I’m delighted to be sharing the cover reveal and my book review of Child of the Dragon Prophecy, a debut novel by Effie Joe Stock! Read on to learn more about the story, its release date, and where you can get a copy for yourself (and a friend!).
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What if, all your life, the people you loved and the memories you cherished had been taken from you?
Stephania canât even remember what sheâs lost, but she knows this: there are blank spaces where memories should live, confusion where purpose should light the way, and stinging rejection where love should abide.
You must be wondering if Stephanie will ever uncover the mystery of who she is. But the real question is this: when the Child of the Dragon Prophecy learns the truth, will she wish she never had?
Child of the Dragon Prophecy introduces readers to Rasa, a land full of centaurs and magic, prophecies and loss. In this debut novel, the world-building is exceptional, and readers are sure to feel that theyâre traveling right alongside Stephania, breathing in the same scents and taking in the same sights. While some of the charactersâ development and the pacing felt off at times, Child of the Dragon Prophecy is a debut rich with conflicted and real characters who must, like us, learn to fight fear with an uncommon faith and let go of hatred in favor of wholehearted forgiveness and love.
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Child of the Dragon Prophecy will be available on Amazon, Bookshop (by BookBaby), Effie Joe Stockâswebsite, and other retailers. It releases on June 8th!
Follow Effie on Instagram for exciting updates, including preorder availability, special editions, and preorder merch, and donât forget to add Child of the Dragon Prophecy to your Goodreads list!
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Thank you, Effie, for the opportunity to read an ARC of your novel! đ
Today, I get to introduce you to Marysol Ramos Moreira, the author of The Open Letter! Read on to learn more about her writing journey, upcoming projects, and what inspired her to write such a unique story.
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Every writerâs story is different. Tell us a little bit about your writing journey and how you got started!
When I was around 13 years old, I had a desire to write this story. I grew up with a weak mentality and pushed the dream away as I believed I was not smart or creative enough to write a book. When I was 27 years old, I began a journey to start believing in myself and revisited my dream of becoming an Author for this specific fiction story. As a single mother, I worked full time during the day and stayed up till past midnight working on the story at least 3 nights out of the week. 4 years later and here I am enjoying this interview for The Open Letter.
What inspired the really unique premise of The Open Letter?
Ever since I was in my early teens, I observed people and question why they were the way they were. I noticed that each of us live in our own little worlds based off different parenting styles, siblings, cultures, heritage, and so forth; yet we judge each other based off the same standards as our owns. Such as, âwe bothâ had the opportunity to go to high school, but only one of us got to go home to loving parents who were not verbally abusive. Yet teachers expected the same energy, mindset, and effort from both students. (This just being an example.) Explaining this to others was usually like talking to a wall. So, this fiction story, The Open Letter, was actually written in hopes of people reading it and receiving a clear definition as to why we should simply love others without giving ourselves reason as to why they donât deserve our love and kindness.
I love the way you included the charactersâ prayers into the story. Why do you think it was so important to share those moments between them and God?
Beautiful question! I think it was especially important to share the prayers and what I strongly believe would have been Godâs response because it shows how much in-common we all actually have. Many people have responded saying they relate to a prayer or 2 out of the story though the circumstances turned out to be different. Itâs also difficult to hear God responding back in the mist of darkness and therefore I tried to highlight the importance and difference of taking the time to breathe and hear God in return.
What are some of the stories (or authors) that have inspired you?
I have one specific book by William P. Young titled The Shack â that inspired me from my teens till this very day. Itâs a beautiful story clearly written to help others understand forgiveness and Godâs love. I highly suggest reading the book and then watching the movie. Itâs actually a book and a movie that compliment each other.
What are you currently working on? Can readers expect a sequel to The Open Letter?
As of right now, I am not working on a sequel. I am still a full-time working single mother and have jumped from project to project. I am working on childrenâs books (as I work as a therapist for kids with autism) to help understand anxiety and other mental disabilities. I do have hopes of working on other fiction stories for adults that relate to The Open Letter. All in due time. Iâm definitely looking forward to continuing my life as a writer.
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Thank you so much, Marysol, for joining me on the blog this week! It was a joy to learn more about your writing journey and your heart for seeing others through God’s eyes.
You can connect with Marysol on Instagram and buy The Open Letter on Amazon! Be sure to share your review once you’ve read it! It’s the best way to support indie authors đ
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Tomorrow, it’s time for the cover reveal of Effie Joe Stock’s debut novel, Child of the Dragon Prophecy, and I’ll be sharing my review of the novel!
What have you been reading lately? I’d love to know your recommendations!
This week, I’m sharing my review of The Open Letter by Marysol Ramos Moreira! Read on and find out where you can get a copy for yourself đ
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Madison and her young daughter, Mady, have only just moved into a new neighborhood, but an unexpected event has already led them to friendships that will change their lives for the better. After meeting these new friends â Tommy, Milo, Hope, Xavier, and Audrey-Ana â Madison learns that they are homeless, and, try as she might, she canât convince them to share their stories with her.
But one day, Madison finds a gift box, full of broken eyeglasses, in her apartment, and this gift is bound to change everythingâŚ
The Open Letter is a story quite unlike any other. With prayers shaped into beautiful poetry, this story offers readers the chance to meet characters who are willing to bring their fears and thanks, victories and doubts, to God, and it challenges the readers themselves to embrace that same vulnerability.
