On Broken Wings

From potter's clay to potter...

"Justice in this world is a human artifact," says Louis Redmond. "Either it's made by individuals, or it doesn't exist. I have made my share of it, and I don't regret it in the slightest." The unassuming young man, a high genius and an adept of the arts of war, means every word. Yet fate has shown him little justice: at age thirty-six, he's dying of spinal cancer.

Louis has picked up an unusual stray: a young woman named Christine who's committed a murder to escape from sexual slavery to the Butchers, a vicious motorcycle gang. Christine has no resources, and the abuse she's endured has apparently robbed her of her memory; she doesn't even know her last name. The Butchers are certain to be looking for her. Despite all, Louis takes her into his central New York home and commits what's left of his life to preparing her for independence.

Having no choices, and ignorant of Louis's impending doom, Christine embraces the rigors of his physical and intellectual training program with passion. The speed of her advance astounds them both. It's just as well, for the Butchers are still out there, and their leader Tiny is obsessed with her. Louis repels their first attempt to retake her, but he knows that, some day, she'll have to do it herself.

In the shadows behind the dying champion waits another man: Louis's mentor Malcolm Loughlin, immortal wanderer and grand master of all things martial. Malcolm has trained the great warriors of the world for two millennia. He will take over Christine's education when Louis's life is spent, for a price.

Louis learns that even the end of life can be sweet, if there is love. Malcolm learns to accept instruction from his students. Christine learns many things: the heights of love, the depths of grief, the importance of a moral anchor, and the necessity always to be ready to make justice for oneself.

On Broken Wings depicts the coming of age of an extraordinary young woman without a past, under the tutelage of two extraordinary men: one who cannot live, and one who cannot die.

On Broken Wings is Book Two of the Realm of Essences series, a combination supernatural fantasy and contemporary tale of intrigue among the vicious and powerful. Book One, Chosen One, is also available. The conclusion, Shadow Of A Sword, will be published in late 2011.