Please join me today for an interview of Kimberli Renee’ Campbell, author of The Sword of Light: Shayia's Adventures - Book One.
Who do you think would like your book?
I believe children that enjoy fantasy will like my book. It is a lot shorter than Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings, but the story is just as fun and full of adventure. The target age is 9-12, but it is a story for all ages. I’ve been told that some families have used it for a bedtime story.
What is your favorite thing about your story?
Hmm...tough question. I'd say my favorite thing is how the Word of God appears on the blade of the sword.
Do you remember how long it took you to write? How about to edit and find a publisher?
The book was published in 2008. I believe I began writing it in 2005.
What is your favorite type of book to read? Do you have any favorite books or authors?
I LOVE to read Christian romance stories. Not the gushy kind. I don't have a favorite book, but enjoy reading Terri Blackstock, Donita K. Paul, and Ted Dekker. (I like monster and deadly virus type books as long as they're clean and have romance.)
Anything interesting in your past you’d care to share? Like have you ever worked as a rodeo clown, for instance? :)
I was a rodeo clown for a few years...just kidding. I actually did a lot of acting for my church. As a little girl, I always wanted to take dance, but never did. When I was 41, I finally took lessons - ballet, tap, and hip hop. And yes, I was the oldest student. :) Believe it or not, I still get stopped in the store by people that had seen me in a recital.
What’s your favorite movie or TV show?
I am a fan of the old TV shows - Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, and Emergency.
Can readers contact you?
www.theswordoflight.com,
www.hiswriter.blogspot.com
I am also on Facebook and Twitter.
If you were alive in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, etc., did you have any hairstyles that now make you cringe?
I had a tower high Afro. I have gone back to an Afro, but it's only a one story. :)
Have you received any feedback from The Sword of Light?
Yes, I have. A Sunday school class used my book for their Bible study. They wrote me letters of what they learned. It really blessed me to know that the story the Lord asked me to write is drawing people closer to Him. It is also humbling.
What's next for you?
The second book in the series will be released in May/June. It is called - Redemption: Shayia's Adventures - Book Two. I am currently working on the third book. The Lord has not given me a title for it yet.
Please share a synopsis or blurb, and a brief excerpt from your book.
The Sword of Light is not about an ordinary sword. The sword Shayia wields was crafted by his father's hands following the instructions of the Creator. Shayia's unique sword draws its power from the Sacred Book. When the dark force that killed his father once again returns to threaten the peaceful village of Sedona, Shayia must face his sworn enemy - the sorcerer, Izahrik and the evil Draga he commands. Armed with his father's magnificent sword, he sets out on a journey that will change him forever. Will revenge and hatred consume him, or will Shayia learn the secret to true victory?
Excerpt from - The Sword of Light: Shayia's Adventures - Book One
Ennus helped Shayia to his feet and down the stairs, each step a chore. By the time they reached the bottom, Shayia wanted to lie down in the foyer and sleep.
“Are you all right?” His grandfather’s concern comforted him. “Maybe you should return to your room.”
“I’ll be fine.” Shayia closed his eyes, took a small breath and forced a smile. Inside, he felt like throwing up.
The two made their way to the king’s private dining hall where King Tolvin awaited their arrival. The room’s dark wood gave it a cozy touch. A long, mahogany table with at least eighteen long-back chairs sat in the center of the room. Two fire pits built into the walls kept it toasty warm during the winter. King Tolvin and his council stood to welcome their guest.
“Come,” the king said in welcome, extending his powerful hand. King Tolvin was by far the strongest man in Sedona, an enormous man, standing well over six feet tall. As with all Sedona men the king wore his dust-brown hair, with a touch of silver streaks, pulled back into a braid. His light brown eyes and pleasant smile helped his appearance not seem so overwhelming. Shayia recalled how close the king and his father had been. They had been best friends.
Weakly, Shayia made his way to the king and tried to bow. Stabbing pain from his cracked ribs made it impossible.
