OUTCASTS CSFF BLOG TOUG DAY THREE

 OUTCASTS

Safe Lands Series - Book Two by Jill Williamson

Day Three of the Outcasts Blog Tour

THREE BROTHERS - THREE PATHS

(click image for Amazon link or click link below) Outcasts - available from:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Outcasts-Safe-Lands-Jill-Williamson/dp/0310724244/

CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/outcasts-safe-lands-jill-williamson/9780310724247/pd/724247?product_redirect=1&Ntt=724247&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

Author's Web site: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/

I received a review copy of Outcasts by Jill Williamson from Blink, A division of Zondervon, in conjunction with the January CSFF Blog Tour 

Safelands Webpage: http://thesafelands.com/


Levi, Mason, and Omar are three brothers, but are nothing alike. Levi wants to lead their village survivors, and doesn't understand why Mason should care about the Safe Landers. Mason wants to escape the city, but feels he can make a difference withe the woman he cares about, Caddah. Omar is the one who sold out his village to gain a spot, but after a lapse in judgement Omar contracts the sickness. He has a change of heart about his life after sighting an owl while walking with Red, a live for the moment Safe Lander, and hurries home to sketch the owl on a man's body. The sketch reminds Omar of his favorite superhero, The Owl. So Omar decides to become a vigilante in the fight against those commanding the City.

Each brother has similar goals, to help others in their group, or those they care about, but each takes a different path to achieve that goal. Each brother has a part to play in reaching the greater good, and though they come from different paths, they are part if the same plan. The Lord cares about everyone, and their choices. Often we make bad choices, as Omar and Mia, and the touch of sin causes affects us whether we realize it on not. In Outcasts, Jill Williamson tells the story of a town and it's inhabitants. But, she also tells the story of loss and redemption, and of saving grace. The people of Glenrock lost much, but through their sacrifices, The Lord uses them to bring the Safe Landers back from their place of dark choices and sin.

The story of Mason and his brothers continues later this year in Book 3 of The Safe Lands Series.

Sample chapter of Outcasts: http://www.scribd.com/doc/183292500/Outcasts

Series Youtube, nice graphics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezom5l_9vnQ&feature=youtu.be



*Participants’ links:

Red Bissell Thomas Clayton Booher Beckie Burnham Jeff Chapman Pauline Creeden April Erwin Victor Gentile Ryan Heart Timothy Hicks Jason Joyner Carol Keen Jennette Mbewe Amber McCallister Shannon McDermott Meagan @ Blooming with Books Rebecca LuElla Miller Joan Nienhuis Nissa Jalynn Patterson Writer Rani Nathan Reimer Chawna Schroeder Jacque Stengl Jojo Sutis Robert Treskillard Steve Trower Shane Werlinger Phyllis Wheeler Deborah Wilson

CSFF OUTCAST BLOG TOUR - DAY TWO

 OUTCASTS

Safe Lands Series - Book Two by Jill Williamson

Day Two of the Outcasts Blog Tour

Sick of Body and Spirit
(click image for Amazon link or click link below) Outcasts - available from:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Outcasts-Safe-Lands-Jill-Williamson/dp/0310724244/

CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/outcasts-safe-lands-jill-williamson/9780310724247/pd/724247?product_redirect=1&Ntt=724247&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

Author's Web site: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/

I received a review copy of Outcasts by Jill Williamson from Blink, A division of Zondervon, in conjunction with the January CSFF Blog Tour

Safelands Webpage: http://thesafelands.com/

Mason, the scholar,  was looked down by his older brother the hunter and leader. Now, Mason works in the Surrogacy Center as a medical tech and spends most of his free time researching a cure for the disease. Mason still has feelings for Ciddah, his supervisor, but she is infected so he can't become more involved with her. Omar and Mia are infected due to wanting their freedom earlier. These infections of former Glenrock residents add to Mason's pressure to find a cure. However, Mason finds evidence of Ciddah bugging his apartment with recording devices. He feels betrayed by the very person he cares for, and doubly so as he is trying to help cure her.


Today's title comes the the way Outcasts shows how a sickness of the spirit is manifested by an external sickness of the body. In the Safe Lands, this external sickness is shown by dry, peeling skin. Safe Land inhabitants try to cover this appearance by painting their skin and adding up dateable tattoos. Like the illness, sin has a way of seeping out, even when we try to cover up and keep it hidden. Omar and Mia found, to their detriment, that you can't play around with evil, it always changes you in some way. Since the Safe Lands story is loosely based on that of Daniel and company getting taken out of Israel and into to Babylonian captivity, Mason seems the most like Daniel. He is favored by the leaders, he follows the teaching of The Lord though those around him would lead him astray, and he cares for the others in his care. The Safe Lands are a future version of ancient Babylon. In the Safe Lands, poor choices led to ever more extreme attempts to replace The Lord with hollow replacements like drug-dispensing vapor sticks, meaningless one-night stands, and a callous focus on self gratification first.


