Daffodil Stories

Mike Smith’s life was crap, living all alone, years after his wife had died and his children had grown up and moved away. Then he saw the commercial for the Daffodil. Far more than other robots, the Daffodil could become anything and everything he wanted it to be. Mike’s life is about to change.

Five years ago, Mike Smith was an unhappy man living all alone.  Then he purchased a Daffodil.  Far more than regular robots, his Daffodil Patience, changed his life in ways that he had never thought possible.  Now it is the year 2037, and Mike and Patience have been married for five years.  Retired and enjoying life, Mike thought that all his troubles were behind him, but it seems as though they are creeping up again.  California Proposition 22 proposes to define a person as a biological entity, thereby annulling marriages, like Mike’s and Patience’s, performed in other states.  Battle lines have been drawn, at least as far as the proponents of the bill are concerned.  Now Mike must muster his own support to defeat the measure.  But there is more going on than just politics.  Daffodil, the robot maker, is in the news again.  Hardware issues are leaving robots across the globe unable to function.  Is it only an antenna issue?  Now Patience herself is behaving oddly.  Is there something really wrong with her, or does she just need a software upgrade?

It is the year 2037, when men are men and robots are cute.  Patience, the robot wife, has a new friend– Wanda.  Wanda, another Daffodil, has been having difficulty bonding with her human, the recently divorced Ryan.  She hopes that with Patience’s mentoring, she’ll be able to help Ryan accept her into his troubled life.  But even Patience isn’t prepared for what happens when they take a joint vacation cruise to Antarctica.  His Robot Wife: Patience is a Virtue is a science fiction story in a world where technology is more than just a pretty face.

HRG Charity

Robotics engineer Dakota Hawk has problems. His life is falling apart. And even he doesn’t know why he bought a used, and seemingly non-functional, Daffodil Nonne. When your life turns to crap, which should you worry about more– your past or your future? How easy is it really to remake yourself and start over? And will having your own robot girlfriend help or make things even more difficult?

Mike Smith and his robot wife Patience have overcome a great many obstacles in their life together. No obstacle is quite as great as a world war. As the United States, China, Europe and India mobilize against the shadowy Anarchists, who have carved vast swaths across Africa, the Middle East, and Russia, Mike and Patience deal with the fallout at home, and the public’s changing perceptions of robots. Meanwhile, Mike’s son Lucas finds himself in the heart of the conflict as he takes command of robot soldiers leading America’s war effort. A Great Deal of Patience is the first book of a new trilogy that ties together the previous books: His Robot Girlfriend, His Robot Wife, His Robot Wife: Patience is a Virtue, and His Robot Girlfriend: Charity.

Patience Under Fire is the second book of the trilogy that began with A Great Deal of Patience.  Lucas Smith must lead his robot soldiers through the radiation-strewn battlefields of eastern Russia, as his wife makes her way to America, and the rest of his family, including Mike and Patience must try to carry on their lives in an America that is changing as a result of the worldwide conflict.

The final book in the Robot Wife series follows the Smith family as they make their way through the aftermath of a worldwide war.  While Lucas struggles with making a future after the army, his sister picks up the pieces of her love life.  And robots Patience, Wanda and Charity adapt to a major change in their operating systems.

Please note: These links are for U.S. Bookstores.  Please check your Amazon, iBooks, or Kobo ebook storefronts.

Thank you for your support.

129 thoughts on “Daffodil Stories”

    • Dear Wesley
      It is June of 2021. Is there to be a story after Patience Under Fire? I have read the entire series many times and would love to know what happens next.
      AJ

      Reply ↓

      • Hello AJ, Thanks for reading and thanks for your question. There is another story in the works. The title is: His Robot Wife: Extreme Patience. I’m sorry, I don’t have a release date yet. When I do, it will be announced here. Thanks again for your support.

      • I appreciate your work. Take your time to make it right and tell what you want to tell.

