Water Princess, Fire Prince release, and Interview with Kendra E. Ardnek!
Guess what!
Water Princess, Fire Prince releases today! *cue cheers, confetti, and other fanfare*
Despite the fact that she's on track for competing in the Olympics, and he's practically raised his younger brothers since they lost their mom in a car accident, Clara Mandras and Andrew Stevenson are pretty much normal teens. They have normal hopes, normal dreams, and they live in a normal world.
All this is torn away from them when they are thrust into another world and declared Water Princess and Fire Prince. With no experience ruling a country, meeting each other for the first time, and being expected to fight the Lady Dragon – an evil sorceress plaguing the world of Rizkaland – Clara and Andrew are underprepared and inexperienced. Unless they learn to work together despite their standing opposition, Rizkaland's hope will be lost.
What is to come will change their lives forever.
Available on Kindle
Add it to your shelves on Goodreads
Read the first chapter of Part 1 here: http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2014/12/water-princess-chapter-1.html
And the first chapter of Part 2 here: http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2014/12/fire-prince-chapter-1.html
Ok, I'll back up here, for those of you who haven't had to listen to me fangirl about it (Sorry, Firefly!). So. A few months ago, I saw on Kendra's blog that she was looking for these people called "beta-readers"- basically, people who read & critique a book before it comes out. I'd already read a few of her books, and I loved them, so I signed up.
And I loved WPFP. Loved it.
I'll stop here, since I'll be reviewing it in just a few days, but seriously. Read this book!
Anyway, today I have an interview with Kendra E. Ardnek!
Author Bio:
1. What was the first story you wrote/remember writing?
I believe it was a retelling of the Ugly Duckling that I dictated to my mother and then traced for preschool.
2. When did you decide you wanted to be an author?
When I realized that books were written by people and it was a viable career option for me. I did get distracted by screenwriting for a while, though.
3. Where do you get the names for your characters?
Just about anywhere. Books I read, people I know and respect, baby name books, my own head… I love names. If I hear a great name, my immediate thought is “what sort of character could I give this name to?”
4. What element would you be? (Or would you be a bookdaughter?)
Actually, I’m known as the translator, or the Arista, in Rizkaland. Basically, my task is to translate the legends of Rizkaland not only from their official Rizkan, but in such a way that they’re understandable by our culture. It’s not as easy as it sounds.
5. Do you have a favorite place to write in?
No, not really. Most of my writing is done on my laptop at my desk under my loft bed at home, but that’s merely because that’s where my desk is, and my laptop contains most of my story documents. I also love notebooks and I usually have three or four notebooks on me at any given time and I’ll work on them literally anywhere.
6. Favorite color?
Purple! It’s also the color of my birthstone, amethyst.
7. Are there any hidden “Easter eggs” that we should look for while reading Water Princess, Fire Prince?
There are a few – I love Easter Eggs, so of course I was going to include them. Basically, if you’ve read Sew, It’s a Quest, keep an eye out for something you may find familiar.
And I also have a snippet to share with you!
“Forgive me if this sounds like a strange question, but what do you know of the various arts of combat?”
Clara narrowed her eyes. “Could you be more specific?” Sure, her dad taught Tae Kwon Do, her mom taught fencing, and Kath’s dad taught archery, and thus she was well-trained in all three. However, she wasn’t ready to put her weapons on the table until she knew what weapons were needed and for what.
“Well,” said Lord Erik, “have you done any training with a bow and arrow, perhaps with a knife? I know this may seem like a strange question, you being a girl and all.”
Oh, please. “Do you really expect me, a young girl, to know how to use a weapon?” she asked. “Besides, where I come from, we barely even use those sorts of weapons anymore.” She paused a moment, then added, “I can throw my shoe at mouse kings, but that’s probably about it.”
“Unfortunately, our problem is a bit bigger than a mouse king,” said Lord Erik, sounding a trifle confused as he narrowed his eyes.
“Really? Because mouse kings can be huge problems, eating all of the sweets and chewing holes in dresses,” said Clara in her best shocked voice, layering in plenty of concern. “What could be worse than that?”
Lord Erik took a deep breath, while the dark-haired young man on Clara’s right whispered something under his breath. Clara shot this young man a conspiratorial smile, because she felt like it.
Be sure to check out the other books by Kendra E. Ardnek, they'll be on sale for free during the tour!
August 31st- September 4th:
Sew, It’s a Quest: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005G3ZFKG
Do You Take This Quest? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CFDHFT4/
August 31st ONLY:
My Kingdom for a Quest: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RN7T004
September 1st – 5th:
The Ankulen: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EZAXWYM/
CinderEddy: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KZNW2TO
Saffron’s Big Plan: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008HYS9W2/
And check out the other blogs on the tour as well!
http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/p/blog-tour-sign-up_18.html
Water Princess, Fire Prince releases today! *cue cheers, confetti, and other fanfare*
When the Lady Dragon does come,
Hold fast, do not fear, do not run.
Your Water Princess will fight,
Fire Prince will set all to right.
Each shall come from a Fall,
Their union will save you all.
Hold fast, do not fear, do not run.
Your Water Princess will fight,
Fire Prince will set all to right.
Each shall come from a Fall,
Their union will save you all.
Despite the fact that she's on track for competing in the Olympics, and he's practically raised his younger brothers since they lost their mom in a car accident, Clara Mandras and Andrew Stevenson are pretty much normal teens. They have normal hopes, normal dreams, and they live in a normal world.
All this is torn away from them when they are thrust into another world and declared Water Princess and Fire Prince. With no experience ruling a country, meeting each other for the first time, and being expected to fight the Lady Dragon – an evil sorceress plaguing the world of Rizkaland – Clara and Andrew are underprepared and inexperienced. Unless they learn to work together despite their standing opposition, Rizkaland's hope will be lost.
