tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702324603735948672024-02-21T00:53:06.703-08:00Pages of DiscoveryAmy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-20103062713732173902010-09-29T08:39:00.000-07:002010-09-29T08:39:17.337-07:00Author Interview: Christopher HopperWelcome to the third and final day of the CSFF Blog Tour for September! I am pleased to officially announce the interview of <a href="http://www.christopherhopper.com/blog/">Christopher Hopper</a>, coauthor of <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1400315069?tag=wwwenterthedo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1400315069&adid=1HWQYN00PXFEZVSE2TYK&">Venom and Song</a></em>. It was a close one, mainly due to the fact that he's been overseas. BUT - just in time, CH has come through for us with his answers to my interview questions. YES! He rules! <br />
<br />
If you didn't see yesterday's post, my interview with Wayne Thomas Batson, click <a href="http://pagesofdiscovery.blogspot.com/2010/09/author-interview-wayne-thomas-batson.html">HERE</a>. And if you're wondering what the heck I'm going on about, click <a href="http://pagesofdiscovery.blogspot.com/2010/09/venom-and-song-csff-blog-tour-day-one.html">HERE</a> for Day One's post for <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1400315069?tag=wwwenterthedo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1400315069&adid=1HWQYN00PXFEZVSE2TYK&">Venom and Song</a></em>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hUBhyphenhyphen0GrU1B2lIv-7ZugMlwof0zeVzc-jpGtGxIhWCo7-3Mo_3PUBqrDEdOThTpHiZGzwo0T6ahhEwhyphenhyphenvlbN7oPLYlruBOd1eCoPLk4rzBRTAt5Wcgaxf3usuKJY-PcoM6_pB9huuow/s1600/ch-awakening-speaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hUBhyphenhyphen0GrU1B2lIv-7ZugMlwof0zeVzc-jpGtGxIhWCo7-3Mo_3PUBqrDEdOThTpHiZGzwo0T6ahhEwhyphenhyphenvlbN7oPLYlruBOd1eCoPLk4rzBRTAt5Wcgaxf3usuKJY-PcoM6_pB9huuow/s320/ch-awakening-speaking.jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step up to the mic, Mr. Hopper. Oh wait - you're already there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I'll be using the same questions for today as I did for Wayne's interview yesterday. But as you'll see, the answers are interestingly unique, if not a tad cryptic at times (for our own good, of course).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">***</div><br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: What does "Endurance and Victory" mean to you?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">CH: We felt it very much embodied not only the plight of the Elves, who's condition confined them to a life of delayed hopes (Endurance) and a reminder of eventual conquest (Victory), but also of the young lords, and that of our readers. Victories are hard won, at least those worth obtaining. And in a generation that has largely adopted an instant mentality for almost everything, learning to Endure is a character trait we need to tie back into our day-to-day lives.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: There are several prevailing themes throughout this series, but some really come into focus in Venom and Song, like trust, forgiveness, acceptance, and many aspects of relationships. What is the one theme you felt was the most necessary to portray?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">CH: For me it was the development of interpersonal relationships. Next to how we get along with Jesus, how we get along with each other is the most important thing in life. Kingdoms rise and fall because of relationships. So watching the Seven learn to work together through their differences was simply a reflection of real life, and made the book extremely realistic for me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: We see the Seven's gifts mature and grow, will that growth continue? And what spurns this growth?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">CH: Growth is an essential part of human development; it's the whole reason people want to read a story in the first place. If characters are not growing, there's no real point in reading. So yes, it will continue.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">As for the reason, I think it's two-fold: one is to serve their world in its pursuit of freedom. Allyra's bondage demands dedication to the development of their gifts (meaning the Seven). And secondly, the Seven themselves find more of their identity as they grow in their gifts. Like they say about men: we find our value in what we produce. And therefore, the greater the Seven grow in their individual giftings, the more they feel connected to the world around them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: There are so many aspect to writing a great story, how does the language itself factor in for you? Is it important?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">CH: Yeah, language is a huge part of story-telling, esspecially when you're mixing a modern world with a pre-modern age. Apart from physical descriptions and environments, language is the single greatest telltale of who's talking and what era they're in. We worked very hard to make each character reflect their own world simply in the way they communicated.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: We see a lot of battle and death in this installment. As an author of endearing characters, how do you choose who lives and dies?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">CH: We roll dice, make bets, and try to make out images in cloud formations. It's a very exact science.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Sometimes you just get this feeling like, "What if just killed off this person?" The bigger the upset, the more likely it's going to make it into the book. Never give the reader what they want, give them what they need.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: Certain pairings are starting to appear within the Seven, will these carry significance througout the rest of the series?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">CH: Depends upon how the characters like each other.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: The character of Mannaelkin is often the voice of doubt, why is a character like this important to the story? And the message?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">CH: In all of life, we have our doubters. And how we treat them, and overcome their emotional prowess, determines a great deal of our outcome in perosnal life. He made the struggle real and tried to thwart plans politically in much the same way real life adversaries do here today. Sure, everyone can name the big bad evil guy in life...but are they keen enough to spot the not-so-obvious road blocks?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: Without giving too much away, in the final battle of the book we see rain. What does the symbolism of rain mean to you?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">CH: I hear the Lord most when I'm in the shower, or by the ocean. So water always symbolizes the person of the Holy Spirit. Interestingly, He is most often compared to water and wind in the Bible.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: In the chapter <em>The Art of Discipline</em>, on page 120, Grimwarden says, "Never mistake service for anything less than the highest form of nobility, Jett. Dictators and tyrants lead without serving; only true kings use their place of power to lead in the most humble of ways." This stuck with me, as did many other lessons the Seven learned. Is service something readers can strive for in their daily lives? How?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">CH: It all starts with the simple. Picking up your room. Obeying Dads and Moms. Doing the dishes. They might seem like menial chores, but they position you for greater levels of responsibilty later on in life. One reason grown-ups never enter into what they were destined for was because they never learned the art of service when given the chance as a youth.</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: The question that all of your readers are dying to know is - when can we expect book 3? Do you have a title or any tidbit you can share with us about it?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">CH: Sorry to make the masses wait, but mum's the word...</span><br />
<br />
<div align="center">***</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks for joining me as I got to delve into one of my favorite fantasy worlds once again! And rest assured, as soon as I know anything about Book Three in <em>The Berinfell Prophecies</em>, I'll be blogging all about it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Until next we meet in Allyra:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Endurance and Victory!</div>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-26497950063290847052010-09-28T09:50:00.000-07:002010-09-28T09:50:55.254-07:00Author Interview: Wayne Thomas BatsonWelcome to day two of the CSFF Blog Tour! Hopefully you've read my review of this month's excellent book, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1400315069?tag=wwwenterthedo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1400315069&adid=1HWQYN00PXFEZVSE2TYK&">Venom and Song</a></em> by <a href="http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/">Wayne Thomas Batson</a> and <a href="http://www.christopherhopper.com/blog/">Christopher Hopper</a>. If not, click <a href="http://pagesofdiscovery.blogspot.com/2010/09/venom-and-song-csff-blog-tour-day-one.html">HERE</a>. Now that we're all caught up, let's see what Mr. Batson had to say in answer to my interview questions... <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJfsUVegSQzKzxl5Uuod28Ziq-KzjFI7mZdlnHiBVz885-65Z1NekxdxOKMeLQNDoychJ4Ru3xLvZ1rYfT1BbriGbMBMbmTnC1xz4Yx45E8tFwQCkCGcUcQdkLSPii-p968dHf2wxJBQ/s1600/BatReadingMug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJfsUVegSQzKzxl5Uuod28Ziq-KzjFI7mZdlnHiBVz885-65Z1NekxdxOKMeLQNDoychJ4Ru3xLvZ1rYfT1BbriGbMBMbmTnC1xz4Yx45E8tFwQCkCGcUcQdkLSPii-p968dHf2wxJBQ/s1600/BatReadingMug.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can this guy rock a cape, or what?</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
Oh - and please don't forget to click on a few links from the day one post for updated tour info all about <em><span style="color: lime;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1400315069?tag=wwwenterthedo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1400315069&adid=1HWQYN00PXFEZVSE2TYK&">Venom and Song: Book 2 in The Berinfell Prophecies</a></span></em>.<br />
<br />
<div align="center">***</div><br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: What does "Endurance and Victory" mean to you?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">WTB: Not much. Christopher came up with that. Just kidding. The Elves are the Children of the Sun, and they have an actual physiological need for sunlight. It's their natural habitat. So to be forced underground where they can only rarely escape to get light requires great endurance. During that time of hiding, it seems the enemy has the upper hand. It's like that for Christians sometimes, I think. The world can seem so dark and dreary. And esp. in America, it can often seem like false things prosper while others suffer. But there will be victory. God has already won it. We know that in the end, not only will God wipe away every tear, but He will renew everything, a new heaven and a new earth. Everything false will be burned away. Victory is coming.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: There are several prevailing themes throughout this series, but some really come into focus in Venom and Song, like trust, forgiveness, acceptance, and many aspects of relationships. What is the one theme you felt was the most necessary to portray?</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">WTB: In Spider King we hoped that the seven teens would show readers that each and every kid, rich, poor, athletic, bookish, popular, or reclusive--each one is more precious than he or she can imagine. In Venom and Song, we hoped our young lords, now endowed with spectacular powers, would show readers how much each one needed to be content as one part of the whole body. As my mom says, "Comparisons are odious." Jealousy should be impossible for Christians. To each one He gives gifts. Run with it. Do your part. Be content.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: We see the Seven's gifts mature and grow, will that growth continue? And what spurs this growth?</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">WTB: We will indeed. CH and I have been plotting out book 3 of the series. And just the other day, we discovered that two of the seven will develop breathtaking extensions to their abilities. :-D </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: There are so many aspect to writing a great story, how does the language itself factor in for you? Is it important?</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">WTB: Language is important. Vocabulary, sentence structure--it all matters. But, there's an element of language that is really very fluid and subjective. What I mean is that writing styles change over the decades. Ten years ago, we taught students to avoid using the speaker tag "said" so often. Be more specific with your verbs, we'd preach. Not said, but howled, bellowed, whimpered, etc. But in 2010, a lot of readers smirk and complain when writers don't just stick with "said." Get rid of adverbs, some tell us. Eliminate the comma before the and in a series. It's all very malleable and depends on who you ask. All that said, I am a firm believer in using words to impact tone. Every word and phrase, every chance for a simile or metaphor--can I craft it just right to add to the readers fear, joy, sadness, anxiety, etc? If a publisher gives me time, I like to go back through a manuscript and just tweak little things to add that lingering impression.</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: We see a lot of battle and death in this installment. As an author of endearing characters, how do you choose who lives and dies?</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">WTB: I'm not sure what CH will say here, but for me, I don't choose. The story does. The story often demands that someone die, and usually, the demands are pretty specific. How can Aidan ever become the leader he needs to become if Captain Valithor is always there over his shoulder? And in Venom and Song, there was just no way that the seven could infiltrate Vesper Crag and not pay a price. When a certain sacrifice was called for, we thought, who would be the most likely character, and one stepped forward and volunteered.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: Certain pairings are starting to appear within the Seven, will these carry significance throughout the rest of the series?</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">WTB: Great question. At this point in the planning, I'm not sure. But honestly, the characters in Venom are all a little young to forge lasting romantic ties. Attraction can be there and HUGE bonds of friendship too. And I hope these kind of bonds will grow.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: The character of Mannaelkin is often the voice of doubt, why is a character like this important to the story? And the message?</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">WTB: I don't know if you always need such an oppositional character within the ranks of the "good side" characters. For CH and I, it wasn't really a purposeful thing. But, unconsciously, I think, Christopher and I have a burning resentment toward the infighting within Christianity and even the local church. Jesus said that others would know Jesus' kids by how they love each other. When someone puts self in front of God's plans, we all look bad.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: Without giving too much away, in the final battle of the book we see rain. What does the symbolism of rain mean to you?</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">WTB: Funny, but the symbolism came after the fact. In the very early stages of Book 1, Curse of the Spider King, I was sitting in a park with my laptop working on the outline. There were all these little kids running around and playing on the equipment. Some were jumping rope and singing. That's when it hit me. Spider King. And I had this image of little kids singing "Itsy bitsy spider." And I thought, HOLY BISCUITS!! "Down came the rain and washed the spider out" !! So there it was, a key element of book 2. Once we began delving deeper into the rain concept in book 2, it began to take on more of a "cleansing" metaphor.