Jill Williamson has done a good job portraying what might be if society follows it's current course of focusing on the wrong things. She tackles some tough subjects like dug and alcohol abuse, sexual addition, and even contempt for the unborn. Teens, and others, reading Outcasts may find themselves
dwelling on the points Jill Williamson raises as I did, and remembering Mark 8:36. The Safe Landers gained much of what the world offered, yet lost their souls in the process.

Sample chapter of Outcasts: http://www.scribd.com/doc/183292500/Outcasts

Series Youtube, nice graphics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezom5l_9vnQ&feature=youtu.be

 

*Participants’ links:

Red Bissell Thomas Clayton Booher Beckie Burnham Jeff Chapman Pauline Creeden April Erwin Victor Gentile Ryan Heart Timothy Hicks Jason Joyner Carol Keen Jennette Mbewe Amber McCallister Shannon McDermott Meagan @ Blooming with Books Rebecca LuElla Miller Joan Nienhuis Nissa Jalynn Patterson Writer Rani Nathan Reimer Chawna Schroeder Jacque Stengl Jojo Sutis Robert Treskillard Steve Trower Shane Werlinger Phyllis Wheeler Deborah Wilson

OUTCASTS CSFF BLOG TOUR - DAY ONE

 OUTCASTS

Safe Lands Series - Book Two by Jill Williamson

Day One of the Outcasts Blog Tour

A New Life - A New Death 

(click image for Amazon link or click link below) Outcasts - available from:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Outcasts-Safe-Lands-Jill-Williamson/dp/0310724244/

CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/outcasts-safe-lands-jill-williamson/9780310724247/pd/724247?product_redirect=1&Ntt=724247&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

Author's Web site: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/

I received a review copy of Outcasts by Jill Williamson from Blink, A division of Zondervon, in conjunction with the January CSFF Blog Tour

I enjoyed Mrs. Williamson's first book in the Safe Lands Series, Captives, and was thankful for the opportunity to review her next book in the series, Outcasts.  In case you haven't read Captives, it's available on sale for Kindle , Nook , and iTunes.
Safelands Webpage: http://thesafelands.com/





Outcasts opens with Kendall Collin's post-pregnancy life. In the Safelands, children belong to the Safelands, and are taken from their mother soon after birth. After celebrity life during her pregnancy, Kendall is coping with the loss of her son who she only sees in the Safeland videos. She is trying to get her life back to normal, and has taken her old job as a courier.





She hears someone moaning for help at the station, and comes upon her friend Chord who lies dying in a pool of his own blood. Chord dies before her eyes, but not before giving her four secret messages to deliver. When another courier appears and starts questioning her, Kendall wonders what is in the messages. Should she turn them over to the authorities when they appear? She should give them to Omar, the courier who shows up after Chord dies, and grabs Kendall's wrist to ask about Chord? Should she follow Chord's last wish, and illegally deliver the non-tracked messages?


All this happens in the prologue, and the pace just seems to pick up from there. As I read Kendall's denials about Chord, it reminded me of Peter denying Christ. I'm not sure it was intended, but Kendall was friends with Chord and wants to avoid any legal complications with the authorities much as Peter.

Sample chapter of Outcasts: http://www.scribd.com/doc/183292500/Outcasts

Series Youtube, nice graphics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezom5l_9vnQ&feature=youtu.be



*Participants’ links:

Red Bissell Thomas Clayton Booher Beckie Burnham Jeff Chapman Pauline Creeden April Erwin Victor Gentile Ryan Heart Timothy Hicks Jason Joyner Carol Keen Jennette Mbewe Amber McCallister Shannon McDermott Meagan @ Blooming with Books Rebecca LuElla Miller Joan Nienhuis Nissa Jalynn Patterson Writer Rani Nathan Reimer Chawna Schroeder Jacque Stengl Jojo Sutis Robert Treskillard Steve Trower Shane Werlinger Phyllis Wheeler Deborah Wilson

CAPTIVES CSFF Blog Tour - Day 3

Captives

The Safe Lands Series - Book One by Jill Williamson

Captives Blog Tour - Day Three

Hay-O! We've all got issues!

