Precarious Yates's Blog: Precarious Precipices, page 7

When All That’s Left Is Praise

I’ll probably be a bit quiet over the next few weeks. I have a lot of work to catch up on and a few books to write. Besides that, my heart’s a bit heavy.

All this week I’d been trying to think of something to share here. Today I’m at a total loss. At the house two doors down from me, police cars have been blocking the road and investigating a murder.

I’d been witnessing to one of the ladies living in that house, so my heart is really torn and heavy. The lady I’d been witnessing to wasn’t a victim, but might be a suspect.

My mind is blank. My heart is heavy.

All that’s left is praise to the Lord, because in the midst of great darkness, He is still good.

 

 

 

Layering the Symbols

Have you had people tell you that your writing is too artsy and will only reach a tiny niche group of readers? I have.

But I really wanted to reach a wide group of readers, so I plunged into a study that I haven’t seen too many writing books cover: layering of symbols, metaphors and meaning. This is what nudges readers to return to your book time and again. They grow with the book because they get something new each time they read it.

C.S. Lewis did this kind of layering brilliantly. By the time I was nine I’d read the entire Chronicles of Narnia. I kept reading these same books over and over again because each time I returned I gleaned something new. What at one point read like a simple image, such as the river god in Prince Caspian, turned into a fantastic, multi-layered symbol as I reread and aged with the book. Even though this river god was massive and powerful, it was totally subject to Aslan. Just like the massive and powerful issues that we face in our lives.

For years I had been so frustrated with my writing because very few understood the symbols and said it read like poetry more than like YA fiction. I didn’t want to change genres, since I love YA, and I didn’t want to change my style. That’s when I discovered layering of symbols.

Make some symbols obvious. The barnacle in my fantasy novel represents the violent and leech-like quality of the mermen who wear the barnacle as armor. I spell that out up front with an explanation.

Make some symbols less obvious. Like Peeta’s camouflage in The Hunger Games. It’s a very cool symbol that isn’t explained outright but it gives us clues to his personality.

Then you can go further and hide some symbols within the story details. In my latest novel, I have a car called the Crosstour, by Honda, featured. To many this could be just a benign detail in the story with no meaning at all. I’m okay with that. To others, they may find meaning in this car name, how our Christian walk is a journey through what Christ did on the cross. Our healing is often a tour, a journey, and not often an immediate event.

Layers of symbols. They’re what make a book a classic. Readers will return in order to gain a greater depth of understanding about the story, about the world, and about themselves.

UnEmbraceable by Precarious Yates, available for $2.99 on Kindle and paperback.

Available as an ebook or paperback.

Cover Reveal: Destiny by Cindy Ray Hale

Destiny

Cover Reveal

This Book Cover was designed by Cover It Designs http://www.coveritdesigns.net/

Blurb found on the back of the book:

Destiny Clark, a young Mormon girl living in Tennessee, is wildly infatuated with Isaac Robinson, the headmaster’s son at her Baptist high school. When they’re cast together in the school’s production of Les Misérables, Destiny is horrified to find that she has to be publicly humiliated by acting out her true feelings of rejection onstage.

As their rehearsals begin, Destiny realizes the unimaginable: Isaac has developed deep feelings for her despite their religious differences and the fact that he has a girlfriend. But will they be able to find their place amongst the backbiters of their ultra-conservative world?

Weaving around Destiny and Isaac’s alternating viewpoints, Destiny is the first book in a series inspired by the characters of Les Misérables and explores heartbreak, self-discovery, intolerance, and love.

Author Bio:

Cindy Ray Hale lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee with her husband and four children. In addition to being a writer, she’s an avid reader and a social media junkie. She starts her morning by writing with a freshly-blended berry spinach smoothie next to her. She’s obsessed with Les Misérables, playing the piano, and stalking up-and-coming musicians on YouTube. When she’s not writing, she’s singing. Like the characters in her book, she sang in the elite choir in high school. She went on to join the choir in college. She’s a member of her church choir today and belts her favorite songs while she folds laundry and does dishes. Her kids could tell all about it.

