Crannig Castle - A Review

Welcome back! I hope your week has gone well. Mine has certainly been a busy one. My sister and I started our seasonal jobs at Hobby Lobby this week, so we've had to make an hour and some drive a few days a week. But, we're moving this weekend, so the drive will be cut almost in half! This is a dream come true for us; we call Hobby Lobby our "Happy Place". 

But enough about me and the craziness of life at the Snell house - you're here for a book review! In all the craziness of packing, I almost forgot about this post. Morgan, I humbly apologize for (almost) letting you down :D

~~~~~

 

Some Background:

  God, please look after Adriel. Keep him safe and keep him from acting foolish. And please help him to be able to find me.

Rae knew she could trust God to look after both of them. It was all she had now.

The Time Captives have been reunited. The rightful king has been freed. Now all that remains is to defeat the strytes who still hold a tyrannical rule over the people of Calhortz. But with their lack of soldiers, it’s a task that is easier said than done. They need allies, but are they worth it when it requires facing ghosts from their pasts?

Returning to his home country only brings the loss of Adriel’s family to the forefront of his mind. His determination to find Rae has never ceased, but now that determination could potentially destroy all that he and the Time Captives have been working towards. And his new-found faith may not be able to withstand the challenge.

Will they be able to set aside their personal struggles for the sake of the freedom of all or will they allow their pasts to consume them? Will they manage to win back Crannig Castle from the rule of the strytes? The fate of Calhortz hangs in the balance.

Crannig Castle is the final book of the Time Captives trilogy, a tale of faith, family, fantasy, and a fight for truth and freedom.

My Thoughts:

I'll be honest - I did not want this series to end. I've grown to love the characters, the story, , and the suspense. There were parts where I cried; there were scenes that made me laugh. The plot line is well written, and the dialogue flows naturally (a big thing for me).

While aimed at late elementary/early middle school ages, Crannig Castle can be read, and enjoyed, by all ages. Look at me! I'm 25, and I sit here wishing there were more stories to come! Go buy it for someone's Christmas present! (Or, maybe even as a gift to yourself....) It's available on Amazon now!

~~~~~

This is shorter than I intended it to be, and I apologize for that. But, as I said earlier, I forgot with all the packing and other moving drama we've had going on the past two weeks. I'll see you guys soon! Maybe even post some pictures of our new house!

Katelyn

Espionage: A Book Review

Espionage

by Morgan Huneke

About the Book:

“Sir Roland has invited us to visit for the Autumn Feast.”

“Do we have to go, Papa? I couldn’t feast with the most crooked politician in all of Briznom.”

As the daughter of a Briznomian vassal lord, Vannie Cumberland has spent her childhood immersed in the world of politics. Relations between Briznom and the neighboring country of Calhortz are strained due to the tyrannical rule of the strytes. A proposed alliance could calm relations between the two countries, but would come at the cost of Briznom’s freedom.

When her father’s political archenemy invites them to the Autumn Feast, Vannie uncovers an evil scheme endangering the life of someone close to her. Personal enmity comes to a dangerous head as Vannie struggles to expose the corruption and stop the alliance. Time is running out.

Events are becoming too big for her to handle. Will Sir Roland’s son help, or will things finally spiral out of control?

