The letter is short and sweet this week. I've been covering court for myself as well as for my boss, who is out most of the month. Additionally, I had to travel to St. George for Operation Daughter Retrieval, which is preparatory for Operation Daughter Departure. She'll be going to the wilds of East Texas for a time. I'll probably spill more about that in a later letter. Finally, I had to go in today for a simple surgery. Anyway, my links to free stuff are repeats, so you've got another chance to check them out.

Here's the Fantasy and History selection of books.

Here's the July Blowout in a variety of genres.

In the review that I share below, you'll see a dollop of adoration from the reviewer for a character named Lee.You might also notice that the dedication to In Death Bedrenched mentions an individual name Lee. The two are connected. It was during a week long camp out (featuring a killer 9 mile hike on the first day into the Seven Devils area) with several adults and young men that I created a rough outline of the first book in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series. Lee was one of those young men. He was 12 or 13 years old at the time. It actually took me 3 books to get through all the stuff I outlined on that camp out--because stories grow in the telling--and the character inspired by and named after the young Lee did not make his appearance until the second book. It was Lee's idea for the character to have a unique firearm. I tried to come up with something that I thought would have been historically possible, even if improbable. Research has since taught me that there were actual firearms from the period--of quite limited production--that were even more improbable than the one I included in the story.The real Lee is enamored with equipment. He sees me almost every week and usually has an idea for a character with an emphasis on firepower and protective gear. I find gear interesting, but the story and characters surrounding it are what make a good story.

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If you've seen the movie Frequency, let me know what you thought of it. I plan to write about it in the future.

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Let me share and give credit and thanks where it is due. JBudd posted this fabulous 5 star review for Power to Hurt. It deserves to be shared:

 Amazing Seguel to Threading The Rude Eye

Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2022

Verified Purchase

Just Amazing, this book takes the plot and characters of “Threading The Rude Eye” to a new level. Gryphons! Savage rites of dragon enslaved natives, flying trials by combat! The Dragon hunters in the previous novel are here, as well as Alex, new to dragon stone powers but learning via trial and error. I particularly enjoyed the introduction of a backwoods genius, the many faceted and surprisingly erudite Lee. Inventor, scholar, woodsman par excellence he is a worthy addition to Stanley Wheeler’s ensemble of characters. No spoilers here but you will find yourself saying “What the….?” You will want to continue this series, I know I am diving into the next novel, Huzzah!

I think it's just possible that JBudd knows what he's talking about.

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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, and Power to Hurt

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.