Review: Unconventional by J.J. Hebert

Unconventional
By: J.J. Hebert

Paperback: 332 pages

• Publisher: Mindstir Media (July 10, 2009)
• Language: English

Genre: Inspirational Fiction


Everyone needs a bit of inspiration from time to time and Unconventional is the perfect story to fall into for not only great entertainments, but for a blessing and reminder to believe in oneself.  


Honestly, I have been wanting to read Unconventional for some time.  When I learned that J.J. Hebert would be touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotions, I instantly jumped at the opportunity to be part of the tour. I was thoroughly rewarded for my patience.  Unconventional is a story of a young man, James Frost, who has always had the dream to become a published author.  Through years of hard work, perseverance and pushing aside the constant criticism of everyone when they heard that James wanted to be a "writer" he feels as though his novel, The Forsaken World, is the "make it or break it" turn in the road of his life.  When his work is met with several rejection slips, James is not sure where to go next.  It is when he learns to allow a bit of faith and self-confidence into his life, that James can take control of his life and his dreams.

For me, James was the perfect character to encompass feelings and thoughts that many of us go through.  He is an amazingly relate-able character for nearly everyone.  To be honest, everyone goes through insecurities, feelings of being abandoned and alone, lost and without hope.  This is a simple aspect of life, no matter who you are or where you come from.  It is during these times that we desperately need a light to reach toward - a spark in a seemingly endless darkness.  Unconventional encompasses this perfectly and reminds people that with faith, that light will never leave our side - even if it may seem to dim from time to time.

J.J. Hebert exudes a dramatic and fine-tuned talent for storytelling with his debut novel Unconventional.  He touches on truth and humanity in an incredibly unforgettable way.  The story is smooth, well put together and consistent from start to finish.  I have mentioned that I loved the character of James, however, I have not mentioned how much I adore his girlfriend, Leigh.  She has a background story all her own, and proves a wondrous inspiration for James.  The two compliment one another perfectly.  Another character that shines brightly within Unconventional is Mitch.  His unending faith in James is beyond touching and I wish that everyone had a Mitch in their lives.

Throughout the story itself, Unconventional touches on wonderful tidbits of messages that are perfect to remember each and every day.  One such thought is on page 90:

Then his face becomes suddenly stern, like he's about to go into scold mode.  "Quitting is a disease.  You quit once, it spreads into twice, and before you know what hit you, it transforms into an epidemic."

I absolutely love this quote from the book.  It is incredibly true and, amazingly, an epidemic that touches too many lives.  That little voice that says "You are not good enough.", "Give up now.  Why waste your time."  With enough faith, that voice can be shut down and replaced with "You can do it.  Just don't give up."  Dreams are treasures, without them there is nothing but bleakness.  The more work it takes to reach a dream, the greater the respect and thankfulness for reaching and obtaining what once seemed unattainable.

In any case, I feel as though I am straying from the review itself.  These thoughts and feelings are such that truly shined for me from within Unconventional.  While reading Mr. Hebert's work, I found myself truly and emotionally thrust within the pages.  There were times that I felt my heart breaking and the hairs on my arms standing on end from the intensity of this emotion.  Other times my heart warmed and smiles broke out upon my face.  A roller coaster ride of emotions?  Without a doubt.  Worth it?  Beyond question.

J.J. Hebert is a true talent and I cannot wait for future works by him to grace readers everywhere, myself included!

About Unconventional:

YOUNG JAMES FROST just knows, deep in his bones, that he's a writer. He writes far into early mornings, after his wearying hours of scrubbing toilets and sweeping floors. He loves writing that much. But it's not only the joy of words that keeps him grinding; it's his desire to retire the janitor's mop. He sees being published as the key to living an improved life. James has another deep-seated conviction: that he's not good enough. He secretly longs to be accepted. However, the conventional others in his life seem all too willing to remind him that he's wasting his time. Then he meets and falls in love with Leigh, the one bright spot in his endless misery of self-doubt. A quiet but resolutely religious girl, she has to fight off disapproval of her own from overly critical parents, whose insults are countered by James's often-voiced admiration of her. Likewise, Leigh's faith in his talents begins to build his confidence, eventually allowing her to introduce him to a different way to help himself: relying on God. Ultimately, James's newfound faith is sorely tested to the point of doubt when his dream to be published seems to melt into a mirage, smothered by countless rejection slips from agents and publishers. His faith is also battered by having to fight highly emotional battles and suffer fear and loss. Just when James appears hopelessly sapped by devastating events, one last door opens, and he's rocked by an epiphany.


UNCONVENTIONAL is designed to inspire readers to reach for their dreams. Buy this book. Read it. Share it with everyone you know. You - and they - will be glad you did!







