"He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command." -- Machiavelli

I suppose that's one key to obedience. If I remember right from my reading of The Prince, many years ago when I was in college, Machiavelli favored being feared over being loved in a monarch.

Those of you reading my Tomahawks and Dragon Fire Series know that the power to command versus the power to persuade is one theme of the saga. On the American side of the conflict, who would cause you the most concern if he or she had possessed an almost unlimited power to command?

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I've finished reading Wolf Leader by Alexandre Dumas. It's something different than what I've come to expect from Dumas. It's a morality tale of a sympathetic man who is frustrated in his attempts to improve his lot and makes a bargain that leaves him worse off than when he started. As far as I know, it's Dumas' only werewolf tale.

I've returned to James Beckwourth's account of his life as a mountain man. I'm currently about a third of the way through the book to the part where he is living with the Crow. I was struck by the similarity of the language and tone of his account of being taken into the Crow community and Edgar Rice Burroughs' tale of John Carter among the green men of Mars.

I'm also reading Lars Walker's King of Rogaland.

Here's the February fantasy and sci-fi free selection - lots of free books here.

And here's the Fast and Furious all sub-genre fantasy selection.

If you're looking for: Blunt stories about life, violence, morality, and truth,

filled with rascals and heroes, take a look at The Rough Stuff by Michael Cardwell. It's a mixture of action-filled stories and sentimental tales about life. Read about its spectacle, its dangers, and its uncertainty.

Don't forget about the free short story on my site for your reading pleasure. Your feedback is always appreciated.. Over the Black Glass can be found here.

I finally got my copies of Truth in Flames. and I've sent the autographed paperbacks to the members of my Skirmish Team. Let me know if you're interested in joining the team. I think Truth in Flames is one of the top 2 books in the series--of course, I think they're all great, but I have a particular affinity for books 3, 4, and 5. When I finish book 6, I may feel the same about it.

Is there a particular character in the series you would like to see play a greater role? Do you have a favorite in the cast?

On the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire giveaway -- the lucky winner is Tina. She elected to receive an autographed copy of Power to Hurt. It is already on the way to Florida.

Get your reviews posted so you can get on the Honor Roll.

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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, The Shrinking Zone, Clamorous Harbingers, Promise of Carnage and Flame, and Truth in Flames

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

Jan for reviews of Threading the Rude Eye, Power to Hurt, Clamorous Harbingers, Promise of Carnage and Flame, In Death Bedrenched, The Shrinking Zone, and Truth in Flames.

Bonnie for a review of In Death Bedrenched.

PAR for a review of Threading the Rude Eye

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