Cover Reveal--Orphan's Song

I have a beautiful cover to share this morning! Let me tell you, I have been waiting and waiting for this author to be published! After reading her blog and several short stories, I was simply enchanted with her writing, her humor, her spirit, and her heart! I know you will be too once you get a chance! But for now the cover!

Every generation has a Songkeeper – one chosen to keep the memory of the Song alive. And in every generation, there are those who seek to destroy the chosen one.

When Birdie’s song attracts the attention of a notorious Khelari soldier, she is captured and forced into a centuries old conflict plagued with ancient secrets and betrayals. Rescued by traveling peddler Amos McElhenny, Birdie flees the clutches of her enemies, determined to discover the truth behind the Song’s power.

Ky Huntyr has stolen many a thing in his time as a street-wise thief and senior member of the Underground—a gang of orphans banded together to survive—but he never thought he would be guilty of successfully stealing a priceless treasure from the Khelari and bringing their wrath on his comrades. Haunted by the tragic consequences of his raid, Ky joins Birdie and Amos in hopes of drawing the Khelari after him to keep the Underground safe.

But war soon threatens all of Leira, and the enemy is closing in. When Amos’ shadowed past threatens to undo them all, Birdie is forced to face the destiny that awaits her as the Songkeeper of Leira.

Author Bio: Gillian Bronte Adams was born with a pen in her hand, a sword at her side, and a saddle beneath her feet. As a speculative fiction writer from the great state of Texas, she delights in combining epic adventure and fantasy with themes that point to the greatest story of all—or, as she refers to it, writing to the echoes of eternity. During the day, she works as the Equine Director at a Christian youth camp, while at night, she kicks off her boots and spurs and transforms into a novelist. You can find out more at her blog: http://ofbattlesdragonsandswordsofadamant.blogspot.com/ or facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/gillianbronteadams.

Want to find out more? Check out Gillian's Blog and the rest of the Kickstater campaign by Enclave Publishing!

Gillian’s Blog: http://ofbattlesdragonsandswordsofadamant.blogspot.com/

Enclave Publishing Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/enclave/enclave-publishing-fall-releases

Two Book Reviews and Reccomendations!

  Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

Though I had not heard of this book before, after hearing Ashlee Willis's high recommendation (whose writing I respect and admire), I decided to give it a shot.

Indeed, this book was beautifully written, bringing the world of Faerie to life in vibrant but comfortably familiar ways. Though a story all of its own, it also brings in strong themes of The Twelve Dancing Princesses and The Frog Prince. The characters were unique and special, and I felt them all come to life.

Despite the fey world, there was little magic or casting of spells, unless you include fey power and law. There is a strange character known as the Witch of the Wood whose hand throughout the story is pivotal and often seemingly cruel, yet turns out to be an almost providential guide to a happy ending.

My main concern about this novel was its inclusion of the Night People--vampires. And the fact that one of the main characters falls in love with one. Let me be clear. I consider vampires evil and the fascination of them to be disturbing. That said, I didn't mind them in this novel. For one, they were appropriately EVIL as they should be. Oh yes, the author said she tried to keep their true intent mysterious, but they were BAD. And while their seductive behavior was present, the author really kept it out of the reader's head (at least in my opinion).

Which brings me to Sorrow, the fellow who one of the girls falls in love with. I didn't want an Edward and Bella story. Well, here is a spoiler that I included because it was extremely important to allow me to enjoy this story.

Sorrow is not a vampire! He's their slave, a human boy who was stolen from our world and has become more and more fey with time, but still desperate for freedom and true love. So long as you accept that you aren't going to get a sensible reason for their love at first sight, Sorrow and Tati's romance is shown as pure, beautiful, and totally sincere, if a little otherworldly in their devotion. And it's not selfish either. Their self-sacrifice for each other, especially Sorrow's at the end, is touching. Though I do wish Tati had paid a bit more mind to her sisters during her whole "love sickness." End Spoiler

Dramatic me could have had the stakes go a little higher at the end if some certain character had actually been caught instead of hunted for, but everything turned out so beautifully I really didn't mind. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

My one problem with this tale is that it is based in Transylvania which is a real place with big problems. So long as you accept fantasy as fantasy, fine, but there are severe consequences to searching for "fey" (demonic) things in this world. 

