Kathy Tyers

Love Christian fiction? Love Star Wars? The best of both worlds collide in Kathy Tyers' Firebird Trilogy.

I first remember seeing these books in the CBD fiction catalog, and their covers and summary intrigued me. A little while later, they were out of print, so I hunted them down on Amazon, where the rare Crown of Fire (book #3) soared to thrice the original price and beyond. By constant checking, I was able to snap it up for under $15.

I zoomed through the pages, delighted to find a Star Wars-like adventure with more romance, complexity, and moral dilemmas. I don't remember which I read first, the Firebird trilogy or Arena by Kathy's friend Karen Hancock, but these books instilled a deep love for Christian science fiction.

Later, I read Kathy's Shivering World, and included it in a round up of the best CBA fantasy and science fiction (Firebird was unfortunately out of print at the time). And just this month, I found a copy of her Star Wars novel The Truce at Bakura at a used book store. (Now, to find the time to read it!)

Visit Kathy's site and the blogs below for more!

On a more personal (and fantasy) note, this past week I began the rough draft of my first fantasy novel. I hope to finish the draft by mid-March.

The full roster of CSFF blog tour participants is here:

Jim Black
John J. Boyer
Valerie Comer
Bryan Davis
Beth Goddard
Rebecca Grabill
Leathel Grody
Karen Hancock
Elliot Hanowski
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Sharon Hinck
Pamela James
Jason Joyner
Tina Kulesa
Rachel Marks
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Cheryl Russel
Mirtika Schultz
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith

Bits to Read

Robin Lee Hatcher has a great post on creativity at her blog. I especially enjoyed this:

Just as a reader reads a book in order to learn what happens to the characters, I write my books to see what happens to the characters.

That's exactly what I do! I have a glimpse of the climax and happily-ever-after as I write, but don't most readers? And the surprises along the way can be the best part.

The Cubicle Next Door by Siri Mitchell arrived at my house yesterday. I finished it today. I would have finished it yesterday if the day hadn't been so crazy. As it was, I stayed up late finishing "just one more chapter" and got only four hours of sleep. Combining blogging, office life, and a meddling grandmother with one of the most laugh-out-loud love stories I've ever read, The Cubicle Next Door is a must-read.

Read an excerpt on the publishers' website if you don't believe me. I'll be sure to blog more about this wonderful book in the weeks to come.

I'm also formulating something new - stay tuned!

Multimedia

I've started a new blog! I often find myself wanting to blog about great music I've listened to lately, but as this blog focuses on novels, it doesn't seem an appropriate place. Christian Music is still in the development stages and I could use some imput. Mostly template-wise. I have a bunch of links I want to put in, but I want to wait until I find the right template. Does anyone know of any good blogger templates which would be a good fit for Christian rock? I'd prefer not having a specific band, but I might use one of the following: Thousand Foot Krutch, Lifehouse, Kutless, Switchfoot, Relient K, Everyday Sunday, or Chevelle.

No, I'm not thinking this will be some great nationally-read must-see blog on Christian music. It's merely intended to be another creative outlet. But I plan to have a mean list of links.

My first movie review has been published! Visit Keepin' On for a review of Valiant!

Chris Well is extending his birthday party! Buy Deliver Us From Evelyn from Amazon anytime from now until August 14th, and you'll get a ton of free stuff, including being mentioned by name in Chris's next book. For more details, click here. Don't forget to email Chris your confirmation code! Mention my name (Katie Hart) and we'll both be entered for a chance to win $144 worth of books!

Update: Deliver Us From Evelyn reached #1 on Technorati's Popular Books! See below (and yes, that is this blog entry on the page!):

Christmas in July Winner!

The winner of the Christmas in July/Evergreen Secrets contest is Paula! She gets her choice out of these four novels:

Comes a Horseman by Robert Liparulo
Shivering World by Kathy Tyers
The Way of Women by Lauraine Snelling
A Nest of Sparrows by Deborah Raney

Paula, email me with your choice, your mailing address, and the site you'd like featured under "Winning Sites."

Thanks so much to everyone who entered! A special thank you to Elliot - your tip will be very helpful for my next editing session of Evergreen Secrets.

Full Tilt - Creston Mapes

It is August 1st, time for the FIRST Day Blog Tour!

This month's feature author is:

Creston Mapes

Creston Mapes' first book, Dark Star: Confessions of a Rock Idol, has been selected by the Romance Writers of America (RWA) as a finalist for its 2006 Inspirational Readers Choice awards in the category of long, contemporary novel. Awards will presented this summer in Atlanta at the Marriott Marquis hotel.

Full Tilt, the second book in the Rock Star Chronicles, is racking up a number of fine reviews, many stating that its story/writing has surpassed the quality of that in Dark Star. His third novel, a psychological thriller based in Las Vegas, is due out in 2007.

To read the first chapter of Full Tilt, click on the FIRST button above or on the sidebar.