Book Review: Peter's Angel

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Description: In the wake of a lost War for Independence, Peter Jameson, a young colonel, struggles to protect his tiny patriot state of Rhode Island from the oppression of New Britain, the wealthy British duchy. When New Britain invades and attempts to seize Rhode Island’s newly-discovered mine, Peter finds himself leading his small cavalry against the massive British army. But war becomes the least of his worries when his own men kidnap him and hold him for ransom. Facing certain death, Peter is freed by a mysterious boy who vanishes without leaving his name. Indebted, Peter determines to find his "angel" and reward him. But his rescuer has a secret of his own—he is the exiled rightful heir of New Britain, and he will do anything to keep from being found.

Well, this was my first historical fantasy (a what-if genre, in this case what if the British had won the American Revolution) and it will probably be my last. Hansen has a lot of talent. Her style shines as it did in one of my all-time favorite books, Red Rain. However, I found as a lover of history, this genre just isn’t my cup of tea.

The first third of this book was a bit hard to get into and seemed to drag. I really didn’t feel connected to any of the characters. It wasn’t until tragedy struck the characters of both Edwin and Nathan that I really got into the book.

Peter was my least favorite of the whole cast. He was a nice guy, and I found a lot of admirable qualities about him. However, I just never felt connected with him. After he was kidnapped, he is so embarrassed and keeps acting as if everyone will turn on him because he was so stupid as to get kidnapped. I really wanted to slap him and then yell that the people who would blame him for being kidnapped were not the type of people you want to listen to.

Edwin’s story was the most heart-breaking one and the one I most enjoyed. His love for his family, his faith, and his determination were all believable. Nathan also tugged at my heart, especially toward the end of the book.

The writing is stellar. I might not have added this to my favorites shelf, but that is only because of personal preferences. The writing was amazing and the story structure was wonderful.

The hardest thing about this book is that it leaves you hanging, and the second book hasn’t been released, nor does the author seem to have a release date set. I would hesitate to recommend anyone to get into this series until we are sure the author plans to complete the trilogy.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy what-if scenarios, strong writing, and well-rounded characters.

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Just Like Me: Part 2

Aubrey Hansen ~ I think the somewhat alarming truth we authors eventually realize is that all of our characters are like us, in different ways.  Bits and pieces of ourselves get scattered across our stories as we subconsciously work through internal struggles and express our view of the world.  As such, I’ve come to realize in retrospect that all the main characters of my other novel Peter’s Angel contain facets of me—whether it’s how I perceive myself, how I perceive my weaknesses, or the kind of person I wish I was.

Sarah Brazytis ~ Well, there is just one book in particular that my sisters and I enjoy assigning characters from to each other…

I am Winnie-ther-Pooh! 

(“Don’t you know what ‘ther’ means?”)

I enjoy taking walks in the woods with my sister, Piglet.

“Supposing a tree fell down, Pooh, when we were underneath it?”

“Supposing it didn’t,” said Pooh after careful thought.

Piglet was comforted by this…

I also like listening to my other sister, Rabbit.

“I listened, but I had a small piece of fluff in my ear. Could you say it again, please, Rabbit?”

Rabbit never minded saying things again, so he asked where he should begin from…

Whenever we’re in a puzzle, we run to our mother, Christopher Robin.

“Hush!” said Rabbit, holding up his paw. “What does Christopher Robin think about it all? That’s the point.”

Because somehow Christopher Robin always knows what to say…

“I have been Foolish and Deluded,” said [Pooh], “and I am a Bear of No Brain at All.”

“You’re the Best Bear in All the World,” said Christopher Robin soothingly.

“Am I?” said Pooh hopefully. And then he brightened up suddenly.

“Anyhow,” he said, “it is nearly Luncheon Time.”

So he went home for it.

J. Grace Pennington ~ Probably the book character most like me would be Katharine from Stepping Heavenward.  I relate so much with her emotions and her struggles and her passionate personality.  Another option would be Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables.  I share her imagination, idealism, and passionate emotions.

