tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7440039650565247042024-03-13T22:41:25.602-06:00Dragon BlogginDonita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-29049898830227761992015-02-28T23:21:00.000-07:002015-02-28T23:32:25.931-07:00Ten Years of DragonQuest + Giveaway!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD80B1k8GjHtfreWbUti2OGlC-ziE9DmzzvfuXND-Lz6n0S1ulULUu2HpQQRQb5D_BrZb2NLQvmKihXzPLmr-oHS6zw6hYmtgoTOmb6TfEgXP5a4YpkVU-vPnB4485b7Xxe22fnfh89tI/s1600/240643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD80B1k8GjHtfreWbUti2OGlC-ziE9DmzzvfuXND-Lz6n0S1ulULUu2HpQQRQb5D_BrZb2NLQvmKihXzPLmr-oHS6zw6hYmtgoTOmb6TfEgXP5a4YpkVU-vPnB4485b7Xxe22fnfh89tI/s1600/240643.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">Buy It Here:</span></b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400071291/donitakpaulco-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/dragonquest-dragonkeeper-chronicles-donita-paul/9781400071296/pd/071291?event=AFF&p=1021087&" target="_blank">ChristianBooks</a> | <a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9781400071296?id=4572754779153" target="_blank">Books-a-Million</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dragonquest-donita-k-paul/1101956696?ean=9781400071296&itm=1&USRI=DragonQuest&" target="_blank">B&N</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Happy 10th Birthday, <i>DragonQuest</i>!!</span></h2>
Last year we celebrated ten years of <i>DragonSpell</i>, and this year we get to celebrate ten years of <i>DragonQuest!</i> Because, really, if there's a reason to party it would be a waste to throw that away, right? (And brace yourselves, people, because we still got three more years, three more books, and at <i>least</i> three more parties. ;-) )<br />
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We've teamed up with the awesome ZA over at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/ZAs-Clay-Critters/266554163544718" target="_blank">Za's Clay Critters</a> to bring two lucky winners their very own Ardeo and Dibl! See! See?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlRRErk5CCG2iyCzfu1NBZgt1-vvin6MWMTdYJZn7fPSs15jr-IFRtkVNoJenqXMQQ_voS8tPfBMzBRdf_pVHidFtERj14w9fDO6B4G0sugYTqmpY1pI4v2mT-qF6YWtPqYmPouLo4vQ/s1600/11028512_458688194278928_1063116605_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlRRErk5CCG2iyCzfu1NBZgt1-vvin6MWMTdYJZn7fPSs15jr-IFRtkVNoJenqXMQQ_voS8tPfBMzBRdf_pVHidFtERj14w9fDO6B4G0sugYTqmpY1pI4v2mT-qF6YWtPqYmPouLo4vQ/s1600/11028512_458688194278928_1063116605_o.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
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Spiffy, yeah?<br />
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Starting <b><span style="color: red;">March 2nd, 2015</span></b> and running through <b><span style="color: red;">March 10th, 2015</span></b> you can enter the giveaway below to win one! Ardeo goes to one winner and Dibl goes to another. ;-) Want both? Well...why don't you contact her at her <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZAsClayCritters?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> and request a minor dragon? She's pretty cool, if we do say so ourselves.<br />
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Be sure to check out her <a href="http://in-which-i-talk.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/opheliaza/zas-clay-critters/" target="_blank">Pinterest page</a>!<br />
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In the last ten years we've watched readers of the <i>DragonKeeper Chronicles</i> grow up. A lot can happen in that amount of time and we've been fortunate (as we've said before!) to have the most amazing fanbase <i>ever.</i> If you think of it, please take the time to introduce the next generation to the <i>Dragonkeeper Chronicles</i>. The beautiful thing about stories and age is that while we grow and change...the story remains the same, waiting for another curious reader to stumble across its pages. Perhaps this new reader will grow up with the pages, or perhaps they will have a thought they'd never considered before that helps shape their worldview.<br />
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If the <i>DragonKeeper Chronicles</i> has touched <i>you</i> in a manner that helped shape you today--share it with the people you love or even the <i>kids</i> of the people you love!<br />
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Thank you, as always, everyone! You're the BEST!<br />
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With love,<br />
Donita K. Paul & DKPWebmaster<br />
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="b602f7c19" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b602f7c19/" id="rcwidget_fhlx47ad" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09231272215269606314noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-29187991237872814902014-10-16T18:00:00.000-06:002014-10-17T09:45:39.648-06:00Scavenger Hunt Stop #31<div style="font-family: ArialMT;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtJj7i7WIeHoPSBtbyQ4gtxP0BWrLIOTXrqP8qrNJAhPU6m4oI36x7qvv4yqXA5B9CHNwlUY-_awY3Gcq3203wUt44YrdbXlwt-YA2nLtt834HjC8k9bd0YGb5BnveYGv07XcvGWQdsxx/s1600/Autumn+Scavenger+Hunt+2014_450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtJj7i7WIeHoPSBtbyQ4gtxP0BWrLIOTXrqP8qrNJAhPU6m4oI36x7qvv4yqXA5B9CHNwlUY-_awY3Gcq3203wUt44YrdbXlwt-YA2nLtt834HjC8k9bd0YGb5BnveYGv07XcvGWQdsxx/s1600/Autumn+Scavenger+Hunt+2014_450.jpg" height="213" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to the Autumn 2014 Scavenger Hunt. You
have arrived at <b>Stop # 31</b>. The hunt begins at noon (Mountain Time Zone) on
October 17, 2014. You may have arrived here before the start which could mean
all of the sites aren't ready quite yet. Once the official start has begun, you
should go to <b><a href="http://www.robinleehatcher.com/scavenger-hunt-stop-1-autumn-2014/" target="_blank">Stop #1</a></b> and then work
your way through the sites, gathering clues and entering bonus giveaways, until
you reach the final stop which will also be on the site of Robin Lee
Hatcher.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The hunt ends on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at
one minute before midnight (Mountain). That means you have all of the weekend to
finish it, so take your time. Enjoy reading the exclusive content the authors
have prepared for you. You will collect a <span style="color: #b51a00;"><b>CLUE IN
RED</b></span> at each stop. Write them down as you go. At the end of the hunt,
you will enter the clues into a Rafflecopter form. (The answer will make sense,
even if you aren't familiar with the quote.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The hunt is open to international entries. The
grand prize is a Kindle Fire HDX. Two runners-up will receive a new release from
each of the participating authors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">IN CASE YOU FIND A BROKEN LINK...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Robin Lee Hatcher has prepared a "cheat sheet"
with direct links to each author's post in case a site goes down or a link gets
broken. We hope there will be no such issues, but just in case, please make note
of the URL for the <b><a href="http://www.robinleehatcher.com/autumn-2014-scavenger-hunt-participating-authors-stops" target="_blank">Participating Authors & Stops page</a></b> so you can
check back and be able to complete the hunt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And now, without further ado, I'd love to introduce you to our friend, Maureen Lang!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIPS11YXJmqCU_6aqmvbHZ9KX30xWyoeR1s3uk7rumHITRrxaDFufii8cziySsKVjzl7hbj9JqungjnmOsoH6fFnBT3KQE3juzQztX55IqkGq8htcU7w2lLg26KNDSi0HWqRQXMGqCFWS/s1600/Maureen-Lang-Author-Photo-Small.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIPS11YXJmqCU_6aqmvbHZ9KX30xWyoeR1s3uk7rumHITRrxaDFufii8cziySsKVjzl7hbj9JqungjnmOsoH6fFnBT3KQE3juzQztX55IqkGq8htcU7w2lLg26KNDSi0HWqRQXMGqCFWS/s1600/Maureen-Lang-Author-Photo-Small.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIPS11YXJmqCU_6aqmvbHZ9KX30xWyoeR1s3uk7rumHITRrxaDFufii8cziySsKVjzl7hbj9JqungjnmOsoH6fFnBT3KQE3juzQztX55IqkGq8htcU7w2lLg26KNDSi0HWqRQXMGqCFWS/s1600/Maureen-Lang-Author-Photo-Small.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIPS11YXJmqCU_6aqmvbHZ9KX30xWyoeR1s3uk7rumHITRrxaDFufii8cziySsKVjzl7hbj9JqungjnmOsoH6fFnBT3KQE3juzQztX55IqkGq8htcU7w2lLg26KNDSi0HWqRQXMGqCFWS/s1600/Maureen-Lang-Author-Photo-Small.gif" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><b><b>Say Hello to Maureen Lang!</b></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12.0000pt; mso-spacerun: 'yes';"><br /><a href="http://www.maureenlang.com/" target="_blank">Maureen Lang</a> </span></i><i>has loved storytelling ever since she was ten years old and would invite friends over to "write stories." They often preferred playing with Barbies, but Maureen persevered with storytelling on her own. Since then she's published thirteen novels and is introducing her very first novella, The Gift-Wrapped Bride, which is part of the 12 Brides of Christmas collection. The idea of partnering with other favorite Christian authors for a series of romances set during the holiday season reminded her of inviting friends over to write together—what could be more fun?</i></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Heartland Christmas Brides</span></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIr6Ph9wUpPqisHnleksUonxGcJ2Vg6veAD_pAqCD3sX0OhjgLdEvgEV45UbF58rbvHztuFrOsZDyXM3ziPWT9gdhVV_BTtNe3wwoOMDxoE7DO0AVAVuOpLzb9Y-6AUwEb6NFoC5BzlXC/s1600/HeartlandCmasBrides3d1-small.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIr6Ph9wUpPqisHnleksUonxGcJ2Vg6veAD_pAqCD3sX0OhjgLdEvgEV45UbF58rbvHztuFrOsZDyXM3ziPWT9gdhVV_BTtNe3wwoOMDxoE7DO0AVAVuOpLzb9Y-6AUwEb6NFoC5BzlXC/s1600/HeartlandCmasBrides3d1-small.gif" height="200" width="133" /></a>Thank you for visiting our Scavenger Hunt and for reading about the first Nativity Scene. A Nativity Drama plays an important part in my novella, <i>The Gift-Wrapped Bride</i> because my hero realizes the intent of every Nativity Scene is to soften hearts toward the miracle of Christ's birth. My hero, a reformed rascal trying to win the love of a woman who knew him only as a schoolhouse bully, tries to convince her he's changed by recruiting young troublemakers for a Christmas Pageant. Once they're transformed by God's grace, she'll see everyone deserves a second chance. God will be glorified, and my hero might just win himself a bride. That is, if the rascals he recruits will let their hearts be softened . . .<br />
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My novella is included in <i>Heartland Christmas Brides</i>, available now at your local Walmart, to be followed by <i>Christmas Wedding Bell Brides</i> and <i>White Christmas Brides</i> from a variety of authors offering heartwarming Christmas romances. For more information on the entire collection of the 12 Brides of Christmas, <a href="http://www.12brides.com/" target="_blank">visit our website</a>.<br />
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Or if you'd like to purchase all twelve of the novellas in e-book format, one story will be released from online booksellers every week between now and Christmas!<br />
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<b>Interested? Check out these wonderful stories at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NVZW7MA/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00NVZW7MA&linkCode=as2&tag=barbbook-20&linkId=D62X2UM45J5OSXMQ" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a><span id="goog_1822449390"></span><span id="goog_1822449391"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a> or at <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/the-gift-wrapped-bride-ebook/maureen-lang/9781630584771/pd/69433EB?product_redirect=1&Ntt=69433EB&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">Christian Book Distributors</a>!</b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">History of Nativity Pageants</span></b><br />
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If you're anything like me, spotting a Nativity scene during the Christmas season is becoming more and more precious as the culture around us becomes increasingly secular. I love the visual reminder of what Christmas is really all about. And guess what? This was exactly what Saint Francis of Assisi thought when he introduced the first Nativity scene way back in the year 1223. He was a man who wanted to live like Christ. So he threw off the material world and, much to the consternation of his friends and family, began roaming the countryside as a beggar. A few years later he heard a sermon that inspired him to take his faith even farther - he wanted to preach the gospel wherever he went. Eventually he founded the Franciscan Order of Friars (Friends).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElBVOLqqrvchTdxVu8tHVxcVxtlAL3kys2sP2pT6Dj4P2EkkL2yo9_5HL5QWo41kih_eNysOxiDWLZexxnIm2jKzSc2T_9TUNwsg_j7jBrz5YFRduGS-_51kTyVqP4H_jE0s0RUV-huNF/s1600/Nativity_3-small.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElBVOLqqrvchTdxVu8tHVxcVxtlAL3kys2sP2pT6Dj4P2EkkL2yo9_5HL5QWo41kih_eNysOxiDWLZexxnIm2jKzSc2T_9TUNwsg_j7jBrz5YFRduGS-_51kTyVqP4H_jE0s0RUV-huNF/s1600/Nativity_3-small.gif" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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At midnight mass on Christmas Eve 1223 Saint Francis introduced the first Nativity Scene. Choosing the spot in front of a cave in Greccio, Italy, he brought in people to portray the Holy Family and live animals as their humble companions. Saint Francis wanted to bring the gospel alive for worshippers who were likely illiterate, or at least trusted others to read and interpret the Bible for them. He wanted to stir their hearts so they would marvel over the simple wonder of the greatest miracle ever performed—God becoming man to save us from our sins so we can spend eternity with our perfect Creator. This vision, Saint Francis hoped, would live in their minds long after that one night.<br />
