For over two centuries Mishtar, an evil wizard, had been trapped inside a magical sword by a circle of golden amulets. However, as the years passed Mishtar had managed to extend his power outside the circle and had persuaded a number of weaker beings to remove several of the amulets. If he succeeded in having all the amulets removed the spell would be broken and Mishtar would be free again.

Ryzak was minding his own business, drinking himself into a rather satisfactory stupor, when a beautiful young woman burst into the tavern and begged him to save her from the unwelcome attentions of a hoard of wolverines. Suddenly the other patrons of the inn seemed to vanish into the shadows leaving Ryzak alone to face the barbarians. Ignoring Ryzak's requests to leave the tavern, the warriors insisted on knowing the name of their challenger. Curiously, as soon as they found out whom they were challenging the three wolverines apologised profusely for disturbing him and ran! Shock and excess alcohol took their toll and Ryzak fainted.

He awoke the next morning and found the young woman he had inadvertently rescued, naked and in bed with him. However, he had no recollection of their apparent "night of passion" neither could he remember promising to help her regain her kingdom. Than must have been one hell of a bender!

Soon, accompanied by the last wizard, a dwarf, a small dragonet and several Sisters of the New Dawn, Ryzak found himself on a quest to discover the missing amulets and return them to their rightful place.

Reluctant Heroes is a humorous fantasy set in a world of dragons, magic and evil sorcerers. The writing style is relaxed and enchanting. It is hard to believe that this is Steve Westcott's first book! I found it impossible to put down (resulting in a definite lack of sleep!).

Very often authors of humorous novels seem to try too hard to be funny. This is not the case with Mr. Westcott. His writing is naturally amusing – actually making me laugh out loud. For me some of the funniest moments are quintessentially English. The throwaway lines and off-the-cuff expletives had me reading more than a couple of paragraphs out loud.

I like to keep a core collection of music, films and authors that, to me, provide feel-good moments. The kind of movies and books that you watch and read when you need to relax and feel better about life, films and stories that are guaranteed to cheer you up. Steve Westcott has now joined that list!

Having recently tried to read some Terry Pratchett (for the first time in years) and finding the jokes a little contrived and deliberate, I thought I had grown out of reading fantasy-humour. I am so glad to have been proven wrong. Steve Westcott is a refreshing new author who is worthy of a glittering future.

Synopsis
Reluctant Heroes is a spoof on heroic questing. Five unlikely companions set about retrieving three discs of containment that have been stole from a sorcerer's prison. With only two discs left in place, the sorcerer is gaining power. He wants out to wreak revenge on the peoples who caged him some 200 years before.

On their travels, the intrepid heroes get caught by bloodthirsty elves, upset a lisping demon, convert a tribe of cannibals to a new religous sect, revitalise the last dragon and seriously miff the sorcerer, amongst others.