Welcome to Realm Explorers! In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors. Enjoy your travels! And don’t forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.
Author’s name: Ciella Naden
Title of book and/or series: Faowyn
Brief summary of the story:
Fourteen-year-old Evely takes a nature walk in the forest to collect fern leaves for her biology class. But what she discovers there will question how she sees nature.
Evely enters another world full of giant talking animals. This is Faowyn’s world…where foxes are royal guardians who live to protect humans. But from what?
If we were to visit The Shinrin Kingdom as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
You definitely have to visit Aloof, the gigantic owl. In fact, just let him be your tour guide. Also, make sure you visit Rose’s garden. You’ll leave mind-blown.
What dangers should we avoid in The Shinrin Kingdom?
Just across the field is an “enter at your own risk” place because the evil, blood-sucking Chishio roam there, and they hunt humans.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in The Shinrin Kingdom?
If you arrive in time for breakfast, you’re likely to be served duck eggs and turkey bacon. Also, Rose likes to put herbs in your drink, so watch out.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to The Shinrin Kingdom?
No transportation is needed; you just sort of stumble upon it if you’re out walking in the forest.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in The Shinrin Kingdom that we don’t see on Earth?
Most of the animals in The Shinrin Kingdom will look familiar, but they are all much bigger than they are on Earth. They walk on their hind legs, and they talk! The Chishio are wolf-like creatures, but they are far viler than Earth wolves.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in The Shinrin Kingdom? If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
Faowyn, his mother, and his sisters all have powers in which they can control certain elements. Faowyn can make balls of fire in his paws and throw them when needed. Faowyn’s mother can turn things to ice or make snow. There are more cool things to learn in the story.
Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in The Shinrin Kingdom as on Earth?
The time in The Shinrin Kingdom does not pass nearly as quickly as it does on Earth.
Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
The Shinrin Kingdom is ruled by Faowyn’s mother and father, King Trestor and Queen Icelia. The Chishio Kingdom is ruled by the leader of the pack, Master Ashton.
Author Autobiography:
Ciella Naden is the 16-year-old daughter of Author Cynthia P. Willow. She began her writing career with a home-school assignment when she was only thirteen years old. Cat Tales and Whiskers was published the following year. Ciella has now published her second book Faowyn.
Ciella began acting at the local theatre at age 16, and is currently taking acting classes. She runs her own crocheting business to pay for acting expenses. She LOVES foxes and hopes to have her own one day. She enjoys playing digital rhythm games, listening to music, watching Anime, swinging, and singing.
Ciella’s dream is to one day act in television and movie roles. She admires Nat Wolff, Freddie Highmore, and Helena Bonham Carter.
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)? Please include links.
Faowyn Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FJ9H9E6
Cat Tales and Whiskers: http://www.cynthiapwillow.com/ciella-naden.html
Where can readers connect with you online?
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Ciella-Naden/e/B01FMPLTHA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CiellaNaden
Instagram: ciella_naden99
YouTube: Faowyn book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh0IoEIQXx4
Cat Tales and Whiskers book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBv2ADzZERg
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to the Shinrin Kingdom. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world, in Realm Explorers Part XCXIV!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world, in Realm Explorers Part XCXIV!
-Annie Douglass Lima
Welcome to Christmas In July!
CrossReads Summer Book Sale Where You Can Get Free Books, Discounts, And More!
For 3 days only, July 25th-27th, several of your favorite CrossReads Christian authors have joined together to offer their books for free or at 99 cents to summer readers for this special Christmas In July Book Sale.
Readers can download 20+ books this summer, saving over $60 AND enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card from the CrossReads team. So get yours now, enter to win, and tell your friends!
The books are listed below – Fiction first, followed by Non-Fiction, and the Gift Card Giveaway can be found at the bottom of the page:
Fiction:
Free eBooks
In the Enemy’s Service by Annie Douglass Lima
YA action adventure/fantasy
Enslaved when invaders take over Alasia, ten-year-old Anya discovers ways to spy on the enemy and slip information to the resistance. But then Anya uncovers a disturbing reference to her own family and is confronted by a stranger who seems to know her secrets. Holding her life in his hands, he claims to have proof that her father was involved in the betrayal that led to the Invasion itself.
