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Always Bravery
The Broken Coil follows a grizzled wanderer dragged into rescuing a mysterious girl, confronting ghosts of his past, and surviving a world of desert peril, pilgrim legends, and a broadsword with a mind of its own. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration came from two sources: the mythology of the American West and the tradition of the great films depicting that very mythology, particularly the hero (the cowboy) roaming the land, interacting with characters, righting wrongs, and finally, moving on to the next location.
Chloe’s eerie humor and calm presence are striking. How did her character evolve during your writing process?
Ha! Chloe was so much fun to write. She started off as sweet, innocent, and so frustratingly impetuous. By the end of the story, she had revealed her talent for dance and mysticism, integral to the plot. She took a step toward adulthood while keeping her girlish charm.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Themes that drove the story are sacrifice, faith, corruption, family, and above all, bravery. Always bravery.
The world is rich with religions, legends, and threats. Which part of the worldbuilding came first, and which was the hardest to weave together?
Most often, I start with a character idea and develop the world from there. Character takes priority over worldbuilding. Mother Endelyn and the deity named ‘The Noman’ were created first, followed by their backstory. When designing lore, logic, and simplicity are two essential elements. Funny thing about logic and simplicity; they are hard to “weave together!” Once certain threads become too complicated and entangled, they are tossed aside.
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Such as Mother Endelyn, who suddenly appears back in my life decades later, desperate for my help. I give her my solemn vow to escort her and her band of pilgrims as they travel across a landscape of high desert and jagged mountain; to protect her from the feral beasts and cutthroats who want her treasure; to guide her past the giants from long ago and into the arms of her god at the other side of the dimensional coil. My haunted broadsword Wilma and I will fulfill that oath.
Unless a vengeful prison warden gets in my way. Warden Murvel Meacham and her mercenary named the Far Reaper long to hunt me down and take me “back home”. I would rather fall to the Reaper’s unearthly weapon than endure another minute of agony on the warden’s rack.
One woman needs my help: the other needs me dead. The third, Wilma, urges me to kill every enemy in my path.
Will I ever satisfy the women in my life?
The Broken Coil: Thomas Berenford Chronicles
The Broken Coil follows Thomas Berenford, a gruff wanderer who calls himself a humble agent of “pest control,” though his problems involve far more than vermin. The story opens with a brutal prison warden, a terrified magian girl, and the whispered threat of a man who once escaped her torment. From that point on, the novel winds through desert canyons, strange pilgrim camps, dangerous raiders, and the looming legends of the Noman. Thomas ends up pulled into rescuing a girl named Chloe, dealing with religious wanderers, and confronting echoes of his own past, all while dragging around a magical broadsword with a temper of its own.
Reading this book felt like sliding into a world that was equal parts dust, danger, and strange kindness. Schwartz writes in a way that hits the senses first. I could almost taste the grit and smell the smoke of campfires as Thomas trudged across the land. His voice is rough but warm, and I found myself trusting him even when he appeared one bad night of drinking away from total collapse. I liked how the dialogue crackled with personality. Chloe’s eerie calmness and odd humor weirded me out in the best way. Mother Endelyn’s scenes caught me off guard. They were tender and sad, and they made Thomas look smaller and more human than his reputation suggests.
At times, I caught myself grinning at the book’s stranger touches. Wilma, the sword with a pulse and an attitude, added charm to moments that could have slipped into gloom. The raiders, the relic, the pilgrims breaking branches, and the nightmarish memories of the rack created a mix of mystery and grit that kept my curiosity buzzing. I will admit I wanted a little more breathing room in some sections. The world bursts with ideas, and I sometimes had trouble keeping track of which belief or threat mattered most. Still, the ride stayed exciting and the characters carried the weight of the story with heart.
I would recommend The Broken Coil to readers who enjoy fantasy with a rough edge and a good sense of humor. Anyone who likes wandering heroes, dusty landscapes, and stories that blend heart with hard choices will find plenty to enjoy here. It is a book for folks who want adventure that refuses to sit still, and for readers who like characters who are wounded yet stubborn enough to keep walking.
