Allegorically Speaking by Author Yvonne Anderson

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“How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man?” The folk song asks this rhetorical question not because the songwriter’s looking for an answer, but to prod the hearer to think.

Another rhetorical device that’s familiar to everyone, though not always identified as rhetorical, is allegory. When used in literature, a character, object, setting, plot, or other component is used to represent something in the real world. And, like a rhetorical question, its purpose is to encourage the reader to use his noodle. 

What comes to mind when you think of allegory? Pilgrim’s Progress? Animal Farm? The Chronicles of Narnia? They all fit the bill. But I’m not sure Gateway to Gannah does.

What’s Gateway to Gannah, you may ask? It’s a sci-fi series written by yours truly. I released the third book a couple months ago and plan to publish the last title in October. Never heard of it? I’m not surprised. Few people have.

When Sandra mentioned my doing a post about allegory, my first thought was, Huh? Because, you see, I never thought of Gannah as an allegory. Its themes are all pretty straightforward, not veiled in symbolism. 

In Pilgrim’s Progress, the protagonist’s journey is a metaphor for the Christian walk. In Animal Farm, the Russian Revolution is portrayed by a coalition of animals taking over the farm and establishing pigs as the new ruling class. In the Narnia stories, a wise, powerful lion represents Jesus Christ. 

In Gannah, however, people are people, the Creator and Redeemer are exactly as named, and the Bible is the Bible. No room for misinterpretation. 

This set to me to thinking about allegory in its various forms, and now I’m finding it everywhere I look – particularly in the Bible. One example among a multitude: the nation of Israel is represented by a vine in Psalm 80:8-16 as well in the 15^th and 17^th chapters of Ezekiel. 

Sometimes, biblical history is used as an allegorical illustration. Check out Galatians 4:22-31. The Apostle Paul comes right out and says, in v. 24, that he’s pointing out an allegory in the Old Testament. Although the events he refers to in Genesis 16 and 21 are historical, they also illustrate a spiritual reality. 

In another case, Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:11 that Israel’s exodus from Egypt serves as an example to those who follow Christ. Old Testament history is both fact and illustration.

It’s not just God’s word that’s full of that sort of thing; so is God’s world. How about the metamorphosis of a grotesque, crawling caterpillar into a delicate, airborne butterfly? The process pictures the death of our sinful flesh and the emergence of a perfect spiritual body in the resurrection. Or how about the falling of a seed to the ground to die, later to emerge as a fruitful plant? Great allegorical performance art enacted continually on the stage of the world.

One of my favorites is the sunrise, which portrays the return of Christ (Malachi 4:2). Did you ever stop to think that at every moment of every day, the sun is rising somewhere on this earth in declaration of the coming of the King?

Obviously, then, allegory doesn’t have to be fiction—something real can portray something else that’s equally real but on a different plane.

What does all this have to do with the Gateway to Gannah series? Gannah is pure fiction: the planet, its people, and all the events described exist only in the imagination. These fictitious things do, however, illustrate actual traits and motives of human nature as well as scriptural realities: the universal power and authority of God (portrayed in the first book, The Story in the Stars), the reliability of the scriptures above human tradition or personal experience (Words in the Wind), and the fact that our Savior’s self-sacrifice demands a response on our part (Ransom in the Rock).

So is the Gateway to Gannah an allegory? I’m not sure. Maybe you should read it and decide for yourself.

Yvonne Anderson writes fiction that takes you out of this world.

And The Borrowed Book will give you a chance to win a free copy of Book 1 in the series this Friday. See ya then!

The Story in the Stars was a Carol Award finalist in 2012. The adventure continues with Words in the Wind and Ransom in the Rock and will conclude with The Last Toqeph, scheduled for release in the fall of 2014.

Yvonne lives in Western Maryland with her husband of almost forty years and shares the occasional wise word on her personal site, YsWords. She’s been with The Borrowed Book blog for a year or two now and has coordinated Novel Rocket’s Launch Pad Contest for unpublished novelists since the beginning of time. (Or at least, since the contest’s inception.) You may connect with her on Twitter or Facebook. Oh, yeah: she also does freelance editing. 

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Fantasy Character Interview + Giveaway! ~ The Word Changers

We're celebrating a book birthday today! The Word Changers - a YA Christian fantasy by Ashlee Willis - has been officially released:

About the Book

Her parents’ marriage is falling apart. Fifteen-year-old Posy feels her life is falling apart with it. Retreating to an old library down the street, she selects a mysterious book in a secluded corner and is magically drawn into its story...

Posy finds herself in a kingdom ruled by a cruel and manipulative king and queen who have attempted to usurp the role that belongs only to the Author of their story. The princess has fled and the kingdom is teetering toward rebellion. Posy is joined by the Prince Kyran as they fight with the characters of the story against their slavery to the Plot.

Posy and the prince search beyond the borders of the story for the runaway princess. They visit mysterious places, face horrifying monsters, and fight fierce battles. They make both friends and enemies as their journey leads them into many dangers. But some of the worst dangers, Posy soon finds, lie deep within her own heart.

Now Posy must find the courage and forgiveness needed to save the story and, most important, heal the heartache she knew in her own world.

Now available for purchase:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

In honor of the occasion, we've got a fun interview with King Melanthius, one of the characters of the book - and a special giveaway! Read on...

* * * 

The Author: So … the elephant in the room … you are, in fact, a character in a book. How long have you known this? Does it trouble you at all? 

King Melanthius: Trouble me? You must be jesting. The part I have in the Plot is perhaps more important than any other. I would have it no other way, in fact. I control the Plot … ahem, that is, I protect the Plot. There can be no greater role in a book than that. I would say I was born knowing I was a character, but my way of being born was different than yours. I’ve never been an infant or even a child. I have always been as you see me – an adult, a ruler. A king. 