 East by Edith Pattou

After reading another version of this fairy tale that I wasn't particularly impressed with, I wondered if I would enjoy this one...and I did!

I was really impressed and caught by the unique and beautiful style of the author's writing and her attention to detail and research. She weaves different threads throughout the story, tying them all together in the original tale.

Early teens on up can easily enjoy this story. Despite the awkward situation the original tale puts our heroine in, there is absolutely no sexual content to be worried about here.

I think I could have used a little more development of the hero's character and a better climax, but still, this story and the journey it took was a true breath of fresh air. 

A Most Amusing Tag!

First off, I would like to thank all the sweet people who tagged me for the Sunflower and Libster Award! Although I didn't find time to respond, I really appreciated it!

Now, with the hope that you will be as amused as I, here is a delightful little circumstance that I answered created by the ghost ryter at her blog! Enjoy and feel free to carry this on!

1. Your brother (you know, the one whose a super genius and makes Einstein look like a toddler) has just created a fantabulous new invention: It can bring fictional characters to life!  While trying to come up with a practical use for this, he realizes your birthday is tomorrow.  So he tells you he will bring your favorite character from your favorite book/movie to life for one day.  Who is the character you'll pick, what they are from, and what do you plan to do with your day together?

Oh, that brother of mine is the best! What a fantastic gift! So to avoid creating an almost identical situation to the previous tag, I've chosen to bring in some of my favorite characters from the screen! I think I'd like to bring in Prince Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender TV series...after Season 3, of course. I'm sure he'd be a little shocked and defensive entering our world, but my brother and I will assure of him of our friendliness. As for what we will do, I'd like to ask him for some fire-bending lessons. Granted, I wouldn't bend fire, but that martial art action is sweet. Plus, he's great at sword-fighting and stealth. 

 2. Things are going pretty well.  You leave the room for a minute, and when you return . . .  your guest is gone!  You begin searching for them, and while at that your brother comes running up.  He tells you that his machine has malfunctioned, bringing to life the villain from your favorite book/movie.  And, well, they kind of kidnapped your favorite character.

It just so happens that one of my very favorite villains is Zuko's younger sister and rival, Princess Azula! Now I'm not sure why she'd kidnap her brother, unless it would give her an edge to take the throne! 

3. Action must be taken.  You rack your brain, trying to figure out what to do, and then you remember -- your brother's machine!  You can materialize anyone you need to help you track the villain down!

Azula's crazy. Zuko might be able to keep her calm, but there's no telling what she'll do with her fragile mental state. I will just make things worse if I approach her, because I'm no match to stop her. She's a deadly fire-bender and can shoot lightening as well. This will take an elite and expert team. First, I call Captain America/Steve Rogers! With his shield, we shall weather any of her fire or lightening! Then I shall call Legolas, because I want him there, and you never know when a precision archer will come in handy. But I don't really want to kill Azula, so I need someone who can stop her without hurting her...enter Elsa, the Snow Queen. With her frosty powers under control, we shall be able to defeat Azula in much the same way she was defeated by Katara!

4. You set off, dragging your brother along behind you, and reach the villain's hiding place in record time.   When your group sneak in, you are met with a chilling sight: The villain is plotting world domination, making good progress, and your favorite character is strapped to a table with a pendulum swinging ever nearer to them.  (Talk about dramatic.)  What shall you do now?

Yikes, Azula's gone more bonkers than I thought! Zuko is trying to talk some sense into her, no doubt, but if he keeps going he might end up toasted instead of smashed. I can't think of what to do, but my brother snaps into action and gives orders! Legolas fires, his arrows slashing the bonds around Zuko (we assume they're slashable). At the same time, the Cap throws his shield and breaks the chain on the pendulum. And while Azula is distracted by the now fire-bending Zuko, Elsa sneaks up behind and encases her in ice. Flawless.
 

 5. Huzzah!  You've got the bad guy and stopped the pendulam.  But now comes the time to say good-bye.  These lovely characters must return to their written life.  What do you say to them?  Thank them for their efforts?  Assure them that their stories end happily?


