Lita Burke

Review: The Field of Blackbirds

The Field of Blackbirds by Thomas Ryan is a thriller about Jeff Bradley, a former New Zealand military man, and his dangerous quest to find a missing friend. Jeff’s business associate Arben has travelled to Kosovo to see into a dispute over his family’s vineyard. Jeff gets a message from his panicked friend, and then…

Necronomicon Enchanter: Essence Kiss

Within the pages of the Necronomicon Enchanter book in Lita’s library, the curious may learn the Enchanters’ magical matters. Beware, for the knowledge might drive the reader mad with bitter desire and luscious regret. Today we read about the pleasures and dangers of essence kisses. Previously: The original Enchanters used their bodies to transform unpalatable…

Necronomicon Enchanter: Magical Discipline

Within the pages of the Necronomicon Enchanter book in Lita’s library, the curious may learn the Enchanters’ magical matters. Beware, for the knowledge might drive the reader mad with bitter desire and luscious regret. Today we read about essence madness. Previously: Evolution of Sole-Source Magic The Enchanters’ Magical Discipline The ten enclave magicians learned from the sentient…

Review: The Water Lily Fairy

The Water Lily Fairy by Mary Ann Vitale is a children’s fantasy about a fairy that brings secret gifts to a village. One day a group of fairies fly by a pond filled with water lilies, and a curious fae lingers to see the playing children. She folds her skirt just so and hides in…

Necronomicon Enchanter: Evolution of Sole-Source Magic

Within the pages of the Necronomicon Enchanter book in Lita’s library, the curious may learn the Enchanters’ magical matters. Beware, for the knowledge might drive the reader mad with bitter desire and luscious regret. Today we read the first chapter and discover how Enchantment came to the Sye world. Early Sye Before Enchanters came, Sye’s plants and animals shared their…

Review: Dark Mountain

Dark Mountain by C. B. Pratt is a fantasy about a hero for hire named Eno and his adventures to free the enthralled mine workers of a deranged magician. Eno, recently home from a quest in Egypt, resumes his interrupted trip to his aging mother. The path takes him through Pan’s domain, and the woodland…

Bestiarum Vocabulum: Fairy

The Bestiarum Vocabulum is the wizard’s encyclopedia of faerie beasties and mundane crossovers living in the lake and forest near Lita’s castle. fairy [ˈfə rē] noun, c.1250; ME fairie < OF faerie, fae, fairy < L ftum < Vulgar L fta; also fey-folk fairy, faerie Denizen of the Clockpunk Wizard world. One member of the fey-folk class…

Interview: Close Your Eyes for a Fantasy Surprise

The folks over at Blog Catalog recently sat down with Lita and chatted about all sorts of things in Lita’s fantasy worlds. It was time to talk a bit about the magic behind the curtain. Here are a few excerpts from the interview: Blog Catalog: “Lita’s Worlds” … places like elsewheres. This is major fantasy speak. Please…

Review: If I Should Die Before I Wake

If I Should Die Before I Wake by Gabriel Boutros is a novella fantasy thriller about a hit man, his prey, and a most disturbing hunt. Simon Wallis, a former gangster’s accountant caught embezzling from his unforgiving boss, runs for his life. Killer for hire Frank Burke, a sociopath with a predilection for Hawaiian beaches,…

Bestiarum Vocabulum: Fey-Folk

The Bestiarum Vocabulum is the wizard’s encyclopedia of faerie beasties and mundane crossovers living in the lake and forest near Lita’s castle. fey-folk [ˈfā fōk] noun, c.1100; OE fǣge and fāh hostile, outlawed < High OGer feigi doomed < ME feye; also boy-fey (masculine), girl-fey (feminine), fay, fah, fae, faerie, fairy, sprite, pixie, imp, brownie,…