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Surely Saint Francis's hopes were blessed. Since then, Nativity scenes have been turned into pageants and dramas seen all around the world.<br />
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I know it's early to be thinking of the Christmas season, but when you see a Nativity pageant or manger this year, count it among other miracles that such a tradition has lasted nearly eight hundred years!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">The Scavenger Hunt Skinny</span></b><br />
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Thanks so much for stopping by my site and participating in the new Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt. Before you move on to <a href="http://maureenlang.com/2014/10/scavenger-hunt-stop-32/" target="_blank">Stop #32, which is Maureen Lang's’s site</a>, to pick up your next clue, be sure to write down this Stop #32 clue: <span style="color: red; font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>SWALLOWED, AND</b></span><br />
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<b>Also, please note:</b> Many of the authors use Rafflecopter for their giveaways. Rafflecopter requires JavaScript to work. If you can’t see the form, please turn JavaScript on in your browser in order to enter. Rafflecopter sometimes doesn’t work on mobile devices. If you are on a mobile device and can’t see the entry form, then you’ll need to find a computer.<br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">But Before You Go...</span></b></h2>
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<b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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As a special thank you for joining in on the Scavenger Hunt, we have an extra giveaway for you! Enter below and you can win a shiny necklace from the Dragon Lady Shoppe!<br />
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There will be TWO WINNERS, a boy and a girl. </div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b602f7c18/" id="rc-b602f7c18" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com73tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-31835994441653599072014-07-31T16:31:00.002-06:002014-08-01T12:12:30.973-06:00Blog Tour: My Writing Process<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23.399999618530273px; margin-bottom: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Welcome to the next stop on the Blog Tour: My Writing Process. You may have come here from </span><a href="http://purplepenworks.com/2014/07/31/writing-process/" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">Cheryl McKay Price's blog.</a><span style="color: #333333;"> </span> <a href="http://purplepenworks.com/2014/07/31/writing-process/" style="font-size: 13px;" target="_blank"> I've met Cheryl face-to-face once. Thank goodness for cyber-world where we can keep in touch.</a></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1) Who are you? </strong><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I am a grandma, mother, friend, and author. And we should put Christian in front of each of those titles. One of the things I believe is that we are called to be Christlike in all our cubbyholes, in every aspect of our lives. The endeavor to be like Christ is a goal not a given. Study of the Word, fellowship with the believers, and obedience makes walking that road much easier. </span></div>
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My mom used to read her Bible and read commentaries as well. She chose commentaries that lined up with and reinforced the doctrine she followed. She was an amazing woman. I've found that I read fiction with the same intention. One might call novels parables in long form. Or, one might say that good Christian fiction is practical application of Christlike qualities in a fictional world. Either way, novels by trusted authors can help a reader recognize and walk in a deeper relationship with our very real, one and only, true and living God.</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2) What are you working on?</strong></div>
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A new fantasy trilogy! The Realm Walkers is in an entirely new world that is great fun to explore. That means <i>I'm </i>having fun learning about this totally different universe. Physically different, that is. The trick is to create "real, believable, interesting, and appealing" characters in a world that supplies rather a bizarre backdrop. Then, the author has to add in reasonable conflict with an occasional insurmountable obstacle. Lots of fun. </div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3) How does your work differ from others of its genre?</strong></div>
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<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My "stuff" is a lot lighter than much literature in the science fiction/fantasy genre. And mostly, the Christian aspect is subtle. I had a man tell me he was in the third book of The DragonKeeper Chronicles before he realized the books were built on a Christian worldview. He told me he bought the fourth book in spite of that and thought he would continue to read my work as long as I didn't try to hammer God into his soul. I hope the Holy Spirit has worked on him since. </span></div>
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<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The marketing department once told me my fantasy was less literary than Tolkien and more subtle than Lewis. I took that to refer to mean I don't include four page descriptions forests and am not forthright in presenting the gospel.</span></div>
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<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In the first book of the Realm Walker's trilogy, One Realm Beyond, one of the themes is living today as God has put it before you and not to be always yearning for the future where "everything will be much better."</span></div>
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<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The second book Two Renegade Realms deals with acting the part you have chosen and not forgetting who you are. Part of Rejoicing Always is being actively aware that you are in the presence of God at all times. It is easier to make Bible-based decisions from that standpoint.</span></div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4) Why do you write what you do?</strong></div>
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Probably, because I like it. I never read fantasy as an adult until I was trapped in a recliner with my foot elevated above my heart for six weeks. My teen-age son brought me <i>The Wheel of Time </i>series by Robert Jordan. I think there were 6 or 7 at the time. I read them all, and at the end of the six weeks, I got up and said, "Well, that was interesting." Six months later, my mother challenged me to write something that was more of a challenge. So I tried fantasy. At first, writing DragonSpell was incredibly easy. As I learned more about the genre it gets harder. Ignorance can truly be blissful.</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">5) How does your writing process work?</strong></div>
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<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh, dear. The answers to the above questions sound like I have it all together, but I don't. Not at all.</span></div>
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<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I get a seed of an idea and dive in. Either a character pops up in my imagination, and I follow him/her around until something interesting happens; or I see a scene, a backdrop, and I watch as people walk in and out until the one I want appears.</span></div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23.399999618530273px; margin-bottom: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I pretty much instantly know what my main characters want and what their greatest fears are. I have to work a bit harder on the overall conflict. I usually don't know the theme until halfway or three quarters of the way through. Then I recognize it, because more likely than not, it's been there all along.</span></div>
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23.399999618530273px; margin-bottom: 23px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Deadlines make me sick, literally. I think it's because I'm always raising the bar, wanting to produce something stellar for my readers. I could use some lessons in relaxation, going with the flow, and relying on God. Don't you hate it when you're reading a series and you come to a dull book? I think, "Whoa! She should have quit while she was ahead." I try not to let that happen to my readers. </span></div>
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<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I have a weekly critique group, and these friends have saved my goose many times with their insight, encouragement, suggestions, and high standards of writing. Sometimes when I'm reading a book, I think, "This passage would never have gotten past my critters."</span></div>
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<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I have a fantastic editor and she pulls me through Writing a book is a lone endeavor with great kibitzers lurking in the wings.</span><br />
<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Now is your chance to move on to a friend I've had for years and years. She and her family are very special to me. Take a hop here<a href="http://www.shannonmcnear.com/2014/08/blog-tour-my-writing-process.html" target="_blank">visit Shannon McNear.</a></span><br />
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<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One more writer will be added within the next 24 hours. Check back to see who it is.</span></div>
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Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-32441544761369334052014-06-23T08:00:00.000-06:002014-06-23T08:00:04.931-06:00[June Celebration] Something Blue!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkp72qoVNnSMQo03ioVDnaeOc3R_vpKq27hphP3FrN7I845T14QKXKAB9UsXv_t_T_dKexLdRq5CYZ_SZzpsnMFO2PshNFV81BDHFZwGW-j_zcnevoSzoMXpI_Xnwkjvzv4G3CiCDfMU/s1600/JuneGiveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkp72qoVNnSMQo03ioVDnaeOc3R_vpKq27hphP3FrN7I845T14QKXKAB9UsXv_t_T_dKexLdRq5CYZ_SZzpsnMFO2PshNFV81BDHFZwGW-j_zcnevoSzoMXpI_Xnwkjvzv4G3CiCDfMU/s1600/JuneGiveaway.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Welcome to the fourth and final week of our June Celebration Giveaway!<br />
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Thank you everyone for coming and hanging out with us over these last three weeks; we've had a blast, and we hope you've had one too! We'd also like to thank Lisa Tawn Bergren for making week three extra, extra special. :-)<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>For those of you who entered our "Something Borrowed" giveaway, check your inboxes over the next few days to see if you won!</b></span><br />
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Are you ready for one more giveaway? We sure hope so!<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Our theme for this week is "something blue"!</b></span></div>
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<b>You can win one of these lovely, lovely necklaces. </b>A fairytale necklace if our winner is a lady, and a dragon's tail necklace if our winner is a gentleman! Either way, we gotcha covered.<br />
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This week's giveaway will be a little bit different...to get as many entries as possible, you can submit a quote a day from Mrs. Paul's books for extra entry points! Please do not submit the same quote twice. It would be so cool to see a variety of what has touched your heart!<br />
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<b>We'd love it if you'd share this last and final giveaway with all your friends.</b> Help us to end our celebration with a bang!<br />
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Oh, and don't be a stranger! We have some fun stuff planned for July too... ;-)<br />