So first I must tell Zuko how excited I was to see him still so amazing at 90 years old in The Legend of Korra! And I tell Azula she simply MUST return, because her disappearance in the graphic novels is very cliff-hanging. As for the Cap, I will encourage him never to give up on Bucky! (Speaking of which, could Bucky drop by next to give me some knife-fighting lessons?) And I will tell Elsa to have a lovely time ruling her kingdom.

And that was fun.

Anyone who wants to answer these questions too, consider yourself tagged! :)

Summer Days!

I hope you all have been having a wonderful July so far, dear readers! I've looked at my blog schedule and it appears it will be fairly quiet on here for the month.

I'm finishing up some classes (Algebra 2 in July is not as bad as it sounds) and have also been working on short stories for Five Enchanted Roses and the Fan Fiction Contest for Tales of Goldstone Wood!

Have a great summer! It's been pretty warm around here and I hope you're all staying cool! Any special plans, writing or otherwise?

Moonscript Character Quiz

Hi everyone!During a time when I was taking a lot of quizzes, I decided to make one of my own...for Moonscript! So do you want to find out which of my top four characters you're most like? Take this quiz and find out! Keep track of the letters you answer.

You receive an official-looking letter declaring you won a trip to Hawaii. You:
A. Accept at once! How exciting!
B. Burn it. It's got to be fake.
C. Can your buddy come too?
D. Research and make sure it's real.

You see a wounded person on the road. You:
A. Almost panic.
B. Make sure he's not bluffing.
C. Check for breathing.
D. Call 911, then aid him.

What do you fear most? 
A. Um..Heights? Blood? Dark nights?
B. Losing those you love.
C. Being alone in life.
D. Failing.

What qualities would you like in a spouse?
A. Good-looking, funny, kind.
B. I'm not interested in marriage.
C. Smart, spunky, sweet.
D. Loyal, thoughtful, responsible.

Your best friend loses their job. You:
A. Visit and say how sorry you are.
B. Secretly pay their bills. 
C. Offer to treat them out.
D. Help them find a new job.

You break your foot. You: 
A. Pamper it. It hurts!
B. Keep working. It will mend on its own.
C. Hope some friends will come over and entertain you.
D. Find useful things to do off your feet.

You're invited to a game of mud-football. You say:
A. "Mud football? Ew, no?"
B. "I'll pass."
C. "Right on!"
D. "I'll bring refreshments!

The house you are in is caving in on you and your best friend. You:
A. Hunker down.
B. Shield your friend beneath you.
C. Try to drag your friend outside.
D. Grab your friend and dive under the nearest table.

Your friend wants to help you through a grieving time. You:
A. Cry on their shoulder.
B. Tell them you're fine.
C. Ask them to cheer you up.
D. Thank them and ask for prayer.

You can only grab one thing as you head out on an adventure. You grab:
A. A sandwich.
B. A sword.
C. A friend.
D. A survival pack.

You invited an important person to your house. You:
A. Make sure you look nice.
B. You never invited them.
C. Plan to show off your talents.
D. Clean house and cook.


If you answered mostly A's, you're most like Tellie, a sweet, optimistic young girl. Though she doesn't always think everything through and might be a little vain, she likes to find the best in people and always hopes for a bright future!

If you answered mostly B's, you're most like Errance. He's been through really tough times and has trouble trusting people and showing emotion. But he's extremely loyal to those he loves and would do anything to protect them.

If you answered mostly C's, you're a lot like Kelm, a boy who loves having a great time! Though he may lack experience, he's ready to help out and be the hero!

If you answered mostly D's, you have much in common with Tryss, a thoughtful young woman who takes her responsibility seriously and always wants a job to be well done. She's definitely a shoulder you can lean on!

~

I hope you enjoyed this quiz as much as I enjoyed writing it! After I created it, I tested my family and friend out on it, and interestingly, all the adults were more like Errance and Tryss while the younger were more like Tellie and Kelm. As for me, I was pretty much evenly balanced between them all!

May you all have a blessed day!

Literary Blog Party--Faith and Fantasy

I'm participating in Joy's blog party! Today she asks us questions about Fantasy and Faith. And my answers are super long, so hang tight! Here we go!

1. Taken from a Christian perspective, what are your thoughts and feelings on the fantasy genre in general? Do you hold to any convictions or guidelines on things like magic, sorcery, fantastical elements or allegory in fantasy books?