Her Destiny books are very near to her heart because they were heavily influenced by her own life. She’s Mormon and attended a Baptist school for seven years where she faced the same intolerance Destiny faces in the series. Several scenes from the story were written word-for-word from her own life experiences. While her life hasn’t been completely miserable, she’s still seen her fair share of trials. Her motto is: “When times get tough, throw your head back and laugh.” Destiny is her first novel and is Book One of the Destiny Trilogy.

Destiny will be available for purchase November 2013 on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and Kobo. It will be released as a paperback and an ebook.

The title of the next book in the Destiny Trilogy is Synchrony and will be available for purchase next year.

Rafflecopter Giveaway:

You can also find it on my Facebook author page if you click on the giveaway box next to the box that shows how many likes my page has. Or you can click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/cindyrayhaleauthor/app_228910107186452

I will be offering a $25 Amazon Gift Card and 5 digital ARCs of Destiny. I would really appreciate it if you could include the Rafflecopter in your post since it brings more traffic to my sites.

Excerpt From Destiny:

“This is my favorite place to come when I need to think,” I said. The remaining light was orange as it filtered through the autumn foliage onto the hammock below.

“It’s very peaceful,” Isaac said. “I can see why you like it.” He scrutinized me, his facial muscles fighting to find the appropriate expression. Confusion, worry…interest? Each battled for control of his features. “It must be really hard for you and your family, being the only Mormons at a school full of Baptists.”

I blinked in surprise. I really wasn’t expecting this kind of sympathy from the headmaster’s son. I imagined that Dr. Robinson had been filling his mind with lies about Mormons since he was a small boy—especially after our family converted. There was a lot of anti-Mormon talk going around during that time, and Dr. Robinson wasn’t the only person educating the congregation on what he thought we believed. Mormons weren’t the only ones spoken against either. I’d heard similar words regarding Catholics, Muslims, Wiccans, Seventh-Day Adventists, and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

“I’m surprised that you even care,” I whispered.

“I know it may seem that way because of how my dad doesn’t agree with your church, but I don’t necessarily feel the same way. The more he tries to convince me that there’s something wrong with you, the more I want to learn about what you believe.”

I blinked in surprise. These were the last words I’d ever expected to hear coming from Isaac’s lips. “I—I don’t know what to say.”

He smiled, eyes softening as they traveled across my face. “You know,” he whispered as he reached a hand up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, “even covered in mud, sticks, and dust, you are absolutely breathtaking.” I needed to tell him to stop, that this wasn’t right, but I stood immobile.

“I haven’t stopped thinking about you since our practice. When you sang with me, I felt so connected to you. I’ve hardly been able to sleep.”

We stood face-to-face. His chocolate eyes so warm, my heart beating so fast it was about to explode. How many times had I hoped for this moment? I never in a million years had imagined that such words would come out of Isaac’s mouth. That perfectly beautiful mouth. This was unreal, beyond my wildest daydreams. It was so hard to fight the desire to be with him. All my most unreachable dreams were suddenly, so unbelievably, about to come true.

Here’s the Pinterest board of the cover photo shoot.

My contact info:

Twitter: @CindyRayHale

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindyrayhaleauthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7126606.Cindy_Ray_Hale

Website: http://cindyhaleauthor.wordpress.com/

Blog: http://destinybycindyhale.blogspot.com/

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/110885225723205225750/posts

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6741d42/”; rel=”nofollow”>a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt of Through the Fog by Karina Harris, guest post

Today I’m pleased to welcome as my guest Karina Harris. She’ll be sharing from her second book of the Elements of Change series, Through the Fog.

In book 2 of the Elements of Change, Jake Holland fears he will never be happy again now that the woman he loves has married another man. In an effort to escape the agony of her nearness, he takes up a new profession, as a sheriff’s deputy. Now he is determined to learn the skills it takes to keep his town, and those he loves, safe from the ever growing threat of lawlessness.

