Plot:

Tania, an ordinary 9-year-old, washes ashore after being swept overboard on a family vacation. She finds herself in a wooded area with little people her size. To her surprise, she discovers they’re much older than herself and definitely not human. These new friends soon become her only way to find her way back to her parents. They trek through forests, across streams, up and over mountains, and along beaches. The elements conspire against them and in the end Tania almost gives up hope of seeing her family again.

The reality:

When I first wrote Journey from Skioria, my daughter was 9-years-old. I traveled from Langlois, Oregon to Gold Beach, Oregon once a week. My mind wandered to what it would be like for a kid to hike that without roads. Everything in the journey has a basis in reality–from the mountain and beach at the base, to the quick engulfing fog, to the landslide that hinders their passage.

Anyone who’s visited the Oregon Coast or even the Northern California Coast knows the forests grow thick and tall. To an average observer these forests contain evergreen trees and that’s it, but at a closer look, you’ll discover more at least on the Southern Oregon Coast.

Myrtlewood:

Typical myrtlewood tree in Southern Oregon.

Unlike most evergreens, this is not a conifer. Instead it grows in a coloring book round shape with large flat oval leaves. These leaves shift from the deep green to a yellow color and fall off, but unlike maples, oaks, and other deciduous trees, they don’t change at the same time. Besides the shape of the tree and its leaves myrtlewood can be identified by its pungent odor. The hardwood comes in a variety of colors from blond to gray depending on the soil (according to myrtlewoodgallery.com) The travelers encounter myrtlewood at the base of the mountain and discuss its uses in carpentry work.

You can enter to win a myrtlewood bookmark and necklace by going to my facebook page and commenting or sharing the pinned post.

Huckleberry:

In our area two types of huckleberry bushes grow rampant–red and black. The red huckleberries usually taste sweeter and have a lighter green leaf. The black ones tend to be tarter and can grow up to ten feet tall. It’s these that I had in mind when I created Terra.

Rhododendron:

Even my friends on the East Coast know this shrub for yards, but my neighbors know two kinds of rhododendrons–the shrub and the wild ones. Wild rhododendron entwine their way through the evergreens, huckleberries, and myrtlewood to find their way to sunshine. In late winter their color pops and explodes in the most unexpected of places often above the roofline of houses. With this in mind Avary came into being.

The book:

Journey from Skioria is available on all outlets. Remember it’s a middle grade fantasy. That means it was written for younger kids or for parents to read to younger kids. That doesn’t mean adults won’t enjoy it, but it’s not the action-packed adventure like Dragon’s Future or the Harry Potter series. Just like with siblings, each book is unique.

Make sure to grab your ecopy before Friday, September 8 when the price jumps from 99 cents to $2.99.

Purchase Now

Old Favorites

The Godsland series by Brian Rathbone

I’ve featured this series before. It’s well worth the read. A clean, epic fantasy which often is hard to find. The story of Catlin is just a normal farm girl who must go to school in town and endure the bullies; that is until the bullies decide to pick on her friend. When she wakes up, she finds she’s won the fight and majorly wounded the bully. This catalyst sets her and her friends on a journey to save their homeland from an even bigger threat. You can get the first book free on Brian Rathbone’s website. The series is good for everyone from 8 to 108. You may have to read it to an eight-year-old, though.

Saga of Recluce series by L. E. Modesitt, Jr

With fall coming, I’m often drawn to Recluce where white or chaos and black or order magicians clash and where food is abundant and mouthwatering. The world of Recluce sends out potential mages who can’t abide by the rulers into Gandar to find their way. Each story builds the world history. Each character is unforgettable and multifacetted. And did I say food? Yes, the descriptions of burhka a spicy meat dish served with piping hot bread or the cheese, wine, sausage, and bread platters make me want to bake bread and sit beside a fire and enjoy it. The series is for older readers teenage and above.

New Books

The Beat on Ruby’s Street by Jenna Zark

I may have mentioned this book before, but it’s still fairly new. It has been republished since June. I’m currently reading it to my 6th and 7th grade English Language Arts class. The kids are loving it, even though we only get a page or two a day.

