Monthly Archives: June 2009

Win a copy of LE Modesitt, Jr.’s THE LORD PROTECTOR’s DAUGHTER

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Lord Protector's Daughter

Lord Protector's Daughter

A lot of press surrounded the release of The Lord Protector’s Daughter by L.E. Modesitt, Jr., a few months ago, so I decided to give away a copy. To be entered in the drawing, leave a comment after this post. Make sure to include your email address so I can contact the winner. (You might want to disguise your email address to protect against spam robots, for instance, dona [at] fantasyandfaith dot com. Here’s the publisher’s info on the book:

The Lord-Protector’s Daughter is a standalone fantasy novel that takes place in Tempre, the capital city of Lanachrona on Corus, the world of Modesitt’s Corean Chronicles.

Mykella, the eldest daughter of the Lord-Protector of Lanachrona, discovers that someone is diverting significant sums of money from her father’s treasury. One of the ancient soarers appears to Mykella, telling her that she must go to the antique stone Table in the cellars of the Palace and find her Talent in order to save her land and her world.

From there, matters become more perilous. There are attempts to remove Mykella and her sisters from Tempre by marrying them off to lords in neighboring lands, and fatal and near fatal accidents occur to members of her family and trusted retainers. While Mykella develops a solid idea of who stands behind it all, every attempted solution is used to discredit her. How can she save their father and land?

Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Fablehaven, by Brandon Mull

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[amazon-product alink="0000FF" bordercolor="000000" height="240"]1416947205[/amazon-product]A friend recently introduced me to the Fablehaven books by Brandon Mull. I found Fablehaven, the first book in the series, a fun romp through a fairy tale landscape. There were trolls, satyrs, witches, imps, fairies, and a pair of elderly caretakers looking over this odd assortment of characters in a preserve meant to hide them from prying eyes. Unknown to the modern world, this sanctuary for mythical creatures depends upon secrecy to hide its inhabitants. Therefore, when Kendra and Seth’s parents leave them at their grandparents’ house for almost three weeks, no one knows the adventures in store for these two kids, certainly not their parents. However, this inquisitive young boy and his protective older sister inevitably discover the preserve’s secrets and, in doing so, encounter one problem after another. After a well-paced climax and satisfying ending, the stage is well set for the next book in the series. Fablehaven is written primarily for ages 9-12, but has enough ingredients and intrigue to hold older readers as well. 

Shameless plug: To purchase Fablehaven, you can connect to the Amazon store by clicking on the book’s cover above. If you buy through this Amazon link, I will receive a small percentage commission.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Reading Thoughts and Facing the Unknown

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Dona Watson

Dona Watson

In Luke (Chapter 7), we find a narrative about a woman who came to Christ as he was dining at a Pharisee’s house and began to weep at his feet, washing them with her tears. As she kissed Christ’s feet and anointed them with precious ointment, the Pharisee who had invited Christ began to grumble in his heart that if Christ were a prophet, he would know the woman was a sinner, implying that had Christ known, there’s no way he would have allowed this woman to touch him. 

At this point, in verse 40, we see what is perhaps my favorite part of the story: “And answering, Jesus said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ And he said, ‘Teacher, speak.’” The passage goes on to detail a parable Christ told about a creditor with two debtors, neither of whom could afford to repay their loan. Nonetheless, the creditor forgave their debts, one 500 denarii and the other 50. The story illustrates how those who are forgiven much, love much and those who are forgiven little, often love little. 

Many have waxed eloquent on the outcome of the story and the lesson Christ taught. However, today I am drawn back to verse 40 and the fact that Jesus answered Simon’s thoughts. That is the stuff legends are made of. If this were to happen in a novel, we would see some kind of sage who would know everything about you before you said anything, an all-powerful character who could bend heaven and earth at will. In such a story, the other party often either trembles in fear or bows in deep respect before such a formidable figure.

What joy to think that this is who my Lord is! Christianity is all about him, the one who can read my thoughts, the one true, all-powerful King of heaven and earth. Before such a God, I have no right to demand anything. I can only bow my head in humility before such power, before the One who knows the unknown. And the amazing part? He loves me. He knows me. He knows my life, just as he knew the situation with the woman who wept on his feet. He knew her, he loved her, and he forgave her. He wanted to help her face the unknowns in her life. 

The Bible teaches that he wants to extend that love to me. Christ wants to help me face the unknowns in my life. All I need to do is humble myself before him, honor him and seek forgiveness. He knows the answers. He knows the solutions we need to face the unknown.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: At times, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”