Many years ago I grabbed a book from the bargain bin because I liked the cover. It was called “The Cutting Edge” by Dave Duncan. The first in a four part series. I devoured the series with a passion and was both hurt and inspired to discover that there were four other books that told the story when the characters were younger. Hurt because I’ve always had remorse over not reading the first series first and inspired because I wish there were twenty other books in this series. Since then I have read all eight books once a year and have bought every book Duncan has published.
One year I gave the books out as Christmas gifts. Dean Riesner, Dean Lorey and a few friends from back home. Dean Lorey became a fan. Just before he and Elizabeth moved to Calabasas he presented me with the most ultimate gift.
Dean not only loved the first four books he also loved the artwork on the covers. He located the orginal artist, built a relationship with the man and learned that he still owned all four orginal oil paintings. Dean bought two.
He gave me book one. Which hung over our mantle at the old apartment and now hangs in my office at the new.
Book two hangs in Dean’s office. I bought him a copy of the sword Sting a year back (because he reminds me so much of Frodo) but I’ve got to say he’s now pummeled me in the gift department.
I’ve started reading a new Duncan book from the Blades storyline so this was fresh on my mind lately.
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