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This is a contest entry for the Strongest Start Novel competition. Any thoughts on character, plot, setting, etc. welcome. The following is chapters one and two. THE OPPOSITE OF HATE explores the intersections of family, loyalty, and nationalism as Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is being taken over by Communists. The political instability drives Seng, a widowed engineer, to marry his best friend’s teenage daughter, Neela, so they can escape re-education or even worse, death. The unlikely husband and wife cross the Mekong River into Thailand as strangers.

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After his mother's death, Drech returns to Albion to claim his position as the Pendragon and fight his father's greatest enemy, Vitalinus King of Colun and the invading Jutes. Drech's campaign is challenged by some of the rulers of the land, including one of his clansmen, Camuir King of Powys. Drech's loyalty to his clan will be tested along with his love for Enhinti, the mysterious warrioress that he wishes to call his wife. ---------------This is the first part to the Pendragon, a novel that I wrote (but did not quite complete) many years ago. I have worked very hard to make every character important and worthy of the space they fill on the page. At the start it has a linear feel because they are on a journey going from one place to another.-------------------------My novel The Beast of Caer Baddan is a prequel to this story, and Drech is the grandson of Owain, Leola, Annon, and the daughter of Swale. Many of the characters are the same or they are the children or grandchildren of those in The Beast. My short stories The Politics of Benadel and The Finding of Cinuit correspond with the third book. Although these stories are connected they should be able to stand alone. Anyone who did not read The Beast, if you have trouble following this story, please let me know. --------------------Even though Drech is technically Owain's grandson and not his actual son, I would like to emphasize that Drech (rather than his father, Ambrosius) is Owain's true spiritual heir. ---------------Please note: while this story is about a teen who grows up to become a man, it was not written with teens or children in mind. The Pendragon is a culmination of nearly sixteen years of research and thousands of hours of writing. All feedback welcome. As I am completely dyslexic I do not catch my errors (dog, god, bog, pod, all look the same to me), so if you find any mistakes, please point them out.

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TOR LOKEN AND THE DEATH OF CHIEF NAMAKAGON is book two in the Chief Namakagon trilogy. This engaging novel is a stand-alone mystery-adventure based closely on historical records. It explores the 1886 murder of the Ojibwe leader who was found near his secret silver mine. This mine has yet to be rediscovered in spite of 13 decades of treasure hunters' efforts. Mining, railroading, and timber harvest during northern Wisconsin's wild and lawless 1880s are the background for this twisting, turning mystery centered around 19 year-old Tor Loken, his girl, Rosie, and the men from the lumber camp. Rich characters, each based on someone the author has encountered in the great north woods, fill out the cast. Events documented in the local 1880s press provide many sub-plots that become key to the dramatic conclusion of the book, soon to be published by the author/illustrator, James Brakken, who was born and raised near Lake Namakagon and who still searches for the old chief's treasure as part of his extensive research for the trilogy. The author will include, among forty original illustrations, a map showing dozens of mines, both silver and gold, active in the late 19th century near the lodge of Chief Namkagon. Book 1, THE TREASURE OF NAMAKAGON, was a general fiction semi-finalist in the 2013 ABNA competition, the equivalent of being tied for second place out of 10,000 novels entered. The author is an award-winning conservationist, poet, and outdoor writer. Although fiction, his "Chief Namakagon" series is already regarded as a solid historical account of events that took place during Wisconsin's formative years. The treasure is real as are the facts used to support this exciting wilderness mystery-adventure.

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As a Britannae prince and battle leader, Owain's solitary purpose is to fight and win every war that comes his way. He believes his path is set until the day he predicts his own death. His ensuing actions will change his life and alter the course of history. Commoner Leola only wants to survive the turbulent circumstances she finds herself in when a terrible war against the Britannae destroys her Gewissae village. She is completely unprepared for marriage to her enemy, Prince Owain, and the complicated and even dangerous life of politics. Based on Welsh mythology, this story is set in the heart of fifth century Britain. From the murky depths of time, Owain Finddu comes to life. ------------- This is the second draft to The Beast of Caer Baddan. Thank you to everyone who helped me on the first one. Hopefully there will be a noticeable improvement here. I am really trying to get into Owain’s head and heart, as I have come to feel that his motives and intentions were too vague, especially at the start. As I am completely dyslexic, I do not notice errors, (dog, bod, god all look the same to me). So if you find any mistakes, please point them out.

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Accused of witchcraft, of exchanging at birth the Lady of the Manor's son, the midwife, Eliza, is forced to hand over her daughter Alys's new born son and to take in, to care for as their own, the lady's child, a deformed and hideous monster, known in the village as The Troll.

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An ancient king of Vietnam commanded his subjects to cover their arms and thighs with dragon tattoos. It was an accepted belief that the Dragon Spirit protected rice farmers against monsters in the rice paddies. A millennium later, PRIVATE EDDY LANSKY, THE LAST MAN IN VIETNAM, faces a different set of monsters in those same rice paddies. Searching for protection, Lansky meets Sgt. Chen, a GI with dragon tattoos on his arms. Chen insists dragon power is no myth. I am interested in receiving constructive criticism from writers of historical fiction, fantasy, or anyone else interested in my Vietnam story. Chapters 1-6 explain Lansky's backstory. For those of you interested in starting with the infantry action, please begin at Chapter 7.

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Observations from my motel room under the palms. The first chapter of a romantic novella set durning the Civil War. Feel free to give me all the compliments you want.I can take it.

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Originally posted, "Lovely Lucy," I am re-posting this with a prologue in order to introduce my lead character earlier in the story. A work of fiction, it is based on the life of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan and his abolitionist sweetheart, Lucy Vanderpohl. The story chronicles the relationship that begins in childhood before the war and matures in spite of growing political tensions. It reaches its zenith as Lucy learns a family secret that threatens an already tenuous relationship between the man she has vowed to love and her family's commitment to social justice. The story is a redemptive work in a setting of moral dilemmas where right and wrong is not always obvious.

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This book tells the stories of three amazing women who lived in northern California in the early 1900s. Ellen VanValkenburgh was a suffragette who inspired Susan B. Anthony enough to be used as an example in the more famous woman's speeches of 1872. Her granddaughter, Eva VanValkenburgh, was one of the first women to own a photography business in California. Her early images of Inverness are prized today. Eva's aunt Emily Williams was a reknowned architect. Together with her life partner, coppersmith Lillian Palmer, they built homes in three counties. ***Chapters have been renumbered. I'm so sorry if this inconveniences you!***

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This is a short story that goes along with my story The Pendragon. These events take place about fifty years after the book The Beast of Caer Baddan. Prince Cinuit comes up with a way to keep the Novantae people from attacking.

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I wrote this short story to go with my story The Pendragon. It takes place fifty years after the book The Beast of Caer Baddan.

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This novel is set in 8th century Yucatan, Mexico. It is the story of a Mayan oracle, Jade Skirt, and her struggle to save her granddaughter Nine Macaw , from sacrifice. The child has been marked to be the bride of Chac, the rain god, and will be thrown into the Well of Sacrifice at Chichen unless her grandmother can save her and thereby save the Island of Women as she is the last living heir. I would like feedback on interest level, credibility and anything that seems unexplained properly.

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