Suzanna Chamberlin is in no hurry to find a husband. She is content to stay in the confines of her loving family and friends. But when Nathan Ford gets hired on to take Jake’s place at the General Store, she begins to rethink her priorities.

Neither is ready for the adventures or danger headed their way. In a wild land filled with even wilder men, will Jake find the strength to protect the town from rustlers and thieves? And when faced with a choice, will Suzanna take the step to find true love or be fooled by charm?

Suzanna stood straightening the fabric table when the doorbell dinged. As she turned to see if it was a customer entering or exiting, a surprised smile crossed her face.

“Jake!”

He winced and looked around the store. Suzanna lowered her voice as she walked over to him. “How are you? Is the training going well? Is there something in particular you needed today?”

Jake’s eyebrows rose at the barrage of questions, and Suzanna pressed her lips together. Why in the world was she babbling?

“Hello, Suzanna. Training is going well. Tough, but not more than I expected. I came in because I need to purchase a few things. I know where everything is, if you need to help someone else.”

Suzanna blinked. Was he trying to brush her away? Or was he simply being polite, because there were several other customers in the store? Before she could say anything else, however, he continued.

“It looks especially busy in here for a Tuesday. I noticed the sign on the door for a new handyman. Have you managed to hire anyone yet?”

Suzanna shook her head. “Three men have applied, though. Ella is interviewing them this afternoon. She should have a decision made by the end of the week.”

As he continued to glance nervously around the store, Suzanna finally decided to ease his mind. “She’s in the kitchen right now, taking a short lunch break.”

“Oh. Well, that’s fine. Look, I’ll just gather up what I need and let you get back to work.”

Suzanna wanted to shake him as he turned around and made a beeline for the back of the store. Just because he didn’t want to see Ella didn’t mean he had to treat her curtly! Suzanna managed to keep a pleasant expression as she turned at the tap on her shoulder. Then all thought vanished as her gaze met the very dark eyes of Nathaniel Ford. Her hands suddenly became moist and she clasped them behind her back, afraid he would notice.

He took off his hat, and Suzanna noted again that his hair was as dark as hers. In fact she wondered fleetingly if he might have some Spanish blood in him as well. But she couldn’t just stand there staring at him. He would think she was some sort of dimwit.

“Good afternoon, Miss. I apologize for not introducing myself properly yesterday. My name is—”

“Nathaniel Ford. Yes, I know. I’m Suzanna Chamberlin. I work here with Ella—Mrs. Chamberlin. She’s my sister-in-law. Are you here for the interview? I thought those were going to be later on this afternoon.”

His teeth gleamed white against his tanned skin as he smiled at her. And Suzanna wondered if he thought she was babbling as inanely as she did. She blinked and reminded herself to breathe. And stop staring.

“Yes, ma’am. I know I’m early. But I also needed to purchase some items. I’ve just recently moved to town and find myself in need. Do you carry men’s clothing?”

Suzanna never remembered blushing before, but certainly this was what it felt like. Her face seemed to be on fire as she nodded and lifted her arm in the proper direction.

“It’s right this way.”

He stepped aside to allow her to precede him, and Suzanna ran her hand lightly across her hair, checking to see if any strands had come loose. As they reached the back of the store, Suzanna almost groaned when she realized Jake was still there as well. Why she didn’t want these two men to meet, she wasn’t sure. But he turned to her with a question, ignoring the customer behind her.

“Suzanna, have you moved the buckles? I don’t see any.”

“Um. They should be in the same place, unless Ella or Mrs. Ferguson moved them. I haven’t been back here lately.” She turned slightly so she could introduce the two and found Nathaniel Ford standing directly behind her. Her skirts brushed his boots. But they were between two tables and she had nowhere to move to increase the distance to a more respectable space. And she didn’t want him to think she was a jittery schoolgirl, so she held her poise.