The Author: Explain to me the process of what happens when someone reads your story. Are you aware it is being read?

King Melanthius: Of course I am aware of it. What a foolish question! The wind blows, new smells fill the air, trees whisper and characters stir … everything is brighter and more alive, just as a book is meant to be when it is read. When a reader comes, the characters come into their own. Fulfilling the Plot is what we are meant to do, you know.

The Author: Does it ever get boring, living the same tale over and over again? Does the Plot ever change? Do you, as its “keeper” ever take the liberty of changing the Author’s words? 

King Melanthius: Ahem … well, I must admit there are times that the Plot is a hard taskmaster. But the time between readers is our own, to do with as we please, and that helps lighten the tedium. Most of my free time is spent in council meetings with those blasted owls, though … As for changing the Plot – who can tell? Our story is age-old, so old there are none left who can remember exactly how it was written or why. You speak of an Author: we know of no such person or creature. Some do still speak of him, but only in myths and wives’ tales. I for one turn a deaf ear to those tales. I would advise you to do the same.

The Author: Confession: I’ve heard a rumor that your daughter, Princess Evanthe, ran away a few days ago and has not been seen since. Did something happen between the two of you to cause her to abandon her role in the Plot? 

King Melanthius: That is none of your concern. Refrain from questioning me on such intimate matters or I will leave straight away.

The Author: Very well – here is a question a bit less close to home: There is a place in your story called the Wild Land. Can you tell me about it? Why does everyone have such a morbid fascination with that cursed place?

King Melanthius: The Wild Land is beyond the Borders of the Plot, and the creatures who live there are dangerous – do you hear me? Dangerous! Some of them are even characters who have abandoned their places within the Plot. Traitors, in short. We do not speak of that place or those people. I will say no more. I think it is time I returned to my duties, in fact. I have a book … I mean, a kingdom, to run. An intruder named Petunia … or perhaps it was Posy … has just dropped into our story and all chaos will break loose if something isn’t done about her immediately. Good day.

* * * 

About the Author

Ashlee has a passion for three things: God, family, and books, and is happiest when all three can be enjoyed together.  Ashlee graduated from Central Christian College of the Bible with a Bachelor of Science in Christian Education. She divides her time chiefly between homeschooling her young son, reading about fantasy worlds she wishes she could visit, and dreaming up fantasy worlds of her own to write about. She loves taking walks in the woods, drinking tea with friends, and spending time with the ones she loves most.  Ashlee lives in the heart of Missouri with her husband, son, and cat, where she is busily at work on her next book, also a fantasy for young adults.

Find Ashlee on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads, and at www.ashleewillisauthor.wordpress.com.

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Giveaway!

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Don't Try This at Home by Author Yvonne Anderson

Do you dream of becoming an author? Searching for a professional writer to emulate? 

Don’t look at me; I’m a rotten role model.

Let’s walk through my typical day to see what I mean.

I set an alarm for six, but I’m usually up before then. I hobble into the kitchen and turn on the coffee. Then I shower to bring me fully awake—and to tame my hopeless bed-head, which, thanks to my three (3) cowlicks, cannot be brought under control without copious amounts of water. 

After that, I start writing? Nope. A cup of black coffee in hand, I spend the next hour to hour-and-a-half in prayer and Bible study.

And then I get down to work, right? Wrong. This is where I have breakfast and my second (and last) cup of coffee. I talk with my husband—who, being retired, has no particular schedule but is always up and about by breakfast time—and putter around on my laptop (check emails, blogs, etc.). Then I clean up the kitchen, fix my hair (which has been air-drying), and go to work.

I’m a church secretary. I began working there in January. I hadn’t been looking for a job, but, since my husband and I moved here in November, I had been looking for a church, and the Lord led me to a church and a job at the same time.

And because He is merciful, the job is only part-time, so I’m home in time for lunch.

Now I start my writing day, right? Umm… not usually. I mentioned that we moved recently, and that my husband’s retired. I should also tell you he’s a handyman, and quite a good one. Put all these together, and what do you get? A guy who always has projects going on, both in the house and in the yard. And who, bless his heart, only has two hands.

I wish I had a dollar for every “do you have a minute?” Or worse yet, “Are you busy? Because I could really use some help” (that one should be worth $2 at least). If I were paid for each of those requests, I could afford to hire an assistant for him. Or at least, I’d be making more money than I do selling books, which I can’t seem to ever get written because somebody is always interrupting me.

This has been the situation for quite some time, because before we moved, he was getting our previous home spruced up for sale. I haven’t had any time to myself since 2012, when I wrote my current new release, Ransom in the Rock. (Just got around to publishing it, but it’s been finished for quite a while.)

The interruptions used to drive. Me. Mad. Especially when reading advice from successful authors about how, if you’re going to take your writing profession seriously, you need to plant your posterior in the chair and write, write, write – don’t be distracted – tell your family to not interrupt you – blah blah blah.

It finally occurred to me: the profession I take most seriously is that of my faith in Christ. I write because He urged me in that direction. But did He ever suggest I make it my career? No; it’s people who tell me that, not God. 

Has He commanded I be submissive to my husband? Absolutely. Does “submission” mean grumbling and grinding my teeth? Not hardly. It means, when confronted with that apologetic Do you have a minute?, replying with complete sincerity, “I have many minutes, and they’re all yours.”

“But…” (you may sputter), “You’re a writer. You need to be writing. You need to… [fill in your choice of the experts’ wise advice].”