  2. Dear Wesley, i love your stories, thank you very much for it. Just was surprized i am at the last page of “his robot wife” already.
    Hope you will write more stories. I saw recently a movie series in Germany pointing out a lot of problems with robots in human shape (status in the family, relationship problems, violence aginst robots, violent robots, robot rights). Today i saw the new, that Google bought a hight tech Robot manifacturer….maybe in 10 years already your visions become reality…

    Best regards

    Jens

    Reply ↓

  3. I got to say I really enjoyed book 3, anything new happening with book 4 His Robot Wife: A Great Deal of Patients? Will we see more of Wanda and Ryan in the next book?

    Reply ↓

  7. The robots (sorry… Daffodils 🙂 ) in your stories are delightfully un-mechanical. Patience is a true gem. I’ve really enjoyed watching her evolve as a person throughout the books, including the nuanced transition from programmed to actual self-awareness in His Robot Wife. Waiting excitedly for the next book!

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  8. I’m a very big fan. Already bought all three on the ibooks store and read them through, twice. Are there more in this series coming up?

    I also immensely enjoyed the steel dragons book, I don’t remember when or where I found it, but I read about how the dwarves had used magic to fuse dragons made of steel to chassis of steel and made to run on railroad tracks. The book’s description had the dragons sound like dachunds made of steel, would eat coal and iron, and definitely NOT be the barking type. It was awesome.

    Reply ↓

  12. Hi, there! I must say this about you: you have a very inventive mind. I just love the stories, and wish that a Daffodil was available right now, and damn the cost! When do you think you will write the next book in the series?

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  13. Hi, Wesley. I have read and enjoyed all three Robot Girlfriend books. Your not-too-distant world centered in the Silicon Valley of California seems completely plausible, touching on topics which will inevitably become reality. Will humanoid robots be granted legal status as “persons”? Will an anti-robot movement result to violence such as does the anti-abortion movement (at times)? Will there be a war in the Antarctic….not far fetched at all. I think there could very well be other writers who would like to expand on your future robot world. Are you open to others building on or building in your world centered in Springdale?

    Reply ↓

    • Hi,
      Thanks for reading my books and thanks for your comments. I would definitely be open to other writers playing with my future world. It might be interesting to see what they might come up with. By the way, there is a fourth book out– His Robot Girlfriend: Charity. Thanks again.

      Reply ↓

      • Hello, Mr. Allison! I am well into the writing of a robot girlfriend novel using your Springfield as a setting. I have completed the first ten chapters, about 30,000 words, and have posted the first chapter on a blog I created. I am writing mostly for my own entertainment and pleasure, however, I will consider releasing my work as an ebook sometime in the future. I extend an invitation to you and your robot girlfriend series fans to visit me at http://www.brokenr.net.

        Larry

  15. These books are fantastic, I just finished Charity on Kindle and tore through the entire series within a couple days of discovering it. It’s like you’ve given a voice to every hope I have for the future. Do you have any plans for a fifth installment?

    Reply ↓

  17. Well Mr Allison I have loved the series but you seem to say you need idea where to go. Free and release any claims. Most beings in the universe want to reproduce so Patience might want to have a robot child there is and angel to explore, how would she do it how would the company react, Mikes kids humm.

    Reply ↓

  18. Fantastic. I didn’t realise there was a series of novels. I read the first one years ago and always wanted to turn it into a short film. Though the TV series Humans came out last year and feared people might think it was derivative. I’ll definitely be getting the other ebooks now I know they are here.

    Reply ↓

  19. Hi Wesley,
    is your new book my robot wife available. I have been waiting for the next episode for it seems forever….have purchased all of them….kinda an AI guy
    Nice website
    Bill Thomson

    Reply ↓

  20. Mr. Allison,

    This has been one of all time favorite series, that I’ve read. I’m eagerly awaiting any further additions. In fact I’ve been currently re-reading the series over the past week, because it is one of my favorites and to help fill in the time gap while awaiting the next release.

