Book Spotlight: Resistance

This book was not published by Rivershore, and we haven't read it (yet!). We recieved a request to spotlight the book for the author.

About the Book

“Don’t you know? Animals like you have no soul.”

Could God ever love a half-blood all of society looks upon with such fear and disdain? Jace once believed so, but when a tragic loss shatters the only peace he’s ever known, his faith crumbles as the nagging doubts he’s tried to put behind him descend on his grieving heart. With them come the haunting memories of the bloodstained past he longs to forget, but can never escape.

Taken from home at a young age and raised to serve the emperor, Kyrin Altair lives every day under a dangerous pretense of loyalty. After her unique observation skills and perfect memory place her into direct service to the emperor, Kyrin finds herself in further jeopardy as it becomes increasingly difficult to hide her belief in Elôm, the one true God.

Following the emperor’s declaration to enforce the worship of false gods under the penalty of death, many lives are endangered. But there are those willing to risk everything to take a stand and offer aid to the persecuted. With their lives traveling paths they never could have imagined, Jace and Kyrin must fight to overcome their own fears and conflicts with society as they become part of the resistance.

Available for purchase on Amazon May 20^th!
View book extras at www.ilyonchronicles.blogspot.com.

About the Author

JAYE L. KNIGHT is a 25-year-old independent author with a passion for writing Christian fantasy and clean NA (New Adult) fiction. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God's love shines as a light to offer hope.

Jaye is a homeschool graduate and has been penning stories since the age of eight. She was previously published as Molly Evangeline. You can learn about her latest writing projects at www.jayelknight.com.

Social Media Links

Facebook Author Page

Facebook Series Page

Twitter

Pinterest

Google+ Author Page

Google+ Series Page

YouTube

Author Blog

Series Blog

Book Giveaway!

Immerse yourself in the world of Ilyon! Fill out the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win an autographed copy of Resistance (Book 1 in the “Ilyon Chronicles” series), a Resistance-inspired necklace crafted by the author (Jaye L. Knight), a Better Homes “Warm Rustic Woods” candle, and a wolf paw leather bookmark from Lodgepole Leathercraft. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Launches

One of my favorite parts of publishing - as both an author and a publisher - is book launches.

Every author's launch is different. Mine take place in my house. They're low-key, with food, games, and book readings - and mainly conversation.

Me (on the right) preparing for my first book launch - with the help of a good friend (and cover model for Shrouded Jewels and As Fairydust Settles), Jojo.

 K. Newman, signing her first novel, The Lands (published via Rivershore Books).

One of my clients held a launch at a coffee shop earlier this year. She made a point to talk to everyone who came and made us all feel special. I was introduced to multiple people as "my publisher" and "my editor" and loved the titles.

K. Newman and me, showing off her awesome book.

Just this month, Nikki Abramson had a great book launch at her church. There were over 100 people there, and she had a card-making table, a table about her business (Renew Hope), and a dramatic reading of her book, I Choose Hope (published via Rivershore Books).

I manned the book table (as the publisher I knew the prices and how to describe the book) and had the opportunity to meet and talk with almost everyone who came.

What did your book launch look like? If you haven't had one yet, what will you include when you do?

Mini Vacations

Everyone can use a break sometimes. As much as I love my job with Rivershore, I'm no exception.

One of my friends recently commented that, as someone who works from home, I don't get days off. It's true that I work most weekends, but I've never thought of it as a downside. You see, I get mini vacations throughout the week.

I go to the gym three times a week.

I indulge in coffee almost every day. 

(Okay; this may be a caffeine addiction more than a mini vacation, but it feels like the latter.)

I read books as part of my job!

Recently, my good friend Jojo and I went on a short (3-day) trip. We stayed in a hotel a few hours away, explored the town, watched movies, and went swimming. It was wonderful.

We came home refreshed and at the same time ready for another trip.

In lieu of that, I'll settle for tea and scones at home...while editing a project for Rivershore.

That's enough of a vacation (for now).

What do you do when you need a break?

Author Interview: Nikki Min Yeong Abramson

Today we're excited to share an interview with a recently-published Rivershore author, Nikki Min Yeong Abramson. Her book, I Choose Hope, is a motivational, self-help, inspirational autobiography. The book includes journal questions, pictures, and illustrations.

Can you give a short summary of your book? Finding hope and strength while overcoming challenges and obstacles in life, overcoming challenges, and finding the positive aspects in life.

What genre is your book? Memoir, autobiography, self-improvement, self-help, Christian inspiration, and inspirational.

Who is your book's audience? People who are overcoming challenges, especially the adoption community, and those with disabilities and in the medical field.

What first inspired your book? Friends telling me I have a powerful story and encouraging me to share it.

How long have you been writing, and why did you start? It took me about 3 years to write this book. I had not really written much before. I enjoyed writing but was not really a writer, although wrote for my school's newspaper etc. I started writing as I felt I had a story to share and a message to inspire people.

Where do you write most often? Caribou coffee shops. 

What are your ‘author quirks’? Writing to music and reading aloud my paragraphs.

What advice do you have for other authors? Write a little each day, have a notebook that you carry wherever you go and whenever you get inspired write it down, be open and vulnerable, study, and take notes of things you enjoyed. What inspires you will translate into your writing. Don't ever give up. Find ways to grab your audience's attention. 