What is to come will change their lives forever.
Available on Kindle
Add it to your shelves on Goodreads
Read the first chapter of Part 1 here: http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2014/12/water-princess-chapter-1.html
And the first chapter of Part 2 here: http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2014/12/fire-prince-chapter-1.html
Ok, I'll back up here, for those of you who haven't had to listen to me fangirl about it (Sorry, Firefly!). So. A few months ago, I saw on Kendra's blog that she was looking for these people called "beta-readers"- basically, people who read & critique a book before it comes out. I'd already read a few of her books, and I loved them, so I signed up.
And I loved WPFP. Loved it.
I'll stop here, since I'll be reviewing it in just a few days, but seriously. Read this book!
Anyway, today I have an interview with Kendra E. Ardnek!
Author Bio:
Kendra E. Ardnek loves fairy tales and twisting them in new and exciting ways. She's been practicing her skills on her dozen plus cousins and siblings for years, "Finish your story, Kendra", is frequently heard at family gatherings. Her sole life goal has always been to grow up and be an author of fantasy and children's tales that also glorify God and his Word. You can read more about her on her blog, knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com.
I believe it was a retelling of the Ugly Duckling that I dictated to my mother and then traced for preschool.
2. When did you decide you wanted to be an author?
When I realized that books were written by people and it was a viable career option for me. I did get distracted by screenwriting for a while, though.
3. Where do you get the names for your characters?
Just about anywhere. Books I read, people I know and respect, baby name books, my own head… I love names. If I hear a great name, my immediate thought is “what sort of character could I give this name to?”
4. What element would you be? (Or would you be a bookdaughter?)
Actually, I’m known as the translator, or the Arista, in Rizkaland. Basically, my task is to translate the legends of Rizkaland not only from their official Rizkan, but in such a way that they’re understandable by our culture. It’s not as easy as it sounds.
5. Do you have a favorite place to write in?
No, not really. Most of my writing is done on my laptop at my desk under my loft bed at home, but that’s merely because that’s where my desk is, and my laptop contains most of my story documents. I also love notebooks and I usually have three or four notebooks on me at any given time and I’ll work on them literally anywhere.
6. Favorite color?
Purple! It’s also the color of my birthstone, amethyst.
7. Are there any hidden “Easter eggs” that we should look for while reading Water Princess, Fire Prince?
There are a few – I love Easter Eggs, so of course I was going to include them. Basically, if you’ve read Sew, It’s a Quest, keep an eye out for something you may find familiar.
And I also have a snippet to share with you!
“Forgive me if this sounds like a strange question, but what do you know of the various arts of combat?”
Clara narrowed her eyes. “Could you be more specific?” Sure, her dad taught Tae Kwon Do, her mom taught fencing, and Kath’s dad taught archery, and thus she was well-trained in all three. However, she wasn’t ready to put her weapons on the table until she knew what weapons were needed and for what.
“Well,” said Lord Erik, “have you done any training with a bow and arrow, perhaps with a knife? I know this may seem like a strange question, you being a girl and all.”
Oh, please. “Do you really expect me, a young girl, to know how to use a weapon?” she asked. “Besides, where I come from, we barely even use those sorts of weapons anymore.” She paused a moment, then added, “I can throw my shoe at mouse kings, but that’s probably about it.”
“Unfortunately, our problem is a bit bigger than a mouse king,” said Lord Erik, sounding a trifle confused as he narrowed his eyes.
“Really? Because mouse kings can be huge problems, eating all of the sweets and chewing holes in dresses,” said Clara in her best shocked voice, layering in plenty of concern. “What could be worse than that?”
Lord Erik took a deep breath, while the dark-haired young man on Clara’s right whispered something under his breath. Clara shot this young man a conspiratorial smile, because she felt like it.
Be sure to check out the other books by Kendra E. Ardnek, they'll be on sale for free during the tour!
August 31st- September 4th:
Sew, It’s a Quest: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005G3ZFKG
Do You Take This Quest? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CFDHFT4/
August 31st ONLY:
My Kingdom for a Quest: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RN7T004
September 1st – 5th:
The Ankulen: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EZAXWYM/
CinderEddy: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KZNW2TO
Saffron’s Big Plan: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008HYS9W2/
And check out the other blogs on the tour as well!
http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/p/blog-tour-sign-up_18.html
A fellow fangirl, yay! This book is super awesome, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI love that Mouse Kings quote. XD CLARA!
I love question #4. Doesn't sound like an easy task, Miss Arista.
That line is one of my favorites of Clara's quotes.
DeleteNo, it's not an easy task, but I do my best.
Yes it is!! But honestly, I think I might be even more excited for Lady Dragon, Tela Du now! Those snippets... eep!
DeleteI remember that Ugly Duckling story! Kendra was 3 1/2. There were blank pages at the end of her writing book, so I had her tell me stories. Where has the time gone?
ReplyDeleteKendra, you have a loft bed desk! I always wanted one of those - seemed like an awesome writer hideaway as well as a space-saver.
ReplyDeleteI bought it about a year ago now, since I was frustrated with having no floor space thanks to the full-sized bed I DID have. It's awesome.
DeleteTranslating the legends is a great work the we appreciate very much. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm recording a story which I thought might have inspired a well know fairytale. Under closer examination it has turned out to be quite different, but it doesn't matter.
I love it! "The Arista", that's awesome Kendra!!! Nice interview! I love learning more about the author.
ReplyDeleteDon't stop translating legends. Keep speaking the languages. Keep finding the worlds.
ReplyDelete