About J.J. Hebert:


J. J. Hebert is a writer. Surprising, huh? He has written fifty-two novels, including the immensely successful, award-winning Willard’s Heart. J. J.’s also an archaeologist, and he recently unearthed an ancient religious scroll in Jerusalem that, in time, will prove absolutely nothing about anything important. He presently resides in Yemen, where he enjoys being the richest man in the land.

Of course, the aforementioned isn’t true (except for the “J. J. Hebert is a writer” part), but you found it entertaining, right? Perhaps just a little funny?

Honestly: J. J. Hebert’s debut novel, Unconventional (paperback), became an Amazon.com best-seller in three categories on July 19, 2009. The Kindle version has been the #1 Inspirational Book in the Kindle Store numerous times. J.J. is also the founder of MindStir Media, which helps authors successfully self-publish and distribute books worldwide. Currently, he lives alone in New England, home to some of the greatest sports teams in the world (for now), where he’s at work on his latest novel, Saving Dad, and a children’s book, Weepy the Dragon.

Visit J.J.’s website at  www.jjhebert.net or his blog at www.jjhebertblog.com. Connect with him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/authorjjhebert or Facebook atwww.facebook.com/authorjjhebert.

*Please be sure to catch these other great blogs also on tour!

Monday, May 2

Book reviewed at Carlybird’s Home

Tuesday, May 3
Interviewed at Examiner

Wednesday, May 4
Interviewed at Blogcritics

Thursday, May 5
Interviewed at Literarily Speaking

Friday, May 6
Book reviewed at By the Book

Wednesday, May 11
Guest at Literarily Speaking’s May 2011 Book Panel

Interviewed at The Book Connection

Thursday, May 12
Guest blogging at The Book Bin

Friday, May 13
Book reviewed at Reviews From the Heart

Monday, May 16

Book Reviewed at Life in Review

Tuesday, May 17
Guest blogging at Literal Exposure

Wednesday, May 18
Book reviewed at Write to the Heart

Thursday, May 19
Interviewed at Book Marketing Buzz

Friday, May 20
Book reviewed & book giveaway at Book Reviews by Molly

Monday, May 23
Interviewed at Beyond the Books

Tuesday, May 24
Book reviewed at The Creative Studio

Wednesday, May 25
Guest blogging at As the Pages Turn

Thursday, May 26
Interviewed at Review From Here

Book reviewed at Cafe of Dreams

Friday, May 27
Book reviewed at Mad Moose Mama
Chat & Book Giveaway at Pump Up Your Book’s Authors on Tour May 2011 Facebook Party

Interview: Ian Alexander, Author of Once We Were Kings + Giveaway!!

As many of you know, I posted my review for Once We Were Kings by Ian Alexander, yesterday.  A perfect 5 stars!  If you missed it, please be sure to check it out!  Also, one lucky winner will receive their very own copy of this fabulous book!  Read until the end to find out how to enter!

Now, I am thrilled to death to share with readers, an interview that I did with Mr. Alexander, about his book, as well as a few other questions to allow readers to get to know the man behind the work!

Please help me in welcoming..... Ian Alexander!

Thank you, so much, Ian, for taking the time out of your crazy life to answer a few (or, truthfully several, lol) questions that I have.  Let's begin, shall we?

What do you hope readers will take away from reading Once We Were Kings?

Really, what I’m hoping is that readers young and old will capture a sense of grandeur, that there is so much more to existence than what we perceive superficially.  Your external appearance doesn’t matter, whether you’re a slave, peasant, or even someone born in a manger; you could be royalty and not even know it.  Humans looks to the outside, but the creator of all things looks into the heart.  No one defines you except your creator.

While reading Once We Were Kings, I kept thinking to myself "There had to have been a ton of research that went into creating such a detailed and epic story and characters." Can you tell us a bit about the research that you did and where you discovered much of your information and background story information?

Yes, I did quite a bit of research into the time period.  But most of it flowed from my own internalization of classics and fantasy books such as those of C.S. Lewis. 

The dialog, particularly of Greifer, is incredible poetic and incredibly time-period appropriate. It truly lent a smooth and dynamic aspect to the story. How difficult was that to accomplish?

Not quite as difficult as you might imagine.  But, you see, my father was a minister and he taught me and my brothers to read using the Bible.  And we read from a very young age from the King James Version.  So, I had a distinct advantage when I got to high school and had to read Shakespeare.  While my classmates were tripping over all the “thees and thous” I quite knew what it all meant without having to learn it then for the first time.  So a lot of it this type of “voice” was already ingrained my mind.

What was the most difficult part about writing Once We Were Kings?

I don’t think there were really any inherent difficulties.  Probably the hardest thing about it was to have confidence that my particular style of fantasy would be enjoyed by a wide array of readers (youth, adults, fantasy fans, non-fantasy fans, etc.)

The character names are very unique. How and where did you come up with them?

Right, well you see, the Tianese names and culture are inspired by ancient Chinese lore and society.  The western kingdom of Valdshire Tor is an amalgam of English and German.