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: In the chapter The Art of Discipline, on page 120, Grimwarden says, "Never mistake service for anything less than the highest form of nobility, Jett. Dictators and tyrants lead without serving; only true kings use their place of power to lead in the most humble of ways." This stuck with me, as did many other lessons the Seven learned. Is service something readers can strive for in their daily lives? How?</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">WTB: I'm still very much learning about being a servant. All I know so far is that we must daily put our own needs behind those of others.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Me: The question that all of your readers are dying to know is - when can we expect book 3? Do you have a title or any tidbit you can share with us about it?</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">WTB: We're working on a title. And we're proposing Book 3 this week, so pray that it will happen. I think CH and I are pretty dedicated to doing book 3 no matter what, but that might mean finding a new home for the series. We hope not, but we'll see. As far as what might be happening in book 3, well let's just remind readers that the Spider King had accumulated a gigantic force of Warspiders, Gwar, and Drefids...on earth. Nuff said.</span><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><span style="color: #38761d;">***</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Okay kids! I'm not sure what I'll have for tomorrow, cuz that's just how I roll. It could be something really cool, or not much at all. We shall see...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As they say in Allyra... </div><div style="text-align: center;">Endurance and Victory!</div>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-80411603954931963352010-09-27T09:56:00.000-07:002010-09-27T09:56:14.571-07:00Venom and Song - CSFF Blog Tour Day OneWelcome once again to the <a href="http://csffblogtour.com/">CSFF Blog Tour!</a> Today kicks off a very special three day tour with two of my very favorite author dudes: <a href="http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Wayne Thomas Batson</span></a> and <a href="http://www.christopherhopper.com/blog/"><span style="font-size: large;">Christopher Hopper</span></a>. These guys have both created amazing prose and breakneck adventure in their individually authored books, but today we look into the mad-science that happens when these two superstar authors get together for Book Two in <em><span style="color: lime;">The Berinfell Prophecies</span></em>:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: x-large;">Venom and Song</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1400315069?tag=wwwenterthedo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1400315069&adid=1HWQYN00PXFEZVSE2TYK&" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMUkkr5KXMt2y7zbemptasLJWioQ2cIbox5MwFeFVSMObcQ8okQdP9jl-MMXJjdGezlEAM0LnXUsgN8ayRbFsnrimJpLLAzHnYY8W_iRhE62x6Whss2xhGQ9No_Jd0XtvFYaQZDItEEw/s1600/venomSong2.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to get your own copy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<u>Important Links</u>:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.christopherhopper.com/blog/">Christopher Hopper</a>'s site</li>
<li><a href="http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/">Wayne Thomas Batson</a>'s site</li>
<li><a href="http://www.heedtheprophecies.com/theunderground/">The Undergroud</a> - <em>The Berinfell Prophecies</em> forum</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1400315069?tag=wwwenterthedo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1400315069&adid=1HWQYN00PXFEZVSE2TYK&">Amazon</a></li>
</ul>Book 2 in <em>The Berinfell Prophecies</em> follows its predecessor with fervor and fire. Taking up the story from exactly where we left off in <em><a href="http://pagesofdiscovery.blogspot.com/2009/11/csff-blog-tour-curse-of-spider-king.html">Curse of the Spider King</a></em>, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1400315069?tag=wwwenterthedo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1400315069&adid=1HWQYN00PXFEZVSE2TYK&">Venom and Song</a></em> hurls us into the lives of the Seven as they encounter their people, train in the ancient art of Vexbane, discover their true history, learn about themselves and each other, and fight to survive and free their race from hundreds of years of oppression.<br />
<br />
The Seven carry a heavy burden, but first, they have to learn to use their ever-growing gifts: air-walking, strength, speed, mind-reading, foresight, marksmanship, and flame-throwing. Each Elven lord is equipped with one of these, but not yet ready to use their blessings. It takes, Grimwarden, an externally gruff yet big-hearted military genius to reign in the Seven. Along with some excellent cooking by an Elf named Mumthers.<br />
<br />
Their training takes each one of the Seven on their own personal journey as well as a physical one. Each is introduced to Ellos, the creator of all Allyra. And in time, each will find their own connection to Ellos. The teenage lords also find comfort in each other as a team. They work together, using their abilities in harmony, rather than competing, thus learning to work "as one." But none of their training is without cost, a foreshadowing of the realities of war. For Allyra has been at war for over 800 years and the Seven are supposed to be the key to victory.<br />
<br />
With training brought to an abrupt halt, the Seven are thrust from the protection of their practice sessions into the violent reality that has plauged Elves for centuries. They fly on giant birds of prey, navigate ancient underground bastions, search for something vitally important known as the Keystone, and grow into warriors.<br />
<br />
By the time the final battle begins, the Seven are no longer separate entities concerned with their own individual lives, but the focused, dedicated leaders of a race that desparately needs freedom. New beasties have been brewing in Vesper Crag though. The Spider King is prepared for a seige. His forces are great, but his weaknesses will be exploited. All in the name of Ellos, the war with the Spider King ends. For victory or for ruin, I'll not say. Only that we discover that one war's end may not be the end of fighting for the lives of the Children of Light.<br />
<br />
This story takes us through so many exciting twists and turns that it's almost like riding a cavesurfer to Nightwish Caverns. And if you have no idea what that means, read the book. You won't be disappointed. This installment of <em>The Berinfell Prophecies</em> is chalk full of intensity, wisdom, action, suspense, and just plain fun. We ride along with the Seven through their myriad of emotions and challenges. Every teenageer or anyone who's been one will easily relate to the experiences the Elven lords endure. Though we are seldom faced with overt battles like in Allyra, we all have similar mountains to climb. The spirit in which this story was written pervades through its rich language, intelligent humor, and sincerity. <br />
<br />
Trek into the unknown with the Seven. And if you dare, travel into <a href="http://www.heedtheprophecies.com/theunderground/">The Underground</a>, the internet forum with direct links to specific parts of the book.<br />
<br />
Tune in tomorrow, when I will have my personal interview with Wayne Thomas Batson. Check out the authors' sites and see what other cool stuff my fellow tour participants found out about <em>Venom and Song</em>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sevendogsandababy.blogspot.com/">Angela</a><br />
<a href="http://www.christiansciencefiction.blogspot.com/">Brandon Barr</a><br />
<a href="http://www.adventuresinfiction.blogspot.com/">Keanan Brand</a><br />
<a href="http://pagesofdiscovery.blogspot.com/">Amy Browning</a><br />
<a href="http://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/">Beckie Burnham</a><br />
<a href="http://morganlbusse.wordpress.com/">Morgan L. Busse</a><br />
<a href="http://www.hiddenvalleysimplicity.com/">Melissa Carswell</a><br />
<a href="http://jeffchapmanwriter.blogspot.com/">Jeff Chapman</a><br />
<a href="http://valeriecomer.com/">Valerie Comer</a><br />
<a href="http://www.the160acrewoods.com/">Amy Cruson</a><br />
<a href="http://csffblogtour.com/">CSFF Blog Tour</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.scificatholic.com/">D. G. D. Davidson</a><br />
<a href="http://projectinga.blogspot.com/">April Erwin</a><br />
<a href="http://going-greene.blogspot.com/">Tori Greene</a><br />
<a href="http://realmofhearts.blogspot.com/">Ryan Heart</a><br />
<a href="http://www.613media.com/">Bruce Hennigan</a><br />
<a href="http://fantasythyme.blogspot.com/">Timothy Hicks</a><br />
<a href="http://jessebecky.wordpress.com/">Becky Jesse</a><br />
<a href="http://crisjesse.wordpress.com/">Cris Jesse</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/">Jason Joyner</a><br />
<a href="http://www.molcotw.blogspot.com/">Julie</a><br />
<a href="http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/">Carol Keen</a> <br />
<a href="http://krystisbooks.blogspot.com/">Krystine Kercher</a><br />
<a href="http://www.momofkings.com/">Dawn King</a><br />
<a href="http://www.slygames.net/">Leighton</a> <br />
<a href="http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/">Rebecca LuElla Miller</a><br />
<a href="http://www.leastread.blogspot.com/">John W. Otte</a><br />
<a href="http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/">Donita K. Paul</a><br />
<a ?="" href="http://www.sarahsawyer.com/blog%3E%20Sarah%20Sawyer%3C/a%3E%3Cbr%20/%3E%3Ca%20href=" http:="" www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com="">Chawna Schroeder</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bluerosesheart.blogspot.com/">Tammy Shelnut</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/">James Somers</a><br />
<a href="http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/">Kathleen Smith</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rachelstarrthomson.com/inklings/">Rachel Starr Thomson</a><br />
<a href="http://www.epictales.org/blog/robertblog.php">Robert Treskillard</a><br />
<a href="http://christiansf.blogspot.com/">Steve Trower</a><br />
<a href="http://frederation.wordpress.com/">Fred Warren</a><br />
<a href="http://www.galacticoverlordinchief.blogspot.com/">Jason Waguespac</a><br />
<a href="http://www.fantasyandfaith.com/">Dona Watson</a><br />
<a href="http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/">Phyllis Wheeler</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jillwilliamson.com/">Jill Williamson</a><br />
<br />
In case you missed my review and author interviews from Book One of <span style="color: lime;"><em>The Berinfell Prophecies: Curse of the Spider King</em></span>, click <a href="http://pagesofdiscovery.blogspot.com/2009/11/csff-blog-tour-curse-of-spider-king.html">HERE</a>. <br />
<br />
Also - the very cool people at <a href="http://www.thomasnelson.com/">Thomas Nelson Publishing</a> provided me with a review copy of this book, so that I may bring you this month's <a href="http://csffblogtour.com/">CSFF Blog Tour</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Until tomorrow!</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Amy</div>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-41749401404418699582010-09-17T00:23:00.000-07:002010-09-17T00:35:22.874-07:00Open During ConstructionJudging just by the last post date, it's safe to say I've been gone for quite some time now. And when I came back I realized that cobwebs were collecting in the corners, thus I decided it was time for a change! I've got a new layout, new approach, and LOTS of new ideas. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;">Coming soon...</span></div><br />
<p>I'm rejoining the <a href="http://csffblogtour.com/">CSFF Blog Tour</a> this month for the sole purpose of promoting two of my favorite author buddies: <a href="http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/">Wayne Thomas Batson</a> and <a href="http://www.christopherhopper.com/">Christopher Hopper</a>. I'll be posting a review of their newest book, <em>Venom and Song</em>, book two in <em>The Berinfell Prophecies</em>, interviews with the authors, and a few other goodies to get you sucked into the world these two amazing guys have created.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: orange;">In the future...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<p>I'm spending this year to focus on developing the craft of writing. I've decided to join <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo</a> this year and will post updates on that madness. I'll also be blogging about my other writing projects big and small. But this is the year for me to really sink my teeth into my writing. I plan to take full advantage!</div><br />
I'll also be continuing to do my own reviews besides the tours. I read so many books that it just seems like a waste not to continue to review them all. I may even venture into discussing movies, tv shows, and music.<br />
<br />
Also - I may be introducing a game or regular feature soon.<br />
<br />
Overall, I have big plans to be around this part of the bloggy world a lot more often now. Scoot over neighbors and make some room, cuz here I come! ;)<br />
<br />
Until next time,<br />
AmyAmy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-38013162994518732932010-03-24T14:12:00.000-07:002010-09-16T23:56:26.616-07:00Day 3 - Faery Rebels: Spell HunterToday I'll be taking a brief look into the author of <em>Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter</em>, R.J. Anderson. First, I am pleased to announce the June 22, 2010 release of the second <em>Faery Rebels</em> book, <em>Wayfarer</em>. Here's a look at the cover.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqpcbgVvtGsAmBLbZ22fRPsYb3W7-CD_8SFih8qjon2wfKP6RKBqn6Dt2z3zchYxasxQhTNqXndeUhiZm923jcchGtyWIhW-WTMWsOT0VevI1i__CLMgu36PPqpNNYbKRw4ezaorU7h0/s1600/Wayfarer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqpcbgVvtGsAmBLbZ22fRPsYb3W7-CD_8SFih8qjon2wfKP6RKBqn6Dt2z3zchYxasxQhTNqXndeUhiZm923jcchGtyWIhW-WTMWsOT0VevI1i__CLMgu36PPqpNNYbKRw4ezaorU7h0/s320/Wayfarer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div></div>You can pre-order a copy over at Amazon.com by clicking <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Faery-Rebels-R-J-Anderson/dp/006155474X/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0">HERE</a>. <br />
<br />
Now - about our author. The following is from the bio on her official website (<a href="http://www.rj-anderson.com/">HERE</a>):<br />
<br />
<div></div><blockquote><em>R.J. (Rebecca) Anderson was born in Uganda, raised in Ontario, went to school in New Jersey, and has spent much of her life dreaming of other worlds entirely.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<div></div><em>As a child she immersed herself in fairy tales, mythology, and the works of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and E. Nesbit; later she discovered more contemporary authors like Ursula LeGuin, Patricia A. McKillip and Robin McKinley, and learned to take as much pleasure from their language as the stories they told.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<div></div><em>Now married and the mother of three young sons, Rebecca reads to her children the classic works of fantasy and science fiction that enlivened her own childhood, and tries to bring a similar sense of humor, adventure, and timeless wonder to the novels she writes for children and young adults.</em></blockquote><br />
<div></div>Here is a list of links to interesting interviews of R.J. Anderson I found:<br />
<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://weloveya.wordpress.com/2009/12/28/author-interview-rj-anderson-knife/">We Love YA</a></li>
<li><a href="http://lookatthatbook.blogspot.com/2009/02/interview-with-r-j-anderson-author-of.html">Look At That Book</a></li>
<li><a href="http://harmonybookreviews.wordpress.com/2009/07/16/r-j-anderson-interview/">Harmony Book Reviews</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.writingforchildrenandteens.com/2008/11/20/526/authors-on-the-verge-meet-rj-anderson-middle-grade-fantasy-novelist/">Writing for Children and Teens</a></li>
</ul><br />
<div>Thanks again for joining me here for the CSFF Blog Tour! I'll soon be posting non-tour related reviews for Graceling and its companion Fire, both by Kristin Cashore.</div>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-66783373545010373152010-03-23T13:26:00.000-07:002010-03-23T13:29:05.350-07:00Day 2 - Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter<div style="text-align: left;">Welcome to the second day of the CSFF Blog Tour! This month's book is <em>Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter </em>by R.J. Anderson. If you missed yesterday's post, you can catch up by clicking <a href="http://pagesofdiscovery.blogspot.com/2010/03/faery-rebels-spell-hunter.html">here</a>. Today I'll be giving my personal opinions about what made this book great and what could've been improved upon.</div><br />
