Poison's Dance ~ Review with Mini Interview

Poison's Dance

Beyond the Tales #3
By Tricia Mingerink

High King Alexander has been awake from his broken curse for over a year now. He survived a plot by King Cassius to curse him, though not without cost to his friend Daemyn Rand. When he receives an invitation from Queen Valinda of Tuckawassee to visit her kingdom and accept her sister's hand in marriage.

Alex is not looking to marry, not when he still has so much to learn and do as High King. But the potential of peace is too great to ignore at least considering a marriage alliance with Prince Tamya. But the treachery of Tuckawassee can't be put aside, for this offer of peace could be a trap to ensnare Alex in yet another curse. Relying once again on Daemyn century of experience, Alex sets out to give peace a chance.

Tamya loves her sisters and her kingdom, and she'll do what she needs to secure a better life for them all. But marriage to a stranger? She's not sure she is willing to do this, especially if it means trapping the High King in their curse too. But for her sisters, she's ready to do it. To do otherwise would be going against her sister and her queen, but Valinda's plan just feels wrong somehow.

The treachery of Tuckawassee knows no bounds, and soon Daemyn and Alex are facing choices neither thought he'd have to make - love or duty - life or death. 

Poison's Dance is the third book in the Beyond the Tales series and totally worth reading. Now I will say I highly recommend reading the previous books first (Dagger's Sleep and Midnight's Curse) just so you have the back story upon which this book is built. You can enjoy this book without this foundation, but why would you want to.

I really like Daemyn, but I have enjoyed seeing Alex grow through this series. This story is yet another stepping stone in his journey to becoming the High King he is meant to be. Alex is offered the chance to bring peace to the kingdoms but is this the path the Highest King has set before him or a temptation to lure him away from the one he is to follow? The interaction between the 12 sisters is most definitely a complex and complicated one. Is loyalty more important than righteousness? How is Tamya to decide?

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Beyond the Tales #3 

If he falls to the lure of the curse, the dance might trap him forever. 

Alex has survived his first year as High King. The new council has improved cooperation between the kingdoms, and peace seems achievable. When the Tuckawassee queen sends him an invitation he can't refuse, Alex must once again face his greatest threat for the sake of peace. 

Princess Tamya of Tuckawassee, along with her eleven sisters, has danced from sunset until sunrise every night of her life. It is her gift and her curse. When Queen Valinda wishes to use the power their cursed dance gives them to rule all of Tallahatchia, Tamya must decide if she will do what is right even if it betrays her own sister. 

Daemyn Rand has survived a hundred years' worth of battles. All he wants to do now is safely marry his princess. Will he be forced to choose between the love of his life and the high king he has loyally served for years? 

They have faced certain death before. This time, they might not make it out alive. 

Don't miss this re-envisioning of the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy tale. 

Purchase Link: Amazon 

Add Book on Goodreads

Series Link 

Author Bio:

Tricia Mingerink is a twenty-something, book-loving, horse-riding country girl. She lives in Michigan with her family and their pack of pets. When she isn't writing, she can be found pursuing backwoods adventures across the country. 

Find her online at: 

Website || Goodreads || Facebook || Twitter || Instagram || Amazon

Mini Interview with Tricia:

1)  If you had to pick another format for your books to be shared through, what would it be - musical, movie, public readings, serial release(a chapter at a time), graphic novel?

I've always thought a movie of my books would be cool...as long as the movies were as well done as the Lord of the Rings movies, lol. 
 

2)  Who is your favorite character (or two) in your Beyond the Tales series? 

Daemyn will always be a favorite. He's the quiet, tortured hero that always seems to pop up in my books one way or another. And, Alex is near and dear to my heart. 

3) What one question do you wish you would be asked, and how would you answer it?

I love getting humorous or wacky questions rather than the standard, author interview questions. I like humor. 

For example, my favorite interview question I have ever been asked was during a school visit to a 5th-grade class (taught by my brother). One of his students asked, "how does your writing inspire your home decor?" It was a rather insightful and interesting question for a 5th grader, and it took me a few moments to answer. I ended up telling the class how I have decorated my library with medieval weaponry. I currently own a cheap knock-off replica of Eowyn's helmet from the Lord of the Rings movies, a claymore, 2 other swords, a Roman gladius, 6 Blades of Acktar style knives, a Bowie knife (like Daemyn or Rosanna would carry in Beyond the Tales), and a small battle ax that a friend gave me for my birthday. And, yes, the fifth graders then asked if I had ever used the battle-ax, and, no, the battle ax is just a decoration. I've never used it. I had a really riveted fifth-grade class, and that whole school visit was so much fun! 

