Latest Publication: The Merman in Hiding

Merman in Hiding is now available on Amazon. 

Priest-detectives Rhys and Lider are currently on Earth. A family of Siphons or merpeople need them to locate a young man, Brae. The family believes Brae was kidnapped by another Siphon family to forcibly resolve a breach of promise suit.

As Rhys and Lider interrogate religious disciples, pharmaceutical representatives, and ex-lovers, they come to believe that Brae's disappearance encompasses something more  irrevocable than a broken heart. 

Rhys and Lider must discover Brae's whereabouts quickly since they are faced with an irrevocable choice of their own--and their future together.

Merman in Hiding is Book 3 in the Myths Endure on Mars Rhys & Lider Detective series. Anubis on Mars and Saint of Mars are available in one volume. The Wolf Boy Returns from Space is currently available as a single book.

The books follow a chronology. They do not have to be read in order.

I thank my brother Eugene here for his sci-fi suggestions. Any "good" science in these novellas (which are mostly story) is due to Eugene. Any dumb science is all on me. 

 

I also want to thank my brother Joe for discussing the philosophical and practical arguments that crop up in the final confrontation scenes at the end of the novella (think nutty psychologists in the early 20th century carrying out entirely unethical experiments). As with Eugene, any of the stronger arguments are due to Joe. Any "holes" in the arguments are mostly due to my characters (since certain characters would make certain kinds of arguments).     

Latest Publication: Hermes and the Hunt for Enkidu

Hermes & the Hunt for Enkidu is now available on Amazon. 

In an attached world controlled by gods, the head gods compete with the gods of agriculture over who should control the rules of death. Hermes works for both sets of gods. When Zeus and Hera order him to find members of a Wild Hunt, he must deliver a solution that satisfies all parties.

An opportunist with no particular moral code--he thinks--Hermes discovers a possible solution in Enkidu, wild man of Sumer. Enkidu would solve all Hermes's problems--except Enkidu is under the guardianship of a ruthless ex-god. Worse, Enkidu would upset Hermes's careful plans, including Hermes's beliefs about himself.  

Hermes and the Hunt for Enkidu is Book 3 of Myths Endure in Maine, a contemporary fantasy series set in a god-controlled world connected to Portland, Maine. The books follow a chronology. They do not have to be read in order.

The first two books--Kouros Underground and Cupid in Captivity--were republished along with Hermes and the Hunt for Enkidu. 

Wild Hunts and More Mermaids Coming Soon!

My series Myths Endure in Maine and Myths Endure on Mars will soon gain two new books:

• Hermes and the Hunt for Enkidu
• Merman in Hiding: A Rhys & Lider Detective Novel

Hermes and the Hunt for Enkidu: Hermes' book is based on a story I wrote over twenty years ago. In my world-controlled-by-gods, gods can tweak natural law. In a bid to keep their positions as "top gods," Zeus and Hera attempt to out-maneuver the gods of agriculture by taking back control over the rules of death. However, they can only control death if it is a punishment rather than a cycle of death and rebirth. And they can only control death as a punishment if they have the means. 

They consequently task Hermes with finding the hounds for the Wild Hunt. His quest takes him to a possible Enkidu, a wild man who befriended a king. An opportunist with no particular moral code--he thinks--Hermes is forced to re-evalute his role when he finally tracks down Enkidu, a wild boy. 

A Merman in Hiding: My detectives in the Myths Endure on Mars series are currently on Earth. They are requested by a family of Siphons or merpeople to locate a young man, Brae, who disappeared when his engagement was broken. Initially convinced that another Siphon family temporarily kidnapped Brae to end a breach of promise suit, Rhys and Lider come to realize that Brae is collateral damage in someone else's political agenda. 

The story is a part-retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid."

The Wolf Boy Returns from Space: Published September 7th!

The Wolf Boy Returns from Space is part of the Myths Endure on Mars series.

Panfilo ended up on the Mars Space Station when his adoptive parents kidnapped him from Earth.

He doesn't resent his relocation. He doesn't resent being ejected from Mars when his wolf-like nature is discovered. He doesn't resent being raised by a human clone and his mate.

He does rather resent being almost assassinated.

The assassination attempt on Panfilo motivates him and his guardians to delve into Panfilo's origins. Is he alien? How is he connected to Earth's history? Why do some humans and humanoid aliens fear him? Why do others wish to follow him?

The search takes Panfilo, his guardians, and his investigators--Monseigneur Rhys and Canon Lider--to Earth and ultimately to negotiations between Panfilo and a powerful monarch. Before he can undertake those negotiations, the teenage Panfilo needs to figure out, Who exactly am I?

The Wolf Boy Returns from Space is a Rhys and Lider detective novel. It is the most recent book in the Myths Endure in Mars series. It references characters and events in other books but can be read separately.

