Books with author R Carlson

The story begins with a young angel in heaven who enjoys playing with his most prized possession, a treasure box containing the things he brought with him from his mortal life, namely a butterfly with wings of gold, a branch that is very old, two colorful stones from a lake, and the collar of his loving dog Jake. All of a sudden, the angels are summoned to gather and behold and celebrate the rise of a newborn king, and the young angel can only watch in awe as the others bring the largest and most ostentatious presents to commemorate the occasion. The child angel offers his own treasure box as tribute, but in comparison to the others’ offerings, he thinks that it is too modest and he begins to cry in shame. The Lord knows the value of this present, though, and as The Tiniest Angel’s tears dry, he ends up seeing his gift being appreciated in a miraculous way because of its emotional meaning and significance rather than its material worth.

15-year-old Ricky discovers from his companion, Thram, the Spikonians are invading their homeland. Transforming with the war unicorn, Neighbor, into one warrior-unicorn-man, they complete the two-week journey to the capital in just two days, only to discover it in ruins. Searching the rubble of his family’s home, Ricky reads part of a magic spell. As he speaks, the boy standing nearby sprouts a wing and collapses. Furious with Aldric’s irresponsible use of magic, Neighbor leaves him. Separated from the unicorn for the first time in over a year, Unicorn Keeper Ricky, refocuses and determines to set his family free, as well as all the captured citizens. However, Ricky’s plans change to urgency when he discovers the witch-magician Alyse seeks to kill his mother. He is only able to rescue a few family members, including his Spikonian brother-in-law, Drake. The clash between Ricky and Drake becomes more than about race, providing for emotionally packed dialogue with actions of love and hate, of family and singleness, of aloneness and belonging. The war unicorn rejoins them to add her counsel. Ricky and Neighbor mend their fragile relationship as they journey through wilderness encounters with nature and mythical creatures. In the meantime, castle-raised Lord Thram was given the responsibility of returning and protecting the dragon-raised Princess Celeste, missing for fourteen years. The feral princess is anything but civilized. But when the king’s consort, Lady Katrina, denies Thram palace entrance, he slips into his old habit of sneaking in the shadows where he discovers plots and deceptions. Can Ricky and Thram complete their goals to once more unite in fighting evil?

Aldric is content working in his family’s apple orchard—or as content as a fourteen-year-old-boy can be doing chores and dreaming up new magic—when he digs up an antique ring and releases a rude spell-bound unicorn. She claims she belongs to the king, but after her long imprisonment, she can’t tell Aldric which king that might be. Aldric promises to take her to the capital, and suddenly a simple three-day trip becomes an adventure.War is building on his country’s borders, and even with the help of Aldric’s new friend Iggy, and Gwen, the general’s daughter, it’s going to take all the military sword training, courage, and magic Aldric has to find the unicorn’s rightful king. Promises will be made, the bonds of family and friendship will be tested, with a war which changes everything.Can an apple farmer and one rude war unicorn save the country from the approaching enemy?