Pages: 181 | ASIN: B0DVQFDW5S
Heroes and Heroines With Flaws
Blood Dagger: Thomas Berenford Chronicles follows a warrior visiting a small fishing village to relax who winds up being pulled into several jobs involving what he calls pest control. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The story was inspired by one of my favorite movies, The Godfather. I imagined Berenford in a turf war between competing crime syndicates. Instead of mob bosses and their families, the story includes madams, magians, and an assassin that’s part man, part centipede. And violence, lots of it. One of my goals is to experiment with different genres.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
Big reveal here! The setting for Berenford’s travels takes place in a world that’s 100% geographically identical to this world. Same oceans, seas, rivers; same continents, mountain ranges, and valleys. The human element is completely different, of course. With that foundation, I followed the character’s footsteps, going east to west, and placed him on what would be, in this world, the southern United States. New Orleans, to be exact. Changes did take place as I was writing. Lore was added, plot points were written and rewritten, and characters revealed.
Your characters are well-developed and engaging, keeping readers hooked on your story. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Berenford was fun to write, especially when he struggled, which was often. Readers are attracted to heroes and heroines with flaws. The hardest character was the centipede demi assassin. His voice changed a few times. The danger with a character that demonic was to portray it in a trite, superficial manner. I’m not sure I succeeded.
When will book 2 be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Actually, the next book will be the third book released, but since The Thomas Berenford Chronicles have not been written in order, I hesitate to call it book 2. In any case, The Broken Coil will tentatively be released at the end of 2024. It will take readers westward, with vistas of mountains, prairies, and blue skies that go on forever. And monsters. Sounds like the western genre, doesn’t it? With monsters!
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Pest number one is a naïve kid with a huge heart and a knack for getting me into trouble. Pest two is an aging Madam of a brothel, with enough gold up her silky sleeve to hire my sword for yet another day. The final pest is the kid’s female cousin, a fiery warrior with a special spirit. She might be a better brawler than I.
Compounding the mayhem are ruthless bosses, brutal thugs, wily prostitutes, a swamp monster, and an assassin that’s half human and half insect—all conspiring to make my stay in this town a cursed ordeal. Lurking in the background is a pair of malevolent sorcerers who possess the power to seize control of the entire operation while sending all of us to an early grave.
Some call my job “Pest Control.”
I call it survival.
Blood Daggers: Thomas Berenford Chronicles
In Blood Dagger: Thomas Berenford Chronicles, Joseph Schwartz immerses readers in the enthralling journey of Thomas Berenford, a seasoned warrior seeking peace in a tranquil fishing town. However, his quest for solitude is persistently disrupted by three “pests”: a trouble-prone young boy with a heart of gold, an aging brothel madam with enough wealth to keep him staying, and the boy’s fiery cousin, a skilled warrior with a sword. Further complicating his plans are ruthless bosses, brutal thugs, cunning prostitutes, a menacing swamp monster, a hybrid assassin, and sorcerers threatening to lead them all to doom. Drawn unexpectedly into a civil war, Thomas must find a way to end the conflict and finally achieve his long-awaited quiet.
Schwartz skillfully portrays Berenford’s perceptive nature and strategic insight, vividly showcased in confrontations where he maneuvers through insults, intimidation, and fierce battles with palpable danger. Each chapter captivates with a blend of humor, action, and a keen sense of peril, drawing readers deeper into Berenford’s tumultuous world. The final chapter brings a reflective close to Berenford’s journey, as he muses on the legends of enchanted swords and his whimsically named blade, “Wilma,” hinting at mystical undertones amid his quest for peace. Berenford’s decision to venture west into uncharted territories resonates with themes of personal growth and the allure of new adventures, leaving readers with a sense of fulfillment while anticipating future exploits in this richly imagined universe.
The narrative transcends its fantasy setting, touching on universal themes such as the search for peace in a chaotic world, the struggle for survival against overwhelming odds, and the unexpected connections that form between individuals and their tools. Thomas is a relatable hero for modern readers, embodying the timeless quest for meaning and purpose amid life’s unpredictability. The novel’s blend of gritty realism and fantastical elements ensures a captivating read, resonating with anyone who has ever faced their own “pests” and fought to carve out a space of their own in a tumultuous world.
From a technical perspective, the book exhibits a high level of craftsmanship in its world-building, character development, and narrative structure. The protagonist’s voice is consistent and compelling, blending a seasoned warrior’s pragmatism with moments of introspective depth and wry humor. The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, with action-packed scenes interspersed with quieter, more contemplative moments, allowing readers to fully engage with the protagonist’s internal and external conflicts. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, revealing character traits and advancing the plot without resorting to exposition. Schwartz’s use of language is both precise and evocative, creating a richly textured narrative that immerses readers in the gritty, perilous world of Thomas Berenford. The integration of fantasy elements, such as the interaction between Thomas and his sword Wilma, is seamlessly woven into the story, adding layers of intrigue and complexity without overshadowing the central narrative. This balance between realism and fantasy enhances the relatability of the story, allowing readers to connect with the universal themes of survival, resilience, and the quest for meaning.
