A C Wilson

These pirates who just kidnapped Ella seem to think that she knows the location of the Gwambi's Lost City of Gold. Sure, her father died looking for the Gwambi city, but that doesn't mean she knows anything about it. Her mother wouldn't even let her read the one book they owned on the lost Gwambi city. Mind you, she read every other book in the house-every other book in the parish-so she knows a thing or two. The question is, can she do anything with all that head knowledge? I mean, does it matter if she can positively identify the difference between a gnome, a leprechaun, and a nymph, if she can't defend herself when they are trying to stab her in the gut? And let's not even start talking about the sorcerer... With a focus on immersive world-building that features fully developed fantasy races, deeply religious colonists, and labor riots, My Father's Land draws as much from JRR Tolkien and Indiana Jones as it does from Charles Dickens. "The Gwambi Tetralogy" borders on magical realism, and is a faith-based and character-driven spin on the fantasy genre.

Christmas is a magical time in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Everyone is on course to celebrate family and faith at the Crossing Pines Ranch. Everyone, but the patriarchal cornerstone of the Johnson Family, Travis Johnson. Suffering from a stroke that leaves him partially paralyzed, Travis is struggling with shame, grief and fear of never being the person he was before. His stress is putting a wedge between him and his wife, Lacey. Desperate to help in any way possible, she relinquishes her silent burden to her children. Operation Wrapping Paper is the collective plan created by the Johnson children to bring their beloved father back into the fold by reminding Travis just what family and Christmastime mean. They plan to find the perfect tree, host the Local Ladies Club dinner, decorate hundreds of cookies and end with all of them gathered at the ranch on Christmas morning. The whole family sets out to give value to its most honored member, but in truth, it is Travis that reflects every ounce of grace and love they shower on him. This Christmas on the Crossing Pines will be what it will never be again. It will be the memories left to the each member of the Johnson Family that will be treasured for lifetimes to come.