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Til then!<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b602f77/" id="rc-b602f77" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09231272215269606314noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-65008637518452637642014-06-19T00:00:00.000-06:002014-06-19T00:00:09.381-06:00[June Celebration: Something Borrowed] Who Borrows What?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There is a special joy to be had when we share what God has given us. In the spirit of borrowed things, Lisa T. Bergren and Donita K. Paul each compiled a list of the l<b>ast five things borrowed</b> from their households! <b> </b><br />
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<b>Lisa's Last 5 Borrowed Things:</b><br />
1. Our big beverage dispensers for a party<br />
2. Our chainsaw for a Christmas tree stump<br />
3. 4 martini glasses for a party<br />
4. A set of my books for a sick friend to read<br />
5. Glass plates for a party (apparently, we have ample hosting supplies!)<br />
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<b>Mrs. Paul's Last 5 Borrowed Things:</b><br />
1. Writing craft books<br />
2. Betty Neels novels<br />
3. Batteries (I don't expect to get them back!)<br />
4. My good name, ha!<br />
5. Blender<br />
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This about wraps up the "Something Borrowed" week. Thank you so much to Lisa Bergren for sharing a bit about herself, and her book with us! It sounds really awesome, and I for one am excited to look into it!<br />
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If you'd like to learn even more about the amazing person that is Lisa Tawn Bergren, check out her website at <a href="http://lisatawnbergren.com/">lisatawnbergren.com</a>. She might even be running more giveaways in the near future... ;-)<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>What we would like from </b><i><b>you:</b> </i></span><br />
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Sometimes when we exchange things, crazy shenanigans may result in hilarious miscommunications or misuses. What are some of the things you've lent out? Do you have a fun story to share? What sort of things do people tend to ask you for?<br />
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We'd love to hear it all! And be sure to join us next week for "Something Blue"! June isn't over yet...Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09231272215269606314noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-47106119959687596772014-06-18T00:00:00.000-06:002014-06-18T00:00:00.904-06:00[June Celebration: Something Borrowed] Don't Forget!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkp72qoVNnSMQo03ioVDnaeOc3R_vpKq27hphP3FrN7I845T14QKXKAB9UsXv_t_T_dKexLdRq5CYZ_SZzpsnMFO2PshNFV81BDHFZwGW-j_zcnevoSzoMXpI_Xnwkjvzv4G3CiCDfMU/s1600/JuneGiveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkp72qoVNnSMQo03ioVDnaeOc3R_vpKq27hphP3FrN7I845T14QKXKAB9UsXv_t_T_dKexLdRq5CYZ_SZzpsnMFO2PshNFV81BDHFZwGW-j_zcnevoSzoMXpI_Xnwkjvzv4G3CiCDfMU/s1600/JuneGiveaway.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Don't forget to enter for your chance to win </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">a copy of Lisa T. Bergren's <i>Remnants</i> novel <br />as well as other prizes! </span></b></div>
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Haven't dropped your name in the hat yet? Head on over to the <a href="http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/2014/06/june-celebration-something-borrowed.html" target="_blank">content post here</a>!<br />
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Good-bye....and good luck.Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09231272215269606314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-7517382972236979612014-06-17T00:00:00.000-06:002014-06-17T00:00:01.516-06:00[June Celebration: Something Borrowed] Why a Ring?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkp72qoVNnSMQo03ioVDnaeOc3R_vpKq27hphP3FrN7I845T14QKXKAB9UsXv_t_T_dKexLdRq5CYZ_SZzpsnMFO2PshNFV81BDHFZwGW-j_zcnevoSzoMXpI_Xnwkjvzv4G3CiCDfMU/s1600/JuneGiveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkp72qoVNnSMQo03ioVDnaeOc3R_vpKq27hphP3FrN7I845T14QKXKAB9UsXv_t_T_dKexLdRq5CYZ_SZzpsnMFO2PshNFV81BDHFZwGW-j_zcnevoSzoMXpI_Xnwkjvzv4G3CiCDfMU/s1600/JuneGiveaway.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Why the significance of the ring in <i>Remnants</i>? </b></div>
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From Lisa: "In the <i>Remnants</i> series, each of the Ailith receive an arm band that supernaturally seals to their bicep. I imagined it in the fashion of a Celtic design, with interlocking knots, to symbolize how we’re both tied to the Maker and to his people…our lives all interwoven. When I found this sterling silver ring, I bought some as prizes to give away to some readers.<br />
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If you win, I hope it reminds you of the same things it does for my Remnants and Knights!"<br />
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[What others have to say about <i>Remnants...</i>]<br />
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<i>"This book was not like most dystopian novels I have read. It was a bit of a dark concept, but at the same time it was wholesome and good. It reflects plenty on a religious aspect and idea." </i><br />
<i>-- Tiffany Hester <span style="font-size: x-small;">[<a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R1DPL7652DIAZ/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0310735645" target="_blank">full review</a>]</span></i><br />
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<i>"Remnants: Season of Wonder had tons of adventure and excitement expertly woven into a creative fantasy/dystopian plotline that will keep you rifling through the pages to find out what happens next." </i><br />
<i>-- J.L. Hartz <span style="font-size: x-small;">[<a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/RF8YMRC2XC5WM/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0310735645" target="_blank">full review</a>]</span></i><br />
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<i>"I have to admit that Remnants: Seasons of Wonder is far from my usual genre. Because I love the author’s work, I knew I had to give it try...Well, let me tell you – This Book Is SO Good! I am so glad I went outside my comfort zone and read it." </i><br />
<i>-- Amy C. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[<a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R1X8X1J84EFIHH/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00BW3K0UY" target="_blank">full review</a>]</span> </i><br />
<br />
<b>Have you ever wondered </b><b>why the bride and groom exchange rings on their wedding day?</b><br />
<br />
The bride and groom exchange rings as a symbolic representation of their promise to be faithful to each other and each other alone. The circular shape of the ring further signifies eternity, and that these two are promised to each other "til death do they part." The wearing of the ring serves as a constant reminder of their commitment. :-)<br />
<br />
<b>Do you have a favorite ring?</b><br />
<br />
What about you? Do you have a favorite ring? It can be your mother's wedding ring, the ring worn by a favorite fictional character or even just a ring you stumbled across in a picture and fell in love with!<br />
<br />
What would make/does make <i>your</i> ring special?<br />
<br />Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09231272215269606314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-16985862757088395262014-06-15T00:00:00.000-06:002014-06-18T12:56:02.463-06:00June Celebration - Something Borrowed - Lisa T. Bergren's "Remnants"!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhg7vwiEy8aNo38kj7ORrxJaEWSHJr94vvNxCYiVxn0-FxbDAyxhqEy3o_a_P-hwhcmaPMUNWKqFNRLInvYbY3uFCg9uXISBmpEWu_LqM9qqMBkhjdsTLWPAHqdBOp2kHffm8DZ0rd4Y/s1600/JuneGiveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhg7vwiEy8aNo38kj7ORrxJaEWSHJr94vvNxCYiVxn0-FxbDAyxhqEy3o_a_P-hwhcmaPMUNWKqFNRLInvYbY3uFCg9uXISBmpEWu_LqM9qqMBkhjdsTLWPAHqdBOp2kHffm8DZ0rd4Y/s1600/JuneGiveaway.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Welcome to Week 3 of the June Celebration!</span></b></div>
<br />
For our "Something Borrowed" segment, we'll be featuring Lisa T. Bergren's (<i>The River of Time Chronicles</i>) newest book, <i>Remnants: Season of Wonder</i>, the first book in her new <i>Remnan</i><i>ts</i> series!<br />
<br />
Lisa T. Bergren is the author of over forty books with more than 2.5 million
copies sold. She lives in Colorado Springs with her duck-decoy-making hubby, two
of three kids (one has flown the nest), and a little white Westie named Talisker
Beatrice. (Her husband wanted the dog to have a tough name and Lisa wanted her
to have an old-fashioned name.)<br />
<br />
To find out more about her, visit her web site: <a href="http://lisatawnbergren.com/"><span style="color: blue;">lisatawnbergren.com</span></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOMsuN9a96A9V9xDPypF1tVGr1gI8KmJlUbXSnv0-zFxbC7E60o7qENXww3StkyiXOm9Sw0nlHEmq0iPNH7tWOZHGSY9KvcI-yxgGhiaxl-j_YQ80PD5xSw-dh2eYSxHCMAjYfmAFZUo/s1600/Remnants+-+Lisa+T+Bergren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOMsuN9a96A9V9xDPypF1tVGr1gI8KmJlUbXSnv0-zFxbC7E60o7qENXww3StkyiXOm9Sw0nlHEmq0iPNH7tWOZHGSY9KvcI-yxgGhiaxl-j_YQ80PD5xSw-dh2eYSxHCMAjYfmAFZUo/s1600/Remnants+-+Lisa+T+Bergren.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>THEIR ARRIVAL WAS FORETOLD FOR YEARS….</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Andriana is a Remnant, gifted as an empath and one of the Ailith, destined to act as humanity’s last shield against the horrors that now plague those who remain.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>After years of training in stealth and warfare, Andriana and her Knight protector, Ronan, are finally ready to answer the Call and begin the life they were designed for. But as they embark with the other Remnants on the first of their assignments, they quickly discover that the world beyond their protected Valley is more dangerous than they imagined.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The Sons of Sheol will stop at nothing to prevent Dri and Ronan from rescuing anyone sympathetic to the Remnants’ cause. And as the Remnants battle the demonic forces, still other enemies close in. Dangers intensity, but so do Dri’s feelings for Ronan–the one emotion she is not meant to feel. In the midst of their mission, Andriana must fine a way to master her feelings. Or risk compromising everything…</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Does <i>Remnants</i> sound cool? </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>You can win it! </b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Along with some other things...</b></span></div>
<br />
We're going to be doing something a little different this week...instead of just one prize, we're going to have a <b>first place prize, second place prize and a third place prize.</b> Three chances to win way cool stuff!<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>First Place: </b>1 copy of <i>Remnants: Season of Wonder</i>; silver <i>Remnants</i> ring</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Second Place: </b>1 copy of<b> </b><i>Remnants: Season of Wonder</i></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Third Place:<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b>Autographed <i>Remnants </i>poster</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Here's how this is going to work.</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Monday, June 16th - </b>Giveaway starts.</li>
<li><b>Monday, June 23rd - </b>First place winner drawn.</li>
<li><b>Tuesday, June 24th -</b> Second place winner drawn. </li>
<li><b>Wednesday, June 25th -</b> Third place winner drawn.<b> </b></li>
</ul>
<br />
Please note that the <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>giveaways are only open to USA residents.</b> </span><br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b602f76/" id="rc-b602f76" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script><br />
<br />
<b>Continue the journey!</b><br />
<a href="http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/2014/06/june-celebration-something-borrowed-ring.html" target="_blank">What is a Ring?</a>Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09231272215269606314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-58985857063049993012014-06-08T00:00:00.000-06:002014-06-08T00:00:00.842-06:00June Celebration - Week Two!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhg7vwiEy8aNo38kj7ORrxJaEWSHJr94vvNxCYiVxn0-FxbDAyxhqEy3o_a_P-hwhcmaPMUNWKqFNRLInvYbY3uFCg9uXISBmpEWu_LqM9qqMBkhjdsTLWPAHqdBOp2kHffm8DZ0rd4Y/s1600/JuneGiveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhg7vwiEy8aNo38kj7ORrxJaEWSHJr94vvNxCYiVxn0-FxbDAyxhqEy3o_a_P-hwhcmaPMUNWKqFNRLInvYbY3uFCg9uXISBmpEWu_LqM9qqMBkhjdsTLWPAHqdBOp2kHffm8DZ0rd4Y/s1600/JuneGiveaway.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to Week 2 of our </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Fired-Up for June Celebration Giveaway!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
It was really, really cool reading all your memories with <i>DragonSpell.</i> It is truly encouraging for authors and artists to hear how their work has been used to impact people and bring them together. Thank you so much sharing. :-) Personally, I first heard about <i>DragonSpell</i> from my sister, and I never knew how much those books would come to change my life by connecting me with so many friends. God is good!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">This week we're giving you "Something New."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Welcome <i><b>One Realm Beyond</b></i> to the stage! </span></div>
