The Wrong Stuff

The Pan of Hamgee is not a natural knight in shining armour. Yet he has escaped from police custody in K'Barth, switched realities and foiled Lord Vernon's attempt to kidnap Ruth, the Chosen One, from the Festival Hall. Pretty good, he thinks.

However, Ruth thinks otherwise. Being pursued by Lord Vernon is bad enough. Now, thanks to The Pan, she's on the run. They are both alive, of course, but with Lord Vernon on their tail neither of them can be sure how long for.

To save K'Barth and Ruth, the woman of his dreams, The Pan must introduce her to the Candidate, who is prophesied to be the man of her dreams. And he must do it fast – before Lord Vernon finds her. But the gentleman in question is in hiding and no-one knows where. Only The Pan can find him, if he can bring himself to unite them.

Indie Bargain Books science fiction read of 2012
Awesome Indies Approved
Book 2 of a completed series which is best read in order.

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

Q – So, tell us about the K'Barthan Series. What made you write it? What makes it special?

A – K'Barth hasn't always been called 'K'Barth' but it's been with me since I can remember. My brain has always been off with the fairies and I suppose it was only a matter of time before I began to write about where it went. Once I started, the response to the characters, from readers really kept me going. The Pan of Hamgee is a very reluctant hero; someone who is aware of the risks he is taking and human – ie scared – about being brave. A lot of teenage boys like him and he has as many fans among the girls, and their mums. In Ruth I wanted to create someone pragmatic, sensible and grounded. She's not going to lose a shoe and fall over, so the hero has to go back and help her, and they both get caught by the monster. She's a strong female protagonist who is a bit more of a hero than The Pan, frankly – to start with at any rate. I think he catches her up as the story unfolds.

Q – Do our readers have to read the K'Barthan Series in order?

A – The character development – and some of the technology – will make the most sense if they do. That said, the short story prequel can be read any time.

Q – What will readers enjoy most about The K'Barthan Series?

A – Hopefully, the same things as I do: the laughs, the romance – where it appears – the fast pace and the action – especially the flying car chases – and I hope they will like its deeper side.

Q – What is your favourite kind of Book? Would The K'Barthan Series fit on the list?

A – Oh yes. I wrote it entirely for me. If anyone else likes it, that's gravy. I love British humour, especially satire in fantasy and sci fi: people like Pratchett and Adams. They make me laugh out loud but think as well. These guys didn't write bestselling novels by accident, they're churning out top 100 best sellers for a reason. There's so much texture and depth. If you're funny you can be harder hitting and setting it all in a parallel reality helps.

Q – Do you have a target reader?

A – Officially it's young adults and teenagers. Now that it's complete the series is certainly proving popular with teens and young adults and I had my teenage nephew in mind when I wrote them. However, I firmly believe that all the best books for teenagers appeal equally to their parents, which is why I also wrote it for me. Thus far – if the people who contact me are anything to go by – it appeals to a certain type of person across the board. The oldest fan of the series I know of is in his 90s and the youngest is 10.