About the Book
Author: Steven South
Genre: Young Adult, Epic Fantasy
Release Date: April 21, 2021
When her father is murdered, Princess Claire Erinn is thrust onto the throne of Keldaren. Unprepared to rule, Claire has to act like a strong queen until she learns how to be one. But an enemy queen and Claire’s half-mad brother don’t intend to let her live that long. They’re coming for her crown—and her head. With Death herself hunting her, Claire struggles to become the warrior her kingdom needs. As war engulfs an entire world, only one queen can rule—through steel and fire.
Click here to get your copy!
My Thoughts
About the Author
Steve lives in Minnesota with his wife. When he’s not reading, working, or writing, he loves to travel…his goal is to make it to at least six continents in his lifetime. Just three more to go! Beside traveling, he also loves karaoke, although he’ll be the first to admit that he’s terrible at it. You can contact him through his Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/queenofsteelandfireseries
More from Steven
This project began as a bit of a lark to see if I actually had it in me to write a book. I first “finished” the book in 2006. Then I discovered the meaning of the phrase “writing is re-writing”. It took me over thirty attempts to get the beginning right. Six complete re-writes of the book and 13 years later, it won the 2019 Minnesota Author Project award for young adult fiction. Many query letters later, I found a publisher. After several more revisions with Mel Hughes—the excellent editor that I was very fortunate to work with—Elk Lake Publishing released the book this year.
When I first started writing this book, there weren’t a lot of Fantasy novels with female main characters. I felt it was a really under-represented area within the genre, and I wanted to write a book that imagined what a world with more strong female characters—and especially a strong female protagonist—might look like. I also wanted to write a book that explored the struggle with reconciling faith and reason, and how to be good in a world of moral relativism.
I was raised in a strong Catholic household, but I drifted away from faith in my late teens. In my mid-twenties, I decided that I was being intellectually dishonest with myself, having one foot in religion, and one foot in a kind of lukewarm agnosticism. I took some time to “wander in the desert” and really wrestle with religion and my beliefs, did a lot of studying of different religions and Christian denominations, and as a result of that, found myself really strongly drawn back to the Church.
There’s a saying that all first novels are autobiographies. I guess that’s somewhat true for this novel too. Claire has to struggle to answer the fundamental question about faith that all honest skeptics have to confront at some point in their lives—what if could be true? The Queen of Steel and Fire was born of my journey through that question, and the answer I found.
Blog Stops
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 21
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 22
Inklings and notions, October 23
Nancy E Wood, October 24
Texas Book-aholic, October 25
Libary Lady’s Kid Lit, October 26
For Him and My Family, October 26
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 27
deb’s Book Review, October 28
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 29
Rebecca Tews, October 30
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 30
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 31
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, November 1
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 2
Blogging With Carol, November 3
Giveaway
To celebrate his tour, Steven is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/126b1/the-queen-of-steel-and-fire-celebration-tour-giveaway
About the Book
Author: Various Elk Lake Authors
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Release Date: September 15, 2021
A series of space tales based on parables from the Holy Bible.
Click here to get your copy!
My Thoughts
About the Authors
Jason William Karpf is a multitalented actor, musician, professor, and Jeopardy champion whose writing runs the gamut from true crime to speculative fiction.
Aaron Gansky is an award-winning novelist and Dungeons and Dragons whiz who lives for his children, coaching football, and watch Marvel movies.
Erica Marie Hogan’s books range from long ago historical dramas to frozen fantasies on faraway planets. Regardless of where the story originates, it comes from the heart—because Erica believes genres are transcendent.
Brett Heaston is the creator of the Message to Kings podcast and the author of The Resilience Awakening. He lives in the Pacific Northwest, a history nerd, and an adventure junkie.
Steve South is a traveler, a karaoke singer, and a profound believer in the power for stories to move people; his first novel, The Queen of Steel and Fire, won the 2019 Minnesota Author Project Award for YA fiction.
L.G. Westlake lives in the “Land of Enchantment,” but also lives a dream life in far-flung galaxies where she regularly charts the unknown; her previous novels have included award-winning fantasies and thrillers.
M B Dahl is a wife, mother, and award-winning author of dystopian adventures. She loves dressing up like a warrior and fighting dragons, imaginary or real.
T.E. Bradford is an international bestselling author, a Selah award finalist, and a self-proclaimed geek who believes her writing is “a little piece of magic” given to her by God.
Travis W. Inman has been a cowboy, a missionary, a soldier, and more in his multi-storied career, and his stories reflect his diverse background. In his spare time, he searches for hidden treasure, both financial and culinary.
More from the Editor
WHY A CHRISTIAN SPACE OPERA?
“What do you like to read,” I asked my seventeen-year-old grandson.
When he said he likes Space Opera, I had to admit I was lost. I love Science Fiction but didn’t know Space Opera was different. After ordering him a book, I started doing some research. Phrases like, “wildly popular” spoke to me.