Rebekah Morris ~ As soon as someone asks what character I’m the most like in a book, I know what answer to give. Sara, in my book “Gift from the Storm,” is me with the wrong name. Yep, her personality is me all over again. She was very fun and easy to write about, by the way. So, if you want to know what I’m like, read Gift from the Storm and pay attention to Sara.

Kate Willis ~ The older sister Kate in my book is me, so that’s an easy one. ;) I'm also a mixture of the rusty, big-hearted Tinman; book hungry Liesel Meminger; awkward but loyal Molly Hooper; and practical adventurer Polly Plummer. (Though I most identify with the Swedish Chef Muppet.)

Writing Resources: Part 2

Aubrey Hansen ~ Other books and movies!  There’s nothing more inspirational (or instructional) than a well-written story.  After reading a good book or watching an entertaining movie, I want to duplicate the experience in my own work—and I have plenty of examples to analyze what worked and what didn’t.  Other than that, Elements of Style is a must-read.  But that’s about it.

Sarah Brown ~ I don't have too many writing resources.... But, as I am also an illustrator, I will share my favorite drawing/painting resource with you: The Art of Aaron Blaise. You can find tutorials of his on YouTube, you can look up his work on online galleries, and you can sign up for newsletters with drawing courses you can take, tips, and lots of free giveaways. I LOVE Aaron Blaise's artwork (especially his animal paintings)! My goal is to become at least as good as he is some day!

Kate Willis ~ Writing is a quest no good adventurer should embark on without brave companions and proper tools. I recommend packing K.M. Weiland's roadmap Structuring Your Novel, Strunk and White's manual The Elements of Style, a complete set of observation skills, and a blank journal.

Nicole Sager ~ I usually Google anything specific (the meaning of a name, tools used by medieval blacksmiths, how long you can stay in the dark before you go blind, how many inches around is the average man's neck...... I would hate for my search history to be discovered by the wrong person.). It's also very true that what you're reading influences what you're writing, so I enjoy reading other fictional books in a similar genre because it helps to give me a "feel" for the era I'm trying to get across in my own story.

Rebekah Morris ~ One resource I always have beside me when I write is The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi. Not only has this book been helpful and lots of fun, it’s a great help in creating real characters and giving little tips about using emotion in your story. I would highly recommend every writer get a copy of this book. Even if you don’t think you have trouble with this area.

That's a Good Book: Part 1

Kendra Ardnek ~ I'd like to just read all day long, but sometimes I don't have the time or the gumption to read, at which times it takes a special book to break through my meh and keep me glued. Usually, these books have certain things in common, including:

High Concept World or Plot. I want to read stuff that's out of the box and different. I want to read a book and know that I can't get the same experience reading twelve other books. I don't mind a bit of cliche, though, as long as the cliche is handled properly.

Humor. I want to laugh - but it has to be tasteful humor. I don't like slapstick, preferring plays on words, irony, and friendly banter. 

A main character that I can care about. If I don't care, I don't read. 'Nuff said.

Aubrey Hansen ~ As an editor and publisher, I’m always on the lookout for quality.  I have my favorite plots and archetypes, of course,  but regardless of the genre I’m always searching for new talent.  Not only can I learn from their successes, but discovering a new gem gives me hope that a new generation of talented authors is about to rise, and there is a future for independent publishing.

Kyleigh Dunn ~ While I love adventure and description in books, what I look for most is something that will make me think or impact my life in some way. I don’t like finishing a book thinking “That was nice, but it didn’t change me/I didn’t learn anything/take anything away from it.” If I’m going to put the time into reading, I want to get more than relaxation in return.

J. Grace Pennington ~ I think I most hope to find characters that are real, that I can get to know and feel close with, live through their eyes, and be inspired by.  I want to find something in their choices and actions that impacts my mindset or how I live my life for the better.