So, I guess, I wish more people asked questions the way fifth graders do, lol. 

Enter the Tour Giveaway here

Tour Schedule:

Five Reasons to Read:
Knitted by God's Plan
Light and Shadows

Guest Posts:
Live. Love. Read.: Writing Allegorical Fairy Tales
The Heart of a Scribe: The Castles of Tallahatchia
Abby's Blog: The Places of Tallahatchia

Author Interviews:
Dreams and Dragons
Rachel Rossano's Words
A Backwards Story

Reviews:
A Synethete Writer
Elrich's Expressions + Mini Interview!
Blooming with Books + Mini Interview!
Novels, Dragons, and Wardrobe Doors
Morgan Elizabeth Huneke
TJ's Musings
Reality Reflected
The Music of a Story

Chasing the Hunter ~ Blog Hop with Interview

In 1788, Aria Stonewood is chased from her home in the New England colonies after being accused

of murder and abducting twin baby girls.

Hiding a secret, Aria travels west deep into the north-woods of the Minnesota territory. She seeks shelter at a French trading post that is run by a former priest and meets Francois Marcks; both of whom distrust her and do not want her staying there. But with the dangers of winter coming they have no choice but to reluctantly let her stay unaware of what the coming winter will bring to their door.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

About the Author:

Growing up in Northwestern Minnesota, Emily spent the long winter days dreaming and creating stories. She loves the mild summers and cold, wind swept state so much that she incorporates the landscape and small towns into her stories. A life-long book dragon, Emily is fulfilling her dream by writing novels.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | WEBSITE

Author Interview (via SLB)

1. Who or what inspired you to become an author?
I was raised with a family of avid readers and storytellers, Momma, Mimmie (Grandma) and Pappaw (Grandpa) always seems to have a book hidden somewhere close by just in case. I followed in their footsteps. Though the person who inspired me the most is Momma. She always encouraged creative thinking and writing. After all she did name me after three of her favorite writer’s: Emily Bronte, Anne Bronte, and Emily Dickerson. Perhaps she knew something even back then.

2. When did you first start writing?  When was your first novel published compared to when you first started writing?
According to family member’s I have always been able to create elaborate tales at a moment’s notice. I wrote my first story when I was in second grade in my school notebook instead of doing the assignments. My first book was not published until 2016, A Whippoorwills Song, which is still available. So, I spent quite a few years, practicing my writing with several unfinished or poorly told stories safely hidden away and reading anything I could get my hands on.

3. How do you deal with publisher rejection letters?
As an Indie author this is not something I’ve had to deal with much. I did start out wanting to be traditionally published. Even sent my first novel to several publisher’s and got rejected by all of them. How’s the saying go ‘when one door closes, you open a window. That is what I did, when tradition publishing didn’t work out of me, I turned toward indie-publishing and so far it has worked out fine for me.

4. What authors would you recommend to your fellow readers?
Oh, my giddy aunt. I have SO many favorite’s that I enjoy reading that it would be a very long list. My top 10 that I would recommend in a heartbeat, since I’ve read all or at least most of their books would be (in no particular order): Jody Hedlund, Melanie Dickerson, Mary Lu Tyndall, Cathy Marie Hake, Mary Connealy, Jen Turano, Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Tracie Peterson, and Tessa Afshar.

5. What does “a day in the life of Author Emily Yager” look like?
My day starts with a cup of coffee with butter in it, then spend the rest of the morning catching up on everything, phone calls, mail, email, social media, Family, housekeeping (sometimes), and time with my dog. Then after lunch It try and leave most of my afternoons flexible to be able to hang out with family or going places, occasionally writing or research. After supper, is my main writing time. I tend to write late into the night. It’s not uncommon that I am up until one or two (sometimes later or would it be earlier?) in the morning. That’s an overview of a typical day for me.

