Battling evil does not develop character, it reveals it! That is easy to say when evil is not in front of you, darker than night and as numerous as roaches in a slaughterhouse.

The Quest of Ameron is the fourth installment in the Ameron Chronicles series. It is an epic saga that brings you to the distant past and far future in the blink of an eye -- a till filled with swords, sorcery, and advanced science that will make you question what you thought you knew.

Rejoin Thomas, Hank, Mariella, and Thierry as they reveal their character through quests that will change them--and Ameron--forever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I said that the action picked up in book 3, I wasn't joking. What I didn't realize is that it wouldn't slow down any in book 4. I want to say a billion wonderful things about this book, but the problem is that I read each of these books back to back to back, etc. They've all blended into one amazing tale.

I do recall one little thing that made me sigh and not in a good way though. At one place in the book the authors list a group of "evil men in history" and they listed a fairly recent president. My one and only thought was way too soon, history will tell what kind of person/president they were but when this book was written, it was far too soon to make that kind of judgment call. I truly believe in honesty in writing, even in fantasy, but putting your own political beliefs into a fantasy novel was a bit cringe worthy for me.

That being said, it was one sentence in a good sized narrative. It won't stop me from going back and re-reading this series by any means. If you haven't read started this series yet, what are you waiting for? Contact the authors via their Facebook page and insist that they sell you some books!



If you like what you've read here, please share it with others using these buttons:

A graphic novel biography of the American legend who inspired the hit Broadway musical Hamilton.

Alexander Hamilton was one of the most influential figures in United States history--he fought in the Revolutionary War, helped develop the Constitution, and as the first Secretary of the Treasury established landmark economic policy that we still use today. Cut down by a bullet from political rival Aaron Burr, Hamilton has since been immortalized alongside other Founding Fathers such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson--his likeness even appears on the ten-dollar bill. In this fully-illustrated and impeccably researched graphic novel-style history, author Jonathan Hennessey and comic book illustrator Justin Greenwood bring Alexander Hamilton's world to life, telling the story of this improbable hero who helped shape the United States of America.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As some of you might know, I used to do quite a few comic book reviews. Sadly, I don't have as much time these days so I leave most of that to my staff over on Geek-o-Rama. Still, when I get the chance, I still reach out and grab it!

This book was the perfect for that kind of thing. It has three of my favorite things: comics, history, and a great "story".  Let's break this one down in one of my favorite ways: The Good, The Bad, and The Summary.

The Good:
This book is full of information! It may be a biography of Hamilton, but it also covers a lot of what was happening during that time, not just here but in other countries that would get involved. The dialogue included quotes from actual letters and pamphlets of that time period. That's some serious dedication to the project and I love to see that kind of effort put into a project.

The Bad:
While I generally enjoyed the art, it was sometimes tough to keep track of who was who. After all, there were a lot of white men wearing white wigs! The only other thing is that the language in this books makes it more suitable to an upper level high school student versus anyone younger.

The Summary:
All in all, if you like history, have an interest in Hamilton (the musical), love graphic novels, or a combination of any of the above, go ahead and check out this book. I think it's going to be a really good addition to my books on history shelf.






I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.
If you like what you've read here, please share it with others using these buttons:

It is said that whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. These words are from the Ancient Texts so they must be true. The King of Ameron is a tale closer to truth than fiction of a land that has been given that warning. What happens to those who take heed...and to those who do not?

This continuation of the Ameron Chronicles sheds light on a land torn asunder by an evil within, that is no less dangerous than the evil lurking in the shadows. Brothers by birth, bound by the fire of circumstances, Thomas and Hank strive to save a reeling nation. But, to do so, they must accomplish the impossible!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Book three is where this series really grabs a hold of you and refuses to let go. Suddenly there are even more questions than there were before and you just keep reading hoping for some answers! The cast of characters continues to grow in size but somehow the authors write them in such a way that for the most part, there's no difficulty in keeping everyone sorted out. For those that get a bit confused, there's a cast of characters listing in the back of the book. I'm unsure as to why it's written the way that it is, but I'm sure that will come to light before the end of the series.

Hank and Thomas are doing what they can not only to survive but to bring along the kingdom with them. Each of them has their own roles and as each book progresses, we're dragged along (in the best of ways) on their emotional journeys as well as their physical ones. I honestly cannot wait to see what happens next. I have a million questions... Is Youngblood a good guy or a bad guy? Who is this mysterious assassin? What's happened to Thierry? What about the infant? Will the bad, icky creatures overrun the capital?

I guess I'll just have to keep reading to find out. If you'd like to read along with me, contact the authors via their Facebook page and convince them to sell you copies of this series!





If you like what you've read here, please share it with others using these buttons:

One last casserole before we find our way back to yummy chicken recipes! I just can't help myself! I love these ingredients...