How many books do you have planned for this epic journey?

Originally it was meant to be a trilogy.  It shall be that, at the very least.  But depending on how things go in the future, a series could stretch indefinitely because when an author creates a universe, past, present, and future are completely in his hands to do with as he sees fit.

If you were to write yourself into Once We Were Kings, what would your character be? Can you write and share a scene that would occur with us?

Well, of course I would write myself in as the court jester!  But seriously, I think every writer inserts a bit of themselves in every scene and every character, even when in real life they are completely different from the latter.

I can easily perceive this book appealing to young adults through adults. What age group is Once We Were Kings aimed at?

This book is written for ladies and gentlemen, and children of all ages!  I honestly didn’t think too much about who the target audience was after I got started.  But the truth is, my six year old son was the one who asked me to write him a book.  And that was several years ago.  He is now old enough to enjoy it, but I’m sure as he grows into an adult, he’ll uncover more layers of the subtext and themes.

I loved that at the closing of the book, you mentioned that your son asked you to write a story for him. This is where Once We Were Kings was born. Have you read the story to him? What was his reaction?

When I first started writing the book, for a bedtime story each night, I’d tell him the synopsis of the chapters I’d written each day.  He even gave me some ideas and made some requests.  Specifically, for the “spirit potential” manifested by the most unlikely of characters in this book, i.e., the frog spirit.  That was completely his idea.  I just had to find the right place to apply it.

Shape-shifting plays a rather important role in Once We Were Kings. Do you see conflict between this idea and the biblical undertones of the story?

Not any more that one would find a conflict in centaurs, fauns, river gods, white witches, wizards, etc., in the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, who were both Christian, and scholars.

What are you reading right now?

Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind.  And my son is reading it with me!

Who are some of your favorite authors and/or books?

The Bible is my favorite book.  Besides the power and inspiration one receives from reading it, the stories are epic and timeless.  There is transformative power in them.  Obviously, I adore all seven books in the Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis, I also enjoy reading the works of Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Amy Tan, and Daniel Silva.

If you could invite 5 authors, living or dead, to supper, who would they be and what would you serve?

Well!  I don’t know that they’d particularly enjoy my company, but I would love to dine with C.S. Lewis, Dean Koontz, Jesus Christ, Mark Twain, and perhaps Charles Dickens.  As for what I’d serve?  Barbeque!

What are 5 rarely known facts about you?

          1. I have a multiple personality talent (Just ask my evil twin Joshua Graham)

          2. I play the cello

          3. I spent 12 years in college after 12 years of primary, middle and high school.

          4. My evil twin loves Snickers bars

          5. I read the Bible and pray every day (almost) before I start work.

What is the best advice that you have heard for life or writing?

Know the source of your calling and gifts.  Be humble and recognize your strengths and weakness with honesty.  And above all, if have faith!

I just want to mention how much I adore the cover of Once We Were Kings. It is absolutely gorgeous and truly represents the story. Who came up with the concept and design of the cover and how much were you able to lend to it?

Isn’t the cover beautiful?  It was created by Anna Steinbauer from Austria.  The concept and vision came from me, but she executed it perfectly and went way beyond my expectations.

Thank you so much, Ian, for taking the time to answer my questions. Where can readers find you on the web?

Thank you!  It’s been an honor to be here.  And yes, I love connecting with readers!  They can reach me here:

www.IanAlex.com

Facebook

   
Twitter: @IanAlex77

Purchase Once We Were Kings on Nook/Nook Color and Kindle!

Once We Were Kings will soon be made available in hardcover, paperback, as well as additional ereaders, so keep your eyes out!

Okay, now, who is ready to win a copy of Once We Were Kings?!?!??! 

Entering is very easy - simply leave a comment below, along with your email address so that I may contact you in case you are the lucky winner! That's all you have to do!  I would LOVE if you would share this contest via twitter, facebook, website, etc. Since this is ebook format, contest is open Internationally!


Contest open until June 13th, midnight, with winner being drawn shortly thereafter. 


*winner will be able to choose the reader format that works the best for them - Nook, Kindle, PDF, Sony, etc.

About Once We Were Kings:

In a world where the Sojourners, a nearly extinct race with preternatural abilities struggle to preserve their faith and heritage, destiny thrusts two youths from opposing nations into the heart of a centuries-old conflict.

Render, an orphan from the outskirts of the culturally enlightened Kingdom of Valdshire Tor, escapes slavery and seeks the truth about his true identity only to discover a web of conspiracies. This quest leads to the revelation of his uncanny ability to wield the destructive forces of nature.

Ahndien, sole survivor of a heinous raid on her peaceful village in the Eastern Kingdom of Tian Kuo, embarks on a journey to find her father, now a captive of Torian troops. What she uncovers surpasses anything she can imagine as she masters the ability to manipulate fire.

