Books by David
The Broken Toymaker
Elmer is surrounded by people, yet alone; talented, but failing; and hopeful, but afraid of the future. He wants nothing more than to come of age and escape his mundane existence for a life of adventure and freedom. He befriends an old toy maker and strange things begin to happen. He discovers talent, and magic, within himself and his world begins to hint at a greater destiny. That discovery brings his adventure, and with it Elmer finds himself deep in dangerous politics, falling in love with his best friend, and hunted by both men and beast. He is not even sure which is the most dangerous part. The Broken Toymaker is the story of Elmer Moorehouse coming of age, finding his way in a broadening world, and finding family where he least expects it. The path to independence is not as simple as Elmer expected. Growing up means being thrust into the politics of a divided city. It means resisting pressure to conform long enough to find his own way. Newly found awareness means recognizing much more about his best friend; her smile and the color of her eyes, previously unnoticed curves, how her laugh feels in his chest, and what she really means in his life. This new life means figuring out who true friends are. It means fighting through struggle and accepting others who struggle. It means putting away childish games and standing up for what, and who, matters in his life. It also comes with the occasional near-death experience. As Elmer’s adventure begins we are introduced to the world through his eyes. We see the coming of industry, a world beyond the walls of his small city, and peoples and experiences that open our eyes to the possibility that exists around us. Along with Elmer, we find there is a wide world, full of adventure and possibility, and it often comes to find us when we expect it least.
The Toymaker’s Guild
Elmer has lived his life confined. He grew up held captive by the loss of his parents, the mystery of his origins, and living a life of rebellion without purpose. He grew up behind the walls of Lewiston; an influential, but small, city in Arcaiven. He hoped for escape, and adventure. He has discovered he is a broken toymaker, capable of magic he did not know existed. He has the power to give life, to feel the emotions of others, and to heal with the power of his creations. A new world opens wide for Elmer, and what he finds on the other side is a cage of a different sort. The adventure he hoped for has arrived, but it is nothing like he imagined it would be. Mechanical monsters, sent by a mysterious king, have come to kill him. He reels from the loss of the only father he has known. Phineus has disappeared, sending Elmer to seek a place he cannot find. Elmer’s long-awaited adventure has come, and Elmer finds all of his preparations have prepared him for nothing. He thought he knew what the wide world would hold. He thought nothing could hunt him like the mechanical cougars that attacked Lewiston. He was mistaken. With friends old, and new, Elmer does the only thing he can. He takes a step out of his door, and then another. The world outside awaits and Elmer meets the unknown. He steps into a broader world of magic, adventure, mystery, danger, and growing love. In this second book in the Broken Toymaker series, Elmer’s world and experiences expand as he sets out to find the Toymaker’s Guild, hoping to reach his destination alive, and without losing any more loved ones.