Christa Kinde's Blog, page 29

Angel Unaware, Part 5: Class Clown

The May issue of Christian Fiction Online Magazine has released, which means you can read the next installment in this year’s Threshold-based serial! More familiar faces show up in Part Five, “Class Clown.”

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 Five: “Class Clown”

Christian Fiction Online Magazine, May 2015 | Read it now >>

After you’ve read there, I hope you’ll come back here with any comments and questions. : )

OUTTAKE: Visible and Invisible

Visible and Invisible

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

In light, inaccessible, hid from our eyes.

“Found you!” Milo reached up and tapped one of Zeke’s red sneakers. “You’re getting better at this.”

Letting go of the tree branch with both arms, Zeke swung upside down from his knees. “I’ve always been good at hide-and-seek!”

Milo leaned against the tree trunk. “I seem to remember a time when you thought that covering your eyes made you invisible.”

“Not since I was little!” Zeke’s face scrunched up. “And the game’d be ruined if you couldn’t see who you’re looking for.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Some of your favorite things are invisible. And finding them can be fun.”

“Is this a Bible lesson?”

Milo chuckled. “Let’s call it a game.”

“Okay!” Zeke turned a somersault before dropping to the ground. “I like your games. What’re the rules.”

“You name something visible, and I’ll name something invisible.”

“What kinda stuff?”

“Big stuff. Little stuff. As long as it’s a favorite thing, this should work.”

Zeke flopped onto the grass and stretched out. Staring up through its leaves, he said, “Sunny days.”

Milo countered, “Cool breezes.”

“Rainy days.”

“Thunder.”

“I get it!” Zeke exclaimed. “My favorite stuff is a mix of both. How about … birthday parties.”

Milo winked at the boy who’d soon be turning nine. “Secrets.”

“Cupcakes.”

“The smell of butter and vanilla.”

Zeke’s smile widened. “Dad’s bakery.”

Milo hummed, then answered, “Your hopes for the future.”

“Dad.”

“How much he loves you.”

With a sidelong look, Zeke picked, “You, my ’Lo.”

“God, whose gifts are always good.”

“You win.” The boy folded his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. “Nothing’s gonna beat God. He should be everybody’s best favorite.”

“He’s certainly mine.”

“Can I be next after Him?”

“I think I can fit you in between blue skies and twelve-part harmony.”

The boy snickered. “You like the weirdest stuff.”

“Maybe so. But I’m not alone.”

“Yep,” Zeke said smugly. “Because you found me.”

 ♦ ♦ ♦

♦ Do you like “weird” stuff?

♦ What are some of your favorite sounds and smells?

♦ How about songs and words? Wishes and feelings?

OUTTAKES INDEX >>

FOCUS TIME: Serial Delay

I am soooo close to wrapping up Pursuing Prissie that I don’t want to switch gears to write Sage and Song. So I’m going to delay Kester’s story for a week. Thank you for your patience! ~Christa

CONGRATULATIONS: Prize Winners

Last week, The Hidden Deep celebrated a milestone, and today I held the drawing for our prize winners. Thank you to everyone who reviewed, tweeted, pinned, and chatted your way into entering the contest. Here are the ten winners of our prize postcards (in the order your numbers came up, courtesy of Random.org)…

1. Tyme

2. Jesslyn

3. Soleil

4. Sarah

5. LinZ

6. Esther

7. Arian

8. Megan

9. Noelle

10. Olive

I’m quite sure I know who all y’all are … except maybe Olive. You need to email me your mailing address, m’dear! I’m christa [dot] kinde [at] gmail [dot] com. ALSO! It has come to my attention (thank you, daughter #1) that when I was sick a few weeks back, I totally neglected to have glossies made for the prize winners of my last drawing! OTL�� I’ll dig back through my inbox and find those requests. Apologies to those who’ve been waiting on those. What can I say? I’m an absent-minded wonder sometimes! : P

Thanks & Congratulations!

