Christa Kinde's Blog, page 30

MILESTONE: The Hidden Deep

Today, I’m celebrating a book birthday! The Hidden Deep released on this day in 2013, making this its second anniversary.

Fun Fact: In my original manuscript, the book’s title was The Chained Deep.

Fun Fact: The publisher changed the book cover before printing. Apparently, they decided Prissie would look better in green! ; )

As per usual, I’ll do a small prize drawing. There are ten postcards up for grabs and some Threshold Series bookmarks. I have a handful of ways to take part:

Review. If you haven’t yet reviewed The Hidden Deep and do so before our drawing, I’ll drop your name in the proverbial hat!

Tweet. Since Twitter is my social media of choice, I’d love it if you were to tweet a quote or picture related to The Hidden Deep! I’m @ChristaKinde on Twitter … and I’ll retweet you!

Favorite Moment. Do you have a favorite scene or quote? Share it!

Pin a Costume. Halloween happens during The Hidden Deep, and all of West Edinton turns out for their annual Harvest Festival. What costume would you wear to a town-wide masquerade party? Or … how would you have one of our cast members dress up? Pin your choices to the Reader Show-and-Tell ��� group board. Not yet a part of the group? Link me to your profile in the comments below so I can get you added!

Discussion Questions. Did you know there are questions at the end of each book in the Threshold Series? Here’s the list from Book 2: The Hidden Deep. Choose one to answer, and you’ll get another chance at our prizes. (You’re very much welcome to answer more than one, but it’ll still be just one chance.)

Discussion Questions

1. In the first chapter of The Hidden Deep, Prissie admits to herself that overlooking Koji���s bizarreness is easy because she knows he���s an angel. But what if he���d been a regular boy? Do you avoid people who are different? Do you consider yourself one of the different ones?

2. What makes someone trustworthy?

3. What does your name mean? Do you have a nickname? Would you like a new name? In Revelation 2:17, one of the promises God makes to the one who overcomes is, ���I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.��� If you have a Bible and you���re curious, what other very special thing is promised in this verse?

4. Prissie���s afraid of heights. Is there something that frightens you? Makes you nervous?

5. In Chapter 3, Prissie shows admirable courage in standing up to a bully. Why is that so hard to do?

6. Do you know what it���s like to be lonely in a crowd?

7. Family traditions can be big or small. Grandpa Pete and Aunt Ida planned and planted a garden together. The Pomeroys always attend Neil���s home games. The town���s fall festival has become a family tradition. So is the annual preparations for the Christmas production of Handel���s Messiah. Does your family do things that have become your traditions?

8. Do you enjoy dressing up in a costume? What makes a masquerade fun? What���s your ideal costume?

9. Have you ever said something you wished you could take back? Is there any excuse for hurting someone with your words? Do we make excuses anyhow? Do they make you feel any better? Can anything make it better?

10. When Tad���s looking for the missing thingamabob for his car, he points out that his missing thingamabob isn���t any more important than the rest. ���I need them all in the right place if this old thing is ever going to make it out of the shed.��� Are you part of something bigger? Who���s important to you? Who are you important to?

11. Prissie���s apology at the end of Chapter 11 is rejected. The next time she says she���s sorry, Ransom believes her. What changed?

12. What makes Koji���s friendship with Prissie so unusual?

The prize drawing will take place at noon (PDT) on Friday, May 1.

Have fun!

OUTTAKE: Board Book

Board Book

Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God

sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they

have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him;

and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

DANIEL 6:21���22 NKJV

Once a month, Prissie Pomeroy took a turn in the church nursery. Although they could be a handful, she loved helping with the twos and threes. Koji was holding true to his promise to stay by her side, but his eyes were wider than usual.

���How do I communicate with someone who knows so few words?��� the young angel asked in an undertone.

���Use small ones.��� She patted his back and whispered, ���Fear not.���

Several minutes later, Mrs. Ruggles tapped Prissie���s shoulder and pointed to the corner. ���Looks like they���ve warmed to each other!���

Her best friend leaned against an oversized stuffed tiger while reading to a thumb-sucking boy. ���Where���s the tree?��� prompted Koji. ���The sun? Do you see a cloud?���

A little girl with polka dot shoes scooted closer, and Koji tilted the picture book so she could see. Then in a sing-song voice, he resumed the story of Daniel. Corralling more youngsters, Prissie said, ���It���s time for a Bible story. Come listen to Koji.���

The young angel embellished the story with extra details. But because he matched the book���s rhyming style, the children couldn���t tell. They were enthralled, and Prissie was impressed. Koji had to be composing each little addition on the spot.