click image for Amazon link or click link below) Captives - available from:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Captives-Safe-Lands-Jill-Williamson/dp/0310724228/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376160014&sr=1-5

CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/captives-jill-williamson/9780310724223/pd/724223?item_code=WW&netp_id=1022035&event=ESRCG&view=details

Author's Web site: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/
Author's Blog: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/jill-williamsons-blog/

I received a review copy of Captives by Jill Williamson from the nice folks at Zondervon
in conjunction with the August CSFF Blog Tour 

 

         One of the things I enjoyed about the characters in Captives was the variety and believability; especially as the story progressed. I wasn't too sure whether I liked the characters in the first couple of chapters, but as the story progressed it seemed like their individuality shone through. Early on, Levi seemed like a bossy older brother who lorded it over his two siblings. Omar was the youngest, and an artist. In a society where hunters are prized, there was little time, or regard for artists. Omar dealt with his treatment in life by running away to find the greener grass on the next hill. Mason was in a similar strait as Omar. He was a scholar who wanted to become a healer like his mother. Healers were more highly valued by the village than artists, but not by much. Mason was the one always looking for answers, and new knowledge. he never stopped asking questions.
            Inside the city walls, the three brothers outlook on life seemed to change little. Levi still struck out at problems, trying to use his strength and size to overcome obstacles. Omar still looked for the next big thing, and jumped at anyone or anything that brought recognition or temporary pleasure. He still thought short term. Mason seemed to realize the only hope for their village lay in finding a solution to the virus that struck the city, leaving the occupants sterile and afflicted with skin lesions.
            It seemed to me Mason's focus was on others, I guess that's what made him a likable character. He even cared about his boss, who seemed a terrible person when they met. At first, Levi's seemed to focus on others, but it soon seemed like he was more concerned with taking care of 'his' village and recovering 'his' fiancée. Omar? Well, Omar was always about Omar. But by the end of the book, he seemed to realize his actions had brought pain, suffering, and even death to others.
            Something I wondered about were the digital masks and body paints worn by the Safe Landers. Were these digital cover-ups an allegory for the masks people wear today? People put on a good front with the masks they wear in public, but underneath they are hurting and need someone to fill the emptiness they cover inside. Do the digital arts worn by Safe Landers represent an impersonal society in which people will text or email, but won't do face to face because they can't enjoy the anonymity provided by online communication? Is a small part of our humanity taken from us as we conform to society's expectations, rather than what our Creator demands of us?
         Jill Williamson wrote Mason's reactions as a good example of Romans 12:2. He is 'in' the world of the Safe Landers, but not 'of' the world of the Safe Landers, though he has feelings for one of the city's inhabitants. The author uses this contrast of lifestyles between the villagers and the city dwellers throughout Captives to illustrate that choices have consequences. Bad choices may seem more fun at the time, but eventually they catch up with you. Right choices are harder to make and follow, but they too will catch up to you.
           In the end, Captives was about choices. And both the city dwellers and the villagers are Captives of choices made by them, or someone else for them.

 

 

Speed Painting of the Captives Book Cover

(One last time, in case you missed it earlier)

For a taste of life in the Safe Lands, visit the Safe Lands Webpage.

SAFE LANDS WEBPAGE

   

Thank you for stopping by Fantasythyme this week for the Captives Blog Tour. If you enjoyed Mrs. Williamson's earlier books, or enjoy dystopian stories with a Christian twist, be sure to check out Captives. It's a great read! 
 

*Participants’ links:

Julie Bihn Thomas Fletcher Booher Keanan Brand Beckie Burnham Morgan L. Busse Jeff Chapman Pauline Creeden Emma or Audrey Engel Victor Gentile Timothy Hicks Jason Joyner Carol Keen Shannon McDermott Meagan @ Blooming with Books Rebecca LuElla Miller Joan Nienhuis Asha Marie Pena Nathan Reimer Chawna Schroeder Jojo Sutis Jessica Thomas Steve Trower Phyllis Wheeler Rachel Wyant

CAPTIVES CSFF Blog Tour - Day 2

Captives

The Safe Lands Series - Book One by Jill Williamson

Captives Blog Tour - Day Two

Live for enjoyment and pleasure, consequences are for Shells!

click image for Amazon link or click link below) Captives - available from:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Captives-Safe-Lands-Jill-Williamson/dp/0310724228/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376160014&sr=1-5

CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/captives-jill-williamson/9780310724223/pd/724223?item_code=WW&netp_id=1022035&event=ESRCG&view=details

Author's Web site: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/
Author's Blog: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/jill-williamsons-blog/

I received a review copy of Captives by Jill Williamson from the nice folks at Zondervon
in conjunction with the August CSFF Blog Tour 

 

Jill Williamson discusses her inspiration for Captives.
(From Youtube)

       Life as a Safe Lander centers around the external and the moment. Are you wearing the latest style clothes, hair, and skin-tone - yes people there change their skin color weekly, if not daily to match the latest fad worn on the Finley and Flynn Show. There are blue-skins, pink-skins, and even exotic animal design skins. These are accented in turn by digital tattoos. Digital artists design new looks and reprograms the digital skin grafts to change when your mood changes.

      The idea of constantly changing tattoos helped, I think, reinforce the idea of the transient lifestyle of all within the city. Nothing lasts. Nothing is permanent. Even children are a bump in life before they are taken away to be raised by the city state. Relationships never last more than a brief time; it's only until one or the other tires of the person they are with. Marriage is a thing of the past, it's only practiced by those out in the wilds beyond the city gates.

       Always in the back of their minds is the void inside they can never fill, so they deaden the pain with drinking, inhaling drugs of varying strengths, and casual sexual encounters. The author did a great job of explaining this empty feeling, and the reason; a viral infection that leaves the skin flaking and dying. Skin paints and digital makeup are all an attempt to cover the infection and diseased, flacking skin.
        When nothing can fill that God-sized hole, people now as then, will always try the newer, bigger thing. Problem is, nothing else can take the place of The Lord. The city tries to legislate and create replacements for God, but as the villagers find, the best the city has to offer is still a pale imitation which can never truly satisfy.

For a taste of life in the Safe Lands, visit the Safe Lands Webpage.

SAFE LANDS WEBPAGE

   

Day 3 Blog: Hay-O! We've all got issues! - The last day of the Captives Blog Tour. I'll discuss how Jill Williamson created believable, flawed characters. No one was completely good or bad. Some of the bad guys seemed likeable at first. And one character I thought bad tries to redeem a small part of himself.
 

*Participants’ links:

Julie Bihn Thomas Fletcher Booher Keanan Brand Beckie Burnham Morgan L. Busse Jeff Chapman Pauline Creeden Emma or Audrey Engel Victor Gentile Timothy Hicks Jason Joyner Carol Keen Shannon McDermott Meagan @ Blooming with Books Rebecca LuElla Miller Joan Nienhuis Asha Marie Pena Nathan Reimer Chawna Schroeder Jojo Sutis Jessica Thomas Steve Trower Phyllis Wheeler Rachel Wyant

Captives

The Safe Lands Series - Book One by Jill Williamson

Captives Blog Tour - Day One

THE SAFE LANDS, THE LEAST SAFE PLACE AROUND

click image for Amazon link or click link below) Captives - available from:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Captives-Safe-Lands-Jill-Williamson/dp/0310724228/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376160014&sr=1-5

CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/captives-jill-williamson/9780310724223/pd/724223?item_code=WW&netp_id=1022035&event=ESRCG&view=details

Author's Web site: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/
Author's Blog: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/jill-williamsons-blog/

I received a review copy of Captives by Jill Williamson from the nice folks at Zondervon
in conjunction with the August CSFF Blog Tour 

        Angel wings was the first thing that came to mind when I saw Captives' book cover, then I realized they were tall buildings and wondered what they represented. I really enjoyed Mrs. Williamson's earlier fantasy series that began with, By Darkness Hid. So I had looked forward to reading a science-fiction series by the same author to see how she handled the change. I found out, with Jill Williamson, a story is a story no matter the genre, and outstanding.

        Captives begins inside the city, known as the Safe Lands because the high walls keep out the unsettled, dangerous world outside the city. But, the gates and regulations also keep the city dwellers inside where they have be come numb to the idea of consequences of their actions; choosing instead to live for the moment. Over time, the city dwellers have become sterile, and new, uninfected human-stock must be brought in to replenish the population.

     With ruthless disregard, the military captures or kills an entire village bringing all but missing eighteen-year-old Levi to the Safe Lands. Levi just announced his engagement to Jem, and when he returns to his village, he finds Jem and everyone else long gone. What happened? Why were some shot, and most taken, he wonders. Mason makes his way to the Safe Lands where he is arrested, thrown into jail, beaten, and marked with Xs on his cheek. In the Safe Lands, three strikes and you are truly out. The girls of the village fare little better, when the girls, including Levi's fiancée Jem, are moved into surrogate pregnancy homes to birth future citizens for the city. Things will go fine for the kidnapped group, as long as they don't rock the boat and follow orders. They soon find, rather than a safe haven, life in the Safe Lands is a gilded cage with dire punishments.