Ruby’s an outgoing, young teen that just wants to go meet the famous poet who’ll perform at The Scene. However, Tatoo Tina messes up those plans when she accusses Ruby of stealing some fruit from the cart outside the store. When children’s services step into the scene, Ruby’s life is turned upside down. Her courage and ingenuity earn her friends and give young readers someone to look up to. Adults will enjoy learning about or reliving the Beat Generation all in a fun story with depth that will stir the heart to tears. You can learn more about it on Jenna Zark’s website.

Dragon’s Cure by Kandi J Wyatt

I usually don’t add my own books to these lists, but if this is a list of books I’m reading or have read, then Dragon’s Cure needs to be on it. I read Dragon’s Cure repeatedly this summer as it went through editing and then proofreading. Yes, it’s book 4 of the series, but my proofreader was introduced to the series via this book and had no problem reading it without having read the others.

This is a book that is a little darker and tells a story of the emotional struggle to survive abuse. Serena’s decisions in trying to stay in control lead her from bad to safe to okay to worse than bad. It’s a cautionary tale for ages twelve and up.

New on October 10

Tyrants and Traitors by Joshua McHenry Miller

This book is a great read. It won’t be completely available until October 10, but that’s less than a month away. In the meantime, you can read the first chapter on the author’s website.

If you’re looking for the traditional Sunday School story of David the shepherd boy, this book isn’t for you. But, if you want a very believable spiritual struggle of a young teen thrust into a role he didn’t ask for, then go grab Tyrants and Traitors. To add to the mix, you’ll have laughs and a delightful story of shinanegans and tight spots. This is a read for the whole family.

I’ve waited for Dragon’s Cure to have a wider audience for ten years now. I originally wrote it at the request of my daughter, Dawnya. She wanted a story with Duskya in it. At the same time, Dawnya was fourteen years old and beginning to be interested in boys. I wanted to give her a story that would impact her thought processes and yet not preach at her or be Mom telling her what to do.

The story unfolded with the idea of a dragon rider who didn’t want to be a rider. My husband is good at asking “What if” questions. He asked what would happen if a dragon chose a rider, but the rider walked off. That inquiry created Serena, the rider who didn’t want to be a rider. To give her a realistic reason for not wanting to be a rider, I had to give her a backstory. A trust issue seemed to be the easiest. Knowing from experience that many adult survivors of childhood abuse show characteristics of needing to be in control, I chose this as the basis for Serena’s trust problem. Along with abuse often comes the problem of bitterness. I know I struggled with holding bitterness in my heart.

The two stories intertwine to create my personal favorite of the Dragon Courage series. Duskya’s daughter, Carryn, learns about growing up; while Serena struggles to find people she can trust.

Serena heads out on her own, escaping an abusive relationship, the last thing she expected was to hear voices…from a dragon.Tweet

Today, Dragon’s Cure is available. The Kindle version is on sale for $1.99 until Saturday. After that, it will be $2.99. Join me in welcoming the newest addition to the Dragon Courage series.

How My Teen Years Inspired My Own Teen Series by Krysten Lindsay Hager

I grew up reading different teen series books about close-knit friends like in the Babysitters Club series, Sweet Valley High, etc. and I always wanted to be in that sort of group and have those friends who always had your back. So when I was in middle school, I created a story with a crew like that. Fast forward to college and a professor mentioned a quote about writing the book you want to read, and I thought back to that middle school idea. However, this time I decided to give the main character a realistic approach and have her feel like everyone around her has this, but soon she realizes no one has the perfect friends or the perfect life—no matter what books, magazines, and social media sites try to tell you with their happy, perky pictures.

