DEMONSPAWN by G J Woodrum

Publisher: Shadowfire Press
Date Published: July 2010
ISBN: none given
Short fantasy
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


CLICK TO PURCHASE! Lytha is the youngest daughter of a tavern owner. Her older sisters help in the tavern, not only serving drinks and food, but also serving the men with their bodies. Their father believes that all women were born to be whores. She also has brothers who do various jobs in the tavern. One night there is a wild storm outside and the tavern soon fills with men seeking shelter from the storm. Then the door opens and a figure, clothed in black enters. The tavern patrons recognize the man as demonspawn, from across the sea. Lytha is sent to serve him and although she is terrified, she serves him.

Zhehrihn is in the tavern on a mission. He can read minds and feels there is something special about Lytha. After he completes his mission, he offers Lytha a chance to get away from the Tavern. But, as his doxy or as his ward?

This is a story that will capture you from the first sentence and hold you until the last. G J Woodrum knows how to put a short story together that captures your full attention. Her characters come alive, the setting is realistic and the plot is tightly written. Add to that, some twists that may surprise you, this short story is one that you don’t want to end. In fact, I could see an epic fantasy around this premise and I would love to see something of this sort from the pen of this very talented author.

After reading this short, you must go back to Shadowfire Press and pick up her backlist. You won’t be disappointed. Someone should really lock up this author in a well lighted room, give her a computer, plenty of her comfort food and favorite beverage and tell her not to come out until she has finished an epic. I have faith in her.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

WILLOWIND by GJ Woodrum

Publisher: Shadowfire Press
Date published: April 2010
ISBN: none given
Short Fantasy
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


CLICK TO PURCHASE!Jerrith and Willowind are out looking for a relic. A relic that could stop the war that is ravaging the land. The king is dead and as heir to the throne, Willowind is determined to find the relic, with Jerrith’s help. But will it be the end of the suffering? Jerrith will find out that Willowind is not who he thought she was.

This is a super short story by the very talented GJ Woodrum. The only thing that bothered me was that it was too short!! It is like the first chapter of an epic fantasy that you want to continue! A bit frustrating. Nevertheless, Ms. Woodrum has written some very interesting characters and a story-line that is captiviating. She has set the scene for a very promising story that I hope she will continue. Willowind is both intriguing and interesting. Jerrith is a man you want to know more about. The setting is also well written. Ms. Woodrum packs a lot into a small space. I can see this story going far and becoming something that will keep readers reading until the end. As a short, it is inexpensive and quick to read. I do hope Ms. Woodrum continues the story very soon, I will be the first to stand in line to get the next installment.

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW.

LADY’S PURPOSE Children of the Desert Moon book 3 by G J Woodrum

Publisher: Shadow Fire Press
Date issued: February 2008
ISBN: None given
Fantasy
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained via publisher




CLICK TO PURCHASE! Yhnez, touched by the Goddess, child-leader of her tribe has come a long way and has finally found The Mother’s Heart Oasis. No longer wanderer’s the tribe enjoys the peace and tranquility of the Oasis. But not having much to do leaves them bickering among themselves and the younger ones, who are bored, cause mischief. Taizhehn, a boy who they found, takes Yhnez across the lake to the Temple of the Moon. She finds great tablets with the laws of the Goddess written on them. The Goddess herself speaks to Yhnez giving her the plea to go out among the tribes and bring them these very laws. Laws, that many of the tribes have strayed from. So again, the tribe journeys, again they meet dangers and find more folks wandering the desert. And they must never forget that the verritaym’t are out there too and the power of their Dread Lord is growing too.

Oh my! Again, a thrilling read. I could hardly put this book down. I do hope that these stories come out in print because I would love to have them on my shelf, loan out to my friends who should read these stories, give them to my children to read. I may just have to print them out so I can display them on my bookshelf. Of course, I want to read these stories again. Most definitely so. I so enjoyed the adventures of Yhnez and her tribe. The children have come a long way since the first book and you hardly see that they are children, they behave so mature, responsible and with wisdom. After the climatic ending, I truly hope that this author will continue the adventures of these children. It would be wonderful to read how, as they come to adulthood, the prophecies and foreseeing of the Goddess come true. Dear reader, if you’ve enjoyed these stories as much as I have, please write the author and tell her you want more!



THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW

KNIGHT’S TRADITIONAL CASTLE by GJ Woodrum

Publisher: Shadowfire Press
Date published: September 2009
ISBN: none given
Short fantasy
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie
http://shadowfirestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12_20&products_id=68
Obtained via publisher




CLICK TO PURCHASE!Sir Percilot is in dire need. His castle needs repairs that are going to cost a lot of money. The kind of money he does not have. With a leaky foundation and a Troll who is happy to fix it for him, at the right price of course, Percilot is wondering how on earth he is going to finance it. The Troll comes up with an idea. Get a mortgage! And he happens to know just the right place. So, the Knight sets off with his entourage to Dreary Mountain in the Doom Range to meet with a dragon. The dragon, Refinance is very happy to accommodate the Knight. That is after Percilot has recovered from the dragon’s toothy grin. But, we all know what can happen when you take out a mortgage and you haven’t been on any quests to bring back expensive artifacts, nor have you recently killed any dragons for their hoard of treasure and you don’t have the withal to pay back your mortgage, or it’s interest. It’s a pity that lawyers are such mythical creatures.

Absolutely brilliant. GJ Woodrum has done it again and has written a short, fantasy story that will keep you smiling throughout. She has cleverly written a story that has your traditional fantasy elements, such as a Knight, a Troll, and a Dragon, but has woven some very modern elements into it as well. This results in a comical story that will guarantee a big smile, if not outright laughing. The dialogue is fresh and witty and the characters charming. The writing is tight and not a word is wasted. This is a wonderful example of a complete, short story with everything necessary in it. This story reminds me very much of the work of Terry Pratchett, who is, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest fantasy writers of all time. GJ Woodrum has written a number of these short fantasy stories and I hope you will run over to Shadowfire Press and pick them up. I also hope this talented author continues to write more and eventually gets an anthology printed. I for one would love to have that book on my keeper shelf.




THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW

CHILDREN OF THE DESERT MOON BOOK 1 – LADY’S DAUGHTER by GJ Woodrum

Publisher ShadowFire Press
Date published August 2008
Fantasy
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie


CLICK TO PURCHASE!
Two tribes camp near each other, the children play together and everything is peaceful until they are under attack. Not long afterwards everything lays devastated. There are some survivors, children. In another part of the desert, a child is banished from the tribe. As is the custom, the child is abandoned to die or survive alone. Another child is banished for going against the tribal leader. All these tribes have one thing in common, they are Matriachal and the men must serve. In the days to come, these children’s destinies are to be entwined. They must endure great hardships and overcome the problems of nature in order to become what they are destined to be. To become the fulfillment of a prophecy. Only faith in Yhn’Yhnay, the Moon Goddess can keep the children together.

GJ Woodrum has written a wonderful story, rich in description, with compelling characters. I really enjoyed this story and it held my attention throughout. At first, the reader follows the stories of the different children and their adventures and each chapter is about a different character, or set of characters. Yhnez and Sh’yhn are two of the most interesting characters in the story. Slowly, they all come together and meet. Although it’s about children, the reader will see how they have to come to terms in an adult world and grow up very quickly. GJ Woodrum doesn’t hold back on the hardships the children have to endure, or on their experiences. I really recommend this story and am looking forward very much to the next installment.***