Espionage, A Companion to Time Captives, will be released on May 16th, 2016.

~~~~~~~

I had the great honor to yet again be one of Morgan's proof readers for her newest addition to the Time Captive saga. Having read all her prior books, either as a proof reader or just for fun, I knew that great things lay in store - and I wasn't disappointed in the least. The characters are well-written, and the setting is perfect as the land of Briznom faces great challenges from the country of Calhortz. There's the perfect combination of danger, adventure, and fun as well. Many were the times I laughed, sighed, gripped the manuscript in suspense, and cheered the heroes on.

The entire series is mostly aimed towards elementary and middle school ages. However, my whole family enjoys reading them, so I think it's safe to say all ages should read them. As a young woman in my mid-20's, I personally like to read "easier books" for a change of pace at times.

About the Author

Morgan Elizabeth Huneke is a homeschool graduate who lives in Georgia. She has enjoyed creating characters and writing stories since early childhood. Her other interests include reading, playing the piano and violin, and politics. She is the author of Across the Stars and The Experiment as well as the Time Captives fantasy trilogy.

Espionage Character Interview: Kyle Roland

Today, as part of Morgan's blog tour promoting her newest book, Espionage, I interviewed Kyle. one of the main characters (and one of my personal favorites). For a list of all the other bloggers taking part in this tour, you can go to Morgan's blog here.

 Kyle is the only son of Sir and Lady Roland. When we first meet Kyle, he is a lonesome boy with a dark secret. I've developed quite a liking for Kyle in the months since first meeting him. He's quiet and friendless, can be shy, but is also a gentleman with a strong sense of honor and justice. Kyle thinks before speaking, as though weighing each word to make sure it's the right one. This interview gave me another small peak into his mind and the type of lord he will be when he inherits the title from Sir Roland.

1) What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day for me isn’t terribly interesting. I spend most of my time doing lessons with my tutor. He teaches me what he can, but my father is very strict about what I am allowed to learn. I spend what time I can reading or out in the stables. If the day is nice, I will take a book outside. I also enjoy reading up in the tower, away from everyone with a view of the ocean. Occasionally, I will have supper with my parents, but they are not fond of my company, so I generally eat alone with a few servants waiting on me. Then I might study or read a bit more before bed. I’ll sometimes talk with the servants. My father would disapprove, but they do make interesting conversationalists, and they’re kind.

2) You're an only child, correct? I'm sure that can be lonely. Are there any other children for you to interact with?

I am an only child. Neither of my parents like children, my father especially, but he needed an heir, so they had me. Since I’m a boy, they didn’t have any reason to give me siblings. They don’t even like me. Sometimes I’ll go days without seeing either of my parents. *sighs* It certainly is lonely. When I was little, I’d play with the servant children, but my father put a stop to that when he found out. I do see my betrothed, Rosie, somewhat regularly, but while we get along, we don’t really have much in common. I guess that’s what happens with infant betrothals. *his face takes on a pained expression* Can we talk about something other than me?

"Of course. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable." *I quickly search my mind for a different topic*

3) When did you first suspect your father's treachery?

*snorts* Which time? My father has never exactly been honorable. He’ll do anything if he thinks it will benefit him. This Calhortan alliance controversy is a really big deal to him, and I know he opposes Sir Cumberland on it, like he does on pretty nearly everything. This seems even more important to him than most things, though, so I’m afraid of how far he’ll go, especially since he invited Sir Cumberland to the Autumn Feast. It sounds extremely suspicious, which is part of why I wanted the whole family to come along. I thought maybe if they were all here, we could prevent whatever it is he’s planning.

4) Did you try to tell anyone, or did you keep it to yourself?

*shrugs* I don’t have anyone to tell. It gets difficult to not have any confidants, but sadly I’m used to it. I suppose this is a simple answer: I kept it to myself because I didn’t have a choice.

Poor boy, I think. All these secrets and no one to help bear the burden for the longest time.

5) Were you glad to have Vannie's help when her family came for the festival?

Certainly. *laughs* She’s quite spunky and fun. I barely know her, but from what I’ve heard and seen, I know that if my father is plotting something against hers, she won’t stop until she’s uncovered and stopped it. She’s also…I don’t know, I want to be her friend. I’ve never met anyone quite like her before.

* I give an inward cheer, happy that he's finally making a friend.*

6) Any plans for the future?

Not be like my father. *shrugs* I’m the son of a vassal lord, and his heir. I don’t get to plan my own life. I’ll keep at my studies until I’m an adult, when Rosie turns eighteen we’ll have to get married, and I’ll be trained to take over my father’s position so I am prepared when he can no longer perform his duties. I can’t say I’m looking forward to that sort of life, but it’s the life ahead of me, and if I can be a more honorable man and better vassal lord than my father, and serve God in the process, I’ll be satisfied.

