Journey to Twilight by Charmayne Hafen

About the Book

Book:  Journey to Twilight

Author: Charmayne Hafen

Genre: Action Adventure Christian Fantasy for intermediate grade students

Release Date: November 1, 2019

Sam and Lorna’s bike challenge becomes far more than a neighborhood race in this action-adventure fantasy for middle-schoolers. Riding over a cairn at sunset, Lorna surfaces in Twilight, where she is given three impossible tasks to complete before her heart’s desire is granted.

Story Line: Avid fifth-grade mountain biker, Lorna Thompson, moves to Arizona  after her parents’ divorce. Unpacking boxes, Lorna begins seeking a way to fit into the neighborhood crowd when a girl named Ally knocks on her front door.

Splashing in the pool at Ally’s house, Lorna learns about the Crestwood Challenge, a bike race created by a scar-faced neighborhood legend, Samuel Black. She hears herself boasting that she can take on Sam Black in his own race and win. Lorna’s words quickly come back to bite her.

Although none of the kids will root for the new girl, an ancient cairn opens to the Land of Twilight giving Lorna an opportunity to win anything her heart desires.

Illustrations are by award-winning artist, Brianna Osaseri.

Thematic: Fantasy ages 9-12; Female protagonist dealing with parents’ divorce finds confidence and friendship in conflict and opportunity; Celtic; Jamaican; Multi-racial; Action-Adventure; coming of age fantasy for pre-teens with some paranormal, mystical places and events.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

Divorce straight up hurts. In this book, young Lorna is trying to work through her parent's divorce. 6th grade is more than enough to do most of us in, but something happens. Lorna winds up going into a land called Twilight. 

Yes, I both laughed and smiled at the name, given how much it has been used in the last few years. Twilight is an interesting place. It has unusual laws and colors, green skies and blue grass, and up and down being reversed. (I did wonder if it was a different shade than the Kentucky bluegrass.) Anyway, I liked that. I found Sam to be a very nice guy, and I love the dog. Trix's barking made me laugh over and over as I'm very well versed with dogs who can or will do that. She just wants to have her say too and she made me smile more than once during this book. 

I found that while this book doesn't have scripture in it it's still based on Christian principles and it makes it easier to pass it to tweens who might not be in a church. This book opens doors for plenty of conversations, on divorce, disabilities, and many other issues. Are they topics that have been covered a lot? Yes, but you never know when, where or which book will open a door to help someone. 

4 Stars

About the Author:

Charmayne Hafen is a graduate of John Brown University and has her masters in counseling from the Denver Seminary. She’s not only gifted in creative writing, but  uses skills in organization, facilitation, and administration in the company she and her husband started 18 years ago.

Her love of Celtic mythology inspired her to write her debut chapter book, Journey to Twilight, for ages 9-12. In 2011, she lost her younger brother, and she dedicates this first book to Tim. When she’s not writing, Charmayne is running counseling groups for adults and a therapeutic photography group for children. She has run a grief support group for several years.  She is a member of a novel book club, and she is an avid fan of the author, Stephen Lawhead.

She has written several short stories for children, teens, and adults, as well as the current fantasy series, The Land Of Twilight, being published in 2020 by Capture Books.

The first book, Journey To Twilight, is about the heartfelt needs and choices of a child of divorce. It also wrestles with what it is like to be a newcomer in a town and school. Charmayne relates personally to these themes as a child of divorce who moved consistently throughout her elementary and middle school years. She believes stories can provide not only a way of escape for kids, but also teach them how to handle difficult issues. As the characters in The Land Of Twilight struggle through different challenges, they come to understand that life requires more than what we do with what can be seen. To truly live, there must be faith in what has not yet come, in what is unseen.

Charmayne has a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and psychology as well as a Master of Arts degree in counseling. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband John and her two chihuahuas, Pepe and Frida.

More from Charmayne

Welcome to Journey To Twilight, the first book in the Land Of Twilight Trilogy, where Lorna and her friend, Sam, begin a journey that will lead them to discover the true meaning of friendship and faith.

