I had a procedure done on my eye. Although the healing is going very well, I am disappointed that I can neither shoot lasers nor fatal curses from the orb. I'll have to be satisfied with the occasional withering glance.(UPDATE: Doc pronounced the eye healed--but still no lasers, bionics, or fatal glares).

With appointments in distance places and high gas prices, I've been riding the motorcycle an awful lot. When I stopped for a cold drink on my way home from a two hour ride, an 10 or 11 year old girl with her younger siblings in tow had to let me know that I was riding a cool bike. She was right, but I had to tell her that on such days, it was also awfully hot.

Apparently scientist have found that galaxy far, far away. At 13.4 billion light years, it would also be the light from long, long, ago that they're seeing.

From the wisdom of Alexander Hamilton:

"No person that has enjoyed the sweets of liberty can be insensible of its infinite value, or can reflect on its reverse without horror and detestation."

I may have to use the quote in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series. Mr. Hamilton will make an appearance--probably in book 6, and may become a substantial player in the drama. In fact, I like "The Sweets of Liberty" as a potential book title. It sounds much better than "Horror and Detestation," which is the other potential title from that quote.

Speaking of that exciting series, I'm still writing book five. The characters named after my Skirmish Team have appeared--and will continue to appear, as no terminal events have yet snuffed out their brief candles. I'm currently juggling an important land battle, a naval engagement, perils of the dragon hunters, Lucette's detective work, and a new entry in the monster manual of the series. The latter, like other creatures in the series, is loosely based on one or more native myths. Additionally, the outline for book 6, or some chunks of it, have started to coalesce. I want to build significant parts of books 6 and 7 around a particular historical figure. We've already encountered the figure on the fringe an earlier book, but the figure will get more stage time in books 6 and 7.

I'm currently reading Alexander Hamilton's Revolution by Phillip Thomas Tucker (source of the quote up above), as well as Bernard Cornwell's Excalibur.

If you've ever wondered just how adorable Barbara Luna is, check out this interview with her from 2016 as she talks about westerns and Star Trek, etc. I had not realized that she was married (for a few years) to Doug McClure, another of my favorite actors. I first remember her as Marlena Moreau from "Mirrror, Mirror" and, of course, Doug McClure as Trampas.

Don't forget, here's where you can get a free review copy of Threading The Rude Eye---the first book in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire Series.

This is the place to help yourself to some free and clean fantasy reads.

Here is another basket of free fantasy goodies for you enjoyment.

Finally, and I ask this at the end of the letter to reach only those who open and read the newsletter all the way through: If I make one of my books free, or reduced to 99 cents for two days only in September, which book would get your vote for that? Let me know and I would be interested in knowing your reason(s) for the choice.

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Honor Roll with special thanks to these subscribers:

Lois for her stunning review and heroic defense of The Shrinking Zone

JBudd for reviews of Threading the Rude Eye, In Death Bedrenched, Power to Hurt, and The Shrinking Zone

Colleen for leaving ratings for several of my books on Amazon.

Rob for leaving a review of Threading the Rude Eye

Michael for leaving reviews of Threading the Rude Eye, and The Shrinking Zone

Mayra for a review of Threading the Rude Eye

Gloria for a review of Threading the Rude Eye

ShannonC for a review of In Death Bedrenched

There are other reviews of my books, of course, but I don't know whether those reviews are also subscribers to this newsletter.

If you have posted a review anywhere for any of my books, let me know so that I can include you in the Honor Roll.