THE STEWARD Series

DOMAINE DELAFAIRE is the first volume of THE STEWARD series. Folklore and fantasy enmesh with physics and forensics. Ellen Doyle must accept two facts. Firstly, she is named the secret heir to the Stewardship of the hidden Grand Portal to the Multiverse, which unfortunately doesn't come with instructions. Secondly, and even more unsettling, many of the creatures of myth and folklore are real, some of whom hide in plain sight. Strange things happen to Ellen and those around her. People get hurt, go missing, and some die. Local authorities investigate, but are frustrated at the scarcity of evidence. An earnest young detective is smitten with Ellen, an unanticipated and potentially dangerous distraction that can compromise the integrity of a number of baffling cases. Sometimes hard lessons must be learned. After all, it's not wise to tempt fate.

REALMS OF POSSIBILITY is the second volume of THE STEWARD series. Folklore and fantasy enmesh with physics and forensics. Stacy, once missing through the Grand Portal, is back. Ellen must reconcile what happened. After all, no one knew what to expect delving into the Realm of Shadow. What secrets do other accessible realms hold? What is now expected, or more ominously, required of Ellen, as the Steward of the Grand Portal?  A pair of unexplained homicides at a casino and clues about a cartel's clandestine drug scheme link to Papa George, the feared New Orleans underworld crime lord. However, he's nowhere to be found . . . or is he? Perhaps nowhere may be the key . . .

ALAS, THE BEST LAID PLANS is the third volume of THE STEWARD series. Folklore and fantasy enmesh with physics and forensics. The conspiracy is fraying; Lady Diere's carefully hidden agenda is in jeopardy. Padraic is far more than he appears. Atrellan and Daegon clash, opening doors better left closed. The cartel moves tactically against Papa George. Millie and Stacy gone missing? Despite all this, Ellen must deal with the Council, its inherent political intrigue, and the Dark Elf, Lady Diere, whose seething animosity and dark ambition fester unabated.

STORM HAVEN is the fourth volume of THE STEWARD series. Folklore and fantasy enmesh with physics and forensics. Fallout ensues following forbidden necromancy within the diplomatic precincts and hallowed halls of the Council itself! Elfin queens are at odds! Papa George is a fugitive from justice and Lady Diere's vengeance! Storm Haven, the hidden realm, is compromised and under siege by the forces of Shadow and the Were! Stacy is injured and Hawk is missing! Worse, almost all may be Ellen's fault.

MER is the fifth volume of THE STEWARD series. Folklore and fantasy enmesh with physics and forensics. How can an entire realm suddenly be at risk, and only a handful of perplexed people be aware? How can organized crime threaten realms of the Multiverse with such perverse and  rampant drug addiction? Is this a long-term strategy to create and control an immense black market, or a far more subtle and sinister bid for ultimate power? Perhaps even worse, will the steadily increasing frequency of necromantic incidents herald the resurgence of roaming legions of ravenous resurrected deceased, led by another Lord of the Dead? Ellen Doyle, Steward of the Grand Portal of the Realm of Man, there's a call for you . . .  

THE STEWARD chronicles the trials and tribulations of Ellen Doyle, the young woman tasked with the responsibility of the hidden Grand Portal to the Multiverse (which didn't come with instructions). Certain aspects of theoretical physics may offer some pragmatic explanations; however, since the laws of physics appear to differ in certain alternative realities, the manipulation of matter/energy by unexplained means--magic--is generally accepted there, albeit not yet fully understood.   Nonetheless, accessing alternative realities, dealing with other realms, their respective inhabitants and established societies call into question a host of vague assumptions regarding folklore and fantasy previously held by Ellen and the people close to her. In short, they must accept that some creatures of myth and folklore are real; some of whom hide in plain sight. After all, even the most fanciful legend often contains a grain of truth.   Variations among differing realities or realms can be vast, or rather subtle and seemingly little different from our home realm. Most boast sizable sentient populations--not all of whom are human--residing in rural areas, villages, and cities of various sizes. In most cases, realms and their inhabitants are prone to the same corruptive influences that perpetually plague evolving and established societies (greed, jealousy, ambition, crime, fear, etc.). It comes as no surprise that the weak are often preyed upon by the predatory strong.   Thrown into the midst of this maelstrom of realities, Ellen must make sense of it all, fulfill her obligations, and survive the periodic threats to herself and her friends, all the while striving to keep most of the chaos at bay. She does have a significant advantage through boyfriend, Detective Connor Redhawk: when needed, contemporary criminal investigation techniques and forensics can be brought to bear. Mysteries always warrant solving, especially those that affect multiple realms.