~~~~

See what I mean? Kyle is so honorable, yet weighed down with his father's secrets. I can't wait to see what awaits him in the future. I know the road won't be easy, but Kyle obviously isn't one to shy away from danger when justice is in question.

About the Book

“Sir Roland has invited us to visit for the Autumn Feast.”

“Do we have to go, Papa? I couldn’t feast with the most crooked politician in all of Briznom.”

As the daughter of a Briznomian vassal lord, Vannie Cumberland has spent her childhood immersed in the world of politics. Relations between Briznom and the neighboring country of Calhortz are strained due to the tyrannical rule of the strytes. A proposed alliance could calm relations between the two countries, but would come at the cost of Briznom’s freedom.

When her father’s political archenemy invites them to the Autumn Feast, Vannie uncovers an evil scheme endangering the life of someone close to her. Personal enmity comes to a dangerous head as Vannie struggles to expose the corruption and stop the alliance. Time is running out.

Events are becoming too big for her to handle. Will Sir Roland’s son help or will things finally spiral out of control?

Buy Now

Kindle ~ Paperback ~ Signed Copy

Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28689406-espionage  

About the Author

Morgan Elizabeth Huneke is a homeschool graduate who lives in Georgia. She has enjoyed creating characters and writing stories since early childhood. Books have always been a big part of her life, never more so than when working at the local library. Her other interests include reading, playing the piano and violin, and politics.

You can connect with Morgan on her website, blog, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and Pinterest.

"Espionage" Cover Reveal

Exciting news!! Morgan Huneke is releasing the prequel to her Time Captives trilogy,  Espionage, on May 16th and is available pre-order on Kindle now. But today is the cover reveal! My family is very excited and can't wait to get a copy.

Here is a link to Morgan's blog, where she has links to other blogs and some more information:
http://morganhuneke.blogspot.com/2016/03/espionage-cover-reveal.html

And the GoodReads link:   http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28689406-espionage

About the Book

“Sir Roland has invited us to visit for the Autumn Feast.”

“Do we have to go, Papa? I couldn’t feast with the most crooked politician in all of Briznom.”

As the daughter of a Briznomian vassal lord, Vannie Cumberland has spent her childhood immersed in the world of politics. Relations between Briznom and the neighboring country of Calhortz are strained due to the tyrannical rule of the strytes. A proposed alliance could calm relations between the two countries, but would come at the cost of Briznom’s freedom.

When her father’s political archenemy invites them to the Autumn Feast, Vannie uncovers an evil scheme endangering the life of someone close to her. Personal enmity comes to a dangerous head as Vannie struggles to expose the corruption and stop the alliance. Time is running out.

Events are becoming too big for her to handle. Will Sir Roland’s son help or will things finally spiral out of control?

Are you excited yet? If not, take a look at the cover!

I also had a short interview with Morgan about Espionage. My interest is certainly piqued.

Favorite part of writing this book?

Vannie and Kyle. Those two are some of my favorite characters. They’ve got such vibrant personalities, and they complement each other perfectly. I loved their interaction and the way their friendship develops. I can’t wait to write more about them. Which may be why random scenes involving them keep popping up on my computer.

Hardest part?

They needed evidence against the bad guys. I had no clue how they were going to get it. I took a couple weeks to type in the story up to that point (since I’d written it on notebook paper), talked it over with my mom, and figured it out. It was a comparatively easy book to write.

Can you share any sneak peeks into the next Time Captives book? ;)

“Joey piled a few more cookies onto his plate, grabbed his mug of hot chocolate, and returned to his seat on the floor in the main room of King Joseph’s cottage. A war council with sweets was the way to go, in Joey’s opinion. Not that it was exactly a war council yet. It was more of a ‘what do we do next’ council.”

