The little girls huddled together, shivering from cold and possibly from fear. Both of them had deep brown skin and glossy black hair. The smaller girl hid her eyes with her hands, and Ewan smiled. Did she think it would make her invisible?
—Byways #2, Aboard the Train: A Ewan Johns Adventure
“Have you seen Zane?” asked Ian.
Laurel nodded to a blue bottle with a long neck on the windowsill. It held a cluster of winter roses. “He snuck those in earlier.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t Jovan? He strikes me as the thoughtful one.”
—excerpted from Byways, Book 1: On Your Marks
Jovan Johns is mild-mannered, bookish, peace-loving, and musical. Nobody understands why Jovan is best friends with Zane, but these cousins have been inseparable since childhood. Continue reading FOLKS: Jovan Johns
“Were you checking on your couriers?”
“I do like to keep an eye on things.” Ian was the founder of all of Liberty’s post offices. His couriers delivered letters and packages throughout the land. As often as he could, he flew far and wide to visit them.
Laurel laughed. “Liberty’s couriers watch the sky, checking to see if the Postmaster is watching.”
“My friends love it when I drop in for a chat!”
“You’re lucky Uncle Vanek keeps things running smoothly around here whenever your wings are restless.”
—excerpted from Byways, Book 1: On Your Marks
Laurel Johns is Ian’s third wife. She’s sweet and petite, gentle and generous … and much stronger than she looks. Her life took an unexpected turn when Ian’s family hired her to cook, clean, and look after Zane, who was just a tiny baby when his mother died. Continue reading FOLKS: Laurel Johns
As soon as the boys were gone, Ian turned to his uncle. “What just happened?”
Vanek chuckled. “Did you really think cramming those boys into a carriage would fix things?”
“But to send them out alone? Laurel won’t like it.” Ian fiddled with the buttons on his cuff. “I don’t like it.”
—excerpted from Byways, Book 1: On Your Marks
Ian’s overly optimistic plan was doomed from the start, but thanks to Uncle Vanek, the brothers will each have a chance to prove themselves. This big bear of a man is the Postmaster’s business partner, his trusted friend, and his uncle. Continue reading FOLKS: Vanek Johns
Countdown: 3 Weeks. We’re counting down to the release the first book in my new children’s series. Each Thursday, I’ll bring out sketches, excerpts, and explanations of the adventure ahead. You’ve already met Ewan, Zane, and Ganix, whose race across Liberty takes sibling rivalry to new lengths. Today, I’ll introduce their father, Ian Johns. Continue reading FOLKS: Ian Johns
Countdown: 6 Weeks. We’re counting down to the release the first of the Byways books, my new children’s series. Each week, I’ll bring out sketches, excerpts, and explanations of the adventure ahead. Today, I’ve added a Byways page to the website. Look for the tab and see where it leads. More pages will be added in the weeks ahead! And … it’s also my pleasure to introduce the Johns family’s middle son—Zane. Continue reading FOLKS: Zane the Rebel
Countdown: 7 Weeks. We’re counting down to the release the first of the Byways books, my new children’s series. Each week, there’ll be sketches, excerpts, and explanations. Today, it’s my pleasure to introduce the Johns family’s eldest son—Ewan. Continue reading FOLKS: Ewan the Eldest
Countdown: 8 Weeks. In two months, I’ll release Book #1 in my new children’s series. Since I’m more than a little excited to share, I’ll be counting down with Thursday posts that focus on the Byways books. Each week, there’ll be sketches, excerpts, and explanations. But today, I bring an introduction. The youngest of Ian’s three sons volunteered to go first, so please meet Ganix! Continue reading FOLKS: Ganix the Scamp
He was mostly made of brownstone, just like the griffin upstairs, and Tupper couldn’t resist reaching up to touch the statue’s broad chest. Richly hued stone the color of bark suited the man quite well, for there was no mistaking his claws and long, wild hair. “He’s Pred!” Tupper exclaimed.
“Aye. His name is Haimish.”
Circling the brown statue, Tupper paid attention to every detail. Haimish was as tall as Freydolf, but not as broad in the shoulder. In a way, he looked like a younger version of his master, but not quite. A different nose, downcast eyes, and fancier clothes.
—excerpted from Galleries of Stone, Book 2: Harrow
Half a Lifetime Ago. In the second book of the Galleries of Stone trilogy, readers meet one of Freydolf’s early statues, a brownstone Pred named Haimish. This stone guardian wasn’t sculpted by a master, so he has his share of faults. As Frey tells Tupper, “He’s shy, awkward, lonely, and he meant well in spite of all the trouble he caused.” Continue reading FOLKS: Haimish
After his arrival atop Morven, Tupper befriends statues throughout the stone galleries, but one of his first and best is a fire-bearer named Brand.
Tupper liked the way his master’s eyes were sparkling. Something good was going to happen. Quick to do as he was told, the boy approached the statue of a man dressed in strange armor; there was a sword at his side, and a helm upon his head. The soldier wasn’t like any person he’d ever seen before, for he had a large, hooked nose, and there were feathers where his hair should be.
“He’s my favorite,” Freydolf announced from his seat. “According to the notation on his heel, his name’s Brand.”
“Redstone needs fire.” Tupper looked hopefully at his master for further instruction.
“Aye, so turn up your lantern flame.”
Tupper did so, and the circle of its glow widened to include the red statue.
“Hang it from Brand’s hand so he can carry it for you.” Once Tupper had accomplished this step, Freydolf prompted, “Now, pull the pin at the top.”
Tupper located the slender rod, which was attached to the lantern’s handle by a fine chain. It came away smoothly, and the top part of the lantern opened like the petals of a flower. The exposed flame licked at the fire-bearer’s hand, and his long fingers immediately folded around the lantern’s handle as he lifted it higher.
The statue glanced first at Freydolf before peering down his impressive nose at Tupper. Then, Brand smiled and lifted his brows in silent inquiry, as if awaiting instructions. The expression was so real, Tupper reached out, wanting to see if he was truly made of stone. When he hesitated, the statue reached back, offering the palm of his free hand. To the boy’s surprise, Brand had curving talons on each finger, but the predatory feature worried him less and less. Placing his hand upon the cool red stone of the man’s palm, he said, “I’m Tupper.”
—excerpt from Meadowsweet, Chapter 13
Heart of a lion. The Grif people are the so-called dominant race on the Far Continent. Their territory encompasses the magical mountain that yields redstone, which calls for flame. Continue reading RACES: Grif
C. J. Milbrandt 