New book release: Paladin Pawn by Michael Young

Today, I want to let you know about a new middle grade fantasy by my friend Michael Young coming November 28. Congrats, Michael! I hope you'll give it a look.

Introducing Paladin Pawn

When nerdy Rich Witz unwittingly becomes a Paladin, a white knight, in training, he is thrust into a world where flunking a test can change the course of history and a mysterious bully is playing for keeps with his life.
 Rich’s grandmother leaves him with one thing before disappearing for good: a white chess pawn with his initials engraved on it. The pawn marks him as the next in an ancient line of white knights. He must prove himself in a life or death contest against his Nemesis, a dark knight in training, all while dealing with math homework and English projects.  With the ghost of an ancestor for his guide, he has seven days to complete four tasks of valor before his Nemesis does, or join his guide in the realm of the dead.
 As Rich rushes to complete the tasks, he realizes the chilling truth: his Nemesis is masquerading as someone at school and will stop at nothing to make him fail. As the tasks grow ever harder, the other knights reveal to him that his failure will break a centuries-old chain and bring the Paladin order to ruin. If he fails, the dark knights win the right to control the fate of the world, a world without hope or the possibility of a new dawn.  So this is one exam Rich has to ace, with no curve and no extra credit.

Michael is a graduate of Brigham Young University and Western Governor’s University with degrees in German Teaching, Music, and Instructional Design. He puts his German to good use teaching online German courses for High School students. Though he grew up traveling the world with his military father, he now lives in Utah with his wife, Jen, and his two sons. Michael enjoys acting in community theater, playing and writing music and spending time with his family. He played for several years with the handbell choir Bells on Temple Square and is now a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
 He is the author of the novels The Canticle Kingdom Series, The Last Archangel Series, and the Chess Quest Series.  His also authors several web serials through BigWorldNetwork.com. He publishes anthologies for charity in his Advent Anthologies series. He has also had work featured in various online and print magazines such as Bards and Sages Quarterly, Mindflights, Meridian, The New Era, Allegory, and Ensign.

Follow Michael . . .
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authormichaelyoung
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mdybyu
Blog: http://www.writermike.com
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mdybyu

The Ransomed Returning online launch party!

Today we are celebrating the release of The Ransomed Returning all day long on the Defenders of the Covenant page on Facebook!

Roomies: A Defenders of the Covenant short story

 

Pop over and join us! There are videos, quizzes, games, prizes, and fun stuff. And everyone who parties with me today can get a free Defenders of the Covenant short story!

There will be activities all day from 10am-8pm, so come on over and say hello!

Book Launch and Library Fundraiser!

On Wednesday August 1, I'm participating in this fun event to celebrate the release of Tristi Pinkston's latest novel, Turning Pages. Come say hi if you're in the neighborhood!

Multi-author Book Signing
August 1st from 7-9 p.m.

Come join your favorite local authors at the Pleasant Grove City Library (30 E. Center Street) and support the cause of literacy!

Participating Authors:
Julie Coulter Bellon
Monique Bucheger
Rachelle Christensen
Loralee Evans
Julie N. Ford
Nichole Giles
Heather Justesen
Angie Lofthouse
Heather (H.B.) Moore
L.L. Muir
Andrea Pearson
Tristi Pinkston
Suze Reese

Proceeds from the silent auction will go to benefit the library, as will a portion of the proceeds from book sales.

Hope to see you there!
 

Party Time!

Hey, friends. It's time for the Defenders of the Covenant Summer Pow-wow! Let's celebrate the release of the novella prequels as well as Defenders main character Hannah Emerson's birthday! (Okay, technically her birthday is the 22nd of July, but that's a Sunday.)

Here's the scoop:

Each hour from 9am-5pm on July 21, I will post a trivia or discussion question on my Facebook author page or the Defenders of the Covenant Facebook page. Comment on those posts and you'll be entered to win the prize for that hour. The prizes are a wide variety of e-books from awesome authors!

If you prefer to participate on Twitter, I'll also posts the hourly questions there and you can tweet the hashtag #dotc and be entered for the prize.

