CSFF Presents: The Vanishing Sculptor by Donita K. Paul

Summary:

Tipper is a young emerlindian who’s responsible for the upkeep of her family’s estate during her sculptor father’s absence. Tipper soon discovers that her actions have unbalanced the whole foundation of her world, and she must act quickly to undo the calamitous threat. But how can she save her father and her world on her own?

The task is too huge for one person, so she gathers the help of some unlikely companions--including the nearly five-foot tall parrot Beccaroon--and eventually witnesses the loving care and miraculous resources of Wulder. Through Tipper’s breathtaking story, readers will discover the beauty of knowing and serving God.

Interview with Donita Paul:

1. Why did you write this story?

I wanted to explore more areas of the world I had created. I had the image of the grand parrot in my head and he demanded a story, but he wouldn’t fit in Amara, so we had to go to Chiril.

2. What was your favorite part to write?

The battle in the ballroom.

3. What was most difficult?

Getting started with the story. That's always the most difficult part for me. I stew for ages before the story gels and I can put it on paper.

4. What do you hope readers will get from it?

A perspective of how non-believers feel when they are confronted with the truth of the gospel. I have lots of missionary friends, and they've told me that the thoughts and feelings non-believers have when we evangelize are greatly overlooked. I want those emotions to be shown to the reader so that they can understand.

5. What's next for you?

I'm in the process of writing The Wandering Artist, the second book after the Vanishing Sculptor.
Also, two children's picture books will be published in 2010 an 2011 about a turtle and dragon who go on adventures. I wrote these with my daughter who has sons in the picture book age category.

This September I will be going to the annual ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference. Attending the conference are agents, editors, authors, etc. I strongly encourage writers to connect with ACFW. The organization is an encouragement and a place of connection that gives practical help for writers to improve their skill, insight into our peculiar industry, and spiritual guidance for those who are weary in doing good. Being an author is tough. We need friends and councilors.

Featured book, The Vanishing Sculptor - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073391




Donita Paul’s Web site - http://www.donitakpaul.com/
Donita Paul’s blog - http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/

*Participants’ Links:
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Rachel Briard
Karri Compton
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Linda Gilmore
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Ryan Heart
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika
Eve Nielsen (posting later in the week)
Nissa
John W. Otte
Lyn Perry
Crista Richey
Cheryl Russell
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Speculative Faith
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
Elizabeth Williams
KM Wilsher

Review: Dragonlight, by Donita K. Paul

I wish I could say, "Donita K Paul has written yet another enchanting fantasy and fun fantasy," but I can't. Dragonlight is the first of her books I've ever read.
I need to remedy that situation!

Donita has crafted an enchanting world full of unique beings, a well-developed geography, detailed philosophy, religion, literature and more. Her books will be examples in my worldbuilding workshops, that's for certain! My only complaint in this area is that she assumes the reader is familiar with her worlds, and there's very little explanation about the different races. (The meech especially confused me. I never knew how much they looked like dragons and how much they had humanoid form.) Unfortunately, a glossary at the end of the book is often too late for the reader. Even a sentence or two would have helped. Even so, the story kept me going despite the fact that I never got a clear mental picture of the characters.

Donita starts with two relatively straightforward plots: finding the secret colony of the dragonlike meech so their meech friend Gilda can lay her egg; and a new cult theoretically based on the teachings of God (known as Wulder) nonetheless takes an insidious turn as it grows. In that framework, she weaves in issues of faith, elf-identity, and racial pride, that are not only common but relevant to the issues of our world today. As an inspirational fantasy, there is a lot of religion in this book as well.

However, Donita does not preach, either about faith or about social issues. Instead, in true story teller fashion, she makes these a natural part of her world and her story. She uses event, conversation, example as well as Scripture, well blended into the story. I particularly enjoyed Kale's reaction to her Scripture-quoting husband: a combination of love, admiration and annoyance, with a dash of self-consciousness. It made his faith all the more meal and them believable as people rather than mere characters acting out a story. It didn't surprise me to learn Donita is a retired teacher. She's used that experience in her writing to make the lessons of her book fun to learn. I definitely recommend this book for readers 12 and up.

Folks who love Donita's work will not be disappointed by Dragonlight. However, if you're new to her work, I'd recommend getting the first book in her series, Dragonspell, and enjoying her world from the very beginning.

CSFF Presents: DragonLight by Donita K. Paul

The fantastic land of Amara is recovering from years of war inflicted on its citizens by outside forces–as well as from the spiritual apathy corroding the Amarans’ hearts. With Kale and her father serving as dragon keepers for Paladin, the dragon populace has exploded. It’s a peaceful, exciting time of rebuilding. And yet, an insidious, unseen evil lurks just beneath the surface of the idyllic countryside.

Truth has never been more important, nor so difficult to discern.

As Kale and her father are busy hatching, bonding, and releasing the younger generation of dragons as helpers throughout the kingdom, the light wizard has little time to develop her skills. Her husband, Sir Bardon–despite physical limitations resulting from his bout with the stakes disease–has become a leader, serving on the governing board under Paladin. When Kale and Bardon set aside their daily responsibilities to join meech dragons Regidor and Gilda on a quest to find a hidden meech colony, they encounter sinister forces. Their world is under attack by a secret enemy… can they overcome the ominous peril they can’t even see?

Prepare to experience breathtaking adventure and mind-blowing fantasy as never before in this dazzling, beautifully-crafted conclusion to Donita K. Paul’s popular DragonKeeper Chronicles fantasy series.

NOTE: Tomorrow I'm giving my review.

Order on Amazon.

About the Author
Donita K. Paul is a retired teacher and award-winning author of seven novels, including DragonSpell, DragonQuest, DragonKnight, and DragonFire. When not writing, she is often engaged in mentoring writers of all ages. Donita lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado where she is learning to paint–walls and furniture! Visit her website at www.dragonkeeper.us.

Web site – http://www.donitakpaul.com/
Blog – http://www.donitakpaul.com/author/blog.html

*Participants’ Links:
(Just for fun tour leader Rebecca Miller marked the five who also participated in CSFF’s first book tour, featuring Donita Paul’s DragonKnight back in June 2006.)

Brandon Barr
Justin Boyer
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
* Beth Goddard
Mark Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Christopher Hopper
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Magma
Terri Main
Magma
Margaret
* Shannon McNear
Melissa Meeks
* Rebecca LuElla Miller
John W. Otte
Deena Peterson
Steve Rice
* Cheryl Russel
Ashley Rutherford
Chawna Schroeder
James Somers
Robert Treskillard
* Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Laura Williams