It’s publication day for the Crown of Three Epic Collection, a box set of the complete fantasy trilogy for younger readers that I’ve been working on for the past couple of years. Publishers Simon and Schuster call it “a Game of Thrones for a younger audience” and I’m cool with that.
The series kicks off with Crown of Three, continues with The Lost Realm, and concludes with A Kingdom Rises. Here’s the blurb:
Family secrets combine with fantasy in this epic tale of battle, magic, strange creatures, power, and fate. Separated at birth, triplets Tarlan, Elodie, and Gulph have grown up knowing nothing about each other. However, an ancient prophecy says that the three will one day be reunited, overthrow the king, and bring peace to the land.
Each of the triplets has a special power that sets him or her apart from other people. Tarlan can speak to animals. Elodie can hear the voices of ghosts. And Gulph can become invisible. But what use are these abilities if they can’t stay alive long enough to claim the throne?
As three new stars shine in the nighttime sky, events are driving them together, but will the triplets live? Let alone rule?
I wrote the series under the pseudonym J.D. Rinehart. Why? Because my contribution as author is just part of a massive effort by a team of editors and storyline writers. It was an rewarding gig and, now that the project’s complete, it’s a real treat to see the whole trilogy packaged up like this.
Anticipating the publication of my next novel – out at the end of the year – I’ve started work on a book trailer. All right, I’ll confess, it’s really just an excuse for me to fool around with some new animation techniques – well, new to me, anyway. Before you ask, no, I still can’t reveal what the book is. The best I can offer at this early stage is the above enigmatic video clip that represents my latest animation test. It’s just four second long, so blink and you’ll miss it.
If you want to hear me blathering on about dark tales, fantasy moviemaking, and many of the strange things that fill up my head, book yourself a place at Sledge-Lit 2016.
The reviews are stacking up on 