���Point to the king���s crown,��� Koji prompted. ���Good. And which one is Daniel?���

���Big kitty,��� lisped the little girl.

Koji gravely replied, ���There were lions in the pit.���

One of the boys said, ���I see���n angel.���

���Indeed. An angel was Sent by God.���

���How come?���

���To keep Daniel safe,��� Koji replied. ���No bites or scratches.���

���How come?���

���Because he was innocent.��� When that didn���t register, he simplified. ���Daniel was a good boy.���

The little girl asked, ���Can I have a big kitty?���

Koji shook his head. ���Lions do not make good pets.���

���How come?��� asked the boy who was all questions.

Before their storyteller could answer, another boy asked, ���If I���m a good boy, can I have an angel?���

Prissie saw Koji���s lips twitch before he answered, ���Angels do not make good pets either.���

����� ��� ���

OUTTAKES INDEX >>

ANGELS: A 90-Day Devotional about God’s Messengers

Cover Reveal. I’ve been checking the Zondervan website every few weeks, hoping for a glimpse of the cover for my next book, an angel-themed devotional due out next fall. Yesterday, I found it. Today, I’m sharing it!

New Release Date: October 6, 2015

Guardian angels. Divine messengers. Fiery spirits. Winged cherubim. The realm where these beings live is invisible to us. Most of the time, so are the angels themselves. So how do we know they���re real? How can we be sure they���re there? And what do we really know about them?

Angels: A 90-Day Devotional About God’s Messengers explores over one hundred Bible passages in which angels make an appearance. In addition, there are Q&As, myths busters, hymns, Bible story retellings, pop culture references, and trivia that help you sort fact from fiction. So spend the next ninety days really exploring the world of angels, and discover more about what is taking place all around you.

Well? What do you think? : )

REMINDER: C. J. Milbrandt Giveaway

Reminder! I have a giveaway underway to celebrate the book birthday of Harrow, the second book in the Galleries of Stone trilogy, which I published under my maiden name. (Yep, CJ is me, and I am she!) The prize drawing takes place tomorrow, Monday, April 20 at noon PDT, so you still have a little time in which to enter. Fabulous prizes (in the form of limited edition postcards) await!

All the details are in THIS POST >>

Sage and Song, Chapter 21: The Other Boy

Chapter 21: The Other Boy

He who blesses his friend with a loud voice,

rising early in the morning,

It will be counted a curse to him.

PROVERBS 27:14 NKJV

Early the following morning, Kester presented himself to Ichi at the rear entrance to the throne room. The foreign guardsman���s dark eyes glittered. ���You are early, pet.���

���Too early?���

���For loud voices and song, too early. For feeding birds and monkeys, good.���

Kester tapped his chest and asked, ���Will I be welcome?���

Ichi solemnly unlocked the gate and let it swing wide on silent hinges. ���Ask the one who always knows the answers.���

Whispering his thanks, Kester hurried along the passage. He was soon surrounded by the beauty of Solomon���s private garden, with its abundance of fruit and flowers. Half a dozen servants moved from cage to cage, cleaning and replenishing dishes of food and water. Solomon was there as well, with sleeves rolled back, coaxing one of the tiny monkeys into his hand with a bit of fruit.

Kester took a step forward, eager to announce himself, but then the king turned enough for him to see that there was a different boy at his side. Talking in soothing tones, Solomon placed the wee pet in the other boy���s hands.

Another servant? This would be the first time he would have to share the king���s attention with anyone other than Asaph or Benaiah. Kester hung back and watched, only to realize that the boy was also hanging back. Tense. Guarded. Is he afraid of the king? But why? Perhaps the animals made him uneasy. After all, the attendants had begun leading the lionesses into the throne room.

The new boy seemed close to Kester���s own apparent age, though he wasn���t as tall. His skin wasn���t as dark as Solomon���s, and his black hair hung in loose curls around slim shoulders. Although he wasn���t dressed much differently than the other servants, Kester couldn���t see any sign of an arm band. Maybe he was new. That might explain the his moodiness.

Just then, one of the lions���the big male who usually sat to the right of Solomon���s throne���pulled free of his handler. Instead of following the rest of his pride into the throne room, he strolled purposefully toward Kester.

