The Guardian Chronicles
Mike Prior and the Gargoyle Guardians (The Guardian Chronicles: Book One)Life is about to change for twelve-year-old Mike Prior.He’s slated to attend Windham Manor, a school for descendants of an order of Guardians, who protect a clan of gargoyles during the daytime. With all the promise of sorcery, kinetic powers, and magical-dueling, the new gig sounds awesome, for sure.Except for the war that’s apparently been brewing.A cult of sorcerers called the Black Brethren seem to think Mike’s own power is the best way to touch off an inter-species Armageddon, and they’ll stop at nothing to get it. Mike’s been dropped into a web of assassins, spies, and necromancers, and no one’s even told him the rules. And as much as he’d like to sit back and hone his flamethrowing, he’s got to figure things out, and quick.Because if the Brethren don’t get to him, his closest friends just might.
Liam Brick and the Ghost of Blackridge Castle - a Novella
(The Guardian Chronicles: Book 1.5)18-year-old Liam Brick is the chosen one.Son of the Headmage at Blackridge Castle, and the most powerful Guardian in his graduating class, Liam has just been promoted to Head of Surveillance for the Blackrock clan of Gargoyles. And for his first big operation, he needs to catch a ghost.Except, this is not your run-of-the-mill specter. As Liam chases the intruder around the castle grounds, he will chance upon a secret that's been kept from him his entire life. Something that threatens the entire student body at Blackridge, and maybe even the world...
Mike Prior and the Gargalian Stone (The Guardian Chronicles: Book Two)Three months after Dementae’s War, twelve-year-old Mike Prior should feel safe at Windham Manor. His Skyfire brothers have accepted him at last, despite his tainted lineage and the dangerous power that comes with it.But the Guardian world hasn't forgotten what Mike is, or what he could become.To some, he is a weapon to be wielded. To others, a threat to be eliminated. And as political tensions rise, a long-forgotten enemy watches from the shadows. Dark forces are using Mike's possessed best friend, Aaron, to lure him in - and unleash something that has been imprisoned for centuries.As alliances fracture and factions close in, Mike faces an agonizing choice: master his deadly power within an impossible timeframe, or destroy it before it costs him everything.
Hey, nice to meet you! Thanks so much for being here. Feel free to reach out, and tell me how much you enjoyed (or didn't enjoy) my stories! I'm always looking for feedback, and who knows? Maybe I'll put one of your suggestions into a future story.Now, a little bit about me, myself, and I:I grew up in Queens, New York, and root for the Mets in order to damage my long-term mental health.In terms of literary influences, I grew up reading a strange combination of Clancy, Crichton, Tolkien, and Rowling. So if my novels seem to be a weird mix of YA, fantasy, thriller, and sci-fi, now you know why.When I'm not writing, I'm studying religious texts, training for my next marathon, listening to stand-up routines (the purest form of comedy), or reading anything I can get my hands on. Oh, and hanging with the kids. Family first, y'all.To learn more about me and my writing, sign up for my newsletter by clicking below. I won't send you much more than an email a month, with news about releases or book recommendations. If you'd like, follow me on social media, or via my author page on Amazon.Take care, and speak soon!
Dearest Reader,You may have noticed that my bio and tagline say, "author of clean fantasy." What exactly does that mean? And why is it important?It's so parents and kids can know what they're getting when they pick up an S.Z. Herman book. My take on fantasy - currently for middle grade readers, and soon for older ages - means no profanity, no sexual content, and a toning down of the graphic violence.Fantasy has long been a genre built on wonder, inspiration, and the battle between good and evil. I grew up loving stories like The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Harry Potter; worlds built on rich imagination and characters who grow through sacrifice and courage. As a parent myself, I know how hard it can be to find fantasy books you can hand to your kid without previewing every chapter first.That doesn't mean my stories are shallow. True maturity in storytelling comes from exploring complex emotions, difficult choices, and personal growth. A character confronting fear, making a sacrifice for someone else, or learning responsibility can be just as powerful - and often more memorable - as anything else.I believe that stories shape the people who read them, especially young adults. Their thirst for such stories proves that imagination is strongest when it lifts readers toward something greater - to becoming a little more hopeful, a little braver, or a little kinder than before they picked up the book.If that sounds like the kind of fantasy you're looking for - whether for yourself, your classroom, or your kids - I'd love for you to give my books a try. And if you know a friend, parent, teacher, or librarian who's been searching for these kinds of books, I'd be grateful if you passed this along.Finally, keep growing, keep striving, and never settle. With much love and respect,