 

For a taste of life in the Safe Lands, visit the Safe Lands Webpage.

SAFE LANDS WEBPAGE

   

Day 2 Blog: Live for enjoyment and pleasure, consequences are for Shells! - Day Two I'll discuss why making pleasure the focus of their life, led to shallow, unhappy, unfulfilled existences in The Safe Lands. 
 

*Participants’ links:

Julie Bihn Thomas Fletcher Booher Keanan Brand Beckie Burnham Morgan L. Busse Jeff Chapman Pauline Creeden Emma or Audrey Engel Victor Gentile Timothy Hicks Jason Joyner Carol Keen Shannon McDermott Meagan @ Blooming with Books Rebecca LuElla Miller Joan Nienhuis Asha Marie Pena Nathan Reimer Chawna Schroeder Jojo Sutis Jessica Thomas Steve Trower Phyllis Wheeler Rachel Wyant

CSFF Blog Tour - Day 3 - An end to the Tour, but not to the story!
(click image for Amazon link or click link below)

BY DARKNESS HID (Blood of Kings - Book 1)
By Jill Williamson


By Darkness Hid - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0982104952
MarcherLord Press Store: http://www.marcherlordpress.com/New_Store/Product--To_Darkness_Fled.htm
Author Web site and blog - http://jillwilliamson.wordpress.com/

Vrell Sparrow is the second of two main characters. She is introduced to the story during a fitting for a special undergarment that acted as an extreme corset and allowed Vrell to pass as a boy. Before this time, Lady Caroline was Vrell's only confidant and confessor, for who else could she trust with this carefully guarded secret?

In contrast to Achan, Vrell already knew how to bloodvoice by the time she went into hiding. Though untrained, Vrell could sense others and read the mind of others, a skill that proves invaluable later in the book. Her bloodvoice gift helps Vrell keep her identity a secret and avoid the cruel and powerful Gidon Hidar who would force her into marriage.

Under Vrell's false identity, she took up position as a apprentice to the local apothecary, or druggist. Vrell wanted to help deliver children and assist the midwife, but couldn't as a boy. Instead, she soaked up what knowledge she could in preparation for helping others in the future.

This empathy struck me as a similarity between Vrell and Achan. Vrell dwelt among people and felt their needs and pains. Achan worked among the livestock and animals, and he could read their feelings and needs. Both developed strong bonds communicating with their associated group. Both felt strong empathy and compassion for others, and wanted to protect those less strong.

But as all good things must end, Vrell must make a run to stay free as the Prince's men close in. Her bloodvoicing gift becomes a beacon to those with the same ability. Capture seems certain. But an even bigger danger than the Prince looms on the horizon. The Darkness is growing, changing the hearts and minds of those involved; and worse cutting them off from Arman, the Creator. Agents of Darkness sense the power of Vrell and Achan, and hope to either twist their bloodvoice gift to the Darkness, or remove the threat.

Well, this is the last blog tour day for By Darkness Hid. Take the leap. Avoid the Darkness. Buy a copy for yourself, or better yet buy both books together so you won't have to wait to continue the journey. It's a great trip of a story!

Buy By Darkness Hid and To Darkness Fled at Amazon for $25.72 shipped, as both total more than $25.

Book 1: By Darkness Hid - http://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Hid-Blood-Kings-book/dp/0982104952/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
Book 2: To Darkness Fled - http://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Fled-Jill-Williamson/dp/098259870X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b

*Participants’ links

Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Gina Burgess
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
R. L. Copple
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
Emmalyn Edwards
April Erwin
Sarah Flanagan
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Joleen Howell
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Leighton
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
John W. Otte
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
James Somers
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher

CSFF Blog Tour - Day 2
(click image for Amazon link or click link below)

BY DARKNESS HID (Blood of Kings - Book 1)
By Jill Williamson


By Darkness Hid - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0982104952
MarcherLord Press Store: http://www.marcherlordpress.com/New_Store/Product--To_Darkness_Fled.htm
Author Web site and blog - http://jillwilliamson.wordpress.com/

Two story lines run through By Darkness Hid - that of Achan Cham a poor stray, and Vrell Sparrow a noble girl forced into marriage to someone she detests. These two story strands intertwine and eventually form a whole greater than its parts. It will take these two speakers of the blood to overcome the darkness building to overtake their land.