First, here's the cover of the UK version of <em>Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter</em>, called simply <em>Knife</em>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9HxPoExH28s9dE5V95emJOu_nbFKvuPxVpn6cveBAPB6ZEACb0QM-fWKBoz2ENQjL_7fQIPZOycVk0R5Hs9ehf_5NWmOxMwgPBKtS__OTvuRVcai17fnP3V0b7gdkZbTs6PFA3Soev8/s1600-h/knife_cover_front2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9HxPoExH28s9dE5V95emJOu_nbFKvuPxVpn6cveBAPB6ZEACb0QM-fWKBoz2ENQjL_7fQIPZOycVk0R5Hs9ehf_5NWmOxMwgPBKtS__OTvuRVcai17fnP3V0b7gdkZbTs6PFA3Soev8/s320/knife_cover_front2.jpg" vt="true" width="206" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's begin with the cover of this book. As I mentioned yesterday, I honestly may have passed this book by on the shelf simply due to its American cover. The main colors are green and a bright purple/fuschia. The font of the title just screams "princess story" - which is a huge miscommunication. However, the artwork of Knife herself is stunning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In my opinion, a melding of the UK cover and the American cover would have better served the content within. Perhaps, using the blues of the UK cover and the portrait of Knife from the American version. For comparison's sake, here's the American cover again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z3LZ9YYy2-YuOdJb0R1Mhw6mSOxBoW64zagtF4Z3kr5UaKeD5gSK41pcEI5-shH8eCY7U2ClZnmmEkFZbuxAAzjJhQBqEaD3Zdv0Ei2QOkzNZIaoCzMgrvWDpSd4Us32yBLs8O_sfgo/s1600-h/Faery+Rebels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z3LZ9YYy2-YuOdJb0R1Mhw6mSOxBoW64zagtF4Z3kr5UaKeD5gSK41pcEI5-shH8eCY7U2ClZnmmEkFZbuxAAzjJhQBqEaD3Zdv0Ei2QOkzNZIaoCzMgrvWDpSd4Us32yBLs8O_sfgo/s320/Faery+Rebels.jpg" vt="true" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I would not have guessed that these are the same book. Two different artists interpretations of a single story. Honestly, I can say I would have definitely picked up the UK version first. Now that I've gotten the cosmetics issue out of the way, I can move on to the substance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Characters</u></div><ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're first introduced to a young faery, Bryony, who one day changes her name to Knife. She is strong, independent, and a bit mischievious. Her desire for knowledge and truth is the driving force behind the story. She simply refuses to blindly obey rules that don't make sense or feel right to her. Knife is the kind of character that must discover the truth on her own. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Disobeying the laws of the Oak's ruler, the Faery Queen, is initially seen as a huge risk of pure curiosity, but eventually leads to several truths that prove imperative to the survival of her people. The message is clear: Finding truth is worth the risk. In this case, I completely agree. Until Knife discovers the real history of the Oak's faeries, they have no hope of surviving the Silence.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Several wonderful supporting characters enrich this tale including Wink, Knife's adoptive mother. In a society that doesn't ever say "thank you" because of its implications, love isn't shown in the traditional human way. In fact, the entire community has become one of trade and keeping score. Not even information is given freely. They barter for everything. However, Wink brings a warmth to Knife's life that she doesn't recognize as love initially.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thorn is a gruff, tough faery who is the Queen's Hunter and has several lessons for Knife, not all of them pleasant. Her intentions aren't clear until well into the story, but reveal several aspects of her true feelings that have been hidden from most of the faeries of the Oak.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally, we have Paul, Valerian, Campion, and Queen Amaryllis. Paul is a human boy who becomes central to Knife's struggles and joy, complicating her situation. Valerian is the Oak's healer and a kind soul with a secret past. Campion's faery occupation is that of the only librarian in the Oak. Her willingness to help Knife proves vital. Amaryllis' past is clouded by mystery, thus giving the reader plenty of doubt about her motivations and loyalty. She appears to care dearly for her fellow faeries, but Knife uncovers secrets that could mean the Queen wasn't what she appeared to be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, through the well-developed characters the story comes alive with possibilities. Wink's caring, Thorn's influence, and the Queen's mystery all carry Knife along on her journey. Paul shows Knife emotions that are foreign to her, but become more important than her own life. Knife's strength and self-sacrifice draw the reader in and keep the pages turning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>Setting</u></div><u></u><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>The Oak is Knife's home and also a type of prison. Faeries aren't allowed outside the confines of the tree itself unless it is their profession to be a Gatherer or the Queen's Hunter. Knife longs to fly freely, but all faeries live in fear of predators, like Old Wormwood, the crow who has been terrorizing the Oakenwyld for years.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The House is home to a family of humans and a constant source of Knife's curiosity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>Story</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pacing is excellent. Readers are taken into the realm of the Oak, as faery society and its rules are revealed through Knife's interactions and experiences. It's a natural unfolding of the inner workings of a decidedly non-human community. We're taken on a journey with Knife that leads to an examination of human emotions from a fresh perspective.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">R.J. Anderson's writing is stylized and pleasing. If I hadn't known she was Canadian, I may have mistaken her for a British author. As a fan of British literature, I thoroughly enjoyed the rich prose and quirky terminology.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One aspect I particularly appreciated is that although R.J. Anderson is a Christian, she never pushes her beliefs onto the reader. She is an author who is a Christian, not solely a Christian Fiction author. The distinction is fine, but Anderson's audience is sure to be broad and appreciate her stories regardless of their religion. As a Christian though, I love that at the end she gives praise unabashedly to God.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for tuning in today. Tomorrow I'll be featuring R.J. Anderson herself. With some fun information and interviews.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And as always, please make sure to check out what other blogs on the CSFF Blog tour are saying about <em>Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter </em>by clicking the links from Day One's post - <a href="http://pagesofdiscovery.blogspot.com/2010/03/faery-rebels-spell-hunter.html">HERE</a>.</div>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-38020885265324687002010-03-22T11:36:00.000-07:002010-09-17T09:41:36.978-07:00Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter<div style="text-align: center;"><em>Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter</em></div><div style="text-align: center;">by R.J. Anderson</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBymtdOtLfc17vss4wZmyL8VY9tgBjQ-AMKTrykXMuZRqvXlaUM_GACrHg6QjEt21GMaiQLBO0k5iwxNHp7da914Swlg7AXLNI6hjIUt9oQBS9lSEMy3deozROtEjUk1Dfe5aVIXCLqU8/s1600-h/Faery+Rebels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBymtdOtLfc17vss4wZmyL8VY9tgBjQ-AMKTrykXMuZRqvXlaUM_GACrHg6QjEt21GMaiQLBO0k5iwxNHp7da914Swlg7AXLNI6hjIUt9oQBS9lSEMy3deozROtEjUk1Dfe5aVIXCLqU8/s320/Faery+Rebels.jpg" vt="true" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Important Links:</div><ul><li><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/006155474X">Amazon</a></div></li>
<li><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Author <a href="http://www.rj-anderson.com/">R.J. Anderson's Website</a></div></li>
<li><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Author <a href="http://rj-anderson.livejournal.com/">R.J. Anderson's Blog</a></div></li>
<li><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Author <a href="http://twitter.com/rj_anderson">R.J. Anderson's Twitter</a></div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Recommended Age: 10+</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let me begin by stating that although the old adage about what not to judge a book by is ever-present in my mind, the cover is inescapably the first information one receives about a book. If I had been in a book store, I may have just passed it by with the impression that it was a bit juvenile for my taste, and I would have been sadly mistaken...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The story opens with a peek into the faery world of the Oak, and a particularly spirited faery named Bryony. As the only youth in the Oak, Bryony feels a certain restlessness that fuels her first forbidden encounter with a human boy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Years later, scared back into following the rules by a deadly sickness called the Silence that has been striking faeries for the last hundred years or so, Bryony is finally appointed to her faery profession. Newfound freedom rekindles Bryony's passion for discovering the truth about the world, not only in the Oakenwyld, but beyond as well. Through a series of excursions outside the Oak, Bryony encounters several natural dangers that creatures as small as faeries must face. Against the faery queen's orders, Bryony, once again, gives in to her curiosity about the strange creatures in the House nearby - humans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is her disregard for rules, passion for truth, and willingness to take risks that earns Bryony her new name: Knife. Along with her new name, Knife gains new understanding about her people's history, the terrible act called the Sundering that robbed all future generations of faeries of their creativity, and the Silence that has claimed yet another faery life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In her quest for knowlege, Knife gains an unlikely friend and ally in Paul, the now-teenage human boy she had once encountered. Through this friendship, we see the complexities of Knife's unique position evidence themselves. She has several decisions to make, but will she choose duty over adventure? And what of love? Was her race ever able to love anyone other than themselves? Through one faery's actions, the future of a race is decided.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tune in tomorrow for Day Two of the <a href="http://csffblogtour.com/">CSFF Blog Tour</a> when I'll give my personal opinions on <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/006155474X">Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter</a></em>. In the mean time, please check out what other tour participants have to say by clicking a link below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CSFF Blog Tour Participants:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.sally-apokedak.com/whispers_of_dawn/">Sally Apokedak</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.christiansciencefiction.blogspot.com/">Brandon Barr</a></div><a href="http://pagesofdiscovery.blogspot.com/">Amy Browning</a><br />
<a href="http://www.mamabzz.com/">Melissa Carswell</a><br />
<a href="http://csffblogtour.com/">CSFF Blog Tour</a> <br />
<a href="http://word-up-studies.blogspot.com/">Stacey Dale</a><br />
<a href="http://www.scificatholic.com/">D. G. D. Davidson</a><br />
<a href="http://scriptoriusrex.blogspot.com/">Jeff Draper</a><br />
<a href="http://projectinga.blogspot.com/">April Erwin</a><br />
<a href="http://fantasythyme.blogspot.com/">Timothy Hicks</a><br />
<a href="http://tiredgarden.info/">Jason Isbell</a><br />
<a href="http://jessebecky.wordpress.com/">Becky Jesse</a> <br />
<a href="http://crisjesse.wordpress.com/">Cris Jesse</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/">Jason Joyner</a><br />
<a href="http://www.molcotw.blogspot.com/">Julie</a> <br />
<a href="http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/">Carol Keen</a><br />
<a href="http://krystisbooks.blogspot.com/">Krystine Kercher</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.momofkings.com/">Dawn King</a><br />
<a href="http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/">Rebecca LuElla Miller</a><br />
<a href="http://newauthors.wordpress.com/">New Authors Fellowship</a><br />
<a href="http://linalamont.blogspot.com/">Nissa</a><br />
<a href="http://www.leastread.blogspot.com/">John W. Otte</a><br />
<a href="http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/">Donita K. Paul</a><br />
<a href="http://prochristroetlibertate.blogspot.com/">Crista Richey</a><br />
<a href="http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/">Chawna Schroeder</a><br />
<a href="http://andrealschultz.blogspot.com/">Andrea Schultz</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/">James Somers</a><br />
<a href="http://christiansf.blogspot.com/">Steve Trower</a><br />
<a href="http://frederation.wordpress.com/">Fred Warren</a><br />
<a href="http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/">Phyllis Wheeler</a><br />
<a href="http://kmwilsher.blogspot.com/">KM Wilsher</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*In conjunction with the <a href="http://csffblogtour.com/">CSFF Blog Tour</a>, I received a complimentary review copy of this title from <a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/">HarperCollins Publishers</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-69575843986896438222010-01-27T19:43:00.000-08:002010-01-27T19:52:55.719-08:00CSFF Blog Tour: North! Or Be Eaten<div align="center"><em>North! Or Be Eaten</em><br />
</div><div align="center">by Andrew Peterson<br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
<div> </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAaIXv5gfSnF9CcboSgy-XufUW-6OHXkkXTmJH_fzyJSW6gBL-9XsK2YUIiJSHEk-eC0KJcTIPEtf0jBmTn1NYSe8XySXqBkiYFcg_-Z3jBm2EMOXyFgMowGbC6Qonaxh6sysY9h48ZZ8/s1600-h/north-or-be-eaten-250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAaIXv5gfSnF9CcboSgy-XufUW-6OHXkkXTmJH_fzyJSW6gBL-9XsK2YUIiJSHEk-eC0KJcTIPEtf0jBmTn1NYSe8XySXqBkiYFcg_-Z3jBm2EMOXyFgMowGbC6Qonaxh6sysY9h48ZZ8/s320/north-or-be-eaten-250.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Important Links:<br />
</div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073871"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Amazon</span></a></div></li>
<li><a href="http://wingfeathersaga.com/?p=464"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Wingfeather Saga</span></a> </li>
<li>Author <a href="http://www.andrew-peterson.com/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Andrew Peterson's Site</span></a> </li>
</ul><br />
<div> </div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Recommended Age: 10+<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073871"><span style="color: #f1c232;">North! Or Be Eaten</span></a> </em>is the second book in the <em><a href="http://wingfeathersaga.com/?p=464"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Wingfeather Saga</span></a>. </em>The first book is called <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Edge-Dark-Sea-Darkness-Wingfeather/dp/1400073847/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264605833&sr=8-1"><span style="color: #f1c232;">On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness</span></a></em>. The story continues to follow its main character Janner Igiby, as he attempts to avoid evil Fangs, protect his little brother, Link, and travel - you guessed it - North. Full of imagination, humor, and just the right amount of darkness, Adrew Peterson delivers an action-packed tale that's sure to satisfy the appetite of readers of all ages.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Please check out what the other tour participants have to say about <em>North! Or Be Eaten</em>, here:<em> </em><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.christiansciencefiction.blogspot.com/">Brandon Barr</a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://fantastyfreak.blogspot.com/">Justin Boyer</a><br />
</div><a href="http://pagesofdiscovery.blogspot.com/">Amy Browning</a><br />
<a href="http://csffblogtour.com/">CSFF Blog Tour</a> <br />
<a href="http://word-up-studies.blogspot.com/">Stacey Dale</a><br />
<a href="http://scriptoriusrex.blogspot.com/">Jeff Draper</a><br />