<br />
<i>One Realm Beyond</i> is about two young Realm Walkers, Cantor D'Ahma and Bixby D'Mazeline as they're thrust into an adventure where they're forced to question the strength of their beliefs. What are they to do when the Realm Walkers Guild--once a symbol of nobility and justice--has fallen into corruption?<br />
<br />
Not really into reading, but love audiobooks? We got you covered.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Now's your chance to win an mp3 audiobook of <br /><i style="font-weight: bold;">One Realm Beyond</i> read by <b>Maxwell Glick</b>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Enter the giveaway below!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmshjEu2GbX_uBdM0c8IQRcyjvRW2-mjc7Lk0DQbThzjFrpLQlOIlOcEi1V_lyyj4f2dCbb7z_DgyMifzmAVdTWNUU13PqKYUSiQDE38rWui08R-a5g1UneD9rJq0zfw1pzoBZWoB79l8/s1600/ORB+-+Audio+-+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmshjEu2GbX_uBdM0c8IQRcyjvRW2-mjc7Lk0DQbThzjFrpLQlOIlOcEi1V_lyyj4f2dCbb7z_DgyMifzmAVdTWNUU13PqKYUSiQDE38rWui08R-a5g1UneD9rJq0zfw1pzoBZWoB79l8/s1600/ORB+-+Audio+-+Front.jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b602f75/" id="rc-b602f75" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09231272215269606314noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-2494648059937606732014-05-30T22:51:00.001-06:002014-05-30T23:07:17.621-06:00June Celebration - Week One!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhg7vwiEy8aNo38kj7ORrxJaEWSHJr94vvNxCYiVxn0-FxbDAyxhqEy3o_a_P-hwhcmaPMUNWKqFNRLInvYbY3uFCg9uXISBmpEWu_LqM9qqMBkhjdsTLWPAHqdBOp2kHffm8DZ0rd4Y/s1600/JuneGiveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhg7vwiEy8aNo38kj7ORrxJaEWSHJr94vvNxCYiVxn0-FxbDAyxhqEy3o_a_P-hwhcmaPMUNWKqFNRLInvYbY3uFCg9uXISBmpEWu_LqM9qqMBkhjdsTLWPAHqdBOp2kHffm8DZ0rd4Y/s1600/JuneGiveaway.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Phew! Feeling the scorching dragon breath of sunshine will be a welcome relief after this winter, no?<br />
<br />
Because there is never a reason too small for a party, we wanted to celebrate the coming of new life and less frozen temperatures. We'd love for you to join us. There'll even be party prizes. ;-)<br />
<br />
We're going with "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue."<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Giveaway Schedule:</span></b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>6/1 - Something Old - 1 Copy of <i>DragonSpell</i> </li>
<ul>
<li>*BONUS* Amaze-ing Hats Minor Dragon Giveaway <a href="https://www.facebook.com/amazeinghats" target="_blank">here</a>!</li>
</ul>
<li>6/8 - Something New - 1 mp3 audiobook of<i> One Realm Beyond</i> </li>
<li>6/15 - Something Borrowed - 1 Copy of <i>Remnants: Season of Wonder</i> by Lisa Tawn Bergren </li>
<li>6/22 - Something Blue - 1 Fairytale or Dragon Necklace </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnY_jBa9MjzbzW-3bq6iIXLvYVs_V8t-sUHg6HtqsruIQPeJe18SG5ZHeoMCZ9oQp6vXCvLBAR9XOAf0Dsnxzxux6ip0e5yd2LWf_kWckfEXpxOck37w6QiN8bNgPOvldJXM9BOjd4r2s/s1600/DragonSpell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnY_jBa9MjzbzW-3bq6iIXLvYVs_V8t-sUHg6HtqsruIQPeJe18SG5ZHeoMCZ9oQp6vXCvLBAR9XOAf0Dsnxzxux6ip0e5yd2LWf_kWckfEXpxOck37w6QiN8bNgPOvldJXM9BOjd4r2s/s1600/DragonSpell.jpg" /></a></div>
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After ten years <i>DragonSpell</i> has landed and remained in the hearts of the young and old alike. We'd love to hear some of your memories. How did you first hear about <i>DragonSpell</i>? Who's your favorite character? What is that special something that's helped it stick with you for so long?<br />
<br />
From June 1st through June 8th you can enter to win a copy of <i>DragonSpell</i> to give to a friend, a child, or to keep for yourself! Enter below.<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b602f74/" id="rc-b602f74" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09231272215269606314noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-41575368069309734202014-04-03T18:00:00.000-06:002014-04-04T08:51:28.880-06:002014 Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #17: Anne Elisabeth Stengl!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHelusZ4ECkqAb3CLpDuvyhIcGUeqQ5SBE7-FBT38eDy-a8-01oBp4ZmyzED1mNDS9lnsTXU1ZVwqw5mnWkm1ausbFVl2KYm6BusjW0f9HMoUGA2cXEgqxbPKn-XhL467o06_l2Ir01zcj/s1600/BannerforSeriesSmaller.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHelusZ4ECkqAb3CLpDuvyhIcGUeqQ5SBE7-FBT38eDy-a8-01oBp4ZmyzED1mNDS9lnsTXU1ZVwqw5mnWkm1ausbFVl2KYm6BusjW0f9HMoUGA2cXEgqxbPKn-XhL467o06_l2Ir01zcj/s1600/BannerforSeriesSmaller.png" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
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Welcome to the 2014 Spring Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! It is awesome to have you here, and we hope you have a <i>blast</i> this weekend. :-) The hunt <b>officially begins at 12:00 Noon Mountain Standard Time </b>on April 4, 2014. If you're here early, not all the sites might be ready yet...so if you come across some problems check back a little later and they should be all ironed out! </div>
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To start the hunt, head on over to Robin Lee Hatcher's starting post <a href="http://www.robinleehatcher.com/scavenger-hunt-stop-1/" target="_blank">Stop #1</a>, and follow the links--gathering all the clues!--until you end back up on her site for Stop #33. </div>
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The hunt <b>ends on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at midnight MST</b>. So you have all weekend! No rush. </div>
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Now onto the instructions!</div>
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At each stop you will collect a CLUE IN RED. Write them down as you go. At the end of the hunt, you will enter all the clues into a Rafflecopter form (which you will find at the final Stop), at which point you'll be officially entered! </div>
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The hunt is open to international entries. The grand prize is a Kindle Fire HDX + $100 gift certificate. Even if you don't win the grand prize, there's still a chance you'll get something! There will also be two runner-up prize packs, containing a book from all 32 authors. </div>
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And who knows? Some of the authors might be hosting individual giveaways on their own websites...;-) In fact, <b>we're giving away a fairytale necklace over <a href="http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/2014/03/2014-christian-fiction-scavenger-hunt.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>....</div>
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So what are you waiting for? Good luck!</div>
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-----</div>
<br />
Welcome to Stop #17 on your Scavenger Hunt journey! Hopefully you've already met lots of awesome new authors and are on your way to discovering new books to roost in your heart. :-) We are hosting author <b>Anne Elisabeth Stengl,</b> and she would like to introduce us to Lady Daylily, the heroine from her newest book, <i>Shadow Hand</i>. So without further delay...<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Throughout
The Tales of Goldstone Wood, Lady Daylily has remained one of the most
complicated characters of all, inciting feelings of both pity and hostility
within the readers. Now at last, her story is revealed in <i>Shadow Hand</i> . . . and it is a dark, strange, and powerful tale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">But today
we are going to ask Lady Daylily a few questions to discover who she is before <i>Shadow Hand</i> begins . . .</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Stengl: Despite how you present yourself, Lady of
Middlecrescent, you were once a child. What was your favorite fairy tale of
old? What ancient hero did you consider yourself most like? Who did you wish
you were most like?</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Daylily: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It seems so long ago since I was a child. I was
obliged to grow up rather quickly in order to fulfill all of my father’s plans
for me. But I seem to recall a few childhood games. I believe I once pretended
to be the ancient hero King Shadow Hand, set to rescue the damsel in distress .
. . a most unladylike game, I’ll admit, but I did not care at the time. Prince
Lionheart played my nemesis, the dreadful Cren Cru, and his cousin, Foxbrush .
. . Well, Foxbrush played the damsel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I never
wanted to be the heroine of these fairy tales. I always wanted to be the strong
hero, ready to fight and to win the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Stengl: You take after your father more than your
mother, but then, you’re not much like either of them. What are your opinions on
your individual parents and how have they affected your life?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Daylily: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I do not like to consider myself as resembling
either of my parents. My father, the Baron of Middlecrescent, is a tyrant, and
even those closest to him would never suggest otherwise. He is a tyrant with
the good of our nation at his heart, and he does not care whom he hurts in his
desire to see Southlands ultimately succeed. Perhaps he is the sort of ruler
Southlands needs in these dangerous times . . . but he is no true father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">My mother
. . . she has always seemed so weak to me. Why, after all, would she continue
loving my father so dearly after all these years? Can she not see what he is?
Does she not care? I could not do as much, nor would I wish to. I am not my
mother. I could never love so fiercely or so foolishly. At least, I hope not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Stengl: Prince Lionheart and Foxbrush also have a deep
effect in your life. Though they are cousins and bear some resemblance, they
are vastly different. What do you think is the largest difference between them
and what is the greatest similarity?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Daylily: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Prince Lionheart is youthful at heart, full of
jokes and merriment and high spirits. His cousin, Foxbrush, was born an old
man. He is solemn and takes everything most seriously. But of the two, it is
Foxbrush who seems more often the fool . . . perhaps because Lionheart is so
quick to make others laugh, while Foxbrush longs only to make others proud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">They are
also different in their pursuits. Foxbrush, for one, is devoted to me. He has
been since we were children, and I have always known it . . . and always made
use of it as I could. Lionheart, however, never thinks of me from one day to
the next. I know he doesn’t, and I know he never will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Their
similarities? It is difficult for me to see much similarity between these two,
cousins though they are. But they do both long to see Southlands free of the
Dragon’s poison.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Stengl: This might seem like a silly question, but one
can’t help but notice that you are a pale-skinned, blue-eyed, and red-haired
Southlander, though most other Southlanders are dark complexioned. Do you have
any idea where you got your coloring from?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Daylily: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In this day of growing trade, it is not uncommon
for pale skin to be found among the Southland houses. But my blood is pure
Southlander, and my complexion stems from ancient sources. Our family bears a
tradition that long ago, back before Southlands traded with the broader world,
a man from the North Country (Parumvir, as it is called today) found his way
through the mountains and gained such favor with a powerful lady chieftain that
she took him for her husband. His hair was red like mine, and the children the
lady chieftain bore by him were equally pale. This story is possibly no more
than a legend, but I like to think it might be true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Stengl: You’ve seen your dreams die, and you’ve
retreated into a colder state than ever before. What is it you fear now, Lady
Daylily?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Daylily: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I fear that others may know the secret truth of
who I really am. I fear they may learn my deepest wishes, my deepest weaknesses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I fear
they may discover that I am no lady but truly a wolf at heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
_________</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>Will Daylily escape the manipulations of her
controlling father? Will she be able to forget her love for handsome Prince
Lionheart and accept the heart of foolish Prince Foxbrush? Will she be able to
play the part of the valiant hero and escape the wolf she fears she is inside?