Myths Endure on Mars

The Myths Endure on Mars series includes Anubis on Mars, Saint of Mars, Ithax's Offspring in Space, Nerites Amid the Stars, The Serpentine History of the Saint (May 2024) and Wolf Boy Returns from Space (September 2024). The novellas follow a chronological order though each book can be read separately.  

Series in Chronological Order

Incubus Lider wants a greater purpose in life than feeding off boring human sex dreams. Catholic priest Rhys wants his own incubus.

Unexpected companions, Lider and Rhys travel to Mars on the same ship as a new religious sect. The sect, which follows ancient Egyptian creeds alongside ongoing prophetic revelations, hopes to create an exclusive community on Mars. That plan is challenged by assault and possible murder within the sect's upper ranks.

Rhys convinces the authorities to let him investigate with his invisible partner, who can enter dreams and memories. He and Lider descend to Mars, where they discover a crime that belongs in myth. 

 

Anubis on Mars is the first book in the Myths Endure on Mars series. It introduces detectives Rhys and Lider.

Anubis on Mars is available on Amazon. 

 

* * *

 

Monseigneur Rhys and his Cubus, Lider, detectives from Anubis on Mars, investigate another murder when their aid is sought by a Devil's Advocate, Francesca Paraclete.

A Mars citizen is being considered for sainthood. The process of canonization is proceeding smoothly--until it turns up unexpected historical details, angry relatives, and a sudden death. The death could derail the process. Or it could be entirely unconnected.

Frankie needs Rhys and Lider's help. She isn't sure she can trust her own investigators. She isn't sure she can trust Mars citizens. And she isn't sure she can trust the invisible spy or Cubus who enjoys making wry comments in her head. No matter the implications, the Devil's Advocate must know the truth. Mars needs a Saint.

Saint of Mars is available on Amazon. 

 

* * * 

 

Quin has a problem. He needs to return to Mars to take up his duties as administrator of the Mars Trading Depot. But someone left a clone in his ship cabin. A gorgeous, clever clone, who might just tempt Quin to break laws he agreed to when he emigrated to Mars in the first place.

Allec doesn't understand what all the fuss is about. So what if he's a clone? So what if he's only going to live a few months? He's on a spaceship. He's learning a new profession, and he has a handsome and kind boyfriend. The politics of his creation are not his problem.

As Quin and Allec near the end of their nine-month mission, they grapple with issues that affect Martian finances, family betrayal, political upheaval, and their own happiness.

Ithax's Offspring on Mars is available on Amazon.  

* * *

As merfolk head into space, political complications threaten to scuttle their desire to settle on Mars. Controversy swells over an ancient religious ritual involving immersion, sex, and marriage. The controversy only expands when Meke and Rill, two Siphons or Mermen, arrive on the Mars Space Station.

Years ago, bribery and sabotage subverted the ritual between Meke and Rill. Rill fled. Meke wants answers and pursued him. Their face-to-face confrontation sends a surge through the merfolk or Siphon community that could drown other issues and separate lovers like an outgoing tide. Meke and Rill dive deep into their past to generate wise and pacific solutions.

Nerites Amid the Stars is available on Amazon 

* * *

 

With the help of her investigators, Francesca Paraclete, a devil's advocate, researches the possible canonization of a medieval saint: Lady Margaret.

If canonized, Lady Margaret will be the first Siphon or mermaid saint. Frankie must consequently deal not only with difficult-to-access and interpret historical records, she must also handle political issues--those who support a Siphon becoming a saint; those who don't.

Her duties are complicated by a possible spy from the College of Cardinals, a cat-like being who insists on accompanying her everywhere, and her personal invisible consultant, a Cubus named Will who is possibly over 2,000 years old.

To  keep things simple, Frankie focuses on locating Lady Margaret's relics. Frankie, her spy, and her consultant start the search in Bamburgh Castle in Northern England. Their investigation will take them to the Faroe Islands, the Isle of Man, King Arthur's Carlisle, a holy well, several shrines, and Norton Priory. At each location, they encounter lore connected to the sea and possibly, hopefully, the true story of Lady Margaret.

 

The Serpentine History of the Saint is available on Amazon.

 

* * * 

Panfilo ended up on the Mars Space Station when his adoptive parents kidnapped him from Earth.

He doesn't resent his relocation. He doesn't resent being ejected from Mars when his wolf-like nature is discovered. He doesn't resent being raised by a human clone and his mate.

He does rather resent being almost assassinated.

The assassination attempt on Panfilo motivates him and his guardians to delve into Panfilo's origins. Is he alien? How is he connected to Earth's history? Why do some humans and humanoid aliens fear him? Why do others wish to follow him?

The search takes Panfilo, his guardians, and his investigators--Monseigneur Rhys and Canon Lider--to Earth and ultimately to negotiations between Panfilo and a powerful monarch. Before he can undertake those negotiations, the teenage Panfilo needs to figure out, Who am I? What am I going to do about who I am?