“Jake Holland, I’d like to introduce you to Mr. Nathaniel Ford. He’s new in town and is here for an interview.”

Jake reached across her to shake Nathaniel’s hand, and Suzanna imagined being squashed in the middle of these two large men. Thankfully Jake seemed to notice first and stepped back into a wider aisle, allowing Suzanna to move forward as well. She looked up at Nathaniel and said, “Jake is our newest deputy.”

The look that crossed his handsome features baffled Suzanna, but it was gone so quickly Suzanna questioned its existence at all. His smile grew wider as he looked at Jake again. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Holland. It’s always nice to know who the law is in a new town.”

Jake’s eyebrow rose and he nodded. The air seemed suddenly frigid.

“Well, if there is anything else I can help either of you gentlemen with, please let me know. Otherwise, if you’ll excuse me, there is a customer who is ready at the counter.”

Jake’s mouth curled into a half smile, and Suzanna fought the urge to make a face at him. But thankfully he made no comment on her formality, simply nodded.

Nathaniel Ford said, “Thank you for your help, Miss Chamberlin. I’m sure I can manage from here. I hope soon I will have the opportunity to return the favor, as a helpful hand here at the store.”

Suzanna smiled brightly as she headed to the front counter. Just as she was finishing Mrs. Green’s order, Ella returned from the kitchen. As serenely as possible Suzanna said, “Mr. Ford is here early. And Jake, as well. Both are back in the men’s section.”

Ella blinked. “Oh. Thank you for letting me know. Did you have a chance to talk with either of them?”

Suzanna kept her eyes on the box of merchandise she was tallying as she nodded. “Yes. I even managed to introduce them. Since Mr. Ford is new in town, they hadn’t met yet. Maybe they will get along well.”

She looked at Ella then and noted the slight blush on her friend’s face. Of course Ella blushed over anything, so it didn’t mean much to Suzanna—just that Ella was most likely anxious about speaking to Jake, or becoming nervous about the interviews. Either way, nothing Suzanna said would be helpful at this particular moment, with customers within earshot.

Several minutes passed before Jake approached the counter with his items. Suzanna stepped away to help another customer, allowing him and Ella to converse alone. But part of her was dying to know what they said. From the look on Ella’s face, the conversation stayed civil, though slightly strained. She must have refrained from berating Jake about his new job. Jake paid with cash and left with a tip of his hat in her direction.

“Are you two courting?”

Suzanna gasped as she whirled around, her face flaming once again. “Oh, Mr. Ford! You startled me. No, Jake and I have been friends for years. He used to work here you know, before he took on the position of deputy.”

Nathaniel’s dark brows rose slightly as he said, “So it’s his shoes I’ll be filling?” Suzanna crossed her arms. “Well, I don’t believe you have the position yet, Mr. Ford.”

Again he flashed his perfect teeth at her, as he nodded his acquiescence.

“I beg your pardon. You are quite right.” He leaned forward conspiratorially. “Do you have any suggestions on how I might make a good impression with your sister-in-law?”

Suzanna couldn’t help but smile back at him. “I’m sure you’ll be fine, sir. Just be honest. That’s most important to Ella—and me as well. Did you find everything you needed?”

He held up two chambray shirts and a pair of boots. “I believe my shopping is complete for the day. Thank you for your help.”

He winked at her, causing her blush to deepen, then sauntered to the counter where Ella stared at them curiously. Suzanna ducked her head, then excused herself and headed to the kitchen. She spent the next ten minutes there before she felt in control again. She still wasn’t sure what to think.

Karina Harris is a Reading and Writing educator in Albertville, AL, where she lives with her husband, two children, and a korat kitty named Gwenyvere.  Her stories weave threads of hope, grace, and love in the midst of trials.  For more information on all her novels, visit karinaharrisauthor.com.

YA Book Review: Illuminated (The White Road Chronicles) by Jackie Castle

This week I finished a marvelously written YA fantasy. It was one of the few stories that hooked me right away, and kept me riveted from cover to cover. It’s a gem of an indie novel and one definitely worth checking out.