<a href="http://projectinga.blogspot.com/">April Erwin</a><br />
<a href="http://straitjacketchillers.blogspot.com/">Todd Michael Greene</a><br />
<a href="http://realmofhearts.blogspot.com/">Ryan Heart</a><br />
<a href="http://fantasythyme.blogspot.com/">Timothy Hicks</a><br />
<a href="http://jessebecky.wordpress.com/">Becky Jesse</a> <br />
<a href="http://crisjesse.wordpress.com/">Cris Jesse</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/">Jason Joyner</a><br />
<a href="http://www.molcotw.blogspot.com/">Julie</a> <br />
<a href="http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/">Carol Keen</a><br />
<a href="http://krystisbooks.blogspot.com/">Krystine Kercher</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.momofkings.com/">Dawn King</a><br />
<a href="http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/">Rebecca LuElla Miller</a><br />
<a href="http://newauthors.wordpress.com/">New Authors Fellowship</a><br />
<a href="http://linalamont.blogspot.com/">Nissa</a><br />
<a href="http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/">Donita K. Paul</a><br />
<a href="http://prochristroetlibertate.blogspot.com/">Crista Richey</a><br />
<a href="http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/">Chawna Schroeder</a><br />
<a href="http://andrealschultz.blogspot.com/">Andrea Schultz</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/">James Somers</a><br />
<a href="http://originalbooks.blogspot.com/">Steve and Andrew</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rachelstarrthomson.com/inklings/">Rachel Starr Thomson</a><br />
<a href="http://www.epictales.org/blog/robertblog.php">Robert Treskillard</a><br />
<a href="http://frederation.wordpress.com/">Fred Warren</a><br />
<a href="http://www.galacticoverlordinchief.blogspot.com/">Jason Waguespac</a><br />
<a href="http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/">Phyllis Wheeler</a><br />
<a href="http://kerani-in-the-world.blogspot.com/">Elizabeth Williams</a><br />
<a href="http://kmwilsher.blogspot.com/">KM Wilsher</a><br />
<div align="center"><br />
<div> </div></div>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-59208079353679545792009-11-18T12:38:00.000-08:002009-11-18T12:53:45.931-08:00Day 3 - Part Two of My Exclusive Interview With the AuthorsWelcome to Day Three of the CSFF Blog Tour for <em>Curse of the Spider King</em> by co-authors <a href="http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Wayne Thomas Batson</span></a> and <a href="http://www.christopherhopper.com/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Christopher Hopper</span></a> (Book One in <a href="http://www.heedtheprophecies.com/">The Berinfell Prophecies</a>). I recently had the awesome opportunity to interview both authors, and they didn't disappoint. Yesterday, I posted Part One of the interview. Today, you get to read the final questions and answers about the most exciting new Fantasy series in a few years. So, without further ado...<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><strong>***</strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Me:</strong> The stage is set for the sequel and we even get to see a tiny preview at the end of <em>Curse of the Spider King</em>. Has the series been laid out already, or are you still unsure how many books will be in <em>The Berinfell Prophecies</em>?</span><strong> </strong><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>WTB:</strong> There will likely be three books at least. We've just recently finished <em>Venom and Song</em>, the second book, and are considering some plot ideas for book three. It all depends on what God wants. If the books sell well, then certainly we'd write as many books as we have good ideas for.</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>CH: </strong>Here-here!</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #fff2cc;">***</span></strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Me: </strong>What can readers expect from book two of the Berinfell Prophecies?</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>WTB:</strong> <em>Venom and Song</em> will absolutely AMP the stakes. It's not just the Seven who are at risk but everyone in two worlds. Readers will get much more into the world of Allyra and meet the strange races and beasties that thrive there.</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>CH:</strong> Aside from all the freakish monsters, fast-paced battles, and crazy plots twists, my favorite thing about <em>Venom and Song</em> is that the readers really get to see each of the characters develop. In Book One, you're merely introduced to them; they don't really have a whole lot of interaction together. But in Book Two, the characters--who are each very different in their own rights--have to live with one another day-to-day. And things get extremely interesting!</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong>***</strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Me:</strong> I love the interactive aspect of the riddle you pose to readers, what inspired you to create a forum just for readers of this series that will allow them to create their own tribe and solve a mystery?</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>WTB:</strong> Again, CH, you can speak best on this one.</span> <br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>CH:</strong> Wayne and I are both firm believers that reading needs to be exciting, and technology has allowed us to super-charge the way we involve fans. I've been really impressed with the whole ARG (alternate reality game) concept, playing out a story-line with real people in real time where their responses to challenges across multi-media platforms actually shapes the outcome of the game. We've had huge success with it and love getting to know our readers from around the world! As for Tribe Building, while I've certainly hand my hands in it a little, that's really Wayne's baby. He's a master at large-group ventures like that. I admire that about him a lot!</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong>***</strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Me:</strong> Both you and Christopher Hopper/Wayne Thomas Batson are musical. Do you ever have jam sessions?</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>WTB:</strong> Christopher Hopper is the musician. The guy's played all over the world and has 9 CDs. I'm just a wanna be. I played in a metal band back in the day and loved it. It's the one area of my life that I've kind of had to let go, but still care deeply for. So CH and I thought about creating a soundtrack for Curse of the Spider King. We've recorded one song "The Lost Ones," that will be out on iTunes this month. I still can't believe it. But yes, we've jammed to it live and gotten spectacular reception.</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>CH:</strong> Wayne is a really good guitarist for all his "I've had to let it go" talk. I've had so much fun playing live together during our book signings...just so much fun. And as he said, people really seem to like the song, which is always encouraging. While the music is mostly mine, the lyrics are mostly all his. I can honestly say, Wayne is a brilliant lyricists, as he is a novelist.</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong>***</strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Me: </strong>There are definitely plenty of spiders in this series. How do you feel about spiders in real life? Do you kill them when they come inside and your kids say, “Daddy, get it.”?</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>WTB:</strong> I kill them with great vigor. I absolutely hate spiders. They may serve a very necessary role in the Lord's ecosystem, but I just don't like the look of them. </span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>CH:</strong> I find them absolute fascinating! Just today I was teaching my 4 year old, Eva, why spiders make webs...how they catch flies, wrap them up, then suck their insides out. Crazy! Who came up with that anyways? But, yes, I do get the chills when killing them, especially if you go to snag one with a napkin and it scoots away from you! YIKES! I'm such a girl!</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong>***</strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Me:</strong> I caught a few references in the book that made me giggle. On page 210, it says, “…and some teachers were known to write novels in their spare time.” And on page 235, you give a shout out to Donita K. Paul’s most recent epic with this, “I did a poster for my book report on <em>The Vanishing Sculptor</em>.” What inspired you to add these fun little pieces of real life into your story?</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>WTB:</strong> CH did the first one, so he'll have to say. And the reference to Donita's new book came about because I'd just read it and was very very impressed. Therefore, a mention seemed natural. </span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>CH:</strong> How can I not plug the great Wayne Thomas Batson with a cameo reference? Come-on! Too much fun!</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="center">***<br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Me:</strong> What was the most challenging aspect of writing <em>Curse of the Spider King</em>? And conversely, what was the most enjoyable part?</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>WTB:</strong> The challenge: Deadlines versus Available Time. Christopher and I are both very busy people ASIDE from writing. Large (and growing) families, full time day jobs, and numerous other demands make it really hard to find time to write...and not just write but collaborate. With <em>Venom and Song,</em> it has been absolutely ridiculous how much Christopher and my schedule clashed. Seemed like we could never find time to write together. Most enjoyable: the times we could write together. I can only tell you that one day I may publish our iChat conversations (which I've saved nearly all of). Writing with CH has been the most fun, definitely the most fun I've ever had writing. We are kindred spirits with weird views of the world. I think that comes through in the books.</span> <br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>CH:</strong> Most challenging? Definitely schedule juggling. Before these books, I was a morning person for 29 years, in bed by 10pm at the latest (and that was pushing it). It's currently midnight right now, and I'm still going strong. Something's just wrong with that. Most enjoyable? Spending time with Wayne doing what we love, writing novels for the glory of King Jesus.</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong>***</strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Me:</strong> What do you do to battle the block? Computer solitaire, surfing the web, or something else?</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>WTB:</strong> I don't actually get writer's block. Most times I have more ideas than I know what to do with. However, I do sometimes get stumped on a name for a character or place or some such. Christopher will tell you I spend WAY too much time trying to put together just the RIGHT names. It's my curse, I think. The other issue is distraction. Writing with active internet around is dangerous for an ADD dude like me. Focus, Wayne, must focus!</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>CH:</strong> OK. Wayne is not exaggerating. He gets hung up on finding the "perfect name" more than anyone I know. It drives me batty sometimes (in a fun way!). But the payoff is that he gets KILLER names! </span><br />
</div><span style="color: #3d85c6;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">As for writer's block, like Wayne, I don't struggle with it very much because I'm always swimming with more ideas than I know what to do with. However, I learned a GREAT trick from Bryan Davis: <em>Never finish a writing session at the close of a scene; finish mid-scene or mid-action</em>. That way, whenever you come back to your manuscript, you come back into something you're excited to write! This has helped me a lot, not in battling writer's block, but in staying motivated!</span><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><strong>***</strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left">And that's going to do it for this month's CSFF Blog Tour. Please check out some of the other participants' blogs for more info on <em>Curse of the Spider King</em>. And be sure to join me next month.<br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">CSFF Blog Tour Participants:<br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.christiansciencefiction.blogspot.com/">Brandon Barr</a><br />
</div><a href="http://fantastyfreak.blogspot.com/">Justin Boyer</a><br />
<a href="http://pagesofdiscovery.blogspot.com/">Amy Browning</a><br />
<a href="http://valeriecomer.com/">Valerie Comer</a><br />
<a href="http://www.the160acrewoods.com/">Amy Cruson</a> <br />
<a href="http://csffblogtour.com/">CSFF Blog Tour</a> <br />
<a href="http://word-up-studies.blogspot.com/">Stacey Dale</a><br />
<a href="http://www.scificatholic.com/">D. G. D. Davidson</a><br />
<a href="http://sjdeal.blogspot.com/">Shane Deal</a><br />
<a href="http://scriptoriusrex.blogspot.com/">Jeff Draper</a><br />
<a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~wyverns/">Emmalyn Edwards</a> <br />
<a href="http://projectinga.blogspot.com/">April Erwin</a><br />
<a href="http://virtualbooktourdenet.blogspot.com/">Karina Fabian</a><br />
<a href="http://anewnovelistsjourney.blogspot.com/">Todd Michael Greene</a><br />
<a href="http://realmofhearts.blogspot.com/">Ryan Heart</a><br />
<a href="http://fantasythyme.blogspot.com/">Timothy Hicks</a><br />
<a href="http://jessebecky.wordpress.com/">Becky Jesse</a> <br />
<a href="http://crisjesse.wordpress.com/">Cris Jesse</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/">Jason Joyner</a><br />
<a href="http://www.molcotw.blogspot.com/">Julie</a> <br />
<a href="http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/">Carol Keen</a><br />
<a href="http://krystisbooks.blogspot.com/">Krystine Kercher</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.tinakulesa.com/">Tina Kulesa</a><br />
<a href="http://www.realheartprints.com/">Melissa Lockcuff</a> <br />
<a href="http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/">Rebecca LuElla Miller</a><br />
<a href="http://mirathon.blogspot.com/">Mirtika</a><br />
<a href="http://linalamont.blogspot.com/">Nissa</a><br />
<a href="http://www.leastread.blogspot.com/">John W. Otte</a><br />
<a href="http://oohbooks.blogspot.com/">Cara Powers</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/">Chawna Schroeder</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/">James Somers</a><br />
<a href="http://specfaith.ritersbloc.com/">Speculative Faith</a><br />
<a href="http://www.epictales.org/blog/robertblog.php">Robert Treskillard</a><br />
<a href="http://frederation.wordpress.com/">Fred Warren</a><br />
<a href="http://www.galacticoverlordinchief.blogspot.com/">Jason Waguespac</a><br />
<a href="http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/">Phyllis Wheeler</a><br />
<a href="http://www.novelteen.com/">Jill Williamson</a><br />
<a href="http://kmwilsher.blogspot.com/">KM Wilsher</a>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-71542108237446898002009-11-17T10:54:00.000-08:002009-11-17T11:04:48.993-08:00Day 2 - My Exclusive Interview With the AuthorsWelcome to the second day of my favorite CSFF Blog Tour to date!!! Yesterday, I gave my review of <em>Curse of the Spider King</em> (Book One of <em>The Berinfell Prophecies</em>). Today, I will be posting the first half of my exclusive interview with co-authors <span style="color: #6aa84f;">Wayne Thomas Batson</span> (WTB) and <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Christopher Hopper</span> (CH). Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><strong>***</strong><br />
