Tag Archives: Marcher Lord Press

The Restorer’s Son, Expanded Edition by Sharon Hinck Now Available!

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Today I want to bring you a post about the newly released fantasy novel, The Restorer’s Son, Expanded Edition, as I promised to in a recent trio of posts focusing on The Restorer (Book 1) and author Sharon Hinck. (You can find my previous posts here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.)

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.”

Marcher Lord Press Releases New Book List

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Marcher Lord Press has released its seventh list of new books, due out in October. I love almost all of the MLP books, but a couple of the new ones are re-releases of my favorites that have gone out of print. Here’s the rundown of all seven, as reported in a recent email by MLP:

  • Oxygen by John B. Olson and Randall Ingermanson (deluxe re-release). I loved this book. In fact, by the time I finished it, my entire family knew the story. I couldn’t stop talking about it.
  • Freehead (working title) by Kerry Nietz. This is the conclusion of the epic sci-fi “DarkTrench” saga that started in 2009 with A Star Curiously Singing.
  • The Restorer by Sharon Hinck (deluxe re-release of the first book in the “Sword of Lyric” trilogy). I loved, loved, loved this book so much we used it as a selection for our local book club. Needless to say, it was a BIG hit there too.
  • Broken Sight by Steve Rzasa, a new space opera from the universe revealed in the universe revealed in Rzasa’s novel The Word Reclaimed.
  • Wind and Shadow by Kathy Tyers. This is a very long-awaited sequel to the classic Christian sci-fi “Firebird” trilogy. I can’t wait to read it.

For more info on books previously released by this fabulous publisher of inspirational speculative, sci-fi and fantasy fiction, check out the website: Marcher Lord Press.

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.”

Marcher Lord Press Announces 3 New Novels

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Inspirational speculative, science fiction and fantasy publisher Marcher Lord Press has released its 2010 list of new novels. As usual, all three have beautiful covers and sound very interesting. Here are the official synopses and covers.

The Sending, by Matt Koceich

LOSE YOUR FAITH. SAVE YOUR SOUL.

Mark Grant has a unique ability to see distant places and has earned millions in his quest to locate the Garden of Eden. Now dark forces want him to uncover a 4,000 year-old secret that holds the key to eternal life.

This is no harmless quest for Paradise. Armies of darkness seek to reclaim their place in heaven. To do so, they must escape their ultimate death in the lake of fire by using Mark as their human host. The fruit of the Tree of Life will solidify their insidious plan. So Mark is sent to find the way back into Eden—and his family is kidnapped to ensure his compliance.

The minions of Satan think Mark is working completely for their errands. But someone else is sending Mark, as well.

Racing time to find them and the Tree of Life, Mark must decide if he’s willing to lose his faith to save his soul.

The Tenth Crusader, by Kirk Outerbridge
A Rick Macey Cyberthriller:
Thirty years of unrequited revenge stuffed into the body of a high powered combat cyborg

The Philippines of the future is a dangerous place. A country ravaged by 20 years of Islamic civil war. A nation fractured by religious fundamentalism and socioeconomic decay—and a place General Rick Macey thought he’d never have to see again.

But when a political assassination takes place at the US embassy in Manila, a calling card is left that Macey can hardly ignore.

Charged with mending US-Philippine relations, Macey must uncover the assassins, known only as The Tenth Crusaders, before the U.S. is accused of politically sabotaging the Philippines’ efforts to join the Islamic Alliance of Oceania—a pan-Islamic Supercountry comprised of the former Malaysia and Indonesia.

Failure could mean a new conflict between the U.S. and I.A.O., but to find the Crusaders, Macey will have to confront his past in the Philippines and the truth behind why he never wanted to return.

König’s Fire, by Marc Schooley

They Called Me Nebuchadnezzar

The Nazis have established a torture center in a mine at the heart of a Romanian forest. Here they interrogate prisoners and, sometimes, throw them into the furnace at the heart of the mine.

Only now, the primeval forest is rising against them, unleashing a preternatural army to besiege the great iron gate of the mine. The fearsome guards become terrified prisoners and the furnace itself burns with hungry anger against them.

Sascha König, a man they called Nebuchadnezzar, is their only hope. He is master of the furnace. All along, he has been Hitler’s ardent servant. But now…König is wrestling with demons of his own, and the Master of all fires is calling him to Himself through the haunting eyes of a little gypsy girl König did not save.

You can find the publisher and sample chapters here: Marcher Lord Press

Release date is October 1, 2010.

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.”

To Darkness Fled, by Jill Williamson (CSFF Blog Tour)

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This month’s Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy blog tour is different from any of the others I have participated in as we bloggers have been given the opportunity to write posts on our favorite inspirational sci-fi/fantasy books. For me that is a difficult assignment. I don’t really have a favorite book in this category but there are a few that I have enjoyed very much. As such, I have been wanting to post on a wonderful book I recently read so I’ll do it in honor of CSFF.

To Darkness Fled, Book 2 in the “Blood of Kings” trilogy by Jill Williamson, is a masterfully written inspirational, adult fantasy novel. I don’t say that lightly. After reading Book 1 (By Darkness Hid), I eagerly looked forward to reading the sequel. Life being what it is, it took a while to get to it, but once I met my other commitments, I grabbed the book and happily settled in for a good read. I wasn’t disappointed.

The book picks up right where Book 1 left off, however, it continues the story primarily from another character’s point of view. In this book we get to explore the mind and experiences of Lady Averella, known to her current companions as Vrell Sparrow. In Book 1, we see Vrell flee the wicked prince in the guise of a young lad, who is then sucked into the world of men for the adventure of her life.

Once again, author Jill Williamson had done a great job of creating a believable character and placed her in certain situations that kept me turning page after page. Here’s the official blurb:

Enter Darkness…

They had no choice. Chased by an evil prince, Achan, Vrell, and the Kingsguard knights flee into Darkness. They head north, for Tsaftown and Ice Island, where they must free an army that can help them fight for Er’Rets.

Darkness sickens Vrell. How long can she keep her secret without being caught? Achan already suspects her of lying. If she is not careful, he will suspect her of treason, as well. She hopes he will let his suspicions go until they reach her home. Though he would not be very wise if he did.

Achan wanted freedom, but this new journey has bound him more than ever. Sir Gavin’s claim is so far fetched. First, that there might only be one god, and second, that this God chose Achan to push back Darkness, the magnificent curse of Er’Rets. Him. Achan. Barely a man himself.

Each setback Darkness brings seems minor compared to the one choice only Achan can make. What will he choose?

To read sample chapters of To Darkness Fled on Scribed.com, click here.

To Darkness Fled is appropriate for readers 13 and older, but will likely appeal to most adult readers interested in Christian fantasy. I highly recommend the book.

Author Jill Williamson can be found all over the web, including: www.jillwilliamson.com,  Facebook,  MySpace,  Shoutlife,  Shelfari,  GoodReads,  Twitter,  Amazon (author page)

To Darkness Fled, by Jill Williamson
Publisher: Marcher Lord Press
Publication Date: April 1, 2010
696 pages

To read the recommendations of the other CSFF bloggers, see the sidebar.

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.”

By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson Wins a Christy!

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Congratulations to Jill Williamson on winning a Christy award yesterday! Her fantasy novel By Darkness Hid won top place in the “Visionary” category. The award is well-deserved and a first for publisher Marcher Lord Press. Congrats to all!

For my previous review of By Darkness Hid, click here.

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.”