Learning on Harris Acres Homestead: Outcast

Having been away from C L Talmadge's Green Stone of Healing books for a while, I found Outcast hard to get into at first. (Remember I am not a fantasy reader.) However, it was not long until I was staying up way too late and reading way too long. I wanted to find out what was going to happen next to Lord James and his daughter. (Oh, some of the skills she learns in this book would serve me well!!!!) The whole series has been like this.

I don’t want to give anything away, so I hesitate to share anything, but I will say this: the ending of this book is completely unfair and unexpected. I HAVE to read the next book and I WANT to read it now, but the last time I spoke with her, the author had not even completed the fifth book yet!

If you haven’t read any of these books, you need to start with The Vision. I suggest that you get Fallout and The Scorpion's Strike because you won’t want to wait long after finishing each book to get into the next one! And finally, but not lastly (as there are more books coming) you should read Outcast.

I need to mention that the website is a wealth of information! There are family trees and maps and background information that is not included in the books themselves. Although you can enjoy the books without going to the website, I found that I understood and gathered much more insight after being to the website a time or two. In addition there are ways to keep in contact with the author and some insights into her life as well.

Here’s a little bit about book four: Outcast.

In Outcast, first-generation heroine Helen Andros is exiled to avert civil war, and takes shelter with the family of her true love in Southern Alta Province. Maguari, the alien Mist-Weaver, warns that the life of Helen's father, Lord James Mordecai, will end soon if he does not avert disaster.

Concerns about betrayal prompt Helen to move again to a remote lodge, where she takes in the children of the Sin-Eater, and makes friends with their father.

Maguari teaches them life-altering advanced skills in energy-manipulation. The wise otherworldly being also teaches Helen to use the green gem with its chain for more powerful healing and self-protection.

Lord James faces more strident political opposition while a presumed ally advances a plot to slay him. The second in command of the Temple of Kronos hatches a scheme to abduct Helen.

As Outcast ends, the treacherous plot against Helen's parent reaches its tragic climax. She and the Sin-Eater use their newfound abilities to fend off unknown assailants and flee, uncertain if help will reach them in time.

Last time I talked to C L Talmadge I told her I would promote the selling of her books, so here are some links to all four of the current novels (link to Amazon, just click on the book covers below), and a link to purchase eBook copies.