The first is the yet-to-be-released, limited edition of Tad Williams‘ A Stark and Wormy Knight, courtesy of Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist. The book is a collection of short stories and novellas all written by Tad Williams. I’m not sure when the deadline is, so if you’re interested, I suggest you hurry. Click here for the link to the contest.

The next giveaway is two copies of Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore, compliments of Fantasy Book Critic. Bitterblue is a companion book to her NY Times bestsellers, Graceling and Fire. Here’s the link. The contest ends May 19, 2012.

Good luck!

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.”

Michael Whelan cover art for "A Memory of Light"

You can find a pic of the final book cover here: A Memory of Light book cover

You can find Michael Whelan’s web site here: http://www.glassonion.com/

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.”

On his 17th birthday, Troy wakes up in a bizarre Corridor, where he has to face one test after another in a series of rooms in which the physical challenges get increasingly harder. Figuring out the reason he is there is as much of a mystery to the reader as it is to Troy. Without giving any spoilers, the end gives the reader some but not all the answers to the mystery, thus setting the scene for a sequel–which I assume will be coming since Corridor is subtitled A MythWorks Novel.

One unique thing about Robin Parrish is that while he is an author of Christian fiction, references to faith in his books are quite subliminal and implied rather than directly portrayed. If you’d like to explore more of this author, his other books include: Vigilante, Nightmare, Offworld, Merciless, Fearless, and Relentless.

(I have read Offworld and Relentless and the latter was definitely my favorite. It started with a bang and drug me along at a breakneck speed clear to the end–which I love. I couldn’t put it down until I finished. For purposes of this blog, I will specify that it’s not SFF, but regardless, I highly recommend it for lovers of suspense.)

For more on Corridor, check out this link to Amazon. (I didn’t find a link on the Barnes & Noble web site.)

You can find the author here: Robin Parrish

Have you read Corridor? I love to hear your thoughts. Just leave a comment and let’s talk.

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.”

Black Sun Rising cover art by the amazing Michael Whelan. Click the picture for more.

I first heard of Black Sun Rising when I heard a well-known author say that the book was a well-crafted fantasy. At that point, of course, I just had to see for myself.

My first thoughts upon starting the book did indeed focus on how well it was written. The prose was beautiful, backstory salted in oh so carefully and the characters had depth that went far beyond the printed page. The author (C.S. Friedman) has definitely worked hard to build Erna — a complicated world with a storied past, a world that was colonized hundreds of years before by humans from Earth. However, somewhere along the line, catastrophe struck and the colonists lost all their advanced technology, plunging them back into a more medieval-type of society.

Enter the characters:

Damien Vryce: A rebel, a warrior, a priest who is (as the cover jacket states) “one of the few men of his calling who believes that sorcery can, indeed, serve as a potent weapon in the war against evil…”

Ciani of Faraday: An adept, one of the few humans born with the ability to see the native fae (forces of nature native to Erna) and alter it to her will. However, a deadly evil from her mysterious past haunts her, leaving her no choice but to track down the demons who have robbed her of her memories.

Senzei Reese: Ciani’s assistant and friend, who has lived in the shadow of her power for years, always hungering to taste, to hold the power she controls.

Gerald Tarrant: A mysterious and elegant yet deadly sorcerer who draws sustenance from the dark powers of Erna. And yet, the mission these four set out on has little chance of success without his abhorrent power.

Overall, I did indeed find Black Sun Rising to be written very well. My only hesitation comes from finding that as I read, I occasionally felt I had just missed some important detail and had to back up a few paragraphs to see what it was. Nonetheless, the author’s world-building was admirably extensive and the characters well developed.

In terms of ranking, I give Black Sun Rising 4 stars because of the quality of writing. As for my personal preference, I probably won’t read books 2 and 3 of The Coldfire Trilogy, but — I stress here — that is simply because the book is a little darker and grittier than I prefer. If that is your style, you might want to check out this trilogy. The skill with which it is written warrants a look-see.

Black Sun Rising was first released in October 1991 by DAW Books. For more info, here are links to Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

You can find the author, C.S. Friedman, at http://www.csfriedman.com/.