Sage and Song, Chapter 23: The Next Generation

Chapter 23: The Next Generation

���My child, listen to me and treasure

my instructions. Tune your ears to wisdom,

and concentrate on understanding.

PROVERBS 2:1 NLT

���Kester? Kester?���

���It���s no use. He���s long gone.���

Fingers touched the top of Kester���s head, lightly ruffling his hair. ���Where did you go, child?���

Kester���s eyebrows drew together. Not yet. This part is lovely.

���Maybe the kid���s so talented, he can play in his sleep.���

���If so, his dreams are beautiful.���

Not a dream. A song. David���s song. David���s heart. Kester rode out the swell of a crescendo, then plucked a final cascade. Sighing happily, he opened his eyes to find both Solomon and Benaiah standing over him. With a start, Kester remembered where he was. And that in this throne room, his duty was to Solomon. ���Yes, my king?���

���Your fingers must be weary. Rest.���

He wasn���t tired, but Kester let his hands fall from the harpstrings and glanced around. Dozing lions. Milling officials. Retreating servants. And a glaring prince.

���The last delegation just left,��� said the captain. ���Asaph will be looking for you.���

Kester obediently set aside the lion���s head harp and stood to leave, but Solomon stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. ���No, wait. Captain, invite Asaph to join us. For Lemuel���s sake.���

Benaiah cleared his throat. ���Are you sure ���?���

���It worked with Kester.��� Solomon tugged at his beard. ���Maybe Lemuel would warm to me in a more relaxed setting.���

The old guardsman spoke gently. ���Far be it from me to question your wisdom, O king, but this boy and that boy are not the same. Kester never once feared you.���

Kester blinked. ���Lemuel is afraid?���

Solomon���s shoulders stiffened, then sagged. ���All my children fear me.���

���Why?���

���Various reasons.��� The king gazed at the bored-looking boy still perched on his pillow. ���Because their mothers wish it. Because their teachers demand it. Because they���ll never succeed me. Because they���ll never surpass me. Because my affections are spread too thin.���

Benaiah rolled his eyes. ���None of those apply to Lemuel.���

Emotions flickered across Solomon���s face so fast, Kester couldn���t place them all. But sadness lingered longer than the rest.

���Because I loved his mother most of all.���

Kester recalled the king���s earlier words. Beloved.

���Yeah, that���s the one.��� The captain dropped a hand on Solomon���s shoulder. ���Talk to the kid. I���ll fetch Asaph.���

As Benaiah hurried off, the king dredged up a wry smile for Kester. ���My father used to bring me into his throne room from time to time just to prove that other people thought him great and wise. To me, he was only Father. Sadly, my children are convinced that I am great and wise. To them, I am king.���

���They are correct,��� Kester cautiously pointed out. ���It pleased God to make you both wise and great.���

���When I was a boy, I sat at my father���s knee.��� Solomon���s hands formed fists. ���I loved his songs ��� his stories ��� him.���

���I sit at my king���s knee.��� Reaching up to set his fingertips over the man���s heart, Kester said, ���Because you honor you father with songs and stories, I also love him. You have shared your greatest treasures with me, but I am no one. Tell them to Lemuel. Teach him to love what is good, and he will love you.���

Solomon���s jaw slowly dropped, and when he finally spoke, his voice was rough with emotion. ���O, child. May it be so.���

��� Have your parents passed along their enthusiasm for something to you?

��� What hobbies or traditions do you (plan to) honor?

��� Just for funsies! Can you think of a psalm-based worship song you���d like to share with Kester?

<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER�� |�� NEXT CHAPTER >>

START AT THE BEGINNING

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.

REMINDER: The Hidden Deep Drawing

Reminder! I have a giveaway underway to celebrate the book birthday of The Hidden Deep, the second book in the Threshold Series. The prize drawing takes place Friday, May 1, shortly after noon PDT, so you still have a little time in which to enter. Fabulous prizes (in the form of limited edition postcards & bookmarks) await!

