been waiting millennia to escape)
Skies grew darker, currents swept you out again (when she lost him to another)
And you were just gone and gone, gone and gone
In silent screams, (she never let those in the fortress use her emotions against her)
In wildest dreams 
I never dreamed of this 
(though in the free land, Jaydren is always out of her reach)

This love is good, this love is bad
This love is alive back from the dead
These hands had to let it go free
And this love came back to me

Tossing, turning, struggled through the night with someone new (Finn)
And I could go on and on, on and on
Lantern burning, flickered in my mind for only you (she never lost her love for Jaydren)
But you're still gone, gone, gone

Been losing grip,
Oh, sinking ships (the least of what she's done)
You showed up just in time (Jaydren returns to her life)

This love is good, this love is bad
This love is alive back from the dead
These hands had to let it go free
And this love came back to me

This love left a permanent mark
This love is glowing in the dark
These hands had to let it go free
And this love came back to me

This love, this love, this love, this love... [4x]

Your kiss, my cheek, I watched you leave 
Your smile, my ghost, I fell to my knees
When you're young you just run
But you come back to what you need (a truth she had to learn)

This love is good, this love is bad
This love is alive back from the dead
These hands had to let it go free
And this love came back to me

This love left a permanent mark
This love is glowing in the dark
These hands had to let it go free
And this love came back to me

This love, this love, this love, this love

New Cover for Traps by artist Mates Laurentiu

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The time had come to choose which of the old covers we wanted to replace first.  Traps won the 'contest' hands-down.  Mates took the rough idea sketch below and turned it into the one on the left.

























This is the one we replaced - no words are really necessary to convey why we chose to replace it - and yes, others will be replaced as soon as the funds come in.

In the meantime, the cover is all that changed for COS 5.  I haven't modified and combed through the old manuscript at this time to correct any other errors that may exist. Hopefully, there aren't too many.



Educating Book Cover Artists

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As an indie author, I want my covers to match the story I wrote.  Thankfully, as an Indie, I get to choose that artist.  The downside is that I have to do the homework or find someone in-the-know, to hire a competent artist to bring my vision to life.  

Keep in mind as you hire an artist, that the relationship should remain on a professional level.  This means your exchanges should focus on the art.

I've been blessed to work with three different book cover artists so far.

I've found that successful cover artists for me are

1) able to take constructive criticism (such as, 'That's good, but I need the light to be brighter,' etc.).
2) send regular updates via email. (so you can add or subtract details as needed)
3) speak and write English because it is the only language I speak.  So, this last one depends on your language skills.
4) finish the cover in a reasonable amount of time. Two or three weeks - if it's a complicated cover, a month at the most.

As an indie author, concept sketches and updates are critical because you are your own business.
If you've explained/drawn a quick sketch, it should suffice to get the free-lance artist started.

In the end, you should be happy with the result.

REMEMBER You need to be professional as well.  Don't keep the artist tied up while you try to decide if you want the character to have eyes or not - that is also unprofessional.

Professionals always do the job they are hired to do whether they agree with it or not.  Yes, you should allow your artist to make suggestions, but, the boss (that's you) always has the last word.


Remember, the artist should not dictate terms once they verbally (or contractually) accept a commission.  It is unethical.  Suggestions are welcome, but the employer is under no obligation to take them.  In the real world, when you begin to tell your employer what you will or won't do, it will get you fired.  As an Indie author, you do not need an artist that is a Prima Donna.











My 19th Book! Huzzah!

Daekazu commissioned for Chest of Souls

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The first picture I commissioned Daekazu to do was of Brenna and Talon in a happier time.  It was also a test - we were looking to upgrade the covers and needed to see if his style was what we had in mind.  This picture let us know he was more than capable, though it is not a book-accurate depiction of either character.  Talon is much taller, Brenna much prettier.

How it was done:  we found pictures of the clothing for both, and he interpreted the pictures of the actor's face we used for Talon and Brenna.  Some people thought Talon was portrayed by Haley Christensen (the guy that played Anaken Skywalker) but it is William Levy - we sent him two pictures (one full-size, one a face-shot) that are already on this blog and this is what he drew inspiration from.

