Christa Kinde's Blog, page 27
July 14, 2015
Angel Unaware, Part 7: Troublemaker
The July issue of Christian Fiction Online Magazine has released, which means you can read the next installment in this year’s Threshold-based serial. Follow the links below to Part Seven, “Troublemaker.”
He was the new kid, and he needed a friend.
Story Summary: Marcus had never been a typical cherub. Raised on earth instead of in enclaves, he blended right in with humanity. The perfect Graft. But what Marcus wanted more than anything else was to become a warrior. So he asked God for a mentor. Marcus gets his armor fittings and swordsmanship lessons. But he also ends up with a couple of well-meaning foster parents, three nosy siblings, a lonesome landlord, and a new best friend.
Angel Unaware, © Copyright 2015 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved.
Part Seven: “Troublemaker”
Christian Fiction Online Magazine, July 2015 | Read it now >>
After you’ve read there, I hope you’ll come back here with any comments and questions. : )
July 9, 2015
Sage and Song, Chapter 26: The Royal Decree
Chapter 26: The Royal Decree
Do a favor and win a friend forever;
nothing can untie that bond.
PROVERBS 18:19 MSG
Evening drew close, and Asaph set aside his work. “Shall we have a song or two before the prince arrives?”
Kester hastily finished one last line and put away his writing materials. I will need a new song soon. Perhaps I should speak with the captain or Ichi. If they sing with me, I can add to the king’s collection.
One harmony led to another, and Kester lost track of time. His heart and mind were fixed upon heaven’s throne, so he was surprised when his mentor fell silent. Disoriented by their duet’s sudden end, he peered around their small apartment. What …?
“They stopped.”
Glancing at the closed door, Kester held his breath.
Another voice came, gruff with amusement. “Maybe they’re shy.”
“Singers stand before the whole congregation,” retorted Lemuel in tones that communicated, ‘everyone knows that.’
“These two aren’t in any temple chorus,” said the captain. “They only sing when nobody’s around.”
“How would you know?”
“Because I’m nobody.”
“But I am somebody!” retorted Lemuel.
“No one can deny that, brat,” Benaiah replied mildly. “Shall we go in?”
“I don’t want to.”
“But that’s how it’s going to be. In.”
Asaph opened the door. “Good evening, Captain. Prince Lemuel. Please make yourselves at home.”
“You got it.” The captain sauntered through with a bundle on his shoulder. Crossing the room, he dropped it onto the sleeping platform. With quiet economy, he turned the heap into a bed for the prince. If the guardsman was surprised to find Asaph and Kester without any kind of sleeping arrangements in the first place, he didn’t mention it.
Meanwhile, Lemuel hovered just inside the door, his arms wrapped around a squat box made from carved wood. “Is this all?”
Asaph asked, “Are you referring to the size of our apartment or the number of occupants?”
The boy’s eyes widened, then narrowed.
Beckoning Kester forward, Asaph explained, “This room is our allotment within your father’s palace. The two of us are grateful to consider this our home. You’re welcome here, child.”
Kester extended his palms. “Welcome.”
Lemuel eyed them suspiciously, his mouth pressed into a tight line.
Benaiah gave the new bed a casual tuck. Straightening, he cleared his throat.
The boy scowled, then bowed stiffly. “I am yours to command. Father made me say so.”
“And will you obey your father?” asked Asaph.
“Nobody disobeys King Solomon,” the boy muttered.
Benaiah lifted the wooden box from Lemuel’s hands and stashed it against the wall in the corner. “Will this do, brat?”
Lemuel wrinkled his nose at the old man. But he went to the bed and plopped onto its center. Treating his perch like a throne, he issued a royal decree. “Sing for me.”
Asaph shook his head. “We do not sing for men. Our songs are for God Most High.”
Kester was startled by his mentor’s declaration. Was this not a confession? He may as well have said, “We are angels.”
But Lemuel took no notice. Folding his arms over his chest, he said, “So be it. Sing for Him, but let me hear.”
The captain snorted. “You want to eavesdrop on their worship?”
Going up on tiptoe, Kester caught his mentor’s sleeve. Perhaps they could sing through the watches after all! Barely containing his eagerness, he whispered, “Please?”
Lemuel’s startled glance turned into something shrewd. Matching Kester’s tone, he echoed, “Please?”
♦ Do you like sleepovers?
♦ Would you like to eavesdrop on angels at evensong?
♦ Have you ever brought a buddy along when asking your parents for permission for something? (Did it work?)
