Giveaway Galore!

Tis the season for giving! And as it turns out, I've noticed some fantastic giveaways on blogs I follow that I think you all might be interested in.

Wayne Thomas Batson, author of the wonderful Door Within Trilogy, is hosting a vote on a very special gift--a short story written by him that will be free on Kindle or a .pdf download around Christmas. But this isn't even the best part. He is giving us eight options for the subject of the story, and you can vote on which one you'd like him to write! Vote on this fantastic giveaway HERE! You'll have to scroll down to Blog Item #2 to find it. :)

Also, Laura Pol over at her charming blog, Crafty Booksheeps, is hosting an interview with Meliane Dickerson who is generously giving away one of her novels by winner's choice. Have you wanted to read one of Meliane Dickerson's novels? Now's a great opportunity. Find it HERE.

Also, Bookish Queen is giving her followers a chance to win a copy of Goddess Tithe by Anne Elisabeth Stengl and a romance, Winter in Full Bloom by Anita Higman. If you haven't followed Backing Books yet, you should consider it to find interesting reviews! Find it HERE.

And I mentioned this yesterday, but Gillian Adams is giving away a copy of both The Book of Names and Corus the Champion. Enter HERE.

So yep, there are a lot of giveaways going about the blogs. And I'll be hosting my own giveaway/contest coming up soon now, so keep your eyes open for that!

Book Giveaway

Guess what, readers of mine?

Gillian Adams is hosting a giveaway over at her lovely blog, Of Battles, Dragons, and Swords of Adament. She's giving away a copy of both The Book of Names and Corus the Champion by D. Barkley Briggs to a look winner! Go over and enter if you're interested in those books! Plus, check out her own blog and upcoming novels!

Goddess Tithe Release Day!

As you might have guessed from a recent post, I love the novella Goddess Tithe. To know why I love it, you can read my review HERE.

And today is the official release! For the next three days, Goddess Tithe is available for Kindle download at just .99 cents! The offer lasts from today to the 14th!

So if you haven't had a chance to read it, I highly recommend it!

Three Want-to-Read Books

I've recently discovered some lesser-known books that I think you all might be interested in learning about. Have you read any of them?

This is the tale of Gorgon Elfhunter, a monstrous, mysterious creature who has sworn to destroy all the Elves of Alterra—until none remain. It is the story of Wood-elven heroine Gaelen Taldin, who has sworn to rid her world of the Elfhunter even as she is hunted by him. The conflict between them creates a tangled web that blurs the line between Light and Darkness, love and obsession, free will and fate. Filled with moments both tender and terrifying, thrilling yet thought-provoking, it is a timeless epic fantasy suitable for readers of all ages. Join the Company of Elves, dwarves, mortal men, and delightfully intelligent horses. Come to Alterra—the “World that Is”.

I discovered this book on a Christian lady's blog who said she enjoyed it. Let's face it. The cover had me riveted. Though simple, the colors and design are gorgeous, and the determination in the heroine's face priceless. Unfortunately, the paperback version of this and the rest of the books aren't very impressive. But this one is!

After doing some research, I discovered it's the first of a trilogy. Readers rave about it and each book is more highly spoke of than the last. From what I can tell, there isn't a problem in sexual content. If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know. This trilogy sounds very epic. I suspect (and hope) it has a good ending, from the last book's popularity. I'd like to give this trilogy a shot. Have any of you read them? If so, what did you think?

With King Harold away at war Lord Raburn has his eye on the throne. Those who dare to stand in his way fall beneath his power. All but one. A girl named Annabeth. Can a common, ordinary girl, with love for king, country, and her father, achieve the impossible?

Trained by her father, a master swordsman, outlawed Annabeth has only her sword, her wits, and her disguises to keep Belterra from falling entirely into Lord Raburn's clutches. Can she rescue her captured father and Prince Alfred? Will one girl keep the kingdom from falling?

I was thrilled to be introduced to a new Christian fantasy home-school author who writes books that sound just up my alley! The cover is gorgeous and the summary sounds very much like something I'd write. What's not to love? I'm really looking forward to getting a chance to read this one!

Young Prince Rashko is frustrated with his family - no one does any thinking but him! The kingdom and castle seem to be in the hands of fools. So when Rashko's parents mysteriously disappear and the evil Baron Temny parks his army outside the castle walls, it is up to the young prince to save the day. But there is more to this castle and its history than meets the eye, and Rashko will have to embrace his ancestry, harness a dragon, and use his sword-fighting skills to stop the baron and save the kingdom. Along the way, he realizes that his family is not quite as stupid as he always thought.

Master storyteller Joseph Bruchac, known for his smart, gripping Native American books, here combines his signature action and adventure with a large dose of humor, which just brings this story to a whole new level.

I read Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac, a novel on the Navajo marines of World War II. I was so impressed with the story. It's one of my favorite historical fictions. I knew Joseph Bruchac has written many Native American books, thus, I was surprised to discover he'd written a children's fantasy. This story sounds like so much fun! I'd love to read it.

Any lesser-known books you love or would like to read?

Helpful Writing Articles!

Happy Friday Eve, everyone! (Yes, Friday is very important in my family.)

I thought I'd share the links to two writing articles that I found particularly insightful and helpful.

