A Special Excerpt: Earth Quaking

The day is finally here!!! Happy release day to H.A. Pruitt and her new book, Earth Quaking!

All of the other books I’m currently reading will be promptly abandoned as soon as this story arrives on my doorstep, and I’m certain you’ll feel the same once you read this special excerpt!

“No, honestly, it wasn’t,” Ella instantly brightly assured her and, after chuckling at Kindle’s dumbfounded blinking, explained, “It was quite awful—all I thought I’d lost—for a long while, but one day I was so overtaken by the unfairness and all I felt because of it that I told my papa about it. And, Kin, I remember it just as he told me. He sat me down in a chair and knelt down beside me and pointed his finger right at my nose. He said, ‘Young lady, you are precisely where you ought to be and everything going on in your life is happening precisely as it ought to be. I found out a long time ago that we can’t go thinking this and that is the way it ought to be because this and that never was. All that you’re conjuring ain’t the life you was to live—this is, right as it is happening right now.’ He told me that, Kin, and I knew he was right. That all I had imagined … was not the life I was meant to live. My life happened as it did and our lives are happening like this right now because they are supposed to be happening this way. Everything that’s gone on has happened for some reason, and now you’re not at your home and I’m away from my papa for some purpose.

“Ever since he told me that, I’ve known that every bit of life happens as it should—never wrongly or mistakenly or out of order—but I’ve never really understood how so many strange, mundane, and mad things can all be for some real purpose until now. You see, it’s the makers, Kin. They’ve made everything, and not just the wood of these trees and things, but a plan and purpose for all of it and Anelthalien. There’s no other way they could know what we must do before we’ve done it. Do you see? It must be quite like when my papa stews a soup—he takes all sorts of mad bits of this and that, and you can never see how it will all turn out, but once it’s done and you taste it, you see how it all worked out. The makers aren’t just guessing at where we need to go or what to do when they tell us to go somewhere or do something—they know precisely why we four are the ones here and how all the strange, mundane, and mad bits of this journey are exactly what we need when we meet them and have some reason we may not see until it’s all done and worked out. Kin, all this is happening precisely as it ought, and we and Tad and Andrew are all precisely where we ought to be.”

You can grab a copy of Earth Quaking (and book one, Anelthalien) on Amazon and other retailers!

Be sure to add the book on Goodreads and leave a review once you’ve finished it.

Reviews don’t have to be anything fancy! Even rating it 5 stars and simply saying, “I loved it!” is so immensely helpful to writers and helps us keep doing what we love!

You can connect with H.A. Pruitt on Facebook and Instagram.

Alexandria

Countdown to Earth Quaking’s Release!!

There’s only one more day to wait for Earth Quaking, book two in the Anelthalien series, to release!

Anelthalien is one of my favorite books, and H.A. Pruitt is such a gifted writer, who boldly pens every word God gives her as this beautiful story continues to unfold.

If you’d like to learn more about this fantastic series, read the synopsis below and check out my review of Anelthalien here.

If you ever knew something wasn’t quite right, Anelthalien is waiting.

Shaken from their encounter with the cloaked figure, Kindle, Tad, Ella, and Andrew continue their quest across Anelthalien to find and end the evil throne. Fractured by a secret among them, the heroes escape into a forest trembling with Anelthalien’s memories. Their goal to reach the evil throne dims, though, as the elements, obscure foes, and the past push them to doubt their mission and even if they can trust one another.

Kindle, Tad, Ella, and Andrew must remember who they can trust or their disunity will rip all hope away from them and Anelthalien.

Earth Quaking is the second book in the Christian fantasy series Anelthalien. Anelthalien begins the story of four teens who are transported to a strange land when they find mysterious necklaces. The four teens learn they are heroes who are tied to the salvation or demise of the land of Anelthalien.
The Anelthalien series can be enjoyed by middle grade, young adult, and adult readers. Anyone who loves reading portal fantasy books with a deeper message would enjoy Anelthalien.

Earth Quaking is a fantasy adventure but also teaches spiritual truths and answers difficult questions of faith such as: Why do bad things happen? Who can I trust? Can I trust God and how do I know? How can I discern God’s voice from other voices?

Although Earth Quaking provides an escape into a wondrous fantasy land, it also equips readers with encouragement and Biblical truth that will help them in daily life.

More about H.A. Pruitt:

H.A. Pruitt is the Christian fantasy author of Anelthalien. She lives with her rowdy herd of guinea pigs and her sarcastic husband. She never wanted to be an author and would have been content to remain unknown to the world, but God decided that she would be perfect to hear the story of Anelthalien and share it with the world. Now H.A. Pruitt’s goal in all she does and writes is to listen to, obey, and glorify God.

Please add Earth Quaking on Goodreads and come back tomorrow to read a special excerpt from the book! I can’t wait to share it!

Haven’t read Anelthalien yet? I know of a few retailers who can solve that problem 😉

Amazon

Bookshop

Christian Book

Happy reading!

Alexandria

An Excerpt from Hoover’s Horn

Are you ready for a sneak peek of Hoover’s Horn?

It promises to be a magical adventure!

“Sally stood up, scanning the room filled with chattering, jostling garden gnomes. ‘I have one gnome who has not yet shed his wishdrop… I think he’d be pleased to help you out,’ she said, still scanning the room. ‘Cott? Cott? Where are you, Cott?’ Sally called. ‘I have some visitors for you!’

Luna lifted her head and noticed the conglomeration of gnomes on the staircase begin to shuffle and squeeze, as if making way for someone to pass through.

A stubby gnome popped out of the group, waving his hands in the air.

‘I’m here, Miss Sally!’ he hollered, continuing to weave his way through the crowd.

Luna noticed two gnomes trailing behind him. One had two cute braids sticking out from under her pointed hat. She wore a blue dress and had rosy cheeks. Behind her was a gnome who was even shorter and stubbier than the others. Luna knew right away he was a child – even though he had a large, white beard. He held onto his mother’s hand and waved cheerily at every individual they passed.

When the three gnomes finally reached Witch Sally, they bowed politely and introduced themselves.

‘The name’s Terracotta Glaze. ‘Tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance.’ He lifted his leg and showed them an inscription on the bottom of his boot. It said: 100% Terracotta. Then the gnome bowed humbly once again. His red pointy hat seemed to be so firmly attached to his head that it didn’t even wiggle as he bowed. Luna thought he was quite charming.

‘This here is my lovely wife, Dripdrop,’ Terracotta gave her a peck on the cheek, making a clinking sound like two glasses bumping into each other. He gestured to the smaller gnome. ‘And our son, Bert.’

Terracotta had a cheerful face and a shiny white beard – made of the same hard material as the rest of him – framing his face. He reminded Luna of the pictures her family, the Robbins, always hung around the house during Christmas time. What did they call the man with the red suit and white beard? But the gnome wasn’t wearing a red suit, just a red pointy hat. His clothing was blue, matching Dripdrop’s blue dress.

Edwin stepped forward, ‘It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Terracotta Glaze.’ Edwin extended his hand. ‘I am Wizard Edwin – an old classmate of Witch Sally’s.’

Terracotta extended his own little hand, reaching up to shake Edwin’s. Seeing the size of the garden gnome’s hand, Edwin corrected himself and instead of his entire hand stuck out a single finger, using it to shake hands.

‘Pleasure ta meet ya’! And call me Cott. My friends all call me Cott,’ the little gnome insisted, smiling warmly.”

I don’t know about you, but I feel sure that Terracotta Glaze is a friend worth having!

Get to know him better and join him as he helps return Hoover to his owlish state in Hoover’s Horn, book two of The Cottonwood Chronicles!

And check out these fun, whimsical coloring pages that Erica Richardson designed herself! I can’t wait to color them 🙂 You can see more and download your own coloring pages here!

And be sure to follow Erica’s writing journey on Instagram!

Next week, something different is coming…

Earth Quaking by H.A. Pruitt releases June 30th, and the celebration is just beginning!

Until then,

Alexandria

An Excerpt from Evergreen and the Silver Tree

A mystery waits to be solved.

