Well, it was inevitable. Our family finally caught COVID a few weeks ago. We were very fortunate, though, because not only did we only experience minor flu-like symptoms and have already recovered, but it didn't interfere with a very special trip to southern Idaho when one of my sisters was in town. We hadn't seen each other since December 2019, so it would have been a huge bummer if illness would have kept us apart. Fortunately, we recovered in time to see her and her family. Take that, pandemic!
I grew up in southern Idaho, named the "Magic Valley" where the Snake River Canyon cuts through a swatch of dry, desert sagebrush. The optimistic name always makes me chuckle. I've heard people call it the "Tragic Valley" tongue-in-cheek, but it's not really that either. The area has its own blend of rural roughness and charm that makes it uniquely its own.
Case in point: we decided to take a hike around the canyon and ended up at Ritter Island State Park. We wandered around an old dairy farm at the base of a huge cascade of water called Thousand Springs. Our hike consisted not only of spotting some osprey and red-tail hawks, but checking out an old barn and getting a tour of the renovated farmhouse that used a water canal system in the basement to keep milk cold.
We didn't count one thousand individual springs down there, but here's a portion of the many water streams trickling down into the canyon.
If you're ever visiting the Magic Valley area, let me know. I know some relatively unknown local places, like Ritter Island State Park above, that are fun for a day trip.
In between illness and traveling, I didn't get as much time as I wanted working on the fourth (and final) book of my next fantasy series, but I'm close to finishing the first rough draft! I plan to write the last big battle and its conclusion over the next few weeks. Then it's time for the painstaking (but necessary) work of editing not only for grammar, but consistency and cohesion of story. My husband, who designs all my book covers, has been doing mock-ups for Book 1, so we've been going through fonts, color schemes, and ideas for how we want to convey the essence of this series. So excited to reach the finish line on this series!
What's keeping your summer busy? Gotten into any good books lately? Let me know by sending me a line at [email protected].
More Books to Add to a Magical Summer
Secrets of Green & Gold is a modern fantasy that readers of both my Nasci and Llenwald series will enjoy. Set in Oregon, Cara sees animals that no one else does and learns about a hidden race of immortal beings known as the Pyx. Can Cara help save these magical creatures?
Blood of the Ràej is a free high fantasy romance. Terhese's dream of becoming an Official is within her grasp, but she must keep her magic hidden. But how can she keep her forbidden Ràej powers a secret from the man of her dreams?
Agent Zero is an action-packed urban fantasy adventure. Trained from birth to defend humanity, the members of Company Alpha Cryptid Containment protect Region Two from that which goes bump in the night.
The Fly Free: Fantasy and Sci Ebook Giveaway is still running until the end of July. With just under 100 free stories, there's something for everyone. Discover a new-to-you author at no cost!
Until next time, happy adventuring!
-DM Fike
Stories by DM Fike
Available in Ebook, Paperback, and Kindle Unlimited
Magic of Nasci Nature Wizard series
A secret society of wizards live in our national forests, protecting nature against supernatural threats. Ina may command the four elements at her fingertips, but she can’t stop the savage creature leaving corpses along the Oregon coast. Will summoning forbidden lightning defeat her enemy, or will the storm destroy Ina first?
Legends of Llenwald Portal Fantasy Trilogy
As Avalon gets pulled toward a secret world where others covet her legendary powers, she must decide whom to trust—an amnesiac fairy, a shapeshifting trickster, or even her former doctor—all of whom may only be exploiting her for their own gain.
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