Yes, I’m a writer. But I’m a Christ-follower first, and then a wife, a mother, a grandma, etc. “Writer” comes pretty far down the list.

Let me put it this way: if I should one day find myself alone and able to write with no one to interrupt me, will I regret having given my husband my time when I could? 

And if I go first? When I stand before Christ, will I be ashamed of not having written more books?

I guess this means I’m a hobbyist, not a professional author—and that’s okay. I’m just warning you: if you want to do this author thing right, don’t do what I do.

A resident of Western Maryland, Yvonne Anderson writes fiction that takes you out of this world.  She also does freelance editing; contributes to the writing blog The Borrowed Book; oversees Novel Rocket’s Launch Pad Contest; and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, International Thriller Writers, and the Independent Author Network. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, or Goodreads.

Fly through the Gateway to Gannah for some serious sci-fi adventure: The first three titles, The Story in the Stars and Words in the Wind and Ransom in the Rock, are all available in both print and ebook. Watch for the launch of The Last Toqeph, the fourth and final flight in the series, in the autumn of 2014. (It’s been finished for a long time too!)

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YA Fantasy Romance Book Review ~ The Seahorse Legacy

About the Book

a Pirate
bound by a centuries-old oath

a Knight
determined to prove her calling

a Legacy
demanding surrender

As Keeper of the Seahorse Legacy, Cazien de Pollis is a King among pirates, divinely appointed to dispense justice on the seas. Bound by the sacred oath of a long-dead ancestor, he must fulfill a contract to wed the green-eyed Oracle’s Daughter named therein — or risk losing everything he and his people hold dear. But at nineteen, with the identity of his betrothed only recently revealed, Cazien resents the contract — and the urgency within him to see it satisfied.

Erielle de Gladiel returned from the quest for the Remedy, changed. Not only are her formerly-blue eyes now a brilliant shade of green, but she must don gloves to hide inky evidence that her prophetically-bestowed title, the Oracle’s Daughter, demands more from her than the task already completed. Erielle’s dearest-held dream is realized when she is knighted by her King, but unbeknownst to her, that very honor jeopardizes the prophesied purpose to which she and Cazien have been called.

Just as Cazien summons the courage to collect his bride, dark rumors and darker deeds crawl up the coasts, calling its guardians, the Seahorse Pirates, into action — and Cazien away from Erielle. But even though the Oracle’s Daughter knows nothing of the contract to which she has been consigned, Cazien’s enemies have somehow learned of his interest in Erielle. And if they reach her before his ancestor’s weighty oath is executed, the Seahorse Legacy will be forfeited . . . and darkness will be given reign.

Subtly paying homage to several classic tales including Peter Pan, Robin Hood, The Little Mermaid, Much Ado About Nothing, and even The Three Little Bears, THE SEAHORSE LEGACY begins an epic re-imagining of the classic Grimm fairy tale, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, which will conclude in Eyes of E’veria, Book 4: THE SUNKEN REALM.

Amber's Review

Dark. Daring. Delightful! The Seahorse Legacy was everything I could have hoped for as a third installment in the "Eyes of E'veria" series and as the start of a new set within the series as a whole. Yes, I'm seriously desperate for the fourth installment (The Sunken Realm, releasing in 2015) - as there's a lot that still needs to be resolved. Yet, despite the setup (i.e.: background information) and the time the hero and heroine spend apart, I still found The Seahorse Legacy to be full of adventure and romance. While it doesn't necessarily stand alone, it's still satisfying enough on its own to warrant reading it now, even considering the wait for Book 4!

Erielle and Cazien are seriously an explosive pair. They each have their own dreams and duties - and a streak of independence as sharp as a dagger. Their story together is only just beginning, but the stories of their individual journeys of humility, obedience, and faith are quite powerful here. The scenes that brought me to tears were the ones where I could feel Erielle's embarrassment and devastation, so heartbreakingly authentic even as the pain is being used to bring her to the place where she needs to be.

Although there is quite a bit of time apart for these two, their chemistry sings when they're together. (Sometimes in a loud, rock-'n-roll sort of way, and sometimes in a boy-band love-song sort of way. *wink*) The anticipatory suspense between their "together" scenes made the Kindle pages fly for me. I wanted to see when they would meet up again, what would come of each new interaction, and when Cazien would finally come clean with Erielle!

We've got pirates (which means there are some rather violent scenes, just as a heads up); we've got danger and deception, a mystery, and a hero and heroine with a heart for others; and we've got a wild and intense ending that serves as a semi-pseudo HEA that's both touching and agonizing (keeping in mind the wait for The Sunken Realm). In other words, we've got another wonderful fantasy romance from Serena Chase!

*With thanks to the author for providing me with an e-ARC of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Want More?

• You can purchase the book now in Kindle format on Amazon! Paperback coming soon.

• This review was first posted at Seasons of Humility. Be sure to check out the original post for a fun interview with the author and some great giveaways!

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NA Fantasy Book Spotlight ~ Resistance

Something fresh has arisen in the world of New Adult fiction and Christian fantasy! Resistance is the first in an epic 6-book series by Jaye L. Knight. I had the pleasure of proofreading the book prior to publication, as well as organizing the cover reveal and blog tour. It's been quite the adventure, and I'm inspired by the author's commitment and care for each aspect of the publishing process. Learn more about this awesome new release below...

About the Book

“Don’t you know? Animals like you have no soul.”

Could God ever love a half-blood all of society looks upon with such fear and disdain? Jace once believed so, but when a tragic loss shatters the only peace he’s ever known, his faith crumbles as the nagging doubts he’s tried to put behind him descend on his grieving heart. With them come the haunting memories of the bloodstained past he longs to forget, but can never escape.