A fantasy world waits to be explored.

Are you ready for the adventure?

Good 🙂

Enjoy this special excerpt of Jessica Smith’s upcoming novel, Evergreen and the Silver Tree.

Evergreen looked at the table Abby was pointing to. The table reserved for the Senior prom king and queen’s crowns. There were two crowns sitting on the table. One was a fairly plain black metal crown for the prom king. But the other crown was a golden band speckled with striking emerald stones in the shape of small leaves.

The Senior Class President came up to the table, appearing frazzled even in her sleek, black dress. “Don’t ask me how that emerald crown got there. I have no clue. The school ordered a silver tiara with some fake, I repeat, fake diamonds for the prom queen. That fake tiara was sitting right there only a few minutes ago, and now it’s gone, and I’m pretty sure these emeralds are real, and I don’t know what to do. I’ve looked everywhere for the tiara the school bought and paid for, and I’m responsible for it, so if you see it…please let me know.” With that, she turned on her heels.

Evergreen and Abby focused their attention on the emerald crown.

“Well, I think this is much prettier than the other tiara would have been,” said Abby.

Evergreen nodded and mumbled, “It’s very pretty.”

Whoever designed this crown was a master of the art. The emerald leaves were gorgeous. Evergreen was captivated, unable to peel her eyes away from the emerald stones. She resisted the urge to touch it, to pick it up and place it on her head.

“Pretty green leaves,” Evergreen said.

Green. Her nickname—the nickname her first-grade teacher, Ms. Nell, had called her.

Oh, poor Ms. Nell.

And Madeline. And Henry.

Missing. Lost. Gone.

Mrs. Dale. Heartbroken. Hurting.

Crushed.

“Um, Evergreen?” Abby’s voice sounded faint, like she was a long distance away. “You’re zoning out. Is everything okay?”

Evergreen tried to come to, but even the loud music inside the auditorium began to fade, until all was quiet. She felt herself being pulled, sucked through a tunnel inside her mind. Her vision blurred, and then—

“Where am I?” She sat upon a familiar rock upon a cliff overlooking a forest of pine trees. Only a few feet in front of her were her first-grade classmates. And Ms. Nell.

She was back at Purple Fire Park.

She looked down at her clothes. The same clothes she had worn the day of the field trip. And suddenly, she realized she had been shrunk into a first-grader again.

Looking to her right, Evergreen saw a boy isolating himself from Ms. Nell’s class. Henry!

Henry. Mrs. Dale’s son. He was quietly eating his lunch.

Evergreen looked down at her classmates. They, too, were eating their lunches, smiling and laughing and as happy as they could be. Every part of them, from their features, to the texture of their hair, to the precise color of their clothing was right there in front of Evergreen’s eyes.

She had dreamed about this before, but never so vividly. The memory of her former classmates had always been hazy, but now, it was as if she had crawled into the dark corners of her mind and unlocked the memories of the field trip completely.

Evergreen heard crying and turned her head. It was Henry. Tears streamed down Henry’s face.

This didn’t happen at the field trip, she thought.

Evergreen stood up and walked closer. Henry wasn’t just crying; he was speaking.

“Help me. Help me. Please, somebody help me.” Henry’s voice was weak. So weak.

“Henry?” Evergreen asked. “Wh—what’s wrong?”

She gasped and took a couple of steps back when Henry locked eyes with her own. His gray eyes pleaded. “Help me. Help me. Please, somebody help me.”

Another nightmare. That’s what this had to be. Except this was a nightmare Evergreen had never had before.

Like in a lucid dream, Evergreen could control what she said and where she went. “I can’t help you,” she told Henry. “You’re—You’re gone. You’re not really here.”

“Help me,” Henry said with more strength. “Help me. Please, somebody help me.”

“But I can’t,” Evergreen said.

“Help me, help me, please somebody help me! Help me, help me, please somebody help me! Help me, help me, please somebody help me! Help me, help me, please somebody help me!”

Again and again and again, Henry yelled.

Evergreen covered her ears. “Stop shouting at me. Stop it!”

Henry fell silent. Once more, he whispered, “Help.”