Daekazu aims to satisfy.   I chose his style specifically for this series because he understands how to draw light - he makes things shine and that is the magical/mystical feel I needed.  There is a language barrier (he is Polish).   He writes in broken-english and we found, after the above picture was finished, that making a rough sketch of what we want/expect helps him understand better than a lot of detailed written instructions. Communication is an ongoing process, but he is worth every penny we paid him.

Here is his link on Deviantart: http://daekazu.deviantart.com/ if you would like to see more of his work.  Warning:  not all of his art is child-appropriate. 

This was the first cover - his interpretation of the sketch we sent for Book One.  In one word:  Fantastic. 

How it was done:  We sent him pictures of tigers, the face of the girl we thought best represented a very young Brenna, the nightgown, and my oldest daughter made a sketch of the basic design we were looking for (I can draw, but haven't done so for decades) and, with a few corrections, he made this eye-popping cover.

I can't express how important this was.  In spite of sage advice to not judge a book by its cover, we all do and the public LOVED this cover.  During the 5-day promo, there were over 2200 FREE Amazon downloads, thanks to his enormous talent.

We wait in great anticipation for him to finish the cover for the second book.  We already sent him the sketch and the information he needs.  Hopefully, by the end of the month, we will have it and can show it off here. 

Shuffled: House of Cards Book 2

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Here is my 20th novel and the second I've co-authored.

BLURB:  

Sarah and her friends reached the Tapestry alive!
She’s not sure how long they’ll stay that way.

Life at the Tapestry isn’t as easy as Magicks think. 
Sal wants to run away, 
Sarah suspects Dee’s a lost mermaid.
School is life threatening.
Worst of all, her guardian is a ghost!
Oh, and the Lurker King is still on the hunt.

It’s been a tough first week.
But it has nothing on the second!

$2.99 to purchase:  https://www.amazon.com/Shuffled-Magic-Urban-Fantasy-Adventure-ebook/dp/B01A0AU7A2/


Slap Jack: House of Cards Book 3

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Here it is, my 21st book and 3rd I've co-written.

BLURB:  

Sarah survived the first two weeks at the Tapestry!

Taps adopted her and she now has siblings that were also orphans.
She's becoming more confident using her magic.
Ransom is in love with her - she sees it in his eyes and feels it in his heart, even if she's too young to do anything about it.

On the flip side:

Her bodyguard was murdered and it remains unsolved.
Taps is not only a cursed ghost, she and Sarah's brother are infected with a werewolf virus.
Sarah still isn't sure what Dee is, but glad she's nearly finished knitting her brain back together.

On the bright side of things, her friends are safe!

She thinks.
Maybe.
Hmm...is anyone safe in the magical world? Ever?


My First Novella: Thorn

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My first novella - my 22nd publication.


Blurb:  


Lanta is ten when the guards of Dura come to take her away from her family.

She wouldn’t have minded that much if it weren’t for the fact she was going as a sacrifice.
Something lives inside the Xion Stump with the red X on its door.
Everyone says it's a monster, but no one’s ever seen it.
Today, for Lanta, the mystery will be unraveled.

For the first time in her life, she'd rather not know.  


ONLY 99 cents!!!

To purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Michelle-Erickson-ebook/dp/B01HKGX2MO


Let's Discuss: Mal Kayman

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Sadly, I do not know who this man is.  All I  know is that when I saw him, I knew I had found Mal.

In the Chest of Souls Epic Fantasy, Mal Kayman is  part-Valenese by birth.

From the time he was orphaned outside the Lost City, he has been trained to be a leader of men.  He gained personal training under General Monus and General Han, both legendary Generals of their day.

He has a personal vendetta against the monster that ate (yes, I said ate) his parents.  He has a hatred of slavery and slavers and would go out of his way to kill one.  He detests it to the point he plans on ridding the world of slavery - if he survives the blood-sport known as Cubes.

He has an accidental marriage to Anicette Boushear and isn't sure what to do with it.

This is not an easy thing to do when so many want you dead.

This character morphed from the early stages of writing into someone much more intense that what I thought he would be.  

He will be in the sequels.








Let's Discuss: Rube Jynn

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Rube (Paul Walker) prior to the Barracks
Rube Jynn:

My personal choice:  Paul Walker.  

