Christa Kinde's Blog, page 55
June 27, 2014
The Week’s Accumulation xciv
Two weeks slipped by in a blink. Last Friday, I didn’t do an accumulation post, but I sent out my June newsletter. I hope those of you who subscribe enjoyed your sneak peek at Harken and his mentor, who appear in the upcoming Realms of Glory devotional. So here I sit with a fortnight’s clutter on my desktop. There’s a little news, some fun plans, and a book sale to tell you about. Keep reading!
This week’s accumulation:
♦ One of the fun things on my desktop this week is an interview I did a while back for Family Fiction magazine. I didn’t go looking for it until a few days ago, and I experienced a nice little jolt when I recognized my own name on the cover of Family Fiction Edge‘s June Issue. Here’s an excerpt…
Q. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR BEST IDEAS?
Ideas sneak up on authors. I never know where or when I’ll be ambushed. But I’d have to say my very best ideas come while I’m writing. Stories change shape and grow throughout their telling. They’re unpredictable things. Dynamic. Whimsical. And jam-packed with tiny miracles. In fact, my favorite part of being an author is being the first one to find out what’ll happen next!
You can read the full interview here.
♦ A quick reminder. Tomorrow, which is Saturday, June 28, is the last day to take advantage of the Kindle Big Deal on the e-book for Book 3: The Broken Window. I grabbed my copy. Do you have yours? : )
♦ Let’s share a secret, shall we? During our last Threshold Q&A session, it was revealed that a certain red-haired Worshiper does have a birthday “on paper.” And one of y’all -cough-Micailah-cough- was asking if we could celebrate his birthday. So let’s throw Baird a surprise party! Mark your calendars for Friday, August 8. There’ll be fun & games … and fabulous prizes … and special surprises. ♫ What kind of party would you throw?
♦ While we’re planning ahead, I’ll remind you that the next Threshold Q&A will be part of the milestone celebration for Book 3: The Broken Window. I’ll kick off the book birthday festivities on Friday, August 22.
♦ I’ll be making another reader request happen this coming week. You’ll soon be able to add Rough and Tumble to your virtual libraries. The completed serial will soon be available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo for just $2.99. While I hope many of you will choose to put this on your virtual bookshelves, fear not. Rough and Tumble won’t vanish from my blog. You can always come back here to read and re-read Zeke and Ethan’s story. ♥
♦ And one more excited blurb about my new children’s series, which I’m publishing under my maiden name (C. J. Milbrandt). The first Byways book will release on Independence Day … and there’s a very good reason I want the series to be born on the Fourth of July. Ewan, Zane, and Ganix will begin the race that takes sibling rivalry to new lengths a week from today! To find out more, explore the various Byways pages at CJMilbrandt.com.
So what’s cluttering up your desktop? Do tell!
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Tried and True, Chapter 165: Lapis Innis Merriel Nock
Chapter 165: Lapis Innis Merriel Nock
The Fourfold were strange, with their feathered wings and hoofed feet. But Tamaes had outgrown his boots several times, and with each return trip to the wheels within wheels, he’d grown closer to the heavenly guard named Lapis Innis Merriel Nock.
“Why do you cling to your spear?” asked the angel with a lion’s face.
Tamaes gripped his weapon’s smooth haft. “I am Adin’s sparring partner.”
“Your brother treasures your companionship, but you are not the same.”
“Not like you and your brothers.”
“We are four and one,” Nock agreed. “But you are two, and your paths must be two.”
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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 164: Mismatched
Chapter 164: Mismatched
Twirl.
Sweep.
Thrust.
Even though Tamaes fought confidently with his spear, Taweel kept him on the defensive. Over and over, the younger Guardian was forced to bring up his wings to deflect a ringing blow.
Spin.
Duck.
Slash.
Aerial tactics were Tamaes’s favorite. He borrowed from the cherubim’s stratagem and the malakim’s acrobatics. By adding what he’d learned in the hadarim encampment, he made the battle his own. Unique. Versatile. But frustratingly limited against Taweel’s sword.
“This would go better if you also held a spear,” he complained.
Taweel smirked. “You would be better if you also held a sword.”
<< 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.
