The Excursion – Ruth Davis Hays

Our last Fantastic Blog Hop stop is once more in sultry Florida where we visit the home of Ruth Davis Hays for a final time. Ms. Hays has another special guest visiting and this one makes us all a wee bit nervous. He's behaving (for now) and agreed to sit down and chat. Welcome, sir. Tell us about yourself.

I am Dharromar Weiss. Some may call me the anti-hero from The Translations from Jorthus series.

What is your biggest fear?

If this is confession time, I will admit to having an intense dread of a certain underground creature known as a Rokworm.

What would you give up everything to have? 

Haven’t I already given up everything? Wait, perhaps the answer to that would be - vindication. That would be a worthy last request.

What is the biggest mistake you've ever made and are you going to be able to rectify it?

Betraying someone who trusted me. That remains to be seen.

What food would you never eat? 

I think I already ate it. One does do strange things in order to survive.

You've dressed to impress. What are you wearing? 

The garments typical of Culetan, a human city on the western side of the continent Verdaillia.  A loose sleeved tunic, jerkin, and leggings. I prefer riding boots, and my cape is a necessity. Of course, I keep my sword close at hand. One never knows what will happen. 

What one thing have you found unattainable thus far in your life? 

Validation for being alive.

What is about to change for you? 

I may loose my freedom or my life at any moment. Circumstances have ripped me from a well plotted life, and I smell chaos on the wind.

Where do you live? 

I reside, for the most part, in a transdimensional manor house with an anchored door on Jorthus, in Byton Grove. It is my area of safety; untouchable by the uninvited.

Who are you?

That’s a tricky question. I could say that I am a lord. Or I could say that I am a bastard. Both would be accurate. Some call me daemon. Others call me changeling. I am fae. That is all I will attest to at this time. 

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

I see what I was taught to see by “loved ones”:  unworthiness and disappointment. 

Who do you hate and why? 

Everyone. Not all for the same reasons.

Gods below, this conversation took a turn for the morose, didn’t it? Forgive me. Questions about myself inevitably lead to dark places.

The Excursion - A Review

Book three of Ruth Davis Hays' 'Translations of Jorthus' series is even more exciting than the first two – which I totally loved. Well, I fell in love with this one too.

Picking up where Book Two, The Convergence, left off, Hays follows her wonderful characters through this fast paced fantasy.

In the seeming safety of Calder, in the heart of a volcano caldera, Lilith and Keinigan once more find themselves facing great danger. This time, they have some new friends:

Trevalin – an honorable knight with an intricately crafted silver hand, fights by their side.

Rachel – a girl from Earth, has somehow traveled to Jorthus.

Hamlin – a simple peasant has found his way to Calder, running away from his home after committing a crime.

The only one missing from their number is Dharromar, Lilith's former lover and mysterious, dark assassin.

As the planet Quorrelles draws near, life on Jorthus is threatened. Nightmare creatures of unknown origin have overrun much of the country, slaughtering all in their path. It is up to the companions to fight these creatures and find a way to open a portal to distant and dangerous Quorrelles in hope of finding a way to save Jorthus from disaster.

Hays has woven a wonderful tale rich with beautiful imagery, creating a fantasy tapestry for the reader. Her characters are wonderfully well rounded and endear themselves to the reader. One can even find sympathy for the dark and chaotic Dharromar. Although he's the baddest of the bad boys, there's something about him that makes us cheer his successes.

I must say, my favorite character is Keinigan, the faerlin thief. He's come a long way from the wayward pickpocket of book one, The Dawnstone Tale. Though he's grown a lot, he has more to go.

I highly recommend all three of Ruth Davis Hays' books: The Dawnstone Tale, The Convergence and The Excursion. I can't wait for the next book so I can once more travel in the world of Jorthus.

