Kindle Edition Amazon The Middle Times Fantasy Literary Series Category:  Fantasy Publisher: Createspace ISBN-10:  1461126363 Type: Fiction Pages: 209 Copyright: March 29, 2011 ISBN-13: 9781461126362 Some peaceful five years following the rise of the goblin king Erefin (Nifere) the Great and his lost kingdom, Lanolas' heritage betrays him as his true identity becomes known to Amberzâd the Orange. Meanwhile, a maturer Lanolee with his Pixy pal Rebo embark in search for his wizardry tutor Elray the Yellow within the lands east of the great Deseraith. After the admirable wizard's Kung-poon arrives at Havenford without him in it, the new adventure begins as another evil danger rises within the easterly kingdom of the feared Morân. In the climax, Lanolas Lord of the Rose Sapphire falls victim to a terrifying substance known as black powder. The third installment in the epic fantasy series "The Middle Times" launches a new journey for our returning favorite characters as the search begins and "The Middle Times" mystical adventure resumes! The third installment in the epic fantasy series finds Lanolee ready for tutoring by the wizard Elray the Yellow.  The wizard's balloon arrives with a stranger onboard (without Elray) and Lanolee with Pixy Rebo set off to find the wizard of yellow. Meanwhile, other character favorites return for a satisfying continuation of Lanolas' mystical past as AmberzÂd  the Orange discovers Lanolas' true heritage. Grab onto our hoods...the winds of change blow easterly in this excellent adventure.        Excerpt “You betrayed all the elves Lôfland…not I!” “No, you have it all wrong Erefin. I readily chose not to join with him! You however, chose servitude unto the darkness and shadow master!” “You borrow a beggar's words Lôfland. You succeeded as much as I appeasing him with your pretty bribe.” “I did try appeasing Darcos, but only for protecting the elves and their families not as you conspired…Erefin! You sacrificed everything for your precious kingdom and desire for total rule. I…only wanted to be rid of Darcos. It was a foolish gamble but for the existence of elves everywhere, it be a gamble I would make again! Yet, you Erefin never cared for the welfare of the elfish children of Aros as much as I. Perpetuating a monarchy upon us at that time would have led our peoples away from a quest for wisdom, truth and honor. During those early days, your choice for our destiny would have leaded us astray from the teachings of our beloved Aros. You Erefin…only desired a kingdom to rule, a militia to create for conquering, but in my vision…I saw something greater for the sanctity of all elves! ” The apparition of Erefin the Great hisses secretly. “Yes Lôfland, but you wanted something so badly you betrayed your own great Lord Aros.” “You are the beggar of lies Erefin. I never forsook my lord of light and life!” Lôfland begins sweating profusely while deep in his slumber. His dream image, however, sits up in bed angrily shaking his finger at Erefin. The image of an elfish Erefin mocks Lôfland in his dreams while standing and grinning superiorly at Lôfland's bed. Approaching quickly, the haunting image of Erefin rushes Lôfland's bedside faster than the wind making Lôfland cringe worriedly while closing his eyes. Erefin nears Lôfland's whimpering muffle. He whispers softly and sinisterly. “I hear say your offering unto the Lord of Darkness and Shadow was far prettier than my humble gratuity unto him. Jeweled was it not Lôfland?”

Short, but sweetly Intriguing
I prefer big long stories so I often avoid books less than 350 pages, but I read the first two books in this fantasy series and loved the mystical introduction to this author's writings...so I just had to read how it resumes with this third installment. TMT: Search for Elray is much shorter than its predessors but perhaps that is due to the establishing of the fantasy idea within book 1 and book 2. Less time is spent on long descriptives for describing places or characters and more time spent on furthering the storyline. This series is not just your ordinary quest for this and that or destroying an evil nemesis, but heartedly explores a usual touchy subject...a person's race. In book 1 and book 2 the goblin king is obviously the villain, but as it turns out I found the evil muderer Lord Eltor more despicable because of his hatred and intolerance for non-hugheman races. It was wonderful reading about him getting his just reward from a blue wizard named Cyanzar in book 2. Speaking of the wizards...they add such a new and creative concept for the wizardry kind considering they are "colored" like the spectrums of the rainbow from which they evolved (very clever indeed). Lady Venas (the violet wizard) represents the first fearless female wizard I have ever read about and I cheer each and every time she steps up to play the heroine. (Yet, in book 3 we find out that there is another female wizard named Elren the Green.) Anyway, Elray is the yellow wizard first introduced in the first book and for good reason. He and Venas are mentoring a young elf named Lanolee who is enchanted with mystical talents by the flower Imps (Pixy). After finishing his teachings from Venas he is ready to depart with Elray into the far easterly lands for learning more. However, Elray turns up missing and Lanolee sets off to find him with a little help from an easterly elf (asian in appearance hence the race issue is further explored). All the lovable characters from the first two books return and the author does a marvelous job of creating a storlyine to involve them all. Oh, and the true evil (Darcos) finally returns in TMT:SFE, which although alluded to in the first two books never actually occurs but returns he does and its truly setting up an exciting and perilous plot for the remaining books. What I like most about these books is that suspense and dialogue is not deluged by cursing or graphic violence to deliver the story. It just proves a really good storlyine doesn't need such demeaning writing. Where ever the author is taking me I am fully aboard for the ride.

Wonderful return to the Middle TImes!
After the whopping mystical & enchantingful 800+ page opening story in books 1 and 2, the author delivers a wonderful shorter continuation of the Middle Time Tales coming in at 200+ pages with the release of TMT:Search for Elray. With the establishment of the fantasy time period and mythos surrounding the characters established, the pace quickens as a new adventure begins. Wonderfully, all the favorite characters return to enchant us once more. Moreoverly, the search for wizard Elray the Yellow results in a maturer Lanolee losing a dear friend and ally. Meanwhile, Amberzad the Orange uncovers more than Darcos' armor and new knowledge about the goblin king's heir jeopardizes Lanolas of the Rose Saphhire's life. This story starts some five years after the ending of TMT:Lost Kingdom. The introduction of Chon from the easterly lands is exciting (believe it or not, he is Lanolas' step brother!!) The storyline of the first two books kept me guessing until the end and pleasantly surprised. The author indeed is up to his old tricks delivering this cliffhanging story as introduction to the following tales yet to come. Indeed, if I was left with any questions, the author is seemingly answering them all as the series unfolds. Gosh, don't miss out reading the holiday tale released either...The Middle Times: A Holiday Tale, Legend of the Rose Sapphire. It is really about the origin of the sapphire stone itself, which the Imps named Pixy require to renew their defensive capabilites. It also introduces Moltan the Red wizard in Changeling form. Considering what occurs in this story, you may want to know more about him. Anyway, this truly fnatastical mythos is all so intriguing to experience. According to the website ([...]) story four is named TMT:Journey Beyond...I cannot wait!!