Lee, J. Ardian 1956-

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LEE, J. Ardian 1956-

(Julianne Ardian Lee)

PERSONAL: Born 1956, in Point Mugu, CA; married Dale Lee; children: one son, one daughter. Education: Attended American Academy of Dramatic Arts (Pasadena, CA).

ADDRESSES: Home—192 E. Main St., 170-D, Hendersonville, TN 37075. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Writer and former newspaper journalist; freelance writer, beginning mid-1980s. Actor in minor role in films At Close Range; member of Steeple Players (ecumenical community theatre group).

WRITINGS:

HISTORICAL FICTION

Son of the Sword, Ace Books (New York, NY), 2001.

Sword of the White Rose, Ace Books (New York, NY), 2001.

Outlaw Sword, Ace Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Sword of King James, Ace Books (New York, NY), 2003.

Contributor of interviews to Starlog magazine.

SIDELIGHTS: A writer for many years, J. Ardian Lee proved the value of perseverance when she sold her thirteenth manuscript and thereby achieved her first published novel. Son of the Sword is an historical romantic fantasy featuring Dylan Mattheson, who travels back three centuries with the help of fairies to join the Jacobite rebels in the Scottish Highlands. Fortunately for Dylan, he is an expert in Scottish history and, just as important, an expert swordsman and kung fu practitioner. Dylan soon is helping the downtrodden and falling in love with Cait, the daughter of a Scottish lord. A Publishers Weekly contributor commented that "those interested in things Scottish will appreciate the background, while most readers will empathize with the likable Dylan."

In Outlaw Sword, Dylan has recovered from his battle wounds and is searching for Cait and the young son he has yet to meet in Scotland. However, he must travel with care, because English troops are hunting him down as an ally of Scottish rebel Rob Roy MacGregor. A Publishers Weekly contributor commented that "Lee puts her historical research to good use in the fight scenes" featured in Outlaw Sword, while Jackie Cassada predicted in Library Journal that the book "should have wide appeal." Deirdre B. Root, writing in Kliatt, felt that while the "magic or fantasy" aspects are lacking, "as a historical novel, it is solid and interesting, with treachery, violence and swordplay aplenty."

A continuation of the time-traveler's adventures, Sword of King James finds Dylan continuing the struggle for Scotland's freedom from the English. In a review of the book for Library Journal, Cassada noted that Lee successfully "recreates a colorful chapter in Scottish history."

In Sword of the White Rose Dylan has become laird of Ciorram, but thirty years have past and he is now dying. In counsel with his now-grown son, Dylan tells Ciaran to pay attention to the fairies, known as the Sidhe, who enabled Dylan to travel back and forth in time. When Ciaran becomes chief of the clan, he struggles with his role in fighting the English. Because his father came from the future, Ciaran has insights about the pain and suffering that will result from the wars, knowledge not available to his family, friends, and fellow warriors. To further complicate matters, the young man falls in love with Leah, daughter of the English commander, leading him to further question his resolve. Lesley Farmer, writing in Kliatt, commented that the novel "gives readers an idea of daily life in those tumultuous times," while a Publishers Weekly contributor praised Lee's "deft weaving of myth and history, fantasy and fable." Harriet Klausner, writing on the Sensual Romance Reviews Web site, noted that "Lee gives readers a magical yet historically accurate historical fantasy that is tragically haunting."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Kliatt, September, 2002, Deirdre B. Root, review of Outlaw Sword, p. 28; September, 2004, Lesley Farmer, review of Sword of the White Rose, p. 30.

Library Journal, July, 2002, Jackie Cassada, review of Outlaw Sword, p. 127.

Publishers Weekly, June 25, 2001, review of Son of the Sword, p. 56; June 10, 2002, review of Outlaw Sword, p. 45; June 28, 2004, review of Sword of the White Rose, p. 36.