Writing Critique Group #1

I've been trying to get around to this, but I'm currently working 12 hour shifts for the next 10 days so I've been somewhat busy. Anyway as others have broken the ice with their introductions, I feel it only fitting that offer some bits about me and my writing.

I've been a member of WDC for a little over 6 years now. I'm on and off, as I take breaks both willingly and because of work, but I never stop writing or reading. At any rate, I decided that some of these breaks are just too long if I want to get any sort of serious with writing.

I mainly write two different pieces - long novels and short stories. All of my short stories don't fall into the realm of fantasy so don't worry about those . My long novels are actually part of a series which I intend to be at least 9 books. Thus far I've began work on 3 of them... yeah that sounds foolish but its the truth. Book 2 is by far my most complete work, but its nowhere near complete (currently 54 chapters deep and still going strong). I'm not going to start posting stuff from 3 different books because... well that would be silly. I figure I might as well start at the beginning :P

My story is more on the gritty side of things, wherein I've taken a point to avoid wizardry and sorcery style systems or mythical creatures. (sort of) I say that in the sense that there are no wizards and no elves and dwarves and things to that nature. There are however, angels, demons, and humans. I have elements of Dark Fantasy, Supernatural, Gritty, and a bit of Steampunk *only in book 2* so I think it might at least appeal to one of you folks :P

The story itself is the product of a long time spent world building, culture building, and researching into the many religions of earth's peoples. All of that has become a vast adaptation to what is now my story told from multiple PoVs, and based in a mixture of puritan era and 18th century backdrop known as Arlia. I do get a little philosophical at times and delve deep into exegesis and I truly hope you fine folks tell me when it gets to be too much... just like this forum post, some of my writing tends to ramble. As I've just admitted to the rambling, I think I should probably end it here. I'm glad to be with you fellas and I look forward to reading and writing with you.