In a world that can only be accessed by what is known in Celtic mythology as a cairn, Lorna is shocked to find herself in the Land of Twilight where the real adventure begins. She must learn some important lessons in her quest to have one wish granted and Sam is part of her greatest challenge.

The adventure continues in Return To Twilight, where Lorna meets a new girl that proves to be a bad influence. She and Sam are at odds and things aren’t the way they were back in sixth grade. Middle school is an entirely different scene. Faith becomes a central theme in this book along with the ongoing exploration of friendship. Can Sam help Lorna remember her faith with the help of Twilight?

Trouble In Twilight, the third book in the Land Of Twilight trilogy, will be published early next year. This has been my most challenging book to write as the characters travel through time to discover the basis of faith and the philosophy at work against faith in the Savior. The Land of Twilight is in jeopardy and it’s up to Sam and Lorna to help restore what is slowly fading away.

It is my hope that my readers will come away from this trilogy with a deeper appreciation for the power of faith and friendship. I pray it will lead many to faith in the Savior and be an enjoyable ride in the process. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important topics and the stories that shed new light.

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 27

Texas Book-aholic, February 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 29

Blossoms and Blessings, March 1 (Author Interview)

Inklings and notions, March 2

For Him and My Family, March 3

Aryn the Libraryan 📚, March 4

For the Love of Literature, March 5 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, March 6

Just the Write Escape, March 7

Artistic Nobody, March 8 (Author Interview)

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, March 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 9

Blogging With Carol, March 10

Wishful Endings, March 11 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Charmayne is giving away the grand prize of silver bicycle necklace like you suggested along with a signed hard cover copy of both books!!

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/f6d3/journey-to-twilight-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Vault Between Spaces by Chawna Schroeder

About the Book

Book:  The Vault Between Spaces

Author: Chawna Schroeder

Genre: Young adult Christian Fantasy

Release Date: February 11, 2020

Every legend must start somewhere…

No prisoner who enters the gates of HopeWell ever leaves. But from the moment Oriel sets foot inside Anatroshka’s most formidable prison camp, she unsettles both commandant and prisoner alike with eyes that see beyond the surface and music that trails her everywhere.

Petite and delicate though she appears, Oriel bows before neither threat nor punishment. Moreover, she makes no attempt to hide her intention: Oriel plans to escape the inescapable HopeWell.

But when facades are stripped away and myth becomes clothed in flesh, what begins as a prison break becomes a mission to stop the invasion of evil itself.

Click here to get your copy.

My Review:

What a really different "fantasy" read. I'd say it's more allegory than just fantasy. This is a fascinating, and deep read in its own way. A bit slow in places, but that actually worked for this book to give me time to fully adjust to everything that was coming next. I found this to be an awesome read, that sticks with you after the last page. I would recommend it for all ages. The fight between good and evil, how God is shown, is all beautifully written. I was completely immersed in this book. 

5 Stars

About the Author: 

Chawna Schroeder is Minnesotan writer who enjoys snow, chai tea, and playing “what if?”—even if that game occasionally gets her into trouble. She also loves stretching both her imagination and her faith to their limits and helping others to do the same. As a result, her writing explores the vastness of God, His multifaceted nature, and the potential of a life lived with Him. This means both learning the boundaries He created for our protection as well as demolishing the human boxes that restrict both God and people.

When she isn’t reading or writing, a variety of other activities fill her “free” time: practicing piano for church, preparing Sunday school lessons, studying the biblical languages, or working on one of her handwork projects while
enjoying a movie.

Chawna’s other books include Beast, a coming-of-age fairytale for teens and adults, and the Bearing the Sword curriculum, which teaches the basics of discernment to teens through in-depth Bible study and media analysis. You
can connect with Chawna through her website (www.chawnaschroeder.com), blog (www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/ChawnaSchroederAuthor/).