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Author’s Note: This story is a prequel to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates on Thursdays. More information can be found on the Sage and Song index page. Sage and Song, © Copyright 2015 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, subscribe to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
July 8, 2015
OUTTAKE: In Front of Everybody
In Front of Everybody
“He who disowns Me before men will
be disowned before the angels of God.”
LUKE 12:9
Cracking jokes. Swapping stories. Acting goofy. Prissie had never much liked Ransom’s knack for drawing a crowd. It always felt like he was up to something. So when she and Koji walked into class after lunch and found Ransom once more in the middle of things, she edged closer to see what he was saying.
His wild tale sounded familiar, and after a few moments, she realized why. “Isn’t he talking about Paul?” Prissie whispered.
Koji’s eyes had taken on a shine. “Indeed.”
She was shocked that her classmates would be interested in a Bible story. Then again, Ransom had paraphrased Paul’s shipwreck to such a degree, they probably didn’t realize it wasn’t ripped from some kind of reality show.
Afterward, Prissie confronted him. “Why were you telling those guys about Paul?”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. It just seems like a strange thing to bring up at school.”
Ransom shrugged. “What would you rather talk about, Miss Priss?”
Prissie’s folded her arms over her chest. “Who says I want to talk?”
“Are you ashamed of me?”
“Not exactly, but you’re so … embarrassing!”
“How’s that any different?”
“I guess it’s fine, but … why?”
Without warning, he changed the subject. “So what did you do last night?”
She blinked. “If you must know, we taught Koji how to play hopscotch.”
His gaze cut briefly to the boy, who was bent over a notebook at his desk. “How’d that go?”
“Things got a little out of control,” Prissie admitted. “You see, we usually use chalk to draw on the barn floor. And … well, you know how artistic Koji is.”
“Sure do. The kid’s epic.”
Prissie made an outward spiral with her finger as she tried to explain. “He used up four boxes of chalk. The course takes up most of the floor in the apple barn. And it’s really beautiful. Grandpa got out a ladder so Tad could take pictures from above.”
“Whoa.”
She nodded. “You really have to see it to believe it.”
Ransom waggled his eyebrows. “Is that an invitation?”
“Fine,” she sighed. “But what does chalk have to do with Paul’s shipwreck?”
“Nothing!” Her classmate grinned. “You told me about what you did last night. I was just telling those other guys about what I did last night.”
“You were shipwrecked?”
“Nope. But I read all about Paul’s missionary journeys in Acts last night, so it was fresh on my mind. It’s as simple as that, Miss Priss.”
♦ ♦ ♦
July 7, 2015
MONDAY: What’s your favorite souvenir?
(Let’s just ignore the fact that today’s Tuesday.) Hello from Minnesota! I’m visiting the old homeplace and my folks for the next couple of weeks, so news will take a turn toward the nostalgic over the next few Monday posts. I’ve already tromped through the garden, admired this year’s batch of wildflowers, watched the bats drop out of the farmhouse gables at dusk, and hunted for lightning bugs. But today’s post isn’t all scenery. More authorial chit-chat and a review challenge are in the offing. Come and see!
Alumni Author. Surprised and delighted to find my books featured in this month’s issue of the Pilot, my alma mater’s magazine. Thanks, Northwestern!
Pink Ink and Postcards. In the midst of packing for this trip, I was prepping postcards for a Pursuing Prissie mailing. It’ll take me a few more days to finish addressing them all, but you can expect one in your mailbox soon. Not on my mailing list yet? Hop aboard! Email me at christa [dot] kinde [at] gmail [dot] com.
I spread out on tables at the church offices because the ink needed a fair amount of drying time. (The postcards are slightly glossy.) My daughter helped ferry them back and forth to the tables. We must have filled five! This is what happens when your mailing list has a growth spurt! ♥
Can you guess what’s on the other side? ✿✿✿
Marcus x Prissie. My son still has bi-colored hair. For the summer it’s shaved on the sides but long on top, which got me to wondering if I could braid it. The result is a hairdo that crosses Marcus’s coloring with Prissie’s trademark style. Too fun not to share!
Quirky Author Mom. Speaking of the strange (yet book-related) things I do with (to) my kids, I’ll share a picture of my youngest. He celebrated a birthday last week, and in the time-honored Pred tradition, he submitted to having his nails gilded. If you’re not familiar with that particular culture, they’re found in my family-friendly fantasy trilogy—Galleries of Stone by C. J. Milbrandt (published under my maiden name).
Review Challenge. As you all know, I love sending mail. So naturally, the first thing I did after arriving in my hometown was to go out searching for Minnesota postcards. I’m very pleased to have found some with the northern lights on them. I cleaned out the pharmacy’s spinner; even so, I don’t have enough for everyone. So I’m issuing a challenge.