I love fantasy, but I am picky about what sort I read or watch. Much depends on what world it takes place in. In a fantastic world of the author's imagination, I accept that there are different physical rules. Personally, I prefer magical powers to be born or given, not learned or consumed which is just too much like the drugs and sorcery of this world. When the author connects their fantasy to THIS world, my guard goes up ten times, because now they're involving the place I live in and changing the rules to what I believe. This is the world my God created and it lives under His law. Though great Christian fantasy authors have entwined fantasy into this world, like Lewis, Tolkien, and Ashlee Willis, this is the reason I won't ready fantasy such as Harry Potter. 

 

2. Who are some of your favourite fantasy/fairy-tale authors? (you can name up to three.)

Anne Elisabeth Stengl

J. R. R. Tolkien

Lloyd Alexander

3. Have you read The Chronicles of Narnia books, or watched any of the movies? Which, if so, are your three favourite books?

The Horse and His Boy, The Magician's Nephew, and The Last Battle (Is there any better ending to a fantasy series than in Heaven?)

4. How many books by J.R.R. Tolkien have you read and enjoyed so far? Can you choose a favourite book (The Lord of the Rings can be considered one book ;)?

The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Simarillion, The Tolkien Reader (including many of his short stories, poems, and essay), and good chunks of The Lays of Beleriand and The Unfinished Tales.

As much as I love his Lord of the Rings, I probably love The Hobbit more because it's so FUNNY. And I have Tolkien's World From A to Z: The Complete Guide to Middle-Earth by Robert Foster, that tells me pretty much anything I want to know. :)

5. Uhm. . . since, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were friends, I will not risk causing further estrangement to the history of their friendship by pitting them against each other! However, being the mastermind of mischief that I am, I will toss this question your way: which of the two are you most fond of in sense of storytelling, characters, themes and what personally touches/inspires you the most: The Lord of the Rings, or The Chronicles of Narnia?

C.S. Lewis definitely came up some amazing ideas and brought the truth of our God to the fantasy world as few have ever done. I read his books in childhood constantly. But when I discovered Lord of the Rings I discovered an entire other world that has inspired me for my own stories again and again!

6. Are there other books and movies of the fantasy/fairy-tale/legend genre that have you read and loved, especially from modern authors? Please tell us a little bit about them.

The Tales of Goldstone Wood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl completely astonished me. I picked up the first book at the library without any idea that I was picking up the most genius fantasy series I've ever read (I like it even better than Lewis or Tolkien)! Her messages of God's undeserved grace given to real people in a complicated world of fae and mortals absolutely enchants me. 

I also enjoyed Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson though his story was a bit heavier than I'm used to (lots of violence) and his worldview was Morman, but still, his crafting of worlds, magic, and characters was flawless and his action scenes were the best I've read. I've only read the first book, but his writing kind of inspired me.

I also enjoy (don't laugh) the TV series, Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. Now the world view is definitely Eastern philosophy, which is a bit more prevalent and bothersome in season 2 of Legend of Korra. But when grounded in Christian faith, I think it is good to be aware of where other people are coming from in their beliefs. This show (it takes a few episodes to get used to the animation) is so packed with the themes of good vs. evil, sacrificial love, the importance of family, courage in the face of impossibilities, and wonderful characters who can seem so REAL at times....well, I really enjoy it. :)

7. Have you read any Christian allegories, such as Pilgrim's Progress, Holy War or Hinds Feet on High Places? 

Yes, I have read Pilgrim's Progress! And I have yet to read Hinds Feet on High Places, though I've heard many wonderful things about it!

8. Share some of your most well-loved heroines from fantasy tales in literature (books, movies, modern and classics), and why you love them so much! What virtues/traits in them would you like to have yourself?

Though I haven't read Chronicles of Narnia recently, Lucy is always an inspiration in her steadfast faith in Aslan!
For the more tough heroine, I love Harry from The Blue Sword. She's so normal (or she thinks she is), but her training to be a warrior and hero is believable and her ability to take it all in stride is admirable!
Also, Imraldera from Tales of Goldstone Wood encourages me to love even my enemies!
Eowyn's courage in the Lord of the Rings (especially the movie) is awesome. Go girl!

9. Which land would you rather go, dwell in, or be a part of: Middle-Earth, or Narnia? (or maybe some other fantasy-land, you share!)

