Date- Author's Preferred Edition: Monsters, Maces and Magic, #6

Fueled by Tolkien’s sweat, Willy Wonka’s blood, and Clint Eastwood’s attitude.

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Kirby is going on his first date, ever, but in the body of his RPG character, Gurk.

When vengeful danger rears its ugly head on the nighttime streets of Three Hills City, will the chivalry of a half-goblin thief suffice?

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This Author's Preferred Edition includes twelve new interior illustrations, a special interview with the author, and a preview of Revived- Monsters, Maces and Magic Book Seven.

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Praise for Monsters, Maces and Magic

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Ervin’s imagination is fueled by Tolkien's sweat, Willy Wonka's blood, and Clint Eastwood's attitude. A crazy mix to be certain, but a combination that makes for amazing possibilities. LitRPG Audiobook Podcast

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Exciting and hilarious! It feels like a true game with friends. Dueling Ogres Podcast

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I was pulled into the world and could see the rules of the world unfold. This really does feel like a game. A fun game that I am going to have to continue. Casia’s Corner

Date- Monsters, Maces and Magic Book Four

Copyright © 2020 Terry W. Ervin II

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All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

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Published by Gryphonwood Press

www.gryphonwoodpress.com

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Cover art and interior illustrations by Mario Barraza

https://mariobarraza.artstation.com/

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Edited by K.S. Brooks

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This is a work of fiction. All characters are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Dedication

This novel is dedicated to my wife, Kathleen. I honestly don’t remember our first date at Frich’s Big Boy, but I do recall going there many times, in Bowling Green, sharing a hot fudge Sunday. I also remember when we first met, at BGSU’s gaming club (FAWS—Fantasy & Wargaming Society), years before we ever considered dating. I know you recall your first night arriving at the FAWS, too, as we often reminisce and laugh at such fond memories. 

And I also recall the night I proposed, our date at Myles’ Pizza Pub, on your Birthday. I recall waiting for it to stop raining, so we could go for a walk past the university’s Administration Building, where so much of our money had gone. After those dates mentioned above, and so many more, you said, Yes.

I remain thankful for that, and for the life and family we’ve built together.

Acknowledgements

First, I would like to thank Kathy, my wife, and Genevieve and Mira, my daughters, for their patience and understanding. They allowed me the countless hours to imagine, plot, research, write, revise and edit—all things necessary to complete Monsters, Maces and Magic: Date.

Second, I would like to thank my friends, co-workers and the members of Flankers, all of whom encouraged, questioned, and prodded me along to finish Date.

Third, I’d like to thank the folks at Gryphonwood Press, especially David Wood for not only believing enough in Outpost, the first novel in the Monsters, Maces and Magic Series to publish it, but for his continued insight and advice, and an avenue for me to reach readers, offering them not only the Monsters, Maces and Magic tales, but the other novels and stories I wanted to share.

Fourth, I want to thank Mario Barraza for applying his artistic talent, practiced skill, and attention to detail in creating the cover art and the interior illustrations.

That leaves you, the reader. You are the primary reason I wrote Monsters, Maces and Magic: Date. Thank you for choosing my fantasy tale from the hundreds of thousands available. I truly hope you enjoy Gurk’s first date.

With that in mind, don’t hesitate to post a review or send an email to let me know your thoughts. You can learn more about my works at www.ervin-author.com, along with a link to receive my newsletter.

Chapter 1

Glenn and Kirby sat in the Glade House’s parlor, playing a game of checkers. Until getting trapped in the Monsters, Maces and Magic RPG world as a gnome healer, Glenn hadn’t played actual board games since he was a little kid. Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders. In college he occasionally played chess, but that was on the computer, often against the computer.

Kirby moved one of his two kinged checkers, hoping to cut off Glenn’s surviving checker. It was two rows from becoming a king itself. Although Kirby was only a junior high kid, in the game world he was a third-rank half-goblin thief. He understood the game, and the world, far better than Glenn did. He also understood checkers better than Glenn.

Glenn’s checker would reach the back row, to become a king, but would then be pinned.

Good game, Gurk, Glenn said, returning the jumped checkers to their starting positions on the board.

Thanks, Jax. It was pretty close. Kirby began doing the same with the red pieces.

Glenn examined his friend. The half-goblin had ears with points going down, the opposite of elves, and sort of a muddy brown complexion and yellow irises. His hair looked like a disheveled mop no matter how often he combed it. His teeth even had hints of points, further demonstrating the mixed heritage of the character Kirby had rolled up for the game.

Whenever I think of you, Glenn said, I still think of you by your real world name.

The half-goblin thief grinned. "Really, dude? I stopped