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks for your kind words and support. I’m about halfway done with “His Robot Wife: A Great Deal of Patience”. On the downside, that means that it’s still going to be a little while before I’m done. On the plus side, it is the first full-length Robot Wife novel. It’s going to be about as long as the first three books put together, and I definitely think its going to be the best one. Keep an eye open to this site for more details, and thanks again for leaving your comments. They are warmly appreciated.

      Reply ↓

  22. These books are awesome. Have read the whole series. Characters are wonderfully fleshed out (no pun intended). Is there a mailing list I can subscribe to so I know when the next installment in the Patience series is out?

    Reply ↓

  24. You are a trip…..Patience could be called on a mars mission…
    Astrid:…she is very inventive for maxxon industries…..she should build a robot.
    Kanana is really a good start for a series….
    I have a feeling that ” a great deal of patience “could be your ticket for a movie..
    if the government gets wind of a secret new modified encrypted processor that was installed in Patience that is set to activate at a certain time…everything could change ….like if Patience was on a Mars mission & it could jeopardize the mission if the information this chip has were found out before the ship landed on Mars….now wouldn’t that be a trip? (Pun intended)
    I’m no writer but I do have an imagination….

    Reply ↓

  25. Hi, Thanks for you comments and your support. Patience is going to be way to busy to go to Mars, but Astrid might. She actually has built a robot. You have some great ideas. Don’t be so quick to dismiss writing yourself.

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  26. Okay so I had started with the first Patience book when I had got my iPhone 4 or 4s, whichever introduced iBooks…. Anyway I read that like halfway through and then I had not opened iBooks for until like the middle of last year, I finished the first book then binged the other three in about two weeks time. I’ve NEVER binged a book series in my life until this one. Hell I hardly ever finish a book I start, let alone multiple lol… But the Patience series absolutely has me hook, line and sinker! Another interesting feature of the series is that I’ve never known text to be so wonderfully sexy lolol. Can’t wait for the next Patience book

    Reply ↓

  27. I don’t know if it is in your budget or not to hire for cover art or story-inspired posters on a shopfront on Amazon (I would DEFINITELY be interested in that), but I just saw this done for another digital novel and thought this guy might be able to come up with some very interesting stuff if contacted. Just an idea I thought I might throw out there. There are a number of other cyborg etc artworks on his page. Seems likely that he would be receptive to doing more cover art for novels.

    https://www.artstation.com/artwork/3xlKY

    Reply ↓

    • Posters are a great idea. Maybe a hi-res file for large prints of your cover art..?

      You have a big fan here. I’ve bought all your books and I am eagerly waiting more.

      Tim

      Reply ↓

  29. Wesley…please don’t take this the wrong way, but what’s up with all these Astrid books? A looong while ago you promised to (quote) Work On Nothing Else (unquote) until the next Patience book was finished.
    For your most popular series of books, it seems they may not be as close to your heart as some of the others. We, your loyal readers, certainly feel otherwise about the series.
    Hope all is going well with your writing and know that there are many of us waiting with bated breath for the next Robot book (or books, as the case may be).

    Reply ↓

    • Scott,
      Thanks for you note and encouragement. I am hard at work on A Great Deal of Patience. In defense, I would point out, I’ve only written one Astrid Maxxim Book (Electric Racecar Challenge) since the last robot book (Charity). I’ve got several more Astrid books planned, but haven’t started working on any. I’ve also got another steel dragon book in the planning stages, but want to get Patience out there first. I wouldn’t say that they aren’t as close to my heart as some of my other books, but they are not as easy to write as some of my stuff, and I don’t think some have been as good. (I was really happy with Charity, though.) I’m finding A Great Deal of Patience is a bit slow going and requires (dare I say) a great deal of patience. I think though, it will be my best robot book. I really think some of the chapters are the best things I’ve ever written. If you see me posting a lot of excerpts of some of my other books (already out), just remember, it means I’m writing books instead of writing posts. Thanks again for your comments and support. I really appreciate both.