Taken from home at a young age and raised to serve the emperor, Kyrin Altair lives every day under a dangerous pretense of loyalty. After her unique observation skills and perfect memory place her into direct service to the emperor, Kyrin finds herself in further jeopardy as it becomes increasingly difficult to hide her belief in Elôm, the one true God.

Following the emperor’s declaration to enforce the worship of false gods under the penalty of death, many lives are endangered. But there are those willing to risk everything to take a stand and offer aid to the persecuted. With their lives traveling paths they never could have imagined, Jace and Kyrin must fight to overcome their own fears and conflicts with society as they become part of the resistance.

About the Author

JAYE L. KNIGHT is a 25-year-old independent author with a passion for writing Christian fantasy and clean NA (New Adult) fiction. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God's love shines as a light to offer hope.

Jaye is a homeschool graduate and has been penning stories since the age of eight. She was previously published as Molly Evangeline. You can learn about her latest writing projects at www.jayelknight.com.

Want More?

• You can purchase the book now on Amazon! (Kindle format is only $3.99; paperback version will be available there very soon...)

• Resistance is currently on tour in the blogosphere! View the schedule with direct links on the blog tour page.

• You can immerse yourself in the world of Ilyon via the special tour-wide giveaway! Enter using the Rafflecopter form below (US only):

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YA Fantasy Book Review ~ Uncovering Cobbogoth

About the Book

Norah Lukens needs to uncover the truth about the fabled lost city of Cobbogoth. After her archaeologist uncle’s murder, Norah is asked to translate his old research journal for evidence and discovers that his murder was a cover-up for something far more sinister.

When she turns to neighbor and only friend James Riley for help, she realizes that not only is their bitter-sweet past haunting her every step, but James is keeping dangerous secrets. Can Norah discover what they are before it's too late to share her own?

Readers old and young will love this YA Fantasy Romance set in Boston, MA, but full of mythical beings, magic, and lost secrets.

Amber's Review

Full of mystery, danger, and romance, Uncovering Cobbogoth is undeniably intriguing and imaginative. A lot of thought had to go into creating the Cobbogothian mythology and the connections between it and the story's heroine, Norah, and I applaud Clark for her creativity! The book contains many twists and tender moments.

There's definitely a "first book in a series" feel to this, as there are a lot of flashback scenes, back story, and explanations which often keep the pace reined in. I did enjoy learning more about James through the flashbacks - it's just that there are a lot of them. And I confess that some of the magical/mythical elements remained out of my complete grasp. The history is a little complex, and the Cobbogoth setting is rather different. But I appreciated the uniqueness of the imagery and the surprising ways plot elements fit together!

References to gods and goddesses, intense images (involving murder victims, etc.), and demon "possession" are a part of the story, but there are also themes of love and sacrifice. Clark has set up a very interesting supernatural YA fantasy series with Uncovering Cobbogoth, one that is sure to garner plenty of fans. 

*With thanks to Cedar Fort for providing me with a PDF copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Book Trailer



Extras

• You can read other reviews, spotlights, etc. during the Cedar Fort blog tour, which lasts through the whole month of May: Uncovering Cobbogoth Blog Tour

• You can connect with the author on her awesome website!

• You can purchase the book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble!

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Fantasy Book Cover Reveal ~ Golden Daughter

Author Anne Elisabeth Stengl is releasing a new story in the "Tales of Goldstone Wood" series - Book 7, titled Golden Daughter. Look for it this November...and read on to learn more about the book and it's intriguing cover!

Beyond the realm of dreams

is a world she never imagined

Masayi Sairu was raised to be dainty, delicate, demure . . . and deadly. She is one of the emperor’s Golden Daughters, as much a legend as she is a commodity. One day, Sairu will be contracted in marriage to a patron, whom she will secretly guard for the rest of her life. 

But when she learns that a sacred Dream Walker of the temple seeks the protection of a Golden Daughter, Sairu forgoes marriage in favor of this role. Her skills are stretched to the limit, for assassins hunt in the shadows, and phantoms haunt in dreams. With only a mysterious Faerie cat and a handsome slave—possessed of his own strange abilities—to help her, can Sairu shield her new mistress from evils she can neither see nor touch? 

For the Dragon is building an army of fire. And soon the heavens will burn. 

About the Author

Anne Elisabeth Stengl is the author of the award-winning Tales of Goldstone Wood series, adventure fantasies told in the classic Fairy Tale style. Her books include Christy Award-winning Heartless and Veiled Rose, and Clive Staples Award-winning Starflower. She makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a passel of cats, and one long-suffering dog. When she's not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and practices piano, painting, and pastry baking. She studied illustration and English literature at Grace College and Campbell University.

You can connect with her on her blog, Tales of Goldstone Wood, as well as on Facebook.

Cover Design

The cover illustration was done by Julia Popova. Visit her website, www.forestgirl.ru, to learn more about her and her fantastic work!

Book Page

If you’d like to learn more about Golden Daughter, visit the book page for interesting articles, illustrations, and more!

Giveaway!

Anne Elisabeth is giving away two books from her "Tales of Goldstone Wood" series (winner's choice from the first six)! Enter via the Rafflecopter form below:

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Fantasy Book Cover Reveal ~ Goddess Tithe

Author Anne Elisabeth Stengl is releasing a new story in the "Tales of Goldstone Wood" series - a novella titled Goddess Tithe. Look for it this November...and read on to learn more about the book and it's epic cover!

