Book Review - The Pit by Jim Melvin

The Pit
Book One of The Death Wizard Chronicles
Jim Melvin
Rain Publishing
ISBN # 978-1897381472



The Pit is the first of a six-book epic fantasy series called The Death Wizard Chronicles. It is an incredibly dark, yet inspiring book that turns the typical good versus evil parable right on its ear.

After reading the first five pages of The Pit, I wasn't sure I was going to get through it. By page six, Jim Melvin was off and running, creating a new world, new theories, new perspectives - a new twist on the age old story of good versus evil. I was hooked!

I should probably, in the interest of full disclosure, tell you I'm not a huge fan of the Science Fiction/Fantasy genre. Sure, I've read Tolkien, McCaffrey and Robert Jordan, but the only reason I stayed with them was the amazing writing, the vivid descriptions and the sheer entertainment value of each. And, oh yeah, the fact that those particular authors have always left me thinking long after I closed the books.

The Pit is beautiful - gorgeous, even - yet it is also dark and deep and vibrant. There is a fine line between love and hate. The distinction can be a bit foggy at times. Jim has illustrated that fine line. It is possible to feel sympathy for someone you hate, as well as despise someone you love.

I fell into this book. Time disappeared, as well as the chores that needed to be done, the bills that needed to be paid, and virtually everything else that had been chasing itself around in my head. This book is inspiring, entertaining, and I want to say absolute escapism, but after I finished reading I found myself pondering what I had just read. Escapism doesn't typically elicit that reaction in me.

I am purposely not sharing much about the story or the plot, because anything I say could quite possibly take away from the pleasure of discovering this book on your own. The Pit is fabulous, but don't take my word for it. Go get a copy, set aside some time and fall in love the way you did with the first book that truly grabbed you!(September 2007, pp 290, $18.00)

Working, Writing

I spent the morning working on a book review that will be posted tomorrow morning. Be sure to stop by and check it out.

This afternoon I'll be working on a piece I hope will be published as a guest blog. Then, I'll be un-installing and re-installing my printer, as something's gone wonky with it.

Just thought I'd do a short update. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Gifts from the universe

Every couple of years, about this time, my gardens have a surprise for me. Three years ago, after most of the gardens were killed off by frost, I found a white morning glory blooming in our pumpkin patch. No rhyme or reason to it being there, it just was.

Monday morning I looked out our back door and I thought I was seeing things. A clematis bloom was peeking out from our raspberry canes. Nothing really unusual about our clematis plant blooming, we planted them years ago. The thing is, clematis plants bloom in late May, early June, not October 1st.

Yesterday I glanced out back, and there were two more flowers. I had to get pictures, just to prove it was true. Expect the unexpected and take time to smell the roses, erm, clematises.

Five years

Five years ago today I got married, for the third time.

I figured "3rd time's the charm" or "3 strikes and y'ur out". It was a small wedding, 15 people in attendance, 6 of them being my husband and our 4 children. I wore black and red. He wore black khakis, a white button down shirt and a black blazer. My daugher and his son stood up for us (they were 12 and 11 years old). As I recall, there were face splitting grins all around as we said "I do."

The odds were stacked against us. My third marriage, his first marriage, 4 children to raise born of 4 different sets of parents, a small house and a small income. We committed to each other, committed to raising our 4 children together, committed to building a real life.

I won't lie, it hasn't been easy, there have been nights we've gone to bed royally pissed off at each other. There have been days when there were no words to be spoken - only quiet breathing and searching looks and palms turned up to the heavens.

There have also been days of absolute elation, peaceful calm and immense gratitude. We have built a family, grown gardens, cooked together and laughed together. He has taught me to be more gracious and accepting. I have taught him the joy of following things through to the end, and shared my love of reading with him.

We're best friends. We are each other's soft place to fall. He wakes me up when he leaves for work to tell me he loves me. I always say "I love you, too, and drive safe." I have never been happier.

The Perfect Candidate by Tricia Ballad

Speaking of short stories, I was offered the chance to review one.

The Perfect Candidate
Tricia Ballad
Wild Rose Press

Caroline Lakehurst is prepared for more challenging work and longer hours when she accepts an executive position. What she isn’t ready for is the time spent away from the man she loves. As her work quickly absorbs and overwhelms her, she grows concerned about her relationship. Little does she know a make it or break it interview is coming her way.

Tricia Ballad’s last name is perfect for her. This short story flows like a love song. The cadence is lovely and tempo builds, leading the reader toward the sweet last notes of the melody.

Coming soon to Wild Rose Press

The State of the Short Story Address

Stephen King reported in on the state of the short story yesterday in The New York Times. He says it's alive but not necessarily well. Put his comments together with the report that 1 in 4 Americans didn't read a single book last year, and you might have an answer as to why.

Some of the best short stories I've read have been written by 6th graders. Twelve year olds aren't jaded. Creativity is something that comes naturally to kids. The teacher requests a short story about a blade of grass, and the kids come back with amazing tales. The online editor in their brain exists at that age, but they tend to ignore it.

Imagination and creativity used to be the backbone of our country. It would seem that imitation and regurgitation are the prevailing methods of production these days. When my kids are excited about an experience they've had, my immediate response to them lately is "Write it down! Spew it forth! Do not edit!" I want them to know the joy of stream of consciousness writing. Clean it up later - for now, just write!

Banned Books Week

ThursdayBram designed this banner and offered it up to everyone and anyone who wants to use it. Thanks!


I'm sure I've read books classified as "banned", but I don't know that I could name one. And even if I found a banned book that I haven't read, it would only cause me to get a copy, post haste.

If you create it, and then ban it, people will go out of their way to GET IT!