Ingredients:
5 large eggs
3/4 cup cut up cooked sausage
1.5 cups shredded cheese
4 baby potatoes
1 cup milk

Directions:
Chop up your potatoes into little cubes. Mix eggs and milk together inside your crockpot. Add remaining ingredients and mix again.

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
Can it get any easier or any yummier? So simple and so delicious! I need to make this really soon!





If you like what you've read here, please share it with others using these buttons:

The sensation he felt walking through the passage was disturbing. The expected tingling flowed through his body as the mysterious blue light glowed about him. He tensed his muscles, but, as before in the upper catacombs, there was no pain. Thomas couldn't help but wonder at the nature of this magic... The epic adventure continues in The Princes of Ameron as Thomas fights to save his own life and the lives of strangers he has grown to cherish. Hank, his brother, struggles to keep the threads of darkness from his mind and to understand the awesome power laid at his feet...a power no man has the right to wield. Both men, blessed by the One and haunted by personal ghosts, strive to walk the path thrust before them...until a twist of fate allows them to choose another. In the sequel to The Heir of Ameron, the kingdom of Ameron falls deeper into the clutches of the evil Shanta Raau whose cryptic intentions and brutally dark armies leave an entire nation reeling in chaos. The two brothers, both with the only legitimate claims to the throne, are expected to deliver the realm from spiraling into the pit of darkness. Unfortunately, neither brother has any desire to wear the crown. One will have no choice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Book 2! I'm so glad that I went back and bought the other 4 books in this series. Book 2 had me reading every single chance that I got. The plot has just enough twists and turns that I feel as if I'm learning things right alongside the characters. The series is quickly becoming a history lesson within what's currently happening within the kingdom. The characters are starting to discover who they are and their roles. The Christian themes were stronger within this book but even if you don't share those beliefs, it shouldn't take you outside of the story. Honestly, I can't get enough of this series. If you'd like to check it out, contact the authors via their Facebook page. Unfortunately, I think that direct from author is the only way to get your fingers on this series.

It's my hopes that once the drama with their publisher is resolved, they'll have the rights to these books and will re-issue them. These could do very well. I'll be keeping my eyes open for a website or further information for sure!


If you like what you've read here, please share it with others using these buttons:

Are you looking for something to go alongside your eggs or some other breakfast entree? Look no further! Breakfast potatoes and sausage is the perfect breakfast sidekick!

Ingredients:
bunch of red potatoes
 1 yellow onion
 package of breakfast sausage (precooked works well for this)
 2 Tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt (to taste)
Black pepper (to taste)

Directions:

Wash potatoes well, and chop them into chunks. Chop up the onion. Toss the potatoes and onion with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Place the potatoes and onions in your cockpot and then add your chopped up sausage on top.

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

If you like what you've read here, please share it with others using these buttons:

As the kingdom of Ameron draws nearer to crisis, Thomas, the privileged son of a powerful lord, and Hank, the son of a humble farmer, are each called to a quest. Thomas must follow the king's wizard to a mysterious chamber filled with artifacts and writings that he does not understand. Hank is recruited to help with agricultural efforts to save an entire region from famine. What Thomas and Hank do not realize is that their destinies are entwined in ways they could never anticipate. As each learns more about himself, his past, and his family, the purposes of their lives are no longer clear. Thrust into an ancient conflict involving wizards and immortals, Hank and Thomas slowly and separately learn their value and their place in the world. In The Heir of Ameron, Thomas fights to survive as his wizard guide's motives become more and more suspect. Hank faces manipulation, seduction, and betrayal as he strives to restore economic prosperity to Ameron's capital. As the forces of darkness descend on Ameron, will these two very different men realize their connection and what must be done to restore peace to the kingdom? The Heir of Ameron is a richly detailed fantasy adventure, taking readers into a world of magic, intrigue, politics, and history.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wandering the aisles of Gen Con, Roger and I were called over to a table filled with books. I had just said that I wasn't stopping by book tables because my "to read" stack was already out of control. Knowing just how hard it can be to get people to stop though, I couldn't turn away from someone trying to get our attention.

I'm really glad I followed that instinct. The tale we were told about these folks' publisher is enough for me to be glad that I have Nick to do the publishing on our books. It was also enough to get me to purchase book 1 of this 5 book series.

I had only read a couple of chapters before I had decided that I needed to buy the other four books the following day. I didn't want to have to risk not being able to find them later if I decided that I wanted them. Let me tell you why...

The characters - Each one as unique as anyone not in a book and each one having something that draws you to them.

The plot - Continually moving but it never feels rushed and at the same time, it never felt as if it dragged.

This book kept me reading from page one to the last page. If I have any complaint it's that the book takes on a religious tone towards the end. I don't blame the authors for not pitching it as a Christian book, but the publisher doesn't list it as one which threw me off when it became a bit in your face. This didn't stop me from picking up book 2. If you like fantasy that is somehow a mixture of past and future, I suggest you contact the authors via their Facebook page. This book is well worth you taking a chance on it.


If you like what you've read here, please share it with others using these buttons: