Christa Kinde's Blog, page 48
August 29, 2014
Tried and True, Chapter 210: Bringing Back Memories
Chapter 210: Bringing Back Memories
The curtain swayed, and three little boys peered through the gap they’d made—the one with lavender curls, one with a puff of silvery down, and one with two molasses brown knobs. Omri dove at them, flying in excited circles and trilling.
Tamaes murmured, “He attacked us.”
Taweel grunted, then called, “Will you accept Omri’s invitation, or is your courage lacking?”
A grin. A scuffle. A rush. Tamaes chuckled, but his thoughts dwelt on the sour note that had rung with Adin’s words earlier. Jealousy? Resentment? Would they creep in now that these children vied for Taweel’s time and attention?
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Author’s Note: This story in small chapters is a prequel to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information can be found on the Tried and True index page. And don’t forget, story art is on display in my gallery.
Tried and True, © Copyright 2013-2014 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
Tried and True, Chapter 209: Trusting and Sending
Chapter 209: Trusting and Sending
“May it be so.” Taweel sat heavily on the cot. “I am grateful for your trust.”
Tamaes dropped to a seat beside him. Leaning back on his arms, he stared up through the tumble of vines that dappled the alcove with shadows. “This is better.”
“Than what?”
With a faraway look in his eyes, the teen said, “I stayed because Adin was sad. I left because I was sad. But those things changed. I do not think this will.”
“This is a Sending.”
“And you are glad.” A slow smile warmed Tamaes’s whole expression, and he repeated, “This is better.”
<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>
Author’s Note: This story in small chapters is a prequel to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information can be found on the Tried and True index page. And don’t forget, story art is on display in my gallery.
Tried and True, © Copyright 2013-2014 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
August 27, 2014
Tried and True, Chapter 208: Share Everything
Chapter 208: Share Everything
Taweel wanted to cherish this responsibility as a gift from God, but there were consequences. Hadn’t Tamaes recently expressed his longing to be Sent?
“They’re back!” Weft called.
While Valerian introduced the newfoundlings to the Weavers, Taweel drew Tamaes aside. In the alcove where they’d first met, he lamely announced, “I am Sent.”
Tamaes nodded pensively.
Emotion hoarsened Taweel’s voice. “I cannot often leave. Neither will you, bec–”
“Because we are their home.” Tamaes placed his hand over Taweel’s heart and cracked a smile. “When I am Sent, you will be my support. Until then, I will be yours.”
<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>
Author’s Note: This story in small chapters is a prequel to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information can be found on the Tried and True index page. And don’t forget, story art is on display in my gallery.
Tried and True, © Copyright 2013-2014 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
REMINDER: Milestone & Giveaway
Just a quick reminder that celebrations are underway all this week. Friday, August 22 was the book birthday for The Broken Window, the third book in the Threshold Series. Take part in the festivities to earn chances in next week’s prize drawing! Details on that are on the Milestone & Giveaway post >> and indulge your curiosity on the Threshold Q&A post >>
Here’s a sampling from readers who took my challenge to take a picture of The Broken Window in front of a window. This batch is compliments of Elayna, Emma, Jesslyn, and Micailah. ♥
August 26, 2014
Tried and True, Chapter 207: Inner Dialogue
Chapter 207: Inner Dialogue
Adin collected his mentor’s harp, then led the march out of the encampment. The newfoundlings queued up two by two, with Tamaes as rear guard. He was surprised to learn that this was their first trip into the Weavers’ district. You did not introduce them to Weft?
His twin glanced over his shoulder. Why would I do that?
Tamaes blinked.
Adin rolled his eyes. I share everything I have with everyone that enters the encampment, including my mentor. Loris’s place was my secret. Facing forward again, he squared his shoulders. At least when you have a secret, you have something.
<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>
Author’s Note: This story in small chapters is a prequel to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information can be found on the Tried and True index page. And don’t forget, story art is on display in my gallery.
Tried and True, © Copyright 2013-2014 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
August 25, 2014
REMINDER: Q&A and Giveaway
Just a quick reminder that celebrations are underway all this week. Friday, August 22 was the book birthday for The Broken Window, the third book in the Threshold Series. Take part in the festivities to earn chances in next week’s prize drawing! Details on that are on the Milestone & Giveaway post >> and indulge your curiosity on the Threshold Q&A post >>
Fun Fact: When Anna Earley and I were swapping ideas and sketches for the illustrations in Angels in Harmony (the short story whose events overlap those in The Broken Window), Abner and Padgett were included. In the final version, we simplified things down, and they were edited out.
Tried and True, Chapter 206: Big Brother
Chapter 206: Big Brother
“Adin! Adin!” Eight boys abandoned their practice weapons to crowd around the teen.
Tamaes hung back, but Adin dragged him forward. “Look what I brought!”
Gasps and shy glances were followed by a swift migration as newfoundlings hemmed in Tamaes. Questions came thick and fast.
“Is he Tamaes?”
“Are you our big brother’s twin?”
“Did you bring Omri?”
A small boy with lavender curls fit his hand into Tamaes’s and asked, “Can you stay?”
“Yes, he’ll stay!” Adin’s voice rang with authority. “Valerian sent me to fetch you! We’re going to welcome Taweel and Tamaes with songs, so line up!”
<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>
Author’s Note: This story in small chapters is a prequel to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information can be found on the Tried and True index page. And don’t forget, story art is on display in my gallery.
Tried and True, © Copyright 2013-2014 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
August 22, 2014
The Broken Window: Milestone & Giveaway
To celebrate The Broken Window‘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 possible designs
(all featuring characters from the Threshold Series)
5 x 7″ glossies
(some of my favorite story art from The Broken Window)
GRAND PRIZE: an annotated first edition of The Broken Window
(that means I scribbled in the margins)
♦ 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 Broken Window here. Or even better, tweet it using the hashtag #ThresholdSeries (I’m @ChristaKinde on Twitter, and I’ll retweet your picks.)
Post a quote from Angels in Harmony, since those events overlap the storyline in The Broken Window. Again, if you tweet, I’ll retweet. Or tag me on Facebook. (I’m listed under my maiden name: C. J. Milbrandt.)
Tell me about your favorite scene from The Broken Window. 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 Broken Window next to a window. With your permission, I’ll share it with everyone!
Pin something to the Threshold Secret Santa board. (The Broken Window happens during the holiday season!) If you’re a pinner, and you want to be added to the group boards, let me know. ♥
Helpful Stuff:
Like 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 Angel on High? Tell me why in a comment on the story’s page.
Follow my other blog (and check out my other books) at CJMilbrandt.com.
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. My books are all skimping along below that number. So just as I did last spring, 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
Sites where the Threshold Series can be reviewed:
Amazon ♦ Barnes & Noble ♦ Kobo ♦ CBD
Zondervan ♦ NovelCrossing ♦ GoodReads
Here (you can comment on each book’s page!)
Facebook. I finally set up an account on Facebook (using my maiden name/penname). You’re welcome to friend C. J. Milbrandt.
So! For this giveaway, you have all of this weekend and even next week to enter. I’ll do the drawing at noon (Pacific) on Monday, September 1. 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. ♥
Q&A Session: Threshold Series
Book Birthday! Today is the first anniversary of the release date for The Broken Window. In other words, the third installment in the Threshold Series is celebrating a book birthday today. -confetti toss- To mark the milestone, I’m opening up a brand new Q&A Session. Our one in January ended up with over 150 comments, and April’s event for The Hidden Deep easily doubled that number. I wonder if y’all are still just as curious. : )
“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: today’s a travel day for me, so your questions may pile up this afternoon/evening.)
Giveaways. There’s a second part to today’s celebrations. I’ll be doing a separate post shortly to explain how you can increase your chances of winning one of five limited edition postcards … 5×7 glossies of some of my favorite The Broken Window art … and the grand prize, an author-scribbled copy of The Broken Window.
So what’s on your mind? I’m ready to field your questions! ♥
Tried and True, Chapter 205: What it Means
Chapter 205: What it Means
“Bring the young ones here,” Loris suggested.
“I’ll go!” Adin hooked Tamaes’s arm. “We’ll go!”
Tamaes went along with it, as he usually did when it came to Adin’s ideas.
Halfway to the encampment, his twin blurted, “I’m sorry.”
“Why?”
Adin searched his face. “You haven’t realized what this means?”
Tamaes did. “God has given Taweel greater responsibilities.”
“What it means for you.” Adin’s voice softened. “We’ll be trading places.”
“Taweel is my mentor; Valerian is yours. That will not change.”
“I can finally go, and you’re stuck.” Adin explained, “Plus, if Taweel is Overseer, you can’t be Sent.”
<< PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER >>
Author’s Note: This story in small chapters is a prequel to Christa Kinde’s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates every weekday (Monday through Friday). More information can be found on the Tried and True index page. And don’t forget, story art is on display in my gallery.
Tried and True, © Copyright 2013-2014 Christa Kinde, all rights reserved. If you want to receive an email whenever my stories update, consider subscribing to this blog. You can also watch for notifications on Twitter.