���No, wait!��� exclaimed one servant.

Another called, ���Look out!���

Solomon turned in time to see the lion butt his head against Kester���s chest, toppling him onto his backside. The lion yawned and sprawled across the young angel���s lap, pinning him in place. Unsure what else to do, the young angel patted his mane and gently tugged his ears.

���Kester!��� Solomon exclaimed, rushing over. But one look at the lazing lion, and the king���s deep laughter filled the garden. With a wide smile, he asked, ���Do you need help?���

���Please,��� Kester gasped. ���Mauler is heavy.���

Solomon looped his hands under Kester���s arms and dragged him backwards, then set him on his feet. ���You���re remarkably calm. Most boys are afraid of my lion and his ladies.���

���He will not harm me.��� Absently brushing at his tunic and pants, Kester added, ���We are well acquainted.���

���Speaking of acquaintances! Let me introduce you.��� Solomon took him by the shoulders and steered him toward the other boy, whose full lips were set in a pout of confusion.

Now that he was closer, Kester could see that his eyes were light brown, and instead of an arm band, he wore a thin circlet of gold across his forehead. When the boy���s gaze fell to Kester���s arm band, his curiosity faded to flat disdain.

Solomon said, ���Lemuel, this is Kester.���

���A servant,��� the boy said dismissively.

���A friend, if you are wise.��� The king gently squeezed Kester���s shoulders and finished the introductions. ���Kester, this is Lemuel, youngest son of the bride of my youth. She was my beloved, and he is mine.���

Fun Fact: Lemuel���s name is borrowed from Proverbs 31 and means ���devoted to God.���

MONDAY: What books are in your To Read pile?

We’re a mite overdue for a Monday post, so let’s have one! I’ve never been a fan of excuses, but I have a sorta-explanation of why a couple weeks slipped by without much chit-chat … and I don’t think you’ll mind too much. At the moment, I’m doing my level best to get Pursuing Prissie ready for release. Fun Fact: WordPress lets me know what search terms people use before ending up on my blog. Wanna know what the #1 thing folks are googling lately? “Pursuing Prissie release date,” closely followed by “Pomeroy Family Legacy.” More on that if you keep reading!��

��� To Read Pile. I read oodles and lots. My desk has a hefty stack of books. The queue on my Kindle app is ever-growing. Trips to the library make me a happy camper. When I love a book, I cheerfully recommend it to folks, but ever since becoming a writer, I’ve run into this odd little hitch. Because I write about angels (like in the Threshold Series), I’m usually asked to rec books about angels. And it’s so awkward because I’m not a fan of supernatural romance, and that’s the twist most angel-demon titles seem to take.

So what do I read? Books that celebrate the things I love: faithfulness, families, and friendship. A little mystery or magic is nice. And wordplay! Yes! To find that particular blend in a book, I usually wind up in the middlegrade section of the library. I love fairy tales, fantasy, crazy schemes, and giddying adventures. Here are a few titles in my recently-read pile. All are recommended!

������

So … what do you read?

��� Giveaway Reminder. Seems like lately, most of the hustle-bustle has been happening on my other blog. It’s only natural, of course. Milestones, countdowns, and giveaways are in full swing for titles I’m publishing under my maiden name. I’m definitely still me no matter which blog I’m posting on, so be sure to chatter at me wherever you find me! More about the Harrow Milestone & Giveaway >>

��� Book Signing. I’ll be joining a group of Christian authors from the San Diego area at a local Barnes & Noble on Saturday, April 25. If you’re in the neighborhood, I’d love for you to drop by and say “hey.”

����� Pomeroy Family Legacy. This week, I’ll be focused on wrapping up Pursuing Prissie, the first of a handful of titles centered around the Pomeroy family. What other books are planned for this set? Well, let’s see … a novella about Jayce & Naomi is on the docket. And so is an “adventure” for Tad, who accepts Grandpa Carl’s offer to send him to Bible college for a year.

