Author Spotlight - Excerpt from Resurrection by Jennifer Hartz

Enjoy this excerpt from Jenn Hartz's latest release, Resurrection. Leave a comment here and I'll pick a winner to receive a copy of either Book 1 or Book 2 of the series, Future Savior curesty of Jennifer. Both Jenn and I hope you've enjoyed your visit to Meric this week. I'll pick the winner on Monday 27 June and post an announcement on the DB Connections Yahoo Group so you have the wweekend to enjoy the excerpt.

Smiles
Moderator Steph

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After everything I had witnessed during my days in Meric, from learning to use amazing powers, fighting in a war, being attacked by literal monsters, meeting Elves, and the myriad of other things that had happened to me, the addition of time travel wasn't too hard to swallow. However, something still didn't make sense.

"But why am I this age again? Even if I traveled through time, wouldn't I have maintained the same age?"

"That's a good point," Shaw said gazing far off and I could tell he was contemplating every angle of the situation in his head. I looked closely at his face for the first time since being here. It was so strange to realize it was Shaw hidden in the body of this teenage boy. The amazing silvery blue eyes were the same, but everything else was different. Now I was really thinking about it I was becoming a bit uneasy and I desperately wanted to see Shaw's real face.

"Shaw," I asked, "could you do something for me?"

"Hmm," he replied not looking at me still lost somewhere in his thoughts, working out our dilemma.

"Could you change into your real self?"

This got his attention and he looked at me with great curiosity.

"Why?" he demanded.

I realized at that moment I possessed something incredible. I possessed future knowledge. I also realized I had to be painstakingly careful with this knowledge. Shaw had no idea how I felt about him. He had no idea I was in s love with him. In fact, I had no clue if he was in love with me during this time in my life. Maybe his love for me didn't develop until later. If I told him now how I felt, who knows what kind of implications that would have on future events. I realized I had to guard everything I said to him from here on out. What if I alter a future event so much it hurts someone I care about? This was going to be difficult.

"Um... it's just weird talking to you when you look like this," I finally replied.

Part of me really wanted to tell him that gazing into his face was the only thing I wanted to do right before I died and now, that I was not actually dead, I wanted to look at his face for the rest of my life. But I figured that would be a bit much for him to handle especially since he had no clue how I truly feel about him.

"Alright," he said and I watched in amazement as the good-looking teenager, Alex Lamont, amazingly transformed into the most handsome man in the world right before my eyes.

"Is that better?" he asked.

"Yes, thank you," I said grinning at him, but I couldn't help it. I was just so elated to see him properly.

"You know," Shaw began returning his gaze back out the window, deep in concentration, "I have a theory I'd like you to try out. I think I may know why you're young again, but I want you to try something. I'm guessing you had powers in Meric, right?"
"Yeah... how did you know that?"

"You're the prophesied Savior and you're King Davis' daughter. Of course you have powers," he said as if this were the most common thing in the world. "What powers did you have?"

"Well I had visions of the past and future and I could move things with my mind," I replied.

"Telekinesis, that's good. Alright, I want you to try and move something right now."

"But I didn't have powers when I was seventeen. I didn't develop them until I entered Meric when I was thirty."

"Just try," he urged.

I rolled my eyes. What was he expecting? This wasn't going to work. I looked out the window and noticed Shaw had pulled the car over right next to a cow pasture. We were in a very rural part of town. There was a wooden fence containing about three-dozen chocolate brown cows. The grass was a lush green and there were some large oak trees dotted along the rolling hills of the pasture.

I got out of the car and Shaw followed me. I looked out over the pasture and wondered if this was really going to work. I sincerely doubted it, but I decided to humor Shaw. I focused my attention on a small calf not far from where we were standing and I raised my hand in a sweeping motion towards it. Then, much to my astonishment, everything in the entire field, cows, fence posts, trees, and rocks as far as the eye could see shot like a rocket a good twenty feet straight up into the air.

Author Spotlight - Character Interview with Christina Vaughn from Future Savior

It’s me again, Christina Vaughn. I hope you enjoyed my interview of Charis the prophet yesterday… because I didn’t. I love that women, but sometimes her cryptic ways can be downright infuriating! Today I’m talking with Shaw. Let’s see if this goes any better than yesterday.

Christina: So tell me Shaw, you have been my Watcher since the day I was born. What has been the most difficult thing about your job?