6. When you are not writing, what hobbies do you enjoy?
Besides reading, I enjoy cooking and/or baking, arts and crafty things like drawing, crocheting, scrapbooking, cardmaking, sewing and quilting. I love music, whether it be listening to it, singing, playing an instrument (or try to). I play several instruments including piano, banjo, ukulele, penny whistle, and bodhran. Other hobbies I enjoy are gardening, hiking, canoeing, and archery.

7. What inspired the idea for Chasing the Hunter?
As a history geek, I love learning about the history of Northern Minnesota (where I grew up and currently live) I saw this exhibit on the French Fur Traders in Minnesota and the thought hit me: I have never seen nor read a book about the fur traders that wasn’t a documentary, essay, or a dry factual history book. I even Googled the topic to prove it. So, I told myself that I would be the one to change that and since I love canoeing and drifting down the river it just made sense.

8. What did you as an author take away from writing Chasing the Hunter?
I think the biggest thing that I learned or at least relearned while writing this book was to be more forgiving and to be willing give people the benefit of doubt when something bad happens or something from their past comes up. Because we don’t always know what happen to a person in the past or what caused them to do what they did. That it is something that, as a Christian especially, we need reminded of from time to time. I know I certainly do.
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9. What is your current WIP?  What can you tell us about it?I just finished book two in the Pursuing Voyageurs series “Coaxing the Clerk” which will be released in mid- October. And I am about half-way through writing book three in the series “Catching the Nor’wester” They continue to showcase the difficult life that the Fur Traders endured as they lived and working in the Northwoods. Each book is about a different ‘couple’ and their own struggles. Book two feature’s Allis and Stefan’s story, book three is about Calliope and Etienne’s. Beyond that I can’t really say anything else yet.

Giveaway

Enter the giveaway HERE.

Giveaway is subject to policies HERE.

Blog Hop Schedule:
September 3-Britt Reads Fiction
September 4-Blooming with Books
September 5-Robin’s Nest
September 6-cherylbbookblog
September 7-Among the Reads
September 8-ReadingIsMySuperPower
September 10-Remembrancy
September 11-Singing Librarian Books
September 12-Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic
September 13-Edits and Reviews by Leslie
September 14-Tell Tale Book Reviews
September 15-Life Is What It’s Called

An Imperfect Promise ~ Blog Hop with Excerpt and Gveaway

About the Book: An Imperfect Promise
Series: Abiding Love
Genre: Christian, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Indie
Publication Date: April 27,  2018

Some promises aren’t meant to last a lifetime.

Gini would do just about anything to take care of the eleven orphans in her custody. She’s vowed to never marry, but that oath is pushed to the limits when John moves in next door. The new Nebraska rancher is a tad abrasive but willing to step in when the entire town has given up on her little orphanage. She’s prayed for help for so long, but are God’s plans even bigger than she can conceive?

There are some things a man can’t outrun.

John’s running from the love he left behind in Kansas. On a mission to help his sister, John takes over her ranch, which has seen its share of problems. Day after day, John fights against those trying to seize his land, but a more present danger lurks right next door, the sweet redheaded owner of the orphanage, who’s fast stealing his heart.

As the world closes in on him, John must protect his home from rustlers and his heart from getting trampled, once again. If he can’t, he just might lose them both.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

About the Author:
Kari Trumbo is a co-author of the best-selling Cutter’s Creek continuity series as well as her personal series, The Seven Brides of South Dakota. She began her writing journey four years ago and has published over twenty titles through self-publishing. Prior to writing, she was a freelance developmental editor and beta reader.

Kari has a degree in Psychology and homeschools her four children. She loves to learn new things and believes life should always be a learning environment. To continue her writing education, she is a part of the national Romance Writers of America and the American Christian Fiction Writers Association along with her local chapter, MN N.I.C.E.

Connect online with Kari:

GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | AMAZON | WEBSITE

Author Interview

1. What are the top 5 books currently on your TBR pile?
I am so behind on my reading! Top 5 in no particular order are!
1) Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer
2) When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin
3) The Innkeepers Daughter by Michelle Griep
4) Lady Jayne disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano
5) The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo

2. What does your writing process look like?  Specifically, what was it like for An Imperfect Promise?
To anyone looking in from the outside, my process is probably a mess, but this is just how my brain works the best. I always have 3 books going on at once and I juggle them throughout the day. In the morning, I’m doing rewrites before a book gets sent to the editor (and marketing my newest released titles). In the afternoon, I’m working on the edits of the next book I will release. In the evening, I’m writing the next book. It all flows really well. This is a full-time job for me and it’s rare that I don’t put in about 60 hours a week between writing, editing, marketing, and improving my craft.