Free On Smashwords With Coupon Code: YW22F
Prince of Alasia by Annie Douglass Lima
YA action adventure/fantasy
Twelve-year-old Prince Jaymin, heir to the throne of Alasia, barely escapes with his life when invaders from neighboring Malorn attack. Accompanied by Erik, his young bodyguard and friend, Jaymin flees to a nearby town to live in hiding. There, coming face to face with the hardships suffered by the poor, he determines to improve his people’s lives someday when he takes the throne, assuming he can reclaim his kingdom.
Free Today On Amazon:
99 Cent Bargain Books
Persistent Love by Laura J. Marshall
Romantic Suspense
1685, England. Fear has been Tara’s constant companion since age nine when she witnessed her mother’s murder. Tara’s father moves his family to the ancient castle of Raven’s Cliff, far from the ships that could carry her back to India and the answers she believes lie there. Andrew offers her friendship and guides her gently to the One who will give her peace. Will she find hope for something other than revenge?
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Times of Turmoil by Cliff Ball
Thriller
In this prequel to Times of Trouble and Times of Trial, we follow how the Evans family gained their riches and eventually their power to influence events in the United States. We see important events that the Evans family gets themselves involved in: such as the return of the Israelites to Israel, the assassination of President Kennedy, the terrorism of 9/11, and eventually events that lead to government tyranny in the United States with the sole purpose of destroying Christianity and its influence in the United States.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Armored Hearts by Pauline Creeden & Melissa Turner Lee
Fantasy Steampunk
When a crippled young lord rescues a girl falling from a tree, it reveals a secret about himself and his mother’s side of the family that could put him at the center of a war with beings he thought only existed in fairy tales.
Tristan Gareth Smyth lived his entire life stuck at home at Waverly Park and left behind while his Grandfather makes trips to London, all because of his blasted wheelchair. Then an American heiress falls in his lap, literally, and he must find a way to keep her at a distance to protect not only his secret, but everyone around him from an assassin sent to kill him.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
The Wishing Well Curse Book by Lynn Donovan
Gothic Paranormal
Zeke Clay is down on his luck. He’s lost everything—an apartment, an education, a girlfriend, his job…
When a mysterious letter comes from a law firm in Colorado, he decides things just might be looking up. Now he stands to inherit a fortune, but it comes with a price. He must break a family curse and restore true love. What does he know about breaking a curse? And who is this Great Uncle Luther Clayton, who claims Zeke is the one? Can he piece together the clues left by his dearly departed?
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Cowboy by Staci Stallings
Contemporary Romance
Life has done its best to knock Beth McCasland to the ground, and the truth is: it’s done a pretty good job of keeping her there. Stuck in a minimum-wage job with a young daughter counting on her, Beth does her best to stay standing under the weight of it all because she knows God is on her side. Then one night she gets the chance to be an angel to another of life’s weary travelers. For once hope has never looked so real.
Cowboy is a grace-filled story about the power of giving everything to God and how a simple act of compassion can change lives forever. Emotional, soothing, and heart-wrenching, Cowboy is infused with the message that no matter who we are and no matter what life has thrown at us, we never have to walk alone.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
The Forever Stone by Gloria Repp
Romance
A young widow joins her aunt’s house-restoration project in the Pine Barrens, determined to take a stand for independence, but two men have different plans for her. The doctor, who has a fire-scarred past, is not upset by her panic attacks and knows he can help her to heal. The writer, who conceals more than one secret, admires her spirit and is certain that she needs him.
