Books with author C. Fox Smith

A knowledge of great European cultural works is vital for any well-rounded classical education, and the anti-European bias of many present-day educational curricula has led to the deliberate downplaying of great works of art such as Richard Wagner's wonderful operas. Although this work was originally designed for younger readers, older persons seeking an introduction to Wagner's tales will find it equally readable and compelling. It tells the storyline of three of his most famous works: The Flying Dutchman, Lohengrin, and The Mastersingers of Nuremberg, in easy-to-read format. Once familiar with the plot, viewing the actual opera becomes immeasurably more pleasurable, and opens up a greater understanding of the dynamics of Wagnerian themes, motifs, and their underlying meaning. Lohengrin was first performed in 1850, and is based on a number of medieval German romances. Its fame has become so well-ingrained in Western consciousness that its Bridal Chorus, better known as "Here Comes the Bride," is still played as a processional at weddings. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (The Master-Singers of Nuremberg) was first performed in 1868, and is one of the longest operas ever written, with an average performance taking around four and a half hours. The story revolves around the real-life guild of Meistersinger (Master Singers), an association of amateur poets and musicians, and provides an unparalleled insight into life in the ancient and beautiful medieval city of Nuremberg. It is Wagner's only comedy, and also the only one which did not use supernatural elements in its storytelling. The Flying Dutchman was first performed in 1843 and is an adaptation of the older European legend of a ghost ship that can never make port and is doomed to sail the oceans forever. The ghostly crew interact with live people with unexpected consequences and Wagner was inspired to write it after a perilous sea-journey in which his own ship was nearly sunk. Illustrations by Byam Shaw.

To save his true love, a teenage boy teams up with a group of mythical creatures to stop an evil goddess bent on destroying the world in this adventure-filled fantasy novel. Concluding the tale of teen adventurer Kyle Dunlop as chronicled in Draupner's Curse and Giants of Anglesey, Yggdrasil: The World Tree pits Kyle against a wicked goddess and her quest to destroy the World Tree. In a subterranean world beneath our own, the serpent Nidhogg is accidentally set free and begins to gnaw at the roots of the World Tree. Soon the damage it inflicts becomes apparent, and it is only a matter of time before the tree-which sustains all manner of life-is totally destroyed. Helreginn, the goddess of the dead, sees this as an opportunity to expand her kingdom. To ensure the serpent doesn't slip away before the tree's destruction is complete, she orders her evil minions to kidnap several fairy maidens to use as sacrifices to appease the ravenous beast. Kyle Dunlop, along with a group of warrior elves and goblins, a dwarf, and a dragon, sets out for distant Eljudnir to rescue the helpless fairies. But as the rescue party faces one life-threatening challenge after another, Kyle wonders whether he'll ever again see his true love, a captured fairy named Idunn-and whether this world he's come to love will be thrown into evil darkness forever.

Dry Island Rain braves forward into a dangerous new world that does not know the touch of man. Set in a time somewhere in the ancient past, a young girl must face this frightening existence completely helpless and all alone. Bordering on mythology and ancient lore, Dry Island Rain is an exciting epic adventure of timeless beauty and legendary danger.

Hi, my name is J.C. Smith and I'd like you to meet Deja and his older brother Max. ""Deja, Where's My Shoe"" is the first of a series of books about Deja, a black German Shepherd. As a former police detective and US Marine, most of my friends thought that the last thing I would be doing is writing a children's book and frankly so did I, but what started out as a simple poem about the antics of Deja playing with shoes, has turned into something much more. I have a dream and a passion, and by combining the two, I hope to build a rescue facility to help some of the homeless and less fortunate animals. This and future books will help me build such a facility. I'm sure you will enjoy this and future stories as much as I have bringing them to you.

When fifteen-year-old Kyle Dunlop discovers two gold coins near the entrance to a seaside cave, he can hardly wait to look inside to find the rest of the treasure. However, instead of unearthing a pirate's hoard, Kyle and his three friends stumble upon a secret, subterranean world inhabited by goblins, elves, trolls, and other fantastic creatures. As strangers in this unusual world, Kyle and his companions are detained by goblins until they are able to convince the Goblin King that their intentions are honorable. With his suspicions allayed, the king holds a feast for his guests and, afterwards, he presents Kyle with a gift and a golden opportunity. Seemingly overcome by greed, Kyle exchanges one like gift for another and unwittingly unleashes a curse that sends him on a journey like no other he has ever been on. It's a race against time and Kyle has to either break the curse or forfeit his life. Join Kyle and his companions as they come face to face with a carnivorous razorback, encounter gigantic, man-eating spiders, battle a sea serpent, play havoc with an army of invading giants, and flee from an angry, fire-breathing dragon-all intent on stopping them from reaching Darkalfheim in time.