All the details are in THIS POST >>

MONDAY: What does your calendar look like?

My calendar is a funsy mess of neat notes, scribbled afterthoughts, and COLOR. Standing appointments and due dates are snuggled up between writing goals and grocery lists. I doodle. I add stickers and sticky notes. I keep word tallies and jot down the names of books or songs. Plotting and planning overlap, and somehow everything gets done (although some stuff trails in a smidge behind schedule). This week, my calendar was super full … and with fun stuff. I have pictures to share, so come and see!

Being a Mrs. Pastor. I’m a writer, but that’s not all I do. It’s a huge part of my life, but it’s not all I am. Didja know I’m a pastor’s wife? My mister is a preaching, teaching, caring guy with a big calling. For most of our marriage, I supported him from the behind the scenes while raising our family, but in recent years, he’s encouraged me to exercise my gifts in new ways. Like teaching. I love laughing and learning with the ladies who join me for “Rain or Shine” on Tuesday mornings. Part of my week is spent preparing for these fun lessons. Say, I’m curious! Are you friendly with your pastor’s wife?�� ^__^

Cover Reveal Recap. Angels: A 90-Day Devotional about God’s Messengers (releasing in October 2015 from Zonderkidz). Pursuing Prissie (A Pomeroy Family Legacy Novel, due out this spring). Inside the Tree: A Ewan Johns Adventure (Byways Book #5 by C. J. Milbrandt, the kids series I’m publishing under my maiden name). These three book covers came to light last week, and another (Byways #6) is scheduled for this Friday over on my other blog. So much to celebrate! ���

Book Signing. The multi-author event at our local Barnes & Noble was lots of fun. Plenty of hustle-bustle and the chance to meet potential readers and sign books. Since Saturday happened to be a rainy day (a rare treat here in San Diego), it was a perfect afternoon to hang out in a coffee-scented maze of books.

Milestone Celebrations. Don’t forget that there’s a giveaway underway. There are several ways to take part in the milestone celebration for The Hidden Deep. Be sure to enter the prize drawing, which takes place a week from today. MORE DETAILS >>

<< LAST MONDAY�� |�� NEXT MONDAY >>

Sage and Song, Chapter 22: The Royal Treatment

Chapter 22: The Royal Treatment

In a multitude of people is a king���s honor, But

in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.

PROVERBS 14:28 NKJV

Kester recalled himself enough to lower his head before the king���s son. At that moment, the ring-tailed monkey in Lemuel���s hands sprang free, landing on Kester���s shoulder. Solomon laughed at his pet���s antics, but the other boy scowled.

Although Kester tried to give it back, the wee imp clung to him, mussing his hair and crooning monkey-nonsense.

Lemuel turned his back on monkey, lion, and king alike, stomping his way to the throne room.

For the remainder of the morning, Kester sat at Solomon���s feet with the lion���s head harp in his lap. He played David���s melodies���low and sweet���while men from far and near visited the king���s court, bringing their gifts or their troubles. And all the while, Lemuel sat upon a regal cushion, attended by two minders. Kester couldn���t tell if they were teachers, bodyguards, or a bit of both, but every time Lemuel squirmed, they���d pinch or poke him. And with each stern word they put in the prince���s ear, he���d shoot increasingly surly looks in Kester���s direction.

When a break was called, Solomon strolled over to Lemuel, and while the king spoke with his son���s companions, the boy favored Kester with a haughty glance. Almost as if he���d won some victory.

