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Showing posts with label Young Adult fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Young Adult fantasy. Show all posts

Friday, July 25, 2014

A Taste of Friday with Kara Howell's In the Presence of Shadows


In the Presence of Shadows
Kara Howell

ebook with profile pic


Print: $9.45
ISBN: 978-0615980911

E-book: $3.99

Buy on Amazon

In the land of Flasha Mura, a teenaged Gisbon boy is plagued by a monster he can’t see. No one knows what this beast is, but its ferocious appetite threatens to consume Brehane and his father’s herd, effectively ending his future before it has a chance to begin.
He wants to face this menace on his own, but he knows he needs help. Who will he trust? A new friend sent to protect him, or Melek, the God he believes in and thought he trusted. Will he let go of his dream so that he can find it?
Brehane’s uncle brings history alive as he recounts the dramatic lives of the kings and dragons of Yisra’el. In the histories wars are lost and won, trolls taunt, evil relentlessly pursues, dragons speak, friendships are forged, fear grips hearts, kings become sorcerers, love is found, and miracles happen.
Excerpt from a reviewer: 5.0 out of 5 stars A story within the story, April 10, 2014
By 
K Payne (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
I love when an author can take a story from the Bible and add details to create a novel. Kara Howell does just this with the stories from 1 and 2 Samuel to create her first novel in the Chronicles of Dragons and Kings series.

For a free read of chapter one, visit the author's website.


Image of Kara Howell
About the Author: Kara Howell lives in Aurora, Colorado with her husband and four children. She homeschools three of her children. Her love for youth, the Bible, learning, and teaching are what prompted her to write The Chronicles of Kings and Dragons. She also enjoys playing the drums, riding horses, playing video games, photography, and reading. She is also a huge Doctor Who fan. No, seriously, with the help of her dad, she turned a kitchen cabinet into the Tardis and hung it in her bathroom, right above the toilet.


Friday, August 16, 2013

A Taste of Friday: Emma Right, Keeper of Reign




Emma, is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I want to empower young readers with the message, that if they seek the truth (the Ancient Books in Keeper of Reign) they will find wisdom and answers to life's problems. It doesn't mean the answers are going to come easy, but persistence will pay off. So seek wisdom and it will help each person to live triumphantly; in essence, to reign in life.

Watch the trailer:

Here are three short excerpts from Keeper of Reign:
Excerpt 1:

Jules said, “We need a plan. Let’s check what’s missing.” He rushed to the hearth and pried the loose brick to the side. He reached his arm deep and thought he felt the soft nap of the pouch but then he jerked his hand back out and sucked on his finger.” Ouch!” 


Ralston said, “We can’t afford to lose your pouch—maybe the only way to buy things if we have to look for Mom or Dad.” 


Jules glared at him. 


Ralston said, “What’s wrong?” 


Jules reached back into the hole, this time less enthusiastically. “Something sharp.” When he pulled it out he stared at the shard of glass in his hand. “Hold this, Rals.” 


Ralston held the sharp edge gingerly. “Is it yours?” 


“Would I put something sharp like that to cut myself up?” Jules then brought out his pouch, and sighed. He gave its contents a quick peek and slipped the soft pouch into his cloak pocket. 


“It’s a good thing the burglars missed that,” Ralston said. “Should we toss this?” He passed the shard to Jules who turned it over. 


“Some words here.” He read, “‘—ook within.’ What’s that mean?”


Excerpt 2

A blood-curdling scream pierced through the cold evening air and all five children jerked and stared at each other. The scream appeared to have come from the dark forest. Was someone in trouble? Or was it just some- one trying to scare them?


“Wh-–at was that?” Bitha grabbed Tippy’s hand and tugged at her, but the little girl, her face indignant, squirmed and pulled away.


“No–o!” A series of ear splitting protests came from Tippy and she shook her head vigorously. Her eyes, the rims red, locked with Jules. “I want the gem! It’s mine!”


Arms on her hips, Tst Tst said, in a sinister whisper, “If we don’t leave now, Gehzurolle will kill us!”


Tippy slumped her shoulders, let out a sob and opened her mouth as if wanting to protest but at the last minute she only stepped aside. “All wight!”


“We’ll give the stone another try. Ralston, you wedge it with that stick and I’ll pull.” Jules glanced at the sky and thought he saw a dark blob in the blue far away. Must get away quickly. The meadow is too bare for a good hiding spot.


Nausea swelled up from the pit of his stomach and a shiver crept up his back. The last time he had such a feeling was right before his grandpa left on that trip. “Rals, hurry! Pull!”


Excerpt 3:

In the yonder forest, perched on a cypress, Whisperer watched the group with what could qualify as disappointment on his crooked face with his crooked lips. His efforts had failed. This sort of fowl tactics worked umpteen times before when his master ordered him on some mission.


Now he considered other prongs of attacks. The ifs and what-ifs, the whisperings, he could float in the wind. Whisperings that wafted down and instilled fear to all who heard him. This was one assignment he could not afford to blunder. Too much was at stake.


He debated over his options, his heavily lidded eyes darting from tree to tree. For a second he determined to strike the bumbling boy again, but he decided against this. He would wait for Beta and re-evaluate the problem with the latest update.


Whisperer pursed his crooked lips, his breath a gray tube of smoke that swirled toward its goal: the clouds. First softly, then more intensely, he blew. But his gaze never wavered from the struggling, lanky lad with his sister on his back.


