I wrote my series for teenagers because I see a hole in the market for good, powerful adventures aimed at young men and women. To me, most young adult lit is either hackneyed garbage or dumbed down drivel. I wanted to give them characters who are real, strong, vulnerable, self-sufficient, flawed people. I wanted to give them compelling role models because they need real guidance in these messed up days.

Religion, for the most part, has failed them, focusing more on gay-bashing and hate-mongering than on spiritually uplifting them. The church offers few realistic answers in this digital age, so I created a world devoid of any religious reference.

Our educational system has failed them, churning out multiple test drones instead of thinking adults, so I gave them a series that shows shades of gray instead of black and white. I want people to think for themselves, not blindly follow what Fox News blathers.

If you’re looking for a summer reading list, check out The Brotherhood of Dwarves, a powerful saga about regular people standing up to tyranny and overcoming greed and materialism. There’s no profanity, no sex, no religion. Just good, fast-paced action about people standing on their own two feet. Join the Brotherhood today.