God uses both men—and her father’s gift of a floral paperweight—to remind her of His enduring “forever love,” and as she yields to Him, she finds the courage to take a new and challenging path.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Cat Tales and Whiskers by Ciella NadenYoung Adult Christian Paranormal
Cat Tales and Whiskers is the name of a book store in Soulville. When fourteen-year-old Ash stumbles upon it, his troubles begin. A demonic scarecrow, a witch, and a generational curse are just a few problems Ash must face in this story. This novelette has a strong Christian message and touches on demonic possession and witchcraft. It is recommended for young adults or mature middle grade readers.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Puppy Poetry by Shannon Sonneveldt
Poetry
For anyone who has ever had a puppy, is currently owned by one or is considering sharing your home with one this book is a must read! Inside is a humorous and sweet look at what puppies both do and add to your home. Enjoy your puppy adventures.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Experience Life in Poetry Random Life Observations, Parenthood and Growing-up by Shannon Sonneveldt
Poetry
This is volume one in the Experience Life in Poetry series, a series that reflects observations and emotions at any given moment in life from childhood to present time. Think of moments that stood out in time for you. Moments that made you laugh, made you cry, made you think or made you sigh. Hopefully, you will experience these same emotions through the poems in the book whether it’s wonder, laughter, understanding or something all together different. I hope it makes you think or makes you feel.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
The Missing Piece by Carol McCormick
Romance
How does a man pick up the pieces when his world crashes around him? Misplaced priorities shattered his marriage. Problems almost crushed him. Love motivated him to mend the damage, once he found all the pieces.
After only a few months of marriage, Lorraine left Dylan on a wintry night after he’d spent one too many nights out with the guys. Unable to cope with the loss, Dylan escapes the painful feelings by drinking them away. This decision costs him a year-and-a-half of his life after he stops in a little mountain town and ends up in the local jail. When he’s released, he returns home in search of a job to get his life…and his wife back.
THE MISSING PIECE is not only a love story about a man who loves a woman, but is also a love story about a merciful God who loves mankind, even when he falls. The novel is an emotionally-charged journey of hope and redemption with a touch of spunk, a hint of humor, and a few twists along the way.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
A Hero’s Homecoming by Carlene Havel
Romance
Colonel Rich Martino returns home from overseas to find everything has changed and nothing makes sense. His wife Rita has disappeared. His credit cards are invalid. A stranger is living in his house and he keeps running into people who are convinced he was killed in action months ago. Worst of all, his wealthy father has suffered a stroke.
Psychologist Charlotte Phillips claims to be his comatose father’s legal guardian. Rich is determined to learn what has happened, gain control of his father’s money, and unmask Charlotte as the gold-digging schemer he’s certain she is. He is shocked to find his father’s crusty old attorney has been taken in by her along with everyone else.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Hell’s Christmas by Cynthia P. Willow
Romance
Monika Hell seemed to have it all. She was gorgeous, owned a nice condo, an expensive car, an endless wardrobe, and had a great job as a store manager in the mall. But, she was mean, miserable, and worst of all, hated Christmas.
Kidnapped from the mall parking lot on Christmas Eve, her life is turned upside down. Now, on Christmas morning, she finds herself in a freezing alley with nothing but the tattered clothes on her back. With no identification, no money, and no one willing to help, Monika is forced to start all over. Could losing everything she’d worked for all her life lead her to find what’s been missing all along?
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Non-Fiction:
Free eBooks
101 Faith Notes by Pauline Creeden
Christian Meditations
Scriptures and Meditations on Faith and God’s promises. This is a short book designed to make you think and consider God’s word in one of its many facets. Hopefully you’ll see God’s word in a new way.
Free Today On Amazon Kindle:
Psalm, the Sunrise of Hope by Bob SaffrinBible Study
Read the Psalms as never before…
Free Today On Amazon Kindle:
Restore Your Marriage & Fall in Love Again by Krystal Kuehn
Relationships
Do you have marriage problems and are in need of some marriage help? Well, you are not alone! Couples with marriage problems that seek marriage help are more likely to stay together, learn from the difficult times, and discover renewed love for one another. If you have decided that marriage problems will not keep you from believing that your marriage can be restored, this book is for you.
Free Today On Amazon Kindle:
My Scripture Journal Gratitude by Heather Bixler
Scripture Memory/Bible Study
“My Scripture Journal: Gratitude” is an eight week Bible memory reading plan designed to help you memorize scripture while also offering guidance so you can dive further into a greater knowledge of what the Bible says about gratitude.