Beta had better find that Book, or he would find a suitable punishment for the servant.


About the Author:


Emma Right is a happy wife and homeschool mother of five living in the Pacific West Coast of the USA. Besides running a busy home, and looking after their five pets, which includes two cats, two bunnies and a Long-haired dachshund, she also writes stories for her children. She loves the Lord and His Word deeply, and when she doesn't have her nose in a book, she is telling her kids to get theirs in one.

Emma worked as a copywriter for two major advertising agencies and won several awards, including the prestigious Clio Award for her ads, before she settled down to have children.

Visit Emma Right at her home site and sign for her blog feed and newsletter and blog for tips and ideas about books, homeschooling, bible devotions, and author helps from self-publishing to book marketing. For the latest events. Follow Google Plus  and Twitter. She'd love to hear from her readers.

Buy the book:
 Amazon Link


Connect with Emma:








Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Launch of Roman Carnival by Serafin Gascoigne

Today I would like to introduce a fascinating author who writes books for young adults. Meet Serafin Gascoigne as he talks about his life and the launch of his new book, TODAY -- ROMAN CARNIVAL.
To order and get a free evaluation of your web site by a certified consultant, go to  http://creativecopy.us/event22.html






Question by Lorilyn Roberts: I recently listened to an interview by you where you talked about your varied background which helps you to create memorable stories for Young Adults. Can you share some of that with us today?








Answer: I have been a professional musician, an army medic, an intelligence analyst, teacher and computer training consultant on three continents, and finally a pastor/priest here in the U.S.

I worked for British Intelligence in Berlin during the Cold War. This gave me exposure to the Russian language and Christians who had taken refuge in the West, but who nonetheless went through very difficult times when the Soviet army took Berlin. Their stories, in many instances miraculous, set the scene for my future writing. When Russia became open once more, I traveled to Siberia and other places in Russia.


Later I taught in an inner-city school where seventy percent of the students were from the West Indies. I lived in Ladbroke Square, the location of ROMAN CARNIVAL, a few doors away from the Home Secretary and the film star, Kenneth Moore, and John Cleese of Monty Python fame. I used to see them shopping from time to time.



Question by Lorilyn: I am always interested in whether fiction authors write by "the seat of their pants" or if they outline and develop the plot and then write. How do you come up with your fascinating story lines?


Answer: I develop my characters first and then find a story for them. I usually work out a draft outline which I never stick to! The stories seem to write themselves. I enjoy researching background, looking for unusual details. Did you know that the Romans worshipped the wrong god or that Nero did not play the fiddle (or mandolin) while Rome was burning?


I found some interesting menus such as dormice dipped in honey. Lots of facts that I hope will capture the interest of young readers.



Question by Lorilyn Roberts: Which leads to my next question: Tell us a little bit about your new novel ROMAN CARNIVAL.


Answer: The discovery of an ancient Temple of Mithras causes great excitement among the residents of Ladbroke Square, London. At the suggestion of the curator of the British Museum, the residents decide to hold a Roman Carnival, complete with fancy dress, refreshments, tours and speeches. However, unknown to the large crowd gathered for the Carnival, there are “ravens,” Roman assassins from 65 AD.


Intent on invading 20th century London, the Romans, members of the cult of Mithras, are thwarted in their attempt by two school boys, Anthony Archer and Hector Carter. As the drama unfolds, Hector is mistaken for a runaway boy soldier, while Anthony is thought to be Artemius, a high-ranking member of the cult of Mithras.


Mistaken identity or not, these boys begin to play a vital role in defeating the cosmic forces that have entered their time and reality through the Temple of Mithras. A mysterious figure, the watcher Nikomedes, confirms that this is their destiny; it is part of their ancestral breath. Only Anthony and Hector are capable of sealing the conduit between past and present. How are they to do this? Nikomedes says that they will know what to do when the time comes.


Unlikely heroes in a battle with cosmic evil, the boys work as a duo, displaying common sense and courage in the face of many unexpected dangers. Their only weapons against this invasion are their simplicity, honesty, and their ancestral link to the past. Hector's good and easy-going nature, loyalty to a friend, and courage play an important role in the drama. Anthony is not particularly courageous but together with Hector, he shines as a natural leader in times of danger.


This is a fast-paced historical/fantasy, combining Cockney humor and suspense.



Question by Lorilyn Roberts: With your background you could write for any genera. Why did you choose to write Young Adult books?


Answer: I enjoy reading children’s literature and simply enjoy writing for young readers. I believe that it is important to communicate Christian values through fantasy and for teens through the supernatural activity of the Holy Spirit. ROMAN CARNIVAL is written for a secular audience but the underlying theme is Christian.


I am concerned that many authors of fantasy dwell on masochistic, sadistic, and psychotic role models. Roman Carnival is no moralistic tale, but a scary, fast-paced, time-shift adventure. It's not for the timid.


The underlying metaphysic is that we inherit not only the physical characteristics of our parents, but a part of their spirit too. This is a surprise element in the story.


Thank you, Serafim Gascoigne, for sharing with us your passion for writing for Young Adults. I can’t wait to get a copy of ROMAN CARNIVAL for my 12-year-old daughter who loves Christian fantasy.


Be sure to order ROMAN CARNIVAL on Tuesday, March 22, from Amazon.com at the link: http://creativecopy.us/event22.html