By Vassil (Own work) Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The second place my mind goes is to the spirit behind fantasy — that special thing that draws me into these fantastical worlds of swords, horses, chivalry, good versus evil. That last one is the clincher for me. Good versus evil. I think that’s the one thing that keeps me coming back.

You see, my faith in God runs deep and what is Christianity based on? Good versus evil. The redeeming power of God in the face of an adversary who seeks to destroy mankind. I love to hear stories of good conquering evil, of hope to be found in dark, oppressive lands, or battles that can be fought — and won — in the face of ultimate evil.

I see fantasy fiction as an illustration of the unseen spiritual wars that influence all of our lives, wars that we become involved in all the time. To me, the good forces found in fantasy fiction provide a light. They remind us that there is good, that there is a God, the true champion of the human race. I believe that if we follow the true spirit behind this light, we will eventually find our way to the feet of God.

I recently received an email from one of my blog followers with a link to an article he and his brother (James Lang and Anthony Lang) wrote for Notre Dame Magazine. The article, entitled Flights of Fancy, explores the perceived good and bad of fantasy fiction. Does it enlighten or corrupt mankind? What do you think?

I found the article to be an interesting discussion of themes that I hold dear to my heart and, I’m the first to admit, the Lang brothers have expressed their thoughts on this topic much more elegantly than I ever could have. As such, I want to provide you a link and I encourage you to check it out.

Flights of Fancy
BY JAMES M. LANG ’91 AND ANTHONY F. LANG JR. ’90
Notre Dame Magazine, Autumn 2011 

What about you? What do you love about fantasy fiction? And science fiction too, for that matter. I think the same applies to this genre as well. Leave me a note in the comments section and let’s talk. I’d love to hear what you have to say.

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.”

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.”

I’ve asked myself what exactly was it about this book that captured my attention the first time I read it? I remember receiving my first copy in the mail, then sitting down after dinner to read for a bit, except I never got up again until I had finished the book. Something about the combination of spiritual faith, of watching the struggles of a worn-out mom as she fought through battles with an awesome sword, snagged me and wouldn’t let go. True be told, I think I wished I was the one with the awesome sword fighting fierce enemies. But since I wasn’t, the next best thing was to live the experience through the eyes of the main character, Susan.

You see, Susan was worn out by life and mired in depression. She only wanted to get away with God, to bask in his presence, to find comfort in the scriptures. Those two sentences pretty much describe where I was at that time in my life and it was comforting to know I wasn’t alone, that someone else understood.

Anyway, moving on. When Susan crept away to her attic for some quiet time, she found so much more. While investigating a noise in the back of the attic, she finds herself dropped into an unfamiliar place filled with technology she didn’t understand and people she didn’t know. Everything she held dear was gone.

As Susan walked on, she began to learn things, to realize that certain things can strengthen us, bring us closer to God, and help us to walk more faithfully in his will for our lives. Through music, oral tradition, and recalling verses memorized long before, Susan finds strength to get through impossible situations, to fight in and win battles she never could have before. And not just that, she learned that God had called her, in all of her weakness, to be the one to lead a beleaguered people to victory, fighting against political corruption as well as against enemies on the battlefield with the sword of a Restorer.

The Restorer — one who will lead the people back to the verses.

Isn’t that what it’s all about? Sharon helped me realize through the pages of her book that I’m not the only one worn out by life. Yeah, I’d heard that before, but it’s another thing to see a character pulled through a situation in which you find yourself, in dramatic ways that you wish could be you. You see, while Susan got to fight her battles with a blade, she also learned to fight with her mind — and that is something we all can do.

Ok, so that’s my womanly take on the book.

At the same time, I’ve heard men say that they too enjoyed the book with all of its action scenes and battles. (I know I’m repeating myself here, but sword battles are so cool!) Intrigue, corruption, ambushes, death, mayhem, enchantments and deliverance. What’s not to like?

If you haven’t read The Restorer, you need to. And if you have read the book, you should get the expanded version and read it again. Sharon didn’t ask me to say that. I just believe so much in the encouragement this book has to offer — and, yes, entertain — that I wish I could get a copy for everyone. You owe it to yourself to check it out. And soon. Book 2 hits the shelves in just a couple of weeks and if you’ve read Book 1, I’m sure you’ll want the sequel.

