I wrote a book review on a collection of short stories by Emmarayn Redding, called The Madman of Elkriahl and Other Fairy Tales. When you read this collection, you will be immersed in the nostalgia that comes with reading a classic fairy tale.
This volume is friendly for both the young and young-at-heart. Click on the link below for the full review.
Hi, all.
If you haven’t heard yet, I wrote a review on a fairy tale story, and it’s complementary with my “Friend of the Dire Wolf” novella. It’s the Caldecott Medal winner Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China, and you can find it on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog.
There’s also a summer bash coming! I know, I know, it’s not summer yet, but Beyond the Bookery can’t wait to invite you to join their party on Facebook. It’s their Summer Book Bash, where there’ll be giveaways for you to join. Who knows? You may have fun new books to add to your collection, including clean fantasy.
The bash is June 26th through 30th, and be sure to RSVP.
My publisher, Beyond the Bookery, has more books on the way! They will have a series that fits this description:
Take a look at all these covers!
Cool, huh? Here’s the Amazon link to all the pre-order copies of the ebooks:
Another book that’ll be released this year is Michelle Emmanuelli’s Of Might and Mettle: A Brave Tin Soldier Retelling. If you love a story with a Caribbean flair and a wolf puppy, then check it out.
May you all have a wonderful Resurrection Day, remembering that Jesus washes away the sins of anyone who asks Him to. Let’s praise Him for that! Once He makes you righteous, He gives you the gift of eternal life, and nothing and no one can take away that gift. Hallelujah!
You may have heard the fictional story behind the marking on a donkey’s back. A marking that looks like a cross. Here’s a video where the Free-Ranging Morgans share the story, and we get to see donkeys be themselves. 🙂 They even include the legend for why the donkey has dark markings around its legs.
Thank you, Free-Ranging Morgans, for sharing this on YouTube.
Hi, friends.
Of Dangers and Dreams is now available in ebook and paperback. There you’ll find my “Friend of the Dire Wolf” story, great for tweens and teens.
To feed your curiosity, here’s a quiz where you find out which character of the story you are most like. Who knows? You might find a new friend.
Quiz:
1. Your ideal home would be:
A) A cozy cottage in the forest.
B) A majestic castle on a cliff by the sea.
C) What home? I’d rather travel the world and stay at different places.
2. It’s lunchtime. You pick:
A) A pork and vegetable stew with a fluffy roll.
B) A lobster bisque with a crab cake.
C) A chicken sandwich with berries on the side.
3. Your favorite accessory is:
A) A cute ribbon or hair clip.
B) A shiny crown.
C) A fake fur scarf.
4. Your favorite exercise is:
A) Hiking.
B) Jumping on a trampoline.
C) Running.
5. Your peers describe you as:
A) Sweet.
B) Go-getter.
C) Spontaneous.
6. You like to:
A) Read.
B) Climb a tree.
C) Make a craft.
7. Your friend is sad. You:
A) Comfort that friend with kind words.
B) Offer advice on how your friend can fix it.
C) You don’t talk. It’s better to listen than to say something bad.
If you answered mostly A’s:
You’re like Nan, someone who’s sweet, intelligent, and resilient. Click on the link to learn more about her.
If you answered mostly B’s:
You’re like Prince Deverell. Brave, assertive, and quick on your feet, that’s what you are. Learn more about this amazing prince:
If you answered mostly C’s:
You’re like Silvera. She has the body of a dire wolf, but she’s actually a human changed by an alchemist’s potion. She can be impulsive at times, but she can wow people with her artistic feats. Learn more about this mysterious wolf here:
I know, there are more books in the market. *grin* But this is a special catalog where you can find Christian-friendly books in a wide variety of genres. Histrical fiction, contemporary fiction, romance, fairy tale retellings, you name it.
Also, ahem, you’ll see Of Dangers and Dreams, a book yours truly is in.
Check out “The Bookworm,” your friend in introducing new reads.
Apparently, my novella isn’t the only book released in March. Lou Allen of Christian Faith and Fiction has made a list of new releases, covering a wide range of genres for adults and teens.
Which books look interesting to you?
*Trumpet resounding*
Today is the official release of Of Dangers and Dreams, containing my Red Riding Hood story!
My story is novella-sized, complete with its own chapters. It even includes a theme verse, and as you read, you’ll know why.