Steadying Shayia with his powerful hands, King Tolvin examined him.
“You still do not look well,” the king stated. “It would be wise for you to return to you room. Are you hungry?”
“Just thirsty, Your Majesty. Thank you.”
The king called for his servant. “Please escort Shayia, son of Master Tay, to his room. Make sure to leave him fresh water as well.” King Tolvin rested his arm around the servant’s shoulder as if they were good friends. “Thank you, Rowin.”
He gave him a pat on the back. The reflection of the candles danced in his eyes, making them sparkle.
Shayia marveled at the way King Tolvin treated everyone with respect, including his servants.
“You shall remain here for several days. Your grandfather and I have much to discuss. If there is anything you request, Shayia, son of Master Tay, please let me know,” the king said.
Shayia lowered his head in respect and thanks. Then, with Rowin’s assistance, he proceeded toward the door.
“Oh, Shayia!” the king shouted as they reached the door. “You will be pleased to know Princess Leora shall be returning tomorrow!” King Tolvin’s joy beamed. “It will be great to see her again, no?”
No! It will NOT be great to see her. I would rather be beaten by a thousand Jolons than have to see a spoiled, lazy, shallow…
“Shayia!” his grandfather called. “Did you not hear the king?”
The hidden rebuke in his grandfather’s voice rang loud and clear. His grandfather was well aware of his feelings for Princess Leora.
“I apologize, Your Majesty,” said Shayia. “It will...it will definitely be something to see Princess Leora again.”
Avoiding his grandfather’s glare, Shayia bid everyone good night.
Shayia gave up finding a comfortable position. He wished he were back in his own room, sleeping in his own bed. The thought of seeing Princess Leora again made his head and stomach hurt.
They were around five the last time he’d seen her. King Tolvin sent her to her aunt’s after the Great War.
Shayia closed his eyes and cringed when the image of her face popped into his head. How can a handsome king and queen have such a hideous-looking daughter?
He recalled how her teeth protruded from her mouth like a rabbit. On a good day, she resembled a cat being dragged from the river. Being pale and scrawny was not her worst feature; her whiny, bossy attitude topped it off. The high and mighty Princess Leora ordered people around like they were her personal slaves. What would she be like now at fifteen? Would she still have the rabbit teeth? The vision made Shayia shudder.
Eventually sleep came with the dream of tying sheets together and escaping out the window.
Where can people buy your book?
They can purchase it from the book's website (above), Amazon, or request from a local bookstore.
Thank you for your time, and best of luck with your book! :)
Thank you for allowing me to share about my book and my Afro. :)
If you were alive in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, etc., did you have any hairstyles that now make you cringe?
I had a tower high Afro. I have gone back to an Afro, but it's only a one story. :)
Have you received any feedback from The Sword of Light?
Yes, I have. A Sunday school class used my book for their Bible study. They wrote me letters of what they learned. It really blessed me to know that the story the Lord asked me to write is drawing people closer to Him. It is also humbling.
What's next for you?
The second book in the series will be released in May/June. It is called - Redemption: Shayia's Adventures - Book Two. I am currently working on the third book. The Lord has not given me a title for it yet.
Please share a synopsis or blurb, and a brief excerpt from your book.
The Sword of Light is not about an ordinary sword. The sword Shayia wields was crafted by his father's hands following the instructions of the Creator. Shayia's unique sword draws its power from the Sacred Book. When the dark force that killed his father once again returns to threaten the peaceful village of Sedona, Shayia must face his sworn enemy - the sorcerer, Izahrik and the evil Draga he commands. Armed with his father's magnificent sword, he sets out on a journey that will change him forever. Will revenge and hatred consume him, or will Shayia learn the secret to true victory?
Excerpt from - The Sword of Light: Shayia's Adventures - Book One
Ennus helped Shayia to his feet and down the stairs, each step a chore. By the time they reached the bottom, Shayia wanted to lie down in the foyer and sleep.