It’s been a long time since I read a book that fit me so perfectly. I loved so many aspects of this book it’s hard to list them all without giving the story away. You should experience it for yourself. The author, Jackie Castle, never hesitated to show beauty in the midst of action, and fun, whimsical moments in the midst of fervent flight and race down the White Road. I never found it to be quirky but brilliantly paced with gentle humor to diffuse the intensity of the battle scenes.

I would compare this book to The Pilgrim’s Progress, as well as to some of George MacDonald ‘s books. At the same time this fantasy had a modern feel, and I would HIGHLY recommend it to readers who are tween or older.

I don’t think I could pick a favorite aspect of this book, but one thing I really loved was the author’s use of centaurs in parabolic fashion. I don’t think I cried so hard over a book in a long time, but when she talked about the centaurs it thoroughly gripped my heart.

One last thing I want to share is that I didn’t breeze through this story. I savored, highlighted, laughed, cried and basked in the warmth of a lovely story that reminded me so much of the greatest story. This is one I’ll be rereading soon, and I eagerly await the next installment of these Chronicles!

To follow Jackie Castle’s books, check out these sites:

The White Road Chronicles

The Castle Library

Also, check out The Castle Library on Facebook.

An Excerpt of Black Crow’s Blessing by Sophronia Belle Lyon, guest post

An excerpt from “Black Crow’s Blessing,” an upcoming short story excerpt from The Alexander Legacy Book 3: The Gattler, the Gunboat, and the GeeGaw, by Sophronia Belle Lyon.

Coming soon!

Little Crow had growed into a beautiful young woman, but that was no nevermind to Runs Far, the Medicine Man. He had been trying to make a point at her expense since the day our destinies got tangled up over a coupla horse kicks.

“You mean ta tell me not a buck in this village has paid you court?” I asked her, givin’ Runs Far as evil an eye as I could muster, knowing he was skeert of that gold color God done give my eyes.

“Black Crow, some have paid me court,” Little Crow whispered, looking into Bill’s eyes, her hand twisted up in his hair, like she’d done mosta the time she and her grandmother nursed him, as if it was him comforting her instead of the other way around. “But they fear Runs Far’s power.”

“Has he threatened you?” I hissed.

“No, Black Crow, he has done nothing to me.”

“So he’s done something to them.” I pulled out the Gattler. “Runs Far!” I shouted. “Get yer shaggy hide over here!”

I knowed it wasn’t the thing for anybody to address the Medicine Man in that fashion, much less a mere woman, but I was frying eggs in the boiling oil of my thoughts just then, and Runs Far was so surprised he done what I told him, and stood in front of me, arms crossed, that stinky, mangy wolf hide he wore on is head black with grease and campfire soot. I took a step back, knowing the crater wall was right behind me, and remembering what they’d told me was writ there in them old petroglyphs.

“Look well, people of the Earth Crack!” I called out. “You fear the power of Runs Far? I say he is a coward, a night-slinker, and he smells plumb bad to boot. Fear him no more! Fear me instead, and my fire stick that lights the sky!”

The Gattler, as some may know, is my gun that’s sort of a cross between a shotgun and a gattling gun, Don’t ask me to explain it here. There ain’t time. I spun the cylinder around to the load I wanted to fire an’ let go.

Liquid rain that made a hornet-swarm buzzing streaked out of the muzzle and swirled around my head and that of Little Crow an’ Bill as we faced them all down. It was hard to predict what the sparkler loads would do, but they wouldn’t hurt nobody, just make a pretty, bright show. Leastways, they never had before.

They streaked and whirled and climbed and I foresaw a fine show when them petroglyphs got lit up proper and flashed out of the dark behind us. The people would see the message their ancestors writ up there – “The Creator of all spoke truth to the Crow, who taught the People of the Crack His Words.”