Guided by shape-shifting spirits, Render and Ahndien's fates collide when first they meet as mortal enemies. However, to save their people from annihilation, they must unite both kingdoms against a terrifying enemy that threatens to destroy both realms.
But how can a young slave and a peasant bring sworn enemies of half a millennium together?

ONCE WE WERE KINGS: The first book in a saga of destiny and redemption, in a world of dying hope.

About Ian Alexander:

You may know me by my good twin (what does that make me?) Joshua Graham, to whom I bear a striking resemblance though I’d contend that by far, I am the more handsome.  Though we exist in different realms, our lives, accomplishments and sojourns have run parallel courses throughout time.

For expediency’s sake, here is my twin’s bio.  In the future, as the roads of our travels diverge, I shall update this page with more Ian Alexander-specific information.

JOSHUA GRAHAM

(Ian Alexander’s good twin)

Award winning writer Joshua Graham’s #1 bestselling novel (Barnes & Noble ebooks) BEYOND JUSTICE is taking the world by storm, one reader at a time. Many of his readers blame him for sleepless nights, arriving to work late, neglected dishes and family members, and not allowing them to put the book down.

BEYOND JUSTICE, THE ACCIDENTAL EXORCIST, THE ACCIDENTAL HERO, THE ACCIDENTAL HEALER, and DEATH AND TAXES, have reached the top of multiple bestseller list on Barnes & Noble topping titles by John Grisham, Linda Fairstein, Scott Turrow and James Lee Burke, Ted Dekker and Steven James. Soaring to the top of the Barnes & Noble lists, BEYOND JUSTICE recently hit #1 in the Legal Thriller and Christian Thriller categories, topping by John Grisham, Joel C. Rosenberg, and Michael Connelly.  It has also remained on the Amazon.com top 100 bestselling Kindle bestseller list months after its release.

Suspense Magazine listed BEYOND JUSTICE in its BEST OF 2010, alongside titles by Scott Turrow, Ted Dekker, Steven James and Brad Thor.

Publishers Weekly described BEYOND JUSTICE as:

“…A riveting legal thriller…. breaking new ground with a vengeance… demonically entertaining and surprisingly inspiring.”

Under a different pen name, Joshua has been published in three Simon & Schuster anthologies. He’s a graduate of the Oregon Professional Writers Masterclass run by Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch.

Joshua Graham grew up in Brooklyn, NY where he lived for the better part of 30 years. He holds a Bachelor and Master’s Degree and went on to earn his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University.   During his time in Maryland, he taught as a professor at Shepherd College (WV), Western Maryland College, and Columbia Union College (MD).

Today he lives with his beautiful wife and children in Southern California.  Several of Graham’s short fiction works have been published by Pocket Books and Dawn Treader Press.

BEYOND JUSTICE is now available in Trade Paperback through Amazon.com as well as Barnes and Noble.  It’s available at the Kindle store for $2.99 for a limited time, and can be purchased for other ebook readers at Smashwords.  It is also available for the iPad, SONY E-Reader and Nook.

A member of the Oregon Writers Network, Graham is a graduate of the Master Classes and professional writing workshops held by Dean W. Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch.  Dean and Kris and the entire OWN, have been a major influence in his career.

Review: Once We Were Kings by Ian Alexander

Once We Were Kings
By: Ian Alexander

Format: Kindle Edition  Nook/Nook Color Edition
File Size: 1135 KB 
Publisher: Dawn Treader Press (March 1, 2011)

Once We Were Kings is an amazing epic adventure that will take the reader on an unforgettable journey like no other.

As I settled in with my Kindle and it's newest arrival, Once We Were Kings, I was not truly sure what to expect.  I knew it was dubbed an "epic fantasy", and of course the synopsis, which caught my intrigue.  Previously, I had found myself in a bit of one of those horrid reading slumps (nasty things), which I was looking to be released from.  With that in mind, I clicked to the beginning of Once We Were Kings...

Nasty reading slump... BE GONE...  I was immediately sucked into the story, it's words absorbing me and surrounding me with amazing imagery, emotion and distinctiveness like none other I had ever read before.  The language that Mr. Alexander uses is truly poetic and beautiful, as well as enduring to the time period for which the dialog and tale is written.

The tale of a young boy, Render, whose life has been one of strife and heartache, as well as a young girl, Ahndien, who finds herself alone, after her family and village has been brutally raided, held me entranced from beginning to end.  Once We Were Kings begins by telling the story of Render and Ahndien, each in their own settings, each believing the other's people are evil, vile and bloodthirsty.  Circumstances soon bring the two youths together to bring peace to a warring and unforgiving realm.  After centuries of battles, it is time for the two kingdoms, the Kingdom of Valdshire Tor and the Eastern Kingdom of Tian Kuo to join and become one Kingdom in peace.  It is up to Render and Ahndien to make this peace a reality and overcome the evil that is trying to overcome and prevail.

