Actors for Moonscript

When has an author not imagined their book as a movie? (Um, except for the ones before movies existed.) I'm sure we've all done it at one point or another. We fit actors to characters, we imagine scenes of our book to epic soundtrack. It truly is a fun fantasy. Now, since we are enjoying our little fantasy, we might as well imagine that someone has actually offered to turn our story into a film! But guess what?

I wouldn't want Moonscript to be turned into a movie! Really. The story revolves around a tortured hero. While in literary form I can keep violent description low, that would be impossible in film. =p So for the most case, I imagine my other WIPS as movies.

Nevertheless, I still had a great time picking actors for the Moonscript movie that will never be! I thought you might enjoy seeing who I chose for the roles.

Cozi Zuehlsdorff as Tellie

While she might not look quite like how I picture Tellie, I know she has the personality for it from her adorable performance in the movie Dophin Tale.

Sean Cunningham as Kelm

He played a very minor role in the movie I saw him in (Secretariet), but I could not believe how much he looked like Kelm when I pulled this picture up.

AnnaSophia Robb as Tryss

This wonderful actress could easily pull off Tryss's spirit, sweetness, and maturity. Plus, she looks so much like how I imagine Tryss!

Now of course we come to the big question. Who could play Errance? Well, that's an answer I would like to know too! I considered Ben Barnes after his performance as Caspian X in 'Voyage of the Dawn Treader', but I wasn't able to find a picture of him that suited Errance at all. I'm sort of at a loss here. Can you think of anyone who could play Errance?

Errance, Prince of Aselvia

Creative Dragon Giveaway

 Hey everyone, I just wanted to clue you in on an awesome activity going over at author Jennette Mbewe's blog. In celebration of Dragonwitch's release she is hosting a giveaway of the book. One of the ways you can earn entries is by sending her a picture you drew of a dragon. So sharpen your imaginations and create!

Go over to her site to learn the complete details and see where to enter.

http://www.jlmbewe.com/index.php/creative-dragon-giveaway/

Have fun!

Forest Born by Shannon Hale

Rin has always been a quiet, helpful girl, but a secret has been eating away at her, and the solace Rin once could find among the tall trees surrounding her forest home has vanished. When she leaves home to join her older brother in the city, she finds intriguing answers to her questions, an adventure she doesn't expect, and a sense of self she never thought she would find.

~

Forest Born marks Book 4 in the award-winning Books of Bayern series. And for me, it was definitely my favorite. While this story is a stand-alone, it is fully appreciated when preceded by the first three books. 

Readers of the Books of Bayern will be delighted to return to beloved characters. Isi and Geric are now raising their first child, Enna and Flynn are happily married, and Razo and Dasha's relationship is soaring. The war is over, people are happy--what could go wrong? But when Geric is severely burned, it seems fire-speakers have returned--who is their leader?

Fans will be horrified when a long-thought dead enemy returns, more powerful then ever before. Will Isi, Enna, and Dasha have what it takes to defeat this overwhelming power? What can quiet Rin do to help them--especially since she's afraid she's as wicked as the enemy itself?

I really sympathized with Rin. I suppose most girls, at least one point in their life, become insecure about themselves and are afraid that their inner darkness will turn them into something they don't want to be.

While the other previous books had good humor, I found the teasing and jokes in this one to be especially funny.

Nature-speaking has always been a thrilling factor in these books, and now we have them all in one novel in full potency: wind, fire, water, trees, animals...and people. Which is the most dangerous to use and to live with? Most believe it is people-speaking which is said to destroy any goodness the user might have had inside them...

Violence-- People enslaved by a people-speaker injure and end up killing themselves. People are burnt and slain. Children's lives are threatened. It's not too descriptive.

Language--Very mild, if any.

Sexual Content--Couples, married and soon-to-be-engaged, kiss. A girl blackmails a boy into a kiss. That is Rin's terrible secret. In a bid to feel special, she uses manipulation and lies. For a little while, she's elated by the dangerous power it gives her, but that quickly wears off, leaving her devastated by the hurt she caused.

