Realm of Nightmares
Steve R. Romano
ISBN-13: 978-1438206189
Publisher: CreateSpace (April 16, 2008)
Paperback: 312 pages
21 Illustrations
Available at AMAZON.COM
About the Book: Realm of Nightmares is the second in a series of fantasy adventures featuring the renaissance-style hero Laktos, who fights injustice at every step, calling upon the magical bone handled broadsword which is strapped to his back.
Many of the villains you love to hate are back from the first novel Dreams of Betrayal, including Queen Lindeur, the scheming ruler whose abuse of her secret youth serum has caused her to age prematurely into an unrecognizable hag; Baron Fubar, her cohort and lackey who was once the queen's secret lover but now obeys her every command out of the fear of becoming another of her "volunteers" in her well-used dungeons.
Also back are Prometheus, the noble dragon who befriended Laktos after he freed him from an evil wizard's spell; Laktos' loyal and witty companion Sal, who's always ready to join Laktos in battle when needed to defend innocent victims in peril; the kindly Captain Caruso who everyone comes to admire and respect while traveling on board the tall ship Morning Star; and MOT, the eccentric computer-generated character who gives Laktos glimpses into ancient history in the hopes he will be able to prevent a recurrence of the same events which almost completely destroyed the ancient world.
The story picks up with Apaula and her group of cowardly scoundrels having a secret meeting at Sifty's dusky tavern, the Hawk & Spit, to discuss murder plans.
About the Author: Steve R. Romano shares his Montana ranch with his artist wife Heidi and their much loved pets. In their spare time, Steve creates hand-painted wooden signs (LunamontSigns.com), Heidi makes artistic websites (LunamontWebDesign.com), and they both enjoy painting fine art (LunamontVisions.com).
In his younger days, he served honorably in the US Army as a paratrooper. While in the service, he got married and raised two children who are now adults with families of their own. After obtaining a degree in business and another in sign art, he spent several years working in sign painting, all phases of construction, and electrical sign installation. From there, his interests led him into the world of fine art, having since painted dozens of fantasy airbrush paintings.
Spring through fall, he enjoys attending pirate and renaissance festivals whenever possible. In costume, he interacts with guests in the guise of the colorful character, Laktos the Intolerable. Laktos is well known throughout the renaissance faire community and is also known as "The Bone Man" because of the hand-made bone-handled sword he straps on his back.
The "Dreams of Betrayal" series was inspired by the author's real-life trials and adventures, and the book's hero and hero's love interest were based on Steve and Heidi's costumed renaissance festival personae (i.e., Laktos and Captain Cuckoo). To see them in action, please visit PrivateerDragons.com, a pirate-themed web site which chronicles Steve and Heidi's adventures at pirate festivals and renaissance faires.
In the summer, Steve enjoys working as a wrangler at local dude ranches where he meets people from all over the world, many of whom have become treasured friends.
Steve's hobbies include horseback riding; skiing; hiking; landscaping; carpentry; working on his classic '68 Camaro; camping; and exploring old abandoned gold and silver mines and other historical sites.
The books in this fantasy series are (1) Dreams of Betrayal, (2) Realm of Nightmares
and (3) Dreams of a King (to be published this year).
© 2008-2009 Lunamont Visions Art. All rights reserved.
Website design by Lunamont Web Design