Middle-Earth. Take me to the elves!
 

10. What kind of fantasy are you most fond of? Fantastical and "fairy-tale-ish" like Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast or Cinderella, or rather the mythological, high-epic-fantasies such as Tolkien's?

The high epic fantasy of Tolkien really appeals to me, but it depends upon the author. I can also enjoy the more innocent, creative fairy tales, so long as they don't get too bizarre, because I like beautiful, not bizarre.

11. Which is your favourite fairy-tale?

Of the classics, probably Beauty and the Beast. However, when reading others, I really was intrigued by the potential of retellings in The Golden Branch and Prunella.

12. List some of your most well-loved movie adaptions of fantasy tales (this does not include Disney fairy-tale animations). 

The Lord of the Rings! I am so, so, so in love with those movies! And the Narnia movies are really well done too, even if they're departing a bit from the books. And I was super impressed with the re-visioning of the Sleeping Beauty tale in Maleficent.
 

13. Who are your favourite heroes from fantasy books? (you may list as many as you like!) Tell us a little bit about why you love them so much :).

Oh...heheh...I have too many to mention, heheheh, but here goes:

Eanrin (Tales of Goldstone Wood)--Bard, knight, faerie, cat, man...Eanrin is many things, and though he shields himself with a selfish exterior, he is one of the noblest heroes of all!
Eugenides (The Queen's Thief)--The most cunning and clever hero I've ever encountered, never failing to surprise the reader with his wit and nobility! Now, I admit, The Queen's Thief is more mythical than fantastical. But it works, right?
Etanun (Tales of Goldstone Wood)--Like the classic knights of lore, Etanun had stood as the figure of courage, strength, and goodness before his own sin shamed him...leaving him with a better understanding of grace and true love than many...
Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)--Okay, so he's also in graphic novels (those count as books, right?) Watching his growth from a tormented young villain to a self-sacrificing leader of heroes...it's cool.
Finrod Felagund (The Simarillion)--He's not in many stories, but his courageous death in the tale of Beren and Luthian made me look everything else up about him and he's one of my favorite literary elves!
Corlath (The Blue Sword)--How exactly do I describe this guy? He's cool. Just cool. Really cool.
Nock (The Door Within Trilogy)--Personally, I enjoyed Nock better than Legolas in the literary world! He was kind of more like the Legolas of the movies (if this was a movie list, Legolas would be at the top).
Aragorn (The Lord of the Rings)--In the book and in the movie, he's a great hero!

14. Saddest moment in any fantasy tale you've either watched or read?

The Battle of Tears in The Simarillion! WHHHAAAAAAA! My Fingon was killed by balrogs, and I blame this battle on Maedhros's beginning collapse under his curse and eventual madness and suicide. Plus, like everything else that could have went wrong in that battle happened. Tolkien might be one of my favorites, but he sure knew how to rip out my heart. Grrrrrrr....

Watched? I got pretty teary-eyed in the climatic duel between Zuko and his sister in Avatar: The Last Airbender. I mean, it was an epic and awesome fight (one of the best), but it was really sad to see her mental breakdown. :(

15. How did you get into The Lord of the Rings and Middle-Earth books/movies? (If you're not into LOTR than you can talk about how you got into Narnia instead).

Well, it was a pretty big thing when it came out, but I was too young to watch it at first. After I learned the storyline from my big brother (Star Wars was good and Lord of the Rings was evil until my brother switched sides, so thus did I), my parents decided I could watch a heavily edited version of the movies, closing my eyes during all the violent and ugly parts. I had the cues on where to stop looking memorized better than my parents! Now, of course, I can watch the whole movie, but I've still chosen to not watch a few certain scenes. And after I became an avid lover of Middle-Earth, I had to read the books! 
 

16. Give a list (preferably with pictures!) of your favourite fantasy/medieval costumes/armor/gowns and from which movie/character they come from.

I'm kind of uncertain about the whole rules of which sites will allow you to share their pictures or not, so I'm going to not use pictures. But hopefully they should be pretty familiar!

Susan's farewell gown from Prince Caspian. It's sooooooo pretty. :)

Pretty much any kind of elven attire is great. 