Sarah Brazytis ~ What I desire most in a book is realism. For me, that takes in two major areas.
I love historical books – fiction and non-fiction. But I have serious problems with the modern ‘historical’ novel these days! Not many people seem to know the basics of life long ago, and proceed to either make it up or take it from their favorite movie. I am also turned off when the characters present ideas, thoughts and attitudes that would not be current to the times. Of course there have always been individualists, but researching for a historical book means more than just finding out what they wore or what they ate. It also includes what most people would have thought and believed.
Then there is just ordinary realism: I like characters to act ‘in character’. I want them to act like ‘real people’! When characters are unreliable and unrealistic, I simply can’t connect with them and find myself uninterested in their future.
And in general? I want a good story – one that leaves you feeling good, glad that right won over wrong, happy for your favorite characters…and wishing for just a little more. Because that’s what a good story is all about!

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Favorite Summer Films: Part 3

Sarah Holman ~ My favorite TV series to watch in summer Zorro, a series filmed in the early late 80's and early 90's. I also get the urge to watch the Narnia movies. 

Kate Willis ~ My family and I are huge Jimmy Stewart fans. Maybe it’s his boyish charm, the adorable plots, or the fact that they are mostly family friendly. Whatever it is, we enjoy his classic movies and even lesser-known ones. We, of course, love It’s a Wonderful Life, watching it every Christmas so we almost have it memorized. You Can’t Take It With You and The Shop Around the Corner make us laugh our heads off and draw hilarious parallels between them and our own lives. I especially love the ones where he is acting opposite June Allyson, but be warned that The Stratton Story and The Glenn Miller Story are big tearjerkers. ; ) 

Claire Banschbach ~ I enjoy a lot of different movies and TV shows, but one of my all-time favorite movies is How To Train Your Dragon. I love it so much! I’ll basically watch it any time, anywhere.

Aubrey Hansen ~ We go on “movie date nights” once a week... You honestly expect me to pick one favorite summer movie?  I love the movies!  I absolutely cannot wait for Finding Dory, The Secret Life of Pets, Star Trek Beyond, Storks, Doctor Strange...

Celebrating the 4th: Part 3

Claire Banschbach ~ One of my favorite books about the Revolutionary War actually takes place in England. But I still go back and read it occasionally because I love the character “Reb” and getting glimpses of what America was like at that time.

Aubrey Hansen ~ Me ‘n my pit bull would like to wish y’all a right fine Fourth o’ July!

Sarah Brazytis ~

Morgan Huneke ~ Campaigning for Congressman Barry Loudermilk at the Independence Day parade is always a great way to celebrate freedom.

Jenelle Schmidt ~ We spend the day outside: bike rides, playing soccer or frisbee, a picnic, all of these may be on the itinerary. Growing up, 4th of July always meant going to a Kane County Cougars — our Single-A ball-team — evening game followed by fireworks. Our kids are a little young for staying up that late, so we usually buy some small “fountain style” fireworks and sparklers and set ‘em off in the cul-de-sac. It’s a day spent being a family and thanking God for the blessing of living in a place where we can worship Him freely. 

Our Book Shelves: part 1

Claire Banschbach

I tried to get a good picture of myself with my bookshelf, but mine are all the upper shelves of a built-in bookcase and kind of spread out everywhere, so it was kind of difficult to include myself. But the books were happy to pose by themselves.

Nicole Sager

Buying a new book is always a treat.....until you have to come home and find an empty spot for the little paper-backed fella. And yes, those shelves are double-stacked! o_O

Sarah Brown

 Here you go! My bookshelf is really only my headboard, but it sure is handy for reading in bed (although, I have to say, my Kindle app has nearly replaced hard copy reading). My headboard still holds my collection of favorites from over the years--classic, timeless stories: Heidi, the Laura Ingalls Wilder series, Evangelists in Chains (a very powerful book based on a true story that has really touched my life), Thrilling Escapes by Night (another amazing book--truly thrilling), Paula the Waldensian, Old Yeller, just to name a few.

Morgan Huneke

My very awesome dad built a bookshelf into my wall when we finished my bedroom. Plenty of room for my library to expand.

Aubrey Hansen

My husband and I moved from Chicago to Kansas City last year and bought our first house.  Which means we should finally have the space to put up enough shelves to display all our movies, books, manga, and anime—at least in theory.  Of course, with all the other updates and responsibilities that come with owning a house, we haven’t had time yet... which is why my books are still in old Dairy Queen boxes...