In between the giveaways, I'll post pictures, videos and fun stuff about Defenders and the novellas. You'll like these. I promise.

I'm also holding a virtual book signing! I'll send you a custom signed bookplate for Defenders of the Covenant or you can request a digital signature on any of the books at Kindlegraph!

Everybody who participates in any way, commenting, tweeting, sharing, etc.will get a swag pack from me! Also, you'll get a coupon to buy the three novellas for $0.99 each! (They're $2.99 usually.)

Swag pack! Bookmarks, buttons and paper airplanes

Plus, you'll be entered into a drawing for a signed copy of Defenders of the Covenant or an Avenging Angels T-shirt!

BONUS: If you buy Defenders of the Covenant today--from anywhere--I'll give you the novellas for free. Just email me a copy of a digital receipt or a picture of a physical receipt, and the novellas are yours!

PLEASE fill out the form below, so I can send you your swag pack and coupon. Also note if you would like a signed bookplate. I will not share your email or mailing address or use it for anything other than the Summer Pow-wow.



Okay, ready?

Come join in the fun!

*Nice things to do for me*

Like my Facebook page
Like the Defenders page
Follow me on Twitter
Follow this blog!

They're Here!

The party may not be until Saturday, but all three novellas are available now on Amazon and Smashwords. They should be up at B&N soon, too!

Carly Emerson never imagined she would lose her two-year old son to faceless android soldiers, nor did she ever consider that keeping her temple covenants might break her heart. When aliens attack, Carly is asked to bear a child who will be hidden in an underground refuge—without her. The grief stricken mother must make a choice: keep her covenants and die or take a chance at survival on her own.

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Smashwords 
Buy on B&N

 When Earth falls to alien invaders, young newlywed Vivi Thayer is called to serve as a group leader in a hidden, underground refuge. There she is charged with raising a generation chosen to carry on the work of God. Facing the criticism of the other, more experienced, women in the refuge, Vivi struggles with feelings of guilt and inadequacy. When a heartbreaking loss brings Vivi to her breaking point, she must learn to accept the role God has chosen for her or leave the refuge behind forever. 
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Smashwords
Buy on B&N
 

Seventeen year old Kwetoo'unuv Walker has nothing on his mind but hunting and girls. And how to avoid getting caught skipping school. But when Earth is attacked by alien invaders and Kwetoo'unuv watches his parents die to keep him alive, life becomes much more complicated. As the world falls before his eyes, he receives a vision from the Great Wolf, Toovuts, compelling him to put aside his fears and become the man God wants him to be. Because in the coming alien occupation, strength and wisdom will be Kwetoo'unuv's only chance to survive. 
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Smashwords 
Buy on B&N

I don't want to be all braggy or anything, but I feel these three novellas are the finest writing I've ever done. You can read them in any order and enjoy them with or without having read Defenders of the Covenant. If you want to do something nice for me, go "like" them on Amazon, and I sure hope you'll join me for the big party on Saturday!

Let's Party!

Announcing the Defenders of the Covenant Summer Pow-wow!

When: July 21, 2012, 9am-5pm MDT

Where: On Facebook, Twitter, and Blog!

Why: To celebrate the release of Consecrated, Refuge, and Renegade!

What: Join me that day on my blog, my Facebook pages, and on Twitter, and the blog for a day of fun and prizes, questions, discussions, chats a virtual book signing... Did I mention prizes?

I have a number of e-books, swag packs, chapter critiques, plus a signed copy of Defenders of the Covenant, and an Avenging Angels T-shirt!

I hope you'll join in on the fun!

Exciting News!!

At least it's exciting for me. =) I hope you find it exciting too.

I am very pleased to announce the upcoming release of three novellas, prequels to Defenders of the Covenant.  These novellas can be enjoyed with or without reading Defenders, but my hope is that if you read one of them, you'll want to read them all! Here's a little about them. (The covers are being designed even as we speak. Can't wait to show them off!)

CONSECRATED:
Carly Emerson never imagined she would lose her two-year old son to faceless android soldiers, nor did she ever consider that keeping her temple covenants might break her heart. When aliens attack, Carly is asked to bear a child who will be hidden in an underground refuge—without her. The grief stricken mother must make a choice: keep her covenants and die or take a chance at survival on her own.

RENEGADE:
Seventeen year old Kwetoo'unuv Walker has nothing on his mind but hunting and girls. And how to avoid getting caught skipping school. But when Earth is attacked by alien invaders and Kwetoo'unuv watches his parents die to keep him alive, life becomes much more complicated. As the world falls before his eyes, he receives a vision from the Great Wolf, Toovuts, compelling him to put aside his fears and become the man God wants him to be. Because in the coming alien occupation, strength and wisdom will be Kwetoo'unuv's only chance to survive.

REFUGE:
When Earth falls to alien invaders, young newlywed Vivi Thayer is called to serve as a group leader in a hidden, underground refuge. There she is charged with raising a generation chosen to carry on the work of God. Facing the criticism of the other, more experienced, women in the refuge, Vivi struggles with feelings of guilt and inadequacy. When a heartbreaking loss brings Vivi to her breaking point, she must learn to accept the role God has chosen for her or leave the refuge behind forever.

CONSECRATED, REFUGE, and RENEGADE provide an intensely personal look at the effects of a catastrophic alien invasion on the lives of individuals pushed to limits of faith and resilience.

These three tie-ins will be released as ebooks on July 21st in conjunction with the Defenders of the Covenant Online Summer Pow-Wow--an all-day online party with chats, trivia questions, fun facts and prizes! (Why a pow-wow, you ask? The book has a strong American Indian element in it, though it's not really brought up much in the reviews.) More information on that as it gets closer, but put it on your calendars. You won't want to miss it!

I feel these three novellas are some of the finest writing I've done, and I can't wait to share them with you.

Have you got any exciting news to share? Let me celebrate with you!

Launch Party!

My launch party last Friday went better than I could have imagined. It was so much fun! My sweet, talented husband put together a video of some of the highlights of the night. Enjoy.

Check This Out!

Author Tristi Pinkston announces the publication of her tenth book, Women of Strength, a nonfiction inspirational novel geared for the LDS market that is perfect for Mother’s Day gift-giving … or as a very thoughtful present for yourself on any occasion. She’s holding an online book launch on her blog all day on Saturday, March 24^th, and you are invited!  Every two hours from 10 a.m. to midnight, Tristi will be holding mini-contests, answering trivia questions, and giving away great prizes.  Head on over to http://www.tristipinkston.blogspot.com to enter and to have a great time!

Giveaway Winners and Other Fun Stuff!

Thanks so much to all of you who joined in my blog celebration! The winners have been chosen and notified, but before I tell you who they are, I want to share a couple of links.

First the Amazon page! It's available now to order now!

And the Goodreads page! I'd sure appreciate it if you added it to your "To Read" list. Thanks a million to all of you for all your support.

Also, the book has it's own Facebook page and the characters have taken over! Go check it out and give it a like if you feel so inclined.

Now on to the winners!

Winner of the Hannah prize package:

 Renae!

Winner of the Derek prize package

 

Larry and Cindy!

Winner of the McKenzie prize package

Tiffany!

Winner of the Kwetoo'unuv prize package

 

P Woodland!

Winner of the Joey prize package

 

Michelle Jenson!

Winner of the final prize package

 

Shallee!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered. I had fun. Hope you did too!

DOTC Blog Celebration: Meet the Rest

Welcome to the Defenders of the Covenant blog celebration!

Today, I'd like to introduce you to Everyone else!

Okay, I'm not really going to interview everyone else in the book, but I am going to tell you about a few of them.

Jeremey Elliot: McKenzie's boyfriend. He's handsome and charming, but also rebellious, selfish, and arrogant. Gets everyone into a lot more trouble than they bargained for.

Lem, Sam, and Tim Martin: Triplet brothers who love to laugh and have fun. They're fighter jet experts and Derek thinks they exist solely to drive him insane.