“Are you all right?” His grandfather’s concern comforted him. “Maybe you should return to your room.”
“I’ll be fine.” Shayia closed his eyes, took a small breath and forced a smile. Inside, he felt like throwing up.
The two made their way to the king’s private dining hall where King Tolvin awaited their arrival. The room’s dark wood gave it a cozy touch. A long, mahogany table with at least eighteen long-back chairs sat in the center of the room. Two fire pits built into the walls kept it toasty warm during the winter. King Tolvin and his council stood to welcome their guest.
“Come,” the king said in welcome, extending his powerful hand. King Tolvin was by far the strongest man in Sedona, an enormous man, standing well over six feet tall. As with all Sedona men the king wore his dust-brown hair, with a touch of silver streaks, pulled back into a braid. His light brown eyes and pleasant smile helped his appearance not seem so overwhelming. Shayia recalled how close the king and his father had been. They had been best friends.
Weakly, Shayia made his way to the king and tried to bow. Stabbing pain from his cracked ribs made it impossible.
Steadying Shayia with his powerful hands, King Tolvin examined him.
“You still do not look well,” the king stated. “It would be wise for you to return to you room. Are you hungry?”
“Just thirsty, Your Majesty. Thank you.”
The king called for his servant. “Please escort Shayia, son of Master Tay, to his room. Make sure to leave him fresh water as well.” King Tolvin rested his arm around the servant’s shoulder as if they were good friends. “Thank you, Rowin.”
He gave him a pat on the back. The reflection of the candles danced in his eyes, making them sparkle.
Shayia marveled at the way King Tolvin treated everyone with respect, including his servants.
“You shall remain here for several days. Your grandfather and I have much to discuss. If there is anything you request, Shayia, son of Master Tay, please let me know,” the king said.
Shayia lowered his head in respect and thanks. Then, with Rowin’s assistance, he proceeded toward the door.
“Oh, Shayia!” the king shouted as they reached the door. “You will be pleased to know Princess Leora shall be returning tomorrow!” King Tolvin’s joy beamed. “It will be great to see her again, no?”
No! It will NOT be great to see her. I would rather be beaten by a thousand Jolons than have to see a spoiled, lazy, shallow…
“Shayia!” his grandfather called. “Did you not hear the king?”
The hidden rebuke in his grandfather’s voice rang loud and clear. His grandfather was well aware of his feelings for Princess Leora.
“I apologize, Your Majesty,” said Shayia. “It will...it will definitely be something to see Princess Leora again.”
Avoiding his grandfather’s glare, Shayia bid everyone good night.
Shayia gave up finding a comfortable position. He wished he were back in his own room, sleeping in his own bed. The thought of seeing Princess Leora again made his head and stomach hurt.
They were around five the last time he’d seen her. King Tolvin sent her to her aunt’s after the Great War.
Shayia closed his eyes and cringed when the image of her face popped into his head. How can a handsome king and queen have such a hideous-looking daughter?
He recalled how her teeth protruded from her mouth like a rabbit. On a good day, she resembled a cat being dragged from the river. Being pale and scrawny was not her worst feature; her whiny, bossy attitude topped it off. The high and mighty Princess Leora ordered people around like they were her personal slaves. What would she be like now at fifteen? Would she still have the rabbit teeth? The vision made Shayia shudder.
Eventually sleep came with the dream of tying sheets together and escaping out the window.
Where can people buy your book?
They can purchase it from the book's website (above), Amazon, or request from a local bookstore.
Thank you for your time, and best of luck with your book! :)
Thank you for allowing me to share about my book and my Afro. :)
Posts
5 comments:
Wonderful interview! I love the excerpt. :)
Thank you, Elizabeth!!
Thank you for commenting!! :D
This sounds like a terrific story kids will love. Congratulations Kimberly. Wishing you great success.
Margot's Magic Carpet - all 11 books on one page.
http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much, Margot!!!
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