Evergreen’s vision and hearing became clear again. The music blared, and she found herself standing in front of the table where the emerald crown lay. However, her hands were pressed firmly to her ears, as though she really had heard Henry’s pleas for help. Had it been a dream? It couldn’t have been a dream. Evergreen hadn’t been sleeping. What happened? What was that?

Longing to know more?

Evergreen and the Silver Tree is not published yet, but you can support Jessica on her writing adventures (and find out the moment it’s available!) by following her on Instagram or her blog, Christine’s Smithereens!

Next week, I’ll be sharing an interview with Stephanie Daniels! If you know anyone who loves YA historical fiction that’s deeply rooted in faith, please let them know!

I hope your weekend is filled with wonderful books!

Alexandria

Anelthalien: An Excerpt

Have you ever longed for a family?

I’m thrilled to share an excerpt from Anelthalien by H.A. Pruitt, a young adult Christian fantasy.

Read on as Kindle struggles to come to terms with this longing and begins to understand that family can look quite different than we might expect.

“Kindle, what’s on your mind? Something is bothering you.”

Kindle took longer than necessary to swallow her bite before she peered sideways at Naam. She hadn’t intended to answer, but everything about the mother who was smiling down at her baby was so caring and inviting that she divulged, “I just… I dunno. It’s like I’m not ever gunna see my family again, and then all you guys start to feel like my family, and everything gets okay, but now I have to leave you guys too. It just doesn’t feel fair, you know? Like I don’t ever get to have a family now.” Kindle stopped and stared into her mush. She hoped Naam would have a way to fix everything or at least say she could stay, but Naam didn’t say a word. “You know what I mean? Like, I don’t sound stupid or weird, do I?” Kindle asked in sudden embarrassment.

Naam turned her warm brown eyes to her. “No, Kindle. I can see why you’re upset, and it is completely understandable. Everyone wants a family.”

“So… so can I…,” Kindle began to ask but forsook her request and simply turned pleading eyes to Naam.

“Can you stay?” Naam finished, and Kindle enthusiastically nodded until Naam shook her head and sighed, “No, Kindle, I’m sorry, but you cannot stay here. Listen, you do have a family somewhere waiting to see you again. And you will see them, don’t worry over that. I know Azildor said it will be a long time until then, but you can’t look at that time as a loss of family. You have to see it as a gaining of one.”

“But you said I couldn’t stay here.”

“Yes, you’re right. The family I’m talking about isn’t this one; it is Ella, Andrew, and Tad.”

“Oh,” Kindle groaned, deflated again.

Naam gave her a sympathetic smile. “The four of you have a long road ahead, and you must be a family if you want to make it past our doorstep.”

“Yeah, I know. I didn’t mean to sound all whiney,” Kindle apologized. “It’s just, like, not the same, you know? I mean, a family’s like a mom and dad and kids like you guys, not… us.”

“Kindle,” Naam whispered kindly but seriously, “family is not always who your blood links you to but is always who you choose to tie yourself to. Those necklaces you four wear have tied you all.”

“Does that mean I don’t get a choice? Like I have to let them be my family?”

“No Kindle, you do have a choice. The makers of Anelthalien have extended to you the gift of joining hteir family, and you may deny it, but if you do, know that Ella, Andrew, and Tad will be incomplete along with the entire story of Anelthalien. Your choice to leave us and to go on this journey that you have been chosen to take affects many more than you or I will ever know. You are part of a family and a plan larger than you can imagine, Kindle, but if you stay here and try to hold onto this family not meant for you, you will miss out on everything ahead of you.”

Anelthalien is available on Bookshop, Amazon, and other bookseller sites.

Grab your copy and soak in the adventure before the sequel, Earth Quaking, releases this summer! You can join the launch team here.

You’ll get sneak peeks at Earth Quaking, learn all about writing and publishing, and be entered to win fun giveaways each month!

Learn more about H.A. Pruitt by following her writing adventures on Instagram or by heading to her website.

Once you’ve read Anelthalien, please leave a review on Goodreads! Reviews are the best way to help support authors, and it will make their day!