Later this month, I’ll be unveiling the new (final) book cover for Pursuing Prissie, a Threshold Series sequel set ten years after the events of The Blue Door. When will that happen? How about during…

��� The Hidden Deep‘s book birthday. Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 23. The second book in the Threshold Series will be celebrating two years, so we’ll find fun ways to mark the milestone. : )

<< LAST MONDAY�� |�� NEXT MONDAY >>

Sage and Song, Chapter 20: The Foreign Delegation

Chapter 20: The Foreign Delegation

���And his fame was in all the surrounding nations.���

1 KINGS 4:31

Asaph didn���t comment on Kester���s piggy-back arrival, nor did he ask why his apprentice returned to his post at the bottom of the stairs. Instead, he traded a long look with Benaiah. Returning to his work with a sleepy smile, Asaph���s thoughts nudged Kester���s mind. Is your hope restored?

Most assuredly.

The captain excused himself, murmuring something about grilled meat.

���Do you need help?��� Kester asked.

���Stay put, newbie,��� the old man replied. ���You���re where you belong.���

Kester pulled his legs up, wrapping his arms around them and resting his chin on his knees. The king is coming. He will be here soon. And in the morning, he will call for me, and I will sit at the foot of his throne and play. Not many minutes passed before Kester heard footfalls in the hall above. He bounced up, thinking to help the captain with whatever food he���d procured, only to find Solomon smiling down at him.

Letting a lumpy pack drop to the floor with a muffled clank, the king mussed up Kester���s hair in his usual way. Then he startled the boy by pulling him into an enthusiastic hug. Kester���s nose collided with embroidered robes, and Solomon cheerfully addressed Asaph. ���Did you know your boy was at the gate to greet me?���

���The captain mentioned something of the sort.���

���Strangest thing I ever saw. Bleak didn���t budge a hoof, even though Kester was right under his nose.���

���Your stallion?��� Asaph set aside his work and strolled over. ���The one that terrorizes the stable boys?���

���The very one.���

���Then I���m grateful my apprentice is safely returned. But aren���t you early my king? No one was looking for your return until the middle of next week.���

Solomon hummed an affirmative. ���Events took an unexpected turn.���

The captain returned then, balancing a tray of food in one hand while hefting a wineskin under his other arm. ���Welcome home, my king.��� Benaiah rolled his eyes significantly at Kester before adding, ���You were missed.���

���Oh?��� Solomon beamed down at Kester. ���Did you think of me?���

���Often.���

Releasing his young servant, the king retrieved his bundle. ���I brought you something!���

Kester edged closer. ���You thought of me?���

���Regularly!��� Solomon fished around in the pack, muttering, ���Not this one. Where ���? Ah! No, wait. I know I put it in here somewhere.���

Curiosity had Kester up on tiptoe. He really couldn���t imagine what the king might have chosen.

���There, now!��� Solomon exclaimed, freeing an item that flashed in the lamplight. ���What do you think?���

Kester���s eyes widened as the king presented a delicate instrument wrought from polished silver.

���Can you play the pipes?��� inquired the king.

���I would like to try.��� Kester held out both hands. ���May I?���

���Certainly,��� Solomon said, all indulgence. ���They���re yours after all.���

With a sense of awe, Kester took the gift and inspected its many holes. A gift. For me. He raised the instrument to his lips and puffed, producing a tremulous note. Kester tried again, pulling an off-key shriek from the pipes. Rearranging his fingers, the boy searched for more pleasing notes.

Captivated by the musical puzzle Solomon had presented, Kester almost missed the conversation happening over his head. But the captain���s sharp tone snagged his attention. ���They intercepted you on the road?���

���Nothing like that. Their swiftest runner came in advance of the main company,��� Solomon explained. ���After word of our arrival reached him, he found us in the governor���s residence.���

���How long do we have?��� Asaph asked.

Solomon tugged at his beard. ���Another fortnight at least. A month if we���re fortunate.���

Kester asked, ���Someone is coming?���

���A foreign delegation,��� the king replied.

���Will you offer them hospitality?���

���We will welcome our guests in fine style.��� Solomon flung his arms wide, then bowed with a flourish. ���Sparing no expense! Holding nothing back!���

Asaph interjected, ���Despite the short notice?���

Solomon chuckled. ���As you may recall, I like a challenge!���

Kester still didn���t understand, and he looked to Benaiah for some hint.

The captain helpfully remarked, ���It���s not every day a queen comes to call.���

��� Which do you like better, a king or a queen?

��� Can you name any favorite royal personages from books?

��� How would you prepare for a royal entourage?

<< 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.

Angel Unaware, Part 4: Big Brother

The April issue of Christian Fiction Online Magazine has released, which means you can read the next installment in this year���s Threshold-based serial! See what happens in Part Four, “Big Brother.”