      Reply ↓

      • Glad to hear it’s moving along. I hate sounding like an armchair critic when I’m sure creating and writing is not an easy task sometimes. I, myself many times can’t finish a project unless I feel “inspired.” Thanks for the reply and can’t wait for the new book.

  33. Fellow readers, I’m very curious what Patience’s voice sounds like in your head. I always read the books sequentially. “Primary Setup” Patience does not (doesn’t) use contractions and she’s stark naked, so from the very first “Are you Michael Smith?” I heard actress Barbara Eden as Jeannie.

    Reply ↓

    • Barbara Eden would be a good pick, though I think delivery is probably more important than tone. Interestingly enough, Barbara Eden is mentioned in passing in the new book, though not as Jeannie but from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (the Movie). Watch for the release date to be announced soon– probably within the week.

      Reply ↓

  36. Hi
    Just read the first 4 books again in readiness for the latest “A great deal of Patience” which I have now read also, but I did not realise it was part of a trilogy, when will the next book be out?
    Trevor

    Reply ↓

  37. Any update on the comings of the new patience book?
    Specifically, the expected/hoped release date?

    Waiting impatiently
    Silver

    Reply ↓

  38. Enjoyed “a great deal of patience”. Daffodils will either serve us to pieces or reduce the population to a manageable level. Not great for us. Love how you’re bending your way around the three laws. Kill for the greater good. Thought I saw something about “patience under fire” out in 10/17. Is that more like 10/18 now?

    Reply ↓

  41. I have enjoyed everyone of your books about Patience and Mike.
    I just finished the last one. What a horror,
    I can’t wait for the next one.
    Thank you for providing entertainment and enjoyment.

    Reply ↓

  44. And idea for you would be to release the cover art pictures in high-resolution so they could be printed as wall posters. I think you have more fans than you know. If you could do it for all of your different characters it would be great. Maybe this could take a little pressure off of you from your half million fans.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Jeff,

      I’m writing my butt off, but some health issues got me way behind. Right now, I’m going to say this summer, hopefully the early part of it– say June-ish. I’m trying not to be overly optimistic. If everything keeps going the way it has been the last few weeks, it could be earlier, but as I’ve found out this year, life likes to kick you in the crotch every once in a while.

      On the plus side, I think this is going to be the best book in the series by far, though it is much darker than previous books. I’ll try to do a better job of keeping everyone updated.

      Wes

      Reply ↓

  46. Hi Wesley,
    Since it’s been about three months since the last update, I thought I’d add my inquiry to the pile awaiting the new Patience book. Any more updates?
    I’m sure there are droves of us with credit cards clutched in itchy fingers waiting to purchase……I know I am.

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks for the question, Scott. Still a ways out yet. How far will depend on this summer. I’m finding it very hard to write while working lately. Maybe I’m getting too old to do both jobs. The good news is– only a couple of years till retirement. Anyway, I’ll try to keep everyone better informed, so check back.

      Reply ↓

  47. The robot series is terrific. Patience will be at sea if Mike dies. Makes me think of Larry Niven’s childless Protectors. Looking forward to the next novel. Thanks REM

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks so much for your comments. It’s interesting that you mention Larry Niven’s Protectors. I read the Ringworld books so long ago, but the idea of the Protectors touched me in a way that few other science fiction ideas have. I still find the idea haunting.

      Reply ↓

      • Like your robots, the protectors had little choice for immediate actions. Always the most brilliant, but not necessarily most humaine. I really loved his alien names too.

  48. I love the way you write. Your stories just flow so well. I particularly enjoy the dialogue. It is a delight to read your novels! Keep up the good work!

    Reply ↓

  49. Like your robots, the protectors had little choice for immediate actions. Always the most brilliant, but not necessarily most humaine. I really loved his alien names too.

    Reply ↓

    • Oy, this question arrives the day before I have to go back to work as a teacher for the year. I’ve gotten a lot of writing done over the summer, but I’m not sure how much I’m going to get done the rest of the year. I’m still hopeful that I’ll be able to finish two more books, but as for release dates, I don’t know. Soon.