Next week, I’ll be sharing an interview with Careena Campbell, author of Free.

And don’t miss an exciting announcement next Tuesday! Winter is losing its grip, and a young rabbit named Chip is waiting for you to join him in Everleaf Forest.

Best not to keep him waiting 😉

Happy Reading,

Alexandria

Do You Suppose She’s A Wildflower?

See that gorgeous bloom right there? It’s called a Balloon flower, and boy, am I glad that they come up every year.

A real fascination with flowers has been growing in me. This year, I wanted to watch one of these beauties bloom.

The pictures don’t do it justice. These buds are such a deep purple, and their color gets more vibrant and intense the closer they are to blooming.

Early one morning, I ventured outside and crouched down to wait.

It took some time for the petals to open.

In other circumstances, impatience would have gotten the better of me, but on that particular morning, I was captivated.

I sat there with a silly grin on my face, completely delighted to witness the slow bloom of this flower. The petals were about halfway open when His whisper came: I am captivated by watching you grow.

It changed the whole moment.

I am captivated by watching you grow.

I was so entranced by this flower blooming, but my momentary delight is nothing compared to the steadfast joy God feels as He watches every one of His children become more fully who they’re meant to be in Christ.

Let this truth soak in.

You’re a wildflower, girl.

And you have a Father in Heaven Who is delighting – spilling over with JOY – to watch you bloom.

I’m praying that you feel so held and adored today.

And would you please pray for me? I have some exciting ideas for how 21:25 Books can grow, but I want to make sure I only follow where God leads. Thank you!

Until next time,

Alexandria

Welcome to 21:25 Books

Happy Monday! I thought it would be nice to do a quick intro post for everyone who’s new around here 😊

I’m Alexandria, fantasy writer & owner of 21:25 Books. I’ve dreamed of starting a Christian publishing company for a couple years now, & in October 2019, I took the leap & did it! God led me to John 21:25 on a Sunday morning when I was wondering what on earth was next.

This was His answer, sweeter than I could have guessed: “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

Welcome to 21:25 Books, friend, a home for stories & writers who are passionate about filling this world with books about Him & the good things He does. For now, it’s just me & my pen, but I’m expectant for all He’ll do in the future.

What about you? What God-given dreams are you praying for or witnessing come alive?

Alexandria

Love Without Boundaries

Yesterday, I read a devotion from Loop that I can’t forget. I’ll share it at the end of this post, but for now, I want to share the lines that are staying with me, particularly now because of everything happening in our world

“My love in you is what equips you to give freely and love without boundaries. Only when you love freely, with your personality and with your gifts – can My freedom be experienced in you. And that is what people find captivating.”
Loop

We’re living in a time when people are telling us where we can go and what we can do and that, right now, it’s best and safest not to draw physically close to one another.

And this strange reality could shut us down. It could make us close ourselves off and hide away, could make us put up walls that no one could ever hope to get through.

But I think we have an unprecedented opportunity that could put all the darkness of this time to shame.

Yes, we could turn inward and forget about everyone around us.

Or we could love people with an uncommon love and give with an uncommon generosity.

I’ve seen evidence of both, but I’m choosing to believe that the uncommon act of loving without boundaries will prove the stronger.

Because while it’s painful and unknown to not be allowed to gather together, we don’t have to be physically present to love well.

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle towards everyone.”
Titus 3:1-2 (NIV)

So, send a message to someone you haven’t spoken to in a long while. Make a meal and leave it at someone’s door. Create something that will put a smile on people’s faces. Check on your neighbors and show kindness to strangers. (It doesn’t have to be anything grand, just genuine.)

Because the boundaries that are in place really have no power to stop us from loving others at all.

How have you been showing love and generosity in all the madness? I’d love for you to share.

Alexandria

Here’s the Loop devotion if you’d like to read the whole thing:

Hope & Laughter – Free Resources for Your Family

Life is unexpected right now, to say the least. I felt God prompting me to create a post to share some free resources to help bring some hope and laughter into a chaotic time. Personally, I plan on doing plenty of watercolor painting, coloring, and reading! Here are some other ideas for you and your family:

For the Colorists

Johanna Basford creates the most beautiful inky wonderlands that are just waiting for a splash of color! Grab some colored pencils or crayons and give it a go with these free coloring downloads.