Once We Were Kings is a story of Heaven vs. Hell, goodness vs. evil.  This is a tale that is truly a generation bridging epic fantasy that is sure to span and hold strong through the test of time as well as our ever changing society and circumstances of readers everywhere.  In Once We Were Kings, there is no geographic, sex, class, religion or race focus, rather it is a story of focus on belief, forgiveness and redemption to those who truly believe and seek goodness and truth.

Ian Alexander brings before readers a tale of fantasy and humanity.  Once We Were Kings will appeal to a vast and endless audience range, from young adult to adult, males and females.  Encompassed within these pages is action, adventure, intrigue, romance and even shape-shifting spirits.  Beneath the superb story lies the lessons of faith and the battle between God (Valhandra) and the Devil (Malakandor), told in a way that will not put off those who do not enjoy religious-based fiction.  Once We Were Kings is the first in a series by Ian Alexander and the ending is the perfect segue into future books.

Last night, I clicked the final page with a smile upon my face and eagerness in my heart for future endeavors with Render and Ahndien.  Once We Were Kings is a magical and emotional tale (I often found my heart gripped within sadness, as well as bursting with joy).  I was truly blown away by the magnificent of the story and truly cannot recommend it enough.  Compared to The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, I found myself agreeing with this likeness.  Though Once We Were Kings has a delightful and wonderful uniqueness all its own.  A true classic in the making.

About Once We Were Kings:

Two kingdoms, five centuries, one destiny

In a world where the Sojourners, a nearly extinct race with preternatural abilities struggle to preserve their faith and heritage, destiny thrusts two youths from opposing nations into the heart of a centuries-old conflict.

Render, an orphan from the outskirts of the culturally enlightened Kingdom of Valdshire Tor, escapes slavery and seeks the truth about his true identity only to discover a web of conspiracies.  This quest leads to the revelation of his uncanny ability to wield the destructive forces of nature.

Ahndien, sole survivor of a heinous raid on her peaceful village in the Eastern Kingdom of Tian Kuo, embarks on a journey to find her father, now a captive of Torian troops.  What she uncovers surpasses anything she can imagine as she masters the ability to manipulate fire.

Guided by shape-shifting spirits, Render and Ahndien’s fates collide when first they meet as mortal enemies.  However, to save their people from annihilation, they must unite both kingdoms against a terrifying enemy that threatens to destroy both realms.

But how can a young slave and a peasant bring sworn enemies of half a millennium together?

ONCE WE WERE KINGS: The first book in a saga of destiny and redemption, in a world of dying hope.

Excerpt:

FORE WORD

Gathered round the wide and level stump of the Great Ancients' Tree, the Twelve Elders of the Sojourner's Council stood within the stone walls of the courtyard and rejoiced that the fulfillment of Shamis the Stargazer's prophecy was now at hand. 

By the alignment of the northern constellations they knew that the time of deliverance drew nigh.  By the anomalous tide shifts and the unprecedented lunar phases, they knew that the dark reign of Malakandor would soon come to an end.

What they knew not was that a traitor lurked amongst them.

Oreus, the chief elder stood and raised his chalice.  "Brethren, thou hast honored the name of Valhandra with longsuffering and steadfast hope."  He turned to the elder on his right.  "Hephesta the Wolf-Hearted, thou hast endured three wars over the course of five hundred years."

With deep humility, Hephesta arose and inclined his head.

"And Bereus, the Tiger-Hearted." He too arose.  "Thou hast served as the stalwart protector of the royal line beyond three hundred years."  This continued until he turned his attention to the final elder.  At seventy-nine years of age, she was the youngest, most spry of them all.

"And thou, dear youngling, Lucretia, Raven-Heart."  At the very mention of her name, the council began to applaud to such effect that a flock of wild night birds flew blackly from tree branches into the deep and purple sky.  A fleeing cloud.  "Unto thee do we bestow special honor.  For fearlessly hast thou employed the gifts bestowed upon thee by Valhandra for a cause predating even thine own birth."   Once again Oreus regarded the entire council.  "Would that we possessed such faith as our beloved sister, when we ourselves were but fledglings."

Completely aware of the effect her beauty had upon all who beheld her, the impostor who had killed the true Lucretia and taken on her likeness now feigned a smile and inclined her head.

"Rejoice brethren, for our redemption is nigh," declared Oreus.  "And now, among the faithful, in the villages of Talen Wood, in the great Citadel of Valdshire Tor, yea, verily, in thine own hearts," once again he lifted his chalice and cleared his throat, "Prepare ye the way for the beneficent reign of the Great Deliverer!"

They all responded lifting their chalices. "The Great Deliverer!"

"The Deliverer." The false Lucretia scoffed quietly as she tapped her cup against those of the other council members.  She smiled again at the old men as they imbibed of the ceremonial Dragon'sblood Wine.  Noble warriors though they were, able-bodied and powerful though they were, she could not help but laugh at the pathetic manner in which they would meet their demise.