Will Southlands be rescued from the brink of collapse?<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>To
learn more about Lady Daylily, Prince Lionheart, and Prince Foxbrush, do pick
up Shadow Hand, book 6 in the ongoing
Tales of Goldstone Wood.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Tales of Goldstone Wood: Shadow Hand</span></b></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is
a story about blood.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And
love.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And things that lie Between.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8RR-GaID_BQDAu7RMVgt0U695XMog1Dlm5peuf_sxVfEuzYOqAxt9bCnr9gFnxqZcNhVaEFDA_xzMKv7LZ_ei5EdfKBFVfNwN6O_vlrgg_On45Uf-b4YjJhzqPXdtvsV3FGRhIoHJY-2/s1600/ShadowHand_complete.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8RR-GaID_BQDAu7RMVgt0U695XMog1Dlm5peuf_sxVfEuzYOqAxt9bCnr9gFnxqZcNhVaEFDA_xzMKv7LZ_ei5EdfKBFVfNwN6O_vlrgg_On45Uf-b4YjJhzqPXdtvsV3FGRhIoHJY-2/s1600/ShadowHand_complete.png" height="200" width="129" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By her
father's wish, Lady Daylily is betrothed to the Prince of Southlands. Not the
prince she loves, handsome and dispossessed Lionheart, but his cousin, the
awkward and foolish Prince Foxbrush. Unable to bear the future she sees as her
wedding day dawns, Daylily flees into the dangerous Wilderlands, her only
desire to vanish from living memory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">But
Foxbrush, determined to rescue his betrothed, pursues Daylily into a new world
of magic and peril, a world where vicious Faerie beasts hold sway, a world
invaded by a lethal fey parasite . . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">A world that is hauntingly familiar.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaT_XYzxAe5tgtMEHAa54trKU-OOCMYcWbHhuslj5y7sezq7c-BZRqg56JnwKFHM1K1q5vZrQKqO02coGfLCt4R0gqfh5-MAaknWJkJwQEHtp1WRfnA4PyZWaQ_W0NpTbE4IlB2Ud63YnZ/s1600/7721_133549311830_623396830_3040333_1407935_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaT_XYzxAe5tgtMEHAa54trKU-OOCMYcWbHhuslj5y7sezq7c-BZRqg56JnwKFHM1K1q5vZrQKqO02coGfLCt4R0gqfh5-MAaknWJkJwQEHtp1WRfnA4PyZWaQ_W0NpTbE4IlB2Ud63YnZ/s1600/7721_133549311830_623396830_3040333_1407935_n.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>About the Author:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Anne Elisabeth Stengl is
the author of the award-winning Tales of Goldstone Wood series, adventure
fantasies told in the classic Fairy Tale style. Her books include Christy
Award-winning Heartless and Veiled Rose, and Clive Staples
Award-winning Starflower. She makes
her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a
passel of cats, and one long-suffering dog. She studied illustration and
English literature at Grace College and Campbell University.</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.anneelisabethstengl.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anne-Elisabeth-Stengl/120543861335559?ref=br_tf" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/AEStengl" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://www.shadowhandnovel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shadow Hand Book Page</a></span></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
Thanks for reading! And, of course, don't forget your clue. ;-) Here it is: "<span style="color: red;"><b>is thinking.</b></span>'"<br />
<br />
Onward to the <a href="http://anneelisabethstengl.blogspot.com/2014/04/spring-scavenger-hunt-stop-18.html" target="_blank">next stop</a>!<br />
<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-41940229534843040772014-03-20T12:34:00.000-06:002014-04-02T23:54:40.277-06:002014 Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt & Fairytale Necklace Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHAhJAT0lr0AQd4NVNh90dpcHw-sAJHC3ti5a7haSwZ-DEBnIpDWCl3AVNLZXJfX5dTVsDkDgDwEVDUsYS1IGo5IfiQ3Jp-BgM5oXr4bfdfFoX0bT3-WCFKqpxrt9-4wTxlphbjNmcds/s1600/CFSH2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHAhJAT0lr0AQd4NVNh90dpcHw-sAJHC3ti5a7haSwZ-DEBnIpDWCl3AVNLZXJfX5dTVsDkDgDwEVDUsYS1IGo5IfiQ3Jp-BgM5oXr4bfdfFoX0bT3-WCFKqpxrt9-4wTxlphbjNmcds/s1600/CFSH2014.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Spring is almost upon us, and with spring showers comes...books!<br />
<br />
Starting April 4th and going through April 7th (4/4/14 - 4/7/14), Donita K. Paul will be participating in the <b>2014 Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt!</b> The hunt will be run by <i>River of Time</i> author Lisa T. Bergren with over <i>thirty</i> participating authors.<br />
<br />
What does this mean for you? Possibly free books. Possibly even a free Kindle Fire HDX and a $100 gift card if you're the grand prize winner. ;-) In addition, there will be two runner-up prize packs including a book from each participating author.<br />
<br />
For more information (and a list of what books to expect), head on over to Lisa T. Bergren's blog <a href="http://lisatawnbergren.com/2014/03/christian-fiction-scavenger-hunt-prizes/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
There will also be some individual giveaways across some of the authors' websites: like here! Check back <b>midnight, April 3rd</b> to start entering below for a fairytale necklace! We're looking forward to seeing you around in April! ;-)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ys7YZSrb1R0UPVBy-prP1LR3qU_tVjA-H3rLnuC_zV_yh_evH-DKI6mheaJFYijP3jSjQ1j0WSEFqw8oBmo-YKdsHQYhTA8dpz2e2_ZusS7-vyGreJafUTYT9mFb_DFSlZjW-S0sVaQ/s1600/Fairytale-Necklace-Giveaway---4.3.14.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ys7YZSrb1R0UPVBy-prP1LR3qU_tVjA-H3rLnuC_zV_yh_evH-DKI6mheaJFYijP3jSjQ1j0WSEFqw8oBmo-YKdsHQYhTA8dpz2e2_ZusS7-vyGreJafUTYT9mFb_DFSlZjW-S0sVaQ/s1600/Fairytale-Necklace-Giveaway---4.3.14.gif" height="320" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You could win this. Spiffy, right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b602f73/" id="rc-b602f73" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09231272215269606314noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-22897287490241601632014-02-17T23:03:00.001-07:002014-02-17T23:03:31.358-07:00Knock, knock. Who's there?The first thing I noticed about Bixby was her hair. So blonde, it is almost white. So twisty, a comb has no hope of getting through. So wild, it is in constant need of taming.<br />
Of course, since I was looking at her hair, I noticed the crown. Bixby does have a royal background, but that doesn't explain the crowns. She wears them because she likes them. She likes elaborate, heavy crowns as well as light circlets. She also has diadems and tiaras and knows the difference between them. Bixby would wear the crowns even if they didn't perform needed tasks. They do, however, have functions. They increase her natural abilities. Her natural abilities are varied, and she has a hamper with a plethora of choices in stylish and useful crowns. <br />
Bixby's style is so unique I've had to establish a Pinterest board to keep track of her clothes and accessories. visit it here: <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/donitakpaul/bixby-styling/" target="_blank">Bixby Styling</a><br />
<br />
Another unusual character is Bridger. First he's a dragon, which is unusual in itself. Second, he is from a race of dragons who freely associate with humans. Third, he's tenaciously determined to latch on to the hero as his constant (a lifelong partner in fighting for good). He's also exceedingly talented in shapeshifting and . . .well,<br />
clumsy.<br />
His name is Bridger-Bigalow. His sister is Totobee-Rodolow, a dragon of another color. Actually, many colors.<br />
<br />
Our hero is Cantor D'Ahma, a young man destined to be a realm walker. Realm Walkers are like Knights of the Round Table, noble and chivalrous and all that knightly honor thing to the max.<br />
<br />
And there is Dukmee, who is a savant. He's a healer, wizard, mage, scholar, realm walker, and whatever else he decides to be. But to whom does he owe his allegiance? Therein lies the rub, if we choose to be Shakespearean about it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTUgFE2Lsb35RwM6wSzMABjA4pl-2RepAJZZAgYnoz0vQGn17feUbsufQQsjlA_-KBIY7ziDGccHa-k7hHAqRYgJctLXIvDDW8sXYhu64QzYp4uOqV0_qVw2d1BVE7jiMtveumTUzUiC_/s1600/Cover.onerealmbeyond.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTUgFE2Lsb35RwM6wSzMABjA4pl-2RepAJZZAgYnoz0vQGn17feUbsufQQsjlA_-KBIY7ziDGccHa-k7hHAqRYgJctLXIvDDW8sXYhu64QzYp4uOqV0_qVw2d1BVE7jiMtveumTUzUiC_/s1600/Cover.onerealmbeyond.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Knock, knock</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Who's there?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you'll read and find out.</span>Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-37865666214720889432014-02-17T00:00:00.000-07:002014-02-17T00:15:28.199-07:00One Realm Beyond is on a Blog Tour This Week<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK-imp_TCduik71mrJc4rHOmLfUzIGjWZuLjEqt_hfsl8WZLU9QM2rOzEZq3T5FWvlneBQPg74dm6RLanxu7-q6l4qAJCG0oCWAF1qdlKYEsB7Zjm8xulKH7LrZfR_u4MKQWJMMFrvgKs/s1600/Cover.onerealmbeyond.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK-imp_TCduik71mrJc4rHOmLfUzIGjWZuLjEqt_hfsl8WZLU9QM2rOzEZq3T5FWvlneBQPg74dm6RLanxu7-q6l4qAJCG0oCWAF1qdlKYEsB7Zjm8xulKH7LrZfR_u4MKQWJMMFrvgKs/s1600/Cover.onerealmbeyond.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of my other books have been on the CSFF (Christian Science Fiction/Fantasy) tour, and I find it to be great fun.I enjoy hearing the views of people from diverse backgrounds. Join me in visiting these bloggers. Leave a comment. I know as a blogger comments make the effort worthwhile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is the list of blogs where they will be talking about One realm Beyond:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://kinynchronicles.blogspot.com/"> Julie Bihn</a><br /><a href="http://keananbrand.wordpress.com/"> Keanan Brand</a><br /><a href="http://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/"> Beckie Burnham</a><br /><a href="http://mikecoville.wordpress.com/"> Mike Coville</a><br /><a href="http://paulinecreeden.com/"> Pauline Creeden</a><br /><a href="http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/"> Vicky
DealSharingAunt</a><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" worthy2read.wordpress.com="">http://worthy2read.wordpress.com/</a>">
Carol Gehringer</span></span><br />
<a href="http://backingbooks.blogspot.com/">Rebekah Gyger</a><br />
<a href="http://thequietpen.wordpress.com/">
Janeen Ippolito</a><br />
<a href="http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/"> Jason
Joyner</a><br />
<a href="http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/"> Carol
Keen</a><br />
<a href="http://krystinekercher.com/"> Krystine
Kercher</a><br />
<a href="http://thelastmemzie.blogspot.com/">
Emileigh Latham</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jlmbewe.com/index.php/blog/"> Jennette
Mbewe</a><br />
<a href="http://www.shannonmcdermott.com/?page_id=189">
Shannon McDermott</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bloomingwithbooks.blogspot.com/"> Meagan @ Blooming with
Books</a><br />
<a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/"> Melanie @ Christian
Bookshelf Reviews</a><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com="">http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/</a>">
Rebecca LuElla Miller<br />
<a href="http://www.bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/"> Joan
Nienhuis</a><br />
<a href="http://linalamont.blogspot.com/">
Nissa</a><br />
<a href="http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/"> Donita K.
Paul</a><br />
<a href="http://theloremistress.blogspot.com/"> Audrey
Sauble</a><br />
<a href="http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/">
Chawna Schroeder</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/"> James Somers</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jojosutiscorner.wordpress.com/"> Jojo
Sutis</a><br />
<a href="http://www.provisionbooks.com/"> Jessica
Thomas</a><br />
<a href="http://stevetrower.com/blog/"> Steve
Trower</a><br />
<a href="http://www.shanewerlinger.com/"> Shane
Werlinger</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jillwilliamson.com/"> Jill
Williamson</a><br />
<a href="http://booksreviewedbydeb.blogspot.com/">
Deborah Wilson</a>Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-33078616832439524082014-01-17T00:19:00.000-07:002014-01-17T00:51:08.813-07:00Giveaway Winners Announced!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/43/93/13/43931340fbcd177e66f8452831278c5e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/43/93/13/43931340fbcd177e66f8452831278c5e.jpg" height="320" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/413838653229093270/" target="_blank">Source</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Anniversary giveaway! You guys ROCK! <i>DragonSpell's</i> 10th year would have been very lonely without each and every one of you.<br />
<br />
We've selected our ten winners, so if you see your name below be sure to keep an eye out for an e-mail from us! ;-)<br />
<br />
*drum roll* And our winners are...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Kristi</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Becky</b></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Rachelle </b></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Danielle </b></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Steph </b></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Christa </b></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mary</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Heather </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>James </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Terri</b></div>
</span></b><br />
<br />
Congratulations, everybody! Winner e-mails have been sent out.<br />
<br />
When asked how <i>you</i> celebrated Appreciate a Dragon Day the overwhelming response was: reading your favorite dragon books!<br />
<br />
I'm sure there are a bundle of minor dragons jabbering away in excitement over this whilst we speak. :-)<br />
<br />
We hope your weekend is fantastic, and thanks again for joining us!<br />
<br />
And don't forget, the festivities don't end here. <i>One Realm Beyond</i> will be landing in bookstores in <b>less than two weeks</b>. Crazy, huh? Please help us spread the word to as many people as possible. Who knows, maybe next year's Appreciate a Dragon Day celebration will be even bigger...Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09231272215269606314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-67736619559980255172014-01-12T22:30:00.000-07:002014-01-13T00:07:31.228-07:00DragonSpell 10th Anniversary!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpj2LUJ4HycViM9X2qBFls-Dp1hDbV2AUuYL0EVL9SxxV-9bGwRKkx0yTpSC8fyyi0wGX7xhChhjlxjc4lGgcJ_dhmjK6UABaIfLUiWp_V23ct7eBBYtG_tJ22tb6GU4J4Q0vUj0iN9M0/s1600/DragonSpell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpj2LUJ4HycViM9X2qBFls-Dp1hDbV2AUuYL0EVL9SxxV-9bGwRKkx0yTpSC8fyyi0wGX7xhChhjlxjc4lGgcJ_dhmjK6UABaIfLUiWp_V23ct7eBBYtG_tJ22tb6GU4J4Q0vUj0iN9M0/s1600/DragonSpell.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