3. What inspired the idea for An Imperfect Promise?
The whole story started with one man that I felt sorry for. I couldn’t just let him go. Poor John (the hero) was in love with Margot from one of my other series (To Love and Comfort) and he leaves to go help his sister. I was so sorry to see him go, even though he was not a particularly likeable character in the other book, and he’s not in the beginning of this book either. He had to be a grump, he’d just been betrayed. He’s angry and doesn’t trust women.

Then, I had to think of the perfect (imperfect) heroine for him. Someone who had also been hurt. A friend of mine and I were talking about promises one day and how people don’t treat them as importantly as they should. People toss around the word promise like they toss around the word love and it’s lost some of its meaning. That conversation lead to the creation of the Gini characters and what her deep turmoil could be.

4. What did you as an author take away from writing An Imperfect Promise?
So very much. I actually re-wrote this story more than three times. It was originally written to be a novella, then I found areas that needed deepening. It then became a short novel and I intended to submit it to Love Inspired Historicals. I found out while it was in editing that Love Inspired Historicals would not be taking any more westers. At that point, I knew the book didn’t need to be held back by a word count and my editor and I fleshed out everything. Now, it is a full length novel, and I’m more pleased with it than I was at any other point in its many stages of life.

5. What is your current WIP?  What can you share with us about it?
I’m currently working on the sequel to the first book of my Brides of Belle Fourche series. The first book is in the Timeless Love Charity Collection, but only for a limited time. I have the preorder up, but the novella itself is still in production. It’s called What the Heart Holds.

Snippet:

A door behind him swung open, then closed with a soft click. “Might I help you find something?” asked a soft voice from behind him. He jumped at the intrusion and the woman’s proximity, slamming his head on the open cabinet door. He flung it closed, swallowing the harsh words that came too easy these days. Who in blazes could that be? White stars danced in front of his face, obscuring his vision. The brighter they flared, the more his head screamed at him. He blinked the bright flashes and moisture from his eyes to reveal a young woman. Her hair was either the brightest red he’d ever seen, or the glow around her meant she was an angel. She stood maybe five foot, short for a full-grown woman. He felt as cumbersome as a giant next to her. She paused by the door, a small basket clutched close. Now that the stars were clearing, he could make out her pleasant smile and pale-green eyes framed by a mass of curly red hair, smothered by a great yellow bonnet he’d mistaken for a halo. He wanted to smile back, if only the pain in his head would let him. The subtle tightening in his chest brought back thoughts of Margot, the woman he’d left back in Kansas, with dark hair and blue eyes. Remembering her would get him nowhere but angry, and he turned from the girl, scrubbing a hand across his face to erase both images. No sense living in the past. A man wasn’t a measure of what he carried with him, but he’d learned from it. “I don’t think that’ll help.” She stepped farther into the room and he glanced at her as a smile flickered across her face. She laid a gentle hand on his arm. Too gentle. He pulled away. He wasn’t there for kindness. He was there to work, and to forget. “Would you like a cool rag? I could get one for you. You might get a bump on your head.” Her voice was soft and coaxing, like she was speaking to a wary child, not a grown man. He pinched the bridge of his nose and used the motion to wipe the water collecting there. “I can get a rag all on my own.” His tone was more abrupt than he’d meant, and when she stepped back from him with hurt in her eyes, he cleared his throat and tried again. “Who are you, and what’cha doing in my kitchen?” He pressed his palm to his forehead against the pain, praying the little angel would get what she needed and move on. If she asked where Martha was, he’d be in an awkward place, since she hadn’t shown herself yet. Her smile faltered. “Your kitchen? Oh, you must be Martha’s brother. I didn’t realize you’d arrived. She’s been waiting for you for so long. I’m Gini. Martha lets me trade eggs for milk.” She set the basket on the counter and held out her hand to him. He stared at her for a minute while he found his voice. The girl certainly wasn’t afraid to face a stranger. He reached for her hand, small inside his own. He’d never thought of himself as peculiarly large, but she made him feel so. Her hand was soft, though calloused with work, and she took it back as quickly as she’d offered it. A nervous smile bloomed and fell from her face. “John. I’m John. Do you need me to get the milk for you?” He should just slug himself. Could he sound any more daft? Was he imagining that slight smile or just seeing what he wanted to? She took the eggs out of her basket and placed them in an empty one on the counter. “No thank you. I’m rather capable at this point, I’ve been doing it for a few months now. I’ve got to finish here and get back to the children.” She turned but tossed another small smile at him over her shoulder. “It was good to meet you”—she hesitated, and her face tinged a pretty pink—“John. Welcome to Nebraska.”