First, Hephesta fell.  Clutching his throat, his eyes widened with something entirely alien to those who'd known him and certainly to himself:

Fear.

A chorus of confused cries filled the courtyard.  All gathered around the fallen Hephesta.  The impostor did not join in.  Rather, she watched with satisfaction as the pulverized Shikar stone mixed in the wine began to take its toll.

One by one, they fell.  Ancient warriors who had arrogantly considered themselves immortal.  Just like Hephesta, now writhing, now frothing.  A most pleasing sight indeed.

Now, the impostor did not even attempt to restrain her smile.

Having witnessed the violent throes of death and realizing what was happening, three of the surviving Elders—Oreus amongst them—stopped short of drinking the poisoned bloodwine.  They saw her laughing and charged forward, swords and crossbows at the ready.

"Lucretia, what hast thou done?" cried Oreus.

Timena and Cerbeas trained their weapons upon her. 

"You have not only betrayed us, but all Sojourners," said Cerbeas as he drew his crossbow.

"And it is you who have betrayed the true ruler of this world!"  Her hands trembled.  If only she could fly this very moment.  But she had prepared for this, trained her reflexes, her mind.

"You have turned against Valhandra, Himself," said Timena.

"Valhandra is dead!"  The impostor stood defiant.  One hand still in her pocket, she fingered the razor-stars fashioned out of smooth Shikar stone.  Their very presence weakened her, but not for long.

Oreus lifted his staff.  The orb atop glowed blue and white.  The impostor knew better than to hesitate.  "Wouldst thou compound the pain of this betrayal by compelling me to deal with thee as I must?"  His eyes now brimming azure pools, Oreus pointed his staff.

"But I am not Lucretia, old fool!"

Stunned, Oreus hesitated.

The impostor let out a feral cry and leapt into the air.  She forced her eyes shut and invoked utter blackness around her entire being.  In one swift motion, she flung the three Shikar razor-stars at Oreus, Timea and Cerbeas.

The first struck and lodged itself into Oreus' forehead.  He let out a roar and fell to the ground, convulsing and howling in pain. 

The second caught Timea in the leg just as he began to transform.  He cried out and fell to one side, trembling and foaming. 

The third grazed Cerbeas just as he completed his equine transformation and flew from the slaughter and bounded clear over the stone wall.

Unhampered by the fetters of a human body, the impostor flew up and looked for him.  But to her dismay the night did not betray her quarry.  Even from this vantage point high above the courtyard, she could not see him, though he had galloped into the night in the form of a mighty stallion.

It mattered not.  Cerberas had been grazed.  If he survived, it would not be for long.  She would simply report that the mission was prosperous.  And this would more than suffice, unless her master condescended to having the bodies counted. 

Alighting on the Great Table of the Ancients, the impostor smiled with satisfaction.  The only remaining testament to their existence would be the carcasses, whatever had not yet been picked apart by vultures.

Chapter One

Six Months Prior

In the blackest of nights, a fortnight before the seventeenth birthday of a slave named Render, the moon, full and blood-red glared down upon Talen Wood, a ways from the Citadel walls of Valdshire Tor.  Three boys bent upon nothing good approached the lad as he lay down, trying to sleep.  Renders's master—last seen with his beard bathed in drivel—reclined in his chair, a drunken stupor barely veiling his cherry-nosed countenance.

Outside the damp broom closet better known as Render's room, in that fetid cottage in which he and his master dwelled, one of the boys tapped furtively on the wall.

"Render. Hssst!Render."

"What?  Who's there?" So poor was his vision he could barely see the fingers before his face, for the sands of slumber had encrusted his eyes.

"Come on, Render.  Are you going join us or not?" He recognized the voice of Kaine, his elder brother.  He too was a slave belonging to an old master on the other side of Talen Wood.  Some two years his senior, Kaine led this band of mongrels who, despite all their capers, had always eluded capture.  They were the closest thing to a family he had.

Atop the ledge of the window sat a black cat, not unlike the one he had seen a day or two prior.  It ceased licking its paw and washing its face.  With turquoise eyes, it stared straight into Render's.  Throughout Render's life, black cats appeared frequently, though he had never been able to take one as a pet.   The cat looked over to Kaine and his companions, then back at Render.  It leapt down from the ledge, almost daring Render to follow. 

Kaine appeared in the window and grinned.  "Coming or not, Rend?"

"After last time?  I shouldn't go anywhere with you again."  But something about that cat drew Render's curiosity.  The way it regarded him, as if it knew of something interesting, an adventure or a pirate's chest full of gold and trinkets.  Perhaps a magical sword.

Render stole past his snoring master and out the door.

"Come now, you old tortoise," said Kaine, the oldest of the boys.  He stood at least a head taller than Render.  Kaine brushed his fire-red hair out of his eyes, smiled and slapped a heavy hand onto Render's shoulder.  "Hungry?"