The Vengeful Goddess 

Demands Her Tithe 

When a stowaway is discovered aboard the merchant ship Kulap Kanya, Munny, a cabin boy on his first voyage, knows what must be done. All stowaways are sacrificed to Risafeth, the evil goddess of the sea. Such is her right, and the Kulap Kanya's only hope to return safely home. 

Yet, to the horror of his crew, Captain Sunan vows to protect the stowaway, a foreigner in clown's garb. A curse falls upon the ship and all who sail with her, for Risafeth will stop at nothing to claim her tithe.

Will Munny find the courage to trust his captain and to protect the strange clown who has become his friend? 

About the Author

Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a kindle of kitties, and one long-suffering dog. When she’s not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and practices piano, painting, and pastry baking. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She is the author of the Tales of Goldstone Wood, including Heartless, Veiled Rose, Moonblood, Starflower, and Dragonwitch. Heartless and Veiled Rose have each been honored with a Christy Award, and Starflower was voted winner of the 2013 Clive Staples Award.

In Anne Elisabeth's Words...

About the Cover Design

I had the fun of designing this cover—finding reference photos, inventing the composition, applying the text, etc.—but the actual artistic work was done by talented cover artist Phatpuppy, whose work I have admired for many years. It was such a thrill for me to contact and commission this artist to create a look for Goddess Tithe that is reminiscent of the original novels but has a style and drama all its own.

The boy on the front was quite a find. I hunted high and low for an image of a boy the right age, the right look, with the right expression on his face. Phatpuppy and I worked with a different model through most of the cover development stage. But then I happened upon this image, and both she and I were delighted with his blend of youth, stubbornness, and strength of character! It wasn’t difficult to switch the original boy for this young man. He simply is Munny, and this cover is a perfect window into the world of my story.

You can’t see it here, but the wrap-around back cover for the print copy contains some of the prettiest work . . . including quite a scary sea monster! Possibly my favorite detail is the inclusion of the ghostly white flowers framing the outer edge. These are an important symbol in the story itself, and when Phatpuppy sent me the first mock-up cover with these included, I nearly jumped out of my skin with excitement!

About the Illustration

There are eight full-page illustrations in Goddess Tithe featuring various characters and events from the story. This is the first one in the book. I decided to share it with all of you since it depicts my young hero, Munny the cabin boy, under the watchful eye of his mentor, the old sailor Tu Pich. Munny is on his first voyage, and he is determined to learn all there is to know about a life at sea as quickly as possible. Thus we see him utterly intent upon the knot he is learning to tie. Tu Pich is old enough to know that no sailor will ever learn all there is to know about the sea. Thus he looks on, grave, caring, and perhaps a little sad. He might be looking upon his own younger self of many years ago, fumbling through the hundreds of difficult knots his fingers must learn to tie with unconscious ease.

I enjoyed creating all the illustrations for Goddess Tithe, but this one was my favorite. I love the contrasts of light and dark, the contrasts of young and old . . . youthful intensity versus the perspective of age.

First Chapter

Giveaway!

Anne Elisabeth is giving away two proof copies of Goddess Tithe! This drawing is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below:

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YA Book Review ~ Watermark

About the Book

I stared at her in frustration. “What is with you?!” I exploded. She was not acting like my best friend. Like my Morgan. “You’ve been so different this summer, and I don’t get it!” 

“Well, you’ve been different too! People change, you know,” she snapped back. 

“If I’ve changed, fine. But at least I’m still honest with you. You, however, have turned into a liar! If we don’t have trust between us, then what do we have, Morgan?” 

Relationships on the White Island are volatile and Whitnee, Morgan, and Caleb aren’t sure who they can trust—even each other. Politicians are lying, history is being rewritten, and motives are questionable. Whitnee sets out with Gabriel and a band of rebel spies to take back the enemy’s biggest weapon—Whitnee’s father. However, a shocking turn of events proves once again that the Island’s secrets have the power to destroy more than just the truth. Separated from her friends, Whitnee battles her own fears in order to survive and protect the ones she loves. But when Morgan’s illness finally comes to light, Whitnee faces a decision that could alter her future—and Morgan’s—forever. And whether she ultimately stays on the Island or leaves might not be her choice, after all.

Amber's Review

The White Island has been plunged into turmoil. Distrust is the catch of the day, and everyone from the Island's inhabitants to the three Mainland teens caught up in the Island's issues are struggling with personal and communal fears. In this fourth installment of the "Phantom Island" series - the close of the "Water" books and the first half of the series - everything comes to a head. Definitely a dramatic wrap-up that leaves a bit of magic in the reader's heart, waiting to come alive once again whenever the next "element" is revealed and the fifth book released.

In order to best appreciate and understand Watermark, Watercrossing should be fresh on the mind. Watermark dives right back in to the uncertainty that kept readers hanging at the end of the third book: What is to come of Gabriel's injuries? Are the ones who came to the cabin trustworthy? Who is the traitor in their midst? What secret is Morgan hiding? All these questions and more are dealt with in this book, keeping the action and relational tension high throughout the pages. For those invested in the series, there is much to intrigue, to frustrate, and to fascinate. Just be prepared to get a little wet along the way, as there are some tearful scenes.

Re-reading Watercrossing in preparation for reading this story reminded me of just how engaging Dallas's writing and characters are. Despite the fact that I had experienced the twists and turns before (even though it had been over a year since I'd read it), Watercrossing still managed to pull me in the second time around. The friendships and romance, the danger and descriptions of a creative world - all made me fall in love with this series from the first book and have left me excited and anxious for any news of what is to come for this series.