Giveaway

Enter the giveaway Here.

Blog Hop Schedule

May 14-cherylbbookblog
May 15-Locks, Hooks and Books
May 16-Blooming with Books   |  Remembrancy
May 17-Joy of Reading
May 18-Blossoms and Blessings
May 19-Singing Librarian Books  |  Jorie Loves A Story

Progeny ~ Spotlight and Interview with Giveaway

Book Details:

Book Title: The Progeny: A Novel by Tosca Lee
Series: Descendants of the House of Bathory (Book #1)
Category: YA Fiction, 352 pages
Genre: Thriller, (YA-leaning), Slight paranormal
Publisher: Howard Books
Release date: May 2016
Tour dates: March 26 to April 13, 2018
Content Rating: PG









Book Description:

From New York Times bestselling author Tosca Lee comes a story of love, ancient secrets, and survival. Book 1 in the House of Bathory duology.

When you wake up, you remember nothing. Not your name, or where you were born, or the faces of the people you knew. Just a single warning written to yourself before you forgot it all:

"Emily, it’s me. You.

Don’t ask about the last two years… Don’t try to remember and don’t go digging. Your life depends on it. Other lives depend on it.

By the way, Emily isn’t your real name. You died in an accident. You paid extra for that."

You start over in a remote place with a new name, a fresh life. Until the day a stranger tells you you’re being hunted for the sins of a royal ancestor who died centuries before you were born.

You don’t believe him, until they come for you. Now you’re on the run.

Every answer you need lies in a past you chose to erase. The only thing you know for sure is that others are about to die and you need those memories back.

But first, you have to stay alive.

Praise for The Progeny:

"Be warned: once you start this book, it’s impossible to put down!”
- Maria V. Snyder, New York Times bestselling author of Poison Study

“Intriguing and romantic, I literally couldn’t put it down.”
- Jennifer L. Armentrout # 1 New York Times bestselling author

"Irresistible..."
- Publishers Weekly

"[A] complex thriller with various turns and twists...A great choice for readers who enjoy their psychological thrillers with a historical twist."
- Library Journal

"Exciting...action-packed…intriguing.”
- Romantic Times Book Reviews

"Filled with intrigue, romance, and reversals fans are sure to love."
- Family Fiction

"The Progeny has risen to the top of my favorites list…I devoured every word of it.”
- Book Reporter

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Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Author's Website

Add to Goodreads

Begin Reading Now!

EXCERPT:

The Center

No one speaks when you enter the Center for the last time. There’s no need. You’ve gone through the counseling, tests, and a checklist of preparations to get the plastic bracelet you wear the day of treatment. The one that saves a life. They don’t need to know why you’re doing it any more. Or that you lied about it all. Just the scratch of the stylus as you sign your name on the screen one last time.

A nurse takes me into a room and I lie down on the table. I give her the sealed packet—the only thing I brought with me. There’s cash, meds, and an address inside, the one for “after.” It’s a thousand miles away. She’ll pass it to the companion assigned to me. No point meeting her now.

I’m 21 years old and my name doesn’t matter because it’s about to be erased forever. I’m choosing to forget the ones I love, and myself, in the process.

They say your life flashes before your eyes when you die. But they don’t tell you that every detail comes screaming back to life. That you taste each bite of every meal you savored, feel the shower of every rain you walked in… smell the hair against your cheek before that last, parting kiss. That you will fight to hold on to every memory like a drowning person gasping for poisoned air.

Then everything you knew is gone. And you are still alive.

For now.

Continue reading the first four chapters FREE.