Five Golden Acorns

© Dellani Oakes

The Convergence - Ruth Davis Hays - with Special Guest, Keinigan

Today, the Fantastic Blog Hop heads back to Orlando, Florida to talk once more with Ruth Davis Hays. She has a special guest visiting her, the handsome and intriguing Keinigan. Welcome, milord! Tell us a bit about yourself.
What is your name?
Keinigan Laphae and I am the protagonist from The Translations from Jorthus series.


What is your biggest fear?
The Journeymen Council finding me. That, and pointy metal going in my skin…yes, that’d be bad, too.

What would you give up everything to have?
Everlasting love!

What is the biggest mistake you've ever made and are you going to be able to rectify it?
Stealing that figgin’ money from the Wayward Inn. Oh! I’m still paying for it, and may be doing so for the rest of my life.

What food would you never eat?
I’ll try most things, but I draw the line at eating human or fae flesh. I know that sounds strange, but it is not unheard of on some worlds.

You've dressed to impress. What are you wearing?
Oh, just something I found…pick up…er, stole from someone. I prefer frock coats with lots of pockets, and comfortable breeches. A nice, embroidered linen shirt helps! It impresses the ladies.

What one thing have you found unattainable thus far in your life?
Getting Lylith in my bed. I’m not writing it off completely, yet.

What is about to change for you?
I have a feeling that my entire life may be changing. Where I call home; my opinions on who I can trust and who my friends are; how I view myself. I’m a bit scared, frankly.

Where do you live?
I wander around the cities of Myretrae, mainly. That’s a continent on Jorthus. Just so you’ll know where to find me.

Who are you?
I am a Faerlin, a noble fae race by most accounts, but we have our flaws. I’m an opportunist, a scavenger of valuable items, a trader (as it were). But, most just label me a thief. I may not be well educated, but I get by; mimicking those around me.

What do you see when you look in the mirror?
Frustration. Some days, I just can’t bear to look myself in the eyes. I’ve done some things that I’m not terribly proud of in the past, and for the sake of self-preservation, I continue to do some.

Who do you hate and why?
Several people, I suppose. I hate those that take advantage of others, it’s unjust. And, anyone who is trying to kill me. That usually puts people on my hate list.

The Convergence - A Review

Picking up about a year after The Dawnstone Tale ended, The Convergence follows the lives of Dharromar, Keinigan and Lylith once more. Though cast apart at the end of The Dawnstone Tale, the three former companions' paths seem destined to cross once more.

Subdued by her betrayal by Dharromar, Lylith returns to her secluded home. There, she begins magic lessons with her father's friend, Master Calbraum, a dwarf magda. She decides to present herself to the magda grand council for acceptance in their ranks.

As he travels home from Daie, Dharromar encounters beasts that even the Changeling learns to fear. Almost killed, he makes his way home to heal. Even as he's occupied with added dangers, his mind dwells on Lylith and the relationship he's lost.

Locked in the king's dungeon on Daie, Keinigan discovers he has a new talent—he can see the future. Though this saves him from death, he'd far rather give the gift back. The young faerlin thief feels compelled to warn people of the things he sees, often making things worse. A free man once more, he is delighted when he finds Lylith again.

Though it answers many questions left dangling after Dawnstone Tale, The Convergence poses many more of its own. The novel is fast paced and well laid out, making it easy for the reader to follow the divergent character lives.

The Convergence introduces new friends—and complications—for the three former companions:

Rachel – a young woman transported from our world to the world of Jorthus.

Hamlin – a farmer warned by Keinigan, who then finds himself running from the law.

Trevalin – a bold warrior who catches Lylith's eye.

Oramatsu – an elf unfortunate enough to cross Dharromar's path not once, but twice.

Ruth Davis Hays has a real flair for descriptive passages. Her words set the scene beautifully, capturing the reader's imagination. Her characters come alive, hopping off the page to guide the reader through the story. I found myself drawn back into the world of Jorthus and look forward to my next adventure there.

I highly recommend The Convergence to any reader who enjoys a well spun tale, especially those who love true fantasy at its best.

Five Golden Acorns.

© Dellani Oakes