Christa Kinde's Blog, page 57
June 6, 2014
The Week’s Accumulation xcii
I missed last week’s post because I was traveling. If you’ve been following my Twitter account (@ChristaKinde), you know I’m ensconced in my childhood home in the small town where I grew up. Scandia is a pretty little town, and these ten acres are dear to my heart. I’ll kick off this week’s clutter with some pictures I took this morning on a ramble through the front yard. Wanna see?
♦ People who see the old homestead where I was raised understand me and my stories a little better. This is a porch swing and strawberry patch kind of place, with a grape arbor and fruit trees, a cold frame and vegetable garden. When I was a child, the pine grove was a pumpkin patch, and there was a canoe propped up against the side of the pole barn. The old dairy barn teetered over a few decades ago, but I can remember watching swallows build nests in the rafters and hunting for kittens in the loft.
Roosters are a running theme around my folks’ house. : )
The peonies are almost ready to burst open. Most of the spring flowers are gone, but the columbine is looking wonderful. I’ll snap more pictures in the days ahead.
♦ If you’ve been around my blog since last year, you may have already received a postcard from my hometown. I did a little foraging last week, and I found MN postcards to share. Anybody want one? : )
♦ One of the bits of clutter on my desktop is the fifth installment of Angel on High. I just turned it over to my editor, which means I’m a month ahead of y’all. You’ll be able to read part four, “Look and Listen” in the June issue of Christian Fiction Online Magazine … any day now. I’ll do a special post once I know it’s live. ★
♦ Tried and True reached chapter 150 this morning, which is the halfway point in Taweel & Tamaes’s story. There’s plenty ahead for our duo, Omri, Loris, Weft, Asaph, Dorum, and Valerian. I hope you’re enjoying their journey of faith.
♦ This past Wednesday, I was the guest of Scandia’s local book club. We had a wonderful chat, and I shared some special treats. I had these little cards made up to promote my upcoming Byways series. Indeed, I did a cover reveal for Book 1: On Your Marks this week on CJMilbrandt.com. Did you catch it?
♦ SALE! Don’t forget that Zonderkidz is running a Summer Reading promotion right now. You can buy all four of the e-books in the Threshold series for $3.99 apiece. Spread the word. Nab them for yourself. Gift them to a friend. ♥
♦ And we’re about due for a newsletter! Here’s a heads-up. I’ll release June’s newsletter in ten days. It’ll include an excerpt from my upcoming Realms of Glory devotional and an introduction to two angels who figure prominently in that book. If you don’t want to miss out, subscribe before Monday, June 16. NEWSLETTER >>
So what’s cluttering up your desktop? Do tell!
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Tried and True, Chapter 150: Twists and Turns
Chapter 150: Twists and Turns
Valerian’s story of encampment exploits stuttered to a stop. “Adin?”
Loris murmured, “My, my.”
Taweel turned and his eyebrows began a slow ascent. He’d been aware of the scent and splash of water from the inner room. But this?
Tamaes and Adin stood shoulder to shoulder, cheeks pink from fresh washing. Their hair showed a Weaver’s workmanship, with braids swirling from nape to crown.
Valerian chose diplomacy. “You boys are wise to consider your options. Many warriors braid or bind their hair.”
Weft collapsed into giggles, setting off the other two, and Taweel sighed in relief. They were only playing.
<< 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 5, 2014
Tried and True, Chapter 149: A Friend in Need
Chapter 149: A Friend in Need
Tamaes slipped through Loris’s door behind his mentor, then beckoned to Adin. While Taweel and Valerian caught up with the Weaver, the boys cornered their friend.
“Help us?” Tamaes begged.
“Me?” Weft asked, wide-eyed at their hushed urgency. “What’s wrong?”
“My arms,” Adin groaned. “They hurt.”
“And my hands.” Tamaes showed blistered palms.
“What can I do?” the Weaver’s apprentice asked.
Adin wheedled, “Remember that time when we had our baths here …?”
Weft quickly caught on. “Stone basins are heavy.”
“Too heavy,” grumbled Adin.
Tamaes added, “Please?”
Their friend’s eyes shone speculatively. “Do you need help with your hair?”
<< 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 4, 2014
Tried and True, Chapter 148: Repetition
Chapter 148: Repetition
“Again.”
Tamaes brought the practice sword down against his mentor’s blade with less eagerness than his first several whacks. Vibrations rattled up his arms. Was he making any progress?
“Again.”