Soon after I read The Restorer the first time, I helped organize a local book club. Want to know what our first selection was? Yep, you guessed it. After we read it and finished our discussions, several of the ladies in our group went on to finish the next two books in the series. Some of those said that Book 2 was their favorite of the three. (In a couple of weeks, I’ll be bringing you a post about Book 2, so stay tuned.)

This post has grown a bit longer than I intended and I now find myself out of room — and I still haven’t introduced the author to you. Don’t worry, I’ll put up another post tomorrow to do just that. Meanwhile, I would love to hear your feedback, especially if you’ve read The Restorer. I want to know what you thought. Just leave me a note via the blue link below or you can click on the comment bubble at the upper right corner of this post.

See you tomorrow!

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.”

But the book wasn’t simply put up for a re-run, Marcher Lord Press sponsored an Expanded Edition that added bonus scenes; links to photos, videos and recipes; and a 10-part devotion guide as well. This is really cool because even if you’ve read the previous edition, you can check out the expanded edition and get more new stuff.

In fact, that’s just what I did. I was pretty excited to see The Restorer, Expanded Edition come out in October 2011, but I have to admit that even though it’s such a favorite book of mine, I kept putting off acquiring the new copy — until I found out that the expanded version of Book 2 in the series is due for re-release in April (yes, next month!). So I stepped up and got a copy of Book 1. Boy, am I glad I did.

This is the third or fourth time I’ve read The Restorer – which is saying something because my to-be-read stack is so tall that I rarely re-read anything, no matter how much I want to. As I worked my way through the book, it was fun to find the little bonus chapters filling in the gaps behind the scenes, mostly from the viewpoints of some secondary characters.

I also had fun clicking on the little QR codes to find new nuggets (email links are provided for those who don’t have access to QR code readers). I wish I could give you one for an example, but that would spoil the surprise, wouldn’t it?

By this time you might be wondering what in the world this book is about. So I’m going to give you the official blurb. After today, stay tuned because my next post will go a little deeper into the reasons why I liked this story so much the first time I read it. I’d also like to introduce you to the author. So until then, here’s the summary:

Susan Mitchell thought she was an ordinary homemaker. She was wrong. When she’s pulled through a portal into another world, she finds a nation grappling for its soul and waiting for a promised Restorer to save their people.

She has always longed to do something important for God, but can she fill this role?

While she struggles to adapt to a foreign culture, she tackles an enemy that is poisoning the minds of the people, uncovers a corrupt ruling Council, and learns that God can use even her floundering attempts at service in surprising ways.

This new expanded edition of The Restorer includes an in-depth devotion guide for readers who want to dig into the spiritual themes of the book, bonus scenes providing glimpses of the story through a variety of characters, and fun extras including links to songs and recipes.

In case you just can’t wait for my next post, you can get more info on The Restorer, Expanded Edition here. Meanwhile, I’ll be back with more.

Ranking: 5 out of 5 stars.

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.”

• 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.”

Book 1, The Restorer, starts with a depressed soccer mom, Susan, who somehow is pulled into a parallel world (Lyric) where she is identified as a Restorer tasked with bringing heathens and warring territories “back to the Verses.” The universe Sharon built relies on some forms of advanced technology while weapons of war are deliberately kept simple by the inhabitants in order to not break their religious ethics.

Book 2, The Restorer’s Son, finds Susan and her husband (Mark) desperately searching for their son, Jake, who has somehow found his way into Lyric and Hazor and become embroiled in a maze of assassins and political intrigue. Meanwhile, Kieran flees from the One and the calling placed on him, only to find that he can’t hide. He journeys to Sidian, a nation torn by darkness, where he learns the One demands all, maybe even his life.

In Book 3, The Restorer’s Journey, Susan and Jake once again find themselves drawn through a portal back into the land of the People of the Verses, where Susan struggles to love her captors and Jake tries to endure a vicious betrayal and find his own destiny.

The Sword of Lyric series has become one of my favorites of all time. I can only hope that more Christian book publishers will be willing to step further into the world of speculative fiction.

Meanwhile, I want to offer my sincere congratulations to Sharon Hinck. I have met Sharon and I must say that the award couldn’t have gone to a nicer person. Good job, Sharon!

For more information on the author, visit her website: 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.”