There are a lot of loose ends to be tied up and battles to be waged. Characters will die, some will get happy endings, some not so much, and it’s going to be fantastic

 

About the Author

Morgan Elizabeth Huneke is a homeschool graduate who lives in Georgia. She has enjoyed creating characters and writing stories since early childhood. Her other interests include reading, playing the piano and violin, and politics. She is the author of Across the Stars and The Experiment as well as the Time Captives fantasy trilogy.

Keeping checking for more updates on Morgan's books. I have also started writing a fanfiction on Jervis Pendleton's (from Daddy-Long-Legs) backstory. I'll write another post later this week with more details on it and why I decided to write this instead of Susan's story.

Katelyn

2015: A Look Back

Everyone else is doing the annual tradition of writing a post thinking about the past year, so I guess I will too. Let's see what happened together!

January
The biggest thing that happened was I bought my first car! God was so kind to give me a better car than I thought I could afford, and at a great price!

Meet Gracie!

February

GA had a really big ice storm for the second year in a row. These are just some fun pictures from the month. I love my Zaxby's family :)

This gal came to see me at work.

Sister sillieness

One big, silly family!

March

This month, my sister Miranda and I drove to Dahlonega to see some friends in UNG's production of "The Importance of Being Earnest". So many laughs!

My dear friend Shea played Gwendolyn!

Wendy's run after the play!!

Miranda and I tag-teamed a few baby-sitting jobs

April

Happy Easter!

Our friend Morgan made my

 lil' sisters matching dresses

and doll dresses.

 We went to a homeschool conference 

and some of my siblings were in

a few plays presented on 

the last day.

Went to see "Into the Woods" with friends

and listen to more friends play in the orchestra. I'm now hooked.

More baby-sitting dates. 

I love little kids 

May

I spent a week pet-sitting a friend's rabbits while she and her family went to visit family in CA. Seriously the easiest job ever,

 Dad had a training class to attend for work.

It lasted for a week, so Mom went along for 

a mini-break.

We celebrated every day with little treats, 

like Munchkins. Why not?

My friend Morgan's book came out.

Good series for everyone!

June

We got a dog! He's an inside dog,

which is a first for us. He loves people,

and lets the littles lay all over him.

Random picture of 1 of my cats.

'Cause why not? 

July

More baby-sitting

My friend Julia's second book came out

Miranda and I spent a week in TN as STMs

(Short Term Missionaries) at a Joni and Friends

Family Retreat. Can't wait for next year!

Me and my camper, Katie

August

There are 4 birthdays in my family that fall in August (2 are on the same day, but are 11 years apart).

I turned 24

The 2 on the right turned 14 and 16

The youngest turned 5. She

shares a birthday with my now 16

year old sister.

September

I didn't realize it until now, but this was a busy month for us. My younger siblings started their second year of Homes School Band and Choir. We went and saw War Room, which is the best of all the Kendrik Briothers' movies, IMO. 

My sister joined my Zaxby's family. 

It was great working with her.

(more on that below)

I've bought a lot of books this year, thanks to 

2nd and Charles Bookstore.

After 4 years with Zaxby's, I quit. 

This was a really hard week for me.

These are some of the best people out there.

So glad I got to work with them! 

They got me a (very yummy) cake.  

I started nannying this little guy the next week.

Such a little ray of sunshine.

He's 2 doors down from Ashley, which is

an added bonus!

I'm obsessed with Josh Groban

 I got my hair cut the shortest it's been in years.

I've had trims, but not a real cut.

Went over to the Huneke's for a movie night.

And endured Ashley's commentary 

October

Church camping trip! It rained for the first day or two,

but we still had fun.

Cooper had fun too 

I introduced my siblings to Riverdance.

And fell more in love with this little guy.

November

3 of my siblings had their choir concert. They're doing a 

great job. Can't wait for the Spring concert!

December

Threw a surprise birthday party for

Ashley with her sister and BFF.

SO MUCH FUN!!

Christmas tea at the Huneke's.

I told you I got a lot of books.

Me after seeing Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens.

I was not disappointed.

This little guy turned 1. I love watching him and can't wait

to see what this next year brings for him!

HAPPY 2016!!!

Katelyn