He swung and connected with another bone-jarring clang. Flexing his fingers, Tamaes adjusted his grip. Then corrected his stance. There was so much to remember.
“Again.”
Tamaes knew his arms would ache later on, but his blood sang in his veins. He’d been made for this, and if he endured now, he could offer his strength to God.
Taweel checked, “Do you wish to rest?”
Tamaes shook his head. “Again.”
<< 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 3, 2014
Tried and True, Chapter 147: Consideration
Chapter 147: Consideration
When a new song signaled the next watch, Tamaes started to run after Adin. But all of a sudden, he remembered that he wasn’t a newfoundling any longer. He couldn’t simply go off and play with Adin. Or go visit Weft. Or challenge the other newfoundlings to a sparring session. An apprentice looked to his mentor first!
Skidding to a stop, Tamaes wheeled so fast, he crashed right into Taweel.
The warrior steadied him. “Did you forget something?”
Tamaes sheepishly admitted, “You.”
“We both have new habits to form.” Taweel suggested, “Consider me, even as I will consider you.”
“Agreed!”
<< 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 2, 2014
Tried and True, Chapter 146: Lagging
Chapter 146: Lagging
The more Taweel watched the boys, the more he worried. Especially for Tamaes. Adin excelled at every task, yet his twin toyed with things. Patient. Unhurried. Behind.
“What is he doing?” Taweel muttered to the overseer.
Valerian laughed quietly. “He is testing the balance of his spear.”
As Tamaes returned to the pile of spares beside the practice field and chose another, Taweel shuffled his feet. “The boy lacks focus.”
“Yet he notices details the others run past.” Valerian clapped his shoulder. “Do not complain about traits you yourself emulate, guardian of Weavers, friend of Messengers, and captain of yahavim.”
<< 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.
In which summer reading is promoted…
Authorial Endeavor #36. The lovely folks in Zonderkidz’s marketing department dropped me a note to let me know that the Threshold Series is a part of their special Summer Reading promotion. And that means the e-books are on sale! If you’d like to add editions to your virtual library, this is a great time to buy. It’s also remarkably easy to gift the books to another reader. Please do spread the word about this Threshold Series sale!
This sale runs from June 2 through June 16.
The Blue Door ♦ e-book normally $7.99, on sale for $3.99
The Hidden Deep ♦ e-book normally $7.99, on sale for $3.99
The Broken Window ♦ e-book normally $7.99, on sale for $3.99
The Garden Gate ♦ e-book normally $7.99, on sale for $3.99
May 30, 2014
Tried and True, Chapter 145: Are We There Yet
Chapter 145: Are We There Yet
All the solemnity of the occasion was lost when Tamaes immediately turned to his mentor to ask, “Now can I start training?”
Asaph hid a smile behind his sleeve, and Taweel sighed. “Start?”
Tamaes nodded. “How else will I get my own sword?”
Taweel blandly pointed out, “Your training began when you brought me my sword.”
The boy hung his head. “Am I too impatient?”
“Always tell me what you hope for, but trust me for the timing.”
“I want a sword,” he whispered.
Asaph laughed, and Taweel’s lips quirked. “It is time I introduced myself to the weapons master.”
<< 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.
May 29, 2014
Tried and True, Chapter 144: Vows
Chapter 144: Vows
Tamaes sighed in delight as Asaph unfurled. Feather-like blades of rainbow light swayed upon threads of lightning, like a thousand tongues of fiery glass. The Worshiper shook out his wings in a harmonious cascade, then began a song all angels knew: the zamarim call to worship.
The young Guardian made it a duet.
Taweel soon added his counterpoint, for the song of dedication was a trio. Vows wove with worship. Promises mingled with praise. He voiced pledges of unity and cooperation in their service to God.
When the last note faded, Asaph concluded, “Amen, amen, and again I say amen.”
<< 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.
May 28, 2014
Tried and True, Chapter 143: Song of Dedication
Chapter 143: Song of Dedication
Although Tamaes was eager to begin training in earnest, Taweel delayed. In taking the boy ahead to the Forgers, they’d missed one selection day tradition. And to keep it, they needed a Worshiper. More specifically, Taweel wanted Asaph.
They found the blue-haired angel amidst the candle-trees. “So this is what God Most High had in store!”
Tamaes stood as tall as possible. “I have much to learn, and Taweel will teach me.”
“As it should be.” Asaph knelt before Tamaes and gently took his hands. “But something is lacking. Sing with me?”
The boy whispered, “Can I see your wings?”
<< 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.