</div><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Me:</strong> Why did you decide to collaborate with co-author Christopher Hopper/Wayne Thomas Batson?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>WTB:</strong> It was an easy decision. I had been praying for a LONG time that God would bring me a writer friend to work with, kind of asking for a CS Lewis to JRR Tolkien. A friend and someone who just "gets" what I do. Well, BAM, God introduced me to Christopher at a convention. And right there I said, "Hey, wouldn't it be great to get together for like a bootcamp weekend where we could write and help each other out with our writing?" So we picked a locale halfway between my home in MD and his in NY. It turned out to be Scranton, PA. And we had an absolute ROARING good time. He was working on <em>Athera's Dawn</em> (book 3 in <em>The White Lion Chronicles</em>) and I was working on <em>A Sword in the Stars</em> (Book 1 of <em>The Dark Sea Annals</em>). And we found that we have very similar writing styles and interests. So right then, just six months after we met, we agreed that it would be "WAY COOL" to write a book together. God made it happen just three years later.</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>CH</strong>: As Wayne said, it was really a God-thing that brought us together. We still marvel at how providential it was. As for writing a book together, it was a real "wouldn't it be cool if" kinda' thing. When you say those kinds of things and dream with other people, you know it probably won't happen, but deep inside there's that crazy potential of "what if?" When Wayne's publisher asked him for a new series, he pitched our outlandish idea of co-authoring a novel. And to our utter surprise they came back with an emphatic "Yes!"</span><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><strong>***</strong><br />
</div><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Me: </strong>Did you both always have the same vision for the series?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>WTB:</strong> I think so. We outlined together, so whatever vision we each had, it kind of melted into one vision that we shared.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>CH:</strong> It very much grew organically from dozens of phone calls, emails, and iChat (AIM) sessions. We feed very well off of each other, so one idea tends to start a chain reaction of many more. And since we're both extremely easy going, and stated from the beginning that we wouldn't take things personally, we have an easy time of being open about stuff we don't like, or don't agree on. It's as simple as, "Dude, cool idea, but I don't think that's going to fly." We smile. We nod. Then we move on. It's really freeing, actually!</span><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><strong>***</strong> <br />
</div><div align="center"><strong></strong> <br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Me:</strong> As an accomplished Christian Fantasy Fiction author, how do you weave spiritual themes into your stories without beating people over the head with evangelism?</span> <br />
</div><div align="left"> <br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>WTB:</strong> I think you need to be real. Make your characters real people with real problems, asking the same questions that we all ask of life...if we're honest with ourselves. Ask any of the big questions of life: who am I? why am I here? what happens when I die? is there any truth we can hold on to? --ask any of them, and the only real answer is Jesus Christ. But, and this is important, you must respect your readers, and you must respect the God you hope to honor with your writing. You cannot wrap the gospel message in a lame story and expect readers to be impressed. What does that say of God? Write a good story, take readers on an adventure, give it take home value...and there you go.</span> <br />
</div><div align="left"> <br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>CH:</strong> I like what CS Lewis once said (don't we all?), and I'm paraphrasing here, but fiction has a way of circumventing the dragons that people set up to guard the front gates of their minds, and go in the back door. It's very easy, in my mind, to wrap spiritual principles in fiction, because it was one of the chief tactics used by Jesus himself. Parables. While his were a few sentences, ours are about 125,000 words (tells you who's more efficient!). If you are true to the story and the characters, you can communicate profound spiritual truths without the reader ever knowing you just dropped a bomb.</span> <br />
</div><div align="left"> <br />
</div><div align="center"><strong>***</strong> <br />
</div><div align="center"><strong></strong> <br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Me: </strong>How much inspiration for you stories do you draw from your life as a teacher(WTB)/youth pastor(CH)? As a father and family man?</span><strong> </strong><br />
</div><div align="left"><strong></strong> <br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>WTB:</strong> Wow, I can't skip this one. Seriously, if it weren't for my students, I'd have never been published. They loved my stories first and made me believe that they might be something more than a hobby. And also, my students helped me to realize how much hurting there is out there. If you don't believe this is a broken, fallen world, just listen to today's youth telling about their lives. It's tragic. We're absolutely neglecting an entire generation, to the destruction of us all. I want kids to read my books and KNOW that there's hope. To know that there is a God and that they matter to Him. My own children are inspiring as well--mainly because they are so 3-dimensional to me that I never run out of traits for new characters. ;-)</span> <br />
</div><div align="left"> <br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>CH:</strong> I have counseled literally thousands of people in my life, the majority of them teenagers. Those experiences have been absolutely key in developing characters, both young and old, and defining not only how they will respond to stimuli in the plot, but how they will grow and be bettered as individuals. While a few of our characters are based on actual people, all of them have strong ties to issues both Wayne and I have walked countless teens through first hand.</span> <br />
</div><div align="left"> <br />
</div><div align="center"><strong>***</strong> <br />
</div><div align="center"><strong></strong> <br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Me:</strong> How does Berinfell itself differ from your other books’ realms?</span> <br />
</div><div align="left"> <br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>WTB:</strong> Berinfell is actually the Elven capital. It exists in a larger realm called Allyra. In this world, there are seven high races, among whom are Elves, Gwar, Drefids, Saer, Taladrim, and a coupla others I won't now mention. ;-) Allyra is much more of a world readers could get lost in. It's immersive and vast. Even in the first two books, you only get a small sampling of the immensity of Allyra. The Realm (in <em>The Door Within</em> Books) was a mirror of Earth. Even its citizens are Glimpse Twins of each of us. The Realm is much more of an allegory.</span> <br />
</div><div align="left"> <br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>CH:</strong> In <em>The White Lion Chronicles</em>, Dionia is pretty much a giant land mass, something I saw as a big floating island. It's all been discovered, and the reader gets to see almost every part. As Wayne said, Allyra, on the other hand, is epically huge. Especially in Book 2, there seems to be new creatures popping up all the time! It's terribly exciting!</span> <br />
</div><div align="left"> <br />
</div><div align="center"><strong>***</strong> <br />
</div><div align="center"><strong></strong> <br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Me:</strong> Can you explain the process of coauthoring?</span> <br />
</div><div align="left"> <br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>WTB:</strong> Tag! Christopher, I'll let you handle this one! lol</span> <br />
</div><div align="left"> <br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>CH:</strong> Oh man, thanks Wayne. ;) Co-authoring. Well, first let me say, if you don't get along with the person--and I mean really get along with them--DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CO-AUTHOR A BOOK TOGETHER. Wayne and I have really been blessed with a cool friendship that goes way outside of writing together. In a *non-metro way (*we both have wives, love our wives, like that our wives are women), we finish each others' sentences, get similar ideas at the same time, and even find that we forget who wrote certain parts because it's "OUR" voice, not CH's or WTB's. </span><br />
</div><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">As for the actual question, first we come up with the plot and the main outline. This is created over tons of phone calls, emails, text messages, random idea threads scribbled down, etc. We just get everything out we can think of. Once that's been put into a master Scrivener file (check out Scrivener online), then we divvy up the work, not by chapter, but by scene, based on what each of us is really excited to jump into. It could be the first chapters, or the very last chapters. Doesn't matter. As long as we're sticking to the basic understanding of the outline, we know we're in the ballpark for content, character development, and themes. Each of those chapters is then inserted into the master Scrivener file, and then we start read-throughs. </span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Unlike what many people might think, we do not "track changes." Instead, we give each other carte blanche to edit the stink out of every single word if the other person wants. This, we've found, is essential to creating a voice representative of both of us. People often ask, "So who wrote this chapter?" While we might be able to say who first created it, in reality, ever single line of a given chapter has been gone over at least a dozen times by each of us before it ever goes to the editors. </span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">As for tools, on any given weeknight, Wayne and I will have our Macs running Scrivener and iChat (AIM).</span><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><strong>***</strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><strong>Me:</strong> The story has such an amazing flow to it, even though we’re following seven different children’s journeys. What made that possible?</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>WTB:</strong> I hate to be simplistic, but the straight up answer is: good editors. We juggled and juggled chapters and order issues, but through it all, the editors shepherded us to something more cohesive.</span><strong> </strong><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>CH:</strong> And it wasn't easy, let me tell you! Maintaining theme integrity, details, plot, subplot, character development, and pacing was a challenge. As Wayne said, we have an amazing editorial staff and couldn't have done it without them.</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong>***</strong><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left">Okay folks! That's it for today, tune back in tomorrow for the rest of my exclusive interview with Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper. Also - for your browsing pleasure, here are a few links:<br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><a href="http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/">Wayne Thomas Batson's Website</a><br />
</div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.christopherhopper.com/">Christopher Hopper's Website</a><br />
</div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.heedtheprophecies.com/"><em>Th<strong>e </strong>Berinfell Prophecies</em> Forum</a><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Both these guys are righteous dudes and deserve at least a click to their sites. Check em out!<br />
</div>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-29750518868912719002009-11-16T14:40:00.000-08:002009-11-16T15:08:47.101-08:00CSFF Blog Tour: Curse of the Spider King<div align="center"><em>Curse of the Spider King</em><br />
</div><div align="center">by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper<br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Uv_U_lTW5TC4fK_EnhLV_6DKgzhtBrp-az9iiutT5x04i7bdoocq36HDw_JvNWuzwVvIp4xyJiQbhcfb1Fo-mIODLtO28mtKbJ0-2EILqxZDhKqsfXPY6B3ke2HDQNKIszu0N-mFgfA/s1600/curse-of-the-spider-king.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Uv_U_lTW5TC4fK_EnhLV_6DKgzhtBrp-az9iiutT5x04i7bdoocq36HDw_JvNWuzwVvIp4xyJiQbhcfb1Fo-mIODLtO28mtKbJ0-2EILqxZDhKqsfXPY6B3ke2HDQNKIszu0N-mFgfA/s320/curse-of-the-spider-king.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><br />
</div><div align="left"><u><br />
Important Links</u>:<br />
</div><div align="left">* <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400315050">Amazon</a><br />
* <a href="http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/">Wayne Thomas Batson's Site</a><br />
* <a href="http://www.christopherhopper.com/">Christopher Hopper's Site</a><br />
* <a href="http://www.heedtheprophcies.com/"><em>The Berinfell Prophecies</em> Forum</a><br />
<br />
<em>Curse of the Spider King</em> (Book 1 of <em>The Berinfell Prophecies</em>) weaves together a tale of seven Elven Lords, who, as infants, narrowly escaped their doom and are now residing on Earth, completely unaware of whom they are, or any idea of their true heritage. <br />
<br />
Seven thirteen-ish “human” children begin to notice dark strangers lurking about, and friendly sources give them each a very special book, <em>The History of Berinfell</em>, a book that comes to life with only a touch. Their first tastes of a history they didn’t even know was their own come rushing out of the ancient handwritten text, seemingly releasing giant Warspiders or setting fire to their classroom.<br />
<br />
Each child is an Elven Lord, and thus, is endowed with a mysterious and previously unknown ability that manifests near their thirteenth birthday. As children of Earth, the possibility of such gifts or other existing realms is unheard of. However, The Seven have been sought out and protected by Sentinals from the children’s homeland of Allyra, and are hiding in the shadows. Unfortunately, the Elven Lords are also being hunted by dark forces bent on their destruction.<br />
<br />
<em>Curse of the Spider King</em> is what YA Fantasy Fiction is all about. It’s well-paced, richly developed, and irresistibly enthralling. The language is beautiful without getting too caught up in itself. And while we discover more about The Seven, Allyra itself remains mostly a mystery. The scene is set for book two in <em>The Berinfell Prophecies</em>, <em>Venom and Song</em>.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned tomorrow for Part One of my interview with co-author Wayne Thomas Batson. And please check out a few of our other CSFF Blog Tour Participants:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.christiansciencefiction.blogspot.com/">Brandon Barr</a> <a href="http://fantastyfreak.blogspot.com/">Justin Boyer</a> <a href="http://pagesofdiscovery.blogspot.com/">Amy Browning</a> <a href="http://valeriecomer.com/">Valerie Comer</a> <a href="http://www.the160acrewoods.com/">Amy Cruson</a> <a href="http://csffblogtour.com/">CSFF Blog Tour</a> <a href="http://word-up-studies.blogspot.com/">Stacey Dale</a> <a href="http://www.scificatholic.com/">D. G. D. Davidson</a> <a href="http://sjdeal.blogspot.com/">Shane Deal</a> <a href="http://scriptoriusrex.blogspot.com/">Jeff Draper</a> <a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~wyverns/">Emmalyn Edwards</a> <a href="http://projectinga.blogspot.com/">April Erwin</a> <a href="http://virtualbooktourdenet.blogspot.com/">Karina Fabian</a> <a href="http://anewnovelistsjourney.blogspot.com/">Todd Michael Greene</a> <a href="http://realmofhearts.blogspot.com/">Ryan Heart</a> <a href="http://fantasythyme.blogspot.com/">Timothy Hicks</a> <a href="http://jessebecky.wordpress.com/">Becky Jesse</a> <a href="http://crisjesse.wordpress.com/">Cris Jesse</a> <a href="http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/">Jason Joyner</a> <a href="http://www.molcotw.blogspot.com/">Julie</a> <a href="http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/">Carol Keen</a> <a href="http://krystisbooks.blogspot.com/">Krystine Kercher</a> <a href="http://www.tinakulesa.com/">Tina Kulesa</a> <a href="http://www.realheartprints.com/">Melissa Lockcuff</a> <a href="http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/">Rebecca LuElla Miller</a> <a href="http://mirathon.blogspot.com/">Mirtika</a> <a href="http://linalamont.blogspot.com/">Nissa</a> <a href="http://www.leastread.blogspot.com/">John W. Otte</a> <a href="http://oohbooks.blogspot.com/">Cara Powers</a> <a href="http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/">Chawna Schroeder</a> <a href="http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/">James Somers</a> <a href="http://specfaith.ritersbloc.com/">Speculative Faith</a> <a href="http://www.epictales.org/blog/robertblog.php">Robert Treskillard</a> <a href="http://frederation.wordpress.com/">Fred Warren</a> <a href="http://www.galacticoverlordinchief.blogspot.com/">Jason Waguespac</a> <a href="http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/">Phyllis Wheeler</a> <a href="http://www.novelteen.com/">Jill Williamson</a> <a href="http://kmwilsher.blogspot.com/">KM Wilsher</a><br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-18997446201152282282009-11-13T12:11:00.000-08:002009-11-13T12:14:59.888-08:00Review: The Blue Umbrella<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">The Blue Umbrella</span></em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">by Mike Mason</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzcAjb7BM9Z_1xCvKwI3WNTKO-hm8xxWXjVuTq_kvbKSts3dqT-PKGsxFhbbqPSu0myMDct1wwxfRBUcMApiaoV3_r1ZFrjodiP5RUdy8DFdSL0fQ1_D715IIXGC9OjW_Oqj9v_Z_Rig/s400/The+Blue+Umbrella+Cover.jpg" /><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Important Links:</span></u><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Umbrella-Novel-Mike-Mason/dp/1434765261"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Amazon Page</span></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://mikemasonbooks.com/"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Mike Mason's Site</span></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.davidccook.com/"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">David C. Cook</span></a><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"> (Publisher)</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://tbbmedia.com/newsite/default.asp"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">B&B Media Group</span></a><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"> (The lovely people who made this review possible.)</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br />