If you're a loyal fan, Watermark shouldn't disappoint. It's an allegorical addition to the series, full of intense revelations and reactions. And if this is the first you've heard of the White Island and you're now intrigued...don't miss out on the joy that is discovering a whole cast of colorful characters inhabiting a YA fantasy world that is both utterly relatable and wonderfully imagined. Start with Windchaser, devour the first half of this (most likely) eight-book series, and join me in anticipating the next Island adventure.

*With thanks to the author for providing me with a PDF pre-release copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Extras

• Learn more about author Krissi Dallas and the "Phantom Island" series at www.krissidallas.com.

• Purchase Watermark at Tate Publishing's website (official release date: October 29, 2013). Find the first three books in the series on Amazon, Krissi's website (White Island Shoppe at the top of the page), and Tate Publishing's website.

• Amber's reviews of the first three books: Windchaser, Windfall, and Watercrossing.

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YA Book Spotlight ~ Songstone

Lena Goldfinch (my cover designer and self-publishing mentor) has just released a new YA fantasy romance novel! I had the pleasure of being one of the book's editors and putting the blog tour together. Read on to learn more about this captivating story and the tour...

About the Book

"Kita can meld song into stone. In a world with no written word, storytelling—the ability to meld (or magically impress) song into stone—is greatly honored. The village honors her master as their medicine man, but Kita knows he's secretly a sorcerer who practices black magic using drops of her blood. She fears he’ll use her beautiful gift for a killing spell, so she conceals it from him. Each day, his magic tightens around her neck like a rope. His spells blind the villagers, so they can’t see him for what he really is.

Not that anyone would want to help her. She was found in the forest as a baby and would have died if a village girl hadn't brought her home. But the villagers saw Kita's unusual coloring and decided she belonged to the mysterious tribe who lives in the forests of the volcano, a people feared for their mystical powers. So they fear her too. Now seventeen, she can barely admit her deepest longing: to know who she really is and where she belongs.

Then Pono, a young journeyman, arrives from the other side of the island. He's come to fulfill a pact between their villages: to escort a storyteller back to his village—a storyteller who'll be chosen at the great assembly. Finally, in Pono, Kita sees her one slim chance at freedom and she'll risk her life to take it.

A dark, twisty tale of sorcery, tummy-tingling romance, and adventure, inspired by the folklore of New Zealand's Māori people."

About the Author

"Lena lives in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. She writes fiction for young adults, mostly light fantasy with a healthy dose of "sigh-worthy" romance. You can visit her online at www.lenagoldfinch.blogspot.com."

Want More?

• There's a sweet summer blog tour going on right now with an epic giveaway, great reviews, and cool interviews! Catch up on the posts and enter the giveaway at the blog tour page.

• You can purchase the book in Kindle format for only $3.97 at Amazon!

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Fantasy Book Review ~ The Remedy

About the Book

"PURPOSED by birth. DESTINED by prophecy. REVEALED by Truth. 

Now, her time has come. 

Having come to terms with her long-hidden identity, Princess Rynnaia E’veri is ready to take her rightful place. But before she can join her father at Castle Rynwyk, she must endeavor to fulfill a 200-year-old prophecy and defeat the Kingdom’s ancient enemy, the Cobelds. Joined by her faithful knight, Sir Julien de Gladiel, and a gifted group of friends, Rynnaia must trek a dangerous path through canyons, forests, and into the very depths of a mountain where, if the prophetic scrolls prove correct, she will face an unknown foe, alone. Treacheries will be discovered, sacrifices will be made, friends will be lost, and love will be tested, but if even one line of the riddled prophecy is misinterpreted, Rynnaia will fail . . . and the Kingdom will fall.

Beginning at the point THE RYN ended, THE REMEDY concludes an epic re-imagining of the classic Grimm fairy tale, Snow White & Rose Red, but the Eyes of E’veria series is only beginning . . ."

Amber's Review

The Remedy is an ultimately exciting sequel to The Ryn, continuing the epic tradition of its predecessor and leaving just enough tantalizing hints about the future of certain secondary characters to leave the reader eager for more of the "Eyes of E'veria" series!

The beginning was a little rough for me in comparison to the great beginning of The Ryn. The pacing starts out sort of slow, and there's quite a bit of recapping from the first book. (That might be more helpful to those who haven't read The Ryn, however. It just kept me from really being drawn into the flow of the story for a while.) After all the foreshadowing and planning in The Ryn, I guess I was just eager for the actual journey to get started. *wink*

The plot really picks up close to halfway through the book, and from then on it's a thrilling, harrowing, surprising adventure as Rynnaia and her faithful companions seek the Remedy for the sake of the kingdom and all those they love. Lots of unexpected twists and lessons in humility along the way! The characters are spared very little of the danger and suffering such an undertaking entails. But the ending is completely satisfying and extra special for those who have read both parts of the story.

It's a pleasure to rejoin this great cast of characters, and I'm looking forward to seeing where Chase takes some of them in future novels. (If I wasn't already excited by the references in The Remedy to the potential plot of the third book, this Pinterest board would have me curious!) Chase offers a great "remedy" in this series for bookshelves deficient in a sweet mix of fairy tales and fantasy (with some romance, of course!).

*With thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC e-version of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Extras

• You can purchase the e-book now for $3.99 at Amazon.com!

• Learn more about the author and her book at the author's website.

• Read Amber's review of The Ryn and enter an exciting giveaway HERE.

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Fantasy Book Review ~ The Ryn

About the Book

"DESTINED by prophecy. GUARDED by deception. PURSUED by Love.

Centuries ago, an oracle foretold of the young woman who would defeat E’veria’s most ancient enemy, the Cobelds. But after two centuries of relative peace, both the prophecy and the Cobelds have been relegated to lore—and only a few remain watchful for the promised Ryn.