"Do birds fly?" Render's master afforded him but one meal each day, though he toiled without respite in his stables and fields and barnyard from the rising of the sun till dusk.

"Well,they'rehungry."  Kaine tossed a glance to Folen and Stewan, the twins.  When they faced each other, they looked like reflections.  Beneath the dirt lay bespeckled cheeks which in the daylight took the hue of apples.   This more than betrayed their tender age of eight years.

How diverse a band. 

Yet one thing bound them in common.  They were orphans, all of them.  And all of them slaves. 

Searing pain like a branding iron scathed Render's back when he stretched his arms to yawn.  Wounds from yesterday's lashing reopened.  He winced and groaned but dared not reach back to touch it.  "You'd better go on without me," he said.  "If Bobbington catches me..."

"On then," Kaine said, raising up fistful of tree branches fashioned into spears.  "I heard dinner grunting by the stream."

  Render's eyes opened wider, though it brought no clearer vision in the gloom. "You don't mean—?"

"A boar," whispered Stewan, excitedly.

"Wild, fat boar."  Kaine handed Render one of his spears.

"Do let's go," Folen said, pulling Render's sleeve.  He held up a glinting dagger which he'd undoubtedly stolen from a traveler who'd taken pity on him, and stopped to give him a piece of bread.

"Yes, do let's," Stewan echoed.

"I don't know."

Kaine leaned down and whispered, "Big. Fat.Juicyboar."

Charging into the wood, Render joined in and let out a mighty cry of ancient hunters.   The thought of fresh meat teased the tips of his tongue.

Less than half an hour later, and arguably twice as hungry and frustrated than before, they returned.  The entire village now lay quiet as a graveyard.  The boar had proven a most crafty beast indeed, and escaped.  Grunting merrily into the bush, it seemed to mock them.

Bested by a pig. 

The shame.

Thankfully, darkness blanketed the night.  Not a soul stirred.  But this did nothing to prevent Render's stomach from making a formidable growl.  At that very moment, amidst Folen and Stewan's giggles, the black cat climbed up onto a barrel just outside the door and mewed.

"Hello," Render said and walked over, with confidence.

"Wait," Kaine whispered.  "Don't frighten it.  We can cook it."

"Not to worry.  I've got a way with cats.  They trust me."  Render took pity on it, however.  It was but a bag of fur and bones.  From deep within his pocket he pulled out a scrap of salted fish, stolen from his master's cupboard, and put it under her nose.

Mroooow!  The cat hissed and scratched his hand.

"Ow!  You horrid little beast!"  A pale beam of moonlight revealed three dark lines growing deeper and wider on Render's hand.  Straight across the oddly shaped birth mark which to him always looked like an ancient symbol.  Like those found in the archeology books he'd liberated from Bobbington's shelves.

Render sucked the salty blood from the wound and glared at the vicious creature.  It sat quite satisfied with itself on its hindquarters.  Glowering down at the dried fish scrap, the cat knocked it off the barrel and into the dirt with its paw. 

Render huffed. "There's gratitude for you."

Laughing and slapping his thighs, Kaine said, "You've got quite a way with cats, indeed."  He raised his spear.

"You're not serious," Render said.

"Quite."  He crouched low, pointed the spear at the cat.  It arched its back, flattened its ears, and with a hiss, bore tiny white fangs.

"Come on, she's hardly worth the effort." Render grabbed Kaine's arm.   Folen and Stewan had raised their spear and dagger as well.

Kaine huffed.  "It nearly tore your hand off, and you mean to defend it?  Stand aside, we're going to have dinner if I have anything to do with it."

"No!"  Render's shout echoed through the hills rousing the barks of several dogs.  A chill rain through his blood when he heard Bobbington snort and awaken inside the cottage.

"Render!  REN - DER!" he roared.  "By the scrolls of Malkor, where are you!"

"Now you've done it," Kaine said and gathered the two younger boys.  "Better run with us."

"And when I return?"  Sweat seeped through the opening in his scabs and burned.  "You know what he'll do to me."

"Suit yourself."  And with that Kaine flew off with the boys.

The door blasted open. 

The cat leapt off the barrel and into Render's arms. 

The sight of Bobbington, his lardy, hairy belly hanging over his pants, and the whip in his fist made Render's hands tremble.  Had he the stature or strength, he might well stand up to the brute.

Render had neither.  Nor did he possess the fortitude to escape for orphaned as a babe and sold as a slave, this was the only home he knew.

"Wretched vermin!" Bobbington said, his foul breath steaming up into the night.  "You dare run?  In the middle of the night?  Have you so soon forgotten the last time you tried?"

The wounds on his back permitted no such relief.  "Sir, I—" 

"And what is that, eh?"

Render glanced down at the warm, furry creature of destruction, sitting in his arms and purring.  "It... it's a cat."