It's hard to believe that it's been ten years since Donita K. Paul made her first foray into fantasy. Ten years since Kale Allerion embarked on a quest to find the rare and precious dragon eggs. Ten years since she began her journey of discovering the depth of Wulder. Ten years since we met Gymn, Metta and the host of other minor dragons that have crawled into our hearts.<br />
<br />
Ten years since <i>DragonSpell</i>, book 1 of the <i>DragonKeeper Chronicles</i>, hit the bookshelves spreading the magic of Amara to readers of all backgrounds and interests!<br />
<br />
And you know what?<br />
<br />
We would love it if you'd celebrate with us!<br />
<br />
Let us know in the comments section how <i>DragonSpell</i> has impacted your life. What's your favorite part? Who's your favorite character? Who told you about it in the first place?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 20;">To commemorate this milestone, we're giving away <i>ten</i> dragon pendant necklaces! <span style="text-align: center;">Scroll down to enter for your chance to win. </span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 20;"><span style="text-align: center;">Giveaway ends JANUARY 16TH @ 12:00 AM.</span></span></b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwu9q6K4KOxCX5MtvVRzNQNT982yANQIaUKg64Dvd_ub9GuX_guodiAUDR8oRYGMBt6Ce5MWP3ght9Agp0lTYIT756LVRsehLzULZCsnQkAxUio4doQW_tUiSzEEzXqck6CP_nPhGqQZ8/s1600/metal-dragon-necklace-small.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwu9q6K4KOxCX5MtvVRzNQNT982yANQIaUKg64Dvd_ub9GuX_guodiAUDR8oRYGMBt6Ce5MWP3ght9Agp0lTYIT756LVRsehLzULZCsnQkAxUio4doQW_tUiSzEEzXqck6CP_nPhGqQZ8/s200/metal-dragon-necklace-small.gif" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a sample of what they'll <br />
look like. Pretty cool, huh?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b602f72/" id="rc-b602f72" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />
<br />
Secondly, in case you haven't heard, <b>Donita K. Paul has a brand new, sci-fi/fantasy adventure coming out on January 28th!</b> <i>One Realm Beyond</i> follows the stories of two young realm walkers, Cantor D'Ahma and Bixby D'Mazeline, as they both seek what Primen would have them do with their futures. With a universe steeped in a corruption that had priorly gone unnoticed, their paths may lead them to people or places they never expected.<br />
<br />
<i>One Realm Beyond</i> has a cast of colorful characters (including a dragon who shapeshifts into inanimate objects!), a brand-new world separate from Amara and the themes and messages of spiritual growth that we've come to love from Donita K. Paul's tales. We hope this book will come to be as beloved as <i>DragonSpell</i>!<br />
<br />
Check it out at the end of the month! Or even...pre-order from any of these sellers: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Realm-Beyond-Walkers/dp/0310735807/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_pap?ie=UTF8&qid=1376606196&sr=8-1&keywords=one+realm+beyond+donita+k+paul" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-realm-beyond-donita-k-paul/1115457461?ean=9780310735809" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a> | <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=735809&item_code=WW&netp_id=1160165&event=ESRCG&view=details" target="_blank">Christian Books</a>Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09231272215269606314noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-71647199016703578892013-11-30T09:44:00.000-07:002013-12-02T13:27:01.543-07:00Author Scavenger Hunt 2013 Stop #6: Interview with L.B. Graham<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPLSbTSgfFdXBk7sWLWrbR7vasm9uA6D5fzFXkoN1ioeLCalaQMaXZ6U5IgNIISbLNsAGLCH9Ot75U03fjGDcOoPUAGrzKI5ulTUAE2UbdWfv-B4g6eFbZJqf0q6iFRosb7r399_iQGBs/s1600/32author-stopBanner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPLSbTSgfFdXBk7sWLWrbR7vasm9uA6D5fzFXkoN1ioeLCalaQMaXZ6U5IgNIISbLNsAGLCH9Ot75U03fjGDcOoPUAGrzKI5ulTUAE2UbdWfv-B4g6eFbZJqf0q6iFRosb7r399_iQGBs/s320/32author-stopBanner.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Welcome to Stop #6 on the 32 Author Hunt! Hopefully you have the first five by now, but if not head on over <a href="http://brockeastman.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/the-end-31-author-scavenger-hunt-clue-entry/" target="_blank">here</a> to help get your bearings, then read on to find your clue!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Donita K. Paul: Welcome to
Dragon Bloggin’, L.B.. This scavenger hunt has me excited and confused. Before we begin, I’d like to thank you for
nudging me in the right direction when I floundered in the details. That’s the
kind of friend to have. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Should we
mention how we met in 2005 and how it went, or should we just leave that part
out <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> ?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>L.B. Graham: </b>Thanks for
having me, Donita, and while I’m proud of having been a Christy finalist in ’05
for <i>Beyond the Summerland, </i>as I’m
sure you are for having been a finalist for <i>DragonSpell,
</i>maybe we shouldn’t talk too much about how we didn’t exactly make a good
impression on each other at first. Perhaps it would be better just to say that
a week together on the Fantasy Fiction Tour in ’08 helped us overcome all that.
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>DKP: I agree. On
my part, I was so nervous I was having difficulty breathing, let alone shaking
hands and chatting with complete strangers. I’m glad we’re not strangers any
more.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So, let’s get to
it. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>It has been said
about fantasy that: “Fantasy allows you to shine a different kind of light on
human beings. I believe the only valid use of fantasy is to illustrate
important human themes.” What themes do you illustrate in your books?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>LBG:</b> It’s a good
question. My first series, <i>The Binding of
the Blade,</i> revolved around the theme of ‘longing for restoration.’ It
imagines a world where the making of weapons represents ‘the Fall’ and where
the ‘unmaking’ of weapons is a prelude to Restoration. As such, it wrestles a
good bit with what it means to navigate a broken world while yearning for a
perfect one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My current
fantasy series, <i>The Wandering,</i> (which
began with <i>The Darker Road,</i> this past
summer) revolves around a very different theme than my first. Namely, that a
world that rejects its maker and puts its trust and hope in lesser things might
find that for this rebellion, a price might have to be paid. So, it is kind of
a judgment theme and pretty different then the restoration theme of BOTB.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My Indie book, <i>The Raft, The River, and The Robot,</i>
which is a slightly dystopic, futuristic novel inspired in large part by <i>The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,</i>
wrestles with identity – much like the book that inspired it. How do we find
and define ourselves, and to what extent do parents and social context shape
us, both in that we are molded by them and in that we push away at times from
them?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, having said
all this, I hasten to add that the books are more interesting than this might
make them sound. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> The
theme is often under and behind the story, not up front in preachy ways (at
least I hope not…)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>DKP: By the way, <i>The Raft, the River, and the Robot</i> is a
book I’ll read again, and I have recommended it often. I lost sleep on that one
in the “I’ll just read one more chapter” mode.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>When and why did
you start writing fiction?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>LBG:</b> While I had
tackled a few stories before this, my first real story was “Killer Kudzu,” a
choose-your-own-adventure story written in about 1982, I think. I wrote it on
index cards as part of a project for school.
I continued to dabble in fiction in High School and College, and
occasionally thereafter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In seminary I
did an independent study on “the Problem of Pain” and part of my arrangement
with my supervising professor was that I could report on my work with a story,
rather than a traditional paper, and I wrote a 60 page story for that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn’t start
working on a novel for publication until 1998/1999, when I began in earnest to
turn that story into a novel, and even though I didn’t finish it, it got my
wheels turning and led pretty soon to my decision to go back to the fantasy
idea I’d had years before when I was a college student, and that eventually
became <i>The Binding of the Blade.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>DKP: Describe your
writing space.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>LBG:</b> This may be
less than inspirational, but these days it is usually a booth at McDonalds. The
coffee/soda is cheap and the internet is free, and I hunker down for a while
and get to work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wrote my first
series, alternating between home (on some weekday nights) and my classroom (on
Saturday afternoons), but as my kids have grown and I live farther from the
school where I teach, I’ve adapted. All I really need is my computer and some
headphones to drown out the world, and I’m ready to go…<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>DKP: Your <i>Binding of the Blade</i> series was
published by P&R Publishing, then you published two books independently,
and your current series is with AMG/Living Ink. Which has been the best
publishing experience? Why?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>LBG:</b> I’m going to
do something unusual for me and take the tactful approach here and say ‘they
aren’t better or worse, they’re different.’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Actually, I
don’t have much of a choice, because while I worked with P&R pretty
constantly between 2002 and 2008, and have since had a few years to reflect on
that experience, I don’t have nearly the perspective on my Indie experience or
AMG.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having said
that, they really are different. After working with a traditional publisher, I
really enjoyed the creative control of Indie publishing. I made final decisions
on covers, and on titles, etc, and that was great. Consequently, I have a
finished product that really does fit my vision for each of those stories.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the same
time, I spent my money to get those books to that level of professional
quality, I have to try to market them myself, and so on. Both the financial
risk and potential reward grow exponentially with Indie publishing, so for me
at least, the jury is still out on the wisdom of going that way. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for AMG, the
decision to go with them had a lot to do with the fact that they’ve consciously
worked to create a fantasy presence in the Christian market, where many
Christian publishers are hesitant to commit to fantasy as a genre. I applaud
and appreciate that commitment. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>DKP: Can you tell
us about your latest release, <i>The Darker
Road?</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>LBG:</b> <i>The Darker Road</i> is the story of the
dramatic collapse of an empire. I don’t want to give too much away, but the
King of this empire has stolen a powerful talisman of sorts, and he is using it
to strengthen his already considerable military might. And even as he is
preparing to use that might to further subdue the empire he governs, the
rightful keepers of the talisman coming looking for it. That’s how it all
starts, anyway, and the conflict that ensues is only the beginning. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a
pretty cool ‘alternative technology’ system in the series, which makes for some
fun devices and weapons and so forth. This also creates a pretty unique feel
for the stories, as they don’t quite fit into the traditional,
medieval/semi-medieval feel of many fantasy worlds. At the same time, I
definitely think the series fits the ‘fantasy’ mold, even if it stretches some
of the conventions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For example, I
think one of the fascinating things about fantasy is this contrast in fantasy
stories between a way of life that is somewhat archaic, or behind us, and magic
and magical abilities which give the characters abilities that are beyond us.
In <i>The Darker Road,</i> I think the
reader will get a similar experience, where sometimes the world feels dated,
and in other ways, very advanced.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>DKP: Any advice
for aspiring writers?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>LBG:</b> Lots, but
I’ll stay basic: read & write. The absolute, non-negotiable foundation for
becoming a good writer is to read & write.
You need to read, read, read, so you can learn the craft of writing from
those who have gone before, and you need to write, write, write, since no one
(or almost no one, anyway) ever becomes good at anything without lots and lots
of practice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>DKP: What do you
want people to know aside from your writing?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>LBG:</b> This is a
very open-ended question, so I’ll take full advantage. What I want people to
know is that Christianity is about grace, not moralism, and I think when
Christians set out to be story tellers, they need to keep this in mind. A book
isn’t Christian because the people in it behave morally, even as a person isn’t
a Christian because he or she tries to behave morally. We need a better, more
faithful, deeper standard of evaluation than that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>DKP: Any final
thoughts or comments?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>LBG:</b> Only my
gratitude to you Donita – both for years of friendship & for giving me
space on your blog to introduce myself.
