Christa Kinde's Blog, page 34

Sage and Song, Chapter 8: The Hospitable Leader

Chapter 8: The Hospitable Leader

Now all the earth sought the presence of Solomon

to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

Each man brought his present: articles of silver and

gold, garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules.

1 KINGS 10:24���25 NKJV

���Are you afraid of my pets?���

���No, my king.���

���Are you afraid of me?���

���No, my king.���

Solomon frowned thoughtfully as he tugged at the ear of a drowsing lion. ���Are you at least impressed?���

Kester hesitated. ���You wish to hear my impressions?���

The captain snorted, and the king sighed. But before anyone could clarify matters for Kester, a servant slipped through the double doors at the far end of the hall and scuttled forward. ���If it pleases the king, your servants are ready to assemble. Those waiting outside the gates are enough to fill your court, and they do not come empty-handed!���

���By all means, let���s prepare.��� Solomon stood, idly brushing at the lions��� fur on his robes. Tapping Kester���s shoulder, the king explained, ���People are always dropping by, and I like to make them feel welcome. Will you help me?���

���How?���

���Play.��� Lifting the lion���s head harp from his throne, Solomon presented it to Kester. ���Sit at my feet and make music. Gentle songs to set our guests at ease.���

���I am your servant.��� Kester was glad to be entrusted with the precious instrument once again. He hugged the harp to his chest and asked, ���Shall I play your father���s melodies?���

A slow smile spread across Solomon���s face. ���That would please me greatly.���

Kester obediently took a seat on the king���s footstool and fiddled with tuning pegs. Servants and guards were filing into the throne room with a brisk, businesslike air. The boy was surprised���and very much relieved���when Asaph joined the scribes who kept the king���s records. My mentor is near.

Setting his fingers against the strings, Kester plucked a few notes, followed by the initial chords of one of David���s oldest psalms. But before he could lose himself in the music, the boy recalled something important. Catching the trailing end of Solomon���s embroidered sleeve, Kester waited breathlessly for the king to acknowledge him.

Solomon leaned down to whisper. ���Go on. That���s always been one of my favorites.���

With another small tug, Kester asked, ���Am I forgiven?���

The king���s eyebrows lifted. ���Is that the shape your fears take?���

He wasn���t sure if fear was the right word, but he inclined his head.

���Take heart, Kester. You are both forgiven and favored by your king.��� Solomon gently mussed the boy���s curly hair and added, ���And don���t wander off. I have a gift for you, but it���ll have to keep until later.���

��� What kinds of things impress you?

��� Do you have a welcome mat at your house? What���s on it?

��� In what sense is forgiveness a gift?

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Author���s Note: This story is a prequel to Christa Kinde���s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays). 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.

SHOW AND TELL: Local Author Exhibit

San Diego Public Library – 49th Annual Local Author Exhibit

My 2014 title – The Garden Gate (Threshold Series, Book 4)

Sage and Song, Chapter 7: The Six Steps

Chapter 7: The Six Steps

Twelve lions stood there, one on each side of the six steps;

nothing like this had been made for any other kingdom.

1 KINGS 10:20 NKJV

King Solomon���s throne room was designed to impress and intimidate, but Kester was a child of heaven, a zamarim who had decorated the throne room of God Most High. Rather than awe, the boy peered around the extravagant chamber with polite interest.

There is beauty here. Balanced architecture. Superlative craftsmanship. Intriguing details. Given the chance, Kester would have liked to explore the scenes carved into the long walls, but he doubted time would allow a lengthy perusal. The morning sun climbed steadily higher; before long, the doors would open to a flood of rulers and generals, ambassadors and delegations. But before they arrived, Kester had an apology to make.

He followed the captain, circling around until they could see the throne. Raised above the room upon a dais, the king���s throne was a masterpiece in ivory and gold with carved lions holding up its armrests. Even without asking, Kester would have recognized this lofty seat as Solomon���s. He sits upon his father���s throne���David, the Lion of Judah.

Kester���s attention caught on the former king���s harp, which occupied the throne. His fingers itched to touch the tuning pegs, and his mind was so full of potential melodies, he hardly noticed the remarks that passed between the other two.

Solomon���s deep voice echoed slightly in the lofty space. ���Most men cower at the foot of these stairs.���

The captain drawled, ���He hasn���t even noticed you. Or your pets.���

���Unusual.��� Solomon stretched out his legs, crossing them at the ankle. ���How long has it been since I was beneath notice?���

���Forgive the boy���s lack of awe. Though I daresay it���ll make things easier.���

���Things?��� echoed the king. ���Since when are you privy to my plans, Captain?���

���Since the day a little runt named Jedidiah first took me into his confidence. You couldn���t have been more than what ��� three?���

A low chuckle filled the hall, and a large hand pressed lightly between Kester���s shoulder blades. Rolling his eyes toward Solomon, the captain said, ���Don���t you have something to say to your king?���

Kester hadn���t forgotten. He quickly climbed six wide steps. Sidestepping a yawning cat, the boy skipped over a chain and circled a cushion. By the time he reached Solomon, who slouched comfortably at the base of his throne, an elbow propped on its footstool, Kester had composed his apology. ���I am quite late. Please, forgive my rudeness.���

Solomon stared up at him, eyes wide.

Recollecting himself, Kester dropped to his knees and bowed his head, mumbling, ���I am here.���

Relative silence stretched for several moments, until the king finally asked, ���Why?���

Kester wasn���t sure what to make of the king���s strained tone. Have I committed another offense? He quickly peeked at the captain, hoping for some clue, but the man only smirked. Kester cautiously answered, ���I am here at your request, my king. Last night ���?���

���Yes, yes, but here!��� exclaimed Solomon, gesturing broadly. ���Or has it escaped your notice that you���re surrounded by lions?���

Lions. Oh. Twelve full-grown predators had places on either side of the six steps, flanking the path to the king. An unusual, exotic, and formidable guard. But Kester had paid them as little attention than they had him. He fumbled for a reasonable response and came up empty-handed. So he folded his hands in his lap and calmly asked, ���Are you fond of cats?���

��� How���s Kester doing with the whole ���ordinary boy��� thing?

��� Did you know Solomon had such an extravagant throne?

��� Have you ever been close enough to touch a wild animal? Do tell!

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Author���s Note: This story is a prequel to Christa Kinde���s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays). 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.

Q&A Session: Threshold Series

Book Birthday! January 28, 2015 is the first anniversary of the release date for The Garden Gate. In other words, the fourth and final installment in the Threshold Series is celebrating a book birthday. -confetti toss- To mark the milestone, I���m opening up a brand new Q&A Session.

���I���ve been wondering���.���

This is like an interview. Or a pop quiz. Or an interrogation. (Eep.) You can ask me stuff. Or you can direct your questions to the characters themselves. (Heaven knows, they know their own minds on matters.) I���ll check comments throughout the week and respond regularly. (Fair warning: your questions may pile up because I’m up to my eyebrows in Sage & Song and Pursuing Prissie, but I’ll tackle them during writing breaks.)

So what���s on your mind? I���m ready to field your questions! ���

[[SPOILER WARNING]] If you haven’t finished all the books in the Threshold Series, beware of possible spoilers in the comments. And everyone, please be considerate of other readers by not ruining any of the surprises that are built into my stories. Discoveries are more fun when you make them yourself. ; )

The Garden Gate: Milestone & Giveaway

To celebrate The Garden Gate���s book birthday, I���m hosting a giveaway. Naturally, this involves fabulous prizes, and the way this is set up, you could win more than one!

prizes

50 limited edition postcards

5×7″ glossies of story art

��� Rules ���

Comment to enter. It���s that simple. Siblings are welcome to join the fun. ; )

There are several ways to increase your chances at winning. These are entirely optional, but for each of these items, your name will be added to the drawing again. You could win multiple times!

Usual Stuff:

Post a quote from The Garden Gate here. Or even better, tweet it using the hashtag #ThresholdSeries (I���m @ChristaKinde on Twitter, and I���ll retweet your picks).
Or tag me on Facebook. (I���m listed under my maiden name: C. J. Milbrandt.)
Tell me about your favorite scene from The Garden Gate. Why did it grab you?

Fun Stuff:

If you haven���t yet, cast a vote for your favorite angel. Informal Poll >>
Post a picture of The Garden Gate next to a fence, gate, or garden. With your permission, I���ll share it with everyone!
Pin a garden-themed picture to the Reader Show-and-Tell board on Pinterest.�� If you���re a pinner, and you want to be added to the group boards, let me know. ���

Helpful Stuff:

Follow my Amazon author page.
Become a friend & fan on GoodReads. Add my books to your shelves!
Sign up to receive��postcards and/or subscribe to my newsletter.

Encouraging Stuff:

Are you enjoying Sage and Song? Tell me why in a comment on the story���s page.
Follow my other blog (and check out my other books) at CJMilbrandt.com.
Now that it’s over, do you have a favorite moment in Tried and True ? Comment on that chapter!

Review Drive.��Reviews are incredibly important to authors, and you need to know that. Leaving feedback is one of the biggest ways a reader can go above and beyond to support an author. According to a blog post I read recently, a story needs at least 30 reviews before Amazon will recommend it to potential buyers. Most of my books are skimping along below that number. (The Blue Door finally hit 31!) So just as I did last summer, I���m making a review drive part of these celebrations. For each new review, I���ll drop your name in the proverbial hat. Fair and honest opinions, please. Your goal is to help future readers decide if this series is worth their time.

Threshold Series books and stories:

The Blue Door �����The Hidden Deep �����The Broken Window ��� The Garden Gate

Angels All Around �����Angels in Harmony ��� Angels on Guard

Rough and Tumble ��� Angel on High

Sites where the Threshold Series can be reviewed:

Amazon ��� Barnes & Noble ��� Kobo ��� CBD

Zondervan ��� NovelCrossing ��� GoodReads

Facebook. I finally set up an author account on Facebook. Like me! : )

So! For this giveaway, you have all of this week and the next to enter. I���ll do the drawing at noon (Pacific) on Monday, February 9. To alert me to entries, comment here or send me links and pictures via email. I���m christa [dot] kinde [at] gmail [dot] com.

I���m looking forward to chatting with you, and I���m so very thankful for your encouragement and support. ���

[[SPOILER ALERT]]

The Garden Gate is the fourth and final book in the Threshold Series. If you haven’t finished the series yet, you may encounter spoilers in the comments!

Sage and Song, Chapter 6: The Caged Birds

Chapter 6: The Caged Birds

The king made a great throne of ivory,

and overlaid it with pure gold.

1 KINGS 10:18

Kester followed the captain through a tall, airy tunnel which led onto a wide porch surrounded by trees. Terraced garden beds. A cascading waterfall. Stone arches covered with flowering vines. Shapely urns. And from several overhanging branches, gilded cages. Each held birds with bright plumage. Pips and piping. Trills and tremolos. Kester���s heart lifted at the simple beauty of their worship.

He pursed his lips and blew a soft note. If I could properly play a reed instrument, would I be able to emulate their song?

The captain chuckled. ���Do you like birds?���

���Yes.���

���Hardly surprising. From what I���ve heard, you���re part songbird yourself. But are you paying attention to the path?���

Kester paused to look back the way they���d come. Nodding once, he said, ���I am not lost.���

���Forward, then.���

His guide strolled through an archway into a smallish room���by palace standards���furnished with couches and cushions. Kester peered around curiously. Braziers burned away the morning chill, and rugs softened the floor. But there was no sign of the king or his father���s harp.

���We���re behind the throne,��� the captain explained. ���The king rests here. Not many people are allowed here.���

���You are.���

���I have known the king since his birth.��� The old man smiled blandly. ���And I escorted him to the throne on which he sits.���

���King Solomon trusts you.���

���I should hope so.���

Kester said, ���I will also trust you.���

���Good idea. So here���s a word of advice.��� The captain guided him along a passage that angled slightly and opened into a room so long, it felt like a corridor. Lowering his voice, he said, ���If the king honors you with a gift, don���t refuse.���

The boy���s steps slowed as they passed through an unremarkable door into a room of greater magnificence than any Kester had seen. The throne room of King Solomon.

���One more thing.��� Bending low, the captain whispered, ���How do you feel about cats?���

����� Do you have a personal retreat?

��� May as well ask y���all, too! Do you like birds?

��� How do you feel about cats?

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

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Author���s Note: This story is a prequel to Christa Kinde���s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays). 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.

Sage and Song, Chapter 5: The Side Entrance

Chapter 5: The Side Entrance

���The king���s favor is toward a wise servant.���

PROVERBS 14:35 NKJV

Lowered eyes and lofty thoughts. Hand safe in the captain���s keeping, Kester stayed at his side, and while they walked, the boy framed his current gratitude into a song. Composition calmed his frenzied heart. Melodies soothed away troubled thoughts. And without really meaning to, he worked in an accompaniment for harp. I will share it with Asaph at evensong.

The captain���s ambling pace slowed to a standstill. ���This is the place.���

Kester blinked several times and returned his attention to their surroundings. They���d reached a wide open room with vaulted ceilings supported by golden columns. The walls had been carved with the figures of lions and angels. Inlaid floors gleamed softly in the light of many lampstands. Four guardsmen stood before double doors that were surely tall enough to accommodate a giant. This must be the entrance to King Solomon���s throne room.

���Did you pay any attention to the turnings?��� asked the captain.

���No.���

���Stop tuning out. This is important.��� Taking Kester by the shoulders, he steered him to the right, saying, ���The front door is mostly for dignitaries and generals. Which means not you. If the king calls, there���s a less conspicuous way in.���

Through an archway. Into a courtyard. Around a corner. Under an arbor thickly hung with ripening grapes. Kester cast a worried look at the sky, which was the milky blue of morning. ���I am late.���

���Excuses fly as far as ostriches with the king. Own up and apologize.���

���I will,��� Kester promised.

A narrow path half-hidden by lush greenery led to a side entrance, which was under guard. At least, that���s the impression Kester received. The man sitting before its ornate metal gate wasn���t wearing the colors or armor of the king���s soldiers, so maybe he was only a servant.

Kester had difficulty taking the man���s measure. His hair was pure white, but the planes of his face were unlined. Old, yet ageless. Somber, yet serene. Kester wondered where he was from, for the guard wasn���t any more Hebrew than the captain who pushed him forward.

���Solomon���s expecting him.���

The black-clad man���s eyebrows arched.

���Look close,��� ordered the captain. ���He���s called Kester, and he���s caught the king���s interest. You know what that means.���

With a careless agility that belied his age, the man sprang to his feet and unbarred the door. An inscrutable gaze. A stiff half-bow. A remark in a foreign language.

Kester stepped closer. ���Say it again? I did not understand.���

Inclining his head, the man repeated himself, this time in heavily-accented Hebrew. ���The meaning of my captain is clear. Our king has a new pet.���

��� Do you have any little habits or routines that help you calm down?

��� How many doors to the outdoors are in your home?

��� Can you read or speak in more than one language?

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Author���s Note: This story is a prequel to Christa Kinde���s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays). 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.

ASKED: Are your books inspired by your experiences?

I’m often asked questions about writing in general … and about the specifics of my own experience with publishing. Since my answers might prove useful, I thought I’d be more systematic about answering them. Behold, a new kind of writerly chit-chat is born!

Q. This question is from openmeadow and came up during a Q&A session on 08/22/14:

How much of what your characters go through is inspired by what you are experiencing, either situational or emotional? As an author to a fledgling writer, how do you find that balance?

A. My life is entirely ordinary. (Well, as ordinary as my sort can manage.) So very little of what goes into my books comes from personal experience. These worlds are imaginary, yet real to me. No matter the setting, people think and feel and do in their own ordinary ways. Even fictional ones. However, since I am who I am, and I know what I know, part of me ends up in the story whether I meant it to or not. Like a child inheriting family traits, a book bears some resemblance to its author.

COMPARE NOTES:

��� What about you? Do you see yourself in your characters?

��� Which parts of your experiences lend a touch of reality to your storytelling?

There’s oodles of writing inspiration on my “Words” board over on Pinterest. Give it a browse!

If you have questions of an authorial nature, please visit the “Ask the Author” tab and leave a comment. Your curiosity may inspire an upcoming post!

MONDAY: How do you goof off?

After clearing a couple of projects off my desk, I was able to goof off a little this last week. For me, that often means adding used books to my teetering To Read pile, poking through the stacks at my local library, playing word games like Bananagrams��� and Scrabble���, and sneaking over to my favorite place to buy boba smoothies. This week’s chit-chat includes a bit of nostalgia, an informal survey, review copies of Meadowsweet, and library-related news.

Symphony. Back in college, I used to take my afternoon’s reading or some handwork to a set of benches near the choir room. They usually practiced with the doors open, and the hall would ring with the eight-part harmonies of choral pieces, often in Latin, always glorious. ‘Twas a feast for the soul.����� I’m experiencing a reprise on Saturday mornings, but of a slightly different genre. One of my daughters has joined a youth symphony, and I get to sit in on rehearsals. Violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, clarinet, oboe���this is my kind of bliss! ���

Informal Survey. I’m curious how many of you are following Deuce, the newly begun serial over on my other blog.

Without warning, a blade flashed past Aurelius���s ear, clattering against the wall behind him Another glittering dagger was already poised between the girl���s fingertips. ���excerpted from Deuce

Have you also read Meadowsweet? If not, are you interested? I’ll make a couple of review copies available. [I would gift the first book in the Galleries of Stone trilogy to you via Amazon; in exchange, you agree to post an honest review.] Email me if you’re interested: christa [dot] kinde [at] gmail [dot] com.

Local Author Exhibit. The San Diego Public Library celebrates local authors every year with a huge exhibit in the main library downtown. Authors are invited to enter books that were published in the past year, and they go on display for the month of February. This year, my contribution was Book 4 in the Threshold Series. I’m looking forward to the big party they throw for the unveiling of the displays. I’ll bring my camera and my +1 and nab some pictures for y’all. The Garden Gate released on January 28, 2014, which means we’re coming up on a milestone very soon! More about that on another day.