</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><u>Recommended Age</u>: 10+</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Not all magic has to be kept from the rest of the world. Sometimes it can be simple and wonderful, just like this book, <em>The Blue Umbrella</em> by Mike Mason. Filled with themes of loss, trust, love, patience, endurance, and possibility, <em>The Blue Umbrella</em> whisks readers away into the world of ten-year-old Zac Sparks. He has lost his mother to a lightning strike, never knew his father, and is taken to a small town to live with his “Aunties,” as nothing more than a servant. But there is something strange going on in the town of Five Corners. Everyone in the town fearfully respects the “Aunties” and worse, they give in to their every whim. </span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Then there’s Porter’s Store, and the strange events that haunt its rooftop at night. Zac sees the owner, Sky Porter, every morning in front of the store as though he’s greeting each new day. Known to the household and neighbors as “Boy,” Zac becomes ever more frustrated as the grip the Aunties have on him tightens. He realizes he’s a prisoner and that there are more secrets around Five Corners than he could have ever imagined.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">One of my favorite aspects of this book is its demonstration of the real-life principle that shows how our mistakes, no matter how horrible, can sometimes harbor extraordinary results. Zac’s journey touches the lives of so many in Five Corners that we get to see several relationships begin and flourish, but a betrayal could ruin them all.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">My only complaint: It has a bit of a slow progression at first, but like most firsts in a series, it needed to establish the basics. The last third of it was pure joy. <em>The Blue Umbrella</em> will speak to all ages and carry themes that will enrapture its readers and fill them with hope. And with at least two more books in the series to come, we’ll all be enjoying the adventures of Zac Sparks and his family and friends for quite a while.</span><br />
</div>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-10845022227586911022009-10-21T20:42:00.000-07:002009-10-22T13:48:54.994-07:00Day 3 - CSFF Blog Tour: Eric Wilson<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Eric Wilson<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"From an early age, I wanted to be a writer. Although I was born in California and raised in Oregon, my more enduring memories start in Europe where my parents took Bibles behind the Iron Curtain. Life was an adventure, full of exotic cultures and peoples.<br />
<br />
</div>Back in the States, I went through junior high and high school. I loved soccer, basketball, chess...oh, yes, and girls. It took a few years to learn how to talk to them, but they interested me from a distance. After high school, I traveled in eastern Europe and China. I returned to my parents’ crumbling marriage. I moved to LA and began college.<br />
<br />
During my junior year, a childhood friend showed up as a freshman. Within months she and I were married, and we’re now in our eighteenth year, with two daughters to keep us on our toes. We’re not perfect (our kids could give you details), but we refuse to stop fighting for our family...and for our faith in Jesus, who is bigger than our self-centeredness." <br />
<br />
(Taken from <em>Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy</em>'s website: <a href="http://www.jerusalemsundead.com/html/the_author.html">HERE</a>.)Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-59827361093628713942009-10-20T17:18:00.000-07:002009-10-20T17:18:17.707-07:00Day 2 - CSFF Blog Tour: Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy<div style="text-align: center;"><em>Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy</em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">by Eric Wilson<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Book One: <em>Field of Blood</em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> "<a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/Images/books/field-of-blood-250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.titletrakk.com/Images/books/field-of-blood-250.jpg" vr="true" width="124" /></a>1989: Scores of Romanian children contract a life-threatening virus. In Jerusalem, the same year, an ancient tomb is broken into.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Gina Lazarescu is a girl caugtht between an unknown past and a dark future. Will she stand in the gap against the rising evil? Or become victim to it?<br />
<br />
Death is not a question. It is the answer. Welcome to a world that hides before your eyes." (Summary from <em>Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy</em>'s website: <a href="http://www.jerusalemsundead.com/html/field_of_blood.html">HERE</a>.)<br />
<br />
<br />
Book Two: <em>Haunt of the Jackals</em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"<a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/Images/books/haunt-of-jackals-250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.titletrakk.com/Images/books/haunt-of-jackals-250.jpg" vr="true" width="126" /></a>1211: Crusaders ship tons of soil from Jerusalem back to Italy, convinced of its holy properties. But something unholy has joined them.<br />
</div><br />
<br />
1944: Allied bombs destroy a cemetery only yards from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. A fire rages. A tomb is opened.<br />
<br />
In our modern world, Gina Lazarescu is a young woman caught trying to forgive her mother and track down her father. If she fails at either task, she will die." (Summary from <em>Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy</em>'s website: <a href="http://www.jerusalemsundead.com/html/haunt_of_jackals.html">HERE</a>.)<br />
<br />
<br />
Book Three: <em>Valley of Bones</em><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWTCL-T_4E6Glw53HJphanev36ZqXcFNy-Ip8xDqzvp_MSKOpYK6arqax0DFnrPHkLejs8bYH0ZKgpNEuvIqoPOXqj_5LuMaObOK2DoBtEJiyfI6vktdR00Q_xdN3Bij5nKrSyihoPo2y/s1600/valley+of+bones+250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWTCL-T_4E6Glw53HJphanev36ZqXcFNy-Ip8xDqzvp_MSKOpYK6arqax0DFnrPHkLejs8bYH0ZKgpNEuvIqoPOXqj_5LuMaObOK2DoBtEJiyfI6vktdR00Q_xdN3Bij5nKrSyihoPo2y/s200/valley+of+bones+250.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div>"1911: Rasputin, advisor to the Russian tsars, travels to Jerusalem to unlock hidden relics, both sacred and profane.<br />
<br />
<br />
2004: With yet another tragedy in her wake, Gina Lazarescu makes a discovery that renews her hope for the future.<br />
<br />
Even as Akeldama Collectors amass forces, Gina and Cal search Jerusalem for a secret that will raise up their own holy army--a valley of bones prepared to fight for the souls of mankind." (Summary from <em>Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy</em>'s website: <a href="http://www.jerusalemsundead.com/html/valley_of_bones.html">HERE</a>.)<br />
<br />
Join me back tomorrow for some more about Eric Wilson.Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-48010903156119965782009-10-19T15:33:00.000-07:002009-10-23T15:26:14.141-07:00CSFF Blog Tour: Haunt of the Jackals<div style="text-align: center;"><em>Haunt of the Jackals: </em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Book Two of <em>Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy</em><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">by Eric Wilson<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51yEn-sqW9L._SL500_AA240_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51yEn-sqW9L._SL500_AA240_.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Important Links</u>:<br />
<br />
*Amazon: <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1595544593">Haunt of the Jackals</a></em><em> </em><br />
<em>*</em><a href="http://www.jerusalemsundead.com/"><em>Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy</em></a><em> </em>website <br />
*Author <a href="http://www.wilsonwriter.com/">Eric Wilson</a>'s website<br />
<br />
</div><br />
Admittedly, I came back to the CSFF Blog Tour a little late and didn't get a chance to read this one. I did, however, do a little research and came up with a fantastic review from <a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/book-reviews/haunt-of-jackals-review-wilson.htm">TitleTrakk.com</a> for today. Check it out <a href="http://www.titletrakk.com/book-reviews/haunt-of-jackals-review-wilson.htm">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
More to come tomorrow on day two of the CSFF Blog Tour for <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595544593?ie=UTF8&tag=titletrakkcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1595544593">Haunt of the Jackals</a></em>. Please be sure to check out the other tour participants by clicking the links below:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.christiansciencefiction.blogspot.com/">Brandon Barr</a><br />
<a href="http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/">Wayne Thomas Batson</a><br />
<a href="http://quiverfullfamily.com/">Jennifer Bogart </a><br />
<a href="http://fantastyfreak.blogspot.com/">Justin Boyer</a><br />
<a href="http://www.adventuresinfiction.blogspot.com/">Keanan Brand</a><br />
<a href="http://pagesofdiscovery.blogspot.com/">Amy Browning</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kcreviews.blogspot.com/">Karri Compton</a><br />
<a href="http://www.the160acrewoods.com/">Amy Cruson</a><br />
<a href="http://csffblogtour.com/">CSFF Blog Tour</a><br />
<a href="http://word-up-studies.blogspot.com/">Stacey Dale</a><br />
<a href="http://www.scificatholic.com/">D. G. D. Davidson</a><br />
<a href="http://scriptoriusrex.blogspot.com/">Jeff Draper</a><br />
<a href="http://projectinga.blogspot.com/">April Erwin</a><br />
<a href="http://virtualbooktourdenet.blogspot.com/">Karina Fabian</a><br />
<a href="http://bethgoddard.blogspot.com/">Beth Goddard </a><br />
<a href="http://anewnovelistsjourney.blogspot.com/">Todd Michael Greene</a><br />
<a href="http://fantasythyme.blogspot.com/">Timothy Hicks</a><br />
<a href="http://jessebecky.wordpress.com/">Becky Jesse</a><br />
<a href="http://crisjesse.wordpress.com/">Cris Jesse</a><br />
<a href="http://spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/">Jason Joyner</a><br />
<a href="http://www.molcotw.blogspot.com/">Julie</a><br />
<a href="http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/">Carol Keen</a><br />
<a href="http://momofkings.wordpress.com/">Dawn King</a><br />
<a href="http://mirathon.blogspot.com/">Mirtika</a><br />
<a href="http://linalamont.blogspot.com/">Nissa</a><br />
<a href="http://www.leastread.blogspot.com/">John W. Otte</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/">James Somers</a><br />
<a href="http://specfaith.ritersbloc.com/">Speculative Faith</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rachelstarrthomson.com/inklings/">Rachel Starr Thomson</a><br />
<a href="http://www.epictales.org/blog/robertblog.php">Robert Treskillard</a><br />
<a href="http://christiansf.blogspot.com/">Steve Trower</a><br />
<a href="http://frederation.wordpress.com/">Fred Warren</a><br />
<a href="http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/">Phyllis Wheeler</a><br />
<a href="http://www.novelteen.com/">Jill Williamson</a><br />
<a href="http://kmwilsher.blogspot.com/">KM Wilsher</a><br />
</div>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-38245870039926259762009-10-07T20:50:00.000-07:002009-10-08T03:22:21.238-07:00Book Review: Marked*Note: This review may not be appropriate for all readers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Marked: A House of Night Novel</em><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">by P.C. & Kristen Cast<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marked-House-Night-Novel-Novels/dp/0312360258/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254970346&sr=8-1#noop" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ivjn8jp-UWaZKI12hvnzjZ0JcjQFnj3DAH0FeNYB9Eim5aWHZLbrWi6PcjlFmdysf6Jp2WTKxebHGkGwsZ-vwY-iZzmUNzRKxChYvT3FB35bCTT6C2t9bzJcMykxrR__q_Rr3bTWTxU/s400/Marked1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<u>Important Links</u>: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marked-House-Night-Novel-Novels/dp/0312360258/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254970346&sr=8-1#noop">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.houseofnightseries.com/">House of Night Series</a><br />
<br />
<u>Recommended Age</u>: WARNING 18+ (due to language, sex, and drug/alcohol content)<br />
<br />
After one hundred nine pages, I almost stopped reading. I literally debated for an entire 24 hours whether or not to send the book back…<br />
<br />
I didn’t. I decided that not all reviews can glow. So I read the entire book, and I’ll be honest and let you make a decision for yourselves.<br />
<br />
This story portrays a world in which “vampyres” have always existed. Zoey Montgomery is being forced to live with a religious fanatic step-father whose aim is to control her mother so completely that Zoey isn’t allowed to exist in her Marked form, when she comes home with a blue crescent moon “tattoo” on her forehead, the sure mark of a fledgling “vampyre.” He’s an Elder for the People of Faith and would rather see her die slowly than to take her to the school that will save her life and prepare her for the Change into an adult “vampyre.”<br />
<br />
Zoey flees to her grandmother’s house, has a religious experience with the Goddess of Night, Nyx, then wakes up at the House of Night where her teen adventures begin as Zoey Redbird, adopting her grandmother’s surname. Zoey faces a buxom blonde bully, shakes an obsessed old flame, starts anew with Erik (the hottest guy at school – which is mentioned several times), and becomes the leader she was meant to be in the group called the Dark Daughters and Sons.<br />
<br />
With its spiritual roots right out of a handbook for new Wiccans, this book expresses contempt for “religion,” which seems to encompass any faith that includes the idea of God as a singular. Elements and cardinal directions are encouraged to join in their ritual circle, after each person has had a pentagram drawn on their forehead with oil, and exchanged the proclamation, “Blessed be.” Rituals are a regular part of their schedules. Freedom to choose your faith and beliefs seems to be lost to all who carry the genetic marker for “vampyrism.” They must all worship Nyx, without question. And nobody does question, which totally takes me out of the book’s reality. In the real world people get to choose. It’s like they’ve all been fitted with mind control chips: I. Will. Worship. Nyx. <br />
<br />
My biggest problem with the religious aspect is that it’s so exclusive. As soon as you exclude part of your audience, you risk losing an entire sector of potential readers. If it wasn’t so blatantly hateful toward what they call the “People of Faith,” then I might be able to scrounge an ounce of quality from the writing, which is not entirely ridiculous. If this book didn’t include the dialogue, the overdone teen themes, and could make me care an iota for any of the characters, then maybe I’d consider letting a friend read this. But unfortunately, I can’t.<br />
<br />