Yes, yes I know the actor passed away in 2013, but he remains my first choice for Rube (though he would have had to dye his hair white-blonde and add more muscle)


In my Chest of Souls Epic Fantasy, Rube Jynn is a hard-working young man whose life ambition is to learn. Rube's eyes are pale blue for a specific reason, which will be revealed in the sequels.




Raised among farmers with high standards and astounding work ethic, he is loyal and fiercely protective of friends and family.  

 With that said, he  has deep emotional conflict.  His father, a Ryke (birds) Master, remarried and his stepmother can't stand him.  He leaves to work the farms in Lander.  Leaving home is okay with Rube because if there is one thing he never wants to do, it's inherit and take care of the family Ryke business.
Rube (Paul Walker) in barracks

Paul Walker - Rube in a light moment inside barracks



















Rube's strengths are knowledge and loyalty.  Of all the men that become Talon's "Elite" Rube is taken the farthest out of his comfort zone (he's never had to fight) and once he is taken prisoner he has to adapt to a brutal environment that life hasn't prepared him for.

Rube Jynn will have a larger role than I first envisioned in the sequels.


Rube (Paul Walker)  as he will appear half of the time in the sequels 
I will update this page as the books are written for the sequels.

















Trumped: House of Cards Series Book 6

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Here it is, the final of the House of Cards Series.
  It was a sometimes difficult journey, but always rewarding.  
Dear Sarah and her friends have matured and I know 
they'll leave the world a better place.




Sarah's terrified.


It isn't because the enemy has tried to murder her three times.
It's about the people she loves.



If Sarah can't get to Taps, her mother dies.
Dee's about to, well...lay an egg.
The Bone Lady took Sal and Haberlie and she fears the worst.
Ransom hasn't found the castle yet, or he'd be here!
The castle is full of Taps-trained undead, 
and other never-before-seen-or-fought-monsters.



Her only ace-in-the-hole is Spoons, the former First Knight.
She's appemoed the dead warrior, but has no idea how long it will last.



America's magic is in its last hours.
If it fails, what then?







For more detailed information, sketches, scenes that didn't make the cut, and other extras about the characters in this series/world:  http://tapstapestry.blogspot.com/






















Fourth Corner: House of Cards Series, Book 5

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Mates Laurentiu, cover artist, Hannah Bischoff, Typographer

The cards are stacked against Sarah and her friends.

In the battle at the Tapestry, thousands of Lurkers are attacking.
No one can be sure they'll survive.
People are dying and with them, magic.

Sarah had believed Taps would save them,
But Taps isn't on their side anymore.

The most powerful idolized Club ever has taken a new form.
Sarah thought the day couldn't get worse.
Until the Bone Lady showed up...





Siren Call: House of Cards Series, Book 4

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Mates Laurentiu, cover artist, Hannah Bischoff, Typographer

The magick's world is failing. It’s up to Sarah and her friends to save it.

It took them two years to find the right combination of inks to restore Ari.
All they have to do is paint her card so Taps can release her. 
The problem is, they no longer have her card. 
Queen Piedee does and she’s about to burn it!

If they’re successful, they can move onto the simple stuff, like:
How to convince Queen Piedee to make Ransom a magick,
Find a cure for the werewolf virus,
How to restore Taps to her body,

You know...simple stuff like that

Let's Discuss: Joz Trebu

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Joz at the beginning of the series


Name of the real person/actor: Rodrigo G Diaz

The character in my book that looks like him:  Joz Trebu

Country Joz is from:  Teris

Whenever I find a new picture that fits what I pictured in my mind, I like to add the character that I 'see' in my mind's eye.  In this case, it is Joz Trebu - one of Talon's 'Elite' men.

Joz was the 'pretty' boy and often teased about his extra-good looks.

He was, however, very hot under the collar and ready to swing his fists first, often getting the turmoil going.


Joz in the islands
Once he is in the Barracks


At one point in the series, Joz and his friends, Dom and Zeal go to the Ammonite Islands.  He is very popular there.












The Barracks in Sogo require seven years.  In the end, only one will survive.  Joz is there - way out of his element, but at least he has his friends...or does he?




In the Barracks, freshly shaved







Joz at the celebratory banquet in Book 9












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