Coming Soon: On Hidden Wings by Adare Elyse

Mark your calendars! In two weeks, the middle grade novel On Hidden Wings, written by Adare Elyse, will be released.

What is this book about? Here’s Adare’s blurb:

First rule: hide your true self.

Becka’s secret endangers her life. She’s a winged Centaur in a kingdom now systematically hunting all non-Humans to enslave them—or worse. Her one hope is to use her shapeshifting abilities to hide until her father returns to take her family to safety. But when the army closes in on her secret, Becka can’t wait anymore. If she doesn’t find her father now, she may lose him—or her chance to escape—forever. She’ll do anything to reunite her family—even break into the palace archives to discover her father’s fate.

The last thing she expects to find is a potential ally among the enemy. Locked away in his own castle, young Prince Ryandru also has a secret that has left him desperate for a friend. They’ll have to trust each other to discover the truth they both seek. But with traitors grasping for the throne and Becka’s family in jeopardy, revealing their secrets could destroy all they hold dear.

Jump into the adventure of this clean middle grade fantasy featuring forbidden friendship, accepting your unique self, and a world of mythical creatures including Fauns, Griffins, Pegasi, and more! A perfect choice for fans of The Chronicles of Narnia and How to Train Your Dragon.

Sounds exciting, huh? Look for it November 21, 2023.

What Does Your Dream Land Look Like?

How would your dream home—or even bigger, your dream homeland—look like?

You may have remembered the post I wrote about my imaginary mansion. Here’s the post if you haven’t seen it.

Creative Writing for Kids

But you know, I were to describe my dream land…well, for starters, it would include my own dog sled team, and I can zoom underneath the Northern Lights. It would also be cool if instead of a mansion, I would live in a tree house like the tree houses Tiger Lily and her people have in Kara Swanson’s Heirs of Neverland books. Maybe add a zipline, too?

Okay, you might be thinking, how can I simultaneously live in a snowy land and what might be a jungle? Hey, one can dream, right? *grin*

Anyway, check out this poem by Kaley Kriesel about a fairy tale castle.

Castle (an Inktober Poem)

Beta Readers Needed!

A big announcement for all you young adult readers:

My author pal Andrea J. Graham is looking for beta readers for her speculative fiction novel The Years Eaten: Changeling Restrainers Book 1. She needs constructive input on this book to make the changes needed to have the story be superb.

(These pictures from Andrea’s website represent two characters from her book: Brendan and Jesse. For reference only.)

The following is her blurb. If the story looks like your thing, click on the link after the blurb to download a beta copy through Dropbox.

Sixteen-year-old changeling Jesse Anders mind-bonds with outsiders like him, giving them his ability to charge their powers and heal by loving each other. His ability drains their mental powers when they act like the folklore monsters inspired by his underground race. And Jesse’s powers backfire, making him believe his name is Chris while he re-lives his twin sister’s last twenty-four hours alive in 1993. He returns to 1996 feeling like a stranger in his own body. A Norman Bates copycat has framed him for suicide. And he’ll die without one more act of mercy from his forgotten ex, Brendan Freemon. Brendan’s left Jesse for God, who Jesse misses but doesn’t know how to reconnect with alone. 

Meanwhile, Jesse’s estranged father, Raphael, is bond-adopting Samantha Clanton. Jesse knows her from precognitive dreams where they’re a couple. He’d despaired, thinking, why would such a sweet, pure girl want him after the sexual abuse he and Brendan have endured and the choices they’ve made due to trauma?

Add your comments to the document and return it to the email address located at the bottom of page 1. Andrea’s open for your input until the end of November. If you have any questions, you can email me through my Contact page, and I can refer them to her.

The Years Eaten Beta Copy Download

If you want to learn more about Andrea’s stories, you can visit her website through the following button.

Christ’s Glory, Not Mine

Ideas on Improving Your Story, With Jessi L. Roberts

What do you think makes a great book? Do you think you need to improve your story some?

Science fiction author Jessi L. Roberts lists traits of well-written books on her blog. I re-blogged it here. Enjoy!

Note: This is one person’s opinion, of course. I personally would forgive a long prologue if the world and characters intrigue me enough. I do think, though, that the main character/s in the prologue must have morals and be relatable in order to be likable and sympathetic.

What I’ve Learned from Kindle Freebies

God’s Fireflies

Can God answer prayer in a way that seems magical?

Here’s a short story by Kathleen Mincer that shows something like that. Actually, this tale is based on the true story of a young woman who did mission work in Australia.

Take a look at this beautiful illustration by Kevin Keele.

Read more to watch God using fireflies to lead a missionary team out of a rainforest.

Light Unto My Path

Calling for Book Reviewers!

Do you love reading fantasy and sci-fi chapter books geared toward ages 8 to 12?

Jennifer Hallmark, my partner-in-crime in reviewing books, is looking for more book reviewers for her blog “Off the Beaten Track.” She’s interested in fantasy and sci-fi readers who’ll review, from a Christian point-of-view, middle grade novels. These readers are only to review books they enjoy, not books they want to trash.

To get acquainted with the blog and see how to review from a Christian perspective, click on the link below. As you keep browsing, you’ll see reviews written by (ahem) me.

Off the Beaten Track

If this sounds like an opportunity you don’t want to miss, you may contact Jennifer through her Contact page.

Jennifer Hallmark Contact

Book Review: Lavanauts

Here’s a review I wrote on Amy Shook’s book Lavanauts: Hot Lava Pirates and Sharks. Kindergarteners through second graders will love going on this lava-faring adventure.

The review is featured on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog. Enjoy!

Lavanauts Book Review

Dachshunds, Dachshunds

Want to be bombarded by dachshunds? You can read a book called Dozens of Dachshunds by Stephanie Calmenson. It’s a counting book that’s filled with all the colors and furry textures of these long-bodied clowns.

Here’s a video of the book read by the author.