In this eight week reading plan you will receive 7 daily activities to engage in that will help you memorize a snippet of scripture every week all around the theme of gratitude. Also at the end of each week will be three discussion questions which can be used for your own personal journal and thoughts or within a group Bible Study.
Free Today On Amazon Kindle:
Another Second Chance by Troy Lewis
Inspirational
Imagine in your darkest moment, as you lay on deaths door step; The God of the universe reaches down (in the most amazing, miraculous way) and hands you the ultimate second chance. Then does the same thing for your brother the very next day!! ALL because a stranger from a 1,000 miles away, was convicted by God to give his kidney away….
This is a very powerful book about the author’s experience in facing the ups and downs of kidney disease–After playing Jesus Christ in a local passion drama for 9 years, his world is turned upside down; As he states in the first chapter, “this would cause me to question who I was, all that I had believed, and God himself.” We live through Troy’s journey and the emotional and spiritual roller coaster with him, but always we sense God in control of the situation-even when all seems hopeless.
Free Today On Amazon Kindle:
Moses, Steps to a Life of Faith by Bob Saffrin
Bible Study
This book tells the story of Moses and how God used an ordinary man and shaped the events of his life to bring him to the place where he could be mightily used to accomplish God’s purposes.
Did you know that God is a dreamer? He is, and one day he had a dream, and he thought to himself…“Who will I get to fulfill this dream?” Then he made you. He created you to fulfill a dream. You are made for a purpose.
Free Today On Amazon Kindle:
99 Cent Bargain Books
21 Teen Devotionals… for Girls by Heather Hart and Shelley Hitz
Teen Girl Devotional
It’s said that it takes 21 days to form a new habit or break an old one, so why not spend the next 21 days forming a habit of spending time with God? If you’ve got 21 days, we’ve got 21 devotions specifically written for today’s teen girls.
Are you up for forming a habit of spending time with your Creator? If so, download this book and get started on these devotionals!
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Thoughts on Being Left Behind by Phyllis Sather
Christian Living
At one time or another we all feel left behind – whether because of illness, loss of a loved one, or the busyness of parenting and/or homeschooling. These timeless pieces, written by someone who went from the life of an active and involved woman to a near invalid within just a few weeks, speak to the heart of anyone who feels like they’ve been put on the shelf and possibly forgotten.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
Purposeful Planning by Phyllis Sather
Christian Living
“Late for an appointment, a man hurried out and hailed a cab. Jumping in, he said to the driver, “Get going and drive as quickly as you can.” After a few blocks, he impatiently asked, “Are we almost there?” “Almost where?” replied the driver. In his hurry the passenger had failed to give the driver the address of his destination.
That may seem like an unlikely story, yet today many people are so busy trying to keep up with the rapid pace of living, they haven’t stopped to consider what their goal in life is.” Millie Stamm
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
21 Stories of Gratitude compiled by Shelley HitzInspirational
One way to live life to the fullest is to live each day with a grateful heart. In this book, we share 21 stories of gratitude to give you encouragement and hope in your own journey. Gratitude is possible! Even though many times we cannot change our circumstances, we can change the way we see them. We can ask God to empower us to change our thoughts.
Our prayer for you is that you find encouragement within these pages. And we pray that you will ask God for His strength to renew your mind with His truth and the hope He offers each one of us every day. It is only through Christ renewing our minds that we can truly live each day with a grateful heart.
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99:
In Christ, I Am… by Krystal Kuehn & Violet JamesChristian Living
Christians are not meant to live in defeat, below their God-given potential or in any kind of bondage (physical, mental or otherwise). In this book, In Christ, I Am: God’s Promises on Who You Are in Christ that Will Transform You from the Inside Out, you will discover over 150 truths from the Bible about who you are, what you can have and what you can do as a child of the Most High God.
Each Bible promise is presented as a declaration affirming what God says about you. It begins with “I am…” and is followed by a Bible truth and corresponding Scriptures written in first person so you can confess and receive the life-transforming word into your heart. A very inspiring book that motivates, strengthens, enlightens and encourages us to believe that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us!
Get Your Copy Now For Only $0.99: