So lately, I have been busy but unlike last month, I read the book and absolutely loved it!! I wish I could transport myself in front of a fireplace and just read this to a audience, since this is the perfect book to be read aloud; yet it can be enjoyed as anyone sees fit. I do not have really much to say about it. After reading and still not yet commenting other's blogs, I feel sort of whatever I may want to write might be a lacking, especially since my mind is on a million things right now. Those millions of things plaguing my mind were rather alleviated as I read this book. It felt wrapped about with great messages of hope, something I most needed when I feel sometimes I am reaching my hands out trying to feel around me for upon how to choose how to do things. Pretty much, I say definitely go read the book; great choice for this month since I needed something light but deep to transport from my currently stressful life.
I added a link to sword of gryffindor, since its a site for Harry Potter made by Christians and this book is even mentioned within the site. Why not recommend a site that does what many other Christians would never do, write of Harry Potter from a Christian perspective. Maybe I am a bit biased since I am a huge Harry Potter, and no one can dissuade me from the series. Anyways, I am stoked for next month's book, it looks awesome!
Sally Apokedak
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Janey DeMeo
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Todd Green
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Michael Heald
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Jason Joyner
Kait
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Pamela Morrisson
John W. Otte
Deena Peterson
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Donna Swanson
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Robert Treskillard
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise
Author's blog
Andrew Peterson's site
Where to buy the book?

Sooo... wow I'm losing track of time. I think you know what is kicking in, seasonal affective disorder. I can feel it, sucking out all my energy, causing me to feel lethargic and I just need help to get out of the ditch I have dug myself in. For this month's post I'm trying my hardest to not whine as Christopher Hopper's one post said a few weeks ago, maybe sometimes blogs are used a bit too much to rant. This book really did not catch me, I seriously was somewhat skimming somewhat in the beginning. The writing was spent plodding to the point I quit at page thirty. Now I do not believe Chris Walley is a bad author, I just have not the energy to read something like this. If I had the stamina I may have gotten past that hump and like with Karen Hancock's Arena discovered a true gem (I had so much trouble getting into Arena, when I first read it, now its one of my favorite books.)The book sounds from the other posts I've read as though it got very good once you got past the first hundred pages. Maybe if I take the time in the next week, I'll try again. That is until I get out of this ditch and stop brooding. Also I need to stop rereading Twilight, I love it way too much!
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Jackie Castle
Carol Bruce Collett
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Janey DeMeo
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Marcus Goodyear
Rebecca Grabill
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Michael Heald
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Heather R. Hunt
Jason Joyner
Kait
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika or Mir’s Here
Pamela Morrisson
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Deena Peterson
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachelle Sperling
Donna Swanson
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Robert Treskillard
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise
Chris Walley's blog
Chris Walley
Click here to buy the book

Its January 2008, and this year starts another great year of the CSFF Blog tour. As I look back at all that has progressed in this genre, I literally look down in amazement at it all for so much has occurred. Such things as a Eastern Coast book tour, Wayne Batson being on Fox News near the release of Deathly Hallows, and a ton of wonderful books. This month's book Auralia's Colors by:Jefferey Overstreet spoke to me in great volumes. I feel as though I am holding a piece of something that like Door Within may be a market jumper. Meaning anyone of either the nonsecular and secular market may buy it and enjoy it. The story itself is not obscenely Christian, though the message of color being taken by those higher up, and art being controlled is quite universal in its scope. When I first cracked the spine of this book, at once I did not love it. My mind merely drifted with the words, flipping the pages, somewhat thinking of other things I could be doing for the day. Throughout my reading, I felt no real connection to the characters, that for me remained throughout reading the biggest issue. But the writing started to absorb me as Overstreet has a real knack of painting a picture in your mind, that and his message for me is what may this for me a rather great read.
It was the message that I fell in love with. The book spoke, of color (art) being restricted by those higher up. Color was richest when outside the kingdom. Hmmm.... this is really started to sound like what I have been thinking lately. This to me reflected one of my main issues with "some" churches. No, I am not turning this into a religious debate. Its just sometimes I feel as though instead of looking and analyzing art, some Christians barely stare at the source material and mark it as heresy.
A good example of this is anime. I have literally seen some mark "all anime" as a work of Satan. No not just one title, "all anime" That made me rub my head and say "Huh!" How can a whole genre be bad. But even some mark fantasy as such, I have literally have been hounded for recommending Door Within to some just because it looks similar to Harry Potter. Now I personally love Harry Potter, but that is unimportant to this. What is, is that sometimes the banning and all out campaigns against art sometimes makes people afraid of any art even if its good. By making Harry Potter look to be the worst, makes some believe then all fantasy must be bad. Instead of banning, instead of pervading online forums and shouting out random verses upon Harry Potter forums, saying all who read this are going to hell. Let us instead gently provide discernment against such books, instead of banning. All banning does is either make people want to read it more or make people universally hate everything of that genre.
*Take deep breath* One of the reasons I joined this Blog tour, was for raising the awareness of such a great genre. I have been on here for about six months, the people, the communication is awesome. I literally have been reading some great stuff by being on here. My book drought ended, and my money depleted.. We are Auralia, raising awareness of art that others frown down upon, showing we can depict God in a way that also mixes the fantasy elements of great masterpieces as LOTRs and Narnia. I have seen more God in Lord of the Rings than in mere "How to do" Christian books. No other genre to me paints God better. Through the mystic elements, he shows his wonders and majesty.
As 2008 starts let us like last year, spread the word to all, show how the art of fantasy could be used as wonders and for great expression of our spiritual gifts! I am only writing one post for I have been busy writing the rough draft of my novel. But I will take time to visit other blogs of this tour, I have been religiously reading Jefferey's Overstreet's blog, his posts are wonderfully written and some of his musings of the day, I fully agree upon and sometimes I think we think alike. I especially loved what he wrote about His Dark Materials!! Auralia's Colors is one of those rare novels, that anyone can enjoy, if they love great messages! Spread the word! Anyways, I'm off to write! God bless! Sayonara! Good bye!
P.S.-Check out Christopher Hopper's site, not only does he have a great contest running, but he also has written other great posts as well. Hey! also check out his books, believe me they are good!-
Links Of Interest-Other Participants-
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Jackie Castle
Carol Bruce Collett
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Heather R. Hunt
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Kait
Karen
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika or Mir's Here
Pamela Morrisson
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Deena Peterson
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachelle Sperling
Donna Swanson
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise

Where to purchase the book?
Author's website
Author's Blog

Happy New Year to all!!

As I look before of the dischevelment of events, good and bad, that have happened, I get this sense of overwhelment. God really has done so much, whether I make sense of it all or not. What were the best memories, what happened during the holiday break? Going to my first anime convention, attending one of my first concerts, meeting four wonderful Christian Fantasy authors and also the women who really knows how to write an awesome Vampire series and reading some amazing books that have helped to escape and discern the fragments of life and find meaning of the mess that lays around me.

But the question is as I walked through the continious shadows of the darkness. There occurs for me a feeling of trepidation. It ails my soul, I am afraid to take the next steps.

For me the New Year does not toll rebirth and joyous. But fear, what awaits me! I have no sense of what God may put me through this year. My heart jumps, the water drips from the top cieling of the labyrinth. My torch's light resonates around me, giving me hints upon the right direction of where I am to go.

So as I walk into the New Year, I worry and fear what lays ahead of me. I am almost afraid to walk through the Labyrinth. But I know sooner or later I must walk, or I may be stuck where I am, making no progress.

A Prayer Under A Strange Sun
by
Terri Main


Father,
Here I am
Kneeling on orange soil
Under a green sky
Beneath a tree of living stone

But it’s still me, Lord.
I’m still that little girl
Staring at foil stars
Pasted on my ceiling
Late at night when everyone else slept

I sought meaning in those stars
But they were only foil
Then I rode fire in the sky
Folded time and space
And walked on orange soil
Under a green sky
And beheld a tree of living stone

The whisper of the air cycling unit
Sings in my ears
The filters on my face plate darken
The white sun rises
Washing away the colors of night
The time of returning is near.

I scan the horizon
One more time
The orange and green have faded, Lord
And I cannot see the tree of living stone
Against the glare.

I rode fire in the heavens
Folded time and space
Who would have believed
That I would first see your Glory
Kneeling in Orange soil
Under a green sky
Beneath a tree of living stone

Haven't posted much yet! Been very busy this week, yeah yeah, excuses excuses. But I found Wayfarer's Journal and lost track of time, the stories on there were actually very interesting. Ever since reading and loving Arena by:Karen Hancock, oh.. and Firebird Trilogy by Kathy Tyers, I have desired some more Christian Scifi. Great idea to have this site put up, what I found on it I found great. Especially this poem, yes I "stole" from this site. But I am giving credit to it! Anyways what I loved about is that it fit with the whole idea of Madeleine L'Engle's philosophy. That one sees the majesty of God when one looks upon the stars. Great example of this was shown in Madeleine L'Engle's books in A Wrinkle in Time, when Meg sits with her dog on the rock to watch the stars, seeing the majesty and wonder of God's expansive universe. It truly is stunning. I wish there was not so much light pollution , so I could see more of the stars
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Carol Bruce Collett
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Michael Heald
Jason Joyner
Kait
Carol Keen
Mike Lynch
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika or Mir’s Here
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Rachelle
Steve Rice
Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Hanna Sandvig
James Somers
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise
The Awesome Scifi site

