Middle names? Does anyone use them--aside for serial killers? Do they have a purpose? Are they primarily for mothers to shout to let a boy know that life as he knows it is about to end?

I was picking up a prescription at a pharmacy that I not previously used. When the lady asked for the name, I indicated my first and last names, but alerted her that it might be under my middle name, because that's the one I regularly use. She said, "My husband goes by that too."

Naturally, I said, "That's awesome that he goes by my middle name."

That's when she clarified that he goes his middle name, not my middle name.

What's your experience with middle names?

I'm at work on the prequel to the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series. I've completed the commander's origin story, and have turned to Lucette's adventures before the commander finds her in Threading the Rude Eye. I admit that I did get side tracked by a separate matter last week, but I'm back on course.

Here are a couple snippets from Clamorous Harbingers, Book 3 in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire Series:

“My appointment to Lieutenant General here is quite recent,” Cornwallis said, brushing a bread crumb from the black vest beneath his red coat. “I would know nothing of this Colonel Washington if I had not received yesterday afternoon a letter regarding his condition. He has been taken prisoner by the French. They’re holding him about a hundred miles up the river at Beynac.”

“They wish to ransom him?” Rip asked.

“Quite the contrary. They wish to execute him.”

And here is the second from a couple chapters later:

Alex heard a great motion in the air. The foul smell and evil itch he had experienced at Black Moon returned. He lunged for Lucette, dragging her to the ground as he raised the essence shield over them. The gryphon sprang away and lifted into the air. A loud clack, which Alex recognized from Black Moon, struck his ears and rolling flames engulfed him and the girl. The fiery deluge lasted but a moment as the dragon swooped past, leaving a blackened streak beside the stream and around the two refugees from its wrath.

I really love the ending of this 3rd book in the series. It completes the first great part of the tale.

Check out this book by Colin J.D. Crooks

The Shards of Etherious: Arisen

For too long the battlefield has denied my soul, and Strothheim beckons. In these hours of my final judgement, I stand on the precipice of victory, one that will purchase my lord’s transcendence. Khyber, God of the sword and shield, will break the shackles of the mortal realm and take his rightful place in the afterlife, joining the Ethereal Battle. All I need do is slay a goddess and all her mortal children.

For too long the battlefield has denied my soul, and Strothheim beckons. In these hours of my final judgement, I stand on the precipice of victory, one that will purchase my lord’s transcendence. Khyber, God of the sword and shield, will break the shackles of the mortal realm and take his rightful place in the afterlife, joining the Ethereal Battle. All I need do is slay a goddess and all her mortal children.

If you're looking for more fantasy

Check out this horde of fantasy books that are on sale (including Threading the Rude Eye for only 99 cents)

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