And a few of my favorites come from my OWN stories...these two belong to bad guys, but still...I adore their armor. *sigh*

17. Which fantasy/fairy-tale has inspired and influenced you the most?

The Tales of Goldstone Wood. Reading this series has opened up my eyes in new ways for a epic worlds and characters to be revealed on the page. It begins like a beautiful picture, then unfolds into a tapestry and is still unfolding! It also has really taught me how to create real characters and reflect my beliefs in a fantasy setting.

18. Favourite character in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings/Hobbit universe? Favourite character in The Chronicles of Narnia? (Choose 1 each)

Does this count movies? If so, Legolas. If not, maybe Bilbo Baggins, because my brother's version when he was reading aloud is just too cute. The movie version of him is pretty delightful as well.
Aravis from The Horse and His Boy. She was just awesome, and I always thought she should be played by one of my cousins, though that cousin is too old now. :(

19. Favourite friendship in a fantasy book/movie/series?

Legolas and Gimli! They are so much fun! And if you didn't have enough of them, a similar and just as enjoyable friendship can be found in Nock and Mallik in the Door Within Trilogy.
 

20. Which villain of fantasy strikes the most dread and loathing in you? Which foe strikes the most pity?

Do Melkor and Sauron count as one? I probably loathe them the most when they kill some awesome elf I love (which covers about every elf). Curse them! Ungoliant was loathsome. Ooog.

As for pity...hmmmm...I guess I pity the Dragonwitch from Tales of Goldstone Wood the most. But at the same time, I don't, because she completely let herself collapse under the sorrow she went through and let her life being ruined by jealousy and bitterness. I was just so, so, so sad when she refused to let herself be redeemed.

I truly pity Murtagh from The Inheritance Cycle, even though I mostly read about what happened to him, not actually read it. Some will argue that he wasn't a villain, because he was literally forced and tortured by the extreme into becoming a bad guy...(Spoiler)...which he overcame by the end. But man...that guy had nothing going for him. He was just so hopeless....(another reason Christian Fantasy should be some of the best out there...it has hope.)

21. Share some of your most well-loved quotes from fantasy books/movies :). 

 "Thus does poet's work progress! Do please withhold all judgment until further notice!"-Bard Eanrin, Starflower

"That still counts as one!" Gimli to Legolas upon the elf's defeat of an entire oliphant and crew (The Return of the King movie)

"I love you."--Etanun, Dragonwitch (You'll have to read the book to understand why I burst into tears at this moment.)

"Eragon."
"Do you know any other word than my name?"
"No." --Eragon and Sapphira, Eragon

"What is that, an awl?"
"No, Your Majesty, no, as you can see, it is a very fine needle."
"It does feel like a needle--it feels like you're spent too much time working on people who don't pay you and you should--ow! Ow! Ow!" --Eugenides vs his physician, The King of Attolia. He's the whiniest hero I've ever encountered, and how we love him for it. :)

22. Favourite battle in a fantasy book or movie?

The Battle of the Pelanor Fields in the movie! Oh...Eowyn and the Witch-king...and best of all...Legolas and the oliphant. :D

Oh. But I just remembered the climatic battle in Avatar: The Last Airbender--Sozin's Comet. Hm. After three seasons it was something else to see brother and sister clash, and rarely, rarely have I seen the hero with such deadly control and power over the outcome as the Avatar chasing down Ozai. It was kind of awesome to see the villain on the terrified side of things. :D

23. Tell us which romance couple you love best in any of the fantasy stories you know about.

Eanrin and Imraldera. Though technically they haven't started an official romance, because of some big complications. So if we're going with an actual romance...Eugenides and Irene from The Queen's Thief. Wow, they are so unlikely and so wonderful together!!!!

24. Elves or dwarves? Gondor or Rohan? Aragorn or King Tirian?

 Elves. Hands down. Rohan. They're all about horses. Aragorn. I didn't even know who King Tirian was....oh wait, now I remember! He was awesome too...but Aragorn.

25. Who is your favourite side-kick (secondary character) in books/movies of this genre? (you are welcome to choose more than one ;). 

 In the movie Maleficent, Diaval simply charmed my socks off. He was so sweet and noble! And I suppose Legolas could be counted as a side-kick. If so, then definitely him! He saved so many members of the Fellowship (Gandalf, Aragorn, Bormier, Gimli)!