The teen-speak is insulting to the intelligence of today’s teenagers and tedious to the adult audience it had potential to harvest some readers from, given the success of another famous vampire franchise with a wide range of age-appropriateness. <em>Marked: A House of Night Novel</em> just doesn’t have the sophistication or depth to share air with the big boys.<br />
<br />
The swearing was gratuitous: f*** was used quite a few times, as well as sh**, dam*, b*tch, sl*t,and God’s name was taken in vain several times within the first page as well as being littered throughout, h*ll is Zoey’s “favorite word.” There’s more, but I’ll leave it at that for now.<br />
<br />
Drugs and Alcohol. There’s talk of kids smoking p*t. The first conversation Zoey has with her first best friend of the book is about Zoey’s “almost ex-boyfriend” getting “drunk” the night before. (In the end, Zoey’s best friend was secretly seeing the drunk-guy and had been with him on the night in question.) Zoey gets rid of her entire life, family and friends with the exception of her too-understanding grandmother, and gets new friends and feels they’re her real family. <br />
<br />
Sex. On Zoey’s first night of school, she witnesses a sex act in a hallway. Sex is referred to casually on several occasions. This book also contains scenes of “making out,” but not in the tender way Edward brushed his lips along Bella’s cheek, but in an animalistic bloodlust-induced frenzy.<br />
<br />
The specific overall worldview of the author is clear, which doesn’t always bring an audience in, but that is merely the beginning of this book’s many unresolved issues. I guess the most disappointing part for me was the anticipation of receiving this book (which, btw, came highly recommended from a few Shelfari readers whom I must now hunt down), and the subsequent let-down after realizing I had not discovered some great new vampire series, just recycled bits of <em>Harry Potter</em>, <em>Twilight</em>, and <em>Mean Girls</em> all rolled into oneAmy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-28966727854915333662009-09-21T22:57:00.000-07:002009-09-22T00:02:34.393-07:00An Update From Deep Within the PagesAfter months of inactivity or sparse posting, I'm happy to announce that I'm now in the perfect position to return to my regular blogging. The following is just an update on what's been happening in my life since I last posted, followed by what I plan to do virtually as well as actually.<br /><br /><h4><div align=center><u>Reading</u></h4></div>I've been reading like crazy. Check out my <a href="http://www.shelfari.com">Shelfari</a>. I've been updating that fairly religiously. I've been knee-deep in Fantasy Fiction. I'm rereading the first two books in <i>The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel</i> series, because I've just acquired the third book, which was released earlier this year. (Look for reviews coming soon.) I finished <i>The Alchemyst</i> three days ago, and am now about halfway through <i>The Magician</i>. The third, and as yet never read by me, book is called <i>The Sorceress</i>.<br /><br /><h4><div align=center><u>Writing</u></h4></div>Apart from my usual jotting down of random ideas, my writing in the past few months has been pretty stagnant. Today, however, I managed to copy a bunch of files from my desktop onto my laptop. In doing so, I discovered quite a few documents that I'd completely forgotten about. I went through many of them and discovered something that completely motivated me. I really do believe God has blessed me with some skill in writing. Doubt is my biggest foe, and its all self-inflicted. <br /><br />I vow, here and now, to persistently battle my doubt in my own ability. Through "The One True King" I shall arise the victor! All prayers are welcome. <br /><br />Today I realized and remembered a few things I need to do:<ul><li>Write daily.<li>Use the drive and ability to write that I've been blessed with.<li>Be prayerful in my writing process.<li>Don't forget the fellowship I get and give through the blogging network of Christian authors I've become associated with.<li>Go back and read what I wrote long ago. Great ideas can come from unassuming Word docs with the title <i>Notes</i> or something similar.<li>Have faith in everything I do (especially my writing)!</ul><br /><br /><h4><u><div align=center>Homeschool</u></h4></div>My daughter, now 11, and I just began our fourth year of homeschooling. We're doing our 6th grade year. I'm really excited about the changes in difficulty and content we'll be dealing with this year. Math gets more complex, Science delves deeper into concepts only previously touched on, and English contains far more opportunities to teach writing. We'll be doing some extra-curricular creative writing as well. Just for fun.<br /><br />After a summer of camps, sleepovers, and plenty of pool time, even my daughter is ready to get back to work. The ice cream truck won't be coming around for too much longer now. Aw man - that means I don't get anymore frozen lemonade cups - too yummy.<br /><br />I've been busy planning for lessons and correcting papers, while Kailee is doing independent work and developing a voracious appetite for books. We're a much better team now. I think our starting-off years are over and we're both a lot more comfortable with the whole homeschool gig. We slipped right back into our groove this fall and I couldn't be more happy about it.<br /><br /><h4><u><div align=center>Coming Soon...</u></div></h4><ul><li>I will be updating all sections of my blog's information.<li>I'll be blogging regularly.<li>I plan to devote at least a small portion of each day to writing.<li>More book reviews!!!<li>I'll be making my rounds to all my net nerds and blog buds to check in and check out what everyone's been up to lately. (I'll update any exciting news as I come across it.)</ul><br />See you soon.Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-91832021858700653302009-04-05T15:31:00.000-07:002009-04-05T16:44:17.498-07:00Fantastic Fantasy: Twilight<div align="center"><span style="color:#000000;"><i>Twilight</i><br /><br />by Stephenie Meyer</span><br /><br /></div><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Book-1-Stephenie-Meyer/dp/0316160172/ref=ed_oe_h"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321340529449737666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kr3vrB92l8MTBx4bsu-rS9mtXhTS_hbKxVedID2JWRXWThWdle2yPqHHuBKtFYz4flYH6IaS9itD5mMCAIJ8VUDSEMoV1fogUfsH3hCDGde8fqHm__A4UnCFB8pc_f5OFXjBX1aeAao/s320/Twilight+cover.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p></p><p><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><u>Important Links</u>:</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Amazon.com:</span> <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Book-1-Stephenie-Meyer/dp/0316160172/ref=ed_oe_h"><span style="color:#c0c0c0;">Twilight</span></a></i></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">Author's Website:</span> <i><a href="http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/index.html"><span style="color:#c0c0c0;">StephenieMeyer.com</span></a></i></p><p><em></em></p><br /><p><span style="color:#000000;"><u>Recommended Age</u>: 16+ (due to mature themes and content)</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">Twilight is not a typical vampire book, or a typical romance. I'm not into either, and I loved this series. The characters are believable, as are their relationships. The whole vampire thing is essential to the plot but not its main focus. The good guys are "vegetarian" vampires - they don't hunt humans. The rest of the vampires do, but the emphasis is more on self-control than about blood-sucking.<br /></span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">Essentially, the story follows Bella, a clumsy, all-too-human character who falls for an amazingly, dazzlingly, decidedly NOT human guy. His family is one of the only groups of vampires that don't hunt humans, and their story is deep and intricately woven into the story. Also, Bella's best friend, other than Edward, turns out to be a member of a tribe of mortal enemies to vampires. This causes a few issues that only their mutual love for Bella can overcome (later in the series).<br /></span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">The cast of characters from Bella's dad to all of Edward's "family" enriches the story and gives way to some elements of humor. The Cullen family all posess qualities to be admired, such as: unparalleled self-control, compassion, restraint, respect, strength, and loving enthusiasm. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">In the end, Bella desperately wants Edward to turn her into a vampire, but he refuses. His only goal is to protect Bella and be with her for the rest of her mortal life. She wants to spend eternity with him and he wants her to have a normal life and not to be what he calls a "monster." That whole issue is seen throughout all four books.<br /></span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">In the end, the appeal of Twilight isn't vampires or romance, but tangible relationships that we can all relate to and become enthralled with, right alongside Bella. Stephenie Meyer's writing style is familiar, yet original. The pacing and plot of the books are easy and interesting at the same time. Each book holds its own mysteries and revelations, bringing the reader closer to the moment Bella, and all of us, are <em>dying</em> to reach.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;"><em>Twilight</em> is the first book of the <em>Twilight Saga</em>, which, in its entirity, and in order, includes: <em>Twilight</em>, <em>New Moon</em>, <em>Eclipse</em>, and <em>Breaking Dawn</em>.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">*A spiritual note: There is a debate among characters about the existence of a soul within a vampire and their final destinations, if any. The conclusion to that debate is clearly one of faith. Also, Edward comments that even he can't believe this world was all created by accident (smart guy). </span></p>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-41362052644094415892008-10-11T23:05:00.000-07:002008-10-11T23:39:09.171-07:00Fantastic Fantasy: Eragon<div align="center"><i><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></i></div><div align="center"><i><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></i></div><div align="center"><i><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></i></div><div align="center"><i><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></i></div><div align="center"><i><span style="color:#339999;"><p><p></p><p>Eragon</span></i></p></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#339999;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#339999;">by Christopher Paolini</span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eragon-Inheritance-Book-Christopher-Paolini/dp/0375826688/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223791859&sr=1-1"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256146451261563010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0prcN2g6BCRjHgRzQ1Mizah8msUC98OICOkCM2d-ehnSYAVkE1zBvUgbhPZolPM-bMGy3fILkaj8bO2rghGzjiR90ahmAhr3dUSKxehu_YV8mdEbDSLsNGJrsXwdbKHNE-Le4O6qlzig/s400/Eragon.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p></p><p><u><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></u></p><p><u><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></u></p><p><u><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></u></p><p><u><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></u></p><p><u><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></u></p><p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color:#339999;"><u><p></u></span></p><p><u><span style="color:#339999;"></span></u> </p><p><span style="color:#339999;"><u>Important Links</u>:</span></p><p><span style="color:#339999;">Amazon.com:</span> <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eragon-Inheritance-Book-Christopher-Paolini/dp/0375826688/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223791859&sr=1-1"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Eragon</span></a></i></p><p><span style="color:#339999;">Official <i>Inheritance</i> Site:</span> <a href="http://www.alagaesia.com/"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Alagaesia.com</span></a><br /></p><p><span style="color:#339999;"><u>Recommended Age</u>: 15+ (due to violence and gore)</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color:#339999;">Not a typical dragon story. Eragon, a farm boy, finds a brilliant blue stone, which is actually a dragon egg. When she hatches, Eragon discovers his connection with her runs deeper than the silvery marking that appears on the palm of his hand when he first touches her. Their telepathic communication helps nuture a life-long bond of friendship, love, and a mutual goal: taking down the evil ruler of Alagaesia, King Galbatorix. </span></p><p><span style="color:#339999;"><br /></p></span><p><span style="color:#339999;">What begins as a quest for revenge, carries Eragon and the town's mysterious story-teller, Brom, into a centuries-old struggle for the freedom of the people of Alagaesia. Eragon must choose. Will he fulfill Brom's wishes and become the first Dragon Rider in centuries to lead the rebel group, the Varden, or will he join the king who had put an end to the peace-keeping Riders of old? And who were Eragon's parents? Why was he left to be raised by an uncle and aunt? Will Eragon avenge his uncle's death by the strange creatures known as the Ra'zac? These questions and more plague Eragon as he trains to become a legendary Rider. </span></p><p><span style="color:#339999;"><br /></p></span><p><span style="color:#339999;">The first book in a series of four, Eragon, begins us on a quest of unkown origins and an even more mysterious endings. Along the way, Eragon will meet elves, dwarves, and creatures abound in a magical tale of epic proportions.</span></p>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-29533328327898823852008-10-09T23:12:00.000-07:002008-10-11T23:24:21.073-07:00Fantastic Fantasy: BrisingrWell - it's been a <em>really</em> long time since I posted my first book review, but now it's time for my second. I'd love to promise that these would be regularly posted, but that's just not realistic. The truth is that when I have the time, I'll review the book. As always, if you're interested, check out my <a href="http://www.shelfari.com/more2live4"><span style="color:#999900;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Shelfari</span></span></a> shelf either on the sidebar or through the link. So - here's review #2:<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Brisingr</span></span></em></div><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><br /></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">by Christopher <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Paolini</span></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brisingr-Inheritance-Book-Christopher-Paolini/dp/0375826726/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223619846&sr=8-1"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255407698517861106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E2Pp-M33hR46pCeq0CdRENuqKb3fqk1dcbZu7DEWVNsd2eOyu3jp7wss6F_YDcwh_aA_L0md1RCDzYVOOAFqcUiC5uYnswCEhYwL0l1dqSbQ591ykO_YHLyrJBY4mDgr6fQFKfvYoJ8/s400/Brisingr.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><u>Important Links</u>:<br /><br />Amazon: <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brisingr-Inheritance-Book-Christopher-Paolini/dp/0375826726/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223619846&sr=8-1"><span style="color:#999900;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Brisingr</span></span></a></em><br /><br />Official <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Inheritance</span> Site: </span><a href="http://www.alagaesia.com/"><span style="color:#999900;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Alagaesia</span>.com</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><br /><br /><u>Recommended Age</u>: 15+ (due to violence and gore)<br /></span><p><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;">In book 3 of the Inheritance cycle of 4 books, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Eragon</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Saphira</span> face more challenges and trials in their quest to take down the evil King <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Galbatorix</span>. Full of action and new revelations, this book easily lived up to the previous two.<br /></span><p><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Around half-way through though, there is a section that just didn't quite do it for me. