It’s Friday morning here in New Zealand and this day just became gorgeous.

This morning, like any other morning, I got up and made some coffee. I went outside, as I usually do, to light a cigarette and watch Stella chase birds around the garden, and enjoy my coffee. They steal her food so chasing them is a thing she does. The sun was just starting to bleed over the horizon and the morning air felt crisp and cool.

Anyway, so I’m sitting there, slowly sipping my coffee, listening to birds chirping and teasing while Stella barks and jumps and zigzags around the garden, wondering–not for the first time–if I’ll ever stop smoking when my phone buzzed. It was a tweet from Keith West over at Amazing Stories who had reviewed The Seals of Abgal. My heart jumped. I followed the link without breathing, hoping the review wouldn’t be too bad. I’m in serious need of some good news.

I needn’t have been afraid. The review was stellar. My favorite parts:

…Dietrich reveals little by little, kind of like a flower unfolding its petals.  The alert reader will pick up on some of the clues, but there are still enough twists that even a jaded reader should experience a surprise or two.

and

There are a great number of fantasy novels on the market these days that have a good, even compelling story, but they suffer from pedestrian prose. Not so The Seals of Abgal. Not only does Dietrich tell a suspenseful story that’s different from most urban fantasy, he’s an accomplished stylist. His prose flows smoothly, carrying the reader along.

It left me with a toothy grin and I’d lie if I say it didn’t make me prideful. As a writer reading kind words from others about your work is like drinking elixir. It rejuvenates your creative spirit and motivates you. It is also our Achilles heal, unfortunately. Well, for some of us.

Please follow the link below and read the rest of the review. I wish The Morrigan was finished already. Also I should have some news soon about that super secret project I mentioned in previous posts.

Amazing Stories | Indie Book Review: The Seals of Abgal by Woelf Dietrich – Amazing Stories.