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.”

Unfinished AMoL cover by Darrell Sweet

Are any of you eagerly awaiting the final book in the Wheel of Time series? The fourteenth (and final) book in this series conceived of and largely written by Robert Jordan is entitled A Memory of Light (referred to fans as AMoL) and is set for release by Tor in January 2013. (Due to Jordan’s tragic and untimely death, Brandon Sanderson is writing the final three books, as outlined and partially written by Jordan before his death.)

While next January still seems like a long time away, Tor has released a couple of teasers. Above you can see the still unfinished cover art. The artwork remains unfinished because Darrell K. Sweet, the artist who illustrated all the previous Wheel of Time book covers passed away before it could be completed. The painting will now be finished by the incredible artist Michael Whelan. (For more details regarding the AMoL cover, visit this link to Dragonmount.com.)

Tor has also released an excerpt of the Prologue for those of us who are chaffing at the bit. I feel it my civic duty, an opportunity my responsibility to pass that on to you. After all, that’s why I’m here, right? (grin)

If you’d like to get a taste of this much anticipated book, follow this link to get a preview into the life of an Andorian soldier preparing for the end of the world:

Excerpt of A Memory of Light (Book 14 in The Wheel of Time) by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

What do you think of the excerpt and cover art? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave me a comment and let’s talk about it, ok?

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.”

Christine, the princess and heir to the real world of Chrysanthe, is kidnapped as a small child by a powerful magician and exiled in a Made World that is a version of our present reality. In exile, supervised by her strict “uncle” (actually a wizard in disguise), she undergoes bogus memory recovery therapy, through which she is forced to remember childhood rape and abuse by her parents and others. She is terribly stunted emotionally by this terrifying plot, but at seventeen discovers it is all a lie. Christine escapes with a rescuer, Sir Quentin, a knight from Chrysanthe, in a thrilling chase across realities.

Once home, the magical standoff caused by her exile is broken, and a war begins, in spite of the best efforts of her father, the king, and his wizard, Melogian. And that war, which takes up nearly the last third of the work, is a marvel of magical invention and terror, a battle between good and evil forces that resounds with echoes of the great battles of fantasy literature.

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.”

The Carol-award winning The Restorer’s Son is Book 2 in The Sword of Lyric trilogy. If you saw my previous posts, you know that I loved Book 1 — and guess what? I loved Book 2 just as much if not more. While Book 1 focused on Susan Mitchell, soccer mom extraordinaire, Book 2 focuses on the rugged Kieran of Braide Wood. This smart-aleck, sarcastic, backwoods scout/fighter is a man who struggles with his own mortality, his heritage, and his less-than-stellar standing in society. Maybe it’s just my own warped sense of humor (What? Me? Sarcastic? Nah), but I really enjoyed following Kieran and his dry wit.

I struggle with how to review this story because if you haven’t read Book 1, the opening chapter of Book 2 is a HUGE spoiler. I can, however, present you with the first couple of paragraphs without risk.

Chapter One — Kieran

“Hills of Hazor take you,” I swore for at least the tenth time since first light. My sword hacked at thick underbrush, but when I shouldered my way forward, a twig snapped back at my face. I cursed the day I’d met the last Restorer. It was because of her that I was battling through this forsaken forest below Cauldron Falls. My blade deserved a more substantial enemy.

A squint-eyed badger rambled out from a thornbush. Sniffing the air, it bristled and ducked back under cover. Wise plan. I was hungry. Stinging beetles landed on me from the low-hanging branches overhead. I swatted them away and stalked onward.

Why hadn’t I convinced Tristan to leave her in Shamgar when she first turned up? A witness to his crime, and he had brought her to our refuge in the deserted city. Typical. He was a naive idiot sometimes.

She hadn’t looked very threatening that day — rain-soaked, bloody, and unconscious. If only I’d known then how much trouble she was capable of causing. What was that old saying? Don’t judge a rizzid’s menace until you see its teeth.