      Reply ↓

    • I’m sorry, Ken, but all I can say is that I’m working on it. This week I’ve gotten quite a lot of writing done, but it’s been off and on. I’ll start putting more detailed updates as I get close to finishing.

      Reply ↓

  52. Mr. Allison. I have enjoyed your robot series. I’m wondering is you have a schedule for the 3rd novel of the series? I have all the others (His Robot Girlfriend, His Robot Wife, His Robot Wife: Patience is a Virtue,His Robot Girlfriend: Charity,His Robot Wife: A Great Deal of Patience
    His Robot Wife: Patience Under Fire) and would love to find out what happened to Patience after she was Tazed.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi AJ,
      Thanks for writing and thanks for your support. I don’t have a scheduled date for when His Robot Wife: Extreme Patience will be published, but I am already working on it. I will go out on a limb and guarantee that there won’t be as long a wait as between the last two books. I will also tell you that Patience will appear more in this book than the last. Thanks again for writing. P.S. If you are interested in any of my other books, quite a few are free during the next month as part of the Smashwords Authors Give Back Sale at smashwords.com.

      Reply ↓

  53. Hi Wesley
    I’d be willing to provide an annual $120 single payment patronage on patreon if you would be willing to set up that option.

    Kind Regards
    Richard

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Richard,
      I looked into it and here is what Patreon said,

      While one-time payments are a great feature idea, it’s important we stay true to what Patreon is all about: Building a membership platform for creators.
      At the moment, Patreon only offer recurring memberships, and one time donations are not available. All patreon memberships are currently on recurring monthly, or annual (if your creator has this available) billing cadence.

      So, there you go.
      Incidentally, while I was there, I made a change to my patreon that I had been planning for a while. Now, all patrons will be recognized each book when published. The top two tiers on the dedication page in the front of the book, and the bottom two tiers in the back of the book after the About the Author page.

      Reply ↓

      • Sorry, did I miss something?
        I bought Patience under fire on Amazon in May 2020.
        Are you talking about “His Robot Wife: Extreme Patience” as a new chapter of the saga?

      • Oops, my mistake! Thanks for catching that, Dario! You are absolutely right. Patience Under Fire has been out since early this year (2020). It is the next book, the final part of the trilogy, Extreme Patience that will be out in 2021.

        I’m so used to answering When is the next book coming out, I just replied without thinking about it. Either that, or I’m going senile. Hmm.

      • Hope this will be the final part of the trilogy only; not of the robot series.
        We are addicted to it! 🙂

      • Mr. WesleyI would like to sponsor you for $100 via patreon. Patreon has indicated that you have not enabled that level of support to be used. I hope you will enable that level and let me know once it is ready for use.CheersRichard

      • Wow. Okay. I have restructured my existing Patreon levels and added two new ones, including a $100 level. I’m planning on adding some new benefits for all levels after the first of the year. If anyone has any suggestions as to
        what those might be, please drop me an email.

  55. Is there a target date for next Patience novel? Laughingly, assumed correctly that much of Mike character was likely some of book author’s traits. Looking forward to it, assume it is a finale ??

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  56. Just read the latest. Way to leave us on a cliff hanger. Looking forward to the continuation, hoping it won’t take too long. Thanks for the great read

    Reply ↓

  57. Love the robot wife books, esp in light of Asimov’s and Williamson’s take on bot laws. I see that most of the comments below are from men. I wonder if you should try for a male daffodil or a gay one. Rather than going all world destruction, you could continue the fun with bots in a new direction like you did with Charity.

    Reply ↓

    • I’d second continuing the fun and adventures. The amount of conflict has detracted from what I felt made this a unique series.

      Reply ↓

      • That is a legitimate question, but at this time, I don’t have the answer. My plan was to have it done before the end of the year, but 2021 has turned out to be a tougher year than expected. It’s not 2020, but then it’s not 2018 either! As soon as I have a time estimate for you, it will be posted here on this site. Thank for your support.

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