Shaw: Keeping my distance from you. As a Watcher I am suppose to protect your life, but not interfere. That became far more difficult when you left Pittsburgh and entered Meric.

Christina: I see, and you’re a shape shifter too. You can change your appearance to look like other people. How many different people have you been in the course of your life?

Shaw: Too many to count.

Christina: You once rescued the Elf prince Jonus from an enemy army and defeated more than a thousand soldiers to do it.
Would you care to talk about that?

Shaw: I don’t want to talk about that.

Christina: Oh… okay… well, I can’t help but notice that you are extremely fit and muscular. How much can you bench press?
Shaw: Well, I never maxed myself out on the bench press during my time in Pittsburgh, but I can say that I’ve been known to heave five hundred pound Leviathans off of me during battle.

Christina: Hmm… that’s impressive. Now, what about your parents? Can you tell me anything about them?

Shaw: I don’t remember my parents. I was sent to live with the Elves when I was young.

Christina: What about my dad, King Davis. Can you tell me anything about him?

Shaw: Not really. Can we talk about something else? I really don’t like discussing my past.

Christina: Sure thing, Shaw. We need to wrap this up anyway. Well… at least that was a bit better than when I talked to Charis!

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Resurrection's Desert Breeze Page: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-171/Jennifer-Hartz-Future-Savior/Detail.bok

Author Spotlight - Q&A with Jennifer Hartz

STEPH: Jenn's latest release is Resurrection, Future Savior, Book 2. Can you tell me a little more about it?

JENN:1. The adventure in Meric Continues! The story of Future Savior was far too large for one book. As the story developed in my head I realized that it could easily be broken down into five parts. Future Savior Book Two: Resurrection is simply the second installment of the story. At the end of Future Savior Book One: Conception we were left hanging… or the lead character Christina was literally left hanging from a tree and presumed dead. Resurrection picks up right where the story left off. We are introduced to some new characters, we lose some friends along the way, and there are many amazing resurrections from the past.

STEPH:How long did it take to write?

JENN: I have an insanely busy life that includes a three hour commute, but I was able to complete the novel in less than seven months while dipping my preverbal pen into another project as well.

STEPH: Did you do a lot of research for the novel?

JENN: I hate doing research. I think that’s why fantasy appeals to me. I can simply make it up. But I did a small smattering of research for a few facts in the early part of the book.


STEPH: Where did the inspiration for the story come from?

JENN: My own crazy imagination! As I said earlier, I have a three hour commute to work so I spend my time plotting and dreaming up stories. On a more tangible level, I’m also highly inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

STEPH:If your story was going to be made into a movie, who would you cast as the leads?

JENN: Hands down, without a doubt and no questions asked the male lead for the character Shaw would have to be played by Kellan Lutz (Emmett from Twilight fame). As I wrote Shaw I had Kellan Lutz in mind. For the female lead of Christina Vaughn I’ve got a few lovely ladies that pop into my head. Alyssa Milano has always been a favorite. Along with Kate Beckinsale. But now I really like Sienna Guillory. Sienna has been in a lot of fantasy stuff including “Eragon” and “Inkheart”.

STEPH: What is the theme of the novel?

JENN: The overarching theme through all of The Future Savior Series is the struggle between good and evil. There is also a divine theme suggesting that there is a God in control even if we don’t see His work at times. The series is also heavy in biblical mirroring which is a treat to the Christian readers because the mirroring creates almost a scavenger hunt kind of feel. They will probably be saying to themselves at some point, “Okay, where in the Bible did the author pull that from?” or “Hey! I recognize that story!”

STEPH: What do you want readers to take away from the novel when they finish it?

JENN: A desire to want to know what happens next! After reading Book One: Conception a multitude of people told me that they could not wait to read Book Two to discover what happens next. I’m really hoping for the same reaction after they read Book Two: Resurrection.

STEPH:Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one?

JENN: I’ve got a Kindle and I absolutely LOVE it! It is so easy and so convenient. I really like the text to speech feature and the customer service I’ve received through Amazon has been outstanding.

STEPH:What's the last movie you saw?

JENN:“King Fu Panda Two”… I have a three year old son. But I cannot wait for the final installment of Harry Potter!

STEPH: I just took my boys to Kung Fu Panda 2 yesterday! Joe is 4, so I know movie-going isn't easy for you right now. What's your writing space like?

JENN: Usually I’m cross-legged on my couch with my laptop… with plenty of chocolate or potato chips nearby.