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Roran</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Eragon's</span> cousin, is repeatedly in battle, which gets a bit monotonous. You can really only read about blood spattering and soldiers' guilt so many times. Also, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Eragon</span> must witness a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">clanmeet</span> of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">dwarves</span> in a very long drawn-out process to pick a new dwarf king. Unfortunately, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Paolini</span> chose to spend a bit too much time showing us just how long and boring this process was.<br /></span><p><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;">After this lull though, revelations come to light as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Eragon's</span> life is altered in new ways and his mission to kill the evil king seems more attainable than ever. The exciting conclusion makes up for the slow spot in the middle, and the whole book ends with you <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">clambering</span> for more.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div align="center"></div>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-56788051207002095242008-10-07T10:20:00.000-07:002009-04-05T16:57:28.699-07:00Motiv8 Fantasy Fiction Tour<div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Well - it's tour time again and many of our favorite authors have finally made it over to the West Coast. Yes! <p><br /></span></p></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">The</span> <a href="http://www.fantasyfictiontour.com/"><span style="color:#999900;">Motiv8 Fantasy Fiction Tour</span></a> <span style="color:#ffffcc;">is currently in progress and making a huge difference in the lives of Fantasy fans. It's running through October 11th, so you may still have time to catch them in a city near you.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">I was blessed enough to be able to catch the tour in Portland, OR, (which is right across the river from where I live in Vancouver, WA) on Sunday, October 5th. It was raining and the spot the authors had to set up at, was an open-air gazebo in the midst of an outdoor mall. The roof of the gazebo was, thankfully, covered and rain-proof, however, it did make for an inconvenient place to gather. We, who call ourselves fans <em>and</em> Northwesterners though, didn't let that stop us from enjoying the authors we know and love, and even a few authors we hadn't known of until that day.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">My husband, daughter, and I had a great time talking with</span> <a href="http://www.christopherhopper.com/"><span style="color:#999900;">Christopher Hopper</span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;">, who is, well - there's no other way of putting it, a really cool guy. And</span> <a href="http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#999900;">Wayne Thomas Batson</span></a> <span style="color:#ffffcc;">was even able to make a few minutes for us in the midst of a frenzy of teenage fans. We also had a nice chat with</span> <a href="http://www.ryannwatters.com/"><span style="color:#999900;">Eric Reinhold</span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;">.</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><p>All in all, it was an awesome experience. I was inspired to keep writing, and my ten-year-old was inspired to keep reading. She actually said, "Mommy, you'll get to do that someday." I smiled and thanked God for giving me such a supportive family.</span></span></div><div align="center"><p align="left"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">All eight of the authors will be touring for another four days. To see highlights of the tour and find out what's <em>really</em> been going on, check out the</span> <a href="http://www.fantasyfictiontour.com/"><span style="color:#999900;">Motiv8 Fantasy Fiction Tour</span></a> <span style="color:#ffffcc;">website as well as the authors' sites. Here's a quick list of links for you:</span> <a href="http://www.christopherhopper.com/"><span style="color:#999900;">Christopher Hopper</span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;">,</span> <a href="http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#999900;">Wayne Thomas Batson</span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;">,</span> <a href="http://www.ryannwatters.com/"><span style="color:#999900;">Eric Reinhold</span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;">, </span><a href="http://www.dragonsinourmidst.com/"><span style="color:#999900;">Bryan Davis</span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;">,</span> <a href="http://www.sharonhinck.com/"><span style="color:#999900;">Sharon Hinck</span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;">,</span> <a href="http://www.donitakpaul.com/"><span style="color:#999900;">Donita K. Paul</span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;">, </span><a href="http://www.wilderking.com/"><span style="color:#999900;">Jonathan Rogers</span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;">, and</span> <a href="http://www.bindingoftheblade.com/"><span style="color:#999900;">L.B. Graham</span></a><span style="color:#ffffcc;">.</span> </p></div>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-54515993059608614412008-08-05T16:29:00.000-07:002008-08-05T16:52:52.687-07:00Writing<span style="color:#ffffcc;">Well - I've finally done it. Construction is well underway for my first book. I don't yet have a title, but I have lots of notes, note cards, and a completed first two chapters. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Yay</span>!<br /><br />I'm learning so much as I write. I'm using notes, but only to a degree. I'm wide open to let the story take me where it will. For a while, I was stuck on the notion of having to have the whole book planned or mostly planned out in my head, but now am only planning major plot points and I don't even have most of those yet. However, writing is taking place and characters have been born, and the whole thing is really coming together.<br /><br />Right now, the thing I'm trying to keep in mind is pacing. I don't want to get too caught up in description, or too worried about speeding the plot along. I'm finding that a balance between the two is a little easier than I originally thought.<br /><br />It feels amazing to actually sit down and type out scenes that I've only outlined and watch them take shape. It's so cool to see a few scribbles on note cards turn into real scenes with action and dialogue. I've decided that even if I don't end up seeking publication for this first book, I'll keep on writing and value this first one as the best learning experience I've had in writing.<br /><br />I've heard other authors say how important it is to write daily, and I'm finding that even on days when I don't feel inspired or think maybe nothing will come of it - that it's worth it to try. I finally decided that even if I scrap all I've written in a day (which I have yet to do), it's still so rewarding just to get something written.<br /><br />My internal battle with the editor-me vs. the writer-me is actually working out quite well. I will do my best to get something out first - anything. Then I let myself obsessively edit and rewrite. The end product is a pretty smooth rough draft. I'm totally satisfied with that.<br /><br />I've found too, that writing is very good for me. I can feel myself learning and changing and growing as a writer and a person. In spite of my health problems, I have a definite purpose. I only pray that God will guide me and use me as His instrument of grace. I want to tell stories that glorify Him, however directly or indirectly that may be. It's all in God's hands and I'm so excited about that.<br /><br />Until next time...</span>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-45590448781068123582008-05-05T09:22:00.000-07:002008-05-05T10:43:09.156-07:00SeasonsSince my last post, not only has the season changed, but many other life events have shaped the course of my days.<br /><br />My health - ugh...<br /><br />I'd love to have a good report, but don't. So - I'll at least keep this part short. Migraines now daily? Yes. Asthma as bad as ever? Yes, and now there may be a possible genetic link to cystic fibrosis and my grandmother and possibly myself as carriers.<br /><br />Homeschooling...<br /><br />Fine, yet we've fallen a little behind where I'd imagined we'd be at this time of year. We'll be working into the summer partially. Standardized testing will probably be held in July, or whenever we get around to it.<br /><br />Family...<br /><br />Great actually! My parents moved up here, somewhat temporarily, in February. They've got their own room at our house and share the upstairs bathroom with my brother, but that's just like old times for them. :)<br /><br />My mom has been a huge help. She drives when my meds keep me from being able to. She drags me out of the house to the library with her and Kailee, even when I refuse at first. She cooks and keeps us all well fed and spoiled with her excellent fare. She picks up where I leave off and doesn't, even for a second, let me feel like less of a person, even when it would be easy to do. God sent my parents to me during a time that I needed them far more than I knew.<br /><br />Work...<br /><br />Jeff's been a busy guy lately. When he's not a his regular job, he's on a side job doing a remodel. When he's not doing side work, he's busy as can be around the house with all kinds of home improvement projects. This weekend he refurbished our ugly white ceiling fan, turning it into a thing of beauty. The metal is a gorgeous pitted brown and the blades are now a textured deep brown. He took $20 and turned the $30 fan into a $200 fan. He amazes me sometimes - well - all the time. His gifts are so useful.<br /><br />Writing...<br /><br />Well -I'm getting itchy again. I think that after our end of April snowfall, followed by early May high temps has finally flipped my creativity switch. Winter in the Northwest is a bit tough for most of us. All of us imports have to adjust to the grey and rainy weather for a solid three months, so it gets easy to procrastinate. However, as soon as the sun is shining, I'm in the zone all over again. It's like our own little human hibernation. I'm definitely feeling awake now though.<br /><br />Other news...<br /><br />We just celebrated Kailee's 10th birthday. Last weekend (end of April), Jeff and I went shopping at IKEA for a new bed for her. We'd decided to do a whole room makeover for her, and ended up doing an Extreme Makeover - Kailee Edition. :)<br /><br />She was at Jeff's parents' house for the weekend and we'd been shopping and decided to keep her at her grandparents' for an extra day to give us time to paint, build, sort and organize, and decorate her brand new "tween" room.<br /><br />It went from froo-froo pink to grape green in less than a day. We got home from IKEA and left again to Home Depot for some paint. We had to primer the pink on three walls, and left it alone on one wall. Two coats of primer and two coats of green later, it looked like a whole new room. Jeff even decided to give the pink wall a fresh coat of pink.<br /><br />I'll see if I can get up some before and after pics soon. We took plenty, as proof of all our hard work.<br /><br />After the green dried on that Sunday, we began our individual projects. My job was to sort through all of the endless clutter and toys that had previously littered our little girl's bedroom, that always kept it from being clean. Jeff was busy building the bed and desk. Whew - I hope I never have to do that again. It was unreal and seemed endless at times. We'd brought everything out of her room and downstairs to paint, so nothing went back into that room that didn't pass through my approval.<br /><br />We donated massive quantities of toys and threw away almost as many. Now all her toys are in plastic bins and will stay organized for years to come. We also put some of it in our attic for her to pass on to her kids someday. It was the hugest purge in Browning history! Whew - done.<br /><br />Well - after a teary phone call of misunderstood abandonment from Kailee on Sunday night, we felt terrible, but couldn't reveal our little project if it was going to be a surprise.<br /><br />Finally - Monday evening around five pm, we headed out to get her and bring her home to her brand new room. We'd scored a desk chair for under her new loft bed that day, and a cool fuzzy pink lounging chair as well to go with the new desk, comforter, accent pillows, and matching sheer curtains. This room was made for hanging out, talking on the phone, and just chillin' in.<br /><br />We got her home and upstairs. It was like an episode of <em>Trading Spaces</em> or <em>While You Were Out</em>. She was so excited! We even saw some happy tears. She was overwhelmed with joy. It was such hard work, but we just kept thinking about how much she'd love it, and she did. She's been calling down every so often the phrase, "I LOVE my room!" since Monday. Now it's been a whole week and the room has served its purpose beautifully. All the neighborhood kids have oo-ed and ahhh-ed over it now and over the weekend, we had her friend party with a sleepover with three of her best friends. It was awesome! They all wanted to sleep in Kailee's new room.<br /><br />It was such a blessing that we were able to do this. I think it's been the best money we've spent in a really long time. Praise God for tax returns. :)<br /><br />Birthday Business...<br /><br />We also prepared quite a party for Kailee. We made our own pinata, wands, and signs. We ordered and picked up silver and black balloons, made a lightning bolt shaped cake, and hung oodles of spiral streamers and shiny silver stars around the house. The theme was Harry Potter. We had to make nearly everything, but it was SO much fun! I've never made a pinata before and it was messy and a total blast. All three of us got really into it and Jeff and I <em>may </em>have smeared each others' arms with gluey paper mache mix. Hee hee...<br /><br />Conclusion...<br /><br />I think the last couple of weeks have really pulled me back to reality. I've realized that even with more limitations now than ever, life is still worth working for. Our experiences with the people we love are worth any extra effort and personal consequences. It all matters. God's blessed me with love and support and so much more. It would be a travesty to waste all of it feeling sorry for myself or letting any of it get me down.Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-2519371059850633592008-01-07T14:47:00.001-08:002008-01-07T14:53:43.568-08:00My New ProjectWell - my very good friend, Eve - found at <a href="http://questwriter.blogspot.com/">Quest Writer</a>, and I are collaborating on a story! It was her idea, the very clever girl she is, and totally loved by me. I'll update here sometimes, but so far we're just tossing ideas around. It's such a neat opportunity and I feel blessed to have it.Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-570232460373594867.post-89377301923856351702007-12-30T00:10:00.000-08:002007-12-30T00:34:08.188-08:00Email Forwards?Okay - we all have opinions and views, but how often do others' words reflect our own hearts intimately? Not often. This was emailed to me by a person who is very much "on the fence" about his faith. He doubts and challenges Christianity. Somehow, I believe, he gets it a little more than he's willing admit.<br /><br />------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><span style="color:#339999;">The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS SundayMorning Commentary. </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">My confession: </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and Idon't like it being shoved down my throat. </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to. </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?'(regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get outof our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?' </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and wemight damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure itout. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.' </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace... </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">Are you laughing? </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it. </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us... </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in. </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">My BestRegards. </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;"></span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">Honestly and respectfully, </span><br /><span style="color:#339999;">Ben Stein</span>Amy Browninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00980921368244489071noreply@blogger.com1