Reading Traditions Part 2

Jenelle Schmidt ~ Mostly I just like to curl up someplace comfy, with a nice cozy blanket, and not be interrupted until I finish reading the book. That... however... doesn’t happen very often, not with three small children needing my constant attention. I usually read on my bed, because I’m the fifteen minutes to an hour right before I go to sleep at night is about all the time I get to read for fun these days.

Grace Pennington ~ I like to read lying down a lot—in bed, or in a hammock, or on the couch.  Sometimes I eat candy or something while reading, but for the most part it gets too hard to both eat and hold the book, and I either get too caught up in the book to eat or too busy eating to focus on reading.  But pretty much if it's possible to read while doing it, I've done it.  Walking, doing dishes, holding babies, knitting, taking a bath.  But my preference would definitely be warm and comfy in bed... maybe with a cup of Irish Breakfast tea... maybe on a nice rainy day.

Morgan Huneke ~ I don’t have a specific thing I do or place I sit to read. Why? Because I read everywhere. When I made my purse, I very specifically made it large enough to carry a book. And so I almost always carry a book. I read in bed, in my family’s library, on the front porch, in the car, on my lunch break at work, while waiting for the rest of the worship team to arrive at church, when political debates get boring and I’m waiting forever for my candidate’s race…if I can take a book there, and not feel guilty about stealing a few minutes to read, I read.

Aubrey Hanson ~ I wish I could say I had good reading traditions, but with my busy schedule, I’m lucky if I can get dedicated reading time!  I sneak most of my reading in bed before light’s out—which, while cozy, isn’t necessarily the best for one’s neck and back!  Or for getting to bed on time, for that matter...  But did I mention it’s cozy?  Because fleece blankets!

Rebekah Morris ~ I don’t usually eat when I read, or drink things other than water either, except for now and then. I’m too busy reading. There are two places I can usually be found reading. If it’s Sunday afternoon, I’ll read on my bed. During the rest of the week, this pink chair is where I love to read.

He Surprised Me Part 3

Kyleigh Dunn ~ Since I don’t think my toddler’s devotional book really counts as unexpected, I’ll go with one of my favorite children’s books that I loved as a young child and whose comments on glorifying God with “secular” talents has really impacted me: The Clown of God.

Sarah Brown ~ I had to think for a while on this one. Most every book I've read, I've been able to anticipate in advance whether I would be impacted by it or not. The book that I finally remembered having this experience with was Lessons on Faith by A.T. Jones and E.J. Wagoner. Usually I do not really look forward to reading books that are not storybooks. I have a hard time paying attention, and they just do not capture my interest. That's why I was so surprised when I found myself fascinated with this non-fiction theology-style book. Each page, it seemed, answered questions I had held for years about righteousness by faith and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book.

Kendra Ardnek ~ This was a tricky question that has taken me a while to think about, because most of what I read is Christian Fantasy, and I expect to meet God there, discover new, rich truths. However, I have, at last, called a story to mind. The Light Princess by George MacDonald. MacDonald was one of C. S. Lewis's inspirations, and most of his books hold great, profound truths, but The Light Princess starts off as a silly fairy tale. It's not until the very end that you're suddenly struck with a rich allegory that is surprisingly serious.

Aubrey Hansen ~ While a lot of Kevin DeYoung’s books are good, I didn’t expect Just Do Something to be as revolutionary as it was.  I had spent my life wandering under the bad theology of viewing God’s will as a “corn maze,” where it was up to us humans to find the mysterious “right path” or be zapped by lightning.  DeYoung’s easy-to-understand but blunt explanation of God’s will liberated me and set me on the path to getting married, finding a better job, and, ultimately, writing more books!  Highly recommended.

From the Authors

As part of Read-to-Win program every Saturday we will be presenting offers from the authors.

If you sign up for the Unaccepted Series mailing list, you will get a code to download Project 74, the prequel short story, for free.  http://jointheunaccepted.com/mailing-list

Sign up for Sarah Holman's mailing list and be notified what Kindle book or short story is free each week.

Claire Banschbach will be offering The Rise of Aredor, the first book in the Rise of Aredor series, for free through her blog starting this Friday, June 10 - Friday, June 17.