Christians use a variety of fiction genres to reach their audiences. I wondered if we were losing younger readers because we are not being relevant to what interests them. Could this genre be presented in a way to encourage young readers to see new truths in the Bible?
Space Opera is a subgenre of science fiction and usually emphasizes space warfare, melodramatic space adventures, or chivalric romance. These themes, while occurring in outer space, will feature such elements as faster-than-light travel, futuristic weapons, and sophisticated technology.
Not surprising this genre is popular with kids today whose lives evolve around the latest technological advancement.
The name is a takeoff from “soap opera” because of its melodramatic presentation. Space operas emerged in the 1930s and continue to be produced in literature, film, comics, television, and video games.
As I pondered these concepts, an idea developed to present a Space Opera anthology, aimed at high school level, to use the parables as inspiration behind the stories. When I presented the idea to my publisher, I received an enthusiastic nod of approval. And the rest is history.
We are confident young people will enjoy these highly imaginative stories penned by some of Elk Lake’s best authors. Each story contains a synopsis of the related parable and how the parable is used in the telling of the story. Additionally, each story has an engaging graphic to whet the imagination.
To our knowledge, this is new for Christian publishing. We look forward to our readers’ comments and to Wonders of the Galaxy II in 2022.
Linda Wood Rondeau
Project Manager
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 18
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 18
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 19
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 20
Cats in the Cradle Blog, October 20
Texas Book-aholic, October 21
Inklings and notions, October 22
By the Book, October 22
A Reader’s Brain, October 23
For Him and My Family, October 24
April Hayman, Author, October 24
deb’s Book Review, October 25
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 26
Blogging With Carol, October 26
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 27
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 28
Blossoms and Blessings, October 28
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 29
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 30
Pause for Tales, October 30
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 31
Giveaway
To celebrate their tour, the Various Elk Lake Authors are giving away the grand prize package of a book from each author in the anthology!! (Format may vary for each book)
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/122a1/wonders-of-the-galaxy-celebration-tour-giveaway
About the Book
Author: Jerusha Agen
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense
Release Date: May 25, 2021
It’s up to a K-9 handler and her canine partner to stop a bomber before it’s too late.
Someone’s planting explosives on dams in the Twin Cities, and Bristol Bachmann and her bomb sniffing dog must move quickly to find them before everything ends up underwater. That means relying on the dams’ supervisor—an ex-boyfriend Bristol never thought she’d see again. Hopefully Remington Jones has grown up from the rakish charmer she knew in her academy days. Because lives now depend entirely on them…
It’s an environmental terrorist who wants the dams gone, and his bid to set the waters free has lethal consequences. When he sees Bristol and her K-9 working to stop him, he sets his sights on them. Can they evade him in a lethal game of cat and mouse and protect their cities from devastating destruction before the clock runs out?
Click here to get your copy!
My Thoughts
About the Author
Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner, but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ.
With a B.A. in English and a background in screenwriting, Jerusha is a speaker, writing instructor, and Fear Warrior who sounds the call to battle against fear in our everyday lives.
Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats. You’ll often find her sharing irresistibly adorable photos of them in her newsletter and on social media.
Get a free suspense story from Jerusha and find more of her thrilling, fear-fighting novels at www.JerushaAgen.com.
More from Jerusha
Hi, readers! For those of you who are familiar with my suspense novels, you know I love to interweave fast-paced suspense with powerful character journeys of redemption. I got to do just that in my romantic suspense novel, Rising Danger.
But what I especially loved about writing Rising Danger was the chance to feature a canine hero. Bristol Bachmann, the heroine of Rising Danger, partners with Toby, an explosives detection K-9, to stop a bomber from unleashing terror on the Twin Cities.
As a lifelong lover of dogs, I’ve always been fascinated by working K-9s like Toby. Getting to portray this black Labrador’s heroism in Rising Danger was so much fun.
I also feel that writing about Toby and the other K-9s in this tale who are part of the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency was a way to honor the heroic dogs I’ve had in my own life. No, I haven’t known any working K-9s, but I’ve shared my life with dogs who were heroic in different ways.
Take Lancelot, my first Leonberger. Lancelot was one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever known. With his huge size, he was a true gentle giant. At an early age, he became terribly afraid of strangers and new places. I worked with skilled trainers to help him battle his fear, and he did have some improvement. But he would always struggle with meeting new people or visiting locations away from home.
Even so, he never stopped fighting against his fears. He continued to get better the more he fought. And while he battled his fears, he taught me how to battle mine.
Then, the worst battle of all commenced when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Doctors gave him only three to four months to live—a frightening and devastating death sentence for the dog of my heart.