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 Four: ���Big Brother���

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

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

MILESTONES: Today & Upcoming

Book Birthday! Just a quick heads up to let you know that I posted a Milestone & Giveaway over on my CJMilbrandt blog to celebrate the book birthday of Harrow (Book 2 in the Galleries of Stone trilogy). You haven’t met Tupper & Freydolf yet? Well, I’m making two review copies of Book 1: Meadowsweet available today. What does that mean? I’ll gift you the e-book on Amazon, and in exchange, you’ll read/review. If you’re interested, email me at christa [dot] kinde [at] gmail [dot] com. More about the family-friendly fantasy trilogy I published under my maiden name here.

Another April Milestone. For readers of the Threshold Series, our next book birthday is coming up quick. Look forward to celebrating The Hidden Deep‘s anniversary on April 23. We’ll do something fun for sure! : )

Sage and Song, Chapter 19: The Silent Plea

Chapter 19: The Silent Plea

A time to keep silence, And a time to speak.

ECCLESIASTES 3:7

Because of the superlative beauty of their wings, Worshipers were fondly referred to as heaven���s decorations. But having a wingspan didn���t translate into any sort of flight experience. Zamarim were flightless. And the longer Kester sat astride the king���s stallion, the more he wished his feet were back on the ground.

Stomach in knots, Kester tried to figure out which would be the greater imposition���grabbing the horse���s flowing mane or the king���s arm.

Although night and noise conspired to hide the boy���s state of mind, Benaiah noticed his rising panic. Instead of stepping away from the horse, the captain pressed closer. ���Something to say, newbie?���

Kester opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

���You look like you���d holler if you could find your voice.��� And without further fuss, the captain offered a way of escape. Hands upraised, he said, ���C���mere.���

The dismount was clumsy at best, a gangling lunge, swing, and flop that landed Kester on Benaiah���s back. When he tried to slide the rest of the way to the ground, the old man hooked his arms under Kester���s knees, keeping him in place. This new perch was less precarious, but the captain was tall. Wrapping scrawny arms around his neck, Kester hung on for dear life.

Solomon spoke up, sounding injured. ���He can ride with me, Captain.���

Despite being half-throttled, the old guardsman answered in even tones. ���Unless you want your wives and children to assume you���ve brought them a gift, I suggest you let us find our own way home. We���ll raid the stores, then meet you down in Asaph���s archive.���

���I see what you mean. Wait for me,��� said the king. Although Benaiah didn���t say a word about Kester���s trembling, Solomon was a man of great understanding. He leaned down and chided, ���There���s a time to keep silence and a time to speak, Kester.���

���I will remember,��� he mumbled.

At that point, the rest of the royal entourage arrived, and the captain took to the walls. He strode purposefully toward the palace, leaving behind the din at the gates.

Kester protested, ���I can walk.���

���Yeah.��� But the captain kept right on walking, his long legs covering the distance with impressive speed.

Hiding his face against the old man���s shoulder, Kester added to his paltry list of impressions about the strange guardsman. His clothes smelled of sunshine. He wore some kind of breastplate beneath his outer robe. And he was stronger than he looked. Even with the burden of a half-grown boy on his back, the captain wasn���t breathing hard.

���How did you know?��� Kester asked.

���That you were teetering on the verge of panic?��� When the boy nodded against his shoulder, Benaiah explained, ���You have expressive eyes.���

���Oh.���

���And you were freaking out the horse. I���ve never seen him so skittish.���

���Oh,��� Kester repeated in an even smaller voice.

���Now that you know where the stables are, you could explore them. The king���s stallion seemed to take a liking to you.��� Glancing over his shoulder, he added, ���I could teach you to ride.���

Kester cringed inwardly. ���Does someone like me need to learn such things?���

���Who can say when it might be needed?��� The captain shrugged. ���I���ll talk to your mentor about it, and we���ll see what shakes down.���

With an unhappy little hum, Kester lay his cheek on Benaiah���s shoulder, trusting him to find the way home. Recalling the debt he owed, Kester tightened his hold and murmured, ���Thank you, Captain.���

���Any time. But work on that holler of yours, newbie.��� In serious tones, he repeated, ���Who can say when it might be needed.���

��� Do you have someone who knows what you���re thinking just by looking at you?

��� When is a good time for silence?

���When is a good time to speak?

<< 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.