First, The Wertzone concludes a review of The Erevis Cale Trilogy with a nice review of Midnight’s Mask.  He sums up this way:

Whilst the book has an impressive ending, the explosions and magical exchanges are but a sideshow to a surprisingly emotional climax, as not all of our protagonists make it to the end and even the Sojourner is revealed to have a sense of the nostalgic (albeit a highly warped one). Ultimately, … Read the rest

Obviously I didn’t miss it entirely.  It’s going on in earnest even unto this very day.  But it’s a good thing for me that self-publishing was in its infancy when I started my writing career.  Why?

Well, when I look back on my writing, I see enormous growth in the quality and density of the prose (I’ve always been solid at characterization, pacing, and the like, but I’ve had to work at the prose).  Now, … Read the rest

Today is Bookday for my latest Star Wars novel, Riptide (sequel to Crosscurrent).  I would not take it amiss were you to purchase it.  And if you do, I hope you enjoy.

And while I’m at it, I want to point to a review (with spoilers) from the team at Roqoo Depot, which gives the book a five out of five.   Among other nice things, the team at the Depot says this:

Wow.  … Read the rest

Star Wars Books has posted the final mini-excerpt from Riptide.  Tomorrow is release day.  For those of you who will pick it up, I hope you enjoy.  Meanwhile, here’s the last mini-excerpt:

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“You give exactly no orders here, Jedi. Do you understand? You will do exactly what I say and only what I say.”

Jaden’s fist clenched in frustration. “Who are you? What do you want?”

“I will explain that in person, Jedi.”… Read the rest

Well, at least I think it’s my best.  🙂

Why?  Because Crosscurrent was my first Star Wars novel and I was still feeling my way around a bit.  And with Deceived there were a couple mild creative crimps I had to navigate (I still think they’re both excellent novels, mind).

But with Riptide, I feel much more like my editors impliedly said:  “Okay, you’ve earned some trust from us.  Now take the gloves off … Read the rest

Riptide is a just a few days from release.   Of course, this makes me nervous, but so it goes.  Maybe you’re on the fence about the book?  If so, I’ve got a few things that can help with the decision.

First, Del Rey Spectra has posted the first fifty pages of the book for their Fifty Page Friday.  Have a read.  See if you dig.  Link is here.

Second, some reviewers received ARCs of … Read the rest

I aim to ramble and reminisce.  You are warned.

So, occasionally I see readers who are upset with a novel because they think it has too few pages.  I’m always puzzled by that.  I’d rather read a great story in 325 pages than I would a mediocre one at 500 pages.  I am, after all, paying for the story, not the page count.

Anyway, thinking about that complaint got me to thinking about spare v. … Read the rest

Riptide is now a mere two weeks from its U.S. release (UK readers already have it and there’s some spoilery discussion going on here).  I’m excited and I hope you are, too.

Fortunately for me, Del Rey and Lucasfilm were kind enough to allow me to post a second exclusive excerpt from the novel.  It’s below and I hope you enjoy.  The excerpt doesn’t have spoilers, as such, but the subject matter may get … Read the rest

Suvudu has posted an exclusive five page excerpt from Riptide, my next Star Wars novel.  The excerpt features Khedryn, possibly crazed escaped clones, and a few lost teeth.

You can read the excerpt here.  It contains no spoilers.

Riptide releases in the U.S. on October 25, but I understand that it is already available in the UK.  I hope readers across the pond are enjoying. 🙂 I’m eager to hear what you all … Read the rest

Riptide is three weeks from hitting store shelves. Several book reviewers already have advance copies, so here’s hoping they’re enjoying the ride. Anyway, I wanted to mention a few things related to the book.

First, remember that my short story, A Fair Trade, will appear in October’s Star Wars Insider(issue #129, I believe).  The story features Khedryn and Marr before they meet Jaden, and thus before the events of Crosscurrent. I think you … Read the rest