"I can see that, you fool!  Bring it here so that I can gut it and sell its innards to the fiddle maker."

Render turned the cat away from him, as if she might be offended by Bobbington's words.  "What a ghastly thought!"

"It's just a mangy cat.  Bring it here, boy!"

"No!"

That was the moment that changed everything.  Bobbington's lips shook, his right eye twitched.  With great malice, he uncoiled the whip.  Render had been lashed many times before, but now he feared for the cat.

"Go," he said, and placed it on the ground.  "Run!"

Bobbington blinked, his mouth gaping in surprise. "Why you...you insolent little—!  Stand still and receive your due!"

The cat ran a few steps towards the wood, then stopped and turned around.  With its back arched it watched.

"Five lashes now," Bobbington said, "then ten more after I drag you back inside!"

Teeth clenched, eyes unblinking, Render stood there, gazing into Bobbington's inebriated countenance. 

He was prepared. 

Bobbington lifted the handle of his whip, wound back his arm as far as he could without falling. 

Render mustered all his courage.

His shoulders crept up.  His neck tensed.

And then...

He ran.

"What—?"  Bobbington sputtered and lashed out.  But Render was out of reach.  Bobbington, surprised as Render, fell forward landing face first into the dirt. 

The cat flew into the thicket.

Render followed, arms and face clawed by dry branches.  The frigid air seared his lungs as he ran.

Bobbington gave a great shout. "Come back here, boy!"   His heavy footfalls grew nearer.  "I'll flay you and that flea-ridden cat!"  In his condition however, it was doubtful he could ever catch him.  Nevertheless, Render ran faster still.

Letting out a growl befitting a creature many times its size, the cat raced over to the only possible hiding place.

"Not there!"

For lack of a better plan, Render followed.  Straight into the black cave, which neither he, nor Kaine, nor anyone with half a brain dared set foot.

In he charged, following the lunatic cat.

About Ian Alexander (from website):


You may know me by my good twin (what does that make me?) Joshua Graham, to whom I bear a striking resemblance though I’d contend that by far, I am the more handsome.  Though we exist in different realms, our lives, accomplishments and sojourns have run parallel courses throughout time.

For expediency’s sake, here is my twin’s bio.  In the future, as the roads of our travels diverge, I shall update this page with more Ian Alexander-specific information.

JOSHUA GRAHAM

(Ian Alexander’s good twin)

Award winning writer Joshua Graham’s #1 bestselling novel (Barnes & Noble ebooks) BEYOND JUSTICE is taking the world by storm, one reader at a time. Many of his readers blame him for sleepless nights, arriving to work late, neglected dishes and family members, and not allowing them to put the book down.

BEYOND JUSTICE, THE ACCIDENTAL EXORCIST, THE ACCIDENTAL HERO, THE ACCIDENTAL HEALER, and DEATH AND TAXES, have reached the top of multiple bestseller list on Barnes & Noble topping titles by John Grisham, Linda Fairstein, Scott Turrow and James Lee Burke, Ted Dekker and Steven James. Soaring to the top of the Barnes & Noble lists, BEYOND JUSTICE recently hit #1 in the Legal Thriller and Christian Thriller categories, topping by John Grisham, Joel C. Rosenberg, and Michael Connelly.  It has also remained on the Amazon.com top 100 bestselling Kindle bestseller list months after its release.

Suspense Magazine listed BEYOND JUSTICE in its BEST OF 2010, alongside titles by Scott Turrow, Ted Dekker, Steven James and Brad Thor.

Publishers Weekly described BEYOND JUSTICE as:

“…A riveting legal thriller…. breaking new ground with a vengeance… demonically entertaining and surprisingly inspiring.”

Under a different pen name, Joshua has been published in three Simon & Schuster anthologies. He’s a graduate of the Oregon Professional Writers Masterclass run by Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch.

Joshua Graham grew up in Brooklyn, NY where he lived for the better part of 30 years. He holds a Bachelor and Master’s Degree and went on to earn his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University.   During his time in Maryland, he taught as a professor at Shepherd College (WV), Western Maryland College, and Columbia Union College (MD).

Today he lives with his beautiful wife and children in Southern California.  Several of Graham’s short fiction works have been published by Pocket Books and Dawn Treader Press.

BEYOND JUSTICE is now available in Trade Paperback through Amazon.com as well as Barnes and Noble.  It’s available at the Kindle store for $2.99 for a limited time, and can be purchased for other ebook readers at Smashwords.  It is also available for the iPad, SONY E-Reader and Nook.

A member of the Oregon Writers Network, Graham is a graduate of the Master Classes and professional writing workshops held by Dean W. Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch.  Dean and Kris and the entire OWN, have been a major influence in his career.

*Be sure to come back to Cafe of Dreams tomorrow for a wonderful interview with Ian Alexander, as well as find out how you can win your very own copy of Once We Were Kings!!!!