Here's the link to the page:http://wp.me/P4xNMb-qB 

Read to Win: Impactful Books Part 1

Homeschooled Authors asked: 

What fiction book most impacted your life?

Aubrey Hanson ~ The fiction book that most impacted my life is sadly no longer available—although the author has since published an expanded author’s edition.  I don’t even remember how I came across the original edition of Angel Fall, but it shook me to the core.  It was raw, dealt with weighty subjects, and was borderline horror—and yet it was beautiful.  I had never read anything so dark and yet so full of truth and wonder in my life.  It showed me just how shallow most religious fiction is, and how much deeper it could be, if we only dared to be honest.  Furthermore, one day I took a leap of faith and contacted the author about a possible event.  This was the first time I’d reached out a “real” professional author, and I was terrified.  But he responded right away and was so incredibly kind, going out of his way many times for me.  To this day we’re still friends on Facebook.  And that is why Angel Fall is the most impacting book I’ve ever read—it restored my faith in Christian fiction and Christian authors!

Sarah Holman ~ When I was fifteen I read Christy by Catherine Marshall for the first time. This book was not an easy read, and there were some difficult parts to the story, but it only added to it's power. I was so much like Christy at age fifteen, thinking I had it all together and was read to rock the world. This book knocked off those ideas and replaced it with something much stronger and lasting: A stronger faith and a deeper love for people. So many of the people in the stories are so broken, yet God uses them. I have reread Christy two or three time since then (this is a big deal since I normally don't reread books for about five-ten years later) every time I get something new from it.

Morgan Huneke ~A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle is one of the books that has impacted me the most. It’s a classic tale of good versus evil, of overcoming darkness with light, of family and friendship, of doing the right thing even when it’s hard, and of freedom. It’s about how important it is to be individuals and not all exactly the same. I often quote “Like and equal are not the same thing.” And the realization, now that I’m older, of just how many quotes in the book come from the Bible only makes it even better. And then there’s Camazotz. Such a horrible place. Controlled by IT, surrounded by the Black Thing, where everyone is exactly alike, where no one has to suffer weeks of runny noses…but only at the cost of everything you are. We’re all fighting the Black Thing, the darkness, IT, but God is with us and we fight for Him. That’s what A Wrinkle in Time means to me.

Kate Willis ~ When I first stepped into Narnia as a little girl of six, it changed me forever. All seven of the books, especially The Last Battle, have had a huge impact on my life. In learning to love Narnia, I learned to love my world. In learning to love Aslan, I learned to love the real Savior. And in learning to love the true Narnia, I learned to love the Far Country. When one of the greatest theologians of all time writes a children’s series you get the perfect blend of amazing stories and beautiful lessons (with some good British humor!). Definitely time to read them again. ; ) Other books that have had a noteworthy impact on my life are Evangelists in Chains by Elizabeth Wagler and The Viking Quest series by Lois Walfrid Johnson. Both of these taught me the power of forgiveness and trusting God. I’ve never been the same.

Amber Schamel ~ I was browsing in an antique store one day when I found a book called Beulah.
This book was published in the early 1900’s, and I was inspired by the Biblical teaching and worldview that was ingeniously woven throughout the story...almost unnoticeably. It was then that I decided I wanted to craft books like that. Books that uphold and encourage the morals and views taught in the Bible instead of undermining them the way so much of our literature does today. That decision changed my life.




Now it is your turn: Post your answer to the question on your blog. On Friday, you will have a chance to share the link to that post here so that readers and authors can check it out!

The official rules for the Read-to-Win Challenge can be found here.

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Read-to-Win 2016

Welcome to this year’s Read-to-Win Challenge!

You read a book, write a review, and hopefully win some awesome prizes. This year, there will be even more winners!

Grand prize: $100 Amazon gift card

First Prize ~ Six signed paperback books from various authors

Second Prize ~ One signed paperback and three e-books from various authors

Third Prize ~ Three e-books from various authors

New this year!

~ All the books that are part of the challenge will be $0.99 for the whole summer! Now you won't books because you forgot to check which book was on sale that week. It will also give you more time to read. (See the full list below!)

~ Each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, responses to the weekly challenge by the fourteen authors will be posted. On Friday, we will have a link up because we want you to take part. Post your answer to the weekly challenge and then add it to the link-up. You never know, your favorite author Homeschooled Author might stop by and comment!

~ Every Saturday, we will be posting about other deals that the authors are running.

~ Reviews can be posted on Goodreads and Blogs


As always: new reviews on Read-to-Win books are the only ways to earn an entry. This year, you have fourteen books to choose from. That can means you could have fourteen entries this year! So, what makes a valid entry? Good question as we will be weeding out the spam and incorrectly submitted entries.  Here is how it goes:

Buy one of the books

Post review on Goodreads or your blog.

It must be a new review

It must be posted between June 1 and August 31

While not required, Amazon reviews are very helpful to all our authors. Please consider posting your review on Amazon as well.

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Who is going taking part?

Water Princess, Fire Prince - Kendra E. Ardnek

Adela's Curse - Claire Banschbach

The Apprentices - Sarah Brazytis

Cheeper - Sarah E. Brown

The Christian Musician - Kyleigh Dunn

Red Rain -Aubrey Hansen

Kate's innocence - Sarah Holman

Creighton Hill - Morgan Elizabeth Huneke

Gift from the Storm - Rebekah Morris

Implant - J. Grace Pennington

The Heart of Arcrea - Nicole Sager

The Master's Calling - Amber Schamel

King's Warrior - Jenelle Leanne Schmidt

The Treasure Hunt - Kate Willis

Aubrey Hansen: Red Rain

Buy it on Amazon and on her Website

Recommend for: All ages, mild sci-fi lovers, those looking for a short read, those wanting to support homeschool authors.

Can I be honest? I don’t read a lot of Sci-Fi because I don’t like most of it that is out there. I know, this is hard to believe coming from a science fiction writer, but it’s true. Red Rain was a resounding exception.
One day, while working on Homeschool Authors, I found out about Aubrey Hanson. When I stumbled on her website, I saw that there was a free audio book. One day while I was busy mindlessly entering data into the computer at work, I put on my head phones and started listening to the book. I was hooked from the first few sentences. In fact, I stayed up late when I got home (even though I had to get up early the next morning) to finish the book.

A week or so later I bought the Kindle book and thrust the Kindle at my twelve-year-old sister, telling her she would love this book (my twelve-year-old sister is one of the few people in the family that will sit and watch corny old sci-fi movies with me). She brought the Kindle back to me the next day declaring that the book had been too short. “It was such a good book! Why didn’t you make it longer?”

What I loved about it:
First off; Grace Pennington, the girl who read the book, has an amazing voice. If I ever had an audio book done of my books, she would be the one I would choose to do it.

The suspense was excellent and made me frustrated when the downloader didn’t buffer fast enough to keep up. I loved the faith displayed in this book. Without giving anything away, in the end they make a decision that goes against what many Christians would have chosen. It is the hard, much less traveled road of doing what is right, even if sets you back personally. I applaud Aubrey for the courage she showed in her writing.
One of the best things about this book is you felt you were in a real place. You could see the place where Philadelphia lived. You good feel the cold, hard walls of the star base. It all seemed so real, so believable.

What I didn’t like:
Does too-short and wish-there-was-more count?

I encourage you to listen to it for yourself and then, if you like it, show your support and buy the book.

Was this review helpful? Vote it up on Amazon

Book Review: Red Rain

Recommend for: All ages, mild sci-fi lovers, those looking for a short read, those wanting to support homeschool authors.

Can I be honest? I don’t read a lot of Sci-Fi because I don’t like most of it that is out there. I know, this is hard to believe coming from a science fiction writer, but it’s true. Red Rain was a resounding exception.
One day, while working on Homeschool Authors, I found out about Aubrey Hanson. When I stumbled on her website, I saw that there was a free audio book. One day while I was busy mindlessly entering data into the computer at work, I put on my head phones and started listening to the book. I was hooked from the first few sentences. In fact, I stayed up late when I got home (even though I had to get up early the next morning) to finish the book.