Meet the Author:

"Superior storytelling." - Publishers Weekly

"One of the most gifted novelists writing today." -Steven James, bestselling author

Tosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of the House of Bathory Duology (The Progeny and Firstborn, currently in development for television),Iscariot, The Legend of Sheba, Demon: A Memoir, Havah: The Story of Eve, and the Books of Mortals series with New York Times bestseller Ted Dekker (Forbidden, Mortal, Sovereign). A notorious night-owl, she loves watching TV, eating bacon, playing video games and football with her kids, and sending cheesy texts to her husband.

You can find Tosca at ToscaLee.com, on social media, or hanging around the snack table. (And be sure to check out Ismeni, the free e-short prequel to The Legend of Sheba!)

Get your copy of The Progeny here: http://toscalee.com/product/the-progeny/ (Kindle readers: now you can enjoy special insights in the author’s highlighted comments!)

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest

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Author Q and A with Tosca Lee:


1) What is your favorite method of book brainstorming? A random comment, a thought, a dream, or…? 

It starts with something that really interests me, or, as in the case of The Progeny and my novel, Iscariot, a figure someone asked me to write about (Judas Iscariot and Elizabeth Bathory). From there, I have a few trusted favorite author friends I turn to for brainstorming plots—and my husband, who is an awesome brainstormer!


2) Did you always want to write or did you see a different future for yourself?

Growing up, I was very serious about ballet until injuries and other factors sidelined that dream. A few years later, while home from Smith College on spring break and talking about books with my dad, I blurted out the words, “I think I want to write a novel.” He made me a deal: he’d pay me what I would have made working at the bank as a teller that coming summer if I spent summer vacation writing a novel full-time. I wrote my first novel that year. (It wasn’t very good. ;D)


3) What is your go-to genre for your personal reading?

Gosh, it could be anything—from thrillers to historical, romance, young adult, or non-fiction.


4) Do you see yourself in certain characters that live within your books?

I do. Especially Audra in The Progeny. As someone with OCD, I truly identify with her fixations and her attention to detail.


5) Do you wish you were more like a certain character that you have brought to life? And if so what traits do you most admire in this character?

The traits I admire in all my characters are their intelligence and their tenacity. That said, I don’t envy them because I always put them through the wringer in my stories!

6) Do you have more books in this series and if so how many? Or do you have another world that you want to share with your fans instead?

The sequel and conclusion to The Progeny, Firstborn, is out now! Meanwhile, I’ve written a whole new thriller that releases January 2019.


7) What is the one question you wish was asked during an interview and how would you answer it?
“What do you want to say to readers and your fans?"

The answer: “I love and appreciate you guys so much! Thank you for putting your faith in authors like me! And now, let me take you away from here. Leave the world you know behind—I’ve written this story just for you.”

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Enter the Giveaway!

Ends April 21, 2018

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Calling ~ Review and Author Q&A

The Calling
A Seer Novel #2
By Rachelle Dekker

Fear is a powerful sedative for rebellion

A year and a half has passed since Carrington Hale and Remko Brandt left Authority City behind.  But the city is not so far removed that they are free from its reach.  And they have lost many friends to the new leadership - Damien Gold has started a new reign of fear against the Seers and anyone remotely connected to them.

But Remko has a secret - he is a prisoner to his fears and his anger.  Each loss of a Seer to Damien's ever increasing campaign against them brings a greater sense of failure to Remko.  As Remko's sense of inadequacy grows the tensions within his camp grow.  Just how far Remko can go before he breaks is of utmost importance to Damien.

Breaking the spirit of the rebels is Damien Gold's goal but sometimes a broken spirit is the key to healing and freedom.

In The Choosing we are introduced to Carrington and Renko.  We are taken on Carrington's journey to a life that Aaron and his Father have introduced her to.  The Calling is Renko's journey.  Before he was following the woman that he loved.  But is love enough to keep him with the Seers in the face of doubts and opposition?  Remko's path to faith will not be easy but it is one that needs to be taken.

The Calling is the second book in the Seer series.  Though told from several character's perspectives, the main perspective is Remko's followed by Carrington's, Damien's, and Jesse's.  Remko and Carrington have grown since the first book - they've married, become parents, and have become leaders within the Seers.  There are losses, joys, betrayals, and unexpected twists throughout the book. This is a book that you won't want to put down until you get to the last page.

But be warned this book will leave you wanting book 3.  This is most definitely a cliffhanger that will have you wondering what will come next.  Highly recommended reading not to be missed.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review and tour participation.