And so it begins. Kieran goes on to find a new calling, an orphan boy, a ruthless king with burning questions, and an enemy land torn apart by darkness. (I can say that since it’s all mentioned on the back cover.)

But Kieran isn’t the only character. Susan and Mark reappear, searching frantically for their teenage son, all the while struggling with suspicions that they have been betrayed by an ally. In regard to Susan and Mark, the publisher puts it best: “Assassins, political intrigue, false leads, and near misses beset their path, which will lead them into the dark prisons of Hazor before the One’s purpose is revealed.”

I’ve read this book a couple of times and thinking back to the first time, I recall turning the pages deep into the night, dying to find out what happened next. And yet, the book focuses on more than just adventure. Intrigue, the dangers of pride, and the mortality of man in the face of an all-powerful God are the first few themes that come to mind.

Now for the best part — if you haven’t read The Restorer’s Son, you should. If you have read it, you should read it again, but make sure you have the Expanded Edition so you can take advantage of the links to extra content, new scenes, and an extensive devotional guide in the back.

I’m sure you’ve figured out by now that I give The Restorer’s Son 5 stars out of 5.

For purchasing information, you can click through here, Marcher Lord Press. The book is currently available from the publisher in trade-sized paperback. I understand e-book versions will be available very soon. I’ll try to keep you posted on that.

You can find Sharon Hinck online at: http://www.sharonhinck.com/

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.”

I have so many things on my plate this month that I opted not to review the book, but I’d like to call attention to those who have. The bloggers below have committed to participate at least once within the next three days, so if you click through and don’t find a post on the book yet, try again in the next day or two.

Gillian Adams
Julie Bihn
Red Bissell
Thomas Clayton Booher
Thomas Fletcher Booher
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
Theresa Dunlap
Amber French
Tori Greene
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Janeen Ippolito
Becky Jesse
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Leighton
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Nissa
Joan Nienhuis
John W. Otte
Crista Richey
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Shane Werlinger
Nicole White
Dave Wilson

Here’s the official blurb for the book:

What does a transformed life actually look like?

In his follow-up to the critically acclaimed Imaginary Jesus, Matt Mikalatos tackles this question in an entertaining and thought-provoking way—with MONSTERS!!! While Christians claim to experience Christ’s resurrection power, we sometimes act like werewolves who can’t control our base desires. Or zombies, experiencing a resurrection that is 90 percent shambling death and 10 percent life. Or vampires, satiating ourselves at the expense of others. But through it all we long to stop being monsters and become truly human—the way Christ intended. We just can’t seem to figure out how.

Night of the Living Dead Christian is the story of Luther, a werewolf on the run, whose inner beast has driven him dangerously close to losing everything that matters. Desperate to conquer his dark side, Luther joins forces with Matt to find someone who can help. Yet their time is running out. A powerful and mysterious man is on their trail, determined to kill the wolf at all costs . . .

By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Night of the Living Dead Christian is a spiritual allegory that boldly explores the monstrous underpinnings of our nature and tackles head-on the question of how we can ever hope to become truly transformed.

For more info, here are a couple of links: Amazon and Barnes & Noble

You can find the author at: http://www.mikalatos.com/

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.”

Randal Knox, the first-born son of the Prime Minister wanted nothing more than to fit in, away from the world of politics that many assumed he would step into. That’s where the armored infantry comes in, the perfect place to get out of the limelight — or so he thinks.

When things go wrong, Randal finds himself in charge of a small remnant of survivors and thus the Irregulars are born. Together, they have to figure out how to survive and fight back against the invaders.

As a militaristic science fiction novel, Knox’s Irregulars differs from many others in that it was written on a framework of Evangelical Christianity — something that one rarely finds in this genre (that’s the twist). In addition, I found that it is also a solid science fiction novel with a strong techno/armed forces component.

As well it should. The author, J. Wesley Bush, has previously been an airborne infantryman and military intelligence cryptolinguist. Other roles he has played in life include an NGO worker, historian and…circus unicyclist.

I think the book’s strengths lie in it’s characterization, action, and if you’re a Christian, you probably will appreciate the strong spiritual component. In terms of ranking, I give Knox’s Irregulars 3.75 stars. I enjoyed reading it and would consider reading it again but to do so, I’d first have to dig my way out of my stack of books still to be read, and…well, I’d probably get distracted first. If you like Christian fiction and science fiction, you’ll probably enjoy Knox’s Irregulars and I encourage you to check it out. Here’s a link to Amazon.

You can find the author online at: http://knoxsirregulars.com/

Now how about you? I’d love to hear what your favorite military sci-fi novels are. You can let me know via the blue link below or by clicking on the gray comment bubble at the top right of this post.

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.”

Sharon published her first book in 2006, The Secret Life of Becky Miller, a humorous contemporary novel, followed by the sequel Renovating Becky Miller (2007). Symphony of Secrets and Stepping into Sunlight were released in 2008. The Sword of Lyric trilogy (The Restorer, The Restorer’s Son, and The Restorer’s Journey, was released in 2007-2008, and The Restorer, Expanded Edition was released in 2011. An Expanded Edition of The Restorer’s Son will be released next month (April 2012), with an Expanded Edition of The Restorer’s Journey to follow.

Sharon’s awards include:

• “Writer of the Year,” Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference (2007)
• The Secret Life of Becky Miller won second place in the Lit category of the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Book of the Year contest (2007).
• Finalist in the 2008 Christy Awards
• Reviewer’s Choice award from Road to Romance reviews
• The Restorer’s Journey and Symphony of Secrets won ACFW Carol Awards in 2009

As you can see, she’s been a busy lady.

Sharon was kind enough to provide me with answers to some questions regarding the creation of The Restorer, Expanded Edition.

What was it like developing new material for this new edition?

I loved these stories and characters so much that it was a treat to revisit the world beyond the attic. It was fun playing with scenes from new angles and exploring other character voices. The interactive devotion guide was rewarding to write, because it helped me dig deeply into the Biblical themes that inspired elements of the books.

How did you decide what bonus elements to add?

It was important to me that people would feel that it was worth the investment to own The Restorer-Expanded Edition, even if they had a copy of the original edition. I drew from all the mail I’ve gotten from readers about these books and created the things that I felt would do the most to enhance their experience of The Restorer.

Since many readers share that the spiritual themes had a big impact on them, I created the devotion guide to show the foundation of those themes – and also to give more glimpses into the way that Susan Mitchell is loosely inspired by Deborah in the book of Judges. The Bible study and journaling and prayers allow readers to go on their own spiritual adventure as they are reading the novel.

I also had fun creating new scenes from the perspective of minor characters. Since the book is in Susan’s first person point of view, it was fun giving other characters like Wade, Tara, Kieran, Nolan, and Tristan a voice. My publisher had suggested including “deleted scenes,” but anything that had been deleted from the original manuscript when the book was first published needed to be deleted. So writing fresh material from a new slant seemed like the way to go. I hope it’s as fun for readers as bonus material on a DVD is for me.

We also tried something innovative in using QR codes so that people with smart phones can hover over the symbol and go to a page to heart the music of a song in the story, or read a recipe for a meal that is described in the book.

Besides an entertaining read, what do you hope people experience in The Restorer-Expanded Edition?

God can use ordinary people in unexpected ways. I truly believe that many women live lives of quiet heroism – whether their battleground is caring for aging parents, raising a child with a disability, fighting a long-term illness, volunteering at their church, or supporting a friend through difficulty. My hope is that Susan’s adventure in an alternate world breathes inspiration into anyone feeling that the road has been difficult in his or her world.

If you want more info about Sharon’s books or to purchase a copy, you can click on the blue links above. If you’d like a personalized copy signed by Sharon, click on the brown box below.

You can find Sharon online, at: http://www.sharonhinck.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sharonhinck
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/sharon.hinck

Thanks for joining me on this three-day exploration of Sharon and her books. I’ll be bringing you more information on The Restorer’s Son, Expanded Edition as it becomes available.

If you’ve read any of Sharon’s books, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Just leave me a comment via the blue link below or click on the gray comment bubble at the top right of this post. I love to hear from you.

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.”