Everyone knows the rules of growing up. Once you're eighteen things become clearer, childhood problems melt away, and you're ready to go out and conquer the world. You're now an adult. You can look your parents in the eye as equals. Officially, you're on your own, and now you'll only look back fondly at what you once were, an immature child still learning about life. Or so you'd think. Jake is a young adult who grew up with the support of his family, especially his mother, Elaine. Though he experienced some rough patches as a child and fitting in was a constant challenge, she's been there for him. But it's time for Jake to "grow up" and for him, that means no longer needing his family. It turns out that life without them is a far greater struggle than he ever imagined. Living independently is hard, but admitting it is even harder. Join this true story of conflict and heart-pounding moments, as both mother and son explore the concept of parenting as a lifelong commitment.

An orphan with a dubious pedigree strives to secure her future through marriage, but as she stumbles through the dance of courtship, she begins to question who she truly is -- and who she wants to be. ***** Edith Shepley looks like a Wyrm. She takes after her father, whoever he was, but that doesn't change things. She is a proper Folk lady nonetheless, trained from the cradle to govern as Baroness of Ewert someday. And she knows her duty. Now a woman at sixteen years old, Edith must marry and beget Ewert's next heir. She obediently considers suitor after suitor, some sweet, some baffling, some detestable. But the more she sees of her mother's society, the more Edith questions whether she really is a Folk lady, after all. And the more she's stung by its insults, its injuries and injustices, the more she doubts she really wants to be. Book One of The Unfinished Wyrm! Wattys 2017 "The Storysmiths" winner!