Last week, you voted that Connie should listen to Ulysses and wait at the Half-Tree. Now you get to find out what happens next--and help Connie make an even bigger decision.

Welcome to the first episode of Azinae, my new reader-interactive episodic fantasy story. So how does this work? Let me show you.

1. On Friday, I post the episode, along with a very awesome blog post that gives you some background or fun information about the episode.
2. At the end of the episode, I have included a choice between two options. You may vote in the poll to pick your favorite of the two choices.
3. On Sunday, at midnight, I will close the poll. On Monday, I'll commence writing the next episode based on the most popular choice.

Bear in mind that, because each episode will be written less than a week before posting, the writing may not be of the same caliber as, say, one of my novels or novelettes, which receives much more editing before other eyes see it. But the story should still be fun, fascinating, and fantastic in its own way. (Note my totally unfounded authorly confidence!) So join me in the adventure of Azinae​!

I’m generally cautious when it comes to sex in fiction. Now, Christians are probably waiting for me to give an answer like, “Never mention sex in fiction.” Liberals are probably waiting to dismiss everything I say because I’ll be too restrictive for them. I’m probably not going to satisfy either party. Why? Because I think the answer is more complicated than “Never include sex in fiction” or “Include sex just as openly as you would any other part of life.”

Christians, the Bible has tons of sex in it. You can hardly go a chapter in the Old Testament without someone sleeping with someone else, and some of those stories aren’t exactly family friendly. Non-Christians, I’m about to make it pretty plain that sexual openness doesn’t always lead to satisfying sex—or a satisfying story.

I’ll tell you right up-front: I’m not going to tell you what the line is. But I’ll give you enough information so you can consider what is a good, realistic, artistic portrayal of sex in fiction.

Warning: If you haven’t read the previous stories of the Queen’s Thief series, this review may contain some spoilers for you. Read at your own peril. ;-)
 
Sophos does not expect to be kidnapped. Then again, he is the next in line for the throne, after his uncle, the king of Sounis. As Sophos struggles to escape, aware that the slightest misstep might mean his death, he realizes that the nation is on the brink of war, undermined from within by enemies of Sounis. Saving the nation may mean making alliances with those who seem to be enemies, and making enemies of those who seem to be friends. And, most of all, it may mean becoming a man that Sophos never expected to be—the king of Sounis.

Welcome to 2016! I was going to write something meaningful for this occasion, but frankly, I've got too much family holiday insanity going on to take the time to be properly sentimental and philosophical, so I won't re-say what everyone else is probably already saying. (Let go of the old, embrace the new, etc.)

I'm taking a break from my Moonstone updates this week to bring you something that has been germinating for a while: my top 5 pet peeves about fantasy. Enjoy!