And, of course, there’s that scavenger hunt clue that people may be here
looking for, and that is “the greatest.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
I hope people
enjoy the hunt, but more than that, I hope they take some time to discover some
of the good books that are out there to be discovered.<br />
<br />
[To learn more about L.B. and his books (and to keep hunting!), visit his website: <a href="http://www.lbgraham.com/">www.lbgraham.com</a>.]<br />
<br />
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<br />
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Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09231272215269606314noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-54653561419224620202013-11-21T12:00:00.000-07:002013-11-29T18:57:58.105-07:00Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNl0vC90QeqJyuVSRbafdE3t5AxPraKdzf8KSIrbTCdeREa3Gl1TeAvsZTfb1UDNWxt6AgV3m0iQH9BnDw9cED_VIkwNZiACDRu7jVlPS5Wu-5grZ2FN0c0V7B0tdomQFMr6IcqM9vqNv9/s1600/two-tickets-giveaway.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNl0vC90QeqJyuVSRbafdE3t5AxPraKdzf8KSIrbTCdeREa3Gl1TeAvsZTfb1UDNWxt6AgV3m0iQH9BnDw9cED_VIkwNZiACDRu7jVlPS5Wu-5grZ2FN0c0V7B0tdomQFMr6IcqM9vqNv9/s400/two-tickets-giveaway.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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As a lead up to the <a href="http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/2013/11/fall-2013-author-scavenger-hunt.html">Author Scavenger Hunt</a>, Mrs. Paul will be hosting a giveaway for her Christmas romance, <i>Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball.</i> Oh! And there will be a lovely fairytale necklace thrown in from the <a href="http://www.donitakpaul.com/treasure/" target="_blank">Dragon Lady Shoppe</a>. ;-)<br />
<br />
So what are you waiting for? Enter below!<br />
<br />
<b>Back cover description</b>: "<i>In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.</i><br />
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<i>Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together. </i><br />
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<i>This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?</i>"<br />
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<center>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b602f71/" id="rc-b602f71" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></center>
Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09231272215269606314noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-59710784457103784712013-11-19T20:17:00.001-07:002013-11-29T19:39:14.093-07:00Fall 2013 Author Scavenger Hunt!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9EwQxOQg_GInG2SDhwRdbcH4jl4pWdNtnI51Tz5WS7Zm6z8bKY13zTvCLEi_R5OC0XiJpDAGqWbaovDjnURUKIttPTHsrNKo5dckRqcCHxBtv56RYBLVJRq58-TTzwz3XKlfLyxvY4JR/s1600/32authorHun-poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9EwQxOQg_GInG2SDhwRdbcH4jl4pWdNtnI51Tz5WS7Zm6z8bKY13zTvCLEi_R5OC0XiJpDAGqWbaovDjnURUKIttPTHsrNKo5dckRqcCHxBtv56RYBLVJRq58-TTzwz3XKlfLyxvY4JR/s400/32authorHun-poster.png" width="220" /></a>Christmas festivities are almost upon us! In anticipation of this joyous season, author Brock Eastman has arranged a...scavenger hunt of sorts. It will involve lots of free books, fun and the rather shiny grand prize of an iPad Mini. Details from <a href="http://brockeastman.wordpress.com/2013/11/08/announcing-the-31authorhunt-31-authors-and-an-ipad-mini/" target="_blank">Brock Eastman's blog</a> below below:<br />
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"Welcome to the 32 Author Scavenger Hunt. Let’s cut to the chase. The rumors are true, you could win an iPad Mini and 31 books from your favorite authors. What did I just read? Well let me explain.<br />
<br />
32 Authors have teamed up to provide tons of awesome prizes just in time for Christmas. There are many ways to win something. First the #31AuthorHunt. This is the big one. There are three prize packages:<br />
<br />
<br />
Grand Prize: an iPad Mini and 32 Books (one from each of the authors)<br />
<br />
2nd and 3rd Prizes: 32 Books (one from each of the authors)<br />
<br />
Plus some if not all of the Author Stops will have some sort of giveaway, signed books, giftcards, gift baskets, or maybe even your name in one of their books. Who knows, but here it goes.<br />
<br />
So get ready and mark the date 11/30 on your calendar. That’s when it all begins. One week, 32 Authors, lots of prizes! Be sure to share the love with your friends and family.<br />
<br />
Download the Christmas Tree image and make it your facebook profile image to show your support.<br />
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See below for a list of the amazing assortment of authors you’ll learn about and who want you to win their books. Here’s who you can expect:<br />
<br />
Brock Eastman, Alexander Marestaing, Karen Whiting, Nancy I. Sanders, Simonetta Carr, Donita K. Paul, LB Graham, Robert Treskillard, Douglas Bond, Morgan Busse, Rachel Starr Thomson, Serena Chase, Jenelle Schmidt, Amy Green, Chris Miller, Jonathan Friesen, RJ larson, Anne Elisabeth Stengl, Shannon Dittemore, Kerry Nietz, Jill Williamson, C.A. Beninati, J. L. Mbewe, Matt Mikalatos, DJ Edwardson, Robert Liparulo, Ronie Kendig, Heather Burch, James L. Rubart, Evan Angler, Scott Appleton, and we’re joined by Family Fiction.<br />
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A list of websites with links will be coming soon. Get started now by facebook posting, tweeting, or pinning the below text with the Christmas Tree image above:<br />
<br />
Warm Fire. Free #Books. #Free #iPadMini. You could win by joining the #31AuthorHunt. Sorry Warm Fire not included. http://wp.me/p1qRlu-X6"Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09231272215269606314noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-14075764188175276682012-11-17T15:20:00.001-07:002012-11-17T15:20:08.720-07:00Highest BiddersI'm going to honor the two highest bids.<br />
<br />
Mir Writer<br />
<br />
and <br />
<br />
Lisa Godfrees<br />
<br />
<br />
Lisa and Mir, please contact me at <br />
donitakpaul(at)msn(dot)com<br />
<br />
Congratulations, ladies, and thanks to all who participated. We will be sending $305 to Samaritan Purse for the Sandy Hurricane Relief fund.Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-54544842521473354482012-11-09T08:47:00.002-07:002012-11-12T10:11:58.773-07:00Write Now Relief<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Write Now Relief<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How you can help the
victims of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sandy</st1:place></st1:city>
and also get a little first aid for your novel! <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">WHAT</b>: Bid on a
50-page critique of your novel by a published novelist! Highest bidder will
send their amount to Samaritans Purse for their relief efforts for the victims
of Superstorm Sandy. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">WHEN</b>: Begins
Friday, November 9, ends Friday midnight EST November 16.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">HOW</b>: Head to the
blog of the author you’d like to have critique your 50 pages. Find their Write
Now Relief blog post and place your bid in the comments section of that post.
Monitor it closely so that you can re-bid! Check back on this <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/388020704611404/"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook</span></a> page for
updates on all the bids. If you are the high bidder at the end of the week, make
your donation and email a copy of your receipt to the author with your 50
pages. It’s that easy.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How much is a 50-page
critique worth? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Most authors and editors can easily charge <strong>$35 an hour and a
fifty-page critique is well over three hours of labor.</strong> But this labor of love
is for victims who have lost everything. Their need is huge. One blogger who
hosted a similar campaign last week had a top donation bid of $1,000 for a
50-page critique! <br />
The minimum bid for Mrs. Paul to do is $50.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What will the
critique entail? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The author you choose will read your fifty pages with an eye
to giving you insights and feedback on all aspects of your story excerpt,
including plot, character, story arc, mechanics, pacing, and reader appeal.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What is Samaritan’s
Purse?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical
Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people
around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet needs of people
who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with
the purpose of sharing God's love through His Son, Jesus Christ.</div>
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Here is a video from Samaritans Purse on their efforts to
help <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sandy</st1:place></st1:city>’s
victims.</div>
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<a href="http://youtu.be/rd7KyY2p6ms"><span style="color: blue;">http://youtu.be/rd7KyY2p6ms</span></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How do I donate to
Samaritans Purse?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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You can head to the Samaritan’s Purse webpage on Hurricane <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Sandy</st1:city></st1:place> <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/hurricane_sandy/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/hurricane_sandy/</span></a></div>
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and click on the GIVE link imbedded on the page. Whether you
are the highest bidder or not, do consider donating to this effort.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How do I start?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Check <a href="http://susanmeissner.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Susan
Meissner’s blog</span></a> on Thursday, Nov 8 for the full list of participating
authors and their blog addresses. Pick an author, head to their blog on Friday,
November 9, and make your opening bid.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-3410018057019506762012-08-20T10:56:00.000-06:002012-08-20T10:56:02.272-06:00CSFF Blog Tour Eye of the Sword<a href="http://www.karynhenleyfiction.com/Karyn_Henley_Fiction/welcome_files/Eye_Sword_fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.karynhenleyfiction.com/Karyn_Henley_Fiction/welcome_files/Eye_Sword_fb.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">One of the reasons I love the Christian Science Fiction Fantasy blog tours is the introduction of new (to me) authors. I'm hoping to read many more books by Karyn Henley.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And according to her bio from her website, I have a lot to choose from.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">"Award-winning author Karyn Henley has written over 100 titles, which include a
mix of children's books and articles, parent-teacher books, articles, and
curricula, and preschool musicals and CD's/DVD's of original music for children.
An accomplished songwriter, Karyn has been a Dove Award nominee, and received a
regional Emmy Award as Music Composer for a Christmas television special. She
has traveled worldwide speaking to parents and teachers and entertaining
children and their families in storytelling/active movement sessions and
concerts. <br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.karynhenleyfiction.com/Karyn_Henley_Fiction/Media/transparent.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.karynhenleyfiction.com/Karyn_Henley_Fiction/Media/transparent.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_1" style="padding-bottom: 0pt;">
<a href="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/592326_140411189331787_803472687_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/592326_140411189331787_803472687_n.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> "A graduate of Abilene
Christian University (BSEd), Karyn received a Master's of Fine Arts degree in
Writing for Children and Young Adults from </span><a href="http://www.vermontcollege.edu/" title="http://www.vermontcollege.edu/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Vermont College of Fine Arts</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> in 2004.