More from Chawna

Beyond Reality

Life can seem so drab and dreary, clouds of monotony graying the days and the chill of trouble piercing the night. It is not the world we would choose to live in, yet it is the world we often find ourselves trapped within, imprisoned by circumstances beyond our control.

Perhaps that is why myths and fairy tales carry such strong appeal. They promise what we see is not all there is. They infuse the world with possibility. They dare us to believe that now isn’t forever. They offer us hope.

Yet many myths and fairy tales are so far removed from our normal world, we end up dismissing them as irrelevant, the stuff of children and starry-eyed idealists. For no sensible person would believe in seven-headed dragons or wing-footed messengers, in fairy godmothers and cursed spinning wheels. Yet the magnetism of such stories remains.

Which is where The Vault Between Spaces comes in. We begin with a recognizable world. Chain-link fences and cars, umbrellas and guns—these are things we know. More than that, the world feels familiar: drab, monotonous, inescapable, hopeless.

Then one lone girl steps into that world—our world—and changes everything, challenging us to question all that we thought we knew. Could there be more truth to those childhood tales than we ever dared believe?

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, February 28

Texas Book-aholic, February 29

For the Love of Literature, March 1

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 2

Rebecca Tews, March 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 4

Inklings and notions, March 5

For Him and My Family, March 6

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, March 7

deb’s Book Review, March 7

Emily Yager, March 8

Blogging With Carol, March 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 10

The Artist Librarian, March 10

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 11

Pause for Tales, March 12

Mia Reads, March 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chawna is giving away a themed basket including an autographed copy of the book, a $10 iTunes gift card (since music plays a dominant role in the book), embroidered bookmark, and embroidered denim book bag!!

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/f616/the-vault-between-spaces-celebration-tour-giveaway

Yours, Mine, & Forever by Joanne Markey (Taking Chances Book 2)

About the Book

Book:  Yours, Mine, & Forever

Author: Joanne Markey

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Release Date: September 7, 2019

Whoever said the course of true love never runs smooth knew their business.

Especially motherly love.

Still, with adoption success just waiting for ink and paper to appear, Norah can focus on more exciting things, like Christmas, and figuring out how this marriage thing is going to work out! However, never underestimate the craftiness of an antagonist old woman determined to get her own way—or rather, stop Norah from getting hers. If it means resorting to underhanded means to ensure she comes out on top, then so be it. All it takes is a word in the right ear, a nudge here, a wink there, and the natural course of gossip and slander will do the rest.

When the dust clears, Norah’s heart is in tatters and her fledgling relationship is in ruins… Or is it? Will her hero’s patience wear thin, and is Norah’s faith strong enough to see her through whatever comes her way?

Click here for your copy.

My Review:
This is a super sweet story, with lots of deep thinking by Norah. Adoption is something that's close to my heart, so I really liked the storyline. I do wish I had been able to read the other book first, I feel like I'm missing out in a few areas. Other than that, it's a really moving story with lots of heart and focuses on relationships and adoption. Trusting God is a huge theme in this emotional read, you may need tissues. I love that it's written by an Australian author, and I'm thrilled anytime there's a language that isn't just English used. 

4 Stars

About the Author

Originally from Australia, Joanne now lives in Ohio with her husband and seven children where she spends her days writing, wrangling children, and trying to determine which phrases originated in which country because she uses them all interchangeably, thereby continually confusing herself as much as those around her.

More from Joanne

When people find out I’m an Aussie living in the US and that I’ve written books, they immediately assume my books are set in Australia. I’m sorry to disappoint anyone, but, no, they’re not. You see, after almost 19 years of living in the US I’ve lost touch with the culture I was raised in. Things are done differently here than they are over there, and I’ve gotten used to this life.