A week or so later I bought the Kindle book and thrust the Kindle at my twelve-year-old sister, telling her she would love this book (my twelve-year-old sister is one of the few people in the family that will sit and watch corny old sci-fi movies with me). She brought the Kindle back to me the next day declaring that the book had been too short. “It was such a good book! Why didn’t you make it longer?”

What I loved about it:
First off; Grace Pennington, the girl who read the book, has an amazing voice. If I ever had an audio book done of my books, she would be the one I would choose to do it.

The suspense was excellent and made me frustrated when the downloader didn’t buffer fast enough to keep up. I loved the faith displayed in this book. Without giving anything away, in the end they make a decision that goes against what many Christians would have chosen. It is the hard, much less traveled road of doing what is right, even if sets you back personally. I applaud Aubrey for the courage she showed in her writing.
One of the best things about this book is you felt you were in a real place. You could see the place where Philadelphia lived. You good feel the cold, hard walls of the star base. It all seemed so real, so believable.

What I didn’t like:
Does too-short and wish-there-was-more count?


I encourage you to listen to it for yourself and then, if you like it, show your support and buy the book.

Buy it on Amazon and on her Website

Book By Aubrey Hansen

Government regulations said they had no choice. 17-year-old Philadelphia must stay on Earth in the care of complete strangers while her father is sent against his will to Mars. When a benevolent official gives her the opportunity to accompany her father, Philadelphia knows she must keep her head down or be sent back to Earth. But when a search for her deceased brother’s Bible leads her into a hallway that isn’t supposed to exist, Philadelphia is faced with a question she doesn't want to answer – the choice between returning to Earth or destroying it.

Coming in June

His angel saved him, but can he save his angel?

When a mysterious boy rescues him from kidnappers, Peter, a passionate prince, sets out to find his "angel" - and discovers that his rescuer is the rightful heir of a neighboring country.  Determined, Peter takes it upon himself to restore the long-lost king.  Can the young ruler outsmart a powerful overlord, or will his rebellion end in death - for both him and his angel?  

Book Review: Red Rain by Aubrey Hansen

Recommend for: All ages, mild sci-fi lovers, those looking for a short read, those wanting to support homeschool authors.

From the back cover:

Government regulations said they had no choice. 17-year-old Philadelphia must stay on Earth in the care of complete strangers while her father is sent against his will to Mars. When a benevolent official gives her the opportunity to accompany her father, Philadelphia knows she must keep her head down or be sent back to Earth. But when a search for her deceased brother’s Bible leads her into a hallway that isn’t supposed to exist, Philadelphia is faced with a question she doesn’t want to answer – the choice between returning to Earth or destroying it.

Can I be honest? I don’t read a lot of Sci-Fi because I don’t like most of it that is out there. I know, this is hard to believe coming from a science fiction writer, but it’s true. Red Rain was a resounding exception.
One day, while working on Homeschool Authors, I found out about Aubrey Hanson. When I stumbled on her website, I saw that there was a free audio book. One day while I was busy mindlessly entering data into the computer at work, I put on my head phones and started listening to the book. I was hooked from the first few sentences. In fact, I stayed up late when I got home (even though I had to get up early the next morning) to finish the book.

A week or so later I bought the Kindle book and thrust the Kindle at my twelve-year-old sister, telling her she would love this book (my twelve-year-old sister is one of the few people in the family that will sit and watch corny old sci-fi movies with me). She brought the Kindle back to me the next day declaring that the book had been too short. “It was such a good book! Why didn’t you make it longer?”

What I loved about it:

First off; Grace Pennington, the girl who read the book, has an amazing voice. If I ever had an audio book done of my books, she would be the one I would choose to do it.

The suspense was excellent and made me frustrated when the downloader didn’t buffer fast enough to keep up. I loved the faith displayed in this book. Without giving anything away, in the end they make a decision that goes against what many Christians would have chosen. It is the hard, much less traveled road of doing what is right, even if sets you back personally. I applaud Aubrey for the courage she showed in her writing.

One of the best things about this book is you felt you were in a real place. You could see the place where Philadelphia lived. You good feel the cold, hard walls of the star base. It all seemed so real, so believable.