Blessed if it weren’t a finer show then ever I figured. The wall lit up, fine and dandy, and we all turned to get a good look-see. The folk were gasping and pointing jest like I figured they would.

But that was when the screaming started. We looked around, and there went Runs Far, yelling and slapping himself. The sparkler stuff had caught in that greasy, sooty wolfskin and set it alight. Away he ran, howling and yelping like the dog he was.

It was a little awkward, after the sparklers died down and the folks got up off of their knees. After all the time I’d spent lecturing them on only worshiping God, not the Crow, especially since that was me, I was afraid I’d messed it up bad. But all the talk was about the Creator, and how they were free of Walks Far, so I kinda sighed and let Bill’s eyes reassure me I’d done right.

“I have twenty horses to offer as a bride-price for Little Crow!” a brave called out. Little Crow straightened up and peered toward the council fire.

“I have ten horses and two white deerskins!” shouted another.

“Looks like you got no more courtship problems, my darling,” I smiled at Little Crow.

 

I love everything I’ve read of Sophronia Belle Lyon’s books so far! Check out these other titles by Ms. Lyon:

A Dodge, a Twist and a Tobacconist (The Alexander Legacy), Kindle e-book

A Dodge, a Twist and a Tobacconist, paperback

A Dodge, a Twist and a Tobacconist, illustrated ebook

The ‘Pprentices, the Puppets, and the Pirates (The Alexander Legacy)

Christmas in July

Vulnerable God

I’ve been thinking a lot about Christmas this last week. It’s not been the decorations or the music, however much I love both of those. It’s about the person.

We best understand someone’s love for us by how vulnerable they make themselves before us and on our behalf.

When Jesus came to the earth, He came born of a virgin. As scientifically cool as the virgin birth is, it presented a slue of social problems. First, there was the issue of the single pregnant young woman. Jesus came born of Mary into a society where Mary could have been stoned for adultery. Also, Joseph could have been denied customers in his carpentry business, which would have resulted in long term financial strain. So never mind being defenseless as a baby, God upped the ante by making Himself socially vulnerable.

God also presented Himself as vulnerable before Herod. Here was a man who had built the temple and had stewarded the Lord’s people. Yet when the Lord is born as a baby a few miles from where Herod lived, this temple-builder tried to kill Him.

This level of vulnerability and humility is so beautiful it’s almost frightening. And that’s because it is holy.

“Be ye holy even as I am holy.” ~ 1 Peter 1:16

Link to an Excerpt of UnEmbraceable

Good day to everyone! Here’s a link to an excerpt of my latest book:

http://crossreads.com/excerpt-from-unembraceable-by-precarious-yates/

Available as an ebook or paperback.

Cover Reveal for 2 books by Emerald Barnes

I’m pleased to have Emerald Barnes as my guest as she reveals the beautiful new covers for her books.

Kandi Moore from Piercing Through the Darkness
For a year, I lived like nothing had ever happened.  My family and friends thought it was best to keep secrets from me.  The secret that would forever change my life.  I don’t know if it’s a blessing they did this or a curse.
When I started Mr. Chandler’s General Biology class, I thought it would be an easy A.  I was never one for the sciences.  Theater is my passion.  I love acting, but what I wanted was to teach it.  My plans kind of changed once my memories came back, and Mr. Chandler decided to take matters into his own hands at serving my justice.
Do I blame him?  No.  I would probably do the same thing in his shoes.  Do I hate him?  Yes, I think I do a little, but I can’t hate him too much.  I guess it’s safe to say that I have mixed feelings.
So, here’s the million dollar question. How did I forget?  How could I possibly forget something so horrific?  I don’t know.  My brain played a cruel trick on me.  Luckily, Jimmy has been here for me.  Oh, Jimmy.  I had denied myself feelings for him at first.  Why should I get to live a happy life when Mr. Chandler would forever suffer because of my mistakes?  But, Jimmy is so good for me.  He keeps me sane on those nights my mind wants to remember –  Sometimes I wish the memories were still repressed.
Read about them, and you’ll know why my mind played a cruel trick on me.  You’ll even figure out why I wish they were still repressed.
  