But God had more to teach me through Lancelot. This courageous dog fought cancer as hard as he had fought his fears. He taught me how to find joy in every moment of life, even when there’s pain or sadness. He taught me how precious and powerful love can be. And God used him to give me unforgettable evidence of God’s loving providence and sovereignty at work.
Because God had a different plan for Lancelot. God gave me the gift of over 1,000 more days with my heroic dog.
Right up to the end of his days, Lancelot remained my hero. I’m so pleased to begin a series of books with prequel Rising Danger that feature K-9 heroes who, in different ways, remind me of the heroic dogs I’ve been privileged to love.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 20
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 20
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 21
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 21 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 22
CarpeDiem, October 22
Betti Mace, October 23
Daysong Reflections, October 23
lakesidereadingsite, October 24
Texas Book-aholic, October 24
Inside the Wong Mind, October 25
deb’s Book Review, October 25
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 26
Blogging With Carol, October 26
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 27
Simple Harvest Reads, October 27 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Inklings and notions, October 28
An Author’s Take, October 28
Through the fire blogs, October 29
For Him and My Family, October 29
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 30
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 31
Just Your Average reviews, October 31
Mary Hake, October 31
Pause for Tales, November 1
Spoken from the Heart, November 1
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, November 2
For the Love of Literature, November 2
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Jerusha is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, one signed copy of Rising Danger, and book swag!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/126b0/rising-danger-celebration-tour-giveaway
About the Book
Author: April Hayman
Series: Ever After Mysteries, Book 3
Genre: Christian Historical Mystery, Fairytale
Release Date: September 7, 2021
In 1923, there aren’t many pilots, but Willie Labeau didn’t let that stop… her.
A bear of a man, Hugh Taylor, needs a stunt plane pilot, and despite their rocky introduction, Willie sets off for golden California and a new life as his pilot. There’s just one little thing she has to do in addition to flying.
Leave his past alone. Period.
When the flame of her own curiosity becomes fanned by encouragement from Willie’s sister, the feisty pilot can’t help but do just a little investigating.
And Hugh vanishes.
Friends rally around her, and with all the information she can find in hand, Willie sets off to rescue Hugh and battle the evil family holding him hostage.
A fierce air race, a sincere act of humility—are they enough to free Hugh and give Willie a chance to be with him… forever?
Find out in this next book in the Ever After Mysteries, combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries. When the Pilot Falls offers a retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” that will keep you gripped to the edge of your seat as you watch hearts soar and daring dos.
Click here to get your copy!
My Thoughts
About the Author
April collects fountain pens, has too many pen pals (and always looking for more), journals sporadically, creates art when she can squeeze it in, and hordes stationery.
More from April
I’ve always loved to write. I still remember pounding out a science fiction story about a lizard man on my Grandmother’s typewriter, with its sticky ‘e’ key, then excitedly asking to read it to her. She patiently listened and praised my writing. I was thrilled even though, now as an adult, I realized she was humoring me. I continued to write on an off for the next twenty years, but it wasn’t until I found National Novel Writing Month that I really began to write in earnest.
I’d already begun my search into story structure and, one day while researching, NaNoWriMo popped up on my browser window. Interested, I clicked over and I was intrigued. Here was a chance to write 50,000 words in thirty days with a support group of other writers! And, with a day to go, I signed up. After all, how hard is it to write 50,000 words?
Turns out, it’s super hard. Especially when you’re new to story structure, developing characters, and correct pacing. It was a fabulous disaster of a story, but I did manage to hit my mark and “win” that year. And, best of all, I’d met Chautona Havig. She and I became friends and her brilliant writing advice and support has meant the world to me.
Every year after that, except when I moved away, I participated. Eventually I became a Municipal Liaison, the head volunteer and writer wrangler, for our area. It was a lot of fun but not one of those books has been published. They’re just for me and I love them, even if they’re awful.
Eventually, my participation was noticed by my three boys. While all of them enjoy reading to varying degrees, writing was always hard for them. Not that they don’t love to tell a good story. It’s the writing part that’s hard. Anyway, my eldest son finally decided to join the Young Writers Program (NaNoWriMo for pre-teens and teens) one year and got bitten by the writing bug. We’re currently working on his latest story. I’m so happy to have passed on my love of writing to him and his brothers!
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 16
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 16
Texas Book-aholic, October 17
Inklings and notions, October 18
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 18 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 19
For Him and My Family, October 19
deb’s Book Review, October 20
SodbusterLiving, October 20
ABBA’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 21
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 22
Simple Harvest Reads, October 22 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 23
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, October 23
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, October 24
Connect in Fiction, October 24
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 25
Connie’s History Classroom, October 26
Mary Hake, October 26
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 27
Aryn the Libraryan 📚, October 27
For the Love of Literature, October 28
Through the Fire Blogs, October 28
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 29
Back Porch Reads, October 29
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, April is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/126ae/when-the-pilot-falls-celebration-tour-giveaway
Social Icons