I did not know the world of Christians could be so unloving and clique acting. I have been in war with myself for way too many years and I just feel so confused and really utterly frustrated. Whenever I go to church, they begin talking what books do you read, oh no! Harry Potter you must be some satanist. What? you believe in women minsters, you feminist go to hell!
My views are very different from many, I believe in gun control, protecting the enviornment, and women's rights and that women can be pastors. They are people in Christ too. Yet I am shot down and literally verbally beaten for even expressing such views.
Maybe I should just close my mouth and conform and just change my views to win favor of the people. But yet it feels so selfish, I'm not doing for God, but to win the favor of the peers. I think it is sick how some Christians force their views down your throat and then just literally hog you, treating you less than a human being.
I wish I was able to just smile sometimes, and have fun like all the other people around me, I feel though I am in a glass sphere and to join in the fun I must give up my soul and what makes me humans, or put on a disguise and just pretend to be happy.
There are times when I rather lock myself in my room and just never come out. So I would not be so confused and at conflict with myself and the world. Where I could be accepted for who I am. I try so hard for perfection yet fail. I feel like a ghost walking about the halls of church. I sit down, no one notices me. What is wrong with me? Is there something so horrible about me that people can sense that makes them run in fear.
I do not even know why I am writing this post. I must sound like the most whiniest person in the world. Yes maybe I should just be quiet and continue on pretending to be happy. When I am a sad wreck inside. That is waiting to burst.
My tears imbue my view, yet I wipe them away. No man should cry, I must be strong! Feeling sad is a sin, everything is a sin! Who I am is a sin! God, I cry out for help, yet you continue to remain silent. As I slowly disslove into the black.

X Japan is back after a decade of anything non existent music wise, they have now returned. Just nine years after death of guitarist Hide, one of the best guitarists ever. What makes X Japan, from the amazing voice of Toshi, the songwriting and drum playing, the bass playing of Heath and piano playing of master Yoshiki. Or of course the awesome guitar playing of Hide and Pata. It is the combination of all these geniuses that make this band one of the most renowned bands in both Japan and the world. Their newest single with unreleased guitar tracks from hide, called IV was on the credits of Saw 4, one of the only reasons I even saw that movie in the first place, since actual track has no release date. They are having a Reunion tour in Japan. Oh man! Why not America, I would die to see them live! Seriously they are an amazing band!!!!!

CSFF Blog Tour Day 2, my post one day late

I finally sit myself upon my green Ikea Swivel chair to bring you my review of Scarlet by Stephen Lawhead, a master at fantasy. I recently discovered him, and let me say, I truly did not believe he would be any good. Mostly because, yes, let me admit. I have a problem sometimes with the fantasy genre seeming to take upon the same legends and renovating them. Its something that to me is a bit overdone. But was I being fair. I am judging a book by its cover, a book with a rather snazy cover. How dare I insult a book in that manner. I opened the book and began reading. I was rather indifferent at the moment of beginning the book. So far, standard devices. It may sound like I hated but sometimes when I open a book, I immediately am harsh with it, and think the worst of it. Must have to do with my rather pessimistic self. As I continued to read, I stopped looking at the clock,, stopped using the bathroom, getting up to get a snack or watch some anime online. I was transported to the Welsh woods. I was hooked! Stephen Lawhead's writing entranced me, inspired me. When I finished the book, I dropped it, and immediately felt sadness, that such a great book had to end so quickly. Lawhead's writing is just as many of my online friends have been describing it as, awe inspiring, not at all stale or cliche, like I thought previously before I dove in and began the book. Anyone with even the slightest interest in the Fantasy genre, Stephen Lawhead is a master at his art, and one day just as Mr. Hopper met him, I hope to meet him and tell him the great amount of inspiration I gathered for my writing within my books! He made me for the first time in three months gather just a bit of confidence to write a fair amount of pages of my own story. Thank you Mr. Lawhead, now I must go read some of the Song of Abrion, I have been hearing a lot of great stuff about that books

Trish Anderson
Brandon Barr
Wayne Thomas Batson
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Kait
Karen
Dawn King
Tina Kulesa
Mike Lynch
Margaret
Karen McSpadden
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika or Mir's Here
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Lyn Perry
Deena Peterson
Rachelle
Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Rachelle Sperling
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Robert Treskillard
Jason Waguespac
Daniel I. Weaver
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise
Mr. Lawhead's awesome site
Like what you see, Click here to purchase Scarlet