Spoiler--Rin and the antagonist, though opposites in nature, share the same power. The antagonist uses their power for their own ends and is thoroughly wicked. Rin, after her bitter mistake, will eventually learn how the power of words can be a great and wonderful thing if used with care and love.

Overall, the book was full of deep heart, thrilling action, great dialogue, good lessons about the powers of friendship, family, words, and the discovery of self worth. I really enjoyed it.

~ 4.5 Stars! ~

Prism Book Tours--Dragonwitch

 In celebration of release of Dragonwitch, Prism Book Tours is hosting an Interview Tour with the author, Anne Elisabeth Stengl! I'm honored to join in with the flood of questions and add my own thoughts on the book as well!

Interview With Anne Elisabeth Stengl

1. What Bible verse do you consider to be the theme for your stories?

I think if I had to pick just one, it would be:

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

A constant theme in all of my stories is the imperfection and weakness of the heroes and heroines. They do not overcome by personal virtue or strength. They overcome only through grace and love. This makes for quite the cast of imperfect protagonists! But I hope this repeated theme will inspire readers with hope. 

2. What was the first inspiration for Dragonwitch?

Dragonwitch started out as an image in my mind . . . an image of a fiery woman standing atop a mountain as raging water rose up all around her. I tried to draw it at first, but couldn’t manage it. So I started writing down notes about her instead. Who was she? Why was she on fire? What were these waters threatening to overwhelm her?

Thus the Dragonwitch was born! But it would be many years before I discovered the whole of her story.

3. What are the ages of your cats?

Hmmm, let me see . . . Minerva is going on five this December. Marmaduke will be four in November. Monster and Magrat (who are littermates) are both just two. And Makoose, our newest boy, is a little over a year. So they’re all pretty young kitties at this point! (Milly, my dog, wants me to mention that she’s five. She hates to be left out.)

4. Do Rohan and you still fence?

Sadly we do not! There is simply no time these days. But maybe we’ll get back into it one day . . .

For those of you who didn’t know, my husband and I met at fencing class. We fought in a tournament, fell in love, and were married seven months later. Talk about dramatic!

5. If you could go anywhere in the worlds you've created, where would it be and who would you meet?

I would definitely go to Imraldera’s library! I could research on more Goldstone Wood novels to my heart’s content, not to mention get to discuss ideas with Dame Imraldera herself. I think she and I would get along great! (And I’m sure Eanrin would try to interrupt us, unable to bear not being the center of attention!)

What fun! I think I would adore visiting the library too! Thank you for your time, Anne!

Now, as part of the tour I'll be sharing about one of the reasons why I love this book and series so very much. Below this illustration is an article concerning my thoughts on one of the beautiful messages of Dragonwitch. Also, be sure to enter the giveaway down below and continue on to the rest of this fantastic tour!

My Own Fan Art From Dragonwitch

Agapē

By Hannah Williams

Quotations taken from Dragonwitch

Love. It is a word used to describe so much. I love Dragonwitch. I love grilled cheese sandwiches. I love my family. We use the same word to mean completely different things. When we do so, it is almost easy to forget the most powerful love of all.

Agapē (pronounced ä-gä'-pā, otherwise a-ga-pae) is the Greek word for great love. To have a complete definition of that love go to 1 Corinthians 13. When fully understood, agapē is overwhelming--it's God's love.

The Tales of Goldstone Wood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl illustrates this love with more beauty and potency then most books I've read. The theme of the series is undeserved grace--a direct result of true love. Her newest release, Dragonwitch, is no exception. This epic tale unfolds before our eyes an impossible love story. The love with which He Who Chose them guides the most unlikely of heroes into greatness. The love with which one hero shows to the vilest of all. The love which some will accept and others will reject.

To fully understand agapē, we must first admit we do not deserve it. Accepting God's love means giving your life over to him, calling him Master. There are those who won't, but will instead declare themselves their own masters in control of their own fate.

"I am a goddess! I am so strong!"