1. Is your villain feeling rather shallow and blah? Head over to Gillian Adams blog where her oh-so-helpful Spy has recently escaped from the Villain's prison and now gives us a thoughtful look into their inner-selves.

http://ofbattlesdragonsandswordsofadamant.blogspot.com/2013/11/villainy-101-villains-are-people-too.html

2. Are you struggling with an overload of drop-dead gorgeous characters in your book? Read Amy Green's article and rethink the meaning of beauty.

http://justthefiction.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-cliche-of-beauty.html

Enjoy these writer's wonderful posts! And have a wonderful weekend!

Book Review--Crimilia

Hannah Wilkins is bitter. In addition to being teased at school about her weight, she has now been struck blind in a terrible accident, causing her to lose all sense of normalcy, and her tight-knit family. She struggles through every day, each of which only seems to get worse than the last, until one fateful morning when her bus hits a deer and the resulting jolt sends her flying into another universe. 

Brandon Pringle struggles every day to fit in and function like the rest of the children at his school. Afflicted by a debilitating limp, he doesn't seem to be useful to anyone. But when he is thrown from the school bus and lands on an unfamiliar riverbank, everything he knows about himself is completely overturned. 

Tossed together in the unfamiliar and turbulent land of Crimilia, Hannah and Brandon must fight their way through the unfamiliar landscapes of jealousy, greed, temptation, and hate in order to help restore peace to a land run by a tyrant. With the help of a few friends and through the goodness of a kindly baker named Jamal, they might just succeed in freeing the citizens of Crimilia from the ruthless Queen Salak. Join author Meredith Burton for an unforgettable tale of friendship, faith, and perseverance in the land of Crimilia.

Through My Window

In the pages of Crimilia, we are introduced to two decidedly different kids who have both been injured by the same accident and are now dealing with it in their own, separate ways. Hannah is a girl easy to sympathize with. I can't imagine how hard it would be to lose my sight, and the steely determination with which she sets out on every day is admirable. Brandon is a fun, perky kid who doesn't let much daunt him. I became immediately attached to both of them and could only smile as they are suddenly jolted into a foreign world where occurring events are strangely familiar.

Crimilia is a thoughtful allegory of the story of Jesus Christ. Meredith Burton's retelling of the events therein bring a fresh appreciation for the incredible story we can start to take for granted. When we first meet Jamal, the benevolent baker, I was reminded what a wonderful personality Jesus must have. The author's representation of themes (ie. the bread of life) was a real delight to watch.

While this is an endearing tale, I can't decide what age range readers should start at. I'm guessing middle-grade up. Just so know, there is an evil pagan "union" ceremony mentioned, but such an awful event actually never takes place in the novel, though one girl is momentarily threatened. Also, the pain of Jamal could be hard for little ones to understand. So not for the kiddies, I think.

One thing  interesting to note, is that for those of you who don't know, author Meredith Burton has always been blind. Yet, her story abounds in description--touch, taste, and color. It's really neat.

If you're looking for an encouraging tale of redemption, enter into the world of Crimilia where the story is not so far-fetched from our own. :)

Book Review: Goddess Tithe

 THE VENGEFUL GODDESS DEMANDS HER TITHE

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

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

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

Through My Window

To the delight of her readers, Anne Elisabeth Stengl has brought forth her first novella in the epic Tales of Goldstone Wood series! This is the first of possibly several illustrated novellas that will be released amongst the novels. Goddess Tithe stands well on its own, but it takes place in the context of the novel, Veiled Rose. Those who have read Veiled Rose will remember that Lionheart was offered safe passage on a voyage to a distant land by a mysterious Captain Sunan. All assumed the voyage went well, without incident.Now it is revealed that a dark danger lurked under the ocean, one of unsated vengeance.

Though Goddess Tithe is one-fourth the size of the novels of Goldstone Wood, the incredible beauty of writing shines at its very best as a heart-tugging tale is told of a small boy, Munny, who is set on returning home, though tragedy might await him. As always, Anne Elisabeth creates her characters with insight, charm, and reality as she pits them against each other in amusing, sweet, and difficult ways. The men aboard the ship are from a country inspired by Oriental history, and the characters amongst them are vivid and varied. Captain Sunan is steeped in mystery and readers will be salivating for more of him and answers to his past in future tales! The stowaway upon their ship is vastly different from the crew, and they wonder if he is perhaps even a little mad. Readers will be delighted upon the return of Leonard the Jester, in all his foolish glory!

Nearly the entire story plays out on a ship at sea with an all-male crew. This does not mean that females do not hold a significant role. Indeed, the goddess of the sea is a constant threat and fear. The woman in the portrait creates a tantalizing mystery unsatisfied, though all who have read the series know that the author never sets a mystery without one day revealing the answer. And there is one other woman who brings forth the heart of the story…

One of the most remarkable aspects of this tale is that Munny and the strange clown Leonard learn from each other, come to respect each other, and even become friends without once understanding what the other is saying. It’s a truly beautiful illustration of friendship despite the bars of language, race, and difference.

The beautiful black and white illustrations range from comical to enigmatic to dramatic.

For those who wonder what age the tale is appropriate for, I would not advise it for children despite its short length and gorgeous illustrations. There is no language, gruesome violence, or sexual content, but the story is quite serious, intense, and heart-wrenching. The faerie ocean was deliciously creepy.

An exciting tale with excellent writing, tantalizing mystery, an epic climax, and a tear-worthy conclusion. I declare Goddess Tithe a tale everyone should read!!!