���What did you do to yon princeling?���

Kester stirred and searched the captain���s lined face. Do? Hugging the harp to his chest, he slowly replied, ���It was not my intention to give offense, but ��� his discontent seemed to begin when I was shown favor by Mauler.���

���The lion���s favorite?��� Benaiah glanced at the big cat, whose half-lidded eyes shone like liquid amber. ���Not the king���s favored one?���

���He is a prince. King Solomon���s own son.���

���One of many,��� Benaiah countered. ���Lemuel���s lost in a crowd.���

Kester���s eyes returned thoughtfully to Solomon. ���His father loves him.���

���That���s the way it should be.���

���And you love him.���

���Oh?��� The old man���s gaze sharpened. ���What makes you think so?���

���You know his name.��� Kester rubbed his fingertips lightly over taut harpstrings. ���And you were one of many.���

���One of the Thirty.��� He smirked. ���But also one of the thousands. Everybody loved David.���

���Is that why you understand Lemuel?���

���Maybe so. And maybe now you do, too.���

Kester leaned back against the throne, stretching his legs far enough to tuck his toes under Mauler���s cushion. ���Would an apology be appropriate?���

���Nope. Total insult.��� Benaiah eased himself to the floor at Kester���s side. ���Especially now that the brat���s marked you as a rival.���

Uncertainty slipped into Kester���s heart, bringing uneasiness along with it. ���But I���m a servant with no rank.���

���Trust me. You don���t need rank to have something another man will covet. And you have more than you realize.���

���Me?���

���Let���s make a list, shall we? A place at the king���s side. A treasure beyond compare,��� Benaiah said, rapping a knuckle lightly against David���s harp. ���A talent few can match. A voice fit for heaven itself. And the innocence to think himself unremarkable.���

Kester fidgeted. ���I do not want attention.���

The captain jerked his thumb at the throne they were both using as a backrest. ���Welcome to center stage.���

���It was not my intention to ���.���

���Yeah, kid. I know.���

At that point, Kester realized that Benaiah wasn���t simply keeping him company. He continually scanned the room, and some of his scowls were nearly as dark as Lemuel���s. Shrinking slightly into the guardsman���s side, the boy asked, ���Am I in danger?���

A grunt. A sigh. And an answer that didn���t answer anything. ���Just be careful, Kester. You���ve made good friends, but because of us, you might make bitter enemies.���

���Because of you?���

The old man offered a tight smile. ���Any king���s favor is a blade with two edges. It can protect you, but the closer you���re kept, the deeper you���ll be cut when his enemies try to pry you away.���

Kester whispered, ���What should I do?���

���About Lemuel? No idea.��� Benaiah shrugged. ���But otherwise, it���s the same as I said before. You been practicing that holler?���

���N-no.���

���Keep it in mind, newbie. Just in case.���

��� Why do you suppose ���royal��� has its share of insulting connotations?

��� Do you have a rival? Can rivalry be good?

��� How about sibling rivalry? Do you get along with your brothers and/or sisters?

<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER�� |�� NEXT CHAPTER >>

START AT THE BEGINNING

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.

C. J. MILBRANDT: Cover Reveal v.3

I’m smiling, even chuckling a little over here. Some weeks, I am scraping the proverbial barrel to bring you news because … eh. Same-old, same-old isn’t too interesting. And then there’s a week like this week, when blessings come in a deluge and news is happening faster than I can type. : D��

As I may have mentioned a time or two (ahem), I write family-friendly fantasy under my maiden name. Same author. Same heart for family, friendship, and faithfulness. But with crazy stuff like living statues and shape-shifting siblings thrown in. Just because. At the moment, I have a review drive and giveaway running for the Byways series. This is the perfect time to test drive one of my kids books since I’m offering review copies of the series starter. MORE INFO >>

And … the third cover reveal of the week just happened over at CJMilbrandt.com. Byways Book #5 (and #6 and #7) will release on May 26, 2015. The cover for Inside the Tree gives us a glimpse of Ewan in elk-form!

For the full view of Inside the Tree, visit THE REVEAL POST >>

COVER REVEAL: Pursuing Prissie

Pursuing Prissie is the first of the Pomeroy Family Legacy books, and I promised a cover reveal today. This ten-years-later sequel to the Threshold Series is due out later this spring, but I’m not setting a release date until I’m sure all my ducks are in a row. Soon, folks.

Summary: Ten years later, 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.

You’re gonna love this. ���