And yet these words are spoken from the lips of a ruined person, someone who has fallen so far they don't even recognize they have been defeated.

Understanding that it is by love we live at all gives us strength we never could have imagined.

"Let me be weak then, so you may be strong."

Now comes the second part, possibly even harder than the first. We have been given impossible love. Now it is our turn to give it to the people around us. But she doesn't deserve it! Neither do we. But they hurt me! We have hurt others. God's love is open to all who will accept. It's our choice whether we will herald it or not.

A character in Dragonwitch (I won't say who!) has truly come to understand agapē. Their strength through it is incredible and inspiring. This love, this underserved grace, offers us the chance to become complete, to be the person we were meant to be.

"I love you."

Suddenly those words hold more power than we might have ever dreamed.

~

On Tour with Prism Book Tours...

Dragonwitch
by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
Paperback, 432 pages
Published July 1, 2013 by Bethany House Publishers

Submissive to her father’s will, Lady Leta of Aiven travels far to meet a prospective husband she neither knows nor loves–Lord Alistair, future king of the North Country.

But within the walls of Gaheris Castle, all is not right. Vicious night terrors plague Lord Alistair to the brink of insanity. Whispers rise from the family crypt. The reclusive castle Chronicler, Leta’s tutor and friend, possesses a secret so dangerous it could cost his life and topple the North Country into civil war.

And far away in a hidden kingdom, a fire burns atop the Temple of the Sacred Flame. Acolytes and priestesses serve their goddess to the limits of their lives and deaths. No one is safe while the Dragonwitch searches for the sword that slew her twice…and for the one person who can wield it.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a passel of cats, and one long-suffering dog. When she's not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and studies piano, painting, and pastry baking. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She is the author of HEARTLESS, VEILED ROSE, MOONBLOOD, and STARFLOWER, with DRAGONWITCH due to release in 2013. HEARTLESS and VEILED ROSE have each been honored with a Christy Award.

Facebook * Twitter * Website/Blog * Goodreads

Tour-wide Giveaway - 

USA, Canada & UK - Print Copy of the entire series to date!
See Rafflecopter for giveaway details.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pull up a chair and a cup of tea... we've invited Anne Elisabeth to every blog on the tour!

July 

1 – Book Release!

2 – CTFDevourer

-          The Writer’s Window

3 – TheOther World

4 – Mel’sShelves

5 – JL Mbewe

7 – TheProud Book Nerd

8 – GettingYour Read On

-          Christy’s Cozy Corner

9 – BookwormLisa

10 – Jojo’sCorner

11 – LDS& Lovin’ It

12 – TheWondering’s of One Person 

14 – Mommasez…

15 – Dee’sReads

-          Kelly P’s Blog

16 – ThatGirl Reads

17 – Livinga Goddess Life

18 – Cu’sEbook Giveaways

 - Shannon's Blog

19 – Grand Finale Blast!

 

Book Review--Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally

This guide to radiant purity combines the thoughts and events in the life of a young princess with solid, clear teaching of Biblical convictions that young ladies today need to grasp. Through a captivating fairy tale, modern day examples, practical instruction and abundant humor, Sarah Mally challenges young ladies to turn to the Lord for fulfillment, to guard their hearts and minds, to identify and avoid the world’s thinking and to shine brightly in this generation.

~

This excellent book carries some thought-provoking truth on purity and life in general. You may not agree with everything the author suggests, but Sarah Mally, founder of Bright Lights ministry, has such a sweet heart for the Lord that her insight merits much consideration, and grace abounds throughout. Bible studies and real life examples combined with a sweet story about a princess, cute illustrations, and amusing comics, makes this book a great guide for royal maidens young and old!

~     5 Stars     ~

Image and summary taken from Amazon.com

Book Review--Dragonwitch by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

 Spoiler Free

In the North Country, there is no hope for fairytales. Lord Alistair must prepare to be king, not a hero. His bride-to-be does not love him. The Castle Chronicler will never be more then the misshapen dwarf who can read and write.

