Chain-breaking fiction: Tales of identity, purpose, and supernatural power

First Edit – Castle of Sand (Working Title)

– A Historical Fantasy

For NaNoWriMo this year I began a novel that I’d describe as a bridge between the two fantasy series I have begun. Using a character from Siren Crux and beginning in the setting (Europe-Spain, Wales, Scotland) of The Patterner’s Choice – though much earlier (1700s instead of 2000s) I’m writing the story of Santes Castillo and his pursuit of purpose and love. Traveling from Spain to Wales and then to Scotland, Santes confronts his past and learns not only to control and use his Gift, but also the meaning of purpose, mission, love, and loyalty.

I’ve finished the first draft and am working on revisions. The novel explains much of the lore and backstory of the two series without revealing spoilers.

Historical Fiction

Strength to Stand

Lee Russell is a lost cause—a failure—just like her parents said. As her opportunities in horse racing shrink due to gender prejudice, losing mounts to unscrupulous agents, and her own growing dependence on drugs, Lee wonders if she should abandon her dream. Is it too late to listen to friends who insist a loving God waits to forgive her? A God whose words have been so twisted she doesn’t know what to believe?

At Lee’s darkest moment, comfort comes from unlikely sources, a drug-addicted street person, a stray calico cat, and the horses she loves. When opportunity comes at last, will she sacrifice her integrity, her dream, and her freedom? Or will a chocolate-stained Bible lead her to choose another path?

Lee’s story is about betrayal and redemption, brokenness and healing, and the courageous pursuit of a heart’s longing. It’s about the willingness to take the offered hand, to believe in the kind word, to accept others as they are, and to discover the hope that brings with it the strength to stand.

Time to Trust

The heroine from Strength to Stand, Lee Russell, is to leave Washington for Great Falls, Montana with her mentor and friend, trainers Lucille and Rob Holden.

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Take a Journey with me… to Scotland. Free story ahead!

Click here to read a short story set in my fantasy world. If you’d like to read another fantasy short story, subscribe to my newsletter.

Or if you prefer historical fiction, click here to read a short story from my Strength to Stand world, 1980s Spokane, Washington.

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^{So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.}

^{Galatians 3:26 NIV}

 ^{It is through him that we live and function and have our identity; just as your own poets have said, ‘Our lineage comes from him.’}

Acts 17:28 The Passion Translation

Other completed novels:

The Patterner’s Choice: a Scottish fantasy

Sixteen-year-old Rowan wins a contest. The grand prize: an all-expenses-paid study trip to Scotland. Her lifelong infatuation with the country of her birth soon to be satisfied, she says farewell to her parents and younger sister. But discovering her heritage is more involved than she thought and somehow intertwined with the silver-haired boy straight out of her dreams.

Birk is on a mission. Straightforward. Simple. Find the girl of the prophecy. Turn her over to the Unseelie Queen. The arrival of the fiery-haired lass from his vision destroyed his protective veneer. He finds himself wanting to hide her away, protect her, comfort her. But he’s dangerous and being near him could mean her death, so he tries to push her away. When events shove them together, can her latent power rouse his to give them a chance at survival?

Glossary of Terms

Behind the Veil – place reserved for those with cridhean – descendents of the Fallen Beings. Another, overlapping dimension on earth those without cridhean cannot access. Created by the Patterner and his Chosen to separate humankind from beings of power (those with cridhean). Also trapped the Destructor (see Lord of Caos).

Beyond the Veil – aka Yonhev – the place reserved on earth for humankind. Cannot be accessed without a soul.

cridhe – Scottish gaelic word meaning heart. The place where power is stored in a descendent of one of the Fallen Beings

cridhean – plural of cridhe

Eile – a separate dimension accessed for two years by bridge from behind the Veil, but in modern times, accessed by Rathad portal from Yonhev. A sanctuary, free of Caos’ influence (according to legend), where descendents of Fallen Beings can live.

Lord of Caos – a being created by the Patterner, but who fought for control of Neamh, the dwelling place of the Patterner and his Chosen. On Earth, a spirit being without corporeal form. When he created a body for himself, he tied his cridhe to it and became the Destructor. His body is without a soul, thus trapping him behind the Veil.

the Patterner – Creator of All, Sustainer of All, he made the Patterns that created and maintain all life on earth. He also created the alternate dimensions of behind the Veil and Eile. After the battle with Caos, he sent to earth all those who hadn’t chosen to side with him in the war. Those who remained neutral also fell to earth, becoming the original Fallen Beings. Their Patterner-given power was released to their keeping within their cridhean.

To make wise choices you must be equipped. The following verse has always been special to me. I’d like to share it with you.

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:10-17