EDIT: I just spotted The Blue Door e-book on sale at Amazon for $1.99. A great deal if you want to add this title to your virtual library. : )

<< LAST MONDAY�� |�� NEXT MONDAY >>

Sage and Song, Chapter 4: The Wrong Turn

Chapter 4: The Wrong Turn

I don���t want you ending up in blind alleys, or wasting

time making wrong turns. Hold tight to good advice;

Don���t relax your grip. Guard it well���your life is at stake!

PROVERBS 4:12���13 MSG

Kester hesitated at a turning. Am I supposed to continue along the colonnade or cross this courtyard? The sprawling home of Israel���s king was extravagant in every detail. Lush gardens. Shapely columns. Detailed carvings. This way? With a pensive glance at the sky, Kester darted across the open square and through the opposite archway. A row of potted palms seemed vaguely familiar, but he was far from confident. If only Asaph had been invited.

Before parting the night before, Solomon had said, ���Come to me in the morning, before the gates open and men flood my courts. Come early, and I will be waiting. With the harp, and with something more.���

The invitations of kings were as good as commands, but Kester dearly wished that Solomon had been more specific. I must go to him, but where do I go? Being sent for is nothing like being Sent.

Kester had been all over the palace and even into the surrounding city, but always when Sent after some snippet of song. At times like that, the way was bright before him, and in his eagerness to reach his destination, he paid little attention to his surroundings. There and back. Safe and sure. But this time, he was lost and late.

Is this the same fountain I passed earlier? As the sun gained strength, hammered gold took on a warm luster. Kester trailed his fingers along a column of exquisite workmanship. Almond blossoms and pomegranates wove their way up to sprays of palm fronds at the finial. He was neither impressed nor bothered by the palace���s grandeur, which fell short of heaven���s glories. Riches were one thing, but reputation was another. And Solomon���s good opinion was something Kester wished to keep.

The next passage brought him to a wide staircase that led down into a garden where peacocks roosted in the branches of fruit trees. A winding path overhung with flowering vines took the boy to the top of a terraced slope, which was dotted with small buildings. Smoke drifted into the air, but it didn���t smell like cookfires.

An odd muskiness overtook his senses, and rising incense barely covered the slick-sweet stench of decay. Kester covered his nose and mouth, sick at heart and to his stomach. When the heavy drone of deep voices took up a chant, the boy clamped his hands over his ears. Wrong. All wrong! This is wrong!

He reached for Asaph with his thoughts, crying out, I am lost.

His mentor calmly answered, Fear not. Help is near.

Kester shuffled backward and found another path leading away from the unholy clamor. He retreated along the shaded alley only to run up against a dead end. I am lost, he repeated, hugging himself to stop from trembling. And I am afraid.

Suddenly, a hand closed around Kester���s arm. He wrenched and wriggled, but a familiar voice cut through his panic.

���Take it easy, newbie.���

The tall guardsman. The one Asaph had called trustworthy. Kester stopped trying to get away, but he couldn���t stop shaking. ���C-captain,��� he stammered, eyes watering.

���Didn���t I tell you to holler if you ran into trouble?���

Kester crowded close to the old man, using him as a shield. ���I am lost.���

���Figured as much,��� he said kindly. ���This is no place for a child who worships God Most High.���

���What are those places?��� he asked shakily.

���Shrines and temples to foreign gods.���

���H-here? Within sight of His footstool.���

Indignation flickered briefly across the captain���s face. ���Solomon has wives from all over the place. It didn���t take long for them to figure out that their husband was using his wealth to build a magnificent house for Israel���s God. They pitched a fit, saying it wasn���t fair, and demanded their own places of worship. At first, Solomon refused, but all their weeping and whining wore him out. So he decided to be generous. He tolerates their idolatry so he can have a little peace.���

Kester understood then. The enemy is there. They have a foothold within the palace.

���Don���t come this way again,��� the captain said. ���It���s not safe for a little guy like you.���

���I have no wish to return.���

���I���ll teach you which paths are safe, but that���s a lesson for another day.��� The captain straightened and offered his hand. ���Come on, Kester.���

Accepting the clasp, he held tight. ���Can you lead me to the king?���

���You got it,��� the captain replied. ���Solomon���s throne room is this way.���

��� Do you prefer to travel by freeway or by back roads? Why?

��� Have you ever been lost? How did you find your way back?

��� How do you suppose someone as wise as Solomon could have ended up compromising his beliefs?

<< 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 twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays). 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.