My main character Landry Albright is a very loyal friend, maybe even too loyal at times. She doesn’t have the highest self-esteem, and she often backs down from arguing or standing up for herself for the sake of keeping the peace. She tries to keep other people from getting their feelings (or egos) hurt, and sometimes she hides her “light” a little bit because of that. She’s a definite “over-thinker” something she *may* have inherited from me. In the beginning, she only hangs around with her two best friends; and after they shut her out, she is forced to branch out and make new friends. She has to come out of her shell to try and meet people, and she often finds herself hiding her accomplishments to keep her friends from getting jealous. Landry assumes everyone else has it better than she does with their perfect lives and friendships. She begins to learn that isn’t the case and that everyone has their own insecurities and worries. There’s a part of the story where she tells Devon how she’s always wanted dark, curly hair like hers and felt that was the ideal, and Devon responds she always wanted hair like Landry’s. We always think the grass is greener on the other side, don’t we? As time goes on, she begins to learn what true friendship is and be a better friend herself.

The Landry’s True Colors Series deals with the friend drama, jealousy, insecurities that we’ve all dealt with as tweens/teens (and as adults, too!), but in a funny way through Landry’s eyes. We go through her dealing with frenemies, worrying about fitting in, and those modeling auditions that make her stress out (and hopefully make the reader laugh and cringe with her!). I hope people can enjoy the humor and feel a little less alone, realizing that everyone goes through periods of insecurity. I also hope the message that we each have something unique that makes us special comes through. I try to show that instead of trying to fit in, we should appreciate our differences.

The book starts at Braidyn’s wedding. Kyn then travels across the inland sea to the town of Oreya where he meets up with Ben’hyamene. The two of them meet a rider from a land to the west called the Carr. Ben’hyamene and Kyn struggle with culture shock as they try to comprehend wild dragons! In the process, they discover a war between dragons and humans has been waging for over four hundred years! To bring peace to the land, both humans and dragons will have to put aside revenge.

“I enjoyed the previous two books in the series, but I LOVED this one.” ~Goodreads 5 Star Review for Dragon’s Revenge

To celebrate I will be hosting a live Q&A on my Facebook page this Saturday, April 9 from 1:30-2:30 Pacific/4:30-5:30 Eastern. We’ll have giveaways of fun things like travel mugs, coffee/tea mugs, and of course signed copies of the books!

Dragon’s Revenge is full of tea, friends, dragons, and adventure. Check it out now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

The characters are twelve-year-old Clare, her nine-year-old brother Dante, and her twelve-year-old friend, Lily. Today, I have the honor of introducing you to Clare. I was able to do an interview with her!

Me: Clare, I heard you started this whole Seed Savers adventure. Tell me a little about that.

Clare: Sure. When I was twelve I first heard the word “seed” at church, and–

Me:  Wait–you hadn’t heard the word “seed” before?

Clare: That’s right. I’m from a future where kids don’t know what seeds are. It’s forgotten about, like the words “television set.” So I asked an older woman about seeds and she started teaching me.

Me: That would be Ana?

Clare: Yes. Ana became my teacher. And then, of course, I brought my friend Lily in on it, and Dante, my brother.

Me: So now that you know about seeds and real food, do you think you can go back to the Vitees and Carbos and that kind of food?

Clare: Definitely not!

Me: How’s that going to work out?

Clare: I’m not sure. Right now it’s frustrating because I’m in hiding and so we can’t garden. If I were out, and nobody else’s safety depended on it, I would try to grow a garden anyway. I mean, Gruff had a garden on his balcony in New Jersey and he got away with it.

Me: This is true.

Clare: I might even go back to Canada. But I really want to be part of the change. I want everyone to have freedom of choice about their food.

Me: Seems reasonable. Some people are wondering if you and Lily are growing apart…

Clare: I wouldn’t worry about it.

Me: What about Jason? Is this a romance?

Clare: (rolls eyes) Does everything always have to be a romance? Can’t  a girl and a guy ever just be friends? I thought you said this interview was about Seed Savers?

Me: I’m sorry. I think readers just naturally gravitate towards that. Okay, let’s wrap it up on a final note about Seed Savers. Do you think your Movement is going to have a victory any time soon?

Clare: (smiles) Of course. With young people in the Movement, how could we be anything but victorious?