While there were editing issues that distracted from the story itself, The Open Letter is an important reminder to look beyond a personâs appearance and circumstances, to love fearlessly and unwaveringly, and to bring everything to the heart of the Father, who truly cares for each one of our prayers.
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The Open Letter is available on Amazon and you can connect with Marysol on Instagram!
Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing my interview with Marysol đ
Enjoy this special excerpt of Jessica Smith’s upcoming novel, Evergreen and the Silver Tree.
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Evergreen looked at the table Abby was pointing to. The table reserved for the Senior prom king and queenâs 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. âDonât 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 itâs gone, and Iâm pretty sure these emeralds are real, and I donât know what to do. Iâve looked everywhere for the tiara the school bought and paid for, and Iâm responsible for it, so if you see itâŚplease let me know.â With that, she turned on her heels.
Evergreen and Abby focused their attention on the emerald crown.
âWell, I think this is much prettier than the other tiara would have been,â said Abby.
Evergreen nodded and mumbled, âItâs very pretty.â
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.
âPretty green leaves,â Evergreen said.
Green. Her nicknameâthe 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.
âUm, Evergreen?â Abbyâs voice sounded faint, like she was a long distance away. âYouâre zoning out. Is everything okay?â
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 thenâ
âWhere am I?â 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. Nellâs class. Henry!
Henry. Mrs. Daleâs 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 Evergreenâs 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 Henryâs face.
This didnât happen at the field trip, she thought.
Evergreen stood up and walked closer. Henry wasnât just crying; he was speaking.
âHelp me. Help me. Please, somebody help me.â Henryâs voice was weak. So weak.
She gasped and took a couple of steps back when Henry locked eyes with her own. His gray eyes pleaded. âHelp me. Help me. Please, somebody help me.â
Another nightmare. Thatâs 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. âI canât help you,â she told Henry. âYouâreâYouâre gone. Youâre not really here.â
âHelp me,â Henry said with more strength. âHelp me. Please, somebody help me.â
âBut I canât,â Evergreen said.
âHelp 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!â
Again and again and again, Henry yelled.
Evergreen covered her ears. âStop shouting at me. Stop it!â
Henry fell silent. Once more, he whispered, âHelp.â
Evergreenâs 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 Henryâs pleas for help. Had it been a dream? It couldnât have been a dream. Evergreen hadnât been sleeping. What happened? What was that?
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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!
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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!
I happened upon this children’s mystery adventure by Karen Inglis several weeks ago, and I’m so glad I did! This is a charming, endearing tale, absolutely perfect for families to read and enjoy together. Read my full review below!
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Have you ever wondered what mysteries might await you in the garden?
Donât leave it unexplored, reader.
Donât leave a stone unturned, for a secret is waiting just beneath the bushes, and it might be you who uncovers itâŚ
In this delightful childrenâs mystery adventure, Karen Inglis has created a story that is perfect for families to enjoy together. Theyâll feel all of Tom and Stellaâs sadness as the two children adjust to an unfamiliar new home, grumble along with Tom at caretaker Charlie Greenâs antics, celebrate the arrival of an unexpected friend, and cry for joy as the mystery is, at last, uncovered and a life-long adventure revealed.
The Secret Lake is a chance to read and wonder and adventure together that no family will want to miss.
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You can join Karen Inglis’ Readers’ Club here, where you’ll receive a free poster of The Secret Lake and a crossword puzzle inspired by the story!
You can also follow Karen Inglis on Facebook or Instagram to receive all the latest updates on her new releases!
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That’s all for today! What are you currently reading?
I’ve just started The Champion of Valdeor by Sandralena Hanley (review to come next week!), and I’m already knee-deep in reading challenges for 2021!
This Friday, the next installment of Penelope Grace and the Winter Carousel, a winter tale of the fight for wonder, releases! I hope you’ll join us for the adventure. You can do that here:
On the pages of The Edge of Everywhen, youâll find a young girl, Piper, frightened and desperate for what has been lost to be returnedâŚ
Her brother, Phoenix, an altogether rare young man, longing to be seen and understoodâŚ
A father, fighting to be reunited with his familyâŚ
And Aunt Beryl, with a cold, reserved heart, longing to be warmed.
Do you hear the echoes of your own story in any of theirs? Then, read on.
But be warned!
Something astonishing, indeed, awaits you, dear Reader, for between the covers of The Edge of Everywhen, youâll encounter a story that will bring you closer to God and closer to the person you were handcrafted to be.
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There truly are not sufficient words to express how wonderful this story is, so Iâll leave you with a simple plea: please read The Edge of Everywhen. You wonât regret a minute of this adventure and will, I believe, walk away from it forever changed.
My heartfelt gratitude to A.S. Mackey for having the courage to write this story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
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You can grab a copy of The Edge of Everywhen from Bookshop (a fantastic site that allows you to support indie booksellers!), Lifeway, or Books-A-Million.
This Thursday, Installment Three of Penelope Grace and the Winter Carousel publishes!
You can read an excerpt here and subscribe below đ It’s been my great joy to share this winter tale of wonder with you, and I can’t wait for the story to continue!
Happy Monday! I thought it would be nice to do a quick intro post for everyone who’s new around here đ
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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.
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What about you? What God-given dreams are you praying for or witnessing come alive?
