Merlin's Prophecy Rumors echoed of long ago when the Island of Britain was a realm of giants and dragons. Years before the Romans came and built their villas, cities, and forts. Before the ferocious Celts hacked their way across Europe, with bad hair and attitude, eventually arriving on those misty shores with Brutus, a descendant of Aeneas of Troy. Before even the great stone builders raised Stonehenge and Avebury; this was a land of magic and myth. And those echoes can [...]
History & Mystery Every now and then I like to delve back through the years and look at our bloody past and just be grateful I was born in 1961 and not a thousand years earlier. History repeats itself because of mankind's folly. Regrettably, we forget that past far too soon. In these snippets, I like to weave connections between History & Mystery as the gap is often narrower than we think. Mystery hints at things we tap into –– the [...]
How Good Vibes Free The Mind To Wander ... Busy day, phone ringing, things to do and places to be! You're late, but the lights turn green. You hit the gas, join the freeway, changeup twice, shift lanes and pass those big-ass rigs like a formula 1 pro. Don't worry. You got this! Stress ain't where it's at. Now, cruise control... Time to relax, unwind, forget that phone and let the music find you! Time for Sirius FM or that battered [...]
Introducing Mercenary A Fun New Series Starring Corin an Fol First up, apologies –– it's been a while. Many reasons, won't go into them. Suffice to say, busy times! But back again and with a cunning new plan:) I've been running a light-hearted weekly series on my newsletter aka The J.W.Webb V.I.P Lounge for some time now. It features a reckless character called Corin an Fol. (If you've read some of the Legends of Ansu series you'll be familiar with him. Doesn't [...]
My parents never understood it. Many of my friends aren't into it, but tolerate me all the same. My grandfather loved it, so I guess it skipped a generation in this family. But what is it about the fantasy genre that still hooks people today? Escapism? Certainly. Vent for imagination? Absolutely. Game of Thrones and other addicting Telly? Too right! But mostly it's our love of stories. That endless internal quest for who we are and where we're from. Music, [...]
Episode 1 She was a fine sight to be sure. That said, dark eyes and a wicked smile had got him into trouble before. But there was something different about Nalissa. She had the trademark deeply tanned skin, glossy black locks and shapely ankles of most Raleenian beauties. But Nalissa had a wild and wicked vivacity that hinted at greater delights beneath the tight bodice and torn skirt she, (sort of) wore. She’d caught the hem on a thorn as she’d [...]
For what it's worth I'm misunderstood. People don't like me. But they fear me, and that's what counts in this life. It's what keeps a girl like me alive. I'm Zukei, by the way. You might of heard of me, I'm a killer, you see. That killer. The one who's wanted in seven countries. If you're my bounty you won't see me, just feel the cold steel puncturing your skin, and watch your lifeblood ebb in pools below. I'm not [...]
Okay it's been awhile, and yes, I'm sorry about that. No excuses. Just been knee deep in tucking in the corners at The Glass Throne, (now at Editing HQ.) And, (exciting stuff this!) I've been studying the dark and medieval art of the Email Newsletter, (Thank you Arial Burnz!) So. Now that's out the way here's the thing. See the new covers above? Yeah, I know you'd rather keep looking at those than read this old chat. But, my friends, [...]
I wait as wind chafes my cheeks blue and cold waters lap around my feet. High above, a skein of geese carve chevrons through slate skies as they wend south to warmer realms, their distant calls forlorn and remote. He comes... A small skiff. Him rowing, a shaggy figure clad in steel and fur. I loosen Wyrmfang, (my waraxe) hanging from my belt and strap the helmet secure with the leather clasp under my chin. It is time... Holmgang. The [...]
It is dark in the passage. So dark. Her pale gown shimmers as she makes for the winding stairwell. The sconces gutter as night’s stormy wind pierces the Keep’s inner skin and freezes her bones. She feels nothing—hasn’t for years. Her face is a mask. Those once warm, honey eyes now glazed with sorrow, and the famous long braids disheveled wild and free. Free as her soul at last. She gains the stairs, taking them two at a time, her [...]