Achan was left before his earliest memories of Sitna Manor where he served Lord Nathak. Less than a peasant slave, Achan was a stray - a person of unknown past or parentage. In this world's pecking order he was stuck at the bottom, and the manor bullies always found ways to remind Achan of his place. But Achan dreamt of more from life, he wanted to become a Kingsguard. A chance meeting with a passing knight encourages Achan to become more than he dared hope. Lord Nathak took Achan in many years earlier, and forced him to drink a horrible tasting 'tonic' each day.

When Achan misses his morning drink, he starts hearing voices in his head. More and more voices join the cacophony in his head, increasing his confusion. Were these voices a precursor to madness, or some minion of the Darkness? As Darkness spread across the land, an enveloping mist cuts off the light, and cuts off those within from Arman - the Creator if All.

Sir Gavin sends Achan deeper into the forest and tells Achan that each Squire must kill his first beast alone. Achan has always had a gift with animals, and has felt empathetic toward them. Achan hears a doe's thoughts and tells it to step closer. He pats it and gulps as he raises his dagger and strikes. The extinguishing of life strikes home with Achan as he realizes, the doe's fawn like him, is an orphan, a stray. Achan must redeem himself and learn to control his latent powers if he is to become a Kingsknight.

But, what must he go though, and overcome, along the way?

Buy By Darkness Hid and To Darkness Fled at Amazon for $25.72 shipped, as both total more than $25.

Book 1: By Darkness Hid - http://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Hid-Blood-Kings-book/dp/0982104952/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
Book 2: To Darkness Fled - http://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Fled-Jill-Williamson/dp/098259870X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b

*Participants’ links

Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Gina Burgess
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
R. L. Copple
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
Emmalyn Edwards
April Erwin
Sarah Flanagan
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Joleen Howell
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Leighton
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
John W. Otte
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
James Somers
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher

CSFF Blog Tour - Day 1
(click image for Amazon link or click link below)

BY DARKNESS HID (Blood of Kings - Book 1)
By Jill Williamson


By Darkness Hid - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0982104952
MarcherLord Press Store: http://www.marcherlordpress.com/New_Store/Product--To_Darkness_Fled.htm
Author Web site and blog - http://jillwilliamson.wordpress.com/

I first reviewed By Darkness Hid, by Jill Williamson, last Fall. http://fantasythyme.blogspot.com/2009/04/by-darkness-hid-by-jill-williamson.html

You may wonder why return to By Darkness Hid? So new readers will have the opportunity to read Achon and Vrell's stories. These two speakers communicate through bloodvoicing over great distances with others of the Blood both young adults are unsure and scared of their new found ability. Achon is running to escape an unjustly hard life and what he sees as the evil of bloodvoicing. Vrell is running to escape a forced marriage, and attempting a return home.


What's great about this reblog - is that a word? - is the bundle offer of volume 1 and 2 of The Blood of Kings.
Buy By Darkness Hid and To darkness Fled at Amazon for $25.72 and get free shipping since the total is over $25.

Book 1: By Darkness Hid - http://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Hid-Blood-Kings-book/dp/0982104952/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
Book 2: To Darkness Fled - http://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Fled-Jill-Williamson/dp/098259870X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b

*Participants’ links

Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Gina Burgess
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
R. L. Copple
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
Emmalyn Edwards
April Erwin
Sarah Flanagan
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Joleen Howell
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Leighton
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
John W. Otte
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
James Somers
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher

BY DARKNESS HID
by Jill Williamson

Marcher Lod Press Store:
http://marcherlordpress.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=2_11&products_id=19
Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Hid-Jill-Williamson/dp/0982104952/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241130966&sr=8-2


Just finished reading this book. I wasn't quite sure where this book might go with the story. The Marcher Lord Press site listed this as a fantasy. The main characters will build a lot of sympathy with readers as the story progresses. It's amazing how problem after problem centers Cham and Vrell in its sights, yet the pair never give up hope completely. For the first few chapters most of the story occurs in the same spot. The story seemed to build slowly but, like the characters themselves, the readers needed to know where the characters had been before learning where they were going. Battle scenes seemed believable. Author Jill Williamson did her research and it showed in the many small details of life in the Middle Ages. When a book keeps me returning, and staying up late, it's a good read. By Darkness Hid is a very good read. I look forward to the sequel.

Learn more on her website about the book and series.
http://jillwilliamson.wordpress.com/