“He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” – Psalm 147:10-11, KJV
Here’s a big bonus:
Do you love playlists for books? I created one right here, and each song goes with each of my chapters. Enjoy!
Look out! A new book is coming Tuesday, March 3rd!
I have to mention Silvera the dire wolf again. Did I say she also has magic powers? Due to drinking the alchemist’s potion, she can fly, create constellations, and make fire.
There are other animals with magic powers, but one is gifted by Elohim, the great Creator God, while the other was changed by alchemist chemistry. You have to read the story to find out which one.
They’re Chidike the Medicine Primate and Oma the Owl, both talking animals and each with their own special feats.
[royalty-free photo]
Chidike is a grouch, but he’s a help to his friends, especially as he’s gifted in medicines. He can also fly.
[royalty-free photo]
Oma is a grandmotherly type who can call you “dearie.” She can fling fire from her wings.
What are the themes in my story? Justice, kindness, and being comfortable in your own skin. The story also shows resilience against bullies, as well as being okay with not being superhuman. There’s a part in the story where Silvera loses her magic, and it seems that her only talent now is making art on pumpkins. She uses her teeth and claws to make scratch marks on the pumpkin’s surface, forming a picture. After this happens . . . well, here’s a scene from the book.
The group marched on, and the pumpkins gave way to bare grass and sporadic bushes. Nan hobbled up to Silvera’s side and said, “You know, you’re still talented, even without your magic. Imagine the kind of pictures you can make with human hands.”
In other words, one doesn’t need magic powers to be gifted.
Note: Are you on Goodreads? Be sure to like Of Dangers and Dreams there.
I absolutely cannot talk about my Of Dangers and Dreams story without mentioning my friends Liv Hammonds and Jenny A Bee. Their stories are also in the book.
First is Liv’s story “Nottingham.” You guessed it; it’s a retelling of Robin Hood.
Blurb: Anwen, the Sheriff of Nottingham, is determined to capture a masked vigilante called The Robin, who repeatedly undermines the king’s brutal tax schemes. Unbeknownst to her, The Robin is Marion, the town blacksmith … and her closest confidante. As she closes in on the thief, Anwen’s loyalty falters, and soon, she is forced to choose between her unwavering devotion to the crown and the desperate needs of her village.
Here are the main female and male characters:
Anwen: Orphaned by a devastating plague and driven by sheer willpower, Anwen rose from peasantry to become the Sheriff of Nottingham. Fiercely loyal to her king, she believes that order is the only thing keeping her poor village afloat – until a band of thieves turn her world upside down. Disciplined, capable, and yearning, Anwen must decide whether duty alone is enough to save her people.
Marion: A skilled blacksmith with steady hands and a guarded heart, Marion has learned to survive where order has failed. Kind, observant, and deeply rooted in his village, he becomes a masked thief called The Robin, returning stolen taxes to impoverished villagers. Torn between love for Anwen and loyalty to his people, Marion must decide if and how the two can coexist.
Take a look at Jenny’s story “Water Maiden,” a retelling of the Samish Indian myth “The Maiden of Deception Pass.” You’ll be sure to have some Little Mermaid vibes as you read this tale.
Blurb: Marius and Nerida meet as children and become the best of unlikely friends – he is Sea Folk and she’s human. Their friendship grows into love as they come of age, and Marius wants Nerida to be his wife and go live with him in the sea, but will her father let her go, and what might happen if he refuses?
Here are the main characters and their bios:
Nerida is the daughter of the coastal village’s chief. She has long, straight black hair and is most content when in the water. Because of her curious and adventurous spirit, she explores the coastline when a young girl and meets Marius.
Marius is the prince of the Sea Folk. He is described (by Nerida) this way: “His skin was pale and slightly green-tinged, and his hair had a strange quality to it, reminding me a bit of the big bull kelp that grew under the waves in the deeper parts of the Whulge.” And he has a tail, because he’s a merman.
They grow up as the best of friends and that friendship blossoms into love as they mature.
Does this all sound exciting? Be sure to pre-order your own copy through this Amazon link:
If you want to join the hype for Beyond the Bookery, my publisher, and spread the word on their books . . . and if you have your own blog or social media outlets, fill out this form to join the Hype Team. Also, you can fill out this form to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of my book and others, and you can share your review/s on Amazon, GoodReads, Bookbub, and your blog.
