Christa Kinde's Blog, page 28
June 22, 2015
Follow Along
A little bird told me… I’ve been fiddling with something fun, and it’s ready to roll. Bet you can figure out what mischief is afoot if you come to the blog and scrooooooooll down the sidebar. See it (him)?
MONDAY: What will you do for fun this summer?
I knew it had been a while, so I checked to see. My last MONDAY post was nearly two months ago. (Yipes!) Life went a little crazy, so the break was necessary. But things have settled down, and I miss our little chats. So here we are! Let’s catch up. : )
Focus Time. The main reason I had to take a break from blogging & serials released last Friday. If you haven’t realized it yet, Pursuing Prissie is now available in the Amazon marketplace. I somehow managed to (technically) publish it in Spring 2015 with two days to spare. Summer began on June 21.
This will be the first book in the Pomeroy Family Legacy collection, which will include both full-length novels and some shorter novellas. For those of you who are reading (or have already finished) Prissie’s ten-years-later angelic reprise … I hope you’ll say it was worth the wait. ♥
Before you read Pursuing Prissie. If you have to wait a bit before you can read the book, I highly recommend you first read (or reacquaint yourself with) two stories.
1. If you haven’t read Rough and Tumble in a while, you’re due for a re-read! Ethan and his Flightmates have a role in Pursuing Prissie, and you’ll be reacquainting yourself with Zeke Pomeroy’s two besties—Jasper and Timothy. MORE >>
2. If you’re fuzzy on details from Angel on High, you’ll definitely benefit from a re-read. There are regular references in Pursuing Prissie to events from Koji’s past. MORE >>
Pursuing Prissie Party! I’ll be hosting a Pursuing Prissie party during the week of July 20. That gives you a whole month to save up for a $5.99 splurge and read the book. The party will include a long-awaited Q&A with the cast and book-related challenges. We’ll wrap the festivities up with a giveaway on July 25, which just happens to be Koji’s birthday.
CJ’s Latest Books. The other reason for the delay in regularly scheduled posts to this blog was … the other three books I published. At the end of May, the next installments in the Byways series released (5-7). Why three? Because the storyline follows three half-brothers who take sibling rivalry to new lengths. Ewan, Zane, and Ganix are racing each other across their homeland in a threefold adventure. If you’re into fantasy, give the series a whirl!
Teaching and Learning. What else have I been up to? Welp … there’s the Bible study I teach every Tuesday morning. We’ve been using various Bible narratives to springboard into topical studies. Since I write each week’s lesson myself, part of my week is given over to study and preparation. And because our church’s School of Ministry offers college classes to members, I’m auditing a Church History course. Brushing up on my creeds and canons, movements and martyrs.
ACFW Stuff. I was a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers for over a year without thinking much about it. My publisher told me to join up. I did. End of story. Until this winter. Over the last handful of months, I’ve become more involved. I love the monthly meet-ups with other writers in the area. I even ran the June meeting by going over all the different programs the ACFW offers. For my writerly followers … do you have friends who also write? How do you support and encourage one another?
Fun and Games. Now that I have a little wiggle room back in my schedule, I’ve been able to play some games. Our family loves games. Over the weekend, we test-drove our newest. Qwirkle is deceptively simple, with just the right balance of strategy and luck. It’s now on my list of Favorite Writing Break Games. The kids kept saying, “Marmee, stop Qwirkle-ing!”
There’s more I could share, but I’d better save something for next week! ; ) So how about you? What’ll you be doing for fun this summer?
<< LAST MONDAY | NEXT MONDAY >>
June 19, 2015
RELEASE: Pursuing Prissie
Pursuing Prissie, the first book in my Pomeroy Family Legacy collection, is a full-length novel that happens ten years after the events of The Blue Door [Book 1 in the Threshold Series, Zonderkidz]. Her angelic reprise is ready for readers! Buy this e-book now, or if you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, read it for free in the Kindle Online Lending Library. [ISBN: 978-1-63123-016-5]
Summary: Ten years after the events of The Blue Door, Prissie Pomeroy experiences an angelic reprise when she meets another little boy she shouldn’t be able to see. Asher seems to be using his Caretaker’s powers very carelessly, but he claims to be Sent. His meddling mixes up Prissie’s life just in time for Ransom Pavlos to return to West Edinton. The newly credentialed pastry chef hopes to make a place for himself in town, preferably at Prissie’s side. But she’s too distracted by a very different pursuit to notice. An old enemy finds his way back to the Pomeroys’ farm, and the Guardian who knows him best must step forward to keep Prissie safe.
More on this site’s Pursuing Prissie page >>
Before you read Pursuing Prissie…
Guess what? I’ve been holding off on updating you about progress on Pursuing Prissie because … I can only say “almost ready” so many times. So I waited until I could say DONE! The past week has been spent deep in edits. Every time my beta readers and proofers laughed or gasped in the right places, I grinned. Every time they sussed out a new typo, I was humbled and grateful for their sharp eyes.
