Meghan Maslow - His Fairy Share

Holy hellacious hairy hydras! Cups of creamy kitty cat kisses! I loved your swift, droll, clever, imaginative (and quite profane) narrative of Twig Starfig's adventures in BFMOF.... Twig's father issues, his sexual/romantic issues with Quinn, the plethora of fairies, elves, mythological characters, multiple metamorphoses, the quest for the horn (and the steamy sex) all propelled the narrative forward without a slump. I enjoyed it immensely, dear Meghan - no wonder you have a sequel printed! Well done !

Jim Link

This is my all-time favorite review of By Fairy Means or Foul (Book 1, Starfig Investigations). Its a quote from my neighbor, Jim Link. In 2018, he found out through our neighborhood grapevine that Id written a book. Jim was EVERYONEs friend. Always a kind word for us all... and a bad joke or two. He approached me during my usual morning walk (okay, neighborhood gossip session, lol) and said he wanted to show his support by buying my book. I admit, I was a little taken aback. Jim was an erudite septuagenarian who Im pretty sure had never read a romance novel before. I explained that I was flattered, but wanted to make sure he understood that there would be no behind-closed-door sex in my book. He straightened his spine and replied, Ive lived over seventy years, I hardly think a little gay sex will be a problem. So, I gave him the buy link, though I offered to gift it to him. He wouldnt hear of it. Insisted that showing his support meant hed buy my own copy, thank you very much. It still makes me smile to hear his voice in my head as he said that. So, he bought it. I didnt actually expect him to read it or at least not to read very far into it. But he did. And once he finished, he sent me the review above. It makes me smile .

Every. Single. Time .

Jim passed away December 23, 2019 and it broke my heart. He touched so many lives and meant so much to our neighborhood and town. It just wont be the same without him. So, it seems fitting to dedicate the third book in my series to him .

Jim, you will be missed. Thank you for your kindness and for believing in me. And most especially for making me laugh. You are so loved. Rest in Peace .

Your grateful neighbor and friend ,

Meg

1

T hats not Principal Turtlebottom, Twig whispered urgently in my ear, our breath puffing in the frigid air .

Shh. No, no, no. Not happening. La la la. Normal day. No drama. I pulled my cloak tighter around me, fighting a shiver. From the cold or his pronouncement, I couldnt say .

Turtlebottom, an elderly brownie and principal of the soon-to-be-opened Effin Zuk United Academyor Zuk U, for shortdroned on to the crowd, apparently unconcerned about Twigs fidgeting at the side of the stage, or the audience huddled in their seats because of a lack of heat lamps in the room .

Turtlebottoms speech seemed endless. My toes felt like icicles from standing in one spot too long. Twig didnt appear to be the only City Council Member bored out of his skull. The other three non-Alphae members of Lighthelms City Council stood nearby in the newly-built auditorium, each pretending interest in the proceedings while rubbing their hands together for warmth. The resident centaur and Hoofarian guild member on the Council leaned his torso on the handle of an oversized pair of ribbon-cutting scissors like a staff. Probably so he wouldnt fall asleep .

The bejeweled scissors had to be five feet tall. Overkill if you asked me, but I guess it would make it easy for all four CCMs to cut the ribbon together. The Elder excelled at pettiness and the one-upmanship of those in power. Twig excluded, naturally .

Quinn, Im telling you, its not him. Twig nudged me .

Youre not getting out of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, I whispered back. Dont even think about it .

The new Zuk U heralded a big step forward for the poor families of Effin Zuk, on the edge of the red-lamp district. The academy, a hulking monstrosity of rock and iron, lay on land formerly occupied by Joyville Prison for the Magically Insane. While the academys design integrated much of the original structure, theyd added new componentsand removed prison barsto make it child friendly. Naturally, only Twig and the non-Alphae Council members found time in their busy schedules to trek to the lower east side .

Wizard, Im serious. Twig nodded toward the small, hastily constructed stage and the elderly brownie practically swimming in his ceremonial robes. That guy is not Turtlebottom .

I squinted. Then who is he, and why is he delivering a speech to the assembled parents, kids, and community members ?

I dont know. Twig leaned forward to see Turtlebottom better, his long hair brushing against my cheek .

I refrained from reaching out to feel the silky locks slide through my fingers. In his humanlike form Twigs hair ran a deep midnight blue, identical to the scale color in his dragon form. Though now wasnt the time to wax poetical about my familiar. I had a crisis to avert .

I thought you knew Turtlebottom .

Thats just it, I do. He rubbed at his chin, frowning so obviously that I elbowed him in the side. At over 7 feet tall, and all of it muscle, Twig intimidated even on his best days .

Hell notice you glowering .

That would be normal. I detest him. And he feels the same .

According to Twig, his dad hired Oliver Turtlebottom as one of a string of tutors when Twig first came to the Elder Realm as a teenager. Turtlebottom didnt last long. But whatever happened was enough that Twig didnt forget him. My half-dragon, half-fairyand full badassmate had a looong memory .

When we arrived did you notice he put a zing-pop mint in his mouth? Twig added .

A mint? I felt a headache coming on. We drew trouble like blood drew vampires. It must be something about the wizard-dragon combo. And we simply didnt have time for drama today .

After the ceremony, we needed to finish packing for our upcoming trip. We had to check on our housemate, Bill, since he seemed determined to self-destruct. No time or energy to get caught up in some bizarre missing person case .

This couldnt be happening .

Yeah, but the Turtlebottom I knew thought sucking on mints in public was the height of vulgarity. Twig tapped his lip, considering .