Blood Dagger: Thomas Berenford Chronicles is a masterfully crafted novel that combines engaging storytelling with technical excellence, making it a standout addition to the fantasy genre. Schwartz’s ability to blend action, humor, and introspection within a richly detailed world ensures that readers will be both entertained and moved by Thomas Berenford’s journey.
Pages: 194 | ASIN : B0CWP8TDHS
Family Bonds
Wilder Fire: Thomas Berenford Chronicles follows a man claiming to own a pest removal business who takes on the role of trying to save this community from the danger that threatens it. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The core character inspiration was my father, Richard Schwartz. On his best day, he was Thomas Berenford. Charming, competent, and conflicted. In terms of genre, inspiration came from swords and sorcery fantasy from my youth mashed with the noir detective novels and movies.
Thomas acts out of a need to protect and rectify the wrongs in the world. What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
Courage: Something in short supply today.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Family bonds and the enduring devotion of the dog.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
So glad you asked! Coming soon, Berenford will appear in a prequel called Blood Daggers, inspired in part by the likes of The Godfather and The Sopranos. Afterwards, look for another Berenford exploit set in the Wild West. No, he will not don a cowboy hat, but he will ride a horse.
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Nothing comes easy for me. No matter where I wander, whenever I hang my sign, the inevitable femme fatale crosses my threshold and hires my services for the day.
I’m Thomas Berenford. Today, I’ll be on the hunt to rescue a wayward kid banging around with a band of were-dogs. Sort of man’s worst friend. Difficult, to say the least, and hardly worth the gold.
Why bother? To right a few wrongs, that’s why. To expose the pernicious forces behind the Gray Ruin, a fatal disease striking down the best denizens of my latest home. To untangle a web of corruption between violent thugs, greedy crime lords, malevolent mages, and a twisted old witch bearing a hot grudge.
Fear not, for I’ve got a skin of hooch, a few cigars, and Wilma — my tumultuous broadsword and collaborator. I should be fine. Just fine.
All in a day’s fun for an entrepreneur in the business of Pest Control.
Wilder Fire: Thomas Berenford Chronicles
In Wilder Fire: Thomas Berenford Chronicles, by Joseph Schwartz, readers are introduced to Thomas Berenford, an intriguing character with a knack for wielding a broadsword and a sharp sense of humor. Set in the fictional community of Blackstone Springs, Berenford’s arrival marks the beginning of his journey as he sets up a pest control business, only to find himself entangled in a web of danger. The narrative suggests a connection between these perilous events and the enigmatic characters of the Wilders and Kilgore. As the plot thickens, it becomes apparent that Blackstone Springs faces a grave threat, and Berenford might just be the key to averting it.
Schwartz’s fantasy adventure novel is rich with vivid battle scenes and mythical creatures, aligning well with the shifter or werewolf genres. Readers familiar with Andrzej Sapkowski’s “The Witcher” series may find similarities in theme and style. Berenford, as a protagonist, melds the roles of warrior and detective, navigating the story’s challenges with both physical prowess and keen insight. The novel’s first-person narration enhances the storytelling, with Berenford’s acerbic wit and world-weary demeanor bringing a unique perspective to the magical and mystical elements of the plot. Despite his experience in facing formidable challenges, Berenford finds the situation in Blackstone Springs particularly daunting. The injustice perpetrated by Kilgore and the Wilders strikes a chord with him, compelling him to take action. Berenford’s motivations evolve from self-interest to a genuine desire to do good, revealing his underlying heroism. His character, reminiscent of Han Solo from the Star Wars saga, is driven by a deep-seated need to confront and rectify the wrongs he witnesses. This transformation from a mercenary to a champion of justice adds depth to his character, making him an engaging and relatable figure for readers.
Schwartz skillfully weaves a tale of adventure, mystery, and moral complexity, presenting a protagonist whose journey is as much about internal discovery as it is about external conflict.
Pages: 124 | ASIN : B0CNG7R5CP
LITERARY TITAN 