About half an hour ago, I hit the PUBLISH button on Amazon’s site. Based on past experience, the book should show up for sale within the next hour or two. Which makes today (June 19, 2015) the official release day for Pursuing Prissie.
Wondering what to do while you wait for the new adventure/romance to show up in the digital marketplace? I have two recommendations!
1. If you haven’t read Rough and Tumble in a while, you’re due for a re-read! Ethan and his Flightmates have a role in Pursuing Prissie, and you’ll be reacquainting yourself with Zeke Pomeroy’s two besties—Jasper and Timothy. MORE >>
2. If you haven’t read Angel on High in a while, you’ll definitely benefit from a re-read. There are regular references in Pursuing Prissie to events from Koji’s past. MORE >>
Pursuing Prissie is a full-length novel set ten years after the events of The Blue Door. While the characters are a decade older, the story is in keeping with the main series. Yes, there’s a romance underway, but I’d consider this book appropriate for tween/teen readers. As with all my stories, the focus remains on family, friendship, and faith.
For those who want to share their excitement, I’ll be hosting a Pursuing Prissie party during the week of July 20. That gives you a whole month to save up for a $5.99 splurge and read the book. (In my experience, you guys devour whole titles in a single afternoon, but hey … you’re amazing like that!) The party will include a long-awaited Q&A with the cast and book-related challenges. We’ll wrap the festivities up with a giveaway on July 25, which just happens to be Koji’s birthday!
And as always, please do leave a review on Amazon. Other than buying the book, that’s the biggest way you can support me … and the entire cast of the Threshold Series. I’ll do another blog post when the story’s live, but if you’d be happier hitting “refresh” yourself, here’s a link to my Amazon Author Page. ; )
NEWSWORTHY: Lamplighter Award
Exciting news! Yesterday, I came home from running errands (music lessons, grocery store) to find a package waiting. From my publisher. Mystified, I opened the box and extricated a beautifully-framed award for The Blue Door. This first book in the angel-filled Threshold Series has been honored by the National Christian School Association with the Lamplighter Award for 2015.
“Encouraging elementary and junior high students to read wholesome and uplifting books since 1992.” The Triple Crown Awards are chosen each year in three categories:
The Gallery Award, for 1st – 3rd grade
The Crown Award, for 4th – 5th grade
The Lamplighter Award, for 6th – 8th grade
You can find out more about this program for Christian schools and Christian school librarians at TripleCrownAwards.org. You can also explore the Lamplighter Nominated Books page, which showcases all the nominees, honor books, and winners in the category. When I clicked through the list, I discovered that The Hidden Deep is a nominee for next year’s award. To quote one of the characters in the imminently upcoming Pursuing Prissie, “I’m blissed out and blessed, and it’s more than I could ever ask or think!”
June 8, 2015
Angel Unaware, Part 6: Sparring Partner
The June issue of Christian Fiction Online Magazine has released, which means you can read the next installment in this year’s Threshold-based serial. Please enjoy Part Six, “Sparring Partner.”
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 Six: “Sparring Partner”
Christian Fiction Online Magazine, June 2015 | Read it now >>
After you’ve read there, I hope you’ll come back here with any comments and questions. : )
June 3, 2015
SALE: Several Digital Deals
Passing along some “Summer Reads” sale prices on Zondervan titles! I nabbed four of them. Maybe they’ll tickle your fancy, too? : )
May 30, 2015
INTERVIEW: The Scriblerians
Gotta share! Vanessa Morton of the Scriblerians interviewed me about my Galleries of Stone trilogy. If you’ve ever wondered why I use a penname, that comes up. And as an added bonus, when you comment on the interview post, you’ll be entered in their drawing for a book giveaway. Go check it out!
Christa Kinde’s Alter Ego Tells All >>
May 28, 2015
NEWSWORTHY: SDCWG Spring Writing Contest
I’m a member of the San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild, a local organization that does an amazing job helping local authors connect. The guild hosts a Spring Fellowship Brunch and a Fall Writer’s Conference, and there are critique groups throughout the county & various contests. This spring, I entered the Spring Writing Contest, which is for short works (stories, devotionals, articles, etc. of 1,500 words or less). My piece placed first! If I remember right, the presenter complimented its “heartwarming and joyous” tone. Want to read it? You probably already have. Visible and Invisible, a story snippet featuring Zeke and Milo, took the prize! : )
CJ’S NEWS: A Byways Release Day
Today’s a book birthday, and it’s triplets. ; ) Three new titles are now available in the fantasy series for kids that I publish under my maiden name. The Byways books by C. J. Milbrandt follow the adventures of Ewan, Zane, and Ganix, half-brothers who take sibling rivalry to new lengths. Cheer them on as they race across their homeland!