She lives in Nashville, Tennessee."</span></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_1" style="padding-bottom: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_1" style="padding-bottom: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I confess that I read two books at once, and through that experience pinpointed some truths about what makes a satisfying read. I'll talk about those tomorrow.</span><br />
<div class="tinyText" style="height: 35px; line-height: 35px;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /><span style="color: #ea5b00;">Book
link</span> - </span><a href="wlmailhtml:{247A85F2-029D-414F-9765-DA66687A8652}mid://00000097/!x-usc:http://www.amazon.com/Eye-Sword-Novel-Angelaeon-Circle/dp/030773014X/"><span style="font-family: Arial;">http://www.amazon.com/Eye-Sword-Novel-Angelaeon-Circle/dp/030773014X/</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">
(or some other link of your choice)<br /><span style="color: #ea5b00;">Author’s Web
site</span> - </span><a href="wlmailhtml:{247A85F2-029D-414F-9765-DA66687A8652}mid://00000097/!x-usc:http://www.karynhenleyfiction.com/Karyn_Henley_Fiction/welcome.html"><span style="font-family: Arial;">http://www.karynhenleyfiction.com/Karyn_Henley_Fiction/welcome.html</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #ea5b00;">Author Blog</span> - </span><a href="wlmailhtml:{247A85F2-029D-414F-9765-DA66687A8652}mid://00000097/!x-usc:http://www.maybeso.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial;">http://www.maybeso.wordpress.com/</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #ea5b00;">Author Facebook page</span> - </span><a href="wlmailhtml:{247A85F2-029D-414F-9765-DA66687A8652}mid://00000097/!x-usc:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karyn-Henley/140411189331787?v=wall"><span style="font-family: Arial;">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karyn-Henley/140411189331787?v=wall</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #ea5b00;">Participants’ links</span><br /><a href="http://kinynchronicles.blogspot.com/"> Julie
Bihn</a><br /><a href="http://tulipdrivenlife.blogspot.com/"> Thomas
Fletcher Booher</a><br /><a href="http://www.adventuresinfiction.blogspot.com/"> Keanan
Brand</a><br /><a href="http://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/"> Beckie
Burnham</a><br /><a href="http://castlereads.blogspot.com/"> Jackie
Castle</a><br /><a href="http://kittycrochettwo.blogspot.com/"> Brenda
Castro</a><br /><a href="http://jeffchapmanwriter.blogspot.com/"> Jeff
Chapman</a><br /><a href="http://www.theiemommy.com/">
Christine</a><br /><a href="http://tweezlereads.blogspot.com/">
Theresa Dunlap</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3C/font%3E%3Ca%20href=" in--and--="in--and--" mid:="mid:" wlmailhtml:="wlmailhtml:" x-usc:http:="x-usc:http:"><span style="font-family: Arial;">http://in--and--</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">out.blogspot.com/"> Cynthia
Dyer</span></span><br />
<br /><a href="http://vicsmediaroom.wordpress.com/"> Victor
Gentile</a><br /><a href="http://realmofhearts.blogspot.com/"> Ryan
Heart</a><br /><a href="http://thequietpen.wordpress.com/"> Janeen
Ippolito</a><br /><a href="http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/"> Jason
Joyner</a><br /><a href="http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/"> Carol
Keen</a><br /><a href="http://emileightherebuilder.blogspot.com/">
Emileigh Latham</a><br /><a href="http://blackanddarknight.wordpress.com/"> Rebekah
Loper</a><br /><a href="http://www.shannonmcdermott.com/?page_id=189">
Shannon McDermott</a><br /><a href="http://www.domesticdissident.blogspot.com/"> Karen
McSpadden</a><br /><a href="http://www.bloomingwithbooks.blogspot.com/"> Meagan @ Blooming with
Books</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3C/font%3E%3Ca%20href=" mid:="mid:" rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com="rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com" wlmailhtml:="wlmailhtml:" x-usc:http:="x-usc:http:"><span style="font-family: Arial;">http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">">
Rebecca LuElla Miller</span><br /><a href="http://annamittower.blogspot.com//"> Anna Mittower</a><br /><a href="http://thebookfae.wordpress.com/"> Mirriam Neal</a><br /><a href="http://linalamont.blogspot.com/"> Nissa</a><br /><a href="http://labornotinvain.blogspot.com/"> Faye Oygard</a><br /><a href="http://dadscancooktoo.com/"> Nathan Reimer</a><br /><a href="http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/"> Chawna
Schroeder</a><br /><a href="http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/">
Kathleen Smith</a><br /><a href="http://www.mindsinger.com/"> Donna
Swanson</a><br /><a href="http://jessicathomasink.com/blog/"> Jessica
Thomas</a><br /><a href="http://christiansf.blogspot.com/"> Steve
Trower</a><br /><a href="http://www.shanewerlinger.com/"> Shane
Werlinger</a><br /><a href="http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/"> Phyllis
Wheeler</a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Disclaimer: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #ec7005;"><strong>In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free
copy of this book from the publisher.</strong> </span></span></span><br />
<br />Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-27217110405864915522011-12-04T23:35:00.004-07:002011-12-05T10:10:13.104-07:00D. Barkley Briggs- CSFF Blot Tour<div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvTC_lRzP85t_bccZ6M8e9CucuoMzKKq4xjO0EDcuApQ10vsFvdoOkkhnVlWQyd4cFxQ8QQaCQiiQQp8ll9Nd2X1_RmCTJl0_M6Ia5ht9RTyLXSmyRhk0ZNb2y2TzOcUiMJRzFtUPU6gp/s1600/corus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 133px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682545162885822738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvTC_lRzP85t_bccZ6M8e9CucuoMzKKq4xjO0EDcuApQ10vsFvdoOkkhnVlWQyd4cFxQ8QQaCQiiQQp8ll9Nd2X1_RmCTJl0_M6Ia5ht9RTyLXSmyRhk0ZNb2y2TzOcUiMJRzFtUPU6gp/s200/corus.jpg" /></a><div> <em><font size="4">Corus the Champion</font></em> is the sequel to <em>The Book of Names</em>. I read the first book some time ago and gave it to my assistant to read recently. It is fun to listen to her enthusiasm. She tells me about how fantastic a scene is or what a great character this guy is. She will soon be after me to loan her the second book.</div><div> </div><div>One of the things I admire about D. Barkley Briggs' style of writing is his descriptions. Look at this paragraph:</div><div> </div><div><font size="4"><font color="#660000">Other than hedgerows of wild hazel and scattered oak and elm, the hill was the only major feature, like someone had dropped it there by mistake. It rose, tall and sudden, shorn of trees, utterly alone, with vast sweeps of green on every side. A worn footpath wound down the hill, past a stand of trees, toward a clutch of wattle-and-daub buildings. One of them, larger than the rest, was circle shaped, with a cross made out of beams rising from the center of the thatched roof. It looked to Garret like an old church. Near to these simple structures, small brown figures worked in rows, tilling the earth. The way they were hunched over made Garret of giant mushrooms. He stood very still, trembling, not quite sure to believe his eyes.</font> </font></div><div><font size="4"></font> </div><div><font color="#000000">After reading that paragraph, one not only has a clear picture of the scene but also the feel of apprehension that shrouds Garret. The image is precise, but the prospect is incongruous to his reality. His reality must shift.</font></div><div> </div><div>I love that precise description with just an edge of emotion coloring the setting. </div><div> </div><div>Now I have to admit that chapter Two, Mount Agasag, triggered the skim mode for me. The details did not rivet me to the story. I skimmed, looking for Garret or Gabe, to latch on to what was happening with them. </div><div> </div><div>I'm sure many readers were intrigued by Corus and Kr'Nunos. My investment was in the four brothers and therefore, every time they were "in the picture," my interest was caught and held. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Corus-Champion-Legends-Karac-Tor/dp/0899578640/">Book link</a> - Buy at Amazon</div><div> Aut<a href="http://hiddenlands.net/index.php?Itemid=49&id=19&option=com_content&task=view">hor’s Web site </a>- The Hidden Lands</div><div> </div><div>Participants’ links<br /><br /><a href="http://ofbattlesdragonsandswordsofadamant.blogspot.com/"> Gillian Adams</a><br /><a href="http://noahsreads.blogspot.com/"> Noah Arsenault</a><br /><a href="http://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/"> Beckie Burnham</a><br /><a href="http://morganlbusse.wordpress.com"> Morgan L. Busse</a><br /><a href="http://csffblogtour.com/"> CSFF Blog Tour</a><br /><a href="http://carolcollett.wordpress.com/"> Carol Bruce Collett </a><br /><a href="http://tweezlereads.blogspot.com/"> Theresa Dunlap</a><br /><a href="http://projectinga.blogspot.com/"> April Erwin</a><br /><a href="http://vicsmediaroom.wordpress.com/"> Victor Gentile</a><br /><a href="http://www.thehahnhuntinglodge.com/"> Nikole Hahn</a><br /><a href="http://realmofhearts.blogspot.com/"> Ryan Heart</a><br /><a href="http://www.brucehennigan.com/"> Bruce Hennigan</a><br /><a href="http://www.christopherhopper.com/"> Christopher Hopper</a><br /><a href="http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/"> Jason Joyner</a><br /><a href="http://www.molcotw.blogspot.com/"> Julie</a><br /><a href="http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/"> Carol Keen</a><br /><a href="http://krystisbooks.blogspot.com/"> Krystine Kercher</a><br /><a href="http://mharvireads.blogspot.com/"> Marzabeth</a><br /><a href="http://www.shannonmcdermott.com/?page_id=189"> Shannon McDermott</a><br /><a href="http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/"> Rebecca LuElla Miller</a><br /><a href="http://www.questwriter.blogspot.com/"> Eve Nielsen</a><br /><a href="http://www.sarahsawyer.com/blog"> Sarah Sawyer</a><br /><a href="http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/"> Kathleen Smith</a><br /><a href="http://www.mindsinger.com/"> Donna Swanson</a><br /><a href="http://www.rachelstarrthomson.com/inklings/"> Rachel Starr Thomson</a><br /><a href="http://christiansf.blogspot.com/"> Steve Trower</a><br /><a href="http://frederation.wordpress.com"> Fred Warren</a><br /><a href="http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/"> Phyllis Wheeler</a><br /><a href="http://www.theravenquill.blogspot.com/"> Nicole White</a><br /><a href="http://finishedthebook.blogspot.com/"> Rachel Wyant</a></div></div></div></div>Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-30964700184051691122011-09-21T21:30:00.004-06:002011-09-21T21:39:31.207-06:00CSFF- Monster in the HollowsWell, I didn't get back to this blog in a timely manner. I've been off chasing dragons and evil minions through a whole new world.<br />One of the things that attracts me to Andrew's work is the names he chooses. Many of you know I love making up names, so I doubly appreciate Andrew's wit in this area. Just take a gander at some of my favorites.<br />Olumphia- shouldn't every school have a teacher whose first name is Olumphia?<br />Guildmaster Nibblesticks - I suggest you put the pretzels under lock and key.<br />Grigory Bunge - of course, he's horrid.<br />Podo<br />Zola Mae<br />Rudric, and<br />Kelvey O'Sally.<br />Andrew inspires me to dive into of my own making and populate it with wonderful characters. I hope you enjoyed his book as much as I did.Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-744003965056524704.post-76390898307557772882011-09-19T09:02:00.007-06:002011-09-19T09:39:38.341-06:00The Monster in the Hollows - Christian Science Fiction Fantasy Blog Tour<a href="https://store.rabbitroom.com/content/album_covers/Monster_Cover.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 432px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 648px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="https://store.rabbitroom.com/content/album_covers/Monster_Cover.jpg" /></a>First of all, let me make it clear that the Wingfeather Trilogy, of which this book is numbered, consists of four (4) books. Therefore it is no longer referred to as the Wingfeather Trilogy, but the Wingfeather Saga.<br />I'm mixed in my feelings about this. I was so looking forward to the third book and the exciting conclusion of the tale of the Wingfeather children, the Jewels of Anniera. When I reached the end of this book, I was delighted to find a fourth book would follow. I often wish a particularly good piece of literature (and this is definitely a good piece of literature) would not end, and I could continue to enjoy the characters and their efforts to come out victorious. So now I have it. I can continue, but I must endure the torture of the long wait between book 3 and book 4.<br />And now I am informed that the Wingfeather Saga has always been Saga and never been Trilogy, so all this angst and delight that has permeated my life has nothing to do with Saga vs. Trilogy, because the confusion was all in my head and in my head alone.<br />Now I am not saying that reading the extraordinary prose of Andrew Peterson messes with your mind. But when you have to deal with toothy cows, Gnag the Nameless, and the Fangs of Dang, some weaker minds may reveal the strain by a breakdown in reality.<br />Oh, and the Monster in the Hollows isn't who you might think it is. I was delighted to find out I didn't guess correctly until the end. See? More delight. This is a book you really should read.<br />More tomorrow.<br />Visit the sites listed below for more delight today.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://store.rabbitroom.com/books/the-monster-in-the-hollows">Book link</a><br /><a href="http://www.wingfeathersaga.com/">Series Web site</a><br /><a href="http://www.andrew-peterson.com/">Author’s Web site </a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Participants’ links</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://ofbattlesdragonsandswordsofadamant.blogspot.com/">Gillian Adams</a><br /><a href="http://tessbissell.wordpress.com/">Red Bissell</a><br /><a href="http://quiverfullfamily.com/">Jennifer Bogart </a><br /><a href="http://www.oerkenleaves.blogspot.com/">Thomas Clayton Booher</a><br /><a href="http://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/">Beckie Burnham</a><br /><a href="http://csffblogtour.com/">CSFF Blog Tour</a><br /><a href="http://www.scificatholic.com/">D. G. D. Davidson</a><br /><a href="http://in--and--out.blogspot.com/">Cynthia Dyer</a><br /><a href="http://www.amberfrench.blogspot.com/">Amber French</a><br /><a href="http://www.thehahnhuntinglodge.com/">Nikole Hahn</a><br /><a href="http://realmofhearts.blogspot.com/">Ryan Heart</a><br /><a href="http://fantasythyme.blogspot.com/">Timothy Hicks</a><br /><a href="http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/">Jason Joyner</a><br /><a href="http://www.molcotw.blogspot.com/">Julie</a><br /><a href="http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/">Carol Keen</a><br /><a href="http://www.shannonmcdermott.com/?page_id=189">Shannon McDermott</a><br /><a href="http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/">Rebecca LuElla Miller</a><br /><a href="http://thebookfae.wordpress.com/">Mirriam Neal</a><br />*<a href="http://www.questwriter.blogspot.com/"> Eve Nielsen</a><br /><a href="http://www.bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/">Joan Nienhuis</a><br /><a href="http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/">Donita K. Paul</a><br /><a href="http://www.sarahsawyer.com/blog">Sarah Sawyer</a><br /><a href="http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/">Chawna Schroeder</a><br /><a href="http://www.bluerosesheart.blogspot.com/">Tammy Shelnut</a><br /><a href="http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/">Kathleen Smith</a><br /><a href="http://www.mindsinger.com/">Donna Swanson</a><br /><a href="http://www.rachelstarrthomson.com/inklings/">Rachel Starr Thomson</a><br /><a href="http://www.epictales.org/blog/robertblog.php">Robert Treskillard</a><br /><a href="http://frederation.wordpress.com/">Fred Warren</a><br /><a href="http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/">Phyllis Wheeler</a><br /><a href="http://www.theravenquill.blogspot.com/">Nicole White</a><br /><a href="http://finishedthebook.blogspot.com/">Rachel Wyant</a><br /><br />In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, or I ordered it from The Rabbit Room. I can't remember which.Donita K. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09652376147614891898noreply@blogger.com6