The Wolf Boy Returns from Space is a Rhys and Lider detective novel. It is the most recent book in the Myths Endure in Mars series. It references characters and events in other books but can be read separately.

The Wolf Boy Returns from Space is available on Amazon.

Myths Endure in Maine

The Myths Endure in Maine series currently totals 4 books:

His in Herland or Astyanax in Hiding: A Retelling of Gilman's Herland

Navigating an uncharted tunnel, three male explorers find they are invaders in a country of only women--supposedly. Narrator Terry Nicholson begins to doubt the country's self-reported history when he encounters a male inhabitant with connections to ancient Troy.

A tribute and critique of Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, His in Herland or Astyanax in Hiding gives a voice to the original villain as well as a male in disguise. 

His in Herland is connected to ongoing posts on the problems with utopias.

Kouros Underground

After dozens of foster homes, Cord knows how to protect himself and make his own way. Yet he agrees to a dubious if alluring offer from the god Hermes and follows him into an adjoining world. In that world, Cord too becomes a god, the god of springtime.

In his new home, Cord finds he is the linchpin of an ongoing conflict: those who are pressuring Hades to change the rules of death and those who support Hades's adherence to natural law.

Cord prefers to be left alone to carry out his duties--except he inconveniently gets attached to his job and to Hades. To keep both, he must challenge the world's system, especially the other gods.

Kouros Underground is the first Myths Endure in Maine book. Each book is a separate story within the same universe. Cord or Kouros does appear in most books.

Catherine Morland & The Matchmaker: A Retelling of Austen's Northanger Abbey

 

Suppose Catherine Morland lived in a world run by Greek gods. And met descendants of Oedipus Rex. Would her life still be prosaic and ordinary?

 

Yes. 

 

Catherine Morland & The Matchmaker retells Austen's gently satiric novel Northanger Abbey in a steampunk fantasy world. A god of love learns to be a matchmaker. Eleusinian deities make cryptic prophecies. A trickster god claims omniscience through stolen technology. Lots of other gods plan festivals. In the meantime, Catherine Morland navigates the banal, boring, weird, confusing, unexpected and sometimes delightful world of dating.

Cupid in Captivity

Kidnapped by a fellow student, Billy Stowe carries out an unofficial investigation to identify his abductor, Jonas West. His primary purpose? To protect Jonas and keep him from confessing.

Nearly a decade later, Billy resolves problems for the wealthy elite while Jonas enjoys celebrity status as a renowned nature photographer. Yet repercussions of the earlier deed persist, demanding retribution or reenactment. Billy and Jonas must out-maneuver social media-influenced peers and legal authorities as they strive to escape the worst repercussions of Jonas's deed and adapt to the best.

Based on classic myth, the story of Billy and Jonas captures the unanticipated and unique links that arise and survive between human beings, links that last years and transcend labels. Can the captor and captive fall in love? Why shouldn't they? Who gets to decide?

 

The resolution may surprise even these two soulmates.

Although all books in the Myths Endure in Maine series share a world--and various characters make regular appearances--each may be read separately.

The Myths Endure on Mars series can be reached here.

Peaks Island Press

 Peaks Island Press has an impressive catalog!

The most recent publication is Beth Woodbury Hart's Dunbar Woods, a contemporary fantasy that places suburbia next door to a clan of immortal Fairlies. 

Author Eugene Woodbury has produced two young adult novels set in Japan. Fox & Wolf has a contemporary setting and tackles the world of shape-shifting. Not only is this novel an excellent way to learn about Japanese werewolves and werefoxes, it is also a great education on the customs of Japanese high schools!

Serpent of Time, Eugene's second YA novel, details time-traveling between the Nanboku Period in Japan--specifically the time of the Oei Rebellion--and contemporary Osaka, including famous Mount Koya. More specifically, Serpent of Time follows the trials of a princess on the run alongside the adventures of her helpers and chasers.

Most recently, Eugene has created translations of novels from Ranpo Edogawa's Boy Detective Club series.

Through Peaks Island Press, Katherine Woodbury writes tributes to classics, mysteries, and fantasies. 

The latest Jane Austen tribute is Persuadable, a retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion and a romance in its own right.  

Katherine's mystery series through Peaks Island Press presents Donna Howard, a Portland, Maine investigator who follows cases connected to antiques. 

Katherine's fantasy series through Peaks Island Press explores Roesia, a Victorian-inspired world with magic that follows the trials and successes of debutantes, police officers, civil servants, and aristocrats within that world.

Katherine produces two separate series outside of Peaks Island Press: 

Myths Endure in Maine revolves around a fantasy world connected to Portland, Maine and inhabited by Greek gods. Austen tribute Catherine Morland Meets Oedipus Rex: A Retelling of Northanger Abbey is scheduled for publication at the end of May 2023. 

Myths Endure on Mars, a sci-fi series, delivers interplanetary travel, romance, "alien" politics, mysteries, and an exploration of the canonization process.