What do you do when you lack motivation? Find strength from friends and myself, pray, listen to music, watch a movie/tv, or see a show.

What do you most want your readers to know? Trust yourself and do what your heart tells you to do, never give up, and find hope and hold on to it.

Nikki's book, I Choose Hope, is an inspirational memoir and self-improvement book about finding hope through overcoming challenges. It is available in both ebook and paperback formats, and in color and black and white. It can be found at the Rivershore website, www.renewingyourhope.com, www.nikkiabramson.com, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

Resources

Although I use my own photography when I create book covers, I don't always have the pictures (or the time to take them) I'd like for my social media. We know that pulling pictures from Google search is impolite at best (but more accurately, illegal due to copyright).

Stock photography is the option most bloggers turn to, and I'm no exception, but it can get expensive to buy individual photos. The solution? Free photos from the following wonderful websites:

1. Stock Photos for Free
2. Stock Xchng
3. Dreamstime
4. FreeFoto
5. Creative Commons

Some pictures require credit, and some have more limiting licenses, so it's important to keep note of that when you find a photo you like. Of course, it's polite to always give credit even when it's not required. 

I really appreciate these sites and the artists behind them!

Clichés, Similes, and Metaphors

Recently, I was asked what the difference was between these three literary terms. 

Here's the short answer: 

A cliché is a phrase or an idea that has been repeated too many times, a simile likens something to another (this is like that; this is as big as that), and a metaphor says something is another (this is that...but not literally).

Examples: 

Cliché: The pen is mightier than the sword.

Simile: The pen is like a sword.

Metaphor: The pen is a weapon.

---

Cliché: That's like the pot calling the kettle black.

Simile: The pot is like a black kettle.

Metaphor: The pot is a black kettle.

---

Cliché: He couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.

Simile: His shooting is as bad as aiming for the broad side of a barn and missing.

Metaphor: His bullets are missing the broad side of a barn.

---

Cliché: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Simile: These lemons can be as sweet as lemonade.

Metaphor: Lemons are lemonade.

---

Cliché: It's raining cats and dogs.

Simile: The rain is so heavy today, it's like cats and dogs.

Metaphor: It's raining cats and dogs.

---

Your turn! Try turning the following clichés into similes and metaphors, or make up your own:

Make like a tree and leave.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof. 

Since most people feel clichés are overused, it's best to avoid them. If you can put a new spin on them, though, go for it! Similes and metaphors can be used in moderation. When in doubt, don't use them.

Author Interview: Marilynn Dawson

Today we have an interview with Marilynn Dawson, author of Dressed for Eternity, which was released today! You're invited to join the online book launch on Facebook.

Can you give short summaries of your books?

Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey

This is my story of healing and restoration presented in a manner allowing the reader to appropriate those lessons to their own life.

Mom's Little Black Book: Godly Advice for the High School Graduate

This book, filled with tidbits of advice, was written for my own graduating teenagers in 2013 and is available to parents and youth pastors who wish to offer their own high school graduates that extra bit of encouragement as they start life in the big world.

Dressed for Eternity

This book seeks to answer the question, “How does God adorn His Bride in the Scriptures?” The answer takes the reader through Scripture, history, archeology, and even the New Jerusalem.

What genre are your books?

My books are 99% non-fiction, with a small bit of fiction opening each chapter of the series.

Who is your books’ audience?

My books are generally aimed at the 16 – 95 crowd—anyone who is already a Christian and seeking to go deeper in their faith. Though the grad gift makes a great gift for the unsaved teen as well.

What first inspired your books?

My series was inspired by the lessons God was teaching me in 2007 and by a Pastor's wife encouraging me to share that story with others. The grad gift was inspired by quote books I'd read, and fed by the need for something I could give my kids on a budget. My latest book was inspired by questions that entered my head while going through the 2007 healing and restoration period. I just wasn't ready to deal with it at that time.

How long have you been writing, and why did you start?

I began writing short stories, poems, puppet plays, and youth skits as a kid. I began branching into devotional writing as a teen and got a couple poems published in the late 80's. But it wouldn't be till 2012 that my first book (read small series) would be published.

Where do you write most often?

I generally write at my computer at home.  I dream of writing via laptop at the beach, but that hasn't happened yet.

What are your ‘author quirks’?

Um...not sure I really have any quirks, per se. Although when I'm really concentrating I'll get so deep into the tunnel-vision zone that I won't even hear my kids trying to get my attention just 10 feet away.

What advice do you have for other authors?

The publishing landscape has opened up to accept all types of authors now. Don't let your subject matter or lack of affordability keep you from presenting the thoughts you long to get out. Research the options cropping up and go with the one that best suits your message and audience.

What do you do when you lack motivation?

I will let the writing sit for a bit in case lack of motivation is related to burn-out. Then I'll re-read what I've written, which usually stimulates me to continue.

What do you most want your readers to know?

I want them to know that the Christian faith is all about an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ as the unseen Lover of our Soul, and with God the Father as that ultimate Dad many have never had, and the closest friendship with the Holy Spirit as our teacher. When you enter into this kind of relationship, the commands of Christ become “want to's”.