To date, there are only two reviews showing up on Amazon. If you would be so kind as to compose and post a review for Pursuing Prissie, I’ll send you one of these lovely night sky postcards. Be honest, and keep potential readers in mind. Give them a reason to read, but avoid spoilers! Let me know in comments here or via email that you accepted the challenge. This offer is good for the duration of my stay in Minnesota (or until the postcards run out). Thank you for supporting my books in this way. Quite frankly, reviews are good for business. ♥
CJ’s Review Challenge. Quick heads-up that there’s also a review challenge running on my other blog. If you take part in CJ’s Minnesota Trip Mini-Challenge, you’ll receive a hand-stamped notecard.
I always buy postcards when I’m on a trip. What’s your favorite souvenir?
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July 4, 2015
Sage and Song, Chapter 25: The Sudden Change
Chapter 25: The Sudden Change
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
when it’s in your power to help them.
PROVERBS 3:27 NLT
Asaph strolled along the corridor, the picture of serenity, but Kester couldn’t keep up. Every little ways, his steps would falter as some new question presented itself. Finally, he blurted, “What will we do?”
“Obey the king.”
“But …! But we cannot live with a human!” Hurrying to catch up to Asaph, Kester whispered, “He will notice.”
His mentor hummed. “What do you expect him to notice?”
“We do not eat. We do not sleep. We are not human.” Kester felt silly pointing out the obvious. “Your hair is blue.”
Asaph calmly pointed out, “We can eat. We can dream. And unless God Most High opens the young prince’s eyes, he won’t notice any little differences.”
Little differences. Kester knew Asaph’s hair could—and would—remain black, but he didn’t like the necessity. Asaph continued along the passage to their quarters, and Kester jogged after him. “The room is small. And there is no bed.”
“We have a niche, and the captain offered to bring what’s needed to make it comfortable.”
When they reached the familiar door, Kester rushed in first and stood beside his desk. Could Solomon be serious about putting a prince in such cramped quarters? The low sleeping platform on the far wall was piled with scrolls, notes, and an assortment of writing implements. Kester asked, “Will this be his bed?”
“His and yours,” Asaph replied, a hint of a smile lurking in eyes gone green. “My apprentices will have to share.”
“But …!” Kester clutched the front of his robes. If Lemuel moves in, we can no longer dress in raiment. Would their singing end? Already his furled wings ached to unfurl. And what if there was no more manna to eat? Kester’s dismay culminated in a hiccupping sob.
Asaph was at his side in a moment. “Did you eat something you shouldn’t have?”
Kester’s chin wobbled. “The king gave me a confection. I could not determine its provenance.”
Drawing him into a loose embrace, his mentor smoothed a hand over rumpled curls. “Why are you afraid, child of light?”
He hid his face and mumbled, “I am still learning your ways. I am not prepared to change.”
“I cannot ever remember feeling ready for the changes I have known.”
Kester hiccupped again. “Do they come often?”
Asaph chuckled. “You are the most recent of many.”
Quickly looking up, Kester asked, “Am I an intrusion?”
“Is that what you think of Prince Lemuel?”
He paused to examine his thoughts, then offered a small nod. “This room is ours.”
With a sleepy smile, Asaph said, “Who would have believed that angels would be called upon to offer hospitality to humanity?”
Another hiccup, and Kester tightened his hold, clinging miserably. “I will obey. I will be faithful.”
“Naturally.” Asaph continued to rearrange Kester’s curls. “Listen well, player of pipes and plucker of harpstrings. When you turned up, I was surprised, but pleasantly so.”
“You are glad?”
“My days have taken on new shape since you arrived.” Asaph asked, “How could I withhold my heart from such joy?”
Kester searched his mentor’s face. “Even though your hair must remain black, and we cannot sing through the watches?”
“Does the color of my hair concern you that much?”
“Most assuredly.”
Asaph chuckled. “We will adjust, and God will carry out His plans. Besides, my friend is counting on us.”
“ … to offer hospitality to his son?”
“I believe Solomon wants Lemuel to learn from you.”
Kester noticed that the hiccups had left off. He breathed deeply and relaxed against his mentor. But he was still at a loss. “What can I teach a prince?”
“How not to fear a king.”
♦ Can you sympathize with Kester?
♦ How are you with sudden changes?
♦ Have you ever thought of life’s little surprises—good or bad—as God at work?
<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>
Author’s Note: This story is a prequel to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates on Thursdays. More information can be found on the Sage and Song index page. Sage and Song, © Copyright 2015 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, subscribe to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
July 1, 2015
SALE: Threshold Series eBooks
Grab Bag Sale! As if today wasn’t busy enough! It’s come to my attention that the entire Threshold Series is on sale. You can snag all four of the e-books for $2.99 apiece. Quite the deal since they normally run $7.99. That makes this a great time to add the titles to your virtual libraries so you can read the books on your e-reader, phone, tablet, laptop, or … whatever else you’re using right now to read this post! : D
Prissie never expected to stumble into an adventure on her way to the mailbox. Invisible doors, angels in disguise, kidnapped comrades, demonic minions, divine messengers, sword fights, winged rescuers, shared dreams, and apple pie.
Christa Kinde on Amazon >>
BLOG FEATURE: Grandma’s Cookie Jar
Friends with Blogs. I’ve known Lynda for years. We were friends way back when we attended the same church in Michigan, where she taught my girls in Sunday School. Now, she’s (among other things) a church curriculum expert, a blogger, a grandma, and a soon-to-be author. She uses Grandma’s Cookie Jar to feature family-friendly books, ideas, and products, so I asked her to help me spread the word about the Byways Anniversary Sale. She cheerfully did so … and then some!
I love reading stories by Christa Kinde. Her books are anything but predictable! Her characters are unique and the stories engage and delight!
Free Books and Stories from Christa Kinde >>
June 30, 2015
SQUEE POST: Pursuing Prissie
Several of you have chimed in to say that you’ve already finished Pursuing Prissie. We have a party scheduled in July, but that’s a few weeks away. So I thought I’d create a place where you can share your excitement without the risk of accidentally spoiling the story for those who haven’t had the chance to read the book.
Comments to this post contain SPOILERS!
Go read Pursuing Prissie first!
What do you want to talk about? Well about the book, obviously, but here are some ideas to get you started:
What was it like, seeing the cast ten years later?
Share a line (or two) from the story.
Did you have a favorite moment? Go chapter by chapter if necessary! ; )
When did you laugh? Any tears?
Did you learn anything? What stuck with you?
Were there actual squees happening as you read? : D
What took you by surprise?
Did you find yourself with a new favorite character?
Have you reviewed the book yet? (Please, please do!)
The main purpose of this post is to let you talk amongst yourselves, so please do! If you have questions for me or for the cast, save them up for the big Q&A post on July 20.
[[[ REMINDER: SPOILERS IN THE COMMENTS ]]]
June 29, 2015
MONDAY: Who wants me to host a “squee” post?
No sooner do I get one project checked off my To Do list than a new one comes my way. It’ll take me another week to wrap up the latest project, which has been all kinds of fun. I’m writing lyrics-based Bible studies for Zonderkidz in association with a huge Christian music festival in Orlando—Rock the Universe. I’m also gearing up for an Anniversary Sale over on C. J. Milbrandt’s blog because July 4 is the book birthday for the first book in my Byways series. Come and see what else is up!
♦ Ever wonder what happens when you follow an author over on Amazon. Since I follow myself, I found out this week. Did anyone else get this email?
♦ In case you missed the announcement, there’s a new guy on Twitter. I gave Baird his own account. You’ll see him tweeting music lyrics, T-shirts, assorted book quotes, and the answers to past Q&A sessions. Just for fun.
I also kicked off Twitter accounts specifically for the Byways series and Galleries of Stone, the fantasy books I publish under my maiden name. You’re cordially invited to follow, retweet, and chat with me via these avenues of social media.
@Galleries_Stone
@BywaysBooks
@BAIRDjustBAIRD
♦ How about an introduction? After years of saying I’d never use an e-reader for books … I went out and bought one. His name is Stained, and I’m already finding that I have to wrestle my son for reading time. : D
♦ Heads up! For those of you who can’t resist a book sale, I’m kicking off an Anniversary Sale tomorrow on CJ’s blog. Leading up to the Independence Day birthday of the first book in the Byways series, I’m making Book #1 and Book #2 FREE (June 30 – July 3). I’ve also scheduled a Kindle Countdown Deal, which will make Book #5 (Ewan’s second adventure) $1.99 for a limited time. Be sure to nab these titles, and please do recommend them to your friends. Bonus points to anyone who brings the series to the attention of a school teacher! ; )
♦ I’ve had a few people ask about the date for the upcoming Pursuing Prissie party. This week-long event will kick off on Monday, July 20. We’ll have Q&A, assorted fun stuff, and a giveaway. Look forward to it! ✿
What do you think? Shall we do an early “squee” post for Pursuing Prissie?
June 26, 2015
Sage and Song, Chapter 24: The Good Host
Chapter 24: The Good Host
My child, don’t ignore it when the LORD disciplines you,
and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you.
For the LORD corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
PROVERBS 3:11–12 NLT
Kester hadn’t realized that the king paid any attention to which dishes he’d merely tasted and which he actually finished. Yet without fail, Solomon selected foods Kester could tolerate. Poached fish, spiced almonds, sticky-sweet honeycomb—they all found their way onto Kester’s plate.
With each addition, Kester murmured thanks and obediently ate. But he became increasingly aware of Lemuel’s sulky stare. If only the young prince would notice that his father was equally adept in choosing things for his son. Piquant cheese, mashed vegetables, smoky meats—Lemuel nibbled at them with an injured air.
“Any word about the oncoming horde?” the captain asked.
“They’re guests, not an attack force.” Solomon refilled Asaph’s glass. “And it will be at least two days before the next rider returns with a report.”
“Where will you put her?”
Nudging a platter of melon slices toward Asaph, the king replied, “In a house of her own.”
Benaiah twirled a stripped meat skewer between his fingers. “Please tell me you’re not planning to build her a palace. There’s no time.”
Solomon slipped a stuffed olive onto his son’s plate, then tore bread for Kester. “That would have been ideal, but … no.” With a sigh, the king said, “I’ll have to displace one of the princesses.”
Lemuel burst out, “Why?”
Taking the interruption in stride, Solomon said, “A good host must consider the needs of his guests, and the queen surely ….”
“Not that!” The prince thrust an accusing finger at Kester. “Why do you serve your servants?”
His father’s lips twitched. “A good host must consider the needs of his guests.”
“But these are subjects! Mere servants!”
Solomon inclined his head, “Making them my responsibility. I wouldn’t neglect those here anymore than I’d neglect the monkeys you helped me tend earlier.”
Benaiah cuffed Asaph’s shoulder. “Did you hear that? He just called us pets.”
“Hmm. An imperfect analogy, but appropriate to the moment.” Asaph toyed with his goblet. “Does that make you a camel?”
The captain’s eyes narrowed. “Says the peacock.”
Kester ducked his head to hide his smile.
Across the table, Lemuel trembled with indignation. “Don’t mock me!”
“I’m not, child.” Solomon leaned forward. “I’m enjoying the companionship of friends. These are men I trust.”
“And him?” demanded the boy, treating Kester to a sneer.
“Asaph shares him with me. Shall I share Kester with you?”
“I don’t want anything to do with a servant!”
“Truly?” Solomon’s expression sharpened. “You envy his place.”
Lemuel wailed, “Because you treat him better than me!”
Silence ruled over the table for a tense minute. Then the king said, “Shall I hold court here and now? Tell me how I have neglected you.”
His son paled.
Gentling his tone somewhat, Solomon said, “Ask, for I can withhold nothing from my beloved son. Teach me how to please you so there can be peace between us.”
“Why should I?” the prince mumbled. “Aren’t you supposed to know everything.”
Solomon glanced at Benaiah, who made a gesture Kester couldn’t interpret. But the king squared his shoulders and let his voice ring from the walls. “Am I not Solomon the Wise? Am I not blessed by heaven itself to lead the children of Israel? So be it, child. Will you bow to my superior wisdom?”
His bravado gone, Lemuel retreated into silence.
“You wish to compare yourself to this boy? So be it.” Solomon looked to Asaph as he continued, “From this day forward, you will walk where Kester walks, live as he lives. Asaph, may I impose upon you?”
“Can I withhold anything from my king? Ask and it will be so.”
Lemuel’s eyes darted from face to face. Kester was similarly uneasy with the direction the king was taking.
Solomon turned to Benaiah. “Lemuel will be removed from his place in the palace. See that he’s quartered with Asaph.”
“I can handle that,” the captain said.
Asaph said, “My king, you are generous. With two apprentices, my burden will be lighter.”
Kester was positive his mentor was teasing. But Solomon wasn’t.
Lemuel managed a feeble squeak of protest, but his father cut him off. “Today you and Kester are the same in all respects. I have made you the servant of my servant Asaph.”
“I don’t want t–”
Solomon held up a warning finger. “Respect him. Obey him.” To Benaiah, he added, “Watch him.”
The captain blandly repeated, “I can handle that.”
♦ Are there lessons we can learn by drawing comparisons?
♦ What’s the danger in comparing?
♦ Anyone else looking forward to what’ll happen next? : 3
<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>
Author’s Note: This story is a prequel to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates on Thursdays. More information can be found on the Sage and Song index page. Sage and Song, © Copyright 2015 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, subscribe to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