Alexia Wheaton from Read Me Dead
My name is Alexia Wheaton.  I’m seventeen, and I witnessed a terrible crime, a crime that has haunted my memories for seven years – my parents’ murder.
No one knew the secrets I held.  Everyone, including my twin brother, Matt, thought that I couldn’t move on past their deaths.  He was right, but he never knew the secrets that I harbored.  He never knew I saw the man who murdered them.  That is until one day seven years later, I tell my secret to him and our best friends.
Little did I know, a man overheard our conversation and wrote about it in our local newspaper.  Now everyone knows what I saw – including him.
When all I want is to be normal, I can’t.  I can’t live my life and pretend that everything is okay when in fact nothing is.
Now, I’m trying to protect myself and the ones I love from the man who murdered my parents and who now threatens my very existence.
Alexia Wheaton’s problems go far beyond picking a dress and a date for the homecoming dance.

For seven years, Alex has lived with a painful memory – the memory of her parents’ horrific murder. As the sole witness, she has kept quiet about the identity of the murderer to protect herself and her family and friends, but when a journalist over hears her secret and writes about it in the local newspaper, Alex is plagued with fear that her parents’ murderer will soon find her – and silence her forever.

Alex is catapulted into a race against time to save her own life and bring her parents’ murderer to justice. She will face many secrets, lies, and betrayals before the truth about their murder is revealed.

CrossReads Book Blast: Chana Keefer’s One Night with a Rock Star, $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

One Night With a Rock Star

By: Chana Keefer

FREE TODAY FOR AMAZON KINDLE!

About the Book

It’s Anne of Green Gables Meets Rattle & Hum. Worlds collide.

When Esther was a young teen with frizzy hair and too-skinny legs, Sky’s music soothed her through awkwardness and pain. Now she’s a college journalism student and fledgling print model. One chance meeting rocks their worlds.

Will Esther’s deep roots in family and faith keep her feet on the ground when a tornado named Sky blows her world apart?

This coming-of-age tale will delight young adult, new adult & adult audiences alike with homespun humor, dazzling celebrity, and a heart-wrenching tale that transports the reader from the wide open spaces of Texas, to the castle-dotted Scottish highlands. Explores themes of spirituality, relationship with God versus religion, and how one can have it all yet still search for meaning and purpose in life.

One Night With a Rock Star is a rich, satisfying journey filled with multi-dimensional, lovable characters, sigh-worthy romance and a tale that will carve itself onto your soul.

See more About this FREE eBOOK at Amazon!

(Then Scroll Below to Enter the $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway)

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Chana Keefer



This whole writer’s journey caught me completely by surprise and, to this day, I’m a bit stunned by the ride.

Blame it all on prayer. In 2004 I committed to pray every day, right out of the sack, for at least an hour. A year later I woke in the morning from a very cool dream. As the week went on, the dream wouldn’t let go. It expanded in my brain until I HAD to start writing or just… explode. That story? One Night With a Rock Star. It’s the novel that transformed me into a passionate storyteller.

Two years later, in the middle of prayer, I asked a question and God answered. I yelped in shock but also had to admit the answer made so many of my faith elephants-in-the-room make sense. For the next month, every morning began with more mind-blowing insights. When I showed the 250 pages of notes to my hubby and an author friend, they both said, “This needs to be a novel.”

The journey of writing THE FALL was much more than writing a novel. It was a pilgrimage that crushed, shaped and changed me; the way I think, the way I pray, the way I love, even the way I view current events.

BTW, I’m a mom of four, married to the best man alive, have a background in broadcast journalism and, many moons ago, worked as a model and actress.

I love old barns, old movies, hot chocolate chip cookies and someday I’d like to sail around the world. Guess I’d better learn to sail first.

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Follow Chana Keefer

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