Finally, a child is born who matches the oracle’s description, but a Cobeld curse accompanies her birth. Led to believe they succeeded in killing the prophesied child, the Cobelds emerge from hiding with plans to overtake the Kingdom.

But the child survived.

Secreted away and called 'Rose' for the first nineteen years of her life, Rynnaia E’veri has no idea of her true identity until a chance meeting with an injured knight reveals not only her parentage and true name, but the task assigned her by the oracle: discover the Remedy that will destroy the Cobelds’ power.

Now, her time has come.

Offered the assistance of pirates, scribes, storytellers, a young woman who died centuries ago, and the knight who is quickly working his way into her heart, Rynnaia is fortified with friends. But if the Ryn is to complete her task, she must come to terms with not only who she is, but for whom she must be willing to die. For the kingdom’s survival depends on her.

THE RYN begins an expanded re-imagining of the classic Grimm fairy tale, Snow White & Rose Red."

Amber's Review

The Ryn is an epic and engaging story that combines so many delightful elements: fairy-tale pieces, bits of fantasy, swirls of colorful surprises, and generous helpings of familial and romantic love. I love the suspense, brought about not only by the danger, but by the anticipation of unfolding events and revelations. One of those revelations brings about such a great twist to the storytelling - one that is sudden but awesome in its cleverness. There's so much creativity at play in this story, and I love the passion behind it and the excitement that permeates it!

Some great characters are introduced in this first book in the "Eyes of E'veria" series, including a hero that quickly stole my heart, a talented and over-protective brother, a handsome-and-he-knows-it pirate, and many more. The ending moves at a bit of a slower pace, but there are some fabulous scenes in there, and it builds a foundation for the sequel (The Remedy), which I am really looking forward to reading! For a unique and wonderful re-imagining of a fairy tale, The Ryn has a lot to offer, and I hope this will only be the beginning of a long list of books penned by Serena Chase!

*With thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC e-version of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Extras

• You can purchase the e-book now for $3.99 on Amazon.com!

• Learn more about the author and her book at the author's website. 

• Check out this cover reveal to get a glimpse at the sequel, The Remedy. 

• As part of the blog tour, Serena has an awesome giveaway going on! Enter via Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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YA Book Spotlight and Review ~ Aire

About the Book

"A tale of Legends reborn, royal intrigue, and an unforgettable, heart-melting romance that will sweep you away.

Annalisia is a seer, a princess with a courageous spirit—and a soft spot for Legends.

Jovanni is a Legend, a commoner with no patience for pampered royals.

Principessa Annalisia is stunned and conscience-stricken when an unknown enemy mistakenly abducts her maidservant. Determined to find the girl, Annalisia disguises herself as plain Anna and slips away from the palace. She tracks down Jovanni, her maidservant's daring older brother, and they soon begin to search together. As they uncover clues, Anna also discovers a kindred spirit in Jovanni. But would he be so free with her if he knew who she really was? Doubtful. Even so, she reveals her secret gift of visions to him, and in so doing disobeys the orders of her beloved grandmother, the queen.

With Jovanni, Anna can almost imagine she’s like any other seventeen year old girl, free to pursue the longings of her heart. When she learns that he also has a secret—he's a sentinel, an ancient shapeshifter who can take the form of a falcon—it seems as if they were destined to be together, as in the legends of il Sentiro. Though Anna is tempted to wish otherwise, she can’t forget that she’s a princess and it's her duty to marry another. Meanwhile, their hunt leads Anna ever closer to danger, for she is herself is being hunted.

A princess and a commoner. They never should have fallen in love, but they did.

Aire is a lush, romantic fantasy, inspired by ancient Italy and Turkey."

Amber's Review

Lena Goldfinch has a wonderful talent for creating vivid, beautifully imagined fantasy worlds. I loved the sweetness of her novella, The Language of Souls, and I love the added "epic" quality to this longer fantasy romance. Aire is an exciting story that expounds on the ideas of sacrificial love and the existence of realities beyond the common.

I had the pleasure and honor of being a beta reader for this story, and it was a treat to see it grow and to fall in love with it a little bit at a time. With great suspense, enjoyable romance, a grand setting, and some intriguing secondary characters, Aire is a wonderful read. This book has solidified my "fan" status, and I can't wait for Lena to share more of her stories with readers!

*With many thanks to the author for allowing me to read an early copy of the story in exchange for my feedback and my honest opinion.*

About the Author

From Lena's website: "I live in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with my husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. In my not-so-murky past, I've worked as a software engineer and a web designer, and now love writing fiction. I also love horses, Xbox Dance Central DC, and Tai Chi, a relaxing but challenging form of exercise/martial art (which is way harder than it looks! ;)).

For reading, I'm a sucker for a good old-fashioned romance, whether it be a traditional Regency, historical romance/mystery, or, naturally, young adult fantasy. I love watching movies with my family and going for walks around a nearby lake, with my very spoiled Black Lab, of course.

Besides wanting to be a writer, I always wanted to be an artist. Although I ended up enjoying a wonderfully fulfilling career in software engineering and web design, I still absolutely LOVE design. Nowadays, I employ both my computer and artistic skills designing my website and also book interiors & covers."

Want More?

• You can purchase the e-book version of Aire now on Amazon.com!

• Learn more about Lena's novella, The Language of Souls, in a previous book-spotlight post.

• Be sure to stop by here on Friday (April 5th) to complete a fun puzzle and enter for a chance to win an e-book version of Aire!