So, if you now are intrigued, go check out S. Smith and her books, Seed Savers. They’re a great read for kids and kids in adult bodies.

As the three men left the inn, they were stopped by the mistress. “Kind sir, I want to thank you for the tea last night. Where did you come by such delicious leaves?”

Kyn bowed to her. “You are most welcome, honored lady. The leaves are handpicked by a woman who is like a mother to me. She has yet to share the origin of her blend. I have tried different blends of my own, but there is none quite like hers.”    

Blurb:

In search of his place in the world, Kyn visits his new friend, Ben’hyamene. Together, they meet an ailing dragon rider from the marshes of a land called the Carr. The rider recounts a people beset by anger, depression, and despair. After befriending and healing the rider, the group travels to the rider’s home. There they discover a breed of wild dragons, called drakes, which have been at war with humans for four hundred years.

One sleepless night, Ben’hyamene uses his new abilities to communicate with the lead drake. This sets Kyn and Ben’hyamene on a path that could bring peace to a conflict that’s nearly destroyed a whole people. Can revenge be set aside and enemies be called friends?

Find out in the exciting third book of the Dragon Courage series, Dragon’s Revenge by Kandi J Wyatt.

It was at the moment when he couldn’t force himself to continue that he smelled Meredyth’s tea. The smell took him away from the little log cabin and placed him into a familiar abode in Three Spans Canyon. Ruskya, Carryl, Meredyth, and Ruskya’s great-uncle Glendyn all sat around Glendyn’s stove. Kyn could see them clearly. They had sat that way many times, the five of them talking over a mug of Meredyth’s tea. The emotional drain lifted, and Kyn could think clearly. He was brought back to the little log cabin by Ben’hyamene’s voice.

Trailer:

Available Tuesday, April 5, 2016.

Cover:

It’s amazing how things work out. I had started one book in December and figured I would finish it in January. Little did I expect to have not only finished that one, but two more and started on two others in January alone! What caught my attention and why are they good for you? Glad you asked.

Tumbleweed by Heather Huffman

This is a great clean romance based around horses. Ever since I was a child and read Misty of Chintoteague I have loved horse stories. This one was about a single mom who is trying to find herself. She and her son drive down to the Ozarks where she was raised and get a job on a horse ranch. I loved the way the story flowed, but even more so the point of view of the character and her insecurities blended with humor. How many of us have had an interview not go the way we planned it? I had one where my cell phone rang not once, but twice! The main character, Hailey, begins and ends the book with interviews that don’t go the way she wants them to.

Arena by Sally Hull, narrated by Esther Hardcastle

Early in January, we returned my 18-year-old son to college, a twelve hour round trip up the Oregon Coast. The night before, I delivered a copy of Dragon’s Heir to a former student and neighbor. She held the honor of having the dedication. After giving her the book, her parents sat and chatted with me. Her mom has contracted with ACX to do audio books. So, we talked about the books she had done. By the time the evening was over, I had selected our reading for the trip the next day. Arena caught my attention because as my former neighbor put it, it was like C. S. Lewis’ science fiction series. However, once we got into the story it turned out to be a very well thought out intriguing read. It takes place in a dystopia world where people are divided into three races–priest, thinker, and fighter. All races strive to live in the top cubicle. They move up by fighting in the arena. It is a true survival of the fittest. However, when a dying priests gives instructions of where to find an ancient book to a young idealistic priest life changes for the young priest, his study mate, and two thinkers and two fighters. The journey leaves the reader wondering about what life would be like if evolutionary science was taken to the extremes. Since I started this one with the family, we haven’t finished it yet. I still want to know what happens to Stormer and the others.

Doc Adams–Jungle Dentist by Don Adams and Donna Adams Fedukowski

This book has not yet reached Amazon. It will, but I was given a proofreading job by my friend, Donna. This book has all the classic signatures of a missionary story in the jungle. Donna’s dad, Don Adams, took his family to the jungles of Peru for ten years in the 60’s and 70’s. He was a dentist who pulled teeth, performed surgeries, provided braces, neutered pets, and a number of other doctor type things because of his medical background. The story begins in the United States with a brief introduction to Don and his family life. Then a chapter written by his wife introduces her to the readers. Quickly, the reader is in the Amazon jungle laughing at antics and enjoying the life of the jungle dentist. As I read, I realized this is a must have for any church library or anyone who loves missionary stories. (It is now available on amazon.)