What I didn’t like:
Does too-short and wish-there-was-more count?


I encourage you to listen to it for yourself and then, if you like it, show your support and buy the book.

Announcing the arrival of....

Aubrey Hansen!!

So, Aubrey, tell us a little bit about yourself?

Howdy!  I’m a twenty-something homeschool graduate from Wisconsin.  I write both scripts and novels, and I’m a moderator on holyworlds.org.  Animated movies, Pepsi, and dinosaurs are some random things I like.  When I’m avoiding my writing, I like to crochet, color with markers, and clean.  Reorganizing your desk is a very productive way to procrastinate.

What is your favorite homeschool memory?

I can barely remember what I had for lunch yesterday, but I still remember writing a fairytale for a school assignment.  I got on a roll and wrote well over the page limit – and then didn’t touch writing again for years.  I still remember that story – it is, in fact, about the only school assignment I remember – and my mother thinks I should revise it sometime.  Perhaps one day I will.  Besides that, my most vivid homeschool memory is the time a family member hid a rubber snake in Mom’s stack of books.  (It wasn’t me.)

What got you interested in writing Christian Sci-Fi?

My first “real” novel was sci-fi – fanfiction, actually.  I was fascinated with the futuristic world involving slick metal buildings and intelligent robots, and that fascination has never died.  I love the endless possibilities that exist with sci-fi settings, and it’s a perfect playground to explore with Christian characters.

What is Red Rain about?

Red Rain follows the adventures of a (formerly homeschooled!) teenage girl as she fights against an oppressive futuristic society.  The government has taken away the right to homeschool, the freedom of religion, and her mother’s life.  What happens when the government wants to send her father to Mars – and force her to stay behind with complete strangers?

Where can people get it?

The ebook is available on Smashwords.com and Amazon.com.  There is also a paperback edition available on Amazon.  If you want to read my book for free, you can listen to the entire audiobook on my website!  

What is the best piece of writing advice you have received?

“Omit needless words.”  I heard this advice first from Strunk & White’s The Elements of Style, but it wasn’t until I started screenwriting with the help of my film mentor that I really learned how to apply it.  If you use concrete words and precise details, you can create a vibrant picture in fewer words – and your writing is often more powerful as a result.  Cut the excess, and you might be surprised at how fluidly your writing flows.

Do you have any final thoughts?

There is a great need for well-written Christian fiction in our society – and that includes fiction about homeschoolers.  How many books have you read that feature accurately-portrayed homeschoolers?  I encourage all the other homeschooled authors out there to consider featuring homeschoolers in their books.  Your characters don’t have to go to public school to have an adventure!

Announcement Saturday; Free Books and a Contest

Blog Updates

On the book list, under each others name, you can now see the genres the write.

Would you like a free book by a homeschool author?  No this is not a trick question.  This is from Perry: 

FREE BOOK!!! Follow the link and enter code: NC32W and get this book free! (Expires March 31, 2012) Read more about this book and others by yours truly at Parry Elizabeth

Click on the picture to get The Heavens Declare for free!

You can also get Charissa Lees Dream Mountain for free

 

Authors Added

Charissa Taylor Lees

Books Added

Dream Mountain by Charissa Lees (Fantasy)

(Coming Soon) Peter's Angel by Aubrey Hansen (Historical Fantasy)

(Coming soon) The Destiny of a Galaxy by Sarah Holman (Science Fiction)

(Coming soon) The Abolitionist by Elisabeth Allen (Historical Fiction)

(Coming Soon) Plague of Darkness by Hannah Mills (Historical Fiction)

The Guardian Star's True Mark by Charissa Lees (Fantasy)

Lil' Sherwood by Charissa Lees (Fantasy)

Taldek's Heroic Tales byCharissa Lees (Fantasy)

Do you like to review books?  Share you reviews with others by posting them to 

your blog and linking up at the end of March of Books on YLCF

Link them every month of In the Bookcase

Featured Book

Just Like You by Elizabeth Allen

 

Contest

Homeschool Author Anne Elisabeth Stengl is having an art contest.