In books, I'm reminded of Flewfduer Flam from The Chronicles of Prydain. He had me laughing all throughout the series and crying in the last book!

26. List five fantasy novels you are especially looking forward and eager to read in the near future.

Golden Daughter by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
Storm Siren by Mary Weber

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
East by Edith Pattou
Ebon by Robin McKinley (actually, who knows when this one is coming out!)
 

27. Which fantasy work struck you with the most sense and depth of faith and the author's perception of morality, ethics, the distinction and battle between good and evil, and the Christian walk? Can you share a little bit about it?

Once again, I would have to say the Tales of Goldstone Wood. With an understanding heart, the author reveals the desires, strengths, and weaknesses of the human heart (even if fay) and the ultimate failure to save ourselves. She shows how we are in need of a savior and undeserved grace and that it is not by our strength that we can become heroes. Though only the first book is a clear allegory (the love story of the us and Christ), the rest of the series creates characters as real as someone next to you and leads you on their journey to redemption through the love of the Prince of the Farthest Shore. It's really beautifully done.

28. What was the first fantasy novel you ever read and how did it strike you?

I don't know! I imagine it was the Chronicles of Narnia. They were the prevalent and pretty much only fantasy in my childhood, so they definitely started me on my love of the genre!

29. What would inspire you to pick up a work of fantasy literature or watch a fantasy film? 

What do you believe are both the benefits, negatives and overall effects of enjoying this genre?

A good cover is usually the first thing to catch my attention! I'm drawn to beautiful things, not strange, as aforesaid, and too dark of a cover can be intriguing, but I'll need some assurance of light. I rarely pick up any story or movie without first having it recommended from a trusted source and often researched by myself. 

As a character in fantasy says, "You'll rarely find more truth than in fairy tales." Authors of old and now new ones are bringing forth stories that parallel our own. Oh, we not have special powers or a quest to destroy an evil ring. We may not meet elves or ever have to fight goblins. But there is evil in this world and fantasy reminds us of the more supernatural things at stake when it is easy to get caught up in the material humdrums of life. There is a dark lord, there is a war, temptations ensnare us, and we fight battles of our own. Granted, some fantasy will teach improper truths, as is the case in most genres. People might become more caught up in the fantasy than the real world and might even become attracted to magic, which in this world will get them into darkness, not light. But for those who measure their fantasy by the truth of God, they will see heroes struggle, yet have victory, and they will be reminded that there is a happily ever after. 

Five Glass Slippers Blog Tour--Stephanie Ricker

ONE BELOVED STORY,  FIVE EXCITING WRITERS
A COLLECTION TO CHERISH

What happens when Cinderella is so painfully shy that she cannot bear the idea of attending the royal ball? Or when the slipper fits . . . but on the wrong girl? What happens when Cinderella is determined to oust an imposter prince from her rightful throne? Or when she is a cendrillon miner working from a space station orbiting a cthonian planet? What happens when Cinderella, a humble housemaid, is sent with a message for a prisoner trapped in a frightening fairy circus?

Here is Cinderella as you have never met her before, wearing glass slippers and off on unforgettable adventures!

Available now in paperback and Kindle formats!

“A Cinder’s Tale” by Stephanie Ricker

It’s a dangerous life, yet Elsa wouldn’t trade this opportunity to work at Tremaine Station, mining cendrillon from the seething surface of planet Aschen. Nevertheless, when a famous deep space explorer and his handsome son dock their starcraft at the space station, Elsa finds herself dreaming of far galaxies beyond Aschen's blistering heat. There is no time for dreaming, however, when danger threatens the space station, and Elsa and her fellow miners are tested to the limits of their courage.

Me---A Cinder’s’ Tale has a cast of characters that feel real enough to meet in real life (even the fay). Which actors do you think best fit their appearance? 

Stephanie---Hi, Hannah!  This is a hard question for me since I’m about a decade behind on my movie-watching (hey, the books are usually better anyway), and I’m the worst at recognizing actors.  But I took a stab at it! (See attached photos.)

• Elsa—a shorter Hayley Atwell.  I like her no-nonsense expressions, and she looks like a real person, unlike some actresses.
  
  

  

  
  
  

  Bruno—a taller Sean Penn.  He’s got the hang-dog look down pat.