Fairytales are for children. The House of Lights will never be found. The Smallman will never inherit the sword of legend that slew the Dragonwitch twice. The impossible will never happen.

But one day it does.

In one terrifying moment, everything the North Country knows is in danger of being destroyed. If it is to be saved, heroes must rise and believe in the legends of old. If the evil is to be defeated, the sword must be found. But to find it requires going into the heart of a distant land where the Dragonwitch rules. Courage will be tested, loyalties must be proved...and the Dragonwitch must be slain for the third and final time.

~

Dragonwitch continues the epic saga that Anne Elisabeth Stengl is unfolding before our eyes. The story takes place soon after the end of Starflower, Book 4. But even after such a short period, dramatic changes have taken place. With new characters to root for and plenty of returning characters to love, this novel escalates to a grand scale not seen in the series before. Entwining with the present events comes the legend of the Dragonwitch and the Brothers Ashiun, so long alluded to, but never fully explained.

This is a tale of becoming what you were meant to be. It encourages to live up to your full potential, no matter what you may look like, no matter what people think about you, no matter what you think of yourself. This theme makes Dragonwitch possibly the most triumphant book of all the series. We cheer for the characters as they trust in He Who Chose Them and overcome all odds.

But this theme also makes the book the most tragic. For we see those who fail. Those who reject the call of their Creator and turn down a darker road. Those who proclaim themselves as gods and goddesses and end with nothing at all. It is heart-breaking and enlightening. This is the first book where I was literally weeping for the villains.

Amidst the drama, the tragedy, and the action, there is plenty of humor and sweetness to brighten your mood. And as always, the book is CLEAN. No language, no sexual content, mild violence. There is more combat and killing on page then before, but the author keeps violent description low, not that it's any less intense.

While possible to read as a stand-alone, you will miss the full potential if you don't read the series in order.

The most EPIC Tale of Goldstone Wood yet! I give you--

DRAGONWITCH

~    5 stars!   ~

Book read from NetGalley

Top Five Favorite Literary Couples

#1- Eanrin and Imraldera
The Tales of Goldstone Wood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
They're perfect for each other! They make a wonderful team. They are completely willing to sacrifice themselves for the other's sake. And yet...1,600 years since Eanrin admitted his love for her they've gotten farther apart! How? What happened in that oh-so-mysterious time gap? Congratulations, Anne Elisabeth, for creating such an enigmatic love story.

#2- Eugenides and Irene
The Queen's Thief Series by Megan Whalen Turner
I admit, had I not read the book reviews I would never have seen this romance coming. Even fully aware of its inevitability I was still taken completely by surprise--which is how Eugenides likes to do things, I notice. What I really enjoy about this is that the main hunk of their love story happens after they get married. And it truly is a beautiful example of commitment against overwhelming odds.

#3- Corlath and Harry
The Blue Sword by Robin Mckinley
He's a king of the desert, she's a pale foreigner. They have nothing in common...right? Um, no. In fact, they both share the same deadly gift of power. Which would make them rivals, right? Once again, no. I really loved seeing love blossom between them, especially since I was afraid it would never happen.

#4- Athelbald and Una
The Tales of Goldstone Wood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
A beautiful allegorical love story in which the Prince of Farthestshore loves and saves Una despite her shunning and rejection of him.

#5- Mirasol and the Master
Chalice by Robin Mckinley
Okay, I love Mrs. Mckinley's love stories. Mirasol and the Master are so sweet in their uncertainty, and there is a definite theme of Beauty and the Beast going on here, since the Master looks like some wraith out of your worst nightmare...yet he's such a gentleman.


Once again, I find myself unable to organize the rest into positions to make a list of ten, so I'll just name off my other favorites--Oeric and Beana, Lionheart and Rose Red from The Tales of Goldstone Wood, Elam and Sapphira from the Oracles of Fire, Charles Darney and Lucie from A Tale of Two Cities, George and Eliza from Uncle Tom's Cabin, Cimorene and Mendanbar from The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Taran and Eilonwy from The Chronicles of Prydain.

What about you? What are some of your favorites?