She offers loads of tutorials on her website, and if you’re interested in drawing, she also offers a free Inky Art School on Facebook where she teaches you to draw for free!

For the Learners

Image Copyright Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Every day at 3 P.M. EDT, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden will be hosting a Facebook Live where they feature one of their amazing animals and include an activity that your family can do from home! Today, they’re featuring the cutie above, Fiona!

Another great resource is Future Learn!

While you can choose to pay for more features, all of their online courses are free and they offer an incredible variety!

For the Opera Lovers

Image Copyright: Jack Vartoogian, Getty Images

At 7:30 P.M. every night, the Metropolitan Opera is streaming a different opera for free. Crazy for La Traviata? Searching for something to fill your Monday evening? Now’s your chance!

For Sunday Worship and All the Days In Between

On Max Lucado’s Facebook page, he is hosting a time of live prayer and worship each Sunday morning. This is a great opportunity to still participate in a worship service from home!

I also love the First5 app, available for free through Proverbs31 Ministries. Every day, there’s a new five-minute devotion that helps you dive deeper into the Word and understand what it means more clearly! They’ve done everything from Old to New Testament (and they have a plan devoted to the Psalms). You can move at your own pace and catch up any time! It’s a great way to spend the first few minutes of your day with Jesus.

Lastly, here’s a beautiful prayer from writer, Wendy Blight. Hope in the King of kings is what we need most right now, and I think this prayer is a beautiful way to allow God’s peace to replace anxiety in your heart.

If you know of any other free resources for people as we prepare to hunker down, please comment below! Now is the perfect time to be supporting and helping each other through this time however we can.

Lastly, these are the Psalms I’ve been clinging to the last few days: Psalms 23, 27, 91, 93, and 94. So full of the Truth and promises we need right now.

Praying for peace and laughter to settle on your hearts and homes,

Alexandria

The Wilderness Road

If you had told me six months ago that I would be writing a blog post, I wouldn’t have believed you.

If you had told me that, not only would I be writing a blog post, but that I would also be content and excited about doing it, I’d have laughed.

Six months ago, everything was mapped out in my head. I was going to publish my first book, Penelope Grace and the Winter Carousel, in serial form. It was going to be a wild success, and who knew what would be next?

But that’s where my plan got all twisted; my idea of success was all wrapped up in popularity, money, approval, you name it.

And God knew it.

“It so happened that after Pharaoh released the people, God didn’t lead them by the road through the land of the Philistines, which was the shortest route, for God thought, ‘If the people encounter war, they’ll change their minds and go back to Egypt.’ So God led the people on the wilderness road, looping around to the Red Sea.”
Exodus 13:17-18

I’m so thankful that He sees what I don’t.

From a worldly perspective, my first attempt at publishing independently wasn’t successful at all. And a month ago (OK, a week), if I’d been brutally honest, I would have had to admit just how bitter and disappointed and honestly stunned I was that this didn’t go how I planned.

Flash forward a few days later to when I actually started listening to what God had to say.

He brought me to two verses in Exodus to show me how I’d begun to wander from what He intends my writing to be and to remind me of how intimately He knows me.

He knew I would get wrapped up in worries and fears about money and success. He knew that my motives would get twisted, all because I was more worried about acquiring approval and having something concrete to show people, so I could say, “Look! See? This whole writing thing is worthy of being taken seriously!”

And I believed the lie that my words are only worthy of consideration if I have a dollar sign or a certain number of likes to hold up next to them.

And He knew, and He waited until I was ready to know it, too.

So, here we are six months later, on a website that’s unexpectedly become a blog. A place to share a love of stories and Jesus and the written word. There’s a lot left to learn about doing this for His glory rather than my own. I’m still being led on the wilderness road, looping around to the Red Sea, still unaware of what exactly is coming next, but certain now that it’s something unexpected and good.

Walk with me?

Alexandria