About the Book:

Remko Brant had never been so sure of anything as escaping the Authority City with Carrington Hale. But bravado comes easy when you have nothing to lose. Now a husband, father, and the tactical leader of the Seers, Remko has never had so much at risk.

As he and his team execute increasingly dangerous rescue missions inside the city, they face growing peril from a new enemy. Recently appointed Authority President Damien Gold claims to be guiding a city shaken by rebellion into a peaceful, harmonious future. But appearances can be deceiving. In order to achieve his dangerous ambitions, Gold knows he must do more than catch the rebels—he must destroy the hope their message represents . . . from the inside out.

With dissension in his own camp—and the City Watch soldiers closing in—Remko feels control slipping through his fingers. To protect those he loves, he must conquer his fears and defeat Gold . . . before one of them becomes his undoing.


About the Author:
The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through storytelling. The Choosing is her critically acclaimed debut novel. She graduated with a degree in communications and spent several years in marketing and corporate recruiting before making the transition to write full-time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat, Blair. Visit her online at rachelledekker.com.

Q and A with Rachelle Dekker

Remko struggles with his anger often throughout the book. Is this expression of anger connected to his fears? If so how?

Anger is just a natural reaction to the circumstances Remklo faces. Sometimes being afraid can stir up anger because it makes feel weak or out to control. This is definitely true for Remko in The Calling.

Carrington struggles with the pain that comes from watching Remko miss the Truth that was so clear to her. What encouragement would you give to others that have loved ones who do not yet share their faith? 

Everyone needs to take the journey. For some, truth comes more easily, and others have to struggle to see it. It can be incredibly hard to watch someone you love miss the truth right in front of them, but don’t forget that the Father is still God, and He holds them in His hand. So love those that struggle restlessly and trust that the Father is ever-present, even in the darkness. 

In the book you talk a lot about surrendering to fear. What does this look like and how does this help us not to be afraid?

I think sometimes the natural reaction to fear is to hide from it, or try and push it away. Its the idea that if we can't see it then it must not be there, but we all know that unless dealt with the unseen things often come back to bite us. The only way to face fear is to walk through it; surrendering to Father God and letting Him reminds of our true identity. Only then do we really see that the light within us is always greater than the fear we face.

Do you relate to any of the characters in The Calling in terms of how you've faced and handled fear in your life? How so?

Of course, every character I write ends up having some reflection of things I've faced personally. You can only write what you know, as they say. I, very much like Remko, have the tendency to be in "in my head" too much when faced with fear, and I struggle to let go of the need for control and simply surrender. That's one of the main reasons I decided to write this story.

What do you hope readers will take away from the story?

I hope they take a moment to see themselves as children of the Father. I hope they see that true freedom and fearlessness rest in surrendering, and that when they stand with the Father than nothing can stand against them. There is incredible peace in that truth,and I hope, like I am beginning the experience, that readers feel that same peace.

About the Author:

The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through storytelling. The Choosing is her critically acclaimed debut novel. She graduated with a degree in communications and spent several years in marketing and corporate recruiting before making the transition to write full-time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat, Blair. Visit her online at rachelledekker.com.

Interview with Jody Hedlund

Today we are pleased to host author Jody Hedlund. But before we get to the interview lets introduce you to Jody.

Jody Hedlund is a best-selling and award-winning author who loves fairy-tales and happily-ever afters. She makes her home in Midland, MI with her husband and five children. When she's not writing another of her page-turning stories, you can usually find her sipping coffee, eating chocolate, and reading.

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1. You’ve based A Daring Sacrifice a little bit on the Robin Hood story. What drew you to this medieval tale? 

I've always loved tales about underdogs rising up against injustice. The story of Robin Hood encompasses such an element, where the poor are unfairly cast from their homes, forced into hiding, and must rely upon their fearless leader to fight for their rights. 

Instead of a nobleman leading and fighting for the needs of the underdogs, I decided to add a twist and have my heroine, a displaced noblewoman, be the leader of a band of poor outcasts. As a skilled archer, she's gained a reputation as the "Cloaked Bandit" doing her best to protect and provide for the people she's grown to love.

2. What's the story about and who are the main characters? 

The feisty heroine of the story is Lady Juliana Wessex who has been living in the forest, hiding from her tyrannical uncle who believes she was killed along with her father. Little does he know that the Cloaked Bandit, who has been robbing him and other noblemen at knife-point and with a well-placed arrow, is really Juliana, the rightful heir to Wessex. 