June 25, 2014
Tried and True, Chapter 163: Shooting Stars
Chapter 163: Shooting Stars
Tamaes didn’t like darkness, but he no longer feared its depths. Not when he, Taweel and Omri carried heaven’s brilliance with them. Wings like flames arrowed across the celestial expanse, chasing a purple blur. “Is this the way?” he called.
Taweel wheeled back to circle his apprentice. “That depends on our destination.”
Pointing confidently to a cluster of stars, Tamaes said, “We will find a Forge there.”
“Are your wings already weary?”
“Not at all.”
“That is our destination.” His mentor drew his blade and beckoned for Tamaes to ready his spear. “But we will take the long way around.”
<< 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.
June 24, 2014
Tried and True, Chapter 162: Pinch
Chapter 162: Pinch
Taweel was prepared to march his apprentice straight off heaven’s threshold, but Tamaes didn’t resist.
Instead, the young angel tugged lightly at the chain on Taweel’s earring. “You are confused, my mentor. This is Omri’s place.”
“So it is.”
Tamaes smiled. “Am I not your apprentice? I will follow you.”
With a soft grunt, Taweel dropped to one knee, letting him down. Taking advantage of the position, the burly angel prodded at the toes of Tamaes’s boots. “Your feet have grown. These will pinch soon. We should visit the Forgers.”
Restless wings unfurled in a blaze of orange. “Lead on!”
<< 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.
SALE: The Broken Window
It’s come to my attention that Book 3 in the Threshold Series has been selected to be part of Amazon’s Big Deal. For the rest of this week (through 6/28), you can nab the eBook for $3.99 (regularly priced at $7.99). Fill in your virtual library. Send a gift to a reading friend. Tell others about the series and the sale!
On a related note, The Broken Window is next up for a milestone celebration. On Friday, August 22, Book 3 will have its book birthday. Which means Christmas is coming early for Threshold readers. Plan your reread now! : )
June 23, 2014
Tried and True, Chapter 161: Provisions for the Journey
Chapter 161: Provisions for the Journey
“Fear not!” Tamaes waved to the youngsters from over Taweel’s broad shoulder, hoping to reassure them. In lower tones, he said, “You have startled them.”
“Valerian can explain.”
Tamaes tried to wriggle free, but Taweel’s grip didn’t loosen. “Will you explain?”
Taweel only grunted.
He tried again. “Where are we going?”
“Wherever we end up.”
Although it wasn’t much of an answer, Tamaes was intrigued. This almost sounded like the outings they took when he was newly apprenticed. “How long will we be gone?”
Taweel answered an entirely different question. “God has provided eight newfoundlings. Adin will not be lonely.”
<< 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.
June 20, 2014
REMINDER: June Newsletter
I’ve been on deadline all week, so I didn’t find time to pull together my June newsletter. But I plan to issue it this evening. So here’s fair warning! If you haven’t yet, scoot over and sign up. You won’t want to miss this sneak peek at Realms of Glory! SUBSCRIBE >>
Tried and True, Chapter 160: Grim
Chapter 160: Grim
“Come with me.”
Tamaes jogged after Taweel, who strode over to Valerian. Newfoundlings surrounded Adin, who cheerfully announced, “And here’s Taweel. He teaches sword.”
The youngsters stared up at the grim-faced warrior.
Tamaes quickly added, “My mentor is kind. See? Even yahavim love him.”
One boy bashfully asked, “Is he hungry?”
“Are you?” Tamaes knelt with Adin and signaled to the little angel. “This is Omri.”
Manna and antics distracted all of them, so Tamaes missed what Taweel said to Valerian. He was completely surprised when his mentor hauled him up, tossed him over one shoulder, and carried him away.
<< 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.
June 19, 2014
Tried and True, Chapter 159: Consequences
Chapter 159: Consequences
Taweel smiled faintly at the way Tamaes straightened. The top of the boy’s head still didn’t reach his shoulder. “Are you in a hurry to gain height?”
“Being in between is … difficult.”
Bending to catch his apprentice’s eye, Taweel asked, “What difficulty have you encountered?”
Tamaes lowered his gaze. “I am unsure.”
“And I am your mentor. Can you not confide in me?”
Relief flashed through reddish-brown eyes. Splaying his hand over his breastplate, Tamaes admitted, “Something is stirring. And my wings are restless.”
With a grunt, Taweel asked, “Are you sad?”
Tamaes’s voice cracked. “How did you know?”
<< 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.