Aunt Elzie: Alien scientist and social reformer bent on convincing her society that humans are intelligent beings worthy of freedom.

Brother Ancient: He's been around for a good long while and has a way of making little (or even big) miracles happen.

President Schroeder: The prophet. Need I say more?

The watcher: Ruler of the slaves in the black city. His capture of Hannah and her friends leads to consequences he could never have imagined!

The Final Prize Package:

Signed copy of Defenders of the Covenant (approx. value $19)

Avenging Angels T-shirt (approx. value $10)

Back of the T-shirt

 (The Avenging Angels shirt was designed by the uber-talented Paul Browning of Business Logos.) BTW, the Avenging Angels are the fighter jets. You can see one of them on the cover above!

To enter: Please leave a comment on this post letting me know you want to be entered and an email address for contact.* By entering you agree to abide by the Official Rules (please read them!)  

I am extending the deadline to enter on this or any of the other posts until Tuesday, March 20 at midnight! Winners will be announced on March 21.

*If your blogger email is open (I can respond to your comments via email), you do not need to leave your email in the comment.*



Previously: Meet Hannah Emerson 
                   Meet Derek Halstead  
                   Meet McKenzie Larson 
                   Meet Kwetoo'unuv Walker
                   Meet Joey Carrier

DOTC Blog Celebration: Meet Joey Carrier

Welcome to the Defenders of the Covenant blog celebration!

Today, I'd like to introduce you to Bishop Joey Carrier.

Joey, or Bishop Carrier, as most people call him, is sixty-eight years old, and the leader, spiritual and otherwise, of the refuge where Hannah, Derek and McKenzie live. I asked him to answer a few questions.

Favorite thing about being a bishop? When members of my little flock come to me for counsel and advice. I love them all so much. I'm glad they trust me to help them through hard times. I am grateful for the Lord's grace to give me the strength I need to be the bishop.

Favorite food? Fresh, homemade bread with lots of butter. Two things that used to be favorites that we don't have down here in the refuge are fresh fish and chocolate cake. Our small cocoa supply ran out a long time ago.

Favorite book? The Book of Mormon.

Hobbies? Fly fishing was my hobby before the invasion. Oh, how I miss it. Now, I enjoy reading and watching old movies.


Best piece of advice? "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

Thanks, Joey! (Or should I call you Bishop?)

The Joey Prize Package:

Fishing plaque and purple tie (approx. value $15)

To enter: Please leave a comment on this post letting me know you want to be entered and an email address for contact.* By entering you agree to abide by the Official Rules (please read them!)

*If your blogger email is open (I can respond to your comments via email), you do not need to leave your email in the comment.*


On Friday:  Meet the rest
Previously: Meet Kwetoo'unuv Walker
                   Meet Hannah Emerson 
                   Meet Derek Halstead  
                   Meet McKenzie Larson

Hang 'Em High!

Author Tristi Pinkston is excited to announce the release of the third novel in her Secret Sisters Mysteries series.

Titled Hang ‘em High, this novel takes place on a dude ranch in Montana. When Ida Mae’s son invites her to come for a visit, of course she brings Arlette and Tansy along with her. They are expecting to spend the week looking at horses, avoiding the cows, and making amends in Ida Mae’s relationship with her son. What they don’t expect is to be stuck on the ranch in the middle of a blizzard and to be thrust headlong into the middle of a mystery.

***

Help Tristi celebrate her new novel in two ways. First, come participate in the two-week-long blog contest, where you can win a book nearly every single day! All the details are up on Tristi’s blog.

Second, come to the book launch!

You are invited to an

August Authorama!

Saturday, August 13th

Pioneer Book, 858 S. State, Orem

12 – 4 pm

Games, prizes, balloons, face painting,

and Dutch oven cobbler

prepared by world champion cook

Keith Fisher.

Authors Tristi Pinkston, J. Lloyd Morgan, Cindy Hogan,

Nichole Giles, and Heather Justesen

will all be there to sign books.

This is one book launch event

you will not want to miss!