My first series, the Legends of Kiamada was originally conceived as a single, stand-alone story, but quickly evolved into a trilogy. I began working on it in 2005, when my son was an infant and I was staying home with him. It took several years–7, to be exact–to finally complete the very first rough draft. That finished story would get chopped into two parts, which eventually expanded to three. Some scenes stayed the same, while others were completely rewritten. Character arcs that I had planned to write got overridden by the characters themselves, who decided that THEY knew best. (I’m glad to say they’ve been right every time so far!)
In January 2018, my grandmother passed away. She and my grandfather, who passed away six years earlier, had been my biggest cheerleaders as I worked on writing this story. With her death, I decided that it was time to take her advice, get off my butt, and get this story out there. In July 2018, I published The Lost Tayamu, the first book in the trilogy, and The Uncrowned Queen followed a year later. The trilogy ended with The Shattered Earths, which was published in January 2023, nearly five years to the day of my grandmother’s passing.
I hope you enjoy your journey with Jen, Ellie, Doyle, and all their family and friends.
At 16 years old, Jen stumbled out of the forest and into the woods that fringe the small midwestern town of Groverton, remembering nothing about her life except her first name and age. She was soon adopted by the Aston family, whose young daughter Ellie was thrilled to get a sibling.
Now, twelve years later, Jen is living a good life as a news anchor, raising Ellie after their parents were killed in a house fire. Jen still can’t remember her past, but that doesn’t really bother her, since she and Ellie are in a good place now.
Things suddenly change when Jen barely escapes three attempts on her life, leaving the sisters shaken and afraid. Jen owes her life to the secretive new PE teacher, Coach Doyle, who has miraculously appeared to save her every time. Doyle has fighting skills fit for a martial arts movie and reflexes just this side of impossible, but how long can he keep them safe? And why does Jen feel like she should know him?
While Jen starts to fall in love with the charming Doyle, Ellie is shocked when she discovers something otherworldly in the coach’s barn, convincing her that Doyle is definitely not a PE teacher. Ellie does not like secrets being kept from her, and is determined to unravel the enigma that is Coach Doyle. The truths that will be revealed, however, will change all their lives forever.
| Where to buy: |
| Amazon |
| Other Bookstores |
| Paperback |
Moments ago, Ellie and Jen Aston were in their small midwestern town of Groverton, but now, they find themselves on a parallel Earth, in the magical land of Kiamada. Accompanied by Alistair Doyle, his twin sister Kira, Kira’s husband Jerry, and the giant Wiler, Theonus, Ellie and Jen have to adapt to their new lives in this similar, yet still different, world. Weird plants and strange animals aren’t that surprising, but Bar Truga, the sentient island that is home to the Tayamu, is unlike anything Ellie and Jen had prepared themselves for.
While Jen strives to regain her lost memories, Ellie must deal with her Tayamu powers coming in faster and stronger than they should. When a rare, surprising new ability manifests, Ellie suddenly finds herself with a new partner in life, and must learn to control this ability before she accidentally kills herself.
Having received word from Nature that the uncrowned queen of Kiamada has returned home, Seaile, the First of the Tayamu, sets out with her apprentice to find the queen and restore her to the throne. But does the queen even want to rule? And why did she choose to leave in the first place?
When Doyle is forced to reveal their presence in Kiamada, news reaches the despotic ruler of Kiamada, Mathon, who sets plans in motion to protect his rule…plans that will place Mathon on a collision course with the Tayamu, and bring old friends to a new world in search of help.
| Where to buy: |
| Amazon |
| Other Bookstores |
| Paperback |
The story that began in “The Lost Tayamu” and continued in “The Uncrowned Queen” comes to its conclusion.
“When two worlds collide, only one may survive.”
Since ending Mathon’s tyrannical reign several days ago, these words have echoed in Jen DuAston’s mind. Determined to get the residents of Groverton out of harm’s way and onto Bar Truga, Jen uses a dimensional rift and returns to the tiny midwestern town that raised her for twelve years…. just before the Chiami strike with a devastating attack.
When Mathon’s full diabolical plan is revealed, the Tayamu face an evil that hasn’t been seen for thousands of years….not since Kiamada was ripped away from its home and brought to an alternate dimension. To save both Earths from being shattered, it will take untold power…and, possibly, the ultimate sacrifice.
| Where to buy: |
| Amazon |
| Other Bookstores |
| Paperback |