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    Marraine—a silver-haired Dichen Lachman.  She already has a slightly alien-looking beauty.

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   Jaq—a goofier Gaspard Ulliel.  He’s French, and I enjoy his unusual appearance

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•    Gus—a chubbier Dan Stevens.  He has an innocent-looking visage.
  
    Karl—a shorter Garrett Hedlund.  He simultaneously looks like a puppy and like someone who knows what he’s doing.

These are a such wonderful fits, Stephanie! Sorry it was hard, but you came up with great results! I can easily see the characters looking like this! Thank you!

About Stephanie Ricker

Stephanie Ricker is a writer, editor, and tree-climber. She adores the cold and the snow but lives in North Carolina anyway, where she enjoys archery, hiking, canoeing, and exploring with friends. 

Stephanie’s fiction has been published in Bull-Spec, a magazine of speculative fiction, and in four consecutive editions of The Lyricist, Campbell University’s annual literary magazine. She was the editor of the 2009 edition of The Lyricist, which won first place in the American Scholastic Press Association Contest. Stephanie’s non-fiction has been published in an assortment of medical magazines and newsletters, and her senior thesis on Tolkien was published in the 2009 issue of Explorations: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity for the State of North Carolina.

You can find out more about Stephanie and her writing on her blog: www.QuoththeGirl.wordpress.com.

 

Kindle eBook Sale!

The Five Glass Slippers collection will be on sale for only $.99 in Kindle format for the duration of the blog tour (June 23-28)! 

Giveaway!

Here’s your chance to be Cinderella of the ball! One lucky winner will receive a paperback copy of Five Glass Slippers, several Cinderella-themed items (including a bookmark crafted by Belle on a Budget, a journal, and a DVD copy of the Disney movie), as well as special gifts handpicked by a few of the collection’s authors (a glass slipper cookie cutter with recipe, freeze-dried astronaut ice cream, and an Apple Tree Inn cup and saucer). This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, June 23^rd | Cinderella of the Day: Elisabeth Brown

·         Blooming with Books

·         Books, Cats, and Whimsy

·         Fictionally

·         Historical Heartbeats

·         i blog 4 books

·         J.L. Mbewe

·         Not All By My Lonesome

·         Rina’s Reading

·         The Splendor Falls on Castle Walls + Review

·         To Be A Person + Review

Tuesday, June 24^th | Cinderella of the Day: Emma Clifton

·         A Curious Thrill

·         A Writer’s Heart

·         Fictionally

·         Flowers of Quiet Happiness

·         Jaye L. Knight

·         Jenelle Schmidt

·         Not All By My Lonesome

·         Tales of Goldstone Wood

·         The Wonderings of One Person

·         The Writer’s Window + Review

Wednesday, June 25^th | Cinderella of the Day: Rachel Heffington

·         A Writer’s Heart

·         Blooming with Books

·         Flowers of Quiet Happiness

·         i blog 4 books

·         Jaye L. Knight

·         Jenelle Schmidt

·         Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima

·         Rina’s Reading

·         The Splendor Falls on Castle Walls

·         Tialla’s Tellings

·         Vonnie’s Reading Corner + Review

Thursday, June 26^th | Cinderella of the Day: Stephanie Ricker

·         Books, Cats, and Whimsy + Review

·         Home of the Shabby Elf

·         Rina’s Reading

·         Scribbles of Catholic Sisters

·         The Lore-Mistress

·         The Wonderings of One Person

·         The Writer’s Window

·         Tialla’s Tellings

·         Vonnie’s Reading Corner

·         Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections

Friday, June 27^th | Cinderella of the Day: Clara Diane Thompson

·         A Curious Thrill

·         Blooming with Books

·         Fictionally

·         Flowers of Quiet Happiness + Review

·         Jenelle Schmidt

·         Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

·         Tales of Goldstone Wood

·         The Splendor Falls on Castle Walls

·         The Wonderings of One Person

·         Vonnie’s Reading Corner

Saturday, June 28^th | Giveaway Winner Announced at Seasons of Humility

*Blog Tour Home: http://seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com/p/five-glass-slippers-blog-tour.html  This is where you can keep up-to-date on the blog tour happenings, view the schedule with links, grab the tour button, etc.