The Feline Wizard

Christopher Stasheff was a teacher, thespian, techie, and author of science fiction & fantasy novels. One of the pioneers of "science fantasy," his career spanned four decades, 44 novels (including translations into Bulgarian, Czech, German, Italian, Russian, and Japanese), 29 short stories, and seven 7 anthologies. His novels are famous for their humor (and bad puns), exploration of comparative political systems, and philosophical undertones. Chris always had difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality and has tried to compensate by teaching college. When teaching proved too real, he gave it up in favor of writing full time. He tended to pre-script his life, but couldn't understand why other people never got their lines right. This caused a fair amount of misunderstanding with his wife and four children. He wrote novels because it's the only way he could be the director, the designer, and all the actors too.

A CAT-NAPPED PRINCESSThe feline magician Balkis has returned to Maracanda to reclaim her royal title. But a vengeful foe sprouts a diabolical scheme to spirit away the Princess of the Eastern Gate and send her tumbling forever through unknown worlds. Now an unprecedented search is begun, led by Balkis's mentor, Royal Wizard Matthew Mantrell.But the hardship of finding his apprentice cannot compare to Balkis's own struggle to escape the strange world in which she has landed. With the aid of a soul-weary young boy named Anthony, Balkis mounts a magnificent, though treacherous, journey. Together they must rely on each other and their powers -- both mortal and magic -- to defy the forces of darkness as they travel through a strange and magical land, ultimately to embrace the destiny they are fated to share . . .