Christopher Patterson
A Chance Beginning: Shadow's Fire Book 1
"Erik Eleodum never wanted to be a hero. Fate had a different plan.
Erik will face danger, deceit, murder, death, evil, and - most terrifyingly - himself to become the hero he was always meant to be.
Erik is content farming for his family for the rest of his life, while his brother and cousin can't think of a worse fate. For different reasons, they leave the life they know behind. Soon, their world crashes down around them as they realize it is cruel, brutal, selfish, and violent. Now, they must not only rely on one another, but also on gypsies, thieves, mercenaries, dwarves, and a mage for their survival.
In the end, Erik will face danger, deceit, murder, death, evil, and - most terrifyingly - himself to become the hero he was always meant to be as an ancient evil many thought only a myth resurfaces.
Enter a world readers have compared to the epic fantasies of Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, a world of adventure, terror, political intrigue, sorcery, and great heroic deeds. Come face to face with ogres, elves, dwarves, slavers, black mages, ruthless warriors, dragons, evil and fear.
A true hero's journey of faith, friendships, and trials well worth the price of admission!"
Dark Winds: Shadow's Fire Book 2
"Erik has killed men.
Death haunts his dreams.
Fate has chosen its path for Erik Eleodum...or has it. The pain of killing seems to overwhelm him as he grows more and more distant from his brother and cousin and he turns into the very person he once loathed...a thief, a mercenary, a killer...a hero.
Erik must not only face dwarves, murderers, slavers, dragons, and the undead, he must now face his fears, the darkness that has been hidden deep inside of him.
Take a journey that will shatter worlds, stain hands red with blood, test faith, question loyalties, make strong men weak and weak men brave.
The world is changing and a great evil is rising, all carried by Dark Winds!"
Breaking the Flame: Shadow's Fire Book 3
"It was the most unlikely of paths for the simple farmer, but one he must now embrace.
Erik has become a hero, a warrior... and a leader.
The journey to find the lost dwarvish city of Orvencrest is almost complete, but the nearer Erik and his companions are to their goal, the greater the danger.
As Erik nears the end of his quest, he is now torn between his dwarvish allies, his family, and fulfilling the mission given to them by the Lord of the East. It is Erik who must decide what is best for the rest of the world.
As he discovers atrocities and forgotten histories, buried deep within an abandoned, dwarvish city, Erik unwittingly awakens an ancient evil, one the world hasn't seen for a thousand years. It is an evil that threatens to enslave the world again, but the chains are not made of iron, but of fire.
There is only one choice for Erik now, to die or to break the flame..."