When I moved halfway around the world, iPads, smart phones, and the like weren’t even a thing. The internet over there (in the places I lived) was something you knew about, but not everyone was online. My family didn’t even own a computer. When you went to town you lost cell phone coverage about 20 kms out. We lived in the bush, which technically falls between the coast and the outback. Not far enough from the coast to be “outback”, but far enough there wasn’t a town worth mentioning in any direction for a good two hour drive (roughly 170km, if memory serves me correct). So yeah, we lived out bush and while it’s hard to imagine a world without the electronics we depend on so much today, the Australia I know, the life I remember, had none of them. And I’m pretty sure things have changed since then!

That’s one major issue standing between me and writing books set in Australia. Another is the language. Half the time I find it almost impossible to remember where a phrase originated. I’m not talking about the “fair dinkums” or the “g’days”, they’re easy to identify. It's the little phrases, the ones that are so ingrained in my thinking I can’t identify their origin. At least, not until every person in the room looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. I figure it out pretty quickly after that and usually have to scramble to translate to something they understand. Agreeing with someone by uttering a simple “yes” is a wee bit more effective here than the “too right!” I might use with my family.

Try adding in the whole dropping the R thing Aussies have a habit of doing, and then the clear pronunciation of the R which is pretty common among the people I know here…and yeah, it can get confusing. “Far” is a bad one. Simple word. I never stop to think about how I’m saying it, so part of the time I’ll drop the R without realizing I’ve done so. Then I’ll hear myself say “fah”, so I’ll quickly tack on the R… and it can become an issue.

Some expats might not have an issue with speech, this is just one problem I run into quite often so I ran with it in my book. Anyone who’s read the book will know who I’m talking about. Multiple languages, speech confusion especially when emotional. It’s a thing. Not everyone deals with it, but me… yeah. Sigh.

But that doesn’t mean I’ve turned my back on everything I once knew. My husband and our kids love a good damper, Aussie meat pies, and Vegemite. They turn their noses up at pavlova (where, oh, where did I go wrong?!), but little did I know when we bought some of my favorite Aussie music that it would become their favorite too. I love where I live now, but I also have a great fondness for the country I left behind, and my family too, of course. They all live over there. And this story… it originated in Australia.

I was looking for a something to write for NaNo in 2018 and my Mum had a dream to share, so she gave me the idea and I ran with it. I changed bits here and there—the setting, most of the story actually!—and finished it up mid-December of 2018. I sat on it for about six months, finally got around to sending it to an editor. And then two weeks before I hit publish, a friend heard how long it was and asked if I’d ever thought about splitting the story in two.

No, I hadn’t, but after hashing it out with my editor, we decided it was a good idea. Dreaming of More became the first half, and Yours, Mine, & Forever was born.

However, giving Dreaming an end meant I’d sort of wrapped up the main storyline I’d used in the entire 135,000 word manuscript. I needed something else because I hadn’t added the bow to the top of the package and without that, Dreaming kind of fell flat. It needed another book… So back to the editor I went and at 2am one morning we started brainstorming. Before I knew what was happening I was in the middle of rewriting the entire book. I didn’t need to follow the same storyline and because the slate had been cleared, I could add in whatever I wanted. So I did.

My friend apologized—she hadn’t meant for me to rewrite the entire book—but no apology was necessary. I loved being able to change things. New characters made it more fun and, as my youngest son would say, I got to add “all the stuffs”. The only thing I refused to change was the ending. I had to keep that because it was the one thing my Mum remembered the best from her dream. For her sake, I kept it. If you want to know what that ending is… it comes after all the other pages in the book. But if you skip over them, you’ll miss all the stuffs and they’re what make the ending worthwhile.

Blog Stops

Batya’s Bits, February 29

deb’s Book Review, February 29

Texas Book-aholic, March 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 1

Genesis 5020, March 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 2

Among the Reads, March 3

Through the Fire Blogs, March 3

She Lives To Read, March 4

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 5

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, March 5

Quiet Quilter, March 6

For Him and My Family, March 7

Stories By Gina, March 7

Inklings and notions, March 8

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, March 9

Blogging With Carol, March 9

Moments, March 10

My Devotional Thoughts, March 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 11

janicesbookreviews, March 11

Pause for Tales, March 12

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Joanne is giving away the grand prize package of signed copies of Dreaming of More, Yours, Mine, & Forever, and Christmas Rose!!

