Zheph Skyre: The Flame Ignites (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798895911600)

The book is about Zheph Skyre, a young, inspiring inventor who wants to make a difference in the world with his steam powered inventions. Unfortunately, he lives in a city that is walled off from the rest of the world and failed to progress, his odd appearance marks him as a devil to all who see him, and the only people who gave his inventions a chance used his creations for criminal activity. You would think that Zheph would simply leave this city, since he is a wanted fugitive. He has only one friend he cannot leave behind, a very capable princess named Vanessa Awean who dresses in Gothic attire. She remains behind with her strict father and spoiled sisters simply to watch over her kind mother. Zheph is determined to bring Vanessa with him out of the city and explore the world, even if they have to take Vanessa's mother with them.

His goals are cut short as a dragon comes and breaks into the city with an army of orcs. Together, they kidnap Vanessa and her two sisters. They leave with a message to bring a "Lost Treasure" to them or else. After his brief confrontation with the dragon, Zheph knows he in no match to defeat this monster, even with his various inventions, including his latest machine. Zheph made a large, mobile, armored suit, but after a simple piloting test run, he concludes that it isn't enough. This young man must resort to something he never believed in. Magic. From there, Zheph's journey takes him into a world he never knew existed. I also have my own artwork incorporated within the book.