Angst Series by David Pedersen, David J. Pedersen

When Angst turned 40, he knew it was over. Angst had longed to be a knight of Unsel, to make his mark in history, to be remembered for heroic deeds and wondrous acts. He grew up knowing he was destined for something great, but now it is too late. Not only is 40 far too old to become a knight, Angst is one of the few able to wield “the magics”.For 2,000 years magic has been outlawed, repressed, even outright destroyed throughout the world of Ehrde... moreWhen Angst turned 40, he knew it was over. Angst had longed to be a knight of Unsel, to make his mark in history, to be remembered for heroic deeds and wondrous acts. He grew up knowing he was destined for something great, but now it is too late. Not only is 40 far too old to become a knight, Angst is one of the few able to wield “the magics”.For 2,000 years magic has been outlawed, repressed, even outright destroyed throughout the world of Ehrde. By law, Angst is reduced to using his great power only to file papers. His marriage is on the rocks, his friends are bored with him, and he hates his job. The one person that makes him happy is the young Princess Victoria who seems to adore him. Unfortunately, that makes his boss, the Queen, hate him.Without warning, Unsel is besieged with dangerous monsters - birds with metallic beaks, monkey creatures that can dive through solid ground, mindless horse-eating giants. The world that shunned magic now turns to Angst for help, and he is happy to listen once his back stops hurting.On the edge of a mid-life crisis, Angst drags his reluctant friends along with him on an adventure into the heart of magic. He’s not sure where they’re going, what they’ll find, or even if they’ll survive. But he knows this is his one chance to be a hero because the only way to fight magic is with magic. less

A little flirting never hurt anyone, right? It takes more than just a new job and a new mount to resolve a midlife crisis, but will the temptation of a younger woman really make it better? Angst had found the adventure he was looking for and got to be the hero, but those days are behind him. To save the ones he loves most, he had to sacrifice his bond with the sword that allowed him to be a hero. Now, Unsel faces a new threat... moreA little flirting never hurt anyone, right? It takes more than just a new job and a new mount to resolve a midlife crisis, but will the temptation of a younger woman really make it better? Angst had found the adventure he was looking for and got to be the hero, but those days are behind him. To save the ones he loves most, he had to sacrifice his bond with the sword that allowed him to be a hero. Now, Unsel faces a new threat. With the mysterious destruction of a large coastal city, Angst sets out to discover the cause. He soon learns that a war between the Elements is coming, and humans are in the way. It’s hard to fight back when Angst is dying, the removal of his bond to the great sword Chryslaenor slowly killing him. Angst needs a sword to live, but Chryslaenor has been stolen! His friends reluctantly join him on another quest, but where do they start? Rose is missing, Angst’s focus and spirit is broken, he has somehow upset the Elements of Ehrde, and a newcomer wants to overtake the throne. What could make things worse? Perhaps a kiss from Princess Victoria’s younger cousin, Alloria? Buried in Angst is David J. Pedersen’s long awaited sequel to his first fantasy novel, Angst. Join Angst and his friends as they continue... A Midlife Crisis in Medieval Times. less

The five elements are at war and Ehrde is their battlefield. The only one who can possibly protect the inhabitants, is a hero bonded to a foci, a weapon of unimaginable power. Unfortunately, the hero is having a little problem. Bonding with the giant sword saved Angst’s life, but didn’t make it easier. All of the great power that comes with wielding a foci is now out of control... moreThe five elements are at war and Ehrde is their battlefield. The only one who can possibly protect the inhabitants, is a hero bonded to a foci, a weapon of unimaginable power. Unfortunately, the hero is having a little problem. Bonding with the giant sword saved Angst’s life, but didn’t make it easier. All of the great power that comes with wielding a foci is now out of control. Angst just wanted to be a hero, a knight of Unsel, but his mid-life crisis has created a trail of destruction, including the death of Water’s beloved. Now, to save Rose, Angst and his friends must cross the ocean where Water is most powerful. But how can he keep them safe when the very sword that makes him a hero doesn’t work right? Drowning in Angst is the third fantasy novel in David J. Pedersen’s Angst series. Join Angst and his friends as they continue… A Midlife Crisis in Medieval Times less