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/f623/yours-mine

Child of Prophecy by T.E. Bradford (Divide Series #1)

About the Book

Book:  Child of Prophecy

Author: T.E. Bradford

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Release Date: August 31, 2018

How far would you go to fit in? Another world?

Fifteen-year-old Nova Hawthorne has a unique trait that sets her apart, yet she wants nothing more than to be normal and fit in.

She soon finds out that there’s a very real reason why she feels so out of place in this world—she’s from another one. And prophecy says she is destined to destroy them both.

Armed only with a magic she does not yet understand and the synesthesia no one else does, she must race to figure out how to stop prophecy from unfolding, find a father she’s never met and discover who she really is. Is it truly our differences that make us who we are? How can you be strong when you’re broken? And what happens when your actions bring about the very destruction you’ve been fighting to prevent?

Click here to get your copy.

 My Review:

This book is awesome. Anyone in their younger teens and up should love this story. I certainly do! It's simple and complexed. It hits the core of a very human issue that has no age limits, the problem with fitting in. From "magic" that's gift like, to the parallel to Earth kind of world the story is set in, this book is riveting, the characters endearing, and the only downside is waiting for more in this series. 

It works as an allegory for Christian themes, without pulling me out of the story. I am really looking forward to more of this series and thinking about adding it to my give as a gift list. 

5 Stars

About the Author

Tracy is a writer, singer-songwriter, cancer survivor and proud wife and mother. Her speculative fiction stories have featured in publications such as Deep Magic, including the Best of Deep Magic collection. Her Divide Series books, a Teen Fantasy series debuted in 2018 with Child of Prophecy – Book One. Child of Destiny – Book Two is set to release in November 2019. Her short-story Written in the Stars, a Kindled Legends story, was a number one new release and International Best Seller.

Born and raised in Central New York, Tracy will tell you her parents gave her the two best tools in her arsenal by reading to her as a child and raising her in a Christian household. In spite of the long CNY winters she continues to live there with the husband God created especially for her, and the son who is her forever best story.

“I believe true magic can be found in the things we see and do every day. Life is hard enough. Stories should transport us to another time and place. A magical place, where we can stretch out a hand and touch the wonder of God’s universe.” –T.E. Bradford

 More from Tracy

You’ll find music woven into nearly all my stories. This is especially true in the Divide Series books, as our heroine Nova has something called Synesthesia – a condition where your senses may overlap or cross. In Nova’s case, she can see sounds. Cool, right? On her journeys, she’ll encounter plenty of musical elements, but perhaps none as special as…

THE SONG OF THE HIGH KING

There is a King on a great golden throne

His beauty and magic so great none can know

He waits and He watches His children below

Waiting to see them all come safely home.

Travel high! Travel low! Travel through that great light

In the vastness between, where His city shines bright

Travel with Him and you’ll travel no more

Rest on the sands of His celestial shore.

Drink from the fountain that never runs dry

Eat from His table’s bountiful supply

Look in His face, trace the lines of His scars

They never were His wounds… they always were ours.

Travel high! Travel low! Travel through that great light

In the vastness between, where His city shines bright

Travel with Him and you’ll travel no more

Rest on the sands of His celestial shore.

Rest on the sands of His celestial shore.

Blog Stops

Rebecca Tews, February 21

Through the Fire Blogs, February 22

For the Love of Literature, February 23

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 25

Artistic Nobody, February 26 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, February 26

Texas Book-aholic, February 27

Inklings and notions, February 28

For Him and My Family, February 29

Wishful Endings, March 1 (Author Interview)

April Hayman, Author, March 1

Blogging With Carol, March 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 3

Pause for Tales, March 4

Blossoms and Blessings, March 5 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tracy is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card, as well as the prequel and a couple of other surprise goodies (think musical)!!

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/f5cd/child-of-prophecy-celebration-tour-giveaway