The dashing hero of the story is Lord Collin Goodrich who is one of the three knights that vied for Lady Rosemarie’s hand in An Uncertain Choice. After returning home from his failed attempts to win Lady Rosemarie’s hand in marriage, he’s bored, lonely, and ready for another adventure. 

During a hunting expedition, adventure lands behind him on his horse in the form of a quick and daring thief. Compassionate at heart, Collin lets the thief and his accomplice escape and even aids them by giving them more than they ask for. Sensing all is not as it seems with the young thief, Collin tracks the duo and discovers Lady Juliana, the beautiful red-headed neighbor he’d once known in childhood. 

Collin challenges Juliana to stay on his estate for a week, in order to prove to her that members of the nobility are not all evil and hopefully convince her to give up her dangerous thieving ways. In return, Juliana challenges him to come live among the poor peasants for a week. Accepting the duel brings about more challenges than either anticipated, especially as they learn they must sacrifice more than they’d ever imagined. 

3. A Daring Sacrifice ends with one of the knights in mortal danger, a cliff hanger for the next book in the series. Can you tell us a little bit more about the third book? 

For Love and Honor is the third book in the series and gives the final knight his happily-ever-after. However, as you know from the cliff-hanger at the end of A Daring Sacrifice, he has to work extremely hard to gain his true love as well as save his life and those of the people he loves. 

I had a lot of fun writing the heroine of the third book. She’s a little quirky and not quite as beautiful (aka more normal!) as the ladies in the first two books. She’s also hiding a secret, a “blemish” on her skin that could brand her as a witch if anyone ever sees it. During the Middle Ages, the time of the Inquisition and extreme religious intolerance, even the slightest mole, birth defect, or blemish could easily lead to accusations of witchcraft. The times were dangerous, and of course, I just love putting my characters right into the middle of the worst possible danger. Cue: evil cackle. 

4. How is writing for a YA audience different than writing for an adult audience? What are the similarities? 

The Differences: 
While many of my adult readers have enjoyed my YA books just as much if not more than my adult novels, I do get adult readers now and then who are surprised, maybe even disgruntled, with the fact that my YA books are slightly different than my adult novels. And I try to gently remind them, that they’re supposed to be different. 

First, my YA books are shorter, crisper, and less historically detailed. In fact, I’d almost go as far as saying that my YA are more fairy-tale world than true historicals. They contain enough detail to give a “flavor” of another place, but not too much to bog down younger readers. 

Secondly, my YA books are more plot driven than character driven. I’ve included battle scenes as well as some of the seat-of-your pants danger that appeals to the modern teen reader. I plunge my characters into desperate, life-threatening situations which, in the era of books like The Hunger Games, is appealing to modern readers). 

A third difference is in how I'm approaching the heroine and the romance. My YA heroines are a bit younger and so they are more of a coming of age story where the heroine must grapple with some "growing up" issues. I’ve also tried to keep the romance very sweet and tender (as opposed to my adult novels that while clean, are more passionate in nature). 

The Similarities: 
Whether my adult novels or YA, I simply want to tell a compelling story. I hope that I’ve been able to entertain and perhaps even inspire in both of my markets. 


5. What three tips do you have for beginning writers? 

       1. Write the first book for yourself without worrying about rules or publication. There’s something about that first book (or first few) that helps unleash the creative side of story-telling. 

      2. Finish a book. There’s nothing like the experience of completing a book from first page to the last to help a writer move out of the wannabe category. 

      3. Study basic fiction-writing techniques. Check out fiction “how-to” books from a local library. Take lots of notes. Then put it all into practice by writing another book or two. 

6. Where is your favorite reading spot? 

Of course, I listen to audio books all the time—whether I’m exercising, driving my kids to activities, cooking, doing laundry, etc. So I read everywhere. 

However, the one time a day that I actually read a paper copy of a book is at night. I always read every night in bed before going to sleep. I love being able to hold the book in my hands as I snuggle under my blankets into my pillows. 

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Connect with Jody: 

On Facebook: Author Jody Hedlund 

On Twitter: @JodyHedlund 

Her website: jodyhedlund.com 

On Pinterest: pinterest.com/jodyhedlund