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YA Book Spotlight ~ The Language of Souls

My first "May I Borrow From Your Book?" letter, which I posted last week, was for Lena Goldfinch. Today I'm pleased to share a little more with you about her novella, The Language of Souls, which was recently re-released as a YA read. Then on Friday, January 11th, Lena will be giving away an e-copy of the novella, and you can enter to win by completing a fun puzzle featuring the book's intriguing cover - so be sure to stop by!
 
About the Book

"Solena, a young healer with a generous heart, is desperate to heal her dying grandfather. When she ventures into hostile territory to find a rare herb, she finds out just how much she’s risked when she’s captured by the enemy and accused of being a spy.

As a soldier, Rundan has struggled all his life to please his father, a ruthless army commander, but when he’s ordered to take the beautiful trespasser to the royal courts, where she’ll be summarily tried and executed, he’s plagued by the most inconvenient desire to protect her.

Though terrified and anxious to escape, Solena is confused by the handsome young soldier who cruelly captures her and then displays uncommon kindness. When he risks his own life to save hers, she discovers she may have risked more than her life… she may have lost her heart.

YOUNG ADULT, FANTASY, ROMANCE
TEEN FICTION, ages 12 and up"

About the Author

From Lena's website: "I live in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with my husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. In my not-so-murky past, I've worked as a software engineer and a web designer, and now love writing fiction. I also love horses, Xbox Dance Central DC, and Tai Chi, a relaxing but challenging form of exercise/martial art (which is way harder than it looks! ;)).

For reading, I'm a sucker for a good old-fashioned romance, whether it be a traditional Regency, historical romance/mystery, or, naturally, young adult fantasy. I love watching movies with my family and going for walks around a nearby lake, with my very spoiled Black Lab, of course.

Besides wanting to be a writer, I always wanted to be an artist. Although I ended up enjoying a wonderfully fulfilling career in software engineering and web design, I still absolutely LOVE design. Nowadays, I employ both my computer and artistic skills designing my website and also book interiors & covers."
  
Want More?

• You can buy the book now on Amazon.com in e-book (only $.99!) or paperback format! 

• Check out Goodreads for a sneak peek at the cover and synopsis of Lena's next release - a full-length YA fantasy romance novel called Aire!

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Fantasy Book Review: Starflower

 About the Book (from Bethany House)

"The Black Dogs Are on the Hunt, But Who Is Their Prey?

When a cursed dragon-witch kidnaps fairest Lady Gleamdren, the Bard Eanrin sets boldly forth on a rescue mission... and a race against his rival for Gleamdren's favor. Intent upon his quest, the last thing the immortal Faerie needs is to become mixed up with the troubles of an insignificant mortal.

But when he stumbles upon a maiden trapped in an enchanted sleep, he cannot leave her alone in the dangerous Wood Between. One waking kiss later, Eanrin suddenly finds his story entangled with that of young Starflower. A strange link exists between this mortal girl and the dragon-witch. Will Starflower prove the key to Lady Gleamdren's rescue? Or will the dark power from which she flees destroy both her and her rescuer?"

Amber's Review

With daring descriptions and exquisite emotion, Stengl continues to fascinate and inspire with her fourth installment in the "Tales of Goldstone Woods" series. Earlier this year, Moonblood (the third installment) moved me to tears and enchanted me, and it became my favorite of the series. But then Starflower came along with its powerful themes, epic quests, and unique look at familiar characters... It took a little bit of time for me to become completely enthralled, but once I was in, this book blossomed into my new favorite. And yes, I cried again!

The "Tales of Goldstone Woods" is very intriguing in its cyclic nature. It's very eternity-oriented, what with the Wood Between and the various faerie realms that aren't governed by time (at least, not how mortals would define it). It all begins with the story of Una and Aethelbald in Heartless. Then one of the secondary characters gets a chance to share his back story and his perspective of the events of Heartless in Veiled Rose. The events of Veiled Rose continue in Moonblood. But Starflower takes a very different turn by going back about 1,600 years in order to tell the tale of Eanrin and Starflower.

And yet, the jumping back and forth in time isn't as complicated as it sounds. (The non-linear approach reminds me a lot of C.S. Lewis' concept of the "Unbounded Now" - the idea that God is not bound by time, but rather everything is as "now" to Him.) While the perspective changes in each story from character to character, the focus - the overarching theme - does not. Each story is beautifully and uniquely crafted, and each story explores different facets of faith, but the message of love is wonderfully, marvelously the same.

All that to say, I highly, highly recommend that you read all of the books in this series. I think it is best enjoyed in order, but even if it isn't read in order, I think all of the books have so much to offer combined. Starflower was all the more meaningful to me because I had already "met" Eanrin and Starflower, and because I wanted to know what past events brought them to such a mysterious and hidden-emotions-filled future.

Coming back to this particular installment, I fell in love with the adventure. Stengl takes her readers through such exotic and evocative fantasy realms! The imagery is lovely and clever, and the romantic undertones, hints of humor, and intense chase scenes all come together to make this book such an ultimately engaging read. And the "Hound of Heaven" theme... Wow! This genre might not be every reader's cup of tea, but I admire Stengl's God-given talent of weaving such emotive literature, and I was deeply impacted by the questions and truths this story stirred in my heart.

I long for more of Eanrin and Starflower's story, and I eagerly await the release of Dragonwitch. Stengl's stories just keep getting better and better!

*With thanks to the author and Bethany House for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

[Note: This review was previously posted at Seasons of Humility.]

The Hound of Heaven

In an author's note at the back of the book, Stengl talks about how "The Hound of Heaven" - a poem by Francis Thompson - inspired one of the main themes of the book. I highly, highly recommend reading the poem in its entirety HERE. It's heart-breaking, convicting, and utterly beautiful.

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