The Seed Savers series by S. Smith

January held a photographers’ seminar in Portland, Oregon. My husband took the week to attend and learn and grow as a photographer. On the way home, he stopped to pick up a set of furniture for his new home studio. As he and the owner packed the furniture into the back of the pickup, they began to talk shop. The owner was a photographer. The other helper with the loading was an author. She wrote middle grade/young adult books. Her series consisted of five books. She also had been a teacher. The connection was made and before my husband left, he held a small book, Treasure, in his hands. He brought it home for me. Since, Dragon’s Revenge is in proofreading, I had time to read. I picked it up and was pulled into a futuristic world of twelve- and thirteen-year-olds Claire and Lily. They live in a world where gardening and collecting seeds and eating real food is prohibited and illegal. They discover what it is like to plant their first tomato. Claire and Dante then take off on an adventure to find the Garden State. Before I knew it, I had devoured the book and was left stating, “I need to read book two!” This week, I received email notification of a blog post by S Smith. Book two, Lily, was on sale for $.99 as an eBook. I quickly grabbed it and began reading as well. Last night, at 9:00 I had to put it aside to go to bed, but I really wanted to stay up and finish it. Book two follows, Lily, the best friend of Claire. She was left behind when Claire and Dante headed on their adventure. Lily remains in the city still learning about gardening and food preparation. New characters are introduced, and Lily learns some startling things about her family and the history of the Seed Saver network. I know as soon as I finish Lily, I will want to move on to book three. I can’t wait to find out if the kids will be able to bring back gardening to the world or will GRIM, the government agency that keeps food under tabs prevail?

Link to other giveaways!

Thanks to Karen’s Got Mail, I am part of a giveaway! In celebration of the pre-order of Dragon’s Future book 1 of Dragon Courage series, we will be doing a giveaway of a metal photo print of Dragon’s Future book cover valued at $25! You can enter by commenting here on the blog telling me what your favorite fantasy story is, going to my Facebook page, or through rafflecopter. Any and all ways work. You can go to all three to increase your chances of winning. I hope you enjoy. Have fun, and may your dragon fly true!

You will win a 4×6 copy of this printed on aluminum.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Welcome to the 4th of July Giveaway Hop hosted by Karen’s Got Mail. I have teamed up with a fantastic group of bloggers to share these giveaways with our readers. Be sure to hop around to the participating blogs and enter some fabulous giveaways! Also, make sure to enter the Grand Prize Giveaway which features a $50 Target Gift Card!

Karen’s Got Mail and the 4th of July Giveaway Hop participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations.

In our Bible time, we had been encouraged to share what we needed God to fix. I was too insecure to share with these boys how my book, Dragon’s Future, was suppose to go on pre-order, but then we found out that my publisher doesn’t put first-time authors on pre-order! What were we suppose to do? My book manager didn’t like any of the options left. So, I didn’t say anything. The boys shared how they needed chicken wings, a brother needed a job, and Camp Fircroft needed to get the sheetrock finished in time for camp. The boys snickered at the seemingly small thing of God caring about chicken wings, but I prayed about it anyway.

Most Americans believe in a god. The variables are whether that god cares about people or not. A few believe that there is only one God and that He cares deeply about His creation–even the little things. This was brought into sharp focus yesterday afternoon as I sat staring at the computer screen. Somehow, my publisher made an exception to the rule! My book, Dragon’s Future, is on amazon on pre-order! I hadn’t voiced my thought to anyone. I had told my manager that I would go with whatever she decided. I had no hope of my book going onto amazon; yet, there it was! I now get to tell those eight- and twelve-year-olds how I should have been more like Hunter who wasn’t afraid to ask for chicken wings.