I wondered if Conan had read Leviticus. Do you remember when Conan was asked what was best in life?

His response is pretty well known - "To crush your enemies. See them driven before you. And to hear the lamentations of their women."

It doesn't possess the poetic ring of the KJV, but it is a little bit like Leviticus 26:7 in which Israel is (yet again) reminded of the blessings of obedience - " And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword."

Granted, there's no reference to the lamentations of the women. You'll probably have to go to Isaiah for that.

Actually, Jeremiah 48:38 covers both lamentations and where I'll be headed this week - "There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof..." I guess they know I'm coming.

I'm headed south with 2 guys who share my name, and Moab is one of the places we'll see. It's my dad's old stomping grounds. My son and I have been there a couple times before. It's strange and beautiful country. I hope to see some spots that will make a great setting for a future book. My current WIP takes place in a desert, mostly, but it's an Idaho desert of sagebrush and cheatgrass where basalt bones pierce the pale dirt skin. I've surpassed the 50K word mark on this novel. Unfortunately, I won't get any writing done this week because of the trip during which I hope there will be no lamentations.

Let me introduce you to a couple of author friends.

For Halloween you may want to check out Poppy Kurocki's dark fantasy thriller

Oath: A Black Diamond Novel

"Only through death may I leave the Black Diamond's side..."

Tired of scraping for food in her war-torn homeland, Colette sneaks aboard a ship to Ranigh, the prosperous Empire capital, to seek her fortune. When she's caught stealing, she is forced to pledge an Oath to a life of assassinhood. When she's bid to kill someone she cares for, what will Colette choose? Obedience or love?

If your tastes run more to fantasy of a military turn, try James Reid's Stormrider Saga

The Stormriders approach, certain to leave death and destruction in their wake.

Can one young man find a way to defeat them?

Ten years after his father’s death, the memory of the attack still haunts 19-year-old Ary. On the eve of the draft, he faces his greatest fear: being sent to join the marines.

He knows the cost of war.

Ary dreams of marrying his childhood sweetheart, building a farm, and starting a family. But the Stormriders threat of war puts his loved ones and his plans in jeopardy.

Wishing for peace won’t make it true.

For love, for his people, and for the life he desires, Ary makes a decision that will change everything.

Thus, begins The Storm Below.

This box set contains the COMPLETE Storm Below Saga:

1. Above the Storm

2. Reavers of the Tempest

3. Storm of Tears

4. Golden Darkness Descends

5. Shattered Sunlight

The Storm Below is a beautifully creative fantasy epic. Action-packed, dark, and intense, this fantasy series features characters you are certain to love…and others you will hate.

Download today!

Of course, I always recommend my own books, but you already know that.

Keep the lamentations to a minimum.

Stanley